The Raven’s Nest Resort in Fairmont Hot Springs, British Columbia
British Columbia’s Kootenay-Rockies region extends across the western slopes of the Canadian Rockies, with mountain parks like Kootenay National Park and Yoho National Park offering gorgeous, often less crowded, alternatives to Banff National Park, with miles of hiking trails to explore. As the author of a Western Canada guidebook, Moon Vancouver + Canadian Rockies Road Trip, I’ve traveled through this region many times. On my most recent trip, as I explored the Columbia Valley near Kootenay National Park, I stayed at The Raven’s Nest Resort + Campground, where the modern log cabins offer stellar valley and mountain views.
Here’s the scoop:
One of the eight modern log cabins at The Raven’s Nest Resort
Following the Hot Springs Highway
Highway 93/95, which connects Kootenay National Park with the Columbia Valley, is nicknamed B.C.’s “Hot Springs Highway” for the area’s many outdoor mineral springs. Two of the largest are Radium Hot Springs at the south end of Kootenay National Park and the pools at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, south of the town of Inveremere. Fairmont Hot Springs is also the name of the town where The Raven’s Nest Resort + Campground is located.
The Raven’s Nest includes a campground, two glamping domes, and eight modern log cabins. A well-maintained dirt road winds through the camping area to the cabins, which are set on a ridge overlooking the Columbia River Valley. The views are a highlight at these simple, comfortable lodgings.
Owners Faro Burgoyne and Emily Slobodzian opened the campground in 2019 on land on the Akisqnuk First Nation Reserve that Burgoyne received from his father. They added the cabins in 2021 and the glamping domes in 2024.
The Raven’s Nest Cabins
The cabins all have living/dining areas on the main level and loft-style sleeping areas upstairs. They vary in size, from the smaller Aspen and Pine Cabins, which each have one queen bed in the loft that you access by climbing a ladder, to the largest Juniper and Larch Cabins, with stairs leading up to a spacious sleeping area with three queen beds. Bedding and towels are provided.
Inside the Juniper Cabin
The owners caution that these solar-powered cabins have limited electricity. Still, I had plenty of light to read in the evening and ample power to charge my laptop and cell phone. Although there was no Wi-Fi, I was able to pick up a fairly strong cell signal.
The Raven’s Nest cabins have basic kitchenettes.
The basic kitchenettes have a sink, small fridge, French press coffeemaker, and tea kettle, and they’re stocked with dishes, utensils, and pots and pans. There’s no microwave or anywhere to cook indoors, but on the deck outside, each cabin has a propane BBQ.
The cabins have simple indoor bathrooms with a flush toilet, sink, and shower. There’s hot water, but the cabins themselves have no heat or air-conditioning. Fans are provided to help cool the loft sleeping areas on a warm day.
Beds in the Juniper Cabin sleeping loft
Set under the cabins’ sloped wooden ceilings, the comfy sleeping lofts have beds, small tables, and not much else. Most people would likely spend their time outdoors or on the main level anyway.
Columbia Valley Views
What I especially loved about my stay at the Raven’s Nest were the views across the Columbia Valley, with the mountains in the distance and the river below. I sat at the picnic table outside my cabin, watching the light change as the sun slowly sunk below the ridge. Then I climbed up to my loft to rest up for my next day’s adventures.
Views across the Columbia Valley from The Raven’s Nest Resort
Rates
The Raven’s Nest Resort + Campground is open from mid-May through mid-October. Nightly cabin rates range from CAD$145-295, depending on cabin size and travel dates. Two-night minimum stays are required on summer weekends.
Check rates online at Booking.com.
For other lodgings that are convenient to Kootenay National Park, see our reviews of The Gateway and Bighorn Meadows Resort, both in Radium Hot Springs. Another base for exploring the eastern Kootenays is the town of Golden, where you might consider Moberley Lodge.
Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. Kootenay-Rockies Tourism and Travel Columbia Valley provided support for my Kootenay region research trip.
