Kootenay National Park

National park in British Columbia, Canada

Kootenay National Park

Parc national Kootenay

IUCN category II (national park)[1]

Stanley Valley and Mount Whymper viewed from the Stanley Glacier Trail

Location in Canada

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Location in British Columbia

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Location| East Kootenay, British Columbia, Canada
Coordinates| 50°52′59″N 116°02′57″W﻿ / ﻿50.88306°N 116.04917°W﻿ / 50.88306; -116.04917
Area| 1,406 km2 (543 sq mi)
Established| 21 April 1920
Visitors| 574,126 (in 2022–23[2])
Governing body| Parks Canada
Website| parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/kootenay

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Part of| Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks
Criteria| Natural: (vii), (viii)
Reference| 304
Inscription| 1984 (8th Session)

Kootenay National Park is a national park of Canada in southeastern British Columbia. The park consists of 1,406 km2 (543 sq mi) of the Canadian Rockies, including parts of the Kootenay and Park mountain ranges, the Kootenay River and the entirety of the Vermilion River. While the Vermilion River is completely contained within the park, the Kootenay River has its headwaters just outside the park boundary, flowing through the park into the Rocky Mountain Trench and eventually joining the Columbia River. The park ranges in elevation from 918 m (3,012 ft) at the southwestern park entrance to 3,424 m (11,234 ft) at Deltaform Mountain.

Initially called "Kootenay Dominion Park", the park was created in 1920 as part of an agreement between the province of British Columbia and the Canadian federal government to build a highway in exchange for title to a strip of land, approximately 8 km (5.0 mi) on either side of the 94 km route, the Banff–Windermere Highway, to be used solely for park purposes. While the park is open all year, the major tourist season lasts from June to September. Most campgrounds are open from early May to late September, while limited winter camping is available only at the Dolly Varden campground.

Kootenay National Park is one of seven contiguous national and provincial parks that form the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. The Continental Divide is the boundary between Kootenay and Banff National Park, as well as the British Columbia–Alberta provincial border. To the northwest, the watershed boundary between the Vermilion River and the Kicking Horse River serves as the boundary between Kootenay and Yoho National Park. Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park also borders Kootenay; Jasper National Park, Mount Robson Provincial Park and Hamber Provincial Park make up the remainder of the World Heritage Site but do not share a boundary with Kootenay National Park.

## History

[edit]

Archaeological evidence suggests humans have been either traveling through, or temporarily residing in, the area for about 10,000 years.[3][4] Pictographs found in the hot spring caves indicate that Ktunaxa people first made more permanent use of the area, particularly the hot springs, several hundred years ago.

European fur traders and trappers passed through, as did George Simpson in 1841, through what would later be named Simpson Pass, during his circumnavigation of the world. Likewise, James Sinclair led Red River colonists westward and Pierre-Jean De Smet travelled eastward, through the area. The Palliser expedition used the Vermilion Pass in 1858 and reported to British government its potential as a transportation route. On the Columbia River side, an early homesteader included the hot spring that would later become Radium Hot Springs in his land claim in the 1880s, but it was Roland Stuart and his business partner H.A. Pearse who were successful in acquiring the 160 acres (0.65 km2) around the springs in 1890 as a provincial Crown grant. While they intended on bottling the spring water, its remote location prevented such development and Stuart offered to sell the property in 1909 to the Canadian Pacific Railway Company for $3000. Though the offer was not accepted, railway engineer Robert Randolph Bruce recognized the potential for a road through the area and advocated for it in 1910 with CPR president Thomas Shaughnessy and Premier Richard McBride, as a commercial link for the province to Calgary and eastern Canada. The federal government agreed to build a road from Banff to the park boundary at the provincial border at the Vermilion Pass, while the provincial government, with some funds from the CPR, would build a road from Windermere to the border. However, the BC government under-estimated its cost, found itself over-budget and its work was suspended in 1913, while the federal government completed their portion in November 1914. To get the British Columbia section completed, Bruce travelled to Ottawa to pitch the idea that they designate the western end of the route, through the Rocky Mountains, a national park so that road could be funded as a park improvement. With the popularity of Rocky Mountains Park, the Commissioner of the Parks Branch, James Bernard Harkin, and officials of the Ministry of the Interior were receptive to expanding the park system there.

In May 1916 the Minister of the Interior, William James Roche, began negotiations, and the subsequent minister agreed with the provincial counterparts to the Banff-Windermere Agreement, that the federal government would complete the road within 4 years of the end of the Great War, and maintain it thereafter, in exchange for the agreed-upon land to be used for park purposes and a resolution to jurisdictional matters in the other federal parks in BC. The agreement was signed on March 12, 1919, and the federal government took ownership of the land in July. By Order in Council 1920–0827 on April 21, 1920, the Kootenay National Park was created. The federal government repaired the provincial portion of the road and completed the remainder for public opening by June 1923.[5]

## Attractions

[edit]

The main attractions of the park include Radium Hot Springs, the Paint Pots, Sinclair Canyon, Marble Canyon, and Olive Lake. The hot springs offer a hot springs pool ranging from 35 to 47 °C (95 to 117 °F). Just outside the park's southwestern entrance is the town of Radium Hot Springs. The town is named for the odourless hot springs located just inside the park boundary. The town provides amenities and services for those camping within the park, and offers a number of accommodation options for those visiting the park but who do not intend to camp within.

The park's northeastern entrance, connects to Castle Junction in Banff National Park and the Trans-Canada Highway via Vermilion Pass, a mountain pass across the Continental Divide of the Canadian Rockies on the Alberta/British Columbia border, at an elevation of 1,651 metres (5,417 ft).

### Radium Hot Springs

[edit]

Development of the hot springs began in earnest after a British medical journal suggested, and a 1914 chemical analysis by McGill University confirmed, the presence of radium within the water. Roland Stuart, who had acquired the springs through a 160-acre (0.65 km2) Crown grant, purchased 455 additional acres (1.84 km2) in the vicinity of the springs as the area became accessible by the Kootenay Central Railway. Stuart travelled to England promoting the "Kootenay Radium Natural Springs Limited" and recruited the paralysed St John Harmsworth to visit. After a four-month stay he invested enough to build a bathing pool with a store and a caretaker's cottage. With the park becoming a reality, the Dominion government offered, in 1921, Stuart $20,000 for control of the springs. With his agent unable to reach him, or Stuart ignoring the offer, the government expropriated the land, in 1922, with a settlement, after numerous hearings right up to the Supreme Court, of $40,000 in 1927. In that same year, a new two-storey bath-house was erected and the pool lengthened by 30 feet (9.1 m). Meanwhile, the town of Radium Hot Springs was being developed after the 1923 subdivision to create commercial properties and the Canadian Pacific Railway Company developed cabins the area that would later become the Radium Hot Springs Lodge. The facility was re-built after a fire in 1948 at the cost of $1,000,000 with a concrete pool and other facilities. Major renovations and improvements between 1960 and 1968 added additional capacity, a restaurant, and a campground (at the Redstreak Campground), as well as buying out the CPR cabin properties. Another round of renovations occurred in 1997 with a new hot-cold plunge pool added.[6]

### Paint Pots

[edit]

One of the Paint Pots

The Paint Pots are an acidic, cold water, mineral spring system from which ochre is deposited at spring outlets. The minerals are principally iron oxide which produces the water and mud's reddish colour but other similar minerals can also be present and vary the colours to include various shades of yellow, red and brown. The acidic, metal-rich water has limited capacity to support living species, but at least 14 species of algae, one liverwort and one moss species, as well as some extremophilic bacteria, have been identified living in those waters. The ochre was collected by the Ktunaxa people for use as pigments and the iron oxide was commercially mined for use in paint manufacturing for nearly two decades until the park was established in 1920.[7]

Because of the relatively small width of the park (five miles on each side of the highway), many of the park's attractions are situated near the road and are wheelchair accessible. A number of forest fires in the northern half of the park in the Simpson River, Vermilion Pass, and Floe Creek areas in 2003 and 2004 have left significant burn areas readily visible from the highway. Numa Falls is a short drive south of Marble Canyon and is accessible directly by Highway 93 which cuts through the park.

