In the Selkirk Mountains, which were created 200 million years ago during the Jurassic period, the valley forms part of the 400-kilometre (250 mi) long Kootenay Arc, comprising sedimentary, volcanic and metamorphic rock.

Unclear fringe settlements include South Slocan, Krestova, Pass Creek, and Summit Lake.

The valley is definitely home to the villages of Slocan, Silverton, and New Denver, as well as the unincorporated communities of Crescent Valley, Slocan Park, Passmore, Vallican, Winlaw, Appledale, Perry Siding, Lemon Creek, Rosebery, and Hills.

The Sinixt and Ktunaxa peoples have occupied the valley for thousands of years, and parts are subject to ongoing treaty talks.

[1] When rich silver-lead ore was discovered near Sandon in the early 1890s, thousands of prospectors arrived in the valley.

Like First Nations before them, early pioneers recognized the fertile land of the lower valley was prime for settlement.

In 1908, settling in Brilliant, colonies spread outward, which included the south end of the valley.

[3] Small private farms, some originally started by Doukhobors, produce organic fruit and vegetables for local farmer's markets, restaurants, grocery stores and food processors.

[3] Several West Kootenay internment centres housed thousands of Japanese Canadians removed from the BC coast during World War II.

In the valley, these camps stretched from Lemon Creek in the south to Rosebery in the north, and Sandon in the east.

However, remnants formed the foundation for today's artisans, in skills such as theatre, writing, painting, ceramics, and textiles.