10 Best Family Hikes near Calgary

Heading out for a hike is a wonderful family activity, and a great way to make memories with your kids. Seeing them encounter nature for the first time can be a real joy, and it’s an excellent opportunity to introduce your children to the great outdoors. However, finding the ideal family hike can be a challenge, especially if you’ve got young kids or older parents in tow. If you’re looking for awesome family hikes near Calgary, 10Adventures is here to help!

We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best family hikes near Calgary, focusing on the regions around Canmore and Kananaskis. We think these areas are the best places for hiking as a family, with plenty of kid-friendly trails and lots of exciting sights along the way that will keep the whole family entertained! After these kid-friendly hikes near Calgary, you just may hear your kids ask if they can explore the trails a bit longer! If you are searching for family hikes near Calgary, this mix of family hikes in Canmore and easy hikes in Kananaskis gives you a great range of short walks, lake hikes, waterfalls, and bigger outings for older kids.

We’ve compiled a diverse list that will take you to some of the best kid-accessible sights in the Kananaskis. You’ll discover Peter Lougheed Park, Spray Lakes Park, and the Kananaskis Lakes area. If you’re not sure where to stay, try out the beautiful town of Canmore, or the resort community of Kananaskis Village.

These family hikes near Calgary feature easy terrain, as well as fun places for the kids to explore. They can take a swim, enjoy a waterfall, or walk across a historic engine bridge. And with names like “Troll Falls” and “Picklejar Lakes”, they’ll be creating their own stories while you enjoy the stunning scenery on these easy hikes.

Take a look at our top 10 family hikes near Calgary, and let it inspire you to plan your next adventure in the gorgeous Kananaskis.

What is new for family hikes around Calgary in 2026

Family hikes around Calgary are as good as ever in 2026, but spring and shoulder-season planning matters. Alberta Parks’ current trail reports for the Canmore and Kananaskis area note that conditions can shift quickly between snow, ice, mud, and soft trails, so it is smart to check reports before you go and bring layers, poles, and microspikes when needed.

One of the most important updates for families is at Grassi Lakes: the easier Grassi Lakes Upper trail remains the main year-round access route, while the more difficult Interpretive Trail is seasonally closed in winter because of icy conditions. Alberta Parks also notes that the easy route can still be icy from October to May.

Families heading to the Canmore Nordic Centre should also know that some upper trails remain closed because of Bow Valley Fireguard work, so it is worth checking current notices before combining a hike with time in that area.

Best Easy Hikes Near Calgary

#1: Ptarmigan Cirque

The Ptarmigan Cirque hike (3.5 km, 195 m, 1-2h) is a family favourite, especially once the larches start to change in autumn. Starting at Highwood Pass means you are in the alpine almost immediately, making this one of the most satisfying hiking trails near Calgary. Ptarmigan Cirque is locally famous as a great hike to view autumn larches, and it is also a fun location for a family photo shoot! Be careful in autumn as the hike through the trees can be slippery. This is one of the best family hikes near Calgary for a bigger payoff without a huge amount of distance.

#2: Elbow Lake

The Elbow Lake hike (4.3 km, 130 m, 1-2h) is a wonderful, family-friendly hike in the Highwood Area of Kananaskis. It’s also the perfect first backpack trip, as Elbow Lake is so close to the trailhead. We do this hike every year with our family. If you are in Calgary, the drive from the southern portion of Highway 40 makes this a wonderful day trip from Calgary, and one of the best easy hikes in Kananaskis.

#3: West Wind Pass

The West Wind Pass hike (5.0 km, 390 m, 2-3.5h) is a great family-friendly hike in the Kananaskis area! It’s not too busy and is a perfect hike for people who want to get stunning views without a ton of elevation gain. We love the vista back to the Spray Lakes Reservoir as well as at the views from West Wind Pass itself. Note that this hike is a bit too much for little kids, as there are some tricky bits along rocks, so don’t attempt it with children below 8-10 years old. However, if you’re travelling with older, active kids, this is one of the best family hikes near Calgary.

