Kootenay National Park is located in the Canadian Rockies and it’s less busy than the other parks. These are the best things to do in Kootenay National Park!
About Kootenay National Park
Are you looking for a beautiful natural area in Canada that is not yet super crowded because of all the tourists? Then Kootenay National Park is right up your alley. Tucked away in the Canadian Rockies, this national park is often overlooked. But that’s exactly what makes it such a special place!
I myself visited this special National Park during a round trip in Western Canada. In this blog post, I take you along, share practical tips for your visit, and give an overview of the most beautiful sights and hikes.
What is Kootenay National Park and where is it located?
Kootenay National Park is a national park in the southeastern Canadian province of British Columbia. The park is located next to the better-known parks Banff and Yoho and is therefore sometimes skipped by visitors. A shame, because Kootenay has at least as much natural beauty to offer!
The park is more than 1,400 square kilometers and consists of rugged mountains, deep valleys, vast forests, and clear lakes and rivers. The highest point is Deltaform Mountain with 3,424 meters. Kootenay is located on the western flank of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, on the border of British Columbia and Alberta.
The nearest town is Radium Hot Springs, about a 2.5-hour drive from Calgary. From Radium Hot Springs you drive right into Kootenay via the impressive Sinclair Canyon. When I drove here, a couple of mountain goats ran across the road, which was an amazing sight. A good start!
Visiting Kootenay National Park: practical information
Before I tell you more about fun things to do in Kootenay National Park, let me share some practical information about the park.
How do you get to Kootenay National Park?
Highway 93 from Radium Hot Springs to Castle Junction (just north of Banff, connection to the Trans Canada Highway) runs right through Kootenay National Park. You can find many of the beautiful sights in the park along this road.
Tip! Don’t feel like driving yourself or don’t have transportation? You can also join a tour to Kootenay National Park from Calgary.
Opening hours
The park is open 24 hours a day.
Visitor center
The visitor center of Kootenay National Park is located in Radium Hot Springs and this is a must visit. Here you will learn more about the origins of the park, the animals that live there and you can ask the rangers for tips. You can also get handy maps of the park in the visitor center.
The address: Radium Hot Springs Visitor Center, 7556 Main St E, Radium Hot Springs.
The visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May 1 to Oct. 14. Check the official website for the latest information.
The best time to visit Kootenay NP
The best travel time for Kootenay is from June through September. This is when all roads and facilities are open and the weather is usually pleasant. Keep in mind that the visitor center and campsites close as early as October.
In winter, much of the park is inaccessible due to snow. The main road through the park (Highway 93) remains open year-round. It is extra beautiful to visit the hot springs with snow though, the park looks like a fairy tale!
What does a visit to Kootenay cost
Visiting Kootenay National Park costs CA$11 per person per day. Children under the age of 18 may visit the park for free and there is a discounted rate for seniors (65+).
Tip! Do you spend a lot of time in the parks and plan to visit several of them? It’s highly recommended to purchase a Discovery Pass. This costs CA$151.25 for a family/group or CA$75.25 if you are traveling solo. Hang this pass on the mirror of your car, then you won’t get a fine when driving through or parking in one of the parks.
Check this page for the latest information on entrance fees for Kootenay National Park.
Additional Kootenay National Park tips
Furthermore, it is important to be well prepared to set out in Kootenay. The park is largely unspoiled and there are few facilities. So bring plenty of food, drink, and warm clothing and refuel before you drive into the park. Also download a map of the park in advance (if necessary), as you won’t have cell phone coverage on Highway 93.
Also, remember that you are in the habitat of wild animals such as bears and wolves. Read up in advance on how to behave in “bear country. Make noise and bring a bear spray when you go hiking.
Fun things to do in Kootenay National Park
What is there to see and do in Kootenay National Park? Here are some of the best sights and the best things to do.
Sinclair Canyon
This deep canyon is a spectacular entrance to the park. The road here winds through two tunnels through the narrow canyon with steep red rock walls. Stop at the parking lot and take a short walk through the canyon.
Radium Hot Springs
Radium Hot Springs is not only the name of the town but also of the natural hot springs found at the beginning of the park. The water has a temperature of about 40 degrees. There are both indoor and outdoor pools. A great place to relax for a while.
Olive Lake
I expected to see beautiful lakes only in Banff and Jasper, but so they have them in Kootenay National Park as well. From Radium Hot Springs, Olive Lake is the first lake you encounter and it is immediately worth visiting. The hike to the viewpoint is only a few hundred yards and then you are at the edge of a beautiful green clear lake.
Vermillion Crossing
This is a resting spot where you can picnic by the river. It is located in the middle of the park, making it the perfect place to stop for a break. You can take a walk along the river or enjoy using one of the many picnic tables. A wonderful place to relax for a while.
