Attractions in BC's Rockies
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for BC's Rockies, British Columbia.
Against a backdrop of tranquil glacial lakes and raging rivers set between majestic mountains carpeted in endless forests, visitors will find their picture-perfect moment in the BC Rockies. As well as numerous breathtaking sights, the BC Rockies also offer a variety of attractions for all ages and interests.
PICTURE-PERFECT SCENERY
Travellers will have no difficulty finding that perfect shot with all manner of mountains, rivers, lakes, waterfalls and other scenic natural features in BC's Rockies and the area's plentiful national and provincial parks.
One of four national parks that make up the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, the picturesque Yoho National Park is home to a number of spectacular sights. Visitors can behold water alive and powerful or still and serene at places of interest such as the Kicking Horse River, Emerald Lake and Angel's Staircase Falls. The Burgess Shale, one of the richest deposits of rare soft-parts fossils in the world, can also be found in this amazing park. In the park's more recent history is Mount Ogden and the Spiral Tunnels that run through it, which can be viewed from the Lower Spiral Tunnel Viewpoint platform.
Home to one of Canada's warmest lakes, Wasa Lake Provincial Park protects a section of North America's northernmost ponderosa pine tree forests in addition to a valuable eco-system of blue bunch wheatgrass meadows. Visitors to the park will find four beaches to choose from around Wasa Lake, each with picnic tables, grassy areas and toilets.
FAMILY FUN
Popular both in winter and summer, the region's many natural hot springs and man-made hot pools make for excellent family fun. Hot springs generally offer several pools varying in temperature from very hot to icy cold. The Fairmont Hot Springs, while not quite as well known as Radium Hot Springs, offers a lap pool, hot soaking pool, diving pool and large swimming pool as well as a spa with massage and aesthetic services available.
While driving through the area, travellers will notice an abundance of amusement parks and specialty attractions, many of which include activities like mini golf, go-karts, bumper boats and petting zoos such as the Playland Family Adventure Park in Radium Hot Spring. The magical world of the Enchanted Forest teaches younger generations the much-loved stories and rhymes of generations past while exploring fairytale scenes built of sculptures and kid-size buildings. The forest also has a nature trail that takes hikers through the neighbouring marsh and includes life jackets and boats that can be paddled along waterways. Next door to the forest is the Sky Trek Adventure Park, which features big thrills and plenty of challenges for children and adults alike as they climb, crawl and zip through the treetops on the High Ropes Course, the Kids' Tree Adventure, the Kids' Jungle Gym and the Adventure Tower.
STEEPED IN HISTORY
With inhabitants dating back as far as 15,000 years, BC's Rockies have a number of historic sites and interpretive centres that pay homage to the area's rich history. These attractions represent many important and defining moments for the region and include First Nations history, traditions and artwork as well as museums and heritage towns that allow travellers to experience a day in the life of the first pioneers.
Visitors can jump into the shoes of local settlers when visiting heritage towns such as Forte Steele Heritage Park. The town was founded during the gold rush and features a number of attractions like leather working, blacksmithing demonstrations, ice cream making and gold panning. Visitors can take a ride on a restored turn-of-the-century steam engine or a wagon pulled by giant Clydesdale draft horses. An important part of Canada's history, the Last Spike is the site of the final piece of the Canadian Pacific Railway to be laid, joining the country from coast to coast. This historic site, just west of Revelstoke on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), features a day-use picnic area, photo opportunities on a caboose or holding a hammer, a gift shop and toilets.
Influential in the growth of the region, the dams in BC's Rockies are as much a part of the area's history as they are of its future. The state-of-the-art Revelstoke Dam Visitor Centre offers tourists the chance to enjoy the view from atop the 175-metre-high (574 ft) dam. The centre also includes hands-on exhibits and activities, historical items on loan from the Revelstoke Museum and Archives and a First Nations Gallery, which portrays the history and traditions of the area's first inhabitants.
URBAN ROCKIES
Urbanites who are looking to spend some time in more familiar, developed surroundings can explore the many towns located in the region such as Valemount, Field, Cranbrook, Invermere, Golden, Skookumchuck and Panorama.
Home to charming shops, delicious restaurants and interesting buildings, visitors can peruse the neighbourhoods, squares and plazas found in several of the area's towns. Not just a place to meet, Fernie's Station Square is the site of a number of events such as the Taste of Fernie and the TransRockies Challenge. Kimberley's Platzl, located in the centre of the city, is also a centre for gathering with its Bavarian-styled plaza surrounded by shops and restaurants.
Travellers can also choose to spend time at popular urban attractions like local libraries, arenas, recreation centres, skate parks, movie theatres, auditoriums or places of worship. A rainy evening in Kimberley is an excellent opportunity to visit the Werner Theatre and catch the latest movie. Most urban centres in the area have a fitness or recreation centre with amenities that may include an indoor pool, hot tub, steam room, ice rink, indoor soccer fields and squash or racquetball courts. A vital piece of its community, the Sparwood Family Leisure Centre is no exception with a tropical-themed pool area, fitness centre, skating and curling rinks, racquet courts, a climbing wall, preschool play area, arts room, restaurant and a community hall.
