Floe Lake Trail

Floe Lake Trail is a Kootenay National Park hike in British Columbia with a total distance of about 10.46 km and typical day-hike timing of roughly 7–9 hours. It’s an out-and-back to the lake, with a big effort concentrated on the climb into the headwall area before you arrive at Floe Lake.

The route is part of the Rockwall Trail corridor: Floe Lake functions as a key overnight destination on that multi-day backpacking line. If you continue beyond the lake, the common add-on is Numa Pass (extra distance and elevation on top of the Floe Lake hike).

Expect a two-part character. The first half is a gradual approach along the Vermillion River and Floe Creek, including several sturdy bridges. After that, the trail steepens and works up via a series of switchbacks toward the lake area.

Arriving at Floe Lake is the payoff: the lake sits beneath the Rockwall limestone escarpment, and there is a campground right on the shore. This makes it practical for day hikers (for lunch and turnaround) or for an overnight stay when campsites are available.

Access is via Highway 93 in Kootenay National Park. The trailhead is described as being just off Highway 93 (Banff–Windermere Highway), and the outing is subject to Parks Canada permit requirements and National Park Pass rules for hiking and parking.

Seasonality and snow matter for planning. The route is usually snow-free from late July to early September, and higher elevations can retain snow outside that window; camp access timing is constrained by snow conditions.

Wet-weather footing can be an issue on the steep switchback section as you gain elevation, so scout the exact lines you’ll step on. If conditions are damp or slushy, take extra care with traction and footing on the steeper segments, and slow down on any rocky or loose stretches.

For overnight users: backcountry permits are mandatory for an overnight trip, and campsite reservations are required for July–September periods. Plan to secure a backcountry permit in advance and carry proof (paper or screen) because staff may request it.

More information: Visitor information, Visitor information, The Floe Lake Trail: Complete 2026 Hiking Guide