Discover the best summer experiences in Southern Alberta with our Summer Bucket List!
Summer in Alberta is short but sweet, so we have to savor every moment! Whether you’re looking for adventures near or far, in Calgary or in the badlands or mountain parks, our summer bucket list has lots of fun ideas for the whole family. Best of all, many activities are free, so you don’t have to break the bank to have a great summer.
Table of Contents
1. Have a Beach Day
Sunny days at the lake are the best! In Calgary, the best public beach is at Sikome Aquatic Facility in Fish Creek Provincial Park. You have to pay to use this manmade beach, but it’s very well maintained. Some of our favoritebeaches near Calgary are Ebeling Beach at Aspen Beach Provincial Park (Gull Lake), Kinbrook Island Provincial Park (Brooks), and Johnson Lake in Banff.
For more awesome beaches within a couple hours of Calgary, see our story The Best Beaches In and Around Calgary.
Looking for places to paddle? See this post: Where to Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Near Calgary.
2. Go to a U-Pick Farm
Picking berries or produce is a fun and healthy activity you can only do in summer! Here are some u-pick farms in Southern Alberta:
- For strawberries, head to The Jungle Farm near Red Deer, or Broxburn Vegetables and Cafe in Lethbridge. Both farms have stores selling produce, pies, pickles, gifts, and more!
- For saskatoons, visit Solstice Berry Farm in Crossfield, The Saskatoon Farm in DeWinton (half an hour south of Calgary). The latter also has sour cherries, vegetables, and a cafe.
- For haskap berries, kind of like a cross between a raspberry and a blueberry, go to Red Lodge U Pick near Bowden.
- Eagle Creek Farms in Bowden has organic vegetables as well as u-pick flowers, and huge sunflower mazes. Visit in late August to see the sunflowers.
- Pleasant View U Pick Berries, near Crossfield (north of Calgary) has haskaps, raspberries, saskatoons, and rhubarb. Call ahead to make an appointment.
- Billyco Junction Gardens in Lacombe County has u-pick strawberries, veggies, and flowers.
- R&S Farms in Magrath has berries and produce to pick. Call 403-715-0988 to book your appointment.
Related posts: Camping at Red Lodge Provincial Park, Bowden; Summer Fun at Gull Lake, Lacombe County
3. Visit a Farmers’ Market
The next best thing to visiting a farm is visiting a farmers’ market! Stock up on delicious produce, baking, jellies, meats, and pickles, and have a BBQ in the backyard. Google “farmers market near me” for all your options! We love Calgary Farmers’ Market West (open daily), Crossroads Market (open Friday to Sunday), and the Bentley Saturday Farmer’s Market (Saturdays 2 pm – 4 pm, May long – September long weekend).
4. Be a Tourist in Your Own Town (or Province)
Try a new-to-you attraction, park, or restaurant this summer; or re-visit an old favorite. Our story 25 Unique Southern Alberta Experiences can help you plan the perfect day whether you’d like to try Alberta’s only canyon coaster (near Red Deer) or go summer dog carting in Kananaskis.
5. Go on a Cluesolvers Adventure (like an outdoor escape room!) or self-guided walking tour
Race the clock while you solve clues on a Cluesolvers adventure. The game courses will take you to some hidden gems and notable landmarks. Designed for adults, bigger kids (10 & up) will also enjoy these Amazing Race/outdoor escape room-like games. Play ClueSolvers in Calgary, Banff, Canmore (Smugglers Blues is awesome for families), Crowsnest Pass, Drumheller, Edmonton, Kananaskis Village, and Sylvan Lake. Each game is $79/group and takes 1-2 hours to complete.
FREE Self Guided Tours
- High River has a cool mural and sculpture tour featuring 16 artworks. Get lunch at Evelyn’s Memory Lane Diner after.
- Lacombe has a self-guided historic downtown and mural tour around downtown. Get a map at the museums, or sign up for a guided walking tour. For more things to do in Lacombe, including where to eat (Lacombe has a great dining scene!), read our story Summer Fun in Lacombe County.
- GPSmycity has several free self guided walking tours to choose from in Calgary and Edmonton
- The City of Calgary has put together self-guided walking tours for Calgary Parks including: Bowmont Park, Canyon Meadows Bee Boulevard, Elliston Park, Griffith Woods, Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Mahogany Wetlands, Midsun to Sun Valley Blvd Walkway, Ralph Klein Park, Taradale Wetland Park, 12-Mile Coulee, and West Nose Creek Park.
- Edmonton has Historical Walking Tours in Downtown Edmonton, Strathcona, Oliver, and Highlands.
