One of the best parts of living in Calgary? You don’t need a plane ticket to feel like you’ve traveled somewhere completely different. 🚗🌍 Within just a few hours’ drive, you can find yourself in landscapes that look—and feel—like another planet.
Here are 3 weekend trips from Calgary that will blow your mind.
1. Drumheller – The Badlands & Dinosaurs 🦖
Just 90 minutes northeast of Calgary lies Drumheller, home to Alberta’s famous badlands. The rolling hoodoos, canyon-like valleys, and prehistoric fossils make this destination feel like you’ve landed on Mars.
What to Do in Drumheller:
Visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum, one of the world’s best dinosaur museums
Hike through Horseshoe Canyon and Horsethief Canyon
Snap photos at the hoodoos—unique rock formations carved by wind and water
Drive the scenic Dinosaur Trail
👉 Why it feels like another world: The stark desert landscapes and dinosaur history transport you far away from the prairies you left behind.
2. Waterton Lakes – A Hidden Mountain Paradise 🌄
About three hours south of Calgary, you’ll find Waterton Lakes National Park—a gem that many overlook in favour of Banff or Jasper. With rugged mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and far fewer crowds, Waterton feels like a hidden paradise.
What to Do in Waterton:
Take in the views from Prince of Wales Hotel overlooking the lake
Hike the Crypt Lake Trail (voted one of the best hikes in the world)
Stroll through the quaint townsite and enjoy local cafes
Kayak or paddleboard on Upper Waterton Lake
👉 Why it feels like another world: Waterton combines alpine beauty with a sense of untouched wilderness, giving you space to breathe and explore.
3. Writing-on-Stone – Desert Meets History 🏜
Located about 3.5 hours southeast of Calgary, Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its striking sandstone formations and ancient Indigenous rock carvings.
What to Do at Writing-on-Stone:
Explore the hoodoos and desert-like terrain
Join a guided tour to see petroglyphs and pictographs thousands of years old
Picnic along the Milk River
Camp under some of the darkest skies in Alberta for incredible stargazing
👉 Why it feels like another world: The mix of desert landscapes and cultural history makes this one of Alberta’s most unique destinations.
Why These Trips Matter for Calgary Homebuyers
These weekend escapes highlight what makes Calgary such an incredible place to live. Beyond affordability and community, you gain access to some of the world’s most diverse and stunning scenery—right in your backyard.
When buyers from Ontario, BC, or beyond consider moving to Calgary, it’s not just about the home—it’s about the lifestyle. And being able to drive a few hours to what feels like another planet? That’s a lifestyle perk money can’t buy.
FAQs: Weekend Trips From Calgary
Q: How far are these trips from Calgary?
Drumheller: ~1.5 hours
Waterton Lakes: ~3 hours
Writing-on-Stone: ~3.5 hours
Q: Are these trips family-friendly?
Yes! Each destination offers activities for kids and adults, from museums to easy hikes and cultural experiences.
Q: Can I visit year-round?
Yes, but accessibility varies. Drumheller and Writing-on-Stone shine in spring through fall. Waterton offers both summer adventures and winter quiet escapes.
Q: Do I need to book ahead?
For Waterton and Writing-on-Stone, campsites and hotels fill up quickly in peak season. Always plan ahead if traveling on long weekends.
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Living in Calgary means you’re never far from adventure. Whether you’re wandering through dinosaur country, hiking lakeside trails in the Rockies, or exploring desert landscapes with ancient carvings, these weekend trips remind us how lucky we are to call Calgary home.
Thinking about moving to Calgary and experiencing this lifestyle for yourself?
💬 DM me “WEEKEND” and I’ll send you my free Calgary Lifestyle Guide.
Kristen Edmunds is a Calgary-area REALTOR® and Associate Broker with KIC Realty, specializing in acreages, luxury homes, and smart buy/sell strategies. With expertise in rural properties (water wells, septic, equestrian facilities) and a client-obsessed approach, Kristen helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals with confidence and ease.
