Height of the Rockies Park borders Banff National Park, Elk Lakes Park, and Peter Lougheed Park along the Great Divide. BC Parks says the park has internationally significant biodiversity and helps connect protected areas north and south along the divide.
The landscape ranges from the Palliser River valley at 1,300 metres to Mount Joffre at 3,449 metres.
Height of the Rockies Park is for experienced backcountry travellers who want rugged southern Rocky Mountain terrain, not a serviced trail park. Seven major mountain passes, several drainages, lush forests, permanent icefields, alpine routes, and high wildlife values create the appeal.
BC Parks lists hiking, cold-water swimming, cutthroat fishing, horseback riding, climbing, hunting during open seasons, cross-country skiing, ski touring, and snowshoeing. Most trails are user-maintained, unmarked, muddy, bushy, or informal. Navigation skills with topographic maps and compass are essential. Check the trail conditions report before visiting.
The park is also a strong conservation landscape, supporting grizzly bears, mountain goats, elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and other Rocky Mountain species. The Connor Lakes are important to native cutthroat trout stocking work.
Plan around wilderness hiking, route-finding, cutthroat fishing, horseback riding, mountaineering, climbing, ski touring, snowshoeing, cold-water swims, wildlife viewing from a distance, and long scenic routes from the park's logging-road trailheads.
There are no supplies, potable water, or public communications. Weather can change suddenly, with summer hail or snow. Motorized and mechanized recreation, including helicopters, snowmobiles, ATVs, and mountain bikes, is prohibited.
