field bc tourism

Town of Field

Small town charm, big mountain thrills

Emerald Lake

It's real, and it's spectacular

Lake O'Hara

Breath taken, breath given

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Essential Field

Field Is Great For

• Emerald Lake Lodge
• Cathedral Mountain Lodge
• Truffle Pigs Lodge
• Yoho National Park - Kicking Horse Campground
• Canadian Rockies Inn
• Truffle Pigs Bistro & Lounge
• The Siding Café
• Mount Burgess Dining Room
• Kicking Horse Lounge
• Yoho National Park
• Yoho National Park Visitor Centre
• Kicking Horse River
• The Velvet Antler Pottery & Gallery
• Travel Alberta Field Visitor Information Centre

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Essential Field

Field Is Great For

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BanffandBeyond

The Canadian Rockies Through A Local Perspective

The Tiny Mountain Town Of Field As Your Base In The Canadian Rockies

The historical hamlet of Field offers small town charm in the surrounds of the majestic Rocky Mountains. It is located in the center of Yoho National Park in British Columbia, just 20 minutes west of Lake Louise, Alberta. There are less than 200 hundred people that live in the community year round.

Field Can Serve As An Ideal Base For Exploring Yoho And Banff National Parks

There are only a few services for locals and tourists, but Field can be an excellent alternative compared to the expense and crowds of Lake Louise.

From Field you will have access to all the hiking and activities that Yoho National park has to offer. Burgess Shale, Takakkaw Falls, The Sprial Tunnels, the Natural Bridge over the Kicking Horse River and Emerald Lake. These are just a few of the attractions within the park.

The access to the Columbia Icefields Parkway is less than 15 minutes away. You can easily do day trips into Banff National Park. Lake Louise is 20 minutes east and the town of Banff a further 40 minutes. The hiking and recreational area of Golden is 45 minutes west of Field.

Exploring The Historic Town Of Field

If you blink while driving past on the Trans Canada Highway you may miss this tiny former mining town, but it is well worth a visit.

Grab a map from the information center and stroll through the town to admire the historic houses and buildings. In the spring and summer months the yards are bursting with colourful flower gardens.

Historic Sites In Field, British Columbia

A Bite To Eat

After your walk through town, finish off the afternoon with lunch at the little gem called The Truffle Pigs. They have a fresh and creative menu and a whimsical decor complete with decorative flying pigs hanging from the ceiling. We enjoyed a delicious veggie burger. It’s located at the Kicking Horse Lodge and in the same building there is another eatery called the Roundhouse Pub & Grill. Across the street The Siding cafe serves a casual dining menu. Other options in the area are the restaurants at Cathedral Mountain Lodge and Emerald Lake Lodge. There are also the dining options in nearby Lake Louise.

Accommodation Options In Field

There are sevearal historic houses have been converted into charming bed and breakfasts and guest houses.

With 14 boutique style rooms the Kicking Horse Lodge is the biggest accommodation provider in Field. They have a large family suite with its own kitchen and jacuzzi tub.

We took a tour of the newly built Fireweed Hostel. The owners are ex-world travelers so they know what is necessary to make a great hostel. We were very impressed, they have paid attention to the little details. Besides several dorm style rooms they have a two bedroom facility downstairs. It is more like a private vacation apartment, equipped with its own kitchen and washroom.

Field BC and Yoho National Park Accommodations

An Entire School For Just A Few Students

From grade four onward the children take a bus to the town of Golden. Normally a school would not operate with such a low student population. Parks Canada uses parts of the school for offices which allows the school the funding to remain open.

Reader Interactions

27/06/2014 at 1:52 PM

Hi, My husband and I are coming to Banff from Kelowna, BC. We just moved to the Okanagan. We are meeting friends that will be coming from Denver, CO, through Glacier Park, to Banff. You have the most beautiful photography and I want to give my friends a great experience of Canada. We will be arriving by noon Thursday July 10 and leaving the area July 12th to head back to Kelowna before dark. We want to experience whatever is most scenic, short hikes, and camp 2 nights (cheap). Everyone says Hwy 93 (Peyto Lake) is a must see. I trust your judgement more than mine: should we explore Banff for a few hours, head to Lake Louise and hike “Plane of 6 Glaciers Tea House” and camp there, drive to Jasper next day and stop along the way, camp that night, drive all the way back south to Kelowna next day? Or is it better to see more around Banff, Lake Louise, and towards Revelstoke? Plane of 6 Glaciers would be the longest hike we want to do. We want to see scenery. Thank you so much. Any guidance is appreciated!

27/06/2014 at 9:11 PM

I think that is a lot to try and pack into a such a short amount of time. The Plain of Six Glaciers hike will be 4 hours or more, it depends on how fast you hike. We’re slow and stop to take lots of photos so it was around 6 hours for us. The Icefields Parkway really deserves a full day to appreciate it. It takes a minimum of 3.5 hours to drive it, likely more with all the traffic in mid-July. Then you’ll need another 8 hours to get back to Kelowna if you are going directly from Jasper via the Yellowhead Hwy. I wouldn’t try to attempt traveling the parkway in both directions in your time frame. It sounds like you really only have a day and a half. It might be better to concentrate on some sights around Banff, then check out Lake Louise and a visit to nearby Moraine Lake as well. If you want to drive just to see Peyto Lake it will be approximately one hour in each direction from Lake Louise.

It would be wise to plan out where you want to camp as soon as possible. Some campsites can be reserved, but they book up fast. For the ones that are first come/first serve it is usually best to be there around check out time to get a spot. (usually around noon) It might not be quite as busy if your dates on not on a weekend.

