Beaches & Boat Launches
Life's a Beach in the Columbia Valley!
With two lakes accessible within minutes, the time honoured ‘river float’ and countless more lakes and rivers in the area, there’s truly no end to the fun you can find on, in and around the water. Find the best ways to start your trip on the water below!
Beaches
There are 2 public beaches in Invermere (Kinsmen and James Chabot Provincial Park), and one beach in Windermere. The beaches on Lake Windermere offer fantastic views of the mountains down the Columbia Valley. Grab some takeout and pack a chair, you'll want to stay for a while!
The nearest beach to our Fairmont Hot Springs properties is Windermere Public Beach, a 10-minute drive away. To our Panorama properties, the nearest beach is Kinsmen Beach in Invermere.
Another is located south of Fairmont Hot Springs in the village of Canal Flats. Timbers Resort Cabin rentals are perched above Columbia Lake - a short walk takes you to a small pebbly beach area on the shore of the lake.
Windermere Beach
Windermere Beach is a beautiful public beach just 10 minutes from Fairmont Hot Springs on the eastern shore of Lake Windermere. Enjoy a spacious beach with a pebbly shoreline, an enclosed swimming area with a floating dock, picnic tables, a children's playground, shaded areas, washrooms and plenty of space to relax while taking in the stunning mountain views.
Canal Flats Beach, Tilley Memorial Park
Tilley Memorial Park is a scenic beach on Columbia Lake, just 20 minutes south of Fairmont Hot Springs. Enjoy swimming, picnicking and boating with beautiful mountain views. Boat launch & parking: $25/day. Parking only: $5/person (maximum $15/vehicle, children 5 and under free). Please note: Dogs are not permitted on the beach but are welcome on boats.
James Chabot Provincial Park
Enjoy the warm waters of Lake Windermere! James Chabot Provincial Park is a free day-use beach located just 15 minutes from rentals in Fairmont Hot Springs and Panorama.
A broad, sandy beach backed with open, grassy play areas offers pleasant surroundings for families who enjoy lakeshore recreation. Windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming are popular activities. There is an adventure playground and a volleyball court.
Kinsmen Beach
Kinsmen Beach & Park is one of the Columbia Valley's most popular lakeside destinations, just 25 minutes north of Fairmont and a short walk from downtown Invermere. Enjoy a sandy beach, roped swimming area with a dock and slide, playground, splash park, beach volleyball, picnic areas, accessible washrooms, showers, concession and kayak, canoe & paddleboard rentals. With plenty of parking, beautiful mountain views, and easy access to local cafés, restaurants, and shops, it's the perfect spot for a day at Lake Windermere.
Boat Launches
- Access Columbia Lake: this can be done via the public launch in Canal Flats, about 20 minutes from Fairmont. A $20 fee is charged.
- Access Lake Windermere:
- In the village of Windermere there is a boat launch on lower Baltac Road.
- Invermere by James Chabot Provincial Park - turn left at the set of lights (corner of A&W restaurant), follow to the first left which is gravel road leading around the boat storage area.
- Invermere by Bayshore Condos - go through downtown Invermere, turn left at the end of the main street just after the bakery. Follow down a small hill and over a bridge. Just past the bridge, turn left towards the lake on a gravel/dirt path.
Our rentals in Fairmont Hot Springs have enough space to park a boat trailer. Contact us for more information!
Come Unwind in the Columbia Valley
A getaway with Fairmont Creek Vacation Rentals offers the perfect pairing of adventure, relaxation, space and comfort.