Planning more BC and Pacific Northwest travel? You may also like our guides to things to do in Kelowna BC, things to do in Anacortes Washington, top things to see in Washington State, and fall in Washington State.
The first thing you notice in Kimberley is the shape of the mountains around town. The Purcells rise on one side, the Rockies sit across the valley, and the downtown Platzl gives you a walkable base for coffee, dinner, shops, live music, and easy trail access.
Kimberley, British Columbia sits in the East Kootenay region, about 15 minutes from Canadian Rockies International Airport in Cranbrook. It is small enough to feel easy, but outdoor access is the whole point: skiing, Nordic trails, hiking, biking, golf, waterfalls, lakes, history, and a pedestrian downtown that makes lingering between adventures simple.
This guide covers the best things to do in Kimberley BC, including what to do in summer, winter, shoulder season, and rainy weather. We also added where to stay, where to eat, and how to build a weekend itinerary that does not feel rushed.
As always in the Kootenays, check current conditions before you go. Trail access, ski operations, event dates, wildfire smoke, road conditions, and restaurant hours can change by season.
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Quick Look: Best Things to Do in Kimberley BC
| Activity | Best for | When to go |
|---|---|---|
| Walk the Platzl | Food, shops, patios, easy first stop | Year-round |
| Kimberley Nature Park | Hiking, biking, forest walks | Spring to fall; winter with traction/snowshoes |
| Kimberley Alpine Resort | Downhill skiing, snowboarding, mountain views | Winter |
| Kimberley Nordic Club | Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, winter fitness | Winter |
| NorthStar Rails to Trails | Biking, walking, running, family rides | Spring to fall |
| Marysville Falls | Easy waterfall stop | Spring to fall |
| Underground Mining Railway | Families, history, rainy-day activity | Seasonal, usually late spring to early fall |
| Bootleg Gap Golf | Mountain golf and casual rounds | Golf season |
| Farmers’ Market | Local food, crafts, summer evenings | Thursday evenings in summer |
| Fort Steele Heritage Town | Day trip, history, families | Seasonal; check current operations |
1. Start in the Platzl
The Platzl is Kimberley’s pedestrian-only downtown core and the best place to start your visit. It is small, walkable, and useful for a first wander: grab coffee, browse shops, check menus, look for events, and get a feel for town before heading to the trails.
Tourism Kimberley describes the Platzl as the heart of the community, with eateries, drink spots, shops, art galleries, and stroller- and wheelchair-friendly access. You will also find Kimberley’s famous cuckoo clock and Happy Hans, which is worth a quick stop even if you are usually not a “tourist photo” person.
This is also where you want to be on a summer evening if the Kimberley Farmers’ Market is running. For 2026, the market is scheduled for Thursday evenings from June 18 to September 17 on Howard Street and in the downtown Platzl.
Planning tip: Park once and walk. Kimberley is best when you let downtown lead into coffee, dinner, trails, and evening plans without over-scheduling.
Useful link: Tourism Kimberley guide to the Platzl
2. Hike or Bike in Kimberley Nature Park
Kimberley Nature Park is one of the biggest reasons to visit. The park sits right inside the city and gives you a large trail network without needing a long drive to a trailhead.
The park covers 840 hectares, with the adjacent Horse Barn Valley Interpretive Forest adding another 200 hectares. Together, the area has more than 50 kilometres of trails through forested hillsides, ponds, small streams, viewpoints, old-growth cedar pockets, and rocky slopes.
You can keep things mellow with a short forest walk or build a longer loop with more climbing. Trails are multi-use, so expect hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners, snowshoers, and winter users depending on the season.
Planning tip: Download or buy a map before heading in. The park has many intersections, and cell service may not be reliable. The park also recommends sturdy footwear, insect repellent in late spring and summer, and bear spray because black bears and cougars can be present around Kimberley.
Useful links: Kimberley Nature Park and Kimberley Nature Park maps
3. Ride the NorthStar Rails to Trails
The NorthStar Rails to Trails route links Kimberley and Cranbrook on a paved former rail corridor. It is one of the easiest ways to get a big Kootenay view without committing to a technical mountain bike ride.
The trail is commonly listed at 26 kilometres between the two communities, with gentle grades and views toward the Purcell Mountains, Rocky Mountain Trench, St. Mary River, and the Steeples range. It works for biking, walking, running, and rollerblading.
