The best things to do in Golden BC – Plus Where To Stay And More

In Golden/Latest on the blog12 min read

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When I told my Canadian friend I was headed to Golden, her eyes got a little wide. “Where is that?” she asked. Her reaction surprised me. How could a lifelong British Columbian not know about this humble mountain town? 

”It’s right between Revelstoke and Lake Louise”, I answered.

“Oh, I’ve stopped there for gas a bunch of times, but it never seemed like there was much to do!”

That’s the thing! Golden is the kind of place that might not catch your eye if you’re just passing by – but dig a little deeper and, wow, this place is home to so much beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. The top things to do in Golden include hiking, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, walking across Canada’s highest suspension bridge and visiting wildlife centres.

Whether you’re here for a couple of nights or, like us, hang around for a while longer, you will absolutely enjoy your time here. We’re excited to show you the best things to do in Golden, BC.

Where is Golden?

Golden sits between two mountain ranges, the Columbia Mountains and the Rocky Mountains. It’s about an 8-hour drive from Vancouver and only 1.5 from Banff, making it a natural stop on a Vancouver-to-Banff-to-Calgary road trip.

Why use the town of Golden as a base?

When we go to the Canadian Rockies, we like to split our time between Golden, Banff, Canmore and Kananaskis, depending on what we want to see and which hikes we want to do.

One of the main reasons we like to stay in Golden is its proximity to Canada’s most beautiful national parks. The closest are Yoho and Glacier so it’s a great base for hikers like us wanting to do hikes in these areas. There are also Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, the usual hot spots, and the driving time from Golden is pretty much the same as from Banff.

Another compelling reason is the easy access to endless outdoor activities right on the doorstep: mountain biking,  whitewater rafting, climbing and paddle boarding to name a few.

Finally, Golden is more affordable than Banff. Sure, Banff is beautiful, but ‘budget friendly’ isn’t really a thing there. Even places that would normally be considered budget accommodation elsewhere come with a premium price tag. If that feels a bit much, staying in Golden could be a good option. Even a couple of nights here can help you stretch your travel dollar and free up cash for some adventures, not just a place to sleep!

That said, the energy in Golden is different than Banff or even Canmore. It’s not a tourist hotspot, but rather a place where people live and work, so it’s very peaceful, even in the evenings.

If you want to know more, we suggest you read our full guide comparing Golden vs Banff vs Canmore. The good thing is, all these towns are close enough together that you can easily visit all on one trip.

Things to do in Golden, British Columbia

Let’s explore why Golden deserves more than a passing glance.

Get a feel for the town

Golden is a typical, quiet mountain town that doesn’t try to be anything fancy. Local shops and restaurants line the main street, there are a couple of supermarkets and a few gas stations, but that’s pretty much it. With so little going on, simply strolling around town and stopping for a coffee feels almost compulsory.

The main landmark is the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge, the longest freestanding timber bridge in Canada stretching 46 meters in length across the Kicking Horse River. From here, you can continue for about a mile along the greenway by the river, or follow one of these interactive walking routes.

In spring and summer, the river has a wonderful milky blue colour caused by glacial silt carried downstream from the surrounding ice fields. It’s really easy to admire (though sometimes the colour can temporarily disappear after heavy rain).

See Boo, the grizzly bear 

One of the most memorable things to do in Golden is seeing Boo the grizzly bear. He was rescued as a young cub after his mother was sadly poached and now lives in a 20-acre refuge on the natural mountain slopes of the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. This is one of only two places in Canada, along with Grouse Mountain in Vancouver, where you can see a grizzly. It’s also the largest enclosed and protected grizzly habitat in the world. The experience is highly educational, with plenty of information about grizzly behaviour and Boo’s own story, which is sad but ultimately has a happy ending. 

Boo moves on his own terms, sometimes napping, sometimes exploring, so there’s no guarantee you’ll see him. When we asked about it at the ticket office, they recommended going early in the morning when Boo tends to be most active before settling in for a midday nap. On our visit at 10am, he was right by the fence for about 20 minutes before disappearing into the bushes. We stayed longer than other visitors to see him again at feeding time. A few kilos of apples donated by locals were tossed in from the gondola into the enclosure and Boo appeared again after a few minutes to investigate (this time he was far from the fence but still clearly visible).

