Over the years, I’ve driven through Golden dozens of times on my way to the Canadian Rockies. Sometimes I stop for a meal, a quick hike, or an overnight stay. But until recently, I hadn’t done a trip just to visit Golden. Well, that was a mistake because there are so many things to do in Golden, BC!
Golden is right up my alley since it is a small mountain town of about 4000 residents with lots of outdoor adventure options. It sits between Yoho and Glacier National Parks and is within easy driving distance of Banff, Kootenay, and Mount Revelstoke National Parks, so it makes a great base camp for a trip to the Canadian Rockies.
Since I had already explored the surrounding parks on previous trips, I dedicated a recent trip just to Golden. I visited a grizzly bear refuge, learned about local history, walked over the tallest suspension bridge in Canada, ate some great food, and did some gorgeous hikes.
Now that I’ve spent more time in the town, I’ve put together a complete guide to the best things to do in Golden, BC for you. It includes
- Golden at a glance: a quick overview
- A map of things to do in Golden that shows all of the places I mention in this post.
- Best things to do in Golden, BC: Hikes, national parks, museums, shopping, attractions, and more.
- Where to eat in Golden: The restaurants and cafes I recommend.
- Where to stay in Golden: My picks for the best hotels.
- Golden travel tips: How to get there? How long to stay? Best time to go? And lots more.
This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.
Hey there: Thanks so much to Tourism Golden for hosting me on my recent trip. My previous trips were at my own expense. All opinions in this post are my own. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support! – Taryn
Table of Contents
Golden at a Glance
Best for: Outdoor adventures, visiting nearby national parks
How many days: 2 for the highlights, up to a week if you want to visit nearby national parks
Best time to visit: Summer and early fall for hiking and outdoor attractions
Location: Southeastern British Columbia along Highway 1
Nearest airport: Calgary, AB
Getting around: Downtown is walkable, but a vehicle is essential for exploring.
Highlights: Golden Skybridge, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Yoho National Park, Glacier National Park
Best hike: Wapta Falls
Best mountain view: Kicking Horse Mountain Resort or Mount 7
Best for first-time visitors: Golden Skybridge, Boo the grizzly bear, or downtown Golden
Map of Things to Do in Golden
To help you plan your trip and find your way around, I created a custom Google Map of Golden for you. It includes every place I mention in this post.
Best Things to Do in Golden, BC
Things to Do at Golden Skybridge
The Golden Skybridge sits in the hills just outside of Golden. Until I visited, I had no idea that it has the highest suspension bridge in Canada at 426 feet (130 meters) above the valley floor. But this spot doesn’t just have suspension bridges – it’s a whole outdoor adventure park that is great for both adrenaline junkies and more casual visitors.
Admission works in tiers: the most basic pass gets you into the park to walk the suspension bridges and trails. You can add on attractions like the Mountain Coaster, Ziplines and Canyon Swing separately. But the best value is the Adventure Pass – that’s what we did since it gets you access to everything except the Canyon Swing. (I was too chicken to do the swing!)
Here’s a rundown of what to expect so you can plan your day figure out which pass to get.
Walk the Suspension Bridges and Trails
Best for: Views from the tallest suspension bridge in Canada
Time needed: 30 to 60 minutes
The trails and suspension bridges at Golden Skybridge form a 1.2 km loop that includes several viewing platforms where you can look across the Columbia Valley to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and down into the canyon of Hospital Creek. The views are great!
I ended up walking the entire loop 1.5 times since I wanted to do the whole loop, but I also wanted to ride the ziplines, which take you from one side to the other.
If you aren’t up for any of the adrenaline-focused activities, I still think the Golden Skybridge is worthwhile since the views from the bridges and trails are so good. If you are afraid of heights and chicken out on the bridge, you can still enjoy some of the views from the viewing platforms near the bridges.
Ride the Railrider Mountain Coaster
Best for: A mini rollercoaster ride on the side of the canyon
Time needed: 5 minutes
Mountain coasters are springing up in a few places across BC. I rode my first one in Revelstoke a few years ago. These mini roller coasters use individual sleds with brakes you can control, so each person rides the course at their own pace.
