Elbow Falls Provincial Recreation Area

Elbow Falls Provincial Recreation Area is one of the best outdoor playgrounds around. It’s a mere 67 km (42 mi) southwest of Calgary, making it ideal for day trips and quick getaways. As the name suggests, the big attraction here is Elbow Falls. The falls are an impressive site and easy to get to. The trail from the parking lot is short, paved and well-maintained. It leads to viewpoints that will have you filling your camera roll. (If the falls look familiar, it may be because they appear in The Bourne Legacy.) Once you’ve had your fill of the falls venture further afield. The recreation area also has great biking (summer and winter), hiking and trail running. The Elbow River is also popular with paddlers, but you should be comfortable in fast-moving water. If you want to take things a little slower, grab a picnic table in one of the many day-use areas and enjoy a picnic.