Calgary was the main point of our trip this year so all of the loops will start and end in Calgary. Here is the first one that we made.
High level overview:
Dinosaur Provincial Park
Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park
Waterton Lakes National Park
Crowsnest Pass
Bar U Ranch National Historical Site
* * *
Day 1
2h drive to Dinosaur Provincial Park from Calgary
Recommended stay at Dinosaur Park: 4-5 hours
Recommended non-camping accommodation: Taber or Lethbridge
Recommended camping accommodation: Dinosaur Provincial Park, Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park
Set your GPS to Dinosaur Provincial Park. In two hours of driving you will find yourself millions of years in the past where dinosaurs roamed the earth. There is nothing better to set the mood than Alberta badlands.
While driving enjoy the never-ending horizons and don't forget to stop at one of the turnouts to stretch your legs and take some pictures.
Another thing that we found interesting were the river valleys with steep cliffs. They are like holes in the ground or pits sheltered from the winds. Also on the way, watch for cows and horses on either side of the road and try to count them all.
Dinosaur Provincial Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has not only fossilized dinosaur bones that you can find and touch, but also a camel (Ask the staff about the camel and they will be happy to point it out and tell you its story).
Most of the park is closed to the public, however guided tours are available and strongly recommended. Tours can be reserved in advance via their website and I would strongly recommend this.
Tours can be reserved in advance via their website
The cafeteria has very tasty sandwiches if you are looking for a quick bite for lunch
If you are not a camper (we're not neither), head down to Taber or Lethrbridge for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Day 2
2h drive to Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park from Lethbridge
Recommended stay at Writing-on-Stone Park: 2-3 hours
2h drive to Waterton Lakes National Park
Recommended stay at Waterton Lakes Park: 2-3 hours (In 2018 most of the trails were closed)
Recommended non-camping accommodation: Waterton, Pincher Creek
Recommended camping accommodation: Waterton
After a morning drive through the flats, stop for a picturesque walk in Writing-on-Stone park. Hoodoos, other stone formations and of course writings are the highlight of the stroll. If it is raining heavily as it did when we were there, the Battle Scene petropglyph is still a must see and it is only a short walk from a parking lot. The small interpretive center is worth checking out as well. It gives background on the area, its importance to the natives, and the rock art itself.
You can grab lunch at the camp cafeteria at Wring-on-Stone but we did not tired it. On the way to Waterton Lakes our best option was Subway as local restaurants and cafes with good reviews were closed at a time. There might be a gem we did not find. Suggestions are welcomed.
While in Waterton Lakes National Park take a hiking trail off the road or just stroll along the lake. In 2018 the park was recovering from a large wild fire that happened in September 2017. Many of the trails were closed. It was also a rainy day, so a stroll along the lake was all we were able to do before the heavy rain started.
If you skipped lunch and or you need a quick appetizer, "Wieners of Waterton" is the place to visit. The town has also a large selection of bars and restaurant to choose from for dinner.
Find a place to stay around Waterton or Pincher Creek for two nights. There is lots to see and do.
Day 3
Visit to Crowsnest Pass: Bellevue Mine, Frank Slide, Crowsnest museum, Lundbreck Falls
Recommended stay at Bellevue Mines: 1-2 hours
Recommended stay at Frank Slide: 2-3 hours
Recommended stay at Crowsnest museum: 1-2 hours
Recommended stay at Lundbreck Falls: 30 min
Head to Bellevue Mine and take the guided tour which will explain how the coal was mined back in the old days. You can take a souvenir piece of coal with you as well.
Head towards the town of Frank. You can't miss the huge light gray rocks on either side of the road on the way. Stop at the Frank Slide interpretive center and learn the story behind the 90 million ton rocks. The center provides an excellent overview of the past going back million of years, as well as the future of the Crowsnest Pass. Learn why science is cool!
Visit the Crowsnest museum in Coleman. This small town museum is a great and quiet getaway that allows you to learn about the communities that live here and the mountains around. Don't miss the murder story of the prohibition times and the story of the first and last woman hanged in Alberta.
If you need to stretch your legs, stop at Lundbreck Falls and enjoy the rushing water.
Crowsnest pass area provides many opportunities for lunch and dinner.
If you are traveling during July or August, it is also worth checking out the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We were traveling in June and the learning sessions on the basics of the buffalo hunt were not yet available.
Day 4
2h drive to Bar U Ranch National Historic Site from Pincher Creek
Recommended stay at Bar-U-Ranch: 2-3 hours
30 min drive to Eau Claire Distillery (check their site for distillery tours and tasting)
Recommended stay at Eau Claire Distillery: 1 hour
30 min drive to Chinook Honey Company
Recommended stay at Chinook Honey Company: 30 min
Recommended non-camping accommodation: Calgary
Recommended camping accommodation: n/a
Head to Bar U Ranch and explore the grounds of a historical ranch that was the staple of the wild west. Enjoy the tales and displays of the historic site. Enjoy a stroll through the buildings and be sure to visit buildings like the saddle maker's workshop where you may be able to have a chat with a historic interpreter. Say hi to the horses from us, but please do not feed them.
You can grab an OK burger at the Bar U Ranch or head to Turner Valley and Eau Claire Distillery just 30 min away for other options. Enjoy the tour and tasting of their Gins, Vodka and Whiskey (if it is ready).
For any bee and honey lovers, the Chinook Honey Company is a 'must stop'. Enjoy watching a live hive and the bee dances. ( I should probably increase the recommended time spent there from 30 min to 1h. It is hard to step away from watching the bees at work.)
Head for a dinner in Calgary or Bragg Creek
If you have followed this loop and enjoyed it, please leave suggestions of improvement for others to enjoy.
