A Road Trip Guide to Five Incredible Unesco Sites in Calgary

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• Calgary is a great starting point for exploring Alberta’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which include Banff National Park and Jasper National Park.
• Banff National Park is a must-visit destination, with stunning scenery, year-round activities, and iconic attractions like Lake Louise and Icefield Drive.
• Other nearby attractions include Provincial Rock Carving Park, Waterton Lakes National Park and Bison Head Smashing Jump, each offering unique experiences and cultural significance.

The cosmopolitan city of Calgary is home to the Calgary Stampede (the world’s largest outdoor rodeo) and the perfect starting point for five of Alberta’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Downtown is a short walk from Banff and Jasper National Parks, the country’s most popular national parks, which are part of Canada’s Rocky Mountain Park World Heritage Site.

Waterton Glacier National Park, which borders Glacier National Park in southern Alberta, offers quieter, more relaxed resorts, while Writing-On Stone and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Visitors are provided with the opportunity to learn about Aboriginal culture and culture. History. The Provincial Dinosaur Park is the perfect getaway for families with children who are excited to get up close and personal with real dinosaur bones and learn about these fascinating giants.

Whether travelers enjoy hiking, immersing themselves in Indigenous culture, or spending time outdoors with family and friends, this road trip guide will provide detailed information on UNESCO sites near Calgary.

Banff National Park

Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, both part of Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. As Canada’s first national park, Banff is arguably one of the most famous parks in the world and the most visited park, followed by Jasper in the countryside.

Both boast magnificent snow-capped mountains, turquoise-colored glacial lakes, stunning wildlife, and unparalleled scenic driving trails.

Located an hour and a half from Calgary via the Trans-Canada Highway, this amazing year-round destination is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Hiking, cycling, rafting and other activities are available in the beautiful warm weather, and excellent skiing in winter.

The two most popular attractions are Lake Louise and Lake Monlline. Keep in mind that weekdays tend to be less crowded. If time permits, take the cable car to the top of Sulphur Mountain for a great view of the park.

Icefield Avenue (Highway 93) winds its way through towering mountains, connecting Banff to Jasper to the north. It is one of the most scenic roads on earth and a must-see for visitors to the region.

While travelers can visit Banff on a day trip from Calgary, getting to Jasper requires an overnight stay, especially if you want to take a cruise on Maligne Lake to enjoy the scenery; From Calgary, it’s a four-and-a-half-hour drive along the Trans-Canada Highway.

Places to stay near Banff National Park

Choose a hotel on Calgary’s west side, such as Four Points West Hotel, for quick access to Banff National Park to avoid traffic jams. A new hotel that opened in summer 2023, the Alt Hotel University District is a budget hotel with quick access to the highway to Banff.

Stone Book / Áísínai’pi Provincial Park

In 2019, the Stone Book (also known as Áísínai’pi Provincial Park) became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Located in southeastern Alberta, along the Milk River Valley, in the heart of the Blackfoot traditional territory, this sacred landscape features sandstone formations and stone pillars (known as stone forests) that are believed to have souls, and cliff sides with rock art made by Aboriginal people over thousands of years.

The site has the largest collection in the Great Plains, with approximately 1,000 works of art.

What to do in Áísínai’pi Provincial Park

Take a free guided tour to learn about the hieroglyphs (petroglyphs), petroglyphs (petroglyphs) of this sacred place and the people who created them; Hike and marvel at the breathtaking views of the stone forest.

For those looking to connect with the land and spend more time in this stunning park, stay at a campground within the park, managed by Alberta Park, where tents and RVs are available. It includes a small shop, toilets, playgrounds, fire pits, and much more.

Provincial parks are three and a half hours from Calgary; It can be combined with Waterton Lakes National Park and takes two hours from the city to reach.

Waterton Lakes National Park

Waterton Lakes National Park is much smaller than neighboring Glacier National Park, measuring just about 195 square miles.

It is the only natural site with an International Peace Park (and neighbors across the U.S. border), Dark Night Sky Reserve, and the Biosphere. It also has few visitors, which means sharing its natural beauty with fewer people.

Located three hours from Calgary, Waterton Lakes National Park boasts gushing waterfalls, crystal clear glacial lakes, stunning mountain views, and tree-lined shores. At the heart of the park is Upper Waterton Lake, the deepest lake in the Canadian Rockies, adjacent to the village of the same name.

During your visit, don’t miss the chance to cruise the Waterton coastline, Canada’s oldest passenger ship still in operation, and don’t be surprised to see bighorn sheep and deer grazing on the village’s lawns.

What to do in Waterton Lakes National Park (and accommodation nearby)

Astronomy enthusiasts can sign up for small, personalized guided nighttime guided tours, and dark sky guides will provide informative stargazing through telescopes and binoculars. But for those who can’t keep up with water activities, the park’s many alpine lakes are perfect for swimming, paddling, and kayaking.

Accommodation near Waterton Lakes National Park

If a day trip is too long, consider staying at the Chalet-style Prince of Wales Hotel, a Canadian National Historic Site overlooking Waterton Lake and backed by the Rocky Mountains.

For day trippers, stay at the Calgary South Marriott Residence Inn, a pet-friendly, family-friendly hotel with a fully equipped kitchen on the highway to Waterton National Park, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump and writing – on a rock.

The bison stumbled

As the name suggests,”bison wrestling” is a place where the indigenous peoples of the North American plains traditionally hunt bison. Located at the confluence of the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains, the site has been used for nearly 6,000 years to drive bison from a 36-foot cliff to the bottom of a valley.

It is the largest, oldest and best-preserved buffalo jump in North America. Today, visitors can stand on top of a cliff and feel connected to the land, which was and is an integral part of Blackfoot. Due to its historical significance, it was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981.

What to see on the buffalo head-hopping platform

Built on a sandstone cliff, the world-class interpretive center provides insight into the place, its history, and the self-sufficient public hunting of plain buffalo through narrated hikes and song and dance retelling.

The burial mound (ancient cemetery) under the cliff contains layers of animal bones that are still buried. For thousands of years, bison have been an important part of life, providing not only food but also clothing, tools, and materials for shelter.

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is a 2-hour drive south of Calgary and can be combined with Waterton Lakes National Park.

Provincial Dinosaur Park

Just two and a half hours east of Calgary is the most important dinosaur discovery site in the world. More than 49 species of dinosaur fossils have been found in the otherworldly Provincial Dinosaur Park, dating back to the Late Cretaceous period (7500 million years ago), which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

Located in the Red Deer River Basin in the Alberta Badlands (Canada’s largest park of its kind), the park offers visitors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see real dinosaur bones up close on the trail. However, please note that it is illegal to delete them.

What to do at the Provincial Dinosaur Park

Visitors can walk along the giant footprints of dinosaurs on any of the six interpretive hiking trails (from easy to hard), see dinosaur skeletons, and stop at the visitor center and museum to learn more about this fascinating place where giants roam.

The center also offers indoor programs, family tours, bus tours, lecture series, and guided digging activities. Camping, including comfortable camping tents that allow guests to enjoy the natural beauty of the destination; Reservations must be made in advance to reserve a seat.

Stay near Provincial Dinosaur Park: The Westin Calgary Airport is an ideal spot from which to discover Dinosaur Provincial Park.