Scenic Views · British Columbia
A paved roadside viewpoint on Highway 93 in Kootenay National Park, BC, overlooking the Kootenay River valley and the Mitchell and Vermilion ranges. An easy, accessible stop; a park pass is needed to stop.
The Kootenay Valley Viewpoint is one of the most photographed stops on Highway 93 through Kootenay National Park. From the pull-off, the whole valley opens up below, with forested slopes rolling up to the Mitchell and Vermilion ranges. Visitors call the panorama spectacular, and one said it's especially good in spring and fall.
It's an easy stop. There's parking on both sides of the highway with a pedestrian crossing between them, a paved, wheelchair-accessible sidewalk to the viewpoint, and garbage and recycling bins. It's roughly 20 minutes from Radium Hot Springs.
Wildlife is part of the draw along this highway. One visitor had a close view of a grizzly and watched hummingbirds swarming the area, while a recent reviewer saw nothing but trees and felt the signage oversells the chance of animals. Keep your expectations open and watch for wildlife on the road itself.
Plan ahead for the drive. A reviewer warned there's no cell coverage and no gas for about 105 km on this stretch. Parks Canada lets you drive through without charge, but stopping in the park, including here, requires a valid park pass.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 104 Google reviews. Conditions and rules change — check current park, access and fishing regulations before you go.
