Boo the Bear & the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge: A Complete Guide
Just west of Banff, near the town of Golden, British Columbia, lives one of the most beloved grizzly bears in Canada. His name is Boo, and his home — the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge — is the largest enclosed, protected grizzly habitat in the world. For visitors who dream of seeing a grizzly bear up close but safely, and of learning about these magnificent animals from expert interpreters, a visit to Boo is a moving and unforgettable experience. This guide tells his story and covers everything you need to plan a visit.
At a glance
- Is Boo still alive? Yes — alive and well as of 2026, around 24 years old
- Where: Kicking Horse Mountain, near Golden, BC · ~1 hr 45 min drive from Banff
- The refuge: roughly 20 acres, the largest enclosed grizzly habitat in the world
- Getting up: Catamount chairlift, ~15 minutes, roughly 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Season: opens around the end of May · core daily operations late June–early September
- 2026 refuge admission: $45 adult · $38 senior/youth · $22 child · infants free (CAD)
- Best timing: morning tours, Boo is most active in the cooler hours
The refuge has no public transit and sits nearly two hours from Banff each way, which is exactly why the guided day tour exists. The Banff: Grizzly Bear Refuge Tour with Lunch handles the full drive west through Yoho National Park, adds stops at Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake and the Golden Skybridge, includes lunch, and gets you to Boo's habitat with a guide who knows his story. If your goal is to definitely see a grizzly on your trip, this is the trip that delivers it. Rated 4.2★ from 55 reviews, from $239.
Boo's story
Boo's beginning was a tragedy that became a rescue. In June 2002, his mother was shot and killed by a poacher near Golden, leaving Boo and his brother orphaned as tiny cubs, only a few months old. The two cubs — named Boo and Cari, after British Columbia's Cariboo Mountains — were brought to a refuge built specifically to give them a safe home, since orphaned grizzly cubs cannot survive in the wild without their mother and cannot simply be released.
Sadly, Cari died during his first winter of dormancy from a twisted intestine. Boo survived, and because male grizzlies are naturally solitary animals, he has lived alone in his expansive refuge ever since. He's had his adventures — famously escaping once in 2006 during mating season, drawn by the instinct to find a mate, before returning to the refuge on his own. Over the years, Boo has grown into an enormous bear, often described as one of the largest known grizzlies in the Canadian Rockies.
Is Boo still alive in 2026?
Yes. Boo is alive and well as of 2026. The Kicking Horse Mountain Resort celebrated his birthday in early July 2026, and he remains the resident grizzly at the refuge. Born in early 2002, Boo is now around 24 years old — considered old for a grizzly bear, which typically live 20 to 25 years in the wild. Staff who care for him note that he's a remarkably healthy senior bear who may well live beyond the usual lifespan.
Because Boo is an elderly bear, check the resort's latest updates before planning a trip centred on seeing him — the refuge posts news about his health and his emergence from dormancy each spring. But as of 2026, he's thriving, and visitors continue to have the chance to observe this iconic bear.
Other experiences worth adding to your itinerary
The drive to Golden runs straight through some of the best scenery in the Rockies, so a Boo day pairs easily with the rest of the region. Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park sit directly on the route, and the Golden Skybridge is minutes from the resort. Back in Banff, the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain delivers a 360° valley panorama, an evening wildlife safari works Lake Minnewanka and the Bow Valley Parkway at dusk, and the Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola rides over the Whitehorn grizzly corridor.
The refuge
The Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge is a genuinely unique place: the largest enclosed and protected grizzly bear habitat in the world, spanning roughly 20 acres of natural mountain terrain. This isn't a zoo enclosure — it's a vast, forested, mountainside habitat where Boo lives much as a wild grizzly would, foraging, digging, and denning across seasons, while being protected and cared for.
The refuge sits partway up Kicking Horse Mountain, near Golden, BC, which is about a 1 hour 45 minute drive from Banff. You'll need a vehicle to get there, as there's no public transit to the resort. The drive itself is scenic, heading west through Yoho National Park and over the mountains into the Columbia Valley.
The refuge also serves an important educational mission: Boo is an ambassador for his species, and the interpretive programs teach visitors about grizzly bear behaviour, ecology, and conservation, knowledge that helps protect wild bears throughout the region.
