01 · Canada · British Columbia · Canadian Rockies

Kootenay National Park

Canyons, mountain roads and hot springs. Combine short walks with your onward journey.

Photo: IrksomeBuccaneer2635 ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Kootenay National Park: landscape and origins

Kootenay is a park of contrasts, from grassland and glaciers to narrow canyons and broad mountain ridges, on 1,406 square kilometres (543 sq mi).

The park lies in south-eastern British Columbia and protects 1,406 square kilometres (543 sq mi) of the Main and Western Ranges in the Rocky Mountains natural region. It is part of the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa and the Secwépemc and a place of considerable ecological, cultural and historical importance.

In summer, bright pink fields of fireweed mark the places where natural wildfires have burned. These areas are important habitat for bears, lynx and moose, and they show visitors how a forest renews itself.

Habitats range from dry grassland and moist subalpine forest to alpine tundra. This range is why such a comparatively small park supports so many animal species.

Kootenay’s alpine zone also holds Burgess Shale sites, among the most important fossil beds in the world. Together with Banff, Jasper and Yoho, the park is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1984.

Parks Canada: nature and science (Kootenay) ↗

The park in numbers

Area: 1,406 km² (543 sq mi)
Location: Main and Western Ranges, south-eastern British Columbia
Landscapes: Grassland, glaciers, canyons, mountain ridges
Traditional territory: Ktunaxa and Secwépemc
Burgess Shale: Fossil sites in Kootenay too
UNESCO World Heritage: since 1984, part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks

Visiting Kootenay: overview and planning

Plan your own transport

There is no public transport in the park. Plan on a vehicle or an organised trip with a suitable departure point.

Official directions ↗

Water activities restricted

Paddling and fishing are banned in Yoho and Kootenay until 31 March 2027. Exceptions may apply to strictly controlled commercial operators; there is no general permission for canoes.

Current rules for water-based activities ↗

Field book 03 · TicketsPark admission and extras. Regular entrance fees are taken daily from the official park source.Field book 01 · WhenTravel season and opening hours. Visitor centre hours are not general park opening hours.Field book 02 · Getting thereHow to reach the park. Your own transport compared with organised trips.

02 · Places

Map and places in the park

Specific places on the map. Verified campground locations to help you plan your night.

Photo: Chris Woodrich ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Place in the park

Radium Hot Springs

The hot springs in Sinclair Canyon are the most searched-for place in the park, and a separate product from park admission.

Location: In Sinclair Canyon, in the south of the national park.
Water temperature: 37 to 40 °C (99 to 104 °F) in the hot pool.
Water: Natural, odourless mineral water; plus a deep, cool swimming pool.
Minerals: Sulphate 302 mg/l, calcium 135 mg/l, bicarbonate 100.8 mg/l, silica 31.8 mg/l, magnesium 31.6 mg/l.
Aquacourt: Listed as a classified federal heritage building for its history and architecture.
Not in the park pass: Pool admission is a separate fee and is not covered by the national park pass.

Parks Canada: Radium Hot Springs ↗

Place in the park

Marble Canyon and Paint Pots

Two short trails right by the highway: one through a water-carved gorge, the other to ochre-coloured mineral springs.

Marble Canyon: 1.6 km (1.0 mi) return, 20 m (66 ft) of elevation gain, with red chairs at the end.
Paint Pots: 2 km (1.2 mi) return, 25 m (82 ft) of elevation gain.
What you see: Three iron-rich mineral springs that stain the surrounding earth ochre.
Facilities: Both trails have day-use facilities.

Parks Canada: things to see in Kootenay ↗

Place in the park

Stanley Glacier

The longest of the short hikes leads into a high valley and is also the way to Burgess Shale fossils.

Trail: 8.4 km (5.2 mi) return, 365 m (1,198 ft) of elevation gain.
Destination: An alpine basin where glacial meltwater pours over large rock walls.
Guided fossil hike: Bookable at reservation.pc.gc.ca; the hike shows fossils over 500 million years old.

Parks Canada: things to see in Kootenay ↗

Turquoise Numa Creek in Kootenay National Park between conifer forest, with a snow-streaked mountainside behind — Photo: SteveAllenPhoto999 ↗ · Envato · Projektlizenz ↗

Place in the park

Stops along Highway 93 South

Kootenay is a park you drive through. The park authority lists the stops along the highway with trail length and elevation gain.

