Hello, fellow outdoor adventurers of the Great White North! We’re here to present you with another delightful opportunity to explore what’s beyond the bustling city of Calgary.
From glorious mountains to immaculate bodies of water, there are natural wonders calling out to be explored just outside of the city’s limits. If you’re willing to answer the call, here’s the complete list of the best national parks around our city!
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1. Banff National Park
Website: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff
Address: Improvement District No. 9, AB T0L, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-762-1550
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
If you’ve been in Calgary for a long time, it’s impossible not to hear about the Banff National Park. After all, it’s one of the most popular destinations within close proximity!
What makes Banff National Park so special though? The views there are simply breathtaking. It’s something that you’d bring with you for the rest of your life – no exaggerations!
In fact, it has earned a spot in several notable lists such as The Best Place to See the Sunrise in Every Country and World’s Best Places to Visit.
2. Waterton Lakes National Park
Website: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/waterton/
Address: Waterton Park, AB T0K 2M0, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-859-5133
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
Another dreamy destination considered to be Calgary’s neighbor is the Waterton Lakes National Park. It’s known for its beautiful lakes that reflect the skies and viewpoints of the Rocky Mountains.
Plenty of people who go to this national park do a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, joining a boat cruise, drinking afternoon tea, and a lot more.
3. Bow Valley Provincial Park
Website: https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/bow-valley-pp/
Address: 800 Railway Ave #201, Canmore, AB T1W 1P1, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-673-2163
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 11 PM
Located in Canmore (which is also known as Calgary’s scenic neighbor), the Bow Valley Provincial Park is just an hour away from our city.
With just a quick drive, you’ll already be transported into a whole new world (cue the song from Aladdin).
Like other national parks on this list, there’s a plethora of activities you can do here such as camping, hiking, sightseeing, fishing, canoeing – the list can go on and on!
We highly recommend not missing these top attractions though: Grassi Lakes, Three Sisters, and Grotto Mountain.
4. Elk Island National Park
Website: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/elkisland
Address: 54401 Range Rd 203, Fort Saskatchewan, AB T8L 0V3, Canada
Contact details: +1 780-922-5790
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
Elk Island National Park is a popular destination among wildlife enthusiasts in Alberta. A lot of people have reported to have spotted elks, bison, and various unique birds when they visited here.
You can even join the park’s interpretive programs if you want a hands-on adventure headed by experts. Here, you’ll be exposed to fun activities like Cree crafting workshops, seeing a bison pelt up close, and much more!
5. Jasper National Park
Website: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper
Address: Jasper, AB T0E 1E0, Canada
Contact details: +1 780-852-6176
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
Jasper National Park is part of the UNESCO’s Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. It means that this park is known for its great views of the Rocky Mountain, as well as its extraordinary beauty.
It’s no wonder it attracts 2.42 million annual visitors according to Statista. It offers stunning landscapes from all year round, by the way, but we particularly love going here during the tail end of summer and the first sign of fall because the weather is just right.
However, if you’re here for the aurora borealis, there’s a bigger chance you can see it if you visit around October to mid April.
6. Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park
Website: https://albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/canmore-nordic-centre-pp/
Address: 1988 Olympic Way, Canmore, AB, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-678-2400
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5:30 PM
If cross-country skiing is your jam, you’d want to stay in Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park forever. In fact, this place is a treasure trove of exciting winter activities!
Aside from skiing, visitors also come here to go snowshoeing, fat biking, winter disc golfing, tobogganing, and more. With that in mind, it’s highly recommended to bring friends or family here with you so you’ll be able to maximize your time here.
By the way, the park’s just an hour away from Calgary so you can even settle for a day trip to Canmore.
