Slocan, British Columbia

Slocan Part of the BC Adventure Network. Over 5 million web site visitors annually !

Accommodations & Adventures | City Information

Photo courtesy of Ken Merry

The community of Slocan was founded by Frank Fletcher of Nelson, and was incorporated 1901. It began as a tent town in the 1890's for people who walked the Slocan River trail after prospectors discovered large silver-lead deposits. The name Slocan is derived from an Indian word meaning 'pierce, strike on the head', referring to the practice of spearing or harpooning the salmon that used to be plentiful throughout the Slocan area.

The area was the scene of frenetic silver and lead mining and communities like Slocan, New Denver, Silverton and Sandon date from this period. Mines around were worked until high production costs and low ore prices ended the boom. Rail lines from the north and south connected with steamboats on the lake as a vital link in the region's transportation network. The last train traveled the Slocan Valley rail line with five carloads of lumber from the Slocan Forest Products mill on September 14, 1993. Today, a tug and barge service continues to ferry rail cars from Slocan to Roseberry.

Slocan, which is located in the Central Kootenay Regional District is 27km south of Silverton, and 68km northwest of Nelson. The community, along with New Denver and Silverton, is a gateway to the unspoiled wilderness of Valhalla Provincial Park. Hiking in the Valhalla exposes the true beauty of the landscape, and hiking trails are geared for all levels of difficulty.

Accommodation/Adventure Providers

Ice Creek Lodge: Backcountry skiing, snowboarding and mountaineering in the Valhalla Range. Access some of the best big mountain terrain from the sweetest backcountry touring lodge in the Kootenay�s. There�s a great skiing with terrain for a wide range of abilities and desi... more

City Information

Population: 363 (2001)

Main Industries: Forestry, Recreation & Tourism

Elevation: 600 m. (1969 ft.)

Access and Services: Slocan, located south of Silverton, can be reached along Highway 6, a secondary highway in good condition. The community has a general store, post office, school, restaurant, hotel and pub, garage, library and more.

Recreation Facilities & Activities: hiking, boating, fishing, downhill & cross-country skiing, golfing, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing.

Local Attractions and Points of Interest: Slocan Chief Cabin, Wintje's Farm, Japanese garden, Valhalla Provincial Park, Winlaw Nature Park, Walter Clough Wildlife Sanctuary, Slocan Valley Heritage Trail.

Annual Events: Slocan City Logger's Sport Show in July

Accommodations: Provincial parks and commercial lodges offer wilderness accommodations. There is also a bed & breakfast, and a hotel, located in Slocan as well as commercial lodge and campground south of the community.

For Information:
Slocan & District Visitor Information Booth (open July & August only)
1020 Griffin Road,
Slocan, BC V0G 2C0
Telephone: (250) 355-2226 (July & August only)

Village of Slocan Municipal Office
503 Slocan Street,
Slocan, BC V0G 2C0
Telephone: (250) 355-2277

Accommodations & Adventures | City Information