Facilities and services

There are no towns inside Kootenay National Park, making it the perfect place to unplug and reconnect with family and friends. Pack a picnic, stroll a fragrant trail, or make a splash at the Radium Hot Pools, even in winter. Rediscover travel from a simpler time.

Village of Radium Hot Springs  |  Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre  |  A to Z

Village of Radium Hot Springs

Village of Radium Hot Springs from the Valleyview Trail.

Many amenities are conveniently available in the Village of Radium Hot Springs, B.C. (pop. ~800) 2 km outside the park’s west boundary. The nearest full service town is Invermere, B.C. 18 km outside the park’s west boundary.

• Kootenay Visitor Centre  
• hotels 
• campgrounds 
• bank 
• post office 
• gas stations
• laundromat
• grocery store
• playground
• restaurants and coffee shops
• recreation activities and facilities
• hospital (Invermere, B.C.)

Note: The Radium Hot Springs Pool is 3 km east of the village inside the park boundary.

Ambulance / Fire / RCMP (police) 911
Park Wardens, 24 hours 1-888-WARDENS (1-888-927-3367)

Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre

Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre 

The Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre is located in the Village of Radium Hot Springs just outside the park’s west boundary. The visitor centre shares a building with Tourism Radium and the Friends of Kootenay gift shop. Google Street View: Visitor Centre

A to Z

Accessible facilities

Kootenay National Park offers some wheelchair accessible services and facilities. Contact the Visitor Centre for details.

Basic amenities

Food – Restaurants, cafes and a grocery store are available in the Village of Radium Hot Springs. During the summer there is also a cafe at Kootenay Park Lodge.

Water - Water from creeks, streams or lakes must be treated or brought to a rolling boil for a minimum of 2 minutes before drinking.  

Hot Showers - There are hot showers at the Radium Hot Springs pool facility. Hot showers are also available to patrons of Redstreak Campground.

Laundry - There is a laundromat in the Village of Radium Hot Springs.

Cell coverage and wireless

There is no cell coverage or WiFi in Kootenay National Park. Cell coverage is available at the Radium Hot Springs pool facility and at Castle Junction on the park’s east boundary. By the end of 2021, emergency phones inside the park will be clearly marked on highway signage and available at: 

• Marble Canyon Day Use Area    
• Simpson River Trailhead   
• Kootenay Crossing Operations Centre    
• Kootenay River Day Use Area   

Gift shop

Gift shops are available in the Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre, at the Radium Hot Springs pools, and at the Kootenay Crossing Resort.

Lookout

Watch for scenic lookouts along Highway 93 South throughout the national park.

Picnic areas

Picnic sites along Highway 93 are pleasantly situated beside creeks and rivers, and at Olive Lake. Most picnic areas have tables and wheelchair-accessible outhouse toilets. Dolly Varden and Olive Lake have kitchen shelters and water.

RV and bus parking

RV and Bus Parking is available in the Village of Radium Hot Springs, at the Radium Hot Pools, and also at the Kootenay River, Paint Pots, Marble Canyon, and Continental Divide day use areas.

Restrooms

Modern restrooms are available at the Kootenay Visitor Centre in the Village of Radium Hot Springs, B.C. Dry toilets are available at trailheads and day use areas throughout the park during the summer and in some locations during the winter. Outhouses are equipped with toilet paper and hand sanitizer and are cleaned daily.

Fuel and transportation

There is no fuel or public transportation in the park.

The Banff-Windermere Highway (BC Highway 93 South) bisects the park from north to south. In winter, the highway is controlled for avalanches to ensure visitor safety and reduce the frequency of road closures. Winter tires are required October through March. The speed limit is 90 km / hour or 56 mph year-round.

Please drive carefully and pull well off the road when stopping to view wildlife. Some wildlife are dangerous, and all are easily disturbed, so please observe them at a distance from the safety of your vehicle.

If you need assistance, call 9-1-1 or contact Mountain Park Dispatch at 403-762-1470.

Drive BC Road Report | 511 Alberta Road Report | Weather Forecast

Swimming pool

Soak in the naturally-heated, mineral-rich hot pool 3 km east of Radium, B.C. on Highway 39 South. Radium is one of three thermal swimming pools in the Rocky Mountain National Parks – luxurious in summer and magical in the winter.