The Kananaskis region stretches from east of Calgary to the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies. Nine provincial parks and over 50 recreation, wilderness and natural areas provide outdoor adventures and protected wildlife habitat. At the western edge of the region, farms and ranchlands give way to craggy peaks in the mountain paradise known as Kananaskis Country.
Kananaskis is a leader in providing facilities and innovations that make Alberta’s provincial parks places that everyone can enjoy. Specially designed, three-wheeled Park Explorers and facilities like the barrier-free William Watson Lodge and campground make the region’s natural wonders accessible. Special programs are offered to introduce Alberta’s parks to new Canadians, seniors, and people from diverse socio-cultural communities so that to anyone who wishes to, can experience the outdoors.
Kananaskis offers many camping options, including group camping, equestrian camping and backcountry camping.
If you’re camping with the kids, you’ll enjoy the playground and interpretive programs at Bow Valley Campground in Bow Valley Provincial Park. If rustic camping is your style, try Beaver Flats Campground in Elbow Falls Provincial Recreation Area. In Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area, at the privately operated Sundance Lodges, you can camp in comfort in a tipi or trapper’s tent. Guests at William Watson Lodge can camp in a wheelchair-accessible campsite.
Kananaskis offers year-round activities for every age group and every level of ability. Visitors can reach out and touch nature in a diversity of landscapes, from the urban beach of Calgary’s Fish Creek Provincial Park to the remote backcountry of Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park.
Bike, stroll, climb or paddle in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, where crystalline lakes reflect towering mountains. Try some disc golf or orienteering at Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park.
Try ice fishing or dogsledding in Spray Valley Provincial Park. Or get off the beaten track and camp, fish, hike or paddle in the provincial recreation areas along Ghost Creek - Ghost Airstrip and Waiparous Creek.
There’s an adventure for every taste, from exploring the rugged backcountry to taking in a nature talk or studying an educational exhibit. Paved trails and boardwalks throughout the region make nature accessible to everyone.
For more information on travel in the area, check Travel Alberta.
There’s so much to do in Kananaskis! You can climb a mountain, scale a rock face, hike in the wilderness or stroll (or roll) along an interpretive trail. Strap on your snowshoes or glide along miles of cross-country ski trails. Canoe whitewater or cruise on a power boat. Cast a fishing line into a mirrored lake. Or just take a drive and watch the wildlife.
