Revelstoke Recreation

Canyon Hot Springs

Thanks to a discovery by Canadian Pacific Railway workers in the 19th Century, travelers of all ages have a place to rest their aching muscles. Canyon Hot Springs is located 35-kilometres East of Revelstoke in Albert Canyon; its natural hot spring water is piped 2-miles below into mineral pools that are a perfect pit-stop for travelers. Private campsites and log cabins at a nearby resort allow visitors an opportunity to stay a while and enjoy a natural, relaxing retreat. Mount Revelstoke National Park’s Giant Cedars and Skunk Cabbage trails are nearby for those whose muscles are healed enough to go for a hike. More great hiking, climbing and skiing is only a short drive away near Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park.

Snowmobiling

There is a ‘sea of white’ in Revelstoke on which snowmobilers from around the world may crash and swim through waves of white powder. Heavy annual snowfall on trails between 5,500 to 7,500 feet above sea-level make it easy to get high and glide in Revelstoke. Snowmobile trails are West of the Columbia River at locations such as Frisby Ridge or Eagle Pass; more groomed trails are situated not far from Arrow Lakes Provincial Park. Revelstoke’s variety of trails ensure that there is a snowmobiling adventure for snow racers of all skill-levels. Many trails lead straight back to a chalet or restaurant at which snow adventurers may refuel and prepare to plough through another mountain of snow. Nearby hotels and resorts ensure that snowmobilers may continue to dream about white stuff in comfort.

Canoeing, Kayaking and Rafting

Outdoor recreation-lovers can abandon their cars in Revelstoke, where the Trans Canada Highway meets the mighty Columbia River. Canoes, kayaks and whitewater rafts can be paddled down the Columbia through pristine, serene mountain scenery under the watchful eyes of osprey and eagles. The Illecillewaet River and other Columbia River offshoots challenge kayakers and whitewater rafters to navigate raging waters: twisting, turning and splashing along the Columbia Mountains’ base. Kayaking and canoeing lessons and tours offered on the Columbia River or Lake Revelstoke can range from a few hours to one full day in length. Paddlers of all ages and levels may rent canoes and kayaks to explore Lake Revelstoke and the Columbia River’s surrounding nature. While on their way through, paddlers should watch out for deer, moose, bears, and other wildlife that may appear along the water’s edge.

Hiking

Mount Revelstoke National Park and Glacier National Park are two parks at which hikers can scale, but blazing a trail at Martha Creek Provincial Park and Blanket Creek Provincial Park is another source of adventure. Revelstoke’s trails challenge hikers of all levels: some require comfortable hiking boots and enthusiasm, Crampons and axes are needed to climb the glaciated peaks of others. Hiking in Revelstoke may be a warm, one-hour adventure within city limits, or a day-long trek to an icey summit. Some hiking trails double as snowmobile or skiing trails in the Winter, others act as a connector between local parks. Whether it’s in the Columbia Mountains or along the Columbia River, hiking in Revelstoke is a major source of outdoor recreation. Hikers have a choice of where to stay depending on what trail they choose to hike: at a private cabin in the mountains, or a comfortable hotel room in the heart of downtown Revelstoke. Recreation trails are near restaurants for those who must refuel, but more remote trails require hikers to pack some food for the long trek.

Fishing

Trout and salmon lurk beneath the paddles of canoers, kayakers and rafters on Lake Revelstoke and the Illiecewaet River. Revelstoke’s many lakes and streams offer fly, spin and drift fishing in secluded mountain settings that are unreachable via the Trans Canada Highway: helicopter, float plane, 4X4, or jet boat are the preferred modes of transportation. Arrow Lakes Provincial Park and Blanket Creek Provincial Park are two accessible lake trout and salmon fishing locations at which to cast a reel. The Columbia River’s swift currents and over-hanging branches require fishers to cast carefully amidst logjams, deep holes and boulders.

Halcyon Hot Springs

High-up in the Kootenay mountain range, the Halcyon Hot Springs is both a year-round vacation destination and a place of health and wellness. It is located South of Revelstoke and reachable via a free ferry ride from across Arrow Lake. First Nations once fought over the spring’s hot mineral waters that today are believed to provide relief from arthritis and osteoporosis. Guests of an onsite resort flock to relax in one of three outdoor pools supplied by the Halcyon Hot Springs; wonderful views of nature framed by alpine peaks are a form of medicine to ease the worried minds of visitors. Hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and heli-skiing are just four forms of recreation that require outdoor enthusiasts to make several ‘return visits’ to the hot springs.

Heli-Skiing

In Revelstoke, it’s possible to go from one’s hotel room to the mountain in a matter of minutes. If the helicopter view isn’t gut-wrenching enough, skiing 1,640 to 7,240 feet powdery-puff verticals will be. Revelstoke has over 200 heli-ski runs, but it’s best to wait a few hours after eating a restaurant meal before skiing. Experienced heli-ski guides educate skiers and boarders about the do’s, don’ts and off-limits areas on the slopes before beginning the ascent. Downhill and cross-country ski runs at Mount Revelstoke double as hiking and biking trails once the mountains of white stuff disappear in the Summer. Wonderful Spring skiing at Eagle Pass, located West of Revelstoke, makes it hard for snow hounds to even think about Summer.

Columbia River

On its way South, the Columbia River makes a few pit stops along the way: at the Revelstoke Dam, Blanket Creek Provincial Park and again at Arrow Lakes Provincial Park. In-between, the river winds by an 18-hole golf course, detours into Lake Revelstoke at the Revelstoke Dam and passes by the Enchanted Forest. Lord Revelstoke's town is an outdoor recreation playground thanks to one of North America’s largest rivers flowing through it. Charles Lindmark may have blazed a trail for skiing and hiking in Revelstoke, but the Columbia River has left a path of fishing, boating and fun. Only Albert Rogers and Captain Robert Sanderson can claim to have had as much impact on Revelstoke’s reputation as a destination with water that can cure boredom and heal aches.

Lake Revelstoke

When the Government of BC built the Revelstoke Dam, it created Lake Revelstoke and energized the local fishing, boating and outdoor recreation scene. The 130-kilometre long lake is located North of Revelstoke and is the result of one of four dams that divert the Columbia River. Beaches and boat launches at Martha Creek Provincial Park provide excellent access to swimming, kayaking and canoeing on the lake. For those who don’t wish to camp, hotels, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment are only a 20-minute drive South in Revelstoke. Lake Revelstoke may be a man-made attraction, but it is a natural wonder that outdoor recreation enthusiasts may enjoy in many ways.

Illecillewaet River

The glaciers that make avalanches a danger for skiers in the Columbia Mountains create incredible canoeing, kayaking and rafting conditions on the Illecillewaet River. The river flows down from the Columbia Mountains and connects with the Columbia River near Revelstoke and Arrow Lakes Provincial Park. American Dipper birds don’t paddle for their lives on the Illecillewaet River’s raging waters like kayakers and whitewater rafters do; they instead plunge into streams with a repetitive up and down motion hunting for food. Glacier National Park was established in the 19th Century in order to protect dippers and the Illecillewaet River and surrounding area’s other plant and wildlife.