Maps

Golden Triangle

1 to 3 days, 314.97 km (195.71 mi)

Journey through three national parks - Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho - with amazing wilderness and wildlife viewing opportunities.

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Trans Canada Highway (Hwy #1), east of Golden, will have extended, 24-hour closures starting June 1, 2022. Please see the up-to-date schedule of closures and be prepared to take detours, which may add up to 2 hours to your journey.

Part 1

Banff National Park (Alberta)

The Golden Triangle Circle Route begins in Alberta’s Banff National Park, which is home to picturesque Lake Louise. Enjoy a walk along the lakeshore or ride the Lake Louise summer gondola for amazing sightseeing.
Drive west over Kicking Horse Pass into British Columbia and Yoho National Park.

Part 2

Yoho National Park

Spanning 1,310sq km/507sq mi, Yoho National Park features the Spiral Tunnels, Takakkaw Falls (one of Canada’s highest waterfalls), Emerald Lake, and Burgess Shale – a 505-million-year-old fossil deposit. The nearby town of Field has an excellent Visitor Centre just off the Trans-Canada Highway.

Midway between Yoho and Glacier National Park is the heart of Kicking Horse Country. Continue west to Golden.

Part 3

Golden

Golden, situated at the confluence of Kicking Horse and Columbia rivers, is a hub of outdoor adventure, from whitewater rafting to mountain biking. Wildlife viewing opportunities also abound in Golden, which has a wolf sanctuary, a grizzly bear refuge, and the lush Columbia River Wetlands that parallel Highway 95 south of town.

Turn north at the junction of Highway 93 and Highway 95 to reach Kootenay National Park.

Part 4

Radium Hot Springs and Kootenay National Park

Sinclair Canyon is in Kootenay National Park and is the location of Radium Hot Springs. The natural mineral hot springs are a great place to relax and have lunch.

Continue on Highway 93 through Kootenay National Park to reach several view points and hiking trails, such as Kootenay Valley Viewpoint, Vermillion Crossing, Paint Pot, and Fireweed Trail at the Continental Divide.

Part 5

Return to Alberta

Follow Highway 93 east through Vermillion Pass and Kootenay National Park to return to Alberta and Trans-Canada Hwy 1.

Last updated: May 20, 2020

Driving Directions

Part 1 - Vancouver
  • 6.25 km
  • 12 min
Show Map & Driving Directions