If you don’t see him, you can come back again for free another day (yet another reason to stay in Golden!).

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Try to get a spot on the bus to Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park

Of the 6 national parks surrounding Golden, Yoho is the smallest. It’s also the one we return to most often and the one we’d call our favourite (quite a statement, right?). This is where Lake O’Hara is located, a true crown jewel of the Rockies and a place that hikers and backpackers dream of visiting at least once in their lifetime. Not only is it home to numerous breathtaking trails, but those trails are also quiet as access is restricted to public traffic. 

Your only ways in are through the shuttle buses run by Parks Canada and Lake O’Hara Lodge, or by hiking 11km in AND out! Needless to say, visiting isn’t easy and requires a lot of planning, but it’s worth every bit of effort. We’ve written a separate article dedicated to Lake O’Hara and the different options for getting there – head over to Lake O’Hara Hiking Guide to find out more.

Canoe or Hike at Emerald Lake

If you can’t get a spot on the bus to Lake O’Hara, Emerald Lake is the next-best consolation prize. It’s a truly beautiful lake that can easily compete with the more popular Lake Louise. The colour of the water isn’t really emerald, but a mix of vivid blue and pale green. It’s a stunning sight, made even better if you’re admiring it from a canoe in the middle of the lake.

If canoeing isn’t your thing, try the Emerald Lake Loop, an easy trail that follows the shoreline of the lake. Even if you’re not into hikes, it’s worth walking to the open plateau at the far end of the lake (starting near the outhouses). It’s much quieter and therefore more enjoyable, as most sightseers only stop for a photo by the main lodge and head back to their cars. If you decide to complete the loop, the total distance is 5.2 km.

For a full Emerald Lake experience, consider staying at the beuatiful Emerald Lake Lodge.

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Stop at Natural Bridge

On the way from Emerald Lake, stop by Natural Bridge, a solid rock bridge shaped over centuries by the rushing water of Kicking Horse River. See nature at work and take your perfect photo from the lookout. This is a quick stop right off the road and doesn’t require much walking.

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Go whitewater rafting

If you’d like a real adrenaline fix, go whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River. It’s widely considered one of the best rivers for whitewater rafting in Canada, which also makes it one of the top things to do in Golden. The river has consistent rapids and reliable conditions, so it doesn’t matter whether it’s your first time rafting or you’ve done it before. You can choose from half-day or full-day rafting trips and there are even family-friendly options if you’re travelling with younger kids. It’s super fun and one of the easiest ways to add some adventure to your time in Golden.

Bike, hike or dine at the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is a year-round adventure center. In winter, it’s the best place in the area for downhill skiing and snowboarding. In summer, the gondola takes you up to 2,505 meters (8,218 feet) for hiking, mountain biking and the Eagle’s Eye Restaurant, the highest restaurant in Canada and one of the highest in North America.

The most popular hikes from Kicking Horse are Dogtooth Ridge, Terminator Ridge and T2 Peak, but there are many more, including some easier options.

Or if you want to get your heart pumping, check out the Via Ferrata.

Go for a guided walk with wolves

If you’re a wildlife lover, one of the best things you can do in Golden is visit the Northern Lights Wolf Centre. The standard entry ticket includes a 25-minute educational tour and access to the fenced area, where you can see the resident pack of wolves. We enjoyed our time here and walked away with a newfound respect for these magnificent animals and their vital role in the ecosystem.

Another thing you can do is book a private walk with wolves. This is a safe experience with a trained handler where you get to watch a wolf off-leash in its natural habitat. The wolf will be your guide and you’ll follow it for 1.5 hours through the surrounding forest.

Good to know: This is an education centre, not a zoo, and every dollar you spend here goes toward supporting the centre’s mission to change public perception of wolves and push for policies that protect balanced ecosystems.

