Provincial Parks of the Kootenay Rockies

	Kokanee Glacier and Gibson Lake 1

Known as British Columbia's mountain playground, the Kootenay Rockies is an area rich in natural beauty and unspoiled land. Characterized by snowy peaks, rivers, wilderness and glacial lakes, the Kootenay Rockies is a land where outdoor recreation opportunities are plentiful. With activities such as fishing, hiking, golfing and kayaking on hand, the area can be both a tranquil and exciting travel destination. Located in southeastern British Columbia, it encompasses a large portion of the UNESCO Rocky Mountain World Heritage Site, and features 75 provincial parks.

TRANSPORTATION AND GEOGRAPHY

Tucked into the southeast corner of BC, the Kootenay Rockies region stretches mostly from the Canada-US border, past Kinbasket Lake, and from the BC-Alberta border nearly to Shuswap Lake in the west. The region is a diverse land that boasts five mountain ranges, features river valleys, and sandy beaches and is dotted with lakes. It is also home to numerous prominent communities and resort towns such as Cranbrook, Fernie, Golden, Kicking Horse and Panorama Mountain Village.

The Kootenay Rockies is easily accessible via numerous highways. The Trans-Canada Highway carves a clean path across the region and veers slightly north, while Crowsnest Pass #3 winds a little closer to the south. Those arriving from the US can travel via numerous roadways, including US Route 93 from Montana, US Route 95 or State Highway 1 from Idaho, and State Highways 31 or 25 from Washington.

For those for whom driving the entire way is not an option, the nearest major international airports are in Vancouver to the west, Calgary to the east and Spokane to the south. In the midst of expansion, the Cranbrook Airport Services Ltd. in Cranbrook is scheduled to be opened for international arrivals on August 15, 2007. Several regional airports are also available in the area.

	Climbing the Bugaboos 2

CLIMATE

Known as 'the warm side of the Rockies,' climate in the Kootenays is generally pleasant in both summer and winter. However, this can vary greatly depending on location and elevation. According to Parks Canada, average temperatures in the region tend to decrease about 0.5ºC (33ºF) for every 100 m (328 ft) of elevation gain.

Overall, summers in the Kootenays are filled with warm, sunny days and cool evenings. High temperatures are common in July and August with the averages in July reaching about 22ºC (72ºF). Sunscreen and protective hats are a must when visiting the region. Winters are much cooler with highs in January averaging at about -7ºC (19ºF). Snowfall in the area varies between the north and the south. The northern area sees heavier precipitation with about 206 cm (81 in) a year. The south side receives about 171 cm (67 in). Visitors arriving during the wintertime should always prepare for cold mountain weather.

FEATURED ATTRACTIONS

There are 75 provincial parks in the Kootenay Rockies. With this impressive number, it can often be a daunting task for visitors trying to choose which to visit. From camping in the wilderness and exploring caves, to climbing peaks and lounging along a lakeshore, parks in the Kootenays are able to accommodate any taste. Here is a guide for a few of the more prominent provincial parks and their popular activities.

	Caving in Cody Caves 3

Caving in Cody Caves Provincial Park
Filled with otherworldly rock formations, Cody Caves Provincial Park is atypical of most of the parks found in the Kootenay Rockies. Here, visitors as young as five-years-old may explore Cody Caves, an underground cavern system that also features a 1-km-long (0.6-mi) river within its depths. Found above Ainsworth Hot Springs within the Selkirk Mountain range, this limestone cave is about 170 million years old and is constantly changing. The caves are open to visitors through guided tours from late June to early September. Suitable for even the novice caver, guests will be led past underground waterfalls, stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and other intriguing rock formations.

