Uncover one of Canada’s best-kept secrets. An absence of crowds in the Southern Rockies makes the views, experiences and journeys that much more special. Take your time to connect with nature and enjoy the sights—there’s nobody else in line.
Don't miss:Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Claim to fame:Waterton Lakes National Park, an International Dark Sky Park
Central Prairies
In Alberta's Central Prairies, thousands of acres grow some of the most relied-upon crops in the world. Between fields of barley and wheat, you’ll discover Canada’s Wild Side in its charming towns. Experience the draws of the rural way of life.
Acquaint yourself with Alberta’s vast rolling hills and admire the Canadian Rocky Mountains beyond. Soak in the ambiance of a peak-filled horizon as you seek adventure in wide-open plains.
Discover a place where archeological and natural wonders divulge secrets of yesterday. Where spaces and skies span as far as the eye can see. Where Canada’s Wild Side awaits.
Featuring landscapes like nowhere else on earth, the Canadian Badlands will transport you to another time and place. From prehistoric fossil beds and rocky canyons, to coal mining ghost towns and cowboy hangouts, there’s plenty to discover in this unique area.
The Lakelands is a destination for those in pursuit of year-round adventure, yearning to harness their Wild Side. Break from the beaten path and seek escape in the region’s untamed forests and bountiful lakes.
Explore this northern hideaway and allow your Wild Side to run rampant through the region. This is a place for those who push harder, trek further and seek escape from everyday norms.
West Country is a place to push boundaries, face challenges and rendezvous with fellow free spirits. Your connection to the land will only deepen as you traverse the peaks and canyons of the Canadian Rockies.
Uncover one of Canada’s best-kept secrets. An absence of crowds in the Southern Rockies makes the views, experiences and journeys that much more special. Take your time to connect with nature and enjoy the sights—there’s nobody else in line.
Canada's wild child and the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. The city is filled with award-winning restaurants and shopping and makes the perfect springboard for mountain adventures.
We call them Wildlands for a reason. Boundless undisturbed wetlands, lakes and boreal forest attract all kinds of wild things. Enjoy solitude and natural beauty in this secluded northern region.
Navigate prairie parklands, rolling hills and soaring summits in one of Alberta’s most geographically diverse regions. As you discover Canada’s Wild Side, you’ll ignite yours.
Whether it’s a massive peak, a groomed run or a delicate wildflower, the Canadian Rockies will take your breath away again and again. Formed when continents collided, this is a place for adventure, discovery and serenity—sometimes all at once.
Scenery in the Southern Rockies is unlike anywhere else. Capture mountain-filled photos without strangers competing for the best angle, picnic lakeside among the peaks, hop the iron-rich boulders of Red Rock Canyon or simply relax and take in 360-degrees of tranquility.
Road of wonders
The Crowsnest Highway runs through this region, boasting views of rolling green hills and mountain summits. Take a road trip along the smooth and curvy road to visit waterfalls, historic sites and rubble from Canada’s biggest rockslide.
Wildlife and stargazing
Bison, bears, swans and many other animals meander or fly across the plains and ridges of the region. Waterton Lakes National Park is a Dark Sky Park, protecting nocturnal animals and providing phenomenal stargazing.
Things to do in the Southern Rockies
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Key towns
Get a deeper understanding of the Southern Rockies by resting, eating and exploring its towns. No matter where you are, the mountains stand guard.
Running has exploded in popularity globally. Across Alberta, unique races allow runners to explore the province on foot with experiences they won’t find anywhere else.
Spring skiing in Alberta offers quality snow and a sunny après-ski scene. Most Alberta ski resorts operate through April, and some stretch into May, for more days on the slopes.
Want to stay somewhere unique in Canada? Travellers can rest their heads in a grain silo, medieval tent, clear-walled geodome and more at these welcoming and original retreats in Alberta.
What are some of the best things to do in winter in Alberta? Turn to Indigenous tour providers and businesses for authentic experiences that blend culture and nature.
