2021 Experience the Mountain Parks by experiencetravelguides

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EXPERIENCE 2021/2022

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The Mountain Parks

17 Helpful Map Pages Hidden Gems Paddle Boarding Icefields Parkway Campground Directory Biking

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Photo Courtesy of Grace Hovius

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Experience the Mountain Parks Welcome to Canada’s Mountain National Parks! Welcome to the 16th edition of Experience the Mountain Parks. With its roots in the Parks Canada Mountain Guide, ours is now the ONLY visitor’s guide to the many activities, attractions, events, and stunning landscapes across all 7 of the mountain national parks within Alberta & BC! In this traveller’s companion, you’ll discover incredible experiences within the region, through compelling stories & images. And you’ll love our user-friendly maps! Keep it handy and expect to refer to it often. Whether you are exploring the mountain parks as a couple, a young family on a staycation, with your grandchildren

on a “grand-cation”, or just sightseeing on your own, we’re here to help! The themed tours in this guide will not only highlight the major attractions, but we’ll unveil numerous hidden gems throughout the parks. Our stories offer safe and fun activities that often contain educational components. You will love our coverage of communities and our contributors pull back the curtain on the rich history within the region. We sincerely hope you have a magical time here and are truly honoured to be of service. Bob Harris & Christine Weston

To download this, or any of our Travel Guides & Maps to your mobile device, go to ExperienceTravelGuides.com/Library

Our Contributors

Kerry Robins believes

Chic Scott has devoted

in authenticity, and has a casual conversation with her audience. Her writing spans two decades. She is a storyteller at heart and an independent writer for various magazines. Alberta’s mountain sceneries inspire her. She appreciates nature and feels at home when she is outside enjoying all-season activities.

his life to skiing and climbing. Chic is an honourary member of the Calgary Mountain Club, Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and Alpine Club of Canada. A recipient of the Banff Mountain Film Festival Summit of Excellence Award, Chic lives in Banff, where he continues to write, lecture and, of course, ski. (A Rocky Mountain Original pg 14)

(Rocky Mountain High pg 26)

Graeme Pole is

Allen R. Gibson

Andrew Penner is

the best-selling author of thirteen books that describe the natural history and the human history of western Canada. Three of his titles have been finalists in the Banff Mountain Book Festival. His most recent is the novel, Siren Call.

is a writer and marketer who’s enjoyed Western Canadian road trips since childhood. He shares his love of the west through travel writing and as a tour guide with Insight Vacations, when he’s not helping tourism businesses with their marketing.

Visit his website: mountainvision.ca

Allen can be reached at EightStarTours@gmail.com

(Hidden Gems pg 38, 51, 56)

(Experience the Icefields Parkway pg 32)

an independent writer and photographer living in Calgary, Alberta. His work has been featured in Westworld, Westjet Magazine, Golf Magazine, Golf Tips, Golf Canada, and many leading golf and lifestyle publications. When not travelling or working, he enjoys reading, movies, and chilling out in the backyard with his wife, Dawn, and their four boys. (Hit the Highway with an RV pg 6)

4 | Enter Our Photo Contest

Experience the Mountain Parks Welcome to the 2021 – 2022 Edition

Table of Contents

Use it to plan your holiday and as your travelling companion once you’ve arrived.

Destinations

Experience Publishing is a privately-owned company with offices in Calgary, Alberta. We specialize in the production of our Experience Travel Guides & Maps in print as well as digital formats. Printed copies are delivered to our network of distribution outlets throughout Alberta and BC and into Montana and Saskatchewan. Travellers are encouraged to pick up a FREE printed copy through these outlets or use a mobile-friendly copy of this, or any of our current or archived guides from ExperienceTravelGuides.com/library. We wish to thank Parks Canada, Travel Alberta, Waterton Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Golden, Destination BC and all of our contributors, sponsors, and advertising partners for their generous support. Please support our advertisers and sponsors. If you get the chance, kindly mention where you saw their ad. Without their support this guide would not be possible. Founder: Bob Harris, CMI Publishing bob@ExperiencePublishing.ca Ph: (403) 259.8290 Associate Publisher: Christine Weston christine@ExperiencePublishing.ca Cartographer: Rob Storeshaw robstoreshaw@shaw.ca Book Keeper: Adrienne Albrecht adrienne@ExperiencePublishing.ca Advertising Sales Reps: Allen Gibson, Joseph Macdonald, Brian Peck, and David Saxby

Circulation: Allen Gibson, Dale & Kelly Schultz, Warren & Sandy Pearson, David Saxby. Distribution Outlets: Free copies available through most Visitor Information Centres, AMA travel offices, retail stores, attractions, and hotels & motels in the region. For a complete list: experiencemountainparks.com/our-distributors Cover photo: Bow Lake, Banff National Park Share Your Experience: Upload your photos to be eligible to win great prizes ExperienceTravelGuides.com/Contests Follow us @ExperienceTravelGuides

Banff National Park 16 Glacier National Park 62 Golden 57 Hinton 42 Jasper National Park 36 Kootenay Rockies 44 Kootenay National Park 48 Radium Hot Springs 52 Revelstoke 61 Waterton Lakes National Park 10 Wells Gray Provincial Park 45 West Kootenays 64 Yellowhead County 42 Yoho National Park 54

Specialty Pages A Passion for the Alpine 20 A Rocky Mountain Original 14 Campground Directory 66 Discover Craft Beer 46 Experience Cycling in the Mountain Parks 28 Experience the Icefields Parkway 32 Flora and Fauna in the Mountain Parks 30 Hidden Gems 38, 51, 56 Hit the Highway with an RV 6 Photo Contest 3 Postcards from the Parks 8 Reader Survey 50 Rocky Mountain High 26 Stand Up Paddleboarding 24 The Golden Triangle 60

Map Pages

PHOTO CONTEST

Alberta 7 Banff National Park 18 Banff Townsite 20 Bow Valley Parkway 21 British Columbia 42 Columbia Valley 44 Glacier & Mt. Revelstoke National Parks 61 Icefields Parkway 34 & 35 Jasper National Park 36 Jasper Townsite 39 Kootenay National Park 45 Lake Louise Townsite 25 Radium Hot Springs Townsite 49 Waterton Lakes National Park 14 West Kootenays 64 Yoho National Park 53

Share your Experience to WIN: • Explore the Athabasca Glacier on a half-day guided, interpretive hiking adventure with IceWalks. • Accommodation at the Crossing Resort plus $200 voucher for meals. • Approximate retail value $1100

To enter visit ExperienceTravelGuides.com/Contests 5 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Hit the Highway with an RV

Jasper National Park Photo Courtesy of Parks Canada / Rogier Gruys

As we approached Fairmont Hot Springs, the steam from

relevant when you’ve got your own home sitting right there

the hot pools visible from the highway, our plan suddenly

behind the cab.

changed. As it turned out, we would not make it to Golden that day. The hot pools were calling. And we needed to go. Ah,

Granted, there are plenty of tricks-of-the-trade when it comes

yes, the “change the plan on the fly program.” Just one of the

to RVing. On our spring journey down the legendary Powder

many benefits of RVing!

Highway in the Kootenay Rockies (yes, you can RV in winter!) there were some important lessons learned. Like, for example,

Indeed, cruising down the highway with a luxurious house-

if you’re travelling in winter, bring a shovel! During our over-

on-wheels - last spring our family rented a cozy CanaDream

night stay in the parking lot at the Kimberley Alpine Resort,

RV that comfortably slept five - is definitely something to add

we received 40 centimeters of pillow-soft powder overnight.

to your bucket list. RVing is synonymous with exploration and

Needless to say, when it was time to move on, digging out our

adventure. The world is your oyster! You can take the roads

“home” with only the aid of our skis took a little longer than

less travelled. And you can see them in a whole new way.

expected! But, man, the skiing was epic! The Powder Highway certainly lived up to expectations.

As we discovered, hitting the road with an RV opens the door to so much more than what’s possible when you travel with

Of course, there are hundreds of options in terms of places to

an automobile. With an RV, you’re self-contained. You have

go and things to experience. In summer, the Powder Highway

freedom to roam. The pressure is off! Jam-packed hotels, busy

becomes a playground filled with pristine lakes and endless

restaurants, keeping a tight schedule, these are not exactly

places to explore and experience. In terms of destinations to

6 | Enter Our Photo Contest

Hit the Highway with an RV travel to, another one of my favourites is the Slocan Valley.

to fear. It’s something to embrace! Take advantage of those

Under-the-radar towns and villages like Nakusp, New Denver,

really special locations that speak to you.

and Winlaw are prime places for the RVing way of life. 6. Plan Your Meals And of course, in terms of additional tips for newbie RVers, I’ve

Preparing food, BBQing, s’mores by the campfire, stock-

compiled a few more (with some help from CanaDream, one

ing the cooler, it’s a big part of the fun when you’re RVing.

of the largest RV rental companies in Canada).

There is plenty of space for food in an RV, including a bigger-than-you-think refrigerator and freezer. Load up and plan your awesome gourmet meals!

1. Don’t Drive Too Much In One Day CanaDream recommends 3-4 hrs maximum driving time per day. You should allow plenty of time to recreate out-

Regardless of which “home” you decide to choose, which road

doors! Visit a winery, hike to a lookout, sit on a beach.

you travel, and what, exactly, you pack in your cooler, an RV

This, ultimately, is why you’re on the road to begin with.

adventure is going to leave you and your clan with many, many magnificent memories. My final tip? Just do it!

2. Get The Right RV So you’re a newbie and have no clue which RV is right for your party? And you’ve also never driven one before? Not a problem! All the reputable RV rental companies, including CanaDream, will make sure you are set up with the perfect vehicle based on the number of people in your

By: Andrew Penner

Be sure to book your reservations in advance and enjoy the adventure!

party. They will walk you through every detail and there are online tutorials you can take as well. 3. Keep An Eye Out For Special Offers Every week new online specials are offered. One-way relocation specials (RVs go from A to B but sometimes don’t come back to A, depending on a party’s travel plans!) are very common. Check often! 4. Do Your Research Planning a general route and booking the most popular RV parks (if you want to go that route) can save you some frustration along the way. CanaDream has a Trip Planner tool that allows you to completely customize your travels. They also have plenty of information on over 1,000 campgrounds, activities, tours, and attractions. 5. Be Flexible Altering your original plan - you cand and will discover the unexpected! - as you “cruise” along is not something 7 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Postcards from the Parks If you were a globetrotting landscape photographer and could only take one more breathtaking image, where would you go? What would you shoot? Maritime seascape? Remote desert scene in Africa? Burning lava flows in Hawaii? For many “shooters,” the answer would be a majestic, postcard-perfect scene in the Canadian Rockies. Indeed, the baby-blue lakes, rushing rivers, and jagged, snow-dusted mountains in Alberta and British Columbia, can make for the ultimate photographic prize. Perhaps the challenge, if you could only choose one location in the mountain parks, would be just that. Choosing just one! Here are five locations that would do just fine for your final postcard. Lake O’Hara: Getting into the remote Lake O’Hara region – you need to be on the ball and book a seat on the bus (serviced by Parks Canada) or walk up the 11 km road – is not a piece of cake. However, if you find your way there you’ll be rewarded. The region is peppered with lakes, tarns, cirques, crystal-clear streams, and soaring mountains. Moraine Lake: Good enough to be featured on the Canadian $20 bill for decades, the Valley of the Ten Peaks, as seen from the rock pile at the east end of Moraine Lake, is one of the most famous scenes in the Canadian Rockies. Capture this in the morning, when low-angled light paints the peaks, and you’ve got a keepsake to cherish. Vermillion Lakes: If you’re staying in Banff, you don’t have to venture far to find some sweet scenes. The Vermillion Lakes Road serves up classic photo-ops that have been shuttered by thousands of visitors. True, you won’t be alone here, but the beauty of Mount Rundle reflected in the calm water of the spring-fed lakes is a shot every serious landscape photographer needs in their portfolio. Spirit Island: Made famous thanks to an image capturing its surreal beauty was hung in Grand Central Station for over forty years, Spirit Island is the quintessential Canadian Rockies shot. The clutch of pines on the island, the lake, the mountains, it’s simply sublime. From Jasper, drive to Maligne Lake and for $71/adult take the 1.5 hr classic cruise to reach the island and snag your shot. Unfortunately, it’s a quick stop so make sure you’re first off the boat! Or, better yet, take the Premium cruise ($101/adult), a 2 hour tour geared for photographers. (see pg2) Waterton Lakes National Park: Perched on the wind-blasted bluff above the lake, the historic Prince of Wales Hotel is a striking subject in this classic scene. Getting the shot is simple: pull over when the hotel comes into view and shoot until your heart is content. In fall, when the aspens go gold, the scene can really “pop.” Story and Photos By Andrew Penner 8 | Enter Our Photo Contest

Experience Alberta

Alberta Fast Facts Capital City: Edmonton Population: 4.37 million History: Entered Canadian Confederation in 1905 Total Area: 661,848 km sq/255,541 mi sq Highest Point: Mount Columbia, 3,747 m/12,293 ft Lowest Point: Slave River, 152 m/499 ft above sea level Longest River: Peace River, 1,923 km/1,195 mi Provincial Flower: Wild Rose Provincial Tree: Lodgepole Pine Provincial Bird: Great Horned Owl Provincial Fish: Bull Trout Provincial Motto: “Strong and Free”

9 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Experience Waterton Lakes National Park

As a child, I was lucky to have grandparents who lived 60 km away from Waterton Lakes National Park. On hot summer days, my siblings - or cousins - and I would beg one of the adults to take us there for the day. We would head straight to the outdoor pool, rent green bathing suits for one dollar, and go for a swim. After that, a picnic of fried chicken and baked beans made for a perfect summer day. Waterton seemed to be mine. We roamed freely, there was nothing to trouble us. We learned to respect the wilderness, were taught by our parents that bears needed their distance, and learned the hard way that the water in the Waterton Lakes is freezing, always freezing, no matter how hot the day. I’ve been working on my rock skipping skills my entire life, and nowhere, absolutely nowhere that I have been, has rocks as smooth and round and pancake flat as does Waterton. Waterton changed very little since my childhood until recent years. The 2017 Kenow Fire burned 80% of the hiking trails,

many of which are still to reopen. That fire also destroyed the original Visitors’ Centre, a charming stone building nestled beneath The Bear’s Hump on the edge of town. Now, three years after the fire, Waterton’s beauty is even more unique. A hike on one of the trails will take you through a kaleidoscope of wild mountain colour. Imagine a patchwork quilt with blue lupine and purple bee balm blooming in vast drifts, with the bright green of ash-fertilized grass and nodding white daisies sprinkled with the pink of Alberta roses. All this colour is set against black tree trunks and backed by an Alberta blue sky. Waterton is unique. Wildflowers grow there that are found in few other places in the Rockies. It is part of the Crown of the Continent ecosystem, biologically and physically diverse, and then... there’s that wind. Strong enough to blow a two-burner campstove, lit and with a pot of bubbling porridge on it, across a picnic table, or to lift a tent with a sleeping family of five right off the ground, Waterton’s winds are legendary. They shape the

The 2017 Kenow Wildfire impacted Waterton Lakes National Park areas and facilities. To find out what is currently open and closed in the park, please visit pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/waterton/visit/ideale_best 10 | Enter Our Photo Contest

Experience Waterton Lakes National Park forests and sculpt the hills. There’s a local saying, “If it isn’t windy, it isn’t Waterton.” Waterton Park was set aside in 1895, nestled in the southwest corner of the Province of Alberta, it borders Glacier National Park in the State of Montana, USA. In 1931, Rotary Clubs from each region suggested the two parks be joined, creating the first International Peace Park in the world. A symbol of friendship, this partnership also creates cooperation in the stewardship of this unique area. Hikers can put their boots on in Canada, and hike in the United States. It is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Triple Crown Hikes: Crypt Lake, the Carthew-Alderson and Akamina Ridge trails are all world-class bucket-list hikes. The Triple Crown Challenge of completing all three hikes – a total distance of 55.2 km – in one summer, will get you bragging rights, a commemorative pin, and your name in lights a local café. Waterton has a year-round population of about 300. In summer those numbers swell into the thousands, but it was made for

walking. The town itself is only six by four streets wide, so park your car and walk everywhere. Walk the path on the shore of the lakes, find a perfect skipping rock and see how many times you can make it bounce across the water. But study the rock and notice the colour of it before you send it off. Waterton’s fascinating geology has resulted in names such as Red Rock Canyon, and colourful red and green argillite stones that inspired this name can be found on the beaches, sand, riverbeds, and waterfall-cut canyons, as well as in man-made habitats, put to use forming old rock walls, the foundations of the older buildings in town, even as part of sidewalks. Waterton’s unique character is a treasure. A designation as respected as the UNESCO Biosphere term should be coined to commemorate its charm, beauty, and simplicity. So, Happy Anniversary Waterton! May your gentle charms remind us to slow down, wild winds make us feel alive, wildflowers dazzle us, your many bears demand our complete respect (and very safe distance) and may your representation of peace as well as cooperation help us to understand one another. By: Lisa Christensen

Photos Courtesy of Robin Laurenson

11 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Experience Waterton Lakes National Park

PLENTY OF

mywaterton.ca 12 | Enter Our Photo Contest

Experience Waterton Lakes National Park See Campground Directory on pg 67

Some areas may be closed due to the 2017 Kenow wildfire. Check parkscanada.ca/waterton frequently for updates and closures.

