Alberta is Canada’s most stunning province. I could also be biased since I used to be born in Alberta and have returned numerous occasions nevertheless it’s arduous to compete with the Rocky Mountains, the badlands, and the glistening glacier lakes. So since we love visiting Alberta a lot, we need to share probably the most stunning locations to go to in Alberta to allow you to be the choose. House to the Canadian Rockies, Alberta boasts 5 nationwide parks with among the greatest surroundings in Western Canada. If you’re planning a visit to Alberta, don’t miss these stunning locations.
Finest Locations to Go to in Alberta
Now we have traveled quite a lot of Alberta throughout each season and may actually say, it’s an incredible year-round vacation spot and one of many most stunning locations on the earth! Whether or not you go to Alberta in winter, summer season, spring, or fall, you’re going to be shocked by its pure magnificence.
One of the simplest ways to get round Alberta is by automotive. You’ll need to have the ability to cease on the scenic views, mountaineering trails, and sights all through the province. You may choose up your automotive rental on the Calgary Airport and set off for the journey of a lifetime. Examine costs right here.
There are such a lot of iconic locations to see in Alberta, it may be tough figuring out the place to begin, however we’re right here to assist. These are probably the most stunning locations in Alberta that we now have visited with footage to show it! Let’s get began.
Banff Nationwide Park
Banff Nationwide Park is Canada’s oldest nationwide park and has attracted guests since 1885. Situated in the course of the Rocky Mountains there are unbelievable views, glacier lakes, and backcountry adventures available. While you set your eyes upon Lake Louise with Victoria Glacier regally reflecting into its turquoise waters you may’t assist however gasp in awe on the scene of one of the stunning locations in Canada.
Banff Nationwide Park is huge with towering mountain peaks of the Canadian Rockies, turquoise lakes (apart from Lake Louise), and alpine meadows. The park can be house to quite a few waterfalls, glaciers, and wildlife, making it a nature lover’s paradise. So, earlier than we transfer away from Banff Nationwide Park, let’s check out the entire prime sights within the space, as a result of they simply so occur to be the most effective locations to go to in Alberta as properly.
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is likely one of the most well-known vacationer sights in Alberta. A real Canadian bucket record exercise is to lease a canoe and head out onto the lake. You may keep in Lake Louise Village which has loads of retailers and eating places or you may keep on the world-famous Chateau Lake Louise for pure luxurious and decadence.
The place to Keep in Lake Louise:
Lake Louise in Winter
It is usually the most effective locations in Alberta to go to in Winter. Lake Louise Ski Resort is a world-class resort that hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics. Within the winter there are countless adventures available at Lake Louise Ski Resort and past the ski hill from cross-country snowboarding, canine sledding, skijoring, pond hockey, and snowshoeing.
Within the winter Lake Louise freezes over making for probably the most stunning outside skating rink settings on earth. Now’s your probability to ice skate at certainly one of Canada’s most iconic locations.
- Learn extra about what to see and do in Lake Louise:
In the summertime, Lake Louise is astounding with mountaineering trails taking you out to Victoria Glacier and past. A preferred hike is the Lake Agnes Tea Home Trek, the place you hike 3.5km (2.2 miles) to the historic tea home. Lake Agnes Tea Home has been in operation since 1905 and has an enthralling rustic ambiance, with seating each inside and outdoors on the deck overlooking Lake Agnes.
This is likely one of the hottest hikes within the nationwide park, so it’s beneficial to reach early to keep away from crowds and guarantee a spot on the tea home. After having fun with your tea and snacks on the tea home, you may both retrace your steps again to Lake Louise alongside this fashionable hike or proceed on to the Little Beehive or Massive Beehive trails for extra beautiful views of the realm.
Moraine Lake
No go to to Lake Louise could be full with out mountaineering out to Moraine Lake. It unforgettable scene is featured on the again of our previous Canadian $20 invoice and has been attracting outside lovers for many years.
