
Backpacking trails in Kootenay National Park
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
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
View Backpacking trails in Kootenay National Park on Map
- Map Data: ©OpenStreetMap
- Tiles: ©CyclOSM
Best Backpacking trails in Kootenay National Park
The Rockwall Trail
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
- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
Floe Lake and Numa Pass
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
- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
Ball Pass to Shadow Lake
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
- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
Change happens, fees shouldn't
Other Activities in Kootenay National Park
Essential Tools for Any 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.