- Medicine Hat’s self-guided tours will awaken your senses and tempt your tummies. Choose from the following tours: Indy coffee shops, downtown bakeries, murals, and historic downtown. Plan your getaway to SE Alberta with our story How to Spend a Fun Weekend in Medicine Hat.
6. Go Camping (or Glamping)
Summer is the most wonderful time of year to camp in Alberta! Reservations are required at the most popular campgrounds, but there are some off-the-beaten-path gems that are first come, first served; and you can always check for cancellations three days in advance (Parks Canada and Alberta Parks have 72-hour cancellation policies). For trip ideas, please see Alberta Parks’ Best Lakeside Campgrounds, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park Recreation Guide, Bow Valley Provincial Park Recreation Guide, and Camping and Hiking in David Thompson Country.
If glamping is more your style, try:
- Comfort Camping at Alberta Parks includes huts, cabins, yurts, tipis, and wall tents.
- Parks Canada rents O’TENTiks, cabins, tipis, and historic buildings in the national parks.
- Elk Island Retreat, near Edmonton, has luxurious geodesic domes, yurts, and cabins for rent. See our story How to Spend a fun Weekend in Vegreville and Strathcona for photos.
- Sundance by Basecamp has beautiful trapper’s tents and tipis in Kananaskis.
7. Go on a Road Trip
From the badlands and prairies to foothills and mountains, Alberta’s diverse scenery is made for exploring! Here are some of our favorite Southern Alberta road trips.
Canadian Rockies Road Trips
- 10 Fun Things to do in Banff this Summer
- Exploring the Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper
- 5 Fun Things to Do in Spray Valley Provincial Park this Summer
- Discover David Thompson Country
- Camping in Castle Provincial Park
Badlands Road Trips
- Discover hoodoos and rock art at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park
- Exploring Drumheller: Dinosaurs, Mining History, Biking, and More!
- Family Fun in Dinosaur Provincial Park
More Alberta Road Trips
- 10 Fun things to do in Cold Lake and Bonnyville this summer
- 14 Fun Things to Do at Elk Island National Park
- Exploring Camrose and Camrose County
- Exploring the Cowboy Trail
- Summer Fun at Gull Lake, Lacombe County
- The Top 10 Things to Do in Lethbridge this Summer
- Summer Fun in Cypress Hills Provincial Park
8. Watch the sunset and stargaze
While Crimson Lake Provincial Park is named for its vibrant sunsets, Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park, Kinbrook Island Provincial Park, Writing-on Stone and Dinosaur Provincial Parks, and of course the mountain parks, are beautiful at sunset too.
If you’re a night owl and would like to stargaze after the sun goes down, head to a Dark Sky Preserve (protected area with minimal light pollution) like Elk Island National Park, Jasper National Park, Beaver Hills (includes Miquelon Lake Provincial Park), Cypress Hills, and Lakeland Provincial Park. Tip: You’ll see more stars during a new moon or when the moon is small.
Related posts: 14 Fun Things to do at Elk Island National Park this summer, Summer Fun in Cypress Hills Provincial Park, Paddling Around Alberta’s Lake Country
9. Go on a sunrise hike
If you’re familiar with the terrain and have some hiking buddies, hike to a scenic viewpoint for sunrise! Note: We do not recommend venturing into remote/challenging terrain in the dark as there’s a greater chance you could fall and hurt yourself. You also don’t want to startle or bother wildlife. Stick to easy trails that do not require route finding!
Lovely sunrise spots that are a short walk from the car include Wedge Pond in Kananaskis, Emerald Bay in Waterton Lakes National Park, and Two Jack Lake, Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, and Peyto Lake in Banff National Park. All of these are only a minute or two from the car with the exception of Peyto Lake (1.2 km round trip).
10. Go for a bike ride
Summer is biking season! Bike to your favorite ice cream shop, bakery, or bubble tea shop for a tasty treat. Our 10 Fun Family Bike Rides in Calgary include treat stops!
In Drumheller, bike from the World’s Tallest Dinosaur to the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology. Before you head out, climb the stairs inside the big T Rex and look out its mouth (pay admission at the Visitor Centre). There’s also a spray park near the Visitor Centre so you can cool off after your ride!
In the Rockies, bike the Legacy Trail from Canmore to Banff (shorter options possible), or cycle the Bow Valley Parkway from the town of Banff to Johnston Canyon. The Bow Valley Parkway is closed to cars from May 1-June 25, and September 1-30! For more info, see our story Spring Biking in the Rockies.
