Visitor Information
Included below are Visitor Information and Accommodation suggestions for the Kananaskis and Crowsnest sites.
Visitor Information for Kananaskis
Places to stay
Within 4 km of the Kananaskis eagle watch sites is Kananaskis Village which is merely a very fine hotel complex. The G8 Summit of 2002 was held at this secluded location.. The
Delta Lodge at Kananaskis with over 400 rooms, 5 restaurants, spa and indoor heated pool is recommended. Enjoy the wonderful scenery. Calgary Airport pick-up.
Very close to the Hostel Hill site and only a little over 1 km from the Hay Meadow site is the International Hostel HI-Kananaskis Wilderness Hostel where very pleasant company and basic accommodation is available. This place is heavily used by hikers and cross-country skiers. Prepare your own meals (lots of fridge space and stoves available) or go up to the Village! Enjoy lovely hot showers. Chat around a fire.
To book phone 1 778 328 2220 or 1 866 763 4122 (toll free).
Near the junction of Highways #1 and #40 is the Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino. As well as offering casino facilities this enterprise of the first nations Stoney Nakoda offers 111 reasonably priced rooms just 26 km from the parking spot for the Hay Meadow site.
Of course Calgary 90 km (55 miles), Canmore 52 km (31 miles) and Banff 70 km (42 miles) all have a wealth of fine places to stay for those who like more active surroundings and a wider variety of restaurants and entertainment.
Attractions near Kananaskis
Kananaskis Country contains hundreds of excellent hiking, mountain biking, cross-country and snow shoe trails through magnificent mountain scenery.
For downhill skiing enthusiasts the nearby Nakiska Ski area offers slopes of all grades. This was the venue for downhill events during the 1988 Winter Olympics. Of course Banff National Park is close and other excellent skiing may be found at Lake Louise, Sunshine and Mt. Norquay.
After a day of eagle watching or skiing relax in the natural hot pools in Banff.
Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Parks are well known to have some of the world’s finest mountain scenery. The Ice Fields Parkway drive is particularly recommended.
Calgary, amongst many other attractions, has an excellent zoo and a very fine heritage park.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology is situated 135 km east of Calgary in Drumheller. This town is in the heart of Alberta’s bad lands famous the world over for dinosaur remains. A visit is highly recommended for all ages. First Class!
Bird watching opportunities are excellent in the immediate vicinity of the Hay Meadow observation site.
In fact within short walking distance of the site there is a wealth of different habitats and of course a wealth of birds. We have recorded over 240 bird species either nesting in the area or migrating high overhead. Some of the species identified were firsts for Alberta. A comprehensive check list is available.
Visitor Information for Crowsnest
Places to stay
The nearest large centre is the city of Lethbridge about 113 Km (68 miles) east of Frank on Highway 3. Lethbridge population is around 100,000. Excellent accommodation is available.
The town of Pincher Creek (population around 4000) offers very good motel accommodation. It is situated pproximately 33 km (21 miles) south of Highway 3 on the Waterton road.
Frank itself contains the inviting Goat Mountain Getaway which provides comfortable modern cabins with kitchens and fireplaces. This accommodation is within 4 km of both observation sites.
The nearby towns of Blairmore, Bellevue and Coleman offer very good motel, hotel, Bed & Breakfast, R.V. and camping accommodation.
There is some very pleasant and friendly Bed & Breakfast accommodation in the beautiful country south and west of Pincher Creek and Beaver Mines.
Waterton hamlet is tiny but it contains some B&Bs and the famous old Canadian Pacific “Prince of Wales Hotel” high on a hill overlooking the lake. Afternoon tea is served!
Attractions near the Crowsnest area
For visitors from far away we should mention that south-west Alberta offers some of the finest scenery in the world. Also within easy reach are the following:
The UNESCO World Heritage Site known as “Head Smashed In” A brilliant museum describing the Blackfoot culture, history and hunting methods is set into a hillside where bison were herded over a cliff to their death. An absolute must see. Gorgeous view.
The Frank Slide Interpretive Centre tells what happened here one terrible night.
Waterton Lakes National Park – Extraordinary beauty, wonderful hiking and camping
Crowsnest Pass contains a colorful mining history and spectacular scenery. Excellent mine tours are available.
The Remington Carriage Museum in Cardston houses the largest collection of horse drawn vehicles in North America.
Wind-power. Southwest Alberta is windy. Large wind farms make a spectacular sight as you drive east from Frank towards the plains.
Fort MacLeod of Royal Canadian Mountain Police fame is the origin site of the famous musical ride.
The Porcupine Hills – magnificent ranchland.