High level overview:
Dinosaur Provincial Park
Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park
Waterton Lakes National Park
Crowsnest Pass
Bar U Ranch National Historical Site
* * *
Day 1
2h drive to Dinosaur Provincial Park from Calgary
Recommended stay at Dinosaur Park: 4-5 hours
Recommended non-camping accommodation: Taber or Lethbridge
Recommended camping accommodation: Dinosaur Provincial Park, Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park
Set your GPS to Dinosaur Provincial Park. In two hours of driving you will find yourself millions of years in the past where dinosaurs roamed the earth. There is nothing better to set the mood than Alberta badlands.
While driving enjoy the never-ending horizons and don't forget to stop at one of the turnouts to stretch your legs and take some pictures.
Another thing that we found interesting were the river valleys with steep cliffs. They are like holes in the ground or pits sheltered from the winds. Also on the way, watch for cows and horses on either side of the road and try to count them all.
Dinosaur Provincial Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has not only fossilized dinosaur bones that you can find and touch, but also a camel (Ask the staff about the camel and they will be happy to point it out and tell you its story).
Most of the park is closed to the public, however guided tours are available and strongly recommended. Tours can be reserved in advance via their website and I would strongly recommend this.
Tours can be reserved in advance via their website
The cafeteria has very tasty sandwiches if you are looking for a quick bite for lunch
If you are not a camper (we're not neither), head down to Taber or Lethrbridge for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Day 2
2h drive to Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park from Lethbridge
Recommended stay at Writing-on-Stone Park: 2-3 hours
2h drive to Waterton Lakes National Park
Recommended stay at Waterton Lakes Park: 2-3 hours (In 2018 most of the trails were closed)
Recommended non-camping accommodation: Waterton, Pincher Creek
Recommended camping accommodation: Waterton
After a morning drive through the flats, stop for a picturesque walk in Writing-on-Stone park. Hoodoos, other stone formations and of course writings are the highlight of the stroll. If it is raining heavily as it did when we were there, the Battle Scene petropglyph is still a must see and it is only a short walk from a parking lot. The small interpretive center is worth checking out as well. It gives background on the area, its importance to the natives, and the rock art itself.
Picture courtesy of Ian Anderson
You can grab lunch at the camp cafeteria at Wring-on-Stone but we did not tired it. On the way to Waterton Lakes our best option was Subway as local restaurants and cafes with good reviews were closed at a time. There might be a gem we did not find. Suggestions are welcomed.
While in Waterton Lakes National Park take a hiking trail off the road or just stroll along the lake. In 2018 the park was recovering from a large wild fire that happened in September 2017. Many of the trails were closed. It was also a rainy day, so a stroll along the lake was all we were able to do before the heavy rain started.
If you skipped lunch and or you need a quick appetizer, "Wieners of Waterton" is the place to visit. The town has also a large selection of bars and restaurant to choose from for dinner.
Find a place to stay around Waterton or Pincher Creek for two nights. There is lots to see and do.
Day 3
Visit to Crowsnest Pass: Bellevue Mine, Frank Slide, Crowsnest museum, Lundbreck Falls
Recommended stay at Bellevue Mines: 1-2 hours
Recommended stay at Frank Slide: 2-3 hours
Recommended stay at Crowsnest museum: 1-2 hours
Recommended stay at Lundbreck Falls: 30 min
Head to Bellevue Mine and take the guided tour which will explain how the coal was mined back in the old days. You can take a souvenir piece of coal with you as well.
Head towards the town of Frank. You can't miss the huge light gray rocks on either side of the road on the way. Stop at the Frank Slide interpretive center and learn the story behind the 90 million ton rocks. The center provides an excellent overview of the past going back million of years, as well as the future of the Crowsnest Pass. Learn why science is cool!
Visit the Crowsnest museum in Coleman. This small town museum is a great and quiet getaway that allows you to learn about the communities that live here and the mountains around. Don't miss the murder story of the prohibition times and the story of the first and last woman hanged in Alberta.
If you need to stretch your legs, stop at Lundbreck Falls and enjoy the rushing water.
Crowsnest pass area provides many opportunities for lunch and dinner.
If you are traveling during July or August, it is also worth checking out the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We were traveling in June and the learning sessions on the basics of the buffalo hunt were not yet available.
Day 4
2h drive to Bar U Ranch National Historic Site from Pincher Creek
Recommended stay at Bar-U-Ranch: 2-3 hours
30 min drive to Eau Claire Distillery (check their site for distillery tours and tasting)
Recommended stay at Eau Claire Distillery: 1 hour
30 min drive to Chinook Honey Company
Recommended stay at Chinook Honey Company: 30 min
Recommended non-camping accommodation: Calgary
Recommended camping accommodation: n/a
Head to Bar U Ranch and explore the grounds of a historical ranch that was the staple of the wild west. Enjoy the tales and displays of the historic site. Enjoy a stroll through the buildings and be sure to visit buildings like the saddle maker's workshop where you may be able to have a chat with a historic interpreter. Say hi to the horses from us, but please do not feed them.
You can grab an OK burger at the Bar U Ranch or head to Turner Valley and Eau Claire Distillery just 30 min away for other options. Enjoy the tour and tasting of their Gins, Vodka and Whiskey (if it is ready).
For any bee and honey lovers, the Chinook Honey Company is a 'must stop'. Enjoy watching a live hive and the bee dances. ( I should probably increase the recommended time spent there from 30 min to 1h. It is hard to step away from watching the bees at work.)
Head for a dinner in Calgary or Bragg Creek
If you have followed this loop and enjoyed it, please leave suggestions of improvement for others to enjoy.
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