The fall season in Alberta is arguably one of the most scenic seasons. The lush forests are transformed, and there is extra motivation to enjoy the sunny days.
A trip to southwestern Alberta is a perfect way to take advantage of the sun’s fall warmth and this overall beautiful time of year.
Southwestern Alberta is also where the Rockies meet the foothills. And, in parts of the region, it is also where the prairies meet the foothills. Overall, southwestern Alberta offers varied landscapes that will change as you travel.
The scenery is on full display, and there are many things to experience within the region’s several parks. These include Provincial Parks and Recreation Areas, as well as Waterton Lakes National Park. Beyond bright fall colours are rivers, creeks, waterfalls, mountain peaks, and wildlife.
Explore Southwestern Alberta’s Parks
Visit Waterton Lakes National Park
A general day visit to Waterton offers many options for recreation and relaxation, including sightseeing and fun on or off the water.
- Wildlife viewing and birding are best enjoyed a way away from town, in areas like the parkways. The two parkways, Akamina and Red Rock, lead away from town and into the hills or mountains.
- Paddling is best for the smaller Lower Waterton Lake, or Cameron Lake at the end of the Akamina Parkway.
- Many hikers and photographers flock to Banff each fall to catch the larches as they turn a golden yellow for the season. Waterton has its own larch hikes, as well, with the notable Rowe Lake trails at 12km total. A second, but more challenging, larch hike is the Avion Ridge at 28km total.
- There are picnic sites at each of the three Waterton Lakes. Plus, there are more along the Red Rock Parkway at Crandell Mountain Lodge and Red Rock Canyon. Find even more on the Akamina Parkway at Crandell Lake and Cameron Lake.
Visit the Smaller Provincial Parks
Several smaller Provincial Parks and Recreation Areas dot southwestern Alberta. Each is worth a visit, as each of these areas offer different scenery for your visit or weekend stay. These all make great picnic locations, too, with washrooms, firepits, and tables.
- Police Outpost Provincial Park is Alberta’s southernmost Provincial Park with a south boundary that lines the U.S. border. Camping is open until October 13, with the small lake permitting fishing, powerboating, and paddling. The area has shorter hiking trails with notable views of Chief Mountain in Montana.
- Payne Lake is one the closest Provincial Parks to the National Park. Camping is open until October 15. Payne Lake permits fishing, paddling, and powerboating. Follow Highway 6 for great hiking trails.
- Chain Lakes is closed to campers for the season but still offers fishing, powerboating, paddling, birding, and wildlife viewing from the day use area.
Powerboating on the Reservoirs
While many of the lakes and Provincial Parks in the area allow powerboating, these areas are especially great for faster boating, waterskiing and wakeboarding, or for catching wind in the sails. These are manmade reservoirs which in turn create large recreational lakes.
- St. Mary Reservoir Provincial Recreational Area is about 20 minutes northeast of Cardston. The boat launch day use area is on the far northeast side of the lake. All three campgrounds are open until mid-October.
- The Waterton Reservoir Provincial Recreational Area, west of Hill Spring and Glenwood, is an incredibly scenic place to bring any kind of boat, powered or paddle-powered. As a boater, you’ll have an endless shoreline to explore. The reservoir is connected to the three National Park lakes via the Waterton River. The campground is closed for the season.
- The Oldman Dam PRA is about 10-minutes north of Pincher Creek. The immense shoreline is filled with wildlife viewing opportunities during a boat ride, while the expansive lake is perfect for waterskiing and wakeboarding, sailing, or windsurfing. Camping season is now over for the Oldman Dam PRA.
Birding at Beauvais Lake Provincial Park
Beauvais Lake Provincial Park is one of the handful of Alberta Parks to offer a birdwatching (or ‘birding’) checklist. This scenic but smaller foothills park is open year-round for birding during all seasons. Catch the migratory birds of fall and spring, the summer visitors, or the permanent winter residents. Fall is an especially great time to see the less common birds who are only around during the migration season.
A fall birding day, hike, or photography session at Beauvais Lake could reveal trumpeter swans (on rarer occasions), wood ducks, horned or western grebe, common goldeneye, owls, or various types of sandpipers.
Camping is available year-round at Beauvais Lake.
