Things to do in Revelstoke with kids: Our summer family guide

Last updated on October 14, 2026

The little mountain town of Revelstoke (or Revy as it’s locally known) is often overlooked in the rush between the Canadian Rockies and Vancouver, but for us it was a highlight. In fact, it’s one of the many places in BC I could imagine living – yes, I did look up the house prices!

It has a Stars Hollow-style small-town charm, but with forested mountains rising behind the streets. There’s plenty of family-friendly fun, from mountain coasters and treetop adventures to lakes and easy walks, yet it still feels like a real community rather than a destination created purely for visitors.

We stopped for a few nights on our Canada road trip, but you could easily spend a week here. There were plenty of Canadian families doing exactly that at the campsite where we stayed. In fact, it was probably the most Canadian-feeling place we visited on the trip – Banff and Lake Louise were far more international.

After exploring Banff, Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway, it was lush to slow down for a few days, and Revelstoke was the perfect place to do it.

This guide covers the best things to do in Revelstoke with kids in summer, along with where to eat, where to stay and how long to spend there.

Also see our three-week Canada road trip itinerary, things to do in Banff with kids, and how to book Parks Canada campsites.

Our BB favourites in Revelstoke

• Ride the Pipe Mountain Coaster. Take the gondola up, then control your own speed as you whizz down through the forest.
• Spend time in downtown Revelstoke. This is a mountain town with genuine community spirit, not simply a base for outdoor adventures.
• Visit The Enchanted Forest and SkyTrek. Its handmade storybook characters and treehouses are especially lovely for younger children. And SkyTrek is ideal for some adventure next door.
• Stay at Revelstoke RV & Cabin Resort. The boys had space to play while we enjoyed the mountain setting and nostalgic holiday-park atmosphere.
• Slow down over good food and coffee. We loved Main Street Café, Sugar Shack and Spilt Milk.

Is Revelstoke worth visiting with kids?

Definitely. Revelstoke combines big mountain scenery with the sort of family attractions that don’t require everyone to be an enthusiastic hiker. You can ride a mountain coaster one day, play by a lake the next and still find time to wander into town for coffee.

It also adds something different to a western Canada road trip. Banff and Lake Louise deliver the famous sights, while Revelstoke feels more relaxed and lived-in. We found it a particularly good place to let the pace drop after several busy days in the Rockies.

Technically, Revelstoke sits in British Columbia’s Columbia Mountains rather than the Canadian Rockies. But it fits naturally into the popular road-trip route between Banff, Golden, the Okanagan and Vancouver.

How many days do you need in Revelstoke?

I’d stay for at least two nights, giving you one full day for Revelstoke Mountain Resort and time to enjoy the town. Three or four nights would allow you to add Mount Revelstoke National Park, The Enchanted Forest, SkyTrek and a lake or river outing without rushing.

You could easily spend a week here if your family enjoys hiking, biking and slower campground days. Equally, Revelstoke works as a one-night stop, but it would be a shame to treat it only as somewhere to sleep between longer drives.

The best things to do in Revelstoke with kids

1. Ride the Pipe Mountain Coaster

The Pipe Mountain Coaster at Revelstoke Mountain Resort was one of our family highlights. You ride the Revelation Gondola to the start, then whizz back down the mountain through the forest, controlling the speed of your own cart.

I loved this! You can brake as much as you like, which makes it manageable for more cautious riders, although the temptation is definitely to let it fly. And there are two tracks, one with more bends and another with steeper drops, so you can ride twice and get different experiences.

Children aged three to nine can currently ride as passengers with an adult, provided they are at least 96cm tall and meet the resort’s other seating requirements. Older children who meet the requirements can drive their own cart if they want (our eldest almost did this but then found it a little frightening so went with me instead). Check the latest rules when booking rather than promising anyone a solo ride in advance. Also note there’s an upper weight limit so heavier adults won’t necessarily be able to accompany the kids.

