5 easy road trips from Calgary to quaint small towns that you need to see this summer

Sylvan Lake

Just an hour an a half from Calgary this little town is all about summer fun. It's got beach town vibes with lakeside fun at the forefront of a trip.

The small town has laid-back vibes with a dash of adventure – which is the recipe for a good vacation spot. There's a Former's market, loads of restaurants, shops, and rentals for all the lake activities.

The waterfront walkway here is especially idyllic, with a wooden lighthouse, sandy beach, and lake views along the way. You can spend days laying out on the beach with a good book and cheersing on a patio by night. If you're up for some activity, take your pick of boating, paddle boarding, hiking, kayaking, or golfing.

Drumheller

This is another ideal day trip destination from Calgary, an hour and a half away, but with a unique twist. Drumheller is known as the "Dinosaur Capital of the World" and is home to the world's largest dinosaur. It's not hard to spot the giant T-Rex in town, and you can even climb up into it for a view of the town.

Set in the heart of the Canadian Badlands, the scenery of the area is also a huge draw. You can explore trails that take you past the hoodoos and vast canyons, which will leave you breathless.

If you want to learn more about the towns Jurrasic Park-like past you can visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum here and see the fossils. The museum also has tours of the Badlands that you can go on to learn more more the fossils and get immersed in the landscape.

Waterton

This tiny village set within the spectacular Waterton Lakes National Park is about three hours from Calgary, but well-worth the journey. While the town gets lots of visitors, it maintains a low-key feel to it, balanced with all the amenities you need. There's restaurants, shops, and places to stay here, but the real intrigue is the natural beauty all around.

The town is set by the sparking lake, with mountains wrapping around it, creating one of the most breathtaking views possible. The iconic Prince of Wales Hotel is here, perched on a hill overlooking the lake. It all looks like a scene plucked from a postcard.

Exploring the park you'll find waterfalls, grasslands, a red rock canyon, and towering mountains. You can head out on the water with Tamarack Outdoors, on a kayaking tour, or adventure on land with the Alpine Stables horseback ride.

You're basically guaranteed to have an unforgettable trip here.

High River

If you want a quick getaway that feels further than it is, High River is your answer. It's about a 45-minute drive from downtown Calgary, but has that charming small-town feel. It was actually named one of the best places to live in Canada in 2023, so a visit may even have you considering a move.

Nature is at your doorstep here with beautiful parks and trails, but there's also things to do in town. Wander around the streets and pop in and out of the local businesses, enjoying the slower pace.

Also if you're a fan of the CBC series Heartland you'll love getting to see the iconic Maggie's Diner here. It wasn't the only time the quaint town was on screen — it also was used as a backdrop in Fargo and The Last of Us.

Canmore

This is maybe the most popular touristy spot on the list, but there's no doubt that it's worth a visit. It's just an hour away from Calgary and you get the iconic mountain views that the area is so well known for.

Spring and summer here are about hiking, enjoying the little town and its picturesque views of Three Sisters Mountain and cozy stores, and breathing in the fresh mountain air.

Main Street has all the cute small town vibes with local shops, cafes and restaurants. Then you have the incredible beauty that they area is known for. Even quicker hikes like Grassi Lakes Trail bring you to some unbelievably stunning spots.

This is also a spot that made it onto TV, as it doubled as Wyoming in The Last Of US.

Of course there's also the more popular town of Banff, which is just 20 minutes away from Canmore, that's also a go-to destination.