The Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada is home to many mountain ranges and glaciers. The high alpine mountains glaciers and the resulting snow melt creates and fuels many of the alpine lakes and mighty rivers in the region. These same Kootenay rivers and lakes are the operating grounds for many kayak and canoe tour companies.
The Kootenay region enjoys, both, whitewater and relaxing paddle routes. Each river paddle route is graded for difficulty and identified by put-in and take-out locations. Important locations on a river identifying starts and stops.. and more importantly, portage routes avoiding dams, waterfalls, Grade V rapids and other hazardous pitfalls.
Some river paddle routes can be enjoyed with an open canoe or kayak at a leisurely pace. These routes are easily enjoyed by beginner paddlers with very little threat of danger. Other routes are more challenging with plenty of whitewater and should only be attempted by professional paddlers in closed kayaks and canoes.
Each lake paddle route or chain of lakes are best accessed from boat launches. Some of the smaller lakes with roof top boat launches permit only kayaks and canoes while other bigger lakes permit all types of boating watercraft. The smaller lakes in the wilderness may be part of a chain of lakes and involve portage routes. The lakes located closest to a Kootenay community are, usually, bigger and are easily accessed via a paved road or highway.
Services vary on the rivers and lakes. On some of the rivers and lakes in the Kootenays are wilderness campsites and accommodations for overnight kayak and canoe trips. Campsites include picnic tables, fire pits, pit toilets and maybe a tent pad. B&B and Inn Accommodations on a lake or river includes all the sweet amenities of traveling in style like a shower, a soft bed and home cooked meals. Some even have a dock for securing your canoe or kayak during your stay.
