The best weekend trips from Calgary

Calgary is perfectly located for weekend trips away, especially for escapes into the mountains. Easy access to the mountains is probably one of the main reasons you chose to base yourself in Calgary during your Canadian working holiday! Although the Rockies are naturally a big draw for weekend trips from Calgary, they aren’t the only destination available. We’re also covering ideas beyond the Rocky Mountains, including adventures in the prairies and the Canadian Badlands.

The Rockies

Banff National Park

Banff National Park is Canada’s first national park, and probably also its most famous. Banff National Park is home to some of the Rockies’ most iconic landscapes, from mountain peaks to glacial lakes. It is connected to the Rockies’ other well-known park, Jasper National Park, via one of the most iconic scenic drives in the world, the Icefields Parkway.

Time to get there (driving):
1.5 hours

Accessible by public transport?
You can take the On-It Transport bus on weekends and bank holidays for CA$12.50 (one way). Outside of these days, you will need to book a private shuttle (cost and availability varies).

What to do there:

• Spend a day at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Prioritise the Lake Agnes trail at Lake Louise and the Rockpile trail at Moraine Lake if you are short on time!
• Drive the scenic Bow Valley Parkway that connects Banff and Lake Louise.
• Hike Johnston Canyon. In winter, don’t miss the stunning frozen waterfalls, when the Johnston Canyon Icewalk tours become one of the most popular activities in the area.
• Soak in the geothermal waters while overlooking Sulphur Mountain at Banff Hot Springs.
• Summit Sulphur Mountain with the Banff Sightseeing Gondola, reaching an elevation of 700 m.

Jasper National Park

Jasper is the Canadian Rockies’ largest national park, and is slightly more remote than Banff. Jasper National Park is known for being one of the largest dark sky preserves in the world, its abundance of wildlife and, of course, more glacial lakes and mountains.

Time to get there (driving):
4.5 hours

Accessible by public transport?
You can take the bus for around CA$170 (one way). The bus takes around 8 hours, making it less suitable for a weekend getaway.

What to do there:

• Head to Maligne Lake for a cruise to Spirit Island, one of Canada’s most photographed locations (only accessible by boat).
• Take the Jasper Skytram and then hike to the summit of Whistlers Mountain.
• Experience the hottest mineral water in the Rockies at Miette Hot Springs.
• Hike The Skyline, Jasper’s highest and most scenic trail. Other popular hikes in the area include Mount Edith Cavell and the Valley of the Five Lakes (once they have reopened).
• Go skiing in the winter or mountain biking in the summer at Marmot Basin.

Yoho National Park

Yoho National Park sits close to the border between B.C. and Alberta. This national park is famous for its many waterfalls, including the second-highest waterfall in the country, Takkakaw Falls. As well as Yoho’s waterfalls, this park is home to alpine lakes and forests.

Time to get there (driving):
2 hours

Accessible by public transport?
There is no public transport available within the national park, so you will need to book a private tour or rent a car.

What to do there:

• Visit the Canadian Rockies’ highest waterfall, Takkakaw Falls.
• Hike along the lakeshore, canoe or stand-up paddleboard in the emerald-green water of aptly named Emerald Lake.
• If you time your arrival correctly, you’ll be able to watch trains entering both the Upper and Lower Spiral Tunnels at the same time, as they travel through Kicking Horse Pass National Historic Site.
• See the Natural Bridge formed by the Kicking Horse River, then hike alongside its powerful waters.
• Enjoy an easy walk to Yoho’s other big waterfall, Wapta Falls.

Kootenay National Park

Kootenay National Park is known as the land of ice and fire, where ancient fossils and glaciers sit alongside grasslands and hot springs. It’s one of the least visited national parks in the Rockies, making it ideal for a more peaceful weekend away.

Time to get there (driving):
3 hours

Accessible by public transport?
There is no public transport available within the national park, so you will need to book a private tour or rent a car.

What to do there:

• Explore iron-rich mineral springs on the Paint Pots trail.
• Venture into Marble Canyon to discover waterfalls, limestone cliffs and natural bridges.
• More experienced hikers shouldn’t miss the Stanley Glacier hike, which offers views of alpine meadows, glaciers and ancient fossils.
• Kootenay’s main waterfall, Numa Falls, is easily reached by a short walk.
• Stand on the divide between Kootenay and Banff National Park (and the B.C.-Alberta border) at The Continental Divide.

Beyond the Rockies

Kananaskis Country

Kananaskis Country is an area spanning approximately 4,000 km², bordering Banff National Park and the town of Canmore. If you’re looking for an escape into nature but without the heavy crowds of the Rockies, this is the perfect location for you.

Time to get there (driving):
1 hour

Accessible by public transport?
You can take the bus to Canmore but to get around the Kananaskis, you will need to book a tour or shuttle.

What to do there:

• Hike Grassi Lakes, one of the best trails for views of the Bow Valley, with two difficulty levels.
• More experienced hikers will love the day hike to the top of Ha Ling Peak, which overlooks the town of Canmore.
• Take part in cycling, boating, fishing, hiking, camping and more outdoor activities at Bow Valley Provincial Park.
• Meet rescued wolfdogs at Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary and learn about the important work this non-profit is doing to save them.
• Relax at Alberta’s only nordic spa, Kananaskis Nordic Spa.

Revelstoke

Revelstoke is a small, historic mountain town in B.C. “Revy” is popular with locals wanting to hit the slopes without travelling as far as the province’s more famous ski resort, Whistler Blackcomb. Fear not, as Mount Revelstoke is also renowned worldwide for its spectacular skiing terrain.

