How To Visit Meadows In The Sky Parkway At Mount Revelstoke
The Meadows in the Sky Parkway is one of the top things to do in Revelstoke in summer.
This scenic parkway winds its way up to the summit of Mount Revelstoke, and features vast views of the surrounding mountains and valleys along the way. It is a must-visit if you are travelling through British Columbia.
I had passed the signs for the Meadows in the Sky Parkway many times on the drive from Whistler to Banff, and on my most recent trip decided to spend 2 days in Revelstoke to really appreciate this mountain town.
Although the drive to the top can be completed in around 30-40 minutes, there are many lookout points along the way, where you can sit on one of the picnic tables and soak in the views.
The summit is naturally the highlight of this drive, with a network of hiking trails that lead to viewing platforms and the summit fire tower.
To help you plan your trip, I’ve put together this guide to the Meadows in the Sky Parkway, including information on how to get there, what to expect along the way, and things to do at the summit.
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What is the Meadows in the Sky Parkway?
The Meadows in the Sky Parkway is a 26 km paved road that leads to the summit of Mount Revelstoke. From the bottom of the parkway to the summit is an elevation gain of 1,365 metres!
It was originally built in 1927 and has since become a popular tourist attraction within Mount Revelstoke National Park.
As one of the most beautiful places in BC, the parkway offers stunning views, opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and access to the summit fire tower. It is also known for its abundance of wildflowers that bloom during the summer months.
Important Things To Know About Meadows In The Sky Parkway
- The Parkway is open from May to October, with the summit area opening July to September when it is snow free. Depending on the winter conditions the Parkway may opening or close earlier.
- It is important to note that the parkway is only open to vehicles with a maximum length of 7.9 meters (26 feet) and a height restriction of 3.9 meters (13 feet). This means that RVs and trailers are not permitted on the parkway.
- Dogs are not allowed past Columbia Viewpoint (at the 12 km point) this includes in vehicles and or on any trails. In the areas that dogs are permitted, they must be on a leash at all times.
- Be mindful of the speed limit on the parkway, which is 30 km/hour. This is for your safety and to protect the wildlife that may be crossing the road.
- There are no services or gas stations along the parkway, so make sure to fill up before heading up or bring enough supplies with you for your visit.
- When driving back down the parkway, make sure to use lower gears and brakes to avoid overheating your vehicle’s brakes.
Best Time To Visit Meadows In The Sky Parkway
The Meadows in the Sky Parkway is only open during the summer months, typically from late June to mid-September. This is due to the high elevation of the parkway (starting at 470 metres and reaching up to 1835 metres at the summit) and heavy snowfall in the winter.
One of the best times to visit Meadows in the Sky Parkway is during wildflower season. The parkway is known for its abundant displays of colourful wildflowers, which bloom from mid-July to early September. I visited in July and the vibrant array of colours just took my breath away.
However, if you are more interested in hiking and outdoor activities, the best time to visit would be from mid-June to early October. During this time, the trails and summit are free of snow and offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The shoulder seasons also bring less crowds!
Hours of Operation for Meadows in the Sky Parkway
Meadows in the Sky Parkway is not open year-round due to its high-altitude location and snow conditions.
Typically, the parkway opens to the public from late June through early October, with the exact dates depending on the seasonal weather and snow clearance from the road.
During the peak summer months, the opening hours are generally from early morning until dusk, allowing ample time to experience the park.
During the peak season (mid-June to mid-September) the parkway is open from 8am to 8pm. In the quiet seasons (late spring/early fall) it is open from sunrise to sunset.
The summit area may be closed in early season due to snow. For up to date opening times check the Parks Canada website.
How to get there
The Meadows in the Sky Parkway is located within Mount Revelstoke National Park, approximately 5 km east of Revelstoke town. You can reach it by driving on Trans-Canada Highway 1 and taking the Revelstoke exit.
From there, follow Victoria Road for about 5 km until you reach the park entrance.
From Vancouver it is about a 5-hour drive via the Trans-Canada Highway, making it a great place to stop on your Vancouver to Banff road trip. From Calgary it is about a 6-hour drive.
For those traveling by air, the closest international airports are in Vancouver and Calgary. Domestic airports in Kelowna and Kamloops are also within a few hours’ drive from Revelstoke.
A Parks Canada Pass Is Needed To Visit Mount Revelstoke National Park
Before you visit Meadows in the Sky Parkway, make sure you have a valid National Parks Pass. These passes can be purchased at the park entrance or online in advance.
There are different types of passes available depending on your visit, including single-day and annual passes. See below for more
Parks Canada National Parks Pass Info
If you are visiting or planning a trip to any of Canada’s National Parks (Including Banff, Jasper and, Yoho), you will need to purchase a parks pass. There are a number of options available.
Single Day Admission:
This option is great if you only plan to spend a day or two in a National Park. Valid for one person per day. See the Parks Canada website for current rates. Children 17 or younger are free.
Group Daily Admission:
This is a great option if you have up to 7 people per one vehicle. It is cheaper than purchasing a pass for each person. See the Parks Canada website for current rates.
Parks Canada Discovery Pass:
A discovery Pass is, in my opinion, the best option for people visiting in groups for a week or more. This is an annual pass and is valid from the day you buy it. It will give you 365 days of entry to all of Canada’s National Parks. I purchased this for my 12 day trip to the Banff and Jasper in 2021 and used it 3 more times in Banff in 2022 and another for Pacific Rim in Tofino. If you are planning on traveling around Canada for an extended period of time, this is worth the money!
