If you want to dive into nature’s lap in Canada, you must visit the national parks there. Canada has around 43 national parks offering scenic beauty and adventure to their visitors. I will tell you about one of the most popular, the Glacier National Park. The park spreads around 521 square miles (1,349 sq km) of area.
I guess it’s a perfect destination for you if you like fun and adventure. You can climb its peaks through hiking trails created by renowned Swiss mountain guides, enjoy a stroll through an old-growth cedar forest covered in moss, or go hiking through an alpine meadow full of stones covered in lichen. The two main transportation routes are the Trans-Canada Highway and the Canadian Pacific Railway. Both routes offer stunning vistas of the Canadian Rockies and Columbia Mountain Range as well as access to many of the country’s western national parks.
But, tourists usually don’t know what time is most suited for visiting the park. So, I would like to share it with you:
- The Glacier National Park can be accessed all year long.
- For summer travel, day-use zones open in June, while campgrounds open in late June. In May, the valley paths open. However, until early July, upper-elevation trails remain closed due to snow.
- In July and August, there will be an average daily high temperature of 28°C and a low temperature of around 8°C.
- The majority of the annual precipitation that falls in Canada Glacier National Park is snow.
- Mid-October marks the start of the snowy season, which lasts until June. The ski season, if you’re coming in the winter drive, lasts from November to April.
- Average daily highs in December and January are 0°C or -1°C and lows are around -8°C. During your vacation, prepare for significant weather variations and avoid relying solely on the weather forecast because it can be inaccurate.
Popular Attractions Around the Park
Oh yeah, one more thing that I must mention here is that the park in Montana in the United States should not be confused with this one. It is situated in British Columbia, a four-hour drive west of Calgary. Along the Trans-Canada Highway, it is situated between Yoho and Mount Revelstoke National Parks. So, what’s special about the park is that you get to stroll some very exciting nearby attractions.
1. Rogers Pass National Historic Site
The Trans-Canada Highway‘s highest point is Rogers Pass. The Rogers Pass Discovery Centre is located closer to the major road. I recommend You start your overall tour of the park from here. The remains of the historic Glacier House Hotel can be seen as you stroll along the abandoned rail line that served as the CPR’s original route. It is a popular backcountry ski touring destination with an average yearly snowfall of 14 m.
2. Mount Sir Donald
Alpine rock climbers like to visit this 10,774-foot mountain in Rogers Pass because of its resemblance to the Matterhorn. It is a fourth-class climb that is included in Fifty Classic Climbs of North America. Although snow can fall at any time of the year, July through early September is the optimum period to climb the peak. So, if you have some experience in rock climbing, try this.
3. Mount Dawson
A massif in the Selkirk Mountains known as Mount Dawson is the tallest mountain peak in the Glacier National Park. 11,079 feet is its highest point (3,377 m). The tallest of the mountain’s two peaks is Hasler Peak, while Feuz Peak is the other.
4. Hemlock Grove Boardwalk
The summer season sees the opening of this short wooden pathway that is completely accessible. The walk is roughly 15 minutes long and winds through a dense forest with giant 500-year-old cedar and hemlock trees. I can assure you of complete fun. With picnic tables and restrooms, it is the ideal rest area along the highway.
5. Illecillewaet Glacier
Big Water, one of the most researched glaciers in North America, is known as Illecillewaet in the Okanagan First Nations language. Its size is 3.41 square miles, and its depth is thought to be 330 feet. The glacier has receded more than 4,701 feet since it was first studied in 1887. The trails that follow the glacier have a significant height rise. Nonetheless, they are signposted and provide breathtaking vistas. The Illecillewaet campground with restrooms is close by. Due to the large number of bears in the area, you must have at least four persons in your group if you plan to hike there.
6. Nakimu Caves
In Canada Glacier National Park, there is a disorganized network of tunnels, passages, and drop-offs known as the Nakimu Caves. When Glacier House Hotel was frequently visited, these caves were well explored. However, in recent years, they have effectively been shut down. The endangered small brown bat lives there, and the walls are covered in the white spongy Moonmilk bacteria.
If you are an experienced cave diver, you might be able to apply for a permit because Parks Canada only issues permits on rare occasions and the caves are severely controlled. The caves stretch for 3.7 miles (6 km), making it one of the longest cave systems in Canada. The caves are temporarily closed while studies into the effects on bats are being conducted.
7. Fishing
The fishing in Canada Glacier National Park is widely renowned. 78 campgrounds provide fast access to the lakes and streams between Illecillewaet and Loop Brook. To fish inside Glacier National Park, you need a parking pass and a national park fishing permit. At the visitor centres, you can purchase these licenses.
You can reach Glacier National Park via car or bus. It is situated between Revelstoke and Golden on the Trans-Canada Highway. Both Golden and Revelstoke provide a wide range of lodging options. Alternatively, camping is possible inside the park in the front country and backcountry. Glacier National Park is a very beautiful and spectacular place to visit. The mountains and the national park region are passed by four important rivers. Throughout the park, the rivers give way to several spectacular waterfalls.
Overall, I must say that a visit to Glacier National Park, Canada is a full package in itself. It offers tourists multiple attractions and activities to enjoy. Travel through charming towns and along roads visitors will occasionally be visited by wolves, moose, cougar brook, grizzly bears, black bears, mountain goats, and elk. You can even view and take pictures of the renowned Prince of Wales Hotel. As you dine, take in the view of Waterton Lake. Also one can visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, one of the oldest and best-maintained buffalo jumps in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. So, get ready for a wonderful nature’s journey.
Last Updated on April 21, 2024 by Pragya Chakrapani
