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The places to visit near Calgary, Canada, offer an exciting gateway into Alberta’s backcountry, where mountains, valleys, and historical sites create an engaging adventure. Discover stunning national parks and heritage areas that tell the story of the province’s past. From ancient dinosaur footprints to cultural landmarks, these places to see near Calgary provide varied outdoor activities and unique experiences. Whether you enjoy hiking or exploring local history, the region offers opportunities for every traveller to immerse themselves in Alberta’s diverse landscapes and dynamic outdoors.
Top 10 Places To Visit Near Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Our list of places to visit near Calgary offers a gateway to outdoor adventures and cultural experiences in Alberta’s dramatic backcountry.
1. Waterton Lakes National Park
Photo: Khoshhat / Wikimedia Commons
Waterton Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage and Peace Park, is among the top places to visit near Calgary. Located southwest of Calgary and established in 1895, it unites prairie elements with mountain views. The Prince of Wales Hotel, built in 1927, overlooks Upper Waterton Lake. Crypt Lake Trail offers a challenging hike with waterfalls and glacial scenes. Activities include kayaking, spotting wildlife such as bison and bears, and winter cross-country skiing.
Nearest Airport: Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Nearest Railway Station: Lethbridge VIA Rail
Best Time To Visit: June – September
Timings: 24*7
Entry Fee: CAD 10.50 / ₹650
2. Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park
Photo: Matthias Süßen / Wikimedia Commons
Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park is a sacred Blackfoot Confederacy site and one of the key places to visit near Calgary. Located southeast of Calgary, it shows indigenous petroglyphs on sandstone hoodoos. Declared a National Historic Site in 2004, the park’s Milk River Valley holds a large collection of rock art. Guided tours explain the importance of Battle Scene carvings, while trails reveal geological formations. Canoeing on the Milk River and camping under dark skies finish the visit.
Nearest Airport: Lethbridge Airport (YQL), 42 km
Nearest Railway Station: Milk River Station, 35 km
Best Time To Visit: May – October
Timings: 8 AM – 8 PM
Entry Fee: CAD 5 / ₹ 300
3. Crowsnest Pass
Photo: dave_7 / Wikimedia Commons
Crowsnest Pass is one of the notable places to visit near Calgary, situated in the southwest of Calgary. This mountain pass connects five towns: Blairmore, Bellevue, Coleman, Hillcrest, and Frank. The Frank Slide Interpretive Centre commemorates the 1903 rockslide that buried Frank under 110 million tonnes of limestone. Visitors can explore abandoned coal mines on the Bellevue Underground Mine Tour or hike Turtle Mountain trails, while Leitch Collieries ruins and the Crowsnest Museum reveal significant industrial heritage.
Nearest Airport: Pincher Creek Airport, 45 km
Nearest Railway Station: Crowsnest Station, 1 km
Best Time To Visit: July – September
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fee: N/A
4. Kananaskis Country
Photo: minniemouseaunt / Wikimedia Commons
Kananaskis Country is a provincial park system and one of the important places to visit near Calgary, spanning 4,200 km², located 105 km west of Calgary. It comprises 51 parks and protected areas. The 1988 Winter Olympics luge track at Canada Olympic Park remains operational, while the 1947 Nakiska Ski Area offers year-round activities. Hikers traverse Ptarmigan Cirque Trail’s meadows or kayak on Upper Kananaskis Lake. The 3.4 km Grotto Canyon Trail features indigenous pictographs and waterfalls in winter.
Nearest Airport: Springbank Airport (YBW), 75 km
Nearest Railway Station: Canmore Station, 30 km
Best Time To Visit: Year-round
Timings: 24*7
Entry Fee: CAD 15 / ₹ 900
5. Canmore
Photo: Yoshio Kohara / Wikimedia Commons
Canmore, founded as a coal mining town in 1884, is another of the significant places to visit near Calgary, located 105 km west of Calgary. The 1988 Olympics reshaped the town into an adventure hub. The Grassi Lakes Trail leads to striking glacial lakes, while the Canmore Nordic Centre provides 100 km of mountain biking trails. Historic Engine Bridge offers clear views of the Bow River, and the Canmore Museum presents the town’s mining heritage with detailed exhibits.
Nearest Airport: Calgary International Airport (YYC), 105 km
Nearest Railway Station: Canmore Station, 2 km
Best Time To Visit: June – October
Timings: 24*7
Entry Fee: N/A
6. Drumheller (Royal Tyrrell Museum)
Photo: Milorad Dimić MD / Wikimedia Commons
Drumheller, located in the Badlands 135 km northeast of Calgary, is one of the historical places to visit near Calgary. Its Royal Tyrrell Museum houses 160,000 fossils, including a Tyrannosaurus rex. The 1.4 km Horsethief Canyon Trail exposes 70-million-year-old sedimentary layers, while the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site preserves 1936 mining infrastructure. Additionally, the 2.4 km Hoodoo Trail displays distinctive mushroom-shaped rock formations for visitors to explore. It provides valuable educational insights and unforgettable outdoor adventures.
Nearest Airport: Drumheller Airport, 6 km
Nearest Railway Station: Drumheller Station, 3 km
Best Time To Visit: May – September
Timings: 9 AM – 9 PM
Entry Fee: CAD 21 / ₹ 1,300
7. Fort Calgary
Photo: Bernard Spragg / Wikimedia Commons
Fort Calgary stands as one of the significant places to visit near Calgary. Established in 1875 as a North-West Mounted Police outpost, it is a National Historic Site located at the Bow-Elbow confluence. Today, Fort Calgary houses archaeological exhibits. The 1888 Hunt House, Calgary’s oldest surviving building, displays fur trade artefacts. Guided tours allow visitors to explore a reconstruction of the 1875 barracks and the 1912 Deane House, offering historical insights into early Calgary life.
Nearest Airport: Calgary International Airport (YYC), 12 km
Nearest Railway Station: Calgary Stampede Station, 1 km
Best Time To Visit: Year-round
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fee: CAD 12 / ₹ 720
8. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Photo: Grungaloo / Wikimedia Commons
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is one of the beautiful places to visit near Calgary. Founded in 1929 by businessman William Reader, this 36-hectare urban wildlife reserve provides a unique opportunity to observe 270 bird species. It’s a 2.8 km loop trail that crosses the Bow River using pedestrian bridges built in 2001. At the Nature Centre, live camera feeds monitor great horned owl nests, offering visitors an engaging view of local wildlife in an accessible city setting.
Nearest Airport: Calgary International Airport (YYC), 18 km
Nearest Railway Station: Inglewood Station, 0.5 km
Best Time To Visit: April – October
Timings: 10 AM – 4 PM
Entry Fee: N/A
9. The Military Museums
Photo: Cszmurlo / Wikimedia Commons
The Military Museums form another of the notable places to visit near Calgary. Located 8 km southwest of downtown, Canada’s second-largest military museum complex spans 13,000 m² and features 7 galleries. At the Naval Museum, HMCS Calgary’s bridge replica is on display, while the Army Museum exhibits a Leopard 1 tank that illustrates Cold War armour. In addition, aviation enthusiasts can study the Air Force Museum’s CF-104 Starfighter, enriching their understanding of Canada’s military history.
Nearest Airport: Calgary International Airport (YYC), 20 km
Nearest Railway Station: Chinook Station, 3 km
Best Time To Visit: Year-round
Timings: 9:30 AM – 4 PM
Entry Fee: CAD 16 / ₹ 960
10. The Hangar Flight Museum
Photo: Pi3.124 / Wikimedia Commons
The list of places to visit near Calgary is incomplete without the Hangar Flight Museum. Located at Calgary’s former WWII British Commonwealth Air Training Plan base, the museum preserves 40 aircraft, including a 1943 Lancaster bomber. It features the 1919 Avro 504K, recognised as Canada’s oldest airworthy plane, which performs annual demonstration flights. Interactive simulators enable visitors to recreate WWII dogfights, providing an engaging educational experience that brings Canada’s aviation heritage to life for enthusiasts and families.
Nearest Airport: Calgary International Airport (YYC), 5 km
Nearest Railway Station: Barlow/Max Bell Station, 1 km
Best Time To Visit: Year-round
Timings: 10 AM – 4 PM
Entry Fee: CAD 14 / ₹ 840
These places to visit Near Calgary beckon travellers to explore Alberta’s diverse landscapes and historical landmarks. These attractions near Calgary present a mix of outdoor challenges, cultural sites, and friendly local communities. Whether planning a short escape or an extended break, each destination promises memorable experiences. Plan your trip now with TripXL and step into a world of adventure that awaits you in these tourist attractions near Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Cover Photo: Kay Röllig / Wikimedia Commons
