Visitor Guide 2021 – 2022 Paint Pots Trail Également offert en français Z. Lynch / Parks Canada 1 Welcome Welcome 2 Plan your adventure 3 Be a responsible visitor 4 Radium Hot Springs area Kootenay 6 Kootenay National Park map National Park 8 Make the most of your visit 10 Camping On April 21, 1920, the Government of Canada agreed to build a road connecting the Bow and Columbia 10 Interpretive programs and activities valleys. As part of the agreement, eight kilometres of land on either side of the road was set aside for a 11 Stay safe national park. 12 Conservation stories The first cars to travel along the new highway bounced over bumps and chugged up steep hills, 13 National park regulations but according to a 1924 guidebook, “every mile is a surprise and an enchantment.” A century later, Kootenay National Park continues to surprise and enchant. Visitors can relax in the soothing mineral pools at Radium Hot Springs, stroll through canyons, picnic beside glacial-blue rivers or backpack along one of the Rockies’ most scenic hiking trails. The park’s diverse ecosystems support a variety of wildlife, and newly unearthed Burgess Shale fossils reveal exquisite details about life half a Did you know? billion years ago. Kootenay National Park lies within the traditional lands of the Ktunaxa and Shuswap. Vermilion Crossing Z. LynchIconic / Parks 55 Canada km backcountry route: Z. Lynch / Parks Canada Rockwall Trail Z. Lynch / Parks Canada Ktunaxa Nation Shuswap Indian Band Columbia Valley Métis Association A place of global importance The Ktunaxa (k-too-nah-ha), also known as The Kenpesq’t (ken-pesk-t) community, currently Kootenay National Park is an important place for The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Kootenay, have occupied the lands adjacent to the known as the Shuswap Indian Band, is part of the British Columbia Métis based on a history of trade Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognizes four Kootenay and Columbia Rivers and the Arrow Lakes Secwépemc (seck-wep-em) Nation occupying relationships and expeditions. In 1807, when of the national parks – Kootenay, Banff, Yoho and for more than 10 000 years. For thousands of years traditional lands in British Columbia and Alberta. Kootenae House was established as the first trading Jasper – as part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain before settlers arrived, the Ktunaxa harvested flora post in the region, a meeting place between cultures The Secwépemc people have used the areas Parks World Heritage Site. The parks are thus and fauna in the area now recognized as Kootenay was born. Indigenous peoples traded skills, furs, now encompassed by Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, protected for the benefit of all nations and the National Park, which lies within Kyawa salmon and horses for European tools and cooking amak is Yoho, Banff, Jasper and Kootenay national parks enjoyment of all people. (Land of the Grouse). implements. Legendary explorer David Thompson for thousands of years prior to the settlement of World Heritage status was awarded based on the and his wife Charlotte Small, a Métis woman, used The Traditional Territory of the Ktunaxa encompasses non-Indigenous peoples. stunning landscapes of mountains, glaciers, lakes, 2 the trading post as a home base. 70 000 km within the Kootenay region of Many of the roads driven today are based on waterfalls and canyons, as well as for the incredible The local knowledge of Métis was central to the south-eastern British Columbia, and also includes travel routes used by Indigenous peoples for soft-bodied remains found at the Burgess Shale success of expeditions. For instance, in 1841 parts of Alberta, Montana, Idaho and Washington. generations; Indigenous guides were used to fossil sites. Sir George Simpson of the Hudson’s Bay Company Ktunaxa stories teach their generations about create the horse trails that evolved into major hired a Métis guide for the Rockies leg of his trip, seasonal migrations that occurred throughout the highways like the Trans-Canada. Anthropological further assisted by Métis interpreter Edouard area, across the Rocky Mountains and on the Great and archaeological evidence, such as the Berland. That same year, Red River Métis James Plains; of war and trade interactions with other remains of semi-underground dwellings called Sinclair led a large group of families through Nations; of place names and landmarks; and of pit houses or kekulis, can still be found inside the region. lessons and values. park boundaries. The legacy of Métis influence is marked by place The Ktunaxa language is a language isolate, Parks Canada and the Secwépemc Nation names in Kootenay National Park: Mount Berland, meaning that it is one of a kind and unrelated to continue to foster a better