How to Hike the Rockwall Trail in 3 Days
I have to admit that the Rockwall Trail wasn’t even on my radar until a friend told me about it. After that, it became all I could think about. Hiking the Rockwall Trail in 3 days, beneath the massive limestone wall that gives the trail its name, ended up being one of the highlights of my entire summer.
The trail is about 54 km long and is located in the Kootenay National Park in the Canadian Rockies. You’ll cross three main mountain passes, come across some of the tallest waterfalls and colorful wildflower meadows in the area. This trek ranks as one of my top three hikes in Canada, alongside the Berg Lake Trail and the Cape Scott Trail.
Below I cover everything you need to know to plan a 3 day Rockwall Trail itinerary. You’ll find useful tips on how many days you need, which direction to hike, how to reach the trailhead and more. It’s a hard backpacking trip but so worth it!
Rockwall Trail Map & Stats
How Many Days to Hike the Rockwall Trail
Most people complete the 54 km long Rockwall Trail in 3 to 5 days. We decided to hike the Rockwall Trail in 3 days. But, since the trek is quite hard, to those that prefer a more relaxed pace, I’d recommend doing the Rockwall Trail in 4 or 5 days.
We decided to plan our 3 day trek in descending order, starting with the longest and hardest day and finishing with the shortest day.
Since you will cross 3 passes over three days, the elevation gain is significant as you climb Rockwall Pass, Tumbling Pass and Numa Pass. You should expect to hike about 15-20 km per day.
I recommend to hike the Rockwall Trail in 3 days only if you’re a relatively experienced hiker with good endurance levels.
Which Direction to Hike the Rockwall Trail
You can hike the Rockwall Trail in either direction: north to south or south to north. We hiked it southbound, starting at the Paint Pots Trailhead and finishing at Floe Lake Trailhead.
Paint Pots to Floe Lake
The direction you choose often comes down to campsite availability on the dates you can book. But after hiking the Rockwall Trail myself, I would personally recommend the southbound route. Not only does it let you ease into the long first day, but it also saves Floe Lake for the very end. The views of Floe Lake from Numa Pass were, without a doubt, one of my favorites on the trail and the swim in Floe Lake after that steep climb was a huge relief.
Floe Lake to Paint Pots
If you start at the Floe Lake Trailhead instead, you will be faced with a steep uphill right away and finish with an easier hike out from Paint Pots. Both directions cover the same passes and highlights, so scenery is not the deciding factor. I generally prefer tackling the longest day first, which is why we chose to start at Paint Pots.
How to Get to the Trailhead
The Rockwall Trail has two main access points: the Floe Lake Trailhead and the Paint Pots Trailhead, both located off Highway 93 South in Kootenay National Park.
The Floe Lake Trailhead is about a 50 minute drive from Banff, which makes it easy to combine this backpacking trip with a longer Canadian Rockies road trip. On the way, you will first come across the Paint Pots Trailhead, about 13 km (or a 10 minute drive) before reaching Floe Lake.
The Paint Pots lot is a lot larger than the Floe Lake parking lot, which can fill up fast on summer weekends. We started our hike on a Sunday and arrived around 8 am. Even at that hour, the Floe Lake parking lot only had 3 to 4 parking spots left.
If you have a few extra days before or after the Rockwall Trail, spend 3 days in Banff. Some of my favorite activities are driving the Icefields Parkway, hiking the Big Beehive at Lake Louise and watching the sunrise at Moraine Lake.
How to Get Between Trailheads
The Rockwall Trail is a point to point trek, so you’ll need to plan ahead for how to get between the two trailheads. The easiest option is having a car parked at each trailhead, which is what we did. But if you’re not hiking with friends or don’t have two vehicles, there are other options as well.
Many people who trail run the Rockwall Trail leave a bike at one of the trailheads and park their car at the other. If you decide to do this, I recommend starting at the Floe Lake Trailhead and leaving your bike locked up at the Paint Pots Trailhead. This way, your return journey by bike will be mostly downhill.
Another option is hitchhiking, but keep in mind that you might have to wait a while before someone picks you up. To increase your chances, write down your destination and hold up the sign for drivers to see. Since it’s just a 10 min drive between trailheads, many drivers may be more willing to help you out.
When is the Best Time to Hike the Rockwall Trail
The best time to hike the Rockwall Trail is between late July and mid September. At this time of the year, the trail is typically snow free and the temperatures are mild. Also, late July through August is wildflower season in the Canadian Rockies, turning the trail into a colorful blooming field. But if you hike the Rockwall Trail in September, you’ll see some of the best fall colors near Banff. Just be aware that temperatures drop drastically that time of year, with a good chance of snow.
We hiked the Rockwall Trail at the beginning of August. On the trail, we still came across some snow patches but they were easy to cross. The nights were surprisingly cold, especially our last night at Floe Lake. But the wildflowers, the clear days (despite wildfires nearby) and the landscape made it an incredible experience!
