Cranbrook, BC : Community Forest
East Kootenays, British Columbia, Canada

Community Forest is a recreation destination located east of the community of Cranbrook in the East Kootenays of British Columbia, Canada. The park consists of lookout points, lakes, grasslands and forests of pine, fir and larch trees. All connected by a series of trails and old gravel access roads.

The Cranbrook Community Forest covers a large swath of land covering over 2000 hectares. The trail system exploring the various eco systems in the park are enjoyed by hikers, mountain bikers, joggers and walkers in the summer. During the winter the trails become cross country ski routes.

Some recreation trails range from a few hundred feet in length while others are up to 10 kilometres long. Most trails are level and are considered easy routes but that is not to say there are not hill climbing routes. The trails are well signed and some follow colored tree markers. Along the trails are various picnic tables, interpretive signs, viewing benches and pit toilets.

Some of the trails in the park lead to viewpoints. The "Viewpoint Trail" leads uphill to a scenic lookout called Windy Bluff which provides views of Four Lakes and includes a picnic site. In the northern section of the Community Forest is the Eager Hills Lookout which is another popular scenic viewpoint.

Some of the scenic views in the Cranbrook Community Forest are found while exploring along the trails. Call it an adventure with a view. There are scenic views enjoyed from the "Trail on Ridge", "Upper Coaster Trail" and the "Big Tree Trail". In total there are said to be over 17 adventure routes in the Community Forest.

Highway #3/95 dissects the park creating a north and south section. Following Highway #3/95 is a popular hiking and mountain biking trail route called the Isador Canyon Trail. The Isador Canyon Trail connects to the TCT (Trans Canada Trail) which also explores through the park. There is also another access road that enters into the Community Forest named the Sylvan Lake Road.

Within the boundaries of the Cranbrook Community Forest there are three lakes. The lakes are popular gathering points in the forest park. The lakes include the Sylvan, Four and Kettle Lakes. The lakes are good locations for birdwatching and picnicking.

How to Get to the Cranbrook Community Forest:

Travel to the community of Cranbrook BC. Because of the massive size of the green space park and the close proximity to the community there are many parking lot access points to the trails. Some of the main parking lots are located on Mount Baker Road, at the north end of Cranbrook Street and 30th Ave N, at the Highway Overpass and the BCFS Fire Base and at the end of 2nd Street pass the golf course.