Banff / Waterton

Waterton Lakes National Park, often grouped with Banff further north, is a spectacular wilderness area in southwestern Alberta where the rolling prairies abruptly meet the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Waterton gives a uniquely serene mountain experience, sharing an international border with Montana's Glacier National Park to form the world's first International Peace Park. The dramatic landscapes are carved by ancient glaciers, featuring deep valleys, cascading waterfalls, and emerald-green lakes. The iconic Prince of Wales Hotel sits majestically on a bluff overlooking Upper Waterton Lake, providing one of the most photographed vistas in the Canadian Rockies. Visitors can embark on the thrilling Crypt Lake Trail, often rated as one of Canada's best hikes, which includes climbing a ladder and crawling through a mountain tunnel. Wildlife viewing is exceptional here, with frequent sightings of bighorn sheep, black bears, and elk wandering near the quaint townsite. Boat cruises across the international border offer a unique perspective of the sheer mountain walls rising directly from the deep waters. The park is highly seasonal, with most facilities and roads operating from mid-May through mid-October, when the alpine wildflowers are in full bloom. This rugged paradise is well-suited for those seeking dramatic alpine scenery paired with tranquility.

Nearby cities

Lethbridge

Lethbridge is a southern Alberta city built around the Oldman River valley.

Red Deer

Red Deer is a central Alberta city between Calgary and Edmonton.

Airdrie

Airdrie sits just north of Calgary and has grown into a busy commuter city.

Grande Prairie

Grande Prairie is a growing city in northwestern Alberta and a key centre for the Peace region.

Fort McMurray

The urban service area for the oil sands region in Alberta.

Medicine Hat

Medicine Hat is a southeastern Alberta city on the South Saskatchewan River.

St. Albert

An affluent suburban city northwest of Edmonton.

Banff / Canmore

Banff and Canmore are world-famous mountain towns in the Canadian Rockies, celebrated for their dramatic peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, …

Banff

Banff is a prominent resort town situated within the Banff National Park in Alberta, surrounded by towering peaks and outdoor adventures.

Fernie

Historic Fernie is nestled in the Elk Valley of the Rocky Mountains, renowned for its epic winter snowfall and Victorian charm.

Golden

Located at the confluence of the Columbia and Kicking Horse rivers, Golden is surrounded by six national parks.

Jasper

Jasper is a mountain town in the Canadian Rockies and the commercial center of the 11,000 square kilometer Jasper National Park.

Banff Upper Hot Springs / Radium Hot Springs

These historic thermal springs in the Canadian Rockies offer hot, mineral-rich pools set against a dramatic alpine backdrop.

Lake Louise

Lake Louise is a world-renowned hamlet in Banff National Park, famous for its striking turquoise lake and the Victoria Glacier.

Kananaskis

A sprawling mountain park system in the Canadian Rockies that offers a quieter, pristine alternative to Banff National Park.

History & landmarks

Drumheller

The dinosaur capital of the world, located in the heart of the Canadian Badlands.

Scotiabank Saddledome

An iconic arena in Calgary, known for its saddle-shaped roof.

Calgary Tower

A 191-metre observation tower in downtown Calgary.

Peace Bridge (Calgary)

A distinctive pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Bow River.

Edmonton Funicular

An incline elevator that provides easy access between downtown Edmonton and the North Saskatchewan River Valley.

Nature

Bow River

A river in Alberta that originates in the Rocky Mountains and flows through Calgary.

Maligne Lake

Maligne Lake is a glacier-fed lake in Jasper National Park and one of the best-known landscapes in the Canadian Rockies.

More places

Bar U Ranch

A National Historic Site showcasing the history of the ranching industry in Western Canada from its late 19th-century beginnings.

Galt Historic Railway Park

A restored 1890s international train station on the Alberta-Montana border.

Calgary Zoo

Canada's second-largest zoo, located on St.

Glenbow Museum

An art and history museum in Calgary that documents the history of Western Canada.

Calaway Park

Calaway Park is a large family amusement park west of Calgary.

Southern Alberta Sugar Beets

Southern Alberta is the only place in Canada where sugar beets are grown for sugar production.

Mount Rundle

An iconic, wedge-shaped mountain overlooking Banff, one of the most photographed peaks.

Alberta Badlands

A desert-like landscape of canyons and coulees, renowned for abundant dinosaur fossils.