How to visit
Getting up to the refuge involves a scenic ride up the mountain:
Access is via the Catamount chairlift, a roughly 15-minute ride that operates during refuge hours (generally around 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). The Catamount chair is confirmed running for the 2026 season. On days when the chairlift isn't operating, rangers drive guests up a service road instead, so access is maintained either way.
(Note: the resort's main Golden Eagle Express gondola had an extended service interruption following an incident, and while it appears to be operating again for 2026, the refuge itself is reached via the Catamount chair regardless. Check the resort's current lift status when planning, especially if you want the full gondola experience.)
Season: The refuge opens in late spring, around the end of May, with core daily summer operations roughly from late June through early September, and a late-season stretch (often Friday to Monday) continuing into late September. Exact opening dates shift year to year and can vary between sources, so confirm current dates with the resort before you go.
Tours and timing
The refuge offers guided interpretive experiences that are the heart of a visit:
- Interpretive tours run three times daily, typically at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Led by knowledgeable rangers, these tours share Boo's story and teach about grizzly biology and behaviour while you watch for him in his habitat.
- The Ranger Assist Program offers a more intimate experience at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., limited to a small number of guests (around five), and should be booked at least a day in advance. This program lets participants get more involved in the daily care and observation routines.
Mornings are your best bet for seeing Boo active — like wild bears, he's most energetic in the cooler hours, foraging and moving about his habitat. By midday he may settle in for a rest. It's the same principle that governs wild bear viewing across Banff: watch at the cool edges of the day.
2026 admission
Admission is charged separately depending on whether you want just the refuge or the full mountain experience. Approximate 2026 prices (in Canadian dollars):
| Ticket | Grizzly Bear Refuge (Catamount chair access) |
Adventure Pass (gondola plus refuge) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $45 | $85 |
| Senior | $38 | $72 |
| Youth (13–17) | $38 | $72 |
| Child (6–12) | $22 | $42 |
| Infant (0–5) | Free | — |
A thoughtful policy: if you don't manage to spot Boo during your first visit, you can return for a complimentary tour — recognition that wildlife viewing, even in a refuge, is never guaranteed. Note that no food is allowed at the refuge, to avoid habituating Boo to human food, so plan your meals accordingly.
These are resort admission prices only, and they're separate from your Parks Canada pass — Golden lies outside the national parks, though you'll pass through Yoho on the way.
Why visit Boo?
A visit to the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge offers something you can't get anywhere else: the chance to observe a grizzly bear at close range, safely, in a natural mountain habitat, while learning from expert interpreters who know this animal intimately. For families, for wildlife lovers, and for anyone who wants to understand grizzly bears more deeply, it's a profoundly rewarding experience.
There's a conservation dimension to it too. Boo's life — orphaned by a poacher, rescued, and now an ambassador for his species — puts a face to the challenges wild grizzlies face and the importance of protecting them. Every visitor who leaves the refuge understanding bears a little better becomes, in a small way, an advocate for the wild bears still roaming the mountains all around.
Guaranteed Boo, or a Wild Sighting
The refuge day trip is the certainty. A bear you will almost certainly see, plus Yoho's headline sights on the way. The evening safari is the gamble that pays off differently: a genuinely wild animal, on its own terms, if the evening goes your way.
Guaranteed · full day
Grizzly Bear Refuge Tour with Lunch
The whole day handled from Banff: the drive west through Yoho, stops at Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake and the Golden Skybridge, lunch, and time at Boo's 20-acre habitat with a guide. No car, no 3.5 hours of your own driving.
Featured: Banff Grizzly Bear Refuge Tour with Lunch · ★ 4.2 (55 reviews) · From $239 Check availability
Wild sighting · evening
Evening Wildlife Sunset Safari
Stays in the Bow Valley and works Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, Bow Falls and the Hoodoos at dusk, when animals are most active. Nothing is guaranteed, but the animals are wild, and the route adapts to the day's sightings.
Featured: Twilight Wildlife & Alpine Lakes Sunset Safari · ★ 4.5 (46 reviews) · From $142 Check availabilityPlanning Your Visit: A Day Worth the Drive
Boo has captured the hearts of visitors for over two decades, and meeting him is one of the most special wildlife experiences in the Canadian Rockies. Seven things to get right before you go.
