Best Day Trips and Picnic Sites

Below are some of our favourite day use areas and picnic sites in Banff and Kananaskis Country near Calgary.  

Day Use Areas in Banff:

Johnson Lake, Banff

Located on the Lake Minnewanka Loop Road near the Town of Banff. There is a sandy beach for swimming (though the water is very cold,) and this is a popular place for kayaking, canoeing, or stand up paddleboarding. There are no rentals on site so plan ahead if you want to paddle. There are a few picnic tables on site and two pit toilets.

Beach at Johnson Lake, Banff

There is a walking path around the lake and if you look carefully, you can search for the two hidden swings along the path, one that you can use to swing into the lake. The rope swing for jumping into the lake is accessed by crossing the bridge near the beach and then following the path around the lake in a counter clockwise direction. It's a 5 to 10 minute walk down the path.

Jumping into Johnson Lake off the rope swing

Cascade ponds, Banff

Located on the Lake Minnewanka Loop Road near the Town of Banff.  This is a popular picnic area with many picnic tables, fire pits, and a walking path around the pond. Bathrooms are also on site. 

It is also one of the main parking areas for the popular Legacy Trail, a paved bike trail which connects the mountain towns of Banff and Canmore. 

Cascade Ponds, Banff 

Finally, the bridge at the far end of the pond is fun for jumping off of. It is recommended that you check the water depth first before jumping, and tall adults may find the water to be too shallow.

For directions to the pond, consult Google maps where you'll see the pond right as you turn off the TransCanada Highway for Lake Minnewanka.

Bridge jumping at Cascade Ponds, Banff 

Sundance Canyon Picnic Area, Banff Town Site

This picnic area is located 4 km along a paved hiking or biking trail from the Cave and Basin National Historic Site in the Town of Banff. The trail gains 145 metres of height but is stroller friendly. 

The Sundance trail is 4.4 km in distance one way and leads you to the entrance for the Sundance Canyon, a short loop hike through an interesting canyon filled with waterfalls and bridges.

At the entrance to the canyon there are picnic tables and there's even an outhouse bathroom.

Easy biking along the Sundance Trail in Banff 

Banff Recreation Grounds, Banff Town Site

This picnic area is located on Sundance Road across the river in the town site of Banff. You’ll find a large parking area, the biggest playground in Banff, and a small bike park. There's also a brand new skatepark here that we think is the best one we've seen in Alberta.

New skatepark at the Banff Recreation Grounds 

There are also stoves for barbecuing here (bring your own wood) and picnic tables, making this a great location for a picnic with friends or family.

For other picnic ideas in Banff, please read this story that I wrote for Banff Lake Louise Tourism: Perfecting the Classic Mountain Picnic in Banff National Park. 

Playground at the Banff Recreation Grounds

 

Day Use Areas in Kananaskis:

Ribbon Creek and Troll Falls, Highway 40

The Ribbon Creek Day Use Area is located below Kananaskis Village off of Highway 40, and is a great destination for a day trip to the mountains.

From this area, you can access the paved Bill Milne Bike Trail and connect to the Mt. Kidd RV Park or Wedge Pond to the south. Read more about family biking in Kananaskis here: The Best Family Bike Trails in Kananaskis.

Biking on the Bill Milne Trail, Kananaskis

You can also hike or bike to Troll Falls from here in a short round trip distance of less than 5 km. The hike is on wide ski trails, is relatively flat, and is very manageable while pushing young children in a chariot type stroller.

Scenery along the Hay Meadows Trail en route to Troll Falls

Finally, enjoy hiking the Ribbon Creek Trail. This is an easy, relatively flat trail, that crosses many fun bridges for the kids. Hike it as an out-and-back, and go as far as you want.

Ribbon Falls at the end of the Ribbon Creek Trail

Kananaskis Village, Highway 40

The The Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge and Kananaskis Village is a great place to spend a day with the family in the mountains. Here you'll find a playground, coffee shop, ice-cream, a family-friendly restaurant with a great patio, a pond area for the kids to play at, and a paved walking trail called the Terrace Rim Trail that is lined with wild flowers and benches for enjoying views across the valley.  

Return in the winter to skate on the pond, enjoy cross country skiing or snowshoeing on the village trails, or to go downhill skiing at nearby Nakiska Mountain Resort.

For a great hike in this area, check out the Mt. Kidd Lookout Trail.

Read: Mount Kidd Lookout - Family Hiking in Kananaskis 

Village Rim Trail, Kananaskis Village

 

Wedge Pond, Highway 40

Located just a few minutes further south along Highway 40, you'll find a lovely picnic site here on a pond that's great for a quick dip on a hot day.  There are lots of picnic tables up above the pond and there's also a walking loop around the pond.