The coaster is popular, so book ahead and arrive with enough time to park, collect tickets and take the gondola. We had to wait for around 15 minutes at the top.

2. Make a day of Revelstoke Mountain Resort

The coaster may have been the headline act for us, but there’s enough at Revelstoke Mountain Resort to spend much longer there. We also tackled the multi-level aerial adventure climbing tower, which felt more hair-raising than similar forest courses we’ve done. Naturally, our smallest adrenaline seeker adored it!

Other summer activities riding the gondola, hiking, disc golf and mountain biking. The Revelstoke Skywalk has a suspension bridge and viewing platform close to the top of the gondola.

Look at the individual tickets and adventure passes before visiting, as the best-value option depends on what your family is tall and brave enough to do. Age, height, reach and weight requirements differ between activities.

Even if you skip the adventurous extras, the gondola ride and mountain views make this a worthwhile outing. Check the current summer calendar, as the resort’s activities don’t operate year-round (it has a completely different program in the winter).

3. Explore downtown Revelstoke

Revelstoke’s cute downtown is a huge part of why I loved it so much. Heritage buildings, mountain views, independent cafés and a laid-back community atmosphere give it definite Stars Hollow vibes. I adored Fable Book Parlour and exploring all the indy cafes and restaurants.

Wander around Mackenzie Avenue and Grizzly Plaza, browse the shops and look for the outdoor art tucked into streets and alleyways. The town has created a walkable open-air gallery, making this an easy free activity to fold into a café wander.

During summer, Revy Live Outside brings regular evening music to Grizzly Plaza. Check the dates for your visit: sitting outside while the children dance and people gather in the square captures exactly what we loved about Revelstoke.

There are also markets and family events throughout the year, so look at the local calendar rather than planning every evening before you arrive.

4. Visit The Enchanted Forest

About 30 minutes west of Revelstoke, The Enchanted Forest is a wonderfully quirky walk through old-growth woodland filled with handmade fairy-tale characters, little houses, castles and treehouses.

It’s particularly well suited to younger children, who can follow the trail looking for familiar storybook scenes. There are more than 350 figures and structures, plus a two-kilometre nature walk if everyone still has energy after the main attraction.

The handmade, slightly old-fashioned quality is part of its charm. This isn’t a glossy theme park, it feels like someone’s eccentric storybook imagination has spilled into the forest. Although some of the models lean a little too creepy for me!

It’s seasonal and sits directly beside SkyTrek, so it makes sense to visit the two on the same day. Plus your kids will be able to see SkyTrek and no doubt want to go there (that’s what happened to us!). Depending on your children’s ages and energy, that could mean a full outing rather than a quick roadside stop. We did both in around 2.5 hours, but would have needed longer if Arlo was tall enough for a longer SkyTrek course.

5. Have a treetop adventure at SkyTrek

SkyTrek Adventure Park is a colourful woodland adventure park that immediately caught our eye from the Enchanted Forest and meant we had to visit too! It has climbing, obstacle and zipline experiences for a range of ages. This mattered to us because Arlo often isn’t tall enough for the main ropes courses, but SkyTrek had a rope adventure designed especially for smaller children, plus an elevated adventure park that’s good for all ages.

The bigger Sky Course uses reach requirements rather than a simple minimum height. There are also ziplines, climbing walls and other activities with their own restrictions.

Check every family member against the activity selector before buying tickets. And don’t assume that one child being taller automatically means they’ll feel ready for the larger courses. Our eldest has had to build up his stomach for heights, but now loves it all!

6. Drive the Meadows in the Sky Parkway

Mount Revelstoke National Park begins just outside town. Its signature experience is the Meadows in the Sky Parkway, a winding 26km road that climbs from rainforest to subalpine meadows.

Near the top, the summit is reached by a one-kilometre walk from the Balsam Lake parking area. There are short trails and viewpoints for families who want the mountain scenery without committing to a long hike, while keener walkers can continue onto the park’s longer routes.

