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 but it surely’s laborious 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 essentially the most stunning locations to go to in Alberta to allow you to be the choose. Residence to the Canadian Rockies, Alberta boasts 5 nationwide parks with a few of the finest surroundings in Western Canada. In case you are planning a visit to Alberta, don’t miss these stunning locations.
Greatest Locations to Go to in Alberta
We have now traveled numerous Alberta throughout each season and might truthfully say, it’s a tremendous year-round vacation spot and one of the crucial stunning locations on the earth! Whether or not you go to Alberta in winter, summer season, spring, or fall, you’re going to be surprised by its pure magnificence.
One of the simplest ways to get round Alberta is by automobile. You’ll need to have the ability to cease on the scenic views, climbing trails, and sights all through the province. You may decide up your automobile rental on the Calgary Airport and set off for the journey of a lifetime. Test costs right here.
There are such a lot of iconic locations to see in Alberta, it may be troublesome figuring out the place to start out, however we’re right here to assist. These are essentially the most stunning locations in Alberta that we now have visited with photos 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 unimaginable views, glacier lakes, and backcountry adventures available. Once 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 crucial 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 residence 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 all the high sights within the space, as a result of they only so occur to be one of the best locations to go to in Alberta as nicely.
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is among the most well-known vacationer sights in Alberta. A real Canadian bucket listing 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 among the best 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 limitless 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 essentially the most stunning outside skating rink settings on earth. Now’s your likelihood to ice skate at considered 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 climbing trails taking you out to Victoria Glacier and past. A well-liked 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 a captivating rustic ambiance, with seating each inside and out of doors on the deck overlooking Lake Agnes.
This is among the hottest hikes within the nationwide park, so it’s really helpful 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 widespread hike or proceed on to the Little Beehive or Large Beehive trails for extra beautiful views of the world.
Moraine Lake
No go to to Lake Louise can be full with out climbing out to Moraine Lake. It unforgettable scene is featured on the again of our outdated Canadian $20 invoice and has been attracting outside lovers for many years.
Moraine Lake shouldn’t be removed from Lake Louise and is simply an hour’s drive from the city of Banff. The most effective 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 you realize why this is among the most photographed places in North America.
Notice that there was a change in guidelines for 2023 and accessing Moraine Lake for dawn is now not potential by way of the Parks Canada Shuttle. You’ll have to discover a tour that has entry to do that. When you experience a motorcycle or take an organized tour you may nonetheless go to Lake Moraine for dawn.
The Moraine Lake Shoreline hike offers 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 Greatest Banff Hikes To Uncover
Banff Sizzling Springs
It was the Banff Sizzling Springs that first attracted vacationers to the nationwide park and when visiting Banff you should 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 among the most beautiful places 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 chill out and unwind.
The Banff Higher Sizzling Springs is the preferred and accessible in Banff Nationwide Park making it a simple place to go to. The ability contains a big outside pool that’s open year-round. In reality, one of the best time to go to is in winter when the mountains are coated with snow. There are indoor change rooms the place you may lease an old-timers bathing go well with should you don’t have your personal, 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 ft). Like so most of the lakes within the park, it’s surrounded by the Canadian Rockies.
The title “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 gives a number of viewpoints and stops for climbing trails and picnic areas.
We extremely suggest taking considered one of its boat excursions through the summer season months. The guides are full of data and also you’ll study concerning the legend of the Mermen that lived in Lake Minnewanka. Within the winter, the lake freezes over and turns into a well-liked spot for ice fishing and cross-country snowboarding. We have now visited it in each winter and summer season and every season is gorgeous.
Citadel Mountain
One of the crucial recognizable Massifs is Citadel Mountain. Situated between Banff City and Lake Louise, its distinctive form resembles a citadel. (therefore its title). The world gives alternatives for climbing and mountain climbing. For these with out alpine abilities, the mountain might be considered 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 among the most stunning drives on earth. It actually is among the biggest 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 among the largest non-polar ice fields on the earth and take within the view of the encompassing 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 a few of the high outside actions and viewpoints alongside this iconic route.
Columbia Icefield Skywalk
The Columbia Icefields Skywalk has shortly develop into essentially the most epic viewpoint in Alberta. Only a brief drive from the Columbia Icefield customer middle the Skywalk is a must-see attraction. The glass-bottomed walkway over the Columbia Icefields dangles 280m (918 ft) 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 nicely.