Olive Lake: Picnic area at the summit of Sinclair Pass, 0.5 km (0.3 mi) loop with no elevation gain.
Kootenay Valley Viewpoint: View of the Mitchell and Vermilion Ranges.
Dog Lake from McLeod Meadows: 5.2 km (3.2 mi) return, 40 m (131 ft) of elevation gain, over two bridges and through old-growth forest.
Simpson River Trail: The first 1.5 km (0.9 mi) are an interpretive trail about lightning, wildfire and forest regrowth; 3 km (1.9 mi) return.
Continental Divide: Loops of 0.5 and 2 km (0.3 and 1.2 mi) on the divide between the Pacific and the Atlantic; the panels tell of the forest regrowth after the 1968 fire.
Numa Falls: Picnic area on the Vermilion River.

Parks Canada: things to see in Kootenay ↗

Place in the park

Water closure until 2027

As in Yoho, all waters are closed to boats and fishing. Swimming is still allowed.

Scope: All lakes, streams and rivers in Kootenay and Yoho.
Until: 31 March 2027.
Reason: Preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, including whirling disease.
Banned: Canoes, kayaks, SUPs, rowing boats and inflatable boats, inflatable toys and fishing gear of any kind. Motorboats are not permitted anyway.
Allowed: Swimming and snorkelling, including swimming aids and beach toys.
Penalties: Fines of up to 25,000 Canadian dollars under the Canada National Parks Act.

Current rules for water-based activities ↗

Map

2 places on the map

Specific places on the map. Verified campground locations to help you plan your night.

Open map3D terrain · details and photos for every place

Where to stay2

03 · Out and about

Hikes & routes: Marble Canyon and Paint Pots

Hiking and experiencing the park. Match tours with the current trail status.

Photo: SteveAllenPhoto999 ↗ · Envato · Projektlizenz ↗

„The bare slopes are not damage: Kootenay burns regularly, and the park authority lets the fires run. Fireweed grows between the dead trunks, habitat for bears, lynx and moose.“
Kootenay National Park · The Kootenay River valley

Hikes & routes: Marble Canyon and Paint Pots

Marble Canyon

0.9 km (0.6 mi) one way; about 30 minutes return. The park table gives 65 m (213 ft) of ascent and 35 m (115 ft) of descent on the way out.

Day hikes: distances, elevation and trailheads ↗

Paint Pots

1 km (0.6 mi) one way; about 40 minutes return. According to the park table, 35 m (115 ft) of ascent and 20 m (66 ft) of descent on the way out.

Day hikes: distances, elevation and trailheads ↗

Discover Banff Tours · GetYourGuide

From Banff: Snowshoeing Tour in Kootenay National Park

Small-group winter tour: by minibus along Highway 93 South to the Paint Pots trailhead, then 3 km (1.9 mi) on snowshoes through the forest and across the frozen Vermilion River to the Paint Pots, mineral deposits once used as paint. It ends with hot chocolate and maple taffy made in the snow.

4 hours
Snowshoes and poles
Maximum 12 people
Ages 8 and up

Departure Public bus parking lot behind the Mount Royal Hotel, 138 Banff Ave; be ready five minutes before the pick-up time.

Winter clothing with waterproof boots is required; the guide can exclude participants with unsuitable gear. Children under 15 only with a companion aged 18 or over; everyone signs a waiver. Guide in English. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

View tour ↗Ad · partner link · checked 2 Oct 2026

Provider's product photo · GetYourGuide

Freeheelin' Adventures · Viator

Guided Hike into the Stanley Glacier Valley

Four-hour hike with a local guide into the valley below Stanley Glacier: through an old burn area that shows how the forest returns after fire, and up to the traces of the glaciation that shaped the valley.

4 hours
Maximum 8 people
Drive in your own car
Good fitness required

Departure Picnic tables in front of Castle Mountain Chalets at the junction of Highway 1A and 93 South, halfway between Banff and Lake Louise; from there 15 minutes in convoy to the trailhead.

Not included: transport and tips. There is a briefing before the start, and everyone signs a waiver. Not recommended for people with cardiovascular conditions. Guide in English. Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

View tour ↗Ad · partner link · checked 2 Oct 2026

Provider's product photo · Viator

The Kootenay River winding through the valley of Kootenay National Park, with burned slopes of dead trunks

Kootenay National Park (Parks Canada) · Fossil hike · Parks Canada

Guided fossil hike to the Burgess Shale at Stanley Glacier

In summer, Parks Canada interpreters lead hikes into the high valley below Stanley Glacier, the only Burgess Shale fossil site in Kootenay. The trail starts in a fire-swept forest with wildflowers and lodgepole pine, crosses a turquoise river and passes waterfalls on its way into the basin below the glacier. There you can hold fossils more than 500 million years old in your own hand, including species first discovered here.