You do not have to ride the full route. For a shorter outing, ride an out-and-back from Kimberley or start near Marysville to skip some of the bigger grade changes.
Planning tip: Bring water, sun protection, and a basic repair kit if biking. The paved surface makes it family-friendly, but weather and wind can still change the feel of the ride.
Useful links: BC Rail Trails: Kimberley to Cranbrook North Star Rail Trail and City of Kimberley trail network
4. Ski or Snowboard at Kimberley Alpine Resort
In winter, Kimberley Alpine Resort is the main draw. The resort sits on North Star Mountain in the Purcell Range, with a relaxed ski-town feel and enough terrain for a family trip, a couples’ ski weekend, or a longer winter stay.
The resort lists 1,800 skiable acres, 68 named runs plus glades, a 2,465-foot vertical rise, and a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain. It is known for long cruiser runs, glades, and a more laid-back atmosphere than some of the larger BC resorts.
Kimberley is especially appealing if you want ski-in/ski-out lodging without the intensity of a bigger destination. Stay near the resort base if your trip is centered on skiing, or stay downtown if food and walkability matter more.
Planning tip: Check snow reports, lift status, and seasonal operations before you go. If you are visiting during school holidays or a powder cycle, book lodging and rentals early.
Useful link: Kimberley Alpine Resort
5. Cross-Country Ski at Kimberley Nordic Club
If downhill skiing is not your whole winter personality, add Kimberley Nordic Club. The Nordic area sits near the resort’s upper base and offers groomed trails for skate and classic skiing, plus a lodge and rentals.
The network includes groomed double-track trails, single-track options, and a lit loop for night skiing. It is a good choice for families, beginners taking lessons, and strong skiers who want a cardio-heavy winter day.
Planning tip: Trail fees are required. Check grooming, weather, day passes, and rental details before you drive up.
Useful links: Kimberley Nordic Club and Kimberley Nordic grooming report
6. See Marysville Falls
Marysville Falls is one of the easiest nature stops near Kimberley. The short walkway follows Mark Creek through forest to a waterfall viewpoint, making it a good option for families, road-trippers, or anyone who wants a pretty stop without a long hike.
The falls are often listed around 30 metres, or about 100 feet, and the Eco Park area makes this a simple add-on when you are driving through Marysville or heading toward St. Mary Lake.
Planning tip: Go in spring or after rain for stronger flow. In winter or shoulder season, watch for ice on the walkway.
Useful link: Marysville Falls & Eco Park
7. Ride Kimberley’s Underground Mining Railway
Kimberley’s mining history is a big part of the town’s story, and the Underground Mining Railway is one of the best ways to connect with it. The ride takes visitors through the Mark Creek valley while sharing the history of Kimberley and the Sullivan Mine.
The experience usually includes a scenic train ride and time at the Underground Interpretive Centre, where visitors learn more about mining equipment and the work that shaped the community.
As of the current schedule information, the railway typically begins with weekends around Victoria Day weekend, then moves into a fuller summer schedule from July through Labour Day. Always confirm the current schedule before planning your day around it.
Planning tip: This is a great pick for families, history lovers, and rainy or smoky days when you want an activity that is not fully weather-dependent.
Useful links: Kimberley’s Underground Mining Railway and schedule and fees
8. Golf at Bootleg Gap or Trickle Creek
Kimberley is a strong golf town, especially if you like mountain views with your tee time. Bootleg Gap Golf is a 27-hole public facility in the Rocky Mountain Trench, with wide views and a mix of full-length and recreational golf.
Trickle Creek Golf Resort sits near Kimberley Alpine Resort and works well if you are staying slopeside or at Trickle Creek Lodge. The golf season pairs nicely with hiking, biking, patios, and scenic drives.
Planning tip: Book tee times ahead for summer weekends. If you are traveling with a mixed group, Bootleg Gap’s 9-hole recreational course can be a more approachable option than a full 18-hole round.
Useful links: Bootleg Gap Golf and Trickle Creek Golf Resort
9. Mountain Bike the Local Trail Networks
Kimberley has a serious trail culture, and mountain bikers have several networks to choose from. Tourism Kimberley highlights five separate unpaved trail networks, along with paved paths for easier walks and rides.
Start with Kimberley Nature Park for classic forest trails. Lois Creek is a good option for easier riding and mellow nature time close to town. Bootleg Mountain and the Kimberley Nordic/Ski Hill area offer more purpose-built mountain bike options for riders who want a bigger trail day.
