Alberta road journey Itinerary - Fossils, First Nations, and Frontiers
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properly, this might sometimes very properly be the proper Alberta road journey for you! I not too prolonged in the past set off from Calgary on every week-prolonged drive round a quantity of of the unimaginable Provincial and nationwide Parks that southern Alberta has to current. So, I’ve popped collectively this itinerary with all through the place you have gotten to go to – collectively with my extreme ideas for what to see and do, and the place to protect, everytime you’re there!
My journey was supported by journey Alberta and discover Canada. however, as ever, all phrases and opinions are utterly my very personal. This publish accommodates some affiliate hyperlinks.
1. Southern Alberta road journey Route Map
This Alberta road journey publish is all regarding the route I took on my current solo journey there. I hit a quantity of of primarily the most spectacular spots throughout the south of the state, collectively with a quantity of provincial parks and one nationwide park.
Banff and Jasper are additionally two properly-preferred spots for road journeys in Alberta. however a terrific deal of posts exist about these two locations, so i believed I’d suppose about Southern Alberta. in case you’re visiting these two parks, this road journey route makes a terrific extension in your journey. Or, in case you merely want to see a distinct facet of the province, go to a numerous range of landscapes, and delve barely deeper into the area’s historic previous – this route is for you!
From the dinosaur fossils and wind-sculpted hoodoos of the Badlands, to the fascinating traces of Alberta’s proud indigenous cultures, to tales from the frontier days of Canada’s early historic previous – there’s pretty a quantity of historic previous to discover. start and finish the journey in Calgary – a cool metropolis with loads to protect you busy. Then press on to the parks of Southern Alberta to discover an unimaginable array of landscapes. beneath, I’ve mapped out the itinerary in a bit extra element…
2. Itinerary
2.1 Calgary
actually useful Nights: at the least two.
associated publish: gratifying issues to do in Calgary
Calgary is the proper place to start an Alberta road journey. The worldwide airport is simply 17km from the metropolis so it’s a simple drive into the centre. And the metropolis itself is a very cool place to spend a quantity of days.
slicing through the centre of Calgary is the vast and serene Bow River, lined with bushes, parklands, and cycle paths. it is a significantly inexperienced metropolis; so a lot so as that at occasions I forgot i used to be in a metropolis in any respect. There are tons of funky neighbourhoods to discover – from the boutique retailers of seventeenth Avenue to the gritty-cool of Inglewood.
With cool road artwork dotted round, some unimaginable structure (equivalent to the mannequin new Central Public Library inside the East Village), and a terrific deal of intriguing museums, Calgary is bursting with gratifying issues to do! in point of fact, I packed so a lot into my quick time in there, that I needed to place in writing a whole separate publish about it!
the place to protect
I stayed on the Fairmont Palliser lodge in downtown Calgary. It’s an unimaginable, historic constructing stuffed with grandeur and luxurious. this is ready to be the proper place to unwind after a busy Alberta road journey or a quantity of days of journey inside the nationwide parks!
2.2 Drumheller and the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
actually useful Nights: one. might very properly be accomplished as a day journey en path to Dinosaur Provincial Park relying in your time constraints.
A road journey round Southern Alberta will take you deep into the province’s historic previous. approach again, in point of fact, to its prehistory. Alberta’s Badlands are significantly rich in fossils. Dinosaur Provincial Park – my second road journey cease – is the richest dinosaur fossil web site on this planet. nonetheless it’s in Drumheller that you only’ll discover the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.
