Canada As You Like It Blog
Places To Enjoy The Great Outdoors Of Alberta
- by Canada As You Like It
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- 05 Mar, 2021
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Arguably one of the most scenic provinces in all of Canada, Alberta is stunning! Not only is it home to two of the oldest national parks in the world, but the abundance of outdoor adventure, wildlife and activities is endless all year round!
Boating & Swimming
Although Alberta is a landlocked province, it hosts 600 freshwater lakes, 245 rivers and 50 sandy beaches, along with some great cliff jumping spots! Highlights include enjoying Lake Louise or Lake Annette Beach, offering a summer getaway with a winter backdrop! Imagine swimming in sun whilst enjoying snowy mountain views! If it’s clear, turquoise water you are after, some of the best swimming spots include Sylvan Lake, Moraine Lake and Wabamun Lake, or, enjoy naturally hot springs whilst visiting Banff National Park, Canada's oldest national park.
Many of the lakes in provincial parks also have boat launches. From the flat stretches of the Alberta Plains to the Rocky Mountains, Alberta has a boating adventure for everyone. Explore glacier fed Lake Minnewanka, nestled in the Rockies of Banff National Park, or experience a day of wakesurfing on the popular Lake Newell.
Wildlife Viewing
Alberta is home to 587 species of wildlife, Alberta’s ‘All-stars’ include moose, grizzly and black bears, elk, bison, mountain goats, lynx, coyotes, wolves, and wolverines. A popular destination for wildlife viewing in Alberta is the Rocky Mountains, wild animals can be seen all year round in the mountain parks, but the most active times are the beginning of spring and mid-autumn. During May/June time, when the snow begins to melt marks the beginning of calving season for elk, deer, and bighorn sheep, which can be viewed from the lower elevation meadows. September to October is rutting season, this is when the amazing sight of large groups of elk can be spotted, before November hits, which brings the time when bighorn sheep have head butting competitions!
The less frequently spotted are bear, but, if it's on your bucket list, your best chance would be a camping trip round Lake Louise, grizzlies can often been seen feeding on the grassy slopes in the distance during the summer and early fall!
Northern Lights
The Aurora Borealis aka 'Northern Lights' are a natural phenomenon, flooding dark starlit skies with spectacular, vibrant colour. Perhaps, visit ‘Jasper Dark Sky Festival’ which takes place every October, for some educational family fun, enjoying the best views as there is no artificial light around to obscure the view. Or, try and view them on your own, but if you want to see them , your best chance will come from September through to April, as this is when they are visible.
Here are some of the best locations to see the lights:
- Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park
- Peyto Lake Lookout, Banff National Park
- Pyramid Lake, Jasper National Park
- Abraham Lake, off Highway 11 near Nordegg
- Mt. Yamnuska, Bow Valley Provincial Park
- Spray Lakes, Kananaskis Country
Camping
Spending a summer camping in Alberta is a popular activity for both locals and visitors. The Province is home to a variety of landscapes, so, if you want to explore more than one place, you are spoilt for choice! Some of the best rated campgrounds are listed below:
- Banff National Park – home to 14 different campgrounds available from May – October, not only are you close enough to Two Jack Lake to spend the summer trying water sports, boating and swimming. Conveniently, it is close to the Rockies, therefore a good spot if you want to adventure into the mountains.
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Icefield Tent Campground – An excellent camp for
scenic hikes, glacier views and access to Jasper National Park.
- Astotin Lake Campground – A family friendly campsite less than an hour from Edmonton, boasting recreational activities such as a football pitch, playground, golf course and theatre. Sandy beach, (known for its amazing sunsets) is a highlight of staying at the camp.
Canoeing
Canoeing is a fantastic way to travel In Alberta, whether it's guided trip, canoe rentals, self-guided, day-trip or anything there is a canoe trip to cater to any group or anyone! Some of the best places to paddle in Alberta are listed below:
- Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park – One of the most photographed spots in the world because of its beauty. Although most visitors take a day boat tour, to truly experience this amazing location there is option to take multi-day paddling trips with stays at different campgrounds. The further you paddle the more dramatic the scenery becomes.
- Lac La Biche, Lakeland Provincial Park – offering a 38km route over 3 lakes along with stoppage points along the way. This 3 day trip caters to any ability with no moving water and offers an abundance of wildlife and birds along with perfect stargazing opportunities!
- Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, Banff National Park – For a shorter experience enjoy an hour or two surrounded by majestic mountains and glaciers while padding turquoise coloured lakes.
Fishing
Fishing is a great way to spend the day enjoying the outdoors and natural beauty of Alberta. Many companies offer day excursions where you have the chance to catch beautiful fish such as brown trout, whitefish, cutthroat, brook, and bull trout! Standard prices for beginners start at around £80 for the day.