Sightseeing Opportunities in Southwestern Alberta
Take Self-Guided a Waterfall Tour
The raging rivers and creeks of southwestern Alberta offer a great deal of chances to view waterfalls both large and small. You can head to a general part of southwestern Alberta to view more than one.
Waterton
- In one single hike from the town of Waterton are opportunities to view Cameron Falls, Lower Bertha Falls, and Upper Bertha Falls. Cameron Falls is beside the parking lot at the trailhead. From here, use the Bertha Lake Trail to travel south. To Bertha Lake and back is 11.7km with a few moderately challenging switchbacks.
- Along Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway and west to east) are three waterfall stops to make. The Allison Creek Falls trail is a simple 2.6km to the falls and back. The Star Creek Falls loop is another simple 2.1km to the falls and back. And finally, Lundbreck Falls requires less than 1km of walking for a good view. All of these waterfalls could be viewed in a single day’s road trip.
Trail Rides in the Foothills
Get out on a sightseeing adventure with one of the original ways to travel out west: by horseback! These trail and equestrian outfitters supply all you need, like the horses, for a beautiful day out on the trails. Ride lengths can vary.
- Waterton River Trail Rides continue their season into October. And you can still inquire about special bookings during the off-season. These adventures give you the perfect mixture of Alberta’s prettiest fall scenery: mountains, forests, hills, and rivers.
- The Thanksgiving Ranch near Pincher Creek offers trail rides to overnight ranch guests, and to day visitors.
Explore the History of Southwestern Alberta
While some historic sites and museums in the province close for Labour Day weekend, these areas in southwestern Alberta remain open for the fall season. Plus, each of these locations offers something completely different from the next location.
- The Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, and Leitch Collieries Provincial Historic Site are both on Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) and are a short distance by car from one another. Each offers a unique look into Alberta’s coal mining history.
- Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village in Pincher Creek is open daily as a living history museum. They will also host their Kootenai Brown’s Spooky Town event on October 28th to celebrate Halloween 2023.
- Remington Carriage Museum in Cardston is the largest of its kind in the world and is open for fall. Browse this unique collection of carriages and take part in immersive exhibits. For more of Alberta’s transportation history, visit the Bomber Command Museum of Canada in Nanton.
- Two attractions are only open for one more week (until Thanksgiving): Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, and the Fort Museum in Fort McLeod.
Chase the Wind
Southern Alberta is home to a surprising amount of wind turbines and wind farms. These are especially surprising as you get closer to the turbines and realize the structure’s sheer size. Then, there are areas from which you can view the spinning blades and towers from a distance and all together.
- The Castle River Wind Farm is west of Pincher Creek and views of the wind farm area accessible from Range Road 11.
- The Kettles Hill Wind Farm is east of Pincher Creek with views accessible from Township Road 64.
- Additionally, there is a Wind Farm Viewpoint on Highway 810 south of Fort McLeod.
Picnics on the Cowboy Trail
The southern portion of Alberta’s Cowboy Trail (Highway 22) runs from Longview in the north, to Lundbreck in the south. The highway follows the foothills which guarantees spectacular fall views for the whole drive. The entire drive is only an hour, but there are places to stop along the way.
- Chain Lakes Provincial Park is on the west side of the highway. Stop for a picnic, a short hike, birding, and wildlife viewing.
- The Maycroft Provincial Recreation Area is a scenic picnic site on the Oldman River. This is also a great place to watch the sunset over the mountains.
- At the end of the highway is the Lundbreck Falls PRA, with more great views, picnic sites, and short trails.
Explore Southwestern Alberta’s Towns
Cardston
Cardston is one of the last main towns before the U.S. border on Highway 2. Explore the history of town on bike or foot and uncover a handful of historically preserved buildings. Explore unique history at the local Remington Carriage Museum.
The town offers camping and hotel options for accommodations and is only a 45-minute drive from Waterton Lakes National Park.
Cardston’s local dining is all located on Main Street and 1st Avenue, with several casual options to cover all tastes.
Pincher Creek
Pincher Creek, as in the body of water which runs near town, is part of the Oldman River watershed. The town of Pincher Creek is also a short drive south of the Oldman Dam PRA and Reservoir. The town makes for a perfect place to stay if you don’t want to camp.