The coaster at Golden Skybridge uses a mechanical lift system to pull you up to the top of the track, and then you swoop downhill using gravity. The track is just over 1 km long and has lots of fun dips and turns and even goes through a tunnel. My favourite part was near the end when it feels like the track is going out into space over the canyon!
Pro tip: The ride is only 5 minutes long, but there can be lines on busier days, so I recommend going early.
Zipline Across the Canyon
Best for: Views with an adrenaline rush
Time needed: 15 minutes
If you want to see the canyon from even higher, you can zipline across. Golden Skybridge has 4 parallel ziplines, so you can zipline next to your friends. The lines are 1000 feet long (300 meters) and 500 feet (150 meters) in the air. If you have never been ziplining before, this is a great way to start since it’s just one line. It is really high up, though!
More Things to Do at Golden Skybridge
I’ve detailed the main attractions at the Golden Skybridge above, but there are also a bunch of other things to do here.
- Eagle Net Park: A network of net bridges, slides, and bounce platforms mostly aimed at kids. Included in all admission passes.
- Playgrounds: There are several kids’ play areas dotted around the park. Included in all admission passes.
- Canyon Edge Challenge Course: Three different ropes courses that increase in difficulty. Included in the Adventure Pass.
- Climbing Wall: A 28-foot artificial rock wall. Included in the Adventure Pass.
- Axe Throwing: An axe-throwing target range. I had never done this before and loved it. Included in the Adventure Pass.
- Giant Canyon Swing: A free-fall swing experience over the canyon. Definitely the scariest/coolest thing at the Golden Skybridge. Requires a separate ticket in addition to admission.
Things to Do at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Opened in 2000, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is known for having some of the steepest and most challenging expert-level ski terrain in Canada. However, in the summer, the gondola provides easy access to the peak for hiking and views. You can also visit Boo, the orphaned grizzly bear in his refuge near the base of the mountain.
If you’re going to Golden, I recommend spending a day at Kicking Horse. Here are the highlights you shouldn’t miss.
Visit Boo, the Orphaned Grizzly Bear
Best for: Seeing a grizzly bear up close
Time needed: 1 hour
By far the least scary way to see a grizzly bear is through an electric fence. Kicking Horse Resort has a 20-acre refuge on the lower slopes of the mountain that has been home to Boo, an orphaned grizzly bear, for over 20 years. You can head over to the refuge anytime Kicking Horse is open.
But since the refuge is huge and is full of dense brush, I recommend taking a tour for the best chance of seeing Boo. There are interpretive tours every day at 10 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:30 pm where rangers take guests to see Boo (if he is visible from the fence) and share facts about him.
I opted for an even more personal experience by booking a Ranger Assist Tour. It runs every morning and is limited to just 5 guests. We arrived just as the staff were hiding food and other enrichment items around Boo’s refuge, so we got to see him up close in his smaller enclosure where he is kept while staff are inside the refuge fences.
After it was safe, the staff let Boo back into the main refuge, and we got to watch while he explored to find the hidden food. It was really cute to see him get excited about a frozen block of yogurt with berries in it. The rangers recorded all of his behaviours and which foods he ate.
If you want the best chance of seeing Boo, I definitely recommend the Ranger Assist Tour, which must be booked in advance. Otherwise, I think you should do the 10 am interpretive tour since it is right after Boo’s feeding time, so there is still a good chance of seeing him up close.
Go Hiking in the Alpine
Best for: Incredible alpine hiking, views
Time needed: 30 minutes to 6 hours
If you ride the gondola to the top of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, you’ll be treated to incredible views. But it’s worth venturing out along the hiking trails for even better views. The resort has a network of alpine trails that range from easy to difficult.
If you’re looking for a short option with panoramic views, I recommend the CPR Ridge Trail. It leaves from just next to the gondola and descends gradually along the top of the ridge. The views are insane as the Columbia Valley spreads out below you.
