What to do in Kananaskis Country: Easy, scenic roadside stops

Move over, Banff: for less crowds, outrageously beautiful views and even better wildlife spotting, those in the know head to nearby Kananaskis Country instead.

“K-Country” is on the outskirts of Banff National Park and contains nine different provincial parks which showcase the towering Rocky Mountains, gem-toned alpine lakes and ‘larch madness’ when the valleys transform as larch trees turn from green to gold every autumn.

One of the area’s best features is how accessible it is; located only about 45 minutes from Calgary, there are fantastic road side stops (no hiking boots required!) which makes this a very family-friendly destination that we regularly explore with our two little ones.

From easy trails to picturesque picnic spots, here’s where to find some of the best views in Kananaskis Country with minimal effort.

Spray Lakes in Kananaskis Country — Spray Lakes

Quick find

What to do in Kananaskis Country: The Village Rim Trail

One of my favourite things to do in Kananaskis–and perhaps the most underrated–is walking the Village Rim Trail.

The 1.3km pathway loops around Kananaskis Village starting from the public parking lot, and there are five different lookout points with insane views. You’ll look across the valley at mountain ranges like The Wedge, Mount Kidd, down at the meandering river and the Kananaskis Country Golf Course fairways.

The view from the Village Rim Trail in Kananaskis Country — The view from the Village Rim Trail

Picnic tables and benches are positioned along the way, and there’s also a panoramic lookout point. Best of all it’s fully paved, so very easy for anyone to do even when visiting with a wheelchair or stroller.

Mount Lorette Ponds

Another fantastic spot to head out for a stroll are the Mount Lorette Ponds (named for a peak to the north), which is one of the best picnic spots in Kananaskis.

Here, three engineered pools are situated at a bend in the Kananaskis River which showcase unreal reflections of the surrounding mountain ranges. Flat, paved pathways fan out around them, there are cute wooden bridges and docks, and picnic areas are tucked into the trees.

When Highway 40 was upgraded decades ago these oxbows were cut off from the river, so a ground water discharge source replenishes them throughout the year, and they were deepened to increase the quality of the habitat. Now, they’re regularly stocked with fish making it a ‘put-and-take’ fishery and chances are you’ll see some would-be anglers.

Birders will also appreciate that the ponds are a prime spot for viewing the migrations of Canada geese, ospreys and golden eagles.

Forgetmenot Pond

If you only pick one spot for photos, this is it.

The reflections in Forgetmenot Pond are absolutely mesmerizing, making this a standout spot if you find yourself in Little Elbow Provincial Recreation Area on the east side of K-Country near Bragg Creek.

The day use area has multiple picnic sites complete with fire pits, and a nice walking path around the pond is partially paved.

Wedge Pond

A personal favourite, we seem to end up at this spot every single time we visit Kananaskis.

Named for the uniquely-shaped Wedge Mountain to the south, Wedge Pond was the original source of topsoil for building the nearby golf course back in the 1980s; in fact, over 33-thousand truckloads were hauled over!

An interpretive trail circles the water, and it only takes about 15 minutes to make it around the mostly-flat dirt trail. There are picnic sites galore perched into the hillside overlooking the water, and the last time I visited there was actually a wedding happening at the main overlook! This is also a prime spot for paddleboarding on a hot summer day.

Wedge Pond is only a 10 minute drive from Kananaskis Village right off Hwy 40, and also a trailhead for the fantastic Bill Milne bike trail.

Globe Guide tip: the Bill Milne Bike Trail starts with a steep downhill from the Village, so if you’re only doing the ride as a one-way then arrange to get picked up in the Wedge Pond parking lot for a much easier outing.

Mount Engadine Lodge

It’s a bit of a trek to get out to Mount Engadine Lodge which is nestled along the unpaved Smith Dorrian Trail in Spray Lakes Provincial Park, but the effort is well worth it to soak in one of the best views in Kananaskis.

This quintessentially-Canadian lodge boasts one of the most photogenic alpine views in Kananaskis, with a wraparound deck overlooking a long alpine valley frequented by moose and bears, between Tent Ridge and Mt. Engadine.

This is a spot you’ll definitely want to stay overnight at if possible, but another option is to book in for their daily Afternoon Tea ($37 per person, 2-5pm). The scrumptious spread features a charcuterie board overflowing with local meats, cheese and jellies, paired with fresh-baked apple strudel, tea and coffee and is best enjoyed on the sun-soaked outdoor patio while admiring the view.

Mount Engadine Lodge in Kananaskis, Alberta — Mount Engadine Lodge

Buller Pond

Just a few minutes’ drive from Mount Engadine Lodge along the Smith-Dorrien Road is Buller Pond, a picturesque rest area with a rare view of Mount Assiniboine to the west.

There are a couple of picnic tables, fire pits, restrooms and a short flat walking path for admiring the reflections of the surrounding peaks, which makes this a good pit stop if you find yourself in this lesser-visited area.

Buller Pond in Kananaskis, Alberta — Buller Pond

Upper Kananskis Lake

This day use area in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is understandably one of the most popular areas in Kananaskis Country.

Surrounded by campsites, trailheads and picnic sites, there are opportunities for year-round adventures including hiking, biking, boating, ice fishing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Upper Kananaskis Lake is one of the best hikes in Kananaskis — Upper Kananaskis Lake

It’s easy enough to soak in the view of the dazzling ice blue lake (technically a reservoir) from the main parking lot where there’s a vast waterfront area.

My recommendation is to head out from here for the hike to Rawson Lake (one of my personal faves), but if you don’t have a few hours to dedicate to that then simply walk to Sarrail Falls instead.

Rawson Lake is one of the best hikes in Kananaskis — Rawson Lake

This is a great option for families with little ones since the treed-in pathway edging the lake is only 1.1km each way. The payoff is getting to cross a wooden bridge and stand right beside a thundering waterfall, before heading down to the water to enjoy the mountain views.

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Spray Lakes

The stunning Spray Lakes reservoir is one of the largest bodies of water in Kananaskis Country, in the heart of Spray Lakes Provincial Park. The views of the lake from various trails and viewpoints in the valley are some of the best in K-Country, making this a favoured area for hiking, fishing, kayaking and off-grid camping.

You can easily see the reservoir from the gravel highway (note that this area has no cell service), and this area is particularly important for the grizzly bears that move in and out of the national park.

Highwood Pass

The amazing thing about K-Country is you don’t even need to get out of the car to enjoy it. One of the top attractions in Kananaskis is the Highwood Pass, a stretch of Highway 40 which I personally rate as one of Canada’s most scenic drives.

At an elevation of 2,206 m (7,239 ft), this is Canada’s highest paved road pass and the gateway to some of K-Country’s best larch hikes.

Located in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, most start the drive from the southern Alberta town of Longview, then continue to follow the Highwood Pass Loop Drive through the park eventually ending up at the Trans-Canada (Hwy 1) turnoff.

Expect glorious views (especially during fall) and wildlife viewing—you’re all but guaranteed to see a herd of bighorn sheep along the way.

It’s important to note that the road closes to vehicle traffic from December 1 to June 14 every year to help protect animals during migration and birthing seasons; this is a great time for a bike ride, to enjoy a car-free cycle through the pass.