### Hiking and camping

[edit]

Floe Lake taken from the Floe Lake backcountry campground – July 2004

The Rockwall trail is a multi-day hike along the limestone cliff eastern escarpment of the Vermilion Range that continues into the Yoho National Park. There are several connections to the trail from the highway, including the 10.7 km Floe Creek trail to Floe Lake campground and the 6 km Numa Creek trail to the Numa Falls campground. There is another trailhead at the Paint Pots that follows Ochre Creek with forks to the 7 km Tumbling Creek trail and the 9 km Helmet Creek trail, both of which have campground. Beyond Helmet Falls the Rockwall trail continues through Goodsir Pass into the Yoho National Park. Other multi-day backcountry hikes include the Tokumun Creek trail to Fay Hut and Neil Colgan Hut, the Simpson River trail into the Mount Assiniboine Park, the Hawk Creek trail through Ball Pass into the Banff National Park, the Verdant trail from the Vermilion crossing to Banff National Park via the Honeymoon Pass and the Redearth Pass.[8]

Day hikes with nearby campgrounds include trails on Redstreak Mountain and along Redstreak Creek, the Dog Lake trail from the McLeod Meadows campground, and the Marble Canyon to Paint Pots trail from the Marble Canyon campground. Other dayhikes, of various difficulty levels, include trails to Olive Lake, to Cobb Lake, the Kindersley/Sinclair loop, the Tokumun Creek trail from Marble Canyon to Kaufmann Lake, the Kimpton Creek trail, the Verendrye Creek from the Vermilion Crossing, and the Stanley Creek trail. The Dolly Varden trail along the Dolly Varden Creek (the fish was later identified as bull trout, not Dolly Varden trout) permits cycling.[8]

## Geography

[edit]

Hewitt Peak in the Vermilion Range seen from Highway 93

The park is centered around the 94 km stretch of the Highway 93, from Radium Hot Springs to the provincial border at the Vermilion Pass. The park's size and shape are the result of the federal-provincial agreement to get the road constructed. Consequently, despite the northwest–southeast trending range and valley systems, the park cuts through several mountain ranges and river valleys.

Kootenay River near Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park (2021)

The park's southwestern entrance, near Radium Hot Springs and the Sinclair Canyon, is the only part of the park within Southern Rocky Mountain Trench. As the highway follows Sinclair Creek, which drains westward towards the Columbia River, the park enters the Kootenay Ranges, which include Mount Berland and the western and southern faces of Mount Kindersley of the Brisco Range and Redstreak Mountain and Mount Sinclair of the Stanford Range. The eastern side of Mount Sinclair faces the valley of the Kootenay River; that and the remainder of the park drains to the Kootenay River which does eventually empty into the Columbia River but not until well outside the park and crossing the American-Canadian border twice. The park then covers a ≈27 km stretch of the Kootenay River valley including the flanking mountain faces of Mount Kindersley and the Mitchell Range and Vermilion Range of the western portion of the Park Ranges. At the bridge over Kootenay River, the road and park divert northward to follow the Vermilion River upstream through the pass between Mount Wardle of the Vermilion Range and Spar Mountain of the Mitchell Range. As the park bends northward here, it expands to include more of the Kootenay River valley, including Dolly Varden Creek, Lost Creek, and Whitetail Creek. With the Mount Assiniboine Park just over the mountains to the southeast, the road and park divert northwestward again once into the valley of the Vermilion River, near where it converges with the Simpson River. After this, the park consists of the remainder of the Vermilion River drainage basin, with the Banff National Park at the Continental Divide to the north at the Ball Range and the Bow Range, the Yoho National Park to the northwest, and the peaks of the Vermilion Range to the southwest. A small portion of the Ottertail River, which drains into the Yoho National Park, is also included the northwestern end of the park, though the remainder of that border is the dividing line between the Vermilion River and the Kicking Horse River.[9]

There are only a few, small lakes in the park, most of which occur in the Vermilion River drainage basin and occur at high altitude in cirques or hanging valleys, which is typical for the Main Ranges. The Floe, Kaufmann and Talc lakes occur here, while the Dog, Olive and Cobb lakes occur in the Kootenay River basin and have more pond-like characteristics such as shallow depth and slower flow.

## Geology

[edit]

Sinclair Canyon

The geology of the park is dominated by mountains made up of exposed faulted sedimentary rock and valleys containing glacial till deposited in the Pleistocene.

Just outside the northwestern corner of the park, there is an igneous intrusion known as the Ice River Complex containing deposits of sodalite, an ornamental stone. The hills immediately around the hot springs are composed mainly of tufa, a calcium carbonate deposit that forms by precipitation of supersaturated hot spring water when it reaches cooler surface water.

The rocks in southwestern corner of the park are part of the older Purcell Mountains range while the eastern park mountains are part of the younger Rocky Mountains range.

The park has many Cambrian strata of oceanic sedimentary origin that shed insight into the explosive radiation of multicellular life on Earth. In the summer of 2012 a team of scientists from the Royal Ontario Museum, Pomona College, the University of Toronto, the University of Saskatchewan and Uppsala University discovered a Lagerstätte site above Marble Canyon of extraordinary preservation in shale, comparable to the Burgess Shale's phyllopod bed of fossils[10] only 42 kilometres (26 mi) distant, in Yoho National Park.[11] One species Kootenichela discovered in these rocks has been scientifically described: more than 50 new species were discovered in the Marble Canyon area in just two weeks of intensive exploration. The new assemblage of organisms, dating to the Wuliuan, such as the Surusicaris elegans,[12] is described as rich in basal arthropods and remarkable for the density and diversity of its soft-bodied organisms, some preserved in previously unreported detail.[13]

## Climate

[edit]

The park experiences a humid continental climate (Dfb) which is characterized by brief, cool summers and long snowy winters, but is generally drier than the areas to the west due to the Kootenay Ranges capturing moisture. Similarly, the park's mountain ranges intercept moisture that would otherwise fall on the other side of the Continental Divide, making the Banff National Park drier. Combined with the Continental Divide protecting it from the brunt of the arctic air flow, the park experiences a more mild climate than Banff.[14]

Based on the climate and geography, the park has been divided into different ecoregions: Montane, Subalpine and Alpine, which consequently affect vegetation and wildlife. The Montane ecoregions are at lower elevations, such as at the park's west gate and the valley of the Kootenay River, and experience between 300 and 600 mm of precipitation each year, 30 to 45% of which falls as snow. The subalpine ecoregion, such as the valley of the Vermilion River and at Floe Lake and Marble Canyon, experience cooler and moister weather, with mean annual temperatures less than 1 degrees Celsius and about 800 mm of precipitation, over half of which is snow. The alpine ecoregion, at the park's highest elevations, is even colder and snowier, which results in a lack of forest cover.[14]

Climate data for Kootenay National Park West Gate (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1968–2022)

