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Mount Revelstoke National Park is a spectacular region of contrasts. The park contains three ecoregions, each with a unique climate.
Blanketing the park's 160 square miles are dense old-growth rain forests of giant cedar and hemlock, sub-alpine forests and at higher elevations alpine meadows and tundra.
Visitors marvel at the spectacular view of the icy peaks of the Monashee range and, to the east, the Selkirk range.
The mountains intercept wet, mild westerly air masses, creating what is known as the interior wetbelt. High annual precipitation, deep snow accumulations and relatively moderate winter temperatures are characteristic of the park.
Hiking trails in Mount Revelstoke weave through the rugged Columbia Mountains. Trails range from short, valley-bottom strolls, to steep, tough climbs.
Some offer spectacular panoramic views of mountains from subalpine meadows lush with wildflowers, while others wind through stands of old-growth cedar-hemlock forests.
Hikers should prepare for a rugged mountain environment and unpredictable weather.
While there are no road-accessible campgrounds in Mount Revelstoke, national park campgrounds are found at Illecillewaet and Loop Brook in nearby Glacier National Park, 43 miles east. Several commercial campgrounds are also in Revelstoke.
In addition, two provincial park campgrounds, Martha Creek and Blanket Creek, are located within 20 minutes of Revelstoke.
There are two designated backcountry campgrounds at Eva and Jade Lakes, near the summit. Campers at these sites must use the tent pads provided. There are outhouses, and food storage poles to place food out of reach of bears.
There are also two backcountry shelters. Caribou Cabin is open in winter only and is located 10 miles up the Meadows-in-the-Sky Parkway.
Road cycling is allowed on the Trans-Canada Highway and the Meadows in the Sky Parkway. Mountain biking is available along two trails at the foot of Mount Revelstoke. A connector trail links these dirt trails with Hwy. 23 North.
May and June are the best months for bird watching. Hot spots include Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk Trail, where you might see Steller's jay, chestnut-backed chickadee, western tanager, American dippers, magnolia warbler, black-headed grosbeak, rufous hummingbird, yellow warbler, Townsend's warbler, common yellowthroat, merlin and several species of Empidonax flycatchers.
A drive up the Parkway in July reveals other bird species, including four species of chickadees.
Others include MacGillivray's warbler, blue grouse, Swainson's thrush, hermit thrush, pine grosbeak, red crossbill, black and Vaux's swifts, three-toed woodpecker, olive-sided flycatcher, gray jay, fox sparrow, northern hawk-owl, golden eagle, white-tailed ptarmigan, water pipit and rosy finch.
There are 183 species of birds in the park, the most diverse of any group of vertebrates that occupies it. This diversity peaks during the breeding season from May to August, after which about half of the bird species living in the park in summer migrate to the southern United States, Mexico and Central and South America for winter.
The park's glacier-fed rivers and lakes do not support many game fish. All streams and rivers are closed to fishing to protect bull trout, also called Dolly Varden, an endangered species. Some eastern brook trout and cutthroat trout may be caught in Mount Revelstoke's Eva, Millar and Jade Lakes.
A bait ban and single hook rule are in effect in all waters and a national parks fishing licence is required.
Black and grizzly bears are typically seen along the highway, as well as mountain goats.
In winter, the Meadows in the Sky Parkway is left unplowed, and track is set to the Monashee Picnic Area, five miles up the road. Snowshoers enjoy the Inspiration Woods Trail and two loop trails at the base of the mountain. Voluntary registration is available.
Outdoor Activities |
