Kootenay National Park

BIGHORN SHEEP

Kootenay National Park Weather

Weather patterns in Kootenay National Park are similar to adjacent parks, although due to a lower elevation, the hiking season can be longer than adjacent Banff National Park to the east. Lower elevation lakes, like Dog Lake, are often ice-free in SPRING (mid-Apr. to late June), which is also notable for long days of sunlight (in late June it stays light until after 10 p.m.) and a sense of optimism for the upcoming warm months.

Higher-elevation lakes, such as Floe Lake, often don’t become ice-free until early July. While the SUMMER months of July and August are the prime months to visit Kootenay,

FALL is also pleasant, both weather- and crowd-wise. This time of year (mid-Sept. to Nov.) can be delightful, especially September, with lingering warm temperatures and a noticeable decrease in crowds immediately after the long weekend (at the beginning of the month). While fall colours in general lack the intensity of those in the eastern provinces and New England, larch at Floe Lake turns a brilliant yellow through the last two weeks of September.

WINTER in Kootenay is very quiet. There is a limited amount of cross-country skiing and ice climbing, but all facilities are closed and crowds are nonexistent. If you’re driving through in winter, a worthwhile stop is Marble Canyon, where frozen waterfalls are the highlight.

Marble Canyon, Kootenay National Park

Marble Canyon in winter

Current Kootenay National Park Weather Conditions

Environment Canada lists Kootenay National Park in their list of weather stations, but readings are actually taken in adjacent Yoho National Park.