Kootenay National Park

Unknown to me prior to arriving at the entry gate, we would drive directly through Kootenay National Park to get over the Continental Divide to Banff National Park. Also a bit of a fright was the price-tag to get into these Canadian National Parks. It ended up being cheaper to simply buy a “Family annual pass” at a cost of more than $120 US Dollars. But then, you do get to see scenery (and a few bears) like this… Established in 1920, Kootenay National Park represents the south-western region of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. From glacier-clad peaks along the Continental Divide to the semi-arid grasslands of the Rocky Mountain Trench, where cactus grows, this park is home to a rich diversity of landscapes and ecology. – Parks Canada