Family Fun in the Canadian Rockies

by Andrew Hempstead, author of Moon Canadian Rockies

The focus of your vacation in the Canadian Rockies should be the outdoors, even with children. Mix up the places you think the children should see with places you know they will enjoy. If you’re traveling to the Canadian Rockies as a family, renting a vehicle will make your holiday more enjoyable—upgrade to a minivan for everyone’s sanity. With those tips in mind, here are some favorite family-friendly places and activities.

Maligne Lake, (c) Helena Bilkova| Dreamstime.com

Banff National Park

Banff Park Museum: Learn about local wildlife at this downtown museum
Louise Lakeshore Trail: A walking path for all ages along one of the world’s most beautiful lakes.
Lake Agnes Trail: Families with active children can take this hike to a historic teahouse and reward themselves with sweet treats

Canmore

Elevation Place: This indoor playground for adventurous kids is the perfect place for children to swim and climb

Kananaskis Country

Mount Lorette Ponds trail, (c) Lisa Bourgeault

Mount Lorette Ponds: Try fishing at these shallow ponds, which are stocked with rainbow trout.

Kootenay National Park

Radium Hot Springs: Take a soak in these outdoor mineral pools.

Golden

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort: Ride this gondola for sweeping views only mountaineers usually enjoy.

Jasper National Park

Columbia Icefield, (c) Riekefoto | Dreamstime.com

Columbia Icefield: Just riding in an oversized Ice Explorer will excite most children, but the real fun is in bumping along over a glacier.
Maligne Lake: A safe, enjoyable way to experience this beautiful lake is to jump aboard a tour boat.

Calgary

Telus Spark Science Centre: It’s easy to spend a full day in this modern kid-oriented facility.

Andrew Hempstead

About the Author

As a professional travel writer, Andrew Hempstead spends as much time as possible on the road, traveling incognito, experiencing the many and varied delights of each destination just as his readers do. He looks forward to spending every second summer at home in the Canadian Rockies, traveling mountain highways and hiking trails, exploring new places, and updating old favorites.

Since the early 1990s, Andrew has authored and updated more than 60 guidebooks, and supplied content for regional and national clients like Expedia and KLM. His photography has appeared in a wide variety of media, ranging from international golf magazines to a Ripley's Believe it or Not! Museum.

Andrew and his wife, Dianne, own Summerthought Publishing, a Canadian regional publisher of nonfiction books. He is a member of The Diners Club World's 50 Best Restaurants Academy. Andrew has also spoken on travel writing to a national audience and has contributed to a university-level travel writing textbook.

Andrew and his family live in Banff, Alberta.

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