During your visit or stay, explore local history through the Lebel Mansion, or the Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village. Both are open to visitors, and both locations host regular monthly events.
A large amount of Pincher Creek’s local dining is on Main Street, including the local Lost Things Distillery. Also on Main Street is a collection of local shops with everything from arts and crafts to vintage and second-hand, to outdoor gear.
Fort Macleod
The town of Fort Macleod is scenic in and of itself. But the area is even more beautiful with the surrounding mountain and foothill backdrops. The town has a well-kept historic downtown area filled with shopping, dining, and unique local history. The notable Empress Theatre still operates with weekly showtimes.
That unique history includes ties with Hollywood. Fort Macleod is often recognized thanks to its historic downtown popping up in a number of recent films and TV shows. View all the nearby filming locations on a movie tour of southwestern Alberta.
Fort Macleod sits on the Oldman Riverbanks. Along the river are campgrounds, places to launch a canoe or kayak, and places for a walk.
Crowsnest Pass
If travelling west on the Crowsnest Highway, then the town of Crowsnest will be one of the last stops before the B.C./Alberta border. The Crowsnest Pass was originally built for the coal miners and the rail cars used in the early 20th century. Today, the pass is an incredibly scenic drive through some of the Rockies’ higher peaks. Before the Crowsnest Highway enters B.C., it travels through a few small towns, and past notable lakes and parks.
The first stop after the Frank Slide site is the town of Coleman. Stop here for food and uncover many adorable cafes, restaurants, and pubs. Many local options, like the Cinnamon Bear Café, or Vito’s Family Restaurant, are a quick turn off of Highway 3. Coleman is also home to several accommodations like hotels, RV parks and campgrounds, and lodges.
The area becomes less populated as you leave Coleman where you’ll find several opportunities for short and rewarding hikes: Star Creek Falls or the Coleman Creek, The Miner’s Path, or the hike to Allison Creek Falls.
One of the final stops before the border is Island Lake PRA. This gorgeous and smaller picnic area has all the amenities for a full day here, including firepits, washrooms, and picnic tables. Plus, the lake is open to canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.
Keep your eyes open along the drive for opportunities to pull over and snap photos! Hillcrest and Sentinel are both beautiful areas to explore on the Crowsnest Highway.
Nanton
Nanton is another southwestern Alberta town which has nicely kept up its original storefronts and main street buildings. Additionally, Nanton is home to incredibly well-preserved grain elevators. The grain elevators are a visible symbol of the area’s rich farming history. Explore it further with a visit! The elevators are open as the Grain Elevator Discovery Centre and offer tours by request.
There are several options for trying out the local food scene in Nanton. You’ll find these local eateries along Highway 2, or 20th and 21st Avenues.
The chance to discover history in Nanton starts in town with the elevators, the Bomber Command Museum of Canada, and the historic buildings. And, if you visit before Thanksgiving, you’ll have a chance to explore more at the Coutts Centre for Western Heritage, northeast of Nanton.
The Best Fall Hiking Trails in Southwestern Alberta
Fall Hiking in Castle Provincial Park
Take your pick from several different trails in this large southwestern Provincial Park. Castle’s terrain offers hikes for all skill levels.
- The Beaver Mines Interpretive Loop is perfect for small kids and families at only 2.8km.
- Explore the Syncline Trail Network to create hikes of varying lengths and difficulty levels. Hiking is open here until November 30.
Fall Hiking in Waterton Lakes National Park
Waterton Lakes National Park has an overwhelming number of hikes from which to choose. These hikes are all beautiful during the fall, but each offers slightly different views.
- The park’s Kootenai Brown Trail follows the shores of Lower and Middle Waterton Lakes, and the Blakiston Creek. Along the way are views of the Prince of Wales Hotel over the water, and bright gold fall colours.
- Further away from town, and on the Red Rock Parkway, is the start to an easy 5km hike which leads to a secluded mountain Lake. The North Crandell Lake Trail has a slight steady climb at the end, easy enough for kids.
The Crowsnest Highway
The Crowsnest Highway makes for an incredible drive from east to west. You’ll get to experience the prairies change to foothills, which then form into Rocky Mountains. And beyond the main highway (3) are even more spectacular views. All you need to do is take a hike!
