With a staggering six national parks and the confluence of the Kicking Horse and Columbia Rivers on its doorstep, Golden, B.C. is the ultimate outdoor playground in every season and a favourite getaway for families thanks to the dizzying variety of activities to suit all ages.
Mountain coasters, ziplines, whitewater rafting, bear and wolf encounters are just some of the attractions on tap in this alpine town, along with quirky claims to fame like a replica Swiss village and being home to Canada’s highest suspension bridges as well as the longest freestanding timber frame bridge.
From thrilling bungee-jump-like swings to waterfall walks, here are some of the best family-friendly adventures in Golden, B.C.
Golden Skybridge
While the duo of record-setting suspension bridges are the main draw at the Golden Skybridge, this spot on the outskirts of town should actually be named something like ‘The Golden Adventure Park’ as there’s so much more to experience here.
Families could easily spend an entire day checking out all the activities like scaling the 28-foot high climbing wall, axe throwing and the Canyon Edge Challenge which is like an elevated obstacle course.
There’s also a Treetop Village, a toddler play park, food trucks, washrooms with changing stations, viewpoints for photo-ops and the 1.3 kilometre Canyon Trail which takes about an hour to complete.
The park is built in a circuit, so guests cross the Upper Skybridge (150 metres long, 140 metres high) first, then head back across the Lower Skybridge (140 metres long, 80 metres high).
From the sky-high perches, guests can soak up views of the townsite, Kicking Horse River and Hospital Creek Falls, a 61 metre tall waterfall.
Pursuit Collection did a fantastic job designing the park, with a series of interpretive signs featuring tidbits and trivia about the area, like how the town was named (not to be outdone by a nearby lumber camp named ‘Silver City’, early settlers named their home ‘Golden City’ in 1884, which was eventually shortened to Golden.)
Up for more of a thrill? Clip into the Sky Zipline and zoom 1,000 feet across the canyon; up to four riders can be accommodated at once, so the whole family can race across together.
Daredevils will want to try out the Giant Canyon Swing, which is like a combination of a swing and a bungee jump where adventure-seekers strap into a harness then free fall over the canyon’s edge.
The first few seconds are heart racing, then the experience actually becomes quite relaxing as the bungee cord safely swings guests above the canyon.
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The Railrider Mountain Coaster was inspired by Golden’s railway history and starts with a slow ascent up the track, and when the coaster gets to the top that’s when the fun begins.
Riders control their own speed while whizzing through the forested, 1,029 metre long track, dropping 73 metres as it winds through the trees. It took me just over a minute to get down (yes, I timed it!), and the short-but-sweet experience has plenty of fun twists and turns.
Globe Guide tip: Visiting with a little one? Children must be at least three-years-old to ride (accompanied by an adult). Families visiting with even younger children can trade them off at the entrance since the coaster starts and ends at the same spot, so both parents can enjoy a ride without taking too much extra time.
Reserve tickets on Viator
Hiking in Golden
The possibilities for hiking in and around Golden are endless, with everything from casual waterfront walks to multi-day trips into the backcountry through the Purcell and Selkirk Mountain ranges and along the Continental Divide.
Parks Canada offers guided hikes to learn about the UNESCO-designated Burgess Shale fossils (and hold them in your hand!), and there are lots of family-friendly trails with big rewards for very little effort. Some of the best are:
Wapta Falls
This impressive trail delivers some jaw-dropping sites with minimal work, making it perfect for families with little ones in tow (budget 1-2 hours). The trailhead is a half hour drive southeast of Golden, with very little incline along a dirt path to get to the first lookout point staring down at the thundering falls.
From there, hikers head down a steeper path of switchbacks to a lower viewpoint, then can continue all the way down to the basin and scramble around the rocks and pools for unique vantage points of the falls.
Takakkaw Falls
Takakkaw means ‘magnificent’ in the Cree language, and this breathtaking cascade lives up to its name. The glacier-fed falls are part of the Wapiutik Icefield in Yoho National Park about one hour from Golden, and at 254 metres high it’s the second tallest in Canada.
Takakkaw Falls are accessed via a short, paved path and only takes about half an hour round trip.