The Discovery Pass will cover up to 7 people per vehicle. You can purchase the Discovery pass online or in person when you arrive. See the Parks Canada website for current rates.
Viewpoints Along The Meadows In The Sky Parkway
As mentioned earlier, there are a total of 7 lookout points along the parkway where you can stop and admire the views. These lookout points also have picnic tables, making it a great spot for a scenic lunch or snack break.
The first lookout point, is the Revelstoke Viewpoint just 5km into the drive. From here, you can enjoy views of Revelstoke town and Mount Begbie.
The next lookout point is at the 6.5km mark called the Rainforest Viewpoint which overlooks a creek. We skipped this and continued on to the Monashee Viewpoint which is also accessible by car. The Monashee Viewpoint overlooks the Columbia River, Monashee Mountains and Eagle Pass.
Next up was the Columbia Viewpoint at the 12km mark. Here you get a beautiful panorama of the Selkirk Mountains and Columbia Valley.
Just a kilometre after the Columbia viewpoint is the Eagle Pass viewpoint that features views of the Monashee Range and Eagle Pass.
My favourite viewpoint was the last one, located just a couple of kilometers at the 24km mark, known as Panorama Point. This viewpoint is just as it sounds, a wide panorama of the Illecillewaet and Columbia River valleys.
| Viewpoint | Distance |
|---|---|
| Revelstoke Viewpoint | 5 km |
| Rainforest Viewpoint | 6.5 km |
| Monashee Viewpoint | 8 km |
| Columbia Viewpoint | 12 km |
| Eagle Pass Viewpoint | 13km |
| Panorama Point Viewpoint | 24 km |
Hiking At Meadows In The Sky Parkway
Once you reach the end of the road, there is a small parking lot. This often gets filled up pretty fast (When I say small I mean small!) but that’s okay because you can park on the left hand side of the road leading up to the parking lot.
Just next to the parking lot is the beautiful Balsam Lake, a small lake that is easily accessible and beautiful to walk around.
One of the most popular hikes is the Fire Lookout hike, which leads to a Fire Lookout (who’d’ve thought!?) This hike is relatively easy from the summit, at 500 metres return and 11 metres elevation.
You can take a shuttle from the parking lot to the summit and hike from here, or you can skip the shuttle and hike from the parking lot. If going from the parking lot the hike is slightly harder at 2.5 km return and 100 metres of elevation.
The historical Fire Lookout at sits at the top of Mount Revelstoke was built in 1927 to spot forest fires and now serves as a Parks Canada interpretive centre. Inside the lookout are some really cool exhibits and you can even climb to the top level of the structure for some really cool views.
Unfortunately I did manage to spot a forest fire across the valley when I was here. Temperatures in Revelstoke were reaching 45 degrees and higher!
There are many other hikes in the area, including short hikes such as Eagle Knoll, Koo Koo Sint and Heather Lake.
For more moderate day hikes check out the Miller Lake trail and trail to Eva Lake. For something more challenging, the Upper Jade Lake trail offers stunning views and a challenging 18 km round trip.
Lower Mount Revelstoke
Not all hikes and sights are at the summit of Mount Revelstoke – which is great news if you’re visiting on a day when the summit is closed!
The Nels Knickers trail is a popular intermediate 800m hike that starts at Lower Mount Revelstoke’s parking lot. Once you reach the top, don’t miss the opportunity to take a photo with a pair of metal pant’s like those worn by Nels Nelson.
For shorter hikes, check out the Inspiration Woods trail, a 2.5km trail featuring beautiful scenery and easy terrain.
Shuttle To The Summit
If you don’t want to hike from the parking lot to the summit (or back down), there is also a shuttle service available that runs every half hour during peak season. This can be especially helpful if you are traveling with small children or have limited mobility.
Most hikes leave from the summit area, but you can hike to the summit to access all trailheads.
If You Only Have A Short Amount Of Time
If you only have a short amount of time to spend at the Meadows in the Sky Parkway, I would make sure you stop by all the viewpoints that allow cars to pull in and park (Revelstoke, Monashee, Columbia) and take some time to enjoy the views.
I would stop by the Nels Knickers viewpoint as Nels Nelsen was considered one of the greatest ski jumpers in Canadian history and played a significant role in Revelstoke’s skiing culture.
Lastly, make sure to stop by the summit fire tower for some amazing views and a glimpse into the history of the park. You can also grab some snacks and souvenirs at the summit gift shop.
And if you can, make the short walk to the Panorama Point viewpoint which was the highlight of them all!
This is what I did with the time I had here (minus the Nels Nelsen viewpoint) and I enjoyed every minute of it! If I had more time I would love to see Eva Lake.
Thanks For Reading!
Mount Revelstoke National Park should not be missed if you are stopping in Revelstoke for a weekend getaway, or as part of a Canadian Rockies road trip. The beautiful drive along the
Meadows in the Sky Parkway is perfect for everyone as there is no hiking necessary to access many of the views. But there are also opportunities for hiking both short and challenging trails.
While you are planning your trip check out my other posts on Canada. Some helpful articles are my Vancouver to Banff road trip which stops in Revelstoke and my extensive guide to Yoho National Park, which you should definitely consider visiting after Mount Revelstoke National Park.
