Cozy Cabin Stay in Yoho National Park
Right on the outskirts of Yoho National Park, about 30 minutes away from Golden, BC, lies Yoho Chalets, formally known as the Chancellor Peak Chalets. These beautiful log chalets are located right in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. I was lucky enough to be hosted by the them. Here is all about my experience:
Getting there
Previously known as the Chancellor Peak Chalets, the newly named Yoho Chalets are located just off of HWY1 approx. 30kms/25 mins east of Golden, BC. If you are travelling from Calgary, head west on HWY1 for approx. 240kms/2 hours 40 minutes. As you drive out of Yoho National Park, you’ll come up to a turn-off to Beaverfoot Forestry Rd — turn onto this road and follow it south over the Kicking Horse River. Take your first right turn, and you have arrived at your destination on your right!
Click here to get the direct location!
During your drive there are tons of beautiful places for you to stop that I will highlight below.
The Chalet
We were pleasantly surprised from the moment we arrived by how beautiful the surrounding setting was. To get your belongings from your car to your chalet easier, they provide large, stable wagons and paved walking paths! To allow for easy, contactless check-in, chalets are equipped with electronic entry & you are provided a code to your chalet prior to your arrival — along with a whole check-list of what you need to bring, what you need to know about the area and the chalet, and all information that may be helpful during your stay. They were very thorough with everything from the directions and traffic warnings, to the activities available in the area!
We were set up in a beautiful, spacious chalet that sleeps up to 6 people — perfect for families, groups & couples — with 1 master bedroom with a queen and a loft with 1 queen & 2 twins beds. There was a full bathroom downstairs, as well as half bath and soaker tub with mountain views in the loft! We were so grateful to be able to of called this chalet our home for a few days!
Our chalet came with an absolute fully-stocked kitchen, with everything you could ever think of to cook meals away from home, and there is even a dishwasher! This kitchen set-up was super convenient, and always helps to keep the cost down on trips. Keep in mind that the closest towns are Field and Golden, and during our stay the highway to Golden was closed for construction, so food options can be slim. It’s best to plan your own meals — I packed stuff for Eggs Benedict, Chicken & Rice and Sandwiches for adventures.
The characteristics of the chalet was such a nice touch. From the fireplace, to the log structure of the cabin itself, to the buffalo hide — you really felt like you were quaint cabin in the middle of the Canadian Rockies (because you are!). They provide an ample amount of games for you to play, as well as Wi-Fi + instructions, and a TV with Netflix and HDMI cords. I was able to plug my laptop in and watch hockey games.
The outside of the chalet was just as special as the inside was. With Mt Hunter to the left of you and Chancellor Peak & Mt Vaux in front, you feel so small as you lie at the bottom of the Kicking Horse valley. They provide an outdoor firepit, BBQ, a picnic table for you to enjoy the covered porch, and chairs for you to use around the fire. I wish we were able to experience outside a bit more during our trip, but unfortunately the weather didn’t pan out as we wanted. I can’t wait to book here with friends and enjoy the outdoor aspect!
After spending 2 nights here, check-out came around and we were so sad that we had to leave! Check-out was also incredibly easy. There are a few rules for the chalets, like bring your garbage in, run and empty the dishwasher etc. Remember, you are in bear country. When you’re ready to leave, you just lock the door on the electronic key pad and be on your merry way. On our drive home, we talked so much about how we can’t wait to return.
About Kicking Horse River & Pass
This pass was discovered in 1858 by Dr James Hector, a geologist of the famous Palliser Expedition to map and explore western Canada for the British government. He was said to have received a disabling kick from one of his pack horses, and name the pass for the incident.
When the Canadian government, under its terms of union with British Columbia, agreed to build a trans-continental railroad, they chose the Kicking Horse Pass as the shortest route to the Pacific. The railway climbed up the east slope, from Lake Louise, and dropped down the west slope. The western slope of the railway built in 1884 was called The Big Hill, and trains had to climb 330 m over a distance of 16 km from Field at 1,301 m climbing to the top of the Continental Divide at 1,630 m, for a grade of 4.5%. Typically railroads steeper than 4% would only be workable with cog wheels to pull a train up the slope. The solution was adding extra locomotives to the train at Field, for the haul uphill. The track was also too steep for safe braking, and there were accidents (a few!). The CPR added three safety switches (runaways) on the way down to protect against runaway trains. In 1907, the track grade was modified with two spiral tunnels, one 3200 feet long and one 2800 feet long, which were cut through Mount Cathedral and Mount Ogden, and dropped the slope down to 2 percent.