See Legend on page 67

To fully experience Waterton pick up a copy of Waterton Lakes National Park or download it at ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Alpine Stables Come visit Alpine Stables and experience spectacular scenery on horse back in Waterton Lakes National Park! Alpine Stables has seen a

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lot of changes in the last 50 years, including multiple floods, changes in Waterton landmarks and growth of our family, now in the 5th generation. One of the biggest changes being the Kenow Fire of 2017 where all of Alpine Stables’ buildings were lost. What remains is our love for Waterton and sharing the natural and cultural history with visitors from around the world. Since 1969-we are proud to partner with Parks Canada in showcasing this remarkable place.

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13 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

A Rocky Mountain Original - Bill Peyto and prospecting. Eventually he settled down in Banff, a small frontier town that was just getting started. The Canadian Pacific Railway at that time was bringing mountain climbers and adventure seekers to their new hotels in the Rocky Mountains and guides were needed to lead them through the wilderness. This line of work appealed to Bill and he started working for guide and outfitter Tom Wilson in 1894. Over the next 1/2 dozen years Peyto was involved in some of the most important early explorations and climbs in the Canadian Rockies: the exploration of Mount Assiniboine in 1895; the first ascent of Mount Athabasca in 1898 with J. Norman Collie; the exploration of the Yoho Valley in 1901 with Edward Whymper and the first ascent of Mount Assiniboine in 1901 with Sir James Outram. Norman Collie described Peyto: “[He] made an ideal picture of the wild west, mounted as he was on an Indian steed, with Mexican stirrups. A great sombrero hat pushed to one side, a buckskin shirt ornate with Indian fringes on sleeves and seams, and cartridge belt holding a hunting knife and a six-shooter, recalled the romantic days of old when this was the costume throughout the entire west.” “He was efficient, daring, highly imaginative, an excellent man with the horses and a good friend. He spoke in a low, quiet

Bill Peyto was a brave and daring soldier who served his country

voice of a true westerner, but even so he spoke rarely. His forte

well, first in the Lord Strathcona Horse Regiment in the Boer

was doing things, not talking about them.” (Walter Wilcox)

War where he saw lots of action.

Ebenezer William Peyto (pronounced Peetoe) was a Rocky

Back in Canada, Bill fell in love and married Emily Wood on

Mountain original, one of the most colourful characters ever

January 6, 1902. A son, Robert (Robin) W.F. Peyto was born

seen in the Bow Valley area. He was a guide and an outfitter,

on Nov 19, 1904. These were some of the best years of Bill’s

prospector, soldier and early Banff National Park Warden.

life and he was tremendously happy. But the marriage ended in tragedy when Emily died suddenly on Sept. 6, 1906. This

He was born February 14, 1869, in Welling, Kent, not far from

broke Bill’s heart and that year he gave up guiding. For the

London, England, Peyto was the third son in a large family of

next few years he lived a solitary life, keeping himself busy

nine. He emigrated to Canada in 1887 when he was 18 years old.

trapping and prospecting. Much of his time he spent at his cabin, which he called Bookrest, high in the mountains near

For the first several years he travelled in and around western

Simpson Pass, where he had a copper mine. His son, Robert,

Canada, working for the CPR, homesteading near Cochrane

went to the Okanagan to live with relatives.

14 | Enter Our Photo Contest

A Rocky Mountain Original - Bill Peyto In 1913 Bill was hired as one of the first wardens in Banff

in Banff. According to historian Ted Hart he released the cat,

National Park, where he patrolled the Healy Creek/Sunshine

“and stood back to enjoy the scene as it proceeded to wreak

District keeping his eye out for poachers.

havoc among the terrified victims.”

In 1915 Bill again signed up for military service, although he

Bill married a second time, in 1921 to Ethel Wells, and lived

was 46 years old. He served in the Twelfth Mounted Regiment

quietly in Banff. He tried to sign up to fight in WWII but, at 70

and Machine Gun Brigade in Belgium and France and was

years of age, he was deemed to old. He died on March 23, 1943.

wounded in his right leg by a piece of shrapnel at the Battle of Ypres on June 2, 1916.

Bill Peyto’s presence is still felt in Banff in many ways. For several decades a large sign with a photo of a wild-eyed Peyto

He returned to Canada about a year later and went back to his

greeted tourists as they entered the town. Peyto Glacier,

duties as a warden, enforcing park regulations and served until

Peyto Lake and Peyto Peak, along the Icefields Parkway are all

1936 when he retired.

named for him. There is a book about him and singer/songwriter Corrie Brewster even wrote a song about Bill. His grave,

Bill is famous for his wild escapades and many stories abound.

in the Old Banff Cemetery, is much visited by those who enjoy

One that is often told is the time he brought a live lynx that

the old stories of Banff.

he had trapped, tied up securely to a pack frame, into a bar

15 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

By: Chic Scott

Experience Banff National Park Banff National Park (BNP) runs northwesterly from Canmore to the Columbia Icefield. This is the birthplace of Canada’s national park system. Established in 1885, after three railway workers discovered hot springs, BNP has become a world class destination. The park now hosts an estimated 4 million visitors each year. Our map on pg 17 details eight of the many popular attractions and provides the locations of the campgrounds. The international airports in Calgary and Edmonton serve travellers flying into the region. Buses run to BNP year-round, from each of these large urban centres. In addition, both Via Rail and Rocky Mountaineer Vacations operate rail passenger sightseeing trips in western Canada, with stops in Banff and Jasper from May to October. Within BNP are two important communities: The Town of Banff and the Village of Lake Louise. It’s easy to get around either community without your vehicle. That’s great because parking is at a premium and some lots cannot accommodate large vehicles such as RVs. Municipal lots and street parking and are free but have time restrictions. “Roam” is the name of the local public transit system. You’ll find our map of the Town of Banff on pg 19, along with 15 map keys starting on pg 18, to ensure a magical time.

With a record number of visitors in the national parks each of the past few years, the owners of HopOnBanff claim that since 2017, their service has changed the way visitors see the Park. Buy a Day Pass, hop on and hop off as you like, and avoid the hassle of finding a parking spot. HopOnBanff is affordable, safe, and eco-friendly. The Legacy Trail runs 26 km along the highway right-of-way between Banff and Canmore. Part of The Great Trail, formerly the Trans-Canada Trail, it is a popular paved, recreational trail suitable for walking, bicycling, and in-line skating. Note: riding from Canmore to Banff is mainly uphill and typically into the wind, so expect it to take twice as long to ride to Banff as it takes you to ride to Canmore. Located 45 min west of Banff is the Village of Lake Louise. The mountains that surround are internationally renowned for their majestic beauty. Lake Louise is often referred to as the Hiking Capital of Canada. In the summer, go for a simple stroll around the lake, a physically demanding climb, or be whisked away in a gondola to the top of the world. You will find our map of Lake Louise on pg 23 along with important map keys.

Pick up a copy of Experience Western Adventures & Cowboy Trails for an authentic western adventure or download it ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Enrich your visit to the Rockies with books from Mountain Vision Publishing

Visit ParksCanada.gc.ca regularly for up-to-date information on events, activities and key dates in the Mountain National Parks. 16 | Enter Our Photo Contest

Experience Banff National Park Town of Jasper, JASPER NATIONAL PARK (233 km from Lake Louise)

Kilometres 0 Miles 0

See Campground Directory on pg 66

See legend on page 67

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Banff National Park Campgrounds Liquor Ban Fri-Mon on all long weekends

Parks Canada has made a number of changes for the 2021 season visit parkscanada.gc.ca for up-to-date information. 17 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Calgary (128 km from Banff)

Lakes

Distance (km) from Banff/Lake Louise 3/49 Backswamp 6/46 Mule Shoe 8/44 Prescribed Burn 11/41 Sawback 13/39 Hillsdale 16/36 Pilot Pond 21/31 Moose Meadow 26/26 Castle Cliffs 28/24 Storm Mountain 40/12 Baker Creek 48/4 Morant’s Curve

Fort

Stop at roadside viewpoints and interpretive exhibits along this scenic road between Banff and Lake Louise. See Pg 23

Along the Bow Valley Parkway Hwy 1A

Dolemite

Visitor Centre 224 Banff Ave & 327 Railway Ave.

1 The Town of Banff - All Services

Bow Summit

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Drive with care on this busy thoroughfare. Look for five animal overpasses just between Banff and Lake Louise, one more west of Lake Louise, all built to allow wildlife to cross the road safely.

Banff National Park Map Keys

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE National Historic Site (167 km from Saskatchewan Crossing)

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Experience Banff National Park Banff National Park Map Keys

Banff Townsite Map Keys

See map page 17

See map page 19

2 Johnston Canyon

1 Parks Canada Visitor Centre

25 km (30 min) from Banff Exciting cat-walks cling to the canyon walls. Interpretive Display, 1.1 km (20 min) to the Lower Falls, 2.7 km to the Upper Falls. Stay on the trail and away from the edge.

224 Banff Avenue and 327 Railway Avenue 403-762-1550

2 Cave & Basin National Historic Site

311 Cave Avenue. The birthplace of Canada’s national park system.

3 Village of Lake Louise - Most Services Parks Canada Visitor Centre by Samson Mall. Ride the Gondola mid-May to mid-Oct. “The Hiking Capital of Canada” reflects the best high elevation hiking in the Rockies - including the Plain of Six Glaciers, and the famous Iceline Trail in Yoho National Park. See pg 23 for Shuttle Service Along the Icefields Parkway Hwy 93

3 Banff Park Museum National Historic Site

91 Banff Ave (by the Bow River Bridge) Discover Banff’s wildlife 403-762-1558 sh Red Paintbru

- Courtesy of

a Lloyd Dykstr

Named for the series of glaciers lining this route, the parkway is one of the world’s great mountain highroads. This drive along the “backbone of the continent” from Lake Louise to the town of Jasper takes half a day, with time to stop and admire the views. Stock up on camera supplies.

Bow Falls & Banff Springs Hotel National Historic Site Magnificent views from either side of the Bow River.

For details turn to pg 34 & 35

4 Crowfoot Glacier

34 km (25 min) from Lake Louise A century ago, there were three “toes” of ice here. How many can you see today?

Upper Hot Springs Pool

Baby Bear - Courtesy

1-800-767-1611 Mountain Avenue. Heritage Bath House Locker, swimsuit and towel rentals, Café, and Gift Shop. Open year-round. Summer 9 am - 11 pm. hotsprings.ca

of Hilke Beuck

Banff Gondola & Sulphur Mountain

5 Bow Summit and Peyto Lake Viewpoint

1-800-760-6934 Mountain Avenue. Open year-round. Take the Gondola to the summit for breathtaking views. Interpretive boardwalk to historic exhibit.

40 km (30 min) from Lake Louise - Interpretive Display 2088 m (6849’) above sea level. A short walk from the parking area leads to a view of brilliant turquoise Peyto Lake and, in July and August, an astonishing array of alpine flowers.

Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum

6 Mistaya Canyon

72 km (50 min) from Lake Louise Only 10 min by trail from the road. Look for rounded potholes and a natural arch on the canyon walls.

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403-762-2388 1 Birch Avenue. Aboriginal history, displays, live performances and demonstrations. Operated by several First Nations including the Cree, the Blackfoot Confederacy, Tsuu T’ina and the Stoney. buffalonationsmuseum.ca.

Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies

7 Saskatchewan Crossing

77 km (55 min) from Lake Louise - Interpretive Display Three rivers converge here: the Mistaya (Great Bear) River from the south, the Howse River from the west (the route used in 1807 by David Thompson to cross the Great Divide), the North Saskatchewan from the north - arising in the Columbia Icefield and emptying into Lake Winnipeg. Services available April - October.

403-762-2291 111 Bear Street. Brings mountain history, art and culture alive. Special learning programs for young children. whyte.org.

Vermilion Lakes

The turnoff is 1 km west of Banff, on the south side of the Trans-Canada Highway. Enjoy views of Mount Rundle from the pull-outs along this road.

8 Columbia Icefield and Info Centre

130 km (1.5 hrs) from Lake Louise 90 min Motorized Tours take you onto the glacier. Glacier Exhibits illustrate the effects of global warming. Restaurant, picnics, rooms, guided ice walks and more. Most Services available May 1 - Oct 15.

The Cascades of Time Garden

Flower gardens with walking path behind the Banff Park Administration Building. Great for families: FREE ADMISSION. Open Daily.

Cascade Ponds (Minnewanka Loop)

10 min - A favourite with locals and visitors alike. Grassy meadows, clear shallow pools, and a small beach. Picnic areas with fire pits. Accessible on foot and bicycle via Banff Legacy Trail. Elk - Courtesy of Wendy And

erson

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Experience Banff 13

LAKE MINNEWANKA

NOT TO SCALE CASCADE FIRE ROAD

Banff Townsite Map Keys

Upper Bankhead

An easy trail circles this shallow lake. A small beach and good wildlife watching. Picnic tables.

Lake Minnewanka

A short interpretive trail leads to this superb view point, or book a rafting trip to view the Hoodoos from the Bow River.

(Lake of the Water Spirits) Boat tours available, 800-760-6934 Leisurely lakeside stroll to Stewart Canyon (30 min).

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Cascade Ponds

The Hoodoos (Tunnel Mountain Road)

Two Jack Lake TWO JACK LAKESIDE

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Charming short and easy stroll through the surface workings of the coal mine and the outline of the old town site. Picnic area and trailhead. Road closed in winter.

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See Campground Directory on pg 66 See legend on page 67

2nd Floor - Cascade Shops

19 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Elizabeth Parker: A Passion for the Alpine

“Alpine Club summer camp in the Rockies, 1907.” (Pres. A.O. Wheeler and Sec.Treasurer Elizabeth Parker), Courtesy of Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies.

Visitors to Canada’s Rocky Mountain National Parks quickly realize what a treasure they are. But in the early days, it took passionate advocates to create and sustain the parks we know today, people like Kootenai Brown in Waterton, and Elizabeth Parker in…Winnipeg?

utilitarian age; for keeping free from the grind of commerce, the wooded passes and valleys and alplands of the wilderness. It is the people’s right to have primitive access to the remote places of safest retreat from the fever and the fret of the market place and the beaten tracks of life.”

