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Things to Do in Golden BC: Your Base for 5 National Parks
Golden, BC is one of the most underrated places to stay in the Canadian Rockies.
Many people drive straight through on the Trans-Canada Highway without a second thought, but Golden sits at the heart of an extraordinary cluster of national parks. Yoho is right on its doorstep, while Kootenay, Glacier, Mount Revelstoke and Banff (including Lake Louise) are all within easy reach.
Few towns in the Rockies give you that kind of access without constantly changing hotels.
In this guide, we'll cover the best things to do in Golden BC in summer and winter, where to eat, where to stay, and the best of the five national parks within reach if you're using it as your base.
Over the years, we've visited Golden in every season, and it has become one of our favourite places to base ourselves while exploring the region.
It's small and walkable, has an impressive food scene for a town of its size, and offers enough attractions of its own, from Boo the grizzly bear and the Golden Skybridge, to the many surrounding trails, that it's worth visiting in its own right.
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Top Reasons to Visit Golden with Kids
Are you trying to decide your next family vacation and Golden is one of the places you are considering? Here's why we think it should be at the top of your list:
Year-round adventure – Golden doesn't shut down between seasons. Summer brings whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and hiking, while winter transforms the area into a ski and snowboard destination, with snowmobiling and cross-country skiing thrown in too.
Access to Five National Parks – Few towns can match Golden's location. With Yoho right next door and Banff, Kootenay, Glacier, and Mount Revelstoke all nearby, it's the perfect base for exploring some of the Rockies' most spectacular scenery without constantly packing and unpacking.
A grizzly bear encounter – Boo, the resident grizzly at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, is one of the most memorable wildlife encounters we've had anywhere in the Rockies. It's not a zoo enclosure, and if you time your visit right, you can also catch an informative talk from the resident ranger.
Small-town walkability – Golden is compact enough that you can easily walk everywhere downtown, whether you're heading out for a coffee, a meal, or a bit of shopping. Most places are just a few minutes apart, and after spending time in some of the busier Rockies towns, the relaxed pace is a welcome change.
A great food scene for a small town – Golden punches above its weight, with great coffee, good pizza, a proper local brewery and distillery, and solid Mexican food, more than you'd expect from a town this size.
Easy access off the highway – Golden sits right on the Trans-Canada, making it a natural stop whether you're road-tripping between Alberta and BC or basing yourself here for a few days dedicated to the area.
Table of Contents
To jump ahead to a certain section, click the links below:
Map of Attractions in Golden
Whenever we plan a trip, we always start with Google Maps. It helps us visualize locations and create efficient itineraries. We’ve added all the top attractions in Golden to the map below to help you see where everything is located.
To use this map, click the tab in the top left corner to toggle between layers and for more details about each attraction. To save the map to your Google Maps account, click the star next to the title. To access it later, open Google Maps, go to “Your Places,” and find it under “Maps.”
Things to Do in Golden BC
Golden is small, but there’s more packed into it than you might expect. Here are some of our favourite things to do in and around Golden:
Downtown Golden
While Golden's downtown is much smaller and quieter than Banff or Canmore, that's part of its appeal.
The Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge is one of my favourite spots in summer, and it's a great place to start if you plan on having a look around town.
It’s a beautiful bridge, especially in summer when the hanging flower baskets are in full bloom, with fantastic views of the Kicking Horse River and the surrounding mountains.
It's just steps away from the downtown core, where you will find a handful of independent shops worth browsing, including a fantastic second-hand bookshop, along with cafés, restaurants, and even a fun little bowling alley for an easy evening out.
Golden Museum (and Edelweiss Village)
If you want to understand how Golden became the town it is today, spend an hour at the Golden Museum and take a drive past Edelweiss Village. Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway for the Swiss mountain guides who helped put Golden on the mountaineering map, the historic chalets still overlook the Columbia Valley today.
The museum does a great job telling the story of these pioneering guides, the railway, and the early tourism industry that shaped the region.
Admission is by donation, and it's a great option on a rainy day.
Golden Skybridge
Golden Skybridge is home to Canada's highest suspension bridge, standing 426 feet above the canyon, plus a mountain coaster, ziplines, and a handful of other adventure attractions all in one place.
