Epic summer mountain adventures in Revelstoke BC

Stay in the charming mountain town of Revelstoke to experience epic outdoor adventures, museums, craft breweries and more. This stunning area offers year round fun-filled activities.

In the summer, nature beckons travellers to enjoy the wide open spaces and fresh mountain air with two outstanding national parks, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier, close by.

Winter lures ski enthusiasts to Revelstoke from all over the world with its powered snow and endless winter activities. For more that 120 years, skiing has been ingrained in its soul. Its no wonder that Canada’s oldest ski club started here in 1890.

Is Revelstoke worth a visit?

There are lots of trails to explore in the area, but please respect the wildlife by not feeding the animals and keeping your distance. Always be aware of your surroundings as this area is a prime bear territory. Check with the Visitors Information Centre before heading out for the day, as some trails close to protect mountain caribou in the area.

Download a map of Revelstoke and surrounding area.

The charming town of Revelstoke is surrounded by stunning mountains. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Best things to do in Revelstoke BC

Discover Downtown Revelstoke

The Art Alleries project invites you to view eight public art installations found in the alleyways mostly between Connaught Avenue and Mackenzie Avenue, as well as between 3rd Street and Victoria Road.

Take a historic walking tour during the month of August to learn about the heritage buildings in the downtown area or visit the Revelstoke Museum to find more.

The historic downtown of Revelstoke BC. Photo Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Explore three museums

Revelstoke Museum

Rich in history, browse two levels of interactive exhibits. If you want to dig further, the archives have a considerable amount of records to go through.

The exhibit, “Land of Thundering Snow,” explains the history of snow avalanches’ impact on the mountainous areas in Canada. Take a virtual museum tour to learn about this natural part of mountain life.

The Revelstoke Train Museum

The museum tells the important history of Canada’s rail heritage through the Rockies. Revelstoke played a significant role of turning Canada into one nation.

The last spike laid connecting the Canadian Pacific Railway from the east to the west in 1885 was laid just 45 kms west of Revelstoke at Craigellachie. Visit the seasonal satellite museum.

The Revelstoke Train Museum has an impressive 5468 Steam locomotive on display, a diesel train simulator you can ride, and a caboose children can play in.

On the mezzanine level, be sure to check out the model railway setup by the Revelstoke Model Railway Club.

If you can’t make it in person, the museum offers several virtual exhibits.

The museum is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Top things to do in Revelstoke BC – Visit the Revelstoke Railway Museum. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

The Forestry Museum

The BC Interior Forestry Museum displays an assortment of logging equipment, a restored Columbia River tugboat and the history of the forestry and logging industry in British Columbia. There is a replica fire lookout tower to explore, outstanding views of the Revelstoke Dam and a hike along the Riverside Forest Walk.

Revelstoke Dam

The 175-metre-high Revelstoke Dam is one of the most powerful dams in BC.

Don’t miss the incredible views from the lookout at the dam’s Visitor Centre. A scenic walkway provides access to the elevator that takes you up 35 stories to the viewpoint. Guided and self-guided tours of the Revelstoke Dam are available.

The Revelstoke Dam is located 5 km north of Revelstoke on Highway 23.

Revelstoke Dam is one of the top things to see while visiting Revelstoke. Photo: Melanie Lomond©

Revelstoke Lake

This large artificial lake boasts impressive mountains views. Revelstoke Lake is beautiful from any angle and perfect for taking pictures.

Revelstoke Lake provides many outdoor activities. The lake’s cold waters are perfect for summer swimming from its pebbled beach. It is also great for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding and having a picnic on the shore.

The lake is located just north of the Revelstoke Dam, 25 km from Revelstoke.

One of the top things to do in Revelstoke BC is to visit Revelstoke Lake. Photo: Melanie©

Mount Revelstoke National Park

The drive along Meadows in the Sky Parkway in Mount Revelstoke National Park offers incredible mountain views. This is the only national park in Canada that provides access to the summit with a short walk from the parking lot. 

There are lots of easy, short and long trails to roam.  Find out more.

Views of Revelstoke from Meadows in the Sky Parkway in Revelstoke National Park. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Mount Revelstoke Resort

Revelstoke Mountain Resort is the vacation destination for you to experience the best of summer fun.

Do you have little daredevils in your family? From hiking and mountain biking to paragliding and the aerial adventure park, there’s something for everyone!

The Revelation Gondola takes you to 5,500 ft up the mountain for endless views, burgers and beers.

At the halfway point, you can take an expedited thrill down to the base on the Pipe Mountain Coaster which twists and turns down the mountain at up to 42 km/hr. Keep in mind: solo riders must be at least eight years old and passengers must be at least 3’ 2” tall.

