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Jasper National Park, Alberta

Alberta vacations
Jasper National Park, Alberta

Alberta vacations

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In Alberta, jagged crags rise against an expansive sky, golden-furred bears lumber alongside the road and placid, turquoise lakes reflect towering pines. The landscape here practically defines rugged, especially in the two sprawling national parks on Alberta’s western edge. In the east, you’ll find windswept prairies where modern-day cowboys still embody the Old West. The pioneering spirit of Canada thrives in Alberta’s peaks and plains, and our specialists have explored the region so we can plan your vacation to Alberta around your interests.

Banff and Jasper National Parks boast some of the Rockies’ most pristine scenery, which you can explore on a guided heli-hike above the timberline or a white-water rafting trip down the icy Athabasca River. For a more restful tour, drive past the mirror-like lakes and soaring peaks that line the Icefields Parkway or take a narrated boat ride on the glacial sky-blue waters of Maligne Lake. Farther south at Waterton Lakes National Park, the mountains are just as impressive but much quieter. In eastern Alberta, hunt for dinosaur footprints in the dusty stones of the Alberta Badlands or visit the Calgary Stampede, where each July you can watch rodeos and chuckwagon races.

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Places to visit in Alberta

Featuring heavily on our experiences of visiting Alberta, these selected places are destinations that also prove consistently popular with our travelers. Our specialists can help you choose how to include them in your wider trip, based on your preferences.

Suggested itineraries featuring Alberta

Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Alberta, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of Alberta

Places & hotels on the map

    Places in and around Alberta

    Photos of Alberta

    • Banff National Park, Alberta
      Banff National Park, Alberta
    • Jasper National Park, Alberta
      Jasper National Park, Alberta
    • Bowness Park, Calgary, Alberta
      Bowness Park, Calgary, Alberta
    • Lake Louise, Alberta
      Lake Louise, Alberta
    • Banff National Park, Alberta
      Banff National Park, Alberta
    • Elk bull near Jasper, Alberta
      Elk bull near Jasper, Alberta
    • The Trans-Canada Highway, near Canmore
      The Trans-Canada Highway, near Canmore
    • Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park
      Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park

    Our expert guides to exploring Alberta

    Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Alberta, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Alberta at its best.

    • Highlights of the Canadian Rockies
      Banff National Park

      Highlights of the Canadian Rockies

      Highlights of the Canadian Rockies

      With glacier-fed lakes, thick pine forests and sharp, triangular mountains, the Canadian Rockies are a true wilderness area. Activities can include hiking, canoeing and visiting glaciers. Canada specialist Emily explains how you can make the most of your trip to the Rockies.

      10 min read

      Read this guide
    • Self-drive vacations in Canada
      Jasper National Park

      Self-drive vacations in Canada

      Self-drive vacations in Canada

      Whether you choose a route circuiting western Canada’s renowned mountains, glaciers and lakes, or you’d rather go off-grid exploring the traditional fishing villages and coastal drives of the Maritimes, Canada’s well-maintained, easily navigable roads make it an excellent self-drive destination.

      7 min read

      Read this guide
    • Walking vacations in Canada
      Lake Louise, Canada

      Walking vacations in Canada

      Walking vacations in Canada

      If you're planning a tailor-made walking vacation in Canada our specialists can advise on the best places to visit and where to stay to get the most out of your trip. Canada is also home to one of the most exhilarating forms of walking vacation — the heli-hike.

      1 min read

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    • Self-driving in western Canada
      Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park

      Self-driving in western Canada

      Self-driving in western Canada

      Canada specialists Kerry and Annie share their tried-and-tested self-drive routes in western Canada. You might want to follow a lesser-known loop through the Canadian Rockies, detouring to the Okanagan wine region. Or, take in British Columbia’s coastline and Vancouver Island.

      9 min read

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    Accommodation choices for Alberta

    We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Alberta. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.