Things to do in  Kootenay Rockies

Yes, the Rocky Mountains extend from Northern British Columbia to Northern New Mexico, passing through the Kootenays. Many visitors think of the Rockies as only existing around Banff and Jasper, but the southern region is worth visiting. The area also includes parts of the Purcell, Selkirk, and Monashee mountain ranges.

The city of Cranbrook is the largest urban center in the Kootenays, and it’s a popular homebase for visitors. In winter, the city fills with skiers and snowboarders eager to hit the Powder Highway, and campers refuel it in summer.

Yes—moose, bears, and bighorn sheep all make their homes in the park. The spring months of April and May are the best time to spot moose, but you should keep your distance from the animals and respect their space. Make sure to follow park signage and listen to park rangers.

It takes about 45 minutes to drive through the park, end-to-end. Highway BC-93 runs through the center of the park, beginning at the southern end from the village of Radium Hot Springs and running north. The nearest northern town is the resort town of Banff.

The Kootenay region centers around the Kootenay River and is the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa (pronounced too-NAH-ha) Indigenous people. There are multiple spellings of the name, including Kutenai and Ksanka, and the Kutenai language is distinct from other language groups in the region.

Yes—if you stop at all, even to purchase gas, you’ll need a pass purchased from the gate entry or at the Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre in the village of Radium Hot Springs. Capitalize on it and spend time hiking or relaxing in the park. Expect random compliance checks.