Introduction
Kootenay National Park runs through the Canadian Rockies of southeastern British Columbia, connecting Radium Hot Springs with the Continental Divide and Banff National Park. Parks Canada describes Kootenay as a place of glacier-carved valleys, dry grasslands, hot springs, canyons, waterfalls, and mountain passes. The park is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For a broader overview of the park's history and geography, see the Kootenay National Park Wikipedia page.
The park includes Highway 93 South, Radium Hot Springs, Sinclair Canyon, Marble Canyon, Numa Falls, Paint Pots, Vermilion Crossing, and access to trails that climb from roadside stops into alpine terrain. Visitors should check Parks Canada alerts, trail information, camping details, and road conditions before traveling.
Top Hikes
These three hikes are good starting points for planning, with at least one more difficult option. Distances and elevation gain are rounded; check the official park trail page for current closures, permits, weather, and trail conditions.
Marble Canyon Trail (easy) - 0.9 miles (1.4 km); elevation gain 128 feet (39 m). A short canyon walk over bridges above turquoise water.
Stanley Glacier Trail (moderate) - 6.8 miles (10.9 km); elevation gain 1,198 feet (365 m). A popular valley hike with glacier and mountain views.
Kindersley-Sinclair Loop (difficult) - 11.0 miles (17.5 km); elevation gain 3,445 feet (1,050 m). A strenuous mountain loop with a major climb and strong views.
Scenic Drive
The Parks Canada scenic drive page describes Highway 93 South through Kootenay National Park. The route links Radium Hot Springs with Castle Junction in Banff National Park and passes Sinclair Canyon, Kootenay Valley viewpoints, Numa Falls, Marble Canyon, Paint Pots, and the Continental Divide.
Radium Hot Springs
Radium Hot Springs is near the southwest entrance to Kootenay National Park and is one of the park's best-known visitor stops. Parks Canada manages the hot springs facility and posts current visitor information, services, and operating details on the Radium Hot Springs page.
Camping
The Parks Canada camping page has current details for Kootenay frontcountry campgrounds, including Redstreak, Marble Canyon, McLeod Meadows, and Crook's Meadow, plus operating dates, services, reservation information, and seasonal notes. Parks Canada also lists backcountry camping information for longer routes and overnight trips.
Webcam Notes
Feed credit: DriveBC.