The Nootka Trail now ranks as my favourite coastal trail in BC. It stretches for…
Eva Lake Hike, Mount Revelstoke National Park
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I have driven past the entrance to Mount Revelstoke National Park without stopping at least a dozen times. When I finally made the park my destination I was sorry I hadn’t stopped sooner. The park is known for its exceptional wildflower displays and there is some excellent hiking – as we found out on the hike to Eva Lake.
I had planned for a visit in early August specifically to try and catch the wildflowers. I’d say they are at their peak about then and over the next couple of weeks.
2020 update: A reader pointed out that dogs are no longer allowed on this trail. It was perfectly legit when I did it.
How to get to the Eva Lake Trailhead
Access to the beautiful, turquoise coloured Eva Lake is via a trail at the top of the 26 km Meadows in the Sky Parkway.
The road switchbacks over 10 times as it climbs up the side of a mountain, gaining 1,600 m (5,249 ft). Pop out at a parking lot by Balsam Lake, in a beautiful landscape of sub-alpine tundra. From there you have the option of hopping on a shuttle beginning at 10 AM but it’s an easy one kilometer walk to the actual Eva Lake Trailhead via the Upper Summit Trail.
All told it’s a 12 km return hike to Eva Lake. Add an extra two kilometres if you don’t take the shuttle. (Dogs are not allowed on the shuttle bus.)
Eva Lake Loo hike description
The trail to Eva Lake changes character as you hike. Initially, it takes you through forest broken by meadows filled with wildflowers. There are intermittent views of the Columbia River, thousands of feet below.
After you pass though the last of the meadows, you enter a world of rock and boulders, home to marmots and pikas. At the 5.4 kilometre mark, look for the first trail intersection.
Option to hike to Jade Lake
You have the option of doing a short (0.4 km) side trip to Miller Lake. One minute later there’s another intersection – with the option of doing the longer, harder hike to Jade Lake. But if you continue then in roughly 15 minutes you’ll arrive at the stunning Eva Lake.
Camping at Eva Lake
It’s possible to camp overnight at the lake although there are only four backcountry campsites available on a first come, first served basis. Prices are $9.80 per person per night.
Even without the wildflowers, the hike to Eva Lake is a pretty one.
And cyclists who like a good leg burn might want to bike up the Meadows in the Sky Parkway. The downhill would be worth the effort.
The Meadows in the Sky Parkway is accessed off the Trans-Canada Highway, a few kilometres east of Revelstoke. Revelstoke is roughly halfway between Vancouver and Calgary.
Visit the Mount Revelstoke National Park website for more information.
This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.
A few things I like to take on my mountain hikes
For any wildflower lovers out there, you might want to pick up a copy of the book Popular Wildflowers of Alberta and the Canadian Rockies.
For my lunch time stop I swear by my almost weightless inflatable seat cushion.
Where to stay near Eva Lake
Revelstoke is the closest city with Golden a distant second. In Revelstoke there are loads of B&B’s including Holten Heritage House where I stayed for a couple of nights in July 2019. If you want to stay on the mountain, the Sutton Place Hotel Revelstoke Mountain Resort would be a great choice. You can cook there too.
The Regent Hotel is another option (called fabulous by hotel reviewers) with an excellent in-house restaurant. It’s downtown and within walking distance of lots of good restaurants.
Further reading on hiking in British Columbia
- The Hermit Trail Hike in Glacier National Park, BC
- Valhalla Provincial Park for one of the Best Hikes in BC
- 7 Hiking Trails to do at Kicking Horse Resort
Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.
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Stunning hike, most lush, vibrant wildflowers I’ve seen anywhere! A real underappreciated gem in Canada’s national park system.
@Lynn I couldn’t agree more. I think better signage on the highway would be helpful too.
Did my long comment go through?
@Mike It did and it was IMMEDIATELY approved. Oh – maybe not if it’s about Eva Lake. Bummer.
Thanks so much for reminding me what a marvellous place Revelstoke Park is. It’s been a long time since my last visit, but your pics make me want to return.
