One of the great things about Alberta is that there are so many great destinations that are perfect for Alberta Summer Road Trips. From young to old there is something on this list for everyone!
Fun Alberta Summer Road Trips For The Whole Family 2018
Granary Road – Explore the 3 kilometres of trails that feature eleven exhibits all with imaginative play areas. With many places to climb, swing, and slide exhibits include giant animatronic spiders, bats, and frogs. Perfect for kids to use their imaginations.
Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash Park – Climb on the 15-foot tower and overhanging foot tower, jump on an oversized trampoline, and try out the wiggle bridge. All participants must be at least 3’6″ and 6 yrs old.
Jurassic Forrest – Explore the 40-acres of this prehistoric preserve and explore, discover and learn about the world of the dinosaurs and the ancient creatures that live in Jurassic Forest. Located just 45 minutes North of Edmonton.
Devonshire Beach – Whether you’re camping at Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park, other surrounding campsites or planning a day trip (just under 3 hours from Edmonton) this hidden gem of a beach will soon become a favourite destination for you.
Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum – Located in Grande Prarie you will see dinosaur skeletons to the recreated bonebed to the real palaeontologists working in the lab to ‘a walk through time.’ Eat at the Dine-O-Saur restaurant and watch dinosaur movies, documentaries, short films and more in the museum’s theatre. (Canada’s first National Geographic theatre)
Iron Horse Park – Take the 1.6km interpretive journey aboard one of the 1/8th scale diesel or steam locomotives at the park and get a feeling of what the railway was like in Western Canada during the pioneer days. You’ll find this fun attraction in Airdrie, Alberta.
Sulphur Mountain – Located in Banff, Alberta you can take a ride up Sulphur mountain on the Gondola ($) or hike it (be sure to check the trail report before hiking to ensure the trails aren’t slippery). Bring your bathing suit after you’ve checked out the mountain and check out the Banff Upper Hot Springs ($).
Sundance Lodges – Book a campsite, trappers tent, or a Tipi and explore everything that Kananaskis has to offer! Activities around Sundance lodgers include horseback riding, swimming at Barrier Lake (though it’s cold!), sport equipment rentals onsite and more. Free hot showers are included and there are even supply rentals of pots, pans, bedding, utensils and more.
Whitecourt River Slides – A fun and free activity for the whole family, spend the day on the River Slides, Spray Park and Playground all located at Rotary Park!
Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village – Located 30 minutes East of Edmonton take a step back in time and experience this outdoor living history museum where costumed role-players recreate the life of early Ukrainian pioneers.
Calaway Park – Just outside Calgary is where you will find Western Canada’s Largest Outdoor Amusement Park! With something for everyone, this is one of our family’s favorite summertime stops for fun!
WinSport – Located in Calgary there is something for the whole family to try! Take a ride on a summer bobs sleigh, skyline luge, zip line, play a round of mini golf and check out the activity centre.
Discovery Canyon – Great for children of any age. The water is never deeper than 45cm (18″), on inflatable tubes and there is a spray pool at the bottom. Bring your own tube or rent one for $5 with a $15 deposit! See other locations around Alberta where you can float & tube here!
Discovery Wildlife Park – Located in Innisfail this Alberta conservation park that is home to many animals such as bears, tigers, racoons, wolves, jaguars, camels, and even an alligator.
Bower Ponds – If you’re in Red Deer, this is one fun place to go with the family. Check out the water balls, paddle boats, surrey bikes and even grab a bite to eat there.
Trekcetera Museum – Recently relocated to Drumheller this museum features authentic, original costumes, props and set pieces from various Star Trek series and movies as well as other movies and TV shows such as Hell On Wheels, Magnificent Seven, Harry Potter, Thunderbirds, Titanic, Superman, Pirates of the Caribbean and more.
What are some fun summer road trips that you suggest when travelling with kids? Leave a comment so I can add it to the list!
Need to know more activities
What else would you like to know about?
Calgary Zoo is a great place as well and look s like they are temp bringing back some pandas.
It’s a full day event so be sure to bring snacks and food or be prepared to buy something there.
Thanks, Elisabeth! I plan on devoting a whole post to just this because it’s so exciting!!
These are all super awesome places, thank you for the list. One question though I heard sylvan lake closed the doors last season, is this true?
Hi, the water park Wild Rapids did close its doors after the summer of 2016, the Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash park is different as it’s out on the lake! (Very close to where the waterpark use to be)
Yes the splash park is closed ☹
Wait…sorry it’s the waterslide that closed ?
Yes they closed 2 years ago
Hi Lindy, the water park Wild Rapids did close its doors after the summer of 2016, but Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash park is different as it’s out on the lake and will definitely be open!
Hey! The White Court slides are actually the Whitecourt slides. This is the town name “Whitecourt” thanks for promoting my
awesome town!!!
Spell check at it’s finest! thanks for letting me know.
Hi there. Great list. And Trekcetera Museum gets big thumbs up from me. While in the Drumheller Valley, don’t forget about the Royal Tyrell Museum as well as the Atlas Coal Mine. Oh yes and Horseshoe Canyon and Horsethief Canyon. The Worlds Largest Dinosaur. Historical Townsite of Wayne. Actually, you probably want to plan to stay at least one night….if not two.
Great blog!
Thank-you!! A full write of Drumheller will be coming for sure!! 🙂
Wait…sorry it’s the waterslide that closed not the splash park ?
Another fun thing to do is look up all the “Big Things” in Alberta and take the family to some of the small towns to visit the big things. This is a great project for families with motorcycles where you are just looking for destinations to take trips to. On a motorcycle, the journey is the adventure, but it is always more fun with a destination in mind. I learned a lot about many of the small towns in Canada doing this. But start near home.
Aspen Crossing would be a great addition with its train rides, escape rooms, Dining Car and campground it’s a hit with families.
We’ve done two road trips to Alberta from BC and I was glad to see places we hadn’t been seen yet, so thanks for the recommendations.
Other places we’ve been are of course Jasper and Banff, the Gopher Museum in Torrington (seriously that place is hilarious!), LOVE Dinosaur Provincial Park, Royal Tyrrell and Atlas Mines in Drumheller, Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump and the NWMP Settlement near Fort MacLeod, Elk Island National Park for the wood bison, and the Frank Slide. Lots of educational places to visit but we’re a family of nerds! ?
We’ve done two road trips to Alberta from BC and I was glad to see places we hadn’t been seen yet, so thanks for the recommendations.
Other places we’ve been are of course Jasper and Banff, the Gopher Museum in Torrington (seriously that place is hilarious!), LOVE Dinosaur Provincial Park, Royal Tyrrell and Atlas Mines in Drumheller, Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump and the NWMP Settlement near Fort MacLeod, Elk Island National Park for the wood bison, and the Frank Slide. Lots of educational places to visit but we’re a family of nerds! 😉
And there are also the Steam Train Rides at Stettler AB – great fun for all ages! https://www.absteamtrain.com/
I’m pretty sure the Sylvan Lake water slide closed last year
sorry, nevermind
In August 4 & 5 there is theDays of Yore in Didsbury, Alberta!
Two days, dozens of historical reenactors, sword fights, big cannons, and live combat!
The Kraay family corn maze in Lacombe and the Abbey Cente rum Blackfalds are a great way to spend the day with family