13 fall destinations every Albertan should visit at least once
Fall is a wonderful time to travel, and there are tons of destinations Albertans should visit at least once before the season slips away.
From small towns bursting with charm to mountain views with an abundance of fall foliage, it’s time you start thinking about where you should visit.
To plant a few seeds of inspiration for your next autumn adventure, here are some gorgeous destinations across the province that everyone should visit at least once in the fall.
Alberta’s larch hikes
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Larch hikes are a staple for outdoor enthusiasts in Alberta every fall, and there are plenty to check out in the province. Enjoy that crisp fall air in the Rockies!
Take a fall drive on Alberta’s most scenic highways
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When you take a road trip in Alberta, you are guaranteed some lovely views along the way, and two highways in the province are considered some of the most scenic in Canada. Tack on some fall foliage, and it’s an absolute autumn dream.
Lake Louise
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It’s a postcard-perfect location. The national park Lake Louise sits in, Banff, was recently named one of the most beautiful places in the world and was also named one of the most Instagrammable places in the world. The area is known for dazzling blue waters, towering mountains, and the luxe Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise that overlooks the lake, so we can totally see why Instagrammers love it!
Elk Island National Park
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Get in your vehicle and take a short 40-minute drive east of Edmonton into Elk Island National Park. You’ll find yourself surrounded by lakes, towering trees that are giving all the gorgeous fall colours, and the odd bison sighting, too. It’s a neat place, and how lucky are we to have a national park so close to a major city?!
Chester Lake
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Chester Lake is a popular hike in Kananaskis and a great spot to check out in the fall. The trail takes you through the forest before opening up to views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Once the leaves start changing, the trail is even more scenic.
Grassi Lakes
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Grassi Lakes is a popular spot near Canmore, offering amazing views of a turquoise lake. The trail is surrounded by trees and mountain views, making it a great place to see some fall colours without taking on a super difficult hike. It’s also short enough to easily squeeze into a day trip.
Hard Luck Canyon
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This canyon near Whitecourt was carved out by the Hard Luck Creek through the sandstone layers of the Paskapoo Formation. A bridge spans the falls of the canyon, which typically are at their highest during the spring melt. You can venture down a set of stairs right into the canyon and get an up-close look at the falls and canyon walls. Totally worth the visit!
Cochrane
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Just west of Calgary, Cochrane was recently tapped as a top destination for Gen Z to travel to in the fall, so if you’re looking for a rising travel spot, this may be it.
Nestled on the edge of the Bow Valley, Cochrane offers up panoramic Rockies views from Cochrane Hill, riverside trails through Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, and a downtown institution in MacKay’s Ice Cream as reasons why Gen Z have shown interest in travelling to the town.
Lacombe
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Lacombe’s historic main street is a must-see as it is, but it is made just so much quainter during the fall. So many cute stores, coffee shops, and sandwich shops to check out while around, and the Flatiron Building in the town is a prime fall Instagram spot.
Bassano
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Bassano is bursting with older buildings that have tons of character to them, and with some fall leaves rattling down the streets and the crisp autumn air, this town is one to check out in Alberta this fall. There are tons of golden wheat surrounding the town in the farmer’s fields; make sure to catch it shimmering at golden hour.
Diamond Valley
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We added this recent combination of small towns southwest of Calgary, thanks to plenty of mountain views, small-town streets, some breweries to grab a drink at, and the cute Sheep River adorned with plenty of trees bursting with fall foliage. It’s a must-see!
Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park
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This stunning provincial park between Edmonton and St. Albert has one rather large feature: Big Lake. The lake makes up nearly 60 per cent of the park’s total area, and its wetlands are considered ecologically significant. Spend a sunny summer afternoon walking along the boardwalks of this incredible park, and take in the wildlife viewing platform on the eastern shore of Big Lake.
Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary
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This scenic nature sanctuary near Devon has trails and boardwalks that allow you to pass through different landscapes, including marshland, pine forest, meadow, and parkland. Over 100 species of birds can be found in this protected area.
If you were curious about what spots across the country you should consider visiting this fall, we have you covered.
With files from Allison Stephen