Yes, an eastern prairie girl was instrumental in developing the ethos of protection of our mountain heritage.

Talk about passion!

Born in Nova Scotia, Elizabeth Parker married young, moved west, and became a daily editorial writer at what is now The Winnipeg Free Press. When the head of the American Alpine Club suggested forming a Canadian chapter, Parker had none of it! She advocated fiercely for an independent Canadian club, helped organize the first meeting thereof in 1906, and became its first secretary. All this at a time when women were not exactly welcomed at most of the world’s alpine clubs. The very next year, in the first article of the Canadian Alpine Journal, Parker declared the club’s ideal. She wrote, “By virtue of its constitution, the Alpine Club is a national trust for the defense of our mountain solitudes against the intrusion of steam and electricity and all the vandalisms of this luxurious

While not a mountain climber herself, Elizabeth Parker was comfortable in the mountains, and enjoyed visiting many times. Today, visitors can still experience the amazing value of a ‘retreat from the fever and fret!’ at the Elizabeth Parker Hut in Yoho National Park, one of 34 such facilities run by the Alpine Club of Canada. In 2012, Parker was recognized by Parks Canada as a person who helped shape Canadian culture, history, and identity.

Visiting the high country If you are a true outdoorsman, or woman, you probably already know about the Alpine Club of Canada’s network of 34 remote cabins and huts sprinkled among amazing mountain ranges, glaciers and high passes.

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Elizabeth Parker: A Passion for the Alpine But let’s face it - most of us aren’t regular visitors to the peaks of mountains, preferring to see the magnificent backcountry through a vehicle window, or from a ski lift or a gondola. But if, just once in your life, you want to truly get away from it all, or experience the alpen-glow off a mountain peak at sunrise, or see a glacier from under the light of the moon with no other living soul in sight, then maybe it’s time to begin planning a visit to one of these gems. And it will take some planning! The club’s most popular site is the Elizabeth Parker Hut built in 1919 at the gorgeous Lake O’Hara. Yes, THAT Lake O’Hara – the one you’ve been ogling in tourism shots for decades! But to book a few nights in this gem, plan at least a year in advance, and even then you have to enter a lottery in the fall to even have a shot to bag this prize for the next summer. For most huts, though, it’s a simpler matter. To pick your destination visit alpineclubofcanada.ca, then call 403-678-3200 ext. 0 to make a reservation. You do not have to be a member, but by joining the club you can book a year in advance, versus 30 days for the public. Probably worth joining, especially for a family.

Elizabeth Parker backcountry hut, photo by Tanya Koob, courtesy of Alpine Club of Canada.

Next you’re going to need appropriate gear, like a nice warm sleeping bag, solid hiking boots (don’t even think about trying this in running shoes), and some hi-energy lightweight food options. And the usuals like sunscreen and lip balm and blister cream. Lastly, you’ll want to be in decent shape, be comfortable in the wilderness, and ready for a serious hike, if not downright rock-climbing or glacier traversing to get to the hut in the first place. If all of that sounds a little bit overwhelming, the club offers camps and training courses designed to make the whole thing more manageable, whether you just want to visit a hut safely, or want to learn how to climb all those mountains you are looking at! Options can be found under the ‘Adventures’ tab on their website. “One of the reasons we exist,” says the club’s K. Haberl, “is that we want to expose people to the mountains. Because once people go there, they want to protect it!” By: Allen Gibson

Elizabeth Parker backcountry hut, photo by Trisha Hook, courtesy of Alpine Club of Canada.

21 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Experience the Bow Valley Parkway Protecting wildlife is the foundation of a sustainable future for the parks and a great visitor experience. To ensure this special area remains a high quality home for wildlife, from March to June, travel by vehicle, bicycle, or foot is not permitted between 8pm - 8am on the 17 km section between Johnston Canyon Campground and the Trans-Canada Highway. This travel restriction will allow wildlife to move unimpeded across the landscape, use high-quality habitat, and engage in normal behaviour. It is part of a larger action plan to ensure the ecologically rich Bow Valley Parkway area continues as a worldclass setting for visitors to learn about and experience the park, and as a safe environment for wildlife. All businesses remain open during this period of mandatory travel restriction and are easily accessible via the Castle Junction exit.

Johnston Canyon - Courtesy of: Leighton Lum

The Bow Valley Parkway is a very scenic, 48 km road that runs parallel to the Trans-Canada Highway between Banff and Lake Louise. Its eastern portion travels through a vital part of the park, called the montane, that provides critical habitat for large carnivores, including wolves, cougars and bears. Jasper

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Distance (km) from Banff/Lake Louise 3/49 Backswamp 6/46 Mule Shoe 8/44 Prescribed Burn 11/41 Sawback 13/39 Hillsdale 16/36 Pilot Pond Mystic 21/31 Moose Meadow Peak 26/26 Castle Cliffs 28/24 Storm Mountain Mount 40/12 Baker Creek Ishbel 48/4 Morant’s Curve

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Parks Canada has made a number of changes for the 2021 season visit parkscanada.gc.ca for up-to-date information. 22 | Enter Our Photo Contest

Experience Lake Louise See Campground Directory on pg 66 See legend on pg 67

Destinations in the area are extremely popular and significant traffic congestion can occur. Parking at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake is limited and fills quickly. Plan ahead. Make the most of your visit by using shuttles and transit.

Lake Louise Visitor Centre at Samson Mall Banff/Lake Louise Tourism 403-762-8421. Parks Canada Visitor Centre 403-522-3833. Gift Shop. Open 7 days a week. For hours visit: pc.gc.ca/banff. Lake Louise - 5 min from the Village Stoney Indians called it the "Lake of Little Fishes" The easy stroll around the lakeshore is stunning. Access point for more difficult hikes.

Moraine Lake - 20 min from the Village Nestled in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Hiking restrictions when grizzly bears in the area: tight groups of 4+ hikers. Open late May to early Oct.

Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola 4.5 km from the village; 403-522-3555 Summer Gondola runs mid-May to mid-Oct. but come back to ski early Nov. to mid-May.

Parks Canada has made a number of changes for the 2021 season visit parkscanada.gc.ca for up-to-date information. 23 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Stand Up Paddleboarding

Moraine Lake Stand up Paddleboarding (SUP) is one of the most popular water sports across the world today, and what better place to try it than on one of our beautiful mountain lakes? Paddlers can glide across tranquil waters with loons calling in the background at sunrise, or catch some easy waves while riding the Bow River from Banff to Canmore. For more of an adventure, try the newest craze to hit the Rockies. Rent an inflatable board and go SUP Hiking to pristine backcountry lakes. Getting Started – Where to Rent and Get Outfitted Before you jump on the lake, you’ll need to equip yourself with a board, paddle, and personal floatation device (pfd). A rental package will usually include an ankle leash, and includes other safety gear such as a whistle and a rescue throw bag which are both required by all paddlers in Canada. There aren’t many lakeside rental companies operating in the Rockies so you may want to rent a board in Calgary, Canmore, or Banff and transport it to your destination. Inflatable boards are the easiest to transport, and the Banff Canoe Club rents them out by the day with a pump and all required gear. The Kananaskis Outfitters rents boards on weekends at the Barrier Lake Day Use Area in Kananaskis. Nervous to try SUP for the first time without a lesson? Bow Valley SUP, operating out of the Banff and Canmore area, can get you set up with a lesson, rental, and guided first trip. They also offer family-friendly trips and a rental service for those wanting to head out alone.

Top 10 Lakes to SUP Across the Canadian Rockies 1. Vermillion Lakes, Banff—These three lakes are located next to the Banff townsite and provide great opportunities for wildlife viewing. Mt. Rundle provides a stunning backdrop and the water is usually calm for novice paddlers. There are docks located along Vermillion Lakes Drive at each lake and parking can be found along the side of the road. The first lake can also be reached from the Banff Canoe Club docks in town by paddling up Echo Creek. This trip offers beginners a chance to try moving water with a small current that can be paddled both up and downstream. 2. Two Jack Lake and Johnson Lake, Banff—These two lakes are located just outside of town on Lake Minnewanka Loop Rd. Lake Minnewanka is a great place to paddle, however wind and big waves make it much more dangerous than the smaller Two Jack and Johnson Lakes. Both lakes have day use parking with beach areas for families. 3. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake—These iconic Banff lakes should be on every paddler’s bucket list. Views don’t get better than from Lake Louise with Mt. Victoria as your backdrop, or from Moraine Lake circled by the 10 classic peaks that were featured on the Canadian 20 dollar bill. 4. Bow Lake, Banff—This lake is the crown jewel for paddlers travelling along the famous Icefields Parkway. (see pg 34) It’s also one of the hardest lakes to tackle by SUP because of the strong winds. If it’s a calm day, consider it your lucky

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Touring Across the Canadian Rockies day, seize the chance to paddle this magnificent lake! For an added adventure, paddle to the far end of Bow Lake and then proceed on foot to the beautiful Bow Falls. Just remember to bring along a pair of dry shoes.

overnight at the Emerald Lake Lodge and get out on the water at sunrise and sunset for a rare chance to be alone on this popular lake. While you can rent canoes onsite, there are no SUP rentals in the area.

5. Cameron Lake, Waterton—While the 3 Waterton Lakes see heavy wind and large waves, Cameron Lake is smaller, calmer, and perfect for novice paddlers.

9. Barrier Lake, Kananaskis Country—this Lake is a good one for paddlers and is close to Calgary if you want a day trip from the city. Kananaskis Outfitters rents boards lakeside at the Barrier Lake Day Use Area on summer weekends, making this one of the easiest spots to paddle.

6. Middle and Upper Waterton Lakes—If you’re experienced on a board, you’ll want to paddle from Middle to Upper Waterton Lake through the Bosporus. Pay attention to the wind and you can do the paddle one-way as an incredible down winder that just might be the highlight of your trip to the Rockies. There are many docks and day use areas available for launching, and you can set up a shuttle with the help of a bicycle using the Kootenai Brown Bike Trail. 7. Pyramid and Patricia Lakes—When visiting Jasper National Park, these are the two lakes you want to SUP for calm water, stunning reflections, and the chance to paddle with loons at sunrise. Both lakes are located in close proximity on the Pyramid Bench and the two paddles can be broken up with brunch at the Pyramid Lake Resort. Unfortunately, there are no SUP rentals in the Jasper area at this time.

10. Lower and Upper Kananaskis Lakes—If you have some experience under your belt, try either lake in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. The Upper Lake has several small islands that make the perfect spot for a picnic lunch and the Lower Lake has multiple day use areas if you want to set up a oneway shuttle in advance. For a real adventure, reserve a campsite at the Point Backcountry Campground on Upper Kananaskis Lake and try your first SUP backpacking trip. Recruit friends in a canoe for the outing and you won’t have to worry about how to transport your gear! See you on the water this summer! Banff Canoe Club - banffcanoeclub.com Bow Valley SUP - bowvalleysup.ca Kananaskis Outfitters - kananaskisoutfitters.com

8. Emerald Lake, Yoho—this is named for the colour of the water that glows beneath you on a board. You can even stay

Upper Kananaskis Lake

Photos and Story by: Tanya Koob

Lake Louise 25 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Rocky Mountain High

Spring marks picnic season in Alberta and British Columbia, this year, cannabis edibles are sure to be on a few tongues. Edibles are the perfect option for those who want to avoid smoking cannabis. Edibles are made with cannabis oils or dried flowers. They made their legal debut here in Canada in October 2019, one-year after dried flower was legalized. But before you chomp into your tasty cannabis-laced treat, chat with your doctor to make sure edibles are right for you. Ingesting cannabis is very different than inhaling it and can interact with other medications. Side effects include low blood pressure, anxiety, depression, hallucinations and a racing heart. Do your research. Choosing a recognized, licensed seller will ensures your product is always safe and consistent. Edibles can be purchased either online or at a store. And when consuming cannabis edibles, “start low and go slow” because the effects can stay with you far longer than after inhaling it - up to 24 hours.

After you take that first bite: • Don’t drive for at least 24 hours. • Don’t drink alcohol - edibles don’t mix well with alcohol. • It can take from 1/2 hr to 4 hrs to feel the effects. • The ‘high’ from ingesting cannabis is more potent than after inhaling it. Health Canada advises you to know the THC content in their edibles, and 10 mg is considered an average dose. However, they say that’s enough to produce significant side effects in novices or casual users, and advises starting with a 5 mg dose. Wait up to two hours before consuming more. At this point you’re probably wondering, “What’s it going to do to me?” Everyone is different and the time it takes to feel anything will vary along with differences in side effects. Edibles are a great alternative to smoking or inhaling cannabis, but be informed and stay safe. That goes for dried flower as well. For more info on cannabis read ‘Rocky Mountain High’ featured last May in Experience the Mountain Parks. Visit Health Canada online for more information. By: Kerri Robins

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Rocky Mountain High Where and when you can and cannot consume cannabis in Alberta’s National Parks (Banff, Jasper, Waterton Lakes) You can smoke or vape cannabis: • If you are 18+ years old; • In campsites with valid permits from 7am to 11pm; • In public areas including day-use area; • On front and back country trails; • In the hamlet of Lake Louise; • In Waterton Lakes National Park public areas within the town boundary; and

You cannot smoke or vape cannabis: • In campground common areas including playgrounds, kitchen shelters, washrooms, trails, roads; • Within five metres of buildings throughout the park or small municipalities; • During summer long weekends from Victoria Day through Labour Day; • During special events or festivals; • In any public places within the Town of Banff and municipality of Jasper including day-use areas at Pyramid, Annette, Edith beaches and Palisades Centre; and Banff Upper Hot Springs.

Where and when you can and cannot consume cannabis in British Columbia’s National Parks (Kootenay, Yoho, Mount Revelstoke, Glacier) You can smoke or vape cannabis: • If you are 19+ years old; • In campsites with valid permits; • In public areas including day-use area; • On front and back country trails; and • In the townsite of Field (Yoho National Park) in public areas within the town boundary.

You cannot smoke or vape cannabis: • In campground common areas including playgrounds, kitchen shelters, washrooms, trails, roads; and • Within six metres of buildings throughout the park or small municipalities. 27 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Experience Cycling in the Mountain Parks Just seconds into my descent down Superberm, one of the fastest, flowiest downhill mountain biking trails at Kicking Horse Resort, the exhileration, the fear, and the fun-factor goes off the charts. After hitting a few super-fast berms, I pop off a little jump and feel the wonder of weightless. (A really short, just-inches-off-the-ground flight, but it was a flight nonetheless!). Indeed, ripping down the mountainside on a full suspension bike is speaking to me. I’m definitely listening.

all abilities can enjoy. While the journey takes approximately two hours to complete, first-timers will want to stop numerous times to soak in the stunning views, linger at the viewpoints, and enjoy a few snacks along the way. Many people make it a full-day, there-and-back adventure, you can also make it a oneway trip and take a shuttle back to either Banff or Canmore. ROAM public transit offers regular shuttles (with your bike) to get you back to your starting point.

While mountain biking is one of the coolest and craziest things I’ve done in the mountains, I’ve long since realized that it certainly isn’t the only way to enjoy the mountains on two wheels. Far from it. From e-bikes to road bikes, and everything in between, there are tons of great biking adventures to be had in the mountains. And they all have plenty of merit. Here are four of the best biking excursions that the mountain parks have to offer. Fear not, none of them require mandatory air time. (With the exception of heli-biking, of course!)

