Over the years though we've started to see Golden as a destination in and of itself with world class mountain bike trails, opportunities for hiking and water sports, and adventure around every corner!
This guide focuses on Golden in the summer season, but you won't be disappointed in a winter ski/snowboard visit to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort either.
The Town of Golden is located in SE British Columbia, approximately 250 km west of Calgary. It's often used as an overnight stop for travelers making their way to Vancouver, 700 kilometres to the west.
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| Family Adventure Bucket List for Golden, BC |
Golden as a Destination!
The Town of Golden is located in SE British Columbia, approximately 250 km west of Calgary. It's often used as an overnight stop for travelers making their way to Vancouver, 700 kilometres to the west.
It takes approximately 3 hours to drive to Golden from Calgary, and my family has traditionally been well acquainted with the motels and roadside campgrounds in town, frequently pulling in for a night on our way out west. Beyond that though, we'd never really thought much about spending an entire weekend in Golden. It was never a "destination" for us.
This started to change for me though when I visited Golden for a guided Via Ferrata climbing tour at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Golden was actually our destination for that trip, and even though we only spent one night in town, we didn't drive any further. My friend and I actually drove to Golden because we wanted to visit Golden!
This started to change for me though when I visited Golden for a guided Via Ferrata climbing tour at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Golden was actually our destination for that trip, and even though we only spent one night in town, we didn't drive any further. My friend and I actually drove to Golden because we wanted to visit Golden!
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| Doesn't this look awesome?!! (Kicking Horse Via Ferrata) |
My family then returned to spend a weekend in Golden and once again I was made aware that Golden is so much more than a "refueling stop," more than a quick overnight stay on the way to the coast, and much more than the highway you see driving through town.
Check out my summer "adventure bucket list" below, and visit the Tourism Golden website for a complete guide to the area.
This guide was originally created in 2018, but has been updated to include more adventure activities in Golden as of 2025.
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| No trip is complete without stopping at the Golden Skybridge! |
Top "Must Do" Summer Activities in Golden, BC
1. Say hi to Boo, the resident grizzly bear, at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Boo lives in the "largest enclosed and protected grizzly bear habitat in the world" and you'll get to enjoy a scenic chairlift ride to access the grizzly bear refuge at the resort at the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
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| Meet Boo in his wildlife refuge in Golden (Photo credit: Kicking Horse Mountain Resort) |
2. Climb to the top of Terminator Peak at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Reaching the top of Terminator Peak requires a short 1-2 hour hike that most families will enjoy. The trailhead is accessed by gondola where you'll do most of your height gain for the day.
And if you have teenagers in the family you can try the guided Via Ferrata climbing adventure. The minimum age is 12 years old, and the minimum weight is 40kg (88lbs.)
Read about my experience on the Via Ferrata here: Epic Climbing on the Kicking Horse Via Ferrata
Note for 2025, the Golden Eagle Express Gondola is out of service. There is no access to the top of the mountain for hiking, mountain biking, or for the via ferrata.
The lower mountain is still open to access the Grizzly Bear Refuge or to hike/bike the lower trails via the Catamount Chairlift.
Definitely one of the only lift-accessed disc golf courses in the Canadian Rockies. Ride the scenic Catamount chairlift and then play a round of disc golf as you hike back down to the bottom of the resort.
This activity makes for a great addition to the grizzly bear refuge tour since you'll be riding the same chairlift.
Enjoy the thrill of downhill mountain biking with none of the work climbing up the mountain first! Sounds pretty good, right? And don't worry if you aren't the most "experienced" rider because there is a good selection of trails for all abilities. The resort also rents bikes and protective gear to keep you safe.
The Columbia River gently winds its way through Golden and "is home to the largest intact wetlands in North America." - Tourism Golden.
My family loves kayaking and stand up paddleboarding down this river and has done numerous day trips through the Columbia Valley as well as a couple of overnight trips where we camped alongside the river on a beautiful beach.
Start at the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge downtown Golden (the longest timber-frame, covered pedestrian bridge in Canada) and hop on the family-friendly rotary trail for a leisurely ride around town with the kids. The Rotary Loop is a 7 km long wide gravel pathway that circles the town. It is chariot-friendly and great for novice riders.
Along your way, stop at the town pump track and skills park located behind the Mt. 7 Rec Plex, visit the skate park next door, or stop in for a swim at the outdoor pool.
