Parks & Wildlife

Incredible Wildlife & Scenery

Columbia Valley Activities

Radium Hot Springs is one of the gateways to Kootenay National Park, boasting 140,000 hectares with incredible views, wildlife, and trails. Some of the features of this beautiful park include:

Sinclair Canyon
Imposing and picturesque entrance to the park with iron-rich reddish coloured walls

Old Coach Trail
9 km historical trail with views of the Columbia Valley

Olive Lake
A great picnic spot with wheelchair accessible path to viewing platforms overlooking the lake

Westside Legacy Trail

Accessible for pedestrians and bikers, the 25km paved trail connects both Invermere and Fairmont. With 7 different segments varying in difficulty, any level of hiker will find the perfect trail for them.

Kootenay Valley Viewpoint
Spectacular scenery and backdrops, perfect for snapping vacation pictures

Mount Wardle
Home to a large population of mountain goats

Numa Falls
A great day-excursion for picnics and sightseeing; the falls are only a short walk from the parking lot

Provincial Parks

Bugaboo Provincial Park 
Situated 72 km north of Radium Hot Springs in the Purcell Mountains, Bugaboo Provincial Park draws visitors with glacier-sculpted spires. The park features hiking trails and mountain peaks in a remote area with no supplies, equipment or alternative transportation.

Dry Gulch Provincial Park 
Located a mere 4.5 km south of Radium Hot Springs, Dry Gulch Provincial Park is a cozy campground park and a hub for recreational activities such as golfing, swimming, windsurfing, hiking, and bird watching.

James Chabot Provincial Park
At the north end of Windermere Lake, this area is an idyllic day-use park, perfect for families with its sandy beach and grassy play areas. The park is wheelchair accessible with seasonal flush toilets, playground, picnic areas, and drinking water. Enjoy watersports such as windsurfing, fishing, swimming, canoeing and waterskiing or other activities such as hiking and cycling.

Columbia Lake Provincial Park 
Featuring the largest warm water lake in the East Kootenay region, Columbia Lake Provincial Park offers recreational opportunities without the hustle and bustle of large numbers of tourists. Enjoy 3 km of undeveloped beach area, as well as wetland and marsh areas. Fishing, hiking, and mountain biking are popular activities.

Of Natural Interest

Head Banger Festival
Early every November over 150 of Radium’s resident Bighorn Sheep put on an interesting display of strength and supremacy in an attempt to vie for dominance by repeatedly charging head first at each other. Learn more about this interesting custom and these magnificent animals every November.

Wings Over The Rockies Festival
This annual festival, every May, explores many different aspects of migration including the migration of waterfowl and songbirds and the seasonal movement of ungulates, carnivores, butterflies, bats, fish and even humans. Enjoy a full week of more than 70 field trips, presentations and workshops and culminate’s with a Gala banquet.

Babin Air
Babin Air provides custom discovery flights allowing guests to experience the panoramas of the Colombia Valley wetlands to the towering peaks and glaciers hidden throughout the Purcell and Rocky Mountains.

Columbia River Kayak & Canoe
With trips that are fun and educational, Columbia River Kayak and Canoe specialize in Kayaking and Canoeing within the spectacular setting of the Columbia River Valley. Discover a unique way to discover Lake Windermere, the Columbia valley wetlands and the Columbia River the next time you are in the area.

ATVs at Toby Creek Adventures
With hundreds of trails for all riding levels, cruise over mountain trails with scenic views, pass cascading waterfalls, and fling mud during stream crossings at Toby Creek Adventures.

Kootenay Trout Hatchery Visitor Centre
Visitors are welcome to enjoy a self-guided tour of the extensive interpretative area which includes aquariums, educational models, and displays.  Guided tours are available from May through August.

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