Facilities and services

Kootenay National Park

Parks Canada offers a variety of facilities and services throughout Kootenay National Park. Find information below about the Visitor Centre, campgrounds, activities and experiences, wireless communication services, roads and day-use areas, as well as important information about which services and amenities are offered in the local areas.

Visitor Centre

Located at 7556 Main Street East, Village of Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia

Hours of operation:

The Visitor Centre is shared between Parks Canada and Tourism Radium, both offering information services to visitors in the area. Parks Canada provides services from May to mid-October, while Tourism Radium provides services year-round. Come in to speak with our friendly and knowledgeable Visitor Centre staff!

  • Open: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
  • Closed: December 25 to 26 and January 1

Contact us year-round:

Kootenay National Park:
 250-347-9505 (By phone, May to mid-October)
 kootenayinfo-infokootenay@pc.gc.ca

National Information Service:
 1-888-773-8888 (toll free)
 information@pc.gc.ca

Camping and accommodations

Kootenay National Park offers a variety of frontcountry and backcountry campgrounds, operating from mid-May to early October. Explore options at Camping in Kootenay National Park.

Explore options for hotels and other accommodations through Kootenay Rockies Tourism and Tourism Radium.

Activities and experiences

Kootenay National Park offers a variety of opportunities for visitors to experience, explore, learn, and connect. Explore options at Activities and Experiences in Kootenay National Park.

Looking for a unique way to rest and recharge? Visit the Radium Hot Springs Pools to soak in natural mineral-rich hot springs water, or swim in the deep cool pool. This family-friendly facility is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places and is one of three thermal pools in the Rocky Mountain national parks. The Radium Hot Springs Pools are located 3 km east of the Village of Radium Hot Springs, at the southern end of Kootenay National Park, and is one of three thermal pools in the Rocky Mountain National Parks.

Roads and day-use areas

Highway 93 South (also called the Banff-Windermere Highway) runs 94 km through the center of Kootenay National Park and is maintained by Parks Canada year-round. Day-use areas are located along the highway, providing locations to safely pull-over, take in a view, use a restroom, enjoy a picnic, or access a trailhead. ‘Restrooms’ in the park are outhouses that are equipped with dry toilets, toilet paper and hand sanitizer, and are cleaned daily. Modern restrooms are available at the Visitor Centre in the Village of Radium Hot Springs, B.C.

Day-use areas and restrooms are open seasonally from May to mid-October. In the winter, many day-use areas and restrooms remain open, though the areas may not be cleared of snow and easily accessible immediately after a snowfall.

Road conditions can change quickly. Always check your route and the current road conditions prior to departure. For the most up-to-date road and weather reports, visit:
Drive BC Road Report511 Alberta Road ReportWeather Forecast

Communication services

There are no cellular or Wi-Fi services available in Kootenay National Park. Cellular and Wi-Fi services are available in the surrounding population centers.

There are four emergency phones located throughout Kootenay National Park for visitors and motorists to use. These phones may be used 24/7 year-round and connect directly to Parks Canada Emergency Dispatch.

The emergency phones are located along Highway 93 South and are clearly marked on highway signage.

Locations of emergency phones:

  • Marble Canyon Day-use Area
  • Simpson River Trailhead
  • Kootenay Crossing Operations Centre
  • Kootenay River Day-use Area

Closures and restrictions

Kootenay National Park is open year-round, but the park is a dynamic environment! When deemed necessary, area closures and restrictions may be established within the park, without prior notice. These closures and restrictions are put into place for the purpose of enhancing public safety, the protection of sensitive wildlife and critical habitats, or where active park management is occurring. Be sure to review the list of Important Bulletins to stay up-to-date on relevant restrictions and closures in Kootenay National Park that may impact your planned activities.

There are always hazards associated with outdoor recreation. Seek out information to reduce your safety risks, to make well-informed decisions, and to enjoy your time in the national park.

For general information on how to stay safe when enjoying the outdoors visit AdventureSmart.ca.

Amenities in the area

Kootenay National Park has limited services and amenities. There are no fuel stations, food services, or public transportation in the park. The closest population and service centers are the Village of Radium Hot Springs (B.C.) and the town of Invermere (B.C.), just outside the park’s south-west entrance. The town of Banff (Alb.) is the closest full-service centre to the north-east entrance.

Village of Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia

Village of Radium Hot Springs from the Valleyview Trail

The Village of Radium Hot Springs is situated at the crossroads of highways 93 and 95, located 2 km from Kootenay National Park's south-west entrance. This small village is the closest population and service center to Kootenay National Park. Some services are limited in the village, but visitors will find additional services in the town of Invermere just 17 km south.

Local services and amenities:

  • Hospital (in Invermere)
  • RCMP (police) (in Invermere)
  • Public library
  • Postal office
  • Bank
  • Grocery store
  • Gas stations
  • Laundromat
  • Equipment rentals
  • Parks, playgrounds, recreation spaces
  • Restaurants and cafes
  • Hotels, hostel, and campgrounds
  • Gifts and souvenirs
  • Public restrooms
  • Visitor Centre
  • Cell phone and Wi-Fi services
Town of Invermere, British Columbia

The town of Invermere is located 19 km south of Kootenay National Park's south-west entrance (17 km south of the Village of Radium Hot Springs), via Highway 93.

Local services and amenities:

  • Hospital
  • Medical and dental clinics
  • RCMP (police)
  • Public library
  • Postal office
  • Banks
  • Grocery stores
  • Gas stations
  • Laundromats
  • Equipment rentals
  • Parks, playgrounds, recreation spaces
  • Restaurants and cafes
  • Hotels, hostel, and campgrounds
  • Gifts and souvenirs
  • Public restrooms
  • Visitor Centre
  • Cell phone and Wi-Fi services
Town of Banff, Alberta

The town of Banff is located 41 km from Kootenay National Park's north-east entrance, making it the closest full-service center on the northern end of the park. Cross over the provincial border of British Columbia and Alberta as you travel from Kootenay National Park into Banff National Park. To access the town of Banff, travel east from Castle Junction via the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1).

Local services and amenities:

  • Hospital
  • Medical and dental clinics
  • RCMP (police)
  • Public library
  • Postal office
  • Banks
  • Grocery stores
  • Gas stations
  • Vehicle rentals
  • Laundromats
  • Equipment rentals
  • Arena and recreation grounds
  • Restaurants and cafes
  • Hotels, hostel, and campgrounds
  • Gifts and souvenirs
  • Public restrooms
  • Visitor Centre
  • Cell phone and Wi-Fi services