This Lesser-Known Mountain Town Is Hidden In The Midst Of Canada's Famous National Parks

The Canadian Rockies are world-famous for their stunning landscapes, offering everything from serene nature escapes to high-adrenaline outdoor adventures. The geography holds that juxtaposition and draws people in. Imposing rock walls with snow-capped peaks rise dramatically to create a jagged horizon line. The expansive views of long green valleys, pine-covered slopes, and pristine mountain lakes are remote and serene. The national parks of Canada invite thrill seekers, hikers looking to take it slow and breathe the fresh air, and those looking to do both.

Banff National Park is one of the 12 most beautiful places to visit in Canada. So these days, the area is quite popular. According to Banff and Lake Louise Tourism, there were almost 4 million visitors to Banff in 2024. Moraine Lake is one of the most popular attractions there, and the parking lot can fill up at 6 a.m. in the summer. That shouldn't deter anyone from visiting this breathtaking area. It just might be wise to look deeper to find lesser-known spots in the midst of Canada's famous national parks for some balance. There's plenty to see and do while avoiding crowds.

One such place is the town of Golden, British Columbia, nestled in a valley within reach of many national parks. Andy Brown, communications manager for Tourism Golden, told National Geographic, "It's a real authentic town and not one that attracts busloads of tourists." With skiing, hiking, rafting, and much more, a stay in Golden offers all the natural wonders of the Canadian Rockies with the relaxed charm of a small town.

Golden was built at the confluence of the Columbia and Kicking Horse rivers. It's hidden in the long, deep valley of the Rocky Mountain Trench — also called the "Valley of a Thousand Peaks." A small town tucked away in the mountains, the best way to get there is by car — one could take an epic road trip that covers the most breathtaking Canadian national parks. Golden is a three-hour drive from Calgary International Airport, around nine hours from Vancouver, or a six-hour jaunt from Spokane, Washington. Naturally, all of those drive times are subject to weather, traffic, and driving conditions.

Once in Golden, the options in Canada's famous mountainous national parks are near limitless. Banff, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke, and Yoho national parks are all reachable in about two hours – that's four world-class parks if you're counting. Each could easily deserve its own proper vacation with ample outdoor adventure opportunities in any season. Yoho, a breathtaking national park too many people skip, is the closest and only 20 minutes away from Golden. It has hiking trails for all levels, the stunning Emerald Lake, and exceptional cascades like Wapta Falls and Takakkaw Falls — the second-highest in Canada.

Despite being a small town, Golden has accommodation options for visitors looking for first-class luxury or a more rustic, under-the-stars experience. There are numerous private cabins available, many boasting hot tubs and snow-peaked mountain views. Lodges with resort vibes can be booked that are within walking distance from the gondola at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. There are campgrounds with varying levels of amenities, and even a camping spot with decked-out vintage VW buses serving as "cabins."

Golden is a lesser-known but ideally located pivot point for exploring Canada's famous national parks in the Rockies. The town itself, however, should not be overlooked. It's punching way above its weight when it comes to variety and number of activities for all vacationers. The aforementioned Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden has some of Canada's highest-quality snow in the winter. In other seasons, visitors can take its gondola up to 8,000 feet for unforgettable views. Local bear, Boo, can often be spotted during the ride. The resort also has one of Canada's only via ferrata courses, a beginner-friendly climbing route that has various iron rungs, ladders, and bridges for users to navigate while safely attached to a steel cable.

Winter in Golden is full of skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, ice climbing, cross-country skiing, and more. When the snow melts, the action continues with activities like white water rafting. There are also more relaxed canoeing and kayaking excursions. The town has many mapped-out hiking routes, horseback riding, fishing, and wildlife watching opportunities. It also boasts Canada's highest suspension bridge, the Golden Skybridge, which gives unmatched views of the Columbia Valley below.

When the conditions are right, visitors could even enjoy ski touring in the high alpine and golfing on the same day. The evening could then be spent relaxing to some live music and great food at one of Golden's many restaurants, like the Rockwater Grill and Bar. The Golden Tourism page has a trip planner tool and a variety of itinerary ideas worth checking out. In the Canadian Rockies, there's plenty to do no matter the season, even in a small town like Golden.