Athabasca Glacier
You may view the glacier from the customer centre, however you may as well guide a tour to get out onto it. When you don’t need to guide a tour, you may stroll out on some trails for a more in-depth view of the glacier. However don’t go off the path and by no means enterprise out onto the glacier alone and not using a 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 contains transportation from Jasper, picture 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 reminiscent of Peyto Lake, and the beautiful reflections of Bow Lake. Situated on the foot of Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake has essentially 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 a fantastic 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 shade, which is brought on by the rock flour (nice sediment) that’s carried into the lake by melting glaciers.
It has spectacular views of the encompassing mountains, there are a number of climbing trails with The Bow Summit Path being a well-liked cease. Be certain that to maintain a watch out for elk, moose deer, and even bears. Peyto Lake is definitely accessible from the close by Icefields Parkway, making it one of the crucial widespread 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 among the most original locations to remain in Alberta and is positioned on the Glacier Parkway, it makes for a fantastic place to make a base whereas exploring each Banff and Jasper Nationwide Parks should 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’t miss visiting in Alberta. It’s as stunning as Banff Nationwide Park should you can imagine it! In reality, 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 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 climbing trails, turquoise lakes, and canyons. Learn extra: Superb 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 pageant and it is among the finest locations to see the Aurora Borealis in Alberta. Winter is one of the best time to view the darkish skies as a result of the times or shorter and you’ve got lengthy darkish nights to see the celebrities twinkle within the sky.
We made our manner out to Lake Annette from the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge within the wee hours of the morning and noticed essentially the most extraordinary show of northern lights reflecting within the nonetheless waters. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is one of the best place to remain in Jasper with stunning views of Lac Beauvert and choices to remain in log cabins, big lake homes, and primary constructing resort rooms.
Maligne Canyon
Maligne Canyon is a beautiful river canyon stroll that plunges 50 meters (154 ft) into the earth. Maligne Canyon is positioned simply quarter-hour from downtown Jasper alongside the 46 km (miles) Maligne Lake Drive. This cease is among the hottest locations to go to in Jasper and for good purpose. It’s the deepest canyon in Jasper Nationwide Park and there are stunning climbing trails alongside the canyon providing extraordinary views. Arrive early within the morning to beat the crowds!
In the summertime it’s a good spot 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 among the most visited locations in Jasper Nationwide Park. There are climbing trails and scenic lookouts however the high factor to do right here is to take a ship cruise to Spirit Island for a picture-perfect picture alternative.
Additionally, this will provide you with sufficient time to drive out to Maligne Lake. It’s the longest pure lake within the Canadian Rockies. Learn extra: 14 Greatest 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 beautiful Athabasca Falls. Try: 14 Greatest 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 full of 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 fashioned over tons of of years by way of 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 laborious rock “hat” retains it from fully eroding away. They’re one of the crucial distinctive locations in Alberta. If you wish to know extra, take a look at our submit 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 among the finest dinosaur museums on the earth. We might have spent hours having fun with its shows. In reality, 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 pieces from dinosaur skeletons and fossils to historic marine creatures and prehistoric crops.
Dinosaur Provincial Park
Whereas driving alongside the dinosaur path, you can’t miss taking a tour of Dinosaur Provincial Park. Not solely is is completely stunning, however it is usually one of the crucial fossil-rich locations on the planet and you’ll 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 web site, however scientists obtained all they wanted from there and left the remainder for us to see. It’s an interactive tour and the information assessments your data as you attempt to keep in mind all the pieces you discovered in class about dinosaurs. You may guide excursions on the park customer middle. 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 a tremendous place to go to in Alberta. It’s positioned on the US border and shares its land with Glacier Nationwide Park.
Collectively they’re the one nationwide parks on the earth which are designated a UNESCO World Heritage Website, an Worldwide Peace Park, and a Biosphere Reserve rolled multi functional. You may see a herd of untamed buffalo, crimson rocks canyon, and the Prince Albert Lodge. Plan your go to: The Wonders of Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park
The place to Keep in Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park
Prince of Wales Lodge is a Nationwide Historic Website that stands within the middle of Waterton Nationwide Park. It is among 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 a fantastic place to make a base to discover Crowsnest Move for just a few days. Try all of the sights at The Many Sights of Pincher Creek.