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °C (°F)  | 9.5
(49.1)  | 9.5
(49.1)  | 22.0
(71.6)  | 29.4
(84.9)  | 33.5
(92.3)  | 34.0
(93.2)  | 37.0
(98.6)  | 37.5
(99.5)  | 34.5
(94.1)  | 24.0
(75.2)  | 16.7
(62.1)  | 10.0
(50.0)  | 37.5
(99.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)  | −3.9
(25.0)  | 0.0
(32.0)  | 6.9
(44.4)  | 13.3
(55.9)  | 18.4
(65.1)  | 22.0
(71.6)  | 25.6
(78.1)  | 25.2
(77.4)  | 18.5
(65.3)  | 9.9
(49.8)  | 0.9
(33.6)  | −4.7
(23.5)  | 11.0
(51.8)
Daily mean °C (°F)  | −6.8
(19.8)  | −4.2
(24.4)  | 1.7
(35.1)  | 7.0
(44.6)  | 11.8
(53.2)  | 15.5
(59.9)  | 18.4
(65.1)  | 17.8
(64.0)  | 12.0
(53.6)  | 5.1
(41.2)  | −1.9
(28.6)  | −7.3
(18.9)  | 5.8
(42.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | −9.7
(14.5)  | −8.3
(17.1)  | −3.5
(25.7)  | 0.7
(33.3)  | 5.1
(41.2)  | 8.9
(48.0)  | 11.2
(52.2)  | 10.2
(50.4)  | 5.4
(41.7)  | 0.3
(32.5)  | −4.7
(23.5)  | −9.7
(14.5)  | 0.5
(32.9)
Record low °C (°F)  | −35.6
(−32.1)  | −35.0
(−31.0)  | −23.0
(−9.4)  | −13.3
(8.1)  | −4.5
(23.9)  | −0.6
(30.9)  | 3.0
(37.4)  | 2.0
(35.6)  | −5.5
(22.1)  | −15.6
(3.9)  | −30.5
(−22.9)  | −37.8
(−36.0)  | −37.8
(−36.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches)  | 33.2
(1.31)  | 19.4
(0.76)  | 19.9
(0.78)  | 31.2
(1.23)  | 47.0
(1.85)  | 69.0
(2.72)  | 53.6
(2.11)  | 40.7
(1.60)  | 35.0
(1.38)  | 26.2
(1.03)  | 35.9
(1.41)  | 30.1
(1.19)  | 441.2
(17.37)
Average rainfall mm (inches)  | 5.9
(0.23)  | 5.7
(0.22)  | 12.1
(0.48)  | 26.9
(1.06)  | 45.9
(1.81)  | 69.0
(2.72)  | 53.6
(2.11)  | 40.7
(1.60)  | 35.0
(1.38)  | 24.5
(0.96)  | 18.0
(0.71)  | 4.6
(0.18)  | 341.9
(13.46)
Average snowfall cm (inches)  | 27.2
(10.7)  | 13.6
(5.4)  | 7.7
(3.0)  | 4.3
(1.7)  | 1.1
(0.4)  | 0.1
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 1.7
(0.7)  | 17.9
(7.0)  | 25.5
(10.0)  | 99.1
(38.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 11.6  | 7.0  | 8.5  | 9.9  | 13.6  | 16.1  | 12.9  | 11.4  | 9.6  | 11.2  | 11.1  | 10.5  | 133.5
Average rainy days  | 2.4  | 2.6  | 6.2  | 9.4  | 13.5  | 16.1  | 12.9  | 11.4  | 9.6  | 10.7  | 6.1  | 1.9  | 102.8
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 9.9  | 5.0  | 3.0  | 1.2  | 0.2  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 1.0  | 6.0  | 9.2  | 35.5
Source: Environment Canada[15]

Climate data for Kootenay Crossing, BC (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1965–2002)

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °C (°F)  | 10.0
(50.0)  | 11.1
(52.0)  | 18.0
(64.4)  | 28.3
(82.9)  | 33.0
(91.4)  | 32.5
(90.5)  | 35.0
(95.0)  | 36.5
(97.7)  | 33.3
(91.9)  | 23.5
(74.3)  | 14.4
(57.9)  | 6.7
(44.1)  | 36.5
(97.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)  | −4.8
(23.4)  | −0.4
(31.3)  | 5.9
(42.6)  | 10.9
(51.6)  | 16.4
(61.5)  | 19.7
(67.5)  | 23.2
(73.8)  | 23.0
(73.4)  | 17.6
(63.7)  | 8.9
(48.0)  | −0.2
(31.6)  | −6.6
(20.1)  | 9.5
(49.0)
Daily mean °C (°F)  | −9.7
(14.5)  | −6.9
(19.6)  | −1.0
(30.2)  | 3.8
(38.8)  | 8.4
(47.1)  | 11.8
(53.2)  | 14.5
(58.1)  | 13.8
(56.8)  | 8.9
(48.0)  | 2.6
(36.7)  | −4.5
(23.9)  | −10.9
(12.4)  | 2.6
(36.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | −14.3
(6.3)  | −13.1
(8.4)  | −7.8
(18.0)  | −3.3
(26.1)  | 0.3
(32.5)  | 3.9
(39.0)  | 5.8
(42.4)  | 4.6
(40.3)  | 0.2
(32.4)  | −3.7
(25.3)  | −8.7
(16.3)  | −15.1
(4.8)  | −4.3
(24.3)
Record low °C (°F)  | −42.8
(−45.0)  | −39.0
(−38.2)  | −34.4
(−29.9)  | −22.2
(−8.0)  | −10.0
(14.0)  | −5.6
(21.9)  | −6.5
(20.3)  | −4.5
(23.9)  | −10.0
(14.0)  | −22.5
(−8.5)  | −38.0
(−36.4)  | −42.8
(−45.0)  | −42.8
(−45.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches)  | 39.5
(1.56)  | 20.7
(0.81)  | 23.0
(0.91)  | 34.6
(1.36)  | 55.8
(2.20)  | 74.4
(2.93)  | 63.1
(2.48)  | 52.5
(2.07)  | 43.3
(1.70)  | 35.8
(1.41)  | 40.3
(1.59)  | 38.5
(1.52)  | 521.5
(20.54)
Average rainfall mm (inches)  | 2.7
(0.11)  | 1.6
(0.06)  | 6.5
(0.26)  | 23.7
(0.93)  | 53.7
(2.11)  | 74.1
(2.92)  | 63.1
(2.48)  | 52.5
(2.07)  | 42.7
(1.68)  | 28.9
(1.14)  | 11.2
(0.44)  | 1.3
(0.05)  | 362.1
(14.26)
Average snowfall cm (inches)  | 36.8
(14.5)  | 19.0
(7.5)  | 16.4
(6.5)  | 10.9
(4.3)  | 2.1
(0.8)  | 0.3
(0.1)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.6
(0.2)  | 6.9
(2.7)  | 29.1
(11.5)  | 37.2
(14.6)  | 159.3
(62.7)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 12.2  | 6.7  | 7.2  | 9.9  | 15.3  | 16.9  | 14.3  | 13.4  | 10.7  | 10.6  | 11.5  | 11.3  | 139.9
Average rainy days  | 0.64  | 0.65  | 2.1  | 7.4  | 15.0  | 16.9  | 14.3  | 13.4  | 10.6  | 9.3  | 3.3  | 0.42  | 94.0
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 11.7  | 6.3  | 5.4  | 3.3  | 0.91  | 0.09  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.36  | 2.4  | 9.2  | 11.4  | 51.0
Source: Environment Canada[16]

## Ecology

[edit]

### Flora

[edit]

Wood lily along Dog Lake Trail

The Montane Spruce biogeoclimatic zone of the park's lower elevations contain forests of mostly Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, western larch, trembling poplar, and western redcedar. The shrub layer mostly include soapberry, kinnikinnick, western showy aster, dwarf bilberry, twinflower, pinegrass, Canadian bunchberry, littleleaf huckleberry, Rocky Mountain maple, alder, mountain huckleberry, oval-leaf blueberry, meadow horsetail, Devil's club, as well as common and rocky mountain juniper. In the higher subalpine elevations, the Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir biogeoclimatic zone takes over with its dominant tree species of Engelmann spruce, white spruce, subalpine fir and subalpine larch, begin to take over at higher elevations. Heathers, arctic willow, cinquefoils, moss campion, and mountain avens are the dominant vegetation in the alpine areas.[17] Forest fires that affected the park, exemplified by the large fires of 1968 and 2017 and the very large fire of 2003[18] in the Vermilion area, feature pioneering vegetation like fireweed and lodgepole pine. An emerging drier climate, and forest fires, are resulting in the Interior Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zone expanding into the park, with its more dominant Douglas fir, ponderosa pine and rocky mountain juniper tree stands.[19]