Access is highly seasonal because snow lingers at elevation. The road may open in stages, and summit parking or shuttle arrangements can change, so check Parks Canada’s current conditions before setting off. You’ll also need a valid national park pass.

Wildflowers tend to be at their best later in summer, but timing varies each year.

7. Take an easy forest or waterfall walk

You don’t have to tackle an all-day hike to experience the forests around Revelstoke.

Sutherland Falls, in Blanket Creek Provincial Park, is one of the easiest waterfall outings, reached on a short, relatively gentle trail. Begbie Falls involves a brief but steeper walk to the viewing area, so choose according to your children’s confidence and the trail conditions.

East of town, the Giant Cedars and Skunk Cabbage boardwalk areas provide short rainforest walks within Mount Revelstoke National Park.

Carry bear spray where appropriate, know how to use it and follow current wildlife guidance. Conditions can change after storms, snowmelt or wildfire activity.

8. Swim or paddle at a lake

For a slower family day, head to the water. Williamson Lake is close to town, with swimming, a beach area, mini golf and a campground.

Lake Revelstoke, north of town beyond the dam, is much larger and surrounded by mountains. There are places to swim, picnic and launch kayaks or paddleboards, although the water is cold and some areas have limited phone signal. Martha Creek Provincial Park is one of the established day-use options.

If you’d prefer an indoor option, The Revelstoke Aquatic Centre has a 25-metre lap pool, lazy river and waterslide. Read more about swimming around Revelstoke.

9. Visit the Revelstoke Railway Museum

The railway helped shape Revelstoke, and the Revelstoke Railway Museum is the best place to understand that history. Its large exhibits include locomotives, railway equipment and stories from the people who worked on the route through the mountains.

The diesel locomotive simulator is likely to be the biggest draw for many children: visitors can use a genuine control stand to simulate driving a train through the Rockies. There are also children’s activities and changing special exhibits.

This is one of the best wet-weather options in town and a useful change of pace after several outdoor days.

10. Go rafting or take a gentler river float

The glacier-fed Illecillewaet River makes Revelstoke a popular base for whitewater rafting. Apex Rafting runs trips in the area, with equipment and transport included on its main excursions.

If white-water rafting feels too much (it does for me!), you could try the Columbia River Float instead. This gentler, Class I trip has no rapids and follows an eight-kilometre stretch of the river over approximately 3.5 hours. Children currently need to be at least eight to take part.

Book ahead in summer and ask the company directly which trip best suits your family. River conditions affect the format and minimum ages, so do double-check before booking.

11. Try family-friendly biking

Mountain biking is a huge part of summer life in Revelstoke. The surrounding trail networks and resort bike park cater to experienced riders, but beginners and children aren’t excluded.

The Beaver Lodge Bike Park, near the base of Mount Revelstoke, has features and skills areas for younger riders, including children on balance bikes. Families with more experience can investigate the Mount Macpherson trail network or lessons at Revelstoke Mountain Resort – we saw loads of kids doing this and it looked like awesome fun.

12. Discover Revelstoke’s creative side

The outdoor art around downtown is only part of Revelstoke’s creative scene. Big Eddy Glass Works offers a gallery and workshops, while the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre hosts changing exhibitions and classes.

The Revelstoke Museum and Archives explores the town’s history through subjects including skiing, mining, avalanches and community life. Children can follow a scavenger hunt, try matching games and explore interactive maps, while a small play area upstairs provides somewhere for younger visitors to take a break.

These make useful alternatives when the weather turns, but they also reinforce why Revelstoke feels like a town with its own identity rather than simply an outdoor playground.

