National park · Canada
Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park
Day trip: drive the rough 13 km (8.1 mi) Gibson Lake road, walk 2–3 h to Kaslo Lake and back, and be off the trail by mid-afternoon. Overnight: book a hut bed or pay the $10 backcountry fee. No dogs, no road access past the trailhead.Day trip: drive the rough 8.1 mi (13 km) Gibson Lake road, walk 2–3 h to Kaslo Lake and back, and be off the trail by mid-afternoon. Overnight: book a hut bed or pay the $10 backcountry fee. No dogs, no road access past the trailhead.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
320 km² (124 sq mi)124 sq mi (320 km²)
approximate
Established
1922
Best months
Jul–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
- West Kootenays ↗A private vehicle is the practical way to travel the region; BC Transit routes are limited and the Boundary system needs a phone reservation.
- West Kootenays ↗Inland lake ferries (Kootenay Lake, Needles, Upper Arrow Lake, Glade, Harrop, Arrow Park) are free and take vehicles; the Kootenay Lake crossing is the one to plan around.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 320 km² (124 sq mi)124 sq mi (320 km²)
- 32,000 ha per BC Parks; the figure is sometimes given as 320 km² (check).
- Established
- 1922
- Best months
- Jul–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Kokanee Glacier is a 32,000 ha wilderness park in the Selkirk Mountains north of Nelson, almost all of it above 1,800 m, with two glaciers, more than 30 lakes and 85 km of marked trail. It was set aside in 1922 and expanded in 1995 mainly to protect grizzly habitat. There is no road into the park: you park at a trailhead and walk. Most visitors use the Gibson Lake road from Kokanee Creek and hike 2–3 hours to Kaslo Lake, where the Alpine Club of Canada cabin and the main backcountry camping area sit. Snow can fall in any month, the higher ground is often not snow-free until July, and dogs are banned park-wide.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1922.
Size and age
320 km² (124 sq mi)124 sq mi (320 km²) · national park since 1922
32,000 ha per BC Parks; the figure is sometimes given as 320 km² (check).
Why go
- A genuine alpine day out from Nelson: glacier basins, tarns and meadows above treeline, reached on foot only.
- 85 km (53 mi) of marked trail and 30 walk-in wilderness campsites, with no facilities and no crowds at the far ends.53 mi (85 km) of marked trail and 30 walk-in wilderness campsites, with no facilities and no crowds at the far ends.
- Grizzly and mountain goat country — the 1995 expansion was made for bear habitat, and closures still apply when bears feed on berries.
- Subalpine larch turning gold in October, and ski touring from the huts in late autumn to early spring.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprAvoid
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanDeep snow; hut access by lottery only
- FebSnow; avalanche terrain
- MarSnow; ski touring season
- AprSnow at all levels
- MaySnow above; trails wet and muddy
- JunSnow patches on high routes
- JulHigh ground usually clear; warm spells
- AugWarmest and driest; storms possible
- SepCooler, clearer; fewer people
- OctLarch gold; snow can fall at any level
- NovSnow; short days
- DecSnow; winter routes only
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly bearsMay–Oct · The park holds most of the range of several bears; some trails close when they feed on ripe berries. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Mountain goatsJun–Sep · Seen on open alpine slopes; keep distance and do not follow them onto steep ground. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Hoary marmot, pika and ground squirrelsJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Subalpine larch turning goldOct · The few pure stands are the reason many people time a visit to October. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | no | no |
| Ptarmigan and golden eaglesJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Nelson
Drive Hwy 3B along the North Shore to Kokanee Creek Provincial Park, then the steep, rough 13 km (8.1 mi) Gibson Lake road to the trailhead.Drive Hwy 3B along the North Shore to Kokanee Creek Provincial Park, then the steep, rough 8.1 mi (13 km) Gibson Lake road to the trailhead.
45–60 min
Open the page →
From Kaslo
Drive south on Hwy 31 and 3A toward Nelson, then the Gibson Lake road; the Woodbury Creek and Keen Creek approaches are rougher and less used.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Vancouver
Drive or fly to the West Kootenays, then approach from Nelson; there is no road into the park.
