Wildlife Tours
Bald Eagles in a tree
Between the Columbia River Wetlands and the protected parklands in the area, Radium Hot Springs makes an excellent base for anyone interested in nature.
Marvel at male bighorn sheep battling for females on a Head Banger Tour, or experience the renowned Columbia River Wetlands from the water on a floating wildlife tour.
Radium Hot Springs is also a good place for bird watchers; look to the skies to take advantage of the area’s renowned bird watching opportunities.
Head Banger Tours
Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep have made themselves right at home in the village of Radium Hot Springs. There are approximately 150 sheep in the resident herd, and they are particularly visible in spring grazing on scrubby wild grasses and the occasional flower garden. In summer, the herd moves to higher ground, and returns to the valley in fall for the rut.
Come at the beginning of November for a Head Banger Tour, and learn more about these amazing animals and the peculiar custom of the rams – vying for dominance (and, by extension, the females) by repeatedly charging head-first at each other.
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The Columbia River Wetlands
The Columbia River meanders 150km/93mi through sedge meadows and marshes between the Windermere Valley and Golden. This is one of the richest wetland ecosystems in the world, populated by hundreds of species of birds, amphibians and mammals. Look out for endangered species like the Northern leopard frog, white sturgeon, prairie falcon and short-eared owl. The best way to see it is, of course, from the water.
Kootenay River Runners offers a unique paddling experience on the Columbia River. The vessel is a modern, but traditionally styled, 10m/34ft long voyageur canoe. Paddle with a crew of up to 18 through the Columbia River Wetlands and observe the abundant wildlife of this most important nature reserve.
Columbia River Outfitters, based in Invermere at the outflow of Lake Windermere, offers both guided and self-guided paddling tours of the Columbia River Wetlands, and has kayaks and canoes for rent by the hour and by the day.
Columbia Rafting rents inflatable tandem kayaks for relaxing and self-guided Columbia River tours.
For more information about wildlife tours in and around Radium Hot Springs, contact the Visitor Centre.
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