In Alberta, we are blessed with beautiful views and, thankfully, incredibly convenient viewpoints to get the best possible glimpses of those views. Many people think you need to embark on a hike or take a gondola to see the most iconic sights in the province. Well, those people couldn’t be more wrong. Many top spots to enjoy are less than a 5-minute walk (honestly, we promise) from your car. While it was almost impossible to narrow them down, we’ve pulled together 11 of Alberta’s best and most accessible spots for anyone who loves a view but isn’t a fan of breaking a sweat.
Surprise Corner
There are so many options in the famous Banff National Park that it’s difficult to choose. But Surprise Corner, located in the town of Banff itself, is a perfect spot to soak in the majestic Banff Springs Hotel with the amazing backdrop of Sulphur Mountain behind.
With signposts from the centre of Banff, Surprise Corner is incredibly easy to find. Once you get to the small parking lot, cross over the road and walk up a small set of stairs. If you feel like exploring some more, there are a couple of different trails worth checking out from here.
We know the point of this article is all about roadside viewpoints. But if you have already found parking in town and don’t feel like battling the traffic, this spot is also very easy to walk to. Either way, you need to see it for yourself.
Morant’s Curve
Located along the Bow Valley Parkway near Lake Louise, this iconic viewpoint overlooks the Bow River and Canadian Pacific Railway line, which follows the river's bend. The mountains surrounding Lake Louise provide a spectacular backdrop, and, if you time it well enough, you might even catch a train passing through to top it off.
This viewpoint is well-known and can be seen sprinkled all over the internet. Photographers travel from far and wide to get a picture of the view in their unique style, and travellers come from all over to see it for themselves. We urge you to exercise your patience and wait for a train to roll when you’re viewing Morant’s Curve. It really is the cherry on top of an unreal view.
Orkney Viewpoint
Located along Highway 837 in the Alberta Badlands, Orkney Viewpoint is a great stop-off if you find yourself in Kneehill County, just west of Drumheller. If you’ve ever visited the area, you know the terrain is like nothing else. Stop here and have a seat on the bench for great views over the Red Deer River Valley. You’ll see rolling hills, unique rock formations, and the river below. It’s serene, stunning, and most definitely worth a stop. Obviously, snap a photo or two while you’re at it.
Sagitawa Lookout
When visiting the town of Peace River in northwestern Alberta, make sure to pull over at Sagitawa Lookout before (or after) you arrive for a unique perspective of the town. Located south of Peace River, this viewpoint offers unbeatable views of the town and the convergence of the Peace and Smoky Rivers. Fun fact: the word Sagitawa is a Cree word meaning “Where the rivers meet.” If you haven’t visited this region before, the view from above is an absolute must.
Abraham Lake
Often overlooked, Nordegg is a hidden gem within Alberta and the Canadian Rockies. A short-ish drive southwest of this charming Hamlet along Highway 11 is the mighty Abraham Lake. It would be rude not to stop here and admire the impressive views of this beautifully turquoise-blue lake. There are many places to pull over along the highway, but Preacher’s Point is a particularly well-known spot for this. You won’t believe how awe-inspiring this lake and the entire surrounding area is. If you’ve ever seen the famous “bubble lake” that freezes in otherworldly patterns each winter, it’s one and the same! So, no matter the season, it’s an eye-full.
Sulphur Gates Platforms
We’ve talked about the Sulphur Gates before, but we just can’t help but say it again! This spot is so underrated that it deserves another mention. If you’re in the Grande Cache region, driving to the Sulphur Gates Campground takes a little time. From the parking lot, a short trail leads to platforms overlooking the Sulphur River Canyon and Smoky River. You can choose three platforms from looking over the steep canyon cliffs. From high above, admire the impressive views of the silty-blue Smoky River meandering through the canyon.
Driftwood Beach
Waterton Lakes National Park is up there alongside Banff and Jasper National Park for sheer jaw-dropping beauty. Fortunately, there are plenty of easily accessible spots in this national park where you can take it all in. This one, in particular, is a beauty and is directly en route into the Waterton townsite. The clue is in the name. The washed-up driftwood from the lakes adds an extra special element of beauty on top of the already spectacular view of Middle Waterton Lake. In the background stands Mount Vinny, and in the distance, you can spot the famous Prince of Wales Hotel.
The Prince of Wales Hotel
Next up is the famous Prince of Wales Hotel. This place is an essential stop when driving into the townsite to admire the view of Waterton Lakes and the small town of Waterton nestled beside the upper lake, as well as the hotel—built in 1927—which is a charming sight to behold in itself.
Walk around the outside of the hotel for incredible views of both Waterton Lakes stretching through the valley. The small townsite nestled alongside the sprawling Upper Lake with incredible mountain peaks on either side of the valley truly is a sight to behold.
Frank Slide Historic Site
On a slightly more sombre note, this landmark on Highway 3 through Southern Alberta offers a hauntingly beautiful viewpoint of the deadliest landslide in Canadian history: Frank Slide. If ripping through on a road trip en route to Fernie, Cranbrook, or maybe Montana, pull over between Bellevue and Frank to witness the rock slide that tragically demolished a small mining town in 1903. Take in the mesmerizing view of the rugged Turtle Mountain towering over the valley and rubble below — a reminder of the unpredictable power of Mother Nature.
There is also an interpretative centre slightly further up the road if you want to explore more of Albertan history. Walk the trail that cuts through the rock slide, providing a unique perspective of the historical landmark.
Kananaskis Village Rim Trail
When driving Highway 40, heading into Kananaskis Provincial Park, or K-Country as it’s also known, the scenery is unreal, and you don't even have to step out of the car. But If you want to stretch your legs out quickly without committing to any sort of hike, stop at Kananaskis Village. From here, you can access the first two viewpoints, which are located along a paved path in less than five minutes. There are five viewpoints in total, each offering unique vistas across K-Country. So, if you fancy stretching the legs out in a bigger way, you might as well do the whole paved loop path around the village, checking-out each viewpoint as you go.
Kananaskis Lakes
If a longer drive is on the agenda, then venture further into K-Country all the way to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and the Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes. Pick between one of them, or check out both to admire expansive blue water engulfed by snow-capped mountains.
To get here, take the turnoff for Peter Lougheed Provincial Park shortly before Highwood Pass along Highway 40. Meander your way through the park. The lakes are well-marked, and you might even be lucky enough to spot some wildlife while driving. Lower Kananaskis Lake offers a view of an expansive, deep blue lake stretching down the valley, sandwiched between vast mountain ranges on either side.
On the other side of the dam separating the two lakes is Upper Kananaskis Lake. Here, you can enjoy panoramic views of ominous snow-capped mountains surrounding the enormous lake. Depending on the weather, you might spot people fishing on the water, boating, kayaking, or paddle boarding. Not only are these lakes stunning in their own right, but en route to the lakes, you will be able to experience the jaw-dropping beauty of K-Country, making it well worth the extra drive.
Oliver Reeves is a freelance writer and a contributor to Great West Media. This story was written for the Great West Media & Southern Alberta Newspapers Hot Summer Guide advertising feature. The Hot Summer Guide is a special feature about summer activities, bucket list adventures, staycation options, road trips, attractions, events, and road trip-worthy food & beverage destinations across Alberta. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff.