Golf
Amazing backdrops, secluded courses, breath-taking views and perfect courses, Alberta’s golf courses are like no others. You feel like you are in a movie teeing off with miles of mountains in the background. Top courses include; Jasper Park Lodge; fairways aligned with snow-capped mountain peaks overlooking the crystal waters of Lake Beauvert (pictured above). Banff Springs Golf Course; set in the Canadian Rockies, the location presents problems for the greenkeepers with extreme elements, but they do a great job as the course is immaculate. Finally, Blackhawk Golf Course; Its renowned for its rustic beauty and riverside location, its unique routing adds to the golf experience, the holes sweep away from the river to the fairways that cater to the poplar and pine trees then move back into the river valley on the back nine.
Hiking
Alberta is home to some amazing hiking trails suitable to tackle in both summer and winter boasting big mountains, stunning emerald coloured lakes, abundant glaciers, forests and fresh air. To get an idea of what you are after when planning a hike, see below for what some top trails can offer and the best time to visit!
- Crypt Lake – Renowned as one of the world's most thrilling trails, hikers are required to take a 15 min ferry across Upper Waterton Lake to the start of the trail. The trail encompasses spectacular waterfalls and steel ladder climbs and tunnels in order to make it to Crypt Lake.
- Cavell Meadows – An eight-kilometre roundtrip trail is a beautiful sight. Not only will hikers experience flora, exclusive to the Rockies, but views of a glacier. The flowers in full bloom tend to be between mid-July and mid-August.
- Wood Bison Trail – Located in Elk Island National Park, is a trail with well-maintained boardwalks leading through open grassland, with opportunity to spot the remaining 7,000 wood bison remaining in Canada.
In the northwest of Canada where eighty percent of the area
is wilderness, lies the Yukon. With friendly locals, wildlife to observe,
activities to immerse yourself in and fascinating history to explore, this destination makes
for the perfect fly-drive holiday.
Lace up your boots and hit the back country. With trails at your doorstep for exploring, hiking is the best way of seeing the province on a fly drive holiday. There are areas suitable for all levels of hiking, from the congenial leisure walk to the avid hiker. Head to Saskatoon at the Meewasin Valley, this area offers over 105 km of trails across 67 square km of land. It provides year-round adventure and sightseeing opportunities in the heart of beautiful Saskatoon. Benefit from the well-maintained, multi-use pathways to cycle, jog or walk the scenic riverbank trails. Sections of the Meewasin Trail are also part of the Trans Canada Trail which extends almost 24,000 km across Canada from coast to coast. Keen for a challenge? Look at some of the best back country hiking at places like Prince Albert National Park, Lac La Ronge, Meadow Lake- and Narrow Hills Provincial Park in the north or Grasslands National Park and Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park in the south.
With three different water ways and an UNESCO heritage site, Ottawa is the place to explore. Take a trip down the Rideau Canal or explore the ByWard market. Walk along Parliament Hill and through acres of woodland and royal trees planted by dignitaries.
Imagine swimming thousands of miles to find that special someone. Whales complete this every single year, known as a whale migration, to find suitable habitat for feeding and reproducing. In British Columbia, these stunning orcas, also known as killer whales, are a prominent site and seeing them is a once in a lifetime experience. As well as orcas, expect to find humpback whales, grey whales and minke whales. These amazing creatures call BC their home from April to October. When the sun is out the whales come to play. From tail flukes to pectoral slaps, go for a whale watching trip and you can bask in their playful nature and enjoy the sunset with a relaxing drink, perfect for families and solo travellers. You can also go paddleboarding with orcas for a unique perspective from the water to see these magnificent creatures. You must, of course, always keep four hundred metres away from them for their safety and yours.
Welcome to the province of Saskatchewan, Canada – a place of breath-taking landscapes, wide-open spaces and hospitality that is second-to-none. This province is big – 651,900 km2, in fact, and has nearly 100,000 lakes and waterways. Natural beauty is not the only thing this province is known for though. Join us on a culinary journey of Saskatchewan, where food and drink abound, and you will find something good to eat around every corner!
Welcome to the fourth largest province in Canada. With five National Parks and six UNESCO Heritage sites, Alberta is a wonderful and varied place to visit. This blog will explore this great province and expose you to the unique qualities that make this area a location sure to be your next travel destination. A playground for outdoor adventure, popular summer activities include hiking, biking, horse riding, rafting, and fishing. As the seasons change and snow begins to fall, head to Alberta for world-class winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, dogsledding, snowshoeing, heli-skiing, ice climbing and more. From wildlife in the Rockies to Waterton Lakes National Park, and art and culture to explore, Alberta is a wonderland packed with options for every traveller.
Atlantic Canada is famous for its fresh and abundant seafood, from succulent lobster, to scallops, mussels, oysters and cod – but it offers so much more. Dine at a seaside restaurant, take a stroll through a local farmers' market, or take in one of the many culinary festivals. It’s truly a foodie’s paradise.
Here's a round up of a few amazing foodie events and experiences that we thought you might want to try:
Head to Northern Manitoba for a wild and exciting trip. Waterways provide refuge to an abundance of wildlife and the land holds the stories of Indigenous peoples.