We've written a full guide to it already: Golden Skybridge Review: Tickets, Prices and Tips for Families
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort - Gondola & Boo the Bear (Summer)
The Golden Eagle Express gondola is one of Golden's best summer experiences, carrying visitors all the way to the summit of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
At the top, you'll find Eagle's Eye Restaurant, Canada's highest restaurant, along with spectacular views across the surrounding mountain ranges. We actually attended a wedding up there once, and the setting was incredible.
The resort is also home to Boo, the resident grizzly bear, who lives in the Grizzly Bear Refuge and can be visited via a separate chairlift ride. It's a really fun activity for the whole family!
Read our full guide for everything you need to know, including the best time to visit and tips for catching Boo when he's most active.
Via Ferrata at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
For older kids and adults looking for a real thrill, Kicking Horse has one of the best via ferratas in Western Canada. It's a guided climbing route on Terminator Peak, where you stay clipped to a steel cable the whole way and climb using iron rungs fixed into the rock.
There are three routes, from a short introductory climb to a much longer, more exposed one, and you reach them via the gondola. Climbers need to be at least 12 years old and weigh at least 40 kg (88 lbs).
Whitewater Rafting on the Kicking Horse River
Whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River is one of Golden's best adventure activities, and there is a range of trips available depending on how much whitewater you're after.
You can opt for a family-friendly float down the river or go all-in on an adrenaline-fuelled run through powerful Class IV rapids. With options for almost every age and experience level, it's an exciting way to experience the region from a completely different perspective.
Canoeing and Paddleboarding on the Columbia River
If whitewater isn't your thing, the Columbia River offers a much gentler way to get out on the water. South of Golden, the river winds through the Columbia Wetlands, one of the largest remaining wetland systems in North America, and the calm, slow-moving water is perfect for canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding.
It's also great for wildlife spotting, especially birds. Rentals and guided tours are available in town, so you don't need your own gear.
Northern Lights Wolf Centre
We've visited the Northern Lights Wolf Centre twice now, and it's a great stop if you're interested in wildlife. It's not a huge facility, but the team gives an excellent presentation that helps dispel many of the common myths about wolves, while explaining their behaviour, ecology, and the important role they play in the ecosystem.
My father-in-law joined one of their Blackwolf Photography tours back in 2015, and it was one of the best experiences he had in the Canadian Rockies.
Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch
Just down the road from the wolf centre in the Blaeberry Valley, the Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch is home to a herd of buffalo.
In summer, the ranch runs guided tours where you can see the herd up close and learn about the animals and the history of the land, which makes it a great one to pair with the wolf centre on a family day out.
Horseback Riding in the Blaeberry Valley
The Blaeberry Valley, just north of Golden, is one of the prettiest places to explore on horseback, with forest trails, river views and plenty of wildlife.
Bear Corner offers guided rides from around 1 to 3 hours, which suit beginners and families, and they also run longer multi-day pack trips if you want a bigger adventure.
Mount 7
Mount 7 is one of Canada's best-known paragliding spots, and the launch deck is where people take off. If watching them isn't enough, book a tandem flight with Golden Tandem Paragliding. You don't need any experience to do one.
The views from the launch deck are fantastic, and you can actually drive right up to it. Just be careful on the way back down, we once had our brakes smoking after riding them too hard on the descent!
There's also a hike along the ridge up there that we've done, though be warned, we ran into a lot of mosquitoes, so bring bug spray if you're planning on doing it.
Cedar Lake
Cedar Lake is one of our favourite spots near Golden, and we've spent many an afternoon chilling there after a morning mountain bike ride. It's just a short drive from town, and the water warms up nicely in summer, so it's a great little spot for swimming and jumping in off the pier.
There's a picnic area and a small campground right by the lake, plus trails through the forest for walking or biking, and the calm water is perfect for paddleboarding.
Be aware that parking can be difficult, as it's a small lot and it's popular, so arrive early on a hot summer weekend.
Hiking Near Golden
Golden is surrounded by trails, from easy riverside walks right in town to bigger hikes into the surrounding mountains. Here are a few of the best:
The Rotary Trails: an easy, well-marked network of walking trails that starts at the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge and follows the rivers through town. It's ideal for a stroll with younger kids.
Thompson Falls: a powerful waterfall where the Blaeberry River funnels into a narrow gorge, just north of Golden. You can see the falls with a short walk from the forest service road, or hike the full trail alongside the river, which is about 13 km return.
Canyon Creek Canyon: a trail with a series of lookouts over a deep canyon, about 9 km south of Golden in Nicholson.