Things to Know Before Hiking the Rockwall Trail
Kootenay National Park is bear country and carrying a bear spray with you at all times is a must. On our Rockwall Trail hike in August, there were 3 grizzly bears near Floe Lake feeling very comfortable around other hikers. A bit too comfortable, if you ask me…
Water access on the trail and at campgrounds was no issue. There are plenty of creek crossings and multiple rivers on the Rockwall Trail. Some stretches, such as Numa Creek campground to Numa Pass, have fewer creeks along the way. In this case, filling up at the right time makes all the difference.
Don’t forget your trekking poles! If you’re carrying a heavier backpack, they help provide stability and cross creeks with more confidence. I never go without them on backpacking trips and my knees thank me for that.
On top of the backcountry camping fees, you also need to purchase a national park pass. But between June 19 and September 7, 2026 Parks Canada is offering free admission to all Canadian national parks.
The Rockwall trail is a thru hike, which means you don’t hike back to the same point where you started. Therefore, you’ll need to plan on how to get between the two trailheads. Having two cars, each parked at the two trailheads is the easiest options, but there are other options as well. Refer to my section on How to Get Between the Trailheads for more details.
On our trip, there were many mosquitoes at Floe Lake. The head net and insect repellent were absolute lifesavers! I also recommend wearing thicker trousers rather than leggings, as mosquitos can usually still bite through them. I learned this the hard way…
Weather in the Canadian Rockies is unpredictable. In August, while hiking to the Rockwall pass, it even started to snow. Yes, in August… So, always carry several layers to stay warm on the trail and at night.
Wildfires in summer are unfortunately a common reality in the Canadian Rockies. Always check the latest updates as well as the air quality before you go. Also, make sure you check the trail conditions ahead of time.
Rockwall Trail Campgrounds
There are 5 campgrounds on the Rockwall Trail, which are each located about 8-12 km apart. They all come with tent pads, creek water access, picnic areas with bear proof lockers and outhouses.
Helmet & Ochre Junction Campground
5.8 km from Paint Pots Trailhead | 48.3 km from Floe Lake Trailhead
It is the closest campsite to Paint Pots trailhead. Getting here is very easy, with minimal elevation gain. If you’re driving from afar and are looking for a place to spend your first night, this campground is perfect for it.
Helmet Falls Campground
14.2 km from Paint Pots Trailhead | 39.9 km from Floe Lake Trailhead
An easy campground to reach, which many hikers use as their first stop on a multi-day Rockwall Trail. Helmet Falls is also one of the tallest waterfalls in the park, making for a very nice backdrop.
Tumbling Creek Campground
26.5 km from Paint Pots Trailhead | 27.6 km from Floe Lake Trailhead
Popular site if you decide to hike here on the first day, as we did. It sits right next to a creek and has the Rockwall right in front of it. If you also add the extra 2 km hike to Helmet Falls, the total kms on your first day will be closer to 28 km.
Numa Creek Campground
34.4 km from Paint Pots Trailhead | 19.7 km from Floe Lake Trailhead
Quieter and shaded campsite located in the forest. There are no real views here, as the campsite sits down the valley but it makes for a good stop to break up the trail.
Floe Lake Campground
43.6 km from Paint Pots Trailhead | 10.5 km from Floe Lake Trailhead
The most popular campground on the Rockwall Trail, making it also one of the most difficult to reserve. But it’s also probably one of the most beautiful campsites on the Rockwall Trail!
How to Get a Rockwall Trail Reservation
The Rockwall Trail is one of the most popular backpacking trails in the Canadian Rockies. Campsites sell out extremely fast and to get a reservation, you need to be online and ready as soon as the booking window opens. The Rockwall Trail reservations open on January 26, 2026 at 8 am Mountain Time on Parks Canada website.
The steps to build your itinerary and get a Rockwall trail reservation are the following:
- Click the Backcountry tab
- Choose Backcountry zone
- Select “Banff, Kootenay and Yoho Backcountry” under Park
- Pick your start date, select party size and tent pads
- Select access point between Paint Pots Trailhead and Floe Lake Trailhead. Numa Falls is a shorter route, but it doesn’t cover the entire Rockwall trail.
If you’re spending more than one night on the Rockwell Trail, you can build your stay by adding additional campgrounds to your trip. The system will walk you through it once you click on the search button.
If you missed out on the release date, you can still get a reservation through Campnab once someone cancels their spot throughout the year.
It’s best if you’re flexible with dates and campground choices to improve your odds. Floe Lake is definitely the hardest campground to book due to its popularity. We, for example, built our 3 day hiking itinerary around the date we secured for Floe Lake campground.
Is the Rockwall Trail Hard?
The Rockwall trail is one of the hardest backpacking trips I’ve done in the Canadian Rockies. The total cumulative elevation gain is close to 3,000 m and you can expect to hike over 10 hours every day, if you’re hiking the Rockwall trail in 3 days.