#4: Rawson Lake

If you’re looking for easy hikes, Kananaskis is the place to be! The Rawson Lake hike (7.8 km, 320 m, 1.5-3h) is one of the most fun hikes in the Kananaskis Lakes area, and it is especially popular with families. It’s a pleasant path through the forest up to Rawson Lake, but the hike around the side of Rawson Lake is what is truly spectacular. We love this on hot days, as the forest shade keeps us cool.

This is another great day trip from Calgary, and the nearby ice cream shop at Boulton Creek Campground is a real treat.

#5: Picklejar Lakes

Some Calgarians rate the Picklejar Lakes hike (10.5 km, 500 m, 2.5-5h) as their absolute favourite hike in the Canadian Rockies. It’s not hard to see why. The hike to Picklejar Lakes is a great family hike for those with older children. This hike has varied terrain and wonderful views. This is a hike for older children, as it’s both long and has a lot of elevation.

#6: Grassi Lakes Circuit

Looking for brilliant hikes near Canmore? Look no further than the Grassi Lake hike (4 km, 185 m, 1-2h): a classic Canmore hike for families. The best part of the Grassi Lakes hike is that it works for a wide range of abilities. Alberta Parks currently identifies the easier Grassi Lakes Upper trail as the year-round access route, while the more difficult Interpretive Trail is seasonally closed in winter because of icy conditions.

Even on the easy route, Alberta Parks notes that icy sections can linger from October to May, so families should be ready with microspikes and poles when conditions call for them. The trail is also in a wildlife corridor, so stay on designated trails.

Once at Grassi Lakes enjoy the views of a pair of cozy, crystal clear lakes surrounded by impressive rock faces. This is one of the best hikes near Canmore for families.

#7: Quarry Lake

The Quarry Lake hike (3 km, 15 m, 1h) is one of Canmore’s hidden gems, and one of the loveliest easy hiking trails near Calgary. Not only is Quarry Lake a great place to swim, but a family hike around Quarry Lake and the surrounding area delights with wonderful views. Quarry Lake is also a popular off-leash dog-park. When it comes to easy hikes Canmore has plenty of options, and this is one of our favorite short hikes near Calgary.

#8: Troll Falls

The Troll Falls hike (3.7 km, 60 m, 1-2h) is a classic, family-friendly hike in Kananaskis. Located near Nakiska, this hike is popular year-round with families. While Troll Falls is nice, our favourite part of the walk is the return journey through Hay Meadow, where you walk along the Kananaskis River and have wonderful views.

#9: Canmore Town & River Hike

This hike is one of Canmore’s best family-friendly walks, and a great hike to introduce somebody to Canmore! The Canmore’s Main Street hike (3.7 km, 25 m, 0.75-1.5h) starts in central Canmore and then you walk down to the Bow River and then along the Spur Line Trail. Here you cross the Bow River on the historic Canmore Engine Bridge and then walk along the Bow River, eventually reaching Riverside Park. This is a family-favorite walk you’ll do again and again, and one of our top hikes near Canmore! This is also one of the easiest family walks near Calgary for visitors who want mountain scenery without committing to a bigger hike.

#10: Black Prince Interpretive Trail / Warspite Lake

The hike on the Black Prince Interpretive Trail (4.6 km, 125 m, 1-2h) is one of the most interesting short hikes near Calgary. The trip takes you to Warspite Lake on a good path and there are great views once at Warspite Lake. This hike can also be done in winter, though don’t go right after a big snowfall as you’ll be breaking trail. In summer, kids will love this trail: one of the best easy hikes in Kananaskis. This is a strong choice for families who want an easy Kananaskis hike near Calgary with a bit more variety than a simple out-and-back walk.

Book a Family-Friendly Hiking or Cycling Tour with 10Adventures

If these family hikes near Calgary leave you inspired to explore more, it may be time to plan a bigger adventure with 10Adventures. Our collection of family-friendly hiking and cycling tours makes it easy to find a trip that matches your pace, interests, and comfort level, whether you want a gentle walking holiday, an active family cycling trip, or a private adventure in the mountains. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors together without having to plan every detail yourself.

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