Kootenay National Park
Established in 1920, Kootenay National Park is one of 41 national parks in Canada. It represents the south-western region of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. From glacier-clad peaks along the Continental Divide to semi-arid grasslands of the Rocky Mountain Trench, where cactus grows, this is a park rich in diversity of landscapes and ecology. more info
Kootenay National Park blankets almost 350,000 acres (140,600 hectares), where visitors experience a land of startling contrasts, towering summits, hanging glaciers, narrow chasms, and colorful-splashed mineral pools.
Situated on the west side of the Continental Divide, Kootenay National Park extends across the valleys of the Vermilion and Kootenay Rivers, touches on the Rocky Mountain Trench at Radium Hot Springs, and straddles the Main and Western Ranges of the Rockies. Some of these peaks rise to 11,000 feet (3,355 m).
The 110°F (43°C) waters at Radium Hot Springs come out of the Redstreak breccia fault line, a unique area of red cliffs and shattered rocks. Like most other hot springs, these are well worth relaxing in. There are also find mineral hot springs bubbling out of the canyon of Sinclair Creek. Along the parkway are visible the depths of the limestone gorge of Marble Canyon and the bright ochre pool Paint Pots once used by the Kootenay People to decorate their teepees.
The park features three major campgrounds: the biggest one, Redstreak Campground, can only be approached from the south side of Radium Hot Springs, 2 miles (3 km) southeast of the park's western entrance at the junction of Hwy 93/95.
There're a total of 242 sites; almost one-quarter of these include water, sewer, and electrical servicing. The 38 partially serviced (electricity included) sites are slightly cheaper, but the least expensive are the remaining unserviced sites. All sites in the other two campgrounds are unserviced sites. A 30-minute walking trail links the campground with Radium Hot Springs.
Wildlife is much in evidence. A band of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep have their summer range near Radium Hot Springs, and mountain goats can be spotted in the Mount Wardle area.
Most of the park's waters are glacier-fed and are too cold to provide sufficient nutrients for fish growth. However, some of the lakes have been stocked, and you might try for whitefish and native dolly varden, or for stocked trout in the rivers.
Other facilities at the park include an aquacourt and fully developed pool area. There are also several good picnic sites and swimming spots, including Sinclair Creek, Olive Lake, Kootenay River, Dolly Varden, Hector Gorge, Wardle Creek, Numa Falls, Paint Pots, Marble Canyon, and Tokumm Creek. The park offers self-guided trails, warden stations and backcountry warden-patrol cabins, and more than 124 miles (200 km) of hiking and cross-country ski trails.
Kootenay National Park is open year-round. The western entrance to the park is located in British Columbia at the junction of Highways 93 and 95 in the town of Radium Hot Springs. Radium Hot Springs is located 64.5 miles (104 km) south of Golden and 88.5 miles (143 km) north of Cranbrook. The park's eastern entrance is located at Vermilion Pass in Alberta.
Kootenay National Park, Weather
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