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Kootenay National Park

Visit the Kootenays, Canada

Visit the Kootenays, Canada

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The Kootenay Rockies are British Columbia’s answer to Alberta’s famed Rocky Mountains and hold the same UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Just as big and beautiful, they are far less visited and offer visitors the chance to have the really big open scenery to themselves.

Wildlife of the Kootenay Rockies

Wedged between the mountains are sparsely populated valleys with large numbers of grizzly and black bears, deer, moose and elk: you have an excellent chance of seeing the large mammals.

Assorted mountain ranges

Hiking in the Kootenay National ParkLocated in the south-eastern corner of the province, between the Okanagan and Banff, the region includes several different mountain ranges, including the Rockies, Purcells, Selkirks and Monashees.

The area does not get the same level of publicity as its Alberta counterpart but it should: it’s an undiscovered gem.

Speak to someone
who's been there

Audley Travel specialist Anna

Start planning your tailor-made trip to the Kootenays by contacting one of our Canada specialists

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Suggested itinerary featuring the Kootenays

This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in the Kootenays, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of the Kootenays

Places & hotels on the map

    Places near the Kootenays

    Our expert guides to exploring the Kootenays

    Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting the Kootenays, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate the Kootenays at its best.

    • Highlights of the Canadian Rockies
      Banff National Park

      Highlights of the Canadian Rockies

      Highlights of the Canadian Rockies

      With glacier-fed lakes, thick pine forests and sharp, triangular mountains, the Canadian Rockies are a true wilderness area. Activities can include hiking, canoeing and visiting glaciers. Canada specialist Emily explains how you can make the most of your trip to the Rockies.

      10 min read

      Read this guide
    • Self-driving in western Canada
      Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park

      Self-driving in western Canada

      Self-driving in western Canada

      Canada specialists Kerry and Annie share their tried-and-tested self-drive routes in western Canada. You might want to follow a lesser-known loop through the Canadian Rockies, detouring to the Okanagan wine region. Or, take in British Columbia’s coastline and Vancouver Island.

      9 min read

      Read this guide

    Accommodation choices for the Kootenays

    We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit the Kootenays. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.