Revelstoke

Why Revelstoke Is Worth Your Time

Revelstoke is the kind of town that makes you consider extending your trip. Nestled on the banks of the Columbia River between the Selkirk and Monashee mountain ranges, it has a walkable downtown with genuine character, a deep railway history, and access to some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in British Columbia. It is not a highway rest stop. It is a destination that happens to sit on the Trans-Canada.

The city was founded in the 1880s when the Canadian Pacific Railway was built through the mountains. The railway is woven into the fabric of the town, and you can feel that heritage everywhere, from the museum to the architecture to the freight trains that still rumble through town regularly.

Railway Heritage

The Revelstoke Railway Museum is a standout. Inside, a full-size steam locomotive and railway carriage are on display and open for exploring. Outside, you can climb through a caboose and examine a massive railway plow used to clear snow from the mountain passes. The exhibits tell the story of how the CPR conquered the Selkirks, including the human cost: the avalanches, the tunnels, and the impossible grades that nearly defeated the engineers.

About 30 minutes west of Revelstoke on Highway 1, the Last Spike at Craigellachie marks the spot where the final spike of the CPR was driven on November 7, 1885, completing Canada's first transcontinental railway. There is a small park and interpretive display. The site is free to visit and takes about 15 minutes. It is a significant piece of Canadian history and easy to combine with a Revelstoke stop.

Meadows in the Sky Parkway

This is Revelstoke's outdoor highlight. The Meadows in the Sky Parkway is a 26-kilometre road that ascends Mount Revelstoke through dense forest to subalpine wildflower meadows at the summit. In July and August, the meadows are carpeted with wildflowers and the panoramic views of the Columbia Valley are extraordinary.

The road is steep and winding, not suitable for large RVs or trailers. At the top, there are several walking trails ranging from easy boardwalk loops to more challenging alpine hikes. The summit area is part of Mount Revelstoke National Park, so a Parks Canada pass is required.

Three Valley Gap Ghost Town

About 15 minutes west of Revelstoke on Highway 1, Three Valley Gap is a collection of more than 20 historic buildings relocated from around the region and reassembled into a ghost town attraction. Set against a mountain backdrop and lake, it is kitschy but enjoyable, especially for families. There is also a hotel and restaurant on site.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort

In winter, Revelstoke is a serious ski destination. The mountain resort receives enormous snowfall and has the longest vertical drop of any ski resort in North America at 1,713 metres. In summer, it operates lift-accessed mountain biking and scenic chairlift rides. If you are passing through in winter and have ski gear, a day at Revelstoke is hard to beat.

The Rogers Pass Connection

Revelstoke sits at the western base of Rogers Pass. Driving east from Revelstoke, you climb into Glacier National Park and through one of the most dramatic mountain corridors in Canada. The Rogers Pass page covers this section in detail, but understand that Revelstoke is where you prepare: check road conditions on DriveBC, top off your fuel, and assess weather. In winter, Rogers Pass closures are common, and Revelstoke is where you wait them out.

Downtown Revelstoke

Mackenzie Avenue is the main street, and it rewards a walk. Independent coffee shops, restaurants, outdoor gear stores, and a few galleries line the street. The town has a ski-town vibe without the pretension of more famous resort towns. The Modern Bakeshop and Cafe is a popular breakfast spot. La Baguette is good for lunch. The Village Idiot has a solid beer selection.

Practical Information

Revelstoke has full services for a town its size: grocery stores, fuel stations, a hospital, and a decent range of hotels and motels. The Regent Hotel downtown is a local favourite. Chain hotels are along the highway corridor.

From Revelstoke, Rogers Pass summit is about 72 kilometres east (roughly 1 hour). Golden is about 150 kilometres east. Kamloops is about 280 kilometres west (roughly 3 hours). Sicamous, where Highway 1 meets Highway 97A to the Okanagan, is about 65 kilometres west.