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Golden, BC has endless opportunities when it comes to planning your family vacation.
If you’re looking for lots of adventure, or a relaxing way to spend an afternoon, you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for.
To make your job easier, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 Best Family Friendly Activities in Golden BC. They’re suitable for kids of all ages and here they are.
Family-friendly rafting in Golden, BC
The Kicking Horse is a beautiful river that flows through Yoho National Park and works its way to Golden B.C.
The Family Tour rafts the Upper Canyon of the Kicking Horse River. It’s a 14 km stretch that’s mostly calm with a few splashes throughout. We like to call it a fast paced float.
It’s suitable for children as young as 4 years old, and is the perfect introduction to river rafting.
The Family Rafting Tours start in Yoho National Park. The scenery is stunning with wide open valleys, big mountain views and a clear, meandering glacial river.
The Family Rafting Trip also includes a big riverside BBQ lunch. With 6 options from the grill, as well as a buffet of sides and salads, there are options for everyone – even the pickiest of eaters!
Trips run daily from mid May – mid September, and they go from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Click HERE to learn more about Family Rafting, or to book your seats.
** If you have older children and would like a trip with more excitement, there are other options. The minimum age is 12 and 90 lbs and we recommend either a Full Day Rafting Tour or Half Day Rafting Tour.
New in 2019, Golden now has its very own mini golf course!
Located at the Golden Golf Club, it’s 18 holes of fun for the whole family. The course winds through the mature trees behind the clubhouse.
Putter rentals are included in the fee, and there’s individual or family pricing. Each player also receives a logo’d golf ball.
There are endless options for hiking and walking trails around Golden. Depending how ambitious your family wants to be, there are many hikes in the 6 National Parks that surround Golden.
There are several options closer to town, as well. The Moonrakers offer a huge network of trails through the forest and past a couple swimming lakes (see #7 below for more info on swimming).
A few other short day hikes we like are Thompson Falls, Wapta Falls or Gorman Lake (Gorman is the longest of the three).
The Rotary Trail is a gentle walking trail through the town of Golden. It runs along the Kicking Horse River and if you follow it up behind town, you’ll end up at the Frisbee Golf Course. A perfect segway to suggestion #4.
Disc golf is way more fun than you might think.
Golden has a new disc golf course right in town and it’s set in a sparsely treed forest that is very easy to walk around in. Our favourite time to play is about 2 hours before sunset. The area glows and feels nice and warm as you walk around the course with your family or friends.
Discs are cheap and you can pick some up from local sports shops in town if you don’t have your own. This is a great way to spend even more time out in nature. You won’t regret it!
If you’re the type of family that likes getting off the beaten path to explore on your own, renting inflatable kayaks will give you the freedom to do so.
There are many lakes surrounding Golden and we can help direct you to the best spot.
All the kayaks are two person inflatables, so they’re sturdy and can take multiple people. Younger children who can’t go on their own will have a comfortable seat up front. They can paddle a bit if they want to, but all navigating can be done by the paddler in the back.
Lay back and float on a lake, taking in the mountain views with some yummy snacks and drinks. Getting out on an inflatable kayak will be a day that makes your kids smile.
Click HERE to learn more about kayak rentals, or to reserve yours now.
Cedar Lake is Golden’s local swimming hole. Located halfway up the road to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Cedar is an awesome spot to cool off on a hot summer day.
We love heading up there to relax in the sun, and in addition to swimming it’s the trailhead of the Moonraker Network. The Moonrakers have over 50 km of walking, running and mountain bike trails.
The Rec Site has 22 campsites, so there’s the option to base yourself from here, as well.
If you have floaties, SUPs or inflatable kayaks, Cedar Lake is the perfect spot to play in the water.
To get there, you’ll wind up Kicking Horse Trail for roughly 10 minutes. You’ll see a road on the left for Cedar Lake Forest Service Road. Turn there and you’ll end up at the lake.
Hop on a bike and pedal your way around Golden. You can rent cruisers to explore town, or mountain bikes to explore the trails.
Bush Party is an awesome gentle trail for little ones who are just learning to ride. It’s a 1.7 km trail that winds its way through the trees forming a giant figure 8. It’s a flat trail and is suitable for family members of all ages and abilities.
You access Bush Party by heading up the Mount 7 Forest Service Road.
The Rotary Trail through town is another friendly option, or head to the Moonraker Trails and bike from Cedar 1 to Cedar 2.
Bike rentals are available at Higher Ground and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
Dogtooth Climbing Gym has many different climbing options that are suitable for all ages and abilities. First timers are welcome as they offer different courses and sessions to get you started.
Whether it’s for one or two people, or a whole group, their staff will go over the basics and get you up on the wall.
It’s best to call in advance if you need to organize a session, and they’ll help guide you to the best option for your family.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is roughly 15 minutes west of Golden and it offers enough activities to fill a day with family fun.
The gondola will take you to the top of the mountain. You’ll have amazing 365 degree views of the surrounding mountains which is worth it in itself. There are walking trails along the ridge line if you want to get to other vantage points.
The Eagle’s Eye restaurant is also located at the top of the mountain. It’s Canada’s most elevated dining experience and the views are spectacular. The food is tasty and the prices are very reasonable, considering where you are.
They have a kids menu with lots of options and it’s worth it just for the views you’ll get while eating. There is no dinner service in the summer, so head up early enough for lunch.
Stopping halfway up the mountain to see Boo the bear is also a popular attraction. Boo was orphaned as a cub and now lives in a 20 acre enclosure. You’ll take a chair lift to get there and can listen to an interpretive talk. The talks are offered several times throughout the day.
** Local tip – head up early for the best chance to see Boo. He’s more active in the morning.
The Golden Municipal Swimming Pool is another option for cooling off in the summer. It’s open daily from May Long Weekend until the end of August.
Public swimming is available each afternoon and evening.
There’s also a wading pool beside the swimming pool which is open during all public swim times.
The spray park has 6 water fixtures and is surrounded by a large grassy area so there’s lots of room to spread out. There are benches and picnic tables if you want to plan a picnic.
And there you have it. There’s definitely lots to do in Golden, B.C. if you’re visiting with your family in the summer. If you have any other suggestions we’d love to hear them!
You can also get in touch if you have any questions and we’ll be happy to help you out! You can email info@alpinerafting.com. We hope you’re able to visit our beautiful mountain town – we think your whole family will love it!
Alpine Rafting Team
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