If you read my previous post you will know my friend Caitlin and I took a trip to Canada with the intention of visiting Banff National Park. The entire goal of this trip was to hike as many trails as we could squeeze into four days. We spent our first night a few hours shy of the Lake Louise area in a town called Revelstoke.
In Revelstoke there was another national park we wanted to hike in, so as to experience multiple different parks within the Canadian Rockies.
We chose arguably the most popular trail in Mount Revelstoke National Park, seeing as there are few hikes and this is a very small national park. We hiked the Eva and Miller Lake Trail, giving us 11 miles to explore. We started the hike early as we always do, because trail reports indicated this was a popular spot. We wanted to ensure a place to park and avoid the main crowd.
The trail began through the woods, coming upon small meadows, and eventually opening up to expansive views of the surrounding mountains.
I was on high alert for nearly the entire first half of this hike. It was our first hike for the week, my bear meter was scanning a mile a minute, and within the first five minutes we stumbled upon bear poop right in the middle of the trail. Cool. Caitlin waved her magic hand over the dung to inquire if it were warm or not, and after we shared a laugh we continued on.
Finally when we made it to the first of these two lakes (Miller) I calmed down. We saw two other humans, and more humans always makes me feel better when I am in bear country. This lake was small, and the lighting was horrible so I did not take any photos. I did however take a photo of the facilities at this lake to show my plumber boyfriend.
Most luxurious toilet I’ve seen in the wild. The things I never thought I would photograph.
From here Eva lake is only a wee bit further, and is well worth the continuation. This lake was far superior in my opinion, and the perfect place to stop and eat a snack. The reflections of the surrounding trees provided the perfect symmetrical image to savor while eating my very first gingerbread flavored Larabar of the season. I wait all year for these spicy treats.
The trail makes an entire loop around the lake, offering different views as you go, but this initial view was my favorite. Close to the path leading to the lake sits a cabin where many previous hikers and campers have come. The inside walls are covered with messages and stories of those who came before us. The small table had a notebook for travelers, as well as some old candles to burn.
Many years ago I had a Canadian acquaintance who told me all throughout the trails and mountains of British Columbia sat little cabins like this where hikers could come and sleep. It sounded like it was a first come first serve/communal situation, and I remember being enamored by the idea of being able to hike deep into the mountains and always have a safe place to sleep.
Assuming you didn’t encounter any other psychotic hikers of course.
We walked the full loop before heading back towards the car. This national park had plenty of accessible views for people who were not as active as the hikers, and we wandered around the area near the parking lot before making the drive to our home for the next four nights. I could have sat savoring the views for hours.
We made it to the Lake Louise campground with plenty of daylight to spare, and I watched helplessly while Caitlin set up the tent. I’m half kidding, I did help her, but I had never set up her tent before and it was new to me. While I have camped in my life, it is never my go to choice when traveling.
I slept like hot garbage our first night, but I eventually settled into the routine of a campground and came to enjoy it.
We awoke early the next morning for our first day in Banff, which happened to be my favorite day of the trip. We hiked two trails in one day, the second of which being one I will dream about for many years to come.
Bear sightings: 0
Next up: Peyto Lake and Helen Lake.
Q: Do you like tent camping?
Blissfulbritt 
25 thoughts on “Mount Revelstoke National Park”
Rootchopper
I hate tent camping. I roll off my sleeping pad. Get tangled in the sleeping bag. Have to emerge into the cold darkness to pee. (I am inept at doing no. 2 in the wild. Ready. aim. pants! Maybe I’ll practice in my backyard. Yeah, the wife and neighbors will love that!)
And then there are the worries about the bears. We thought we were being stalked by a bear when camping on the C&O canal once. In the morning we found out it was a cow.
Brittany
My sleeping pad and bag were wonderful, and physically I was quite comfortable. But I’m with you on emerging in the darkness. I learned my lesson after night one and having to pee. I refused to go in the dark to the toilet.
I laughed out loud at the cow, but I would have been terrified in the moment.
ullehaddock
I hate tent camping! Spent 6 months in a tent during my time in the Swedish army. Beautiful pictures of a amazing landscape.
