At the west edge of Kootenay National Park, the town of Radium Hot Springs is a swift change from the natural idyll. Block after block of motels, cafés, and gas stations line Hwy-93, and apart from satisfying your fuel-and-food needs, there’s not a lot here. The one good place to eat is The Springs restaurant, west of town on the golf course. Motels here include the $C90-a-night Alpen Motel (250/347-9823) and the family-friendly Radium Resort ($C135–285; 250/347-9311 or 800/667-6444).

  The actual hot springs from which the town takes its name are just east, inside the park boundary in a heavily developed complex (daily; $C7), with two pools (a small one at 103°F, another at 84°F), and an artery-clogging café. Unfortunately, the water is heavily chlorinated, and there are no “natural” springs left.