Calgary 
Kananaskis Country covers a vast portion of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains and foothills. Within the area are provincial parks, recreation areas, wildland parks, the main Village, and resorts. It is a year-round outdoor playground. And a fall trip to Kananaskis may arguably be the most beautiful way to experience K-Country.
Credit: Mount Engadine Lodge
The rivers, lakes, ponds, and streams of Kananaskis are, for the most part, glacier-fed. This helps give the waters bright blue and green colours. During the fall, any one of these locations or sights is enhanced by the surrounding fall colours. There are many ways to experience this beautiful time of year in this large Alberta park. Choose between relaxing or luxurious getaway options, rustic camping experiences, or many activities to add to a day trip.
Kananaskis Village & the Evan Thomas Provincial Recreation Area
Enjoy the slower-paced fall season in the Kananaskis Village before the winter opening of the Nakiska Ski Resort! During the fall, the scenery around the village is a sea of gold and green, with nearby trails offering viewpoints overlooking the entire area.
- The Village is mostly made up of hotel and lodging options, with the Kananaskis Nordic Spa at the heart of it all. The spa is part of the Pomeroy Lodge at Kananaskis, while other hotel options include the Crosswaters Resort or Mount Kidd Manor.
- These hotels are also a great source of dining within the village. Enjoy drinks from the Blacktail Bar or Woody’s Pub & Patio, fuel up with the Market Café or Moose Family Kitchen or enjoy a more elevated experience with Forte or the Two Trees Bistro.
- The trails from Kananaskis Village lead north toward Bow Valley Provincial Park, and south to the Evan Thomas Provincial Recreation Area.
Fall Camping & Glamping in Kananaskis
On top of the accommodation options in Kananaskis Village, there are several great lodges, campgrounds, and glamping opportunities for a variety of budgets.
- Mount Engadine Lodge is within K-Country’s Spray Valley Provincial Park, and there are options for a lodge room or glamping in yurts, cabins, or canvas tents. They have great brunch and delicious dining options for the whole family, including Afternoon Tea, perfect for a fall date.
- Sundance by Basecamp is a short drive, bike ride, or walk, outside of the Village with glamping or trapper’s tents and campsites.
- As one of the large parks in Kananaskis, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park offers several options for a fall stay. This includes the accessible and barrier-free William Watson Lodge for those with disabilities or mobility issues and a handful of campgrounds open until Thanksgiving weekend.
- The McLean Creek Provincial Recreation Area campground is open year-round. This campground brings your stay into the southern foothills and near several great hiking areas.
- There are many backcountry camping opportunities around Kananaskis! Check with parks like Spray Valley Provincial Park, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, or the Wildland Provincial Parks of K-Country.
The Best Fall Colour & Golden Larch Hikes
Beautiful fall scenery is not too difficult to find around Kananaskis. Simply driving the Kananaskis Trail or Smith Dorrien Trail will provide a great variety of colours in the scenery from the lakes, mountains, and forests. There are a few notable hikes in the area, too, which offer unique views of Alberta’s golden larch trees. During the fall season, these larch trees become a dazzling gold hue, and some Kananaskis trails lead to an abundance of golden larch trees.
- The incredible views of the Alberta Rockies’ golden larches are arguably best from the Ptarmigan Cirque Trail in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. The 4.5km loop also has some of the area’s prettiest alpine meadow views.
- Take on a longer hike with the 10.2km out-and-back Chester Lake Trail, also in Peter Lougheed. This more challenging trail involves a bit of uphill work with incredibly rewarding views of the golden larches among the mountain peaks. Cycling is also permitted on the Chester Lake Trail.
- The Buller Pass hike in Spray Valley Provincial Park begins at the Buller Mountain day use area and continues for 7.5km up to the pass. This trail is known for its sweeping views, small waterfalls, and sparse golden larches.
- Travel the entire length of Lower Kananaskis Lake with the 12km paved trail open to hikers and cyclists.
Fall Tours & Unique Experiences in Kananaskis
Enhance the memories made on your next fall trip to Kananaskis with guided adventures and experiences.
- Among the many trail ride options offered from the Boundary Ranch is a special Kananaskis Adventure Ride, available until October. Also offered into October is the Ranch’s White Water Rafting Adventure on the Kananaskis River.
- Kananaskis Outfitters offers guided adventure tours on the trails this fall with the Survival Hike and Coal Mine Hike, all available this fall.
Birding & Wildlife Viewing
Fall is an excellent time to view some of the varied bird species that hang out in Kananaskis during the warmer months. There is a large fall migration of different birds in the foothill and mountain areas. During fall hikes, listen and watch for birds like hawks, eagles, loons, sandpipers, gulls, terns, or warblers, including different types of each bird.
Scenic Fall Paddle Locations
The beauty of paddling in K-country is that if your paddle boat fits, then it is allowed to float! The large foothill and mountain area is filled with a great deal of small lakes and ponds that make for a dream-like paddle setting, with all of them open to paddlers. And, while some may require canoes and kayaks to be launched from the shore or beaches, some do offer launches for small craft. A few things to keep in mind about these lakes and ponds are their cold temperatures and the presence of large logs or trees under the water of many of them.
- The Kananaskis River is a favourite white water rafting location for many experienced paddlers. And that is just who should stick to paddling this river: the experienced!
- The Barrier Lake day use area in Bow Valley Provincial Park has canoe and kayak access at the centre of the lake, various picnic sites along the shores, and is surrounded by a sea of gold in the fall.
- Gap Lake and Lac Des Arcs have canoe launches and are created from the Bow River, which connects the two lakes. During your paddle, keep eyes and ears open for the abundance of waterfowl.
- The Bow River has created several ponds and lakes south of Canmore, which eventually feed the Spray Lakes Reservoir. While Spray Lakes Reservoir is better suited to motorized boats, those smaller ponds like Goat or Whiteman’s.
