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Welcome to the Wild Albertan

Our Mission is to Help Albertans Make The Most of Alberta Through Providing High Quality Guides and Resources

ALBERTA BY NUMBERS

Where every adventure begins, explore our latest content.

Explore the latest insights and resources on Wild Alberta, where information meets inspiration. From outdoor adventures to expert guides, our curated content is designed to ignite your curiosity and deepen your connection with the wild. Join us on this journey through the heart of our latest resources, unlocking a wealth of knowledge about the Wild Albertan experience!

The Ultimate Beginners Guide to  Crown Land Camping in Alberta

Welcome to "The Wild Albertan's Crown Land Camping Guide for Beginners" – your perfect introduction to the enchanting world of camping in Alberta's Crown land. Whether you're new to outdoor adventures or a first-time camper, this guide is designed to make your experience seamless and enjoyable. Discover beginner-friendly camping spots, essential tips, and embark on a journey to connect with the natural wonders of Alberta. Get ready for your first steps into the wild with confidence and excitement!

The Ultimate Guide to  Crown Land in Alberta

Welcome to "The Wild Albertan's Ultimate Guide to Crown Land Camping in Alberta" – your go-to resource for exploring the breathtaking wilderness of Alberta's Crown land. Uncover the best camping spots, essential tips, and connect with the untamed beauty of this Canadian province. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure in the heart of nature!

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If Santa Moved To Alberta – Where Would He Live? (Wild Albertan’s Christmas Post 2023)

Northern Lights Discovery: Exploring Aurora Borealis in Alberta’s Wilderness

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Top 3 Crown Land Locations Near Lethbridge

The ultimate guide to  alberta's provincial parks.

Welcome to "The Wild Albertan's Guide to Alberta's Provincial Parks" – your essential companion for exploring the diverse and captivating landscapes within the province. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a newcomer to outdoor adventures, this guide is tailored to enhance your experience within Alberta's Provincial Parks. Uncover the best park destinations, glean practical tips, and immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty of these natural treasures. Get ready to embark on a journey that celebrates the richness of Alberta's Provincial Parks – where every trail leads to a new adventure!

The Ultimate Guide to  Alberta's National Parks

Welcome to "The Wild Albertan's Guide to Alberta's National Parks" – your gateway to the stunning natural wonders protected within the boundaries of these federally preserved landscapes. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or a first-time explorer, this guide is crafted to enhance your experience in Alberta's National Parks. Discover iconic destinations, glean insights from essential tips, and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty that defines these pristine areas. Get ready to embark on a journey through Alberta's National Parks, where every trail promises an awe-inspiring adventure amidst the untouched wilderness.

Explore Alberta's unique  Ghost Towns

Alberta’s frontier was a relentless place with harsh winters, unforgiving terrain, and at the mercy of market conditions in the east. Most of today’s towns and cities have survived these conditions and thrived but there are many that weren’t so fortunate. Take a dive into Alberta’s rich history by exploring our ghost towns.

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The BEST Ways to Safely See Alberta Wildlife (for 2024)

Disclaimer: this page may contain affiliate links. please review our full terms and conditions for more information and our privacy policy. note that any pricing, operating hours, or other such information provided below may have changed since initial publication..

Compiled by the Road Trip Alberta team

Last Updated on January 8, 2024

When visiting Alberta, travellers are keen for the full ‘Canadian Experience’: snow-capped mountains, lush forests, golden prairies, and of course, how to see Alberta wildlife. While it’s incredible to experience bears, beavers, and bobcats in the wild, it’s unfortunately not always a guarantee that you’ll see them. But, with proper planning, it is possible to see at least some of those animals on your ‘Great Canadian Wishlist’.

To help with your planning, we’ve gathered a list of our favourite places to see and even interact with wildlife in Alberta. From wolf and owl sanctuaries to the breathtaking Canadian National Parks, you can find those majestic photo-ops for moose, bear, beaver and more – you just need to know where to look!

How to See Wild Animals in Alberta

Be mindful and respectful of alberta wildlife.

First things first…mind your wildlife manners! As amazing as it is to see wild animals in their natural habitat, it’s important to remember to respect their space and keep interaction to a minimum – both for your safety and for the safety of the animals.

What Wild Animals Can You See in Alberta?

The regulars probably pop into your head when you think of Canadian animals: bear, beaver, moose, and loons, but the truth is, there are plenty more where they come from! There’s a menagerie of animals scuttling about in Alberta like:

Large Animals in Alberta

• Bear (Grizzlies and Black)
• Cougar (mountain lion)
• Big Horn Sheep
• Bison (Buffalo)

Small Animals in Alberta

Alberta birds.

• Golden and Bald Eagle
• Burrowing Owl
• Great Horned Owl
• Canadian Goose
• Whiskey Jack

How to See Alberta Wildlife

The surest way to see some of the most majestic wildlife in Canada – those animals that tend to avoid humans in the wild – is to check out an Alberta sanctuary, conservatory or zoo. 

