Exploring Calgary can take you everywhere from dinosaurs and mountains to the rolling prairies and Foothills just outside the city. Soak up the scenic views of Cowboy Trail, 100 kilometres of prairie landscapes and stunning vistas in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. Take a road trip through the foothills and discover Indigenous culture at Blackfoot Crossing, railroad history at Aspen Crossing, and cowboy stories at Bar U Ranch with these short drives from Calgary.
Granary Road (Photo credit: Travel Alberta/Erik McRitchie).
Start your foothills road trip at Granary Road, just 30 minutes southwest of the city with plenty of free parking available. Spend the day shopping in the public market for everything from fresh produce and artisan cheese to top shelf wine and classic charcuterie. Or slide, swing, and climb your way through the 36 acre Active Learning Park, where kids of all ages can explore imaginative animal, insect, and agricultural play areas.
Location: 226066 112 St W, Calgary, AB
Aspen Crossing (Photo credit: Travel Alberta/Colin Way)
All aboard for a railroad adventure at Aspen Crossing, just 30 minutes West of Blackfoot Crossing. Home to an authentic 1887 Pullman dining car that once belonged to Prime Minster John Diefenbaker, Aspen Crossing hosts everything from champagne brunches and dinner theatre to music festivals and themed train excursions. Spot the vibrant yellow canola fields and Alberta blue skies along this private stretch of track in the peace and quiet of the foothills.
Location: AB-24, Mossleigh, AB T0L 1P0
Blackfoot Crossing (Photo credit: Travel Alberta/Katie Goldie)
Located on the beautiful Siksika Nation, Blackfoot Crossing is the historic site of the signing of Treaty No. 7, an important agreement between the Canadian government and indigenous tribes in Southern Alberta. Tour the 62,000 square foot museum and learn about the vibrant culture of the Blackfoot people. You can even take a guided tour of the site where Treaty No. 7 was signed. Located 100 kilometres east of Calgary, Blackfoot Crossing is a unique cultural landmark everyone should experience.
Location: Alberta 1, Box 1639, AB T0J 3W0
Bar U Ranch National Historic Site (Photo credit: Travel Alberta/Colin Way)
Continue along the trail to get the authentic cowboy experience at Bar U Ranch National Historic Site, an hour drive from Aspen Crossing. Once one of Canada’s largest ranching operations, costumed interpreters demonstrate traditional ranching skills like cattle roping, saddle making, and blacksmithing. Enjoy guided walking and horse-drawn wagon tours, taste authentic cowboy grub, and explore over 35 historic structures. This incredible National Historic Site is an essential part of any prairie road trip.
Location: Township Rd 17B and, Township Rd 17A, Longview, AB T0L 1H0
Kananaskis Country is a treasure trove of provincial parks ready to explore and a great addition to any road trip. Start at West Bragg Creek Provincial Recreation Area, a popular area for hiking, mountain biking, trail running, geocaching, and cross country skiing during the winter months. Just 20 minutes down the road, Elbow Falls Provincial Recreation Area is a family friendly place to explore with picnic areas, hiking trails, and the rushing water of the falls. Sheep River Provincial Park is home to a network of hiking trails, campgrounds, and day use areas, along with 37 kilometres of groomed cross-country skiing trails. Make a return trip in the winter for ice skating at Sandy McNabb Campground.
Remember, Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to park your vehicle in provincial parks in Kananaskis and the Bow Valley and can be purchased online before you start your road trip.
Eau Claire Distillery in Turner Valley (Photo credit: Colin Way).
Road trips are all about exploring the hidden gems and unexpected locations along the way. Black Diamond and Turner Valley are historic foothills towns along the Cowboy Trail that will be the highlight of your next road trip. Make your way to the Millarville Farmers Market for fresh produce and local makers, open Saturdays from June to October, and then set your GPS to Eau Claire Distillery in Turner Valley, a distillery that uses traditional horse farming techniques to craft award-winning spirits.
A significant spiritual site to the Blackfoot peoples, the Okotoks Erratic, or ‘Big Rock’ as it is commonly referred to, is a must-visit destination on your prairie road trip and just 15 minutes from Turner Valley. This enormous glacial erratic weighs 16,500 tonnes and was transported to its current location west of the Town of Okotoks during a rockslide between 10,000 to 30,000 years ago. Now, the ‘Big Rock’ has been designated a Provincial Historic Resource and is a popular destination for locals, visitors, and road trippers, too.
Location: AB-7, Black Diamond, AB