If that’s not enough to get your heart pumping, family members 6 yrs+ can test their nerves on over 50 sky-high obstacles at the Aerial Adventure Park.

Aerial Adventure Park at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Photo: Melanie©

If you’re really feeling brave, you can also soar the skies on a tandem paragliding trip.

Finally, if heights and speed aren’t your thing, channel your inner lumberjack with axe throwing.

All in all, this experience was incredibly fun and anything that keeps the kids happy and tires them out is a winner in our books!

Peak Axe is one of the top things to do at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Melanie was surprisingly good and ready to survive a zombie apocalypse!

Breathtaking views from Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Photo: Melanie©

Waterfalls near Revelstoke

Do you love finding waterfalls? There are three waterfalls near Revelstoke to check out: Mosses, Sutherland and Begbie Falls. Ask locally for good directions as each of these waterfalls can be a little difficult to find.

All three can be visited in one day but we only had time to visit the most spectacular one, Sutherland Falls.

In the winter, the trail to the waterfalls are popular with snowshoers.

Begbie Falls

Begbie Falls is a located 8 km south of Revelstoke on Highway 23 in the Begbie Falls Recreational Site. The falls sit at the mouth of Begbie Creek on Upper Arrow Lake.

The trailhead can be reached from a small parking lot about 1 km from the Mt McPherson Ski Trail parking lot. Once you reach the trail it is a steep 2 km hike down Begbie Bluff Trail to the small falls. Download a map to the falls.

Moses Falls

The falls are located 9.5 km from Revelstoke. Go to the intersection of South Highway 23 and Westside Road. Take Westside Road north 6.1 km to the parking lot. The short, but steep, trail to Moses falls is 1 km.

Sutherland Falls

We could have stayed here all day to listen to the soothing sounds of the tumbling glacier waters of stunning Sutherland Waterfalls. The falls are located 27.3 kms south of Revelstoke on Highway 23 in Blanket Creek Provincial Park on the Upper Arrow Lake Reservoir.

It’s an easy, short walk to see the breathtaking falls tumble 10 metres into Blanket Creek Canyon.

Blanket Creek Park also offers camping and swimming lagoon along the shores of Upper Arrow Lake. Download a map of the area.

Beautiful Sutherland Falls in Blanket Creek Canyon, near Revestoke BC. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is the second oldest Canadian national park. Take in the majestic views of snow-capped mountains.

Venture on a relaxing 20 minute walk through the old-growth forest of giant hemlocks on the Hemlock Grove Boardwalk.

View of glaciers and mountain peaks in Glacier National Park. Photo: Destination BC/David Gluns©

Best food and drink in Revelstoke

Mt. Begbie Brewery

Mt. Begbie Brewing has been crafting beer in Revelstoke for 25 years.

While sitting on the patio of Mt. Begbie Brewing, views of the stunning rugged Monashee mountain range, which includes Mount Begbie and Mount Macpherson, were enjoyed.

We stopped here for a tasting flight of craft beer along with homemade spelt grain pretzels served with a cheese and bacon dip, flavoured with their Nasty Habit IPA.

The microbrewery is open Thursday to Sunday. Food service is available.

The brewery is on the BC Ale Trail.

Breathtaking view from the patio of Mt. Begbie Brewery in Revelstoke. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Stunning mountain view views of Mount Begbie and Mount Macpherson from the patio of Mt. Begbie Brewing Company in Revelstoke. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Monashee Spirits Company

Monashee Spirits Company creates some of the most amazing cocktails in the heart of the mountain town of Revelstoke, BC.

The family-run distillery, operated by Josh and Jenn McLafferty, crafts award-winning spirits and offer a selection of Instagram-worthy cocktails.

The company produces gin, vodka and two liqueurs:

• Vulcan’s Fire gives off some heat with an infusion of red Thai chili peppers, apples, cinnamon, honey and maple syrup.
• Big Mountain Creamer is an espresso cream liqueur using local Stoke Roasted Coffee combined with organic BC cream, infused with chocolate, caramel, almonds, vanilla honey, maple.

Monashee Spirits in Revelstoke BC. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Behind the bar there is an array well-stocked spirits and numerous varieties of Scotch Whisky.

Watching the mixologist perform the fine art of carefully selecting the perfect ingredients, glassware and garnishes to build each cocktail, is an experience in itself.

We tried the Ocha Sour and the Flying Dead cocktails.

The Ocha Sour is a concoction of Earl Grey infused Vodka, Black Tea Caramel simple syrup reduction, Chambord, lemon juice, saline, bitters and egg white. The garnish is an impressive edible artwork on a printed wafer. The teas used in the drink are sourced from Revelstoke’s Oteas Company.