The Emerald Lake Loop
This spectacular 5.2 kilometre trail circles the iconic Emerald Lake waterfront along a mostly-flat dirt pathway, starting from the Emerald Lake Lodge. The reflections are surreal, you’ll get to see the mountain ranges from different angles along the way, and it’s an easy, family-friendly walk that only takes about 90 minutes.
Globe Guide tip: Rent a canoe to head out on the gem-toned water, which costs $100/hour.
The Natural Bridge
It’s not a hike, but if you’re already going to Emerald Lake it’s worth a quick stop at The Natural Bridge just down the road to admire these impressive rock formations and pools spanning the Kicking Horse River.
Be sure to check out this great resource from Tourism Golden for more hiking ideas, ranked by time and difficulty.
Wildlife encounters
You don’t have to head into the backcountry to see wildlife up close in Golden: birds, bears, buffalo and wolves can safely be seen right around town, much to the delight of little ones.
Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge
Meet Boo the Bear at the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, where a griz happily forages, explores, hunts and plays in a 20 acre mountain habitat. Guests can sign up for interpretive tours to learn about grizzly bear behaviour, and watch Boo go about his daily routine.
There’s also a Ranger Assist Program, a two-hour experience offering a behind-the-scenes view of operations at the refuge.
Globe Guide tip: Interpretive tours are held three times per day, but since bears are most active during cool mornings the 10 AM slot usually makes for the best viewing.
Columbia Wetlands Outpost
Birders will want to head to the Columbia Wetlands, which are among the largest protected wetlands in North America and home to hundreds of bird, animal and fish species. Keep an eye out for osprey and eagles while walking along the tranquil boardwalk, or glide along the water during a self-guided canoe, kayak, peddle boat or stand up paddle board outing.
Families with little, less-confident paddlers can rent an e-canoe, or stick to the tranquil waters of the Loon Lagoon.
Buffalo Tours at The Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch
Learn about buffalo history and behaviour at this ranch along the Blaeberry River, which offers daily tours in summer. Tours are hosted by Leo Downey, a pro musician who gave up the spotlight after being called back to nature, and eventually settled near Golden where he and his wife began raising their family along with a herd of buffalo.
The Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch has guesthouses and cabins on site, but you don’t need to be staying overnight to enjoy the tours and see the buffalo roam, learn about traditional fire making and meet Chester Junior, a 2,200 pound buffalo.
Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre
If you’ve ever dreamed of walking with wolves, Golden is the place to do it.
The Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre was started in 1998 by a couple working in the film industry, who were concerned about Hollywood’s negative portrayal of wolves. They founded the non-profit to help educate the public about behaviour, conservation and why they’re so critical to the ecosystem of national parks.
There are currently six grey wolves living on the property; the average life expectancy in the wild is only 3-6 years, while those at the centre have an average life span of 12-15 years.
Staff lead 30 minute tours throughout the day, and if you time your visit for feeding time you’ll get to see firsthand where the phrase “wolfing down your food” came from.
Travelling with teens? Guests age 16 and up can sign up for a Walk with Wolves, a leisurely 90 minute walk in the Blaeberry Valley accompanied by one of the docile wolves–yes, you can even pet them.
Note: Credit cards are not accepted, so bring cash or use the on-site ATM. The Walk With Wolves experience must be reserved at least one week in advance.
Explore downtown Golden
Being on the confluence of two rivers, Golden has a thing for bridges. The most notable one is the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge, which has been standing for more than two decades and is the crown of downtown.
With bragging rights as the longest covered freestanding timber frame bridge in Canada, the superstructure weighs about 210,000 pounds and was constructed from 72,000 feet of Douglas fir timbers. This popular photo-spot connects the downtown river pathway with part of the 16-kilometre-long Golden Rotary Trails, which are ideal for family walks and bike rides.
Some of my favourite spots in downtown Golden are:
Bonafide Boutique
One could be tempted to spend a full month’s mortgage payment in this store, as their beautiful collections of high-quality women’s clothing, baby wear and home goods are so thoughtfully curated and unique.
Whitetooth Brewing Co.
Rainy day? No problem: head into Whitetooth Brewing Company, which welcomes kids from 12-4 PM everyday. In fact, their tasting room is so family-friendly that when we went in every other table had at least one kid at it.
