The Most Iconic Road Trips In Alberta To Take Before Summer’s End
By Britanny Burr on August 7, 2024.
There’s certainly no shortage of beauty in Alberta, and road trips in this province are kind of a big deal. They offer a fantastic combination of spectacular scenery, rich cultural history, and adventure for days. There's something for everyone, from majestic mountain peaks to prehistoric badlands, expansive canola fields, and abundant wildlife sightings.
Today, let’s explore five epic road trip routes, each offering different and interesting experiences, gorgeous scenery, and memorable stops. Fasten your seatbelts, sing along to your favourite tunes, and cruise down the highway. There’s still so much to discover this summer.
Dinosaur Trail
Let’s roam Alberta’s prehistoric past, where Jurassic Park meets the Badlands. Your journey starts in Drumheller, in the heart of the dinosaur capital of the world. The Dinosaur Trail begins in Dinosaur Provincial Park at the Royal Tyrrell Museum, home to one of the world’s largest displays of dinosaur fossils. Spend the morning marvelling at the exhibits, then hit the open highway.
Stop along the way to take in the sights of the hoodoos and coulees, then continue your journey to the Bleriot Ferry on a quaint cable ferry that crosses the Red Deer River. Loop back to Drumheller via Highway 575, making a pit stop at Horseshoe Canyon for pretty views and a chance to stretch your legs.
Location: Drumheller
Distance: Approximately 50 km
Cowboy Trail
Saddle up and hit the open road on the Cowboy Trail, a scenic route that winds along Highway 22, stretching roughly 700 km from Mayerthorpe in the north to Cardston in the south.
Along the way, you’ll find plenty of Alberta’s “Wild West” charm, visiting old country towns like Drayton Valley, Sundre, Longview, Diamond Valley, Cardston, and finally approaching the beautiful town of Waterton Lakes National Park.
This stunning stretch of pavement leads you through the impressive David Thompson County, offering the best of the big-sky country with rolling prairies and horizons as far as the eye can see. Perfectly named, the Cowboy Trail transports you through the heart of Alberta, back to a time when the pace of life was slow and where hard work was at the core.
The beauty of this trail is that you don’t have to do it all at once. You can pick your route for an easy day trip or extend your adventure with many stops along the way. The Cowboy Trail is more than just a scenic drive; it’s a journey into the past and a discovery of Alberta’s stunning surrounding landscapes.
Location: Mayerthorpe to Waterton Lakes National Park
Distance: Approximately 700 km total
Boomtown Trail
Skip the QE2 and venture out on the Boomtown Trail, where this stretch of highway takes you
through Alberta’s charming small towns and historical sites. It’s a road trip where Alberta’s history and culture come to life. Rich with stories of the past, from Indigenous peoples and Buffalo hunts to settlers with new-land promises, railways and coal mining, farmers and ranchers, and rolling tumbleweeds for miles. Drive through the wide-open prairies through the towns of Trucho and Stettler, or stop at the World’s largest Oil Lamp in Donalda. Cruise on to Camrose, a city known for its beautiful parks and vibrant landscapes.
Location: Start your journey in Calgary or Edmonton
Distance: Approximately 300 km
Iron Horse Trail
The Iron Horse Trail follows an old railway line through northeastern Alberta. It starts in Smoky Lake and follows the road through scenic rural landscapes, passing through towns like St. Paul and Elk Point.
Stop in Bonnyville to explore Muriel Lake and Kehewin Lake natural areas. Continue to Cold Lake, where you can enjoy a beach day on the shores, go fishing, and experience stunning Alberta sunsets.
The Iron Horse Trail takes you through parkland, boreal forest, wetlands, dunes, and small-town hospitality. It’s a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Become a part of the history on this gorgeous stretch of highway.
Location: Northeastern Alberta
Distance: 300 km
Buckle up, folks, and get ready to explore some of Alberta’s best road trips. Pack a picnic, choose your tunes and your passengers, and embark on an epic journey before summer fades away!
All these road trips are doable for a day trip, but if you want to extend your stay, look into booking a campsite, renting an RV, or staying at a guest ranch along the way.
Britanny Burr is a freelance writer and a contributor to Great West Media. This story was written for the Great West Media & Southern Alberta Newspapers Hot Summer Guide advertising feature. The Hot Summer Guide is a special feature about summer activities, bucket list adventures, staycation options, road trips, attractions, events, and road trip-worthy food & beverage destinations across Alberta. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff.
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