Luckily for you living in Kelowna it is not that far to get to the Rockies, 5 hours to Lake Louise and just under 6 to Banff. Hopefully you will be able to come back many times to enjoy the area.

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The World on my Necklace

A Travel Blog by Katie Chavez

Life in Field, BC: The Best Mountain Town in the Canadian Rockies

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.

My need to live in the mountains has been growing more and more as time progresses. It was never something I thought about when I was a kid growing up on the North Island of New Zealand. As long as I was by the sea I was happy, but that has shifted over the past few years.

I still hold a special spot for the sea in my heart. But now more than ever, it is the mountains that feel like home. 

And my favourite mountains? The Canadian Rockies. Majestic, breathtaking, awe-inspiring. You could throw any superlative at them but none of them would truly hit the mark. It is damn near impossible to describe what being in the presence of the Rocky Mountains feels like for me. I’m sure that I’m not the only one.

But I hadn’t planned on adding them to my itinerary this past summer. Looking back, I’m not exactly sure why now. It probably had a lot to do with forcing myself to visit new places in Canada’s West although I ended up returning to Vancouver, Victoria and Denman Island.

It was a mistake to not factor in the Rockies and with a little help from fate, that mistake corrected itself.

When my Alaska plans didn’t work out as expected and I suddenly had two months to play with, I started looking at Help Exchanges all over British Columbia. I found a few that sounded promising but none more so than the perfect placement I found in the small village of Field, BC, in Yoho National Park in the Canadian Rockies.

Luckily my Skype interview went well and I was offered the placement. I decided to start in two weeks and committed to almost six weeks. I was excited to return to Field. I had briefly passed through a couple of summers earlier and I had wanted to return ever since. I just didn’t think it would be so soon.

Field is a small historic town of 200 residents that is located in Yoho National Park , in the Canadian Rockies. Field started life as a railway town back in the late nineteenth century and it still has strong ties to the railroad with railroad bunkhouses being located there and trains passing through at all times of the day.

Tourism now also plays a major part in the town’s economy, with almost every second house being a guesthouse. It is the perfect stopover on a road trip from Calgary to Vancouver .

Returning to Field, BC

My Help X placement was in the small, boutique Fireweed Hostel – the only hostel in Field, BC. I was to work three eight hour days per week, mostly cleaning and checking people in with a bit of landscaping thrown in.

In return, I would receive a room in a staff house with internet and cable TV and the use of a vehicle, although I still needed to pay petrol money.

It’s pretty standard for Help Exchanges at Hostels, Inns, Lodges etc to not include food so even though I would still need to buy my own, I was excited to work in another hostel after my great experience Help Exchanging at the Squilax HI Hostel in Shuswap Lake a couple of years ago.

Update Apr 2023: Unfortunately, the Fireweed Hostel has now closed due to the Canadian Pacific Railway not renewing the lease.

I arrived on a sunny afternoon in Golden BC, the nearest large town to Field, located 60km to its west. My boss-to-be Craig picked me up and we ran a couple of errands around town then he showed me around a bit, taking me down to the Kicking Horse River and a marshy lake near town.

Then, within fifteen minutes of leaving Golden, we entered Yoho National Park. I was back in the mountains and they were even more beautiful than I remembered. So was Field.

Field, BC looks like a movie set. Impossibly pretty with not a hair out of place. The streets are spotless, the houses are well kept and attractive with colourful flowerbeds and window boxes, with every second house being a B&B – for such a small town, there is a lot of accommodation in Field, BC.

It is located in a valley surrounded by mountains on both sides and the milky blue Kicking Horse River runs through it, cutting off the majority of the town from the highway and the Yoho National Park Visitors Centre.

No grocery store, no retail shops, no movie theatre. If you wanted any of those things you needed to drive the almost 60km from Field to Golden which I did a couple of times to stock up on groceries (and Tim Horton’s donuts). Field to Lake Louise town centre was half the distance but there isn’t a lot there either, and the groceries were significantly more expensive.

Field is very much a cat town. There are so many cats here and most of them are more than happy to let you give them a bit of affection. My favourites were Star and Apollo who would come and hang out with me at the hostel when I working.

Star would barrel in when I opened the door and would lounge around on a chair watching me clean, rolling on her back when I passed for a belly rub, while Apollo would climb onto my lap on the porch, purring and chatting to his heart’s content. I miss those two.

Checking Out the Food Scene in Field, BC

It took me almost two weeks before I checked out Truffle Pigs. I think the crowds of people lining up out the door had put me off up until then. This place is popular, and not just because it is the only restaurant in town. The food is incredibly good, and so is the ambience.

After I popped my Truffle Pigs cherry I spent a lot of time there, usually propping up the bar and talking to the bartender and whoever else was sitting there that night, drinking the house-made ginger beer and trying different dishes from the menu. I met a few of the locals there and I slowly started to feel like I was settling in.

The only other place to eat in Field proper is The Siding Cafe which offers a simple but delicious menu of burgers and sandwiches. You can also buy wine and beer to go here.

Outside of Field nearby at Emerald Lake, I had a few meals and delicious honey beers at Cilantro with my friend Paulina (her husband Darren was the Manager). There’s no better place to be on a warm summer’s day than on the patio overlooking the gorgeous lake with a cold beer.

Damn Yoho National Park is stunning.

Despite eating out at Cilantro and Truffle Pigs on numerous occasions, most of the time I would just cook. It felt like a novelty after two months of travel and I enjoy cooking. I baked fresh soda bread and made lentil soup from scratch.