10 km (6.2 mi), 365 m (1,200 ft) of ascent, 7 hours
Moderate, age 6 and over
June to September
Reservation required, English only

Meeting point 07:30 (Mountain Time) at the Stanley Glacier trailhead car park on Highway 93 South, 15 km (9 mi) south of Castle Junction; back around 14:30. Book through the Parks Canada Reservation Service, online or on 1-877-737-3783.

The hike is subject to a fee (the park's fee list), and every participant also needs a valid national park pass. The guides do not sell passes, and gates and visitor centres are closed early in the morning: buy the pass the day before, after hours from the vending machines at the Yoho and Lake Louise visitor centres. The first 4 km (2.5 mi) follow a well-maintained trail, the final part has 800 m of rough trail and 200 m over loose rock; not advised for people with recurring knee, back or ankle injuries, and not suitable for strollers or child-carrying backpacks. Children aged 5 and under are not allowed, under 8 not recommended, up to 15 only with an adult; for 16- to 18-year-olds a parent or guardian signs at the trailhead. No pets. The park does not list individual days. The trail itself is open to everyone without a guide, and collecting fossils or rocks in the park is illegal. Bring rain gear, lunch, at least 2 litres of water and sturdy hiking boots. Parks Canada runs two more fossil sites in Yoho National Park.

Park authority page ↗Park authority programme · no partner link · checked 2 Oct 2026

Landscape image, not a provider photo · Photo: SteveAllenPhoto999 ↗ · Envato · Projektlizenz ↗

River and rocks at Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park

Kootenay National Park (Parks Canada) · Parks Canada hot pools · evening

Evenings in the Radium hot springs

Parks Canada runs the Radium Hot Springs itself, just inside the park's south entrance in Sinclair Canyon. The hot pool at 37 to 40 °C (98 to 104 °F) is open every day of the year into the evening: a way to end a day on Highway 93 in odourless mineral water below the canyon walls. Next to it is a deep, cool swimming pool.

Daily until 21:00, in summer until 22:00
No reservation
Admission at the front desk
3 km (2 mi) from the village of Radium Hot Springs

Meeting point Radium Hot Springs Pools, 5420 BC-93, in Kootenay National Park 3 km (2 mi) northeast of the village of Radium Hot Springs; from the roundabout in the village take Highway 93 towards Banff, 2 km (1.2 mi) past the park boundary. From Banff via Castle Junction and Highway 93 South.

Opening hours according to the park: in summer (May to August) daily 08:30 to 22:00, otherwise Monday to Friday 11:30 to 21:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:30 to 21:00; last entry half an hour before closing. In winter the cool pool is open only on Friday evenings and at weekends. Admission is sold only in person at reception; there are no reservations or online tickets, and there may be queues at weekends and during holidays. Every person also needs a national park pass. The park announces individual closure days on its page; call 1-800-767-1611 before you go. There is no mobile coverage, fuel or food in the park; services are in the village of Radium Hot Springs.

Park authority page ↗Park authority programme · no partner link · checked 2 Oct 2026

Landscape image, not a provider photo · Photo: IrksomeBuccaneer2635 ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Ad · we may earn a commission if you book through this partner link. Offer details checked 2 Oct 2026. See official ticket information.

Nature and guided tours in Kootenay

Interpretive programmes at Redstreak

The park authority lists evening programmes at Redstreak Campground. Camping options also include oTENTik accommodation and backcountry sites.

Campgrounds & booking ↗

Field book 04 · Where to stayStaying in the park. The map shows locations, not free sites.Field book 05 · RulesTravelling with particular needs. Check specific trails, transport and facilities one by one.

04 · Before you go

Park film and places nearby

Photo: IrksomeBuccaneer2635 ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Film by the park authority

100 Reasons to Love Kootenay

Just under three minutes, released by Parks Canada in 2020 for the park’s hundredth birthday: a hundred reasons to love Kootenay, from ice-cold mountain rivers to the hot springs. In English; a French version is on the same channel.

Source: Parks Canada · View channel ↗

Field book 07 · Sources16 sources, checked 17 Sep 2026

Field book · Kootenay National Park

checked 17 Sep 2026

Kootenay at a glance · PDF, 2 pages ↓

00My visit

Nothing saved yet. Every place card has a pin, and so does every place on the Map. What you save collects here, with days, notes and a preview you can share.