Check the Season and Boo's Status
The refuge is seasonal, and Boo is a senior bear whose spring emergence timing varies. Check the resort's website for current dates and health updates before you commit to the drive.
Allow a Full Day
It's roughly 1 hour 45 minutes each way from Banff, plus time at the refuge. This is not a half-day outing, block out the whole day.
Aim for a Morning Tour
The 10 a.m. interpretive tour gives you the best chance of seeing Boo active. By midday he may have settled in for a rest.
Book Ranger Assist Ahead
If you want the smaller-group experience at 9 a.m. or 3 p.m., limited to around five guests, book it at least a day in advance.
Bring a Vehicle, or a Tour
There's no public transit to the resort. Either drive yourself, or take a guided day tour from Banff that includes the transport and Yoho stops.
Don't Bring Food
No food is permitted in the refuge, to keep Boo from associating people with meals. Eat before you ride up, and follow all ranger instructions.
Pair It With a Yoho Stop
You're driving west through Yoho National Park anyway — combine the trip with Emerald Lake or Takakkaw Falls for a full, memorable day.
Come to Meet Boo
A beautiful mountain setting, an expertly guided experience, and the rare privilege of observing a grizzly up close. You'll leave with a deeper love and understanding of one of the mountains' most magnificent inhabitants.
Boo & the Kicking Horse Refuge: Common Questions
Whether Boo is still alive, how to get up the mountain, what it costs, and when to go for the best chance of seeing him.
Is Boo the bear still alive in 2026?
Yes. Boo is alive and well as of 2026. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort celebrated his birthday in early July 2026, and he remains the resident grizzly at the refuge. Born in early 2002, Boo is now around 24 years old — considered old for a grizzly bear, which typically live 20 to 25 years in the wild. Staff who care for him note that he is a remarkably healthy senior bear who may well live beyond the usual lifespan. Because he is elderly, check the resort's latest updates before planning a trip centred on seeing him.
How far is the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge from Banff?
The refuge sits partway up Kicking Horse Mountain near Golden, British Columbia, about a 1 hour 45 minute drive from Banff. You will need a vehicle, as there is no public transit to the resort. The drive heads west through Yoho National Park and over the mountains into the Columbia Valley. Allow a full day for the round trip plus time at the refuge, or take a guided day tour from Banff that includes the driving.
How do you get up to the refuge?
Access is via the Catamount chairlift, a roughly 15-minute ride that operates during refuge hours, generally around 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Catamount chair is confirmed running for the 2026 season. On days when the chairlift is not operating, rangers drive guests up a service road instead, so access is maintained either way. The resort's main Golden Eagle Express gondola had an extended service interruption following an incident and appears to be operating again for 2026, but the refuge is reached via the Catamount chair regardless.
When is the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge open?
The refuge opens in late spring, around the end of May, with core daily summer operations roughly from late June through early September, and a late-season stretch — often Friday to Monday — continuing into late September. Exact opening dates shift year to year and can vary between sources, so confirm current dates with the resort before you go.
What do tours at the refuge cost in 2026?
Approximate 2026 prices in Canadian dollars: Grizzly Bear Refuge admission with Catamount chair access is $45 adult, $38 senior, $38 youth aged 13 to 17, $22 child aged 6 to 12, and free for infants aged 0 to 5. The Adventure Pass, which adds the gondola, is $85 adult, $72 senior, $72 youth and $42 child. If you do not manage to spot Boo during your first visit, you can return for a complimentary tour.
What time of day is best for seeing Boo?
Mornings are your best bet for seeing Boo active — like wild bears, he is most energetic in the cooler hours, foraging and moving about his habitat, and by midday he may settle in for a rest. Interpretive tours run three times daily, typically at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Ranger Assist Program offers a more intimate experience at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., limited to around five guests, and should be booked at least a day in advance.
Can I bring food to the Grizzly Bear Refuge?
No. No food is allowed at the refuge, to avoid habituating Boo to human food, so plan your meals accordingly — eat before you ride up, or after you come down.