Time to get there (driving):
4.5 hours

Accessible by public transport?
You can take the bus for approx. CA$200 (return).

What to do there:

• Featuring cedar forests, lakes and mountains, Mount Revelstoke National Park is another beautiful national park to spend time in. Highlights include the Meadows in the Sky Parkway scenic drive, and the hiking trails (options for any difficulty level) to the summit.
• Home to the most vertical mountain terrain in North America, Revelstoke Mountain Resort is a must-visit for lovers of skiing and snowboarding. In summer, try out the mountain rollercoaster or the aerial adventure park.
• Soak in the Canyon Hot Springs while enjoying views of the surrounding Selkirk Mountains.
• Tick off another national park with a day trip to Glacier National Park for skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer.
• Fulfil the Canadian dream of dog sledding with Revelstoke Dogsled Adventures.

Golden

Golden is a small B.C. town with the perfect location: it is surrounded by six spectacular national parks (including all of the national parks in the Rockies). It’s known as a hub for outdoor adventure and adrenaline sports, where you can try anything from skydiving to paragliding and rock climbing.

Time to get there (driving):
3 hours

Accessible by public transport?
You can take the bus for approx. CA$175 (return).

What to do there:

• Brave the Golden Skybridge, Canada’s highest suspension bridge and Golden’s answer to Capilano. Here, you can also try out various adventure sports, like ziplining, axe throwing and rock climbing!
• Kicking Horse Mountain Resort provides all the winter sports you could need (skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, etc.), and is just as busy in the summer with activities like canoeing, climbing, golfing and via ferrata. Most importantly, you might see a grizzly bear, as Boo the rescue bear lives amongst the 20-acre Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge.
• White water raft or kayak down one of the wildest recreational waterways in the country, Kicking Horse River.
• Go horseback riding alongside the Blaeberry river with Bear Corner trail rides.
• Thrill-seekers wanting to downhill bike on steep, rugged trails should check out Mount 7. As well as downhill biking, you can paraglide and hang glide from the top of Mount 7, where you’ll be rewarded with views of the Rockies, Purcells and Columbia Wetlands.

Waterton Lakes National Park

This national park in the south of Alberta borders Montana’s Glacier National Park. Waterton Lakes connects the prairies and the Rocky Mountains. As the name suggests, Waterton Lakes is known for its many lakes, as well as waterfalls and red rocks.

Time to get there (driving):
2.5 hours

Accessible by public transport?
There is no public transport available, but you can book a shuttle or rent a car.

What to do there:

• A short, steep climb up the Bear’s Hump trail rewards you with sweeping views of Waterton Lakes.
• A scenic drive leads to a red rock gorge with lots of options for walks at Red Rock Canyon.
• Cameron Falls is an impressive ancient waterfall and best of all, it’s really easy to access, as it sits in the corner of the townsite!
• Cross the international border and get closer to some of Montana’s mountains with a Waterton Lakes boat tour.
• The Prince of Wales hotel is popular with tourists wanting to enjoy the royal-inspired Afternoon Tea, while overlooking Waterton townsite and the surrounding lakes.

Drumheller

Drumheller is located in the Alberta Badlands, on the Red Deer River. Expect a completely different landscape to the Rockies, as your weekend away here will consist of exploring historic dinosaur digs, hoodoos and the Canadian Badlands.

Time to get there (driving):
1.5 hours

Accessible by public transport?
There is no public transport available, so you will need to book a private tour or rent a car.

What to do there:

• Come face-to-face with the Albertosaurus, an Alberta-native relative of the T-Rex, at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology.
• Hoodoos are large, eroded sandstone pillars topped with rock caps. Some of the most picturesque hoodoos, the Willow Creek Hoodoos, lie just outside of Drumheller.
• Walk amongst Alberta’s answers to the Grand Canyon, Horsethief Canyon and Horseshoe Canyon, in the Alberta Badlands.
• Climb The World’s Largest Dinosaur, Tyra, for panoramic views of Drumheller and the Badlands.
• Look inside Drumheller’s Little Church, a tiny church that can only fit six people, which still functions as a place of worship today. You can even get married here!

Edmonton

If you’re looking for a city break, check out the capital city of Alberta, Edmonton. It sits 300 km north of Calgary, on the North Saskatchewan River. Edmonton offers a more cultural weekend away. The city is known as Canada’s Festival City because of all the events it runs throughout the year. As well as live events, you’ll have access to museums, sporting events, shopping and entertainment. If you need a fix of nature, walk the River Valley, North America’s longest stretch of urban parkland (even bigger than Central Park!).

Time to get there (driving):
3 hours

Accessible by public transport?
You can take the bus for approx. CA$70 (return).

What to do there:

• Spend a day at West Edmonton Mall, North America’s largest mall. It’s got everything from mini golf and escape rooms to a waterpark and funfair!
• Learn more about indigenous culture, history, archaeology, zoology and more at Western Canada’s largest museum, the Royal Alberta Museum.
• If you’re more interested in art, check out the Art Gallery of Alberta.
• Alberta Legislature Grounds (“the Ledge” to locals) offers free guided tours, where you can learn about Alberta’s politics and legislative procedures. The Legislative Grounds are beautiful if you just want a nice stroll!
• Did you know Edmonton has its own version of Calgary Heritage Park? At Fort Edmonton Park, you can ride on steam trains, streetcars, horse-drawn wagons and the ferris wheel, all from the 1900s.