What do you get when you drive through two countries, visit two provinces, travel for 14 days, and log over 3600 miles? An amazing road trip to Alberta and British Columbia in Canada! And, no doubt, you will be happy and exhausted by the time you arrive back home!
As someone who grew up in Southern Alberta, my family often had fun hiking in the Canadian Rockies or camping at Waterton National Park. That’s just the tip of fun things to do on a road trip. You’ll marvel at the amazing scenery, brilliant blue lakes and streams, and stunning waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies. Get started on your road trip itinerary now!
The Best Things To See on a Road Trip to Alberta and BC
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The Rocky Mountain range, the largest in North America, extends some 3,000 miles from New Mexico through Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana in the United States up to Alberta and British Columbia in Canada.
Follow this mountain range from Colorado on a road trip to Alberta and BC and you will be rewarded with diverse wildlife sightings, amazing hiking trails, dramatic wilderness, scenic byways, and stunning alpine lakes as you sightsee along the way. If you have never hiked in the Canadian Rockies, the mountains of Colorado, or in others locations along the Rocky Mountain range, you are in for a treat.
1. Alberta Sunsets
First off, enjoy the sunsets in southern Alberta as you are driving along on your road trip to Alberta and BC. They don’t disappoint.
In fact, there is actual SCIENCE behind the phenomenon of amazing sunsets in southern Alberta.
Make a point to plan your drive time so that you can stop and enjoy the setting sun in Alberta. Apparently, the stellar sunsets are amazing due to the shape of the land combined with Chinook wind conditions. That’s right, those mild, westerly “Chinook” winds drive moist Pacific air from British Columbia across several mountain ranges to arrive on the prairies of Alberta.
Crossing the mountain ranges “wrings out” much of the moisture until dry air descends on southern Alberta. And this dry air is the beginning ingredient of a stellar sunset.
Next, add in some upper-level clouds (if there is sufficient moisture) to create a “Chinook Arch”.
“And now the stage is set for a really good sunset if everything else works out.
“In order to get an excellent, long-lived sunset, the horizon has to be free and clear of cloud. This is why it is important that the low-level air is dry. It enables the unobstructed disc of the sun to shine for as long as possible on the belly of the cloud as it sets. And secondly, the higher the cloud layer is in the atmosphere (as with Chinook Arches), the longer the setting sun can shine on the underside of it, changing slowly from gold, to orange, to red.”
Kyle Brittain at The Weather Network
Now you know.
2. Visiting or Camping at Waterton National Park
If this is your first road trip to Alberta and BC, take the opportunity to visit Waterton National Park, one of the best national parks in Alberta. Everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.
The park borders Glacier National Park in the United States. Waterton Park is a small hamlet nestled within the peaks of the Rocky Mountains in southwestern Alberta.
Tourists flock to the park year round to enjoy its beauty. You’ll find activities from hiking, camping, kayaking, fishing, golfing, boat tours, wildlife sightings, walking along the lake, and strolling along the streets of Waterton.
Your visit won’t be complete without stopping by Cameron Falls, fishing at Cameron Lake, climbing around Red Rocks, hiking Bears Hump or visiting the iconic Prince of Wales hotel. Take the Guidealong Audio Tour to explore all of these destinations and more.
If you are planning on camping at Waterton National Park, reserve your campsite at the Waterton Park campgrounds.
Hotels in Waterton National Park: Check availability at the Prince of Wales Hotel
3. Lundbreck Falls, Alberta
Lundbreck Falls are the main feature of the Lundbreck Falls Provincial Recreation Area and Lundbreck Campground are some of the stunning waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies.
Lundbreck Falls are located near Pincher Creek in Southern Alberta. The rushing Crowsnest River plunges 39 feet to the canyon below creating a dramatic horse-shoe shaped waterfall.
You can book your stay at the Lundbreck Campground or enjoy the day use facilities for a picnic lunch.
Don’t forget to pack some snacks and Built Bar protein bars for your trip. Keep your group happy and not “hangry” (hungry and angry).
You can view the falls from an observation platform or follow a path for a short hike down to the falls. Be sure to bring along your camera.
Continue on past Lundbreck on Highway 3 into the Crowsnest Pass. You will come first to Frank Slide on your road trip to Alberta touring the Canadian Rockies; between Bellevue and Sparwood, you’ll pass into British Columbia.
