Meadows in the Sky Parkway Mt. Revelstoke National Park
Mt Revelstoke National Park is one of six Canadian National Parks clustered near the Alberta/British Columbia border. The most famous are Banff and Jasper but equally deserving of accolades are Yoho (see my post here), Kootenay (see my post here), Canadian Rocky Hot Springs, and Cave & Basin.
As regular readers know, I am a solo road tripper who loves spending my summers exploring British Columbia in my beloved campervan, Wanda. I'm retired, so my adventures are not high-adrenaline. I'm more likely to be found doing short hikes and trail walks, photographing wildlife, gaping at stunning scenery, and finding unusual places of interest. A trip to the Revelstoke area offers all that and more. Come meander with me as my road trip takes me through Mt. Revelstoke National Park.
Getting to Revelstoke, British Columbia
Revelstoke is tucked between the Selkirk and Monashee mountains and is accessed by the TransCanada Highway. From Calgary, it is just over 400km (4 hr 45 min) following the TransCanada Hwy. If driving from Vancouver, you'll cover 564 km (7 hrs) using the fastest route. The closest airport is Kelowna, about a 2.5-hour drive away. A shuttle service runs between Kelowna and Revelstoke. Alternatively, Rider Express offers a daily service between Vancouver and Calgary that passes through Revelstoke (book at least a day before departure to arrange to stop in Revelstoke).
Revelstoke: The Gateway to Mt. Revelstoke National Park
Revelstoke is a charming town nestled amidst the awe-inspiring mountains. Take a stroll through the main streets, soak up the local culture, and fuel up for the adventures that lie ahead.
The town has all the services one can expect of a small town. There are plenty of accommodations, from resorts to campgrounds, so every traveller can find something to suit their style and budget. In the downtown area, visitors will find large big box stores and charming small businesses, restaurants featuring fine dining or fast food, craft beer breweries and plenty of adventure outfitters.
Revelstoke Railway Museum
The building of the transcontinental railway in the late 1800s was a spectacular project that had a profound effect on Canada's development as it was a major factor in each of the provinces joining this brand-new country. The project required thousands of labourers to perform very difficult and dangerous work. The final spike of the railway was placed at Craigellachie, about 60 km west of Revelstoke. (don't forget to stop here if passing by)
The Revelstoke Railway Museum celebrates this achievement with its collection of vintage locomotives and interactive exhibits.
Meadows In The Sky Parkway
Mount Revelstoke National Park offers a 26-kilometre seasonal paved road that winds uphill through forests to subalpine wildflower meadows. Visitors can follow a trail or take a shuttle to the summit from the parking area at Balsam Lake. At the summit, visitors can hike, picnic, or enjoy the incredible photo opportunities. The best time to visit the meadow in bloom is in August.
Be aware that you will need to purchase a Park Pass. A day pass will cost $11. If you plan on visiting other national parks in the area, consider purchasing a "Discovery Pass" that is good for the year.
Discovery Pass
Adult (18+) $75.25
Senior (65+) 64.50
Family 151.25
Youth, New Canadian Citizens, Canadian Military, Disability Support people FREE
Buy online from Parks Canada or at any Park Entrance
Vehicles over 7.9 m (26 ft) or over 3.9 m (13 ft) are prohibited on the Parkway. Dogs are not allowed above the Columbia Lookout and must be on leashes in the areas where they are allowed. The maximum speed on the Parkway is 30 km/hr, so you'll be driving slowly, perfect for handling those tight hairpin curves and spotting wildlife. To save wear and tear on your brakes, gear down on the descent
Unfortunately for me, the snowpack was still too low in late June to do the entire drive, so I could not get to the meadows. I did get about halfway up to the Columbia River Lookout. Luckily, there were several stops of interest between the start of the drive and the Lookout where all vehicles were stopped.
Revelstoke Viewpoint
The first viewpoint on the Parkway is the Revelstoke Viewpoint. This is a quick photo op stop with stunning views of the City of Revelstoke and Mount Begbie
Monashee Lookout
The Monashee Lookout is a picnic area with views of the sweeping landscapes below. Picnic tables are set up in the shade close to the viewing area.
On the trail above the viewing area is a park building perfect for cold-weather visitors who will appreciate the large wood stove and ample wood supply to ensure a cozy shelter for their picnic.
Nels Nelson Ski Jump
Nels Nelson was a Norwegian-born immigrant who arrived in Revelstoke in 1912 and quickly established himself in the local ski community. He is remembered for his fearless skill as a champion ski jumper and is credited with developing ski jumping in Canada.
The Nels Nelson Ski Jump was built in 1916 and was initially named Big Hill. Three world records for length were set here before it went out of use in 1939. It was later rebuilt in 1948 and re-named in honour of Nelson. The final tournament on this jump was held in 1974, and it was no longer used after 1975.
