The Foothills
While the Rockies received most of the praise, the vast rolling hills that border them are also well worth a visit. With a view of the mountain ranges beyond, you can take in the incredible landscape of Alberta from the peacefulness of these sprawling plains.
While the other spots on this list will place you beneath towering peaks, the Foothills make you feel free in the open scenery. The Foothills offers its own type of adventure, with winding rivers, rushing waterfalls, and lush trails ready to be explored.
Little towns are scattered around the region, where you can base a trip from. Longview is a popular stop here, with easy access to the Rockies and a quaint small-town atmosphere. Nanton is another community that's a go-to for charm, with picturesque streets and cute boutiques.
A 700-kilometre-long drive along Highway 22 (a route known as the "Cowboy Trail") is a popular way to explore the area, taking you through the rolling landscape of the Foothills with the rocky peaks on the horizon.
You'll drive past fields of farmland, small towns, and historic sites you can stop at and explore. If you follow the map of the trail, you'll go to western theme attractions, ranch visits, horseback rides, and museums.
Lake Louise
This place has been praised as one of the most magical places in the country for good reason. The glistening lake sits below towing snow-capped mountains that create a breathtaking scene.
As one of the most popular spots in Banff National Park, this spot can get busy, but it's a surefire way to get a breathtaking view.
It's also just two hours away from Calgary, making it the perfect escape into the Rockies. If you really want to make the trip special, there's the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, offering a luxurious stay alongside the lake. Lake Louise also makes for a quieter retreat into nature, with a smaller village than the nearby town of Banff but the same access to the beauty of the surrounding area.
A trip here involves many views and outdoor fun all year round.
Icefields Parkway
This world-famous drive is one of the "most beautiful roads in Canada" according to Parks Canada,According to Parks Canada, this world-famous drive is one of the "most beautiful roads in Canada," and it's not hard to see why. The road winds you through the dramatic scenery of the Rockies, taking you through valleys, past glacial lakes, and some of the province's most sought-after experiences.
It's all with the backdrop of the mountains, giving you the full Alberta experience. It's not just all views, though. The drive is the gateway to some of the area's most epic adventures and attractions.
Along the 280-kilometre journey, you can stop and see the Weeping Wall, the Athabasca Glacier and Lake Louise. Big Hill & Big Bend is a famous part of this road trip, where the pavement hugs the mountain wall and you get an incredible view of the river and valley.
Driving along this route involves frequent stops to take in views, snap photos, tour glaciers, hike trails, and discover the incredible natural beauty all around. You can spend days exploring this road and all it has to offer and be anything but bored. bored.
Peyto lake
There's a lot of Banff National Park here, but rightfully so. Peyto Lake is another spot nestled within the breathtaking beauty of the park that deserves its own shout-out.
You've likely seen it in many photos since it's acclaimed as one of the most beautiful natural wonders out there. The bright turquoise water of the lake reflects back the view of the mountains that tower above, and it's a place of absolute awe. The unreal colour of the water is thanks to dust from the Peyto Glacier, which "grinds down the surrounding mountains" into the water and then "refracts the light," the Alberta tourism website said.
To reach the lookout for the lake it's a short walk through the forest, and you'll be rewarded with a view you'll never forget.
Jasper National Park
Right beside the beloved Banff National Park sits Jasper National Park, which locals also shouted out. Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, spanning over 11,000 square kilometres, so there's loads of untouched nature to explore.
The town of Jasper is the go-to base here, and it's more lowkey than the town of Banff. It's full of things to do but is slightly less touristic and smaller, perfect for those who want a more low-key trip.
Maligne Lake & Spirit Island is a must-see here. The small island sits in the serene lake, enclosed by majestic mountains. Then there's Maligne Canyon and the Athabasca Falls, which are both famous natural wonders.
If you have the time, you're best off making the journey along Icefields Parkway and going from Banff to Jasper, so you can see almost all of the most breathtaking spots in one trip.
You don't have to look hard to find beauty in Alberta, and these spots won't disappoint.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
