Kootenay National Park

34 km (21 mi) west of Banff town site, 162 km (100 mi) west of Calgary.

When the tourist population of Banff swells in the busy summer months, Kootenay National Park remains surprisingly quiet, although not for lack of natural beauty—the scenery, including numerous steep rock facades, certainly matches that of Banff and Jasper parks. The park, which is named for the Ktunaxa (or Kootenai) people who have lived in the area for approximately 10,000 years, is just over the Alberta border in British Columbia, adjacent to the west side of Banff National Park and the south end of Yoho National Park. Facilities are few here; most people see the park only as they drive south on busy Highway 93, which traverses the park's length, while on their way to points in British Columbia. Backcountry overnight campers must purchase a wilderness pass, available at any national parks visitor center.