We met a few people that were trail running the Rockwall in just one day, which is very impressive. But the elevation gain and loss is constants, as you cross 3 mountain passes. If you decide to spread the hike over 4 days, you can distribute the distance and elevation gain a bit more but it’ll still be a difficult hike.
You definitely need to have some backpacking experience before this trip, but if you’re just getting into backpacking, read my post on other beginner friendly backpacking trails.
Rockwall Trail in 3 Days: My Experience
We hiked the Rockwall Trail in August, starting at Paint Pots trailhead and finishing at Floe Lake trailhead. Since we were traveling in a group of 4, we left a car at each trailhead. But we met many people that either left a bike at one of the trailheads or decided to hitchhike between them.
Day 1: Paint Pots to Tumbling Creek
Distance: 26.5 km | Elevation Gain: 760 m | Hiking Time: 10 hrs
The first day was the longest and hardest day of our 3 day Rockwall trail itinerary. Many hikers split this into two separate days, spending a night at Helmet Falls.
The stretch from Paint Pots Trailhead to Helmet Falls starts relatively flat, gaining around 300 m of elevation gain over 14 km. You’ll be hiking through the shaded forest most of the way. When we did the hike, the trail was pretty overgrown, creating a bit of an obstacle course along the way. At Helmet Falls, you can take the short 3.2 km return detour to the waterfall. We did this, which also increased our total hiking distance on day 1 to almost 30 km.
After a lunch stop at Helmet Falls campground we continued towards the Rockwall Pass. It’s all uphill but once you reach the top, you’ll have one of the first views of the Rockwall. The massive limestone continuous rock, that gives the trail its name, is absolutely breathtaking.
At this point, I was already very tired but getting taking a snack break helped a lot. You’ll lose around 250 m elevation once you start the descend to Tumbling Creek campground.
To me, this day felt like the hardest, which was mostly due to the distance covered. When we reached the campground, my feet were tingling but the views over the glacier and the limestone rock paid off for the hard day.
Day 2: Tumbling Creek to Floe Lake
Distance: 17.7 km | Elevation Gain: 1,000 m | Hiking Time: 9 hrs
The second day on our 3 day Rockwall trail was a bit shorter than the first one, but the elevation gain over Tumbling Pass and Numa Pass was considerable. On this day, we crossed two mountain passes versus one of the previous day. It reminded me a bit about the Huayhuash Trek in Peru, where every day over 8 days, we crossed at least one mountain pass (at over 5,000 m!).
After a delicious breakfast, we started the climb from Tumbling Creek to Tumbling Pass, gaining around 400 m over 8 km. You’ll hike past the Tumbling Glacier and another stunning stretch of the Rockwall.
The next section will lead you all the way down to Numa Creek campground. It’s all downhill and you’ll lose all of the elevation gained earlier in the day. From Numa Creek campground to Numa Pass, you’ll start a steep 10 km climb.
I found the first section relatively flat, while you hike through wildflower meadows and past waterfalls. As you get closer to Numa Pass, the real steep section will begin. You’ll gain around 800 m of elevation and you’ll reach Numa Pass, the highest point on the entire Rockwall Trail at 2,355 m.
This was one of my favorite viewpoint of the Rockwall Trail. As you emerge from Numa Pass, you’ll face Floe Lake in the valley below and you can clearly see the Rockwall Pass where you were standing just a day before.
We spent some time at Numa Pass enjoying the view, which on a sunny day is absolutely priceless. From here, we finished the last 3 km to Floe Lake. Most of the campsites are on the hill above the lake, with the exception of 2 tent pads that are right by the lake. These are very popular though and are almost certainly taken.
After finding a spot to pitch our tent for the night, we braved the iced waters of Floe Lake for a swim. It was very cold but it also felt so good for my aching muscles.
Day 3: Floe Lake to Trailhead
Distance: 10.3 km | Elevation Loss: 700 m | Hiking Time: 3 hrs
We intentionally kept the last day as the shortest and easiest of our 3 days on the Rockwall Trail. In the morning, we enjoyed the sunrise at Floe Lake, with a warm cup of coffee and delicious breakfast.
We’ve been warned about 3 grizzly bears on the trail, so we were on alert while we started making our way down to the parking lot. The switchbacks at the top are quite steep, but they level out the lower down you hike.
You’ll notice a lot of burned trees around you, which were caused by the 2003 wildfires. But you’ll also see how new trees and vegetation is reclaiming the landscape.
There is only one spot on this section where you can refill your water, which is at Floe Creek. On our hike down, the day was starting to get very hot. You won’t find much shade on this stretch, so I’d recommend starting quite early before the sun is to hot in the day.
Once you cross the bridge over the Vermillion River, you’ll only have a few meters left to the Floe Lake Trailhead parking lot. This marks the end of your 3 day hike along the Rockwall.