01Best time to visit Kootenay

Travel season and opening hours. Visitor centre hours are not general park opening hours.

Check official opening times ↗

Hiking season in the mountains

Parks Canada names July to mid-September as the main hiking season. High passes can be snow-covered until the end of June; an open road does not guarantee a walkable trail.

Hiking: official park information ↗

Climate through the year

Weather and climate in Kootenay National Park

Best months by the climate data: July and August. Average daytime highs of around 20 °C, lows of 7 to 8 °C, 46 to 52 mm of precipitation a month. The wettest month is June (95 mm), the driest February (41 mm).

All monthly values as a table

Monthly averages 2001–2020, NASA POWER model
Month	High °C	Low °C	Precipitation mm
January	−7.9	−16.9	51
February	−6.4	−17.3	41
March	−2.7	−12.6	64
April	2.1	−6.8	55
May	11.1	0.2	69
June	15.3	4.2	95
July	19.6	7.9	52
August	19.6	7.2	46
September	14.4	2.5	62
October	5.9	−3.3	61
November	−2.9	−11.5	67
December	−9.5	−18.1	54
Year			717

Modelled values, not a weather station: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) for a grid cell of about 55 × 45 km around the map point Redstreak (50.62° N, 116.06° W), with an average cell elevation of about 1,680 m. Averages for 2001–2020. Higher ground and valleys can differ markedly.

Source: NASA POWER, climatology 2001–2020 ↗ · retrieved 3 Oct 2026

02How to get there: Highway 93 South, parking and shuttle

How to reach the park. Your own transport compared with organised trips.

Highway 93 South

The highway crosses the park for 94 km (58 mi). Parks Canada gives 41 km (25 mi) from Banff to the north-east entrance; Radium Hot Springs village is 2 km (1.2 mi) from the south-west entrance.

Official directions ↗

Stock up before you enter

There are no petrol stations, food services or public transport in the park. Do not rely on mobile coverage or Wi-Fi along the park road either.

Visitor centres & opening hours ↗

JOURNEY TO BANFF PRIVATE TOURS INC · offer

Soak & Explore: Radium Hot Springs and Kootenay Park Tour

Private day tour with your own driver and guide through Kootenay National Park: short walks at Marble Canyon and to the Paint Pots, stops at Numa Falls and Olive Lake, plus about two hours in the Radium hot springs. The route can be tailored to your own pace.

Departure Pick-up by arrangement in Calgary, Canmore or Banff; place and time are up to you, and the route is tailored individually.

According to the list of inclusions, admission fees such as for the hot springs may cost extra; tips and meals outside the planned stops are also not included, and you pay for lunch in town yourself. Contradiction on the product page: pick-up and private two-way transport are listed as included, while one item on the exclusion list says “pick-up, drop-off not included”. Paths include more than 100 steps; anyone who does not want to walk can stay in the vehicle. Not suitable for pregnant women, people with altitude sickness or high blood pressure, babies under one year or people over 80 years. Guide in English or Hindi.

View tour ↗Ad · partner link · checked 2 Oct 2026

Ad · we may earn a commission if you book through this partner link. Offer details checked 2 Oct 2026. See official ticket information.

03Tickets & entrance fees: park pass and reservations

Park admission and extras. Regular entrance fees are taken daily from the official park source.

Check official fees ↗

Daily admission: $12.25 per adult

According to the park’s fee list, daily admission costs $12.25 for adults aged 18 to 64 and $10.75 for seniors aged 65 and over. Families or groups of up to seven people arriving in one vehicle pay $24.50. Youth aged 17 and under get in free. The Discovery Pass for all participating places costs $83.50 for adults.

Parks Canada: fees ↗

Park pass and other services

Treat camping, reservations and commercial trips separately. Check temporary admission offers on the official Parks Canada page.

Parks Canada: admission and special offers ↗

Summer 2026: admission was free

Under the Canada Strong Pass, admission to Parks Canada places was free from 19 June to 7 September 2026, and camping was discounted. Regular fees have applied again since 8 September 2026, so trip reports from summer 2026 often quote an admission price that no longer applies.

Parks Canada: admission and special offers ↗

04Where to stay: hotels and camping in Kootenay

Staying in the park. The map shows locations, not free sites.

Redstreak

Official campground with its own season and facilities. Check reservations and site size on the camping page.

Campgrounds: facilities and location ↗

Show on the map

Marble Canyon

Official campground with its own season and facilities. Check reservations and site size on the camping page.

