East Kootenay Road Trip No One Talks About (7 Days)

Planning a road trip through British Columbia and looking for an itinerary that goes beyond Banff? This East Kootenay road trip takes you from Golden to Cranbrook, with stops in the Columbia Valley and Kimberley, plus an optional detour to Fernie. This road trip blends outdoor adventures, small-town charm, and unique family-friendly experiences, without the crowds you’ll find in the Rockies’ busiest spots.

We’ve driven through this region many times over the years, on longer routes like the International Selkirk Loop, quick weekend spring getaway, and even a fun workation in the Columbia Valley. 

This itinerary is designed for families, with real stops we’ve tested, including easy hikes, scenic gondolas, mountain biking trails, hot springs, and great local food spots along the way. You’ll find a day-by-day plan from Golden to Cranbrook.

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Where Is the East Kootenay Region in British Columbia?

The East Kootenay region is located in southeastern British Columbia, along the western side of the Canadian Rockies. It stretches roughly from Golden in the north to Fernie in the south, following a scenic corridor of mountain towns, valleys, and rivers that are much quieter than nearby Banff and Lake Louise.

This region includes places like Golden, Radium Hot Springs, Invermere, Cranbrook, Kimberley, and Fernie. They are all connected by scenic drives.

🚗 Driving distances (so you can plan realistically)

• Golden → Radium Hot Springs: ~1.5 hours (105 km)
• Radium → Invermere: 15 minutes
• Invermere → Cranbrook: ~1.5 hours (135 km)
• Cranbrook → Kimberley: 25 minutes
• Cranbrook → Fernie: ~1 hour

👉 From Calgary

If you’re starting from Calgary, it takes about 3 hours to get to Golden, via Banff and the Trans-Canada Highway. It also takes about 4 hours from Fernie to Calgary, via the Crowsnest Pass.

Day 1: Golden

Start your East Kootenay road trip in Golden, a mountain town that’s often overlooked, but absolutely worth a full day.

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort + Downtown Golden

Head straight to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in the morning. The ski resort is a great Golden attraction not only in the winter. You can take the sightseeing gondola to the top for panoramic views over the Rockies. At the summit, have lunch at Eagle’s Eye Restaurant. It’s the highest restaurant in Canada at 7,700 ft above sea level. The views alone make it worth it.

After lunch, take the chairlift to visit the Grizzly Bear Refuge and meet Boo. Boo, the grizzly bear, lives in the world’s largest enclosed and protected grizzly bear habitat.

If you’ve been dreaming of seeing a grizzly bear, but are terrified to see one in the wild (like you could in Lake Louise or Jasper), then this IS the perfect way to see a grizzly bear safely while also learning about wildlife conservation.

Once you arrive at the Grizzly Bear Refuge, you can go on an interpretive tour guide, where you’ll learn more about the Grizzly Bear resident, and its refuge. But make sure to bring some insect repellent during your visit to the refuge. There are a LOT of bugs.

💡 Note that Boo lives in one of the largest natural refuges in the world, so you may or may not see him. If you can’t see the grizzly during your tour, you can go back later in the day (according to the staff, he is more active at around 3PM), or you can spot him home from the Gondola ride.

Downtown Golden

In the afternoon, head back into town and explore downtown Golden. Walk along the river path and cross the pedestrian bridge for great views of the mountains. You can also use the Golden App, which adds a fun interactive element to your walk.

Golden has a very laid-back, local feel. It’s not as polished as Banff, and that’s exactly why we liked it.

For dinner, go to The Island Restaurant, a cozy log cabin-style restaurant right by the river (Yes! On a small island). They offer Canadian Mountain Fusion with dishes you don’t see everywhere else such as elk rissole, Rocky Mountain bison burger, or traditional European-inspired plates like Geschnetzeltes.

⏰ More time in Golden? You can also spend an extra day visiting the Golden Skybridge.  You’ll find the highest suspension bridge in Canada. The bridge rises at 130 m (426 feet) above the canyon. There is also an amazing playground and treehouse for the kids. It’s also where you can find a mountain coaster.

🛏️ Where to stay in Golden

Golden is a small town, which makes choosing where to stay surprisingly simple. You can either stay downtown (at  Lodge + Lantern or Prestige Inn Golden) or closer to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (at Glacier Mountaineer Lodge), and honestly, you can’t really go wrong. The drive between the two is only about 20 minutes.

We stayed at Golden Mountainview Suites, located just outside downtown along Highway 95 South, on the way toward Radium Hot Springs and Panorama.

Day 2: Golden to Columbia Valley

The drive from Golden to the Columbia Valley is short but scenic, making it easy to include a few stops along the way.

Columbia Wetlands Outpost

Start your morning with a stop at the Columbia Wetlands Outpost. This area is part of one of the largest intact wetlands in North America. 

It’s an incredible property with lots of fun activities to do, such as a river kayak/canoe tour. Plus, the staff is really nice (and bilingual French & English).

