Alberta is home to some of the most famous national parks in the world. These parks offer opportunities for sightseeing, hiking, paddling, camping and connecting with nature. In addition, you’ll find interactive programming and educational opportunities through Parks Canada, as well as a range of accommodations, restaurants, shops and attractions.
We’ve put together a summarized guide to help you choose a national park for your next adventure.
Jasper National Park
Jasper, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, is known for its rugged wilderness and abundant wildlife. While driving through the park, visitors often spot big horned sheep, mountain goats, and elk herds. The park offers outdoor activities for all ages and abilities and has some famous natural attractions. Experience the beauty of jade-blue Maligne Lake (Chaba Imne) and the thunder of Athabasca Falls and get up close to glaciers along the Columbian Icefield. The town of Jasper offers a range of accommodation, dining options, shops, a historical museum and a recreation centre.
Jasper National Park is located in Treaty 6 and 8 and is the traditional lands of the Anishinabe, Dene-zaa, Aseniwuche Winewak, Secwépemc, Nêhiyawak, Stoney Nakoda, Mountain Métis and Métis.
Planning your trip to Jasper National Park:
Wildfire Recovery: In July 2024, the Jasper Wildfire Complex caused significant damage to Jasper National Park and the Jasper townsite. While cleanup and recovery are well underway, some areas of the park and town are not open to the public. Please be mindful of signs and closures.
Before you go, check:
Both of these resources are updated regularly by Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper.
Getting here: Jasper is located along the Yellowhead (Trans-Canada Highway 16) and is about 365 km from Edmonton and 440 km from Kamloops. You can also access Jasper via the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93), which connects to Banff National Park. International travellers can fly into the Edmonton International Airport or the Calgary International Airport.
Accommodations: Jasper offers accommodations for every budget and trip style, including campgrounds, motels, cozy cabins, hostels, B&Bs, hotels, and five-star luxury resorts. Find where to stay in Jasper.
Dining: Jasper has a unique food scene that can accommodate all tastes. From casual pubs, cafes, fine dining establishments and breakfast diners to fast food, bakeries and grocery store delis, you’ll find a favourite spot to eat in Jasper. Read about the best restaurants in Jasper.
Things to Do: Jasper is stunningly beautiful and offers endless options for outdoor exploration and adventure. Take the Skytram up Whistler’s Mountain for sweeping views of the park, paddle on an emerald-green lake or spend the afternoon picnicking on a beach. From hiking, rafting and skiing to hot springs, spas and boutique shops, there is something for everyone in Jasper. Start planning your trip with this list of things to do in Jasper.
Banff National Park
Banff is Canada’s first national park and is likely the most famous. It boasts stunning mountain scenery, glacier-fed lakes like Lake Louise, and endless outdoor activities like hiking, paddling, and skiing. The Banff townsite is bustling with activity, with streets lined with boutique shops, restaurants, cafes, breweries, and chocolate shops. Take in some art and culture at the Banff Centre for the Arts, ride the Banff gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain (Mînî Rhuwîn – Stoney Nakoda), and relax in the famous Banff Upper Hot Springs.
Banff is located in traditional Treaty 7 territory. This area has been a gathering place for the Niitsitapi from the Blackfoot Confederacy (iksika, Kainai, and Piikani First Nations), the Îyârhe Nakoda of the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations, the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Métis Nation of Alberta.
Planning your trip to Banff National Park:
Getting here: Banff is about 130 kilometres from Calgary, Alberta. From Calgary, take the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1). Bus services run regularly from Calgary and Canmore for those without a car. International visitors can fly into the Calgary International Airport.
Accommodations: Banff offers a wide range of accommodations, including luxury resorts, hotels, motels, cabins, hostels, B&Bs and campgrounds. Banff does get busy in the warmer seasons (May through October), so book ahead. Accommodation in Banff can be expensive, but you can find deals, especially in the off-season. Find your Banff accommodations.
Dining: Banff National Park has over 100 restaurants, including gourmet fine dining, casual family restaurants, fast food, cafe bakeries, and breweries. Prices are a little higher here, but they are worth it for a memorable dining experience. Read more about restaurants in Banff.
Things to Do: Banff offers some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in Canada, including the photogenic Lake Louise (Horâ Juthin Îmne – Stoney Nakoda) and Moraine Lake. Enjoy natural attractions like waterfalls, pristine lakes, caves, canyons, and glaciers. You’ll find endless opportunities for adventure and the outdoors, whether self-guided or professionally guided. In addition, arts and cultural attractions, culinary delights, shopping, and wellness services provide something for every visitor to enjoy. Plan your trip to Banff.
Elk Island National Park
Elk Island National Park is located just east of Edmonton and is a popular spot for city day-trippers, wildlife photographers, hikers, cyclists and paddlers. It is a haven for elk, deer, coyotes, and other wildlife, and it is home to two types of bison: plains bison and wood bison. Visitors flock to the recreation area around Astotin Lake, which offers canoe and kayak rentals, picnic sites, a playground, and a sandy beach. It is also a starting point for easy day hikes. This park also offers exceptional stargazing opportunities as part of the Beaver Hills (amiskwaciy – Cree) Dark Sky Preserve.
Elk Island National Park is in the Treaty 6 Territory. It is the traditional territory of Nehiyaw, Denesuliné, Nakota Sioux, Anishinaabe and Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and is located in the Métis Nation of Alberta District 11.
Planning your trip to Elk Island National Park:
Getting here: Elk Island National Park is located along the Yellowhead (Trans-Canada Highway 16), about 45 km east of Edmonton. If visiting Edmonton without a vehicle, you can take the bus to Elk Island National Park from the MEC downtown. For international travellers, your closest airport is the Edmonton International Airport.
Accommodations: Elk Island National Park does not offer fixed-roof accommodations. However, the Astotin Lake Campground offers tent and RV sites and oTENTnik accommodation, a rustic glamping option. There is also a small backcountry campground at Oster Lake. Learn more about camping in Elk Island National Park. If camping isn’t your jam, there are rural B&Bs and retreats in the area, and you can consider finding accommodation in Sherwood Park or Edmonton.
Dining: Unfortunately, no dining options are available in Elk Island National Park. You can pack your own picnic or travel to the nearby towns of Mundare or Lamont for restaurants and cafes. Read where to eat in Mundare or the Town of Lamont.
Things to Do: Elk Island National Park is a nature-lovers paradise. This wild aspen parkland is home to elk, deer, coyotes and a range of wetland bird life. It’s most known for its large herds of bison, which can be viewed via the Bison Loop and throughout the park. Visitors can enjoy paddling on Lake Astotin (Cree), interpretive programming, trails, and stargazing at this Dark Sky Preserve at night. Find activities and experiences at Elk Island National Park.
Waterton Lakes National Park
Located in southern Alberta, Waterton (Paahtómahksikimi – Blackfoot) is a hidden gem combining the prairies and the Rockies. It’s part of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, and visitors can take a boat cruise across the lake and the US border to Glacier National Park! Though smaller than Jasper and Banff, Waterton’s quaint village offers all the services visitors need, including shopping, dining, and in-town camping. Highlights of Waterton Park include the Red Rock Canyon, the historic Prince of Wales Hotel and exploring the lake on a shoreline cruise.
Waterton National Park is in the Treaty 7 Territory and is the traditional land of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Kainai, Piikani, and Siksika First Nations), the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the unceded territory of the Ktunaxa.
Planning your trip to Waterton Lakes National Park
Getting here: Waterton Lakes National Park is open year-round, but services are limited in the off-season. It is located in the southwest corner of Alberta, near Pincher Creek. On Highway 3 from Pincher Creek, head south on Highway 6 and then take Highway 5 into the park. The Calgary International Airport (3 hours away) is the closest airport to the park.
Accommodations: The most iconic place to stay in Waterton is the Prince of Wales Hotel. This historic hotel is perched high on the bluff overlooking Upper Waterton Lake. Other popular options include the Kilmory Lodge (open year-round), Crandell Mountain Lodge and the Bear Mountain Hotel. In the off-season, fixed-roof accommodations are limited. Campers can stay right in the village in the Waterton Townsite Campground, or choose one of the park’s rustic campgrounds nearby. Find more accommodation in Waterton.
Dining: There are restaurants, cozy cafes, pubs and take-away places to suit every taste and budget in Waterton. Whether you want to settle in for a romantic dinner, enjoy an ice cream after a hike or grab a casual hot dog to-go, you’ll find something to satisfy your craving. Learn where to eat and drink in Waterton.
Things to Do: Like the other Rocky Mountain parks, Waterton Lakes has no shortage of epic mountain views, crystal clear lakes, waterfalls, the famous Red Rock Canyon and a variety of half-day, full-day and multi-day hikes. In the summer, taking a cruise across Upper Waterton Lake is a popular activity. You can also rent a boat at Cameron Lake, learn about Indigenous culture at the Paahtomahksikimi Cultural Centre or tee off at the Waterton Lakes Golf Course. Find more to do in Waterton Lakes National Park.
Wood Buffalo National Park
Wood Buffalo National Park is located in Alberta’s far northeast corner and stretches into the Northwest Territories. It is Canada’s largest park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wood Buffalo National Park protects a unique boreal ecosystem and is home to free-roaming bison and one of the world’s largest inland river deltas: the Peace-Athabasca delta. It is also home to the Salt Plains of Wood Buffalo National Park – 200 square kilometres of the crystalline desert of mineral salts from an ancient sea. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking and boating in this remote wilderness park.
Wood Buffalo National Park is located in Treaty 8 Territory and is the traditional land of many Cree, Dene, Chipewyan and Métis nations.
Planning your trip to Wood Buffalo National Park
Getting here: Wood Buffalo National Park is remote and has year-round road access from its north end via Highway 5 in the Northwest Territories. You can also fly into Fort Smith to access the park from Edmonton or Yellowknife on Northwest Air. In the winter, an ice road connects Fort Smith to Fort Chipewyan and Fort McMurray, AB. The Yellowknife International Airport (8 hours away) is the closest international airport to this park.
Accommodations: Wood Buffalo National Park does not have fixed-roof accommodations. However, camping is available at Pine Lake Campground during the summer. There are motels, B&Bs, campgrounds, and cottage-style accommodations located outside the park and in Fort Smith. Find accommodations near Wood Buffalo National Park.
Dining: There are no restaurants in Wood Buffalo National Park, but you will find half a dozen places to eat in Fort Smith. Stock up before you visit the park and plan a picnic amongst iconic landscapes and untouched wilderness.
Things to Do: Exploring this wilderness will be an unforgettable experience. Parks Canada offers interpretive tours of the Salt Plains caused by an ancient sea. Paddle, swim and relax at Pine Lake, hike to the lunar landscape at Grosbeak and view wildlife, including bison, deer, coyotes, bears, hundreds of bird species, and, if you’re lucky, the endangered whooping crane. Wood Buffalo National Park is also the world’s largest dark sky preserve, offering exceptional star gazing and the annual Trebacha and Wood Buffalo Dark Sky Festival. Fishing, snowshoeing and guided experiences are also popular activities. Find more to do in Wood Buffalo National Park.
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