Kootenay National Park is located just South of the more popular Banff National Park. Every year around 500,000 people visit Kootenay but this is nothing compared to the over 3 MILLION that visit Banff!
Kootenay has many of the beautiful features that can be found in Banff; stunning mountains, canyons, valleys, waterfalls, and glaciers! I visited Kootenay National Park last summer and spent four days exploring the park. The rest of this blog contains a 4 night itinerary of things to do and places to visit based on my trip!
Day 1: Radium Hot Springs – Redstreak Campground
Make a stop at the Visitor Center to pick up maps and ask any questions you have about the campgrounds or trails. You can also pick up a souvenir!
Immerse yourself in the soothing warm waters of Radium Hot Springs, a rejuvenating experience for both body and mind. They open at 10:30/11:30 am (depending on weekday) and were not very busy when we got there at opening.
Settle into camp at the Redstreak Campground. Look out for deer, we saw 5 around the campground including two babies and a male with big antlers!
End the day with a hike on the Restoration Loop, offering panoramic views of an area reborn after a wildfire. Restoration loop is an easy 0.7 km roundtrip hike.
Day 2: McLeod Meadows Campground
Begin your day with a scenic drive as you make your way to McLeod Meadows. Make a quick stop at the enchanting Olive Lake.
Arrive at the McLeod Meadows Campground, your base for the next leg of your adventure.
Embark on the Dog Lake Trail, a picturesque hike adorned with suspension bridges and surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/dog-lake-trail?u=m&sh=0hncvl
Day 3: Marble Canyon Campground
Depart your campground at McLeod Meadows and head towards Marble Canyon.
Traverse the Simpson River Trail, offering stunning views and an opportunity to witness the regrowth after a previous wildfire. You can also find some Red Parks Canada chairs here with a little guest book to sign!
Make a pit stop at Vermillion Crossing and grab a snack or pick up a souvenir.
Enjoy your lunch by the mesmerizing Numa Falls.
Head to your campsite and set up camp at Marble Canyon Campground.
If you have some energy left hike the Paint Pots Trail. I think it’s better than the paint pots trail in Banff 🤫. This is a 1.9 km easy loop.
Day 4: Marble Canyon Campground
Embark on the Marble Canyon Hike, where you’ll be rewarded with captivating canyon and waterfall views.
Eat an early lunch at your campsite or pack one and bring it on your hike!
Brace yourself for an adventure as you tackle the challenging Stanley Glacier Hike, venturing through dense forests and alpine meadows to witness the grandeur of a magnificent glacier. This is a moderate to difficult trail, you should wear study footwear, bring trekking poles if you have them and ensure you have food and water. More on the hike can be found here including information on guided hikes!
Return to Marble Canyon Campground and settle in for the night.
Day 5: Departure
As your journey through Kootenay National Park comes to an end, take a moment to soak in the cherished memories you’ve made. If you didn’t do the paint pots trail on Day 3 do it this morning!
Head to a nearby park to continue your adventure! I suggest checking out Yoho (1 hour) or Banff (30 minutes to Lake Louise) which are very close or Jasper (3 hours) or Waterton (4.5 hours) if you feel like venturing a bit further!
Your trip to Kootenay National Park promises an extraordinary adventure, immersing you in the raw beauty of British Columbia’s wilderness. From hot springs and suspension bridges to stunning waterfalls and captivating hikes, each day offers new discoveries and unforgettable experiences.
Watch this four day itinerary unfold when I took the trip last year!
