National park · Canada
Kootenay National Park
Drive Highway 93 through in one day for Marble Canyon, the Paint Pots and Radium Hot Springs, or give it 2 days if you want the Rockwall trail or a quiet McLeod Meadows night; go June–September, arrive before 10:00 at Marble Canyon.Drive Highway 93 through in one day for Marble Canyon, the Paint Pots and Radium Hot Springs, or give it 2 days if you want the Rockwall trail or a quiet McLeod Meadows night; go June–September, arrive before 10:00 AM at Marble Canyon.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,406 km²543 sq mi
approximate
Established
1920
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6Crossing 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.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 1,406 km²543 sq mi
- About 1,406 km², close to the size of Greater London; roughly 8 km of park on each side of the highway (check).
- Established
- 1920
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Kootenay is the long, thin park that Highway 93 cuts through for 94 km between Radium Hot Springs, BC and the Continental Divide at Vermilion Pass. It is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, but it gets a fraction of the traffic of Banff next door, and most of its sights — Sinclair Canyon, Olive Lake, the Paint Pots, Marble Canyon, Numa Falls — sit within a few minutes of the road. The Rockwall, a multi-day trail along a limestone escarpment, is the reason hikers stay longer.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1984Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, shared with Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Mount Robson, Hamber and Mount Assiniboine.
Size and age
1,406 km²543 sq mi · national park since 1920
About 1,406 km², close to the size of Greater London; roughly 8 km of park on each side of the highway (check).
Why go
- Marble Canyon's blue-green water and narrow limestone walls, 10 minutes off the highway.
- The Paint Pots: ochre springs the Ktunaxa collected as pigment, on a flat 3 km walk.The Paint Pots: ochre springs the Ktunaxa collected as pigment, on a flat 1.9 mi walk.
- The Rockwall, one of the classic multi-day hikes of the Canadian Rockies, with campgrounds along the way.
- Radium Hot Springs pools at the park's west gate, open year-round.
- Far fewer people than Banff for the same kind of scenery.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanDeep snow; highway open but services closed
- FebCold; skiing is in nearby parks
- MarSnow lingers; hot springs still good
- AprThaw; muddy trails, some closures
- MayCampgrounds open early May; snow on high trails
- JunTrails clearing; long daylight
- JulWarmest; busiest; book camping ahead
- AugWarm; wildfire smoke possible
- SepDry, quiet, larches turning late month
- OctCold nights; most campgrounds close late Sep
- NovSnow starts; few services
- DecWinter driving; Dolly Varden winter camping only
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bighorn sheep and mountain goatsAll year · Often on roadside cliffs; stay in your vehicle. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Black and grizzly bearsApr–Oct · Carry bear spray on trails and make noise. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Moose and deerMay–Oct · Dawn and dusk near the Kootenay River valley. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Rufous hummingbird and other summer birdsMay–Aug · Most birds use the park only in summer. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Banff / Castle Junction
Drive Highway 93 south from the Trans-Canada Highway through Vermilion Pass into the park.
40 min to the east gate
Open the page →
From Radium Hot Springs
The park's west entrance is at the edge of town, through Sinclair Canyon.
5 min
From Calgary
Drive the Trans-Canada to Castle Junction, then Highway 93 south.
3–3.5 h
From Invermere
Drive Highway 95 north to Radium Hot Springs, then into the park.