Just remember that you’ll have to climb back up the same way, so turn around whenever you’ve had enough. (I didn’t bother following the trail all the way to the bottom of the ridge where you can use Bowl Over Loop Trail to get back to the top of the gondola.
I didn’t have as much time for hiking up here as I would have liked. However, on my list for next time is the hike along Terminator Ridge to Terminator Peak and T2 Peak. The trails to the peaks are rated difficult, but the ridge trail is easy since it is on a ski area access road.
Brave the Via Ferrata
Best for: A mountain-climbing experience with an adrenaline rush
Time needed: 1 to 3 hours
I had heard the via ferrata at Kicking Horse was great, and it did not disappoint. If you aren’t familiar, a via ferrata is a type of rock climbing where you clip your harness into a series of fixed cables instead of using a rope. As well, there are metal ladder rungs and other aids along the way to make it easier.
The via ferrata at Kicking Horse starts with a walk across a precipitous suspension bridge before scaling the nearly sheer side of Terminator Peak. There are three via ferrata options. I did the shortest one, but it was still an adrenaline rush.
Eat at the Highest Restaurant in Canada
Best for: Lunch with an incredible view
Time needed: 1 hour
Located at the top of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort at 2300 m above sea level (7700 feet), Eagle’s Eye Restaurant is the highest restaurant in Canada. The views of the surrounding mountains are incredible. I had a great grilled cheese with veggie soup and my husband raved about the burger.
Things to Do in Downtown Golden and Nearby
The town of Golden is fairly compact and walkable. There are walking trails throughout the town. I recommend spending an hour or two wandering around to enjoy the scenery. Here are the spots I recommend in and around downtown Golden
Walk Across the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge
Best for: Views, a quick walk
Time needed: 15 to 30 minutes
One of the most striking features of downtown Golden is the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge. It’s a huge covered bridge and is the longest freestanding timber frame bridge in Canada at 46 meters (151 feet) long. The bridge has a great view of the river and lots of interesting info plaques that explain the bridge’s construction as well as community history.
You’ll find Spirit Square and the River Walk on the east side of the bridge. The square is home to the weekly Farmer’s Market as well as other community events. The River Walk is a short stretch of protected riverfront path with beautiful flowers and great river views.
The west side of the bridge connects to the Rotary Trail. You can use the Rotary Trail, the River Walk, and the sidewalk on the 10th Avenue bridge to make a short loop walk.
Browse the Shops
Best for: Souvenirs, gifts, local products
Time needed: 30 to 60 minutes
It’s worth browsing the shops along 9th Avenue North. I loved Four Points Books. It had a great selection for a small-town bookshop. Be sure to wander upstairs too. We ended up buying a bunch of books, so I was glad we were driving instead of flying since books are heavy!
Golden Artisan Gift Shop has crafts and gifts from all sorts of local producers. They have everything from jewelry to jam. We bought some locally roasted coffee and some honey. The Art Gallery of Golden also has a great gift shop with all kinds of local art.
Go Back in Time at the Golden Museum
Best for: Learning about local history
Time needed: 30 to 60 minutes
The Golden Museum is small but cute. Admission is by donation. The exhibits tell the story of Golden’s history, including the railway, forestry, and Indigenous history.
My favourite part was learning about the historic Swiss guides. The Canadian Pacific Railway wanted to market the Rocky Mountains as the Alps of Canada, so they imported guides from Switzerland to lead tourists up local peaks. These guides pioneered some of the first hiking and climbing routes that people still use today.
The museum has an indoor hall that houses most of the exhibits. But it’s also worth wandering around the grounds to check out the outdoor exhibits including an old schoolhouse and train station.
Walk the Golden Stroll
Best for: Views, local history, an easy walk
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
I spent a pleasant afternoon getting to see the real Golden that locals know by walking the Golden Stroll. The stroll consists of two self-guided walking tours that take you through the town’s highlights. QR codes on posts along the way lead to videos that teach you about local history and nature.
