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Kananaskis Country

Kananaskis is an Aboriginal word believed to mean “meeting of the waters.” Captain John Palliser, who led a British scientific expedition in this area in the 1850s, heard a local legend of Kananaskis, who had made an amazing recovery from an axe blow to the head. Palliser later gave that name to the Kananaskis River, as well as the Kananaskis Lakes and the North and South Kananaskis Passes through the Rockies.

Nowadays, Kananaskis Country is a four-season, multi-use recreation area just 90 km (56 miles) west of Calgary. Its boundaries take in more than 4,000 square kilometres (1,600 sq. miles) of the Rocky Mountains and Foothills Natural Regions, with some of Canada’s most spectacular natural scenery. Within its boundaries, Bow Valley and Peter Lougheed Provincial Parks, the Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park and over 100 provincial recreation areas are protected by the Alberta’s Parks Act.

This large area is divided into regions, each of which is unique. The Barrier Lake/Ribbon Creek area has the majority of visitor facilities. Here, you’ll find two downhill ski resorts, a world-class golf course, an RV park, and a three-hotel resort complex. In addition, there are many hiking, cycling, and cross country ski trails, and a large lake reservoir, where boating and fishing are popular.

Elbow River Valley has numerous campgrounds and scenic picnic areas, as well as a zone for off-road vehicles. Sheep River Valley has a Wildlife Sanctuary where bighorn sheep can often be seen. The Highwood/Cataract area has minimal development and fewer visitors, which means many more wildland recreation opportunities and a greater chance of seeing wildlife like moose, cougar and bear. Visit the Sibbald area for great camping, hiking and fishing.

The Spray Lakes region, near the town of Canmore, offers boating and fishing. There are hiking and biking trails from Spray Lakes to both Banff National Park and British Columbia’s Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park.

Hike it, ski it, pedal it, paddle it, or see it through the lens of a camera. Whatever your outdoor interest, Kananaskis Country’s magnificent natural features, world-class facilities and year round recreation have something for everyone.

Office hours: Mon-Fri 8:15-4:30. Park staff are also available evenings and weekends. 90 km W of Calgary. or . kananaskis

Kananaskis Country Website

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