Mount Revelstoke Summit Road (Meadows in the Sky Parkway)
Cedar to tundra — 1,600 metres of pure vertical.
The Meadows in the Sky Parkway inside Mount Revelstoke National Park is one of those roads that earns its reputation immediately. Starting from the Trans-Canada Highway at Revelstoke, the parkway climbs 1,600 metres over 26 kilometres through interior cedar-hemlock rainforest, subalpine fir stands, and finally onto open alpine meadows at the summit plateau near 1,938 metres. The upper section — above the last few switchbacks — is gravel and narrows considerably. Summit Road proper at the top, a short gravel connector to the trailheads and viewpoints, gives you panoramic views across the Selkirk and Monashee ranges that stop people dead in their tracks. Wildflower season in late July and early August is genuinely world-class.
This is a Parks Canada managed route with a national park entry fee required — no permit beyond that, but fees apply. The road is open to private vehicles only partway in some seasons; check current access rules before heading up, as the final kilometres to the summit can be shuttle-only depending on the year and congestion. Suitable for any highway-clearance vehicle on the paved section, but a high-clearance vehicle makes the upper gravel far more comfortable. Best season is late July through mid-September; snow can close the upper road well into summer. Fuel, food, and accommodation are all available in Revelstoke. This one is on every serious BC overland list for good reason.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 16.2 mi / 26 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6358 ft |
| Best season | Late July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Any vehicle (upper section benefits from high clearance) |
| Nearest town | Revelstoke, BC |
| Land manager | Parks Canada — Mount Revelstoke National Park |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | pc.gc.ca |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock sedan or minivan drive the Meadows in the Sky Parkway?
The lower paved section is fine for any vehicle, but the upper 2 km of gravel to Balsam Lake is rougher and benefits from high clearance — Parks Canada runs a shuttle from the upper parking lot to the summit if your rig can't hack that last stretch.
When does the road actually open each year?
Typically late July, sometimes early August, depending on snowpack — the upper alpine holds snow well into summer. Check Parks Canada's site before you go because the opening date shifts year to year and sections can close without much warning.
Do I need a permit or pass to drive this road?
Yes — a Parks Canada Discovery Pass or a daily entry fee is required for Mount Revelstoke National Park; pay at the gate near the start of the parkway or buy online in advance.
What's the hardest part of the drive and what should I actually expect?
The difficulty is more about narrow switchbacks and no guardrails than technical terrain — the gravel upper section has some loose surface and tight turns with serious drop-offs, so slow down and watch for oncoming traffic, especially Parks Canada shuttle buses.
Is there any camping on the parkway itself, and how far is the nearest fuel?
There's no drive-in camping on the parkway — the nearest full-service campground is Williamson Lake or Martha Creek outside Revelstoke; fuel up in Revelstoke before you head up since there's nothing on the road and cell service is spotty if you run dry.
Trail track
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