I had healthy vegetable stir-fries and pierogies stuffed with potato and cheese and smothered in natural yoghurt and sweet chilli sauce. It was nice to have more control over what I was eating again.

My Help X Placement at the Field, BC Hostel

I loved my house. I was sharing with a shy teenage boy from South Africa which wasn’t ideal but he was nice enough. He just didn’t really talk. The two-bedroom house was clean and modern, with a grassy backyard with BBQ and a fire pit. The kitchen was kitted out with every appliance and utensil you could need including an all-important French press.

My room was spacious with a queen size bed and there were mountain views from nearly every window in the house. And to top it all off the house was blue, my favourite color.

My house was located right in the middle of town and only a couple of minutes walk from the guesthouse and the hostel, both of which I would be cleaning. My bosses Kim and Craig lived with their three kids above the guesthouse and it was at their place that I would start my shift, grabbing the radio, keys and the check-in sheets, and finding out what needed to be cleaned that day.

It all seemed a bit daunting at first. Craig gave me a thick manual with everything I needed to know about cleaning the guesthouse and hostel and dealing with guests. I carried it with me for the first couple of weeks but I pretty much had it down after working my first three training shifts, the cleaning part anyway.

My first day was long and hard. Cleaning is physical work and cleaning for eight hours straight, especially so. But I enjoyed it. I love how you can listen to music and just get stuck into each task, one by one, seeing tangible evidence of your accomplishments as you go. And when you are working in such a beautiful space, it makes it even more enjoyable.

I loved being in the hostel. It felt so much like a cozy ski lodge and whenever I stepped outside to take out the rubbish or glanced out the window of the lounge as I was sweeping the floor, the mountains staring back at me never failed to put a smile on my face. Within a week I felt fitter and it didn’t feel difficult anymore.

The people who stayed at the hostel and the guesthouse came to Field to hike and to be surrounded by nature. That is why I came there too, so it felt like I was meeting kindred spirits.

I may not have been paid for my work but I did get a few generous tips (one of $20!) and I saved money by not eating out too much and buying food from the supermarket in bulk. I even got a locals discount at local businesses in Field and Lake Louise. Every little bit helps.

When I wasn’t working I was hiking as much as possible or just spending time in my perfect little mountain town. And Field was perfect, or near enough.

Things To Do in Field, BC

I spent a lot of time gazing out of the lounge window, watching hummingbirds feed on the bright flowers in the window box and at the snow-sprinkled majesty of Mount Stephen and Mount Field behind the town.

When I was short on time or if the weather wasn’t great and I was dying to get out of the house I would walk around town, walking the perimeter then across the bridge and around the pond that locals swim in summer (it was too cold most of the time I was there), then back to my house. It only took about twenty minutes, that is how small the village is.

There were also a couple of short trails that start in the village including the one-hour return on the Mount Burgess trail to Field Stone with a great view over town, the 6km return Tally Ho trail to Natural Bridge, the 2km return up to the town cemetery and the first section of the Mount Stephen trail towards the shale beds to the point where entry is restricted.

I did a lot of hiking in Yoho National Park, as well as driving the short distance from Field to Banff National Park to do multiple hikes around Moraine Lake and Lake Louise too.

Yoho National Park is stunning and I have no idea why it is not as popular as Banff. Emerald Lake is just as beautiful as Lake Louise, and Takakkaw Falls, the second-highest in Canada, is spectacular.

That’s not even mentioning the Lake O’Hara Alpine area which a lot of people say is the most beautiful spot in the Rocky Mountains. Visitor numbers are strictly limited as you can only reach it by hiking in along the 11km gravel road, or by nabbing a spot on one of the shuttles which only operate during the summer months and usually sell out within a day.

A lot of the hikes in Yoho National Park start at either Takakkaw Falls or Emerald Lake. I want to write in more detail at some stage about the many hikes I did but my favorite was the 18km Iceline trail that is the showpiece of the park and leads through peaceful forest, sub-alpine meadows, and across an alpine plateau with spectacular views over Takakkaw Falls and the Yoho Valley below.

Yoho Pass from Takakkaw Falls to Emerald Lake was another favorite of mine in the park. It switchbacked up to the pass through dense forest and past beautiful Yoho Lake, then down past waterfalls to the Emerald Lake basin before following the lakeshore for the last couple of kilometers.

And of course the epic hike up to Abbott Pass, one of the most incredible and scary experiences I have ever had, you can read about it here . Update Apr 2023: Unfortunately the hut is now closed and is being removed due to erosion.

In Banff National Park I loved the 14.6km hike above Lake Louise that linked the Lake Agnes and Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouses, the short but sweet hike to Consolation Lakes , and the stunning 11.6km Sentinel Pass and Larch Valley hike from Moraine Lake that I did with my brother to see the yellow larches. 

On my first day off I did the Tally-Ho trail and I ended up getting so scared about bears that I ran through the forest singing the chorus of ‘Yellow Submarine’ on repeat at the top of my lungs.

By the end of my time in Field, I did the 18km Iceline trail by myself with no freakouts. I was proud of how far I had come. It also definitely helped to have the bear spray that my downstairs neighbor Jill left me.

Fall in Yoho National Park

Although late summer saw a lot of rain, I am still happy that I chose this time of year to go because I got to bear witness to the changing of seasons from summer to autumn.