Numa Falls
This powerful waterfall plunges down several steps into the Vermillion River. From the parking lot, it is a short walk to a viewpoint and you can enjoy the spectacle of the water. The canyon among the green trees is truly a picture to behold.
Paint Pots
Next to Marble Canyon, you’ll find another highlight: Paint Pots. A short hike (via a beautiful wooden boardwalk) takes you to three natural springs with calcareous water in striking colors of orange, yellow, and green. The colored mud in these pools used to be used by natives as paint.
Marble Canyon
For me, this deep and narrow marble canyon was the highlight of my visit to Kootenay National Park. It is so beautiful! Marble Canyon was carved out by the Tokkum Creek. Hiking trails and bridges allow you to admire the canyon from above. The bright blue water stands out beautifully against the light marble.
Beautiful hikes in Kootenay National Park
As in all other parks in the Canadian Rockies, you can do some wonderful hiking in Kootenay. There are several fun short hikes to do (handy if you want to stretch your legs while driving), but you can also do challenging hikes that will take you an entire day. These are some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the park:
- Marble Canyon – 0.9 kilometers (one way) – easy – along the rim of a canyon with several bridges and viewpoints.
- Paint Pots – 1 kilometer – easy – a nice short trail to a place where several water sources converge. This creates unusual colors.
- Juniper – Sinclair Canyon – 2.8 kilometers – easy – a scenic trail through an open forest along the rim of Sinclair Canyon.
- Dog Lake Trail – 2.6 kilometers (one way) – moderate – a fun hike that starts with a beautiful bridge over the Kootenay River. The trail climbs steadily up through the forest and you end with views of Dog Lake among the snow-capped mountain peaks.
- Stanley Glacier – 4.4 kilometers (one way) – moderate – one of the most beautiful hikes in the park to an alpine valley with a melting glacier.
- Kindersley – Sinclair Loop – 17.3 kilometers – difficult – A classic. You trek through a varied landscape with forests, avalanche slopes, alpine meadows, and rock ridges. Please note: due to the (possible) presence of grizzly bears, the minimum group size is 4 people.
- Floe Lake – 21 kilometers – difficult – One of the most popular day hikes in the park. Steep trail with sunny sections and beautiful views along the way. You end at a beautiful lake and walk the same way back.
Check this page for an overview, descriptions, and status of the trails.
Where to stay in Kootenay National Park
Most people only drive through Kootenay National Park on their way (or from) Banff, but it is really recommended to stay there for a night. That way you’ll have more time for all the sights and you can hike several trails. These are some great places to stay overnight in or near Kootenay National Park.
- Marble Canyon Campground – A nice and quiet campground in the middle of the park, across from the impressive Marble Canyon.
- Gateway Motel (3⭐) – Cozy small hotel at the entrance to Kootenay National Park in Radium Hot Springs.
- Bighorn Meadows Resort. (-⭐) – Beautiful resort hotel on the edge of Radium Hot Springs. It has a beautiful large garden with views and an outdoor (seasonal) pool.
For more camping tips, check out Kootenay National Park’s official website. If you prefer to sleep in a hotel or lodge you can check out Booking.com to find a large selection of accommodations.
Book a trip to Canada
These were all my Kootenay National Park tips! This beautiful nature reserve is just one of many beautiful sights in Western Canada, which makes it a great destination for a great road trip. Use the websites below to book an unforgettable trip!
✈️ Plane tickets – To reach the Canadian Rockies, it’s easiest to fly to Calgary or Edmonton. Check WayAway to find the best deals and cashback on plane tickets.
🚘 Rental car & RV – It is very difficult to explore the Canadian Rockies without a car or RV. Check Rental Cars to find the best deals and RV Share for RVs.
📱E-sim – While traveling in Canada, I use an e-sim from Airalo to stay connected. It was very useful for navigation, but also easy to keep family and friends updated on my adventures.
💊 Having good travel insurance will give you peace of mind. Check Insubuy to find the best travel insurance that fits your needs.
🐻 Tours and activities – There are plenty of fun tours and activities to do in Canada. From historical tours of cities to boat rides among orcas and whales. Check out Get Your Guide for options.
Read more about Canada
Looking for more information for a trip to the Canadian Rockies or other great places in Canada? Order one of these travel guides for helpful tips and inspiration.
Lonely Planet British Columbia & the Canadian Rockies
Fodor’s Canadian Rockies: with Calgary, Banff, and Jasper National Parks
In addition, you can also read more about traveling in Canada on this website. Check out these articles as well:
- The best tips & things to do in Banff National Park
- Visiting Yoho National Park: tips the best things to do
- Wells Gray Provincial Park: a park full of waterfalls!
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