Established in 2016, this local favourite crafts Belgian-inspired and West Coast influenced small batch beers. Sample their suds by ordering one of their generously-poured tasting flights, and watch the action happening in the adjoining production area.
Reposados Tacos
Did someone say Taco Tuesday? Repsados’ sun-soaked patio in the heart of downtown is a fun spot for people watching, sipping creative cocktails like strawberry hibiscus margs and noshing on their fantastic (and vegan friendly) tacos and burritos. Don’t forget to save room for churros paired with an addictive dulce de leche sauce.
Ethos Cafe
Another great patio spot, Ethos Cafe is beloved for its cool boho decor, elevated coffee bar and dishes served on fresh-baked bread from the adjoining bakery. There’s indoor seating in both venues, and this is the perfect place to pick up a loaf or dessert to go.
Four Points Books
Duck into this cozy, family-owned independent bookstore which stocks stationary, guidebooks, bestsellers and the classics, then head upstairs to Bacchus Cafe for hearty soups and fresh-made sandwiches.
Whitewater rafting
Ready to get wet? Golden is one of the best places in Canada for whitewater rafting, and the turquoise waters of the mighty Kicking Horse River serve up everything from scenic floats to churning Class IV rapids.
Glacier Raft Company, Wild Water Adventures, Kootenay River Runners and Hydra River Guides all run tours on the waterway, offering a variety of gentle family-friendly rides, kayaking, whitewater tours and even heli-rafting trips.
Book rafting in Golden, BC with GetYourGuide
More things to do in Golden during summer
- Golden Golf Club: This 18-hole course has a phenomenal mountain backdrop, and a mini golf course where the whole family can practice their putts.
- Paragliding: Golden’s topography of rivers, a wide valley and trio of mountain ranges makes for incredible paragliding conditions, and Mount 7 is ranked as a world-class gliding destination. Book a tandem experience with Altitude Adventures or Golden Tandem Paragliding for a birds-eye view from 6300 feet above ground. Age and weight requirements vary by provider.
- ATV tours: All ages and skill levels are welcome at Canadian Off-Road Adventures, which leads guided ATV tours through the rugged terrain of the Purcell Mountains.
Family-friendly accommodation in Golden
While there are a handful of chain hotels, where Golden really shines is its unique accommodations that are perfect for groups and families.
Tiny homes, glamping domes, yurts, timber-framed lodges, vacation homes, off-grid cabins and even a restored train caboose are just some of the spots for an overnight stay, and many come with their own hot tubs or saunas.
A few worth checking out are:
CABN Golden
This impressive duo of A-frame, Scandinavian-inspired cabins are nestled in a forest on the banks of the Blaeberry River about 15 minutes from downtown Golden, making CABN the ultimate getaway for families looking to unwind in scenic surroundings.
While styled slightly differently, each cabin has a primary bedroom with a King bed, a separate bedroom upstairs that sleeps two, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, living area with fireplace, laundry, storage room and outdoor deck overlooking the water with a barbecue.
Massive windows let the sunlight stream through, and each home has its own private, separate sauna room with rainfall shower.
Essential oils and cushy robes are thoughtfully provided to make it feel like the ultimate spa experience, which is especially tranquil in the evening while watching the sunset through the large window.
While the cabins are about 100 feet apart and built for privacy, they can also be rented out together which would be an amazing setup for a couple of families travelling together.
Globe Guide note: CABN provides pack ‘n plays and high chairs upon request. The stairs to get up to the loft are very steep, so it may be worth bringing a safety gate to block it off from younger guests.
Golden Tiny Homes
Soak in views of the Purcell Mountains from these tiny homes just a short drive from town, which each have a queen bed, pullout couch, full kitchen and bathroom.
There are three on the secluded property which makes this ideal for groups to do a buyout, especially since there’s a shared treetop sauna and hot tub.
Edelweiss Village + Resort
In the early 1900s, Swiss guides were hired by the railroad to encourage more tourism in this area, and a cluster of Swiss-style chalets were built on the hillside overlooking town to make them feel more at home.
They’ve all been beautifully restored, and are available to book year-round with some accommodating up to seven guests.
This article is presented in partnership with Tourism Golden. As always, hosts have no editorial influence.
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