Things to Do in Revelstoke, BC: Top Attractions, Hiking Trails & Activities Near Revelstoke RV & Cabin Resort
Revelstoke sits in the Columbia Mountains at the confluence of the Columbia and Illecillewaet Rivers, surrounded by two national parks, and backed by a ski resort with the highest vertical drop in North America. The town is small (roughly 8,000 people), the scenery is staggering, and the outdoor recreation is genuinely world-class.
Mount Revelstoke National Park
Right outside town. One of Canada's lesser-known national parks and one of its most accessible.
Meadows in the Sky Parkway
This is the signature experience. Meadows in the Sky Parkway is a paved road that climbs to near-summit of Mount Revelstoke (1,938m). Drive up, take the final shuttle or walk 1km to the summit meadows, and find yourself in subalpine wildflower meadows with views over the Columbia Valley and Selkirk Mountains.
In July and August, the wildflower display is exceptional. In early fall, the larches turn gold.
No serious hiking required. Drive up, walk around, be amazed.
Parks Canada Mount Revelstoke National Park for road conditions and shuttle information
Giant Cedars Boardwalk
A short (500m), accessible boardwalk through an old-growth western red cedar forest. Some trees are 800–1,000 years old. Towering, cathedral-quiet, and a completely different experience from the alpine meadows.
This one is appropriate for all ages and fitness levels. Do it.
Skunk Cabbage Trail
An easy boardwalk trail through wetlands — excellent for birding and a good family-accessible option in spring and early summer.
Eva Lake Trail
A classic Revelstoke hike — 24km return, summit meadows, and a lake. One of the area's signature full-day hikes for experienced hikers.
Glacier National Park
About 45 minutes east on the Trans-Canada.
Glacier National Park (the Canadian one, around Rogers Pass) is one of BC's most dramatic and undervisited national parks. The Rogers Pass section of the Trans-Canada passes through the park — a drive worth doing even if you don't stop.
Rogers Pass Historic Site
The Rogers Pass Discovery Centre tells the story of the Canadian Pacific Railway's crossing of the Selkirks and the avalanche control program that keeps the highway safe. The history is fascinating, the setting is spectacular.
Hiking in Glacier National Park
Abandoned Rails Trail — easy, historic
Illecillewaet Glacier Trail — moderate, views of the retreating glacier
Abbott Ridge Trail — challenging, reward views
Parks Canada Glacier National Park for trail conditions and visitor information
Downtown Revelstoke
A proper mountain town. Walk it.
Main Street (Mackenzie Avenue) has independent restaurants, coffee shops, gear stores, and galleries. It hasn't been taken over by chains and tourist shops. Wander it.
Eat & Drink in Revelstoke
Woolsey Creek Bistro — local ingredients, mountain atmosphere
Village Idiot — the pub, beloved by locals
La Baguette — bakery, for the morning pastry run
Noodle Box — casual, good
Revelstoke Brewing Company — local craft beer
Tourism Revelstoke dining guide
Revelstoke Railway Museum
The history of the CPR and the mountain railway era. A solid rainy-day stop and genuinely interesting for the scope of what it took to build a railway through the Selkirks.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Start here if you're visiting in winter. Or summer. The resort operates year-round.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort holds the record for the highest vertical drop of any ski resort in North America — 1,713 metres of vertical. That's not a small distinction. Combined with consistent snowfall (the Selkirks are known for it), steep terrain, and a resort that hasn't been over-commercialized, Revelstoke Mountain Resort is in a different conversation from most Canadian ski hills.
Winter at Revelstoke Mountain Resort
3,121 acres of skiable terrain
1,713m vertical drop (largest in North America)
Consistent, deep powder
Heli-skiing — Selkirk Tangiers Helicopter Skiing operates out of Revelstoke
Cat skiing — guided snowcat skiing into the backcountry
Village with restaurants, rentals, and ski-in/ski-out access
Summer at Revelstoke Mountain Resort
When the snow melts, the mountain biking starts.
Mountain biking — over 60km of lift-accessed trails from beginner to expert
Gondola rides for non-riders — summit views over the Columbia Valley
Hiking from the summit
Rafting on the Illecillewaet & Columbia Rivers
For the adventure side.
Illecillewaet River runs through Glacier National Park and into Revelstoke — sections range from family-friendly float trips to legitimate whitewater. Multiple outfitters operate out of Revelstoke.
The Columbia River offers calmer float trips with excellent scenery.
Revelstoke adventure tourism operators for rafting bookings
The Revelstoke Dam
About 5km north of town. Free to visit.
Revelstoke Dam is one of BC's major hydroelectric dams — a visitor centre explains how it works, and the view from the top of the dam over the Columbia River reservoir (Lake Revelstoke) is excellent.
Free admission. Worth a couple of hours.
Kayaking & Paddling
Lake Revelstoke (the reservoir above the dam) is one of the quieter kayaking destinations in the region — calm water, mountain scenery, and far fewer boats than the busier Shuswap lakes.
The Columbia River south of town also offers paddling opportunities.
Snowshoeing & Nordic Skiing
In winter, beyond the mountain resort:
Frisby Ridge is a snowshoeing and backcountry skiing destination accessed from Revelstoke — popular for backcountry enthusiasts. Views are exceptional.
Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club maintains groomed cross-country trails near town for classic and skate skiing.
Salmon Run Viewing
In fall (October/November), salmon spawning occurs in local streams near Revelstoke. The Illecillewaet River and smaller tributaries see sockeye and coho returns. Easy to observe from the roadside — a natural spectacle worth knowing about.
Aurora Borealis from the Resort
Don't forget: Revelstoke RV & Cabin Resort" itself is a prime aurora viewing spot thanks to its meadow setting and low light pollution. When the forecast is right, you don't need to go anywhere. AuroraForecast.com for aurora predictions in BC
FAQ
What is there to do near Revelstoke RV & Cabin Resort?
Near Revelstoke RV & Cabin Resort, activities include: skiing and mountain biking at Revelstoke Mountain Resort (highest vertical drop in North America), hiking and driving the Meadows in the Sky Parkway in Mount Revelstoke National Park, hiking and visiting Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park (45 min), rafting on the Illecillewaet and Columbia Rivers, exploring downtown Revelstoke's restaurants and shops, visiting the Revelstoke Dam, and aurora borealis viewing from the resort.
What is Revelstoke Mountain Resort known for?
Revelstoke Mountain Resort has the highest vertical drop of any ski resort in North America at 1,713 metres. It's known for consistent deep powder, steep terrain, heli-skiing, cat skiing, and an unspoiled mountain resort experience. In summer it operates for mountain biking and gondola rides.
What is Meadows in the Sky Parkway?
Meadows in the Sky Parkway is a paved road in Mount Revelstoke National Park that climbs to near-summit elevation (1,938m). A short final walk (or shuttle) leads to subalpine wildflower meadows. Open July–October depending on snow conditions.
How far is Glacier National Park from Revelstoke?
Glacier National Park (Rogers Pass area) is approximately 45 minutes east of Revelstoke on the Trans-Canada Highway. It offers hiking, the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre, and dramatic mountain scenery through the Selkirk Mountains.
Is Revelstoke good for mountain biking?
Yes. Revelstoke Mountain Resort operates a lift-accessed mountain bike park in summer with over 60km of trails. The town is also a hub for cross-country and trail riding in the surrounding area.
What restaurants are in Revelstoke?
Revelstoke has a well-regarded local restaurant scene including Woolsey Creek Bistro, Village Idiot pub, La Baguette bakery, and Revelstoke Brewing Company among others. The town has maintained a locally-owned dining culture.
