6 stunning spots in Alberta to visit in 2025, from small towns to natural wonders (PHOTOS)
Make next year one for the books!
Grotto Canyon Alberta. Right: High River, Alberta.
From glistening waterfalls to hike to in the summer to cozy small towns to visit in the winter, Alberta has no shortage of things to do. Beauty is around every corner in the province, and if you're planning your 2025 getaways then there's a lot to choose from.
If you want to explore some of the best that the province has to offer then visit these seven spots, and you won't be disappointed.
Grotto Canyon
A four kilometre hike will bring you to this picturesque canyon. You can wind your way through the forest alongside the steep canyon walls on a nice summer's day, or opt for a winter adventure here.
In the colder months, the waterfall that plunges from the top of the canyon freezes over and makes for a pretty magical sight.
High River
This little town was actually named one of the best places to live in Canada in 2023, so if you want to experience a slice of picture-perfect small-town life, go for a visit here.
Like many places in Alberta, it is all about the great outdoors with beautiful nature at its doorstep. Just 45 minutes from Calgary it manages to feel like a retreat far away from city life, with all the charm one hopes to get visiting a little town. The community puts on holiday parades, craft fairs, and lots of events.
It's also a set for a bunch of different movies and shows, including Heartland.
Canada's official Star Trek Capital
Alberta is actually home to Canada's official Star Trek Capital and it makes for a unique getaway. The town of Vulcan packs in its fair share of Trekkie references, from its Starship Enterprise replica to its name. The town embraces the Star Trek connection and you can wander around the themed crosswalks beneath starship streetlights.
Maybe you're a fan or maybe you just want to shake things up on your next day trip — either way, it's worth the stop.
Drumheller
Alberta is also home to the dinosaur capital of the world, and the small town just two hours outside of Calgary will transport you back in time. With massive canyons, unique rock formations, and prehistoric fossils, this place feels like it's of another world.
There are dinosaur statues peppering the valley, and the Royal Tyrrell Museum here has one of the largest displays of dinosaurs in the world.
You can also wind your way through the famous Hoodoos here, which are a truly unique sight to take in.
Canmore
While this small town isn't exactly a hidden gem, it's well worth the trip there if you haven't been. It actually doubled as Wyoming in the HBO show, The Last Of US, and its natural beauty will leave you breathless.
Think a slightly less touristy Banff, with cute shops, picturesque streets, and endless mountain views.
Larch Valley
If you want to plan your bucketlist into the fall, then you can't miss hiking the Larch Valley trail in Banff National Park. You'll see the forest turn a bright golden colour with the backdrop of the mountains, which is a trademark Alberta scene.
Afterwards, you can explore the area, which is brimming with beautiful lakes, mountain trails, and views for days.