Mount 7 Summit Trail: a steeper hike up the face of Mount 7 for more experienced hikers. Watch out for the fast mountain bike trails that cross it.
For trail details and maps, Tourism Golden's free hiking trail map is the best local resource.
Mountain Biking
Golden is one of the best mountain biking towns in the Rockies, with everything from gentle green trails to serious downhill, and plenty for kids in between.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort Bike Park is the only gondola-accessed bike park in the region. You ride the gondola up and choose your way down, from beginner-friendly green trails to steep, technical downhill.
Mount 7 is Golden's local riding mountain, known for its long downhill runs and cross-country trails. There's no lift, so riders drive or shuttle up the forest service road.
The Moonraker trails are a cross-country network winding through the forest around the base of Kicking Horse, and they're a great option if you'd rather pedal than ride a lift.
For younger kids, Golden has three pump tracks:
The Pump Track & Skills Park behind the Mount 7 Rec Plex, which is paved and suits bikes, scooters and skateboards
The Golden Bike Park, a dirt park with a pump track and jump lines, supported by the Golden Cycling Club
The Kicking Horse pump track in the Gondola Plaza, which is free and suitable for kids on balance bikes
Our girls have ridden the pump tracks in Golden over the years, and they're a great way for kids to build confidence before tackling the trails.
Things to Do in Golden BC in Winter
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Winter
We've skied here quite a few times, and it's a great mountain. Kicking Horse is best known for its steep terrain and deep powder, and it has one of the biggest vertical drops in Canada, but there's plenty for beginners and intermediates too, with green runs and gentle cruisers off the gondola.
If skiing isn't for everyone in your group, there's tubing too, and the Golden Eagle Express gondola runs in winter as well, so non-skiers can still head up for the views and lunch at Eagle's Eye.
Winter Sports: Heli-Skiing, Snowshoeing, Snowmobiling & Cross-Country Skiing
Golden is one of the best winter sports basecamps in the Rockies, and there's a lot more on offer than downhill skiing.
Snowmobiling: Golden is well known for snowmobiling, with a huge network of groomed trails and backcountry terrain in the mountains around town. Guided tours are available if you've never done it before.
Heli-skiing: for experienced skiers, heli-ski operators fly straight out of Golden into the surrounding Purcell Mountains.
Snowshoeing: a more low-key option, with several local trails to choose from.
Cross-country skiing: the Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre has groomed trails close to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
Where to rent winter gear in Golden
Skis and snowboards: the rental shop at the base of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, so you can pick up and go straight to the gondola.
Snowshoes: at Kicking Horse, or from the rental shops in town.
Cross-country skis: right at the Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre, next to the trails.
Fat bikes: Higher Ground Sports, downtown.
Snowmobiles: Golden Snowmobile Rentals, for anything from a half-day rental to a guided tour.
Golden BC Restaurants: Where to Eat & Drink
Golden is a small town, but the food scene has really picked up in recent years, and there are a few spots we'd point anyone toward.
Ethos Cafe - our go-to coffee stop, and a great way to start the day, especially if you're staying in town. Easy walking distance from the apartments we usually stay in.
Bluebird Cafe - a good stop for coffee and a cinnamon roll in the morning.
Red Tomato Pies - a tiny takeaway pizza joint, easy to miss if you're not looking for it, but worth seeking out.
Whitetooth Mountain Bistro - a downtown bistro that's been a Golden staple for years, with a menu that suits most tastes.
Whitetooth Brewing Company - Golden's local brewery, with a big patio.
Reposados Tacos - our favourite spot in town for Mexican. It used to sit right next to Whitetooth Bistro, but has since moved to 7th Street, close to Whitetooth Brewing Company.
Stolen Bell Distillery - Golden's craft distillery, with a cocktail lounge and share-plate menu, and a founding story tied to the building of the Rogers Pass railway. Kids are welcome earlier in the day, but it's adults only from 7pm, so it's best saved for a grown-ups' night out.
A few other practical notes on food and downtown: the IGA supermarket and a few gas stations are easy to get to right in downtown Golden, handy for stocking up.
If you're staying up at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort itself, there's a small shop on the hill too, but expect to pay resort prices.
National Parks Near Golden
One of the best things about basing yourself in Golden is that five national parks are within easy reach. Here are the highlights of each:
Don't forget your Parks Canada pass!