From the beginning of September, bright red leaves started appearing on the low foliage beside hiking trails, and aspens and larches turned from dark green to a golden yellow. Driving the road up to Takakkaw Falls was especially scenic in Autumn.

We also started getting snow at higher elevations as early as late August. In my last week, I was snowed on four times while hiking. 

Autumn really is the most beautiful time to be in the mountains and I welcomed the creeping cold for all the beauty it was bringing.

Making Friends in Field

It may have been slow starting with meeting people but looking back I did make more friends than I realized during my time in Field. My first friend was Paulina, a lovely Chilean who works and lives year-round at nearby Emerald Lake with her Irish husband Darren.

We did a few hikes together along with their dog Naya, as well as dinners and drinks at Truffle Pigs and a BBQ and bonfire at my place. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t met Paulina, my time in Field would have been a lot lonelier.

There was my downstairs neighbor Jill who was working at the hostel over the summer. We worked together a few times and planned to meet up out of work for a drink but it only happened just before she left.

It’s a shame we didn’t get to hang out more because it was fun drinking Shafts (the local coffee cocktail) and hanging out at Truffle Pigs the one evening that we did meet up.

After a month the quiet South African moved out and a friendly Slovenian moved in. It was great living with Katja and we hung out a lot at home and at Truffle Pigs, I only wish she had been my flatmate the whole time.

I met a few of the locals during my evenings at Truffle Pigs including Ross who lived in Revy but stopped in Field BC a lot for work (he worked on the railroad), Steven from Edmonton who was working down the road at Cathedral Mountain Lodge for the summer, and Tanya the Receptionist at the Kicking Horse Lodge who I swear must be a vampire because I don’t know how a beauty that looks as young as her could be mother to a 20-year-old.

I was also lucky enough to have a few friends visit me. My friends (and former couch surfing hosts from Toronto) Roger and Anna stayed for a couple of days and we did some rainy day hiking in Yoho National Park, I met up with my friend Kathryn and a couple of her hostel buddies for a day of hiking around Moraine Lake, and my brother even came for a week, during which we hiked in Banff and Yoho National Parks and tackled the difficult two-day hike up from Lake O’Hara to the second-highest permanent structure in Canada: The Abbot Pass Hut .

There were bonfires and BBQs, lock-ins at Truffle Pigs, hiking adventures, burgers at The Siding, road trips to Golden, lazy afternoon drinks by Emerald Lake, home-cooked meals, and movies at my place. I loved it all.

Hard Times in Field

But it wasn’t all good. In a lot of ways, it was the hardest part of my trip. During my time in Field, I started to feel increasingly disconnected from Trav after spending more than two months apart.

I struggled with loneliness a lot. It took me a while to make friends and I spent a lot of time by myself which I thought I would be OK with. Turns out that I wasn’t. I am not as introverted as I once thought and more than a couple of days away from people left me feeling very lonely and isolated.

I also got bored at times. It rained a lot during my time in the Rockies and there was also a very smoky week when the smoke from the wildfires raging in Washington State drifted over, blocking out the sun and leaving the acrid taste of smoke in my mouth when I went outside.

I was housebound a lot. I ended up hiking in the freezing rain a couple of times just to get out of the house. It was actually kind of beautiful.

By the last couple of weeks, I had met enough people and was settled enough that the feelings of loneliness had passed. I really started feeling like I was settling in and then it was time to leave. Isn’t that the way it always goes?

From wanting to leave early to not wanting to leave at all and crying on the bus ride to Vancouver because I already missed it, my relationship with Field was complicated. I loved it, I hated it at times, but mostly I feel like it was a home to me. And I think I needed that.

And I finally got to live in the mountains, if only for a short time.

I spent six weeks in Field BC in summer/fall of 2015, and returned again in 2017 for a week, and 2022 for a night. This post has been updated so all restaurants and accommodations mentioned are current.

How to Plan Your Trip to Field, BC

Where to stay in field.

Although Field is tiny, there are a surprising amount of places to stay. Unfortunately, as the Fireweed Hostel has now closed, the best budget option is to camp, and the nearest campgrounds to Field are Monarch and Kicking Horse. 

There is also the HI Lake Louise Alpine Center Hostel at nearby Lake Louise which offers dorms and private rooms, and the rustic HI Yoho National Park Whiskey Jack Hostel across from Takakkaw Falls which is only open from late June till September.

There are a number of bed and breakfasts and guesthouses in Field, many which are self-contained and have their own entrances. I recommend the Hummingbird Suite which my friends Paulina and Darren own, Mount Stephen Guesthouse where I worked, and Charlie’s Guesthouse which is also right in town.

If it is luxury you are after, you can’t go past the gorgeous setting of the Emerald Lake Lodge , only a fifteen-minute drive from Field, or Cathedral Mountain Lodge which is a six-minute drive away. 

For a more affordable hotel, stay in nearby Lake Louise at a Lake Louise vacation rental , or at the Lake Louise Hotel which has private rooms and suites, and there are hot tubs and a heated indoor pool on site. 

Getting to Field

You really need a car to visit Field, unless you are comfortable hitchhiking. The Rider Express bus stops in Field and Lake Louise, which is a 20-minute drive away and you can catch this from Calgary, Vancouver or somewhere in between. The nearest large town is Golden, which is a 45-minute drive away.

The Best Insurance for Your Trip

Make sure you get travel and health insurance before your trip.  Safety Wing is my go-to and they are cheap and easy to claim with – it auto-renews every month unless you turn it off so you don’t have to think about it for longer trips

Safety Wing also allows you to sign up when you are already travelling, unlike a lot of other travel insurance providers.