The Confluence Walk is a bit shorter and flatter and takes you along the banks of the Kicking Horse River to its confluence with the Columbia River. We chose to walk the longer and hillier Reflections Loop. It follows the Kicking Horse River upstream before heading up the hill to the Mountain Shadows Bike Park and then to Selkirk Hill Lookout, where you can look down to Reflection Lake.
Enjoy the Views at Mount 7
Best for: Panoramic views, hiking, mountain biking
Time needed: 1 to 4 hours
Since Golden sits in a deep valley, it is surrounded by mountains. One of the closest is Mount 7, named because when the snow melts in the spring, a 7-shaped patch is the last to disappear. The mountain is covered in hiking and mountain biking trails, so you could spend hours exploring.
If you just want to enjoy the view, you can drive all the way to the top in about 30 minutes. The road is gravel and has some steep sections and some bumps (especially around the 7 kilometre mark), but it is usually fine for most cars. I recommend AWD or 4WD, though.
The summit sits at 1940 m and has an insane view of the valley. There is a paraglide launch platform that makes a great viewing deck.
Pro tip: Park just below the summit by the outhouses and then walk up the last few meters. The final stretch to the peak is insanely steep, and parking isn’t allowed at the top.
Things to Do in Yoho National Park
The western edge of Yoho National Park is only 20 minutes from downtown Golden. And the core of the park is only 45 minutes away, making Golden the ideal base for exploring Yoho. I’ve got an entire guide to Yoho National Park for you.
But here are the highlights that you shouldn’t miss if you’re staying in Golden:
Wapta Falls
Best for: A short hike to a huge waterfall
Time needed: 1.5 to 2 hours
Wapta Falls is the closest hike in Yoho National Park to Golden. This waterfall gets overshadowed by more famous spots in Yoho like Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls. But anywhere else, Wapta Falls would be the star attraction. It is over 100 meters wide, and in person it’s overwhelming.
The Kicking Horse River funnels over the falls, churning up lots of mist. There are several viewpoints of the falls from the trail, but for the best views, you should walk across the mud flats at the trail’s end to an island. (Early in the summer and after big rainstorms, the river flows across the flats so you might not be able to get out to the island.)
There is a muddy debris hill in front of the falls that you can climb for a close-up view, as well as a hill on the island a little further back. Both have unmaintained, slippery trails, so be careful.
The hike is 4.4 km round trip and is rated easy. It can be a bit muddy. It’s mostly flat until the descent to river level at the end. The access road to the trailhead is dirt with a few potholes but is fine for all cars if you go slow.
Hoodoo Creek Trail
Best for: A lesser-known hike to spectacular hoodoos in a canyon
Time needed: 2.5 hours
The Hoodoo Creek Trail is another under-the-radar hike on the west side of Yoho National Park near Golden. The trail follows the steep banks of Hoodoo Creek upstream to an area of beautiful hoodoo rock formations. Apparently, these rock pillars were formed by glacial debris and then erosion.
The hike is steep in places since it gains 400 m over the 6.4 km round trip. There are two viewpoints at the end – I thought the upper viewpoint was much more spectacular. If you’ve got kids, pets, or people who don’t like heights with you, this trail might not be the right choice. In many places, it travels next to sheer drop-offs down into the canyon.
Emerald Lake
Best for: An easy hike, views of a gorgeous mountain lake
Time needed: 30 minutes to 2 hours
Emerald Lake is about 45 minutes from Golden. It’s a gorgeous blue-green lake surrounded by mountains and is one of the major sights in Yoho National Park.
You can wander along the lakeshore to viewpoints, rent a canoe, or get coffee at the cafe at the Emerald Lake Lodge. However, if you want to leave the crowds behind a little bit, I recommend hiking the Emerald Lakeshore Trail. It’s flat and takes about 2 hours. The west side is very easy, but the east side is a little rougher and can be muddy.
Pro tip: Parking here can be a nightmare, so I recommend arriving early to get a spot.
