Edmonton To Kelowna Road Trip Guide
Driving from Edmonton to Kelowna will take you 10 hours – if you don’t stop – but what’s the fun in that? The journey is all part of the experience so I’d recommend turning a long drive into an exciting road trip!
The drive from Edmonton to Kelowna will take you from the prairies, through the winding mountain roads, into rain forests and drop you in valleys of rolling hills.
EDMONTON TO FIELD, B.C.
Drive time: approximately 5 hours
The first major stop on your road trip will be in Field, B.C. Field is a quaint and picturesque little town settled on the Kicking Horse River with mountain backdrops in all directions. Here, you can purchase your park pass to explore the attractions of Yoho National Park but first, take a little walk around town!
When we passed through, there seemed to only be two options to grab a bit to eat. The Siding Cafe and Truffle Pigs Bistro + Lodge. The Sliding Cafe offered quick service and a spot to eat outside in the sunshine (highly recommend their veggie burger!). The Truffle Pigs Bistro is designed like a big log cabin with an award winning menu (including many vegetarian options).
FIELD TO TAKAKKAW FALLS
Drive time: approximately 15 minutes
Takakkaw Falls are a popular tourist point on the Edmonton to Kelowna route. Located in Yoho National Park (fun fact: “Yoho” is Cree for “awe” or “wonder”), this is the second highest waterfall in Canada. Takakkaw flows down from 833ft. and can create a big spray of mist so be prepared to feel the cool mist on your face!
TAKAKKAW FALLS TO EMERALD LAKE
Drive time: approximately 30 minutes
Emerald Lake was easily the destination I was most excited for. Nestled within the trees and mountains of Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake is an iconic destination and a must see on your road trip to Kelowna. The water is the most unbelievable shade of turquoise and in the summer months the surrounding mountain trails have wildflowers in full bloom.
Make the most of your stop at Emerald Lake by setting up for a lakeside picnic, renting a canoe, hiking one of the many trails or even spending the night in Emerald Lake Lodge.
Canoe rentals are $70 an hour on a first come first served basis. If you have your own canoe, kayak or paddle board you can use them here.
The main loop around the lake is an easy and enjoyable 5km hike that should take around an hour or two. Another option is to continue up to Emerald Basin, a 9.2 km hike that will take you 3-4 hours.
EMERALD LAKE TO GIANT CEDARS BOARDWALK
Driving time: approximately 2 hours
Your final stop to stretch your legs and get some fresh air, the Giant Cedars Boardwalk takes you into an old growth forest where some of the trees are over 500 years old! You’ll find yourself walking on a wooden boardwalk for the entirety of the short walk, which will only take you about 30 minutes. Breathe in the fresh forest air and marvel at the presence of these giant trees and the lush greenery surrounding them.
GIANT CEDARS BOARDWALK TO REVELSTOKE
Driving time: 25 minutes
Revelstoke is the perfect spot to spend your first night. Popular with winter sport lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, Revelstoke offers up tons of adventure. This mountain town is a great place to base yourself if you’re interest in mountain biking or hiking in the summer and skiing or snowboarding in the winter.
Free live music plays in the Plaza all summer long and you can see some of the best views from the trails at the top of Mount Revelstoke National Park. More in the mood to soak in warm water surrounded by mountains? Halcyon Hot Springs are an hour south of town. Or, if you’re willing to trek a little farther, Halfway Hot Springs are natural rock pools off the river and a bit more off the beaten track.
Don’t forget to check out some seriously good eats while you’re in Revelstoke. Dose Coffee is the place to go for breakfast and coffee but when dinner time rolls around you can’t miss out on the tacos from The Taco Club (and order yourself a Spicy Pineapple Cilantro Margarita, you won’t regret it).
REVELSTOKE TO THE ENCHANTED FOREST
Driving time: 25 minutes
Imagine a world where nursery rhymes come to life. Walking into the Enchanted Forest is like entering a fairytale. A popular tourist attraction for kids but just as enjoyable for adults, this is a truly unique place that’s been around since 1960! Intriguing fairytale figurines can be found throughout the forest: from The Three Little Pigs to the Wicked Witch of the West, the Cow Who Jumped Over the Moon to Jack from Jack and the Bean Stalk.
You can wander through the Enchanted Forest, continue on through the Nature Walk, and even try out the SkyTrek Adventure Park!
CRAZY CREEK SUSPENSION BRIDGE AND WATERFALL
Driving time: 10 minutes
This is a quick stop not far up the road from the Enchanted Forest. For $11 a person you can take a walk across the suspension bridge that sways 240ft above the creek. From the bridge you get a beautiful view of the waterfall but you can get even closer by walking down to one of the viewing platforms.
CRAZY CREEK TO KELOWNA
Driving time: 2 hours
The landscape shifts from thick forest and mountain roads to the rolling hills and endless lakes of the Okanagan Valley until you reach Kelowna. With its ideal location on Okanagan Lake, Kelowna is known for vineyards, orchards, sunshine and all the fun lake life can bring. Whether you’re here for a weekend or two weeks, there’s endless opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and explore the city. Here you can relax on the beach, cruise on a boat, rent a kayak or SUP, go hiking, horseback riding, wine tasting, gallery hopping, bouldering, fruit picking and more.
TIPS FOR A BETTER ROAD TRIP
- The drive from Field to Kelowna is along mountain roads. It twists and turns and has a number of sharp corners and cliff drops, so be alert and take a break if you’re feeling tired.
- You’ll lose signal throughout much of this drive which means the radio won’t work. Have a music playlist, audiobook or podcast ready to keep you entertained.
- Stock up on water and road snacks! You’ll be doing a lot of driving with long stretches of road; water and snacks are always a good idea.
- If you have more time, it doesn’t hurt to break up your trip. Instead of just one night in Revelstoke, you could spend your first night in Canmore or Banff and second night in Revelstoke.