Bar U Ranch National Historic Site
Hitch a wagon, rope a steer, saddle a horse, and enjoy campfire stories surrounded by the largest collection of historical ranch buildings in Canada. Visit the cookhouse, watch the blacksmith hammer a horseshoe, or see the saddle maker repair a rein, for a glimpse into cowboy life that brought ranchers, poets, politicians, royalty and the infamous Sundance Kid to
Bar U Ranch.
How to get there: Bar U Ranch is approximately 1 hour and 100 kilometres southwest of Calgary along Highway 22, also known as The Cowboy Trail, and only accessible by car.
Where to stay: Staying in the southern part of the city along the #2 or #201 highway gets you easy access to Bar U Ranch. Try the
Delta Hotels Calgary South for comfortable accommodations before starting your road trip to the National Historic Site.
Seasonality: May – September
Insider tip: Nearby Pekisko Creek is an important trout spawning stream and home to some renowned fly fishing rivers.
First Oil Well in Western Canada National Historic Site
Take a scenic drive along Akamina Parkway to
Western Canada’s first oil well. Originally drilled in 1902, the entrepreneurs who discovered the oil had to abandon their dreams a short time later. Today, you can touch the old casing and explore the site where the oil boom in Alberta began.
How to get there: The First Oil Well in Western Canada is approximately 2.5 hours from Calgary in southwest Alberta along Highway 2.
Seasonality: Open year round
Insider tip: Visiting the First Oil Well in Western Canada is the perfect complement to a trip to Waterton National Park or exploring nearby Cameron Lake for boating, fishing, and cross-country skiing.
Banff National Park
Canada’s first national park just might be the most famous in the world. With its Rocky Mountain peaks, turquoise lakes, and scenic drives, this UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Banff, has captured traveler’s imaginations for generations for its world class skiing, hiking, camping, and majestic views of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
Where to stay: Choose a hotel on the west side of Calgary, like the
Four Points by Sheraton West, to avoid traffic and get on the road quickly.
Seasonality: Open year round
Insider tip: Visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake on weekdays when it is not as busy for the perfect Instagram shot.