Radium Hot Springs in BC is a super cool down that sits right outside Kootenay National Park. There are so many fun things to do in Radium Hot Springs British Columbia and this guide will share all of the best activities.
Radium is just a little south of the Bugaboos Provincial Park, and is an hour away from Golden; one of BC’s best mountain towns.
We’d driven through it before on a (loooong) detour to Golden after our Assiniboine hiking trip but returned the following year to spend a bit more time there.
I was surprised at how many things to do in Radium Hot Springs there are and there are even more if you drive just a little way out of the town.
If you’re in the area, as part of a Kootenay Hot Springs road trip, be sure to plan a stop for a few days in Radium!
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Best Things to do in Radium Hot Springs BC
Below are some of the very best things to do in Radium BC and the surrounding area. You’re sure to have a blast if you get some of these ticked off.
1. Soak in Hot Springs at Radium
The Radium Hot Springs are just 3 kilometres out of downtown Radium. You’ll drive through a beautiful canyon and possibly even see some big horn sheep on the short drive from downtown to the Radium hot springs.
The Radiumhot springs pools are man-made and fed by natural spring waters. There’s both a cool pool and a warm one and they’re open year round.
The springs are operated by Kootenay National Park and are within the park boundary but you don’t need a National Parks Pass to go. The cost is cheaper than most hot springs too at just $8.
This is the most popular thing to do in Radium BC and for good reason!
The Radium Hot Springs hours are:
- Monday – Friday: 11:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday – Sunday: 10:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- The last entry is 8:30 p.m. daily.
2. Go White Water Rafting in Radium
This was one of the Radium activities we did and it was so much fun. We went with Kootenay River Runners and took a half-day tour of Kootenay National Park.
We saw a waterfall, paddled some fun rapids, and learned about the local area too.
I highly recommend this as one of the best Radium Hot Spring activities in summer!
3. Get a Beer from Radium Brewing
We escaped the heat to get a beer from Radium Brewing which is a super cute brewery with plenty of space inside and on the dog-friendly patio.
They have board games and encourage you to get food from local restaurants nearby (we recommend Wildside Pizza next door!).
4. Cool down with ice cream from Screamers Ice Cream Cafe
If you’ve got a sweet tooth and need dessert after your meal, make sure you go to Screamers Ice Cream Cafe.
This place has a retro feel and does some awesome ice cream! There were so many unique flavours and they also do banana splits and ice cream sundaes.
5. Grab Breakfast from Big Horn Cafe
Before our river rafting trip, we popped into Big Horn Cafe for coffee and breakfast. I’d highly recommend coming here at least once during your stay in Radium as they do awesome coffee and their breakfast buns were great too!
They serve Parallel 49th Coffee from Vancouver and alongside their baked goods, they also have burritos, soup, and sandwiches.
6. Go Hiking in Kootenay National Park
One of the best things to do around radium hot springs is to go hiking, and Kootenay National Park is a great choice for this.
Kootenay National Park is often overshadowed by Banff National Park and Lake Louise which are more well-known, however, it’s well deserving of a visit!
The park is much quieter than Banff and Yoho National Park and you can still get those incredible Canadian Rocky views, enjoy hiking and backpacking trips and even visit the Continental Divide which marks the point where water flows either to the Pacific Ocean or the Atlantic.
For the ultimate backpacking trip in Kootenay National Park, check out my guide to hiking Floe Lake on the Rockwall Trail.
7. Check out the Kootenay Valley Viewpoint
The Kootenay Valley Viewpoint is in Kootenay National Park so you’ll need a Canada Parks Pass if you’re stopping off.
The views from here are incredible as you take in the Mitchell and Vermillion mountain ranges and the valley in front of you.
The viewpoint is about 3km further east of Olive Lake and is signposted.
8. Enjoy Radium Hikes
You don’t have to go into the National Park in order to get some amazing hiking. There are plenty of great hikes in Radium too!
One of the best is the Old Coach Trail which is a 15.3km trail with incredible views of the Columbia River. The trail has an interesting history as in the 1920s it was traveled by Ford Model Ts. There are signs along the way too where you can learn more.
For something more challenging, there’s the Kindersley Pass and Sinclair Creek Loop that’s 20km and has a 1,300m elevation gain. You must hike this in groups of 4 minimum due to grizzly bear activities.
If you’re a couple or solo, you can usually wait at the trailhead until some other hikers turn up. You can read up on bear safety here.
9. Go Skiing at Panorama Mountain Resort
If you’re looking for more awesome things to do in Radium in winter then head up to Panorama Mountain Resort.
Panorama Mountain Resort is an awesome ski resort in BC with 139 runs which is plenty to keep you entertained for several days.
The runs are typically wider and fairly empty making it great for beginners, but there’s also a large number of black diamond runs with the Taynton Bowl being a favorite of locals and visitors alike.
