Let’s fuel up and hit the road! Perhaps now more than ever before, we’re all looking for ways to explore our own backyard.
Alberta is a massively diverse province, and road trips have always been a popular activity to get out and see the sites! Plus, most places on these 6 road trip itineraries are either free or low cost.
Whether you’re searching for striking mountain passes, wide open country roads, unique geological wonders or quirky little roadside gems, Alberta has tons of road trip ideas for you to choose from!
Make sure you’ve packed everything you need for your road trip, and hit the pavement!
Some links in this post may contain affiliate links. Meaning at no extra cost to you, I might make a small commission if you make a purchase. I only share places, services and products that I know, love and trust.
1. Icefields Parkway – Lake Louise to Jasper
When you can’t decide if you should visit Jasper or Banff, why not both? You can visit each of these stunning national parks by driving the most scenic road in all of Canada.
Highway 93 (also known as the Icefields Parkway) is the most popular road trip in Alberta and stretches 230 kms (or 140 miles).
There are several campgrounds and lodges (my favorite being Sunwapta Falls Lodge ’cause it’s dog friendly), so you could take a few days or a week to explore the most visually stunning road trip in Alberta.
Starting from Lake Louise heading north towards Jasper, here are some highlights to take in on your Icefields Parkway road trip:
P.S. Wondering when the best time to visit Banff is? Find out here >>
Bow Lake to Bow Glacier Falls
Start at a turquoise colored lake and hike into some gorgeous falls.
There’s plenty of parking just off the highway, and this easy to moderate hike will be about 4-5 hours round trip, with no crazy elevation gain except a little at the end to get to the falls.
Peyto Lake
This vibrant lake is one of the most iconic viewpoints associated with the Canadian Rockies, right up there with Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
Perfect for an easy and quick walk to some picturesque views. 2020 update – the viewpoint is currently closed for construction and is slated to reopen in late 2020.
Parker Ridge for Glacier Views
Just passed the fun hairpin curve is the Big Bend hill, where you’ll get the most expansive views of the entire valley. From here is also one of the best short hikes with the best views on the Icefields Parkway.
TRAVEL TIP: Prefer a package already put together for you? You can take a one-way tour from Banff to Jasper, fully guided with stops at the most popular attractions. Plus, your guide will share tons of information about the area’s unique geology.
Columbia Icefield and Glacier Skywalk
In the summertime, get up close and personal with a 10,000 year-old glacier.
Then combine your visit with one of the Canadian Rockies’ newest attractions – a glass platform that protrudes over the edge of the mountain face.
FYI, this icefield attraction is quite expensive, about $100 per adult.
Waterfalls
Next up, be sure to check out some of the most powerful and breathtaking waterfalls in Alberta. First the Sunwapta Falls and then the Athabasca Falls closer to Jasper.
If you just want to enjoy the drive through winding mountain roads, this is the perfect road trip to travel slowly with no plan and stop whenever and wherever you feel like, because there’s no bad view on this road trip!
Whether you’re starting or ending your trip in Jasper, check out my recommendations about where to stay for the perfect, cozy mountain getaway here >>.
Travel Tip: Try to do this road trip from north to south (Jasper to Lake Louise). You’ll get better views from this direction and most of the turn off viewpoints are easily accessible from the right side of the road.
Grab your copy of the Lonely Planet travel guide to Banff and Jasper to bring with you along the way to find tons more hidden gems.
Discover More Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems Here – Places Like Banff Off the Beaten Path
2. The Cowboy Trail – Sundre to Lundbreck
Hit the old dusty trail known as Highway 22 or the ‘Cowboy Trail’ and transport yourself to the wild west on this road trip through western Alberta.
This gorgeous highway runs north-south parallel with the rocky mountains, giving you some epic views of prairie ranches and western themed towns with the mountains following you in the background the whole way.
While most people would vote for the Icefields Parkway, I think Highway 22 is the most scenic drive in Alberta.
This is one of the best regions to find some fun agritourism experiences as well.
Start in Sundre and take a little detour on the backroads west of town to look for wild horses! They love to hang out in the rolling foothills here.
Visit Early Dawn Farm and Goat Dairy and try some fresh cheese or goat’s milk caramel! Stop in Cochrane for a cold treat at Mackay’s Ice Cream, which has been around for 70 years.
Further south, you’ll stumble upon Bragg Creek, an adorable small western-themed village with the cute false front buildings.
Bragg Creek is also biker friendly if you’re looking for a motorcycle-specific Alberta road trip.
Next, find yourself in the sister towns of Turner Valley and Black Diamond to do some small town artisan shopping, a visit to a gin distillery (in an old theatre) or a visit to a 1950s soda pop diner.
Then visit the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site where you can test out your cowboy skills, like trying your hand at roping!
Plus visit all the old ranch buildings on a horse and wagon tour.
Keep heading down the highway and grab a photo of the Sierra West Trading Post, especially stunning at sunset.
If you really want to make a mini vacation out of this road trip, stay somewhere fun along the Cowboy Trail like this cool tiny house built from grain silos (view here on Airbnb) and visit Lundbreck Falls just west of the Highway 3 junction.
Keep east towards Cowley where scenes from Brokeback Mountain were shot.
I recommend a stay at the chimney rock ranch retreat which is all inclusive ‘rustic elegance’ lodging, perfect for a quiet and rejuvenating holiday.
Road Trip Tip: Grab these cards loaded with 100 thought-provoking questions to keep the conversation flowing during your long car ride! (Specific ones for couples and families, too)
3. Drumheller and the Canadian Badlands – Stettler to Rosebud
Yes, Alberta is the dinosaur capital of the world with Drumheller being the epicenter. But did you know that this dinosaur town is part of a larger region called the Canadian Badlands?
