Originally a mining town, Grand Forks (population 4,300) is home to descendants of the Doukhobors, a Russian religious sect who settled here in the early 1900s. Some still speak Russian, which is taught in local schools. Grand Forks features a mix of impressive historic early-20th-century homes and restored civic buildings.
This 19-kilometer (11.8-mile) long lake, 25 kilometers (15.6 miles) east of Grand Forks along Highway 3, is a summer favorite for folks from throughout the West Kootenays [1], who come for the lake’s warm waters and fishing for rainbow trout, bass, and kokanee.
The best of many commercial campgrounds at Christina Lake is Cascade Cove RV Park (1290 River Rd., 250/447-6662, Apr.–Oct., tenting $24, hookups $28–34). To the north, you sacrifice amenities like hookups and showers for much quieter forested setting at Texas Creek Campground (May–Oct., $15), within Gladstone Provincial Park.
In a pleasant setting on the west edge of town, Pinegrove Motel (209 Central Ave., 250/442-8203, May–Oct.) offers rooms from $85 s, $95 d (with a huge discount for travelers aged 50 or older).
Campers gravitate to the riverside municipal campground (mid-May–mid-Oct., $14–20) at the end of 5th Street. Showers and hookups are offered.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/british-columbia/southern-interior/west-kootenays