4. Frank Slide
At 4:10 am on April 29, 1903 a massive rockslide thundered down Turtle Mountain and buried part of the mining town of Frank in Alberta’s Crowsnest Pass. The slide was one of the largest rock slides in Canadian history and certainly the deadliest as more than 90 people were buried in the rubble and perished.
Scientists estimate that rocks were moving at a speed up to 70 mph (120 km/h). At the time, approximately 600 people were living in the mining town.
The site of the slide remains largely unchanged even today. It has become a popular tourist spot and was designated a Provincial historic site. If you stop, be sure to add the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre as a waypoint on your road trip to Alberta and BC.
“False stories spread around the world about a single baby girl, named “Frankie Slide” by her rescuers, who was the only survivor from the town of Frank following the slide…there were 3 young girls who survived the slide, plus 20 other people pulled alive from the rocks, along with the over 500 people from the townsite of Frank who were not touched by the slide at all.“
frankslide.ca
5. Explore Kootenay National Park
Kootenay (pronounced Koo-tuh-nay) was established as a national park in 1920 as part of an agreement between the Canadian government and British Columbia to build a new highway across the Rockies. In exchange, title would be given to a 5 mile (8 km) strip along either side of the almost 60 miles (94 km) of highway. The Banff-Windermere Highway was intended to be used solely for park purposes.
The 60-minute scenic route through Kootenay National Park features stunning vistas around every bend, icy mountain rivers, and steaming hot springs as you continue your road trip to Alberta and BC. But plan to spend the entire day exploring canyons and waterfalls or plan a backpacking trip to experience hiking in the Canadian Rockies.
Whatever your adventure-seeking heart loves, you will find it in the heart of Kootenay National Park as you tour the Canadian Rockies.
- Hiking
- River Rafting Trips
- Fishing
- Camping
- Snowmobiling
- Skiing and Other Winter Activities
- Golfing
- Ziplining Adventures
The official Parks Canada guided tour app is a must to accompany you along your road trip to Alberta and BC as you experience the history, sites, and sounds of the national park at your own pace. The app offers:
- GPS-activated guidance, history lessons, behind-the-scenes stories
- Alerts along the way for some of the best places to stop
- Location-specific history, photos, fun facts, and information
- Questions to challenge your knowledge, listening skills, and observation skills
- Maps
- Experienced Parks Canada staff members offer insider information to Kootenay National park
Make this app your perfect travel companion during this part of your road trip to Alberta and BC.
If you happen to be closer to Whistler, BC, there are so many great hiking trails to explore there as well. How about a trip to Victoria, BC? You can have some fun adventures there too.
Check out the Canadian Rockies GuideAlong Audio Tours Bundle
6. Sinclair Canyon in Kootenay National Park
Sinclair Canyon Pass provides a dramatic entrance into the national park. The road is busy but you’ll find a number of pull out spots as you drive through the canyon. You don’t even have to venture too far from your vehicle to enjoy magnificent scenery.
If you happen to hear music after stopping, it might just be a musician taking advantage of the amazing acoustics of this area of the canyon. That might be a first for any road trip you have been on, but definitely a highlight of your road trip to Alberta and BC.
If you are up for hiking in the Canadian Rockies, there is a fairly easy hike that is under 2.0 miles (3.2 km) here. Check out the Sinclair Creek Trail on the AllTrails app.
Sinclair Creek features Sinclair Canyon Falls, a short waterfall that leads down into the valley.
There are a number of additional trails in this area, including the Juniper Loop Trail. Be prepared for your hike by being mindful of the 10 essentials for your best day hikes.
Only a short distance from the canyon entrance along Highway 93, you’ll discover Radium Hot Springs.
7. Radium Hot Springs in B.C.
Does soaking in hot springs sounds delightful after a long day of driving on your road trip to Alberta and BC? If yes, then you will want to visit Radium Hot Springs, one of the best things do in Radium BC. The pool is located less than 2 miles (3 km) northeast of the village of Radium Hot Springs on Hwy 93 in Kootenay National Park.
If you are passing by and think to yourself, “I wish I had thought to pack a swimsuit and towel for my road trip”, not to worry, you can rent both at the front desk.
Note * If you are only planning to soak in the hot springs, you do not need a national park pass. If you are planning to continue on through the park after your relaxing soak, then you can purchase a park pass at the Radium Visitors Center or at the Park Entrance Gate.
Radium Hot Springs is surrounded by a magnificent rock face. Not only is it a favorite stop for travelers in the summer time but in the winter as well. Radium Hot Springs in B.C. is open year round. The temperature in the hot pool ranges from 37 to 40 degrees Celsius (that’s 98 to 104 Fahrenheit).
