How difficult is the Eva Lake Trail?

Moderate. The trail is 15 km round trip with 509 m of ascent. Much of the hiking is above treeline on relatively flat subalpine terrain.

Do I need bear spray?

Yes. Mount Revelstoke has both black and grizzly bears. Carry spray and make noise, especially in the forested lower section.

Do I need a camping permit?

No permit needed for a day hike. If you plan to backcountry camp, a Parks Canada permit is required.

How do I get to the trailhead?

Drive the Meadows in the Sky Parkway to the Balsam Lake parking area. From there, take the free shuttle to the Eva Lake trailhead at the upper meadows.

Are there side trips from Eva Lake?

Yes. Miller Lake and Jade Lakes are reachable via short detours from the main trail, though the paths are less maintained.

Mount Revelstoke – Eva Lake Trail - 15 km - Canada

Day	Route	Distance	Ascent	Descent	Duration
Day 1	Mount Revelstoke – Eva Lake Trail	15 km	↑509m	↓509m	6h

Description

The Eva Lake Trail is a day hike in Mount Revelstoke National Park, British Columbia, that traverses alpine meadows, subalpine forest, and a boulder-strewn valley to reach a quiet mountain lake. The trail runs roughly 15 km round trip with about 500 m of elevation gain, much of it rolling rather than sustained climbing. A park pass is required for entry.

The trail starts at the summit of the Meadows in the Sky Parkway, a paved mountain road that climbs from the Trans Canada Highway up to the Balsam Lake parking area near the top of Mount Revelstoke. From Balsam Lake, a shuttle bus runs to the Eva Lake trailhead at Heather Lake during summer operating hours, typically starting around 10 AM. You can also walk the roughly 1 km from Balsam Lake to the trailhead. The shuttle exists in part because the upper section of the parkway has vehicle restrictions and because of grizzly bear management in the meadows, which sometimes requires people to travel in groups or take the shuttle through the first stretch of trail.

From the trailhead, the path winds through alpine meadows that fill with wildflowers in July and August. The meadows are the signature feature of Mount Revelstoke, and the bloom is dense and varied, with paintbrush, lupine, and aster among the common species. The trail then enters subalpine forest of mountain hemlock and spruce, crossing a boulder field in a wide valley before descending gently toward Eva Lake.

Eva Lake sits in a shallow basin at roughly 1,900 m, ringed by low ridges and scattered forest. The lake is small and calm, with reflections of the surrounding slopes on still days. A backcountry campground is located here, and backcountry camping passes are required for overnight stays.

A short side trail leads to Miller Lake, which sits a short distance off the main route. It is worth the detour for the quieter setting and the different angle on the surrounding terrain. Continuing past Eva Lake, the trail extends toward Jade Lake for those wanting more distance.

Grizzly bears are active in Mount Revelstoke, particularly in the meadows and the lower trail sections. When we visited, the first part of the footpath was not recommended due to grizzly bear activity, with the shuttle transport running from the car park to the center at Heather Lake. Bear warnings are common in summer, and Parks Canada sometimes requires hikers to travel in groups of four or more on certain trails. Check the Parks Canada trail status page before heading out.

Weather on the summit changes quickly. The meadows can be clear and warm in the morning and socked in with fog by early afternoon. Bring extra layers and rain gear even on a sunny day. The trail is usually snow-free from early July through September, though snow patches can linger on north-facing sections into late summer.

What to bring

Bike and Hike essentials
Bear spray
Be prepared for unpredictable weather

Tips

There is a backcountry campground at Eva Lake. Backcountry camping passes are required.
When we visited, the first part of the footpath was not recommended due to grizzly bears with a shuttle transport from the car park to the center at Heather lake. Be careful, make noise, go in large groups, know how to behave should you encounter a bear, and potentially carry bear spray.
The Meadows in the Sky Parkway opens in summer once snow clears, usually by early July. Check road status before driving up.
Take the side trip to Miller Lake. It adds little distance and is quieter than Eva Lake.
Weather changes fast at the summit. Pack layers and rain gear even on a clear day.
The shuttle from Balsam Lake to the Eva Lake trailhead starts around 10 AM in peak season. Arrive early on busy summer weekends, as parking at Balsam Lake fills.