working relationship Sinclair Pass, Sinclair Creek and Mount Sinclair. any other language in the world. that informs the management of natural resources, and enhances the visitor experience To learn more, visit columbiavalleymetis.ca To learn more, visit ktunaxa.org for those exploring traditional lands. To learn more, visit shuswapband.net Burgess Shale Fossils guided hike on Z. Lynch / Parks Canada Stanley Glacier Trail, see p. 10 1 Plan your adventure The Kootenay National Park Be a responsible visitor Visitor Centre is located on Main Street East in the village Kootenay National Park has incredible of Radium Hot Springs. COVID-19 may affect natural and cultural heritage. hours and available services – please check It is a diverse landscape, a home to wildlife parkscanada.gc.ca/kootenay-covid and a place of history. for updates. We need your help to keep it this way! Parks Canada staff will provide you with up-to-date park information and assist with planning your trip. 250-347-9505 [email protected] parkscanada.gc.ca/kootenay facebook.com/kootenaynp twitter.com/kootenaynp Z. Lynch / Parks Canada Free Wi-Fi available Take the pledge While you are at the Visitor Centre, talk to Radium Visitor Services staff who can help you plan your I will learn about and follow all I will give wildlife space. vacation in the Columbia Valley. national park regulations. Why? To avoid injury and keep animals Why? To ensure that I stay safe during my wild. When you stop to view wildlife Z. Lynch / Parks Canada Kootenay River Day-use Area Tourism Radium / Radium Chamber of Commerce or get too close for a photo, animals visit and help preserve the park for future 1-888-347-9331 lose their natural fear of people. This generations. See page 13. radiumhotsprings.com increases the risk of wildlife being hit by a vehicle or acting aggressively towards Your support makes a difference people. Both may cause the death of an I will leave plants, rocks, fossils, animal and a risk to your safety. Entry fees are charged at all national parks. Staying safe in the mountains antlers and all other natural Pick up your pass at any park gate, visitor centre or staffed campground kiosk. You must have a objects undisturbed. Visit parkscanada.gc.ca/kootenaytrails for I will keep my dog on a leash valid park pass if you stop anywhere in a national park. trail condition reports and warnings before you Why? To let others enjoy them as I have, and pick up after it. head out. and to preserve the natural beauty and Daily Entry Why? Dogs cause stress for wildlife Some trails are suitable for winter activities, but integrity of the park. Thousands of people The daily entry pass is valid in Kootenay, Yoho, • Adult (18 - 64) ...............................$10.00 as they may be seen as a threat. Off- usage is at your own risk. Parks Canada does not visit the park each year; a harmful act, Banff, Jasper, Mount Revelstoke, Waterton • Senior (65+) ..................................$8.40 leash dogs can cause wildlife to show maintain or patrol cross-country or snowshoeing multiplied by that amount, can have Lakes and Glacier national parks. Regardless • Youth (0 - 17) ....................................Free aggression, which puts you, your dog and trails in Kootenay National Park. devastating consequences. of time of entry, the pass is valid until 4 p.m. • Family / group ...............................$20.00 other visitors in danger. Pick up dog poop the following day. (up to 7 people in a vehicle) Check out parksmountainsafety.ca for to keep the park sanitary and clean. information on backcountry travel and how to I will never feed wildlife or leave Parks Canada Discovery Pass stay safe in the mountains. food and garbage outside. I will drive carefully and obey Parks Canada’s Discovery Pass is valid for • Adult (18 - 64) ................................$69.19 Why? Wildlife need to find their own speed limits. 12 months from the date of purchase, • Senior (65+) .................................$59.17 natural food sources, not yours. By expiring on the last day of the month in which • Family / group ..............................$139.40 Why? To prevent deadly collisions with feeding an animal or leaving your scented animals. In high risk areas, no stopping it was purchased. It gives you unlimited (up to 7 people in a vehicle) food items unattended, you attract it to admission to over 80 Parks Canada places You are in zones are used to protect motorists and roadsides and human areas. wildlife. Look for signs along the roadside. across the country. avalanche terrain Avalanche season in the mountains extends from November to June. Whenever there is Your pledge makes a big difference. Thank you for taking action! Every time you visit a park snow on a slope, there is potential for an avalanche. Check