The Old Coach Trail in Radium Hot Springs: Traversing high on arid benchlands – with spectacular views of the Columbia Valley Wetlands and the Purcell Mountains – the 9 km outand-back Old Coach Trail between Radium and Dry Gulch makes for an fun family-friendly bike ride. Although you will likely encounter some roots, rocks, and pitchy sections, the gravel trail is rated “green.” Travelled by cars and carriages over a hundred years ago, this trail features spectacular viewpoints and abandoned relics (mainly old cars rusting away in the trees!) of a long-gone era of coach and automobile travel.

Biking the Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail Between Canmore and Banff: Meandering in close proximity to the Trans-Canada Highway, the 22km paved pathway that links Canmore and Banff is a beautiful, family-friendly adventure that cyclists of

Mountain Biking in Golden: True, the downhill single-track trails at Kicking Horse Bike Park are phenomenal! However, Golden is fast-becomming a mountain biking Mecca for all genres of riding. Cross-country enthusiasts have a handful of

Photo Courtesy of Mike Nimmo at Kicking Horse Resort

Waterton Lakes National Park Photo Courtesy Travel Alberta / Katie Goldie

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Jasper National Park Photo Courtesy Ryan Bray

Experience Cycling in the Mountain Parks areas to explore including Moonrakers (34 trails), Columbia Basin Trust (14 trails), Mountain Shadows (17 trails), and Mount 7 (22 trails). For experienced riders (that don’t mind a little cliff-side exposure!), the 5 km, 515 metre plunge down the Canyon Creek Trail in the Moonrakers network is one of Golden’s signature trails. Bring your “A” game. Road Cycling the Icefields Parkway: Without a doubt this is one of the world’s most scenic highways. Unfortunately, when you’re going highway speed in a vehicle, you’re going to miss a lot. On a bike, not so much! Want to bike the parkway but don’t quite know how to manage the logistics? No problem. Go with Mountain Madness Tours. They’ve guided thousands of cyclists and have it down to a tee. While the trip between Jasper and Banff usually takes four days, it can be customized depending on your group’s skill and fitness level. Also, if you want to add a trip down to Waterton Lakes National Park (the ride down Alberta’s Cowboy Trail is phenomenal!) or ride all the way back to Calgary or Vancouver, it can be done. All you need is a sense of adventure and some pretty strong legs! E-Biking in Waterton Lakes National Park: True, Waterton Lakes National Park suffered some significant fire damage in 2017. However, the beauty of this park is still fully intact! Not

Jasper National Park Photo CourtesyParks Canada/Nicole Gaboury

only that, but one of the region’s most beautiful roads is now closed to cars...but open for hikers and bikers! Yes, this means that the stunning Red Rock Parkway makes for one of the best biking opportunities in the mountain parks. And perhaps the best way to enjoy this scenic stretch of road is via an E-bike, which provides an extra power boost when you really need it. E-bikes (as well as a full fleet of other bikes) are available for rent at Pat’s in downtown Waterton. Even if you don’t make it out to the parkway, just peddaling around the townsite is a memorable activity nearly everyone can do. Heli-biking in Revelstoke: One would think that if you can heli-ski and heli-hike, then you can surely also heli-bike. And, if you go to Revelstoke, that is correct! The Mount Cartier heli-biking adventure is definitely not for the faint of heart (or the newbie rider!) After your heli-drop near the summit of Mount Cartier, you’re in for a fast, white-knuckle, blackdiamond descent down rocky single-track and aerie ridgelines. It’s steep, it plunges over 7,000 feet, it’s 17 km long, and it will leave you breathless. Your beer at the end will be the best one you’ve ever had. Book your trip with Wandering Wheels, they were the pioneers of this world-renowned adventure. Visit wanderingwheels.ca. By: Andrew Penner

Photo Courtesy Tourism Jasper

29 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Crowsnest Pass

Photo Courtesy Quin Schrock @everchanginghorizon

Experience the Flora in the Mountain Parks As you explore one of Canada’s most spectacular landscapes, you’ll often be staring toward immense ramparts. At other times, you’ll be squinting to spot some of an area’s amazing animals. Just remember to look down to appreciate some of the unique wild flowers that line the trails and roadsides. The Crocus To many locals, the crocus is the official harbinger of spring. Its delicate pinkishpurple flowers announce the start of the wild-flower season. Orchids As the spring gives way to summer, the calypso orchid or fairy slipper emerges from carpets of needles lying beneath towering forests of lodgepole pine. An Amazing Diversity As you learn to recognize wildflowers, take note of where you encounter them. Was the area in the open sun or more shaded? Were the plants protected from the elements or subjected to high winds? Was the soil moist or dry? Learning to recognize the landscape within which the flowers live will help you anticipate which flowers to expect as you head out on future wildflower walks.

the tiny bloom of the blue violet and the creamy flowers of the yellow locoweed. Try to find the star flowered Solomon’s seal, bunchberry, wild strawberry, bearberry, twinflower or a prickly rose. Flowers of the High Country This season is short so the flowers need to bloom as soon as conditions allow. Watch for red and purple flowers, like the common red paintbrush, alpine forgetme-not, and the tiny moss campion. Other high elevation flowers include the cow parsnip and the club like flower clusters of the bear grass. This summer, get to know a few of the wild flowers. They’ll be your constant roadside and trailside companions as you roll your way through the mountains and unlike bears, they don’t run away as soon as you try to get a good look at them. But remember: look, don’t pick!

Seedhead, Wilcox Pass - Courtesy Terry Webb

Flowers of the Montane The valley bottom plays host to most of the early season wildflowers. Watch for

Galypso Orchid - Courtesy Joshua Angiola

Crocus - Courtesy Jerre Paquette

Blanket of Daisies - Courtesy Jeremy Klager

Red Paintbrush - Courtesy Lloyd Dykstra

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Meadow of Scarlet Paintbrush - Courtesy Terry Webb

Experience the Fauna in the Mountain Parks

Elk - Courtesy of Sheila McKeand

Dawn and dusk are your best bet for spotting animals in their natural setting. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these are WILD animals.

The Many Members of the Deer Family Here you’ll find white-tail and mule deer, elk or wapiti, moose, and even caribou in the northern reaches.

Bears Both black and grizzly bears can be seen along highways as they feed on spring dandelions or summer buffaloberries.

You’ll likely see more animals while you’re driving. Mule and white-tailed deer, along with large populations of elk (or wapiti) line many of the highways. They typically graze the grassy roadside shoulders and hillsides taking advantage of plentiful forage.

Black bears may be any colour, so colour itself is a poor indicator. Instead, look for a prominent shoulder hump and a slightly dished-in appearance to the face - a sure sign that you’re watching a grizzly. Bighorn Sheep or Mountain Goats? Bighorn sheep make appearances along the roadside, mountain goats do not. To help you identify them, remember that mountain goats are snow white. Male bighorn sheep get the large full-curl horns. Females have small, goat-like horns.

Keep Them Wild; Keep Yourself Safe We all want to keep the animals safe and your visit memorable. Here are some tips for safely observing wildlife in the mountains: Stay in your vehicle when you see an animal. They are very large and equally fast. Be sure to stop your vehicle only if it is safe to do so. Blind corners and steep hills can obscure other drivers’ view of your vehicle. Do not feed or entice animals to move closer to you. Animals that approach humans for handouts are likely to lash out defensively if they feel threatened. Help us keep the wild in wildlife.

Mountain Goats - Joey Olivieri

Bear - Courtesy Trevor Ward

Remember to keep your smart phone, camera and binoculars ready for action. Spotting wildlife often happens suddenly with little warning and ends just as fast. By Ward Cameron

Wolfs - Courtesy Francis Sandoval

Bears - Courtesy Leonard Heinonen

Coyotes - Courtesy Nicholas Taffs

31 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Big Horn Sheep - Courtesy Richard Collens

Experiencing the Icefields Parkway Lake Louise framed Chateau Window

Peyto Lake Viewpoint

Athabasca Falls

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Ice Explorers

Experiencing the Icefields Parkway If you’ve yet to explore the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper we have one question for you – what are you waiting for!? Considered one of the most beautiful mountain drives in the world, along with the spectacular-in-a-different-way “Going To The Sun” road in Montana, the Parkway is a true gem. For just under 300 km, there are only a handful of human habitations like lodges, hostels, cafeterias as well as the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre. The rest of the time there’s nothing but highway, lakes, mountains, glaciers and wildlife.

of the giant ‘Ice-Explorers’ out on to the massive Athabasca Glacier, one arm of an ice field complex that is over one and a half times the size of Paris! The young folk who drive these monsters are well trained at both driving and entertaining you, and it’s an experience you won’t soon forget. A recent addition to this adventure is the construction of a glass-bottomed walkway that juts over the side of the Sunwapta Valley, located just north of the Centre.

And you. Having one of those quasi-spiritual experiences that an overdose of beauty can bring. Taking your car is no longer the only, or perhaps even the best, way to witness the scenery. There are many guided tours that include this route as part of their itinerary. There’s even the option of cruising along on the back of a Harley! The Parkway itself is pretty straightforward. If driving, you pay your National Park admission fee at the gates, if you don’t already have one, and cruise on up the road. And, while you’ll see a lot of spectacular scenery on that road, it’s when you dive in to the side-trips that the experience becomes truly epic. Jasper Motorcycle Tours is an exciting option for experiencing the Parkway, offering 1 to 3 hour tours around Jasper, or down the Parkway as far as the Icefields. They do the driving; you and a smallish friend go in the Harley’s sidecar. Rates start at $319 for adults, $160 for kids. The best part is you get to wear leathers and show everybody at home your inner biker.

Admission to either experience is via the visitor centre and its fleet of busses. Adult combo tour of both attractions is $103, less if you’re an Alberta resident. Like most of the big sights in Alberta’s Rockies, these are now owned by Pursuit. The company also runs the Banff Gondola and the Maligne and Minnewanka Lake cruises, so it’s worth investigating a ‘combo package’ if you’ll be spending a few days in the area. It’s also worth bringing your own snacks or lunches to these attractions, let’s just say in-house prices are reflective of the isolation. A nice spot to grab lunch is at Sunwapta Falls, 53 km south of Jasper. A visit to Athabasca Falls is not to be missed! Not the tallest, but the sheer force of the water is fantastic. Plan on spending half an hour, and walk all the way to the bottom of the gorge along the well laid out trail and viewing platforms. However you do it, experiencing the Icefields Parkway is an awesome experience of the sheer scale and magnificence of Mother Nature. Even the bears agree.

From Banff, you can now take an express transit bus as far as Lake Louise - Canada’s highest permanent settlement - with a day pass for $20 and, given the parking difficulties there, it could be your best option. See roamtransit.com for information. Buses even accept US dollars. To see the whole Parkway, an option is a an 8 hour one way guided tour from either Banff or Jasper for $159. Info: banffjaspercollection.com

Experience Travel Guides contributor Allen Gibson regularly leads tours on the Parkway.

The peak diversion is the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, about an hour south of Jasper or 2 hr north of Banff. Ride one

See helpful map on page 34! Photos and Story By: Allen Gibson

The Icefields Centre now has free wifi - one of the few spots on the parkway where you’ll have net or cell service. You won’t be able to replicate the photo of Peyto Lake this year - the viewpoint is closed for a revamp all year.

33 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Experience the Icefields Parkway While plotting the border between Alberta and BC in the early 1900s, this roadway was the brainchild of Arthur O. Wheeler, who described this route as a “wonder trail”. Work began in 1931 as part of a depression-era public works program to put men to work, but the rugged terrain and short season meant the project took 9 years to complete. Isolated for centuries, 1940 ushered in an era of tourism to the region when this road opened to the public. Today, more than a million travellers experience the parkway annually.

Between Jasper & Banff, Alberta Custom Bike Tours Available

It is often referred to as “The Backbone of the Canadian Rockies”. National Geographic calls it “One of the World’s Ten Greatest Drives”. For many, it is the road trip of a lifetime. Stretching 230 km between Lake Louise and Jasper, this world-class journey amidst the peaks of the Canadian Rockies, offers easy access to a vast wilderness of ancient glaciers. It’s complete with guided adventures onto the icefields, majestic viewpoints and interpretive displays designed to enrich your understanding of glaciers and climate change.

780.885.9813

mountainmadnesstours.com

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Experience the Icefields Parkway It is possible to travel this route in just three hours, but that would be a crime. The Icefields Parkway offers the best hiking, biking and photo opportunities in the Rockies. There are unforgettable stops along the way. The most photographed locations are the ones that are easily accessed: Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Mistaya Canyon, Athabasca Glacier, the Columbia Icefields Centre, Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls. But there are some locations tucked away, unsigned, where you may find your “mountain moment”. Some that are well worth the hike include: Herbert Lake, Panther Falls, Parker Ridge, Tangle Falls and the two-for-one stop at Waterfowl Lakes Campground to take in Cephren Lake and Cirque Lake.

WWW.ICEWALKS.COM

GUIDED

GLACIER HIKES AT THE

COLUMBIA ICEFIELD USE PROMO CODE: EMP2021 FOR 10% OFF OUR TRIPS

35 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

See Legend on page 67

See Campground Directory on pg 66

Pick up a copy of Experience Jasper Visitor Map to see Jasper’s Treasures

Experience Jasper National Park Special Feature Miette Hot Springs 61 km (1 hr) North of Jasper on Hwy 16 & Miette Rd. The hottest mineral springs in the Canadian Rockies. Two refreshing cool pools. Towels, bathing suits & locker rentals. Open May to Oct. 1-800-767-1611

See Campground Directory on pg 66 See legend on page 67

Plan ahead! Make sure you have a camping reservation before arriving. Expect delays and plan for your own comfort. Travel early in the day or in the evening when traffic volumes are lower. For the most up-to-date information on roads in Alberta, dial 511 or visit 511.alberta.ca. For BC road information, call Drive BC at 1-800-550-4997 or visit drivebc.ca. Parks Canada has made a number of changes for the 2021 season visit parkscanada.gc.ca for up-to-date information.

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Experience Jasper National Park Jasper National Park Map Keys 1 The Town of Jasper - All Services

Jasper Park Information Centre 500 Connaught Dr.

2 Mount Edith Cavell

29 km (30 min) south of Jasper via 93A. A switchback road climbs 14.5 km (9 mi) to a popular viewpoint. Trailers or RVs larger than 7 m are not permitted. Open mid June - Sept.

3 Athabasca Falls

30 km (30 min) south of Jasper via 93A or 93. A bridge and platforms give views of the thundering falls. Stay on the trail and inside the protective fences.

4 Sunwapta Falls

55 km (40 min) south of Jasper via 93. A paved road and short trail lead to the falls. Sunwapta is an indigenous term meaning “turbulent river.” Stop at the resort for a great meal and excellent gift ideas.

5 Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier

103 km (75 min) from Jasper on the Icefields Parkway, Hwy 93 Guided glacier hikes (Icewalks) icewalks.com or phone 1-800-565-7547 (June - September) For Pursuit’s Glacier Adventure, book your trip at the Icefield Centre or call 1-877-423-7433.

Photo Courtesy of Matt Meisenheimer

Jasper National Park is the largest of Canada’s Rocky Mountain Parks, and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the rugged mountains, glaciers, alpine meadows, forests, broad valleys, and wild rivers contained within more than 11,000 km2 of protected area. Wildlife is abundant here. It is common to see elk, bighorn sheep, deer, coyote and even black bear.

6 Jasper House National Historic Site

Jasper may have the greatest variety of accommodations in the mountain parks. Within the park, you could pitch your tent, park your RV, stay in a wilderness hostel, or be pampered in a resort. In town, your options include hotels, motels, private home accommodations and B&B’s.

7 Maligne Canyon

All of these choices are excellent. Each will appeal to a wide range of travellers and several unique properties are available in each category. If you are looking for something a little different, consider a private cabin.

