This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Golden.
Nestled between the Canadian Rocky Mountains and the Columbia Mountain ranges, the town of Golden, British Columbia offers easy access to six of the country’s most beautiful national parks – Banff, Kootenay, Glacier, Jasper, Yoho, and Mount Revelstoke. With a wide variety of outdoor activities for visitors to experience year round, Golden is a popular destination for tourists both within North America and abroad.
Golden is centered around the confluence of two major rivers, the Kicking Horse and the Columbia rivers, two of Canada’s most recognized heritage rivers. The Kicking Horse is famous for its exciting rapids – perfect for whitewater rafting – and the Columbia River flows through some of the largest protected wetlands in the continent.

Tourism is a growing industry in this friendly mountain town, and there are a number of hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, and resorts for visitors to choose from. Staying at a hostel in Golden’s charming downtown core is a perfect way to explore the little town, visiting boutique shops, cafés and restaurants, and even Golden’s own brewery.
It’s the outdoor recreation that draws people to Golden, though. In the summer, guests can enjoy mountain biking, paragliding, river rafting, and checking out some of the wildlife in the landscapes around town. Even more visitors come for the winter sports – downhill skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice skating, and heli-skiing.
The nearest major airport to Golden is three hours away, in Calgary, Alberta, although Golden does have a small municipal airport. Located at the junction of Highways 1 and 95, Golden is easy to get to via bus or rental vehicle. For tourists who hope to explore some of the parks around Golden, a rental car is recommended, but everything in Golden can be easily reached by foot or by bicycle from your local hotel or hostel.
Written by local enthusiast for Golden hostels
Jakob Lombardi