Warm up with a couple family practice loops on "Bush Party," part of the Mountain Shadows Trail Network, and then move over to the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) Trails for some smooth, fast singletrack excitement off the CBT Mainline Trail. My son especially loved the "Mighty Quinn Trail."
There are at least 5 different companies operating rafting tours on the wild and adventurous Kicking Horse River, so choose one that offers a tour your family would enjoy, and discover why this river has been named "one of the wildest and most intense recreational waterways in Canada."
And don't worry if you've never tried whitewater rafting before because there are many different kinds of tours available in Golden. Family float trips focus on safety and a gentle introduction to the river, some trips suitable for children as young as 4 years old.
On one of our hosted trips to Golden we spent two nights at the Kicking Horse Kabins just outside Golden in the Blaeberry Valley. It was approximately a 20 minute drive from Golden so we made sure that when we left our house Saturday morning, we had everything we'd need until we returned for dinner that evening.
We loved our accommodations with the highlights below:
We had a large house all to ourselves. Our cabin had three bedrooms upstairs (we only used two of them,) a comfortable living area on the main area, a very large dining room table (perfect if you're sharing the house with another family,) and a small kitchen that had everything we needed to cook our own meals.
We had a barbecue outside as well which was great for an easy dinner. We just picked up some steaks and corn in town, and that was our evening meal.
We loved the outdoor hot tub - that again, we had all to ourselves since it was a private house rental. The hot tub was located right outside the back deck and was protected by the large awning on the house, keeping us, the patio furniture, and the barbecue dry in case it rained - which it did.
We loved the farm atmosphere - There was nothing around our house except for other farms and acreages. It was very quiet and we didn't have to worry about loud neighbors partying in a hotel room beside us.
We got to listen to wolves howling at night - There's a nearby Wolf sanctuary and we got to listen to the wolves barking and howling every evening. That was probably one of the biggest highlights to staying at the Kicking Horse Kabins.
The cabin would be great with another family - With three bedrooms upstairs, and a pull out sofa, there was plenty of room for two families. It would be a great place to stay in summer or winter, and I've already got my eye on the place for a winter ski trip.
There was also a fire pit in the backyard which would have been a great way to spend the evening with friends after the kids were in bed.
The food!!! - Owner, Karen Breedon, lives in the house behind the rental cabin (across a large field in case you're wondering about privacy, and she brought us fresh breakfast ingredients each day along with a freshly baked decadent dessert Saturday night. She would have brought us homemade pizza Friday night too but we didn't arrive in time.
Meals can be added on to all stays, and I highly recommend taking advantage of Karen's home cooking. We had freshly baked bread, muffins, cookies, and other goodies, enjoyed farm fresh eggs, bacon, and sausages, homemade buttermilk pancake mix, and condiments as necessary to enjoy our breakfasts.
The meals definitely take this lodging up a notch and set it apart from the other rental options in Golden.
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| Climbing Terminator Peak on the Via Ferrata Climbing Route |
3. Try the disc golf course at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Definitely one of the only lift-accessed disc golf courses in the Canadian Rockies. Ride the scenic Catamount chairlift and then play a round of disc golf as you hike back down to the bottom of the resort.
This activity makes for a great addition to the grizzly bear refuge tour since you'll be riding the same chairlift.
Note to access the course you need to purchase a Grizzly Bear Refuge ticket or Adventure Pass ticket and then ride the Catamount Chair to mid-station
Ride the gondola to the top of the mountain and then enjoy a decadent lunch at the Eagle's Eye Restaurant, "Canada's most elevated dining experience."
You can go for a short hike while you're there as well and marvel in the views of the Columbia Valley spread out below you.
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| Ride a chairlift up the mountain and then play disc golf as you hike back down |
4. Have lunch on top of a mountain at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Ride the gondola to the top of the mountain and then enjoy a decadent lunch at the Eagle's Eye Restaurant, "Canada's most elevated dining experience."
You can go for a short hike while you're there as well and marvel in the views of the Columbia Valley spread out below you.
Note for 2025, the Golden Eagle Express Gondola is out of service. There is no access to the top of the mountain.
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| Stand on top of the world at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort |
5. Try downhill lift-accessed mountain biking at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Enjoy the thrill of downhill mountain biking with none of the work climbing up the mountain first! Sounds pretty good, right? And don't worry if you aren't the most "experienced" rider because there is a good selection of trails for all abilities. The resort also rents bikes and protective gear to keep you safe.
Note for 2025, the Golden Eagle Express Gondola is out of service. There is no access to the top of the mountain for mountain biking.