Moraine Lake isn’t removed from Lake Louise and is simply an hour’s drive from the city of Banff. One of the best time to go to Moraine Lake is unquestionably at dawn. When the solar hits the Valley of the Ten Peaks and displays off of the mirror-like lake why this is likely one of the most photographed areas in North America.
Observe that there was a change in guidelines for 2023 and accessing Moraine Lake for dawn is not potential by way of the Parks Canada Shuttle. You’ll have to discover a tour that has entry to do that. For those who trip a motorbike or take an organized tour you may nonetheless go to Lake Moraine for dawn.
The Moraine Lake Shoreline hike provides you a shot of ten towering peaks side-by-side, together with Mount Tuzo, Mount Bowlen, and Wenkchemna Peak. That is the well-known “Twenty Greenback View.” Learn extra: 16 Finest Banff Hikes To Uncover
Banff Scorching Springs
It was the Banff Scorching Springs that first attracted vacationers to the nationwide park and when visiting Banff you need to take a day to spend in these iconic waters. The new springs had been first found by staff on the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1883.
This is likely one of the most beautiful areas of any scorching spring surrounded by the Canadian Rockies. The water temperature ranges from 37°C to 40°C (98°F to 104°F), making it the right place to calm down and unwind.
The Banff Higher Scorching Springs is the preferred and accessible in Banff Nationwide Park making it a simple place to go to. The power consists of a big outside pool that’s open year-round. The truth is, the most effective time to go to is in winter when the mountains are lined with snow. There are indoor change rooms the place you may lease an old-timers bathing swimsuit when you don’t have your individual, plus a café. There may be additionally a present store the place you should buy souvenirs and different objects.
Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka is the most important lake in Banff Nationwide Park stretching over 21 kilometers (13 miles) in size and reaching depths of as much as 142 meters (466 toes). Like so lots of the lakes within the park, it’s surrounded by the Canadian Rockies.
The identify “Minnewanka” comes from the Stoney Nakoda First Nations individuals, that means “Water of the Spirits” and there are many issues to do within the space. Guests can take a scenic drive alongside the Minnewanka Loop, which presents a number of viewpoints and stops for mountaineering trails and picnic areas.
We extremely advocate taking certainly one of its boat excursions throughout the summer season months. The guides are crammed with information and also you’ll be taught in regards to the legend of the Mermen that lived in Lake Minnewanka. Within the winter, the lake freezes over and turns into a preferred spot for ice fishing and cross-country snowboarding. Now we have visited it in each winter and summer season and every season is gorgeous.
Citadel Mountain
Some of the recognizable Massifs is Citadel Mountain. Situated between Banff City and Lake Louise, its distinctive form resembles a fortress. (therefore its identify). The realm presents alternatives for mountaineering and mountaineering. For these with out alpine expertise, the mountain might be seen from the Trans Canada Freeway at Citadel Junction.
The place to remain in Banff:
Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway hyperlinks Banff and Jasper nationwide parks and is likely one of the most stunning drives on earth. It actually is likely one of the best highway journeys on the earth. There are such a lot of issues to see alongside Icefields parkway you’ll need to take a few days to discover it. Don’t miss stopping on the Athabasca Glacier on the Columbia Icefields which is likely one of the largest non-polar ice fields on the earth and take within the view of the encircling mountains on the Icefields Skywalk.
You may learn extra at Driving the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper Alberta however we’re additionally going to focus on among the prime outside actions and viewpoints alongside this iconic route.
Columbia Icefield Skywalk
The Columbia Icefields Skywalk has shortly turn into probably the most epic viewpoint in Alberta. Only a brief drive from the Columbia Icefield customer heart the Skywalk is a must-see attraction. The glass-bottomed walkway over the Columbia Icefields dangles 280m (918 toes) above the canyon surrounded by glaciers and mountains creating an superior view!
