Beautiful panoramic view from Kindersley-Sinclair Loop hike in Kootenay National Park, the Canadian Rockies

Backpacking trails in Kootenay National Park

Region in British Columbia, Canada

Backpacking in Kootenay National Park is usually associated with the Rockwall Trail, one of the most popular routes in the Canadian Rockies. The Rockwall is a multi-day trek through the interior of Kootenay National Park, and it is a wonderful backpack. However if you are short on time, there are shorter overnight backpacking trails in Kootenay National Park that take you to places along the Rockwall Trail and nearby, so you can make the most of the time you have in Kootenay National Park.

The Best Kootenay National Park Backpacking Trails

  1. The Rockwall Trail (36.3 km, 2,194 m, 3-4 days): The Rockwall Trail is a multi-day trek on most backpackers bucket lists and for good reason. Not only does this trail contain the namesake Rockwall, but there are many lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, creeks, and wildlife to make it a perfect escape into the wild. Be careful, you may not want to come back!
  2. Floe Lake and Numa Pass (26.1 km, 1,122 m, 2-3 days): Floe Lake is one of the most photogenic lakes in the Rockies and the journey to it and beyond to Numa Pass is one of the most colorful as wildflowers bloom in the summer and larch trees below the pass turn brilliantly gold in the fall.
  3. Ball Pass to Shadow Lake (30.6 km, 1,925 m, 2-3 days): This backpack is an under appreciated gem in Kootenay National Park. Hiking up and over Ball Pass to either the Ball Pass Junction Campground or Shadow Lake Lodge is a great overnight trip.

Not looking to plan your own trip? Be sure to check out these exciting tours in British Columbia or just over the border in nearby Alberta. Join a group or plan a custom trip for just you and your loved ones on a fun BC Hiking Tour.

Guide-book quality info for over 8,000 trails

View Backpacking trails in Kootenay National Park on Map

View Map

Best Backpacking trails in Kootenay National Park

Open details for The Rockwall Trail

The Rockwall Trail

Hard
52.6 km
2,982 m
4-5 days

Kootenay National Park’s Rockwall Trail is one of the most popular, multi-day backpacks in the Canadian Rockies. The Rockwall is on most backpackers bucket lists, and for good reason. Not only does this trail contain the namesake Rockwall, but there are many lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, creeks, and wildlife to make it a perfect escape into the wild. Be careful, you may not want to come back!

User Ratings
Overall Rating
10.0
Technical Difficulty
Intermediate (Square)
Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
Physical Difficulty
Advanced (Diamond)
Suitable for advanced experience level looking for a solid adventure.
Open details for Floe Lake and Numa Pass

Floe Lake and Numa Pass

Moderate
26.1 km
1,122 m
2-3 days

Floe Lake is one of the most photogenic lakes in the Rockies and the backpack to it and beyond to Numa Pass is one of the most colorful as wildflowers bloom in the summer and larch trees below the pass turn brilliantly gold in the fall.

User Ratings
Overall Rating
10.0
Technical Difficulty
Intermediate (Square)
Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
Physical Difficulty
Intermediate (Square)
Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
Open details for Ball Pass to Shadow Lake

Ball Pass to Shadow Lake

Moderate
22.0 km
1,925 m
2-3 days

The Ball Pass backpack starts in Kootenay National Park and leads you into Banff National Park and Shadow Lake. Hiking up and over Ball Pass to either the Ball Pass Junction Campground or Shadow Lake Lodge is a great overnight trip, and there are numerous options to extend this trip.

User Ratings
Overall Rating
10.0
Technical Difficulty
Advanced (Diamond)
Suitable for advanced experience level looking for a solid adventure.
Physical Difficulty
Advanced (Diamond)
Suitable for advanced experience level looking for a solid adventure.

Change happens, fees shouldn't

Other Activities in Kootenay National Park

Essential Tools for Any Adventure

Find a hotel in some of the most beautiful locations on earth.

Book your own car to have complete freedom on your next adventure.

Gear-up for your next adventure.

This page may include affiliate links. We may get a small commission for the purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
We only recommend tools we personally think are great.

Related regions

Change happens, fees shouldn't

Recent Stories

Open details for 10 Best Backpacking Trips in Canada

10 Best Backpacking Trips in Canada

By Richard Campbell
May 2nd, 2022
Open details for The Ultimate Guide to Kootenay National Park

The Ultimate Guide to Kootenay National Park

By Lukas Saville
May 31st, 2019
Open details for A winter adventure in BC’s Assiniboine Provincial Park

A winter adventure in BC’s Assiniboine Provincial Park

By Richard Campbell
January 29th, 2023
Open details for Elk Lakes Backcountry Skiing Adventure

Elk Lakes Backcountry Skiing Adventure

By Richard Campbell
January 22nd, 2023
Detailed Route Guides
Real GPS Coordinates
Reliable Trail Reports
Experienced-Based Travel Tips
GPS App
Extensive Travel Guides

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get a weekly dose of discounts and inspiration for adventure lovers

Tours

Routes

Blogs