Drivers can stop and park here and take a 1.4 km trail, known as the Nels Knickers Trail, to the jump. This short but steep trail will elevate your heart and sweat rate. At the top, visitors can check out the platforms where skiers started their jumps. On the highest one is a metal sculpture of Nels' ski pants that you can lean into for a terrific photo opportunity (if you aren't solo—I couldn't get a selfie).
For visitors wanting to hike, a trail begins behind the Railway Museum and eventually leads to the summit. The trail takes about 1.5 hours each way. I visited the Bike Park and the Ski Jump on this trail walk. Be warned that the gentle beginning of the trail does not indicate what the rest will become!
Beaver Lodge Bike Park
At the same stop as the Ski Jump is the Beaver Lodge children's Bike Park, which was very popular with families. I enjoyed wandering around, watching the children play and appreciating the design.
Internment Camp Interpretative Area
The War Measures Act during WW1 established 24 camps across Canada to detain enemy aliens. About 8,000 people, mainly Ukrainian and other Eastern European, were held. Four camps were in National Parks at Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Mount Revelstoke. The detainees from the Mount Revelstoke camp were used to build the road. An interpretive station near the internment camp on Mount Revelstoke tells this story and commemorates a little-known chapter in Canadian history.
Broken Bridge Trail
This was my favourite trail along the Parkway. There is no actual parking area instead it is a pull-out on a tight corner. This is a short but steep trail to a bridge that has long been broken. It is unsafe to walk on the remains of the bridge, but it is well worth the stop.
Columbia Lookout
Parks Canada stopped all traffic here due to the low snowline. Rangers were on hand to share information about the park and suggest discovering trails. I had a lovely conversation with the three rangers, who suggested other places to visit as I continued my journey through Mount Revelstoke to Banff.
Accommodation Suggestion: Canyon Hot Springs Resort
After hiking and exploring, your muscles may appreciate some well-deserved pampering at the Canyon Hot Springs Resort. Soak in the rejuvenating waters, unwind amidst the tranquil setting, and let all your worries melt away in this oasis of relaxation.
Canyon Hot Springs Resort features two natural mineral hot springs pools, secluded campsites, coin-operated showers, a laundromat, cabins, a cafeteria, a gift shop and hiking trails.
If you are heading west, you might consider driving further down the road to stay at Crazy Creek Hot Pools Resort. Here, you'll find four hot pools, forested and open campsites, cabins, free showers, a gift shop, a suspension bridge, waterfalls, and the remains of a former sawmill/railway settlement. Check out my full report on Crazy Creek Resort here.
Final Thoughts
Mount Revelstoke National Park is a gem waiting to be discovered by adventurous travellers seeking a pristine natural paradise. Despite its modest size compared to the region's other more renowned national parks, Mount Revelstoke captivates visitors with its diverse landscapes.
Visitors can enjoy scenic hikes along well-maintained trails, marvelling at cascading waterfalls, abundant wildlife, and panoramic views of snow-capped peaks. The park's rich biodiversity provides a habitat for various flora and fauna, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and photographers.
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I dream of the day when I'll be able to say that I'm retired and that I'm calmly exploring the world... with or without Wanda! :)
As always a well-structured post, with very useful information and wonderful photos of breathtaking landscapes.
There's no doubt that British Columbia has some spectacular places to relax and enjoy nature to the full. Angela | Blonde Around The World Travel -
Another stunning part of natural beauty in British Columbia that seems quite untouched and not overrun by tourists yet. I guess driving down the winding roads with lush forests and alpine meadows are a relaxing experience. I can see myself stopping at every bend just to take pictures and taking it all in. The area seems abundant with outdoor opportunities and wildlife spotting. A very serene and picturesque road trip experience for sure.
Carolin | <a href="https://solotravelstory.com/">Solo Travel Story</a>
The sweeping views are just gorgeous! It would make every outdoor picnic at the Monashee more memorable. I can imagine the clear pine-scented air and cool breeze in the summer and the cozy nights in winter. For a road trip, it is certainly a great, refreshing stop and respite #flyingbaguette
Jan - https://flyingbaguette.com/
Revelstoke is so nice. I have only stopped there a couple times but it's always such a lovely area to discover. I need to go back though now I know about Meadows in the sky. I love a good viewpoint. And picnic tables in the shade happen to be my favorite kind of picnic tables in the summer. The trails look really fun, and not too challenging, perfect for a quick stop or longer exploration
What a beautiful national park! I love the Monashee Picnic Area, especiallyt he cozy wood stove for a cooler hike. At first when I saw the skipants, I was VERY confused, but now I kinda love the idea of taking a picture "wearing" them haha.