Takakkaw Falls
Best for: Easy walk to one of the highest waterfalls in Canada
Time needed: 30 to 45 minutes minutes
At 373 meters tall (1,224 feet), Takakkaw Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in Canada. It is located on Yoho Valley Road about 1 hour from Golden. You can see the falls from a viewing area near the parking lot, but I recommend making the easy walk to the base on the paved trail.
The falls are loud and throw a lot of spray, so bring a rain jacket if you plan to get close.
Pro tip: Parking is also a problem here, so arrive early. As well, I don’t recommend this road if you are driving an RV or a longer vehicle since it has tight switchbacks that you will need to negotiate by doing a three-point turn. Trailers are prohibited on the road.
More Trails in Yoho National Park
Yoho has some of my favourite trails in the Canadian Rockies. I’ve got full details in my Yoho National Park guide. Here are my top picks:
- Emerald Basin: A quiet hike behind Emerald Lake to a glorious basin surrounded by high peaks and glaciers.
- Sherbrooke Lake and Paget Lookout: A less popular hike to a lake and a nearby fire lookout.
- Iceline Trail: A spectacular high elevation hike with great valley and glacier views. You can do it as a long day hike or combine it with other trails to make the Yoho Valley Loop backpacking trip.
- Lake O’Hara: My favourite place in the Rockies. A gorgeous trail network to lakes and viewpoints. Access is via shuttle bus; it is so popular that there is a lottery to ride it. My Lake O’Hara guide has more info.
Things to Do in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is the birthplace of Canadian mountaineering: The Canadian Pacific Railway brought over Swiss guides to take their passengers on hikes starting in the 1880s. The park remains a great place to hike, but most of the terrain is still incredibly steep. The park sits high in the Selkirk Mountains and its eastern edge is about 45 minutes from Golden.
I’ve done a few hikes in the park, but most of them are very long, so I haven’t gotten to all of them yet. Here are a few I recommend:
Bear Creek Falls
Best for: A short hike to a waterfall
Time needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Bear Creek Falls is located on the east side of Glacier National Park, so it is about 50 minutes from Golden. The hike heads steeply downhill from the trailhead, so keep in mind that you’ll have a bit of a slog coming back up.
The falls sit in a narrow canyon and can be very misty, so use caution at the end of the trail since it is muddy and slippery. The trail is about 1 km round trip and gains 80 meters.
Hemlock Grove
Best for: A boardwalk through a rare inland rainforest
Time needed: 15 minutes
I wasn’t expecting to find a temperate rainforest this far inland. The huge cedar and hemlock trees are surrounded by ferns, moss and devil’s club and look far more like the Coast Mountains than the Rockies.
The 350-meter-long loop Hemlock Grove boardwalk leads through groves of trees and has info signs along the way to help you learn about this unique ecosystem. The trailhead is about 1.25 hours from Golden on the west side of Glacier National Park.
Glacier Crest
Best for: A challenging hike to mountain peaks and glaciers
Time needed: 6 hours
Like most of the hikes in Glacier National Park, the hike to Glacier Crest is incredibly steep. The hike is 13.4 km round-trip with a staggering 960 m of elevation. Most of the trail climbs steeply on switchbacks in the forest. But towards the top, the trees thin out, and you start to get views of the surrounding mountains.
The last section is across rocks above the treeline. You’ll get great views of the Asulkan and Illecillewaet Glaciers as well as some spectacular peaks like Mount Sir Donald. Once above the treeline, keep an eye out for pikas. I love these adorable little mountain rodents. They scurry through the rocks collecting grasses and plants to store in their dens for winter.
More Trails in Glacier National Park
Despite driving through it dozens of times on my way to the Rockies, I haven’t done that many hikes in Glacier National Park… yet. Here are a few more favourites that I’ve hiked, plus a few more that are on my bucket list.
- Meeting of the Waters: A short, easy, and flat hike that passes the site of the historic Glacier Lodge and goes to a viewpoint where Asulkan Brook meets the Illecillewaet River.