8 Medicine Lake

Typically located on the edge of town, cabins offer a rustic charm ideal for those who really just want to get away from it all. Decompress in privacy without sacrificing comfort. Use this opportunity to read a book, go for a stroll, run a trail or just gaze at the amazing night sky.

35km (30 min) North of Jasper on Hwy 16. A short walk on an easy trail leads to an interpretive viewpoint looking beyond the Athabasca River towards the Jasper House historic site.

11.5 km (15 min) east of Jasper on the Maligne Valley Road. 3.7 km interpretive trail with foot bridges over canyon. Stay away from the edge. Very deep (50 m) narrow canyon. In winter take a guided tour inside the gorge. It is unsafe to descend into the canyon without a professional guide.

27 km (30 min) from Jasper on the Maligne Valley Rd. The Maligne River flows in, but where does it flow out? Drained by one of the largest underground river systems in North America.

Maligne Lake

48 km (55 min) from Jasper on the Maligne Valley Rd. The beauty of this lake is legendary. A Boat Tour of this 22 km long lake is a “must see”. Chalet open mid-May to early October, 8:30 am - 7 pm. Boat tours start when spring ice conditions permit. Tour hours 10 am - 3 pm, extended to 5 pm in the summer. Call for a Reservation 1-888-285-0376. malignelake.com.

Pick up a FREE copy of our Experience Jasper Visitor Map for more highlights and activities in both Jasper National Park and Jasper.

37 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

See pg 66 & 67 for our Campground Directory Download all our Travel Guides at ExperienceTravelGuides.com/Library

Hidden Gems - Maligne Ravine It’s been said in the Rockies that when water is flowing, a canyon is growing. If you hike Maligne Canyon from Sixth Bridge, the 3.7 km outing will convince you this is true. For those with less time, you may hike from Fifth Bridge (2.7 km), or complete the 800 m loop near the teahouse. This outing is great for cloudy and rainy days. From Sixth Bridge picnic area, cross the Maligne River and head upstream. Jesuit missionary, Pierre-Jean De Smet, referred to the river in 1846 using the French word “maligne,” which means “wicked.” After 800 m of pleasant riverbank you reach the mouth of the canyon. Note the change in the character of the forest. Dampness and chill prevail. Two rivers flow through the canyon. If you were to compare the volume of flow at Sixth Bridge with the volume at First Bridge in mid-summer, you would see that the lower canyon contains much more water (eight times as much) as the upper canyon. An underground river, which begins up the valley at Medicine Lake, empties 24,000 litres per second into the canyon. This underground river may be the largest in the world. After climbing above the river, the trail descends again to the damp forest at riverside. Beaten paths lead to the riverbank, but the wet, silt-covered rock is certain death if you misplace a step. Above the Fourth Bridge, the canyon narrows dramatically. Downstream the river is eroding relatively weak shales. Upstream the river has a tougher time with resistant limestone. This rock is fossil-rich. The Maligne River takes a mighty drop beneath Third Bridge, where the canyon’s depth is 10 m and you cross to the opposite bank. The air also changes. Below the bridge, within the canyon, it’s cool and damp. From here on you climb along the canyon rim, where the air is noticeably warmer. Maligne Canyon is deepest (55 m) at Second Bridge. Locals know the pocket of ice on the wall as “The Icebox.” At First Bridge, the canyon is 38 m deep and the entire river is forced through a 1 m slot. Although the canyon is shallow from here on, it features wonderful potholes. These are circular depressions drilled into the limestone by boulders caught in eddies, a process that requires thousands of years. From the teahouse, walk back down as you are certain to see things you missed before. And spending more time in the company of the lower Maligne River, a ribbon of blue-green beauty, is bound to yield many more exciting discoveries! Photos and Story by: Graeme Pole 38 | Enter Our Photo Contest

The History of Miette Hot Springs In 1908, just a year after Jasper National Park was created, coal was discovered at Pocahontas, a mining town that once sat on Miette Road near Hwy 16. While resource extraction is no longer permitted in Canada’s national parks, in those days resource extraction provided a welcome source of royalties paid to the federal government. Taking its name from a famous Virginia Coal Field, the community of Pocahontas quickly swelled to a population of 2000 over the next decade. Isolated in Jasper National Park’s wilderness, Pocahontas’ connection to the outside world was the railway. During WWI, the rail line shut down and the eventual competition between the Grand Trunk Pacific and Canadian Northern Railways lead to bankruptcy that had a profound impact on Pocahontas. When the Grand Trunk Pacific and Canadian Northern merged into the government-owned Canadian National Railways, an inefficient spur line was all that was left connecting the community to the outside world. More misfortunes followed as the coal being mined was not suitable for heating homes or running railway locomotives. By 1921, the mine closed after only 11 years in operation. Industrial buildings were demolished and houses were moved east into other towns. Eventually, Pocahontas was all but forgotten. The legacy left behind? A log pool with mud and moss chinking built at Miette Hot Springs in 1919 by workers during a labour dispute.

Bathers in the Miette Hot Springs Pool, Jasper National Park, Ab, 1929 Photo Courtesy of Jasper-Yellowhead Museum & Archive - PA 39-57

Accessible via a rough-hewn trail cut through the forest in 1910, the original pool was used by only the hardiest and most determined of travellers. Arriving on foot or by horseback, visitation to the hot springs became increasingly popular throughout the 1920s. During the Depression, relief projects employed hundreds of men who built a new road, campground, and aquacourt. Wedged into the base of a narrow ravine near the source, the original aquacourt site was considered to be geologically unstable and replaced in 1986. As Canada celebrates the 150th Anniversary of Confederation, visiting Miette Hot Springs remains a popular pastime of visitors. The easy-toaccess Miette Hot Springs road is a popular place to view wildlife and easy stops such as the Punchbowl Falls and Ashlar Ridge viewpoint are great places to take in the view. The short walk from the day-use area next to Miette Hot Springs to the water’s source gives history buffs a chance to explore the ruins of the old aquacourt. An on-site café and nearby accommodations, including hotels as well as the Pocahontas Campground, means that soaking in Miette Hot Springs is no longer just for hardy and determined travellers!

Miette Hot Springs, 2014 Photo Courtesy of Parks Canada, Lee Simmons Photographer

39 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Experience Jasper National Park etarium

Photo Courtesy of Jasper Plan

in the Canadian Rockies is a pursuit gaining real traction with parents and grandparents, alike. They take advantage of the perfect conditions to share this amazing experience with their children and grandchildren. Families are replacing clumsy & expensive telescopes with iPads and GPS-based star-finders to browse their way around the vast sky. Astronomy programs are offered daily at the Planetarium and Jasper’s Dark Sky Festival is a “must see”. Since inception, this festival has grown into one of North America’s largest annual celebrations of the night sky. Plan to return for the ultimate Jasper Dark Sky experience, from October that includes:

If dark starry night skies give you goose bumps, you’ve come to the right place! The landscape within Jasper National Park is a vision during daylight, but it also has a night time magic very rare in the world these days. The park boasts one of the largest dark sky preserves in the world. You can see dreamy nightscapes of planets and constellations year-round, although the stars are brightest during the monthly phase of the new moon. In March 2011 the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) officially designated Jasper National Park as a Dark Sky Preserve (DSP). A DSP is an area in which no artificial lighting is visible and active measures are in place to promote the reduction of light pollution, the protection of nocturnal habitat, and the visibility of the night skies. While Jasper is nestled within soaring mountain ranges, it also has the largest clearings in the Rockies, ideal for dramatic open spaces for stargazing. This kind of wilderness astronomy

• Guided virtual tour in climate-controlled dome theatre • See the local aboriginal First Nations constellations • Tour of the most powerful telescopes in the Rockies • See recent 4K sky imagery with a new video telescope • Learn how to photograph auroras and the Milky Way • Guided tour deep space and Q&A with astronomy expert What to Bring? (in addition to warm clothes) You’ll be simply amazed as to what you will be able to see with the naked eye, but if you have a Smart Phone or an iPad, load up a GPS-based star finder program from your App Store, and get familiar with it, before you leave home. Your camera! Remember to take pictures of your experience and enter our reader contest! (see pg 3) Image-stabilized binoculars feature optics that adjust many times a second to counteract your unsteady hands, effectively transforming such devices into small telescopes without the need to pack a tripod.

For more visit jasperdarksky.travel/partners and jasperplanetarium.com

Reservations: 780-852-3779 Restaurant: 780-852-3535 www.beckerschalets.com

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Experience Jasper

See Campground Directory on pg 66 See legend on page 67

1 Jasper Information Centre

National Historic Site, 500 Connaught Dr. Friends of Jasper Gift Shop. Jasper Information Centre: 780-852-6176 Tourism Jasper Visitor Desk: 780-852-6236

2 Patricia & Pyramid Lakes

5/7 km (10/15 min) drive from Jasper. Patricia Lake has a 2-3 hour loop trail. Read the plaque for WWII historical significance. Enjoy hiking, fishing, swimming, cross-country skiing, trail rides, and snow shoeing. Easy to access.

3 Old Fort Point Loop

1.5 km (5 min) drive via 93A and Old Fort Point Road - 3.8 km loop (1-2 hr) fairly steep hike to the top of this popular hill that overlooks the town & Athabasca River.

4 Lakes Annette, Edith & Beauvert

5 km (10 min) drive via Hwy 16 Sandy beaches, swim in spring-fed “kettle” lakes 2.4 km (45 min - 1.5 hr) Wheelchair and stroller accessible interpretive trail.

5 Jasper SkyTram

7 km (15 min) drive from town Phone 866-850-8726. jasperskytram.com. Open late Mar. to mid-Oct. (weather dependant). Guided tours and stunning views from atop Whistlers Mountain. Canada’s longest and highest aerial tramway (7,500 ft. above sea level).

6 The Discovery Trail

This trail can be accessed at several points throughout Jasper. (8.3 km loop) Portions are wheelchair accessible downtown.

Suggested Stargazing Sites

41 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

7 Jasper-Yellowhead Museum & Archives

400 Bonhomme St.; 780-852-3013 jaspermuseum.org. Discover the spirit of Jasper. Admission Fee: Adults $7. Permanent exhibits of Jasper’s history. Monthly exhibits in Showcase Gallery. Summer (mid May - mid Oct) 10 am - 5 pm Winter (Thurs. - Sun, only) 10 am - 5 pm

8 Fitness & Aquatic Centre & Arena

NEW Fitness Facility! Arena, Indoor Climbing Wall, 50m Waterslide 25m Pool, Hot Tub & Steam Room, Showers Tennis & Raquetball Courts, Meeting & Event Facilities Fitness & Pool: 780-852-3663 Activity Centre: 780-852-3381

Experience Yellowhead County & Hinton

Hinton, Photo Courtesy of Travel Alberta

Hinton, Photo Courtesy of Leigh McAdam @hikebiketravel

More and more travellers are making Hinton and Yellowhead

of Hwy 22 (The Cowboy Trail) in the east, to the gates of the

County part of their vacation plans – and it isn’t hard to see

Jasper National Park gates in the west.

why. The abundance and variety of lodgings here give visitor’s countless opportunities to explore the Canadian Rockies and

Accommodations run from teepees, lodges, resorts, and B&Bs,

the surrounding foothills.

to full-service hotels with indoor swimming pools. There are more than 30 campgrounds here, operated by the municipality,

Located only a few hours west of Edmonton, along Hwy 16,

private sector and Alberta Parks. They provide a full range of

Yellowhead County stretches from Evansburg, at the junction

serviced and non-serviced campsites to choose from. Yellowhead County has something for anyone wanting to

YELLOWHEAD COUNTY.

explore some of the most majestic landscapes in western Canada.

Welcome TO OUR BACKYARD!

1. Visit one of the many parks in our area. 2. Guided horse-back tours in the Rockies and foothills. 3. Stop in at one of the museums from Evansburg to Hinton. 4. Go tubing in the Pembina, McLeod or Athabasca River. 5. Hop on your mountain bike to try some of the great trails. 6. Relax at the family friendly beaches and campgrounds. 7. Hike the Hoodoos in Sundance Provincial Park.

FIND IT CLE AN

#LEAVE IT PRIST INE

8. Check out the Coal Branch and Cardinal Divide. With a population of 9,900 residents and located a short 15-minute drive east of the Jasper National Park boundary,

Welcome to our backyard. Stretching from the Pembina River to the Northern Alberta Rockies, Yellowhead County offers something for anyone wanting to explore some of the most majestic and diverse landscapes Canada has to offer.

FIN D IT CL EA N

Go to WWW.VisitYellowhead.CA to find out all the things there are to see and do in Yellowhead County. FIND IT CLE AN

#LEAVE IT PRIST INE

Please enjoy it with respect. © Clearwater County 2015

Yellowhead County EXPERIENCE THE MOUNTAIN PARKS 2020

Hinton is a regional hub in West Yellowhead County. The town boasts a number of outdoor recreational facilities and attractions. Canada’s longest freshwater boardwalk, the Beaver Boardwalk is a great family outing that showcases a local wetland system around Maxwell Lake. It features two

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Experience Yellowhead County & Hinton

Old Entrance, Photo Courtesy of Yellowhead County / Lara Felsing

Hinton, Photo Courtesy of Travel Alberta / Ryan Bray

observation towers, seating areas, interpretive signs, and more

white water rafters, canoers and kayakers.

than a dozen beavers. Arrive in the early morning or evening

Located 15 min north of Hinton on Hwy 40, with vivid views

for the best chance to see them in action.

of the majestic mountains, the William A. Switzer Provincial Park is an uncrowded gem nestled in the foothills. The park

Hinton is getting a reputation as a mountain biking hotspot in

offers multiple campgrounds, beach activities, visitor centre,

Western Canada, too. The biking trail network is constantly

interpretation programs, and numerous trails for hiking, and

changing. Those who venture out can experience woodland

biking and cross-country skiing. You will also find excellent

beauty, wetlands or breathtaking vistas with an interesting mix

wildlife watching opportunities from easily-accessible viewing

of roots, side hills, climbs and technical features.

platforms and self-guided interpretive trails.

