A Guide to Mount Robson Provincial Park
Mount Robson Provincial Park in British Columbia features the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, many hiking trails, and plenty of activities to do. Our travel guide includes the best things to do in Mount Robson Provincial Park, top hikes, attractions, and tips on when to go, directions, or accommodation.
Mount Robson is a beautiful provincial park in British Columbia that features breathtaking scenery, great hiking trails, and abundant wildlife. Add migrating salmons, turquoise lakes, massive glaciers, or backcountry campgrounds, and you will get one of the finest experiences of the Canadian Rockies.
Once you start planning your trip to the Canadian Rockies, the first considerations and ideas usually drift towards the most famous national parks (such as Banff National Park) in this mountainous region in Western Canada. Unfortunately, travelers only scarcely hear of Mount Robson Provincial Park, which is a bit of shame, in our opinion.
Established in 1913, Mount Robson Provincial Park is surrounded by scenery that is on par with the most beautiful places in the Rockies.
The park is located in the east of British Columbia at the border with Alberta Province and easily accessible by car. Moreover, the area is only about an hour's ride from the town of Jasper, meaning that you can visit Mount Robson on a day trip while road tripping Jasper National Park.
As with other top attractions in the Canadian Rockies, even simple driving along the Yellowhead Highway 16 is a part of the magical experience.
If you are looking for information on what to do in Mount Robson Provincial Park, you've come to the right place.
Here is everything you need to know about Mount Robson Provincial Park before you go.
MOUNT ROBSON PROVINCIAL PARK
The second oldest park in British Columbia, Mount Robson Provincial Park, is also a part of the Canadian Rocky Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With 3954 meters, Mount Robson is the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies and the most prominent peak in North America's Rocky Mountain range. Moreover, it's part of the Rainbow Range.
The origin of the English name still remains a bit of mystery, as there are a few explanations after whom the mountain was named.
However, the First Nations used this area for centuries before it became an important travel route for fur traders and gold seekers in the 19th century, and their original naming is much clearer.
The name Mountain of the Spiral Road (Yuh-hai-has-kun) was given by the local Shuswap people and reflected the mountain's geology that features a layered appearance, a path to the sky.
A fun fact. While Mount Robson is the highest mountain in the Rockies, with 5959 meters, Mount Logan in Yukon is the highest mountain in Canada.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN MOUNT ROBSON PROVINCIAL PARK
From guided walks, groomed trails, canoeing, horseback riding to Heli tours, there's something for everyone in Mount Robson. There are plenty of things to do in Mount Robson for all ages and abilities, but there's only one condition.
To include Mount Robson in your Canadian Rockies itinerary, you must be a person who loves nature in its raw form, an avid hiker, photographer, or all of that in one.
And even if you're rather a city type of traveler, we believe this particular area will change your attitude a bit, and from now on, you will enjoy walking in the mountains a bit more.
HIKING
Although the scenery of the Canadian Rockies is breathtaking even through the window of your car, the best way to fully explore it is on foot.
Hiking in the Canadian Rockies is one of the most rewarding experiences ever, but it's good to know what to expect and come prepared.
Compared to trails in Banff National Park or hikes in Jasper National Park, Mount Robson Provincial Park offers only limited hiking opportunities.
The best hiking trails in Mount Robson Provincial Park are in the Berg Lake area, but it's a bit harder to get all the way to the lake itself, especially if you are short on time.
Needless to say, that the walk to Kinney Lake is nice and easy and well worth the effort for visitors who can spend only a short time in the park.
Furthermore, a few less popular trails can be found in the east end of Mount Robson Provincial Park, such as Yellowhead Mountain Trail, Moose River Route, or Mount Fitzwilliam Trail. While these trails offer to explore Mount Robson without crowds, they are mostly for experienced hikers.
Moreover, the 5-7 day Moose River Route is a serious trek lacking a proper trail at times and will take you into a pure Canadian wilderness. Again, note that only well-experienced hikers should only attempt this trek.
KINNEY LAKE TRAIL
A beautiful trail leading through the forest for the first 4 kilometers is running along the continuous rapids of Robson River and allows you to get a glimpse of Mount Robson's stunning beauty.
Kinney Lake (and Berg Lake) trailhead starts at the end of Kinney Lake Road, about two kilometers north of the visitor center.
The distance from the trailhead to Kinney Lake is 4.2 kilometers, with an elevation gain of 130 meters, making it an easy to moderate walk for families with kids and novice hikers.