Even in case you have gotten solely the faintest of curiosity in dinosaurs, the Royal Tyrrell Museum is properly worth a go to. it is an infinite assortment of each real and reproduction fossils, all of them found proper right here in Alberta!
round an hour and a half from Calgary, Drumheller makes a terrific first cease on an Alberta road journey. The metropolis lies inside the shadow of the World’s Largest T-Rex – you presumably can’t miss it – and the surrounding Badlands are prime climbing territory.
study extra: right here’s a pretty full publish overlaying the easiest issues to do in Drumheller in case you’ll like some inspiration.
the place to protect
I stayed on the Canalta Jurassic Inn, simply on the sting of Drumheller metropolis. It was a primary, funds-nice lodge, however great snug and properly-equipped. Plus they’d free popcorn inside the foyer! fantastic for an night or two in case you’re simply passing through metropolis.
in case you’d pretty hold a little nearer to nature, there are numerous RV Parks and Campgrounds round Drumheller. very best for a quantity of days climbing inside the Badlands.
2.three Dinosaur Provincial Park
actually useful Nights: at the least one.
Alberta’s obsession with dinosaurs all started in 1884, when Joseph Tyrrell found the fossil of an Albertosaurus skull. It sparked a fossil-discovering-frenzy to rival the gold rush. the good Canadian Dinosaur Rush (1910-1917) noticed hundreds of fossils collected, many purchased throughout the globe.
over the final century, over one hundred fifty full dinosaur skeletons have been found in what’s now Dinosaur Provincial Park, from larger than 50 completely different species. New fossils are found on a daily basis, and possibilities are extreme you’ll possibly nonetheless see energetic excavations contained in the park. Smaller fossils, collectively with bones and enamel, actually litter the underside. They’re left the place they had been found, so as that park guides can current them to agency.
as a outcome of the park is such an very important web site, you presumably can’t roam freely inside sure elements of it. as a substitute, you presumably can be a part of a bus or climbing tour with one among many expert guides. I did the Explorer’s Bus Tour (grownup ticket $20 CAD) and utterly liked it.
the place to protect
There’s a very good campsite on the park. It’s subsequent to the river and has good services, collectively with a playground, bathe block, and quick meals restaurant. as properly as to the guided excursions into the park itself, there are numerous hikes inside the world, in any other case you presumably can revenue from the river with some kayaking.
2.4 Cypress Hills Provincial Park
actually useful Nights: at the least two.
simply a few hours from the Badlands, Cypress Hills Provincial Park felt like a very completely different world. one among rolling inexperienced hills, dense pine forests, and luxurious, flower-crammed valleys.
that is the proper spot for lovers of climbing, nature, and the good outdoor. From watersports on the lake, to tons of lovely climbing and biking trails, there’s loads to protect you busy right here. I solely had one night as i used to be on an excellent schedule, and that i actually regretted that – so hold longer in case you presumably can.
My favourite spots had been the Horseshoe Canyon and Head of the Mountain viewpoints. you presumably can drive as a lot as each in case you don’t fancy the climb, or there are some superior climbing trails. Wildlife is significantly plentiful round Cypress Hills. I noticed pretty a quantity of deer chilling out by the roadside, as properly as to a quantity of birds of prey. you presumably may even see elk, moose, and even (hardly ever) cougars.
the place to protect
Base your self shut to Elkwater Lake to be shut to a quantity of retailers and eating areas. I stayed at Elkwater Lake Lodge, which was fabulous – cosy, welcoming, and properly-equipped with every thing I needed to loosen up!
in case you’d pretty camp, Cypress Hills has a quantity of campgrounds starting from primary to full-service, as properly as to an RV park at Beaver Creek.
2.5 Writing on Stone Provincial Park
actually useful Nights: one.
The intriguingly-named Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park is one extra completely completely different panorama alongside this Alberta road journey. A snaking river winds its approach through a large, grassy valley, missed by the distant Sweetgrass Hills in neighbouring Montana. all through the valley, twisted hoodoos type a bizarre pure playground, carved into one factor otherworldly by centuries of wind and rain.
however what provides Writing-on-Stone its identify are the pink sandstone cliffs of the valley partitions. These bear the indicators of hundreds of years of Blackfoot historic previous. Canada’s indigenous plains of us inhabited the state of affairs for at the least three,000 years – they usually’ve actually left their mark.
hundreds of petroglyphs litter the valley throughout fifty websites, carved instantly into the rockface. Depictions of human figures and animals give clues into the historic previous, traditions, and life-form of the Blackfoot of us. e-book a guided tour for the easiest expertise, as you’ll get a bit extra context and historic previous.
associated publish: right here’s a pretty full information to Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park that can allow you to plan your journey.
the place to protect
in case you don’t have a lot time, you’ll possibly do Writing on Stone as a day journey alongside your Alberta road journey, and carry straight on to spend the night in Lethbridge. That’s what I did, however i used to be a bit sorry to not spend extra time exploring the unimaginable panorama.
