Olive Lake Day Use Park
Kootenay National Park, Radium Hot Springs, BC, Canada
( hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing )

Olive Lake is a popular day use park often visited by many when traveling along Highway #93 in the Kootenay National Park of British Columbia, Canada. The national park is a popular destination for many who enjoy adventure, wildlife and sightseeing when visiting the village of Radium Hot Springs.

The day use park rests on the shores of Olive Lake. It is a quiet spot in the mountains settled around an alpine lake near the Sinclair Pass Summit. For many travelers the day use park doubles as a rest stop. There are pit toilets (one wheelchair accessible), picnic tables and a picnic shelter on site. There is no overnight camping facilities on the lake.

Olive Lake is a good place to quickly stretch your legs. Picnicking, wildlife viewing and birdwatching are some of the activities enjoyed at Olive Lake. For those who plan to get active, there is a short 1/2 kilometre boardwalk path leading to two viewing platforms overlooking the lake. The path is well maintained and is wheelchair accessible.

The short trail begins in the trees. The path starts out as an earthy trail before it reaches the shores of the lake. The trail then becomes a boardwalk trail leading to the right and left. Either way leads to a viewing platform. At the trailhead and along the trail are many interpretive signs describing the natural habitat and wildlife.

The viewing platforms provide great views of the lake. Each with some sitting benches and more interpretive signs.

How to Get to Olive Lake :

Travel to the village of Radium Hot Springs. From the community travel along Hwy #93 into the Kootenay National Park. Enter the park through the 'west gate' . Continue past the gate for 12 kilometres. Olive Lake will appear on your right. Look for the parking area and park sign on your right.

Important Note: To explore in the Kootenay National Park one must obtain a park pass. Passes are available in the community of Radium Hot Springs or through any national park office.