With just over 150 year round residents, the town of Field offers small town charm in the surrounds of the majestic Rocky Mountains. It is located in Yoho National Park in British Columbia, just 15 minutes west of Lake Louise, Alberta.
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 are just a few 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 just 15 minutes east and the town of Banff a further 40 minutes. Head west from Field for 45 minutes and you will arrive in the town of Golden. This is another area full of hiking and recreational activities.
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. 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.
Restaurants In Yoho National Park
Cheap Eats In Lake Louise
Accommodation Options In Field
Many of the historic houses have been converted into charming bed and breakfasts.
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
The present school was opened in 1960, but teachers have taught from their homes in Field as far back as 1895. In the past the school went up to grade 12, but now serves Kindergarten to grade three. In some years there has been as little as 3 students! When a student graduates from the school it is no small event. Last year there was only one student with this honour. Most of the town’s residents came out to celebrate the occasion.
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.
We consider ourselves privileged to be able to work and live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, Banff National Park. We have created this site to share our photography and personal experiences of the park and the rest of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.