Alternatively, you presumably can camp in a single day inside the park. The campground is down inside the valley alongside the river, proper subsequent to the maze of twisting hoodoos that are good gratifying to discover! It’s a very first rate campground with all of the services you’ll like. There’s no restaurant, however there is a small store in case you overlook any groceries. There’s additionally a seashore for swimming inside the river all through summer time!
2.6 Lethbridge and Fort Whoop-Up
actually useful Nights: one.
subsequent cease on my southern Alberta road journey was Fort Whoop-Up in Lethbridge. the metropolis itself is pretty conveniently positioned between Cypress Hills and Waterton (our subsequent cease) so it’s a useful stopover on the approach by which, particularly in case you decide to not camp at Writing-on-Stone.
Fort Whoop-Up is an appropriate recreation of an exact-life fort (of the identical identify) which was used as a whiskey and fur buying and promoting publish inside the late 1800s. This was Canada’s Wild West – days of buffalo searching, frontier-dwelling, and illegally buying and promoting “fireplace-water” with the native indigenous of us.
The fort represents a fascinating interval in Canada’s trendy historic previous, so it’s an fascinating cease on any journey. It’s additionally a terrific place for anyone who (like me) grew up dreaming of being a cowboy. you presumably can step again in time and completely immerse your self in life on the Canadian frontier!
the place to protect
I spent one night on the Coast Lethbridge lodge and convention Centre. It was a nice, primary-however-cozy lodge in a terrific location. Not precisely bursting with character, however very best for an night or two.
2.7 Waterton Lakes nationwide Park
actually useful Nights: at the least two – however extra in case you have gotten time.
My favourite cease in Southern Alberta was Waterton Lakes nationwide Park. approach down on the border with the USA, Waterton Lakes is sort of an unimaginable baby sister to Banff and Jasper. identical lovely Rocky Mountains, identical epic landscapes… however on a smaller, quieter scale.
I’ve visited Banff and Jasper and love each, however Waterton felt like a a lot much less touristy mannequin of the identical factor. Glittering glacial lakes, unimaginable climbing trails, and prairies coated in vibrant wildflowers in summer time – all of it missed by snowcapped mountains. and that i had pretty a quantity of it utterly to myself, as a outcome of the park doesn’t draw the identical crowds as a outcome of it’s extra well-known neighbours.
most probably the best issues I did was cruising throughout the massive larger Waterton Lake with Waterton Cruises onboard the historic M.V. worldwide – a should in case you’re visiting!
The park was hit by a devastating wildfire in 2017, and possibilities are extreme you’ll possibly nonetheless see the harm all through. massive swathes of forest had been worn out, their bleached-out skeletons standing as a testament to the measurement of the fireplace. however you presumably may even see the regrowth coming through thick and quick, and the park has been working exhausting on repairs. although some climbing trails and roads are nonetheless closed, they’ll be again open quickly. The park is recovering and tourism can solely assist assist that – so now’s the time to go!
the place to protect
primarily the most central place to protect is the metropolis of Waterton, which is true all through the nationwide park. I stayed at Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort and utterly liked it. The service was so nice, my room was pretty, and the state of affairs made this the proper base. although it’s inside the metropolis, it felt very very associated to a rustic lodge. I even noticed deer wandering through the resort simply outdoors my room!
