Kootenae House National Historic Site
Stand on the historic spot where trade began between the Ktunaxa (Kootenay) people and European fur traders in 1807, forever changing the course of First Nations and Canadian history. On this terraced grassland overlooking the Columbia Valley, the North West Company built the first fur trading post in the region and legendary explorer and surveyor David Thompson set off to survey the Columbia, the renowned “Great River of the West.”
Admission is free to this National Historic Site. A National Park Pass is not required.
The nearest Parks Canada Visitor Centre is located in the Village of Radium Hot Springs, B.C., at the south-west entrance of Kootenay National Park. Come in to speak with friendly and knowledgeable staff, or contact us by phone or email.
- Learn more about the Visitor Centre.
- Find more contact information.
Plan your visit
A plaque and interpretive signs mark the site where Kootenae House stood 200 years ago. This national historic site is located near Invermere, B.C.
Site management
Interpretive panels at this National Historic Site help visitors envision and learn about Kootenae House – the first trading post in the Columbia Basin.
Hours of operation
Always open. The site may be inaccessible in the winter due to snow.
More places to discover with Parks Canada
Kootenay National Park
With diverse terrain embracing everything from arid grasslands to glaciers, Kootenay National Park offers the full Rocky Mountain experience along the historic Banff-Windermere Highway. Take a scenic drive or stay and explore the park’s treasures.