This pond is also accessible from Kananaskis Village via the Bill Milne paved bike trail should you wish to connect the two.

Wedge Pond

Mount Lorette Ponds, Highway 40 

The Mount Lorette Ponds Day Use Area is a fabulous place for a picnic in Kananaskis. There are several picnic areas (some with fire pits) and each area is surrounded by trees and private from the other sites.

There's a beautiful paved pathway that circles the ponds and kids can ride their bikes around the ponds. Fishing is popular here as well.

Bring a wagon if you have a lot of food and picnic items to carry because some of the sites are remote and require a short 5 minute walk from the parking lot.

Mount Lorette Ponds is a beautiful picnic area in Kananaskis 

Barrier Lake Day Use Area, Highway 40

After a couple years of closures, the Barrier Lake Day Use Area is finally open again and there are beautiful picnic areas and tables located along the lakeshore of Barrier Lake.

You'll find lots of parking here, and in the summer they have boat rentals (stand up paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes) here as well on weekends. - The link has info on pricing.

Note this is NOT the first parking area you'll come to at Barrier Dam. This is further south down Highway 40 and is signed as the "Barrier Lake Day Use Area and Boat Launch." 

I did not see fire pits or stoves when I was here so bring your own portable barbecue. 

Barrier Lake Day Use Area 

King Creek Day Use Area, Highway 40 

We just discovered the King Creek Day Use Area. It's a great place for a picnic (and is blessedly quiet compared to other day use areas in Kananaskis!) It is definitely a new favourite for our family. Park beside King Creek at a large parking lot, and take a short walk along the creek, play in a natural sandbox,  make mud pies, throw rocks in the river, or hike up the creek (water sandals recommended as there isn't much of an official trail.)

Playing in the mud beside King Creek 

There is one picnic table that I saw but beyond that, there are no fire pits. This is mostly a great quiet spot to visit so that the kids can play in the creek.

And if you want to take a bigger hike while here, check out the story I wrote about hiking King Creek Ridge.

Read: King Creek Ridge - Family Hiking in Kananaskis. 

Peaceful moments at King Creek, Kananaskis 

Upper Kananaskis Lake Day Use Area, Highway 40 (Peter Lougheed Provincial Park)

The Upper Kananaskis Lake Day Use Area is the access point for the popular Rawson Lake hike, the trailhead for the Upper Lake Circuit, and the access point for the short walk to Sarrail Falls (on the way to Rawson Lake on the Upper Lake Circuit.)

Read about our recent hike to Rawson Lake and Sarrail Ridge below.

Read: Rawson Lake and Sarrail Ridge, Family Hiking in Kananaskis. 

Upper Kananaskis Lake

You can also follow the Upper Lake Circuit towards the Point Backcountry Campground (hike out and back as far as you want to go following the scenic lakeshore trail) or hike the Mount Everest Expedition Interpretive Trail from the nearby White Spruce Day Use Area. 

At the Upper Lake Day Use Area you'll find picnic tables and fire pits beside the lake along with outhouse bathrooms. This is a popular spot to launch canoes or kayaks as well. (And there are rentals nearby as well from the Boulton Creek Rentals.)

Sarrail Falls en route to Rawson Lake along the Upper Lakeshore Circuit

Peninsula Day Use Area, Highway 40 (Peter Lougheed Provincial Park) 

We've just discovered the Peninsula Day Use Area on the Lower Lake in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. It's a great spot if you're camping in the area, or as a day trip from Calgary.

Families will love the small inlets at the Peninsula Day Use Area

There are picnic tables down near the water (no fire pits) and it's a great place to launch boats. Families will love the small little inlets where you can let the kids paddle sit on top kayaks in a small protected area. 

The scenery is also gorgeous here (and there is no shortage of rocks for the kids to throw.)

Paddling around the Peninsula Day Use Area on the Lower Kananaskis Lake 

Driftwood Day Use Area, Spray Lakes Road (Spray Valley Provincial Park) - newly added for 2019

We just discovered the Driftwood day use area this summer while biking the High Rockies Trail. Not only is it a great stop on the trail, but you can ride from here to the Spray West Campground on the High Rockies Trail along the lakeshore of Spray Lake (a flat easy ride.)

There are picnic tables along the lakeshore (that never seem to be busy) and you can launch boats here if you want to kayak or take the stand up paddleboards out. 

