Banff and Kootenay

Two of Canada’s premier national parks hug the continental divide and straddle the border between Alberta British Columbia. Banff and Kootenay National Parks are both places of spectacular beauty. Here is a brief summary of what you can expect to discover:

Banff National Park

Established in 1885, Banff is Canada's oldest national park. It receives some three million visitors annually.

The park was established to preserve more than 66,000 square kilometers of Alpine ecosystems. The town of Banff is the main commercial center and is an attraction in its own right. Other attractions include Lake Louise, the Cave and Basin thermal springs and the historic Sulphur Mountain cosmic ray station. Of course a drive through the park will also reveal numerous waterfalls, canyons, mountain lakes and spectacular alpine views.

Kootenay National Park

Just south of Banff and ont the British Columbia side of the continental divide is Kootenay National Park.

Established in 1920, Kootenay preserves parts of the Kootenay and Park mountain ranges. The town of Radium Hot Springs is Kootenay’s primary commercial center.

The park's central features include its canyons, lakes and hot springs. Visitors will find opportunities that include camping, hiking, mountain climbing and scenic drives.