Canada · 8 days · 1,400 km · One-way
BC Kootenays — Nelson, lakes and hot springs
The BC alternative to the Banff circus. Kootenay region — Nelson (historic hippie town), lakeside Kaslo, Ainsworth Hot Springs (the cave), Kootenay Lake ferry, Radium Hot Springs and Kootenay NP entrance. Ends in Calgary. Lots of Indigenous heritage, lakes, zero mass tourism.
Highlights
- Nelson historic main street
- Kootenay Lake (longest in BC)
- Ainsworth Hot Springs Cave
- Radium Hot Springs
- Kootenay National Park
- Frater Lake hidden gem
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1
Vancouver → Hope → Manning Park
Vancouver → Manning Park · 230 km
- · Pickup Vancouver
- · Hope mural town
- · Manning Park alpine
Overnight: Lightning Lake Campground
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Day 2
Manning Park → Osoyoos → Nelson
Manning Park → Nelson · 400 km
- · Osoyoos desert (only in Canada)
- · Cross into Kootenays
- · Nelson historic district
Overnight: City Tourist Park Nelson
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Day 3
Nelson → Ainsworth Hot Springs
Nelson → Ainsworth · 50 km
- · Ainsworth Hot Springs Cave
- · Kootenay Lake views
Overnight: Ainsworth Hot Springs RV
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Day 4
Ainsworth → Kaslo → Sandon ghost town
Ainsworth → New Denver · 120 km
- · Kaslo SS Moyie sternwheeler
- · Sandon ghost town
- · Slocan Lake
Overnight: Centennial Park New Denver
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Day 5
New Denver → Nakusp Hot Springs → Revelstoke
New Denver → Revelstoke · 220 km
- · Nakusp Hot Springs
- · Galena Bay ferry
- · Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Overnight: Williamson Lake Campground
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Day 6
Revelstoke → Glacier NP → Golden
Revelstoke → Golden · 150 km
- · Glacier National Park (Rogers Pass)
- · Hemlock Grove boardwalk
Overnight: Golden Municipal Campground
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Day 7
Golden → Radium → Kootenay NP
Golden → Radium · 180 km
- · Radium Hot Springs
- · Paint Pots Kootenay
- · Marble Canyon
Overnight: Redstreak Campground (Parks Canada)
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Day 8
Radium → Banff → Calgary drop-off
Radium → Calgary · 250 km
- · Vermillion Pass crossing
- · Banff townsite stop
- · Calgary drop-off
Recommended brands for this route
Selection based on road type and trip length. Tighter budgets — we can also quote Mighty.