National park · Canada
Mount Revelstoke National ParkParc national du Mont-Revelstoke
Give it half a day, not a full one: drive the Meadows in the Sky Parkway to the summit meadows (open roughly July–early October), walk the Giant Cedars and Skunk Cabbage boardwalks off Highway 1, and skip the parkway entirely outside those months.
- 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
260 km² (100 sq mi)100 sq mi (260 km²)
approximate
Established
1914
Best months
Jul–Sep
UNESCO
None
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
- 260 km² (100 sq mi)100 sq mi (260 km²)
- About 260 km² (100 sq mi); one of the smallest Canadian national parks (check).
- Established
- 1914
- Best months
- Jul–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Mount Revelstoke is one of Canada's smallest national parks — 260 km² of the Selkirk Mountains right beside the town of Revelstoke, on the Trans-Canada Highway between Calgary and Vancouver. Its signature is the Meadows in the Sky Parkway, a paved road that climbs from inland temperate rainforest to subalpine wildflower meadows in about 26 km. The parkway is seasonal; the two valley boardwalks near the highway stay open longer. Most people treat the park as a half-day stop on a Rockies drive. Glacier National Park, 45 minutes east, is the bigger hiking park.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1914.
Size and age
260 km² (100 sq mi)100 sq mi (260 km²) · national park since 1914
About 260 km² (100 sq mi); one of the smallest Canadian national parks (check).
Why go
- The Meadows in the Sky Parkway climbs about 1,500 m from rainforest to alpine meadows in a single 26 km (16 mi) drive.The Meadows in the Sky Parkway climbs about 1,500 m from rainforest to alpine meadows in a single 16 mi (26 km) drive.
- Old-growth western red cedar and hemlock on the Giant Cedars Boardwalk, some trees over 800 years old.
- It is the easiest national park to reach on a Calgary–Vancouver drive: the highway runs through the park boundary.
- Wildflower meadows at the summit in late July and early August, with the Monashee and Selkirk ranges on either side.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprAvoid
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanParkway closed; deep snow, avalanche terrain
- FebParkway closed; snowshoeing only with care
- MarParkway closed; snow persists at low levels
- AprParkway closed; mud and snowmelt
- MayBoardwalks open; parkway usually still closed
- JunParkway may open late in the month; snow patches up top
- JulParkway open; meadows start flowering
- AugPeak wildflowers; busiest weekends
- SepClear, quieter, early larch colour
- OctParkway closes for the season; check the date
- NovParkway closed; short grey days
- DecParkway closed; winter conditions
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly and black bearsMay–Oct · Carry bear spray on trails; make noise in dense forest. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Woodland caribou (small herd)All year · Threatened; rarely seen. Do not follow tracks off-trail. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wildflower meadows at the summitJul–Aug · Peak bloom is usually late July to mid-August. | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Banana slugs in the inland rainforestMay–Sep · This is the eastern edge of their range in North America. | no | no | no | no | yes | 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 Revelstoke
Drive or taxi to the parkway gate on the west side of town; the boardwalks are a short drive east on Highway 1.
10–20 min
From Calgary
Drive Highway 1 west through Banff, Golden and Glacier National Park.
4.5–5 h
Open the page →
From Vancouver
Drive Highway 1 east via Kamloops and Sicamous.
6–7 h
Open the page →
From Glacier National Park
Continue east on Highway 1 over Rogers Pass.
