Kananaskis Country

The area has been home to indigenous peoples for at least eight thousand years, with bands of hunting families making the seasonal rotation between the open grasslands to the west and the forested mountains to the east. In recent history the Nakoda, Siksika, Blood, and Kootenai peoples have all had ties to the region.

Following the signing of Treaty 7 in 1877 between the indigenous peoples and the Canadian government, the area became federally-controlled. During this era, the area was opened to industrial development with the installation of a hydroelectric dam in 1913. In 1930 the area passed into the hands of the provincial government.

The first two parks in the region were Bow Valley Provincial Park in 1959 and Bragg Creek Provincial Park were created in 1960. However, the Alberta Wilderness Association had larger ambitions, and in 1972 proposed larger part that would include the Elbow, Sheep and Kananaskis river valleys. At the same time the provincial government wanted to upgrade the road through the area to a highway to divert some of the pressure away from ranchlands in the foothills near Calgary, due the rapidly expanding numbers of Calgarians spending weekends in the countryside. Calgary architect and environmentalist Bill Milne challenged the government to hold public consultations on the highway upgrade, and the Government of Alberta received over 48,000 responses to a survey about the future of the eastern slopes; the majority supported creating a large protected area. The legend is that Milne and Minister of Highways Clarence Copithorne convinced then-Premier Peter Lougheed to create the park with just one helicopter ride over the region. In 1978, Premier Peter Lougheed officially dedicated Kananaskis Country and Kananaskis Provincial Park (the later is now called Peter Lougheed Provincial Park).

By the time K-Country celebrated its fortieth anniversary in 2018, it had hosted 75 million visitors.

This is archetypal Rocky Mountain terrain, with snowcapped craggy peaks, cold rivers rushing through narrow valley, and clear blue lakes. The peaks of the Kananaskis Range occupy most of the western part of K-Country with the Elk Range to the south. The highest point is Mount Galatea at 3,185 m (10,449 ft), and there are several other peaks above 3,000 m (10,000 ft). To the north and east the terrain is less jagged and the elevations are lower. The region is cut through by the Elbow, Sheep, and Kananaskis rivers as well as the Spray Lakes.

Wildlife is abundant, with lots of mountain goats, longhorn sheep, elk, moose, deer, bear, etc. If you come in late June or early July you will be amazed at the variety of wildflowers and songbirds making their home in the area.

This is a great area to do some wildlife spotting, even from the road. No guarantees if and where so make sure every one is keeping their eyes peeled as you drive though the area. Some examples:

• Grizzly bears - Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, particularly the area a few kilometres around the visitors centre.
• Moose - particularly around Mount Engadine Lodge and Lake Kananaskis areas
• Pika - Rock glacier trail
• Ground squirrels - just about everywhere though top of Highwood pass is a good place.
• Golden-mantled ground squirrel - North Interlakes Day Use
• Bighorn sheep - on the 40 Kananaskis Trail up towards Highwood pass and the Sheep River road
• Mountain goats - rare but sometimes above Canmore
• Coyotes - Smith Dorrien-Spray Road
• deer - all over the parks areas
• Osprey - Spray Lake, Kananaskis river (towards Bow river confluence)
• Golden Eagle - Upper Kananaskis lake

The parks provide a range of landscapes with the chance to see alpine meadow and wetland plants.

• Yellow lady's slipper orchid - Bow river park trails
• Western wood lily - Bow river park trails
• Shooting Star
• Indian paintbrush - just about everywhere

There are two ski resorts in the Kananaskis area:

• 🌍 Nakiska. Site of the ski events at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary. 
• 🌍 Fortress Mountain (K-Pow). 

Excellent cross country skiing is also available within the region. It is also close to the Canmore Nordic Centre, home of the cross-country events in the 1988 Winter Olympics. Cross country and snow shoe trails are maintained by the parks staff. Various classic and skate skiing trails are set at Mount Shark Trails area and at Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.

Kananaskis is also renowned for its top-notch biking, hiking and equestrian trails.

• 🌍 Boundary Ranch, ☏ +1 403-591-7171. Trail riding 
• Mountain biking. Some of Canada's best mountain bikers train at the Canmore Nordic Centre. With over 70 km of trails, there's something for everyone. Kananaskis is chock full of mountain biking trails, if you're considering coming here to ride, then a copy of Backcountry Biking in the Canadian Rockies by Doug Eastcott, (ISBN: 0-921102-69-0) is essential. There are trails for every skill level just waiting to be ridden. Being that this is a sub-alpine region, trails usually don't dry out from the Winter until mid to late May. Consult with the locals before attempting any trails around or before this date. 
• Fishing. Kananaskis contains many streams, rivers, and several lakes, for the fishing enthusiast. 

• Rafting. Accompanied rafting tripped down the Kananaskis river are organized by a number of companies from Canmore. 
• 🌍 Kananaskis Country Golf. Home to one of the best (and busiest) golf courses in North America. 36 holes designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr, surrounded by mountains. A good value price wise also considering the quality of the course. Reserving in advance is highly recommended. Weather can be tricky in the early season, be prepared. The course has received many great reviews. Because the course is so busy, the operators are quite strict about slow play, and will use their authority to speed things up a bit if it gets out of hand. You are expected to play your round in 4½ hours. If you remember to timestamp your scorecard and keep the pace, they give you a gift at the pro shop after the round. 2018 regular rate (Alberta resident rate): M-Th (excluding holidays) $118 ($88);F-Su $125 ($95); age 65 and up (weekdays) $108 ($78); age 17 and under $68 ($68); twilight rate $68 ($68); special rate for May 2018 $98 ($78); golf cart rental $20 per person. 

You will find all kinds of summer (and winter) activities to do in the park including horse back riding, rafting, hiking, biking, birding and wildlife watching. The golf course is on Highway 40 which is the busiest area for visitors to the parks in Kananaskis. There is a very good information centre on Highway 40 near the entrance to the Park. On the Smith Dorrien side of Kananaskis, closer to the Banff National Park, wildlife, especially moose, can often be viewed especially around the corner of Shark Road near Mount Engadine Lodge. It is the remote, less travelled area in Kananaskis and on a well maintained gravel road.