12 Frozen Waterfalls to Visit in and Around Calgary During Winter

Spend a sunny winter day outdoors and use the opportunity to see some of the most stunning frozen waterfalls in and around Calgary (within 2 hours). Remember to bundle up and wear reliable hiking shoes when you go.

Credit: Rifat Kabir/Flickr

**Only easy (short) hikes/walks are mentioned here. Though all waterfalls listed are free to visit, you need to buy park admission to visit waterfalls in Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country Falls. **

For more difficult hikes, see 25 Day Trip Waterfall Hikes from Calgary (Keep in mind that Highway 40 is closed during winter).
For longer trips, check out 15 Must-Visit Waterfalls in Alberta.

1. Bowmont Park

Located in Calgary, Bowmont Park is home to a gorgeous scenic walk with a 3-meter frozen waterfall along the way. The waterfall, although mostly ice, still trickles with water throughout the winter months, making for an ever-changing scenic view. (Visit this park for the scenic view it presents year-round and not specifically for the waterfall.)

Address: Bowmont Park, 85 St. NW, Calgary

Distance from Downtown Calgary: 25 minutes

2. Elbow Falls

If you’re looking for a shorter outing, Elbow Falls is just the place to go. Located in Bragg Creek, these frozen falls are smaller yet incredibly stunning. What’s even better is the snowy mountain backdrop that gives you a picture-perfect view. Remember to bring your camera for this one!

Address: Elbow Falls Alberta 66, Bragg Creek (Directions)

Distance from Calgary: 50 minutes

3. O’Shaughnessy Falls

Just a little way down the road from Barrier Lake in Kananaskis Country, you can find O’Shaughnessy Falls. Only a short walk from the parking lot, you’ll be able to spot these beautiful frozen waterfalls. It is an excellent place for a visit with babies and toddlers, as you can see the frozen cascade from the parking lot.

Address: West side of Kananaskis Trail, near Mt. Allan Drive (Directions)

Distance from Calgary: 1 hour

4. Troll Falls

Credit: Pomeroy Lodge, Kananaskis

Starting from Stoney Trailhead, it’s only a 1.7 km hike into Kananaskis Country to visit the glorious Troll Falls. The trail is flat and comfortable for most beginner hikers. Over the winter, these falls will completely freeze over, leaving you with an icy mass that you can climb onto. Remember to use microspikes if you decide to hike along the bottom of these falls.

Price: free

Address: Troll Falls parking lot, Evan Thomas PRA, Kananaskis (Directions)

Distance from Calgary: 1 hour and 10 minutes

5. Marmot Falls (from Troll Falls)

From Troll Falls, you can venture even further into the mountains to check out Marmot Falls. This frozen waterfall is a little harder to locate, as there are no signs to direct you there. On your way to Troll Falls, look for a small tipi — the trail down to Marmot Falls is very close to this tipi. If you see a creek on your left, you’re on the right path!

Price: free

Address: Troll Falls parking lot, Evan Thomas PRA (Directions)

Distance from Calgary: 1 hour and 10 minutes

6. Upper Falls (from Troll Falls)

Another impressive frozen waterfall near Troll Falls is known as the Upper Falls. Backtracking a short distance from Troll Falls, you’ll find a marked junction for Upper Falls. This snowy path will take you across a bridge and up a steeper hill — microspikes or ice cleats are definitely recommended here. These frozen falls are worth the extra distance to go and check out.

You can visit all three waterfalls easily in one trip.

Price: free

Address: Troll Falls parking lot, Evan Thomas PRA Kananaskis (Directions)

Distance from Calgary: 1 hour and 10 minutes

7. Ice Falls in Grotto Canyon

Just over an hour’s commute outside of the city, you can find Grotto Canyon, which is just shy of reaching Canmore. This location is a local hot spot for summer hiking and sightseeing. Over the winter, it’s a popular location to visit the frozen creek, ice slides, and waterfalls. With only 2 short kilometres of comfortable hiking into Grotto Canyon, you will reach the twin waterfalls. You might even get to see some people climbing these falls!

Price: free

Address: Grotto Mountain, Bighorn No. 8 (Directions)

Distance from Calgary: 1 hour and 10 minutes

8. Sheep River Falls

Sheep River Falls, located near Kananaskis Improvement, is an easy 0.5km out-and-back trail that’s good for any age or skill level. Open all season long, this hike is perfect for the winter season when you can venture out along a clear path to check out the frozen waterfalls.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Craig Brockway (@craigbrockway)

Price: free

Address: Sheep River Rd, Turner Valley (Directions)

Distance from Calgary: 1 hour and 24 minutes

9. Bow Falls

Credit: Timnutt/Flickr

Only a short commute from downtown Banff, Bow Falls is an awesome spot to check on some frozen waterfalls. With only a small portion of moving water near the top, the remainder will likely freeze over during the winter. Some of the more shallow water freezes over too, allowing you to walk on top and get a closer view of the falls.

Address: Bow Falls, Banff (Directions)

Distance from Calgary: 1 hour and 30 minutes

10. Johnston Canyon Upper and Lower Falls

Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission

As one of the most popular hiking trails in Banff National Park, Johnston Canyon is home to family-friendly hikes and sightseeing adventures. You have the chance to avoid the busy crowds if you visit this beautiful location in the winter. Enjoy a stunning hike just above the canyon to view the frozen Upper Falls. Thereafter, you’ll go even further along the catwalk to view the frozen Lower Falls — both of which are quite impressive this time of year.

Address: Johnston Canyon Bow Valley Parkway

Distance from Calgary: 1 hour and 55 minutes

11. Lake Louise Frozen Waterfalls

In a 2-in-1 experience, you can check out the frozen waterfalls at Lake Louise this winter. Most people visit and skate the frozen lake, but not many will venture out past the lake. Only a short hike or snowshoe across Lake Louise will take you to a 300-foot frozen waterfall. It’s not recommended to hike past these falls due to avalanches.

Address: Lake Louise Parking Lot

Distance from Calgary: 1 hour and 55 minutes

12. Lundbreck Falls

The Lundbreck Falls might be some of the most gorgeous ones in Alberta — even more so over the winter months. As the temperature drops, the water will partially freeze, resulting in a mix of moving and frozen water along the edge. Carefully hike down the snow-covered rocks toward the base of Lundbreck Falls. You can truly enjoy the entire landscape and experience the breathtaking frozen falls.