8 Quaint Small Towns In Alberta That You Need To Road Trip To This Fall
With fall on the horizon, it's time to start planning autumn road trips to some of the most stunning small towns in Alberta.
These Alberta small towns are packed to the brim with cute coffee shops, adorable boutiques and golden trees and they make the most stunning fall road trips.
Grab your besties and a pumpkin spice latte before hitting the road and visiting these charming small towns. You won't regret it!
Canmore
Address: Canmore, AB
Why You Need To Go: Tucked away between the mountains ranges of Kananaskis, Canmore is the perfect place to check out the fall foliage with streets of brightly coloured shops, restaurants and coffee shops to cozy up in on colder days.
If you're eager to get outside, there are tons of easy hikes from the town where you can catch a glimpse of the fall colours including the Policeman's Creek Boardwalk or the Canmore Engine Bridge.
Lacombe
Address: Lacombe, AB
Why You Need To Go: if you're looking for that perfect small town autumnal vibes, you might want to head to Lacombe which looks like it's straight out of a Hallmark movie.
The town is less than 1.5 hours from Edmonton, and you can spend an afternoon wandering down its charming historic Main St., which even has its own flat iron building. The town also hosts a culture and harvest festival in September.
Banff
Address: Banff, AB
Why You Need To Go: Take advantage of exploring the town of Banff once the busy summer season is over. Banff has so many adorable shops and restaurants to check out and it practically feels like you have the whole town to yourself.
As well as exploring famous sights like the stunning Fairmont Banff Springs, there are endless beautiful hiking trails in Banff National Park that are just a stone's throw away with breathtaking views.
Drumheller
Address: Drumheller, AB
Why You Need To Go: Drumheller has plenty of gorgeous desert-like landscapes with canyons and Hoodoos to explore but in the fall, the town transforms with stunning golden larches.
If its chillier, you can head to the incredible Royal Tyrrell Museum to learn about the areas fascinating history with dinosaurs and check out thousands of fossils.
Jasper
Address: Jasper, AB
Why You Need To Go: If you're looking for some peace and tranquility, Jasper is way more relaxed than Banff but you'll still get all the incredible views of the Canadian Rockies.
The town of Jasper has stunning snowcapped mountains and they only get all the more impressive when fall comes around. If you're willing to explore, there are a ton of gorgeous lakes nearby surrounded by golden trees.
Peace River
Address: Peace River, AB
Why You Need To Go: Peace River has a ton of stunning hiking trails that showcase the stunning fall colours or you can spend time exploring some of the many museums in the region.
Once you're done, you can grab a drink at Peace River Brewing and watch the world go by.
High River
Address: High River, AB
Why You Need To Go: Just a short drive from Calgary, you'll reach the stunning small town of High River and it's a must-see in the fall.
The western town of High River has plenty of local artisans and small businesses to explore during the fall. You can also check out filming locations for the series Heartland such as the iconic Maggie's Diner.
Camrose
Address: Camrose, AB
Why You Need To Go: Just over an hour away from Edmonton is the adorable town of Camrose and it's the perfect spot to take in the fall colours.
The town has a stunning lake surrounded by fall foliage which gives perfect European vibes. There are also tons of cute independent stores and cafes to browse.
This article has been updated since it was originally published on September 17, 2022.
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.