Planning tip: Use current trail reports and maps before riding. Conditions can change with rain, snowmelt, maintenance, fire risk, and seasonal closures.
Useful links: Kimberley Trails Society, Lois Creek Trails, and Tourism Kimberley outdoor activities
10. Spend Time at St. Mary Lake
St. Mary Lake is west of Kimberley and works well when you want a quiet water-and-mountain stop. The regional park is located at the east end of the lake, about 20 kilometres west of Kimberley on St. Mary Road.
Depending on conditions and season, visitors come for shoreline time, paddling, fishing, swimming, birdwatching, and scenic drives. It is not a busy resort-style lake, so bring what you need and keep expectations simple.
Planning tip: Check local regulations before fishing, and bring water shoes or sandals if you plan to spend time near the shore.
Useful link: St. Mary Lake Regional Park
11. Visit Cominco Gardens if Open
Cominco Gardens is one of Kimberley’s longtime local landmarks, with flower beds, paths, and mountain views tied to the town’s mining and company-town history.
That said, this is one to check before you go. The City of Kimberley announced a Cominco Gardens rejuvenation project in 2025, including temporary closure during construction. Because garden access can change with restoration work, seasonal maintenance, and bloom timing, verify the current status before adding it to your itinerary.
Planning tip: If the gardens are closed, use that time for the Kimberley Heritage Museum, a Platzl walk, or Marysville Falls instead.
Useful links: City of Kimberley Cominco Gardens project note and Tourism Kimberley attractions
12. Stop at the Kimberley Heritage Museum
The Kimberley Heritage Museum is a compact but useful stop if you want context for the town before or after riding the mining railway. Exhibits cover Kimberley’s mining, sporting, social, and community history.
Tourism Kimberley notes that the museum houses thousands of artifacts and archival photographs, with permanent and seasonal exhibits connected to the Sullivan Mine and local life.
Planning tip: Pair the museum with a Platzl wander, lunch downtown, and the mining railway for a low-effort history day.
Useful link: Kimberley Heritage Museum
13. Plan Around Kimberley Farmers’ Market or JulyFest
Kimberley’s event calendar can make a small-town trip feel bigger. In summer, the Kimberley Farmers’ Market brings local food, crafts, music, and community energy into the downtown core on Thursday evenings.
JulyFest is the bigger summer festival, with bocce, soccer, music, food, and community events. For 2026, JulyFest is scheduled for July 17, 18, and 19.
Planning tip: Event weekends can make lodging harder to find. Book early if you are coming for JulyFest, a tournament, holiday weekend, or peak ski dates.
Useful links: Kimberley Farmers’ Market, Kimberley JulyFest, and Tourism Kimberley events
14. Take a Day Trip to Fort Steele Heritage Town
Fort Steele Heritage Town is an easy day trip from Kimberley, especially if you are traveling with kids or anyone interested in Kootenay history. The heritage site sits near Cranbrook and gives visitors a look at the region’s gold rush, settlement, and frontier-era history.
The site has gone through operational changes in recent years and is now under new leadership, so check the current website before you go for hours, programming, events, and visitor details.
Planning tip: Pair Fort Steele with Cranbrook restaurants, the Cranbrook History Centre, or a short scenic drive before returning to Kimberley for the night.
Useful link: Fort Steele Heritage Town
15. Eat and Drink Your Way Through Kimberley
Kimberley’s food scene is one of the reasons the town works so well for a weekend. You can hike in the morning, walk the Platzl in the afternoon, and settle into dinner without driving all over the place.
Pedal & Tap is a popular downtown dinner choice, known for casual food, a fun room, and the kind of menu that works after a trail day. Over Time Beer Works is Kimberley’s local brewery, with beer, a taproom, and a patio. For coffee, breakfast, or a slower morning, look at downtown cafes like The Bean Tree Cafe or options listed through Tourism Kimberley’s dining guide.
If you are staying at the ski hill, check current resort dining hours before you plan après there. Some mountain restaurants are seasonal.
Useful links: Pedal & Tap, Over Time Beer Works, and Tourism Kimberley dining guide
Where to Stay in Kimberley BC
Where you stay depends on the trip. Stay at the ski hill for winter convenience, downtown for restaurants and the Platzl, or near Cranbrook if you want airport access, Fort Steele, and a wider hotel search.
