The kids are back in school and life is busy, but that’s even more reason to set aside a few days this fall to spend some quality time together as a family. Plan an adventure, head out on a scenic drive, or plan a final picnic on a sunny afternoon (bonus points if there’s a lake with a beach).
Below are five suggestions to get you started. Customize them to match your family’s dynamics and interests.
1. Plan a Scenic Autumn Drive Through South Kananaskis
Driving south on Highway 22, you’ll arrive in Diamond Valley where you can head west on Highway 546 towards Sheep River Provincial Park.
Stop at the Sheep River Falls Day Use Area for a picnic and to see the beautiful waterfall. Popular hikes in the area include the Foran Grade Loop (near the Sandy McNabb Campground), Dyson Falls (Indian Oils Day Use), and Missinglink Mountain (Gorge Creek Day Use).
Further south on the 22, you’ll arrive in Longview, where you can head west on Highway 541 towards Highwood Junction. This creates a scenic loop with Highway 40 if you continue over Highwood Pass towards the Kananaskis Lakes.
Popular, easy hikes along Highway 40 include Cat Creek Falls (Cat Creek Day Use) and Ptarmigan Cirque (Highwood Meadows Day Use). Both are good for stretching your legs while driving the loop.
Consult the AllTrails website or app for each hike, check trail conditions on the Alberta Parks website, and don’t forget your Kananaskis Conservation Pass for parking. You can purchase the pass online at the beginning of the day or buy an annual pass if you’ll be out in Kananaskis a few times over the year.
2. Cruise the Paved Bike Trails Around Banff and Canmore
The Legacy Trail parallels the highway between Banff and Canmore. It’s 20km one way and easiest if ridden towards Canmore. An adult can always ride back to the car if you don’t want to ride both directions. For a shorter ride, consider the Sundance Trail from the Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff. This one is less than 10km round trip, and if you bring a bike lock, you can hike further up Sundance Canyon in a 1.6km walking loop.
Another option for an easy, paved bike ride in Canmore is the West Bow River Pathway which connects the West Canmore Park playground with the Three Sisters Mountain Village. This pathway used to be a mixture of gravel and pavement, but is fully paved as of May. There is a parking lot on the south side of the river, just after you cross the bridge from 8 Avenue.
Alternatively, you can park on the other side of the river at Millenium Park, where there is a large parking lot. From Millenium Park, cross the river at the bridge, and then head towards West Canmore Park on the south side of the river.
Finally, September is your last chance to bike the Bow Valley Parkway from Banff to Johnston Canyon. Highway 1A is closed to vehicles between the Town of Banff and Johnston Canyon between August 30 to September 30. During this time, you can enjoy a lovely 17km ride (one way) along the closed Parkway. It’s recommended that you park at the Banff Train Station, which adds an extra distance, for a total distance of 25km via Vermilion Lakes Road and the eastern section of the Legacy Trail.
To shorten the distance with children, start at Johnston Canyon and do an out-and-back ride combined with a hike up the canyon to view the waterfalls.
3. Spend a Day Exploring Around Barrier Lake and Kananaskis Village
Children love the hike to Troll Falls, starting from the Troll Falls Day Use Area near the Village. It’s a short 3km round trip walk to reach the beautiful waterfall on a wide, easy trail. You can also continue an additional kilometre to the Upper Falls. The trail to the Upper Falls is steeper, but there are handrails and you’ll get the opportunity to walk behind a beautiful waterfall.
For a longer day hike, I recommend the Prairie View Trail to the Barrier Lake Fire Lookout Site from the Barrier Dam Day Use Area. Read more about this hike on the AllTrails website or app (where it’s called Yates Mountain).
Don’t forget your Kananaskis Conservation Pass for parking. I also recommend checking the Alberta Parks Trail report for wildlife warnings.
4. Head to a Lake in Kananaskis for a Picnic
Find a lake with picnic tables, bring the paddleboards or boats, grab the fishing rods, and round up the family for an afternoon of fun. Personal Kananaskis favorites include the Peninsula Day Use Area on Lower Kananaskis Lake, the Driftwood Day Use Area on Spray Lake outside Canmore, or the Barrier Lake Day Use Area, also on Highway 40.
If you choose Peninsula for your picnic, make sure you bring your walking shoes for a quick jaunt up to the Blackshale Suspension Bridge nearby. It’s a 1km round trip if you park right at Blackshale Creek. Parking is on the shoulder of the Spray Lakes Road.
If it’s a warm day, you might also want to head to the beach one last time for the season. Quarry Lake is a popular destination in Canmore, with a beautiful beach and swimming area. And while you’re in the area, Grassi Lakes is a very easy family hike nearby (and a great option to pair with some afternoon beach time).
Note parking fees are in effect at Quarry Lake unless you take Roam public transit (with service to both Quarry Lake and Grassi Lakes until September 15). Grassi Lakes has free parking, but you’ll need to purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass.
5. Play Tourist for a Day in Banff
Plan a day trip to Banff with a ride on the gondola, a walk along the river, or a short hike up Tunnel Mountain. The town is much quieter in the fall, making it an excellent place to take the family for a fun weekend adventure. We often plan half-day trips in autumn to Banff with a relaxed start, lunch in town, and then a short walk.
Other options for fun in Banff could include:
Families might also want to visit Lake Louise for an autumn hike to one of the tea houses, or to Larch Valley from Moraine Lake. Note you’ll want to reserve shuttle bus tickets on the Parks Canada website. Buses depart from the Lake Louise Ski Resort, with regular service to both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake (including connectors between the two lakes). You can visit both lakes on the same day, and one bus ticket includes unlimited rides between the two lakes and the ski resort.
Visit the Parks Canada website for more information on shuttle tickets at Lake Louise, and expect to pay costly parking fees if you want to park at the lake itself. Moraine Lake is closed to all personal vehicles and is accessible by shuttle bus only.
Enjoy your autumn adventuring!
Tanya loves hiking, camping, skiing, and all things mountain-related. She is the author of the blog, Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies, rockiesfamilyadventures.com, and the founder of Calgary Outdoor Playgroups on Facebook. More information about her playgroups can be found on her blog.
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