Top Things to do in Canadian Rockies
The 6 Best Canyons in Canadian Rockies, Canadian Rockies
From Alberta’s southwestern border north into British Columbia, the Canadian Rockies are a network of provincial and national parks that collectively make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Banff and Jasper national parks are connected by the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in the world. The towns of Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper are hubs for adventures including hiking, horseback riding, rafting and wildlife viewing. Accommodation ranges from hotels to mountain lodges.
Restaurants in Canadian Rockies
1. Maligne Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,561 reviews
A scenic limestone canyon with waterfalls and walking trails.
Reviewed By nikkisC5765BV - Banff, Canada
I did the whole hike all the way to 6th bridge (7+km out and back). The first 1/4 of the hike is heavily trafficked as it follows the canyon. After this, it follows a gorgeous river through the woods to 6th bridge. Stunning the whole way. Great for families as it can be customized to a long or short hike depending on which bridge crossing you turn back Lovely cafe with outdoor seating and a firepit at the parking lot.
2. Mistaya Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 168 reviews
Reviewed By Stef860 - Arroyo Grande, United States
We were debating whether we should go here, but so glad we did! It wasn't overly crowded like some of the other places we went to. It is about a 10 min walk from the parking lot, (which wasn't full!) through a beautiful forest. There is a bridge that overlooks the water rushing through the canyon. The sheer power of it takes your breath away! We walked out on the rocks, (which I probably wouldn't recommend for parents of wild toddlers to do as there are drop-offs). We also went on the hike that goes up into the forest, which was peaceful, gorgeous and not crowded at all.
3. Sunwapta Falls and Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 782 reviews
Reviewed By Found_Lost_Key
As you head south along the Icefields Parkway, hang a right just after the Rocky Mountain Lodge and travel down that road for a few hundred metres until you reach the Sunwapta Falls carpark, plenty of parking and toilets here. It is a very short walk to the falls track. You come to a T junction and once there you can go left down a fairly steep rough track for views of the river before it drops, or turn right and head over the bridge or keep going for views of the falls from a distance and see the canyon. The track from the carpark to the bridge is wheelchair accessible. We spent about 30+ minutes here. Plenty of water going over it in mid May.
4. Red Rock Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 859 reviews
Reviewed By GallantJ - Alberta, Canada
We visited Red Rock Canyon in July 2020. The drive along Red Rock Canyon was beautiful and scenic. We were disappointed that we didn't see any wildlife as others had mentioned, but the landscape is amazing and shows the devastation left by the fire. The wild flower ground cover is impressive, as it grows up where the trees were once super thick. There are two parking lots at the canyon, both of which fill up quickly by mid-day. There are also washrooms on site. We arrived at 9:30 on a Thursday, well before the crowds, and had the place almost to ourselves. I've seen pictures of the canyon crowded with hundreds of people, which is the way it was by the time we left a few hours later. Definitely go early for a more serene experience. One of the bridges was out, so it wasn't possible to do a complete loop around the canyon. The park is undergoing lots of repairs and upgrades since the fire. It's great to see the area coming back since the fire, so this is all part of the process. It's a super easy hike around the canyon, and we were able to safely venture down into it and explore. The kids liked playing the cold water. Some people sat and had a lunch. From the canyon, there are a number of hiking paths and horse trails of varying difficulty levels. We chose to hike up to Blackiston Falls (about 1 km), and while we turned around here, there is a much longer hike that continues past this point. The path is clear all the way and the scenery absolutely beautiful. At the falls, they have built two look-off platforms. It is an easy hike for all ages. I highly recommend going early in the day, or perhaps even later in the evening. By the time we left, people were circling the parking lot looking for spaces, the canyon was full of visitors, and the place just didn't feel as nice. Overall, a great experience. A beautiful spot!
5. Grotto Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 207 reviews
Reviewed By wigger_cw - Strathcona County, Canada
Had a nice NY day hike at Grotto. Was very busy but what isn't this time of year. The hike isn't too tough and I knocked it off in a pair of Nikes. I can see some ppl's concern and you might want to be better equipped than I, it is an icy river bed and rocky terrain. Lots to see and not too long to complete. We went well past the "cave", took many pics and round trip was under 2 hours.