The Columbia Icefield is a superb cease about midway between Banff and Jasper city and right here you may go to the museum, seize some lunch (meals is pricey although so be ready), and take within the views of the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier. You may guide excursions right here as properly.
Athabasca Glacier
You may view the glacier from the customer centre, however you too can guide a tour to get out onto it. For those who don’t need to guide a tour, you may stroll out on some trails for a better view of the glacier. However don’t go off the path and by no means enterprise out onto the glacier alone with no information. It’s harmful and might be lethal, that is the scariest glacier we’ve ever been on with deep crevasses and we adopted our information’s directions to a tea.
E book this Columbia Icefield Half Day Tour right here from Jasper. It consists of transportation from Jasper, photograph stops at Athabasca Falls and Stutfield Glacier, Ice Cat tour of the Athabasca Glacier and the Icefield Skywalk with lunch!
Bow Lake
There are numerous pullovers and viewpoints on the Icefields Parkway to see iconic Alberta lakes corresponding to Peyto Lake, and the beautiful reflections of Bow Lake. Situated on the foot of Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake has probably the most stunning lake reflection in all of Alberta. You may hike across the lake or pause to remain at Num ti Jaw Lodge positioned straight on Bow Lake. It’s an incredible place to make a base.
Peyto Lake
There are such a lot of lakes alongside the Icefields Parkway to cease and take within the views. From Two Jack Lake to Peyto Lake which we now have determined to characteristic. Why? As a result of, Peyto Lake is a shocking glacier-fed lake that’s is understood for its vibrant blue-green colour, which is attributable to the rock flour (advantageous sediment) that’s carried into the lake by melting glaciers.
It has spectacular views of the encircling mountains, there are a number of mountaineering trails with The Bow Summit Path being a preferred cease. Be certain to maintain an eye fixed out for elk, moose deer, and even bears. Peyto Lake is well accessible from the close by Icefields Parkway, making it one of the fashionable tops for individuals touring from Banff to Jasper Nationwide Park.
The place to Keep on the Icefields Parkway
Num Ti Jah Lodge is a historic Lodge positioned straight on Bow Lake. It is likely one of the most original locations to remain in Alberta and is positioned on the Glacier Parkway, it makes for an incredible place to make a base whereas exploring each Banff and Jasper Nationwide Parks when you don’t thoughts the drive.
Jasper Nationwide Park
After you’ve pushed the Icefields Parkway, Jasper Nationwide Park is your subsequent cease and is a spot you can not miss visiting in Alberta. It’s as stunning as Banff Nationwide Park when you can imagine it! The truth is, we like Jasper Nationwide Park higher than banff as a result of it’s much less crowded and extra rustic.
There are such a lot of locations to see in Jasper Nationwide Park that it’s essential to spend just a few days up right here. It has an abundance of wildlife from grizzly bears to mountain goats, you may see the aurora borealis and waterfalls. Plus, like so many different locations in Alberta, there are mountaineering trails, turquoise lakes, and canyons. Learn extra: Wonderful Issues to do in Jasper, Alberta
Northern Lights at Lake Annette
You may see the northern lights throughout Alberta however Jasper is understood for its darkish sky competition and it is likely one of the greatest locations to see the Aurora Borealis in Alberta. Winter is the most effective time to view the darkish skies as a result of the times or shorter and you’ve got lengthy darkish nights to see the celebs twinkle within the sky.
We made our method out to Lake Annette from the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge within the wee hours of the morning and noticed probably the most extraordinary show of northern lights reflecting within the nonetheless waters. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is the most effective place to remain in Jasper with stunning views of Lac Beauvert and choices to remain in log cabins, big lake homes, and foremost constructing lodge rooms.