### Fauna

[edit]

Bighorn sheep scaling a scree-covered slope in Kootenay National Park Female spruce grouse, Stanley Valley

A wildlife survey found 242 species of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. The largest species are the ungulates, such as the bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose, elk, red deer, white-tailed deer, mule deer, though there are also black bears and grizzly bears that live in the park. Coyotes and martens are the only widespread and common carnivores in the park, though bobcats and cougars live in the southern regions. Timber wolves, lynxes, wolverines, minks, fishers, badgers, river otters, skunks and long and short-tailed weasels have also been identified but are not common. The most common non-carnivorous mammal species living in the park are the snowshoe hare, red-backed vole, deer mouse, red squirrel and Columbian ground squirrel. Most bird species only use the park as their summer grounds or part of their migration route; only 32 species live solely in the park. Some of the most common birds include the boreal owl, yellow-rumped warbler, golden-crowned kinglet, common yellowthroat, American robin, spotted sandpiper, chipping sparrow, two-barred crossbill, rufous hummingbird, water pipit. Other bird species that may be observed include the common loon, Canada and Steller's jays, Canada and snow geese, trumpeter and Tundra swans. The three reptiles identified were the rubber boa, common garter snake and western terrestrial garter snake.[20]

## World Heritage Site

[edit]

In 1984, UNESCO added the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, to the World Heritage List. This World Heritage Site included the four contiguous national parks: Kootenay, Banff, Jasper and Yoho. At the time, the site was deemed to meet the natural criteria for examples of geological processes, record of life, and for exceptional natural beauty. In 1990, the Mount Assiniboine, Mount Robson and Hamber Provincial Parks were added to the World Heritage Site, bringing its total area up to 22,991 km2 (8,877 sq mi). Under their Statement of Significance, UNESCO states "With rugged mountain peaks, icefields and glaciers, alpine meadows, lakes, waterfalls, extensive karst cave systems and deeply incised canyons, the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks possess exceptional natural beauty, attracting millions of visitors annually."[21]

## See also

[edit]

* Geography portal
* Canada portal

* National Parks of Canada
* List of National Parks of Canada

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Protected Planet | Kootenay National Park Of Canada". Protected Planet. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
2. ^ Canada, Parks. "Parks Canada attendance 2022_23 - Parks Canada attendance 2022_23 - Open Government Portal". open.canada.ca. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
3. ^ Parks Canada Agency, Government of Canada (2020-03-11). "Park Chronology - Kootenay National Park". www.pc.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2021-11-20. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
4. ^ "Kootenay National Park | The Canadian Encyclopedia". thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
5. ^ Lothian, W.F. (1976). A History of Canada's National Parks. Vol. I. Parks Canada. pp. 58–61.
6. ^ Hahn, Bob (2000). Kootenay National Park. Rocky Mountain Books. pp. 14–15\. ISBN 0921102747.
7. ^ Grasby, Stephen E.; Richards, Barry C.; Sharp, Christine E.; Brady, Allyson L.; Jones, Gareth M.; Dunfield, Peter F. (2013). "The Paint Pots, Kootenay National Park, Canada — a natural acid spring analogue for Mars". Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences. 50 (1): 94–108\. Bibcode:2013CaJES..50...94G. doi:10.1139/e2012-060.
8. ^ a b Hahn, Bob (2000). Kootenay National Park. Rocky Mountain Books. pp. 35–100\. ISBN 0921102747.
9. ^ B.D. Walker, D.T. Allan and W.S. Taylor (1984). Ecological Land Classification of Kootenay National Park, British Columbia. Vol. I: Integrated Resource Description. University of Alberta. pp. 1–6.
10. ^ Caron, Jean-Bernard; Gaines, Robert R.; Aria, Cédric; Mángano, M. Gabriela; Streng, Michael (11 February 2014). "A new phyllopod bed-like assemblage from the Burgess Shale of the Canadian Rockies". Nature Communications. 5: 3210. Bibcode:2014NatCo...5.3210C. doi:10.1038/ncomms4210. PMID 24513643.
11. ^ Schmidt, Colleen (11 February 2014). "Scientists unearth epic fossil find in Kootenay National Park". Calgary, Alberta: CTV News. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
12. ^ Aria, Cédric; Caron, Jean-Bernard (June 2015). "Cephalic and Limb Anatomy of a New Isoxyid from the Burgess Shale and the Role of "Stem Bivalved Arthropods" in the Disparity of the Frontalmost Appendage" (PDF). PLoS ONE. 10 (6): e0124979. Bibcode:2015PLoSO..1024979A. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0124979. PMC 4454494. PMID 26038846.
13. ^ Anthony, Leslie (February 2017). "Shale Game". Canadian Geographic. 137 (1): 50–55.
14. ^ a b B.D. Walker and P.L. Achuff (1984). "Climate". Ecological Land Classification of Kootenay National Park, British Columbia. Vol. I: Integrated Resource Description. University of Alberta. pp. 6–11.
15. ^ "Kootenay NP West Gate, BC". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 (in English and French). Environment Canada. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
16. ^ "Kootenay Crossing, BC". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 (in English and French). Environment Canada. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
17. ^ P.L. Achuff and H.A. Dudynsky (1984). "Vegetation". Ecological Land Classification of Kootenay National Park, British Columbia. Vol. I: Integrated Resource Description. University of Alberta. pp. 43–132.
18. ^ Derworiz, Colette (2 August 2013). "2003 fires lead to positive environmental changes:Kootenay blazes wreaked havoc 10 years ago". Calgary Herald. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
19. ^ Hallett, Douglas J.; Walker, Robert C. (2000). "Paleoecology and its application to fire and vegetation management in Kootenay National Park, British Columbia". Journal of Paleolimnology. 24 (4): 401–414\. Bibcode:2000JPall..24..401H. doi:10.1023/A:1008110804909. S2CID 130124047.
20. ^ D.M. Poll and M.M. Porter (1984). "Wildlife". Ecological Land Classification of Kootenay National Park, British Columbia. Vol. I: Integrated Resource Description. University of Alberta. pp. 133–158, 323–327.
21. ^ "Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved March 13, 2018.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kootenay National Park.

* Official website
* Kootenay National Park travel guide from Wikivoyage
* Geology of the Rocky mountains including Kootenay area Archived 2021-02-12 at the Wayback Machine

* v
* t
* e

National parks of Canada

National parks|

* Akami−Uapishkᵘ−KakKasuak−Mealy Mountains†
* Aulavik
* Auyuittuq
* Banff
* Bruce Peninsula
* Cape Breton Highlands
* Elk Island
* Forillon
* Fundy
* Georgian Bay Islands
* Glacier
* Grasslands
* Gros Morne
* Gulf Islands†
* Gwaii Haanas and Haida†
* Ivvavik
* Jasper
* Kejimkujik
* Kluane‡
* Kootenay
* Kouchibouguac
* La Mauricie
* Mingan Archipelago†
* Mount Revelstoke
* Nááts'ihch'oh†
* Nahanni†
* Pacific Rim†
* Pituamkek†
* Point Pelee
* Prince Albert
* Prince Edward Island
* Pukaskwa
* Qausuittuq
* Quttinirpaaq
* Riding Mountain
* RougeU
* Sable Island†
* Sirmilik
* South Okanagan—Similkameen†
* Terra Nova
* Thaidene Nëné†
* Thousand Islands
* Torngat Mountains
* Tuktut Nogait
* Ukkusiksalik
* Vuntut
* Wapusk
* Waterton Lakes
* Wood Buffalo
* Yoho

