Best trails in Kootenay National Park

I mean, you're in Kootenay National Park, this isn't the coolest hike you'll go on, but it is pretty cool to see the top of Sinclair's Canyon, and seeing the falls down below was also nice. Pretty easy hike, buggy though. As others have mentioned start at the canyon end, it makes the waterfall more interesting. I wouldn't bother walking up to the other parking lot after the waterfall. Cool down in the shade before you ascend.

Reading the reviews beforehand was incredibly helpful in deciding to tackle this hike. Following the advice we found, we started off through the forest and opted to take the trail in an anti-clockwise direction—a choice that turned out to be excellent. Along the way, we passed stunning waterfalls and even stumbled upon a cave, which was an unexpected delight. Later, we decided to push ourselves and climb all the way up to the glacier. It was a demanding ascent, but we made it! After reaching the top, we descended and completed the second half of the loop. That portion was much trickier, with lots of loose rocks—I slipped several times. If I were to do this hike again, I’d stick with the anti-clockwise route and retrace my steps rather than completing the full loop. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking. Near the glacier, we heard a loud cracking sound—it only happened once, but it was intense and unforgettable. We also ventured off the main trail to climb the glacier itself, which added an extra 5 km to our journey. It was tough going, but totally worth it. Hopefully, this info helps others planning their hike. We arrived around 1 PM and found the parking lot completely full, though we eventually managed to snag a spot. There was a sign warning that parking on the shoulder in Kootenay, BC could result in your vehicle being impounded. I’m not sure how strictly that’s enforced, but I didn’t want to risk it and waited until I found a proper space.

This trail is easy in terms of length but does feature uphill hiking and stairs. The canyon was super cool and the interpretive signs were very informative. The area wasn't too busy later in the afternoon. Easy enough to tack onto other activities or hikes in this part of Kootenay - highly recommend a stop here if you're in the area!

Beautiful trail in Kootenay and a perfect fall hike. Took us around 7hrs

Always a beautiful hike along the Kootenay river in spring ice melt season! Stopped to dip feet in the water and have a trail side lunch. Highly recommend this trail to everyone.

Fairly easy hike up to Dog Lake. Fun crossing of the Kootenay River over 2 foot bridges. Peaceful serene lake, with magnificent views of the Rocky Mountains.