Skip to content

Table of contents

About Nelson, BC

Nelson sits above the west arm of Kootenay Lake, reached mainly via Highway 3A from Castlegar, a straightforward 45 km run through the valley. Highway 6 connects north to the Okanagan, and Highway 3 links east to Creston over Kootenay Pass, so plan extra time on that stretch when conditions turn. Locals commute regularly to Salmo, Castlegar, and Trail, while EV drivers can charge up in town before tackling the mountain grades. Nelson's downtown is packed with restored heritage buildings from the 1890s, still in everyday use.

Where is Nelson, BC on the map?

Nelson, BC is in Canada, at 49.500, -117.283 - about 42 km north of Salmo, BC.

How far is Nelson, BC from where I am?

Use your device location to see the distance to Nelson, BC, how long the drive takes, and directions from where you are.

Find hotels in Nelson, BC

Rent a car near Nelson, BC

Play a pub crawl round in Nelson, BC

Nine holes from pub to pub through the real streets of Nelson, BC. Every cup is a bar somebody actually drinks in.

Pub Crawl Golf: Nelson, BC9 holes, one ball

Popular destinations close by

Nearby essentials

What is the closest airport to Nelson, BC?

The closest airport to Nelson, BC is Castlegar/West Kootenay Regional Airport, 42 km (about 40 min by car). Other airports nearby: Trail Regional Airport.

Share Route

Save for offline?

We'll download this route and its map area so it works without a connection. This can take a moment -- you can keep using the app while it finishes.