Calgary 
Central to Kananaskis Country is one of the region’s parks with the most services, accommodations, and gorgeous day use or picnic areas. This central part of K-Country, also known as the Kananaskis Village, is part of the Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area. The PRA offers some of Alberta’s most unique attractions, stunning scenery, and exciting outdoor adventures.
A visit to Evan-Thomas PRA is a year-round park offering a variety of activities for every season. From hiking and picnics in the summer, to larch-hunting in the fall, downhill and cross-country skiing in the winter, to wildflower and wildlife viewing in the spring!
The Unique & Exciting Attractions of Evan-Thomas PRA
This part of K-Country has an adventure or activity for every type of style. Whether you wish to relax and unwind (the Nordic Spa, or one of many peaceful pond trails), sightsee (the Kananaskis Trail), or embark on a thrilling adventure (whitewater rafting on the Kananaskis River), the Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area offers a bit of it all.
While not a large park compared to its neighbours, such as Spray Valley, Bow Valley, or Peter Lougheed, the Evan-Thomas PRA still offers several trail options for hikers, cyclists, and equestrian riders.
Trail Activities in Evan-Thomas PRA
Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation has its own small set of trails. However, many of those trail systems connect to those in the many surrounding parks like Bow Valley, Spray Valley, and Peter Lougheed Provincial Parks. With this, the Evan-Thomas PRA provides as many opportunities for trail activities as any other K-Country park. There are also a few companies who operate out of Evan-Thomas PRA with rentals to help with trail activities, or guided trail tours.
- Kananaskis Country is home to a wealth of excellent and scenic horseback riding trails. And while it isn’t always the most accessible activity, the Boundary Ranch help anyone get out on horseback with their summer guided trail rides.
- The area is home to just as many beautiful biking trails. And to help make those biking adventures easier, the local Kananaskis Outfitters provide bike rentals for all ages.
- Keep things simple with a hike on some of the best trails in the Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area. There are two beautiful waterfall hikes in the park with the simpler and shorter Troll Falls trail 3.4km out-and-back, or the longer and more challenging Ribbon Falls trail at 17.6km out-and-back.
- The park’s trail with the richest history is also one of the more moderate hikes within the park. The Coal Mine trail includes about 300m of elevation gain as it leads up the Olympic Summit to an abandoned coal mine. The trail involves a climb but is relatively short at 4.6km out and back and rather rewarding with the view it offers of the Kananaskis Valley.
Top 5 Hikes from Evan-Thomas Day Use Areas
- Coal Mine Trail leads about 300m up the Olympic Summit to an abandoned coal mine. The 4.6km out and back trail ends with dreamy views of the Kananaskis Valley. The trailhead is at the Ribbon Creek Day Use Area.
- Access the Troll Falls hike at the trailhead and Day Use Area of the same name. The 3.4km out and back hike leads through aspen forests until ending at a beautiful waterfall.
- The hike to Ribbon Falls and Lake via the Ribbon Creek Trail and Day Use Area is a longer hike with more elevation gain at about 17.6km out and back. However, you can shorten the hike and turn it into an hour to 2-hour hike by looping back across the creek about 2.5km into the path.
- The Hay Meadow Trail takes you alongside the Kananaskis River until it narrows a considerable amount. The markers will then lead you to loop back to the parking lot on the Stoney Trail. This is a simple and kid-friendly 3km loop.
- The Bill Milne paved trail is great for walking, jogging, and cycling. The trail is about 10km one-way, connecting the Mount Kidd RV Park with Kananaskis Village.
Adventures on the Kananaskis River & More
A trip to any part of Kananaskis Country will provide chances to embark on unique adventures or try brand-new activities. And out of all of the activities to try, the park’s opportunities for whitewater rafting may be among the most thrilling adventures. Luckily, there are area-guides who offer watersport rentals for self-guided fun, or guided whitewater trips for that extra knowledge and experience.
- Get out on the thrilling white water with the experienced guides from the Kananaskis Country Boundary Ranch. The outdoor adventure company offer a wide range of other outdoor tours and activities, most notably their horseback trail rides.
- Self-guided white-water sports are permitted on the river but recommended for experienced kayakers or rafters. The river’s kayak launches are north of the park and on the north side of Barrier Lake.
- Find space for calmer boating experiences around those waters of Barrier Lake before it becomes the river again in Bow Valley Provincial Park.
- Get your paddle sport rentals from Kananaskis Outfitters who offer canoes, kayaks, or SUPs.
- The Kovach Pond, Beaver Ponds, Kananaskis River, and Ribbon Creek, are all open to fishing! There are excellent chances for rainbow and cutthroat trout in the streams and ponds of Evan-Thomas PRA.
Picnic Beside Mountains, Creeks, Ponds, or Waterfalls
The Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area has five day use areas spread across the park and the Kananaskis Trail. Each of these picnic areas or trailhead locations offers its own unique beauty and scenery with everything from waterfalls, creeks, and ponds, to the stunning mountains around Kananaskis.
- Beaver Ponds: trailheads for hikers, washrooms, and picnic sites
- Evan-Thomas: trailheads for bikers, equestrian riders, and hikers, and washrooms
- Kovach Pond: trailheads for bikers and hikers, and picnic areas with firepits
- Ribbon Creek: trailheads for bikers and hikers, and picnic areas with shelter
- Troll Falls Trailhead: trailhead for hikers
Evan-Thomas PRA Hotels, Campgrounds, & More
Unlike many other neighbouring Provincial Parks, the Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area consists mostly of hotels for accommodations rather than campgrounds. There are, still, more rustic accommodation options around Evan-Thomas through some of the cabin rental options.
- The main campground for the area is the Mount Kidd RV Park who offer sites for tents, trailers, or RVs. Within the campground are two loops of sites with full services (power, water, sewer), two loops with power and water, a loop with power only, and a loop of sites with no services.
- Those stopping in the Evan-Thomas PRA for a quick overnight stay have the affordable option of the Kananaskis Wilderness Hostel near Ribbon Creek.
- Get a mix of comfort and the rugged outdoors with the park’s glamping options available from Sundance by Basecamp, or Skyridge Glamping.
- In the heart of the Kananaskis Village are the luxurious accommodation options of the Mount Kidd Manor, and The Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, also home of the Kananaskis Nordic Spa.
Around the Kananaskis Village
Whether you stay in the Kananaskis Village, elsewhere in the Evan-Thomas PRA, or are driving through the park, the small Kananaskis Village has all you need to start or end mountain adventures. This includes the famous Kananaskis Nordic Spa. This authentic Nordic spa has saunas, five outdoor pools, massage rooms, and patio space with fireplaces.
- Use the Bill Milne paved trail to make your way around the Kananaskis Village or to get between Mount Kidd RV Park and the Village. No matter the reasons for using the trail, this 10km stretch of paved pathway is a beautiful setting for a walk, bike ride, or jog.
- The Village is home to a wide variety of food and drink options that cater to date nights, family dinners, quiet coffees with a book, or any occasion. These local eateries also provide all the fuel you’d need for a mountain hike, paddle, or bike ride. The Golf Course’s Summit Restaurant has link-side and mountain-side patio seating, and the restaurant is family-friendly.
- The Kananaskis Country Golf Course is among one of the most beautiful courses across Canada with the Kananaskis River, mountains, creeks, forests, and ponds, all part of or surrounding the course. This is also the location of one of the Village’s premier dining options: The Summit Restaurant.
- Grab a seat with the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge’s various on-site dining options including Forte Restaurant, Woody’s Pub & Patio, the Cedar Room, or Blacktail Bar. Plus, the hotel’s Market Café offers all you need in terms of grab-and-go snacks for your next outdoor adventure.
- The Two Trees Bistro, part of the Nordic Spa, is the perfect place for a post-spa-meal of healthy yet gourmet plates.
Dining in Evan-Thomas PRA
In terms of dining, Evan-Thomas PRA has some of the most options available out of any Provincial Park in Alberta.
- The Golf Course’s Summit Restaurant has link-side and mountain-side patio seating, and the restaurant is family-friendly.
- For pub-style options and drinks, stop by the Village’s Woody’s Pub & Patio, or Blacktail Bar.
- Family-style options include the Moose Family Kitchen, Market Café, or Two Trees Bistro.
Trail Rides or Dinner at the Boundary Ranch
This year-round Kananaskis attraction offer many adventures for summer and the snow. And keep in mind that all these rides and adventures will take place in the picturesque Kananaskis Valley.
- The Boundary Ranch Trail Rides can be as simple as an hour-long trek, or as lengthy as a guided pack trip. Additionally, some of their day-rides have gourmet meals included.
- Boundary Ranch also offer whitewater rafting trips in the summer.
- For the colder months, warm up with one of the Ranch’s dog sledding adventures, or a slower sleigh ride.
Winter
- Cross-country ski trails will take you from the Village up the Kovach trail, or through the Hay Meadow and Skogan Pass trails. These are ski-only trails, while there are still many other shared trails.
- A few trails are dedicated to everything else like fat biking, snowshoeing, and winter hiking. These include Mine Meadow, and the Aspen Terrace Loops.
- Nakiska Ski Resort is conveniently close to Kananaskis Village and offers hill runs for all abilities. The resort also features a snow tube park set up each winter and hosts regular events at the lodge. And if downhill thrills aren’t for you, ask the resort about snowshoe rentals and the best nearby snowshoe routes.
Spring, Summer, and Fall
- The scenery will change between these three seasons. The spring will include faster creeks and rivers, brighter blue glacier lakes, and the wildflowers in bloom. Springs are also the best time of year for wildlife viewing chances. Although, this is when you need to be the safest and the most alert, too.
- During any of the warmer months, the park offers fishing from the small ponds and creeks for trout, hiking, cycling, and the amenities of the Village. Plus, premiere golfing is located beside the village at the Kananaskis Golf Course.
Planning your trip – Evan-Thomas PRA
What: Evan-Thomas PRA surrounds the Kananaskis Village, east of the valley. The park has five day use areas, and several options for accommodations. However, there is no provincial campground at the park.
Location and how to get there: 30 km east of Canmore on Highway AB-1 & 20 km south on Highway AB-40
Best time to go: open year-round
How much: Kananaskis Conservation Pass $15
For more information:
Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area