Maligne Canyon
Maligne Canyon is a beautiful river canyon stroll that plunges 50 meters (154 toes) into the earth. Maligne Canyon is positioned simply quarter-hour from downtown Jasper alongside the 46 km (miles) Maligne Lake Drive. This cease is likely one of the hottest locations to go to in Jasper and for good motive. It’s the deepest canyon in Jasper Nationwide Park and there are stunning mountaineering trails alongside the canyon providing extraordinary views. Arrive early within the morning to beat the crowds!
In the summertime it’s a excellent place for a hike to see the waterfalls cascading down the canyon, however within the winter it turns right into a wonderland with frozen waterfalls filling the scene. You may guide ice stroll excursions to see the frozen waterfalls and ice caves.
Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake is likely one of the most visited locations in Jasper Nationwide Park. There are mountaineering trails and scenic lookouts however the prime factor to do right here is to take a ship cruise to Spirit Island for a picture-perfect photograph alternative.
Additionally, this provides you with sufficient time to drive out to Maligne Lake. It’s the longest pure lake within the Canadian Rockies. Learn extra: 14 Finest Hikes in Jasper Nationwide Park – Alberta Canada
The place to Keep in Jasper Nationwide Park
Different highlights of Jasper embody taking a meals tour of Jasper City, a go to to Pyramid Lake at dawn, a hike to Sunwapta Falls, and stopping to view the attractive Athabasca Falls. Take a look at: 14 Finest Hikes in Jasper Nationwide Park – Alberta Canada
Alberta Badlands
The Alberta Badlands are a stark distinction to the Rocky Mountains area. The lunar-like panorama is crammed with distinctive locations to see in Alberta. There may be additionally some stunning scenic lookouts like Horse Thief Canyon and Horseshoe Canyon. The Hoodoos of Drumheller are to not be missed. Learn extra: Issues to do in Drumheller, Alberta
Hoodoos of Drumheller
These historic hoodoo rock formations are a tiny cluster on the aspect of the highway as you drive from Dinosaur Provincial Park to Drumheller. The hoodoos had been shaped over a whole lot of years by erosion from freezing, frost, soften and wind.
Over time, the sandstone eroded into lengthy chimney-like formations that stay standing as a result of the arduous rock “hat” retains it from fully eroding away. They’re one of the distinctive locations in Alberta. If you wish to know extra, take a look at our publish at The Hoodoos of Drumheller
The place to remain within the Alberta Badlands
Royal Tyrrell Museum
Situated within the city of Drumheller, The Royal Tyrrell Museum is likely one of the greatest dinosaur museums on the earth. We might have spent hours having fun with its shows. The truth is, it homes the most important and most various assortment of fossils on the earth, with over 160,000 specimens on show. Guests can see all the things from dinosaur skeletons and fossils to historic marine creatures and prehistoric crops.
Dinosaur Provincial Park
Whereas driving alongside the dinosaur path, you can not miss taking a tour of Dinosaur Provincial Park. Not solely is is completely stunning, however it’s also one of the fossil-rich locations on the planet and you may see actual fossils which were dug from excavations.
The Centrosaurus Quarry Hike is one of the best ways to see this big focus of dinosaur fossils. This was an precise excavation website, however scientists obtained all they wanted from there and left the remainder for us to see. It’s an interactive tour and the information checks your information as you attempt to bear in mind all the things you realized at school about dinosaurs. You may guide excursions on the park customer heart. Learn extra: A Go to to Dinosaur Provincial Park
Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park
Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park (also referred to as Waterton – Glacier Worldwide Peace Park) is an incredible place to go to in Alberta. It’s positioned on the USA border and shares its land with Glacier Nationwide Park.
Collectively they’re the one nationwide parks on the earth which can be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Website, an Worldwide Peace Park, and a Biosphere Reserve rolled multi function. You may see a herd of untamed buffalo, purple rocks canyon, and the Prince Albert Resort. Plan your go to: The Wonders of Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park
The place to Keep in Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park
- Prince of Wales Resort is a Nationwide Historic Website that stands within the heart of Waterton Nationwide Park. It is likely one of the most recognizable scenes from the park and is the right luxurious escape.