The lower mountain is still open to ride the lower trails via the Catamount Chairlift.
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| Mountain biking at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (photo credit: Dave Best / Tourism Golden) |
6. Visit the Golden Skybridge for a full day of adventure!
The Golden Skybridge is home to Canada’s highest suspension bridges! And while there are many activities at the park, it is most known for its two suspension bridges which cross a large canyon in a scenic loop. The tallest bridge is 130 metres high and 150 metres long!
You can purchase a bridge pass for a quick visit, but I recommend adventure passes which include basic bridge admission, one ride on the Railrider Mountain Coaster and the Sky Ziplines, and admission to the Canyon Edge Challenge Course (a tree-top aerial park with 4 separate courses.) The coaster was a blast, and the aerial park was one of the best I've tried!
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| Walking across Canada's highest suspension bridge! |
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| The tree-top challenger course was very thrilling! |
Other activities in the park include a climbing wall, axe throwing, and children’s adventure playgrounds (included with admission if you have little ones with you.) There's also a giant canyon swing that comes at an additional price for thrill seekers out there.
And, bonus if you visit on a Saturday this summer: Stay into the evening and attend the Summer Concert Series, free with admission in the main plaza. Food is available for purchase as well, so for us, it was perfect! We parked our trailer next door at the Thousand Peaks Resort, walked next door to the park, tried the different activities, and then enjoyed burgers while listening to live music.
Visit the Golden Skybridge website for more information on the park.
And if you want to camp next door to the park so that you can be there first thing in the morning to take advantage of a discounted early riser adventure pass, visit the Thousand Peaks Resort website.
This quiet brand new campground has large spacious sites with power + water as well as full hook-up sites. They also have unserviced campsites for tents. Free showers, Wi-Fi, and campfires allowed. Book online.
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| Conquering fears on the Challenger Course |
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| Everybody loves a mountain coaster! |
7. Explore the Columbia River by canoe, kayak, or stand up paddleboard
The Columbia River gently winds its way through Golden and "is home to the largest intact wetlands in North America." - Tourism Golden.
My family loves kayaking and stand up paddleboarding down this river and has done numerous day trips through the Columbia Valley as well as a couple of overnight trips where we camped alongside the river on a beautiful beach.
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| Peaceful paddling on the Columbia River |
8. Bike the family-friendly Rotary Trail around town
Start at the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge downtown Golden (the longest timber-frame, covered pedestrian bridge in Canada) and hop on the family-friendly rotary trail for a leisurely ride around town with the kids. The Rotary Loop is a 7 km long wide gravel pathway that circles the town. It is chariot-friendly and great for novice riders.
Along your way, stop at the town pump track and skills park located behind the Mt. 7 Rec Plex, visit the skate park next door, or stop in for a swim at the outdoor pool.
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| The asphalt pump track downtown Golden |
9. Explore the cross country mountain bike trails around town
Warm up with a couple family practice loops on "Bush Party," part of the Mountain Shadows Trail Network, and then move over to the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) Trails for some smooth, fast singletrack excitement off the CBT Mainline Trail. My son especially loved the "Mighty Quinn Trail."
Other resources for mountain biking can be found here:
Tourism Golden's guide to mountain biking
Regardless of which trails you try, make lots of noise. We've had numerous bear sightings on the trails in Golden over the years.
And for some fun downhill biking, try shuttling the family on Mount 7 where you might get to see paragliders take off from the launch site. My son loves the "Schacher Trail" which starts from the launch site and descends 1200 metres. For a pleasurable experience (without climbing the trail first) you'll need an adult who can drive down to the bottom while a second adult rides down with the kids.
Regardless of which trails you try, make lots of noise. We've had numerous bear sightings on the trails in Golden over the years.
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| Mountain biking on the CBT Trail Network in Golden |
And for some fun downhill biking, try shuttling the family on Mount 7 where you might get to see paragliders take off from the launch site. My son loves the "Schacher Trail" which starts from the launch site and descends 1200 metres. For a pleasurable experience (without climbing the trail first) you'll need an adult who can drive down to the bottom while a second adult rides down with the kids.
This ride is rated intermediate but I would recommend it for strong youth who can handle a lot of berms and tight switchbacks. You'll have hundreds of them as you make your way down.
Park at Reflection Lake to wait for your riders at the bottom. And for the riders, when the Schacher ends, hop on "Wood Lot" and "Premature" to reach Reflection Lake.
