Mount Revelstoke National Park
RV Guide
Introduction
A place of incredible contrasts, Mount Revelstoke National Park is an RV lover's paradise. The park, located within the Selkirk Mountains near Revelstoke in British Columbia, is known for its gorgeous wildflower meadows and rugged mountain peaks. The history of the park dates back to 1908 when the City of Revelstoke created a trail to the summit of the mountain and later the alpine lakes. In the following years locals lobbied for construction of a road to the summit. Mount Revelstoke National Park was then established as a National Park in 1914.
Before the park was open, construction on one of the much loved attractions had already begun. The Meadows in the Sky Parkway was built between 1911 and 1927 and is the main road that takes you from the entrance of the park to the top. Winding for 16 miles (26kms), the drive will take you through forests of cedar, spruce and fir and you will be greeted with views of the meadows. Fancy seeing 500 year old trees? If so, the Giant Cedars Boardwalk Trail is another popular attraction to take in the sights of the park forest. There are plenty of recreational activities available for RV lovers too, including fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing and snowshoeing.
As of 2020 there will be a brand new campground open within Mount Revelstoke National Park that is RV friendly. The campground will have between 60 and 65 sites and include powered sites. Peak season in Mount Revelstoke National Park runs from May until September.
RV Rentals in Mount Revelstoke National Park
Transportation
Driving
Mount Revelstoke National Park is located in south-east British Columbia and is around 141 miles (228km) from the border of Alberta. The park has two entry and exit points that are both in easy to reach locations. The main entrance is off the Trans-Canada Highway and the secondary entrance is to the north off Nakusp Mika Creek Highway.
Services and amenities are also located very close by as the town of Revelstoke is right next to the park. Here is where you will find the closest shopping opportunities to the park, so we suggest that you stock up if you need to. Other towns close by include Malakwa (around 32 miles or 53 kms away), Sicamous (around 44 miles or 72kms away) and Salmon Arm (around 64 miles or 103kms away). Kelowna is the closest major city to the park and can be found 124 miles (200km) to the south-west.
Accessing the park should be quite easy as the roads are very well maintained and are very wide. During the winter however you may have some issues as the area tends to get large snowfalls and for the roads to ice up. If you do plan on visiting the park during winter make sure you call the park in advance to confirm that it is open.
Parking
There is plenty of parking available at Mount Revelstoke National Park.
Public Transportation
Unfortunately there are no public transport options that will take you to Mount Revelstoke National Park.
Campgrounds and parking in Mount Revelstoke National Park
Campsites in Mount Revelstoke National Park
Reservations camping
Mount Revelstoke National Park Campground
An exciting development to Mount Revelstoke National Park is the construction of a brand new campground that is suitable for RV visitors. Previously those visiting the area would have to camp at the nearby Glacier National Park, however that will change in 2020.
The campground is set to offer visitors between 60 and 65 sites that have electrical and water hookups to make your camping experience more enjoyable. There will be a mixture of sites available, including back-in, tent-only and pull-through campsites. The campground will be located at kilometer one on the Meadow in the Sky Parkway where staff residences used to be.
In addition to the campground a new washroom and shower building will also be constructed. The campground will also be pet friendly and reservations will be required. Mount Revelstoke National Park Campground will be open during the peak season only. For more information on the campground and to keep up to date with an official opening date we recommend you contact the park office.
Seasonal activities in Mount Revelstoke National Park
Off-Season
Snow Shoeing
Once the snow starts to settle in Mount Revelstoke by mid-November the park transforms into a sought-after snow shoeing location. The Meadows in the Sky Parkway is plowed to the entrance gate and we highly recommend taking it on if you are experienced as it offers great snowshoeing opportunities with connections to the Inspiration Woods and Soren Sorensen trails. Snow shoeing can also be done up the Mount Revelstoke Trail from the Tournament of Champions trailhead in downtown Revelstoke to the Nels Nelsen Historic Area. If you are a beginner, we recommend the Soren Sorensen Trail which starts at the Nels Nelsen Historic Area as it offers easy to navigate terrain.
Hiking
The trails at Mount Revelstoke National Park are very popular and offer visitors the chance to explore the rugged Columbia Mountains. There are many miles of hiking trails that range from being suitable for beginners to very difficult trails. The most popular trails in the park are the two board walk trails. The Giant Cedars Boardwalk Trail is an easy interpretive boardwalk that takes you through old-growth cedar-hemlock forest. The Skunk Cabbage trail is the other interpretive boardwalk within the park and it will give you the chance to walk through some rare Columbia Mountain wetlands.
Fishing
Fishing is a very popular activity during all seasons at Mount Revelstoke National Park. There are some restrictions in place on fishing within the park (no fishing in streams, no use of natural bait and chemical attractants, a national park fishing license is required) but there are still plenty of awesome fishing experiences waiting for you. Eva Lake is one of the more popular places to fish within the park but will require a hike there and back. Popular species caught include brook, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. Anyone under the age of 16 is allowed to fish in the national parks without a permit if a national park permit holder 16 years of age or older is with them.
In-Season
Biking
If you love biking (whether that be road or mountain biking) Mount Revelstoke National Park has you covered. Meadows in the Sky Parkway is suitable for road bikers who are up for a challenge of tackling the imposing winding road. If you can conquer it and you make it to the top then the views will be absolutely worth it. For the young bikers Beaver Lodge Kids Bike Park in the lower Mount Revelstoke National Park will be perfect. The interpretive bike park and creative playscape is made for families with children from one and a half years and up. For the older mountain bikers there are six miles (10km) of intermediate mountain bike trails that travel through the rainforest near the Nels Nelsen Historic Area.
Summer Park Programs
Mount Revelstoke National Park has some exceptional learning experiences that run throughout the summer. The activities range from school-friendly programs to interpretive programs that are suitable for people of all ages. There is something new to learn each and every day and night in the park so check out the park website to see what is going on during the days that you are planning to stay. If you get the chance to do the Balu Bear Walk we highly recommend it. You will discover the secret world of bear signs and get to see a bear den, trails, scat and tracks.
Meadows in the Sky Parkway
During the summer you will have the chance to experience one of the best paved roads at an elevation of 1540 feet (470 meters) on the Trans Canada Highway. Meadows in the Sky Parkway is an absolute must-do activity because it will take you to the crown jewel of the park - the summit of Mount Revelstoke. On the winding 16 mile (26km) drive up the mountain you will see some incredible views and the varying types of forest and wildflower meadows. Once at the top you can walk around the summit, take photographs or just soak in the majestic views. If you have an RV over 26 feet you are not allowed to drive Meadows in the Sky Parkway. However, shuttle buses do depart from Balsam Lake parking area so you won't miss out on the fun.