8. Dog Lake in Kootenay National Park
If you follow the recommendations of the GuideAlong on your smart phone, you may be directed to stop for a hike to Dog Lake as you come to the McLeod Meadows picnic area and campground on the Banff-Windemere Highway (Hwy 93). You can’t miss the signage.
The hike is only 1.6 miles (2.6 km) on a one way trip but offers some amazing scenery along the way during your road trip to Alberta and BC.
The river forks around a small island where you cross two bridges over the brilliantly blue turquoise Kootenay River. One of the bridges—a suspension bridge—sways with the wind…and enthusiastic children.
If you happen upon the lake on a perfect day, Dog Lake becomes a giant reflecting pool, highlighting the Mitchell mountain range.
9. Paint Pots in Kootenay National Park
Plan to take a short hike through the forest to the Paint Pots on your Canadian Rockies Itinerary. The path meanders around creeks, rivers, marshy areas, and small lakes until you eventually reach orange-colored, mineral-rich ponds and streams. Historically, people used this orange-colored water and mud for painting.
If you visit during the Summer months, you won’t have to worry about the muddy and often flooded pathways that are characteristic during the Spring and Fall months. If you do visit when the conditions are wetter, take note that your shoes and clothes may actually be stained—hence the term “paint” pots.
There is a sign at the beginning of the trail where someone has scratched in “Paint Pots” with an arrow. Follow that sign to view the Paint Pots. If you go in the other direction, you will head toward Marble Canyon. You may wish to plan to go there next along your road trip to Alberta and BC.
If you choose to hike to Marble Canyon from the Paint Pots, it is a 4.5 mile (7.25 km) trail out and back.
10. Marble Canyon and Tokumm Creek Falls in Kootenay National Park
Don’t let this scenic stop at Marble Canyon in the Kootenay National Park pass you by. Park in the easily accessible parking area off of Highway 93 to hike through Marble Canyon as it follows the Tokumm Creek below to the Tokumm Creek Falls.
The rocks of the canyon area a glacial gray, but against the turquoise blue of the Tokumm Creek, the effect is stunning. Hiking in the Canadian Rockies is moderately easy along the path up to Tokumm Creek Falls following the trail which traverses over the gorge and Tokumm Creek far below a number of times.
The sound of the falls thunders through the canyon and increases in volume as the gorge deepens and you near the falls. This is one stop onyour road trip to Alberta and BC in the Canadian Rockies that you just don’t want to miss.
11. Lake Louise
You have made it to Lake Louise!
Lake Louise is a popular “bucket list” destination that is often teeming with tourists from around the world. You can’t have a road trip to Alberta and BC without including Lake Louise!
In fact, Lake Louise, the crown jewel of Banff National Park, draws in millions of visitors every year.
The lake and its wildly blue, turquoise-colored water is fed by glacier melt and is surrounded by a hanging glacier and Mount Victoria. It makes for a stunning backdrop for your selfies and photos. (Just be mindful of others.)
Lake Louise can attribute its stunning blue color to glacier waters that are full of “rock flour“. This rock flour is made up of fine particle of rock that refracts the light.
Lake Louise is among the most Instagrammably beautiful lakes around the world.
As a year-round destination, outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy:
- hiking
- rock climbing
- canoeing and kayaking
- mountaineering
- skiing
- snowshoeing
- ice climbing
- ice skating
- scrambling
With the coolness of the Lake Louise weather, the lake is typically frozen over from November through May.
And, if you are in the mood for a polar plunge into the frigid glacier water, be sure to have towels handy. The lake is typically 39° F (4° C).
The Fairmont Chateau Hotel, looms above the lake, and if you aren’t staying in the hotel, you may wish to venture inside for a look. You’ll find a variety of shops to satisfy your touristy needs.
The parking lot near the shores of Lake Louise is typically full by 7 am and remains full all day. Your best bet is to take the shuttle (see information below in the FAQs).
Want to book a stay at the Fairmont Chateau Hotel (click this link to book) as an iconic and memorable stop on your road trip to Alberta and BC?
Looking for a vacation rental for your Canadian Rockies itinerary? Check Vrbo by clicking on the box below.
Note * Not only will you need your Parks Canada Pass for all of Banff National Park, but you will also need to pay for parking at Lake Louise from 7am-7pm between May and October. Pay stations are available with parking fees currently set at $21.00 per vehicle per day. Overnight parking at Lake Louise (when you are not a guest of the hotel) is not allowed.