More things to do in Revelstoke with kids

• Revelstoke Aquatic Centre: an indoor pool with a waterslide, lazy river, climbing wall, hot tub and splash area – ideal for a rainy day or a break from sightseeing.
• BC Interior Forestry Museum: displays about the region’s forestry history, with an outdoor walking trail and a location close to Revelstoke Dam.
• Revelstoke Dam Visitor Centre: a seasonal stop for families interested in engineering and hydroelectric power. Check ahead whether tours and visitor access are operating.
• Three Valley Gap Ghost Town: an open-air heritage attraction west of Revelstoke, with reconstructed frontier buildings, historic vehicles and railway displays. It generally opens from late April until mid-October, while its miniature train has a shorter summer season. It can be paired with The Enchanted Forest if you have the stamina for a longer day.

The best free things to do in Revelstoke with kids

Revelstoke has plenty to enjoy between its paid adventure attractions:

• Wander downtown and follow the open-air art trail.
• Listen to live music in Grizzly Plaza during the summer programme.
• Walk beside the Columbia and Illecillewaet rivers on the greenbelt trails.
• Visit a playground or splash park in town.
• Take a picnic to Williamson Lake.
• Explore a short waterfall trail, allowing for any park or pass requirements.
• Practise at the Beaver Lodge Bike Park with your own bikes.

What to do in Revelstoke when it rains

Start with the Revelstoke Railway Museum, particularly if your children like trains or machinery. The Revelstoke Museum and Archives is another central option, while the Aquatic Centre gives everyone somewhere to burn off energy.

Big Eddy Glass Works, the Visual Arts Centre, cafés and independent shops can fill a slower few hours. Light rain can also make the surrounding rainforest and waterfalls especially atmospheric, provided trails are safe and everyone has proper waterproofs.

Where to eat in Revelstoke with kids

Revelstoke has a surprisingly good food scene for a small mountain town – it’s one of the things I enjoyed most about it.

Our favourite cafés and treats

We loved Main Street Café for breakfast, set inside a characterful heritage house on Mackenzie Avenue – we sat on the terrace, which was great for people-watching. Spilt Milk was our choice for good coffee, while Sugar Shack delivered the treats.

La Baguette is another popular stop for pastries, sandwiches and ice cream. Opening times can shift with the seasons, so check before crossing town with hungry children.

Casual family meals

For an easy meal, local options include The Taco Club, Nico’s Pizzeria and the pleasingly named Village Idiot Bar and Grill. The Chesterfield serves comfort Canadian food in a relaxed downtown setting, while Kawakubo is an option for Japanese food.

Revelstoke also has local breweries, including Rumpus Beer Company and Mt. Begbie Brewing.

Where to stay in Revelstoke with kids

Revelstoke RV & Cabin Resort

We stayed at Revelstoke RV & Cabin Resort, and it was the perfect family base. Our pitch was spacious, with room for the boys to play, and the mountain backdrop made it feel unmistakably Canadian.

The children spent hours moving between the woodland playgrounds, pool and activities. There are also cabins, glamping options, a sauna and family movie nights. It had a nostalgic charm and made me feel as though we’d wandered into a summer-holiday film.

It sits outside downtown, so you’ll want a vehicle or bikes for most outings. For us, the space and family facilities were well worth that trade-off.

The Copeland

The Copeland is one of the most characterful stays in Revelstoke. The original McCarty House dates from 1900 and combines period character with a much more central setting than the out-of-town resorts, close to the restaurants and shops of Mackenzie Avenue.

Basecamp Resorts Revelstoke and Basecamp Suites

There are two similarly named Basecamp properties. Basecamp Resorts Revelstoke and Basecamp Suites Revelstoke. Basecamp Resorts ****sits beside the Columbia River a few minutes from downtown, with apartment-style accommodation, full kitchens and riverside hot tubs.

Basecamp Suites Revelstoke is the downtown option, placing you within easy walking distance of shops and restaurants. It also has apartment-style units with kitchens, including larger configurations for extended families. Choose between river views and extra outdoor space, or the convenience of being in town.

Lamplighter Campground

Lamplighter Campground is a smaller, family-run campground within walking distance of historic downtown. It has tent and RV sites in a park-like setting, plus practical facilities including showers, laundry and a play area. This is the campsite I’d look at if being able to reach the town centre without driving matters more than having a resort-style pool and activity programme.