If you liked this post, check out some of my other Canada content:

• How I Traveled Through Canada on $30 Per Day
• Best Things To Do on Quadra Island: Paradise on Canada’s West Coast
• The Best Moraine Lake Hike in Fall: Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass
• A Great Canadian Adventure: Hiking to Abbot Pass Hut
• Crypt Lake Hike: One of the Best Hikes in Canada
• The Best Vancouver Itinerary: 4 Days in Summer
• What To Do in Revelstoke If You Only Have Two Days
• The Sunshine Coast, BC: Canada’s Most Underrated Destination?
• Revisiting Victoria: Canada’s English-Themed City
• What to do in Summer on Denman Island, Canada
• What To Expect on the Garibaldi Lake Hike Near Vancouver
• Why you Should Visit Vancouver in the Fall
• Falling for Denman Island: Off the Beaten Path in Canada
• A Perfect First Help X Experience in Shuswap Lake, British Columbia
• Our Ultimate Rocky Mountain Road Trip!

15 Comments on Life in Field, BC: The Best Mountain Town in the Canadian Rockies

Hi, Katie! I visited this little cute town, Field, in June 19. Stayed in Banff, Jasper for 2 weeks. Not even know about Field. While in lake louise camp ground someone introduced Field. I fell in love here. After came back home, was browsing the Field, met your story. I love your story, will like to read your another journey.

So glad you heard about it before you left and got to visit. It really is a special place.

Hi there….funny how I came across your article….As soon as I saw the word Field, BC…I kept on reading about your experience….I grew up in Field. My late Father and two of my brothers all worked on the railroad…After all, it was a railroad town…We moved out East in 1967….have been back many times to visit Field….it is a majestic place surrounded by mountains…Hope to be back after Covid19 goes away…Thank you for making extraordinary travel experiences…hope to be back soooooon…..

What an incredible place to grow up Cristina, it is such a special little town. I hope to get back to Field once COVID is over too.

I am 96 years old ..was raised in Field B.C Of course I know a lot of the History and have many pictures ..Not many people left who know the Field of the 1930 s I know 3 of them.

Wow I bet it was really different then, it must have been an incredible place to grow up.

It would be amazing if you were able to post the pictures so others can see Field as it was back then! I spent 3dayd, 2 nights with my best friend since childhood at the Cathedral Mountain cottages and fell in love with Field. It’s a hidden gem in the Rockies! I will be back because even though it’s a small town, there’s SO much to see and do!

Thanks for this informative blog post. We are heading to Yoho National Park this weekend and can hardly wait!

No problem Sarena, have fun!

Wow! Field looks absolutely amazing!!! I’ve always wanted to visit the Rockies, well the whole of Canada to be fair. I think this post has just given me the push to stop talking about it and just get it done. My dream would be to hire a RV type vehicle and do a couple of months seeing as much as possible.

Maybe even a little work exchange thrown in too. Get a real feel for the area. Field is now on the list!

have you ever tried workaway for a work exchange platform? It has always suited me the best and I feel it has the best opportunities.

Anyways, great post and thanks for the inspiration 🙂

Hi Anthony, you should definitely do it! The Canadian Rockies has some of the most mind-blowing scenery in the world. I got my volunteer placement in Field through Help X which is basically the same as Workaway, it’s just an older platform. I also did work exchanges in Shuswap Lake, Denman Island and Quadra Island and they were amazing.

What was Field like in 1921 what made anyone go to such a place?

I imagine it wasn’t much different in 1921 than it is now, it was created for the railway and there is still a railway bunkhouse there.

Wow, this looks incredible! I visited the Rockies last year and I have to admit Yoho wasn’t high up on my list, although my aunt and uncle (who live on the other side of the Kootenays) raved about it and we almost ended up camping there one night as Banff was stupidly busy. This has definitely made me want to visit!

I’m surprised your help exchange didn’t include food, I thought most included food and board… interesting, I’ve used helpx before but never for hostels which I’d like to do.

Hi Clazz, it’s a shame you didn’t make it but it’s a reason to go back! Unfortunately most hostel exchanges don’t include food unlike other work exchanges through Help X and Workaway. I have done a couple that have included breakfast and dinner or credit to buy food at the attached general store though so they aren’t impossible to find

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Field is home to 300 inhabitants, and was established in 1885 with the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The community was named after Cyrus W. Field who was a promoter of the Trans-Atlantic Cable. The CPR was experiencing financial troubles at the time, and he visited the community at the invitation of company officials who wanted investment money - he didn't invest.

Field is still a divisional point for the CPR, and also serves as an administrative post for Parks Canada. Recreational activities in the area include mountain climbing, hiking, cross-country skiing, fishing, ice-climbing, horseback riding, and canoeing.

Population: 300

Accommodations: Numerous B&B's Guest Houses, and Lodges

Points of interest in the area: Field Visitor Centre - exhibits, pond, picnic area and playground Takakkaw Falls - Spectacular 254 metres high waterfall, access to hiking trails of the Yoho Valley. 13 km road is steep with switchbacks, open during summer only. Emerald Lake - hiking, canoeing Natural Bridge - where the Kicking Horse River has carved a natural bridge through solid rock. Burgess Shale - Field Visitor Centre display of fossils over 500 million years old. Spiral Tunnels Exhibit - at the Lower Spiral Tunnel Viewpoint Great Divide - display and picnic area at the Continental Divide

Events: July - Canada Day celebrations July to September - Friends of Yoho Summer Institute weekend seminars

Weather: Weather in the area is localized and changeable. Summer weather extends from mid-June to mid-September. The mean temperature during this period is 12.5 C, with average highs of 20 C and lows of 5 C. Above 1500 metres, freezing temperatures and snow are not uncommon in the summer. Temperatures will range from +10 to -35 degrees celsius from November to April although the average is -5 to -15. Daily weather forecasts are available from the Visitor Centre and Campgrounds.