2.eight Head Smashed in Buffalo soar
actually useful Nights: might very properly be accomplished as a day journey en route again to Calgary.
The final cease on my Alberta road journey was the evocatively named Head Smashed in Buffalo soar. i used to be feeling a bit frazzled from an intense few days, and presumably not sure what to anticipate – however this was actually one among my favourite stops of the week!
in case you’ll like to study barely extra about Canada’s Blackfoot of us – their historic previous, traditions, and tradition – then the Head Smashed In Buffalo soar Interpretive coronary heart is a should-go to. The Buffalo soar is one among a quantity of websites round Alberta’s plains, which was as quickly as utilized by the Blackfoot of us for buffalo searching on a large scale.
yearly, after days of planning and preparation, they’d rile a herd of a hundred-300 buffalo into an infinite stampede and run them off the sting of the cliffs right here. The mass-killing would supply enough meat and supplies to see the tribe through the sturdy Canadian winter. at present, the center tells the story not solely of the Jumps, however of life for the Blackfoot earlier than Western settlers acquired here to Canada.
associated publish: Delving into Blackfoot tradition at Head Smashed In Buffalo soar
the place to protect
i accomplished off on the approach by which again to Calgary Airport, as you solely want about half a day or so to discover. however in case you’ll like to take your time, you’ll possibly cease for an night in Fort Macleod – the closest metropolis.
three. increase the Alberta road journey: Banff and Jasper
The Icefields Parkway stretching from Banff to Jasper is taken into consideration one among many very important spectacular roads on this planet. I road-tripped there with TrekAmerica final 12 months and utterly fell in love – the drive is lovely and there are some unimaginable pure factors of curiosity alongside the approach by which. So it’s a worthy addition to any Alberta road journey.
each nationwide Parks are utterly lovely and have so a lot to current agency. unimaginable mountain landscapes, dense forests, vivid turquoise glacial lakes, superior hikes, limitless adventures, and every thing from rustic campsites to fancy mountain lodges.
in case you needed to increase your Alberta road journey, you’ll possibly push on to Banff after Waterton and Head-Smashed-In. After a quantity of days exploring Banff, take the Icefields Parkway as a lot as Jasper for a quantity of extra days, then drive throughout to Edmonton and Elk Island nationwide Park earlier than heading again all of the approach down to Calgary.
4. ideas for Planning a road journey in Alberta
convey your particular person SatNav – you presumably can hire these collectively with a hire automotive, nonetheless it’s good to have a SatNav you’re acquainted with. I downloaded the Canada map for mine earlier than leaving and it labored a dream.
acquire pretty a quantity of podcasts/audiobooks – distances in Canada might very properly be pretty massive, so that you have gotten to have some leisure in a place to go. particularly in case you’re travelling solo.
Pack for all weathers – Alberta is even much less predictable than the united kingdom, and it’s commonplace to expertise 4 seasons in a day. So be ready! first rate outdoors gear, a terrific deal of layers, and a very good waterproof jacket are all necessities.
Be ready for grime tracks! One factor I didn’t anticipate was the prolonged distances I coated on grime or gravel roads. After about 50 miles on the identical, seemingly limitless, grime monitor (with out seeing a single completely different automotive), I’m virtually a expert now – nonetheless it was scary at first. you have gotten to go gradual and know what to do if the automotive begins skidding.
5. extra information and extra studying
My Southern Alberta road journey itinerary was based mostly round this Buffalos and Badlands tour from Wexas. The tour contains flights, lodging, entry tickets, and automotive hire – however there’s no tour information and possibilities are extreme you’ll possibly discover at your particular person tempo. So it takes all of the stress out of organising the journey, however nonetheless looks like an journey!
to assist your planning, take a look at out a quantity of of my completely different posts about Alberta beneath…
Adventures on the Icefields Parkway
gratifying issues to do in Edmonton, Alberta
Discovering Elk Island nationwide Park in Alberta
gratifying issues to do in Calgary
thirteen superb areas to go to in Alberta
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