Avoid Banff National Park's Crowds At One Of Canada's Serene And Picturesque Alternatives

Banff National Park is stunning with its large ice fields, shifting glaciers, and turquoise lakes. It's located in Alberta, and it's a budget-friendly Canadian destination loved by adventure seekers. As more than four million people visit Canada's oldest national park each year, the crowds can start to feel overwhelming. That's why you should head west. If you follow the Trans-Canada Highway into British Columbia, you will stumble upon Mount Revelstoke National Park. The small national park has a scenic mountain parkway, a historic ski jump, and gorgeous hiking trails. Best of all, it attracts less than a fifth of the tourists.

Mount Revelstoke National Park is in the Selkirk Mountains in southeastern British Columbia. At the turn of the 20th century, when Revelstoke became a ski destination, local residents lobbied the government to build a road to the summit of Mount Revelstoke. They got their parkway, as well as the 100-square-mile national park that was established in 1914. North America's first ski jump followed a year later. Though Revelstoke Mountain Resort has become one of North America's best ski resorts, Mount Revelstoke National Park has managed to remain a low-key destination.

The highlight of Mount Revelstoke National Park is the Meadows in the Sky Parkway. The narrow, switchback road climbs 16 miles up Mount Revelstoke. From the town of Revelstoke, it passes the Nels Nelsen Historic Ski Jump, six designated viewpoints, and numerous hiking trails. You will find views of the Columbia River, Eagle Pass, and the Monashee Mountains along the way. The seasonal road opens in sections, depending on when the snow melts. It is usually mid-July by the time the Balsam Lake parking area at the top of the road is accessible.

After the entire parkway opens up, you will be able to access Mount Revelstoke's Upper Summit Trail. The steep, two-mile, out-and-back trail ascends through a subalpine forest. It passes peaceful Heather Lake en route to the historic Summit Fire Lookout. The structure, used from 1927 to 1988, is now a Federal Heritage Building. You should pause for a moment to take in the panoramic view from the lookout, as it's an awe-inspiring sight. As an added bonus, from June 20 to September 2, 2025, Parks Canada is offering free admission to all of the country's national parks.

Once you drive back down the Meadows in the Sky Parkway, it is time to explore Revelstoke. The small city, which was founded the 1880s when the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) was built, straddles the Columbia River between the Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges. It grew first with the mining and forestry industries, and then with the construction of the Revelstoke Hydroelectric Dam and the ski industry. Revelstoke is now home to less than 9,000 year-round residents and the only inland temperate rainforest in the world.

Revelstoke is an outdoorsy city. In addition to hiking, you can go mountain biking and rock climbing in the mountains during the summer. Lake Revelstoke, above the Revelstoke Hydroelectric Dam, is popular with kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders, and swimmers. 

The Illecillewaet, a glacier-fed river that meets the Columbia River in Revelstoke, is ideal for whitewater rafting, while farmers markets and patios at restaurants and breweries will keep you outside for the rest of the day. Then, if you are not completely exhausted, you can visit nearby Glacier National Park, known as the crown of the continent, while you are in the area. Take your time, as this part of Canada is absolutely breathtaking.