Kootenay National Park Or The Land Of Ice And Fire (Experiencing Nature’s Game Of Contrasts)

Sep 12, 2024

Last Updated on: Sep 1, 2025

Travel Guides

No, it’s not the battle of the Starks, Lannisters, and other houses of Westeros. In Canada lies Kootenay National Park, the actual land of ice and fire. The glacier-made canyons and valleys sing the song of the ice, while the hot springs and grasslands keep the “fire” element alive here. 

Also, the national park is a hub of ancient fossils, encouraging walks through the fossil trails. Moreover, you can take a scenic drive through the park, rich in Indigenous culture, history, architecture, and cultural landscape.  

So, do you want a virtual tour of this Canadian national park? THIS is where your journey begins!

THESE Are The Things You Will Do At Kootenay National Park

Things You Will Do At Kootenay National Park

With no cell service available in Kootenay National Park, you can get lost in the wilderness and explore the most fascinating landscape. However, being respectful to the wildlife is a must for this national park. This August, I came across disturbing news while doing my research on Kootenay National Park. 

I have been in touch with a local from Radium Hot Springs for quite some time now. He told me that a grizzly bear coming out of Kootenay National Park was almost struck by an SUV on 19th August 2024

This incident occurred on a busy highway in southeastern British Columbia, and fortunately, the Kia Sportage SUV made its way to the other side safely. Further, it was a lesson on why following the safety guidelines is crucial while driving in and around the Kootenay National Park.

On the major routes of Kootenay National Park, you will have to maintain a maximum speed of 56 mph.
However, on the minor routes, the highest driving speed limit will be 37 mph. 

Also, around one month before the incident, on 24th July 2024, there was a minor fire in the  Sinclair Canyon slopes (near Radium Hot Springs) of the national park. It was called the Berland Ridge wildfire. This fire was under control thanks to a helicopter bucketing water on it.

However, outside the park’s southern boundary, there was a blazing fire that was brought under control after pain-stricken efforts. 

So, these incidents show how mindful and cautious you need to be while taking part in the following activities. 

Hiking In Kootenay National Park (Hikers’ Favorite Trails)

Hiking In Kootenay National Park (Hikers’ Favorite Trails)

The hiking trails in Kootenay National Park are full of elevation gains and losses. Also, today, the national park has more than 70 hiking trails at easy, moderate, and difficult levels. 

However, I have curated a few hiking trails in the table below. After interacting with a couple of hikers, I found out that these are the ones most preferred.

Name of the Trail Difficulty LevelDistanceLocationHighlights
Marble CanyonEasy1.4 Km with 42 M Elevation Gain Located near Lake Louise, AlbertaHiking, snowshoeing, and running are the favorite activities here.
It is a pet-friendly and kid-friendly trail. 
It is a year-long hiking trail. 
Stanley Glacier Trail Difficult 10.9 Km with 607 M Elevation Gain Located near Lake Louise, AlbertaSnowshoeing, camping, and hiking are popular activities on this trail.
You can take your dog as a company.
June to September is the best time to hike this trail. 
Sinclair Canyon via Juniper Trail Moderate5.8 Km with 291 M Elevation GainIt is close to Radium Hot Springs in British Columbia.You will have to hike through a beautiful cedar fir forest on this trail.
The view of verdant Sinclair Canyon Falls and the Columbia Valley from this trail is breathtaking.
Marble Canyon to Paint PotsModerate2.9 Km with 110 M Elevation GainRadium Hot Springs (Marble Canyon Parking Lot  – 89 km east of Radium Hot Springs, Paint Pots – 86 Km east of Radium Hot Springs).Explore a good mix of mature and burnt forest throughout the trail.
Behold the Vermillion River running parallel to the trail. 
Floe LakeDifficult10.5 Km with 1,110 M Elevation Gain Near Radium Hot Springs (72 Km East)Backpacking and camping are popular activities on this trail. 
The trail leads to the Floe Lake Backcountry campground. 
This popular meadowy trail is known for its views of peaks, glaciers, and the beautiful Floe Lake. 
Numa CreeksModerate 6.3 Km with 385 M Elevation GainThe trailhead is near the Numa Falls, which is 80 Km east of the Radium Hot Springs. It is a forested trail.
The trail leads to heavy avalanche paths in the park. 

The hikers’ words about the trails in this national park are quite encouraging. Let’s find out what they are saying about the mesmerizing hiking trails. 

This is a beautiful, deep canyon hike. The trail crosses the canyon multiple times to view the ferocious Kootenay river below. Hiking boots aren’t necessary since it is a well-traveled trail.” – Deborah Turcotte on the Marble Canyon Trail 

The trail was mostly dry and in very good condition. No snow on the trail, just a few short wet spots. Trek up is mostly sheltered but a bit chilly and windy in the bowl so bring layers as the temp changes quickly when the sun is behind clouds. Still lots of snow in the bowl. Found one rock with fossils. There are a few small waterfalls on Stanley Peak. Lots of boulders at the base of the bowl to sit and enjoy a lunch and 360 views. An easy to moderate 3-4 hour hike with nice views of Stanley Peak, Storm Mtn, and the Kootenay Valley.” – Sue W on the Stanley Glacier Trail 

Kootenay National Park Camping 

Kootenay National Park Camping

Kootenay National Park is a wonderful place for frontcountry and backcountry camping. You can even live in oTENTiks and spend some unforgettable days in the park under the sky. 

Frontcountry Camping

You can camp near the Vermillion, Kootenay, and Simpson rivers. Also, you can find some quiet spots near Radium Hot Springs village

Summer is the best season for front-country camping in the national park. However, the sites remain crowded. So, you must go for a prior booking. 

Further, the daytime temperature in the national park remains between 16-23 degrees centigrade. Still, the temperature at night can drop below 0 degrees centigrade. So, abiding by the camping rules is crucial, and especially, be particular about the things you will have to carry.

Moreover, like camping in any national park, here also you have to ensure that you don’t leave any trace behind as you leave the site. 

Backcountry Camping

Backcountry camping and backpacking are the best ways to explore the wilderness of this Canadian national park. However, you must make a prior booking and carry a backcountry permit if you want to spend some days and nights amidst grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, elks, and cougars. 

Further, there are six backcountry camping grounds in the park, five of which are located along the  Rockwall Trail. The  Verdant Creek Trail has the sixth camping ground. 

Random camping is not allowed during summer, as protecting the landscape and vegetation is crucial. This restriction applies from May to October

However, in the winter months, you can do random camping in the designated areas. You will still need a permit for this. As I have mentioned, the Rockwall trail is the most prominent place for backcountry camping in the park. This site is also popular for the presence of various multi-day hiking trails. These trails are:

  • Honeymoon Pass and Verdant Creek
  • Tumbling – Floe
  • The Rockwall 
  • Tumbling – Helmet – Ochre Loop
  • Numa Creek
  • Helmet Creek and Falls
  • Tumbling Creek
  • Helmet – Ochre Junction

In the popular backcountry camping areas, the trails are maintained quite well. Further, there will be amenities like food storage cables, food lockers, picnic tables, and tent pads. 

Living in oTENTik

An oTENTik is a modern fusion of a cabin and a tent. In the park, you will find the oTENTik site on the Redstreak campground’s A loop

If you stay in an oTENTik, you will wake up amidst nature, and taking a bath at the hot springs will be the most rejuvenating experience. Then, you can explore the nearby hiking trails and gorge on traditional meals cooked in the campfire. 

Relaxing At Radium Hot Springs 

Relaxing At Radium Hot Springs

Beneath the colorful Sinclair Canyon mountains lie the most refreshing hot springs. Further, the mineral-rich water of the hot springs does not have any odor, and you can take a bath with your entire family. 

To reach the Radium Hot Springs, you must drive from Banff and Lake Louise for around 1.5 hours. Further, the journey is as interesting as the destination, as you will get to small turquoise lakes, falls, canyons, and bridges over rivers as you drive through the Kootenay National Park. Also, don’t forget to stop at the following locations to make the most of your journey.

  • Continental Divide (The line diving the Pacific and Atlantic watersheds)
  • Marble Canyon Hike
  • Paint Pots Trail
  • Numa Falls
  • Kootenay Valley Viewpoint (It is the place to get the most beautiful view of Vermilion and Mitchell Ranges.)
  •  Olive Lake Trail and Day-Use Area

However, the highlight of the journey, of course, is the Sinclair Canyon, where you will also find big horn sheep roaming. As you hike through the Juniper / Sinclair trail, you will get a “bird’s eye view” of Sinclair Canyon. 

Further, as you enter the Radium Hot Springs village, you will see an iconic steel horn sculpture. The “Bighorns Public Art Sculpture” was officially unveiled on 7th April 2021. Moreover, Clara Reinhardt, the mayor of Radium in 2021, said, 

We chose something that implies a sense of arrival to Radium, the Columbia Valley, and beyond. We captured the undeniable natural beauty of the curved horns through a Fibonacci spiral—the golden ratio in nature and art.

We wanted to create a piece of art that speaks to both the history and the future of bighorn sheep in Radium. We captured the undeniable natural beauty of the curved horns through a Fibonacci spiral—the golden ratio in nature and art.” 
– Adam Meikle (Artist of the Bighorns Public Art Sculpture)

Burgess Shale Fossil Hike 

The Burgess Shale Fossil Hike in the national park will give you access to Mount Stephen and Walcott Quarry. These are UNESCO Restricted Sites. Further, you will get to see some of the oldest fossils in the world here. 

