Ya'Gotta: Kootenay National Park - An Original Not To Be Missed!

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Ya'Gotta: Kootenay National Park - An Original Not To Be Missed!

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If you're traveling through British Columbia and heading west to Alberta through Mount Revelstoke, Glacier and Yoho National Parks...get off the TransCanada Number 1 highway at Golden, then continue south to the town of Radium, known for it's spring fed sulphur hot spring. Radium marks the western entrance to Kootenay National Park. Not as well known as Banff, or Jasper Kootenay is possibly the most interesting and definitely the most diverse in terms of geography.

Travelling from the east, the park can be reached from Castle Mountain Junction, on the Icefields Parkway, north of Banff/Lake Louise. This park is only 94 kms. long and quite narrow, with its main feature being the ecosystem that ranges from alpine, in its eastern section to semi-arid in the west.

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With over 200 kms. of trails it offers some of the best adventure tourism and treking in the Canadian Rockies. For backpackers, of special note is the 66 km. Rock Wall Trail, that can take trekers north to Lake O'Hara in Yoho National Park. The Rock Wall Trail can also be travelled in segments with its many short access trails that follow the creeks coming down from its high country (Helmet, Tumbling, Numa and Floe), all of which make excellent day hikes.

Day hikers with an interest in glaciers, may want to take the 4.2 km. trip to the Stanley Glacier. Those seeking an alpine view, should try the longer 9.8 km. Kindersley Pass, which can also be travelled as a 16.2 km. loop.

Also well worth the short excursion is the short trip up Marble Canyon, which also is the trail head to Kaufman Lake a 15 km. backpack trip. No traveller to the park should miss the geologically and historical Paint Pots, which were a source of red ochre for aboriginal people and later mined for the manufacture of paint for railway boxcars and barns.

Kootenay National also has adequate facilities for camping, operated by Parks Canada. During the summer months sites in campgrounds in the park are at a premium and it is suggested that campers should use Parks Canada's online Campground Reservation Service. Travelers using hotels, motels, hostels and bed and breakfast are also encouraged to make reservations.

Anglers and and fly fishing enthusiats will really enjoy Kootenay but you need to have National Park fishing permit and motor boats are not allowed. You also have to be aware of catch limits and many anglers practice catch and release, but it's also great to keep one for the pan.

As Kootenay is a National Park, backcountry overnight travelers will require permits and must also be appropriately equipped and skilled in mountain weather conditions, map and compass, food storage and bear avoidance skills.

Radium Hot Pool
Photo Credit: Radium Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce

At Radium Hot Springs, be sure to have a soak in the the largest hot springs facility in the Canadian Rockies! Located at the base of a dramatic rock wall in Sinclair Canyon. Whether you are watching bighorn sheep from the comfort of the hot pool or hiking through the lush vegetation on nearby trails, you are certain to find something unique! Redstreak canyon's unusual habitats created by the combination of hot springs, sheltered slopes and rock walls provide for some of Kootenay National Park's rarest inhabitants such as the reclusive rubber boa snake. The narrow canyon's meadows provide a crucial wildlife corridor for park animals.

The charming town of Radium Hot Springs, although adjacent to the park and the hot springs, is outside of the park. It offers a wide variety of accommodations, as well maintains a somewhat non-commercial atmosphere.

Sinclair Canyon, the narrow gorge that the highway and walkway travels between the town and the pool is a fabulous example of the long term erosion power of water, Basically Radium is a great place to stay and enjoy the outdoors and the hot springs.

Radium can also be a base or branching off point to go either to north to the TransCanada #1 Highway, which will take you east to Alberta with Banff/Lake Louise, the world famous Icefiilds Parkway and Jasper. The TransCanada #1 Highway is where you'll also find the three National parks of Yoho, Glacier and Mt. Revelstoke in British Columbia. Travelers going south via Fairmont Hot Springs and Cranbrook will access the beautiful West Kootenays.

Getting to Kootenay National Park

Travel east through British Columbia or west from Calgary, via Banff

If you're planning a trip to Kootenay National Park, go to Ya'Gotta Travelwhereyou can book your flights, hotels and car rentals online.

In order to make the best of adventure travel in the Canadain Rockie Mountains, we suggest that you purchase good, reliable guidebooks and maps. Click here for some suggestions.

If you would like more information, or other great destinations go to our British Columbia Ya'Gotta: Adventure Travel Information, Adventure Travel Destinations and British Columbia Adventure Travel Links pages.