45 min–1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Meadows in the Sky Parkway | A 26 km (16 mi) paved road from valley rainforest to subalpine meadows, with pull-outs and short walks.A 16 mi (26 km) paved road from valley rainforest to subalpine meadows, with pull-outs and short walks. | Open in the snow-free season only; day pass required. |
| Summit meadows | Rolling alpine meadow at the road's end, with trails to viewpoints over the Monashees and Selkirks. | Walk from the parking area; stay on trails. |
| Giant Cedars and Skunk Cabbage boardwalks | Two short interpretive boardwalk trails in valley-bottom rainforest beside Highway 1. | Open longer than the parkway; day pass required. |
| Backcountry | Steep forested valleys and alpine terrain with no road access. | Permit required for overnight trips. |
Sketch map
- 1Park gate (Meadows in the Sky Parkway) · Gate≈51.008, -118.201Map ↗
- 2Summit meadows · Viewpoint≈51.050, -118.150Map ↗
- 3Giant Cedars Boardwalk · Trail≈51.107, -117.906Map ↗
- 4Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk · Trail≈51.086, -117.921Map ↗
- 5Snowforest Campground · Sleep≈51.018, -118.204Map ↗
- 6Revelstoke · Town≈51.000, -118.200Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 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; the parkway gate and summit are on the west side of the park, the boardwalks east along Highway 1.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult day entry (Parks Canada) | CAD 11–12 (≈ US$8–9) | person | 2026 estimate; confirm the current rate with Parks Canada. |
| Family/group day entry | CAD 22–24 (≈ US$16–18) | vehicle | 2026 estimate; covers up to seven people in one vehicle. |
| Discovery Pass (annual, all Parks Canada sites) | CAD 75–155 (≈ US$55–120) | pass | 2026 estimate; adult and family versions — worth it on a multi-park trip. |
| Snowforest Campground | CAD 30–37 (≈ US$25–30) | night | 2026 estimate; serviced sites, plus a micro-cabin option (check). |
| Backcountry camping | CAD 13–14 (≈ US$10–11) | person/night | 2026 estimate; permit required. |
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
Snowforest Campground permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$11–12≈ US$8–9
- C$22–24≈ US$16–18
- C$75–155≈ US$55–120
- C$30–37≈ US$25–30
- C$13–14≈ US$10–11
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 Parks Canada — Snowforest Campground before you go.
Park rules
- Stay on trails in the meadows
- Alpine plants are fragile and slow to recover; do not cut across meadow.
- Food storage
- Keep food in your vehicle or a bear-proof container; never leave it at a picnic table.
- Dogs
- Allowed on leash on the boardwalks and parkway, not on backcountry trails.
- Drones
- Not allowed without a Parks Canada permit (check).check
- Camping
- Only at Snowforest Campground or with a backcountry permit; no roadside camping.
Where to stay
In the park
Snowforest Campground
62 sites just off the parkway near Highway 1; flush toilets, showers, some electrical sites. Reserve ahead.
Near the park
Revelstoke
Motels, hotels and hostels 10–20 minutes from the park gate; the practical base for the park.
Safety
Bears on trails medium
Winding parkway with cyclists medium
Weather change at the summit medium
Winter conditions high
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 Giant Cedars and Skunk Cabbage boardwalks are flat and boardwalk-surfaced, suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
- The parkway is paved to the summit; the summit trails are gravel and uneven.
- Accessible washrooms at the Snowforest Campground and the parkway pull-outs (check).
Visiting lightly
- Pack out everything; bins are limited in the park.
- Do not pick flowers or move rocks in the meadows.
- Use the shuttle or carpool on busy August weekends if one is running (check).
- Buy a Discovery Pass if you plan to visit several Parks Canada sites — the money stays with the parks.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mount Revelstoke National Park?
A Parks Canada day pass is about CAD 11–12 per adult or CAD 22–24 per vehicle (2026 estimate). A Discovery Pass, roughly CAD 75–155, covers entry to all Parks Canada sites for a year and pays off on a multi-park trip. Confirm current rates with Parks Canada before you go.
What are the best hikes in Mount Revelstoke National Park?
The Giant Cedars Boardwalk (500 m) and Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk (1.2 km) are the easy, reliable walks. The summit meadow trails at the end of the Meadows in the Sky Parkway are the scenic ones, and backcountry routes are for fit, prepared hikers with a permit for overnight trips.
When is the best time to visit Mount Revelstoke National Park?
Late July to September, when the Meadows in the Sky Parkway is open and the summit meadows are in flower. August is busiest; September is quieter with clear air. Outside roughly July–early October the parkway is closed and only the valley boardwalks are practical.
Can I drive the Meadows in the Sky Parkway?
Yes, in the snow-free season — usually July to early October. It is a paved 26 km road to the summit meadows. Check the opening date with Parks Canada, as snow can delay it into July.
Do I need a reservation for Snowforest Campground?
Yes on summer weekends. It has 62 sites with flush toilets and showers, plus a micro-cabin option. Book through Parks Canada; walk-up space is not guaranteed in July and August.
Is Mount Revelstoke worth stopping for on a Calgary–Vancouver drive?
Yes as a half-day. The boardwalks are right off Highway 1 and the parkway is 10 minutes from Revelstoke. If you want a full hiking day, continue east to Glacier National Park instead.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go