Visitor Information: Yoho National Park Visitor Centre / Field Visitor Centre Phone: (250) 343-6783 Fax: (250) 343-6012

Recorded information is also available for the area: Avalanche Hazard for Banff, Kootenay, & Yoho (403) 762-1460 or the Rogers Pass at (250) 837-6867 Road Conditions for the six National Parks: (403) 762-1450 Weather for Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho: (403) 762-2088

For Information:

Golden Chamber of Commerce Visitors Info Centre 500 North 10th Avenue Box 1320, Golden, BC V0A 1H0 Telephone: (250) 344-7125 Toll Free 1-800-622-4653 Fax: (250) 344-6688

Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

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THE 5 BEST Things to Do in Field

Things to do in field, explore popular experiences, top attractions in field.

Other Top Attractions around Field

What travellers are saying

• Yoho National Park
• Kicking Horse River
• Yoho National Park Visitor Centre
• The Burgess Shale Geoscience Foundation
• The Velvet Antler Pottery & Gallery
• Emerald Lake Trail Circuit

• British Columbia

Field, British Columbia

Top spots in and near field.

Backpack Burgess Pass to the Iceline to Takakkaw Falls

Explore the Natural Bridge in Yoho NP

Hike "A Walk in the Past Trail," Yoho NP

Hike to Hamilton Falls, Yoho NP

Hike the Emerald Lake Circuit

Canoe Emerald Lake

Ski Tour/Snowshoe Mt. Paget

Scramble Little Odaray

Hike Iceline Trail

Twin Falls via Yoho Valley Trail

Explore Lake O'Hara

Hike to the Opabin Prospect

Backpack to Alberta's Abbot Pass Hut

Hike the Yuckness Ledges in Yoho National Park

Scramble the North Summit of Mount Yukness

Snowshoe to Wiwaxy Gap

Top activities.

• Backpacking
• Photography
• Rock Climbing
• Snowboarding

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Explore Field BC Canada

Field bc a perfect basecamp for outdoor adventure in yoho national park, things to see and do in field bc in the canadian rocky mountains.

A few years ago we decided to explore Field BC Canada  for the first time during our Yoho National Park Twin Falls Backpacking Adventure.  And are we ever happy that we did. Nestled in the heart of Yoho National Park in the Canadian Rockies, Field British Columbia is a cozy little mountain town. As such, it is the perfect basecamp for exploring Yoho's many attractions and challenging its numerous year-round adventures.

Both Field and Yoho National Park are often overshadowed by its neighbour, Banff National Park in Alberta. A vast majority of the people visiting Banff will venture out to explore Lake Louise and never travel a few minutes further up the road to explore Field BC and Yoho National Park . Well, their loss is your gain because Yoho is equally as beautiful and is far less crowded. So for those looking to escape the crowds in search of a more peaceful Rocky Mountain Adventure, then setting up your basecamp in Field is the answer.

Field is a small village with a population of less than 200 people. This tiny town is quite cute and well loved by those that reside there. Despite having limited services, the ones that it does have are excellent. With a few village artisans, restaurants, and accommodations to pick from it is more of a quality over quantity thing in Field.

Field is a relatively young community. In the 1880's, as rail lines expanded west connecting British Columbia with the rest of Canada, CPR built the village of Field to house its workers. With the goal of selling train tickets, CPR encouraged tourism to the area by building hiking trails, backcountry lodges, mountain hotels, and chalets. The company even hired mountain guides to help adventure seekers visit some of the remote and previously inaccessible locations nearby.

Where to Shop in Field BC

As it is a small village, a relaxing walk through its quiet streets is the perfect way to explore Field BC. Although there are limited services available there are a few shops and restaurants to choose from. Local shops like Velvet Antler Pottery , the Friends of Yoho Gift Shop and Truffle Pigs Bistro and Lodge are all worth a visit. There are also a handful of practical businesses like the Yoho Trading Post which has a gas station, gift shop and convenience store. And the village liquor store is operated by The Siding Café.

Where to Eat in Field BC

Truffle pigs bistro and lodge .

Truffle Pigs Bistro and Lodge has great food that is inspired by life in the Canadian Rockies and the beauty of their surroundings. They believe in the importance of slowing down to enjoy a good meal and quality time with others. Additionally, they offer prepared lunch kits to go for fueling your outdoor adventures. This is one of our favourite stops when we are in the area.

The Siding Café

The Siding Café offers a menu of simple and delicious burgers and sandwiches. Although we haven't eaten at the Siding Café yet, we will likely give it a go the next time we explore Field BC.

Fine Dining Near Field BC

Fine dining is a short drive away. There are few fine dining options at Cathedral Mountain Lodge and at Emerald Lake Lodge. In fact, Emerald Lake Lodge has four restaurant choices including the main dining hall, Mount Burgess, Kicking Horse Lounge, and Cilantro Café. They also prepare meals to go.  Making a perfect picnicking option as you explore all that Yoho National Park has to offer. 

Where to Stay in Field BC

Day trips from field bc to explore yoho national park.

