With an unlimited amount of trails to hike, lakes to explore, wildlife to see, and adventure to be had the Canadian Rockies it is a great place for a family vacation. It is one of the most beautiful places in Canada, and possibly the world. This mountain range is perfect for exploration during a family vacation! The Rocky Mountains span a total of 3,000 miles from British Columbia in Canada down to New Mexico in the United States. It’s the section in Alberta that may be the best. Here are some of our favorite things to do in the Canadian Rockies!
1. Drive Along the Icefields Parkway
One of the most scenic drives in all of North America, no trip to the Canadian Rockies is complete without taking a drive down the Icefields Parkway. This highway is 144 miles long and cuts right through the mountain range. It will take you past icefields, tall mountain peaks, vast valleys, and turquoise blue lakes. This pretty drive is not to be missed!
2. Look for Wildlife
This is one of the premier places in the world for wildlife viewing. From large animals to small, the Rockies are teeming with wildlife. You can find bighorn sheep, black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, moose, coyotes, beavers, porcupines, elk, chipmunks, marmots, grouse, caribou, and more! Nothing excites kids like seeing wildlife roaming in their natural habitats only a few yards away, and it’s one of our all time favorite things to do while in the Canadian Rockies.
3. Hike Mountain Trails
If your family likes to hike and be active together this is the place to go. There is a set of well-known trails through the Valley of the Ten Peaks around Moraine Lake. To add a little more adventure to a hike, do it on a glacier! In the Rockies you can hike on the Athabasca Glacier, it’s memorable and a ton of fun. Some other notable hikes to check out are to Troll Falls and Takkakaw Falls. These hikes are the perfect level for travel with kids!
4. Kayak on Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake isn’t just a great place to hike near, but it is a superb place to get out on the water. The water in Moraine Lake is visually stunning, with deep shades of turquoise that fluctuate with the season and the amount of glacial runoff that feeds the lake. Gliding across its surface on a kayak surrounded by mountains and wilderness is a pure adventure!
5. Whitewater Raft
If your family likes to bond over adrenaline pumping fun, whitewater rafting down the Kicking Horse River is something that you should absolutely do while you’re in the Canadian Rockies! The river runs just over 13 miles with continuous turns, dips, and dives over rushing rapids. Your family will feel the fun and excitement on the river with each rapid cleared!
6. Relax in the Hot Springs
A mostly unknown, yet spectacular thing to do in the Canadian Rockies on your family vacation is to relax in the hot springs. These warm natural pools are filled with minerals that are good for the body. One of the best places to go is the Banff Upper Hot Springs at the base of Sulphur Mountain, just outside of Banff town.
7. Watch the Sunrise Over Lake Louise
The beauty of the Canadian Rockies cannot be understated. Lake Louise is one of its most beautiful backdrops and one way to have a special experience away from the daily crowds is to wake up early and watch the sunrise. It’s breathtaking to watch the mountain tops, trees, and lake slowly light up from the beaming sun.
What are you waiting for? Take your next family vacation to the Canadian Rockies!