On a rainy day, check out the Northern Rockies Museum of

Traditionally, Hinton hosts two major summer festivals. The

Heritage and Culture. Imagine the sounds as the old steam

Föhn Festival is their signature event! It is designed to showcase

engine rolls into Hinton. Back then, the population was only 500

their rich diversity and has been combined with their Canada

and saw little growth until the coal mines. Those mines were

Day Celebrations. fohnfest.com

part of a vast network that became known as the Coal Branch. Historically, the Wild Mountain Music Festival runs the 3rd A hidden gem in the area, consider a self-guided tour of the

weekend of July. Held at the Entrance Ranch, 8 km north on

abandoned coal mines. It starts 10 minutes west of town on

Hwy 40, it features two stages, beer gardens, vendors, and kids’

Hwy 40 South. A serendipity of this travel route is that it is

activities. In 2021, camp on-site or take the shuttle from Hinton.

great for wildlife spotting. Watch for bear, moose, elk, wolves and cougars. You’ll likely find herds of Big Horn sheep right along the side of the road. However, cell service is not reliable

stay

here and the road changes from paved to gravel. To learn more, pick up a copy of our Coal Mine Tour Map at the info centre. Located at 309 Gregg Avenue in the central shopping district, the staff has received high praise for their service! Hinton’s backyard is a mecca for campers, quadders, hikers, bikers, skiers, hunters, and fishers – along with rock climbers, 43 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

another

day

CAMPING

MOUNTAIN BIKING

ZIPLINE

PARKS &

DISC GOLF

PLAYGROUNDS

FESTIVALS

HELI-HIKING

TOURS

X-COUNTRY SKIING

EVENTS

HIKING

visit us at DISCOVERALBERTAROCKIES.COM VIC Address: 309 Gregg Ave #1, Hinton, AB email: info@hinton.ca phone: 1 800-252-3782

Experience British Columbia

New Denver

Courtenay

BC Fast Facts Capital City: Victoria Population: 4.99 million History: Entered Canadian Confederation in 1871 Total Area: 944,735km sq/364,764mi sq Highest Point: Fairweather Mountain, 4,663m/15,299ft

Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean, Sea Level Longest River: Fraser River, 1,368 km/850 mi Provincial Flower: Pacific Dogwood Provincial Tree: Western Redcedar Provincial Bird: Steller’s Jay Provincial Gemstone: Jade Provincial Motto: “Splendour Without Diminishment”

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Experience Wells Gray Provincial Park Our coverage of British Columbia (BC) begins with the communities of Clearwater, Valemount, Blue River, and Wells Gray Provincial Park. Wells Gray Provincial Park contains 5,250 sq km of alpine wilderness, borne from volcanoes and carved by glaciers. It boasts one of the most unique landscapes in all of BC; where your days are measured in vertical feet, big game sightings and the number of waterfall shots on your camera. Courtesy of Claude Robidoux

Helmcken Falls is Canada’s 4th highest waterfall and just one of the 39 named waterfalls you’ll find here. It’s where the Murtle and Clearwater Rivers roar into life each spring and wildlife sightings are as common as sunrise and sunset. Murtle Lake is North America’s largest canoe-only lake. It is here, through a kaleidoscope of colour where you can hike through the wildflower meadows of the Trophy Mountains. You’ll find serenity among oldgrowth interior rainforests. Select Valemount, Blue River or Clearwater as your

Courtesy of Chance Breckenridge

staging ground for wilderness adventures. Tour by car, on foot, or by saddle… in the Canada you imagined. Located one hour west of Jasper on Hwy 16, drop by the Mount Robson Visitor Centre, or stop at the Info Centres in Valemount or in Clearwater. The friendly staff will ensure you get the most from your visit to this breath-taking area!

For more information visit: WellsGray.ca VisitValemount.ca

Helmcken Falls, Courtesy of Claude Robidoux

45 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Discover Our Craft Beer At 3:00 pm – after pouncing down powder-coated slopes at the Kicking Horse Resort – my wife and I returned to Golden tired, happy, and very, very thirsty. Indeed, recreating in the Rockies will do that to you! On our wish list? A cozy, craft-beer taproom with friendly locals, delicious beer, and good vibes. Serving up one of the best IPAs in the land, the newly-minted Whitetooth Brewery proved to be the perfect spot. Like many of the pretty little mountain towns that sit snug in the valleys in British Columbia and Alberta, Golden’s local taproom is a hub of activity. People, growlers in hand, come and go throughout the day. Indeed, craft beer joints are a going concern. And they’re popping up everywhere. Without a doubt, the craft beer “revolution” (depending on who you ask, that’s probably not putting it too strongly!) has found some strong footing in the mountainous regions of Western Canada. At least a couple of dozen micro-breweries have bought some space, installed the tanks, poured in the hops (and a few other important ingredients), and, shortly thereafter, opened up their taps to the masses. And thirsty mountain folk – and visiting prairie folk! - are gulping it down by the hectoliter.

All Photos Courtesy of Mt. Begbie Brewing

And this is for good reason. The beer is good. Often great! Talented brewers are creating a wide assortment of delicious concoctions – pale ales, stouts, porters, sours, lagers, India Pale Ales, and numerous other styles – that cater to a wide-variety of tastes (because not everyone is a hophead, although I put myself firmly in that camp!). So, regardless of where you are in the mountains, chances are good you’re in close proximity to a fantastic little taproom with a friendly face, or two, eager to pour you a perfect pint of a locally-brewed liquid “love.” Although I haven’t encountered a bad one (not even close!), here are six of my favourite craft breweries in the mountains. (These are in no particular order. And sorry for the ones I didn’t mention, you are still loved!). Arrowhead Brewing Company, Invermere – Sure, it’s a little edgy, roadhouse rough, they aren’t afraid to let their hair down and experiment with a host of different beer styles. Put it all together and, whether you’re a biker or a beach bum, the relaxed and rustic atmosphere of their taproom and their hard-hitting beer (I’m a fan of “Night Train,” their black IPA that’s definitely the full meal deal) is going to have you the moment you kick down the creaky door and step inside.

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Discover Our Craft Beer Fisher Peak Brewing Co, Cranbrook – It all goes down at The Heid Out, a downtown Cranbrook restaurant and brewhouse of the finest order. Featuring handmade food sourced from local farms and producers, you won’t find a better place in the Kootenays to eat scrumptious food paired with exceptional beer. Their Soggy Otter Brown Ale is a classic.

Whitetooth Brewing Co., Golden – Featuring tasty West Coast and Belgium-inspired beer that will satisfy the thirst of hardcore mountain adventurers (and Golden is full of them!), the small taproom at the Whitetooth Brewing Company is usually wall-to-wall with locals swapping stories and swilling suds. The easy-drinking Whitetooth Session Ale is the perfect starter.

Nelson Brewing Company, Nelson – Given its prominent arts and culture inclinations, the historic town of Nelson is on the leading edge of the creative craft beer movement. And Nelson Brewing Company, located in the ancient firehall just up the hill from Baker Street, is the major player. With an all-organic line-up of tasty brews – hopheads will love Paddywhack, a West Coast-style IPA with bite – and hipster-cool merchandise available in their taproom, a visit here will not disappoint.

Mt. Begbie Brewing Co. in Revelstoke won the Canadian Brewery of the Year award in Ottawa, amongst 1876 entries from 333 breweries across Canada. Their Kolsch also took top honours, which then went on to win the “Best Kolsch” at the World Brewing Awards. So we basically have the best kolsch in the world, right here in Revelstoke.

Grizzly Paw Pub & Brewing Company, Canmore – A fixture in downtown Canmore for nearly 20 years, the Grizzly Paw Pub & Brewing Company is definitely the place to be on Friday night. Or any other night. Or day. With quality food and homemade soda (for the drivers!), nobody needs to leave this place thirsty. My advice? Try a taster set and hone in on the brew that speaks your language the loudest.

Without a doubt, there are many other micro-breweries in the mountains that won’t steer you wrong. These cozy places have many things in common. Yes, good beer is the first thing! But they are also friendly, unpretentious places where everyone is welcomed. So, rest assured, wherever you are recreating, a thirst-quenching, locally-made pint is being poured near you. And, as always, enjoy in moderation...and remember NEVER drink and drive! By: Andrew Penner

47 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Experience the Kootenay Rockies To Jasper

To Revelstoke

Lake Louise

Field

Golden

YOHO NATIONAL PARK

BANFF NATIONAL PARK

KOOTENAY um Parson NATIONAL bi a PARK R iv er Harrogate

93 1

To Banff

Spillimacheen

Highway 93 runs north from Wickenburg, Arizona, 2,768 kms to Jasper, Ab. American visitors cross into Canada at the Roosville Border Crossing which is open 24/7 year round. For much of the 330 km within BC, Hwy 93 follows the Columbia River Valley and passes through historic communities like Fort Steele, resorts such as Fairmont Hot Springs, and the quaint town of Radium Hot Springs, before veering northeast through Kootenay National Park. Unplug, slow down and drink in the charm of this section of your journey.

Brisco

Windermere Creek

Bed & Breakfast Cabins

Koo

ten

Radium Hot Springs

• 107 forested acres • Private secluded log cabins with kitchens and jacuzzis • Creekside hammocks and picnic areas, hours of trails • $139 - $169 +tax/couple includes breakfast

iver

ay R

Invermere

Panorama Windermere Windermere Lake 95 93

Fairmont Hot Springs

Columbia Lake

1-800-946-3942

www.WindermereCreek.com

18 km south of Kootenay National Park - Windermere, BC

Canal Flats

British Columbia

Alberta

Skookumchuck

95A

Kimberley

95 93

Fort Steele To Sparwood and the Crowsnest Pass

Cranbrook 93

Fernie 3

Elko

To Vancouver

Creston 95

Spectacular every season

CANADA U.S.A.

And only 30km from Radium Hot Springs

Eureka 93

To Coeur d’Alene

To Kalispel

To Whitefish, Kalispel

48 | Enter Our Photo Contest

N I P I K A . C O M

Experience Kootenay National Park Kilometres 0 Miles 0

lio n

Tokum

ma Nu

BANFF NATIONAL PARK

Haffner

k eC

Vermilion Crossing k eC ry d n re Ve War

Special Features

d le

Radium Hot Springs Pools

Wardle

3 km from Radium; Admission fee. Hot pool is a relaxing 39 oC (102 oF). Cool pool is a refreshing 29 oC (84 oF). Lockers, swimsuit and towel rentals available. Visit hotsprings.ca for hours, fees and information.

Shanks

Sim pson Riv

MOUNT ASSINIBOINE PROVINCIAL PARK

Dolly

de Var

Parks Canada has made a number of changes for the 2021 season visit parkscanada.gc.ca for up-to-date information.

nC k

Ko na ote

Crooks Meadow

yR ive r

adow

90 km from Radium Hot Springs. Fee applies for the guided hike.

Continental Divide

B.C.

8 Stanley Glacier Burgess Shale Hike

Harkin

Dog Lake

(98 km from Radium)

Si n Paclair ss 93

See Campground Directory on pg 66 See legend on page 67

oad

rs R

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k ak C

Panorama, Invermere, Windermere, Fairmont Hot Springs, Cranbrook, Fort Steele & U.S.A.

Redstreak

Sinclair

ttle

93 95

stre

250-347-6525 www.friendsofkootenay.ca

Radium Hot Springs 1

clair Ck

3 Sin 2 10

Cobb Lake

Kootenay National Park is on Mountain Time – 1 HR AHEAD of Pacific Time (and most of B.C.)

Red

Vermilion Pass, Fireweed Trail 95 km (1.2 hr) from Radium. Elevation: 1640 m. The Continental Divide is the dividing line between the Pacific and Atlantic watersheds. A 15-min interpretive trail loops through a regenerating forest.

ALBER TA

Floe Lake

w Ha

7 Paint Pots

85 km (1 hr) from Radium. Cold, iron-rich mineral springs bubble up through small pools, staining the earth a deep ochre.

Banff (132 km from Radium)

Stanley

63 km (45 min) from Radium. Located at Vermilion Crossing. Gift Shop, Cabins & Dining. Lodge Open Mid-May to Mid-Sept.

ffn

ili

6 Kootenay Park Lodge

5 Kootenay Valley Viewpoint

r Ve

3 Sinclair Canyon

16 km (20 min) from Radium. Stop here for dramatic views of the Kootenay River Valley, and the Mitchell and Vermilion ranges.

S 8 tanle Storm yC k

Numa

1.5 km from Radium. The iron-rich cliffs of the Redwall Fault provide a dramatic entrance to the park. Watch for bighorn sheep.

13 km (15 min) from Radium. Interpretive trail bordering a clear, shallow lake. Look for brook trout in the jewel-coloured water

Whymper

2 Redstreak Restoration Trail

1 km trail. Follow interpretive signs to learn why grasslands and open forests are so important for wildlife.

4 Olive Lake

9 Pass

Ochre

In the village of Radium Hot Springs. Tourism Radium Information Desk OPEN YEAR ROUND 250-347-9331 Friends of Kootenay Gift Shop Parks Canada Info Desk 250-347-9505 Ktunaxa Nation culture & history exhibit.

KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARK

Boom Lake

e ek Cr

1 Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre

YOHO NATIONAL PARK

Lake Louise and JASPER NATIONAL PARK

r Ve

Kootenay National Park

10 5

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Hidden Gems - Kootenay’s Marble Canyon

Paint Pots

Lower Marble Canyon

Marble Marvel The 800 m Marble Canyon trail crosses seven bridges along the route of a “migrating” waterfall. It also provides valuable insight into the rebirth of a forest. At the first bridge, we’re greeted by cold air, an example of the canyon’s effect on local climate. Glaciers 20 km up the valley chill the air that settles on the valley floor. And the shaded depths of the canyon cool the air more. At the second bridge is a natural arch, which marks the waterfall’s location about 9000 years ago. Please don’t attempt to cross here! People have died from falling at this spot. The large boulder near the fifth bridge is a glacial erratic, deposited when the glacier that carved the Tokumm Creek Valley receded. Spray from the canyon saturates the thin soils on the rim. Only lichens and mat-like plants can take hold. Before the 2003 fire the complement of plants near Marble Canyon included some species normally found north of the Arctic Circle. With most of the damp forest consumed by fire, the plants now include species associated with drier, lodgepole pine forests. The canyon’s deepest point is the 39 m drop underneath the seventh bridge, the present location of the waterfall. Constant pounding at the base creates a plunge pool. It enlarges over time and undercuts the rock above. The hanging lip of the waterfall collapses into the pool and the brink moves a couple

of metres upstream. This process has helped Marble Canyon’s waterfall to shift more than 600 m upstream in 11,000 years. Ochre Beds and Paint Pots This 1 km walk leads to colourful deposits of clay and the outlets of three mineral springs. On the way you are treated to a suspension bridge crossing of the Vermilion River. Sediments deposited on the bottom of an ancient glacial lake became the clay of the Ochre Beds. The remarkable colours result from saturation of the clay with iron-rich water from the outlets of three mineral springs - the Paint Pots. The Ktunaxa (toon-AWK-ah) First Peoples knew the Ochre Beds as, “The place where the red earth spirit is taken.” The Ktunaxa gathered the colourful clay, formed it into cakes and baked it in fire. They ground the resulting compound into powder and mixed it with animal fat or fish grease to create a body paint, which was used in rituals and for trade. In the early 1900s industry came to the Ochre Beds. The clay was excavated and shipped to Calgary as a source of pigment for paint. It failed and rusting equipment remains. What once was considered sacred still is. Please keep to the beaten path and do not walk in the ochre deposits or remove any of the material. Photos and Story by: Graeme Pole

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Headbanging in Radium Hot Springs Photo Courtesy of James Anderson

Come late fall, the village of Radium Hot Springs, as it goes with many mountain towns, slows down considerably. Many of the summer soakers, hikers, bikers, golfers, and the like, have made their journey home. However, some Radium “residents” never leave. In fact, come late fall, they start “raising the roof” with a headbanging show that always draws a crowd. Radium Hot Springs – a beautiful Kootenay Rockies village located 260 km west of Calgary in the Columbia Valley – is known for many things. Obviously, the gorgeous natural hot pools (the largest in Canada) immediately come to mind. The exceptional golf – there are two spectacular courses in town - the hiking, the Columbia Valley Wetlands, the quaint motel-lined downtown “strip,” which boasts ice cream shops, candy stores, restaurants, mini-golf, and the like, are all staples on Radium Hot Spring’s “To Do ” list. Throughout the year, Radium also hosts a number of popular events including the unique Headbanger Festival. But it’s not quite what you’re thinking. There are no eardrum-busting heavy metal bands, mosh pits, or wild, all-night parties. No, the Headbanger Festival in Radium Hot Springs celebrates (in

Radium Springs Golf Course Photo Courtesy of Andrew Penner

a good, clean, family-friendly way!) the fall rutting season. And the bighorn sheep always put on quite a show. “Watching the big rams engage in their head-butting rituals is an awesome experience,” says Kent Kebe, former manager at Tourism Radium. “It’s one of the most impressive displays in the natural world you can see in Western Canada.” The festival incorporates lots of chances to witness the headbutting first-hand. (This banging of heads occurs when two rams square off and smash horns in a thundering display of raw aggression and dominance. The winner then becomes the leader of the herd and earns the right to mate with the ewes.) Parks Canada presentations, guest speakers, photography workshops, interpretive hikes, and family art projects are other highlights of the weekend; one that is all about celebrating the iconic wildlife in Radium and educating attendees on how wildlife and humans can better co-exist. “Radium is one of the few places in North America where a herd of bighorn sheep lives and roams freely in a residential

Radium Hot Springs Photo Courtesy of Parks Canada / C. Douce

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Headbanging in Radium Hot Springs area,” says Kebe. “So the educational piece surrounding how this is best managed, how humans, predators, and bighorn sheep interact, is a pivotal part of this weekend. There are unique challenges and many people from around the world are very interested in how we are managing this situation.” Although the numbers of the Radium herd has gone down over the years (it’s now approximately 160 animals, down from 220 ten years ago), greater awareness and understanding of all the issues involved (such as harmful food sources, traffic hazards, and large predators like cougars entering the town) is making a difference. “Nature is connected. Together with Parks Canada, our goal is to ensure sustainability and long-term success for both humans and animals,” says Kebe. Obviously, attendees of the weekend festival will also get a taste for what the charming town of Radium Hot Springs is all about. The soothing hot springs – located up the hill from town in Kootenay National Park – are iconic and should not be

missed. Interestingly, while soaking in the natural hot springs pools, you can glance up on the bordering mountainside and often view wildlife, including bighorn sheep! Ringed with snow-capped mountains, rushing rivers, hoodoos, dramatic canyons, and a beautiful network of trails, the outdoor recreational opportunities are endless. Right in the heart of town, for example, the Sinclair Canyon hiking trails offer a beautiful half-day of walking. (A hike, followed by a soak in the hot springs, capped off with ice cream is, in my opinion, a perfect day in Radium!) Regardless of whether you’re in Radium Hot Springs for the fall Headbanger Festival, or for some camping and a few rounds of golf in the middle of summer, one thing is certain: you will be “wowed” by the gorgeous mountain scenery. And leave with a greater appreciation for the mountains and the natural world around you. By: Andrew Penner

See legend on page 67

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Year-Round Fun in Yoho National Park Photo by Deschênes Steve

Visit a National Historic Site Parks Canada operates more than just National Parks. Take the whole family to one of our National Historic Sites for a fun way to learn about Canada’s rich heritage. The Twin Falls Tea House is operated seasonally as a private lodge. The Canadian Pacific Railway started building this chalet in 1908 and it was designated as a national historic site in 1992. Twin Falls is a charming example of early rustic, log-framed design and a vivid reminder of the early days of trail riding, hiking, and mountaineering.

