Mount Revelstoke National Park packs three very different landscapes into a small area. You can drive from damp old-growth forest to open wildflower meadows in a single morning, then walk among cedars that were already ancient when the railway arrived.
AT A GLANCE
Best time
Summer and early autumn, once the upper road is clear of snow.
How long
One or two days covers the main sights.
Getting there
Drive Highway 1 to the town of Revelstoke, then enter the park.
Why visit Mount Revelstoke National Park
The park covers about 260 square kilometres and was founded in 1914, so it feels compact next to its famous neighbours. That is part of the appeal.
It also protects something rare. Part of one of the world's few inland temperate rainforests grows here, with old-growth western redcedar and western hemlock, alongside subalpine meadows that burst into colour once the snow melts.
The high country
Meadows in the Sky Parkway
This paved road winds about 26 kilometres up the mountain from the rainforest through subalpine forest to the meadows. Construction began in 1911 and finished in 1927, and the climb is part of the experience.
The summit meadows
At the top the road ends in rolling meadows, with the Monashee Mountains to the west and the Selkirks to the east. Arctic lupine, glacier lily and pink mountain heather are among the flowers that grow here.
Summit viewpoints and trails
Locals built the first trail to the summit of Mount Revelstoke in 1910, and the area still rewards walkers today.
Caribou, bears and other wildlife
The park shelters a small herd of threatened woodland caribou as well as black bears, grizzly bears, mountain goats, moose and wolverines. You are most likely to see signs of wildlife quietly, so keep your distance, store food properly and follow any posted notices.
The inland rainforest
Giant Cedars Boardwalk
This 500 metre interpretive trail twists through old-growth western red cedar and hemlock, some of the trees more than 800 years old. Exhibits along the way explain how the inland rainforest works.
Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk
The 1.2 kilometre boardwalk leads through valley bottom rainforest and fragile wetlands where muskrats, beavers and bears live alongside the odd-looking skunk cabbage plant. Signs help you identify the birds that migrate here from South and Central America.
The old-growth forest in the rain
Wet weather brings out the moss, ferns and fungi that make the rainforest so atmospheric. Do not let a grey day put you off the boardwalks.
Snowforest Campground
Just off the Meadows in the Sky Parkway near the Trans-Canada Highway, this campground has sites that can be reserved and is open from May to October.
Revelstoke and beyond
The town of Revelstoke
The community of Revelstoke sits about 800 metres southwest of the park, almost halfway between Calgary and Vancouver.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort
The ski resort on Mount Mackenzie opened in December 2007 and is known for the longest vertical drop of any resort in North America.
Glacier National Park and Rogers Pass
A short distance east along the Trans-Canada Highway, Glacier National Park is popular for hiking and camping in the warmer months and for backcountry ski touring in winter.
Wells Gray Provincial Park
About 300 kilometres by road northwest of Revelstoke, near Clearwater, this large protected area has glaciers, alpine meadows and waterfalls. It suits a longer road trip rather than a quick detour, so treat it as a separate adventure.
Planning a trip to Mount Revelstoke National Park?Compare hotels, flights and vacation rentals for Mount Revelstoke National Park on Expedia.Book nowFood and local flavors
Revelstoke has its own restaurants and cafes, so plan to eat in town rather than in the park.
Many bakeries and cafes also sell Nanaimo bars, the no-bake chocolate, custard and coconut dessert named for the city of Nanaimo in British Columbia. Ask staff what is made locally, and check opening days since smaller places can close in the quiet season.
Popular dishes to try in Mount Revelstoke National Park
Where to stay
Most visitors stay in Revelstoke, which has the widest range of lodging and restaurants and sits right next to the park entrance.
Mount Mackenzie is the area around the ski resort. It works well for winter trips and for guests who want to be close to the lifts and mountain views.
Snowforest Campground is the choice for campers who want a forest setting just off the parkway.
Where to stay in Mount Revelstoke National Park
Best time to visit
The park is open year-round, but the upper reaches can stay snowbound into July, and many facilities close from October to May.
The rainforest boardwalks are best in late spring and summer, when birds are active and the forest is green. Winter belongs to skiers at the resort and to backcountry visitors.
Getting there and getting around
Mount Revelstoke is in southeastern British Columbia, about six hours by road from Vancouver or four and a half hours from Calgary along Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway. Revelstoke is also served by small charter aircraft and by commercial bus lines.
The highway runs just inside the park boundary for roughly 13 kilometres along the southeast edge, so the entrance is easy to find. Once inside you will drive the Meadows in the Sky Parkway yourself, so a car is by far the simplest way to move around.
A suggested itinerary
First day
Start early on the Meadows in the Sky Parkway and spend the morning in the summit meadows.
Second day
Walk the Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk in the morning light, when birds are most active.
A third day if you have it
Add a longer hike near the summit, or head toward Wells Gray Provincial Park for a change of landscape.
Practical tips
- Check that the Meadows in the Sky Parkway is open before you drive up, since snow can close it into early summer.
- Buy or confirm your park pass through the official Parks Canada website before arriving.
- Bring warm layers and rain gear even on sunny valley days.
- Carry water and snacks, because facilities in the park are limited and many close from October to May.
- Stay on the boardwalks to protect the fragile wetland and cedar roots.