Williamson Lake Campground

Williamson Lake Campground has a relaxed family-holiday feel, with a sandy swimming beach, paddleboard and small-boat rentals, mini golf and a playground. It’s only around 5km from downtown but feels more geared towards spending time at the campground than Lamplighter, while being smaller and less resort-like than Revelstoke RV & Cabin Resort.

Map of things to do in Revelstoke with kids

Getting to Revelstoke

Most families reach Revelstoke by road. It’s on the Trans-Canada Highway between Golden and the Shuswap, making it a natural stop when travelling west from Banff and Lake Louise towards the Okanagan or Vancouver.

Kelowna is the nearest major airport, while Calgary can also work for a trip beginning in the Rockies. Vancouver is around 565km away, around a 6.5-hour drive without substantial sightseeing stops.

The mountain highways are part of the beauty of the journey, but weather, roadworks, smoke and closures can significantly affect travel times. Check DriveBC before setting off, particularly outside summer.

How to get around Revelstoke with kids

Downtown Revelstoke is compact and ideal to explore on foot. A bike is also useful for getting around town in summer.

You’ll want a car for The Enchanted Forest, SkyTrek, waterfalls, Lake Revelstoke and most trailheads. Revelstoke Mountain Resort is outside the town centre, although shuttle services operate seasonally.

If you’re travelling in an RV, note that large-vehicle parking downtown is restricted. Tourism Revelstoke currently directs RVs and other large vehicles to designated parking along the track side of Victoria Road. We did manage to get some street parking while there, but we were lucky. Check the latest map and signs when you arrive.

When to visit Revelstoke with kids

This guide is based on our summer visit. Summer brings the mountain coaster, treetop attractions, lakes, biking and access to the higher reaches of Mount Revelstoke National Park. July and August offer the fullest activity schedules but are also popular, so book accommodation and priority attractions ahead.

Late spring can be lovely at lower elevations, with powerful waterfalls, but snow may still block alpine roads and trails. Early autumn brings cooler walking weather and changing colours, while some summer attractions begin reducing their hours or closing for the season.

Winter transforms Revelstoke into a serious ski destination. The resort is best known for its big-mountain terrain rather than being a purpose-built beginner family resort, although lessons and family facilities are available. If you’re planning a winter trip, you’ll need to look beyond this post for tips!

A three-day Revelstoke family itinerary

Day one: Revelstoke Mountain Resort and downtown

Spend the morning at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, riding the Pipe Mountain Coaster and choosing any additional activities that take your fancy. Allow time for the gondola and views rather than booking back-to-back attractions.

Return to town for a wander around Mackenzie Avenue and the outdoor art. Have dinner downtown and, if the dates align, finish with live music in Grizzly Plaza.

Day two: Mount Revelstoke and a slower afternoon

Drive the Meadows in the Sky Parkway if it’s fully open, stopping at viewpoints and taking one of the shorter summit walks. Check conditions before leaving town.

Spend the afternoon swimming at Williamson Lake or relaxing at your campground.

Day three: The Enchanted Forest and SkyTrek

Head west to The Enchanted Forest and SkyTrek. How much you fit in will depend on your children’s ages and stamina, so decide which attraction is the priority before arriving.

If you’re continuing west towards the Shuswap or Okanagan afterwards, these work particularly well as departure-day stops because they’re already outside town in the right direction (this is how we did it).

Practical tips for visiting Revelstoke with children

• Book the mountain coaster in advance. It’s one of Revelstoke’s most popular summer attractions.
• Check every height and reach requirement. The resort and SkyTrek use different rules for different activities.
• Group sights geographically. Pair The Enchanted Forest with SkyTrek, and combine Mount Revelstoke activities rather than repeatedly crossing town.
• Carry layers and waterproofs. Conditions change quickly between the valley and higher elevations.