It's worth it to continue past the first Kinney Lake viewpoint all the way to Kinney Lake campground, where you can have your snack or lunch and then retrace your steps back.
Sometimes, Kinney Lake Trail is referred to simply as Berg Lake Trail, as they share the same path.
BERG LAKE TRAIL
This hike is roughly 21 kilometers from the visitors center to the lake, and the elevation gain is approximately 800 meters. Berg Lake Trail can be described as moderately challenging if you stay in the Berg Lake Campground (or any other site) overnight or difficult if you want to complete it in one day (due to its length).
The trail allows you to see Mount Robson from the other side, together with some glaciers and alpine lakes.
Once past Kinney Lake, expect to walk by some creeks, waterfalls, and river crossings with bridges.
In fact, Berg Lake is connected with Kinney Lake by the Valley of a Thousand Falls, so you will see plenty of waterfalls along the trail.
Don't forget to make a short detour to Emperor Falls (bring a rain poncho); it's worth it. There is a steeper section between Whitehorn and Emperor Falls campgrounds; otherwise, the trail is quite gentle.
There are four campgrounds at the lake, and the Berg Lake campground is the most popular one. If time allows, it's worth spending an extra day in the area to hike to Berg Lake viewpoint, Hargreaves Lake, Robson Pass, or Mumm Basin Trail.
As the campgrounds along the trail are often booked out, you might want to consider hiking to Berg Lake and back in one day. It's doable but be prepared for a long and tiring day. Also, you won't have time to do some hikes around the lake.
At kilometer 7, there is a bike rack where you can leave your bike (bring a bike lock), meaning that you can make 14 kilometers out of a total of 42 kilometers very quickly. Make sure to bring a headlamp!
OVERLANDER FALLS TRAIL
An easy trail through a forest (30-45 minutes round trip) will take you to Overlander Falls on Fraser River. The 30-wide and 10-meter tall waterfall is mightily roaring from a distance, and it's among the best places to visit in Mount Robson Park when short on time.
The shorter trail leads downhill until you reach the falls, then you have to hike up (nothing strenuous, though).
The falls were named after a fairly large group of overland travelers from Ontario who, in the spring of 1862, passed along this point in a search for newly discovered goldfields in British Columbia.
From the visitor center, continue driving straight for 1.5 kilometers until you turn into the parking lot on your right.
There is an alternative 6-kilometer route to Overlander Falls that starts on the Hargreaves Road (close to the bridge near Robson Meadows Campground) and leads along the Fraser River.
On the way, you will pass the Hogan's Cabin, a former railway construction camp that was established during the building of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway from 1911 to 1914.
In general, the waterfall is not as impressive as Athabasca Falls in Jasper or Helmcken Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park, though it's still worth a visit.
YELLOWHEAD PASS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
On the way from Jasper in Alberta province, alias the Wild Rose Country, you will soon enough cross the border to British Columbia, boldly claiming to be the Best Place on Earth.
Right behind the sign is pull-out parking and Yellowhead Pass National Historic Site. This area also marks the eastern border of Mount Robson Park.
So make sure to take a photo with the statue of a white mountain goat guarding the entrance to the park.
In the first half of the 19th century, the pass was used to transport leather, mainly moose hides from Saskatchewan District, to its posts in New Caledonia, a fur-trading district of the Hudson's Bay Company.
Later on, the Yellowhead Pass was used as a part of the Grand Trunk Pacific and Canadian Northern Routes. Nowadays, it became a major highway crossing the Canadian Rockies.
Don't skip the Portal Lake Trail, a short and easy 20-minute (return) walk, while in the area.
MOOSE LAKE AND YELLOWHEAD LAKE
Both Moose Lake and Yellowhead Lake have a day-use area (and a boat launch) where you can stop to take a short break and stretch your legs. We liked Moose Lake a bit more, as the Yellowhead Lake views are limited from the road.
Train tracks are parallel to the highway at Moose Lake, and if you are lucky, you can see one of those extremely long double-stack container trains. The longest Canadian trains can stretch more than four kilometers and weigh up to 18 thousand tons.
If we recall correctly, the train we saw from the Yellowhead Parkway was pulling almost two hundred containers at the lower layer and just a few less at the upper layer.
The freight trains in the Czech Republic are a laughing stock compared to these monsters, and we always were in awe when seeing these Canadian trains slowly passing by.
By the way, if you are fascinated by the trains, note that there is a famous viewpoint in Yoho National Park called Spiral Tunnels, where you can see the train climbing a mountain in a series of tunnels.