Spiral Tunnels When BC joined Confederation in 1871, it was on the condition that Prime Minister John A. Macdonald would build a railway to link the province to the rest of the country. The problem? The steep grades in the mountains. The solution? Spiral tunnels blasted through the mountains to reduce the grade. The tunnels remain an amazing engineering feat to this day. Part of the Kicking Horse Pass National Historic Site, the Spiral Tunnels are an easy place to stop and close to the village of Field.

Hike the classics! The Iceline Trail is arguably the most iconic trail in the park. It offers miles of glaciers and stunning mountain views! This is a strenuous full-day hike. For a shorter adventure, Takakkaw Falls is a thundering waterfall within a short walk from your car. At 302 meters, it’s one of the highest, easy-to-access waterfalls in Canada. Insider tip: there’s also a rock climbing route that goes up beside the waterfall. Try to spot the climbers!

Experience evolution firsthand! Discover what life looked like over 500 million years ago on a guided hike to one of three Burgess Shale fossil sites! Reserve your spot today: 1-877-737-3783 pc.gc.ca/burgessshale

Voyez l’évolution de vos propres yeux! Découvrez ce à quoi ressemblait la vie il y a plus de 500 millions d’années au cours d’une randonnée guidée jusqu’à l’un des trois gisements fossilifères de schistes argileux de Burgess! Réservez votre place dès aujourd’hui : 1-877-737-3783 pc.gc.ca/schistesdeburgess

54 | Enter Our Photo Contest

Experience Yoho National Park Yoho National Park 1 Yoho Visitor Centre at Field, BC

Just off the Trans-Canada Highway. Parks Canada Info Desk open May to mid October. Phone: 250-343-6783. Friends of Yoho National Park Gift Shop. Burgess Shale fossil displays.

2 The Village of Field

27 km (30 min) west of Lake Louise, Alberta - most services. Quaint mountain town with numerous Guesthouses and Bed & Breakfast Accommodation.

3 Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint and Kicking Horse Pass National Historic Site 8 km (5 min) east of Field. watch trains snake through this engineering marvel constructed in 1909 for rail safety. Interpretive exhibits. Open Mid-June to Mid-October.

4 Takakkaw Falls

17 km (25 min) from Field. In the Cree language, Takakkaw means “magnificent.” One of the highest waterfalls in Canada. Walk to the base of the falls, or start a magnificent day-hike or backpacking trip on one of the nearby trails.

5 Emerald Lake

11 km (15 min) from Field. A jewel of the Canadian Rockies. A 2 hour trail circles the lake. Hike, canoe or picnic in the summer or snowshoe in the winter. Public parking available. Open year-round.

6 Natural Bridge

4 km (5 min) west of Field. A natural rock bridge arches over Kicking Horse River.

7 Wapta Falls

22 km (30 min) west of Field. In the Nakoda language of the Stoney Nation, Wapta means “running water” or “river”. Trail head is 2 km drive down dirt road, off of the Trans-Canada Highway. 90-minute round trip hike to see these impressive falls. Open year round.

8 Walcott Quarry Burgess Shale Hike

Parks Canada has made a number of changes for the 2021 season visit parkscanada.gc.ca for up-to-date information.

17 km from Field; Fee for the guided hike. Hold history in your hands.

Burgess Shale Guided Hike to Mount Stephen

Starts in the Village of Field; Fees apply.

See Campground Directory on pg 67 See legend on page 67

55 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Hidden Gems - Yoho’s Cascade Tour There is no better place to appreciate Yoho National Park’s

Photo by Deschênes Steve on to Laughing Falls at 4.6km. Follow beaten paths from the

theme of “rockwalls and waterfalls” than the Yoho Valley.

campground along the north bank of the Little Yoho River to

When the ancestral Yoho Glacier receded at the end of the ice

this impressive waterfall.

age, side valleys were left hanging above the main valley floor. Their streams now plunge over limestone cliffs toward the

To complete your cascade tour of the Yoho Valley, continue

Yoho River. Takakkaw Falls (TAH-kah-kah) cascades 254m. The

north from Laughing falls for 3.8 km to Twin Falls. This 180m

name is Cree for “It is magnificent!” You can reach the falls by

high cataract shimmers with rainbows in the morning sun. The

a 600m trail, wheelchair and stroller accessible in part, from

Twin Falls Tea House, a National Historic Site, is nearby.

the parking lot at the end of the Yoho Valley Road. The falls are best-lit in the afternoon and early evening.

Return to the trailhead by the way you came (8.4km one-way), or make a loop, returning via Marpole Lake, 9.5k m one-way to

If Takakkaw has you yearning for more thunder and spray, you

the parking lot. Round-trip distances for this hike will be

can make a fine, full-day hike in the Yoho Valley. From the Yoho

16.8km – 17.9km. The good news: There is little elevation gain.

Valley trailhead, follow the trail 2.5 km to where short side-

If you have more time, you may reserve camping at Laughing

trails branch east to the bank of the Yoho River and a view of

Falls or Twin Falls campgrounds.

Angel’s Staircase Falls, and southwest to Point Lace Falls. Carry

Takakkaw Falls

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Photos and Story by: Graeme Pole

Experience Golden

These days, our addiction to devices, and growing obsession with spontaneity and travelling like a local means that we leave planning a vacation to the last minute, often whilst we are on the road. We are sure that we’ll meet that local who knows everything and has the time to tell us about it, but the reality is that the most famous towns in the Canadian Rockies are so full of tourists and seasonal workers that finding a true local is almost as challenging as discovering a four-leaf clover. But, with a little bit of planning, and being fore-armed on where to find the best information whilst you’re on the road, you too can ensure you get a truly authentic and unique experience. Here’s what I wish I knew when I first visited the mountain parks in the Canadian Rockies:

same wonderful rewards but without the crowds. The tripplanning tool helps you create your own customised itinerary that can be saved, printed, and shared via email.

3. Travel in the shoulder season; May, June, September, and October are all great months to visit the Rockies when snow is on the peaks, temperatures are cooler, and crowds diminish.

4. Book your accommodation early, especially if travelling in the high season (July and August). I recommend staying in a bed and breakfast; they’re owned by people who live in Golden because they love it, and you’ll have plenty of opportunity to get their hints, tips, and stories first-hand during your visit.

1. Make Golden your base; Golden is a small unassuming 5. One of the first things to do on arrival is drop into the new mountain town sitting at the confluence of two historic rivers, surrounded by the majestic beauty and outdoor opportunities of the Rockies and Purcell mountain ranges, and an easy drive from Banff Lake Louise, Yoho, Glacier, Mt. Revelstoke, and Kootenay National Parks, as well as the Icefields Parkway. Yes, it is busier in July and August, but the locals are truly local; families who have lived there for generations, and who love talking about their town, mountains, and outdoor experiences.

2. Use the Tourism Golden website. Their unique Experience Finder will help you discover activities according to your preferences, season, and travel party type. They are experts in the place that they live, work, and recreate, and the suggested itineraries include both the ‘must-dos’ of the Rockies such as Lake Louise and Banff, along with hidden gems that offer the

Golden Visitor Centre. The counsellors are all from Golden, and can give their inside tips on additional activities, places of interest, where to eat, shop and lots more. Your customised itinerary can be emailed directly to your mobile device for use during your stay. Parks Canada passes are available to purchase.

6. Keep an eye out in the downtown area and at local events for the roving Golden ambassadors and eye-catching pop up information tent. They’re ready to answer your questions right when you need them to!

7. Connect to the best local information by downloading the Tourism Golden web app to your mobile device. There are four Wi-Fi hotspots in the downtown area, so no need to burn through your own data.

Visit tourismgolden.com/EMP for inspiration and information. 57 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Experience Golden

tourismgolden.com

At the heart of it. A heart of gold.

Jasper National Park

ALBERTA

Photo by A Barrett Photography

BRITISH COLUMBIA Glacier National Park

GOLDEN

Banff National Park

Yoho National Park

Mt. Revelstoke National Park

Kootenay National Park Bugaboo Provincial Park

lovethenationalparks.com tourismgolden.com A heart of gold.

58 | Enter Our Photo Contest

Experience Golden

At the heart of your Parks adventure. Golden B.C. is surrounded by six of Canada’s most stunning national parks; Yoho, Glacier, Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Mount Revelstoke. This unique location makes Golden the ideal place from which to experience the spectacular scenery, iconic hiking trails, waterfalls, lakes and heritage sites of the national parks. Sitting at the confluence of two historic rivers and surrounded by majestic mountain vistas, Golden is an authentic mountain town that offers unrefined mountain adventure. Enjoy a vast range of activities or just simply appreciate our fabulous scenery and abundance of wildlife.

Start planning: lovethenationalparks.com

Help to keep our community and visitors safe: Remember to keep informed with public health advisories and abide by all protocols.

Golden Visitor Centre

Seek and you will find.

Ask our friendly, knowledgeable Information Counsellors about activities, attractions, dining, and accommodations in Golden. Free travel guides, Visitor Wifi Local Trip local maps, and other amenities, including free Centre Hotspots Maps Planning WiFi. Parks Canada passes are also available for purchase. Open daily during the summer months. tourismgolden.com/visitors #GOLDENRULES #GOLDENBC

Digital Kiosks

Sani Dump

250-439-7290

1000 TRANS CANADA HIGHWAY

Golden Golf Club

Mistaya Lodge

Stay in a peaceful setting just minutes from Golden. 42 private sites with 30 amp power, free Wi-Fi, a potable water station, adjacent to our 18-hole golf course, restaurant, and Mini-Golf course.

Helicopter access only! Located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies between Banff and Yoho National Parks. Guests enjoy adventures including hiking, swimming, nature watching, photography & relaxation!

1-250-344-2700 www.golfgolden.com

1-866-647-8292 www.mistayalodge.com

Getting to Golden Don’t let the Trans-Canada highway 1 construction stop you from escaping to Golden. Enjoy the alternative route along Highways 93 and 95 as you explore the magnificent views and attractions. There will be no daytime interruptions during the summer. Overnight, interruptions may range from 20 minutes to 8 hour closures. During fall, winter and spring there may be traffic stoppages of up to 2 hours during the day, and evening closures of up to 9 hours. In addition, there may be multi-day 24-hour closures from April 1 to the end of May and from mid-September to the end of November. Plan now: Gettingtogolden.ca

59 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

Experience the Golden Triangle Enjoyed by cyclists for more than 20 years, this 310 km loop

please drive with care. The road is wide, climbing 800m to the

tour offers spectacular views as you will cross the Continental

Continental Divide and then down again to Castle Junction.

Divide twice. The communities of Golden, Radium Hot Springs,

Stop at any of the numerous viewpoints and hiking trails, such

and Lake Louise serve as the three points of the triangle, and all

as the Paint Pots.

three offer a full range of experiences, year-round. From Castle Junction, follow Hwy #1 west, or the much more In recent years, The Golden Triangle has been discovered by

tranquil Hwy 1A, to picturesque Lake Louise. Enjoy a walk

both motorcyclists as well as campers. Sure, it’s driveable in a

along the lakeshore or ride the summer gondola for amazing

day, but plan for 3 or 4 days, to explore everything these parks

sightseeing experience.

and communities have to offer. Stop regularly, breathe deeply, and allow the energy here to recharge your soul.

Drive west over the Kicking Horse Pass and into Yoho National Park. The town of Field has an excellent Visitor Centre as well

Situated at the confluence of Kicking Horse and Columbia

as several affordably priced, quaint guesthouses. See pg 57.

rivers, our adventure starts in Golden, BC, a hub of outdoor

Continue west back to Golden.

adventure, from white-water rafting to Via Ferrata and paragliding. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound: a grizzly bear refuge (for Boo), wolf sanctuary, and bird watching along the lush Columbia River Wetlands. From Golden, take Hwy 95 (recently upgraded) south 103 km to Radium Hot Springs. This leg runs adjacent to the Columbia River, and is nestled between the Rocky Mountains to the east and the Bugaboo & Purcell Mountains to the west. As you approach the hamlet of Parson, watch for a sign that will direct you to The World’s Largest Paddle! Then due east of Spillimacheen, Diana Lake and the white rocks at the top of The Judge beckon fit outdoor enthusiasts to tackle this superb full-day hike. For a more leisurely time, seek out local artisans selling their crafts. The village of Radium Hot Springs is a year-round, full-service destination. Try out one of the many great restaurants in town. On summer weekends, bring your lawn chair and enjoy Music on the Main Street. From Radium, take Hwy 93 up into Kootenay National Park. This 105 km leg has the highest concentration of wildlife, so 60 | Enter Our Photo Contest

Experience the Golden Triangle

tour the

Golden triangle discover the other side of the rockies

Parks Canada / Zoya Lynch

JOURNEY THROUGH THE CANADIAN ROCKIES ON THIS UNIQUE CIRCLE TOUR Enjoy spectacular scenery as you explore the natural wonders and heritage sites of Yoho and Kootenay national parks. Experience the warm mountain-town hospitality of Golden and Radium as you discover the nearby rivers, lakes, hiking trails, hot springs and activities along your Golden Triangle tour.