- Asulkan Valley: A long hike deep into the mountains that ends at an Alpine Club of Canada backcountry cabin.
- Hermit Trail: An incredibly steep and somewhat scrambly hike to an alpine meadow and backcountry campsite.
More Nearby National Parks
Golden is an easy drive to a few more of Canada’s mountain National Parks, so it makes a great base camp for visiting the region. (Plus, staying in Golden is a lot less expensive than accommodations in Banff or Lake Louise.)
Here are three more national parks you can visit from Golden:
- Banff National Park: Golden is 50 minutes from Lake Louise and 1.5 hours from the town of Banff. Famous attractions include Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon, and the Icefields Parkway.
- Kootenay National Park: Golden is 1 hour from both the southern Radium Hot Springs entrance and the northern Castle Junction entrance to Kootenay National Park. Kootenay is quieter than nearby Banff and has one of my favourite backpacking trips, the Rockwall Trail.
- Mount Revelstoke National Park: The east gate of Mount Revelstoke National Park is about 1 hour from Golden. Don’t miss driving the Meadows in the Sky Parkway and the hike to Eva Lake. My Mount Revelstoke National Park guide has more details.
More Outdoor Adventures in Golden
I’ve been to Golden a few times, but I still haven’t done everything. Here are a few things I have bookmarked for next time:
- Whitewater rafting: Rafting on the Kicking Horse River is world-famous and there are several raft companies in town offering both adrenaline-focused and family-friendly trips.
- Columbia wetlands: One of the largest intact wetlands in the world, the Columbia wetlands are known for paddling, fishing, and bird-watching.
- Radium Hot Springs: Located about 1.5 south of Golden in Kootenay National Park, these are one of the few hot springs in Canada that I haven’t visited yet.
- Mountain biking: Golden has tons of mountain biking trails, both at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and on the hills and mountains around town.
Where to Eat in Golden, BC
For a small town, Golden has a surprisingly robust food scene. In addition to the usual pub-style food (which Golden does well), you’ll also find third-wave coffee, authentic Mexican, and a big-city style cocktail bar. Several spots also have great patios to enjoy Golden’s river and mountain views.
Ethos Cafe
Best for: Coffee, pastries
We ended up at Ethos Cafe on most of our mornings in Golden. I’d stopped here once before on a prior trip and was impressed with the coffee and the pastries made in their bakery next door. They also have a small breakfast and lunch menu. Their Breaky Roll breakfast sandwich is honestly one of the best I’ve ever had. Ethos also has a super cute interior.
Golden Bakery and Deli
Best for: Baked goods, sandwiches
Golden Bakery and Deli has been around since 1970. They serve well-executed versions of small-town bakery classics like apple fritters and cinnamon buns. They also have great sandwiches. We swung by a few times to pick up sandwiches for hiking lunches.
Kicking Horse Ice Cream
Best for: Ice cream
Kicking Horse Ice Cream is part of the concession at the Golden Cinema and is open to non-movie going patrons. They serve 24 flavours of hard ice cream from the famous D Dutchman Dairy in Sicamous. It’s very creamy and rich, which I find to be a bit much… but that doesn’t stop me from craving it every once in a while. They also have soft ice cream, floats, milkshakes, and more.
Red Tomato Pies
Best for: Take-out pizza
I hadn’t heard of Red Tomato Pies, but apparently it’s a BC interior chain, originally from Williams Lake. Their pizzas have tons of toppings and, if you’re into that kind of thing, they have innovative fusion-style pizzas like the Cubano with mustard, pulled pork, ham, and pickles or the steak sandwich with garlic butter, mushrooms, green pepper, and steak.
Reposados Tacos y Tequila
Best for: Mexican
Every time I told someone I was going to Golden, they told me I had to eat at Reposados Tacos y Tequila. Like it says in the name, you’ve got to get tacos. They have quite a few different kinds, both with and without meat. You can also get a flight of housemade hot sauces to go with them. They have tons of margaritas on the menu. I opted for a zero-proof version that was made with a pretty convincing non-alcoholic tequila.