30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Sinclair Canyon and Radium | The west gate, hot springs pools and Redstreak campground. | Open; entry fee applies. |
| Kootenay River valley | The wide valley with Olive Lake, Kootenay Valley Viewpoint and McLeod Meadows. | Open; roadside pull-offs. |
| Vermilion River and Marble Canyon | Marble Canyon, the Paint Pots, Numa Falls and the Rockwall trailheads. | Open; parking fills by mid-morning in summer. |
| Backcountry | The Rockwall, Floe Creek, Tokumun and Simpson River routes. | Permit required; some routes need reservations. |
Sketch map
- 1Radium Hot Springs village · Town≈50.620, -116.069Map ↗
- 2Radium Hot Springs pools · Sleep≈50.635, -116.039Map ↗
- 3Sinclair Canyon · Gate≈50.633, -116.051Map ↗
- 4Olive Lake · Trail≈50.674, -115.934Map ↗
- 5Kootenay Valley Viewpoint · Viewpoint≈50.675, -115.888Map ↗
- 6McLeod Meadows campground · Sleep≈50.767, -115.941Map ↗
- 7Kootenay Park Lodge · Sleep≈51.025, -115.980Map ↗
- 8Paint Pots · Trail≈51.170, -116.159Map ↗
- 9Marble Canyon · Cave≈51.190, -116.127Map ↗
- 10Vermilion Pass / Continental Divide · Gate≈51.228, -116.050Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parks Canada entry, adult, per day | CAD 11–12 | person | 2026 estimate; confirm current rates with Parks Canada. |
| Parks Canada entry, family/group, per day | CAD 22–24 | vehicle | 2026 estimate. |
| Discovery Pass, annual | CAD 75–160 | person or vehicle | 2026 estimate; pays off on a multi-park Rockies trip. |
| Front-country camping, unserviced | CAD 24–31 | night | 2026 estimate; Redstreak has showers and some hook-ups. |
| Backcountry permit, per adult per night | CAD 13–14 | person | 2026 estimate; valid in Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho. |
| Radium Hot Springs pool | CAD 10–20 | person | 2026 estimate; separate operator, not a Parks Canada fee. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Front-country camping permit or guide
Park rules
- Entry fee
- A valid Parks Canada pass is required for anyone stopping in the park, not just camping.
- Food storage
- Keep food and scented items in a vehicle or food locker; never in a tent.
- Drones
- Not allowed without a Parks Canada permit (check).check
- Campfires
- Only in provided fire pits; a fire permit is needed in the backcountry.
- Wildlife
- Do not feed or approach animals; stay in your car for roadside sheep and bears.
Where to stay
In the park
Redstreak campground
The main serviced campground near Radium, with showers and some electrical sites.
In the park
McLeod Meadows campground
Unserviced sites in the Kootenay River valley; quieter than Redstreak.
In the park
Marble Canyon campground
Unserviced sites at the north end, close to the Paint Pots and Rockwall trailheads.
In the park
Kootenay Park Lodge
Historic 1923 lodge with cabins, a restaurant and a small store on Highway 93.
Near the park
Radium Hot Springs
Motels, hotels and restaurants at the west gate.
Safety
Bears on trails medium
Wildfire smoke and closures medium
Winter driving on Highway 93 medium
Cold water and fast creeks low
Accessibility
- Marble Canyon's first bridges and the Paint Pots trailhead are reachable with short, mostly flat walks.
- The Radium Hot Springs pools have ramp access and a lift into the water (check).
- The Rockwall and most backcountry routes are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Reserve camping and backcountry permits so numbers stay capped.
- Pack out all rubbish; bins are limited outside the main campgrounds.
- Keep to trails in the Paint Pots area — the ochre crust is fragile.
- Use the Radium Hot Springs pools rather than informal soaks.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kootenay National Park?
Parks Canada charges per adult per day, with a lower family or vehicle rate, and an annual Discovery Pass that covers all national parks. Exact 2026 rates are on the Parks Canada page — check before you go. Camping, backcountry permits and the Radium Hot Springs pools cost extra.
What are the best hikes in Kootenay National Park?
For a short stop: Marble Canyon (about 1 hour) and the Paint Pots (3 km return). For a half day: the Kindersley–Sinclair loop or the Dog Lake trail from McLeod Meadows. For a serious trip: the Rockwall, a 3–5 day route along the Vermilion Range escarpment with backcountry campgrounds.
When is the best time to visit Kootenay National Park?
June to September for trails and camping, with late June to early September the safest window for high routes. July and August are warmest and busiest; September is drier and quieter. Most campgrounds run early May to late September, and only Dolly Varden stays open for winter camping.
Do I need a reservation to camp?
Yes in July and August, when front-country sites at Redstreak, McLeod Meadows and Marble Canyon fill. Backcountry campgrounds on the Rockwall need a permit and a reservation through Parks Canada.
Can I drive through Kootenay without paying?
Highway 93 is a through road, but stopping anywhere in the park — viewpoints, trails, hot springs — requires a valid Parks Canada pass. Buy one at the gate or online before you arrive.
Is Kootenay quieter than Banff?
Yes. It shares the same World Heritage landscape but has far fewer visitors, no town inside the park and only a handful of campgrounds, so trails and pull-offs feel much emptier.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go