Autumn in Alberta means golden leaves, phenomenal sunrises and a crisp chill in the air.
Fall here is fleeting, decorating the leaves and larches in September and October—or until a big, fluffy layer of snow falls. It’s a time for cooler-weather hikes, relaxed strolls through farmers’ markets and meals outside on heated patios.
Larch hikes in the Canadian Rockies, where the needles of conifers turn from green to gold, are an essential fall experience. Book a guide to lead you on a horseback ride through forests in transition, a food tour to taste the season or a trip to a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fall also marks the start of the NHL hockey season, providing loads of opportunities to see the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers. However you spend the precious days of fall in Alberta, it’s time well-spent.
Inspirational stories
Outdoor activities
Alberta looks fabulous in gold
Hiking and biking, fishing and camping, horseback riding and wildlife spotting. Autumn brings loads of opportunities to play outside, unplug from the daily grind and connect with nature. Whether your fall visit has you crunching through fallen leaves or catching early snowflakes on the tip of your tongue, the season in Alberta will keep you on your toes.
Hike through the golden larches
For just a few weeks in September and October, the needles on larch trees across the Rockies turn bright golden yellow before dropping to the forest floor. It’s a breathtaking sight. For a stress-free larching experience, book a guided hike like Uplift Adventures’ Upper Rowe Lake Hike. You’re bound to learn loads from your guide as you explore.
Spy animals readying for winter
Alberta’s wilderness is in flux during fall. Bears forage for berries as they prepare to hibernate, deer and bighorn sheep bulk up for winter, bald eagles make slow circles as they seek prey while other birds set their migration paths. One of the best ways to spot wildlife in fall is on a guided tour from the comfort of a minibus.
Natural attractions
A few perfect weeks
You can see multiple facets of Alberta in a single fall visit. You might stroll Calgary or Edmonton in a cascade of yellow leaves, wake up to see a thin layer of frost glinting in the coral-coloured sunrise and run your mittens through fresh-fallen snow in the Canadian Rockies. This special, transitory season deserves to be enjoyed thoughtfully.
Taste the harvest
Working up an appetite?
Alberta’s agricultural roots are delectably hearty. We produce delicious honey, world-class barley, famous Alberta beef, a huge variety of root vegetables and plenty more. Get a taste of Alberta on a food tour, at a market, from a local brewery or at a restaurant.
Fall essentials
Seize the moment
The air is crisp and animals are preparing for hibernation or migrations. You’ll want to wear a toque for your hike and you might see your steamy breath on a morning walk for coffee. Get outside and take in Alberta’s autumnal excellence.