The Island
Best for: Made-from-scratch meals, great patio
The Island is located in a log cabin on a small island in the Kicking Horse River. (Although during summer’s low water levels there isn’t any water in the side channel.) Their menu features the usual pizza, pasta and burgers, but they also have some interesting fusion options like elk rissole and braised Asian short ribs. They make most things from scratch. If the weather is nice, ask to sit on their riverside patio.
Turning Point
Best for: Family-style meals, pizza
When we got to Turning Point, everyone else was ordering pizza, so that’s what we did. This place has been open for over 35 years and celebrates local flavours, so they have a few dishes with elk and bison on the menu. In addition to the delicious BBQ chicken pizza, we also had a great elk pasta dish.
The Rockwater Grill & Bar
Best for: Pub food, live music, great patio
Apparently, the Rockwater Grill & Bar is known as one of Golden’s best live music venues. We had no idea, so we just had dinner on their sunny patio and enjoyed watching the Kicking Horse River flow by. They make great burgers, and I loved their yam fries.
The Wolf’s Den
Best for: Comfort food in a historic log building
The Wolf’s Den sits inside an old log building. The interior is covered in money from around the world, thanks to international tourists who leave notes on currency from their home country. The restaurant has a fun vibe and a big outdoor patio. Expect big portions of burgers, steaks, and ribs. My husband got the bison ribs, which were so huge that we could have split them between us and still had leftovers.
Stolen Bell Distillery
Best for: Cocktails, share plates
The interior of the Stolen Bell Distillery is all sleek modern lines and feels like a big city cocktail bar. They serve lots of innovative cocktails using their house-made spirits. They also have a full menu of globally-inspired share plates. We loved the beef tartare and the mushroom calamari.
Where to Stay in Golden
LUSH Mountain Accommodations
Best for: Vacation rentals with kitchens, mountain views, and private hot tubs
On my most recent trip, I spent four nights at one of LUSH Mountain Accommodations‘ condos in the Aspens at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. It’s a 20-minute drive from downtown Golden, which wasn’t that convenient.
However, there were a few things that convinced me this was the perfect place to stay. Firstly, it had incredible mountain views from the patio. We could see the entire Columbia Valley. Secondly, there was a private hot tub on that patio! I was in the hot tub every day after hiking. It was also a great place to watch the sunset.
I also really enjoyed having a kitchen so we could make our own breakfast and prep hiking lunches. The condo is a few blocks from the base of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, so it was nice to leave the car and walk on the day we went up the gondola and visited Boo the grizzly bear.
Travelodge by Wyndham Golden Sportsman Lodge
Best for: Budget hotel with a pool and outdoor areas
On a previous trip, we got rained out of camping (the storm was insane), so we booked a couple of last-minute nights at the motel-style Travelodge by Wyndham Golden Sportsman Lodge since the price was right.
The Travelodge is near Highway 1 just outside of downtown, along with a lot of other hotels. But it is tucked back from the highway so it is much quieter. Our room was clean and recently renovated, if a bit small. The motel has a decent pool with a waterslide and hot tub. They also have a big grassy area with a small playground and an outdoor eating area with mesh screens to keep the mozzies out.
Edelweiss Village & Resort
Best for: A stay at one of Golden’s most iconic properties
Staying at the Edelweiss Village & Resort in Golden is on my bucket list. The six chalets here were built over 100 years ago to house Swiss mountain guides who were brought over to guide tourists in the Canadian Rockies. They were built in a Swiss alpine style to make the guides feel at home.
Today, the chalets have been restored, and you can book them as vacation rentals. They sit on a hillside just outside Golden and have great mountain views of the west side of the valley.
Travel Tips for Visiting Golden
How Many Days Should You Spend in Golden?
If you just want to see the highlights, you should spend 2 days in Golden. If you love hiking and want to visit the nearby national parks, I recommend spending 3 to 7 days here. For hikers, you could stay for a few weeks without running out of excellent trail options.