@Doreen Most of the visitors I saw were not from Canada judging by accents. I hope more people take the time to visit. Such a great place. And now I want to do the bike ride to the top.
I love Mt. Revelstoke area, and wildflower season in the mountains is the absolute best! You’ve got beautiful photos here. Thanks for the post!
@Meghan Thanks for checking it out. It’s about time I made it to the park. I think it’s glorious even without wildflowers.
I said that I had showed the picture to Phoenix of his Alberta buddy and he was very happy! Eva Lake reminds me so much of Woods Lake which is at the top of the Carson Pass on Highway 88. It’s right above the Kirkwood Ski Resort in Northern California. We backpacked to it as a kid but now roads drive right up to it so it’s just not the same 🙁 I had said something else…trying to remember from earlier. Ohhh!! You’ve been a blogging machine lately, Leigh!! Great job!!! 🙂
@Mike Torrie loved most of the hike as she could go swimming or lie in cold water on multiple occasions.
I have been a blogging machine as I’ll be offline again quite a bit over the next 3 weeks. Makes my time at home VERY busy.
The view from the Old Rangers Cabin is oh so beautiful. I would love to stay there and wake to that view. It would be so hard to leave. Beautiful photography 🙂
@Jan It’s one glorious spot!
I am so used to thinking wildflowers in the spring, that this is a refreshing reminder that they do have their seasons and it depends on their location. Beautiful hike this one, Leigh.
@Jackie Wildflowers and mountains are definitely a summer thing – and a huge reason for heading to the mountains at their peak.
Yet another stunning hike, Leigh – we have so much beauty in Canada!
@Lisa I have found areas I never knew existed in my research – and hope others find the landscape as captivating as I do.
Picture after picture here looks like a postcard. What a gorgeous hike and so colorful with all those wildflowers. Those reflection shots are just stunning and love love the marmot photo. Lucky you to live within a reasonable driving distance to this gem of a park.
@Mary Yet another reason to visit our part of the world. This is a hike I think your family would love.
Wow! What a stunning place! Full of so much colour!
@Alex This hike exceeded my expectations – and reminded me of many great hikes I’ve done in Colorado.
Love the view of the flower fields. Ideal for a picnic with family. Plus the rivers quite nice too. A cabin near that place would be a perfect getaway for me. Thanks for sharing this!
@Cristy This is a great family hike and we saw kids of all ages doing it.
wow stunning scenery. I really need to get out there. There seem to be so many beautiful places for hiking
@Freya This park is only a 3 hour drive from Banff National park so it’s easy to include on a visit to western Canada.
Since I started blogging, I have stopped at several places that I previously passed by at 65 mph many times before. Each time I was pleasantly surprised and glad I finally made the detour. This park looks gorgeous and the wildflowers are tremendous.
@Ted I would definitely make a detour for this park again – and in fact I think I’d like to cycle up the road for the rush of the downhill!
I am not familiar with the Park,but I appreciate you introducing me! What gorgeous photos!
@Suzanne I don’t think Mount Revelstoke NP is on the radar of many Canadians but it’s definitely worth a visit. especially as it’s only a few hours from Yoho and Banff National Parks.
The pink flowers are Lewis’s monkeyflower (Mimulus lewisii).
Thank you Bill.
Thanks for the great trail info.do you think it will be worth just to do a part of the trail, like 3 km and then return? Will there be nice mountain views on the first 3 km or is it just through forest?is there a lot of uphill walking?
@Torsten It’s good but the real beauty is in the last kilometre!
I see a dog in one photo; note that dogs are not currently permitted in the summit area (including all the Eva Lake hikes) in Revelstoke NP. The rangers will turn you around. Other than that, the hike is spectacular, as advertised. There are lots of side trip options and scrambles to get higher in the area of the lake. Not very many hikes in the Rockies have easy auto access to such a high elevation starting point.
@Stephen Looks like we were lucky to be able to take our dog a few years ago.
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