The Highest Mountain In The Canadian Rockies Boasts Beautiful Snowcaps & A Turquoise Lake

For travelers seeking solitude in awe-inspiring nature, action-packed outdoor adventure, or a luxury experience while staring at a jagged, towering skyline, the Canadian Rockies beckon. These pristine mountains offer an unmatched wilderness escape all year round, from the world-renowned Banff National Park, which receives over 4 million annual visitors, to its overlooked neighbor, Yoho, offering immaculate scenery while avoiding the crowds. There are four national parks in the area that, combined with three provincial parks, make up the Canadian Rockies, a region so breathtaking it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of those is Mount Robson Provincial Park in British Columbia, named after the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Its snowcapped summit reaches high above the surrounding mountains and reflects in the turquoise Lake Berg at its base. Standing at almost 13,000 feet, this peak was first summitted in 1913 and continues to attract expert climbers from around the world. For those of us who aren't top-tier alpinists, Mount Robson Provincial Park and the surrounding area offer plenty of more laid-back mountain excursions.

From canoeing and swimming to bird watching and horseback riding, there are plenty of ways to connect with nature in Mount Robson, but the hiking is world class. Visitors can enjoy a few-hour morning stroll before heading back to a park campsite with a view of the mountain or hotel in a nearby town. More adventurous beginners and experts alike can bring all the necessities on their back for a multi-day camping and hiking adventure through rocky inclines and mountain meadows to pristine alpine lakes — but be sure to do this before camping trips to avoid packing less useful gear.

Tucked way up in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson Provincial Park is not too far from the Alberta border. The ideal time to visit and when most trails are open is from the end of June to September. As a remote nature reserve, getting there takes more than ordering an Uber. The closest regional airports are in Prince George and Kamloops — both about four hours away — but Edmonton International Airport is just five hours away as well.

Once there, the most famous destination and the ultimate Mount Robson adventure is taking the multi-day hike on the Berg Lake Trail. It's a 26-mile moderate jaunt with some of the best scenery in British Columbia. The park has seven designated camping spots staggered along the way with bear lockers, outhouses, and other various essentials. Even though it is rugged backcountry camping, these sites need to be booked in advance and hikers have to register at the park's visitor center before embarking.

The campsites allow hikers to go at their own pace, spending just one or multiple nights on their way to the base of Mount Robson. A one-day session could involve going all the way to Berg Lake to take in the views and spend a night before heading back. But the most popular option is taking it a bit easy and doing the hike across three days. You could first go 11 miles to the Marmot campsites and set up for the night. Then, the next day, you could walk the remaining miles to the Berg Lake campsites for night number two. The morning of the third day could be spent sipping coffee with your feet in the cold, glacial water before packing up and heading back to the main park entrance.

While the park is famous for its remote backcountry camping, there are three "frontcountry" campgrounds available — frontcountry is anything within one kilometer (0.62 miles) of a highway or park road. The largest, Robson Meadows, has 125 sites and is an easy walk from the park's welcome center, gift shop, and restaurant. The Robson River campground is close by with 40 more sites, including 20 with electricity. Lucerne campground is more rugged without running water and has 36 sites. All can be booked online and have nearby walks and hikes – don't forget these easy hacks to transform your basic campsite into a luxury experience.

Beyond picturesque hikes with snowcapped mountain views, visitors to Mount Robson Provincial Park can canoe or kayak on Moose and Yellowhead lakes — the hearty can swim in the chilly Yellowhead as well. There are whitewater rafting companies that operate in sections of the Fraser and Robson Rivers, allowing adventure seekers to rush down a river with the Mount Robson summit as a backdrop. The park also has designated areas for horseback riding and a wildlife watching event called the Bird Blitz every June.

For those looking to enjoy the park but want more comfort, there are hotels nearby, such as the Mountain River Lodge or Mount Robson Lodge. Similarly, the nearby town of Valemount has accommodation options and could serve as a home base for day trips to the park. After a multi-day off-grid hiking adventure, it could also be the first stop for a pizza, burger, or both while reminiscing about trails with mountain valleys below, camping under starlit skies next to pristine lakes, spotting mountain goats and eagles, and having an unforgettable adventure next to the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies.