Here is a list of 21 Free Must Visit Places in Alberta: These free places will take you through Alberta’s history from prehistoric times to modern days while giving you an in-depth appreciation of Alberta’s awe-inspiring landscapes. Few sites may not be visually appealing, but important nevertheless since it is part of Alberta’s Human History.
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1.Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park
Situated 44 kilometres east of the community of Milk River, and southeast of Lethbridge is Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park / Áísínai’pi National Historic Site. The park contains the largest concentration of First Nation petroglyphs and pictographs on the great plains of North America. The park is of spiritual importance to the First Nations people. The carvings are estimated to be at least 5000 years old. Get a map from the visitor centre and hike the 2.2 km Hoodoo Interpretive Trail. Detaifls
Where:
NW 36 TW1 range 13, Milk River
When:
Open Year Round. Visitor Centre closed in winter. Call for appointment.
2. Red Rock Coulee
See red spherical sandstone formation, formed in prehistoric seas as layers of sand, calcite and iron oxide collected around a nucleus formed by shells, leaves or bones. These big boulder shaped concretions measure up to 2.5 metres across and are believed to be among largest in the world. You may also spot white-tailed jackrabbits, mule deer, pronghorn, western rattlesnakes during your hikes. Details
Photo Credit: Evelyn Berg
Where:
60 km south of the city of Medicine Hat on Highway 887, just outside the hamlet of Seven Persons.
When:
Open Year Round.
3. Leitch Collieries Provincial Historic Site
Take a guided tour, hike through the mine ruins or read the interpretive panels, and get to know mining operations and how Leitch Collieries went under while all the neighbouring operations flourished until Alberta’s oil boom took over. Admission is by donation. Details
Photo Credit: Darren Kirby
Where:
Located off Highway #3 in the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass.
When:
May 15 and Labour Day.
4. Brooks Aqueduct
Brooks Aqueduct was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway’s irrigation division to irrigate a section of southeastern Alberta. When completed in 1914, the 3.2 km aqueduct was the largest concrete structure of its kind in the world. While here, also visit Bassano Dam, which was built by CPR between 1910 and 1914. Details
located 8 km southeast of the town of Brooks, off Trans-Canada Highway 1.
When:
May 15 and Labour Day. Interpretive guides offer site tours and public programs throughout the summer, visitor season.
5. Dinosaur Provincial Park
Showcasing the Badlands of Canada, Dinosaur Provincial Park contains some of World’s richest deposits of dinosaur bones! More than 35 species of dinosaurs have been unearthed from this UNESCO World Heritage Site near Brooks.
Though the park admission is free, some of the best trails are only allowed on ticketed guided bus tours. This should be booked much in advance as it is very popular.
There are five trails that can be hiked free of charge.
See here for weekend getaway trip itinerary from Calgary.
Where:
Located 48 km northeast of Brooks.
When:
Open Year Round. Programs from Victoria Day to Labour Day.
6. Hoodoos Trail
Hike this short trail near Drumheller that depicts some of the the finest examples of Hoodoos in Alberta. Details
Photo Credit: Madeleine Deaton
Where:
Located at the Willow Creek Coulee – 15 minutes East of Drumheller.
When:
Year Round.
7. Downtown Calgary Walk
Go on a free self-guided walking tour of Downtown Calgary. Explore Calgary’s famous pedestrian Avenue and continue onto Bow River Pathway to Peace Bridge. Details
Where:
Downtown Calgary
When:
Year Round.
8. Calgary Stampede
During select days in the 10-day cowboy extravaganza, billed the greatest outdoor show on Earth, you can get in free. You also get free breakfast. Once you are inside, there are plenty of events that can be enjoyed free of charge including the famous RCMP Musical Ride. Details
Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission
Where:
Stampede Park, Calgary
When:
July 5 – 14, 2019 ~ 10 days in early July.
FREE ENTRY DAYS 2019 –
2019: Friday, July 6, 2019 | FREE entry 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m
Sunday, July 7, 2019 | FREE entry 7:30 a.m- 11 a.m + Free Breakfast.
Tuesday, July 9, 2019 | $2 admission from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | FREE gate admission for Seniors (Ages 65+) all day long.
Wednesday, July 10, 2019 | FREE entry from 7 – 9 a.m. for kids 12 & under and accompanying adults | $2 entry all day for kids 12 & under
9. Big Rock
Hike to the site of this big glacial erratic, about the size of a 2 storied house, as you ponder over the Blackfoot story of its origin.
Photo Credit: Jeff Wallace
Where:
Located off Highway #7, 10 kilometres southwest of Okotoks.
When:
Year Round.
10. Highwood Pass
Drive Highwood Pass, the highest paved pass in Canada. Ptarmigan Cirque (5.6 km) trail that start at Highwood Meadows picnic area is a hikers delight providing wildlife viewing (Big Horn Sheep, mountain goats, Hoary Marmots) opportunity along with a panoramic view of the Rockies. Highwood Meadows Trail that starts near the summit is a wheel-chair accessible trail – boardwalk through a fragile alpine meadow. Details
Copyright: Craig Shelley
Where:
Highwood Pass, Kananaskis Country
When:
June 16 to November 30
11. Rawson Lake
Hike the 3.5 km trail to Rawson Lake, a picturesque subalpine Lake in Kananaskis Country. Details
Photo Credit: Lyle Beaudoin
Where:
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Kananaskis Country
When:
Year round, best in late spring to fall.
12. Grassi Lakes
Enjoy panoramic views of Rocky Mountains and town of Canmore as you hike to this turquoise-tinged lakes. Details
Where:
Spray Lakes Road, Canmore
When:
May until November.
13. Sunshine Meadows
Photo Credit: Daniel Robles
Hike your own or take guided hikes along one of the many trails with rating varying from easy to difficult, above the tree line, soaking in the extraordinary scenery presented by the Rockies with alpine lakes, meadows carpeted with wildflowers and viewing wildlife like grizzlies, elks in the distance.
Where:
Sunshine Village Ski Resort, Banff National Park
When:
From Late June ~ Late September
14. Sylvan Lake
Visit Alberta’s summer destination! It is a popular recreational lake for all the seasons. Sylvan Lake Provincial Park & Jarvis Bay Provincial Park are located on the shores of the Lake. Enjoy a day of swimming, fishing, building sand castles with kids or sunbath at the Lake. Details
Where:
Town of Sylvan Lake – Central Alberta
When:
Year Round.
15. Abraham Lake
Photo Credit: Jeff Wallace
Alberta’s largest man-made lake! Carpeting the side of David Thompson Highway, this ethereal blue coloured lake caused by glacial silt deposit against the backdrop of snow-covered mountains is a sight to behold. Abraham Lake borders Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve, which is home to abundant wildlife and many species of rare plants. Details
Where:
West on Highway 11 from Rocky Mountain House National Historic site for ~110 km gets you to Abraham Lake
When:
Year Round. – The Lake is a great visit any time of the year. But during winter, methane gas released by plants on the lakebed creates “frozen bubbles” under the ice – creating a unique winter scenery.
More in this area:
There are many things to do along David Thompson Highway including Siffleur Falls, and Crimson Lake Provincial Park all free to visit.
See
Things to Do Rocky Mountain House
Waterfalls to Visit in Alberta
16. Miquelon Lake Provincial Park
Explore Miquelon Lake Provincial Park’s trail system through knob and kettle terrain, that connects intriguing landscape remnant of the last ice age. You can see beaver ponds on your hike. It is also a birders paradise. Details
Where:
Camrose. ~ 40 km East of Leduc
When:
Year Round.
17. Heritage Trail – Edmonton Walking Tour
Explore the history of Edmonton as you go on a self-guided walking tour through Downtown Edmonton, Old Strathcona, finally reaching Alberta Legislature grounds. At the Legislature Building – go on a guided tour of the building and see the monuments and artworks that depict important occasions in Alberta’s history. Also, tour the 23 hectares of parkland and the historical monuments. Details
Where:
Downtown Edmonton
When:
Year Round.
18. West Edmonton Mall
Wander around this Leviathan of a mall! Its stores, services, restaurants, and attractions combine to form the most comprehensive retail and entertainment complex on Earth. The mall has an annual visitation of 30.9 million, which is comparable to a 50,000-60,000-seat stadium being filled more than once each day, every day of the year. Details
Where:
West Edmonton Mall is located in the west part of the city of Edmonton, very close to Anthony Henday Drive and Highway 16 heading out towards Jasper.
When:
Year Round, Open Daily.
19. Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park
Explore boreal forests supporting a variety of wildlife, long sandy beaches, and sand dunes at The Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park.
The site of the annual Songbird Festival, the Park is a birding destination teeming with migrant songbirds and an important nesting habitat for western grebe. Details
Where:
When:
Year Round.
20. Hard Luck Canyon
Hard Luck Canyon features 20 metre sandstone cliffs lining a small stream running into the McLeod River. Enjoy the sight of Hard Luck Falls tumbling down the cliffs during high run-off season. Go down the stairs running down to the bottom of the canyon, hike the trails and enjoy a picnic in the woods. Details
Where:
20 minutes SW of Whitecourt
When:
Year Round, Best in summer.
21. William A. Switzer Provincial Park
Hike along the shores of Jarvis creek that links five lakes in this park nestled in the Rockies foothills. The park is heavily forested with lots of wildlife. Details
Where:
20 kilometres north of Hinton on Highway 40.
When:
Year Round.
50+ Bucket List Ideas For Summer Adventures and Unique Activities in Alberta
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View Comments (4)
What an incredible list of free places to explore in Alberta! Thanks for sharing. I'm curious about Abraham Lake and those frozen bubbles in the winter. Has anyone ever been lucky enough to witness this fascinating natural phenomenon?
Philip Currie Dinosaur Museum https://dinomuseum.ca/
Pipestone Creek Bonebed near Grande Prairie in Wembley
GREAT list here are a few of mine to add to it.
Birds of Prey in Coaldale http://www.burrowingowl.com
Frank Lake, High River
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Calgary http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Locations/SE-parks/Inglewood-Bird-Sanctuary.aspx
Beautiful Places