Mount Revelstoke National Park

Mount Revelstoke National Park protects old-growth inland rainforest, subalpine meadows, lakes, and rugged Selkirk Mountain peaks just north of the city of Revelstoke, BC. A signature paved road—the Meadows-in-the-Sky Parkway—climbs from valley rainforest to flower-filled meadows near the summit, with classic day hikes to Eva and Miller lakes and short boardwalks through giant cedars and skunk cabbage wetlands.

At a glance — Mount Revelstoke National Park

Location	Selkirk Mountains above the city of Revelstoke on the Trans-Canada Hwy (Hwy 1)
Province	British Columbia
Established	1914
Area (approx.)	≈ 260 km²
Notable features	Meadows-in-the-Sky Parkway & Balsam Lake; Eva & Miller lakes; Giant Cedars & Skunk Cabbage boardwalks; subalpine larch meadows; Nels Nelsen Historic Area (ski-jump site)
Nearby communities	Revelstoke (gateway); to the east: Rogers Pass/Glacier NP

Overview

From valley-bottom cedar–hemlock rainforest to breezy alpine ridges, Mount Revelstoke stacks multiple ecosystems along a single mountain road. In late July–August, the meadows burst with wildflowers; in autumn, larches turn gold around alpine lakes. The park also preserves ski-jumping history at the Nels Nelsen site, once host to world-record leaps.

Landscapes and ecosystems

• Rainforest to alpine: Western redcedar & hemlock at low elevations; subalpine fir, alpine larch, and heather meadows near the crest.
• Lakes & wetlands: Balsam Lake at the Parkway’s end, plus Eva, Miller, and smaller tarns; valley boardwalks through skunk cabbage wetlands.
• Wildlife (highlights): Black bear, occasional grizzly, mountain goat, mule deer, pika, hoary marmot, varied songbirds—observe only and give space.

Things to do

• Meadows-in-the-Sky Parkway: 26-km paved road (seasonal) to Balsam Lake; short paths and a seasonal shuttle connect to the summit area.
• Day hikes: Eva Lake (with optional Miller Lake spur), Miller Lake, Jade Lakes lookout, and summit loops; short interpretive trails near Balsam Lake.
• Short boardwalks: Valley-bottom Giant Cedars and Skunk Cabbage interpretive trails (off Hwy 1).
• History & viewpoints: Nels Nelsen Historic Area overlooks Revelstoke and interprets early ski-jumping.
• Winter: Signed snowshoe/ski routes when conditions allow (many backcountry slopes are avalanche terrain—see Safety).

Access and visitor services

• Main access from the city of Revelstoke; the park entrance and Parkway begin just north of town. Hwy 1 passes the park’s southern edge.
• The Revelstoke area provides visitor info, lodging, groceries, fuel, and rentals. There is no townsite inside the park.
• Reservations may apply for select frontcountry sites/experiences when offered; most use is day-use hiking and sightseeing.

Safety and low-impact travel

• Seasonal road & snow: The Parkway typically opens late spring/early summer and closes in fall for snow/avalanche hazard. Expect cool, windy summit weather even in summer.
• Avalanche terrain: Many slopes and winter routes cross avalanche paths—check bulletins, carry proper gear/training, and obey closures.
• Wildlife: Carry bear spray where recommended; keep 100 m from bears/wolves and 30 m from elk/deer; never feed or approach wildlife.
• Steep/loose trails & lakes: Alpine routes have cliff exposure and lingering snow; lakes are cold—dress for conditions.
• Practice Leave No Trace and stay on signed paths to protect fragile meadow and rainforest soils.

See also

• Glacier National Park (Canada) • Yoho National Park • Kootenay National Park
• Rogers Pass • Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks • Trans-Canada Highway

External links (official)

• Parks Canada — Mount Revelstoke National Park: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/mount-revelstoke
• Parks Canada — Visit (Meadows-in-the-Sky, boardwalks, seasonal access): https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/mount-revelstoke/visit
• Parks Canada — Reservations (when applicable): https://reservation.pc.gc.ca
• Parks Canada — Important bulletins (closures, wildlife, avalanche): https://parks.canada.ca/amnc-nmca/imp