Within this southeast section of the province there are valley highways, outworldly hoodoo landscapes that look like you’re on Mars, some twisty roads and tons of old little mining towns to be discovered.
Start in Stettler, home of a steam train that you can ride, complete with a cocktail lounge car.
Then travel south to the tiny town of Big Valley, and check out the 100-year old blue church, train station museum or cute antique shops and soak up rural Alberta charm.
As you continue south down highway 56 just, visit the Alberta ghost town of Rowley. Keep south and turn off at Munson to visit Horsethief Canyon, aptly named after cowboy outlaws who used this spot to steal livestock.
Then visit Drumheller, and do all the dinosaur things! Stop off at the Rosedale Suspension Bridge for a quick stretch break in a scenic spot.
Plan your itinerary with my top 23 things to see and do in Drumheller.
South of town, take Highway 10x, where you’ll cross 11 small bridges to get you to the hamlet of Wayne. Stop and have a cold one at the Last Chance Saloon – complete with bullet holes still in the wall from the wild west days.
Don’t miss the tiny hamlet of Dorothy if you want to check out another small Alberta ghost town.
Be sure to grab a copy of the newly released Abandoned Alberta book – it would be a great accompaniment to your ghost town road trip!
And if you love the performing arts, catch a show at the Rosebud Theatre and wander around the adorable prairie hamlet of only 100 people.
If you end your road trip here, you’re only a little over an hour back to Calgary.
Road Trip Hack: Don’t want to grab another coffee to stay awake? Try this essential oil Stay Alert Blend!
4. The Boomtown Trail – Camrose to Three Hills
If you’re travelling from Edmonton to Calgary (or vice versa) and want some different scenery, head a little east and check out some sights along the Boomtown Trail.
This Alberta drive is where you get quintessential prairie scenery. In the early 1900s when the railway traveled through, central Alberta was booming, and the many small towns that popped up still remain much of the same today.
If you’re leaving from Edmonton, your first stop is at the Alberta Railway Museum, where a steam locomotive still runs today.
Then discover Camrose, home to great mainstreet shopping, beautiful heritage homes and the historic Bailey Theatre.
On a hot summer day, grab ice cream at OleO’s and stroll around Mirror Lake, and watch the beautiful Trumpeter Swans.
If you’re a fan of quirky road side attractions, stop for a stretch break in Donalda, home to the world’s largest lamp! And if you want to stretch your legs, there are some great trails in the Willow Canyon Valley to explore.
For more small towns that haven’t changed a whole lot (in a good way) check out Bashaw and Clive.
Stop off in Trochu for world famous shoe shopping and to see the world’s largest golf tee. If you have time, take a quick detour west to Torrington, where you can visit the Gopher Museum…yup – taxidermy gophers in diorama scenes.
Then if you’re looking for a unique place to stay in Alberta, check out Good Knights’ Encampment for some medieval themed glamping!
Your stay here fully immerses you in medieval times, including costumes to wear, sword fighting instructions and siege machine demos.
Related Reading: 15 Unique Staycation Ideas in Canada
5. Cute Towns and Film Locations – Calgary to Fort McLeod
Start your morning by heading south to Okotoks and a stop for locally roasted coffee and breakfast at 94 Take the Cake, where you feel like you’re walking into a black and white 2D coloring book!
It’s probably the coolest cafe and spot to grab a coffee in Alberta.
Then drive by the Okotoks Erratic, a massive rock formation in the foothills transported by glaciers in the ice age. Or head the other direction for a stop at the Saskatoon Farm.
Continue south to High River, the set of the Heartland series. Next you’ll find yourself in Nanton, Alberta, home to a cute downtown full of old western buildings, antique shops, old time candy stores and many museums.
It’s also where some scenes from Interstellar were filmed.
Then beam over to Vulcan, Alberta, home of a replica of the Enterprise from the original Star Trek series. Continue south down wide open prairies and keep an eye out for aesthetic derelict barns.
End your trip in Fort MacLeod which is home to Alberta’s best historic main street and Alberta’s oldest theatre, the Empress (where they shot scenes for the upcoming Ghostbusters: Afterlife movie).
Plan a walking tour through town with this guide that details what the buildings were originally used for.
6. Bow Valley Parkway – Banff to Lake Louise
While this route is one of the most popular cycling roads in Alberta, it also makes for a great mini road trip from Calgary.
On highway 1A, heading north from Banff, stop off at Backswamp viewpoint for a good wildlife viewing spot.
Further north is where you’ll find the Johnston Canyon hike to the waterfalls. Since it’s easily accessible, this place gets very busy, but a beautiful spot if you’ve never been and are there in early morning or on a weekday.
Another less-crowded option is to keep north and you can do a short hike to Silverton Falls.
Stop off and marvel at the Castle Mountain lookout point. And then watch for trains at Morant’s Curve, quite possibly one of the most photographed spots in Banff National Park.
Take a break at the Bistro in the Baker Creek Mountain Resort or stay the night and get up for some epic mountain sunrise shots.
Ready to hit the highway? Load up your favorite tunes or podcasts and don’t forget the travel wipes (they double as napkins and help you freshen up)!
Want more Alberta? Check out these 27 things to do that are bucket list worthy!
More Road Trip Ideas? Check out the Ultimate Calgary to Vancouver Road Trip
Liked this post? Share it on Facebook or save a pin to your travel board on Pinterest! (hover over the image and hit the save button)
