In Kananaskis Country, that could mean walking through quiet forest to a waterfall, crossing a suspension bridge high above the trees, reaching a clear alpine lake or climbing onto a ridge with mountain views in every direction.
With trails ranging from short family outings to full-day adventures, Kananaskis makes it easy to choose a hike that fits your crew. And when you stay right in the valley at Sundance by Basecamp, you can spend less time getting to the mountains and more time exploring them.
Tips for Hiking in Kananaskis This Summer
Mountain conditions can change quickly, even on warm summer days. Before leaving, check Alberta Parks trail reports, advisories and closures for the specific area you plan to visit.
A few essentials belong in every hiking pack: water, food, layers, sun protection, a basic first-aid kit and appropriate footwear. Wildlife awareness is also important. Alberta Parks recommends travelling attentively, keeping pets leashed, giving wildlife space, carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it.
If you’re parking within Kananaskis Country, you’ll generally also need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. The Government of Alberta currently lists personal-vehicle passes at $15 per day or $90 annually, but rates and requirements should be reconfirmed before publication and again before travel.
And one of the simplest summer strategies? Start early. You’ll often find quieter trails, cooler temperatures and more time to slow down at your destination.
Here are six of the best hikes in Kananaskis for summer, with options for families, casual hikers and anyone ready to earn a bigger view.
1. Troll Falls: An Easy Family Favourite
Best for: Families and casual hikers
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 5km
Type: Out and back
Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Highlight: A waterfall at the end of a forest walk
Troll Falls is the kind of hike that works when you want a memorable morning outside without committing the entire day.
The trail winds through aspen forest before reaching the falls, making the journey almost as enjoyable as the destination. The main trail is roughly 2.5 kilometres one way, although current route information should always be checked before heading out.
For families with younger hikers, the waterfall gives everyone something to look forward to, and the relatively approachable route makes this a good first Kananaskis adventure.
Basecamp tip: Start earlier on busy summer weekends, then head back to Sundance for a relaxed afternoon around camp.
2. Blackshale Creek Suspension Bridge: Big Fun, Short Hike
Best for: Families, kids and a lighter adventure day
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 6.4km
Type: Out and back
Time: 2.5 – 3 hours
Highlight: A 73-metre suspension bridge above the forest
Few easy hikes deliver a payoff quite like this one.
Part of the High Rockies Trail, the Blackshale Creek Suspension Bridge stretches across the creek with forest and mountain views in every direction. The established route from the Black Prince Day Use area is approximately 6.1 kilometres round trip, making it a manageable outing for many families.
Crossing the bridge adds just enough adventure to make this trail especially fun for kids without requiring a big alpine climb.
Pair it with a picnic and you have an easy half-day in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
3. Elbow Lake: A Short Hike to an Alpine Lake
Best for: Families and casual hikers ready for a little uphill
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: 4.2km
Type: Out and back
Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Highlight: A mountain lake surrounded by classic Kananaskis scenery
If you want alpine scenery without committing to a full-day hike, Elbow Lake is a great middle ground.
The trail climbs steadily from the trailhead, but the distance is short, 2.1 kilometres one way with about 120 metres of elevation gain. At the top, the trail reaches Elbow Lake, where mountain views and plenty of space to slow down make the climb worthwhile.
For families, this can be a nice step up from an easier walk like Troll Falls. Pack a few snacks, take your time on the uphill sections and plan to spend a while by the lake before heading back down.
Basecamp tip: Turn this into an easy-going half-day adventure, then head back to Sundance with plenty of time left for a relaxed evening at camp.
4. Prairie View Trail: A Step Up in Adventure
Best for: Active families, couples and intermediate hikers
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 11.4km
Type: Out and back
Time: 4 – 4.5 hours
Highlight: Wide-open views above Barrier Lake
Ready to trade the shorter forest walks for a little more elevation?
Prairie View is a popular choice for hikers looking for a moderate Kananaskis day with a rewarding viewpoint, the route to the viewpoint at 5.8 kilometres one way.
The climb takes more effort than the first trails on this list, but higher sections open up to sweeping views across Barrier Lake and the surrounding peaks.
Bring plenty of water, give yourself more time than you think you need, and stop often. Half the fun is watching the landscape get bigger as you climb.
5. Rawson Lake: A Classic Alpine Lake Hike
Best for: Intermediate hikers
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 7.1km
Type: Out and back
Time: 3 – 3.5 hours
Highlight: An alpine lake beneath towering peaks
Rawson Lake feels like a true Rockies adventure without requiring a technical summit.
Starting near Upper Kananaskis Lake, the trail eventually turns uphill through subalpine forest before reaching Rawson Lake. Alberta Parks lists the route at 3.9 kilometres one way with approximately 320 metres of elevation gain.
The reward is a quiet alpine lake framed by steep mountain slopes.
Pack lunch and leave time to enjoy the shoreline before heading back. This is a good choice when your group wants something more substantial than a short sightseeing hike but isn’t looking for exposed scrambling or an all-day ridge objective.
6. Tent Ridge: Save This One for the Adventurous
Best for: Experienced hikers
Difficulty: Challenging
Distance: 10.5km
Type: Loop
Time: 4 – 6+ hours
Highlight: Huge views over the Spray Valley
For experienced hikers looking for a bigger day, Tent Ridge is one of the area’s standout adventures.
This is a very different outing from Troll Falls or Blackshale Creek. Expect steep mountain terrain, exposure and sections where confident movement in the alpine matters. It should only be attempted when weather, trail conditions and your group’s experience line up.
The reason hikers make the effort is easy to understand once you’re high on the ridge: the views across the Spray Valley and surrounding peaks are enormous.
For families or anyone unsure about exposed terrain, choose one of the maintained trails earlier in this guide instead. A mountain day doesn’t have to be the hardest one to be memorable.
Make Sundance Your Basecamp for Summer Hiking
The best hiking weekends don’t have to start with a long drive into the mountains each morning.
Set along the Kananaskis River, Sundance by Basecamp puts you in Kananaskis Country with hiking, mountain scenery and outdoor adventures close by. Choose from glamping tents, trapper’s tents, tipis and campsites, then come back after the trail for dinner outside, time around the fire and a night under the trees.
Travelling for a longer Rockies getaway? Canmore is approximately 35 minutes from Sundance, and Banff about an hour away, making it possible to pair quieter days in Kananaskis with time exploring two of the region’s best-known mountain towns.
Hike in the morning. Settle in by the river in the evening. Then pick another trail and do it all again tomorrow.
