Kootenay National Park

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Kootenay National Park Hotels

Kootenay National Park hotels are limited, but all of the three recommendations below are good ones. If you feel the need to be in town, Radium Hot Springs has inexpensive motels (see Radium Hot Springs section of this website).

KOOTENAY PARK LODGE (Vermilion Crossing, Highway 93, 403/762-9196, mid-May to late Sept.) is the only lodging within park boundaries. This cabin complex is at Vermilion Crossing, 65 kilometres (40 miles) from Radium Hot Springs. Although no railway passes through Kootenay National Park, the 1923 lodge was one of many built by the CPR throughout the Canadian Rockies. It consists of a main lodge with restaurant, 12 cabins, and a general store. The most basic cabins each have a bathroom, small fridge, and coffeemaker, with newer Vermilion Cabins having a separate bedroom and a fireplace.

Cabin at Kootenay Park Lodge

Cabin at Kootenay Park Lodge

CROSS RIVER EDUCATION & RETREAT CENTRE (Settler’s Road, 403/271-3296) has a real sense of privacy and of being well away from the well-worn tourist path of Highway 93. And it is—tucked in a riverside setting 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) down Settler’s Road, which branches off the highway 114 kilometres (71 miles) from Banff and 32 kilometres (20 miles) from Radium Hot Springs. The smart, spacious cabins are equipped with wood-burning fireplaces, log beds draped in down duvets, toilets, and sinks. Showers are in the main building, along with the main lounge, cooking facilities, a dining area, and a deck. As you can imagine, the atmosphere is convivial, with the cabins attracting outdoorsy types who want to enjoy the Canadian Rockies in their natural state—without room service and fine dining. Highly recommended.

NIPIKA MOUNTAIN RESORT (Settler’s Road, 250/342-6516) offers the same wilderness experience as Cross River and is in the same vicinity—along Settler’s Road, which branches off Highway 93 114 kilometres (71 miles) from Banff and 32 kilometres (20 miles) from Radium Hot Springs. Sleeping up to eight people, the seven cabins are larger than those at Cross River and have full en suite bathrooms and kitchens with wood-burning stoves. The cabins are modern but were constructed in a very traditional manner—the logs were milled on-site, and construction is dovetail notching. Guests bring their own food and spend their days hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching. In winter, an extensive system of trails is groomed for cross-country skiing.