Things to Do in Alberta

Situated in Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park, Spirit Island is"”for most of the year, at least"”not actually an island at all, but rather a pint-sized peninsula connected to the mainland by a thin strip of land. A long-standing symbol of the Canadian Rockies, the tree-topped islet has featured on countless postcards and images of the park. 

For many visitors to Western Canada, Spirit Island features high on their checklist of sights. The island is a sacred place for the First Nations people and visitors are not permitted to walk on it. You can, however, get close enough to the island to capture pictures during Maligne Lake cruises. Round-trip boat cruises usually last for about 90 minutes. Full-day sightseeing tours around Jasper National Park often combine a boat tour to Spirit Island with other destinations, such as Medicine Lake and Maligne Valley. 

You can also kayak or canoe to Spirit Island; rent a canoe from the Maligne Lake Boathouse. If you do plan on paddling to Spirit Island, you may want to prebook a spot at a lakeside campsite, as completing the round-trip journey in one day can be challenging.

Spirit Island is situated in the southern half of Maligne Lake. The northern end of Maligne Lake is about 31 miles (50 kilometers) from Jasper, accessible via Maligne Lake Road. Driving from Jasper takes 45 to 60 minutes. 

Boats venture out to Spirit Island between late May and early October. The area is busiest during the peak summer months of July and August. The best time to visit is in early morning before the first cruise sets off and crowds arrive. Another good time to come is late afternoon, an hour or so before sunset, when a golden glow and pastel skies make an excellent backdrop for photographs. 

One of the best wildlife-watching spots in the park is Maligne Lake Road. Drive down the road in either early morning or late evening, and look out for moose, caribou, and bighorn sheep. Closer to the lake, you can often spot black and grizzly bears as well as bald and golden eagles, who come here to feed on fish. 

Winding through the front ranges of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the glacial blue waters of the Kananaskis River offer exhilarating white water rafting adventures. Considered one of the most scenic rivers in Alberta, the Kananaskis also affords mountain views and the chance to spy wolves, elk, eagle, and black and grizzly bears.

 

The Kananaskis River is a popular spot for kayaking, canoeing, and rafting. The river has plenty of calm stretches in addition to its white-water runs, making it ideal for families and beginning paddlers as well as more adventurous visitors. Choose a guided rafting trip down the Kananaskis. You'll experience the river at its most exhilarating, and learn how to navigate the rapids safely. 

 

 

The Kananaskis River is located in the Bow Valley Provincial Park in western Alberta, just outside the city of Banff. Most Kananaskis River rafting trips include round-trip transportation from Banff or Canmore, and some may include hotel pickup and drop-off. There are many spots to view the river off Highway 40, which is also known as the Kananaskis Trail.

 

Rafting trips on the Kananaskis River are mainly available from mid-May through mid-September. The annual Kananaskis Whitewater Festival occurs in mid-August and offers a fun-filled weekend of paddling activities. Hiking trails alongside the Kananaskis River can be enjoyed year-round.

 

The section of river between Widowmaker and Canoe Meadows contains a man-made white-water obstacle course. Spectators can watch boaters run the slalom course and play in the waves from a view area above the river, which can be accessed via a trail from the Canoe Meadows parking lot.