Climbing in Bugaboo Provincial Park
Bugaboo Provincial Park caters to climbers of the world. Located slightly northwest of Radium Hot Springs within the Purcell Mountains, this park offers snow-capped peaks, ancient glaciers and mountain wilderness. Not for the faint of heart, Bugaboo is an area for serious adventurers. Many of the mountains here reach heights of more than 3,000-m-high (9,900-ft). Visitors often opt to enjoy challenging hikes and climbs, as well as backcountry camping. Bugaboo Spires, accessible by crossing a few glaciers, also offers visitors of all skill levels the option to scale rock faces as it features a number of easy-level routes. For those hoping for more convenient access, Canadian Mountain Holidays is the only company permitted to offer heli-hiking in the park.

Swimming in Wasa Lake Provincial Park
Ideal for the beachcomber, Wasa Lake Provincial Park boasts sandy beaches and warm lake water perfect for swimming. This family-oriented destination has been catering to vacationers since the 1950's. Several beaches are available to enjoy including numerous sandy shores, a pebble beach and vast amounts of grassy areas. Apart from catching rays, visitors may make use of one of the 45 picnic sites, the camping areas, hiking and cycling trails and boat launch areas. Waterskiing and windsurfing are also popular activities on the lake. The summer season also brings scheduled shows and programs to the park. Travellers can find Wasa Lake 40 km (25 mi) north of Cranbrook or 35 km (22 mi) southeast of Kimberley.

	Sunbathing on Wasa Lake Beach 4

Other areas that are popular for swimming include Jimsmith Lake Provincial Park, found 2 km (1 mi) south of Cranbrook, and Columbia Lake Provincial Park (also extremely popular with windsurfers), which boasts some of the warmest waters in the Kootenay Rockies.

Fishing in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park
One of the oldest provincial parks in BC, Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park was established in 1922. Found within the Selkirk Mountains, it is located between Slocan Lake and Kootenay Lake, about 30 km (19 mi) northeast of Nelson. With 32,035 ha (79,160 acres) of land, this park offers much to explore. Scenic lakes are scattered throughout the area, many of which provide great fishing. Anglers can often be found on lakes such as Gibson, Kaslo and Tanal, all of which offer rainbow and cutthroat trout. Wilderness camping is also provided throughout the park along with a few cabins, which require reservations.

Arrow Lakes Provincial Park, accessible only by ferry, is also a top fishing area. Anglers will find kokanee, dolly varden and rainbow trout, while the popular Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park boasts trophy-quality rainbow trout.

Hiking in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park
Standing at approximately 3,618-m-high (11,939-ft), Mount Assiniboine is one of the taller mountains in BC. Found along the Great Divide, this mountain is often compared to Switzerland's Matterhorn because both are jutting, pyramid-like peaks. Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park borders Banff National Park on the east and Kootenay National Park on the west. A highly undeveloped area, the park treats its visitors to an unspoiled wilderness of glacial lakes, towering mountains and verdant meadows. The park is most popular for hiking through intact land, with various marked trails available for exploration. These trails provide the best opportunity for enjoying the mountain scenery. The park also provides a few backcountry campsites. The mountain itself offers opportunities for rock climbing. Cross-country skiing is a popular winter activity in the park.

	Mount Assiniboine 5

Horseback Riding in the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy
With motorized vehicles prohibited in the area, the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park is a pristine and rugged spot. The park protects 202,709 ha (500,904 acres) of land in southeastern BC, and is the only undisturbed ecosystem in the area. The experienced outdoorsperson will find advanced hiking trails including the 63-km-long (39-mi) Earl Grey Pass Trail. Many outfitters in the area offer guided outings, with horseback riding being an option. Day rides are offered along the Purcell Mountains as well as multi-day pack trips. Horse camps can also be found along many of the trails.

Camping in Dry Gulch Provincial Park
While the majority of provincial parks found in the Kootenay Rockies offer campsites, Dry Gulch Provincial Park is known for being a tourist camping area. With 26 campsites, there is plenty of room for both tents and large RVs. Sites are also equipped with picnic tables and fire pits. A lively yet relaxing park, Dry Gulch is an ideal base for those wanting to explore the surrounding area's activities, which include golfing, hiking and visiting nearby Radium Hot Springs.