Of course, the main activity is to explore the wetlands by the water. Columbia Wetland Outpost offers watercraft rentals (canoe, kayak, SUP and pedal boat).There is also a nice dock and suspension bridge to walk through the wetlands. 

Radium Hot Spring

Continue to Radium Hot Spring and stop at Screamer’s for lunch and ice cream. Don’t miss a nice little photo opportunity by the Screamer’s mural. Then, stop at the Radium Hot Springs Visitor Centre. There’s a small interpretive area that gives context about the region. You can also ask for the Xplorer Booklet if you’re planning on exploring a bit more of Kootenay National Park.

From there, drive to Kootenay National Park and walk the Juniper Canyon Trail. It’s a short and easy trail with nice views, perfect if you want something active without committing to a long hike. You’ll need a Parks Canada day permit to visit Juniper Canyon trail and the Radium Hot Springs pools.

End the day with a soak at Radium Hot Springs. The large pool is surrounded by cliffs, and it’s one of the most relaxing stops of the trip.

🛏️ Where to stay in the Columbia Valley

The Columbia Valley is spread across a few towns (Radium Hot Springs, Invermere, and Fairmont Hot Springs) but distances are short, so you can easily pick one as your base and explore from there.

• Radium Hot Springs: A convenient and central option, especially coming from Golden. The Prestige Radium Hot Springs Resort is a solid, family-friendly choice and it’s right next to the entrance of the town (in front of the big horn statue)
• Invermere / Panorama: Best if you want more activities and lake access. Staying directly at Panorama Mountain Resort makes things easy, especially with kids. We had a HomeExchange right at the base of the chairlift and it was great.
• Fairmont Hot Springs: Ideal for a quieter, more relaxing stay. The Fairmont Hot Springs Resort has everything on-site, including  a few hot pools.

Day 3: Columbia Valley

Start your day in Invermere with breakfast at Kicking Horse Café, a great spot for coffee.

Panorama Mountain Resort

Then head up to Panorama Mountain Resort for the morning. In summer, the resort offers an activity pass that gives access to multiple attractions, including:

• Gold panning
• Mini-golf
• Climbing wall
• Tennis courts
• Scenic Mile One Chairlift ride (tip: hike the 3 km Fort Hide N’ Seek trail from the top)
• Euro Bungee (my kids’ favourite)

You can also do the mountain coaster (which is SO fun). We tried it last summer for the first time, and it’s so cool…. It goes faster than I expected!

Invermere

After a busy morning, slow things down in the afternoon at the beach in Invermere. It’s a great place to relax, swim, or just enjoy the views. There is a small kids playground nearby. And in the peak of summer, there is a floating trampoline park.

For dinner, head to Birchwood Restaurant. It’s a short drive (or even walk) from Kinsmen Beach.

⏰ More time in the Columbia Valley? I would recommend a few days at Fairmont Hot Spring Resort. You can enjoy their hot pools and nearby trails. You can also do some whitewater rafting with Kootenay River Runners, either in Panorama or Radium Hot Spring. 

Day 4: Columbia Valley to Cranbrook

Leave the Columbia Valley and make your way toward Cranbrook, with one of the best stops of the trip along the way.

Hoodoo Trail

On your way out of the Columbia Valley, stop for a little hike at the Hoodoo Trail, located just south of Fairmont Hot Springs.

This short hike leads to unique rock formations called hoodoos. If you haven’t been to Drumheller or Dinosaur Provincial Park, then it’s your chance to see those tall, narrow spires shaped by erosion. It’s a fun and slightly different stop compared to the lakes, biking trails, and towns you’ll visit along this route.

• Distance: ~3 km round trip
• Elevation: Moderate (a bit of a climb at the start)
• Time needed: 1 to 1.5 hours

Fort Steele

Stop at Fort Steele Historic Town. This worthwhile roadside attraction recreates the 1890s town during the Gold Rush area. You’ll find interactive exhibits, costumed interpreters and delicious cinnamon buns. 

I’d recommend planning to spend a few hours here. It’s much bigger and more engaging than you might expect. We visited in March when not all buildings were open and we spent a good 3 hours there, so I imagine we could have stayed for a full day in the summer.

Continue to Cranbrook and check in at St. Eugene Resort.

🛏️ Where to stay in Cranbrook

There are a few different options on where to stay in Cranbrook, but I would recommend staying at St. Eugene Resort. It is perfectly located between Cranbrook and Kimberley (so you don’t have to change accommodation the next day) and it has an important history. It was one of our favorite stays of the trip.

The resort is set on a historic site (it was once a residential school) with beautiful views, and everything is on-site, including a restaurant, pool, and walking paths. It makes it really easy to slow down after a full day.

Have dinner at Numa Lounge, then end the evening with a soak in the hot pools.

Day 5: Cranbrook

Mountain Biking

Start your day in the Cranbrook Community Forest, one of the best spots in the area for mountain biking. 