The steep pathway of the abandoned track is now the roadway for the Trans-Canada Highway. You can see an abandoned bridge to the south side of the highway just east of the Spiral Tunnels. Travelers can stop at the Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint & Rest Stop, to watch a train leave the tunnel over/under the other of the train entering it (depending on the train’s direction of travel). The Spiral Tunnels are best accessed on a westbound leg of a cross-Canada trip). Due to snow accumulations along the highway, the Spiral Tunnels are not accessible during winter months.
Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge in Golden is the longest authentic covered timber-frame bridge in Canada. Planned as a community project by the Timber Framers Guild, local volunteers were joined by carpenters and timber framers from Canada, the United States and Europe. The bridge structure is 150 feet (46 m) long, with a 210,000-pound Burr arch structure. The bridge was completed in September 2001. The Trans-Canada Highway traverses the river at several points from Yoho National Park to Golden, British Columbia. The river is spanned by the new Park Bridge. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, named for the river and pass, is located in the Dogtooth Range of the Purcell Mountains, on the west side of the town of Golden.
Things To Do
Yoho National Park
Yoho Chalets are located just west of Yoho National Park, just outside the park boundary. You can click here to read my blog post “A Beginners Guide to Yoho National Park”
If you decide to travel Yoho National Park, you must purchase a park pass. Click here to purchase a national park pass
Emerald Lake - On our way home, we decided to stop at Emerald Lake for some photos. As we arrived, the snowflakes that were falling were huge so we definitely took advantage of the photo opportunity. During the summer months, Emerald Lake is well known for canoeing and hiking. There is a lodge open year-round, and we had stopped in the Kicking Horse Lounge for lunch and drinks. If you have time to do so, I highly recommend.
Wapta Falls - The road to Wapta Falls was unfortunately closed, unless we wanted to add an extra 2kms to our hike. If you come during the summer months, I suggest arriving early or later in the afternoon, as the parking lot fills up fast during the day.
Explore the near-by Kicking Horse River
Takkakaw Falls - Only open from late June until mid October, but absolutely worth it if you get the chance!
Spiral Tunnels
The Town of Field - Although any time I’ve ever driven through it’s been closed, there is said to be an iconic bakery in the town of field. If you ever get the chance to, stop at “The Siding Café”
Golden, BC
Dependent on what season you go in, there are endless options of things for you to do in Golden:
Ski at Kicking Horse Mountain
Try whitewater rafting down the Kicking Horse river
Visit Boo the Bear and eat lunch at Canada’s Highest Elevation Restaurant
Drive up to the Mount 7 Lookout
Learn about wolves at Northern Lights Wolf Sanctuary
Check out the Farmers Market/Downtown Golden
Give a go at Cat or Heli-Skiing
Ride a snowmobile through the Canadian Rockies
The options of activities for Golden are absolutely endless. Click here to view Tourism Golden for suggestions on more activities!
Other Stops
A few other noteworthy stops and hikes that you may want to make:
Coming from Calgary:
Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park
Johnston Canyon, Banff National Park
Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park — Bow Lake, Peyto Lake.
Lake Louise, Banff National Park
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park — Keep in mind that this is a seasonal road
Marble Canyon, Kootenay National Park
Stanley Glacier, Kootenay National Park
Paget Peak, Yoho National Park
Mt Hunter Fire Lookout, Yoho National Park
Coming From Interior, BC
Go hiking in Glacier National Park
See the ruins of the Glacier House at Rogers Pass, Glacier National Park
Stop at the Enchanted Forest near Revelstoke, BC
Visit the world’s only inland cedar rainforest in Mt Revelstoke National Park
Walk across 2 suspension bridges and zipline across a canyon at Golden Skybridge
Bear Safety
A reminder that all of these adventures take place in bear country, which means you must remain Bear Aware at all times. That means carrying bear spray, and having the proper knowledge on what to do if you encounter a bear. Click here to read my "Bear Safety in the Canadian Rockies” blog post to read all about what to do during an encounter and proper bear aware tips.
Thank-you so much for taking the time to read my blog post in partnership with Yoho Chalets. Feel free to provide any feedback, questions or comments below. Happy adventuring!
Note: This stay was hosted free of charge by Yoho Chalets in exchange for this blog post