Yoho gets its name from the Cree expression for awe and wonder. And the name does it justice. Part of UNESCO Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, Yoho National Park is a year-round rocky mountain destination for adventure seekers. With icefields, mountains to climb, 400km of trails, and many waterfalls, it is indeed a wonderful Rocky Mountain gem. Popular outdoor activities include backcountry hiking, rock climbing, ice climbing, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. Another interesting attraction are the guided hikes to see the Burgess Shale fossils . At over 500 million years old the Burgess Shale fossils are some of the oldest signs of life on the planet!

Attractions Near Field BC in Yoho National Park

Natural bridge.

The Natural Bridge makes a perfect quick little stop when exploring Field BC Canada. It is accessible by vehicle and a short walk of 20m or so. 

Emerald Lake Lodge

Emerald Lake Lodge is another fantastic destination in Yoho National Park. There is an easy 5.2km hiking trail around the lake as well as several other hiking trails to pick from. Boat rentals available at the lodge for those interested in canoeing on the lakes stunning emerald waters.

The Waterfalls of Yoho National Park in Field BC

Takakkaw falls.

Takakkaw Falls is one of the tallest falls in Canada and is accessible by vehicle. However, the road itself is not accessible to all vehicles, as it is steep and narrow with tight switchbacks. Be sure to check the Parks Canada website for information about vehicle restrictions. 

Twin Falls is a spectacular double cascading waterfall that plunges 180m over the cliff face that. Access to the falls is from the Takakkaw Falls parking lot. It is 16.4km round trip to reach these falls. There are two other waterfalls to enjoy along this route, Laughing Falls and Point Lace Falls. 

Wapta Falls

Wapta Falls is the largest waterfall on the Kicking Horse River. At 30 meters high, it is not the tallest of the falls that I have visited in Yoho. However at 107 meters it is the widest. In fact, Wapta falls reminds me of a smaller Niagara Falls. There is a 4.6km return hike to the base of the falls. 

How to get to Field BC

Field is the only community in Yoho National Park and is situated just off of the Trans Canada Highway. Yoho National Park shares its eastern border with Banff National Park. As Field is only 26km further west than Lake Louise it is an excellent day trip option for those visiting Banff. Golden BC is the next community heading west along the Trans Canada Highway. It is just over 57km west of Field.  The map indicates where the Yoho National Park attractions are in relation to the Village of Field BC Canada.

I love to explore Field BC. Since Field is in the heart of Yoho National Park it is an excellent choice as a basecamp for all kinds outdoor adventures. I can't wait to get back and explore Field BC some more.

Field BC a Perfect Basecamp for Outdoor Adventure in Yoho National Park

Travel guide.

• Province British Columbia

Canada Parks

• Nearby Community Golden BC
• Province / Territory British Columbia
• World Heritage Site
• X Country Skiing
• Open Year Round

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All of those waterfalls are on my hit list, but I have not been to any of them yet! Great information about the area happy)

Thank you Andrea. Takakkaw Falls is probably the easiest one to get to with Little Adventure Seeker because you can drive up to it. The road is narrow and has tight, steep switchbacks so that is an adventure on its own. There is a nice campground by the falls that is an easy walk-in campsite perfect for young families.

Those waterfalls are beautiful! It's nice to know that there are options that are closer to where your vehicles can park for accessibility restrictions and also, I can't pass up a small town option either. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

Thanks Amy. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Field is a great little mountain town and Yoho's waterfalls are spectacular

Field is such a fun town! Thanks for sharing all this great info

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Yoho National Park is open year-round. The peak season is during July and August. Some Parks Canada services are only available from May to early-October.

Visitor Centre

The Yoho National Park Visitor Centre is located on the Trans-Canada Highway in the community of Field, British Columbia. The visitor centre shares a building with the  Friends of Yoho  and  Travel Alberta . Come in to speak with our friendly parks staff or to visit a small scale exhibit of the Burgess Shale Fossils.

• May 1 to June 6:  9:00 am to 5:00 pm
• June 7 to September 25: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
• September 26  to October 14:  9:00 am to 5:00 pm
• October 15 to April 30: Closed 

Friends of Yoho Gift Shop

Be sure to stop by the Friends of Yoho Gift Shop to take home a Yoho momento.

• May 1 to June 7:  9:00 am to 5:00 pm
• June 8 to September 4:  8:30 am to 6:30 pm
• September  5 to October 9: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Campgrounds

Yoho National Park’s  campgrounds  operate from mid-May until early October.

Roads and day use areas

Yoho National Park is bisected by the Trans-Canada Highway. Day use areas located along the Trans-Canada Highway are open seasonally from May until mid-October.  In winter, the highway is controlled for avalanches to ensure visitor safety and to reduce the frequency of road closures. Winter tires or mud and snow (M+S) tires are required from October 1 to March 31. 

Emerald Lake Road, located 3 km west of Field, is open year round.

The Yoho Valley Road, located 5 km east of Field, is open seasonally from late June until mid-October, weather permitting. 

Seasonal closures and restrictions

Additional closures and restrictions may happen at any time, in any location, and without prior notice. See the Important bulletins: Warnings, closures, and restrictions page for a current listing.