Many of the places listed below exist to ensure wounded or otherwise compromised animals are protected or rehabilitated, giving them a chance to thrive. They also act as beacons of information, educating visitors about the importance of safeguarding these animals.

Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary (Cochrane)

Wolves, so wild and silent, are notoriously difficult to spot in nature. (You might say, they’re the ‘lone-wolf’ types!) But at the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary , wolves and wolfdogs roam in 1 – 2 hectare paddocks where you can see them plain as day.

Depending on the tour you choose, you can watch them wander from outside, or you can have the opportunity to go right inside and experience these beautiful animals face to face. The sanctuary is devoted to informing the public about the importance of protecting wolves and their habitats as well as promoting responsible wolf-dog ownership.

• Location: 1 hour east of Banff, Alberta – View Google Maps Location .
• Contact: 587-890-WOLF (9653) or email them here .
• Sanctuary Walk – General – $25 per person / Youth (6-11 years) – $15 per person – no reservation required.
• Intro Tour – $38 per person – minimum age of 10 years old; drop-ins welcome.
• Wolfdog Interactive Tour – $63 per person – minimum age of 15 years old, and requires advanced booking.
• Hours: Monday – Thursday, from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
• Season: Open year-round.

What to bring:

• Closed footwear
• Jeans or shorts
• No loose, dangling clothing or fur (faux included)
• Leave dogs and cigarettes at home

Alberta Birds of Prey Centre (Coaldale)

Nothing will melt your heart faster than a tiny burrowing owl’s big, curious eyes staring into your own. The Birds of Prey Centre is a Southern Alberta bird sanctuary created to protect and rehabilitate birds like owls, eagles, and hawks that can no longer survive in the wild.

Visitors can get up close with a variety of rescued owls and other birds of prey, learning all about the different species and even interacting with them! Let wild owls perch on your hand, or watch a live educational eagle feeding. And while you’re at it, why not help a bald eagle cool off from the heat of summer with a mid-day shower? It’s a bird of a good time!

• Location: 2 hours southeast of Calgary in the small town of Coaldale, Alberta. View Google Map Location .
• Contact: 403-331-9520 or email the Birds of Prey Foundation here .
• Price:  Adults $13, Seniors (60 and over) $11, Youth (6 to 18) $8.50, Children (3 to 5) $6, Children Under 3 Years FREE.
• Hours: Open 7 days a week from 9:30 am – 5:00 pm.
• Season: May 20th to Labour Day Monday (First Monday in September).
• Limited bright or dangling jewelry (they are curious birds, after all!)

Bison at Elk Island National Park (Elk Island)

In the gorgeous Elk Island National Park near Edmonton, you can watch wild bison roam free and learn how these majestic creatures were saved from near extinction. But, the park features more than just bison. It’s home to more than 250 bird species, and, as the name suggests, elk wander free in the park, delighting guests as they forage for food.

With picnic facilities and even overnight camping available, Elk Island is the perfect place to bring the whole family to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. So kick back, relax, and enjoy the fresh air, wide-open skies and of course, the wildlife!

• Location: 35 minutes East of Edmonton, Alberta. View Google Maps Location .
• Contact:  By telephone at 780-922-5790 (Toll-free: 1-888-773-8888), or by email: [email protected] 
• Price: Parks Canada fees apply. The current daily fees for Elk Island are Adults $8.50, Seniors $7.25, Youth (up to 17 years) FREE, Family/group (up to 7 people) $16.75., Commercial group $7.25 per person.
• Hours: Park is open 24/7, 365 days a year. See full services and facility hours here .
• Best time to see bison: At dusk and at dawn, and the best time to see baby bison is in June.
• Sturdy footwear
• Layers of clothing in case of inclement weather
• Sunscreen and hat

Waterton Bison Paddock – Watch MORE Elusive Bison

Take a drive around a massive paddock where wild bison roam free at the Waterton Bison Paddock which finally opened again in 2021 after it was closed due to the 2017 Kenow Wildfire which swept through Waterton National Park. In spring, summer, and fall, you can take a short drive and view plains bison in their natural grassland habitat.

• Location: Adjacent to Highway 6, just inside Waterton National Park, Alberta. View Google Map Location.
• Price: Parks Canada fees apply. The current daily fees: Adults $10.50, Seniors $9, Youth (up to 17 years) FREE, Family/group (up to 7 people) $21, Commercial group $9 per person.
• Hours: Park is open 24/7.
• Best place to see bison: They are often found around the various natural springs but may even also be on the road itself!
• Season: The road is closed during winter months.
• Just your camera! Note that you must stay in your car at all times.

Experience the Full Range of Canadian Wildlife

For those visiting Southern Alberta, the Calgary Zoo hosts the Canadian Wilds Exhibit , which gathers together some of Canada’s most impressive and elusive wild animals. As you wander through the forested pathways of the exhibit, you’ll see indigenous animals most Canadians will never get to see in the wild, including wild wolves, cougars, and bison.

