Mount Revelstoke National Park, A Small Park with Big Beauty

Sunday, October 06, 2024
A small but stunning park in British Columbia, Canada.

Mount Revelstoke National Park in British Columbia, Canada, is west of Glacier National Park, and it doesn’t get the same buzz as some of the big-name parks. Located just outside the small yet vibrant city of Revelstoke, this national park provides visitors with an intimate glimpse into one of the world's last remaining inland temperate rainforests. At just 260 square kilometers (100 square miles), it’s the smallest national park we’ve visited so far, but don’t let its size fool you.

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A Brief History of Mount Revelstoke National Park in British Columbia Canada

In the early 20th century, loggers heavily cut down the surrounding region. In 1914, officials established Mount Revelstoke National Park to protect the area's unique old-growth cedar and hemlock forests, many of which are hundreds of years old.

One of the park's standout features is the Meadows in the Sky Parkway, a 26-kilometer (16-mile) scenic road that takes visitors from the mountain's base to the subalpine meadows near the summit. The Meadows in the Sky Parkway was built in the 1920s, allowing tourists to access alpine environments previously reserved for only the most adventurous hikers. The road winds through a range of ecosystems, from the damp, shadowy rainforests of the valley to the bright, flower-filled meadows at the top.

Mount Revelstoke National Park
Mount Revelstoke National Park – Nels Nelsen Historic Ski Jump

The Giant Cedars Boardwalk

The Giant Cedars Boardwalk Trail and Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk on the Trans-Canada Highway are must-see stops on your way to the Meadows in the Sky Parkway. On the podcast, we mentioned that the Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk was closed, but guess what? It was actually open, and we even stopped there (haha). It totally slipped our minds! We didn't hike the trail because the mosquitoes were out in full force, but we did walk down to the water. That's probably why the trail didn't stick in our memory!

We did enjoy walking around the short but pretty Giant Cedars Boardwalk. The half-kilometer loop immerses visitors in an ancient forest where Western Red Cedars and Western Hemlocks tower overhead, some reaching over 800 years old. Walking among these giants is a humbling experience. Also, the area is beautiful, with the ground covered in a dense carpet of moss and ferns.

The trail includes numerous stairs, adding a mild physical challenge. Unfortunately, the boardwalk was damaged during our visit, transforming it into an out-and-back trail instead of the usual loop. Yet even with this limitation, the sight of these ancient trees, standing like sentinels of time, made the effort more than worthwhile.

Meadows in the Sky Parkway

The Meadows in the Sky Parkway is the crown jewel of Mount Revelstoke National Park. As you drive along the winding road, the scenery constantly changes—starting with lush temperate rainforests at the base, through dense woodlands, and finally to the breathtaking alpine meadows at the summit. Plenty of pull-offs offer views of the Columbia River Valley and the distant Monashee Mountains.

For families visiting the park, the Beaver Lodge Kids' Bike Park near the Nels Nelsen Historic Area is a great spot to stop. This fun, family-friendly area features gentle biking trails where kids can enjoy themselves while navigating small obstacles. There's no bike rental available here, so bring your bikes and helmets. Kylie and Lexie (our kiddos) particularly enjoyed the scavenger hunt offered in the Parks Canada Explorer Books program. We spent much time running around, spotting signs of wildlife like animal tracks and scat, which only added to the excitement.

Just a bit further up the parkway, a quick detour will take you to the Nels Nelsen Viewpoint, named after a Norwegian immigrant who made his mark on the area by setting ski jump records on Mount Revelstoke's natural slopes in the early 1900s.

Exploring Trails and Alpine Wonders

At higher elevations, the scenery shifts dramatically. Near the top of the parkway, you'll find yourself in the Balsam Lake Picnic Area, surrounded by stunning alpine vistas. In the summer, the meadows are carpeted with wildflowers, creating a scene from a postcard. From Balsam Lake, a shuttle bus takes visitors the final 2 kilometers (about 1.2 miles) to the summit area, known for its delicate ecosystem that needs extra protection. Once at the summit, the Heather Lake Trailhead offers a short 400-meter loop around a picturesque alpine lake.

Wrapping Up the Journey

While Mount Revelstoke National Park may not have been our absolute favorite stop on our Canadian parks tour, its history and natural beauty make it a place that’s absolutely worth your time.

For anyone planning a visit to Mount Revelstoke National Park, take the time to immerse yourself in the park's quiet beauty. Walk among the towering cedars, drive through the ever-changing ecosystems on the Meadows in the Sky Parkway, and soak in the views at the many scenic viewpoints along the way.

If you've been to Mount Revelstoke National Park or are planning a visit soon, we'd love to hear your stories and experiences. Share your adventure with us on Instagram @TheFaiolas or leave us a voice message here:

Happy travels!

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