10. Try Ice Skating on Lake Windermere
Come winter, Lake Windermere completely freezes over and becomes the longest ice skating path in the world! It’s a must when it comes to what to do in Radium Hot Springs in winter.
The track is 34km long and there are 4 different loops so you can pick and choose a distance that suits you. The loops range from 5-12km. There’s also a separate path for cross country skiing and parts of the lake that are best suited to fat bikes.
While it’s free to skate on the lake, it’s recommended you donate $5 for maintenance of the trails which is done by the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club.
You can bring your own skates or rent from Inside Edge Boutique and Sports in Invermere and then hit the trail! It’s easily one of the best things to do near Radium Hot Springs.
11. Spend the day at the beach
The weather in Radium Hot Springs in summer is warm and dry and so spending the day at the beach can be one of the best Radium activities!
Radium is super close to both Windermere Lake and Columbia Lake both of which have spots where you can relax by the beach. You can also rent boats in Invermere to go out onto the lake.
12. Spot Mountain Bighorn Sheep
There are lots of Bighorn sheep that live around Radium and it’s quite common to spot them, especially as you drive from Radium to the hot springs. Estimates put numbers at around 150 for the Radium-Stoddart Herd.
They’re easy to distinguish from other sheep thanks to their large, curled horns.
It’s okay to stop and get pictures but don’t get up close to them!
13. Go Ziplining
Get incredible views on a zipline adventure near Radium Hot Springs. You can also go ziplining on 7 zip lines over Dry Gulch Valley with Valley Zipline Adventures.
Here there’s also a huge climbing wall and a jump tower if you need an even bigger adrenaline rush making it one of the best Radium Hot Springs attractions!
14. Go Paddleboarding on Olive Lake
Olive Lake is just outside of Radium Hot Springs and is an absolutely beautiful green (olive!) lake in Kootenay National Park. It’s hard to miss the lake as it shines bright green as you drive past.
There’s a boardwalk alongside the lake making it accessible and it’s great for swimming or taking out a paddleboard.
15. Visit Invermere
Just 20 minutes south of Radium is the town of Invermere and there are so many fun things to do in Invermere!
Relax at the lake, take a hike, or grab a cold beer from Arrowhead Brewing and so much more!
16. Or Head to Fairmont Hot Springs
Another cool town to explore is Fairmont Hot Springs where you can enjoy the Fairmont hot springs pools as well as natural hot springs that are free to enter.
Besides this, there are other fun Fairmont BC things to do such as ziplining, skiing, camping, and floating down the Columbia River.
17. Go Camping in Radium Hot Springs
There are quite a few Radium Hot Springs campgrounds that provide cheaper accommodation options.
There’s Dry Gulch Provincial Park where you can go cycling, hiking, and running and see if you can spot deer, birds, and sheep.
There’s also Redstreak Campground which is part of Kootenay National Park. Here you’ll enjoy large campsites and you can find incredible views as you wander around.
18. Go backpacking in the Bugaboos
Bugaboo Provincial Park in the Purcell Mountains is popular with rock climbers and hikers. The park is just south of Golden and then around 50km down a forest service road for which you should have a good AWD with high clearance or a 4×4.
You can camp below the Conrad Kain Hut (bookable for ACC members), or at Applebee Dome on the rock slabs just 1 km above the hut. You must register and pay for your camping ($10) which can be done online in advance or in person.
The views in this area are incredible with the spires, lakes, and glaciers!
19. Get Pizza from Wildside Pizzeria, Radium
We both got calzones from Wildside Pizzeria in Radium and I’d say it’s one of the best Radium Hot Springs restaurants. We picked it up and ate at Radium Brewing on their recommendation.
They also have normal pizzas and so many different variations!
Radium Hot Springs Hotels
There are quite a lot of Radium hotels and motels in Radium Hot Springs which vary in price. Below are some options for low budgets and higher budgets at Radium accommodation that gets great reviews.
- $$$ – Mountain Springs Motel: Mountain Springs Motel has motel rooms and suites with self-catering facilities. There are also outdoor games and BBQ facilities.
- $$ – Gateway Motel, Radium: The suites here are spacious and some have mountain views. BBQ facilities on site.
- $$ – Celadon Lodge, Radium: Modern accommodation with everything you need for your stay in Radium.
How to get to Radium Hot Springs British Columbia
The closest airport to Radium Hot Springs is Calgary and the town is very close to the Alberta/BC Border. Below are some driving distances so you can get your bearings.
- Vancouver to Radium Hot Springs: 9 hours 20-minute drive via Kamloops and down from Golden.
- Golden to Radium Hot Springs: Radium to Golden is about an hour’s drive through some beautiful scenery.