Trickle Creek Lodge is the easiest ski-in/ski-out style choice at Kimberley Alpine Resort, with suites and access close to the lifts and Trickle Creek Golf Resort.
Polaris Lodge is another ski-hill lodging option. It can work well for travelers who want kitchen-style amenities and easy access to resort activities.
The Larix Hotel is a good downtown-style pick if you want easier access to the Platzl, restaurants, shops, and low-key town time.
Kimberley Riverside Campground is a better fit if your trip leans outdoorsy and you are traveling with a tent, RV, or family group. It also has mini golf on site in season.
St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino near Cranbrook is worth considering if you want a larger resort-style base, golf, airport access, or a trip that combines Kimberley with Cranbrook and Fort Steele.
Want to compare more options? Use the Kimberley and Cranbrook searches below as a starting point, then check location, parking, cancellation policy, pet rules, and total price before booking.
Best Time to Visit Kimberley BC
Winter is best for downhill skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and cozy evenings downtown. Book around snow conditions and check resort operations.
Spring brings muddy trails, greener hills, waterfall flow, and quieter weekends. It is a good shoulder season if you are flexible with weather.
Summer is best for hiking, biking, golf, St. Mary Lake, Farmers’ Market nights, JulyFest, patios, and long days outside.
Fall is one of the best seasons for hiking and biking if you like cooler air, quieter trails, and golden mountain light. Watch for early snow at higher elevations.
How to Get to Kimberley BC
The easiest airport is Canadian Rockies International Airport near Cranbrook. The airport lists direct service to Calgary, Vancouver, and Kelowna through airline partners, and the City of Kimberley notes that the airport is about a 15-minute scenic drive from Kimberley.
If you are driving, Kimberley sits along Highway 95A between Cranbrook and the mountain communities of the East Kootenays. Winter tires, mountain weather awareness, and extra time are smart from fall through spring.
Planning tip: A car makes Kimberley much easier. Downtown is walkable, but waterfalls, lakes, Fort Steele, Cranbrook, golf courses, and trailheads are simpler with your own wheels.
A Simple Kimberley Weekend Itinerary
Friday evening: Arrive, check in, and walk the Platzl. Have dinner at Pedal & Tap or choose a brewery-and-casual-food night at Over Time Beer Works if timing works.
Saturday morning: Start with coffee downtown, then hike in Kimberley Nature Park or ride part of NorthStar Rails to Trails. In winter, swap this for Kimberley Alpine Resort or Kimberley Nordic Club.
Saturday afternoon: Visit Marysville Falls, browse downtown, or ride the Underground Mining Railway if it is operating. If you are here in summer on a Thursday, make the Farmers’ Market your evening plan.
Sunday: Choose one bigger add-on: golf at Bootleg Gap, St. Mary Lake, Fort Steele Heritage Town, or a longer trail ride. Leave time for a slow lunch before heading back to Cranbrook or continuing your Kootenay road trip.
Kimberley BC Travel Tips
- Download maps: Trails can branch quickly, and service may be uneven.
- Carry bear spray: Kimberley trails are shared with wildlife habitat. Know how to use it.
- Check trail reports: Mountain bike and hiking conditions can change with snowmelt, rain, heat, and maintenance.
- Book around events: JulyFest, ski weekends, golf weekends, and summer holidays can tighten lodging availability.
- Pack layers: Mountain mornings and evenings can be cool even when afternoons are warm.
- Respect multi-use trails: Yield properly, keep dogs under control, and watch for bikes, runners, and winter users.
- Check seasonal hours: The railway, restaurants, resort dining, golf courses, attractions, and heritage sites may shift hours by season.
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Kimberley BC
Kimberley is one of those Kootenay towns where you do not have to choose between mountain access and an easy downtown. You can ski or bike in the morning, walk the Platzl in the afternoon, see a waterfall before dinner, and still be close enough to Cranbrook for airport logistics or a wider road trip.
Come in winter for powder, Nordic trails, and cozy ski-town energy. Come in summer for biking, hiking, golf, farmers’ market evenings, St. Mary Lake, and long daylight in the mountains.
However you plan it, leave room for one extra trail, one slow patio meal, and one view you did not expect. Kimberley is good at those.
Discover more of the Pacific Northwest, one mountain town, trail network, and scenic drive at a time.
Content creator and writer for multiple websites including All About Glamping, Fit Living Lifestyle, and Live Dream Discover. A full-time traveler who has spoken at various travel conferences around the world.