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Hike in Glacier National Park 

If you love challenging hikes, head in the direction of Revelstoke and spend a day exploring Glacier National Park. There are plenty of beautiful trails here, including our favourites: Perley Rock, Hermit Trail and Abbott Ridge (in that order). While these trails may seem relatively short by hiking standards, they are very steep and you definitely have to be fit and willing to work for the reward.

Make sure to pack for unpredictable weather. Even in summer, it can shift in minutes from clear skies to thunderstorms, something we experienced ourselves once and it was pretty scary! This is also a grizzly bear habitat, which means at certain times of the year there is a requirement to hike in groups of 4 for safety. You can check these requirements on the Parks Canada website or at the Rogers Pass Information Centre before you head out.

We’re not saying all this to put you off hiking here, quite the opposite! These wild conditions are part of what makes hiking here so rewarding. These are some of the best and most untamed hikes we’ve experienced in Canada, but you do need to come prepared.

See Takakkaw Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Canada

At 373 metres (1,224 feet), Takakkaw Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in Canada. Parks Canada says the word “Takakkaw” means “wonderful” in Cree and the name is fitting. As much as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we think this is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in BC. The parking lot is just 0.7 km from the viewpoint, so it’s easily accessible for pretty much everyone.

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Hike to Wapta Falls, a 150m wide waterfall

This is yet another waterfall in Yoho National Park. It requires a little bit of hiking through the forest, but the trail is relatively easy and only 5 km return. The waterfall is 18 m high but 150 m wide, making it the largest waterfall on the Kicking Horse River. You can even hike all the way to the base! The volume of water is immense, so be prepared to get wet! 😉

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Walk across Canada’s tallest suspension bridge

Right above Golden sits yet another adventure park, home to Golden Skybridge, Canada’s tallest suspension bridge. We haven’t visited yet as we always end up hiking instead, but our friends did and had an amazing time. They’re not hikers like us and don’t spend much time in the mountains. They also have two small kids, so it was perfect for them!

There are other activities you can do there, such as zip lining, axe throwing, the Mountain Coaster and a few more. You can find more information and book your tickets through the link below.

Hike off the beaten path above Golden

Golden and its surroundings are overflowing with opportunities to hike into the alpine for impressive views of the surrounding mountains. But if you happen to have a 4×4 with high clearance and you’re confident driving on forest service roads, you can access trails and alpine lakes most people will never see. One such place is Gorman Lake. Other than the drive to the trailhead, it’s an easy outing with big rewards. The lake itself is stunning, and there are a couple of picnic benches where you can pause and simply enjoy where you are.

The real surprise, though, is waiting on the shoreline — a free canoe ready for anyone to paddle out and take in the scenery from the water. Why is there a canoe at 2,000 metres? The word is that one of the locals brings it up behind their snowmobile in the winter for everyone to enjoy. What a legend!

We have a separate article dedicated to the Gorman Lake hike, so head over there for more information.

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Looking for even more things to do in Golden?

Here are some additional activities to check out:

• We know, we know – these are probably already on your list. But if you haven’t been yet, the famous Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are worth a visit to see their stunning blue water. Both are about 1.5 hours from Golden, the same distance as Banff. There are plenty of hikes that start from these locations, so you can admire the lakes from above. Highly recommend it!
• Go train spotting – visit and photograph the Morant’s Curve and spiral tunnels near the town Field.
• Do the guided Burgess Shale hike and look for 500 million years old fossils.
• If you enjoy cross-country biking, bike up Mount 7. Alternatively, take a tandem paragliding flight from the Mount 7 launch site.

Plan your trip

The nearest international airport is Calgary, with Golden about a 3-hour drive away. Vancouver is another option, around 8 hours from Golden along the Trans-Canada Highway.

You can rent a car at Calgary Airport or rent a car at Vancouver Airport to reach Golden.

To stay connected, we recommend Airalo eSIM.

For hotels, we recommend:

1. Dreamcatcher Hostel (European style hostel with shared and private rooms!)
2. Lush Mountain Accommodations (Great if you want a hot tub and the whole place to yourself!)
3. Vagabond Lodge (Close to the action on the Kicking Horse Mountain!)
4. Rooms at Riversedge (Good choice if you want to be close to shops and restaurants!)