7–8 h drive
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Gibson Lake approach | The main trailhead and the start of the climb to Kaslo Lake. | Open; rough road, no facilities. |
| Kaslo Lake basin | Kokanee Glacier Cabin, the main camping area and day routes to the glacier and Tanal Lake. | Walk-in only; camping fee applies. |
| Woodbury and Silverspray | East-side cabins and the Woodbury Glacier, reached from Woodbury Creek. | Remote; hut reservation needed. |
| Coffee Creek drainage | Grizzly habitat with no development. | Use discouraged; no trails. |
Sketch map
- 1Gibson Lake trailhead · Trail≈49.725, -117.157Map ↗
- 2Kaslo Lake and Kokanee Glacier Cabin · Sleep≈49.769, -117.195Map ↗
- 3Tanal Lake · Trail≈49.781, -117.210Map ↗
- 4Kokanee Glacier · Summit≈49.752, -117.147Map ↗
- 5Woodbury Glacier · Summit≈49.784, -117.127Map ↗
- 6Woodbury cabin · Sleep≈49.801, -117.127Map ↗
- 7Silver Spray cabin · Sleep≈49.823, -117.093Map ↗
- 8Nelson · Town≈49.493, -117.295Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation only: trailhead, lakes, glaciers and huts are spread across roughly 20 km of high country.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backcountry camping | CAD 10 (≈ US$8) | person per night | Age 16 and over; $5 per night for ages 6–15. 2026 estimate. |
| Alpine Club of Canada hut bed (summer) | CAD 40–60 (≈ US$30–45) | person per night | Member and non-member rates vary by hut; reserve ahead (check). |
| Parking at the Gibson Lake trailhead | Free | vehicle | No day-use or entry fee for the park itself. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Backcountry camping registration permit or guide
Alpine Club of Canada cabin permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$10≈ US$8
- C$40–60≈ US$30–45
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on BC Parks — Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park before you go.
Park rules
- Dogs
- Not permitted anywhere in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park.
- Camping
- Only at the 30 designated walk-in wilderness sites, with no facilities; backcountry fees apply per person per night.
- Fires
- No campfires in the backcountry; carry a stove (check current BC Parks fire restrictions).check
- Bear closures
- Trails can close at certain times of year when bears feed on berries nearby; check signs at the trailhead and obey closures.
- Coffee Creek
- No development and use is discouraged, to keep people and grizzlies apart.
Where to stay
In the park
Kokanee Glacier Cabin
Alpine Club of Canada hut at Kaslo Lake; winter beds by lottery, summer by reservation.
In the park
Woodbury and Silver Spray cabins
Alpine Club of Canada huts on the east side; reserve ahead for a guaranteed bed.
In the park
Backcountry campsites
30 walk-in wilderness sites, no facilities, $10 per adult per night.
Near the park
Nelson
The usual base for the Gibson Lake road, about 45–60 minutes from the trailhead.
Safety
Changeable mountain weather high
Avalanche terrain high
Grizzly encounters medium
Rough access road medium
No facilities or phone signal medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The park has no road access beyond the trailheads and no paved or wheelchair-accessible trails.
- The Gibson Lake to Kaslo Lake route is a rough mountain trail with sustained climbing; it is not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails; alpine meadows and larch stands recover slowly from trampling.
- Pack out all rubbish — there are no bins or facilities in the backcountry.
- Keep your distance from mountain goats and never feed wildlife; the park exists largely for grizzly habitat.
- Use the huts and designated campsites rather than building new fire rings or clearing ground.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park?
There is no entry or day-use fee and no charge to park at the trailhead. If you camp overnight in the backcountry you pay $10 per person per night (age 16 and over) and $5 per night for ages 6–15, pre-paid through the BC Parks backcountry registration system. Alpine Club of Canada hut beds are booked and paid separately.
What are the best hikes in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park?
The standard route is Gibson Lake to Kaslo Lake, 2–3 hours of steady climbing to the cabin and camping basin. From there, day walks reach the Kokanee Glacier viewpoint and Tanal Lake. The east-side Woodbury Creek route to the Woodbury and Silverspray cabins is longer, rougher and much quieter.
When is the best time to visit Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park?
July to September for walking, when the high ground is usually clear of snow and the weather is warmest. October is good for the golden subalpine larch, though snow can fall at any level. Winter and spring are for ski touring and hut stays, with avalanche risk on open slopes.
Can I drive into Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park?
No. The main approach is the steep, rough 13 km Gibson Lake road from Kokanee Creek on Hwy 3B, and from the trailhead your feet are the only transport. Other approaches via Keen Creek, Enterprise Creek and Woodbury Creek are more remote and rugged.
Do I need a permit or reservation?
You need to pre-pay backcountry camping fees, and hut beds must be reserved through the Alpine Club of Canada — the Kokanee Glacier Cabin winter season runs by lottery with no walk-ins. There is no day-use permit.
Are dogs allowed in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park?
No. Dogs are not permitted anywhere in the park.
Is there a national park pass that covers it?
No. Kokanee Glacier is a BC provincial park, so the Parks Canada Discovery Pass and the US America the Beautiful pass do not apply. Provincial parks in British Columbia generally charge no entry fee; you pay only for backcountry camping and hut beds.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go