Campgrounds: facilities and location ↗

Show on the map

05Rules: dogs and accessibility

Travelling with particular needs. Check specific trails, transport and facilities one by one.

Travelling with a dog

Dogs must be on a leash and under control at all times. Also check closures and special rules for the trail you choose.

Hiking: official park information ↗

Tour with restrictions

According to its product description, a commercial day trip from Calgary to Marble Canyon and Radium Hot Springs is not wheelchair accessible. This says nothing general about the accessibility of the park as a whole.

GetYourGuide: description of a day trip · Ad ↗

06Frequently asked questions: Kootenay National Park

Is Radium Hot Springs included in the Parks Canada pass?

No. Pool admission is a separate fee and is not covered by the national park pass. The park authority sells single and day passes as well as multi-visit and annual passes for the pools. The hot pool is 37 to 40 °C (99 to 104 °F); next to it is a deep, cool swimming pool.

Parks Canada: Radium Hot Springs ↗

Can you fish or go boating in Kootenay National Park?

No. All lakes, streams and rivers in Kootenay and Yoho are closed to boats and fishing until 31 March 2027 to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, including whirling disease. Motorboats are not permitted anyway. Swimming and snorkelling are still allowed. Offences can cost up to 25,000 Canadian dollars under the Canada National Parks Act.

Current rules for water-based activities ↗

What are the best short hikes along Highway 93 South?

The park authority lists the stops with trail length and elevation gain: Marble Canyon 1.6 kilometres (1.0 mi) with 20 m (66 ft) of gain, Paint Pots 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) with 25 m (82 ft), Olive Lake 0.5 kilometres (0.3 mi) with no gain, Dog Lake from McLeod Meadows 5.2 kilometres (3.2 mi) with 40 m (131 ft), and the loops at the Continental Divide of 0.5 and 2 kilometres (0.3 and 1.2 mi). All distances are return.

Parks Canada: things to see in Kootenay ↗

Can you see Burgess Shale fossils in Kootenay?

Yes. The trail to Stanley Glacier, 8.4 kilometres (5.2 mi) return with 365 m (1,198 ft) of elevation gain, leads into an alpine basin and is also the route of a guided fossil hike. It can be booked at reservation.pc.gc.ca; the Parks Canada guide shows fossils over 500 million years old.

Parks Canada: things to see in Kootenay ↗

How big is Kootenay National Park?

The park protects 1,406 square kilometres (543 sq mi) of the Main and Western Ranges in the Rocky Mountains natural region, in south-eastern British Columbia. It is part of the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa and the Secwépemc. Habitats range from dry grassland and moist subalpine forest to alpine tundra.

Parks Canada: nature and science (Kootenay) ↗

How much does it cost to enter Kootenay National Park?

The full fee table is in the Tickets & entrance fees section and is taken daily from the official Parks Canada price list. Park admission and the hot springs pool are separate services with their own prices.

Parks Canada: fees ↗

07Sources and updates

Current conditions & sources. Park authority alerts and evidence for each fact.

Latest Parks Canada notices

Fetched automatically: 03 Oct 2026 14:06 UTC.

Original Parks Canada notices. The date is the publication date; validity and affected areas are stated in each notice.

09 Sep 2026 · Burgess Shale Area Closure - Marble Canyon Quarry ↗
26 Aug 2026 · Bear Warning: Rockwall trails and campgrounds ↗
29 May 2026 · AREA CLOSURE - Sinclair Canyon Roadworks ↗
27 May 2026 · Area Closure: Dog Lake Trail and Bridge ↗
21 May 2026 · Trail closure - Numa Creek trail ↗

View all official notices ↗

How current is this information?

Researched 17 Sep 2026. Not a live status. Dates apply only to the year stated. A successful automatic fetch is not an editorial confirmation; outdated automatic values are hidden and replaced by the source link.

Current information from the park ↗

Image and map credits

Stage, overview Photo: IrksomeBuccaneer2635 ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
Place · Marble Canyon and Paint Pots Photo: Chris Woodrich ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
Place · Stops along Highway 93 South Photo: SteveAllenPhoto999 ↗ · Envato · Projektlizenz ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
Quote Photo: SteveAllenPhoto999 ↗ · Envato · Projektlizenz ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt

Location sources: Official campground map or place coordinates from the maps linked by Parks Canada. Markers do not imply that access is permitted. Base map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Coastlines of the chapter map: Natural Earth.

End of the field book · Park authority ↗