It can be a little frantic trying to fit in those summer trips before the dead of winter hits Alberta, but don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with some of the greatest things to check out before summer comes to a close.
From the sights of a legendary stretch of highway in the Alberta Rockies to some of the most majestic lakes and geological features, these are some of the spots you should be trying to hit up in your weeks of summer vacation.
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From a big bee to a giant beaver, the province has plenty of interesting, and maybe even a little bizarre, roadside attractions and landmarks to visit. The perogy is downright iconic, and the world’s largest dinosaur has been fascinating kids and adults for decades. Start the car and make a weekend out of it — you’ll be delighted by all the small towns you’ll visit along the way.
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It’s one of the most peculiar landscapes in Alberta, you’ll almost feel like you are on a different planet when you visit the Red Rock Coulee natural area. Located approximately 50 kilometres south of Medicine Hat, it contains large red spherical sandstone concretions that have eroded out of the softer bedrock, the best example of spheroid rock formations in Alberta.
Concretions measure up to 2.5 metres across and are believed to be among the largest in the world, according to Alberta Parks. There are also hoodoos in the area, so get to some exploring down there, why don’t you?
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Situated in Crowsnest Pass, Frank Slide is a jaw-dropping scene and the result of a massive rockslide off Turtle Mountain during the early morning hours of April 29, 1903. More than 90 people were killed in the town of Frank when the wall of rock came crashing into the eastern side of the town. Today, more than 100,000 visitors pass through the area and visit the interpretive centre to learn more about the slide.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is just two hours east of Calgary and transports you back to prehistoric times. Dinosaur Provincial Park has striking badlands and is overflowing with fossils to be discovered. It’s a neat spot to escape to a landscape that makes you feel like there is no way you are still in the country, let alone Alberta.
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Nothing beats a good trip during the summer, and two highways in Alberta are among the best in the country for breathtaking views. So fuel up your vehicle and hit the Icefields Parkway or Badlands Trail to see for yourself — you won’t be disappointed.
About 100 kilometres southeast of Lethbridge, the Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park holds the greatest concentration of rock art on the North American Great Plains. Hoodoos are also scattered throughout the park’s coulee and prairie landscape.
Stunning blue water and towering mountains? Post a photo of yourself visiting this spot in Banff National Park, and you are guaranteed to have people asking where the heck that is. Lake Louise is world-famous for its turquoise water, which you can rent a canoe and go paddling on — we highly suggest doing so. It’s a rare place that must be visited, and certainly is up there when it comes to things you should check off the list before summer comes to a close in Alberta.
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Standing out against its prairie surroundings, this massive rock is thought to have been left behind when the glaciers retreated. It weighs more than 18,000 tons and is broken into two pieces. It can be found west of the city of Okotoks, and pictures simply don’t do it justice on just how MASSIVE it is. You must see it for yourself!
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It’s one of the most iconic peaks in the Alberta Rockies, and Mount Edith Cavell in Jasper is more than just a massive, pretty mountain. It’s a highly accessible spot, with a nice paved path leading you to the views of the mint-green lake below Angel Glacier. Keep in mind that Cavell Road opens to vehicles on June 21, weather permitting, and closes on October 15 or after the first significant snowfall.
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Alberta is no stranger to film and television (Hey there, The Last of Us), and you can visit a gorgeous lake in the Rockies where some of Brokeback Mountain was filmed back in 2004. Remember the campsite scenes? They were shot in numerous areas in the province, including Upper Kananaskis Lake, which is within Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. The lake is featured prominently during a heated argument between Gyllenhaal and Ledger, with the mountainous backdrop being unmistakably that of Upper Kananaskis.
Peyto Lake
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A lake that is instantly recognizable (we’ve likely all seen it on the Insta feed of a hiker friend or two), Peyto Lake is known for its vibrant blue water. Banff National Park sure seems to have a few of those, which means we must see them all! The lake is about 40 kilometres north of Lake Louise, and a hike to an outlook spot provides a view that will amaze you.