The Kootenay Rockies attracts wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world for one thing: Rocky Mountain wildlife.
Interested in guided wildlife tours? Witness bighorn sheep bashing horns on a Head Banger tour in Radium Hot Springs, take a bear watching tour at Grizzly Bear Lodge or watch for otters, beaver, birds and moose while drifting through the internationally-significant Columbia River Wetlands.
The national and provincial parks are excellent places to view large animals. Bighorn sheep and mountain goats are often seen along roadways and even from hot springs, while lush valleys and meadows attract moose, bear and deer. The Columbia Wetlands are a fantastic place to go bird watching solo or as part of a tour.
Abundant Wildlife in Rocky Mountain Parks
The national and provincial parks in the Kootenay Rockies region are famous for their wildlife. Large mammals like bighorn sheep are often seen along the roads. The national parks here tend to offer a wide range of services including interpretive displays, guided tours and exhibits. On-site naturalists brief visitors on wildlife viewing, safety and other park activities.
Height of the Rockies Provincial Park
This large wilderness park supports high concentrations of elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, moose, cougars, black and grizzly bears and mountain goats. Six major trailheads are accessible by summer logging roads. Get to the southern portion of the park via the community of Elkford.
Elk Lakes Provincial Park
Rugged peaks, alpine meadows and clear lakes create an outstanding habitat for a range of wildlife. Wander amid the park's many meadows to encounter elk, white-tailed deer and moose, and perhaps even spot a bighorn sheep, mountain goat, grizzly or black bear. Elk Lakes Provincial Park is a 1.5 hour drive north from Sparwood.
Kootenay National Park
The park offers good grazing conditions for bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk and moose. Grizzlies visit the avalanche slopes in spring, while the open valleys and grassy meadows draw all manner of wildlife, particularly at dusk.
Near Radium Hot Springs, you'll find a band of bighorn sheep enjoying their summer range in the area. The Animal Lick beside Highway 93 is a big draw for animals, including the nearly 300 mountain goats that inhabit the park. Get to Kootenay National Park from Golden via Highway 95 or from the south via Highway 93/95.
Head Banger Tour
Located in Kootenay National Park, this tour takes you up close to view the annual Bighorn sheep rut. Watch the rams charge together, smashing their horns to determine dominance. Visit the Radium Visitor Centre for more information.
Yoho National Park
The craggy mountain peaks are home to mountain goats and bighorn sheep while the lower valleys draw elk, deer, coyotes, wolves and the more elusive lynx. The high alpine meadows of Yoho are home to many bird species while the mineral licks along the highway draw wildlife from around the area. Yoho National Park is located 40 minutes from Golden, along Highway 1.
Salmon, Trout and Fish Viewing
Several hatcheries and spawning beds are located in the Kootenay Rockies region. Get a close-up look and learn about the life cycle of these fish.
Kokanee Creek Provincial Park
This popular West Kootenay park features wildlife viewing and spawning channels for kokanee salmon. The kokanee can be viewed in early fall, when the spawning channels turn orange with thousands of returning fish.
Coyotes, beaver and deer make their home here, and a viewing platform provides excellent bird watching along the creek and delta. Located 20 km east of Nelson.
Kootenay Trout Hatchery
Species raised here include rainbow and cutthroat trout, brook char and the endangered Kootenay River white sturgeon, BC's largest freshwater fish. Walk through an extensive interpretative area featuring aquariums, educational models and displays. Visitors can view (and possibly feed) some trophy-sized trout in the moat outside. The hatchery is located on Highway 3, 20 minutes southeast from Cranbrook.
Wildlife Viewing in Wetlands, Rivers and Marshes
The Kootenay Rockies have several important wetland areas that support thriving populations of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and amphibians.
Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area
The Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area is a stunning combination of wetlands, marshes, rivers and lakes offers amazing wildlife viewing opportunities. Explore more than 30km/18.6mi of trails or walk a boardwalk to a three-storey bird-viewing tower. Join a guided canoe tour for a close-up look at the wetlands; watch for ducks, turtles or even moose.
The wetlands provide home to more than 280 species of birds, 80 species of mammals, fish and amphibians. Talk to a naturalist at the Wildlife Interpretation Centre for information on interactive displays, programs and events. These wetlands are located near Creston.
Columbia Valley Wetlands
Set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, the Columbia River Wetlands is one of the largest continuous wetlands systems in North America. A guided wetlands safari down the Columbia River is an ideal way to spot wildlife in this amazing habitat.
The area supports a huge variety of wildlife: more than 260 species of birds have been sighted here, along with deer, elk beaver, otters, amphibians and reptiles. Columbia Valley Wetlands is located between Radium Hot Springs and Golden.
For information on wildlife safety, practical points and viewing tips visit the BC Wildlife Tours page.
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