Alberta Travel Guide
Main Points of Interest
Alberta is home to the world famous Canadian Rocky Mountains. If you’re looking for BIG mountains, striking glaciers, and vibrant alpine lakes, you’ve come to the right place.
Alberta is mostly sought after for its outdoor destinations, however there are some big cities like Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer that you may want to take note of.
Calgary and Edmonton may be of particular interest. Calgary is home to the Stampede and the gateway airport (YYC) to the Rocky Mountains. Edmonton is home to North America’s largest mall which is 5.3 million square feet in size.
Rocky Mountain Destinations
Banff National Park
Banff is Canada’s oldest and most beautiful National Park. Here you’ll find epic mountains, great hiking trails, and beautiful lakes.
Jasper National Park
Jasper is similar to Banff, but much less touristy and more “wild.” You’ll find bountiful wildlife here and hundreds of glaciers.
Kananaskis Country
Kananaskis is a 40 minute drive from Banff and is home to some of my favourite hiking & scrambling trails in the Rockies.
Waterton Lakes National Park
Waterton is a small National Park at the southern-most part of the Canadian Rockies. The town is quaint and one of the most exhilarating hiking trails in the world exits here; as rated by National Geographic. Plus you can find the best ice cream in the Rockies at Big Scoop in town.
Bighorn Wildland Provincial Park
You can find Ya Ha Tinda in Bighorn Wildland; a popular horseback riding destination. My time in Bighorn Wildland consisted of a multi-day hiking trip along the Red Deer River. Wild camping is permitted in this area, although it is quite remote so proper bear safety knowledge is required.
Alberta Badlands
Did you know Alberta has a “Badlands” landscape full of coulees, buttes, canyons, and unique rock formations? Here are the best places to take in Alberta’s badlands.
Drumheller
Drumheller is the “Dinosaur Capital of the World” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s located just 1.5hrs from the Calgary International Airport.
Writing on Stone Provincial Park
Writing on Stone features a large collection of hoodoos and interesting rock formations.
Featured Alberta Blogs
- How to Get to Moraine Lake & Lake Louise with the New Road Closures
- 50+ Things to do in Banff: Summer Edition
- 30+ Things to do in Banff: Winter Edition
- Icefields Parkway Guide: EVERY Stop & Viewpoint from Banff to Jasper
- 6 Best Ski Resorts in Alberta
- Lake Louise Circuit Hike
- 12 Easy Hikes in Banff: Accessible from Town
- 9 Best Things to do in Jasper
All Alberta Blogs
- Aylmer Pass Hike Guide (+ LM8 Campground Stats)
- Aylmer Lookout Hike Guide (+ LM8 Campground Stats)
- Mount Rundle Hike, Banff – DETAILED Scramble Guide with Photos
- Cascade Mountain Hike in Banff: DETAILED Scramble Guide
- Cascade Amphitheatre Hike Guide – Banff
- Castle Mountain Lookout Hike Guide, Banff
- 10+ Moraine Lake Hikes – Easy Trails, Scrambles, and Backcountry
- 11 Beautiful Hikes at Lake Minnewanka, Banff
- A Local’s Guide to Budget Travel Banff
- When to Visit Banff: Month-by-Month Breakdown
- Backpacking Lake Minnewanka to Ghost Lakes & Aylmer Lookout/Pass
- 30+ Epic WINTER Activities in Banff
- How to Plan a Trip to Banff: Backpacking to Luxury Travel
- Local’s Guide to Skiing Sunshine Village, Banff
- Local’s Guide to Living in Banff: Everything you Need to Know
- 25+ Easy Hikes In Banff for Summer & Winter
- Travel & Hike in Banff by Bus: 50+ Trails That DON’T Require a Car
- 25+ Epic Lake Louise Hikes (Frontcountry & Backcountry)
