Golden larch trees and snow-covered Rocky Mountains along a hiking trail near Calgary, Alberta in autumn.

Calgary is surrounded by some of Alberta’s best places to explore. Within a short drive, you can be hiking in Kananaskis, exploring Banff or Canmore, visiting the badlands around Drumheller, or discovering small towns and scenic drives throughout the foothills. Whether you’re looking for an easy day trip from Calgary, an outdoor adventure or a weekend getaway, this guide will help you find places to go, things to do and ideas for planning your next trip.

Explore Day Trips From Calgary

From the Rocky Mountains to the Alberta badlands, explore popular day trips and places to visit near Calgary, with guides, itineraries and ideas to help plan your next adventure.

Turquoise waters of Lake Louise surrounded by forest and snow-capped Rocky Mountains in Banff National Park, Alberta.

Banff & Lake Louise

The iconic Three Sisters mountains reflected in calm water near Canmore, Alberta, surrounded by forest in the Canadian Rockies.

Canmore

Canadian flag overlooking a snow capped Rocky Mountain valley in Kananaskis, Alberta.

Kananaskis

Dramatic hoodoos and layered badlands landscape near Drumheller, Alberta under a bright blue sky.

Drumheller & the Badlands

Elbow Falls near Bragg Creek, Alberta, with rushing turquoise water flowing through a rocky canyon surrounded by forest.

Bragg Creek & the Foothills

Bright yellow canola fields beneath a blue prairie sky in the countryside near Calgary, Alberta.

Small Towns Near Calgary

Best Day Trips From Calgary

Compare mountain towns, turquoise lakes, badlands, waterfalls and scenic drives to find the right trip for your time, interests and season.

Explore The Best Day Trips
Hiker overlooking turquoise Lake Louise and the surrounding Rocky Mountains in Banff National Park, Alberta.

Day Trips for Every Season

Discover the best seasonal day trips from Calgary, from skiing and snowshoeing in winter to hiking, biking, golf and outdoor adventures in spring, summer and fall.

Snow-covered Rocky Mountains and winter scenery at Lake Louise ski area near Calgary, Alberta.

Winter Day Trips

Johnston Canyon waterfall flowing through a rocky gorge in Banff National Park, Alberta.

Spring Day Trips

Canoeing on the turquoise waters of Lake Louise surrounded by the Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park, Alberta.

Summer Day Trips

Golden larch trees along the Larch Valley hiking trail beneath the Rocky Mountains near Lake Louise, Alberta.

Fall Day Trips

Plan Your Trip

Everything you need to plan a day trip or weekend away from Calgary.

Canadian flag overlooking the Rocky Mountains from the summit of Sulphur Mountain above Banff, Alberta.

Tours & Experiences

Tours, attractions and activities around Calgary and the Rockies.

Fairmont Banff Springs hotel surrounded by forest and the Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park, Alberta.

Hotels & Places to Stay

Hotels and places to stay for weekend getaways and longer trips.

Mountain highway through the Canadian Rockies with vehicles travelling beneath snow-capped peaks in Alberta.

Driving & Transportation

Driving, shuttles and other ways to get from Calgary to where you’re going.

Hiking boots, backpack and outdoor gear overlooking a turquoise mountain lake in the Canadian Rockies, Alberta.

Travel & Outdoor Gear

Useful gear for hiking, road trips and exploring Alberta outdoors.

Best Attractions & Places to See Near Calgary

Discover some of the best attractions and places to see outside Calgary, including the Banff Gondola, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, Columbia Icefield and Royal Tyrrell Museum.

Banff Gondola cabins travelling above the forest with panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park, Alberta.

Banff Gondola

Turquoise waters of Moraine Lake surrounded by evergreen forest and the Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park, Alberta.

Moraine Lake & Lake Louise

Columbia Icefield Ice Explorer on the Athabasca Glacier along the Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park, Alberta.

Columbia Icefield

Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton on display inside the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Drumheller, Alberta.

Royal Tyrrell Museum

Exploring My Home Province

I’m Ryan Gillard, a Calgary local who has spent years hiking, skiing, driving and exploring Alberta. I use my own experiences, photography and local knowledge to create practical guides that make it easier to discover places worth visiting from Calgary.

Hiking above Lake Louise with panoramic views of the turquoise lake and Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park, Alberta.

Outside of real estate, I’m an avid traveller and enjoy hiking, skiing, golf, hockey and photography. I also share my travels throughout Alberta and around the world on The Global Travel Blog, where I publish travel guides, videos and first hand experiences from the places I visit.

Explore Alberta With Me on YouTube

Watch my Alberta travel videos featuring mountain towns, scenic drives, hiking trails and places worth exploring across the province.

Watch on YouTube →
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The Best Day Trips From Calgary

Get a quick reference guide to some of the best day trips, hikes and experiences from Calgary, including drive times, the best time to go and what to see and do.

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