- Nelson to Radium BC: If you’re coming from the southwest, the drive from Nelson to Radium is around 5 hours.
- Radium Hot Springs to Calgary: Driving to Radium Hot Springs from Calgary takes around 3 hours.
- Banff to Radium Hot Springs: Radium Hot Springs to Banff takes around 1.5 hours and the views are incredible as you go through Kootenay National Park.
The best way to visit this area if you’re not local and don’t own a car is in a camper van or rental car. For rental cars, I like to use both DiscoverCars and RentalCars as you can check prices easily between companies to find the best deal for you.
I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!
For RV rentals, Outdoorsy is the best option. You can use them to find all sorts of campers and RVs from trucks and vans to larger vehicles.
FAQs about what to do in Radium Hot Springs BC
Is Radium Hot Springs worth visiting?
Yes, Radium Hot Springs is definitely worth visiting. It offers natural relaxation in its soothing hot springs, stunning mountain scenery, and outdoor activities like hiking, wildlife viewing, and winter sports. With so many Radium things to do, it’s a great year-round destination.
What are the top attractions to visit in Radium Hot Springs?
The main attraction in Radium Hot Springs is the namesake hot springs, located within Kootenay National Park. Visitors should also explore Sinclair Canyon, a dramatic narrow gorge that is a natural gateway to the town, and enjoy wildlife viewing, particularly the famous bighorn sheep that are a common sight.
What are the most popular things to do in Radium Hot Springs with kids?
In Radium Hot Springs, kids love splashing in the natural, soothing hot springs pools. Families can also enjoy hiking in Kootenay National Park, exploring the Sinclair Canyon, and spotting bighorn sheep that frequently roam the town. In winter, there is great skiing and snowboarding.
Final thoughts on Radium hot springs things to do
As you can see there are plenty of things to do in Radium Hot Spring Canada. From Radium attractions like the beautiful Canadian National Parks nearby, hot springs pools, and white water rafting, there’s no shortage of things to keep you entertained.
If you’ve been looking for things to do around Invermere, visiting Radium should be on your list. This guide has shared things to do in Radium and Invermere but I go into more detail on things to do in Invermere in that travel guide.
If you’re looking for more things to do in British Columbia, be sure to check out my Canada travel guides!
Canada Travel Planning Guide
Should I buy Canada travel insurance?
100% YES! — You should have travel insurance for all your trips. Though Canada has “free” healthcare, it’s only for residents. If you’re just visiting, you’ll need travel insurance should you need medical care. It also helps you claim for delayed flights or lost/stolen baggage. We use SafetyWing for our travel insurance!
Is it safe to rent a car in Canada?
Yes — Renting a car is a good idea in most of Canada as public transit isn’t the best!
Car hire is usually quite reasonable, especially compared to some other countries and they’ll all be automatic so you shouldn’t have a problem driving it if you’re used to manual transmission.
I personally use a mix of DiscoverCars and RentalCars to find the best deal that works for me when I rent a car. I used them in Norway, Italy, and Canada when we first moved, and have never had an issue. For RV rental I recommend Outdoorsy.
What’s the best way to pay/exchange money for Canada?
Wise (formerly Transferwise!) — I use my Wise card everywhere these days. I fill it with a certain currency and then I can spend it in countries across the world, online and even for direct debits. Wise has the best currency exchange rates (and they’ll even tell you when you can get it cheaper elsewhere!). When you pay in another currency through chip and pin or tap/wireless, they’ll automatically convert it for you – it’s easy! This link gets you a fee-free transfer.
Do I need a visa for Canada?
Many countries do not need a visa to travel to Canada — However, you may need an ETA which costs $7 (you need this if you’re from the UK). You can buy them online and they usually take a few hours to come through though it can take longer. Only ever buy from this official website otherwise you’ll end up paying more money necessarily. If you want to move to Canada, check out my guide to the Working Holiday Visa which is how we first moved there! Always check the official Canadian Immigration website to see whether you need a visa to travel there.
Will my phone work in Canada?
It depends — Some American and European companies work in Canada for a certain amount of data or time but many will not work at all. Getting a Canadian SIM card will help you get around with Google Maps and stay in touch with people back home. There isn’t much free WIFI in Canada so you can’t really rely on that, especially if you’re heading outside of major cities.
Where can I book my Canada accommodation?
I always check Booking.com for hotels or Hostel World for hostels. If I’m looking for something for a bigger group of people, or a bit more unique (cosy cabins, luxury beach houses) then I use VRBO.
When we first moved to Canada we used Trusted Housesitters to get free accommodation!
What’s the best site to buy Canada flights?
I only ever use Skyscanner to find cheap flights no matter where I’m travelling!
Last Updated on August 17, 2023 by Hannah
Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe, a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada, you’ll find posts on all of this.
Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.
Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.
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