Westside Road / Bear Creek Road

The drive north from Highway 97 quickly leaves the standard subdivisions behind. You trade traffic lights for steep rock faces on one side and a sheer drop to the lake on the other. Bighorn sheep often graze near the asphalt in the early mornings. Locals know to take the tight corners slowly, especially when towing boats or trailers up to the higher elevations.

At the provincial park, a deep canyon cuts through the hillside. Hikers tackle the loop trail to see the waterfalls, while campers claim the long stretch of sandy beach below. During the summer months, the water here fills with paddleboards and kayaks launching directly from the campsites. It is a busy hub of outdoor activity from May through September.

Further up the route, the terrain opens into small bays and forested bluffs. Communities like La Casa Resort sit terraced on the hillsides, lined with uniform cottages and shared amenities like pools and tennis courts. It is a mix of year-round residents who prefer the quiet and seasonal visitors who arrive for weekend boating trips. Fintry Provincial Park sits further north, holding the stone ruins of a historical packing house.

Daily routines require a bit of planning. Without major grocery stores nearby, people stock up in town before heading home. The trade-off is a quiet evening on the deck watching the sun fade over the water, far removed from the noise of the valley floor.