Marine Conservation Areas|

* Fathom Five
* Gwaii Haanas and Haida†
* Lake Superior
* Magdalen Islands
* Saguenay-St. Lawrence
* Strait of Georgia†
* Tallurutiup Imanga

National Landmarks|

* Pingo

* Proposed
* † Reserve
* U Urban
* ‡ Park and Reserve

* Category
* Canada portal

* v
* t
* e

World Heritage Sites in Canada

Western|

* Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks
* Dinosaur Provincial Park
* Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
* Kluane / Wrangell–St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek1
* Pimachiowin Aki
* SG̱aang Gwaay
* Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park1
* Wood Buffalo2
* Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi

Eastern|

* Anticosti Island
* Grand-Pré
* Gros Morne
* Joggins Fossil Cliffs
* L'Anse aux Meadows
* Miguasha
* Mistaken Point
* Old Town Lunenburg
* Old Quebec
* Red Bay
* Rideau Canal

Northern|

* Nahanni
* Tr’ondëk-Klondike
* Wood Buffalo2

* 1 Shared with the US
* 2 Shared with other region/s

* v
* t
* e

Canadian Rockies

Ranges|

* Ball
* Bare
* Beaverfoot
* Blue
* Bow
* Crowsnest
* Elk
* Fairholme
* Fiddle
* Flathead
* Foothills
* High Rock
* Kananaskis
* Livingstone
* Lizard
* Maligne
* Massive
* Misty
* Morrissey
* Palliser
* President
* Queen Elizabeth
* Rainbow
* Ram
* Sawback
* Sentinel
* Slate
* South Jasper
* Sundance
* Terminal
* Tower of London
* Vermilion
* Victoria Cross
* Waputik
* Winston Churchill
* Continental Ranges
* Hart Ranges
* Muskwa Ranges

Mountains|

* Alberta
* Andromeda
* Assiniboine
* Athabasca
* Brazeau
* Bryce
* Cascade
* Castle
* Castleguard
* Clemenceau
* Columbia
* Cory
* Edith Cavell
* Forbes
* Hector
* Hosmer
* Hungabee
* Joffre
* Kitchener
* Lyell
* Heart
* Pilot
* Pyramid
* Resplendent
* Robson
* Rundle
* Sarbach
* Saskatchewan
* Smythe
* Snow Dome
* Stanley Peak
* Sulphur
* Temple
* Three Sisters
* Trinity
* Twin
* Ulysses
* Unnamed Alberta–BC mountain (formerly Mount Pétain)
* Whymper

Passes|

* Abbot
* Athabasca
* Bush
* Carcajou
* Crowsnest
* Elbow
* Elk
* Fortress
* Fraser
* Highwood
* Howse
* Jarvis
* Kananaskis
* Kicking Horse
* Monkman
* Muncho
* North Kananaskis
* Palliser
* Pine
* Simpson
* Sinclair
* Summit
* Sunwapta
* Tonquin
* Vermilion
* Wapiti
* White Man
* Yellowhead

Glaciers|

* Athabasca
* Bow
* Columbia Icefield
* Crowfoot
* Hector
* Peyto
* Saskatchewan
* Vulture
* Wapta
* Waputik Icefield

Rivers|

see List of rivers of the Canadian Rockies and Category:Rivers of the Canadian Rockies

Peoples|

* Mountain Stoney
* Mountain Metis

Parks and
protected areas|

| International|

* Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site
* Waterton Biosphere Reserve
* Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park

|

National|

Parks
Banff
Jasper
Kootenay
Yoho
Waterton Lakes

Historic Sites
Jasper House
Jasper Park Information Centre
Yellowhead Pass
Athabasca Pass
Howse Pass
Kootenae House
Kicking Horse Pass
Skoki Ski Lodge
Twin Falls Tea House
Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin
Cave and Basin
Banff Park Museum
Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station
First Oil Well in Western Canada

Provincial (AB)|

Parks
Bow Valley
Bragg Creek
Elbow-Sheep
Ghost River
Kananaskis
Peter Lougheed
Sheep River
Siffleur
Spray Valley
White Goat
Willmore

Historic Sites
Frank Slide

Provincial (BC)|

* Akamina-Kishinena
* Close To The Edge
* Dune Za Keyih (Frog-Gataga)
* Elk Lakes
* Graham-Laurier
* Hamber
* Height of the Rockies
* Hole-in-the-Wall
* Kakwa
* Kikomun Creek
* Kwadacha
* Mount Assiniboine
* Mount Fernie
* Mount Robson
* Muncho Lake
* Northern Rocky Mountains
* Pine Le Moray
* Stone Mountain
* Muskwa-Kechika

Ski resorts|

* Castle Mountain
* Fernie
* Fortress Mountain
* Lake Louise
* Little Mac
* Marmot Basin
* Mount Norquay
* Nakiska
* Powder King
* Sunshine Village

Communities|

* Banff
* Canmore
* Crowsnest Pass
* Elkford
* Fernie
* Field
* Jasper
* Lake Louise
* Sparwood
* Tumbler Ridge
* Valemount
* Waterton Park

Ecozone and
ecoregions|

CEC ecozones

* Boreal Cordillera
* Montane Cordillera

WWF ecoregions

* Alberta Mountain forests
* Alberta–British Columbia foothills forests
* North Central Rockies forest

See also
Geography portal
Canada portal

* v
* t
* e

Protected areas of British Columbia

CRHP
Alberni-Clayoquot RD
BC Coast
Capital RD
Kootenay RD
Columbia-Shuswap RD
Comox Valley RD
Cowichan Valley RD
East Kootenay RD
Fraser Valley RD
Kootenay Boundary RD
Nanaimo RD
New Westminster
North Okanagan RD
North Shore
Northern/Central BC Interior
Okanagan-Similkameen RD
Squamish-Lillooet RD
Strathcona RD
Surrey
Thompson-Nicola RD
Vancouver
Victoria

International Recognition

| World Heritage Sites|

* Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks
* Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs (proposed)
* Kluane / Wrangell–St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek
* SGang Gwaay
* Stein Valley (proposed)

|

Biosphere Reserves|

* Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve
* Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region

National Parks and affiliated areas

| National Parks|

* Glacier
* Gulf Islands Reserve
* Gwaii Haanas Reserve
* Kootenay
* Mount Revelstoke
* Pacific Rim Reserve
* South Okanagan—Similkameen (proposed)
* Yoho

|

Marine Conservation Areas|

* Gwaii Haanas Reserve
* Southern Strait of Georgia Reserve (proposed)

National Historic Sites|

* Chilkoot Trail
* Fisgard Lighthouse
* Fort Langley
* Fort Rodd Hill
* Fort St. James
* Gitwangak Battle Hill
* Gulf of Georgia Cannery
* Kicking Horse Pass
* Kootanae House
* Nan Sdins
* Rogers Pass
* Stanley Park
* Twin Falls Tea House
* more...