Pincher Creek – Southern Alberta
Pincher Creek is a small city in Southern Alberta that may be a nice jumping-off level for Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park which is about one hour away.
It’s a place the place the prairies meet the Rocky Mountains and it’s a completely stunning setting. Wind farms line the plains with stark mountains filling within the backdrop and cattle graze within the fields and big bales of hay dot the panorama. It’s the Quintessential Alberta journey vacation spot. It’s an incredible place to make a base to discover Crowsnest Cross for just a few days. Take a look at all of the sights at The Many Sights of Pincher Creek.
Burmis Tree
Once I noticed The Burmis Tree in pictures, I had to verify I put it on the prime of my record of locations to go to in Alberta. Situated at Crowsnest Cross (One other must-visit place in Alberta) the Burmis Tree is estimated to be 600 to 750 years previous. It’s an ominous sight,
Head Smashed in Buffalo Leap
Situated simply quarter-hour from Fort MacLeod is the UNESCO World Heritage Website, Head Smashed in Buffalo Leap. Courting again 6000 years, the early Aboriginal peoples would lure herds of buffalo over the sting of a cliff. Learn: Well-known Canada Landmarks so as to add to your bucket record
Calgary
Calgary is Alberta’s largest metropolis and no go to to Alberta could be full with out spending a minimum of two days within the metropolis. It’s house to the annual Calgary Stampede however there’s a lot extra to do than simply watch chuck wagon races and bull driving. Calgary hosted the 1988 Olympics and simply exterior the town is Canada Olympic Park the place you may take pleasure in numerous outside actions in each winter and summer season. Learn extra: Canada Olympic Park – Enjoyable in Calgary Alberta
There are such a lot of issues to do in Calgary we advocate spending a few days. Situated on the Bow River, Calgary has loads of outside sights, however it’s also an elegant city vacation spot with a implausible meals scene. Learn extra: 21 Finest Issues to do in Calgary, Alberta
Calgary Tower
As proven above, we now have a complete article devoted to all of the issues to do in Calgary, however we do want to the touch on a minimum of certainly one of its prime sights. While you go to Calgary, the primary place you need to go is up the Calgary Tower is likely one of the most recognizable buildings within the metropolis, and going up the tower is as a lot part of the town because the CN Tower is to Toronto.
Upon completion in 1968, the Calgary Tower was the tallest constructing in Calgary. Though it was dethroned in 1984, the tower nonetheless presents guests among the greatest views in Calgary.
Now we have a complete article devoted the Finest Issues to do in Calgary, Alberta
The place to remain in Calgary:
Canmore
We are able to’t write about all of the locations to go to in Alberta with out mentioning Canmore. This former coal mining city is now an out of doors lover’s playground. Situated between Calgary and Banff, it has heaps of mountaineering, biking, and snowshoe trails in addition to implausible viewpoints of the Three Sisters. It’s an incredible spot for mountaineering in the summertime and mountain climbing within the winter.
The Yamnuska Wolf Canine Sanctuary is to not be missed and ensure to do some climbing to soak up the birds-eye views. Learn extra: The Finest Issues to do in Canmore, Alberta
Johnston Canyon
The scenic Johnston Canyon Icewalk is as stunning (if no more) within the winter as it’s in the summertime. Within the winter it’s crammed with frozen waterfalls. The sub-zero chill freezes the canyons, caves, and crevasses making for the bost stunning scene. Ice climbers climb the glistening canyon partitions whereas the remainder of us can take the ice stroll to discover ice caves and marvel on the frozen waterfalls. Learn extra: The Finest Issues to do in Banff, Alberta
The place to Keep in Canmore
Kananaskis
Individuals usually overlook Kananaskis for Banff or Jasper nevertheless it is likely one of the most stunning locations to go to in Alberta with simply as beautiful views. Situated between Calgary and Banff, it’s a nice weekend getaway vacation spot. Make sure to go to the spa at Kananaskis Mountain Lodge.