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12. Banff
Banff National Park is located in the heart of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. It is world-renowned and well-loved. Banff townsite is located on the Bow River off of Highway 1 (or the Trans-Canada Highway) approximately 80 miles (127 km) west of Calgary. It claims the distinction of being the highest town in Canada.
If you are not taking a road trip to Alberta and BC and wish instead to fly to Canada, the nearest airport is in Calgary.
From downtown Banff, you have access to a myriad of activities:
- hiking
- mountain biking
- visiting hot springs
- horseback riding
- superb dining
- shopping and souvenir hunting
- riding the gondola
- taking the Cave and Basin tour
- visiting museums and art galleries
- enjoying winter activities: skiing, snowshoeing, skating, tubing
- golfing
If you choose to stay in Banff (click the link to check availability on Booking.com), your options range from luxury accommodations (think Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel) to a variety of mid-range and budget hotels and Airbnb offerings. Camping is an option as well.
13. Johnston Canyon Falls
The dramatic Johnston Canyon is a breathtaking natural attraction that rounds out the list of best things to see on a road trip to Alberta and BC.
The hike through Johnston Canyon may claim the distinction of the most popular hike in Canada!
You have the choice of hiking to the Lower Falls or the Upper Falls at Johnston Canyon. The Lower Falls are perfect for a wide range of ages and activity levels. Yes, you will find that it gets pretty busy.
Start your hike at the trailhead at the Lodge. The path is semi-paved and fenced as you hike along the canyon edge and through forest. Enjoy the scenery as you stop at viewing platforms and catwalks.
The Lower Falls are only a 20-minute walk where you can view thundering falls from a bridge or inside a small cave. Perfect if you only have a short amount of time to stop whilst touring the Canadian Rockies.
If you take the trail that leads to the Upper Falls, you will begin to see the crowds decrease as you hike an additional 1 mile (2 km). It should take about 45 minutes. Along this trail, you will be rewarded with seeing SIX more falls.
Note * As of July 2021, vehicle access to Johnston Canyon is via the Castle Junction only. Check before you go.
Planning and Journaling Your Road Trip to Alberta and BC
There are many working pieces that go into planning a road trip. You will want to do research on where to stay, what to do, must-see sites, what to pack, and then put together a Canadian Rockies itinerary.
The Ultimate Travel Planner, a hardcover notebook and journal, has you covered for keeping track of all your destination research.
And while you travel, be sure to make notes in your Travel Journal of your day-to-day activities. This road trip to Alberta and BC will be one you want to remember.
Entering Canada for a Road Trip to Alberta and BC
If you are coming by car from the United States for your road trip to Alberta and BC, you will enter Canada at a border crossing. The Sweetgrass-Coutts border crossing is the busiest in the Province of Alberta; however, there are many other options available.
If you are driving through Glacier National Park in the United States, you will enter Canada close to Waterton Park (see below) at the Chief Mountain Border Crossing.
ALL members of your travel group will need a valid passport.
Are you interested in extending your road trip to Eastern Canada? There are so many great hikes, road trips destinations, and places to explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule the Parks Canada Shuttle?
This is the easy and stress-free way to see both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in one day! Reserve your shuttle ticket online and park your vehicle at the Park and Ride located at the Lake Louise Ski Resort.
Can I drive my personal vehicle to Moraine Lake still?
New in 2023, Moraine Lake Road is now closed to personal vehicles year round. Be sure to schedule the shuttle using the link above.
When is the Best Time to Go on a Road Trip to Alberta and BC?
If you have ever taken a road trip to Alberta or BC, you know that the best time to visit is during the summer months from June to August. And even then, it has been known to snow!
If you plan to drive during the summer months be aware that as you drive further north on you road to trip to Alberta and BC, the temperatures become cooler. Lake Louise weather can be iffy somedays. Be sure to plan for any type of weather.
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Final Thoughts on An Amazing Road Trip to Alberta and BC: Touring the Canadian Rockies
Doesn’t this just sound like a fantastic trip? No doubt you will be exhausted by the time it is done, but you will also have seen some of the most beautiful country in the world. Your road trip to Alberta and BC will be the highlight of your summer!
And if you are lucky, you can also add some caribou, deer, elk, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and even bear sightings to your list of amazing things that you got to see touring the Canadian Rockies.