- 1 Day Drumheller Itinerary + Seasonal Guide & Things to do
- Best Banff Hotels (Organized by Category) for Your Next Trip to the Mountains
- How to Get to Moraine Lake & Lake Louise in 2024 – Hike, Bike, & Shuttles
- 50+ Things to do in Banff: Summer Edition
- ICEFIELDS PARKWAY: Literally Everything to do/see & Tips for Driving (Banff to Jasper)
- How to Hike to Chester Lake in Kananaskis
- Mist Mountain Hot Springs via Eagle Ridge | A HUGE Misadventure
- All About the Wasootch Ridge Hike in Kananaskis
- Part 2: Sarrail Ridge via Rawson Lake in Kananaskis
- Part 1: Sarrail Ridge via Rawson Lake in Kananaskis
- A Smoky Hike to the Mount Bourgeau Summit in Banff
- A Trek up Tent Ridge in Kananaskis Country
- Pocaterra Ridge: A Beautiful Fall Hike in Kananaskis
- How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Jasper National Park
- 6 Best Ski Resorts in Alberta, Canada
- Mount Yamnuska Hike in Kananaskis (Bow Valley Wildland)
- C-Level Cirque Hike Guide – Banff
- 8 Things You Can Expect In Banff National Park
- Larch Valley & Sentinel Pass Hike at Moraine Lake
- My Failed Attempt at Summiting East End of Rundle (EEOR)
- Backpacking Ya Ha Tinda to West Lakes & Warden Rock – Bighorn Wildland
- Hiking to Rockbound Lake Behind Castle Mountain – Banff
- Sulphur Mountain Hike Guide + Gondola Information (Banff)
- Summiting Ha Ling & Miner’s Peak in Canmore
- Best Banff Ski Resort & Season Pass: SkiBig3 Review
- Grotto Canyon Winter Hike – Bow Valley Provincial Park
- How to Visit Grassi Lakes in the Bow Valley
- Boom Lake Trail – an Easy Hike in Banff
- How to Hike Taylor Lake & O’Brien Lake – Banff
- 6 Resources You Must Know About Before Moving to Banff
- Sulphur Mountain Traverse Route: An Off-the-Beaten Path Hike in Banff
- Devils Thumb Hike & Inversion at Lake Louise – Banff Scrambles
- Lake Louise Circuit: Hike EVERYTHING at Lake Louise in 1 Day
- Banff Skoki Loop: 3 Day Banff Backpacking Trail Guide
- Parker Ridge Trail to Saskatchewan Glacier – Icefields Parkway
- Johnston Canyon Ink Pots Hike Guide + Winter Tips
- Opal Ridge Loop: An Almost Deadly Adventure – Scrambles In Kananaskis
- Tower of Babel Hike at Moraine Lake – Banff Scrambles
- 9 Best Things To Do In Jasper National Park
- 7 Beautiful Alpine Lakes In Jasper National Park You Can’t Miss
- Off The Beaten Path Adventures In Jasper National Park: 5 Incredible Destinations & Activities
- Edith Cavell Hike – Jasper National Park
- Maligne Canyon: Hiking In Winter & Summer – Jasper National Park
- Valley Of The Five Lakes Hike – Jasper National Park
- Tunnel Mountain Hike – Banff National Park
- West Wind Pass Hike – Kananaskis Country
- Tips for Working in Banff + Sunshine Village & Banff Gondola Employment Review
- How To Live Sustainably In Banff & Canmore: A Waste-Free Guide
- Sulphur Skyline Trail – Jasper National Park
- Writing On Stone Provincial Park: Camping, Hiking, Hoodoos
- What to Wear Hiking in Banff & the Canadian Rockies
- Red Rock Canyon Hike – Waterton Lakes National Park
- Recommended Hiking Gear for Banff & the Canadian Rockies
- Bear’s Hump Hike – Waterton Lakes National Park
- Fun Things to do in Waterton: 14 Activities You’ll Love
- Best Place To Watch Sunrise & Sunset In Waterton Lakes National Park
- Crypt Lake Hike – Waterton Lakes National Park
- Bertha Lake Trail – Waterton Lakes National Park
- Arnica Lake & Twin Lakes Hike – Banff National Park
- Maligne Lake Canoe Trip – The Ultimate Adventure in Jasper National Park
- What to Pack for Backcountry Camping in Banff & the Canadian Rockies
- Glacier Lake Backpacking Trail – Banff National Park