Brittany
Oh man, I cannot imagine sleeping in a tent for 6 months. I don’t blame you for hating it now.
niall
I really like tent camping but I never seem to sleep well. I think I need to switch to a sleeping quilt instead of a bag to allow me to move more easily and relax better
Brittany
Surprisingly I slept better as the days went on, I really like my sleeping pad and my bag is very comfortable. I use a Nemo bag, which is designed for side sleepers, and it’s much roomier than a traditional mummy bag. I can’t handle feeling like I can’t move around. A quilt sounds like a good middle ground.
Stephen Tuck
I haven’t slept in a tent since my school days. On the other hand, I’ve slept in a lot of other places (fleapit motels, cabins, ATCO huts, my car, on the beach etc etc). My taste for Spartan accommodation left me long ago!
And as to bears: remember, you don’t have to outrun the bear. You just have to outrun Caitlin!
Brittany
I laughed out loud at that last sentence. My boyfriend says the SAME thing (and he’s friends with Caitlin.)
I have to agree that I’m far less interested in Spartan accommodations as you called it. My days of crowded hostels are gone, and while I’ll still try to be frugal, I much prefer comfort these days.
mariezhuikov
You really captured the gorgeous landscape well in your photos. Love the window reflection (psychotic hikers?) one!
Brittany
Thank you! It’s so much easier when everywhere you turn the views are stunning.
jenellep
Beautiful pics and writeup! Thanks for sharing this.
Brittany
Thanks for commenting the nice words!
Grace @ Cultural Life
Interesting to learn that Canada has mountain shelters too. Scotland is dotted with them (called bothies). There’s even a book called The Scottish Bothy Bible with routes and reviews. I’ve never stayed in one, but my older brother has and it sounds like good fun.
I was 29 the first time I went camping and have been a few times since then. My sleep quality was mixed… for whatever reason, Lewis (my partner) and I decided to buy two single inflatable mats and a double sleeping bag. In the night, the detached mats kept drifting apart, and I’d wake up uncomfortably wedged on the ground between them. Middle-of-the-night me felt quite grumpy about the whole situation but I can see the funny side now 😂
Brittany
I stumbled across another book about a guy who hiked around Scotland to bothies and I had no idea what that meant by just reading the cover! How fun. All the more reason to adore Scotland.
I’m laughing at your camp sleep situation, I can visualize the chaos of the sleeping pad/bag combo. Hahaha. I suppose we live and learn.
Allie Zottola
Yay for no bear sightings! LOL about luxurious toilets in the wild.
Tent camping… not my fave. I am definitely spoiled! I love doing camper camping, haha. But I also have kids so there’s my excuse 🤣
Brittany
Honestly that’s a valid excuse. Our original plan was to car camp, but quickly realized her car was not comfortable for that. So tent it was. I am glad we did it, but I definitely prefer campers or…Air B&B’s. Haha.
Allie Zottola
Wait, Air BnBs are on the table as an option?! I’d pick that over a camper then too then hahahaha.
Brittany
🤣🤣 they’re always an option. Might have to drive a bit further, but yeaaahhh. Though I did see a lot of REALLY nice campers/RV’s.
Allie Zottola
Hahah, good! I love that you’re not a purist about camping. I know some people think only tent camping is camping and I’m like what?! I’ll do an AirBnb any day hahaha.
Duncan
Sounds like another part of an amazing adventure! Oddly beautiful graffiti, and more breathtaking scenic pictures. Can’t wait to hear more about the next leg!
x0x0
Brittany
The entire inside walls of that cabin were covered in writing. I’ll give you one guess as to why I snapped this specific picture. XxoO
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Amy
Those camping tents can be sneaky hard to set up! I remember my job was always to put together the poles as a little kid. It was one of the few things I could do to be useful around the campsite! 😂
Also… I swear you and my parents are ALWAYS on the same wavelength. They did a trip to Banff a couple of years ago! I’ll have to ask them what hikes they did during their vacation. If your past trips were any indication, there’s a 99.9% chance they were the same exact ones that you picked! 😉
Brittany
I can just imagine little Amy setting up the tent poles waiting for s’mores time.
Your parents are my soul parents. LOL. I love that we continue to have the same ideas for trips.
Amy
Pretty much… S’mores were basically mandatory! 😂
“Soul parents” — I love it!! That’s the BEST description. I can’t wait to see what the three of you are going to do in 2025…