However, in total, you have three routes to explore in the Burgess Shale Fossil Hike. Let’s discuss them in detail. 

Walcott Quarry

Starting Point: Takakkaw Falls

Difficulty Level: Difficult 

Elevation Gain: 825 Meters

Duration: 11 Hours

Return Distance: 22 Kms

Walcott Quarry is a classic example of a fossil hike. Also, the top view of the Emerald Lake from here is amazing. Further, you will find Burgess Shale creatures here, which were found in fossilized conditions at the mountaintop in the Yoho National Park. 


The Burgess Shale organisms lived 508 million years ago in a time period that Geologists call the Cambrian, which began at 541 Ma (million years ago) and ended by 485.4 Ma. The first fossil occurence of most animal lineages (at the phylum and class levels) occur in the Cambrian. As a result of this fact, and because the fossils are well preserved, Paleontologists studying the Burgess Shale fossils can deduce a great deal about the ancestory of animal lineages.”

The Burgess Shale fossils were discovered at the Walcott Quarry site in 1909 by Charles Doolittle Walcott. 1

Mount Stephen

Mount Stephen

Difficulty Level: Difficult 

Elevation Gain: 795 Meters

Duration: 7.5 Hours

Return Distance: 9 Kms

As you hike through the Mount Stephen trilobite beds, you will get to overlook the “town of Field” in British Columbia. Railway workers in the 1880s used to call the town of Field the space of “stone bugs.” 

Further, during this trek, you will see trilobite fossils (now extinct and one of the earliest marine arthropods), and the view of the Kicking Horse River from the trail is amazing. 

Stanley Glacier

Stanley Glacier

Difficulty: Moderate

Return Distance: 10 km

Elevation Gain: 385 m

Duration: 7.5 hours

You will start hiking the Stanley Glacier in a fire-swept forest. The forest has lodgepole pine and wildflowers. Further, along your route, you will get to see a turquoise river, waterfalls, and the best view of the Stanley Glacier.

Moreover, you will get to see the fossils of hyolithids, sponges, trilobites, and sponges here, and they are from the Eldon Formation

Cambroraster, an ancient arthropod, and many other species are found in the quarry near the Stanley Glacier. 
Further, the shell of a Cambroraster looks like the Millennium Falcon spaceship in its shape.

Important Kootenay National Park Data At A Glance 

Before you start for the Kootenay National Park, don’t forget to have a look at the stats.

  • Location: British Columbia, Canada
  • Established: 21st April, 1920
  • Area: 1,406 km²
  • Highest Landscape: Deltaform Mountain (3,102 m)
  • Designation: UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 (As Part of the “Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks )
  • Visitor Center: Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre (7556 Main Street East; Radium Hot Springs, B.C.)
  • How to Reach: Via Highway 1 from Banff, AB or Calgary, AB/Via Highway 95 at Radium Hot Springs, BC

Also Read

  1.  The Burgess Shale Geoscience Foundation – Established in 1993, The Burgess Shale Geoscience Foundation is a non-profit organization. It works to educate people about geosciences. ↩︎

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Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!

