Tag: camping

How to Spend a Week in Radium, Britsh Columbia

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How to Spend a Week in Radium, Britsh Columbia

It was September 2024. Since my relationship had ended, instead of looking forward to a romantic couples trip, I was en route to yet another summer family vacation. The beginning of September is a great time to visit because while the crowds have left the sunshine has not.

 This time were heading to Radium, BC. About a 6ish hour drive from our hometown of Edmonton, Alberta. Radium is a small, quaint mountain town with lots of activities nearby. There are lots of options for nearby hiking or water activities. You are likely to spot Bighorn sheep at some point during your trip.

Here is how our week together unfolded.

Driving in the mountains was the first part of the trip’s fun. It was a sunny day, and stretching out our legs with the mountains as the backdrop was an amazing feeling.

We stopped for an easy hike at Marble Canyon. This was a short easy walk where we were able to eat our lunch outside. It was super hot and we were melting so we sat near the creek to experience a bit of the cold air coming off the water. It had an incredible translucent blue-green color.

Where to Stay

We booked a condo at the Bighorn Meadows Resort. The suite was equipped with a kitchen and a view of the golf course which was located nearby. It had a pool and two hot tubs on site which we frequently visit nightly. In the mornings we would walk ten minutes to grab groceries or coffee and pastries for the day. Once in town, the tourist center provided options for milder day hikes.

The resort contains a golf course. We aren’t into golf, but we had dinner at the clubhouse one night and the views are spectacular. Here is a picture my mom took of me next to the clubhouse.

What to Eat

Our favorite restaurant is Birchwood Restaurant. I’d describe it as an intimate restaurant, upscale but caters to casual attire. Satisfying and fresh cuisine.

After a hot day in the sun, with plenty of cold swims, we ordered Indian takeout to bring back to the resort. We highly recommend The Spice Hut.

However, the ultimate foodie stop is Smokehouse 93. I can never tasted a juicer, more tender slice of brisket and we always order extra to take home for dinner on our drive home.

Hikes

Stanely Glacier

A bit of a drive (under an hour) to get to this hike from our resort but it was well worth it. I have what I’m told by others as “too much energy” and hiking is something that seems to make me feel calm and peaceful. This hike is mild and has a few locations to stop and enjoy snacks or water if someone isn’t up for the full 10 km trek. My mother was shocked at how many wild mushrooms were growing. Picking mushrooms was something that she did as a child so the nostalgia of that brought her back to those times and she was kicking herself for not having a spare bag to collect mushrooms with. I did not remember foraging for mushrooms and am someone who might poison themselves by picking and eating the wrong ones. I know. I’m not a risk taker. I was not as excited by the plentiful of mushrooms, but if you know your stuff about picking mushrooms this is a great trail to do so.

Beach Time

About a fifteen-minute drive from Radium, you will find the town of Invermere. Invermere is a larger city with more amenities and a refreshing clean lake, Lake Windermere. I love spending time on the lake paddle boarding and swimming while taking breaks to read or nap in the sun.

Day Trip

We started our day with a short hike, the Hoodoo Trail, then planned on going to a natural hot spring and relaxing near a beautiful remote lake that was tucked deep in the mountains.

Next, we ventured to WhiteSwan Lake Park, which, FYI was after a bumpy gravel road, do not recommend it unless you have a durable vehicle! This road leads you to Lussier Creek Hot which contains a natural hot spring,

The hot springs were a nice way to relax after our morning hike and we alternated between hotter and colder pools of water.

After we finished our warm dips we drove on to stop at a lake. The lake contained a small camping stop and we parked at an empty lot and brought snacks and books to the dock where we enjoyed some more R&R. The lake had almost a neon blue color and being in such a remote area felt luxurious.

Other Activities

We usually go to the Radium Natural Hot Springs, but the timing didn’t work out for this trip. It was closed or we were too tired and opted for our resort pool and hot tub instead. It’s a nice place to soak and alternate in the swimming pool.

The is a hike nearby which we got somewhat lost on, then by following the sound of the creek found our way back.

Juniper Loop

The final day of our trip consisted of a quick hike to the ink pots followed by lunch in Banff.