VISITOR CENTER
Even if you don't have time to hike to either Kinney Lake or Berg Lake, it's worth stopping by the visitor center, as there is a nice viewpoint offering excellent views of Mount Robson and some picnic tables to enjoy your lunch and take some time off the driving.
The views of Mount Robson from the highway are amazing, but it's better to pull over to take some photos for safety reasons.
And even if you just want to stretch your legs for a few minutes or grab a coffee, don't forget to stop by.
The visitor center is very informative, and so is the staff working there. A small museum is located within the visitor center and gives you insight into the entire area. You will learn more about geology, the history of the park and the whole area, mapmakers, mountaineers, local fauna, and flora.
Free Wi-Fi is available, though due to the area's remoteness, you can't expect miracles (the connection is often slow). Also, there is no cell coverage in the park.
Moreover, the visitor center offers Berg Lake Trail registration. If you plan on camping in one of the seven campgrounds, you need to register here before setting off. Once you register, you will get full info on the trail, hikes, camping, rules, etc.
Keep in mind that reservations must be made online in advance of arrival. This rule is due to high demand, and it's rigorous.
To get to the visitor center parking lot, leave the Yellowhead Highway, turn onto Kinney Lake Road, and almost immediately turn right onto Viewpoint Road, where you will turn right once more.
Just off the Yellowhead Highway is also located a local restaurant/store/gas station in case you need something.
HELICOPTER FLIGHT
While you get impressive views from the trail, you might want to consider taking a Heli flight to see all that beauty from above. Only a bird-eye perspective allows you to understand the size of the area fully.
So, if you want to fly in and hike out, you can consider taking a Heli flight to Robson Pass.
One thing is sure, Heli Tours are not cheap. The flight to Berg Lake costs $265 without tax per person (and includes a shuttle service to the Berg Lake Trail).
Is Mount Robson helicopter flight worth it? Well, it highly depends on your travel budget. We reserved a similar experience for Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, and the experience exceeded our expectations (and left a big void in our wallet and our frugal travel minds).
We must only imagine that the Mount Robson experience will be very similar or even better.
The flight departs from Mount Robson Pit, about 1.5 kilometers east of the visitor center near the Overlander Falls trailhead.
Also, the tour company is allowed to fly Monday and Friday mornings only, so you need to plan your trip carefully.
FISHING
Home to some pristine waters, Mount Robson Provincial Park, presents good opportunities for fishing at Moose Lake and Yellowhead Lake.
Moreover, there is seasonal flyfishing on the Moose and Fraser rivers.
Fishing activities are popular in the Canadian Rockies, but remember that fishing permits are required and available at the Visitor Centre.
Species like Dolly Varden trout, Lake Trout, Bull Trout, Rainbow Trout, Rocky Mountain whitefish, or Kokanee Salmon are common in the streams, creeks, and pools in the park.
Some fish are catch and release only, and what can you catch and keep, and in what amount depends on the location, so it's better to ask at the visitor center.
Outside the provincial park but still, within the area, you can try your luck at Shere Lake, Goat River, Holmes River, or Kinbasket Lake.
Before you go fishing in Mount Robson, ask at the visitor center about the current regulations.
WILDLIFE WATCHING
Mount Robson Provincial Park is home to 42 species of mammals and 180 species of birds. Wild animals such as grizzly and black bears, moose, caribou, elks, wolves, coyotes, mountain goats, marmots, or pikas are found within the national park.
Due to minimal human intervention, Mount Robson is an ideal place for wildlife watching.
While some animals are extremely rare to encounter, some are common in the park, and you have a good chance of spotting them.
Remember, dusk and dawn are those two times each day the animals are most active.
The best way to stay safe when watching wildlife is not to get close and give animals room to move. In the case of bears, it's better to avoid the encounter entirely. As a rule of thumb, if animals react to your presence, you are too close.
Always keep a safe distance between you and the animal. If you have binoculars, don't leave them in the car.
Enthusiast wildlife photographers should bring a proper telephoto lens such as Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 and a camera with reliable autofocus such as Canon EOS R6.
REARGUARD FALLS
While technically these falls are located in Rearguard Falls Provincial Park, they are only a rock throw away from Mount Robson, and there is a high chance you will drive by.
So why not stop at these falls to witness one of the fascinating journeys in the animal kingdom? Chinook Salmon, the largest salmon species of the Pacific, travel 1300 kilometers (800 miles) upstream to return to their place of birth from the sea.
Rearguard Falls is the point that marks the end of their adult journey, as only a fraction of them successfully overcomes the obstacles that Fraser River plants in their way.