National Wildlife Areas

| National Wildlife Areas|

* Alaksen
* Columbia
* Qualicum
* Scott Islands Marine
* Vaseux-Bighorn
* Widgeon Valley

|

Migratory Bird Sanctuaries|

* Christie Islet
* Esquimalt Lagoon
* George C. Reifel
* Nechako River
* Shoal Harbour
* Vaseux Lake
* Victoria Harbour

Marine Protected Areas

| Marine Protected Areas|

* Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents
* Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs
* SGaan Kinghlas-Bowie Seamount

|

Marine Refuges|

* Gwaxdlala/Nalaxdlala (Lull/Hoeya)
* Offshore Pacific Seamounts and Vents
* Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound Glass Sponge Reef

Provincial Parks and affiliated areas

| Parks|

| Alberni-Clayoquot RD|

* Clayoquot Arm
* Clayoquot Plateau
* Dawley Passage
* Epper Passage
* Flores Island
* Fossli
* Gibson Marine
* Hesquiat Lake
* Hesquiat Peninsula
* Hitchie Creek
* Kennedy Lake
* Kennedy River Bog
* Maquinna
* Nitinat River
* Sproat Lake
* Stamp River
* Strathcona
* Sulphur Passage
* Sydney Inlet
* Taylor Arm
* Tranquil Creek
* Vargas Island

|

Bulkley-Nechako RD|

* Atna River
* Babine Lake Marine
* Babine Mountains
* Babine River Corridor
* Beaumont
* Burns Lake
* Call Lake
* Dead Man's Island
* Driftwood Canyon
* Entiako
* Ethel F. Wilson Memorial
* Finger-Tatuk
* François Lake
* Little Andrews Bay Marine
* Morice Lake
* Mount Blanchet
* Mount Pope
* Mudzenchoot
* Nadina Mountain
* Nation Lakes
* Nenikëkh/Nanika-Kidprice
* Netalzul Meadows
* Nilkitkwa Lake
* Old Man Lake
* Omineca
* Paarens Beach
* Rainbow Alley
* Red Bluff
* Rubyrock Lake
* Stuart Lake
* Stuart Lake Marine
* Stuart River
* Sutherland River
* Takla Lake Marine
* Tazdli Wyiez Bin/Burnie-Shea
* Topley Landing
* Trembleur Lake
* Tweedsmuir North
* Tweedsmuir South
* Tyhee Lake
* Uncha Mountain Red Hills
* Wistaria

Capital RD|

* Beaver Point
* Bellhouse
* Bodega Ridge
* Burgoyne Bay
* Collinson Point
* Dionisio Point
* Discovery Island Marine
* French Beach
* Goldstream
* Gowland Tod
* ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱/John Dean
* Juan de Fuca
* Montague Harbour
* Mount Erskine
* Mount Maxwell
* Ruckle
* Sooke Mountain
* Sooke Potholes
* Wallace Island

Cariboo RD|

* Beaver Valley
* Big Creek
* Bowron Lake
* Bridge Lake
* Bull Canyon
* Canim Beach
* Cariboo Mountains
* Cariboo Nature
* Cariboo River
* Cedar Point
* Cottonwood River
* Donnely Lake
* Dragon Mountain
* Flat Lake
* Horsefly Lake
* Itcha Ilgachuz
* Junction Sheep Range
* Kluskoil Lake
* Lac La Hache
* Moose Valley
* Nazko Lake
* Nuntsi
* Pinnacles
* Puntchesakut Lake
* Punti Island
* Rainbow-Qiwentem
* Ruth Lake
* Schoolhouse Lake
* Ten Mile Lake
* Titetown
* Tsʼilʔos
* Wells Gray
* Wendle
* White Pelican

Central Coast RD|

* Codville Lagoon Marine
* Oliver Cove Marine
* Penrose Island Marine
* Sir Alexander Mackenzie
* Tweedsmuir South

Central Kootenay RD|

* Arrow Lakes
* Champion Lakes
* Cody Caves
* Drewry Point
* Erie Creek
* Gladstone
* Goat Range
* Grohman Narrows
* Kianuko
* Kokanee Creek
* Kokanee Glacier
* Kootenay Lake
* Lockhart Beach
* Lockhart Creek
* McDonald Creek
* Pilot Bay
* Purcell Wilderness Conservancy
* Rosebery
* Ryan
* Stagleap
* Summit Lake
* Syringa
* Valhalla
* West Arm
* Yahk

Central Okanagan RD|

* Bear Creek
* Browne Lake
* Fintry
* Graystokes
* Kalamalka Lake
* Myra-Bellevue
* Okanagan Mountain
* Trepanier
* Wrinkly Face

Columbia-Shuswap RD|

* Adams Lake
* Anstey-Hunakwa
* Arrow Lakes
* Blanket Creek
* Bugaboo
* Burges James Gadsden
* Cinnemousun Narrows
* Cummins Lakes
* English Lake
* Hamber
* Herald
* Kingfisher Creek
* Marl Creek
* Martha Creek
* Oregana Creek
* Pukeashun
* Shuswap Lake Marine
* Shuswap Lake
* Shuswap River Islands
* Silver Beach
* Skookumchuck Rapids
* Sunnybrae
* Tsútswecw
* Upper Seymour River
* Victor Lake
* White Lake
* Yard Creek

Comox Valley RD|

* Boyle Point
* Denman Island
* Fillongley
* Helliwell
* Jáji7em and Kw’ulh (Sandy Island) Marine
* Kin Beach
* Kitty Coleman
* Miracle Beach
* Mount Geoffrey Escarpment
* Rosewall Creek
* Strathcona
* Tribune Bay

Cowichan Valley RD|

* Bamberton
* Carmanah Walbran
* Chemainus River
* Cowichan River
* Eves
* Gordon Bay
* Koksilah River
* Memory Island
* Nitinat River
* Spectacle Lake
* Wakes Cove
* West Shawnigan Lake
* Whaleboat Island Marine

East Kootenay RD|

* Akamina-Kishinena
* Bugaboo
* Columbia Lake
* Crowsnest
* Dry Gulch
* Elk Lakes
* Elk Valley
* Gilnockie
* Height of the Rockies
* Inonoaklin
* James Chabot
* Jimsmith Lake
* Kikomun Creek
* Morrissey
* Mount Assiniboine
* Mount Fernie
* Moyie Lake
* Norbury Lake
* Purcell Wilderness Conservancy
* Premier Lake
* Ryan
* St. Mary's Alpine
* Thunder Hill
* Top of the World
* Wardner
* Wasa Lake
* Whiteswan Lake
* Windermere Lake

Fraser-Fort George RD|

* Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut
* Arctic Pacific Lakes
* Bijoux Falls
* Bobtail Mountain
* Carp Lake
* Close-To-The-Edge
* Crooked River
* Dahl Lake
* Erg Mountain
* Eskers
* Evanoff
* Fort George Canyon
* Fraser River
* Heather-Dina Lakes
* Jackman Flats
* Kakwa
* Monkman
* Mount Robson
* Mount Terry Fox
* Pine Le Moray
* Ptarmigan Creek
* Purden Lake
* Rearguard Falls
* Slim Creek
* Small River Caves
* Sowchea Bay
* Sugarbowl-Grizzly Den
* Three Sisters Lakes
* Tudyah Lake
* West Lake
* West Twin
* Whiskers Point

Fraser Valley RD|

* Alexandra Bridge
* Bridal Veil Falls
* Chilliwack River
* Coquihalla Canyon
* Coquihalla River
* Cultus Lake
* Davis Lake
* E.C. Manning
* Emory Creek
* F.H. Barber
* Ferry Island
* Garibaldi
* Golden Ears
* Kilby
* Mehatl Creek
* Nahatlatch
* Nicolum River
* Rolley Lake
* Sasquatch
* Silver Lake
* Skagit Valley
* Sx̱ótsaqel/Chilliwack Lake

Kitimat-Stikine RD|

* Anderson Flats
* Bear Glacier
* Border Lake
* Boulder Creek
* Bulkley Junction
* Tazdli Wyiez Bin/Burnie-Shea
* Choquette Hot Springs
* Coste Rocks
* Dala-Kildala Rivers Estuaries
* Eagle Bay
* Exchamsiks River
* Foch-Gilttoyees
* Gitnadoiks River
* Great Glacier
* Green Inlet Marine
* Hai Lake–Mount Herman
* Iskut River Hot Springs
* Jackson Narrows Marine
* Kinaskan Lake
* Kitimat River
* Kitsumkalum
* Kitwanga Mountain
* Kleanza Creek
* Lakelse Lake
* Lakelse Lake Wetlands
* Lava Forks
* Lowe Inlet Marine
* Meziadin Lake
* Mount Edziza
* Nalbeelah Creek Wetlands
* Netalzul Meadows
* Ningunsaw
* Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed
* Owyacumish River
* Ross Lake
* Seeley Lake
* Seven Sisters Protected Area
* Sleeping Beauty Mountain
* Stikine River
* Sue Channel
* Swan Lake Kispiox River
* Todagin South Slope
* Union Passage Marine