This trail network is right on the edge of town and offers a mix of beginner-friendly and more technical trails. When we visited, we got to try two different trails and they were both great. I think my son’s favourite was the Elephant Run trail.

• Padawan Trail Trail (Eagle Hill side)
• Elephant Run and Pilsit loop (South Side Parking)

For lunch, stop at Munch Café & Deli. The stuffed baked potato soup was honestly so good, simple comfort food done really well.

Cranbrook History Centre

In the afternoon, visit the Cranbrook History Centre. Note that it’s closed on Sundays.

If the schedule fits, try to take a guided tour to explore the train cars and learn about the region’s railway history. The tour is so interesting and it’s the only way you can enter the old trains. We did the Trans-Canada Limited tour and it was awesome. My son asked way too many questions though.

Afterward, walk through downtown Cranbrook. Look for murals and historic buildings, or follow a self-guided heritage walk if you want more context.

End the day at Encore Brewing Co. for dinner and bowling.

Day 6: Kimberley

Drive from Cranbrook to Kimberley. It’s about 35 minutes. On your way, stop at Marysville Falls.

Marysville Falls

Start your day at Marysville Falls. It’s one of the easiest and most rewarding stops. From the parking lot, it takes about 5 to 10 minutes to get to the waterfalls. It’s a nice flat accessible trail that leads to the waterfalls.

The Platzl

Head into Kimberley for a late breakfast at Our Place Restaurant. It’s a classic diner-style restaurant with generous portions. The French toasts were a great choice.

Then, spend some time exploring Kimberley’s Platzl, the pedestrian-only downtown.  It has a unique Bavarian-inspired feel, which makes it very different from other towns in the region.

It’s lined with small shops, cafés, and local businesses, all within an open and walkable space that’s especially great with kids. In the summer, you’ll often find events or live music happening, which adds to the atmosphere. 

Make sure to check out the cuckoo clock. There is also a small museum located here, but it was closed when we visited. It is typically open Monday to Friday, so it’s worth checking hours in advance.

Mountain Biking (or Hiking)

Kimberley is known for its extensive trail network, and it’s one of the best places in the East Kootenay for biking. There are two different places I would recommend to go, either the Kimberley Nature Park or the Kimberley Nordic Centre.

Both are great options, but if you can only choose one, I would go with the  Happy Hans Loop, at the Kimberley Nordic Centre. It’s a 2.5 km scenic trail with just 64 m of climb. It’s a short, but really fun trail for families. 

If you simply want to hike, then go to the Kimberley Nature Park and follow one of the trails.

Plus, there’s a bike skills park near the trail entrance. 

End your day with dinner at Pedal & Tap, in the heart of the Platzl.

Bonus Day 7: Fernie

If you have an extra day, Fernie is well worth the detour. It’s about 100 km east from Cranbrook and Kimberley. If you are returning to Calgary, it’s a great way to make this road trip into a loop, returning by the Crowsnest Pass and the Cowboy Highways, some of the most scenic drives in Alberta.

Mountain Biking (or Hiking)

Start your morning with the Easy Beaver to Montane Hut trail. It’s a 7-km round trip trail with a gradual climb. We had a stop a few times with the kids on the way up. But I promise you, the views are totally worth it!

Downtown Fernie

After your ride, head into downtown Fernie. Visit the Fernie Museum. Make sure to ask for the kids’ scavenger hunt. It’s a fun way to explore the museum for kids. And if you have time, you can pick up the first clue of a city-wide bike-based scavenger hunt that starts there. 

You can also stop in different stores and coffee shops. I would recommend the bagels from Big Bang Bagels and a hot chocolate from Beanpod Chocolate (you can even see how they make the chocolate)

End your trip with dinner at Bridge Bistro. Make sure to eat on the patio if the weather is great. You can also go for a little walk by the river to digest.

🛏️ Where to Stay in Fernie

If you’re adding Fernie to your itinerary, a great option to stay, just outside of town, is the Fernie Stanford Resort. Located along the river, it offers a quieter setting while still being only a short drive from downtown Fernie and the main trailheads.

The rooms are okay, but the amenities make it especially convenient when travelling with kids. There’s an indoor pool with a waterslide (which is always a highlight), a game room for some downtime in the evening, and a free breakfast in the morning.

FAQ: East Kootenay Road Trip

Conclusion: Is the East Kootenay Worth Adding to Your Road Trip?

If you’re looking for a road trip that combines mountain views, outdoor adventures, and small-town charm, without the crowds, the East Kootenay is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.

This route from Golden to Cranbrook (with stops in the Columbia Valley and Kimberley, and an optional detour to Fernie) offers a slower, more flexible way to experience the Canadian Rockies. You still get the scenery, but with more space to explore, easier logistics, and a mix of activities that work really well for families.The East Kootenay is a part of British Columbia that deserves more than just a quick stop. Make sure to add it to your road trip across Canada.