Golden

Golden is an authentic mountain town situated in the heart of the Rocky Mountain Trench. It serves as an excellent basecamp for exploring the wilderness, being surrounded by Yoho, Glacier, Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Mount Revelstoke National Parks. The town has a rich history tied to the Canadian Pacific Railway and the timber industry, which is still reflected in its rustic, unpretentious atmosphere. Outdoor adventure is the main reason travelers stop in Golden. The Kicking Horse Mountain Resort has incredible downhill mountain biking in the summer and deep-powder skiing in the winter. The rivers provide world-class whitewater rafting, while the surrounding peaks are famous for paragliding and heli-skiing. A major highlight is walking across the Golden Skybridge, Canada's highest suspension bridge, which spans a dramatic canyon. Access to Golden is via the Trans-Canada Highway, about a three-hour drive west of Calgary. The town is appealing year-round, with winter bringing heavy snow for winter sports and summer providing long, sunny days well-suited for exploring the parks and rushing rivers.

Nearby cities

Lethbridge

Lethbridge is a southern Alberta city built around the Oldman River valley.

Red Deer

Red Deer is a central Alberta city between Calgary and Edmonton.

Airdrie

Airdrie sits just north of Calgary and has grown into a busy commuter city.

Grande Prairie

Grande Prairie is a growing city in northwestern Alberta and a key centre for the Peace region.

Fort McMurray

The urban service area for the oil sands region in Alberta.

Medicine Hat

Medicine Hat is a southeastern Alberta city on the South Saskatchewan River.

St. Albert

An affluent suburban city northwest of Edmonton.

Banff / Canmore

Banff and Canmore are world-famous mountain towns in the Canadian Rockies, celebrated for their dramatic peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, …

Banff

Banff is a prominent resort town situated within the Banff National Park in Alberta, surrounded by towering peaks and outdoor adventures.

Fernie

Historic Fernie is nestled in the Elk Valley of the Rocky Mountains, renowned for its epic winter snowfall and Victorian charm.

Jasper

Jasper is a mountain town in the Canadian Rockies and the commercial center of the 11,000 square kilometer Jasper National Park.

Banff Upper Hot Springs / Radium Hot Springs

These historic thermal springs in the Canadian Rockies offer hot, mineral-rich pools set against a dramatic alpine backdrop.

Lake Louise

Lake Louise is a world-renowned hamlet in Banff National Park, famous for its striking turquoise lake and the Victoria Glacier.

Banff / Icefields (Saskatchewan River Crossing)

A spectacular junction along the Icefields Parkway, surrounded by massive mountain peaks and raw alpine wilderness.

Banff / Lake O'Hara region (Field)

Field is a small village serving as the gateway to Yoho National Park and the highly restricted Lake O'Hara alpine area.

History & landmarks

Drumheller

The dinosaur capital of the world, located in the heart of the Canadian Badlands.

Peace Bridge (Calgary)

A distinctive pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Bow River.

Calgary Tower

A 191-metre observation tower in downtown Calgary.

Scotiabank Saddledome

An iconic arena in Calgary, known for its saddle-shaped roof.

Edmonton Funicular

An incline elevator that provides easy access between downtown Edmonton and the North Saskatchewan River Valley.

Nature

Maligne Lake

Maligne Lake is a glacier-fed lake in Jasper National Park and one of the best-known landscapes in the Canadian Rockies.

Bow River

A river in Alberta that originates in the Rocky Mountains and flows through Calgary.

More places

Columbia Icefield

The largest ice field in the Rocky Mountains, feeding water into three different oceans.

Mount Temple

A prominent mountain in Banff National Park, towering over the Valley of the Ten Peaks.

Mount Columbia

The highest point in Alberta, located on the Columbia Icefield.

Cascade Mountain

A massive mountain towering directly over the town of Banff, a classic postcard view.

Mount Rundle

An iconic, wedge-shaped mountain overlooking Banff, one of the most photographed peaks.

Calaway Park

Calaway Park is a large family amusement park west of Calgary.

Bar U Ranch

A National Historic Site showcasing the history of the ranching industry in Western Canada from its late 19th-century beginnings.

Glenbow Museum

An art and history museum in Calgary that documents the history of Western Canada.