30th Annual Hills Garlic FestivalSeptember 2025
The Silvery Slocan has a rich history and offers visitors a variety of activities in all seasons of the year. Small municipal museums and archeological excavations along the Slocan River since the 1980s offer insights into the customs and lifestyles of the people that first settled the area more than 3000 years ago, known as the Arrow Lakes People or Sinixt.
The legacy of the Silvery Slocan mining boom in the late 1800s includes mining and logging operations have left a rich network of roads, trails, and heritage town sites that can be explored on foot, mountain bike, ATV, or horseback.
The Galena Trail extends from Three Forks (along Highway 31A) to New Denver and on to Rosebery where it connects with the old CPR rail bed. This popular rail trail hugs the shore of Slocan Lake to Hills, then follows Bonanza Creek through beautiful wetlands areas rich in a diversity of plants, animals, and birds.
Glacier fed Slocan Lake is popular for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, swimming, and exploring along the shores. The wilderness on the west side of the lake is protected in Valhalla Provincial Park. Within the Slocan Lake watershed are many alpine lakes and streams reached with hikes rated from easy through some of the most challenging in BC.
A significant event of the area's past is highlighted in the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre in New Denver that documents and re-creates the story of thousands of Japanese Canadians interned in the Slocan Valley during World War II. Nearby on the lakeshore, is the beautiful Japanese-style Kohan Reflection Garden.
Visitors enjoy the ghost town of Sandon, once boasting a population of over 10,000 during the heyday of silver, lead, and zinc mining. From Sandon, drive up the road up to Idaho Peak, a favorite destination for abundant alpine wildflower displays, exciting mountain bike rides down old mining trails, and spectacular views of Slocan Lake and mountain peaks in all directions.
There are many campgrounds in the area in addition to a hotel, cabins, and B&Bs. Several restaurants offer everything from a great cup of coffee to full course meals.
Please visit the Village of New Denver, the Village of Silverton and the Slocan Lake District Chamber of Commerce websites for more information.
Travel Highway 31A from Kaslo to New Denver, turn left at the blinking light, then turn left into the shuttle parking area or cross the Carpenter Creek bridge and turn right at 3rd Ave, 2nd Ave, or 1st Ave.
See MapTravel 50 km south from Nakusp to New Denver on Hightway 6, turn left into the shuttle parking area or cross the Carpenter Creek bridge and turn right at 3rd Ave, 2nd Ave, or 1st Ave.
See MapTravel on Highway 6 until 3 km north of Silverton and turn left on 1st Ave, 2nd Ave, or 3rd Ave if parking volunteers indicate there is space available. Otherwise, proceed north across the Carpenter Creek bridge, turn right before reaching the Valhalla Inn, and follow the signs to the shuttle parking area.
See Map