Field: Nature, Railway History and Trilobites

Field lies in the heart of Yoho National Park, on the Trans-Canada Highway. The community combines striking mountain scenery with the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway and hikes to the trilobite beds on Mount Stephen. Field’s longstanding connection to the Lake O’Hara region is also part of its character: the community has long served as a gateway to this region.

Between the River, Alluvial Fan and Mountain Slopes

Field lies on an alluvial fan at the confluence of Stephen Creek and the Kicking Horse River. Rising above it are the steep slopes of Mount Stephen and Mount Dennis. River courses, alluvial fans and steep mountain slopes combine to shape the landscape here. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, Field offers a place where the surroundings are more than just a backdrop: a hike leads from the community along steep, natural forest trails to the trilobite beds on Mount Stephen.

A guided hike on Mount Stephen starts at the Yoho National Park Visitor Centre in Field. The Visitor Centre and the Friends of Yoho gift shop are located in the community, on the Trans-Canada Highway. When planning your trip, it is helpful to treat the guided hike and the hike along the steep forest trails as separate activities; the description of one does not establish any additional features of the other.

Traces of Railway History

Field was founded in the 1880s as a settlement of tents and simple huts for Canadian Pacific Railway construction workers. The railway connection also shapes the history of the community’s buildings. The Canadian Pacific Railway Station in Field is a small station in the International Style, built in 1953–1954. It is considered an outstanding example of a small station in this style. Freight and tourist trains regularly pass through Field; this is another part of the community’s present-day character, but does not indicate that trains stop at the station.

The CPR Telegraph Building is a historic stone and brick building dating from around 1931. It is the only building in Field from before the Second World War that still survives today. The building offers a view of nearby railway tracks. Do not enter CP property without authorization. If you are interested in railway development, you can consider different aspects here: the former telegraph operations, the station built later and the regular train traffic through the community.

Hiking, Pottery and Breaks in the Community

The hike to the trilobite beds follows steep, natural forest trails. This type of trail is an important distinction from a visit focused mainly on the community centre and its history. When planning a trip together, you can therefore consider whether a hike like this is among your preferred activities, or whether you would rather focus on Field’s cultural history. A guided hike starts at the Visitor Centre; this does not provide any further information about its duration or difficulty.

Field is also home to Velvet Antler Pottery, an active pottery studio that includes a gallery. The community has restaurants and cafés. Alongside the scenery and railway history, pottery and meal breaks are also distinct themes to consider for your trip, without implying a shared route or the location of individual establishments.

Field as a Potential Holiday Destination

If you are looking for a holiday apartment or house in Field, you can choose the community based on your travel interests: mountain scenery and hiking, the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway, or Field as a longstanding gateway to the Lake O’Hara region. These themes are quite distinct; not every trip needs to focus on them equally. For families, it may be helpful to consider the steep trails to the trilobite beds as a separate outing, while also taking into account the railway history, pottery, and restaurants and cafés in the community.

Field thus brings together a distinct landscape, a community history closely tied to the railway, and a range of interests to consider when planning a trip. Which of these aspects matters most to you can help you assess Field as a holiday destination and look for suitable accommodation in the community.

Other places: Malakwa, Celista, Squilax, Golden, Scotch Creek, Sicamous, Beaverfoot, Tappen.

For the broader trip overview: Columbia-Shuswap.