Burmis Tree
After I noticed The Burmis Tree in images, I had to ensure I put it on the high of my listing of locations to go to in Alberta. Situated at Crowsnest Move (One other must-visit place in Alberta) the Burmis Tree is estimated to be 600 to 750 years outdated. 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. Relationship 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 listing
Calgary
Calgary is Alberta’s largest metropolis and no go to to Alberta can be full with out spending not less than two days within the metropolis. It’s residence 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 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 suggest spending a few days. Situated on the Bow River, Calgary has loads of outside sights, however it is usually a classy city vacation spot with a implausible meals scene. Learn extra: 21 Greatest 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 not less than considered one of its high sights. Once you go to Calgary, the primary place you need to go is up the Calgary Tower is among the most recognizable buildings within the metropolis, and going up the tower is as a lot part of 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 gives guests a few of the finest views in Calgary.
We have now a complete article devoted the Greatest Issues to do in Calgary, Alberta
The place to remain in Calgary:
Canmore
We will’t write about all of the locations to go to in Alberta with out mentioning Canmore. This former coal mining city is now an outside lover’s playground. Situated between Calgary and Banff, it has heaps of climbing, biking, and snowshoe trails in addition to implausible viewpoints of the Three Sisters. It’s a fantastic spot for mountain climbing 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 Greatest 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 full of 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 Greatest Issues to do in Banff, Alberta
The place to Keep in Canmore
Kananaskis
Individuals typically overlook Kananaskis for Banff or Jasper but it surely is among 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. You’ll want to go to the spa at Kananaskis Mountain Lodge.
Edmonton
Edmonton is usually missed when visiting Alberta, however it’s a funky city that has one of many youngest populations in Canada making for a classy and occurring metropolis to go to! When you love spending time outside admiring wildlife this can be a nice jumping-off level to go to Jasper Nationwide Park, but it surely additionally has a fantastic meals scene, and loads of festivals, the truth is, Edmonton hosts the second-largest Fringe Competition on the earth.
In Edmonton, you’ll uncover a vibrant, cosmopolitan metropolis surrounded by wilderness. Test it out at: The Greatest Issues to do in Edmonton, Alberta
West Edmonton Mall
The West Edmonton Mall is a high draw with all the pieces inside you may think about. It’s the measurement of a small metropolis and makes for a fantastic year-round vacation spot. I generally really feel that folks go to Edmonton simpy to see this mall.
West Edmonton Mall is among the largest malls on the earth, masking an space of roughly 5.3 million sq. ft. In addition to 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 lodges together with the Fantasyland Lodge, 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 usually missed with planning a visit to the province, but it surely must be excessive in your listing. That is the Rocky Mountains meet the prairies. It’s cowboy nation is large ranches and horses. It was the place the buffalo roamed and the cattle graze-free. The most effective issues to do right here is to guide an evening at a ranch and go on a path experience 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 finest highway journeys we’ve ever taken and we need to provide you with your personal itinerary to observe while you make your strategy to Canada’s most stunning province. We have now a complete itinerary for this loop and we are going to go away you right here to learn extra about The Cowboy Path – A Southern Alberta Highway Journey
Methods to 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 strategy 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 supply direct flights to those airports from cities around the globe. From the airport, you may lease a automobile or take a taxi, shuttle, or public transit to your vacation spot. We extremely suggest renting a automobile.
In case you are touring from inside Canada or the US, driving is another choice. Alberta is accessible by a number of highways, together with the Trans-Canada Freeway (Freeway 1), which runs east-west by way of the province. You may enter the province from British Columbia to the west or Saskatchewan to the east.
By Bus: Greyhound Canada supplies bus service to varied cities in Alberta from different Canadian provinces and a few American cities. Different bus corporations additionally supply providers inside the province. Each Dave and I’ve taken the bus throughout Canada by way of Alberta and let me let you know, it’s an journey.
By Prepare: By way of Rail supplies prepare service to varied 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 widespread possibility. The scenic prepare experience by way of the Canadian Rockies that stops in Banff and Jasper.
Journey occasions and distances in Alberta might be vital so ensure to plan forward and determine wheter the bus, prepare or automobile rental is best for you.
Alberta actually is a dream vacation spot. With numerous picture alternatives and adventures available, it’s one of many biggest locations in Canada to go to. So get in your automobile and begin that Alberta highway journey right now!
Learn Extra Alberta Journey Planning: