Kananaskis Country

With Rocky Mountain peaks up to 3000 meters or 10,000 ft, the Kananaskis is still considered the Foothills of the Canadian Rockies. Accessible directly from Calgary, this incredible mountainous region is over 4000 sq km or 1500 sq miles in area. A wonderland in its own right.

Kananaskis Country, a beautiful and scenic landscape in the Canadian Rockies just west of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. One of the most popular outdoor attractions in western Canada, situated in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. This area has been referred to as “Banff’s Backyard” by local residents – Kananaskis Country, or K-Country to the locals, is a regional recreation center and home of many amenities for the avid outdoors enthusiast.

Kananaskis Country includes five Provincial Parks, four Wildland Provincial Parks including, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Spray Valley Provincial Park, Bow Valley, and Bluerock Wildland Provincial Parks along the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 40 South, running through western Alberta. This area features over 1200 kilometers of trails for hiking and horseback riding, as well as mountain biking, alpine skiing, and cross-country ski trails. Whitewater rafting and kayaking are also popular throughout the area.

A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required when parking your car in the Kananaskis. Better to have the pass than to have a fine handed out by a Conservation Officer. There are daily passes available at $15.00 per car or annual passes at $90.00 that include up to two cars.

Alltrails interactive map of the Kananaskis Improvement District. There are so many trails to explore that it might take a lifetime to do so.

Kananaskis Village is a small visiting area which includes the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, the prestigious setting which hosted the 2002 World G8 Summit. Located approximately 26 kms south of the Trans Canada Highway down the Kananaskis Trail, Hwy 40 and about 3 kms west of that off of Mount Allan Drive and Centennial Drive. About 40 mins from Calgary.

The village has access to many bike and hiking trails surrounding the entire area. This is grizzly country. Bear spray is recommended. See Protection From Wildlife.

Kananaskis Country is home to over one hundred lakes and the headwaters of the Bow River as it flows southeast from Bow Lake in Banff National Park, fed by the Bow Glacier. The Bow River meanders through the Rockies past Banff, home to some of the best fly-fishing in the world, onward by Canmore and through Calgary, Alberta, home of the 1988 Winter Olympic games.

The Kananaskis is also a popular spot for cottages, lodges, hotels, and resorts – many with scenic views of the Rocky Mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and rivers. Accommodations can be found in Cochrane, 10 minutes outside of Calgary, Canmore, about 60 minutes.

Visit Alberta Parks for a complete list of camping and RV facilities, this including Backcountry Camping, Hiker-Cyclist Camping, Paddler Accessible Camping, Equestrian Camping, Winter Camping, Regular Camping with vehicle access, and Walk-in Tenting.

Alberta Parks Reservations