10 Must-Do Summer Activities in Kananaskis: A Guide to Outdoor Adventure

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Kananaskis

Kananaskis is a remote spot full of magnificent mountain ranges providing endless possibilities for hiking, cycling, or practicing water sports. While the area doesn’t have a town like popular destinations such as Banff and Canmore, do, if you are looking for somewhere remote, it’s the ideal place. This secluded area does attract more bears, so be sure to purchase and bring bear spray for any of your adventures. Also, oddly enough, a friend of a friend thought that bear spray worked in an equivalent way to bug spray. Fortunately, these friends discovered that bear spray is used on bears ONLY, and not humans! I genuinely love the Kananaskis area and hope to explore more this summer. Also, try to pick up a map at the visitor center. If you are anything like me and rely on GPS, be forewarned that cellphone service in this area is limited or non-existent. To help maintain the parks, you must pay a fee for the Kananaskis conservation pass, which you can purchase online. This is a fee that is paid per car, not per person.

1. Drive through the Scenic Mountains

Even if you aren’t super athletic, driving through the mountains is enjoyable, and there are plenty of places to stop for photos or enjoy an outdoor meal.

2. Go for a Hike at Barrier Lake

I’ll admit I have yet to do too many hikes in this area, but Barrier Lake is a great spot to stop; if you don’t want to venture up the mountain slope, simply walking around the turquoise water pool is enchanting enough. This is a wide path and a relatively easy hike, so it suits a group. The trek starts with a little to see, but the view of Barrier Lake at the top is epic.

Barrier Lake Trail

Distance: 7.7 km

Difficulty rating: 6

Time: 2 hours

3. Enjoy the Nordic Spa at Kananaskis Mountain Lodge

Who doesn’t love a few hours of self-care? What better place than right in the middle of the mountains! Plan a massage and enjoy the health benefits of hydrotherapy at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa.

4. Catch up with Friends

Is there someone you haven’t seen for awhile? If you can, treat yourself to a stay at this relaxing mountain-encompassed hotel. Book a massage or treatment in their Nordic Spa and submerge yourself in the cold and hot therapy pools, saunas, and steam rooms. Sit by the fire and roast marshmallows at night.

I’ve taken both families and friends to enjoy this hotel and had a blast!

5. Hike Ribbon Falls

This is an easy and peaceful loop.

Ribbon Creek Trail

Distance: 5.6 km

Difficulty rating: 3

Time: 2 hours

6. Lounge at Lower Lake Kananaskis

You pack, eagerly await the long car drive, and finally arrive in the mountains. Full of trail mix and jerky, you spend days charging up mountains like a pro. The next day, you are a little sunburned and a little tired. It’s always lovely to sandwich a recovery day for travel. Sometimes we need to travel for rest. Heading to a lake with a cooler, book, and floatie is equally as enjoyable as burning the rubber of your sturdy hiking boots.

7. Practise Water Sports at Lower Lake Kananaskis

A hot day is best paired with a refreshing plunge into the water. In fact, getting into a body of cold water stimulates dopamine release. As a lover of warm weather, I used to loathe getting into cold water and now find it as stimulating as a shot of espresso.

8. Go Glamping At Sundance Lodges

I loved staying in a canvas tent at the Sundance by Basecamp. They have camping, canvas tent, and teepees with kerosene heaters. It’s what I consider “glamping”. It’s a wonderful place if you want the camping experience but don’t have the gear or energy to acquire it. Their main administration building provides cooking equipment (for a fee) if you need it and showers. 

9. Hike Troll Falls

An easy, quick hike, nice to do after or before a long car ride to stretch the legs. Easy out and back flat trail for any fitness level.

Troll Falls

Time: 1 Hour

Distance: 3.4 KM

Difficulty Rating: 2

10. Hike Mount Yamanuska

This is challenging hike to complete, so if you are full of energy and enjoy a challenge, this may be an ideal venture to try.

Mount Yamnuska

Difficulty: 8

Time: 2 hours

Distance: 9 KM

11. Practise White Water Sports

This post was only supposed to be ten things to do, but this is another unique option to explore. I am not adventurous enough to practice extreme sports, but if you are into white water kayaking or rafting, there’s an opportunity to do so.

Rafting on the Clackamas River by U.S. Forest Service (source) is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

Several companies offer rafting trips in the Kananaskis area:

Canadian Rockies Rafting

Canmore River Adventures

White Wolf Rafting

Summary

Oh, and if all these activities have made you hungry, please check out the Kananaski Dining Guide!

There’s really something for everyone in Kananaskis. I hope this post has inspired you to visit this serene destination, and if you have favorite hikes in the area, I’d love to hear about them! And if you are looking for more places with fun mountain adventures, check out my post on Waterton, Alberta.