Visitors

In the middle of the broad Rocky Mountain Trench, Cranbrook (population 22,000) boasts more sunshine than anywhere else in British Columbia, and it has a feeling of openness that is reminiscent of the Canadian prairies. Cranbrook is a railway city, mill city, a commercial centre, and an island in a sea of golf courses. It has a modern theatre and a lively arts community, a professional hockey team, and a remarkable museum that captures the experience of the golden age of rail travel in Canada.  Cranbrook is the closest thing to a big city, but with small town charm and friendliness.  Residents of Cranbrook have long known that they owned a piece of paradise, but now the rest of the world is realizing it as well.

Things to do in Cranbrook

Explore the history of the city with the help of the self-guided Cranbrook Heritage Walking Tour. Pick up a copy at the Visitor Centre. Climb aboard the luxurious vintage railcars of the Trans-Canada Limited at the Museum of Rail Travel on Van Horne Street South. Enter the wild and woolly world of the restored Fort Steele Heritage Town. This living museum is just 16km/10mi northeast of Cranbrook.  Visit the Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre in the St. Eugene Resort where Ktunaxa people come together to provide visitors with a taste of their rich history and culture. Take in a show at the Key City Theatre and visit the Key City Gallery that is open to the public Monday – Friday 10:00 – 4:00, Saturday 11:00 – 3:00. Catch a Kootenay Ice home game or, if the hockey season is over, play a round at one of the area’s six golfcourses.

Natural Highlights

Rails to Trails is a 30 kilometre walking and bike path that runs along Highway 95A between Cranbrook and Kimberley.  There are several spectacular hiking trails in the Cranbrook Community Forest with viewpoints of the city and the surrounding mountain ranges.  Isadore Canyon Trail is part of the Trans Canada Trail system and is built on an old railway bed.  Elizabeth Lake Bird Sanctuary is a beautiful spot to walk and take in the abundant plant and wildlife – a must see for bird watchers.  Rotary Way is a 9 kilometre paved path that winds through Cranbrook along Joseph Creek through a series of green spaces.  Make Cranbrook your base for a memorable fishing vacation in the BC Rockies.  There are an abundance of lakes and rivers in our area for beaches, boating, kayaking and canoeing.

Festivals

Cranbrook’s festival calendar starts off with a Children’s Festival in May, but the city’s big bash is Sam Steele Days, which takes place on the third weekend in June. The four-day event features parades, pageants and pancake breakfasts, a slow pitch tournament, a soccer tournament and much more.   Weekly from the end of June to mid September on Saturdays you can shop for fresh, locally grown organic produce or locally made crafts at the Farmer’s Market in downtown Cranbrook.  Nearby Wycliffe hosts its annual Pro Rodeo in early August, while later in the month Cranbrook’s Idlewild Park is the venue for the Idlewild Music Festival. Fort Steele has events going on from Easter through to Christmas. Finishing up the year in style, Cranbrook celebrates the season with Christmas in the Rockies and the annual Santa Claus Parade.

Where to Start
Pop in at the Cranbrook & District Chamber of Commerce at 2279 Cranbrook St North. Get information, maps, use our brand new sani-dump, recommendations and other advice about what to see, where to stay and eat in town.