Glacier National Park in BC, Canada, experiences some of the heaviest snowfall in the country. This extreme weather has carved out the park's landscapes and played a role in its history. The massive amount of snow made the engineering of Rogers Pass necessary—a critical route for the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Located in British Columbia's Selkirk Mountains, Glacier National Park was the third park we explored in Canada. Similar to its more famous namesake in Montana, this park offers some of the most breathtaking views we've ever seen. Its impressive mountain ranges and ancient glaciers make it a must-see on any Canadian national park tour.
Looking for something specific? 👇
Listen to the podcast
Hey there, adventurers! 🚐
Did this episode get your wheels turning or make you think of your own off-the-beaten-path adventure? If it did, we’d really appreciate it if you could swing by Apple Podcasts to leave us a rating, drop a review, and hit that subscribe button. It’s a little way to help keep the journey going!
Have a hidden gem or an RV tip you want to share with us? We’d love to hear from you—leave us a message!
Safe travels, and we’ll see you out there on the open road!
SUBSCRIBE: APPLE PODCASTS | PODBEAN | SPOTIFY | IHEART RADIO | Plus, almost all podcasting apps. Let us know if you can't find us on your app.
Overview of Glacier National Park in BC
Located in southeastern British Columbia, Glacier National Park is a year-round paradise established on October 10, 1886—the same day as Yoho National Park. Glacier NP covers about 1,349 square kilometers (520 sq mi).
Although our trip to Canada was mainly to explore the Rocky Mountains, we couldn't resist making a detour to Glacier and Revelstoke. Despite being part of the Columbia Mountains, specifically the Selkirk Range, their gorgeous landscapes were too close to pass up. The park straddles the Trans-Canada Highway, making it an accessible adventure for RVers and road-trippers.
Glaciers
The park is home to over 400 glaciers, making it one of the most glacier-rich areas in the world. The Illecillewaet Glacier is the most famous and historically significant.
Another notable glacier is the Asulkan Glacier, which is viewable from the Asulkan Valley Trail. The heavy snowfall and steep terrain create ideal conditions for glaciers and avalanches, shaping the park's landscape. The glaciers here are part of the Columbia Icefield system, acting as natural reservoirs that feed several significant rivers in British Columbia.
Understanding the Mountain Ranges
If you're like me and love to geek out over how everything fits together, let's take a quick detour to explore the surrounding mountain ranges. The Rocky Mountains are the most famous, stretching from New Mexico in the U.S. through Canada into British Columbia and Alberta. The Rockies form the eastern boundary of British Columbia, and the Rocky Mountain Trench separates the Rockies and Columbia Mountains.
Glacier National Park in BC is part of the Columbia Mountains, which run parallel to the Rockies.
The Columbia Mountains:
- Purcell Mountains: These form the southernmost subrange of the Columbia Mountains. They lie west of the Rockies, with the Kootenay River as a natural boundary. The Dogtooth Range is a subrange here, visible from the Trans-Canada Highway near Golden.
- Selkirk Mountains: Home to Glacier National Park (BC) and Mount Revelstoke National Park, the Selkirks are known for their rugged terrain and numerous glaciers, particularly around Rogers Pass.
- Monashee Mountains: To the west of the Selkirks, separated by the Columbia River, these mountains are another striking subrange of the Columbia system.
- Cariboo Mountains: North of the Monashees and Selkirks, the Cariboos are the northernmost subrange of the Columbia Mountains.
Rogers Pass National Historic Site
One of the most significant landmarks inside Glacier National Park is Rogers Pass National Historic Site. The pass, completed in 1885, was crucial in building the Canadian Pacific Railway. The railway helped settle Western Canada by providing essential transportation and trade routes.
The area is known for its extreme snowfall, averaging 10-14 meters (33-46 feet) each winter. Therefore, snow sheds were constructed to protect the railway from avalanches. Despite these precautions, avalanches continued to pose a threat. In 1910, a devastating avalanche claimed the lives of 58 railway workers.
The Connaught Tunnel, built in 1916 to mitigate this risk further, runs 5 miles (8 kilometers) deep beneath Mount Macdonald. This tunnel allows trains to safely bypass the avalanche-prone sections of Rogers Pass. Later, in 1988, the Mount Macdonald Tunnel was constructed alongside the Connaught Tunnel to accommodate modern trains. The Trans-Canada Highway still uses snow sheds to protect travelers from avalanches, while the railway now safely runs underground.
Rogers Pass Discovery Centre / Visitor Center
The Rogers Pass Discovery Centre is open year-round and offers interactive exhibits about the history of Rogers Pass, the region's wildlife, and the ongoing battle against avalanches. A fun exhibit outside the front of the center is Georgia Engelhard's iconic climbing pants. They are fun because you can stand in them and snap a photo with the giant mountains behind you. Engelhard was a trailblazing mountaineer who completed 32 first ascents in the Rockies and Selkirks.
Wildlife in Glacier National Park in BC
Glacier National Park was the first park we visited with a caribou in the visitor center! The southern mountain caribou rely on old-growth forests and deep snow to access their food sources, such as lichens.
Unfortunately, caribou sightings have become increasingly rare due to habitat loss and declining populations.
Here are some of the notable wildlife species you might encounter:
- Grizzly Bears and Black Bears
- Mountain Goats and Hoary Marmots in the alpine areas
- Lynx, Wolverines, and Cougars
- Birds like Golden Eagles and Clark's Nutcrackers
Dogs in Glacier National Park
One of the great things about Canadian national parks is their dog-friendly policy. In Glacier NP, dogs are allowed in most areas, with few exceptions, like the Balu Pass Trail and the Connaught Creek drainage, to protect the watershed.
Camping in Glacier National Park
During our visit, we boondocked at O.B. Campground and stayed there for 14 days. The Blaeberry River flows by the campground, and the girls had fun splashing around on a few hot days. O.B. Campground also has pit toilets and nearby hiking and off-road trails.
Wrapping Up
Thanks so much for joining us on this first part of our journey through Glacier National Park in British Columbia! We've covered the park's history, mountain ranges, wildlife, glaciers, and a visit to Rogers Pass. In our next episode, we will take you on a park walk-through (or drive-through).
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @TheFaiolas for more behind-the-scenes information!
If you missed our previous episodes on Yoho and Kootenay, check those out, too!