Golden itself isn't in a national park, so you don't need a pass just to stay in town. But if you plan on visiting any of the parks below, you'll need one.
We explain the options, and which one is best value, in our guide to Parks Canada passes.
Yoho National Park (from 25 minutes)
Yoho starts just east of Golden, and it's packed with some of the most impressive sights in the Rockies, all within a short drive of each other.
Wapta Falls – the largest waterfall by volume in the Canadian Rockies, and an easy, family- and dog-friendly walk to reach it, only around 25 minutes from Golden. We've hiked it a few times and it's one of our favourites close to Golden.
Emerald Lake – turquoise water ringed by mountains, with an easy lakeshore trail and canoe rentals. We've covered parking, the trail and canoeing in our guide to Emerald Lake.
Natural Bridge – a quick stop on the road to Emerald Lake, where the Kicking Horse River has carved its way through solid rock to form a natural arch. It pairs perfectly with Emerald Lake.
Takakkaw Falls – one of the tallest waterfalls in Canada, and one of the easiest to get close to, with only a short walk from the parking area. The road is seasonal, usually open from late June to early October. Read our full visit guide.
Kootenay National Park (about 1 hour 15 minutes)
Kootenay is a little further, but it's an easy day trip south via Radium Hot Springs, and the drive itself is one of the most scenic in the region.
Radium Hot Springs – it's a popular family stop, with a hot pool and a cooler swimming pool tucked under the cliffs.
Sinclair Canyon – the dramatic red-walled canyon you drive straight through on the way into the park.
Marble Canyon and the Paint Pots – two short, easy walks further north, with a deep, narrow canyon and ochre-coloured mineral pools. Don't wear your brand new sneakers!
We've covered everything worth seeing along that road in a separate post: The Best Things to Do in Kootenay National Park (Between Invermere & Banff).
Glacier National Park (about 1 hour)
About an hour west of Golden, Glacier National Park centres on Rogers Pass, with a completely different landscape from Yoho: steeper, wetter and famous for its avalanche history.
Rogers Pass Discovery Centre – worth a stop to learn about the history of the railway and the avalanche control program that keeps the highway open in winter.
Hemlock Grove Boardwalk – a short, easy, family-friendly boardwalk through old-growth forest, ideal if you want a quick, accessible stop rather than a full hike.
Mount Revelstoke National Park & Revelstoke (about 1 hour 45 minutes)
Looking for another mountain town to explore? Revelstoke is close enough for a day trip and different enough to feel like a new destination.
Giant Cedars Boardwalk – a short walk through huge old-growth cedars, some of them hundreds of years old.
Meadows in the Sky Parkway – a summer-only road to the top of Mount Revelstoke, with wildflower meadows at the summit in mid-summer.
The Enchanted Forest – about 30 minutes west of Revelstoke, this fairytale-themed walking trail lined with handmade storybook houses and figures is a fun, easy stop for kids. It's seasonal, so check it's open before you go.
Banff National Park (Lake Louise about 1 hour, Banff about 1 hour 45 minutes)
Banff needs little introduction, and we've visited more times than we can count. From Golden, Lake Louise is the closer of the two.
Lake Louise – the most famous lake in the Rockies. Parking is the main challenge, so arrive early or use the Parks Canada shuttle. In summer, parking is free after 7pm, Our 2-week Canadian Rockies itinerary shows how to fit it into a wider trip.
Moraine Lake – just up the road from Lake Louise, but the road is closed to private vehicles, so you'll need the Parks Canada shuttle or a commercial bus. Once you're there, the Rockpile Viewpoint and the Shoreline Trail are both easy and worth doing, or there's the more challenging scramble up the Tower of Babel.
The town of Banff – the Banff Gondola, the hot springs and Johnston Canyon are all highlights.
Where to Stay in Golden
Whenever we stay in Golden, it's nearly always in a vacation rental rather than a hotel. There aren't many hotels in town, but there are plenty of rentals, and they're usually the better choice, especially for families.
The first decision is whether to base yourself in town or up on the hill at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. We've done both.
In town: we've stayed in an apartment near Ethos Cafe, and it was the perfect location. Everything is walkable, from restaurants and coffee to downtown Golden itself, and it's easier if you're passing through or need quick access back to Highway 1.
On the hill: most recently, we stayed in a chalet up by the ski hill with a group of 10, and years before that we stayed up there for a wedding.
