Looking for an Outdoor Adventure? Visit Kootenay National Park in Canada
Special to PalmInfocenter.com
Canada is one of the most beautiful places in the world, with an incredible amount of national parks to explore. There are over 200 national parks in Canada, most of which are in British Columbia. There are also parks in Alberta and Ontario. The majority of these parks have mountains, glaciers, and lakes.
Kootenay National Park is one of the most visited parks in Canada?and it's easy to see why. Located in the southern part of British Columbia, this park sits in the Rocky Mountains and is also known as Kootenay Experimental Forest. The park spans over 1,766 square kilometers (1,100 square miles) of land and has some of the most spectacular mountain scenery you'll find anywhere on Earth: tall peaks covered with snow year-round, deep valleys with rivers running through them, lush forests that provide homes for wildlife like bears and deer... This place has it all!
This park is located within the region called "The Canadian Rockies" or "The Rockies" by locals. You may have heard about Banff or Jasper National Parks before because they're located right next door. However, Kootenay National Park isn't as well known outside Canada unless you're into hiking or skiing/snowboarding.
Top of the World Trail
If you've ever wanted to walk across one of the highest suspension bridges in the world, this is your chance. The Top of the World Trail is an easy hike that takes visitors through a breathtaking landscape, where they can experience glacier-carved valleys and serene waterfalls. While it's not exactly technical terrain, there are sections of steep rocky steps which may be dangerous for people with mobility issues or small children.
The trailhead starts at the Sunwapta Lake parking lot (the same place where you'd park if you were going canoeing), but the access road isn't paved?so it's best to park your car here and then ride aboard one of the buses to return after your hike! Don't forget: dogs are not permitted on any trails within Kootenay National Park.
Redstreak Campground
This campground is open from mid-May to mid-September and has a maximum of 20 sites. Sites are first-come, first-served, with no reservations allowed. The campground has pit toilets, fire pits, and picnic tables available onsite.
There are many reasons why Redstreak Campground is one of the most popular in Kootenay National Park: its location is close to hiking trails like Valhalla Pass or Cirque Peak. It's also near Banff and Radium Hot Springs (about an hour drive away).
Wheeler Hut
The last on our list of top attractions in Kootenay National Park is Wheeler Hut. It's one of the oldest huts still used by mountaineers today. It was built in 1906 and has become a popular hiking destination for those who enjoy spending time in nature.
Wheeler Hut provides shelter from snowstorms and other harsh weather conditions during your outdoor vacation. You'll have access to a fire pit there as well as cooking facilities so that you can prepare meals or snacks while enjoying the natural wildlife around you.
By now, you have a few great places you can explore in Kootenay National Park. But they are just the tip of the iceberg. Kootenay and other national parks in Canada have plenty of attractions that will satisfy any nature lover. But before you can go on an adventure to this magical country, you'll need to process the right visa. For some selected nationalities, applying for a Canadian Electronic Authorization (ETA) is the best choice. This document is available online, and you can complete an application in less than 20 minutes. You'll get your travel authorization via email in 24 hours! Visiting Canada has never been this easy. Go out and explore!