- Appreciate the Frank Slide tragedy, sight, and history, a number of ways on a trip to the Crowsnest area: visit the Interpretive Centre, walk the short trail from the parking lot, or hike what is left of Turtle Mountain. The trail up Turtle Mountain is 7.2km out-and-back and will have you cross the area which slid down the mountain and create the rubble below you.
- There are three main hikes which lead from the north side of Coleman. Using the same trail, you can take the 2km trip, or the longer and far more challenging trek up Saskatoon Mountain. The forested trail includes small creek waterfalls.
- Head out on a hike from the small village of Hillcrest on the south side of the highway. Choose between an incredibly scenic but simple hike to abandoned structures and fall scenery on the Drum Creek Falls trail, which can be extended into longer and more difficult hikes up Hillcrest Mountain.
Challenging Fall Hikes in Castle Wildland Provincial Park
The Castle Wildland Provincial Park sits between Waterton National Park, and Castle Provincial Park. It is more rugged backcountry terrain and offers chances for more challenging hikes. Even some of the shorter hikes are still more of a challenge, thanks to the climbing.
- The 20km round-trip hike to Bovin Lake rewards you with sweeping valley views, and views of various peaks. The area has a few forested spots, with Bovin Lake surrounded by alpine greenery.
- The North Drywood Falls hike has all you need for a fall hike and scenery: golden larches, dense forests, and the gorgeous small waterfall. The hike is about 9km out-and-back.
- One of the most famous hikes in southwestern Alberta is the North York Creek Trail, or the Plane Crash Trail. The 20km loop leads you to the crash site of a 1946 Royal Canadian Air Force Dakota airplane. There may be some climbing and scrambling involved, and this hike is intended for experienced trail users.
Choose from Exciting ways to Stay
Cabins & Lodges
Take comfort in knowing you’ll have a bed, and a roof over your head. These gorgeous cabin and lodge suite options give you all the comforts of home with the surrounding wilderness and fall scenery you might not get at home.
- The Rocky Ridge Country Lodge (Mountain View) is a fairy-tale-like home in Mountain View with a variety of cottage-themed rooms available.
- Adanac Adventures is near the Hillcrest Mines and Crowsnest area. The company offers camping and cabin accommodations.
- The Payne Lake Lodge is a large vacation rental that is well-suited to accommodate large groups or families. A stay here brings you close to Waterton Lakes National Park.
- Glamping Resorts has glamping cabins near the shores of Beaver Mines Lake and at the base of Table Mountain. On the opposite side of the lake from the Resort are many of the Provincial Park’s Day use areas that double as trailheads and staging areas. Castle Provincial Park has canvas cabins, a waterfront cabin, and a bunkhouse cabin.
Campgrounds open during Fall
While the numerous Provincial Areas around southwestern Alberta offer a few fall camping options, you’ll find even more through these private or municipal campground operators.
- The Stavely Elks Parks Association operates three campgrounds around the town: Willow Creek, Pine Coulee, and Clear Lake. All three are open for overnight camping until October 31.
- The Fort Heritage & Frontier RV Park (Mountain View) have campsite options with power or without power and are open until October 31.
Ranch Vacations
Take in a true southwestern Alberta experience with a complete ranch vacation. These locations offer authentic ranch accommodations, as well as activities like trail rides.
- Centre Peak High Country Adventures near Pincher Creek offers themed getaways and trail rides.
- The Old Chief Bunkhouse is a VRBO property on a sweeping ranch with stunning views of Chief Mountain. It sleeps up to five people.
- This farmhouse near Pincher Creek is located Creekside and in a quiet spot in the hills. Enjoy a scenic walk on the farmland or by the firepit at night.
Bed & Breakfasts
While on a road trip through southwestern Alberta, one of the quickest and most convenient ways to stay is through a bed and breakfast. Find a comfortable room and have your morning meal included in the stay!
- The Cobblestone Manor Bed & Breakfast in Cardston is an adorable property that will make your stop in Cardston a lot more memorable.
- Stepping Stone Cabins B&B near Pincher Creek offer two cabin types, a shared common area, and a shared covered hot tub. The accommodations are perfect for couples, or for families who wish to book both cabins!