Few people would say that they love the late autumn season following Halloween, but there is no shortage of fun to pursue while waiting for the ski season to begin.
If you haven’t experienced a quiet walk through Banff or Canmore without the summer crowds, let this be your inspiration.
Below are five of my favorite day trip suggestions to get excited about this fall:
1. Visit a spooky cave or canyon followed by lunch in Canmore
Caves and canyons are perfect for late fall hikes when the flowers, green grass, and colorful leaves are behind us.
From the Heart Creek parking lot, it is a short 2km hike (one way) to the Heart Creek Bunker, a small cave that was originally dug out of the mountain during the Cold War era to house important documents. Nothing was ever stored here, but the vault remains decorated with spooky graffiti, befitting of a late fall hike.
Alternatively, Grotto Canyon is an easy 4km round-trip hike to a set of waterfalls. You can hike further, but we usually turn around after the canyon opens up. Park at the Grotto Mountain Day-Use Area off Highway 1A near Canmore.
After your hike, continue to Canmore for lunch and a stroll down the main street. You’ll find free parking at Elevation Place.
Remember that a Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to visit any of the day-use areas in Kananaskis. You can purchase a day pass or a yearly pass on the Alberta Parks website.
Visit the Alberta Parks website or the All-Trails website/app for more information on all Kananaskis hikes mentioned in this story. I also like to check the current Alberta Parks Trail Reports for wildlife warnings.
2. Drive out to Kananaskis Village and hike to Troll Falls
It doesn’t matter if the leaves have all fallen off the trees or it’s a cold and gloomy November day, because waterfalls are always spectacular.
The hike to Troll Falls is a short 3km round-trip outing on a wide, easy trail. If you so choose, you can continue to the Upper Falls for another kilometre (return). The trail to the Upper Falls is steep, but there are handrails and you’ll get the opportunity to walk behind Marmot Falls as you climb to the Upper Falls.
Note that the trail to the Upper Falls gets slippery once snow arrives. You might need microspikes or ice cleats for a late season hike. This would apply to all hikes from mid-November onwards.
After your hike, drive up to the Village where you can go inside the lodge to grab hot beverages and baked goods to enjoy by their fireplace in the main lobby.
3. Play tourist for a day in Banff
Plan a day trip to Banff with a walk along the river, around the Fenland Loop, or along the Sundance Canyon Trail. The town is much quieter in October and November, making it an excellent place to take the family!
For families looking for a great stroller hike, you can walk to the entrance of Sundance Canyon on a beautiful, paved trail that starts from the Cave and Basin Historic Site. The trail follows the river and once you arrive at the canyon, there is a picnic area followed by a short loop through the canyon. The canyon loop itself is not stroller friendly. The paved trail is 3.7km one way and the canyon loop is an additional 1.6km.
Families can also plan an entire holiday-themed day in Banff by visiting the Christmas Market or the Banff Gondola for their Spirit of Christmas event, always an annual highlight for my family with visits from Santa on top of the mountain. Tickets are available online to purchase for both events in advance.
You’ll find free parking in Banff at the Banff Recreation Grounds/Sundance Park where there’s a large playground, paved pump track, skatepark, and easy access to the town trails as well as the main downtown area. You can also hike from here to the Fenland Loop along the river. Alternatively, parking is free at the Cave and Basin site for Sundance Canyon, or you can park at the train station as you enter Banff and walk downtown in approximately ten minutes.
4. Take a peaceful autumn drive in South Kananaskis
Follow the Cowboy Trail, Highway 22, south until you arrive in Diamond Valley. From here, head west on Highway 546 into Kananaskis towards Sheep River Provincial Park.
Recommended places to stop along Highway 546:
5. Take a day trip to dinosaur country in Drumheller
We love visiting Drumheller in the fall for a visit to the Royal Tyrrell Museum (which has a great dinosaur-themed playground as well). We also like stopping at Horseshoe Canyon for a short badlands hike on the way into town. And, of course, you have to visit the world’s largest dinosaur in downtown Drumheller. I also recommend driving east of Drumheller to visit the Star Mine Suspension Bridge in Rosedale. From Rosedale, drive to the former coal mining community of Wayne, crossing 11 one-way metal bridges (no businesses open past October). If you continue east of Rosedale, you’ll want to visit the Willow Creek Hoodoos – a very fun place for kids.
Happy exploring! There’s fun to be had every season!
Tanya is a freelance writer and mom to an active teenage son. She loves hiking, camping, skiing, and all things mountain-related. She is the author of the blog Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies, rockiesfamilyadventures.com. You can find her on Instagram @MountainMomYYC.
See our related articles:
Calgary’s Child Magazine © 2026 Calgary’s Child
