For those exploring the lesser-visited Kootenay National Park, the Paint Pots make for an interesting and easy stop, especially on a warm summer day. While the ochre-colored mineral pools themselves aren’t particularly grand, the short 2 km round-trip hike takes you through a beautiful forest and across a scenic bridge over the Vermilion River—one of the highlights of the walk.

Historically significant to Indigenous peoples and once used for pigment mining, the rust-colored pools and surrounding landscape offer a unique glimpse into the park’s geological and cultural history. It’s a quick but worthwhile stop for those looking to experience something different in Kootenay.