Numa Creek Trail

Although the terrain along the Numa Creek Trail is not very challenging, you will still want to wear sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support and bring any necessary gear, such as hiking poles, to help traverse some of the more uneven areas along the route. Other than that, there isn’t really much to worry about on this hiking excursion besides remembering to pack bear spray and remain bear aware while out on the trail.

The fact that the Numa Creek Trail is not overly long or difficult is a huge plus, making this a fantastic adventure that can be completed as a single day hike, or as part of a more complex multi-day journey to explore the natural beauty of Kootenay National Park. Hiking along the trail will expose you to some beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and provide the chance to check out the rushing waters of Numa Falls, making for a relatively laidback day of hiking out in the mountains. No matter what type of journey you are looking to go on, the scenic views and easy-to-navigate terrain make this a great route for both casual and experienced hikers.

Setting out from the parking area just off BC-93, follow the trail to the southeast for 246ft and keep right to cross over the Vermillion River, taking in the amazing views of the torrenting Numa Falls as you pick up the trail on the other side. From here, you will enter into the dense cover of the forest and follow the trail to the southwest.

After 1.6mi of hiking through the peaceful woodland setting, you will meet up with Numa Creek and follow it as it bends to the south west at the base of Tumbling Peak NE5. After crossing over the creek, you will follow along its western bank for the next 1.5mi, making your way over several smaller streams while enjoying scenic views of the surrounding mountain peaks.

Once you arrive at the point where the creek widens into a more substantial body of water, continue to the southwest for another 0.5mi, keeping right along the trail to arrive at a junction with the Great Divide Trail. Heading right here will take you further into the backcountry towards the famous Rockwall and the nearby Tumbling Creek Campground, which makes for a fun multi-day adventure.

For this route, keep left at the junction and make your way slightly uphill along the creek to arrive at the Numa Creek Campground in 1312ft. Once there, you will be able to pause for a rest and take in the breathtaking views of surrounding mountain peaks, including the Tumbling and Hewitt peaks to the west, as well as Numa Mountain and Foster Peak to the south.

At this point of the hike, your options depend completely on the type of adventure you are looking to have. If you were planning on staying overnight in the area to further explore the terrain, then it would be a good idea to set up camp. If not, you can retrace your footsteps along the trail for the return leg of the journey back to the trailhead next to the majestic Numa Falls.

Trail Highlights

Numa Falls

Located within Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, the Numa Falls aren’t overly large; however, they are beautifully set in the Vermillion River and are easily accessible from the side of Highway BC-93. This makes them a popular destination for tourists passing through to stretch their legs and catch some scenic views, or hikers heading to the Numa Creek Campground.