SOUTH COUNTRY
Lakes, rivers, and small towns — the quieter side of the Elk Valley.
South Country sits on the west side of the Elk Valley, stretching from the US border at Roosville up toward Cranbrook, and takes in five close-knit communities — Baynes Lake, Elko, Wardner, Grasmere, and Jaffray — plus a handful of smaller spots like Newgate and Kookanusa West. It's a region built around water: the mighty Lake Koocanusa reservoir and the Kootenay River wind through it all, alongside a genuine piece of history in the old Great Northern Railway tunnel between Fernie and Elko, built right on the 49th parallel.
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Outdoor Life, Year-Round
This is lake country through and through. Lake Koocanusa offers boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding from launches at Wardner, Baynes Lake, and beyond, while Kikomun Creek Park and Wardner Provincial Park add sandy beaches and family-friendly camping to the mix. Add forests, farmland, and wide-open wildlife country, and it's easy to see why so many buyers come here looking for a slower pace with water at the door.
The Communities
- Baynes Lake — a lakeside village built around its Community Hall and farmers market, with excellent fishing and boat access to Koocanusa
- Wardner — a heritage riverside community on the Kootenay River, with its own provincial park and some of the sunniest weather in the region
- Grasmere — a small hamlet of around 150 people on the east side of Lake Koocanusa, named after England's Lake District
- Jaffray — the region's hub, nestled between Cranbrook and Fernie, with a golf course, gym, and a genuine small-town main street
- Elko — the historic railway crossroads at the region's heart *(see the full Elko page for more)
Where People Live
South Country living is about space and water — acreages, lakefront cabins, and country properties rather than a townsite feel, drawing buyers who want real elbow room without giving up easy access to Fernie and Cranbrook.
Getting Here
About 20–25 minutes to Fernie
· around 40 minutes to Cranbrook
· close to the US border at Roosville