Crawford Bay is a humble hamlet on the east shore of Kootenay Lake, in some of the most scenically beautiful country BC has to offer. We are 80km north of Creston, BC and 40km and a free ferry ride from Nelson, BC.

For road maps of the area, click here.

Aside from its natural splendor, the area is renowned for its creative community, and Crawford Bay is home to a vital artisans community within a short walk of the festival ground. There is a Weaver’s Studio, Blacksmith’s shop, Copper Enamelling Studio, Broom Maker’s workshop, Potter, Jeweler, and Woodworker all within a couple of hundred yards of each other, and all open to public viewing so you can watch the artisans at work.

Are you interested in exploring the local hiking and biking trails available on the East Shore? Be sure to check out the East Shore Trail and Bike Association’s website

If you are driving from west of Kootenay Lake you will likely be taking the ferry across the lake at Balfour — the other option is the southern route, which is Hwy 3 to Creston and then heading north up the lake on Hwy 3A. During peak hours the Kootenay Lake ferry terminals are quite congested, with waits up to three hours at times.

KOKANEE CHALETS – a fully serviced campground and RV park, right across the road from the festival grounds
www.kokaneechalets.com
(250) 227-9292

KOKANEE SPRINGS GOLF RESORT – Crawford Bay BC
www.kokaneesprings.com
1-(800)-979-7999

CRAWFORD BAY RV PARK – located adjacent to the festival park
www.crawfordbayrvpark.com
(250) 227-9010

NEWKEY’S RV PARK – located adjacent to the festival park
http://newkeysplace.ca
(250) 227-6911

SOUL’S PARADISE (formerly Pilot Bay Resort) – a short drive from Kootenay Bay ferry landing
soulsparadise.ca
(250) 227-9441

CEDAR GROVE CAMPGROUND
www.cedargrovecampground.com
(250) 227-9492

RIONDEL COMMUNITY CAMPGROUND
riondelcampground.ca
(250) 225-3338

THE LAKEVIEW – RV, camping and other accommodations
www.kootenaylakeview.com
(250) 227-9367

WEDGWOOD RETREAT B&B
www.wedgwoodretreat.ca
1-(888)-960-6017

For a comprehensive look at all the East Shore has to offer, please visit the online Kootenay Lake Visitors Guide.

All of the above accommodations usually book up quickly. For this reason, Starbelly Jam Society does provide a basic campground across the street from the festival grounds. The campground is suitable for tents, vans, RV’s, etc. Toilets are provided. There is a footbridge across from the Credit Union, and vehicle entrance to this field is 200 m north, off Seymour Road. Ask for details at the main gate. Admission is First Come-First Served on Friday. It’s a large area and there is lots of room for everyone. A quieter, family camping area is available.

Camping at the Crawford Bay beach or in the Crawford Bay Park is prohibited.

*There are no dogs permitted in the campground.

*For full information on the Festival Campground, click here

Short of cash? A 24-hour bank machine is located at the local East Shore branch of the Nelson & District Credit Union, (our financial sponsor!) on the other side of the parking area.

To keep Starbelly Jam as safe as possible for all our visitors, pets, drugs, and alcohol are not allowed on the festival grounds. Coolers are subject to inspection. Please do your pets a favor and leave them with a friend; they are not allowed in the Park or the Campground.

Passes can be purchased in advance or at the entrance gates, where you will receive a wristband allowing you to leave and enter the park. Gates open at 5:00 pm on Friday and noon on Saturday and Sunday. Wristbands should be worn at all times. You may be asked to leave if you are not wearing a wristband.

In addition to a fine selection of crafts, there will be a variety of food booths on-site to cater to almost all tastes. For other food options, the Crawford Bay Store is a short walk north of the park, and there are several restaurants and cafes in the area.

There is limited shade in the park, so please come prepared for being in the sun. Drinking water is provided, with containers and cups located throughout the park. Avoid dehydration! Crawford Bay has a safe, sandy beach only 1 km away. All that sunny stuff being said, do come prepared for all kinds of weather; July is usually very pleasant, but it has been known to rain occasionally!

Portable toilets are located behind the center building, with water and a sink. There is a wheelchair-accessible toilet located near our first aid area.

A First Aid attendant is on hand for the duration of the festival and is located behind the pavilion/kid’s crafts zone.

If you have lost someone or something, please go to the gate, on the west side of the park by the parking area. All found items should be taken there.

On Saturday night the music is scheduled to end shortly after midnight but could well run a bit late. The last ferry from Kootenay Bay is at 10:20 p.m., On Sunday night the last ferry also leaves at 10:20 pm.

If you can, we urge you to consider spending the night in our modest campground or at one of the local accommodations. If you must get back to the Western side, the other option to catching the last ferry is to drive over the Kootenay Pass via Creston. If you decide to do this, make sure you have enough gas. The 7-Eleven and the Petro-Canada in Creston (open 24 hrs) are the only places open after 8 p.m., and Creston is 80 km away on Hwy 3A.

We ask our guests to be aware that Starbelly Music Festival is held in the middle of a residential and business area and to please respect the privacy and property rights of the surrounding neighbours so that they are affected as little as possible by this event. Please do not take short-cuts across their property or make undue noise after the music ends at night. Thank you for your consideration!