11. Make memories on a trail ride
For an authentic Western experience in Alberta, go on a trail ride! After a few simple instructions from your guide, you can sit back and enjoy the ride. Well.. you’ve still gotta steer.. and you sit back on the downhill, and lean forward on the uphill.. but trust me, the horse does most of the work!
“This is the best way to experience the mountains, and this is the best place to do it!” Banff Trail Riders guide Mike Beerwald told us with a big smile. As the horses carried us past a turquoise river and up a hill, we had to agree it was pretty special.
See our story Experience Banff on Horseback with Banff Trail Riders for more information.
In Kananaskis, ride with Boundary Ranch or try their awesome Woof & Hoof Tour (summer dog carting + trail ride + BBQ lunch). Read about our experience here: Experience Dog Carting and Horseback Riding at Boundary Ranch. We LOVED it!
In Bragg Creek, we recommend Moose Mountain Horseback Adventures. See our video below to see the scenic terrain you will travel through.
12. Take a Hike
With so many gorgeous hikes in Southern Alberta, how do you choose? By checking out our collections of trails from the best short hikes near Calgary, to the most scenic, as well as splashy creek walks, ridge walks, and waterfall hikes.
- 20+ Super Scenic Hikes in Alberta
- The Best Short Hikes Near Calgary
- The Best Short Hikes in Kananaskis
- Cool Creek Walks in Southern Alberta
- 25+ Waterfall Walks and Hikes in Southern Alberta
- Awesome Ridge Walks in Kananaskis: Sarrail (Rawson) Ridge, Tent Ridge, Pocaterra Ridge, King Creek Ridge
- Easy summits near Calgary: Tunnel Mountain, Sunrise Hill, Jumpingpound Summit, Mount Hoffman, Prairie Mountain
13. Play a round of mini golf
Mini golf is the perfect summer activity. It’s affordable, no experience is necessary, and even kids can play. Here are a few places to play in Southern Alberta:
- Yesteryear at Granary Road takes you into Alberta’s past with a water tower, oil rig, chuckwagon, and more. 18 holes, Par 72. $10/person.
- Winsport, Calgary has an intermediate-level championship-style course with lots of twists and turns. Adult (18-64) – $13.00, Youth (6-17) – $11.00, Preschool (0-5) – $8.00, Senior (65+) – $11.00
- Maxman’s Mini Golf at Crystal Ridge, Okotoks has a pretty little course and family rates. Family (2 adults + 2 kids) – $32, Adult – $12, Youth and Senior – $10, Child – $7, Under 5 years old – $5.
- Summerland RV Park in Gull Lake has an 18-hole course with many hazards and obstacles including a waterfall. Par 41. Big Kids (14-59) – $10.50 , Small Kids (5-13) and Older Kids (60+) – $8.50 , Little Kids (4 & under) – FREE.
- In Elkwater/Cypress Hills Provincial Park, there’s an easy 18-hole course near the lake. It’s FREE!
Know Before You Go
- A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to park in Kananaskis. Purchase your pass online at https://www.alberta.ca/kananaskis-conservation-pass.aspx.
- A Parks Canada Discovery Pass / daily admission fee is required to stop in Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, and Elk Island National Park.
What to Bring
Disclosure: This section includes affiliate links through which I earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Waterproof mid-height hiking boots, a down hoody or fleece, toque, gloves, and windproof/waterproof shell are recommended year round. Trekking poles are useful for long hikes, steep descents, or when you’re carrying a fully-loaded backpack (or are babywearing). You should also carry The Ten Essentials including: water, extra food, extra clothes, a first aid kit, headlamp, GPS / compass / Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator* and map of the area, mineral sunscreen, bug spray (this DEET-free insect repellent contains 20% icaridin and will repel ticks), and bear spray. Carry bear spray in a Bear Spray Holster or Scat Griz Bear Spray Running Belt.
*A Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator is highly recommended for contacting Search & Rescue and emergency contacts in the event of an emergency, or communicating with friends and family when you are out of cell phone range. You can send text messages and your GPS coordinates via satellite, but a monthly service plan is required.
Have an amazing summer! Which bucket list items will you check off first?
Related Posts
- Banff Free Fun Guide
- Getting Around Banff National Park: Parking and shuttle information for the town of Banff, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake
- Go Underground with Canmore Cave Tours
- Alpine Adrenaline on Mount Norquay’s Via Ferrata
- Treat yourself to a luxurious stay at the Columbia Icefield’s Glacier View Lodge
- Experience the Maligne Lake Cruise and Dine at Maligne Canyon
