Alberta

Alberta has a little bit of everything that makes a Canadian road trip memorable. From the Rocky Mountains and turquoise lakes to wide-open prairie, badlands and small towns where the coffee is hot and the stories come easy.

The Rockies are an obvious place to start. Banff and Jasper National Parks offer towering peaks, mountain lakes, wildlife and some spectacular driving, especially along the Icefields Parkway. But head east and Alberta changes character. Around Drumheller, the prairie gives way to the hoodoos and rugged landscapes of the Alberta Badlands, where dinosaurs have left their mark in some of the world's richest fossil beds.

Then there are Alberta's cities and communities. Calgary brings western roots, big-city energy and the famous Calgary Stampede, while Edmonton is known for its festivals, arts, river valley and year round activity. For a quieter taste of Alberta, explore Waterton Lakes National Park, wander the historic streets of Fort Macleod, or visit Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, where Indigenous rock art and sandstone hoodoos tell stories far older than the province itself. In summer, smaller events such as the Kananaskis Country Fair, Lesser Slave Lake’s Northern Lights Festival Borealis and the Taber Cornfest offer a more local, less-traveled side of Alberta. Outside the cities, you'll find mountain villages, prairie towns, ranching communities and roadside stops that can turn an ordinary drive into part of the adventure.

Whether you're hiking a mountain trail, looking for wildlife, chasing dinosaur fossils, casting a line, skiing fresh powder or simply taking the long way down a country road, Alberta gives you plenty of reasons to keep exploring.

Come explore Alberta, discover unforgettable towns and places, and find your next adventure along the way.