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This road trip looks so magical! I’d love to try it out! I’ve wanted to visit Banff for a long time and I’ve never made it there, but Lake Louise looks like another wonderful stop! I’d love to visit there too! Thanks for the great guide!
Dog Lake and Radium Hot Springs look like things my family would love! A nice day hiking, followed by some good relaxing 🙂
Alberta looks like a great place for a summer road trip! Lake Louise is so beautiful, and I would love to see those waterfalls and amazing sunsets! Definitely adding this to my list!
What beautiful sights! #1 (and 2?) would have to be the “paint pots” and Lake Louisa.
Loved seeing the Frank Slide and visiting the Radium Hot Springs on our road trip a few years back!
I remember visiting Radium as a little girl so it was fun to go back with my daughters.
This is a road trip I’d love to take. I especially would love to see the sunsets and Lundbreck Falls. Great suggestions!
I’ve always wanted to do this road trip ever since a colleague did the same. Her pictures of Lake Louise were incredible! Dog Lake looks great too. I really want to go, hopefully soon.
So many gorgeous stops for an incredible road trip! I had no idea about the sunsets in Alberta but am now intrigued to see them myself. Spending time at Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park and Lake Louise would be top of my list to visit!
I would love to do this road trip some day, I’ve always dreamed of visiting this part of Canada!
Hi! The hot springs look sooo good, such a paradise. Also, as a big subset lover this spot sound soo good! I have never been to Camada, but it has always been my dream and I am even more convinced now that I have read this.
What an epic road trip to Alberta and BC with so much to see! This is a fabulous itinerary and guide.
Wow, your pictures really make me want to visit Canada again! I haven’t been in forever and I was only in Ontario. These drives look beautiful and I love the waterfalls; so magical! Thank you for sharing this! – Linzey @thefamilyfuntour
Marble Canyon and Tokumm Creek Falls look gorgeous! I would absolutely love to visit. And of course, I’d love to see Lake Louise and Banff! Thanks for sharing this great guide 🙂
Oh wow, this road trip looks like to much fun! I would love to do something like this one day.
Moore at National Park is beautiful with the waterfalls. I’ve been to Victoria, but clearly see I need to go back and see more of this beautiful country.
What a great list and one I will be saving for when we get to Canada Banff has always been on my list…
Canada seems so overwhelming to me! So this post was incredibly helpful. I really hope to explore Canada either this coming year or the following and I can’t wait to use this guide 🙂
What an epic road trip! I’d love to start in Colorado and work my way up. The Rocky Mountains are high on my list, thank for pulling together such a great article
What a beautiful country! Every single one of your stops on this epic road trip to Alberta and BC are stunning!
I know. I am excited to go back to Banff and Lake Louise area. I want to see Lake Moraine now.
Marble Canyon looks so pretty! I love the shot with the lupins. I’m planning this road trip for next year now!
A road trip from CA is not out of the question, and I’ve been wanting to go to Baff for ages!
Alberta definitely seems like a destination that it’s better to drive through. If you don’t you seem to miss all of the best parts of it.
Exactly. I grew up in southern Alberta but I didn’t spend a lot of time exploring further north.
Lake Louise is high up there on my bucket list!
This looks to be an amazing road trip so many places to go along the way Banff has always been on my list since I can remember
love the idea of relaxing in hot springs in the middle of a park! So cool! thanks for the tips..saving for a future Alberta trip.
such a great list i live in Alberta and so nice to see it being show cased here so beautifully
This looks gorgeous! I’ve only been to Vancouver, Montreal and Niagara Falls. My parents did a cross country Canadian trip and loved it.
What a fantastic guide for an epic Road trip! Thanks for sharing!
Loved seeing the photos!
Looks like an amazing trip! I’ve always wanted to go here – I’m Canadian so it’s kind of expected LOL!
Would love to do a road trip in these beautiful places!
Great list — love that you included some of the lesser-known spots, like the Paint Pots in Kootenay and Marble Canyon!
Amazing road trip! As a Floridian, renting a swimsuit seems a little iffy, lol.
A road trip through the Canadian Rockies is on my bucket list. There are so many mesmerising places I want to visit with many of them on this great list.
A road trip through the Canadian Rockies is gorgeous. While I’ve been to Banff, Johnston Canyon, and Lake Louise, I’d love to check out Kootenay National Park next time I visit. There are so many more incredible places to see and hike, like Sinclair Canyon.
This is one of my favorite road trips I’ve ever done, I do love Lake Louise and Banff especially, despite their popularity.