From your base in Calgary, venture into the heart of dinosaur country, then up into the majestic Rocky Mountains. Complement the beauty of nature with fine dining, local history, and even a spa day.
This itinerary is great for outdoor adventurers, fossil hunters and anyone who's always wanted to see a grizzly in the wild.
At a glance
- 8 day itinerary
- 1317 km (819 mi) total distance
- 17 hrs 27 mins drive time
- Your starting point is in Calgary
Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
Stroll through the Canadian Wilds and Prehistoric Park exhibits to view some of Alberta’s famous wildlife up close—from grizzlies, cougars and wolves to life-sized animatronic dinosaurs. While you’re having lunch, go online to learn more about how Alberta is leading conservation of Canadian species.
Heritage Park Historical Village
Spend the afternoon at the country’s largest living history museum, where costumed interpreters populate streets and buildings depicting life in Western Canada between 1850 and 1950. Hop on the steam train, take a spin on Big Eli, ride a ferris wheel from 1893, or try your hand at the milk bottle toss.
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Both the Zoo and Heritage Park have on-site dining options catering to a range of tastes and dietary requirements.
Horseshoe Canyon
En route from Calgary to Drumheller, make your first stop at the Horseshoe Canyon scenic viewpoint. The canyon isn’t just a stunning landscape, it’s also the place where, in 2020, a young boy out on a hike discovered Hadrosaur fossils dating back 69 million years.
World's Largest Dinosaur
Continue on to the World's Largest Dinosaur. Her name is Tyra, and you can't miss her (she's located right in front of Drumheller's visitor centre). Climb up and peer out from her jaws for a sweeping view of the badlands and an unparalleled photo op.
Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
Drive north on Dinosaur Trail (Hwy 838) to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, one of the world's finest dinosaur museums, featuring skeletons and other fossils from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Bring your hiking boots and explore the museum's interpretive trail through Midlands Provincial Park.
Calgary Tower
On your return to Calgary, step out onto the world's highest 360-degree observation deck. At the top of the 191 m (627 ft) Calgary Tower, you'll enjoy panoramic views of the city skyline, the Canadian Rockies, and downtown Calgary—if you're brave enough to peer down through the glass floor.
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Travelling with kids (or dogs)? Cool off at the splash park right across from Tyra.
Dinosaur Provincial Park
Here, you'll find yourself in an otherworldly landscape of high stone cliffs, deep windswept grooves, towering hoodoos—and some of the most important fossil discoveries ever made. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site on a guided fossil hunt or bus tour, or by hiking one of the rocky trails.
Stephen Avenue
Return to Calgary and explore the restaurants and nightlife found along the historic Stephen Avenue Walk. The pedestrian mall isn't just known for some of the city's finest dining and shopping, its historic buildings are so beautiful and well-preserved that it’s also been used as a TV set.
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Spot Stephen Ave in Under the Banner of Heaven, the 2022 miniseries starring Andrew Garfield.
Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
Stop in at the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary for an experiential tour. You’ll observe wolfdog behaviour firsthand and gain a better understanding of what it takes to care for these mysterious animals—not quite domesticated, not quite wild. (Yamnuska’s tours are appropriate for children six years and older.)
Grassi Lakes Trail
Kananaskis Country offers an abundance of hiking options with varying difficulty levels. For a gentle hike that's suitable for all ages, try the newly refurbished Grassi Lakes Trail, an easy 2 km (1.25 mi) trek through a conifer forest to a pair of turquoise mountain lakes.
Grotto Canyon
If you're looking for a slightly more challenging but still accessible hike, try the trail at Grotto Canyon. You'll hike for 7.1 km (4.4 mi) along the narrow creek bed to see a cave, a sparkling waterfall, and Hopi pictographs painted between 500 and 1,000 years ago.
Canmore Nordic Centre
Complete your Kananaskis experience by renting bikes at Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park. Explore 100 km (62.1 mi) of trails and experience some of the best mountain biking in the Canadian Rockies.
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You’ll need a conservation pass to explore Kananaskis country.
Banff Gondola
For panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies, ride the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain. At the top, check out the Glacier Skywalk, a 1 km (0.6 mi) self-guided interpretive path that arrives at the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site and Sanson's Peak Meteorological Station.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
For over a century, visitors have been journeying to the Banff Upper Hot Springs to "take the waters", which are purported to have therapeutic and healing properties. Locals love them too. Complete your morning with a relaxing soak in the mineral pools, which are generally quiet early in the day.
Lake Minnewanka Cruise
On the Lake Minnewanka Cruise, you'll learn about local wildlife, Indigenous mythology, early mountaineers and ancient glaciers, while gliding on a crystal blue mountain lake.
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A Parks Canada Thermal Waters Pass will get you access to both the Banff Upper Hot Springs and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site
The thermal springs at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site have been a sacred place for Indigenous peoples for over ten thousand years. The 1883 re-discovery of the springs led to the creation of Canada's first national park. Today, you can enjoy conservation exhibits and seasonal activities.
Johnston Canyon
Bask in the beauty of Johnston Canyon from a path high above the waterway below. Well maintained catwalks with railings make Johnston Canyon a safe and accessible way to experience this dramatic scenery, which combines waterfalls, lush greenery, and the gorge’s craggy stone walls.
Discover Banff Tour
End the day with an early evening wildlife tour. A few hours before twilight is the prime time for spotting Rocky Mountain wildlife, like deer, elk and bear. Along your way, you'll learn about how Banff National Park protects these animals and their natural habitat.
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Spend some time in the town of Banff, famous for its dining, shopping and artisanal crafts.
Lake Louise Gondola
The Lake Louise Gondola offers some of the best grizzly bear viewing opportunities in the Canadian Rockies. Sail into the sky for your second gondola ride of the trip and safely scout these fearsome animals from your perch high above the ground.
Lake Agnes Tea House
Take a 7 km (4.4 mi) round trip hike to the historic Lake Agnes Tea House for afternoon tea and scones in a spectacular hanging valley. Tea has been served at Lake Agnes since 1905. Today, you can enjoy over 100 varieties while enjoying the view of one of Banff's three "Lakes in the Clouds".
Fairmont Château Lake Louise
Complete your Lake Louise adventure by renting a canoe from the Fairmont Château Lake Louise. Paddle across the lake to the base of Victoria Glacier—or just take an easy stroll around the lakeshore before bedding down in one of the Château’s elegant suites.
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Take a break from hiking. Hire a horse in Lake Louise to ride up the trail to Lake Agnes Tea House.
Moraine Lake
Before heading back to the city, indulge in a morning hike around the famous glacier-fed Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Note that the lake is inaccessible to personal vehicles—reserve a seat on a Parks Canada shuttle or book a guided tour.
The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland
After the 1875 arrival of the North West Mounted Police, Fort Calgary was built at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers, long an important site for local Indigenous peoples. Sign up for a workshop, explore the interpretive centre, or undertake a self-guided tour of the land.
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Fort Calgary is a 10-minute walk from the world class restaurants and hotels of the city's downtown core.
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