#TourTheTriangle

61 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

TourTheTriangle.ca

Experience Glacier National Park High on Adventure Glacier National Park is the birthplace of mountaineering

railway, to road building and railway engineering feats, to the

in North America with the first recreational technical climbs

modern avalanche mitigation measures of today, the route

recorded in 1888. While adventure seekers can still get their

through the pass brings Canada together as a nation. Explore

adrenalin going with technical mountaineering and glacier

Rogers Pass by car through snow sheds and steep avalanche

travel, today’s network of trails caters to all abilities ranging

terrain. Stop in at the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre to learn

from short, level strolls to ambitious climbs. Be inspired by

more about the triumphs and tragedies of travel through this

dramatic mountain views, humbled by giant ancient trees or

treacherous pass. And take a stroll along abandoned rail beds.

captivated by the secrets of the abandoned railway over Rogers Pass. This summer, visit the Beaver Valley to view the mosaic of

Winter Wonderland

burned and unburned forest left after the Prairie Hills wildfire,

Glacier National Park is legendary for its snowfall, attracting

in 2017. Look for new vegetation and wildflowers sprouting up

ski-touring enthusiasts from around the world with an array

among remnant stands of old growth forest. Be safe, please use

of glades, alpine bowls, and icefields. All ski destinations in

caution near burned areas as remaining trees can be unstable.

the park require knowledge of travel in avalanche terrain. If you plan to tour in Glacier, be aware that many areas of the

Major Rogers Route

park have restricted and prohibited access in winter. Please

Travel through time in Rogers Pass National Historic Site and

visit parkscanada.gc.ca/skirogerspass before you go. Skiers are

discover human courage and ingenuity. From the early trail

urged to wear avalanche transceivers, carry a shovel and probe,

blazing for the final link in Canada’s first trans-continental

and be prepared for self-rescue.

Abbott Ridge Trail, Photo Courtesy of Mari Omori

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Experience Glacier and Mount Revelstoke National Parks Special Feature Meadows in the Sky Parkway Begins 1.5 km east of Revelstoke. The only place in a Canadian National Park where you can drive to the top of a mountain. This road switch-backs 26 km up Mount Revelstoke to flower filled meadows. A free shuttle service takes you the last few kms in the summer months. Ten trail heads at the summit including the Koo Koo Sint Trail that details David Thompson’s travels in the area. The heritage of three First Nations peoples - the Secwepemc, Ktunaxa, and Okanagan is highlighted in the First Footsteps Trail.

Parks Canada has made a number of changes for the 2021 season visit parkscanada.gc.ca for up-to-date information. See Campground Directory on pg 66 See legend on page 67

2 Nels Nelsen Historic Ski Jump

Exhibit celebrates international ski jumping (1915-71). Hike from the Railway Museum or the Nels Nelsen Historic Area on Meadows in the Sky Parkway.

3 Giant Cedars Boardwalk

Approx 30 min east of Revelstoke. An excellent stop for a walk and picnic, it can also accomodate larger vehicles and provides a 20 min interpretive walk through rare old growth forest (700 year old trees)

4 Hemlock Grove Trail

54 km (40 min) east of Revelstoke. Explore the rain forest. A 10 minute interpretive boardwalk winds through ancient Western Hemlocks.

5 Loop Brook Trail

63 km (45 min) east of Revelstoke. This 30 minute interpretive loop winds you through historic pillars which once held up a railway engineering feat.

6 Illecillewaet/Asulkan Valleys

66 km (50 min) east of Revelstoke. Several hikes begin at this trailhead. Explore mountaineering routes established more than a century ago.

7 Rogers Pass Discovery Centre

Summit of Rogers Pass: 76 km (55 min) west of Golden; 72 km (52 min) east of Revelstoke. Parks Canada Info Desk 250-837-7500. Regular Summer hours: 8am - 7pm daily. Theatre & exhibits: history, wildlife & avalanches.

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8 Bear Creek Falls Trail

Approx 1 hr east of Revelstoke. A short hike (1 hour round trip) to a waterfall. The Connaught Creek waters cascade over the falls to join the Beaver River a short distance downstream. Bathroom available in the parking area.

Beaver Valley Day-Use Area

85 km (65 min) east of Revelstoke. The Beaver Valley is a place of fragile beauty with dynamic mountainsides, shaped by mudflows and landslides. In the warmest part of Glacier, this day-use area is one of the park’s first and last snow-free facilities every season.

Experience the West Kootenays The traditional route east from Revelstoke is along the Trans-Canada Hwy 1 to Golden (see pg 57). To take a path less travelled, follow the scenic Hwy 23 south towards Nelson and the free ferry across Upper Arrow Lake. This waterway is part of the Columbia River System, so if you like the calming effect of water, you’ll love this route! The road forks as you depart Galena Bay. Hwy 23 heads south to the serenity of Halcyon Hot Springs. Open year-round, your worries will melt away while you take in the incredible view of Upper Arrow Lake and The Monashee Mountains. With its quaint village-like atmosphere, the welcoming philosophy here is simple. Healing waters should be shared with the world. With luxury accommodations nestled in nature, Halcyon is ready to help you rest, relax and rejuvenate. Call now or visit their website to book your stay. halcyon-hotsprings.com 30 minutes south, and flanked by the Selkirk and Monashee mountain ranges, Nakusp is another great place to rejuvenate both the body and mind. Soak in hot springs. Relax at a spa. Sandy Beach is just a short walk from the shops and restaurants located downtown. Surrounded by gardens, shade trees and

picnic tables, this beautiful beach is the perfect place to while away an afternoon while entertaining the kids. Ready to stretch your legs? Waterfront Walkway is a level, paved pathway with stunning views of the Arrow Lakes and surrounding mountain ranges. You’ll find it just a block south of main street. If you follow BC Hwy 6 southeast of Nakusp for 25 minutes you will arrive at the northern end of Slocan Lake. Several small communities dot its eastern edge, which is 39 km long. It has a maximum depth of almost 300 m (978 ft)! The mountains to the east were the focus of the Silver Rush of the 1890’s, at which time, Slocan City was a bustling, boomtown filled with saloons, hotels, rail cars filled with ore and miners in pursuit of the ever-elusive mother lode. During WWII, a Japanese Canadian Internment Camp was located in Slocan. One of those interned here was the celebrity scientist, David Suzuki. To learn more about the WWII camps, visit the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre in New Denver, BC. Driving south along Hwy 6 from Slocan, you will reach the junction of Hwy 3A, at about the mid-point between Castlegar

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New Denver

Experience the West Kootenays and Nelson. The alternative to taking Hwys 23, 6 and 3A to get to Nelson from Galena Bay, is to follow scenic Hwy 31 southeast from Galena Bay, following the shores of Kootenay and Trout lakes, 134 km to Kaslo, BC. A stroll down Front Street in Kaslo brings you to the majestic SS Moyie, one of the last great sternwheelers. It operated on Kootenay Lake for 59 years. Reuters calls the Kaslo Jazz Etc Summer Festival one of “the Top 10 places to enjoy outdoor summer music.” The unique floating stage transforms Kaslo Bay Park into a natural green amphitheater that sends live music reverberating out over Kootenay Lake. Festival goers dance in the sand, swim around the stage, or relax in the grass. All weekend long, world-class musicians perform against a breathtaking backdrop of mountains and vast skies. The intimate, laid-back vibe of this festival has been seducing audiences since 1992. The 29th festival has already been scheduled to July 30 - August 1, 2021. So, mark your calendars now and be sure to attend!

Kootenay Lake Ferry Departure Schedule 2021 NOTE: Schedule is subject to change please confirm departure times at DriveBC.com

Balfour

Following Hwy 31 south from Kaslo, for 30 mins, we arrive at Balfour - a small but vibrant community, catering to the avid hiker, biker, golfer, boater and fisherman. Fine dining, great pub food and delicious baked goods will satisfy any craving. Play a round at their golf courses; but don’t let the stunning views of the mountains and lake be a distraction! Decision time… Nelson is a small enchanting city famous for its heritage. The movie ‘Roxanne’, starring Steve Martin and Daryl Hannah was filmed here in 1987. If Nelson beckons, head west from Balfour along Hwy 3A. However, if you’re heading to Creston, drive to the loading area for the Kootenay Lake Ferry. You will find it located next to the Dock ‘n’ Duck, in Balfour. Trip Advisor rates this FREE ferry ride (the world’s longest) with 5 Stars! It ends near the artisan’s enclave of Crawford Bay. Experience the laid-back charm of West Kootenays. You will leave with a lifetime of great memories!

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Kootenay Bay

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6:30 8:10 9:50 10:40 11:30 12:20 1:10 2:00 2:50 3:40 4:30 5:20 6:10 7:50 9:40

7:10 9:00 10:40 12.20 2:00 3:40 5:20 7:00 8:40 10:20

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ss Ac ce e pi ts

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Pr o gra m sh T oil ets Sho we rs

Fees

Flu

Open Dates

Int e

Campground

#o f Si t es

Campground Directory

Phone Number

Websites

Banff National Park - Map on pg 17 1

Castle Mountain

May - Sept

$21.97

•

403-522-3833

pc.gc.ca/BNP-camping

Johnston Canyon*

June - Sept

$28.00

132

•

403-522-3833

pc.gc.ca/BNP-camping

Lake Louise Tent*

June - Sept

$28.00

206

•

877-737-3783

pc.gc.ca/BNP-camping

Lake Louise Trailer* Year Round $33.01 Soft-Sided camping in winter only (mid-November to mid-April)

189

•

877-737-3783

pc.gc.ca/BNP-camping

Mosquito Creek

June - Oct

$17.99

•

403-522-3833

pc.gc.ca/BNP-camping

Protection Mountain

June - Sept

$21.97

•

877-737-3783

pc.gc.ca/BNP-camping

Rampart Creek

June - Oct

$17.99

•

403-522-3833

pc.gc.ca/BNP-camping

Tunnel Mt. Village I*

May - Oct

$28.00

618

•

877-737-3783

pc.gc.ca/BNP-camping

Tunnel Mt. Village II*

Year Round

$33.01

188

•

877-737-3783

pc.gc.ca/BNP-camping

10 Tunnel Mt. Trailer*

May - Oct

$39.04

321

•

877-737-3783

pc.gc.ca/BNP-camping

11 Two Jack Main*

June - Sept

$21.97

380

•

877-737-3783

pc.gc.ca/BNP-camping

12 Two Jack Lakeside*

May - Oct

$28.00

•

877-737-3783

pc.gc.ca/BNP-camping

13 Waterfowl Lakes

June - Sept

$21.97

116

•

403-522-3833

pc.gc.ca/BNP-camping

$21.97

•

877-737-3783

reservation.pc.gc.ca

Kootenay National Park - Map on pg 49 1

Marble Canyon

June - Sept

McLeod Meadows

June - Sept

$21.97

•

877-737-3783

reservation.pc.gc.ca

Redstreak*

May - Oct

$28.00 - $39.04

242

•

877-737-3783

reservation.pc.gc.ca

$15.70

•

888-773-8888

pc.gc.ca/jaspercaming

$15.70

•

888-773-8888

pc.gc.ca/jaspercaming

$15.70

100 888-773-8888 pc.gc.ca/jaspercaming

Jasper National Park - Map on pg 36 1

Icefield Tent

May - Oct

Honeymoon Lake

May - Sept

Icefield Centre RV

Jonas

May - Sept

$15.70

•

888-773-8888

pc.gc.ca/jaspercaming

Kerkeslin

June - Sept

$15.70

•

888-773-8888

pc.gc.ca/jaspercaming

Pocahontas

May - Sept

$21.50

140

•

888-773-8888

pc.gc.ca/jaspercaming

Snaring River

May - Sept

$15.70

•

888-773-8888

pc.gc.ca/jaspercaming

Wabasso

May - Sept

$21.50 - $27.40

231

•

888-773-8888

pc.gc.ca/jaspercaming

Wapiti (Summer)

May - Oct

$27.40 - $32.30

364

•

888-773-8888

pc.gc.ca/jaspercaming

10 Wapiti Winter 11 Whistlers 12 Wilcox

Apr - Oct

Oct - May

$27.40 - $32.30

•

888-773-8888

pc.gc.ca/jaspercaming

May 2 - Oct 8

$27.40 - $38.20

781

•

877-737-3783

reservation.pc.gc.ca

May - Sept

$15.70

•

888-773-8888

pc.gc.ca/jaspercaming

•

888-773-8888

Glacier and Mount Revelstoke National Parks - Map on pg 63 1

Illecillewaet

Loop Brook

Snowforest

June - Sept

$21.97

•

July - Sept

$21.97

•

888-773-8888

pc.gc.ca/glacier-camping

June - Oct

$28.00 - $33.01

•

888-773-8888

pc.gc.ca/revelstoke-camping

For more campground information

pc.gc.ca/glacier-camping

All Open Dates are weather dependant.

pick up or downlaod our sister publications at ExperienceTravelGuides.com/Library

All fees are subject to change without notice. A fire permit is required for fires in Parks Canada’s campgrounds.

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* These Campgrounds accept reservations.

ss Fir

Phone Number

1 Hoodoo Creek

June - Sept

$16.05

•

250-343-6783

pc.gc.ca/ynp-camping

2 Kicking Horse

May - Oct

$28.00

•

877-737-3783

reservation.pc.gc.ca

3 Monarch

May - Sept

$17.99

•

250-343-6783

pc.gc.ca/ynp-camping

4 Takakkaw Falls

June - Oct

$17.99

•

250-343-6783

pc.gc.ca/ynp-camping

Campground

Open Dates

Fees

Flu

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Ac ce

Pr o gra m sh T oil ets Sho we rs

rp Int e

#o f Si t es

Campground Directory

Websites

Yoho National Park - Map on pg 55

Waterton Lakes National Park- Map on pg 13 1 Waterton Townsite* 2 Crandell Mountain

Apr - Oct

$22.50 - $38.20

237

•

877-737-3783

reservation.pc.gc.ca

$15.70

•

888-773-8888

reservation.pc.gc.ca

Closed for 2021

3 Belly River 4 Waterton Springs

Please call 1-877-737-3783 for Campground information. Closures are in place due to the Kenow Wildfires

May - Sept Closed for 2021

Caroline, Alberta Clearwater Trading Year Round $25.00 - $35.00 47 • • • • 403-722-2378 clearwatertrading.ca Proud to offer you a separate, private venue for all your events’ needs. Call us today! Check us out on Facebook @clearwatertradingevents

Rocky Mountain House, Alberta Rocky Mountain House May 14 - Sept 30 $26.06 - $122.64 45 • • • • • 877-737-3783 reservation.pc.gc.ca National Historic Site Discover a historic fur trade post along the North Saskatchewan River. Experience interactive exhibits, a play fort, wild bison viewing, hiking and biking trails, friendly heritage presenters, and more. Stay awhile.

Wells Gray, British Columbia Clearwater Valley Resort & KOA Campground

May 1 - Oct 1

$32.90 - $48.90

•

250-674-3918

clearwatervalley.com

Sicamouse KOA May 1 - Sept 20 $44.89 - $79.89 85 Centrally located. Pull thru sites, laundry store, pool. Train and hayrides.

•

250-836-2507

sicamouskoa@gmail.com

Shuswap, British Columbia

West Kootenays, British Columbia Woodbury Resort & Marina Year Round 60 • • • • • 877-353-7717 woodburyresort.com Kootenay Lake’s only year-round destination resort. Stay, Fish & Swim Packages! Boat rentals, country store, cold beer, restaurant, pub and motel. Mirror Lake Campground Apr 15 - Oct 15 $24.00 - $28.00 96 • • • • 250-353-7102 mirrorlakecampground.com Lakefront rental cabins and trailers, $55-$79 based on double occupancy. Beach with playground, rental boats and bass fishing. Dog walk.

Parks Canada has made a number of changes for the 2021 season, please visit parkscanada.gc.ca regularly for up-to-date information on open dates, events, activities and key dates in the Mountain National Parks.

67 | ExperienceTravelGuides.com

2021 Experience the Mountain Parks

Articles inside

Hit the Highway

(Rocky Mountain High

(Hit the Highway with an RV