On my most recent visit, I spent four days in Golden with one day at each of the following spots: Golden Skybridge, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Yoho National Park, and Glacier National Park. I wish I had more time for even more hikes!
When is the Best Time to Visit Golden?
If you’re going to Golden for hiking and outdoor adventures, the best time to visit is late May and early October. That’s when you’ll get the best weather and when summer-only attractions like the Golden Skybridge and alpine hiking at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort will be open. Plus, it’s the only time of year that Boo the grizzly bear is awake – he sleeps all winter!
May, June, September, and October are a little quieter than the peak months of July and August. The spring and fall months are a little less expensive too. However, if you visit in May, September, and October, be prepared for chillier weather, snow high in the mountains, and limited opening hours at some attractions.
I’ve also heard Golden is great in the colder months for skiing and winter adventures since they get lots of snow. But I haven’t been at that time of year… yet!
How Do You Get to Golden?
Golden is located in southeastern British Columbia along Highway 1 (the Trans Canada Highway) just over the BC-Alberta border from Lake Louise and Banff.
Even though it isn’t a major destination, it’s on a busy travel corridor that makes it easy to get to. I usually visit Golden as part of a road trip from Vancouver to Banff and the Canadian Rockies.
Here are some rough driving times between Golden and major Western Canada destinations:
- Lake Louise, AB to Golden, BC: 1 hour
- Banff, AB to Golden, BC: 1.75 hours
- Calgary, AB to Golden, BC: 2.5 hours
- Revelstoke, BC to Golden, BC: 1.5 hours
- Vancouver, BC to Golden, BC: 8 hours
While Golden doesn’t have scheduled flights, you can fly to Calgary. It’s convenient to rent a car there. Calgary also has bus service to Golden via Rider Express or Ebus.
How Do You Get Around Golden?
Downtown Golden is very walkable. You can also use Mount 7 Taxi. Golden does not have Uber.
However, if you plan to go on hikes or explore outside of the town core, you’ll need a car. You can rent a car in Golden, but it’s easier to pick one up at major airports like Calgary or Vancouver.
What is the Weather Like in Golden?
Golden has typical Rocky Mountain weather in summer with warm days and cooler nights. Daytime highs are usually around 20°C to 28°C (68°F to 82°F) and nighttime lows are typically 9°C to 11°C (48°F to 52°F).
Compared to BC’s West Coast, Golden has a drier interior climate, so it doesn’t rain as much and it is rarely muggy. However, since it is surrounded by mountain ranges, the weather can be very changeable and light rain is possible a few days a month.
Cell Service in Golden
There is good cell service in Golden, but once you leave town that changes and you will have no service or bad service on parts of the drive into town and on many of the surrounding hiking trails.
If you have a Canadian cell phone, you’ll get the best service if you are with Telus or Bell (or one of the providers that uses their towers like Koodo, Public Mobile, and Virgin). You will likely have bad signal or no signal if you are with Rogers or one of their partners, including Fido, Chatr, or Videotron.
For international visitors, you’ll be roaming to look for the best signal, which is usually Telus or Bell. If you buy an eSIM, they typically connect to the strongest local signal.
Make sure you look up Google Maps directions in advance and download offline hiking maps from apps like AllTrails or Gaia GPS before you leave town.
Final Thoughts
Now that I’ve spent time in Golden, it’s up there on my list of my favourite mountain towns in British Columbia along with Revelstoke. I like how laid-back it is – staying in Golden is so much more chill than staying in Banff or Canmore! I also love how easy it is to get to so many cool spots from Golden – Kicking Horse is right there, Yoho and Glacier are a short drive away, and the views from town are spectacular.
In the past, I had sped past on the highway and wondered if Golden was worth visiting. After spending four days there, the answer is definitely a yes!
I’d love to go back to Golden to check off some of the things I missed – at the top of my list are whitewater rafting and tons of hikes in Glacier National Park.
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