PICTURE-PERFECT SCENERY
Travellers will have no difficulty finding that perfect shot with all manner of mountains, rivers, lakes, waterfalls and other scenic natural features in BC's Rockies and the area's plentiful national and provincial parks.
One of four national parks that make up the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, the picturesque Yoho National Park is home to a number of spectacular sights. Visitors can behold water alive and powerful or still and serene at places of interest such as the Kicking Horse River, Emerald Lake and Angel's Staircase Falls. The Burgess Shale, one of the richest deposits of rare soft-parts fossils in the world, can also be found in this amazing park. In the park's more recent history is Mount Ogden and the Spiral Tunnels that run through it, which can be viewed from the Lower Spiral Tunnel Viewpoint platform.
Home to one of Canada's warmest lakes, Wasa Lake Provincial Park protects a section of North America's northernmost ponderosa pine tree forests in addition to a valuable eco-system of blue bunch wheatgrass meadows. Visitors to the park will find four beaches to choose from around Wasa Lake, each with picnic tables, grassy areas and toilets.
FAMILY FUN
Popular both in winter and summer, the region's many natural hot springs and man-made hot pools make for excellent family fun. Hot springs generally offer several pools varying in temperature from very hot to icy cold. The Fairmont Hot Springs, while not quite as well known as Radium Hot Springs, offers a lap pool, hot soaking pool, diving pool and large swimming pool as well as a spa with massage and aesthetic services available.
While driving through the area, travellers will notice an abundance of amusement parks and specialty attractions, many of which include activities like mini golf, go-karts, bumper boats and petting zoos such as the Playland Family Adventure Park in Radium Hot Spring. The magical world of the Enchanted Forest teaches younger generations the much-loved stories and rhymes of generations past while exploring fairytale scenes built of sculptures and kid-size buildings. The forest also has a nature trail that takes hikers through the neighbouring marsh and includes life jackets and boats that can be paddled along waterways. Next door to the forest is the Sky Trek Adventure Park, which features big thrills and plenty of challenges for children and adults alike as they climb, crawl and zip through the treetops on the High Ropes Course, the Kids' Tree Adventure, the Kids' Jungle Gym and the Adventure Tower.
STEEPED IN HISTORY
With inhabitants dating back as far as 15,000 years, BC's Rockies have a number of historic sites and interpretive centres that pay homage to the area's rich history. These attractions represent many important and defining moments for the region and include First Nations history, traditions and artwork as well as museums and heritage towns that allow travellers to experience a day in the life of the first pioneers.
Visitors can jump into the shoes of local settlers when visiting heritage towns such as Forte Steele Heritage Park. The town was founded during the gold rush and features a number of attractions like leather working, blacksmithing demonstrations, ice cream making and gold panning. Visitors can take a ride on a restored turn-of-the-century steam engine or a wagon pulled by giant Clydesdale draft horses. An important part of Canada's history, the Last Spike is the site of the final piece of the Canadian Pacific Railway to be laid, joining the country from coast to coast. This historic site, just west of Revelstoke on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), features a day-use picnic area, photo opportunities on a caboose or holding a hammer, a gift shop and toilets.
Influential in the growth of the region, the dams in BC's Rockies are as much a part of the area's history as they are of its future. The state-of-the-art Revelstoke Dam Visitor Centre offers tourists the chance to enjoy the view from atop the 175-metre-high (574 ft) dam. The centre also includes hands-on exhibits and activities, historical items on loan from the Revelstoke Museum and Archives and a First Nations Gallery, which portrays the history and traditions of the area's first inhabitants.
URBAN ROCKIES
Urbanites who are looking to spend some time in more familiar, developed surroundings can explore the many towns located in the region such as Valemount, Field, Cranbrook, Invermere, Golden, Skookumchuck and Panorama.
Home to charming shops, delicious restaurants and interesting buildings, visitors can peruse the neighbourhoods, squares and plazas found in several of the area's towns. Not just a place to meet, Fernie's Station Square is the site of a number of events such as the Taste of Fernie and the TransRockies Challenge. Kimberley's Platzl, located in the centre of the city, is also a centre for gathering with its Bavarian-styled plaza surrounded by shops and restaurants.
Travellers can also choose to spend time at popular urban attractions like local libraries, arenas, recreation centres, skate parks, movie theatres, auditoriums or places of worship. A rainy evening in Kimberley is an excellent opportunity to visit the Werner Theatre and catch the latest movie. Most urban centres in the area have a fitness or recreation centre with amenities that may include an indoor pool, hot tub, steam room, ice rink, indoor soccer fields and squash or racquetball courts. A vital piece of its community, the Sparwood Family Leisure Centre is no exception with a tropical-themed pool area, fitness centre, skating and curling rinks, racquet courts, a climbing wall, preschool play area, arts room, restaurant and a community hall.
4.5 Star Hotel
Indoor Pool/Hot Tub
Whitewater Rafting
Luxury Condos
Revelstoke Motel