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| Standing on the launch pad on the Summit of Mount 7 above Golden |
10. Try Rafting on the Kicking Horse River
There are at least 5 different companies operating rafting tours on the wild and adventurous Kicking Horse River, so choose one that offers a tour your family would enjoy, and discover why this river has been named "one of the wildest and most intense recreational waterways in Canada."
And don't worry if you've never tried whitewater rafting before because there are many different kinds of tours available in Golden. Family float trips focus on safety and a gentle introduction to the river, some trips suitable for children as young as 4 years old.
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| Rafting on the Kicking Horse River (photo: Alpine Rafting) |
Other Activities to Try Near Golden
- Visit the Northern Lights Wolf Centre outside Golden
- Enjoy a restful beach day at Cedar Lake (perfect for a calm paddle, swimming, or playing in the sand)
- Visit the Dogtooth Indoor Climbing Gym (Perfect for a rainy day in Golden or if you just need a break from the sun)
- Take a day trip to Glacier National Park (located between Golden and Revelstoke) - and this would be the Canadian park (not to be confused with the American one by the same name.) - Hiking trails in Glacier National Park can be found here.
- Take a day trip into Yoho National Park (located between Lake Louise and Golden.) Hike to Wapta Falls, drive up to Takakkaw Falls, hike to Laughing Falls from the Takakkaw Falls parking lot, or visit Emerald Lake where you can rent a boat and paddle on the pristine emerald colored lake, or take a walk around the lakeshore.
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| Asulkan Valley Hiking Trail, Glacier National Park |
Where to Stay in Golden
On one of our hosted trips to Golden we spent two nights at the Kicking Horse Kabins just outside Golden in the Blaeberry Valley. It was approximately a 20 minute drive from Golden so we made sure that when we left our house Saturday morning, we had everything we'd need until we returned for dinner that evening.
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| Our accommodations in Golden, the Kicking Horse Kabins |
We loved our accommodations with the highlights below:
We had a large house all to ourselves. Our cabin had three bedrooms upstairs (we only used two of them,) a comfortable living area on the main area, a very large dining room table (perfect if you're sharing the house with another family,) and a small kitchen that had everything we needed to cook our own meals.
We had a barbecue outside as well which was great for an easy dinner. We just picked up some steaks and corn in town, and that was our evening meal.
We loved the outdoor hot tub - that again, we had all to ourselves since it was a private house rental. The hot tub was located right outside the back deck and was protected by the large awning on the house, keeping us, the patio furniture, and the barbecue dry in case it rained - which it did.
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| Backyard with hot tub, barbecue, and private deck |
We loved the farm atmosphere - There was nothing around our house except for other farms and acreages. It was very quiet and we didn't have to worry about loud neighbors partying in a hotel room beside us.
We got to listen to wolves howling at night - There's a nearby Wolf sanctuary and we got to listen to the wolves barking and howling every evening. That was probably one of the biggest highlights to staying at the Kicking Horse Kabins.
The cabin would be great with another family - With three bedrooms upstairs, and a pull out sofa, there was plenty of room for two families. It would be a great place to stay in summer or winter, and I've already got my eye on the place for a winter ski trip.
There was also a fire pit in the backyard which would have been a great way to spend the evening with friends after the kids were in bed.
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| Cozy living area in our cabin |
The food!!! - Owner, Karen Breedon, lives in the house behind the rental cabin (across a large field in case you're wondering about privacy, and she brought us fresh breakfast ingredients each day along with a freshly baked decadent dessert Saturday night. She would have brought us homemade pizza Friday night too but we didn't arrive in time.
Meals can be added on to all stays, and I highly recommend taking advantage of Karen's home cooking. We had freshly baked bread, muffins, cookies, and other goodies, enjoyed farm fresh eggs, bacon, and sausages, homemade buttermilk pancake mix, and condiments as necessary to enjoy our breakfasts.
The meals definitely take this lodging up a notch and set it apart from the other rental options in Golden.
Thanks to Tourism Golden for sponsoring this trip to Golden and for Karen's hospitality at the Kicking Horse Kabins.
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| Space for friends |
Visit the Tourism Golden website for more lodging options.
Disclaimer: Some of the activities in this guide were sponsored by Tourism Golden, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, and Pursuit Banff Jasper Collection / The Golden Skybridge. As always, all opinions are my own and I was not paid to write this guide.
Sounds like a perfect mountain adventure vacation! With so much to do, I think we could spend a month there and never get bored :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so awesome!
ReplyDelete