Kikomun Creek Provincial Park, Kootenay River, Koocanusa Lake, Jaffray

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Kikomun Creek
Kikomun Creek Provincial Park is located 36 km (22 miles) north of the USA border, bordering the State of Montana in British Columbia's south-east corner about 76 km (48 miles) south-east from Cranbrook and 51 km (32 miles) south-west from Fernie.

Travelling Here
To get to Kikomun Provincial Park from other parts of BC, take Hwy 3 east or Hwy3/Hwy 93 west to Kikomun Newgate Road - about 16 km (10 miles) west of Jaffray. Drive towards Montana until you see Kikomun Newgate Road. The gate house to the park is another 7.5 km from this point at Jaffray Baynes Lake Road. If you happen to be in Jaffray you can also take the paved Jaffray Baynes Lake Road to Kikomun Newgate Road and the park gate.

From Montana
If you are coming from Montana, take Hwy 93 north from the border crossing at Roosville and travel 27 km (19 miles) to Jaffray Baynes Lake Road. Turn here, then go north about 8 km (5 miles) on Jaffray Baynes Lake Road to the park gate off Kikomun Newgate Road.

Main Highlights
The main highlights found at Kikomun Creek Provincial Park include the walking and cycling trails as well as five lakes found within the park (some of which are very clean with white sandy beaches) and Koocanusa Lake. Formed by Libby Dam on the Kootenay River in Montana, Koocanusa Lake is a large body of water that stretches approximately 72 kilometres (45 miles) through Montana and 80 kilometres (50 miles) into British Columbia.

Great Northern Rail Trail
A favourite activity at Kikomun Creek Provincial Park is using a section of the Great Northern Rail Trail which meanders through the campground. This section of the Great Northern Rail Line was used to haul coal out from the Elk Valley mines south to Montana and other parts of the USA, eventually being abandoned in 1932. A good place to gain access to the trail is at the day-use parking lot for Surveyors Lake.

Surveyors Lake
Surveyors Lake is a good spot for kids to enjoy as it features a nice sandy beach that wraps around one side of the lake to a float, wharf, and swimming area. Remember to look after your children as there are no lifeguards present anywhere at Kikomun Creek Provincial Park. With the proper fishing licence, you can try to catch Rainbow trout or Smallmouth bass.

Campgrounds
There are a number of campgrounds found at Kikomun Creek. Surveyors Lake, the main campground, borders a lake by that name. It has fairly large private sites and access to the Great Northern Rail Trail, the Hidden Lake Trail, trails to Stink and Fisher Lakes, plus connecting trails to Baynes Lake and the community with the same name. For people who want to camp nearby and have access to Koocanusa Lake, there is either the Kalispell Campground, where you can find a boat launch, or Ponderosa Campgrounds, where there is a group campsite. There is also the South Pool Group Site for more privacy.

Park Facilities
You can find fairly private campsites throughout Kikomun Creek, hot showers on the main campgrounds, a mixture of flush and pit-toilets, tap water, a sani-station for RVs, a children's playground, changing rooms at Surveyors Lake, a picnic area, some electrical hook-ups, some wheelchair access, and a relaxed setting throughout the whole park.

Baynes Lake
Baynes Lake is a small resort community located a short distance south of Kikomun Creek Provincial Park on the Jaffray Baynes Lake Road. The community contains the historic Waldo Church and the Baynes Lake Community Centre, home to a farmer's market and the Old School House Gift Shop.

Baynes Lake General Store
For supplies and groceries including liquor, ice, fishing & hunting licenses, bait, fishing gear, propane, and firewood, there is the Baynes Lake General Store situated on Sweet Road. Call 250-529-7300 for hours of operation.

Kikomun Bridge
Other places to discover for hunting, fishing, and exploring in this part of the East Kootenays involve adventure travelling on the backroads, many of them available by crossing the Kikomun Bride located just west of the park gate on the Kikomun Newgate Road over to the west side of Lake Koocanusa.

Koocanusa Campsite and Marina
Once you're over the bridge, you can find a marina and a small store at the Koocanusa Campsite and Marina. At the campground, there is a sandy beach with a buoyed and roped off area for swimming. From here, there is access to the Craven Creek Forest Service Road, farther points west on the Kikomun Main FSR, and eventually north to Cranbrook on the Gold Creek FSR and Teepee Gold Creek FSR.

Be Prepared on Backroads
If you do travel the backroads, make sure that you are prepared for possible mishap and lack of–or no–communication. Remember also that the gravel roads could have heavy equipment or logging trucks on them, so all precautions must be remembered, especially when driving with your lights on; be prepared for wildlife encounters and be sure to have up-to-date navigational aids and maps.

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