Kootenay Boundary RD|

* Beaver Creek
* Boothman's Oxbow
* Boundary Creek
* Champion Lakes
* Christina Lake
* Conkle Lake
* Gilpin Grasslands
* Gladstone
* Granby
* Jewel Lake
* Johnstone Creek
* King George VI
* Nancy Greene

Metro Vancouver RD|

* Apodaca
* Cypress
* Golden Ears
* Mount Seymour
* Peace Arch
* Pinecone Burke
* Say Nuth Khaw Yum (Indian Arm)

Mount Waddington RD|

* Allison Harbour Marine
* Broughton Archipelago
* Cape Scott
* Claud Elliott Lake
* Cormorant Channel Marine
* Echo Bay Marine
* God's Pocket Marine
* Lanz and Cox Islands
* Lawn Point
* Lower Nimpkish
* Lower Tsitika
* Marble River
* Mquqᵂin/Brooks Peninsula
* Nimpkish Lake
* Quatsino
* Raft Cove
* Schoen Lake
* Woss Lake

Nanaimo RD|

* Arbutus Grove
* Drumbeg
* Englishman River Falls
* Gabriola Sands
* Gerald Island
* Hemer
* Horne Lake Caves
* Little Qualicum River Falls
* MacMillan
* Morden Colliery Historic
* Petroglyph
* Pirates Cove Marine
* Rathtrevor Beach
* Roberts Memorial
* Sandwell
* Saysutshun (Newcastle Island)
* Spider Lake

North Coast RD|

* Diana Lake
* Khutzeymateen
* Kitson Island Marine
* Klewnuggit Inlet Marine
* Lower Skeena River
* Naikoon
* Prudhomme Lake
* Pure Lake

North Okanagan RD|

* Denison - Bonneau
* Echo Lake
* Ellison
* Enderby Cliffs
* Granby
* Graystokes
* Kalamalka Lake
* Kekuli Bay
* Kingfisher Creek
* Mabel Lake
* Mara
* Mara Meadows
* Monashee
* Mount Griffin
* Shuswap River Islands
* Silver Star
* Skookumchuck Rapids
* Upper Violet Creek
* Wap Creek

Northern Rockies RM|

* Andy Bailey
* Jackpine Remnant
* Kotcho Lake Village
* Liard River Corridor
* Liard River Hot Springs
* Maxhamish Lake
* Muncho Lake
* Northern Rocky Mountains
* Scatter River Old Growth
* Sikanni Old Growth
* Smith River Falls – Fort Halkett
* Stone Mountain
* Tetsa River
* Toad River Hot Springs

Okanagan-Similkameen RD|

* Allison Lake
* Bromley Rock
* Cathedral
* Darke Lake
* E.C. Manning
* Eneas Lakes
* Inkaneep
* Keremeos Columns
* Kickininee
* Nickel Plate
* Okanagan Lake
* Okanagan Mountain
* Otter Lake
* Skaha Bluffs
* Stemwinder
* Sun-Oka Beach
* sw̓iw̓s (Haynes Point)
* sx̌ʷəx̌ʷnitkʷ (Okanagan Falls)
* Vaseux Lake

Peace River RD|

* Bearhole Lake
* Beatton
* Beatton River
* Bocock Peak
* Buckinghorse River Wayside
* Butler Ridge
* Charlie Lake
* Chase
* East Pine
* Ed Bird – Estella Lakes
* Finlay-Russel
* Graham-Laurier
* Gwillim Lake
* Hole-in-the-Wall
* Kakwa
* Kiskatinaw
* Kwadacha Wilderness
* Milligan Hills
* Moberly Lake
* Monkman
* Muscovite Lakes
* Omineca
* One Island Lake
* Peace River Corridor
* Pine Le Moray
* Pine River Breaks
* Pink Mountain
* Prophet River Hotsprings
* Prophet River Wayside
* Redfern-Keily
* Sukunka Falls
* Swan Lake
* Tatlatui
* Taylor Landing
* Wapiti Lake

qathet RD|

* Anderson Bay
* Copeland Islands Marine
* Desolation Sound Marine
* Inland Lake
* Malaspina
* Okeover Arm
* Jedediah Island Marine
* Sabine Channel Marine
* Saltery Bay
* South Texada Island
* Squitty Bay

Squamish-Lillooet RD|

* Alice Lake
* Birkenhead Lake
* Blackcomb Glacier
* Brackendale Eagles
* Brandywine Falls
* Bridge River Delta
* Callaghan Lake
* Clendinning
* Duffey Lake
* Edge Hills
* Fred Antoine
* Garibaldi
* Gwyneth Lake
* Joffre Lakes
* Marble Canyon
* Murrin
* Nairn Falls
* Porteau Cove
* Seton Portage Historic
* Shannon Falls
* South Chilcotin Mountains
* Stawamus Chief
* Tantalus
* Upper Lillooet
* Yalakom

Stikine Region|

* Atlin/Áa Tlein Téix'i
* Dall River Old Growth
* Denetiah
* Dune Za Keyih
* Horneline Creek
* Hyland River
* Omineca
* Spatsizi Headwaters
* Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness
* Stikine River
* Sustut
* Tā Ch’ilā (Boya Lake)
* Tarahne
* Tatshenshini-Alsek
* Tuya Mountains

Strathcona RD|

* Artlish Caves
* Big Bunsby Marine
* Bishop River
* Bligh Island
* Catala Island Marine
* Dixie Cove Marine
* Elk Falls
* Gold Muchalat
* Háthayim (Von Donop) Marine
* Homathko Estuary
* Loveland Bay
* Main Lake
* Mansons Landing
* Mitlenatch Island Nature
* Morton Lake
* Mquqᵂin/Brooks Peninsula
* Nuchatlitz
* Octopus Islands Marine
* Read Island
* Rebecca Spit Marine
* Rendezvous Island South
* Rock Bay Marine
* Roscoe Bay
* Rugged Point Marine
* Santa Gertrudis - Boca del Infierno Marine
* Small Inlet Marine
* Smelt Bay
* Strathcona
* Strathcona-Westmin
* Surge Narrows
* Tahsish-Kwois
* Teakerne Arm
* Thurston Bay Marine
* Walsh Cove
* Weymer Creek
* White Ridge
* White River

Sunshine Coast RD|

* Buccaneer Bay
* Francis Point
* Garden Bay Marine
* Halkett Bay Marine
* Hardy Island Marine
* Harmony Islands Marine
* Mount Elphinstone
* Mount Richardson
* Musket Island Marine
* Plumper Cove Marine
* Porpoise Bay
* Princess Louisa Marine
* Roberts Creek
* Sargeant Bay
* Sechelt Inlets Marine
* Simson Marine
* Skookumchuck Narrows
* Smuggler Cove Marine
* Spipiyus
* Tetrahedron

