Marble Canyon — short, and worth it

The walk at Marble Canyon is about 1.9 km return with barely 30 metres of elevation. The path follows the canyon upward and crosses it seven times on bridges, so you are looking straight down into the gorge for most of it. Easy enough for young children, and one of the highest reward-to-effort walks in the Rockies.

The Paint Pots

About a kilometre from the car park, roughly a fifteen-minute walk, the Paint Pots are iron-rich mineral springs that have stained the ground and water in reds, oranges and yellows. The ochre here was used by the Ktunaxa for generations.

Marble Canyon and the Paint Pots are linked by a signed trail, so you can walk between the two rather than driving.

Stanley Glacier — the bigger day

Stanley Glacier is the proper hike of the three. The trail climbs through forest regrowing after the 1968 wildfire, then opens out above the treeline with the glacier at the head of the valley. Longer and steeper than the other two — treat it as a half day with boots and water.

Before you go

You need a valid Parks Canada pass to be in the park. Note also that from 19 June to 7 September 2026, the Canada Strong Pass gives free admission to Parks Canada sites including Kootenay — though pool fees at Radium still apply separately.