It's a bit out of the way, but that's exactly the appeal if skiing or mountain biking is the main reason for your trip. If you need somewhere that sleeps 8 to 10 or more, this is where you'll find the best options. Just factor in the drive, which adds about 15 minutes each way.
Prefer a hotel? There are a few options in town, including the Prestige Inn Golden, the Best Western Mountainview Inn, and the Days Inn by Wyndham Golden, which has an indoor pool.
Getting to Golden and Getting Around
Golden sits right on the Trans-Canada Highway, so arriving by car is straightforward whichever direction you're coming from. The nearest major airport is Calgary, roughly 3 hours east on Highway 1.
Golden is about 140 km (around 1 hour 45 minutes) from Banff, and about 83 km (around 1 hour) from Lake Louise.
There's no passenger train service to Golden at all, so flying into Calgary and driving, or driving in as part of a broader Rockies road trip, is really the only practical way to arrive.
Once you're here, Golden really is a car town. There's no public transit to speak of connecting the town to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort or the surrounding attractions, so a car is essential unless you're planning to stay entirely downtown and walk everywhere.
Downtown itself is small and walkable once you're there, but everything outside it, such as Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls and Wapta Falls, requires a drive.
If you plan on staying at the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort on the hill, it's a 15-20 minute drive from downtown, so factor that into your day if you're splitting time between the two.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Golden?
We'd recommend at least 2 to 3 days to see the highlights in and around the town, like the Golden Skybridge, Boo the bear and the Kicking Horse gondola, plus a day trip into Yoho.
But Golden works just as well as a base for a week or more. With five national parks within reach, you can easily spend a different day in each one and still come back to the same bed every night.
What is the best time of year to visit Golden?
Golden is a true year-round destination, so it really depends on what you want to do. Summer (June to September) is the best time for hiking, mountain biking, rafting, paddling and the Skybridge, and it's when certain roads, like the road to Takakkaw Falls, are open.
Winter (December to April) is all about skiing at Kicking Horse, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Spring and fall are quieter and cheaper, but some attractions are closed between seasons, so check opening dates before you go.
Do I need to worry about winter driving conditions when visiting Golden?
Winter driving in the Rockies requires a little extra planning, but it shouldn't discourage you from visiting Golden. Major routes such as the Trans-Canada Highway are well maintained, though snowfall, icy conditions, and occasional temporary delays can occur during winter storms.
Make sure your vehicle is equipped with proper winter tires, check road conditions before setting out, and allow extra travel time during periods of heavy snow.
How far is Golden from Banff?
Golden is about 140 km from Banff, which takes around 1 hour 45 minutes on the Trans-Canada Highway. The drive takes you through Yoho National Park, and Lake Louise is on the way, about 1 hour (83 km) from Golden.
In winter, allow extra time, as the highway through the mountain passes can be affected by snow and closures.
Is Golden good for families with kids?
Yes, Golden is a great choice for families. Boo the bear, the Golden Skybridge, the wolf centre and the buffalo ranch are all big hits with kids, and the pump tracks, Cedar Lake and the Rotary Trails make for easy, low-cost days out.
Older kids can step it up with family rafting trips, the bike park or, from age 12, the via ferrata. Golden is also more affordable than Banff, and the big vacation rentals by the ski hill are ideal if you're travelling as a large family or with another family.
About Our Family
We're a British family that moved to Canada in 2012, and since then, we've explored both the East and West Coasts of Canada extensively.
We believe the best way for kids to learn is by experiencing the world firsthand, seeing it and touching it.
That's why we write travel guides with families in mind.
Learn more about us and our decision to take a 100-day career sabbatical to travel through Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
Plan Your Trip to Golden
Golden is easy to drive straight past, but it rewards anyone who stops. In one small town you can cross Canada's highest suspension bridge, watch a grizzly forage on the mountainside, raft the Kicking Horse River and finish the day with tacos and a local beer. Come back in winter and it's all about powder days and snowmobile trails.
Add five national parks on its doorstep, fewer crowds and lower prices than Banff, and Golden is more than just a stop on the way somewhere else. It's one of the best bases in the Canadian Rockies.
If you're still planning, our Golden Skybridge review and our guide to visiting Boo the Bear cover Golden's two biggest attractions in more detail, and our 2-week Canadian Rockies itinerary shows how to fit Golden into a bigger trip.
We hope you have a great time in Golden!
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