Watching the red-colored salmon (they change their color at the end of their lives) on their journey to spawning territory from the nicely built platform is possible at the end of the summer (usually mid-August to mid-September, depending on the year).
If you are in Valemount, George Hicks Regional Park, right next to Valemount Visitor Center, is another great place to see the salmon run.
BIKING
While biking is allowed in Mount Robson Park to a degree, you won't find many trails there. In fact, it might be a better idea to go to Valemount Mountain Bike Park just northeast of the Valemount village.
The first seven kilometers of the Berg Lake Trail can be covered on a bike, but that's about it. Bikes are not allowed past Kinney Lake Campground.
The trail is a bit rocky, but it's not that bad after all. There is a bike rack at the campground where you can leave your bikes and continue to Berg Lake on foot.
You can also explore some campground roads (Robson Meadows Campground and the Robson River Campground), but that won't suffice for serious mountain bikers.
HOW TO GET
There is no way around it; you will need a car to get to Mount Robson. Luckily, in case you don't have your own car, renting a car in British Columbia or Alberta is very easy and straightforward.
All three major cities in the west part of the country have plenty of rental companies that offer good vehicles for reasonable prices.
Mount Robson Provincial Park is located 450 kilometers west of Edmonton, 500 kilometers northwest of Calgary, 300 kilometers northwest of Prince George, and 700 kilometers northeast of Vancouver (or 350 kilometers from Kamloops).
As you can clearly see, getting to the provincial park takes a lot of time, and it makes zero sense to visit it just for a day. In this case, planning your trip carefully is essential.
From Vancouver, follow the Trans-Canada Highway 1 until you reach Kamloops, and then turn left onto Southern Yellowhead Highway 5 that will take you to Tete Jaune Cache. Here, turn right onto Yellowhead Highway 16, and you will arrive at the visitors center in 10 minutes. It takes about 8 hours without making any stops to get from Vancouver to Mount Robson.
From the northwest, the city of Prince George provides access to Mount Robson via Yellowhead Highway 16 (it's a 3-hour drive).
From Edmonton, take Yellowhead Highway 16 west to Jasper National Park first, and eventually Mount Robson.
It takes about six hours to get to Mount Robson from Calgary via Trans-Canada Highway 1, Icefields Parkway, and finally, the Yellowhead Highway 16. In reality, you should allocate at least a few days to make as many stops along this scenic road as possible.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT
By far, the best time to visit Mount Robson Provincial Park is in the summer. Early summer presents the meadows covered with wildflowers in full bloom, while early autumn will deliver much more colorful foliage. And when the snow starts to melt, you will have the opportunity to see some mighty waterfalls.
Sure, it's possible to visit Mount Robson in winter, but it's important to know that services are limited, and roads can be closed.
Snowshoeing to Kinney Lake is allowed, but this is avalanche terrain.
Therefore, visitors should be equipped with avalanche gear and knowledge of the avalanche terrains (plus risks and hazards).
Snowshoes and microspikes are essential winter gear in this area.
WHERE TO STAY
The nearest towns to Mount Robson Provincial Park that offers a wider choice of hotels are either Valemount or Jasper. Choosing the best place to stay overnight before or after visiting Mount Robson depends on your travel itinerary, mostly on what direction you are coming from and where you are going next.
While you can technically find a few hotels in Tete Jaune Cache, the selection is nothing to write home about.
Valemount is a small village of 1000 residents and the commercial center in the area. It's a gateway to Mount Robson as it takes less than 30 minutes to get from the village to the visitor center.
You will find in Valemount everything you need, hotels, gas stations, grocery stores, a pharmacy, a liquor store, or even Tim Hortons.
On the other side of the valley, Jasper is another excellent place to base yourself before visiting the Mount Robson area. Jasper offers even more services than Valemount, but it's a bit further from the park (about an hour's drive).
Here is our choice of the best hotels near Mount Robson Provincial Park.
Valemount | Best Western Plus Valemount Inn and Suites - A typical hotel by Best Western features everything you would expect. The hotel offers on-site dining, an indoor pool with a waterslide, free Wi-Fi, or satellite TV. If you have spare time, you can walk the Cranberry Marsh Loop that starts right next to the hotel.
Valemount | Rose Cottage Bed and Breakfast - If you are looking for a more personable experience rather than staying in a hotel chain, this lovely bed and breakfast in Valemount is the place to spend the night before traveling to the Mount Robson area. The hostess is amiable and helpful, and you will find there your second home while on the road.
