Canada · British Columbia
Kootenay
Canyons, Springs & Eternal Rivers
Kootenay National Park is a land of remarkable extremes. Within its boundaries you can walk through an icy glacial canyon with walls of polished marble, then soak in naturally heated mineral springs just a short drive away.
Discover the destination
More than a destination
Kootenay National Park is a land of remarkable extremes. Within its boundaries you can walk through an icy glacial canyon with walls of polished marble, then soak in naturally heated mineral springs just a short drive away.
From cactus-studded grasslands in the south to alpine glaciers in the north, Kootenay encompasses an astonishing range of ecosystems.
The essentials
A place to understand before you wander
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
- Best time
- June — September
- Ideal stay
- 1 — 2 days
- Known for
- Limestone Canyon · Thermal Springs · Mineral Springs
- Climate
- Valley weather, with hot-spring pockets
- Protected since
- 1920
In the landscape
Things to do
Thermal Wellness
Radium Hot Springs Soaking
Relax in naturally heated mineral pools beneath red rock cliffs.
Wilderness Trek
Rockwall Backcountry Trekking
Multi-day expedition beneath a continuous 900-metre limestone escarpment.
On the trail
Walks and climbs
01Marble Canyon Trail
easy · 1.6 km return
Walk over bridges spanning the deep rushing gorge.
02Paint Pots Trail
easy · 2 km return
Gentle forest path leading to the ochre mineral pools.
03Stanley Glacier Trail
moderate · 8.4 km return
Ascend through fire-regenerated forest to a massive amphitheatre beneath Stanley Glacier.
04Floe Lake (Rockwall Trail)
challenging · 21 km return
Sustained climb to one of the most magnificent alpine lakes in the Rockies.
Must visit
The landmarks that define Kootenay
Limestone Canyon
In pictures
Scenes from the park
The story of the place
A landscape shaped by mountains, water and time
Kootenay was established in 1920 in an agreement between the Canadian federal government and British Columbia to build the Banff-Windermere Highway — Canada's first motor road across the central Rockies.
Stretching along the western slopes of the Canadian Rockies, the park is defined by the Vermilion and Kootenay River valleys flanked by the Mitchell and Vermilion ranges.
Wildlife of the park
Grizzly Bear · Black Bear · Mountain Goat · Bighorn Sheep · Elk
Find it
Where is Kootenay?
Kootenay sits in British Columbia, Canada. The panel marks the park until a live map is connected.
National park
British Columbia
Canada
- Coordinates
- 50.8752° N, 116.0494° W
- Elevation
- 1,164 m (3,819 ft)
- Protected area
- 1,406 km²
- Established
- 1920
- UNESCO
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (1984)
Practical notes
Travel with the mountain, not against it
Arrival
Getting there
Airport
Calgary (YYC), then west across the Continental Divide from Banff.
Road
Highway 93 South runs the length of the park from Castle Junction to Radium Hot Springs.
Train
No passenger rail inside the park. Banff is the nearest rail town.
In the park
The landmarks sit along one highway: Marble Canyon, the Paint Pots and the springs.
The year
Weather
Summer
July to September for alpine hiking; Radium Hot Springs is open year-round.
Autumn
Clearer trails and thinner crowds around Kootenay, with frost arriving first on the summits.
Winter
Snow settles over Kootenay. Daylight is short, the air is dry, and the landscape feels newly emptied.
Spring
Waterfalls run full as the snowpack releases. Higher routes around Kootenay open late.
Before you go
Travel tips
What to pack
Layers, a rain shell, broken-in shoes and sun protection. Mountain weather turns inside an hour.
Safety
Stay on marked routes, carry water, and read the day’s trail and road alerts before leaving town.
Wildlife awareness
Give Grizzly Bear, Black Bear, Mountain Goat plenty of room. Never approach or feed an animal.
Park rules
A valid national park pass is required. Drones, off-trail travel and feeding wildlife are restricted.
Through the year
Experience the destination
Spring
Meltwater fills the rivers around Kootenay. Lower trails open while the high country is still waking.
Suggested · Marble Canyon Trail
Summer
July to September for alpine hiking; Radium Hot Springs is open year-round.
Suggested · Radium Hot Springs Soaking
Autumn
The light softens over Kootenay. Crowds thin, and the high country turns gold before the first lasting snow.
Suggested · Paint Pots Trail
Winter
Kootenay settles under snow. Days are bright, cold and made for a slower kind of mountain travel.
Suggested · Snow and silence
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