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Also, this 18m high waterfall is quite powerful.   An Encounter With History And Culture At The Killarney National Park Heritage Sites   Killarney National Park has many heritage sites that tell the tales of human history and life. Further, a trip to the park is incomplete without exploring these places.  Name Of The Heritage Sites Things To Know  Muckross Abbey Graveyard It has modern and old Irish graveyards.  Also, it has the graves of 17th and 18th-century Gaelic poets, such as Geoffrey O’Donoghue, Eoghan Rua O’Suilleabhain, and Aodhagan O’Rathaille.   Further, you will see the graves of many chieftains in the graveyard.  Killarney House and Gardens It is the main visitor center for the park.  Further, Formal Pleasure Gardens in the Killarney Gardens is the “longest Irish Herbaceous Border.”  Also, the 1870 red brick building was the main seat of the Kenmare estate. Ross Castle It is a tower house made in the 15th century with some myths attached to it.   O'Donoghues Mór built the castle, and people still believe that O'Donoghues Mór still sleeps under the lake water. It is said that here you can hear Banshee’s Wail. * Muckross House and Gardens  It is one of the most prominent stately homes in Ireland.  Moreover, the Tudor-style architecture of the mansion speaks of the affluent lifestyle of landowners in the 19th century.  Old Weir Bridge It is a stone-made twin-arch bridge.  Derrycunnihy Church This Roman Catholic church dates back to the late 19th century.  Further, you can see barn owls and Lesser Horseshoe Bats near this church.   Brickeen Bridge It has a pointed arch structure, and it’s an 18th-century bridge.  Innisfallen Island and Monastery The monastery here dates back to 640 AD when it was built by St.Finian the Leper.  Further, it was a place of immersive prayer and meditation for monks.  Moreover, “The Annals of Innisfallen,” written by monks here, are important accounts of Irish history.   Along with these sites, Killarney National Park has another historic area called the “Ladies View.” This was Queen Victoria's favorite place. Also, she was in love with the scenic beauty of the area.   *According to Irish folklore, Banshee is a spirit which appears as a woman and screams in a shrill voice. The appearance of Banshee is believed to bring the death summon for any of the family members.   Visiting The Habitats Of The Killarney National Park   As a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this national park is full of waterbodies like ponds, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls. Further, there are heaths, bogs, rock formations, and grassland.   So, do you want a brief idea about the diverse habitats of the park? Then, check the table below.   Habitats Highlights Yew Woodland Muckross Peninsula Reenadinna Wood and the Carboniferous reef and pavement of limestone Thick bryophytes blanket the limestone structures and especially the presence of “southern Atlantic liverwort Marchesinia mackaii used in labs Yew, Oak, Hazel, Alder, and Ash Trees  Wet Broadleaved Woodland Carboniferous limestone structures near the lake Waterlogged landscape Blanket Bog Bog moss hummocks Crowberry, Heath Rush, and other species Dry Broadleaved Woodland Tomies Wood Glaisín na Marbh Woodland Tracks Upper Doogary Woodland Tracks Sessile Oak Trees Rowan Trees Birch Trees Heath Deer Grass Purple Moor Grass Tormentil Mixed Woodland Game Wood Rhododendron, Sycamore and Various Exclusive Species of Plants Portuguese Laurel Flowering Plants Grassland Rare Flora Species, such as Carnation Sedge, Creeping Bent, Marsh Violet, etc.   Waterfalls, Rivers and Streams Muckross Lake Upper Lake Unique Invertebrate Species Drowned Vegetation Wetlands, Ponds And Lakes Devil’s Punch Bowl  Along with these habitats, you will find commercially established conifer plantations in the national park. You will find them on the slopes of the Muckross or Torc Mountain. These plantations have Scot pines, European larches, Sitka spruce, and many other varieties.   Does Killarney National Park Have Restaurants And Cafes?   https://www.instagram.com/p/C7Q9NLpIr5w/ Yes, you can catch some quick bites and refreshments at Killarney National Park, which has quite a few restaurants and cafes. Further, each restaurant has a standout feature of its history or commitment to a special cause.   So, let’s know the names, their locations, and specialties.   Restaurant/Cafe  Location And Operating Hours  Specialties Muckross House Garden Restaurant Near Muckross House (“Adjacent to main car parks and entrance road”)  Baked salmon Cajon-style chicken breast Rainbow trout and sea-fresh cod duo  (Also, gluten-free options, including various salads, are available here.)  Deenagh Lodge It stands opposite St. Mary’s Cathedral on Port Road. Apple tart with custard Coffee Sandwiches   (It is operated by people with Down syndrome. Also, vegan and vegetarian options are available.) Dinis Cottage Dinis Island (Take the route via N71) Homemade scones Apple pie Fresh sandwiches (It is more than 200 years old. Moreover, it has a Victorian charm.) Ross Castle Garden Cafe Ross Castle Freshly ground barista coffee Cakes and pastries are also available.  Lord Brandon’s Cottage  Gap of Dunloe’s southern end Coffee and snacks (An open-air cafe)  Along with the restaurants and cafes, there are also Muckross Traditional Farms where you will find delicious, sweet meat on these farms.   Further, you can arrange picnics at this national park, provided you do not leave any trace behind. However, BBQing and lighting campfires are not allowed in Killarney National Park.   Final Words Before You Set In For The Killarney National Park  Exploring the natural bounty and history at Killarney National Park is easy and safe, thanks to the available family facilities and first aid and emergency services. Further, you can call 112 or 999 to avail yourself of emergency services. In addition, first-aid services are offered at Muckross House and Gardens and the Killarney National Park Visitor Centre.  Also, there are public toilets in the park. Moreover, for the children, there are changing facilities and playgrounds. So, it does not matter whether you are a solo traveler or you are traveling with your family and friends.   Moreover, Killarney National Park is the go-to destination for you to encounter one of the best bio reserves in the world, an account of human history, and the most fascinating landscapes.  So, if you are planning a trip to Ireland in late spring or early autumn, don’t forget to include Killarney National Park in your itinerary. Moreover, we would love to hear from you about the experience in the comment section below.   Also read Top 10 Most Popular Paraguay Food That You Must Try. Where To Stay Near Lassen Volcanic National Park? – Explore The Best Options. 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