12 National Parks & Historic Sites near Calgary

The Northern Lights shine brightly above Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park at night
The Northern Lights shine brightly above Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park at night
Day Trips from Calgary

12 National Parks & Historic Sites near Calgary

Experience incredible National Parks and National Historic Sites with a day trip from Calgary.

Make Calgary your basecamp to adventure for a day trip to incredible National Parks and Historic Sites that will take you into the heart of Canadian history and have you back in time for dinner in the city. Get out there and explore Canada with the best natural wonders in the country. Here are 12 National Parks and Historic Sites you can visit with a day trip from Calgary.


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Banff National Park

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. Note: Personal vehicles are not permitted on Moraine Lake Road and parking at Lake Louise is limited and difficult. Book a shuttle in advance to make sure you don't miss out on views!

 

Banff Park Museum National Historic Site

How to get there: The Town of Banff is approximately 1.5 hours from Calgary along the TransCanada Highway. The museum is located on Banff Avenue. 

Seasonality: Open year round

Insider tip: Admission to the museum is free with your Parks Canada Discovery Pass.

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Moraine Lake in Banff National Park

Moraine Lake, in Banff National Park, is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world (Photo Credit: Travel Alberta/Roth and Ramberg)

Log building of Banff Park Museum National Historic Site

Banff Park Museum National Historic Site (Photo Credit: Ian Holmes)

 

Cave and Basin National Historic Site

How to get there: The Cave and Basin is on the edge of the town of Banff, approximately 1.5 hours from Calgary along the TransCanada highway.

Seasonality: Open year round

Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site

Seasonality: Open year round

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Cave and Basin National Historic Site

Cave and Basin National Historic Site (Photo Credit: Parks Canada)

a older couple enjoys sweeping views of Banff National Park from the Sulphur Mountain Comic Ray Station Viewpoint

Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site (Photo Credit: Banff & Lake Louise Tourism/Paul Zizka)

Waterton Lakes National Park

How to get there: Waterton National Park is approximately 2.5 hours from Calgary in southwest Alberta

Where to stay: Stay in the south of Calgary, at a hotel like Wingate by Wyndham Calgary, so you can spend more time exploring Waterton Lakes National Park.

Seasonality: Open year round

Insider tip: Get to the trailhead of Cameron Lake or Red Rock Canyon early when the park is quieter and you may see more wildlife and have the trail to yourself.

 

First Oil Well in Western Canada National Historic Site

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.

 

Bar U Ranch National Historic Site

How to get there: Bar U Ranch is approximately 1 hour southwest of Calgary along Highway 22, also known as The Cowboy Trail, and only accessible by car.

Seasonality: May – September

Insider tip: Nearby Pekisko Creek is an important trout spawning stream and home to some renowned fly fishing rivers.

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Scenic view of the Prince of Wales Hotel surrounded by forest and mountains in Waterton Lakes National Park

Waterton Lakes National Park  (Photo Credit: Andy Best)

Staff serving Cowboy Coffee at the historic Bar U Ranch in Longview

Experience the true wild west at Bar U Ranch National Historic Site (Photo Credit: Travel Alberta/Colin Way)

 

Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site

Take your pick from a First Nations tipi or a Métis trapper’s tent for an authentic camping experience at Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site. Hear the music of an indigenous drummer, create a dream catcher, taste traditional food, and hear how the fur trade shaped Canada’s history. The Enhanced Heritage Camping Kit will complete your night under the stars as you light a fire with flint and cook a traditional bannock supper.

How to get there: Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site is approximately 2.5 hours north from Calgary and located 6 kilometres west of Rocky Mountain House.

Where to stay: You can arrive at Calgary Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel minutes after you touchdown in Calgary and be on the road to Rocky Mountain House in no time when you stay on the northern side of the city.

Seasonality: May 10 – September 29

Insider tip: Plan to spend at least a half day at this National Historic Site and book in advance to reserve an overnight stay in an authentic tipi.

 

Howse Pass National Historic Site

How to get there: The Icefields Parkway links Lake Louise and Jasper along Highway 93 and takes approximately is approximately 2 hours to reach from Calgary. The Icefields Parkway is a 230 kilometre highway winding along the Continental Divide through soaring rocky mountain peaks, icefields and vast sweeping valleys.

Seasonality: Open year round but may be inaccessible due to snow in the winter.

Insider tip: This trail is not for beginners! Be sure to check trail and road conditions before trekking to Howse Pass and be prepared with sufficient food and materials as there are no facilities or services available on the trail.

 

Jasper National Park

How to get there: Jasper National Park is approximately 3.5 hours from Calgary along the TransCanada Highway and Highway 93 (Icefields Parkway).

Insider tip: Get an early start from Calgary and be sure to check ahead for road conditions to make this long, but beautiful day trip a part of your Calgary adventure.

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Exterior of Skoki Lodge in winter with starry skies and skies stuck up in the snow in the foreground

Explore the backcountry of the Canadian Rockies at Skoki Lodge (Photo Credit: Paul Zizka)

Yoho National Park (Photo Credit: Parks Canada)

 

Skoki Lodge National Historic Site

Experience a backcountry lodge with some history at Skoki Lodge, the first ski lodge in Canada and possibly North America. Start the trek at the Lake Louise Ski Resort and make Skoki Lodge, built in 1930, your basecamp for cross-country skiing, hiking, climbing, fishing and horseback riding. The surrounding area is also a photographer’s dream.

How to get there: Lake Louise is approximately 2 hours from Calgary and Skoki Lodge is only accessible by hiking or skiing the 11 kilometre trail that begins at the Lake Louise Ski Area.

Where to stay: Book accommodations with easy access to the TransCanada Highway like Alt Hotel Calgary University District, with lots of nearby shops to make sure you have all the gear you need for this backcountry experience.

Seasonality: June – October in summer and December – April in winter

Insider tip: The lodge and three surrounding cabins have space for 22 guests, so book early and be prepared for no electricity or running water.

 

Yoho National Park

Four campgrounds, 28 mountain peaks over 3,000 metres high, and over 400 kilometres of trails make Yoho National Park an adventure lover’s paradise. Take a free guided tour of Emerald Lake, spend a night at beautiful Lake O’Hara, or marvel at the Takakkaw Falls, some of the highest in Canada. One visit to Yoho National Park and you will understand why “Yoho” is a Cree expression of awe and wonder.

How to get there: Yoho National Park is located on the eastern edge of British Columbia, approximately 2 hours from Calgary along the TransCanada Highway, and just 30 minutes past Lake Louise.

Where to stay: Experience adventure in the heart of the city on the banks of the Bow River at Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire Hotel before experiencing the awe and wonder of Yoho National Park.

Seasonality: Open year round

Insider tip: Campgrounds and RV parks are busy mid-June – September and operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early for the best spot.

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group of ladies are lead by an indigenous woman through traditional dancing at Rocky Mountain National Historic Site

Experience authentic Indigenous culture at Rocky Mountain National Historic Site (Photo Credit: Parks Canada/Michael Moynihan)

A distant shot of a group touring Maligne Canyon, surrounded by cool canyon formations, while ice walking and hiking in Jasper National Park

Explore the unique formations of Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park (Photo Credit: Travel Alberta/Mike Seehagel)