Kootenay National Park

Kootenay is the Canadian Rockies distilled into a single scenic highway, a park that runs “from glaciers to cactus,” dropping from icy alpine passes to the warm, dry Columbia Valley in the space of a drive. Part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, it pairs classic peak-and-canyon hiking with the mineral pools of Radium Hot Springs at its southern gate.

Fast facts

• Established: 1920
• Size: about 543 square miles (1,406 km²) of the Canadian Rockies
• Range of life zones: from alpine glaciers to semi-arid grassland
• World Heritage: part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO site
• Southern gateway: Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia
• Managed by: Parks Canada

The landscape

The park follows the Vermilion and Kootenay river valleys through a striking gradient, snow-capped peaks and hanging glaciers in the north, deep-cut canyons like Marble Canyon, ochre mineral springs at the Paint Pots, and increasingly dry, open forest toward the Columbia Valley in the south. Grizzly and black bears, elk, bighorn sheep and mountain goats live across the range, and past wildfires have left a patchwork of regenerating forest.

Best time to go

Summer (July to September) is prime for hiking, once the high trails clear of snow, with long days and alpine wildflowers. Early fall brings golden larch and stable weather. Winter is quiet, with the parkway kept open but high country given over to snow; Radium Hot Springs stays a warm draw year-round.

Getting there and around

Highway 93 South, the Kootenay Parkway, runs the length of the park between Castle Junction on the Trans-Canada Highway and Radium Hot Springs, and it is how visitors arrive and move through. Trailheads, viewpoints and the major sights sit just off the road; there is no public transit within the park, so a vehicle is essential.

Things to do

Short, high-reward stops include Marble Canyon and the Paint Pots, while day hikes like Stanley Glacier and the Kindersley–Sinclair loop climb into the high country. Backpackers head for the Rockwall Trail, one of the great multi-day routes in the Rockies. Cap a day with a soak at Radium Hot Springs, and watch for wildlife along the valley bottoms at dawn and dusk.

Staying safe

This is bear country. Carry bear spray, make noise, travel in groups and store food properly. Mountain weather turns quickly, so pack insulation and a shell even in summer, and start alpine days early. Rivers run cold and fast with meltwater, winter and shoulder seasons bring avalanche terrain, and wildfire can force sudden closures. Check status before you go and carry a satellite messenger where cell service fails.

Know before you go

A Parks Canada pass is required, and backcountry camping, especially on the popular Rockwall, needs permits booked well ahead. Check for fire bans and trail closures before your trip. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report; always confirm current conditions, closures and permits with Parks Canada before your trip.

Coordinates

50.9419, -116.0815

Magnetic declination

14.0° E (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

Best seasons

Summer, Early fall (shoulder)

Difficulty

Easy to strenuous

Access / trailheads

Runs along Highway 93 South (the Kootenay Parkway) between Castle Junction on the Trans-Canada and Radium Hot Springs, BC. Trailheads and viewpoints line the highway.

Water

Abundant rivers and streams; filter or treat all backcountry water.

Cell / satellite coverage

Little to no cell service along the parkway. Carry a map and a satellite messenger.

Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency

Parks Canada dispatch: 1-877-852-3100; life-threatening emergencies: 911.

Permits & regulations

A Parks Canada pass is required; backcountry camping needs a permit booked ahead, and seasonal fire or trail closures may apply.

Leave No Trace

Use bear-proof storage, pack out all waste, stay on trail, and follow Leave No Trace.