The Flying Dead is a boozy Zombie-like Tiki Punch. This cocktail features four different rums, grapefruit juice, pineapple juice, Pernard, bitters and Zombie syrup.

We also tried a tasting flight of Monashee Spirits hand crafted gin, vodka and the two liqueurs.
Vulcan’s Fire gives off some heat with an infusion of red thai chili peppers, apples, cinnamon, honey and maple syrup. Big Mountain Creamer is an espresso cream liqueur using local Stoke Roasted Coffee combined with organic BC cream, infused with chocolate, caramel, almonds, vanilla honey, maple syrup.

Creative cocktails the Flying Dead and Ocha Sour at Monashee Spirits. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Chubby Funsters

We first planned to have dinner at the popular Village Idiot but there was a 45 minute wait. They suggested their sister property a few blocks down the street.
What a terrific find!
Chubby Funsters restaurant opened in 2014 and is housed in a historic 1890 telegraph building.

We tried two offerings and will be forever craving the warm zucchini noodles sautéed with kalamata olives and sundried tomatoes in a parsley and sunflower seed pesto, topped with goat cheese.
The hearty bison burger topped with rosemary onion compote, blueberries and goats cheese was delicious.
If we make it back we will try the Stuffed Yorkies. This dish is two Yorkshire puddings stuffed with brisket, caramelized onions, button mushrooms topped with Gruyère cheese and their own special gravy.

Chubby Funsters have a wonderful patio relax in after a day of exploring the area around Revelstoke, BC. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

The Village Idiot

The Village Idiot is a local Revelstoke favourite. This casual family friendly après themed restaurant says, “It’s for toque wearing, beer drinking, pizza eating skiers and snowboarders” and it really does have that vibe.

The flavourful Wasabi Wit You salad was scrumptious. It featured a seared sesame-crusted albacore tuna topped with a spicy wasabi aioli over greens and quinoa drizzled with balsamic soy, topped with crisp wontons and crispy chow mein noodles.

The made to order pizzas looked amazing and we will have to try on our next visit.

Best things to do near Revelstoke

Three Valley Gap Ghost Town, Antique Car Museum and Railway Roundhouse

If you’re looking for a unique destination to visit, be sure to check out the Three Valley Gap Heritage Ghost Town and Antique Car Museum. This museum is home to cars built in early 1900s, as well as a ghost town from the days of the Gold Rush in the late 1800s.

Railway Roundhouse at Three Valley Gap is home to the largest fully operational covered turntable in North America.

You won’t find attractions like this anywhere else!

Enchanted Forest

Always a delight to explore magical places. The Enchanted Forest attraction is a hit with children as they walked through an old-growth forest filled with fairy tale figurines and structures to explore.

It has one of the tallest tree houses in British Columbia.

The Enchanted Forest is 32 km west of Revelstoke and next door to the SkyTrek Adventure Park.

The tallest tree house in BC is one of the best places to see in BC for family adventures. Photo: Melanie Lomond©

SkyTrek Adventure Park

Located 30 minutes west of Revelstoke, the SkyTrek Adventure Park is a great place to burn of some energy. The park offers something for every age group. There is a treetop course, line course, giant slide, adventure tower, sky climb, kids sky adventure and a sky gym. The park opens from May 21 – September 26, 2022.

Map of Skytrek Adventure Park near Revelstoke BC

Accommodation in Revelstoke

There are several options for accommodations in Revelstoke. You can stay in town or at Mount Revelstoke Resort.

We booked last minute and most places were already full. We managed to get a room at the Ramada by Wyndham located just off the Trans Canada Highway in Revelstoke. It included breakfast.

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Fast Facts about Revelstoke

• David Thompson was the first fur trader to canoe through this valley on the Columbia River.
• He was also the first to canoe along the Columbia River from its start in Fairmont, BC to Portland, Oregon where it comes out to the Pacific Ocean.
• Thompson was also the first European to cross the Rockies into what is now British Columbia.
• The Indigenous People, Syilx, Ktunaxa and Seewepemc have lived along the Columbia River for thousands of years.
• The Columbia River is the largest flowing river into the Pacific Ocean from North America. The river travels 2,000 kms through BC, Washington and Oregon states before flowing into the Pacific at Astoria, Oregon.

Getting to Revelstoke, BC

Revelstoke sits between the Monashee and Selkirk mountains, just off the Trans Canada Highway.

From Vancouver to Revelstoke the drive is about 7 hours. Routes from Vancouver to Revelstoke can change. Always check the current road conditions to plan your trip.

If you are traveling from Calgary Alberta, it is a 4.5 hour drive, however, there can be delays in Kicking Horse Canyon due to construction on the Trans Canada Highway. Check here for the latest closures in the pass.

From Kelowna, in the Okanagan Valley it is a 2.5 hour drive.

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