Thompson-Nicola RD|

* Arrowstone
* Banana Island
* Bedard Aspen
* Big Bar Lake
* Blue Earth Lake
* Blue River Black Spruce
* Blue River Pine
* Bonaparte
* Buse Lake
* Caligata Lake
* Castle Rock Hoodoos
* Chasm
* Chu Chua Cottonwood
* Churn Creek
* Coldwater River
* Copper Johnny
* Cornwall Hills
* Downing
* Dunn Peak
* Eakin Creek Canyon
* Eakin Creek Floodplain
* Edge Hills
* Elephant Hill
* Emar Lakes
* Epsom
* Finn Creek
* Flat Lake
* French Bar Creek
* Goldpan
* Green Lake
* Greenstone Mountain
* Harbour Dudgeon Lakes
* Harry Lake Aspen
* High Lakes Basin
* Juniper Beach
* Kentucky Alleyne
* Loon Lake
* Marble Canyon
* Marble Range
* McConnell Lake
* Momich Lakes
* Monck
* Monte Creek
* Monte Lake
* Mount Savona
* Mud Lake Delta
* Niskonlith Lake
* North Thompson Islands
* North Thompson Oxbows East
* North Thompson Oxbows Jensen Island
* North Thompson River
* Oregon Jack
* Painted Bluffs
* Paul Lake
* Pennask Creek
* Pennask Lake
* Pillar
* Porcupine Meadows
* Pritchard
* Pyramid Creek Falls
* Roche Lake
* Skihist
* Steelhead
* Stein Valley Nlaka'pamux
* Taweel
* Tsintsunko Lakes
* Tunkwa
* Upper Adams River
* Walhachin Oxbows
* Walloper Lake
* Wells Gray
* Wire Cache

Conservancies|

* Alty
* Banks Nii Łuutiksm
* Bishop Bay – Monkey Beach
* Bishop Bay – Monkey Beach Corridor
* Broughton Archipelago
* Burdwood Group
* Calvert Island
* Cascade-Sutslem
* Cetan/Thurston Bay
* Crab Lake
* Daawuuxusda Heritage
* Dean River
* Duu Guusd Heritage
* Dzawadi/Upper Klinaklini River
* Ecstall Headwaters
* Ecstall-Sparkling
* Ecstall-Spokskuut
* Ellerslie-Roscoe
* Ethelda Bay – Tennant Island
* Europa Lake
* Fiordland
* Forward Harbour/ƛəx̌əᵂəyəm
* Gitxaala Nii Luutiksm/Kitkatla
* Gunboat Harbour
* Hakai Lúxvbálís
* Hanna-Tintina
* Hotsprings-No Name Creek
* Kamdis
* Huchsduwachsdu Nuyem Jees / Kitlope Heritage
* Hunwadi/Ahnuhati-Bald
* Indian Lake – Hitchcock Creek/Át Ch'îni Shà
* Jump Across
* Kennedy Island
* K'distsausk/Turtle Point
* Khtada Lake
* Khutzeymateen Inlet
* Khyex
* Kitasoo Spirit Bear
* K’lgaan/Klekane
* K’mooda/Lowe-Gamble
* K'nabiyaaxl/Ashdown
* Koeye
* K’ootz/Khutze
* Ksgaxl/Stephens Island
* Ksi X’anmaas
* Ksi xts'at'kw/Stagoo
* Ktisgaidz/MacDonald Bay
* Kts'mkta'ani/Union Lake
* Kun⨱alas Heritage
* K'uuna Gwaay Heritage
* K'waal
* Lady Douglas-Don Peninsula
* Lax ka’gaas/Campania
* Lax Kul Nii Luutiksm/Bonilla
* Lax Kwaxl/Dundas and Melville Islands
* Lax Kwil Dziidz/Fin
* Lockhart-Gordon
* Lucy Islands
* Mahpahkum-Ahkwuna/Deserters-Walker
* Maxtaktsm'aa/Union Passage
* Moksgm’ol/Chapple–Cornwall
* Monckton Nii Luutiksm
* Nakina – Inklin Rivers (Kuthai Area)/Yáwu Yaa
* Nakina – Inklin Rivers/Yáwu Yaa
* Namu
* Nang Xaldangaas Heritage
* Neʼāhʼ
* Outer Central Coast Islands
* Owikeno
* Pa-aat
* Polkinghorne Islands
* Q’altanaas/Aaltanhash
* Qudǝs/Gillard-Jimmy Judd Island Conservancy
* Qwiquallaaq/Boat Bay
* Shearwater Hot Springs
* Tenh Dẕetle
* Tlall Heritage
* Tsa-Latĺ/Smokehouse
* Tutshi Lake/T’ooch’ Áayi
* Ugʷiwa’/Cape Caution
* Upper Elaho Valley
* Upper Gladys River/Watsíx Deiyi
* Upper Kimsquit River
* Upper Rogers kóḻii7
* Upper Soo
* Willison Creek – Nelson Lake/Sít’ Héeni
* Yaaguun Gandlaay
* Yaaguun Suu

Ecological reserves|

* Aleza Lake
* Ambrose Lake
* Anne Vallée (Triangle Island)
* Baeria Rocks
* Ballingall Islets
* Baynes Island
* Bednesti Lake
* Beresford Island
* Big Creek
* Big White Mountain
* Blackwater Creek
* Bowen Island
* Bowser
* Browne Lake
* Buck Hills Road
* Burnt Cabin Bog
* Byers-Conroy-Harvey-Sinnett Islands
* Canoe Islets
* Checleset Bay
* Claud Elliott Creek
* Columbia Lake
* Drizzle Lake
* Duke of Edinburgh (Pine/Storm/Tree Islets)
* Dewdney and Glide Islands
* East Redonda Island
* Gamble Creek
* Gingietl Creek
* Gladys Lake
* Ilgachuz Range
* Klanawa River
* Misty Lake
* Mount Derby
* Mount Elliott
* Mount Tzouhalem
* Nitinat Lake
* Race Rocks
* Robson Bight
* Rose Spit
* San Juan River Estuary
* Sikanni Chief River
* Solander Island
* Tow Hill
* Trial Islands
* Tsitika Mountain
* Vladimir J. Krajina

Protected areas|

* Anarchist
* Brent Mountain
* Brim River Hot Springs
* Chukachida
* Churn Creek
* Craig Headwaters
* Damdochax
* Homathko River - Tatlayoko
* Klua Lakes
* Lac du Bois Grasslands
* Lucy Islands
* Nechako Canyon
* Pitman River
* Snowy
* South Okanagan Grasslands
* Thinahtea
* Thunderbird's Nest (T'iitsk'in Paawats)
* Upper Raush
* Vaseux
* White Lake Grasslands

Recreation areas|

* Coquihalla Summit
* Kettle River
* Mount Edziza (former)

Wildlife Management Areas

* Bert Brink
* Boundary Bay
* Chilanko Marsh
* Cluxewe
* Columbia Wetlands
* Coquitlam River
* Cranberry Marsh/Starratt
* Dewdrop-Rosseau Creek
* East Side Columbia Lake
* Green Mountain
* Hamling Lakes
* Lhá:lt/Harrison-Chehalis
* Lazo Marsh-North East Comox
* McTaggart-Cowan/Nsək'łniw't
* Midge Creek
* Parksville-Qualicum Beach
* Pemberton Wetlands
* Pitt-Addington Marsh
* Quatse Estuary
* Roberts Bank
* S'amunu
* Serpentine
* Skwelwil'em Squamish Estuary
* South Arm Marshes
* South Okanagan
* Stellako River
* Sturgeon Bank
* Swan Lake
* Todagin
* Tofino Mudflats
* Tranquille

Regional Parks

* Burnaby Lake
* Campbell Valley
* Capilano River
* Cascade Falls
* Derby Reach
* Elk/Beaver Lake
* Island View Beach
* Kanaka Creek
* Minnekhada
* Mount Arrowsmith
* Mount Douglas
* Pacific Spirit
* Sooke Potholes
* Surrey Bend
* təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra

Other

* Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area
* Hidden Grove/Sechelt Heritage Forest
* Maplewood Flats Conservation Area
* Muskwa-Kechika Management Area
* Sacred Headwaters (proposed)
* Sea to Sea Green Blue Belt
* Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary

* Category
* BC Parks
* Commons

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* Germany

Other|

* Yale LUX

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*[CRHP]: Canadian Register of Historic Places