Related links

• Pre-arrival checklist
• Fire information and updates
• Getting here
• Where to stay
• What to see
• Maps and brochures
• Facilities and services
• Visitor guidelines

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• Availability

Spring Rates

Victoria Day (May long-weekend) - June 30

$200.00 + tax*

Summer Rates

July 1 - Sept. 30 Minimum 3 Nights Stay

$225.00 + tax*

Winter Rates Oct. 1 - Victoria Day (May long weekend) Minimum 2 Nights Stay

$150.00 + tax*

$175.00 + tax* (holiday periods)

*rates exclude the 8% PST Rates based on double occupancy Sorry no pets, no smoking Prices are in Canadian dollars

Cancellation policy: If notice of cancellation is received less than 60 days ahead of your arrival, a fee equal to your first night stay will be charged. Cancellations received less than 15 days in advance, will be charged the full amount.

Edgemount Guesthouse is located in Field, BC and Yoho National Park, just 27km from Lake Louise, and bordering Banff National Park. Field is the perfect place to stage your Canadian Rockies experience. To the west lies the active town of Golden, BC and Mt. Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks. The Icefields Parkway and Jasper are to the north. To the east, Calgary and the town sites of Banff and Canmore are all accessible, by a scenic drive through the park.

The Guesthouse

Added on to our historic home, a completely separate suite was opened for business in 2010. This totally private, second floor open concept suite is available year round. It includes a small but complete kitchen, queen size bed, claw foot bath/shower and a balcony with a BBQ and views. Free Wi-fi is included.

Things to Do

There is no shortage of things to do and places to see in the immediate area. Whether you chose to hike, canoe, whitewater raft, fish, climb, ski, or just see the sights, your days can easily be filled with adventure, should you wish. We provide an excellent base to experience the very famous Burgess Shale, Emerald Lake, Lake O’Hara, and the Lake Louise areas (to name but a few) in this UNESCO world heritage site. For more information please visit: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/yoho . Visit XCSkiParks.com for more information about my cross-country ski lessons & tours.

PH: 1-587-222-0746 emailE='gmail.com' emailE=('edgemountguesthouse' + '@' + emailE) document.write(' Send Us A Message ') Email address protected by JavaScript. Please enable JavaScript to contact me.

Copyright © 2010, Edgemount Guesthouse. All Rights Reserved 210 Kicking Horse Avenue, Field, BC V0A 1G0

The Best Time to Visit Field, BC, Canada for Weather, Safety, & Tourism

The best times to visit Field for ideal weather are

November 12th to March 4th

based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.

Field Travel Guide

Temperature.

• Perceived Temperature
• Rain and snow
• Humidity and wind
• The busiest and least popular months
• Overall travel experience by time of year

Other Field Travel Info

Weather in field.

Average temperatures in Field vary drastically. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold all year with a low chance of precipitation most of the year. The area is less temperate than some — in the 19th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above . If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Field, the hottest months are July, August, and then June. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early to mid July where highs are regularly around 73.5°F (23.1°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 42.6°F (5.9°C) at night.

Field Temperatures (Fahrenheit)

Field temperatures (celsius), “feels-like” temperatures.

The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.

Field Perceived Temperature (F)

Field perceived temperature (c), average field temperatures by month.

Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.

Show Fahrenheit

Show celsius, precipitation (rain or snow).

If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Field are January, February, and then October. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early January. For example, on the week of January 1st there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in mid June with an average of 3 days of significant precipitation the week of June 18th.

Chance of Precipitation

The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Field.

Snow on the Ground

The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Field (in).

Average Rain and Snow by Month

Show inches, show centimeters, humidity and wind.

Field has some extremely humid months, with other comfortably humid months. The least humid month is May (57.1% relative humidity), and the most humid month is November (86.5%).

Wind in Field is usually moderate . The windiest month is January, followed by November and December. January’s average wind speed of around 10.5 knots (12.1 MPH or 19.5 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early to mid January where average top sustained speeds reach 17.2 knots, which is considered a fresh breeze.

Relative Humidity (%)

The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Field.

The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.

Average Wind Speeds

Show wind speeds.

All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.

Show Relative Humidity by Month

Is it safe to travel to field, the busiest and least crowded months.

The busiest month for tourism in Field, BC, Canada is July, followed by June and August. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Field in December. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.

Estimated Tourism by Month

Most popular months to visit, overall field travel experience by season, spring (march through may).

Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel very cold. Highs range from 61.2°F (16.2°C) and 27°F (-2.8°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is rare with 2 to 6 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.

Summer (June through August)

The middle-year months have cold weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see the most precipitation with 9 to 11 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Field, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.

Fall (September through November)

Fall daily highs range from 64°F (17.8°C) and 20.5°F (-6.4°C), which will feel very chilly given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 2 to 9 days per month. Tourism is fairly slow during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be lower priced.

Winter (December through February)

Weather is far too cold this time of year in Field to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 28.6°F (-1.9°C) and 16.8°F (-8.4°C). On average, it rains or snows a smalll amount: 0 to 3 times per month. These times of year are the slowest with tourists.

Best Times to Travel › Canada › Field, BC, Canada

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A British tourist is in a hospital after a shark attack. Tobago closes several beaches

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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A shark attacked a British tourist on Friday in the southeastern Caribbean, prompting the government of Trinidad & Tobago to close seven beaches and a marine park. The man was hospitalized in an intensive care unit following the attack, officials said.

The closure included beaches along the northwestern coast of the island of Tobago. The attack occurred at Turtle Beach along Great Courland Bay.

The government said in a statement that shark sightings were reported in the Grafton area and the Buccoo Reef Marine Park. Officials said the closures will allow the Coast Guard and Department of Fisheries to investigate the incident and “neutralize the shark threat, if possible.”

Shark attacks are rare. Last year, there were 69 unprovoked attacks and 22 provoked bites worldwide, along with 14 fatalities, according to the Florida-based International Shark Attack File.