Vermilion River Trail
A forest connector linking Marble Canyon and Paint Pots through mature and fire-affected woodland.
Route overview
Travel between Marble Canyon and Paint Pots, passing through mixed mature and burned forest.
Vermilion River Trail turns two popular roadside attractions into a longer linear walk. Because the official endpoints are separate, hikers should organize a shuttle or be prepared to reverse the full route.
Trail facts
- Country
- Canada
- Region
- Canadian Rockies
- Distance
- 5.8 km one way
- Typical duration
- 2 hours return as published for selected outing; plan point-to-point timing carefully
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation gain
- 65 m gain / 110 m loss one way
- Best season
- Late spring through autumn
- Trail type
- Point to point between Marble Canyon and Paint Pots
Access and logistics
- Permits and access
- No day permit; park pass required
Safety context
Check current official conditions, closures, weather and access rules before departure. Check current official conditions, closures, weather and access rules before departure.
Transport failure, doubling distance, wildlife, muddy trail and no cell service
Highlights
Two major park landmarks, forest succession and riverside corridor
Why find a buddy
A buddy is especially valuable for vehicle shuttles and preventing an unplanned double-distance return.
Primary source
Explore and prepare
Discover hikes by intent, read the hiking guides, review hiking safety, prepare a BuddyPack, or browse hiking plans.
Route conditions, access, services and transport can change. Verify time-sensitive information before departure.