Kananaskis in the Canadian Rockies is as beautiful as Banff without the crowds

Nestled between the rolling foothills of the backcountry and the towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies, Kananaskis is a mosaic of parks and protected areas encompassing more than 1,500 square miles of mountain wilderness west of Calgary. With hundreds of kilometers of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, plus cerulean lakes for canoeing and kayaking, Kananaskis has been Alberta’s outdoor playground for decades. Now, thanks to hosting the G7 Summit in Kananaskis Village in June, it has had its global debut.

“We used to say it’s the best-kept secret in the Canadian Rockies,” says Boundary Ranch manager Haylie Guinn, who has lived in Kananaskis most of her life. “Kananaskis is a little quieter and more secluded than Banff, but it has the same beauty.”

I have been returning to Kananaskis for these reasons for 25 years. It’s a place where I can hike or camp in a mountainous setting straight out of the movies (“The Revenant” and “Brokeback Mountain” were filmed here), but still feel like I have the forest trail or picnic spot to myself. Even Kananaskis Village, the region’s center with a hotel, restaurants, spa, general store and equipment company, sits in a serene valley surrounded by trails. It’s that easy access to nature that attracts Canadian and international visitors.

“People who go there are looking for that kind of immersive experience,” says Andrew Hempstead, a longtime Banff resident and author of 12 editions of the handbook “The Canadian Rockies” for Moon Travel Guides. “There are still regions in Kananaskis that are not traveled much.”

On a recent trip, I was thrilled to see that Kananaskis is as peaceful and picturesque as ever, with some new-to-me surprises, including an expansive Nordic spa and my first sighting of black bears on horseback (on previous visits, I’ve seen moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats from the car). Here’s how to make the most of a trip to Alberta’s lesser-known mountain enclave.

The best hotels and resorts

Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge

With fine dining options, a Nordic spa, and luxury bedding and robes in the rooms, the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge at Kananaskis Village softens the rough edges of any nature getaway. To further elevate the stay, the newly launched Black Diamond Club Pamper guests with a private lounge for breakfast and afternoon hors d’oeuvres, plus a concierge who can help you plan personalized itineraries.

Accommodation in Mount Engadine

This boutique nature lodge is located on a lush meadow framed by soaring limestone peaks in Spray Valley Provincial Park, one of nine protected Kananaskis parks. The lodge’s cozy rooms, rustic-yet-luxurious cabins, and glamping tents nod to Canadian refinement—think wood headboards, plaid blankets, and woodsy touches like vintage snowshoes hanging on the wall. Overnight stays include breakfast, a packed lunch for the day’s adventure, afternoon tea, and a gourmet Rocky Mountain-inspired dinner such as roasted Canadian lamb loin.

“The lodge is famous for the whole experience. The food is really good, as are the views,” Hempstead says. In fact, guests have a good chance of seeing bull elk in the meadow below the lodge during the fall mating season.

Skyridge Glamping

For a couple’s getaway, the adults-only one Skyridge Glamping near Kananaskis Village combines luxury with nature within eco-friendly cabins that bring the outdoors indoors. Look for wildlife through the floor-to-ceiling windows from your king-size bed, or visit the property’s equipment loan closet to borrow a backpack, trekking poles, and map for a day hike. The cabins are equipped with plush mattresses, heated floors, gourmet kitchens, and yoga mats for daily practice.

The best things to do

Saddle up at Boundary Ranch.

Limit Ranch offers a variety of trail tours from May to October that are a fun way to experience the mountains while learning about the region’s ranching history. The two-hour Ridge Ride offers fantastic views and the chance to see wildlife like deer or even bear.

Hike to Chester Lake.

This 5.5-mile out-and-back trail has it all: shady forests, wildflower-filled meadows, and a turquoise alpine lake at the foot of rugged mountain tops. In the fall, Hempstead recommends walking a little further chester lake to Elephant Rocks, a group of huge limestone boulders surrounded by conifers called larches, whose soft needles turn a buttery yellow in late September.

Stop by the Kananaskis Country Golf Course.

There’s no guarantee you’ll see wildlife as you drive through the emerald streets of Kananaskis’ two top-rated hotels. golf coursesbut each hole offers stunning views of the mountains and natural hazards like streams and ponds. “The golf course is phenomenal,” Hempstead says. “The layout, the landscape: it’s in an open valley with a river running through it.”

Practice rafting in rapids.

Kananaskis River Features Class 2 and 3 rapidswhich are the perfect introduction to rafting for beginners or families. The river also flows through Canoe Meadows, a world-class whitewater course with man-made rapids that make navigating it an exhilarating experience.

Relax at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa.

original from alberta nordic spa disconnects bathers from technology while connecting them to the outdoors. Cycle through the spa’s saunas, steam rooms, hot pools and cold plunges, then retreat to a cool hammock or relaxing cabana for an idyllic break. “The spa is definitely my happy place,” Guinn says.

The best restaurants

Strong Restaurant

Modern Italian dishes are on the menu Fortea casual spot in Kananaskis Village. “Their baked pizzas are really good,” Guinn says. “And the pasta dishes, like the braised short rib pappardelle, are excellent.” After dinner, have your glass of wine al fresco for dessert: complimentary s’mores prepared by a campfire at Kananaskis Mountain Lodge.

Summit Restaurant

Located in the golf course clubhouse, Summit Restaurant It serves classics like burgers and sandwiches, plus elevated dishes with a Canadian twist, like panko-crusted walleye. Stop by for dinner and drinks on the sun-drenched patio after a round of golf, or pedal in for lunch up the paved path from Kananaskis Village.

black tail bar

This cozy lobby lounge revolutionizes globally-inspired cocktails and pairs them with shared plates and handhelds like the Prime Rib and Cheesesteak Sandwich. Order a drink from the G7 Global Cocktail Series, created by mixologist Graham Hart to recognize countries that attended the G7 Summit.

The Longview Steakhouse

Located on the eastern edge of Kananaskis, where the mountains flatten out, this eponymous steakhouse is known as much for its long prairie views as it is for its tender cuts of meat. “The Longview Steakhouse “It’s one of the best meals I’ve ever had in my entire life,” Hempstead says. “They use exclusively local meat and this year you can’t get a reservation; there is no priority for food writers, celebrities or football stars.” Reservations for 2026 are also closed, but you can join a booking exchange facebook group.

Best time to visit

The best seasons to visit Kananaskis for outdoor activities are summer and early fall, when trails are dry and warmer temperatures prevail. But while the weather is mostly cooperative, it can change quickly, and adventurers should bring extra layers and rain gear, just in case. Kananaskis is also right on bear countryand it is recommended to travel in groups, make noise along the trail, and carry bear spray on hikes or mountain bike rides.

Winter is also a wonderful surprise, when soft snow covers the valley paths and dusts the mountain tops. Kananaskis Outfitters rent snowshoes, nordic skis and winter fatbikes, or you can go alpine skiing in Nakiska Ski Resortwhich was built for the 1988 Winter Olympics.

How to get there

Kananaskis is located about an hour’s drive west of Calgary. Calgary International Airport (YYC) is the most convenient gateway, with direct flights from major cities in the US, Canada and Europe.

How to move

You can take a shuttle to Kananaskis Village from the airport, but a rental car will give you more flexibility: many hikes and activities require a car trip. Visitors arriving by car must purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to park your vehicle in Kananaskis or Bow Valley.