Loading, about as long as a coffee at the Lion’s Head.
Loading, about as long as a coffee at the Lion’s Head.
A small West Kootenay city of around 10,000 people, sitting at the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers. The Heart of the Kootenays.
Castlegar grew up around the river crossing where the Kootenay meets the Columbia. It started as a Sinixt fishing and gathering place, became a Canadian Pacific railway stop in the 1890s, drew Doukhobor settlers from the early 1900s, was incorporated as a city in 1966, and grew again in 1974 with the Kinnaird amalgamation. Today it’s the service and cultural hub of the West Kootenay.
What people notice first is the geography (mountains in every direction, two big rivers), and what keeps them is the size. Around 10,000 people, walkable downtown, a small-college town with a regional airport, surrounded by some of the best hiking, biking, and skiing in BC. The Doukhobor influence is still visible in the historic sites, the food, and the family names on the mailboxes.
New · Our story
From Sinixt homeland to Doukhobor settlement, the railway era to 1966 incorporation, Sculpturewalk to Canada's tallest play structure. The full eleven-chapter history of Castlegar is worth your fifteen minutes.
Explore the full historyAt a glance
Population
Around 10,000
Incorporated
January 1, 1966
Sits at
Columbia + Kootenay confluence
Region
West Kootenay, British Columbia
Indigenous territory
Sinixt (Lakes) homeland
Airport
West Kootenay Regional (YCG)
Living in Castlegar
Discover what makes Castlegar a great place to call home.
Library
Castlegar & District Public Library, books, WiFi, programs.
Business & Investment
Opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors in Castlegar.
Cemetery
Park Memorial Cemetery and community services.
Health Centre
Castlegar & District Community Health Centre.