Tete Jaune Cache | Mica Mountain Lodge and Log Cabins - These nice and clean cabins have an excellent location close to the provincial park boundary. The peaceful scenery surrounding the cabins is incredible and perfect for travelers looking for remote areas.
Jasper | Jasper Inn and Suites - A nice modern hotel, Jasper Inn and Suites features clean rooms with a fridge, tea, and coffee-making facilities, a steam room, and a sauna. The Inn Restaurant and Lounge features a heated outdoor terrace and serves authentic Canadian cuisine.
WHAT TO PACK
Weather can ruin your trip, especially if you are not prepared for it. Environmental factors play a huge role in the success of your trip, and you shouldn't take them lightly.
In summer, expect warm days and chilly nights in the lower altitudes. Bring a lot of layers when hiking in the mountains, and don't forget to read our Canadian Rockies packing list.
The weather in Mount Robson Provincial Park has a very similar character to other areas around the Canadian Rockies. The weather forecast is not often accurate, and you should expect all kinds of weather in one day.
Nevertheless, make sure to pack a lightweight rain jacket; this is an absolutely essential piece of gear that you should bring for all your mountain adventures (not only to Mount Robson).
Sturdy hiking boots offer better ankle coverage on uneven surfaces, especially if you carry a heavy backpack. Trail runners should be more than fine up to the Kinney Lake area.
Bears are present in Mount Robson, and you should carry a bear spray and follow all bear restrictions and bear safety tips.
Hydration is also important; bring plenty of water and stay hydrated throughout the day. You can refill your reusable water bottle from the streams or use SteriPen or a water bottle with a filter for extra safety.
Also, a strong sunscreen and an efficient bug repellent are must-have items.
ENTRANCE FEE
Whether you are traveling on a budget or not, it's important to know if there are any fees in the place you are about to visit. Currently, there is no entrance fee to Mount Robson Provincial Park.
So, this provincial park in British Columbia is free, and it's a perfect alternative to pricey national parks.
Traveling around the Canadian Rockies on a budget can be quite challenging, so it's always good to know that there are places you can visit without paying admission.
However, you still need to pay for the campsites.
CAMPGROUNDS
For many, camping in the Canadian Rockies is one of the best ways to explore this incredible mountainous area.
Mount Robson frontcountry camping fees range from $10 to $30 per party, per vehicle, per night. You can visit the visitor center to reserve some sites.
Bears are often encountered in the area, so keep your site clean at all times.
Dogs are not permitted on the trail for overnight trips. However, dogs are permitted on the trail for day hikes only but must be on a leash. Backcountry campsites can be registered in the visitor center.
ROBSON MEADOWS CAMPGROUND
A snail-shell-shaped campground, Robson Meadows has plenty of spacious private campsites and offers a very peaceful experience. The campground has an excellent location just opposite Mount Robson visitors center (700 meters). Firewood is available for $10.
ROBSON RIVER CAMPGROUND
The river campground has nice private sites, and as there are fewer of them, it offers an even more intimate camping experience than the meadows campground. The fee is $28 per site per night.
LUCERNE CAMPGROUND
The campground is well-maintained and conveniently located on the road between Jasper and Mount Robson. The campground is close to the highway and train tracks; therefore, it gets noisy at night. Use earplugs. You pay $22 per night per site, so it's a bit cheaper than the other two campgrounds, though.
BERG LAKE CAMPING
All previous campgrounds offer a frontcountry experience. If you are looking for a backcountry campground, know that you can find seven campsites on the way from the visitor center to Berg Lake.
You will encounter campsites in the following order: Kinney Lake, Whitehorn, Emperor Falls, Marmot, Berg Lake, Rearguard, Robson Pass.
The largest one is the Berg Lake Campground, with 26 sites (tent-pads) and a shelter. Kinney Lake campground has 14 sites (tent pads), and a cooking shelter as well. The site costs $10 per night.
CAMPING GEAR
Reliable camping gear is essential in the success of your camping trip. The nights in the Canadian Rockies are cold with freezing temperatures, even in the summer.
If you don't feel miserable, it's worth investing in proper gear.
Here is a short essentials list of the items everyone should have. A 2-person lightweight tent is enough for us; make sure it's waterproof.
A waterproof tarp that can serve as a shelter is great for cooking and even tent sleeping when frontcountry camping.
Also, bring an adequate sleeping mat, warm sleeping bag. On top of that, you will need a ultralight cooking stove, gas can, and cooking set.
Don't leave a fully charged headlamp and foldable knife at home!
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
