Revelstoke is a charming small town in British Columbia, nestled amidst stunning mountain ranges and located along Highway 1. Therefore, it’s a must-stop on your journey from Vancouver to Banff or Calgary, or if you’re looking to experience a quaint town surrounded by breathtaking nature and outdoor adventures. Whether you visit Revelstoke in the summer for hiking, mountain biking, paddleboarding, climbing and its vibrant downtown, or in the winter for skiing and snowboarding, you’re sure to fall in love with this picturesque destination.
How to get to Revelstoke
Revelstoke is a small town in British Columbia, home to about 8,000 year-round residents. In fact, Located right along Highway 1, it’s approximately a 6-hour drive from Vancouver to the west and 4.5 hours from Calgary to the east. Revelstoke doesn’t have an airport for regular flights; the closest one is in Kelowna. If you’re traveling to Revelstoke by public transport, you can take an airport shuttle from Kelowna or use the Rider Express bus service.
The best time to visit Revelstoke
Revelstoke is a beautiful destination with plenty to offer year-round. For instance, we’ve visited in winter for snowboarding at Revelstoke Mountain Resort and in summer for hiking mountains and paddling on Lake Revelstoke — and loved both experiences. Moreover, if you’re looking for quieter trails, cooler temperatures, a less crowded downtown, and the stunning colors of changing nature, you should consider visiting in the fall.
The Best things to do in Revelstoke
1. Visit Mount Revelstoke National Park
Mount Revelstoke National Park is located just outside of Revelstoke and offers a variety of excellent trails for all skill levels. The park is open year-round, though some visitor facilities are closed from October to May.
Drive the Meadows in the Sky Parkway, a winding 26-kilometer paved road. Then, it takes you through cedar forests to stunning subalpine wildflower meadows. Popular hikes in the area include Miller Lake (11.6 km round trip), Eva Lake (14.2 km round trip), and Jade Lake (19 km round trip). Don’t miss the scenic viewpoints like Panorama Point, overlooking the town of Revelstoke and surrounding mountains, or the historic Nels Nelsen Ski Jump.
2. Visit Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park has quickly become one of our favorite national parks in Canada. Although it’s known for its steep and challenging climbs. However the breathtaking views make every step worth it. We hiked the Hermit Trail and spent the night at the Hermit Meadows campsite — an unforgettable experience. For detailed information about the Hermit Trail hike, be sure to check out our other article.
3. Paddleboard on Lake Revelstoke
Trust us, this lake was made for stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), and it’s a must-do summer experience in Revelstoke. Furthermore, there are several great spots to launch, with the Five Mile Boat Launch Recreation Site (just beyond the Revelstoke Dam) and Martha Creek Provincial Park being our top recommendations. Not to mention the large lake, surrounded by forests and mountains, offers refreshing waters perfect for swimming. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore small waterfalls and creek mouths while paddling.
4. Chase Waterfalls
We love chasing waterfalls, and we were pleasantly surprised to find some epic ones around Revelstoke. For example, the waterfalls near town that are worth seeing include Sutherland Falls, Begbie Falls, Moses Falls, and a secret waterfall that flows into Lake Revelstoke, located about 500 meters north of the Five Mile Boat Launch Recreation Site.
5. Explore Downtown
Revelstoke’s downtown is truly charming, with its cute boutiques, outdoor clothing and gear shops, cozy cafés, and inviting restaurants. During the summer months, you can also enjoy outdoor live music at Grizzly Plaza, adding to the town’s vibrant atmosphere.
6. Sampling local beer
Being from the beer nation of the Czech Republic, we love trying different beers when traveling, and Revelstoke was no exception. Therefore, be sure to visit Mt. Begbie Brewing, the Canadian Brewery of the Year, located just 3 km from downtown. They offer tours, tastings, and a sunny patio with stunning views of the namesake Mount Begbie.
7. Tasting the local food and coffee scene
Revelstoke offers plenty of charming cafés and modern restaurants with diverse, global menus. For instance, our favourites included:
- La Baguette – where we tasted the best pulled pork sandwich. It was so good, we went back the next day! Their coffee and desserts are also absolutely delicious.
- Dose Coffee – offering delicious coffee and lunch menu in a convenient location right in the heart of downtown.
- The Taco Club – fantastic Mexican food and a lively atmosphere.
- Big Eddy Pub and Liquor Store – A local pub and sports bar with fantastic food, a great selection of tap beers, and nice service.
8. Skiing and snowboarding
Revelstoke is a winter paradise, renowned for its exceptional skiing and snowboarding. In fact, we had an amazing experience snowboarding at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, where the long trails, abundant snow, and stunning mountain views made it truly memorable. Mountain Resort is famed for its steep and deep terrain, boasting North America’s greatest vertical drop of 1,713 meters and an incredible longest run of 15.2 kilometers.
9. Climbing
To be honest, climbing isn’t our forte, but we know that this area is renowned for its climbing locations. There are currently around 20 climbing areas you can read more about climbing in this article. How did we discover these climbing areas? While searching for a hidden lookout over Lake Revelstoke, we found out that it’s located on top of a famous climbing rock – Waterworld.
10. Go mountain biking
Last but not least is mountain and cross-country biking around Revelstoke. The area offers several trails, with the Upper and Lower Mount McPherson trails, Keystone Standard Basin Trail and the Martha Creek trail being among the town’s best offerings.
Where to stay in Revelstoke
Every time we visit Revelstoke, we stay at Basecamp Resort Revelstoke. It’s a fantastic base for exploration and winter activities, offering spacious rooms with kitchens, living areas, and even hot tubs. They currently have two locations:
- Basecamp Resorts Revelstoke – a boutique hotel offering luxury suites, modern amenities, and sweeping views of the Columbia River. We especially enjoyed relaxing in one of the two hot tubs on the second floor, with stunning mountain views and the convenience of the shuttle service directly from the resort.
- Basecamp Suites Revelstoke – located in the heart of Downtown, this Basecamp Resort features modern rooms and a prime location close to cafes and restaurants. We appreciated the convenient parking, stunning mountain views, and the rooftop hot tub — a perfect way to relax after a day of hiking.