Edmonton
Edmonton is commonly ignored when visiting Alberta, however it’s a funky city that has one of many youngest populations in Canada making for a stylish and taking place metropolis to go to! For those who love spending time open air admiring wildlife it is a nice jumping-off level to go to Jasper Nationwide Park, nevertheless it additionally has an incredible meals scene, and loads of festivals, in reality, Edmonton hosts the second-largest Fringe Pageant on the earth.
In Edmonton, you’ll uncover a vibrant, cosmopolitan metropolis surrounded by wilderness. Test it out at: The Finest Issues to do in Edmonton, Alberta
West Edmonton Mall
The West Edmonton Mall is a prime draw with all the things inside you may think about. It’s the dimension of a small metropolis and makes for an incredible year-round vacation spot. I typically really feel that individuals go to Edmonton simpy to see this mall.
West Edmonton Mall is likely one of the largest malls on the earth, masking an space of roughly 5.3 million sq. toes. Apart from buying, it has an indoor amusement park, mini golf, ice skating, a bowling alley, a film theatre, and an aquarium.
The mall even has two motels together with the Fantasyland Resort, which options rooms with distinctive themes such because the Polynesian Room and the Hollywood Room, and the West Edmonton Mall Inn.
Cowboy Path
Southern Alberta is commonly ignored with planning a visit to the province, nevertheless it ought to be excessive in your record. That is the Rocky Mountains meet the prairies. It’s cowboy nation is big ranches and horses. It was the place the buffalo roamed and the cattle graze-free. Probably the greatest issues to do right here is to guide an evening at a ranch and go on a path trip to discover the foothills of the Canadian Rockies.
The Cowboy Path is an impressive Alberta highway journey from Calgary to the Rocky Mountains, into the prairies, and out of the Badlands. It was one of many greatest highway journeys we’ve ever taken and we need to provide you with your individual itinerary to observe if you make your technique to Canada’s most stunning province. Now we have a complete itinerary for this loop and we’ll depart you right here to learn extra about The Cowboy Path – A Southern Alberta Highway Journey
Get to Alberta, Canada
Alberta is positioned in Western Canada bordered by the provinces of British Columbia to the West, Saskatchewan to the East, and south of The Northwest Territories. It’s positioned on the American Border at Montana.
The best technique to get to Alberta is by air. The province has two worldwide airports: Edmonton Worldwide Airport (YEG) and Calgary Worldwide Airport (YYC). Many main airways provide direct flights to those airports from cities around the globe. From the airport, you may lease a automotive or take a taxi, shuttle, or public transit to your vacation spot. We extremely advocate renting a automotive.
If you’re touring from inside Canada or the USA, driving is an alternative choice. Alberta is accessible by a number of highways, together with the Trans-Canada Freeway (Freeway 1), which runs east-west by the province. You may enter the province from British Columbia to the west or Saskatchewan to the east.
By Bus: Greyhound Canada offers bus service to numerous cities in Alberta from different Canadian provinces and a few American cities. Different bus corporations additionally provide providers inside the province. Each Dave and I’ve taken the bus throughout Canada by Alberta and let me inform you, it’s an journey.
By Prepare: Through Rail offers practice service to numerous cities in Alberta, together with Edmonton and Jasper, from different Canadian provinces. We’ve taken the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff and it’s a ver fashionable possibility. The scenic practice trip by the Canadian Rockies that stops in Banff and Jasper.
Journey occasions and distances in Alberta might be important so make certain to plan forward and resolve wheter the bus, practice or automotive rental is best for you.
Alberta actually is a dream vacation spot. With numerous photograph alternatives and adventures available, it’s one of many best locations in Canada to go to. So get in your automotive and begin that Alberta highway journey at this time!
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