Kids will enjoy throwing rocks by the shore.

Read more about the High Rockies Trail here.

Read: Biking the High Rockies Trail in Kananaskis with Kids

Driftwood Day Use Area, Spray Lake 

Forgetmenot Pond, Elbow Valley off of Highway 66

The Forgetmenot Pond Day Use Area is located in the Little Elbow Provincial Recreation Area beside the Little Elbow Campground. Here you'll find the trailhead for the Nihahi Ridge hike, and trailheads for the Little Elbow and Big Elbow mountain bike trails (old gravel roads that are great for pushing or towing a chariot on.)

Forget Me Not Pond

This is one of the few picnic areas in Kananaskis with fire pits and picnic tables, and it is a premier spot for a picnic or wiener roast. Bring your own wood if you want to have a fire.

Children will also enjoy playing in the Elbow River below the suspension bridge. You'll even find some small sandy areas to play in. 

Elbow River near Forgetmenot Pond, Elbow Valley

Note that Highway 66 is closed past Elbow Falls from December 1st to May 14th each year.

Read more about the Nihahi Ridge Hike here: First Summits - Nihahi Ridge, Kananaskis.

Hiking the Nihahi Ridge Trail, Elbow Valley

Elbow Falls day use area, Elbow Valley, off of Highway 66

The Elbow Falls Day Use Area is located in the Elbow Falls Provincial Recreation Area. The highway closes here from December 1st - May 14th each year, but you can access this day use area year round.

You'll find picnic tables, outhouse bathrooms, short little trails, and a beautiful waterfall. Children will have fun playing on the rocks and in the river.

Playing in the Elbow River at the Elbow Falls Day Use Area

 

Beaver Lodge Day Use Area, Elbow Valley off of Highway 66

The Beaver Lodge Day Use Area is a simple area with walk-in picnic tables and a great little hiking trail along a creek with beaver ponds.  

This day use area sees less traffic than most and lots of fun can be had along the creek. We like to bike here from Elbow Falls before the highway opens on May 15th each spring. It's a very short bike ride on a closed highway to the Beaver Flats Campground where you'll find the Beaver Flats Interpretive Trail along the creek.

To read more about spring biking and hiking in this area, read: The Best Spring Bike Rides in Kananaskis.

Beaver Flats Interpretive Trail, Elbow Valley

Quarry Lake, Town of Canmore

  
Quarry Lake is Canmore's local town beach and one of the best swimming lakes in the Canmore/Banff area. To find the lake, consult Google Maps where you'll find the lake on the way to the Canmore Nordic Centre just outside the Town of Canmore.

There are no fire pits and few tables so bring a blanket for an old fashioned picnic and don't forget the sand toys for the kids. 

Quarry Lake, Canmore

Bow Valley Provincial Campground and Day Use Areas, TransCanada Highway

There are several day use areas around the Bow Valley Campground and in the surrounding provincial park. The Whitefish day use area is a scenic spot beside the river with fire pits on site. Children will enjoy throwing rocks in the river or hiking along the riverside trail here.

Family picnic beside the Bow River in Bow Valley Provincial Park

The Many Springs Hiking Trail is also in this area with its own separate parking area. 

And finally, the Middle Lake Day Use Area has its own short hiking trail around the lake. We try to time an annual visit here for late April before the Bow Valley Campground opens for the season. This way we can bike all of the closed campground roads, ride over to the Many Springs Trail, and have a picnic beside the river.

To read more about spring biking and hiking in this area, read: The Best Spring Bike Rides in Kananaskis.

Scenery along the Many Springs Hiking Trail

Sheep Falls Day Use Area, Sheep River Road west of Turner Valley

The Sheep Falls Day Use Area is located in Sheep River Provincial Park.  There are picnic tables, fire pits, and outhouse bathrooms on site. The waterfall is a short walk from the day use area and is much bigger than Elbow Falls.  

This is a great option for families in South Calgary wanting to take a day trip to the mountains.  

Note that this highway is closed during the winter from December 1st through May 14th.

Sheep Falls, Sheep River Provincial Park

Sibbald Lake Day Use Area, Highway 68 west of Calgary 

The Sibbald Lake Day Use Area is located in Sibbald Lake Provincial Recreation Area just west of Calgary. 

This is the access point for the Deer Ridge Hiking Trail.  Families will also find fire pits and picnic tables beside the small lake.

Sibbald Lake is great for family fishing 

For directions and more information, please visit  the official  Kananaskis Website here.  There is information on day use areas as well as all hiking trails in the park.  

For Banff, visit the Parks Canada website here.