• Location: 210 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary, Alberta. View Google Maps Location .
• Contact: 1-800-588-9993 or email them here .
• Price:  Adult $29.95, Senior (60+) $27.95, Child/Youth (3—15) $19.95, Infants (2 & under) Free. Note that a $12 parking fee (per day) also applies.
• Hours: Gates open at 9:00 am and close at 5:00 pm. Zoo Grounds are open from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.
• Season: Year-round, except Dec. 25.
• Comfortable footwear

Alberta Wildlife – In the Wild!

Visit a canadian national park.

Because animals are protected in Canadian National Parks, the local wildlife is plentiful, which means that seeing wild animals can be as easy as driving through one of the five national parks in the province . 

Hiking is also a great way to spot local wildlife, and the best part is, you’ll be experiencing a more ‘rounded’ Canadian experience by getting into the great outdoors – so you can check that off on your ‘Great Canadian Wishlist’ too! Remember, if you do see a wild animal, DO NOT try to feed it, and always respect their space by keeping your distance.

Wildlife in Banff & Lake Louise

Perhaps the most popular national park in the Canadian Rockies, Banff draws travellers from all over the globe to experience its rugged mountains and abundant wildlife. You’re almost guaranteed to see something during your time there, even right in town! When you do, take proper precautions to protect yourself and the animals.

Want to venture a little further to increase your chances? Hiking is a great way to do so. The same precautions apply if you want to take on one of the great hikes in Banff and/or Lake Louise.

Planning on spending some time in the Banff area? We’ve got an extensive Banff travel guide to help you start planning!

Wildlife in Jasper

Jasper National Park covers 13,000 square kilometres of the Canadian Rockies, from Banff National Park in the south to Kakwa Provincial Park in the north. With fewer tourists than Banff and more amenities than Waterton or Wood Buffalo Park, Jasper offers a great compromise with smaller crowds and more dining options in town. Plus, fewer people mean you have a greater chance of seeing more wildlife in nature!

Wildlife sightings are common near the townsite. And because it’s the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, there are a lot of great Jasper hikes to explore! There are great chances you’ll see an abundance of mountain-dwelling animals like bighorn sheep and mountain goats in Jasper.

Wildlife in Waterton

A hidden gem of a national park, Waterton Lakes National Park is one of the least crowded in the province and makes for some lightly trafficked trails, increasing your chances of spotting wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled while in town and driving around, but you can also hit the hiking trails to see what you find. (Note that because of the 2017 Kenow Fire, many hiking trails are closed, but some great routes remain open.)

Jasper is an exciting destination (even beyond the wildlife sightings!) We’ve got an extensive Jasper travel guide to help you start planning your trip there.

Wildlife in Wood Buffalo National Park

Straddling the Alberta/Northwest Territories border, Wood Buffalo National Park is Canada’s largest at 44,807 km² – that’s bigger than the entire country of Switzerland! The park is also the world’s largest dark sky preserve, making it great for stargazers and those hoping to spot the Northern Lights.

Best known for its free-roaming herds of bison, the park is home to a variety of species unique to the northern boreal forest. Key spots for viewing them can be found here . In contrast to the national parks in the Rockies, Wood Buffalo features delta, and grasslands, making hiking less strenuous as you’re keeping an eye out for native wildlife. The hiking opportunities are also plentiful!

The Best Time of Day to See Alberta Wildlife

Just like humans, animals have typical circadian rhythms. But instead of rising in the morning and hitting the hay at night, most of the wild animals listed above tend to take a big nap through the afternoon. That means dawn and dusk are the best time to see wildlife in Alberta, as that’s the time when they usually come out to ‘scare up some grub’!

Book an Alberta Wildlife Tour

Wildlife tours offer visitors the best of both worlds: the chance to see a wild animal in nature and up close and personal! Banff and Jasper are your best bet for year-round wildlife tours, and you can check out both Tourism Jasper or our guide to Banff tours for a comprehensive look at what is available!

As you cruise around Alberta looking for wildlife, don’t forget that we have FREE Road Trip bingo cards to make your trip more fun! (Also, there are many species on the “Iconic Sights” card, so be sure to mark those off as you see them!)

Dalene Heck is a co-founder of Road Trip Alberta. She was born in Edmonton, grew up in the Peace Country, and has ventured to almost every corner of Alberta and the world (she’s travelled to 60 countries)! She is a serial blogger, the CEO of HMI Marketing , co-creator of the Trip Chaser card game, a leukemia-slayer, and cat whisperer.

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Discover the wild province of Alberta

Get a taste of Canada’s mountainous backcountry province of Alberta through unique food tours, inspiring cooking classes and inventive local restaurants.

Taking in two of Canada’s oldest and best-loved national parks, Banff and Jasper, Alberta is a wild western prairie province where vibrant cities are gateways to some of the country’s most iconic landscapes. Come for the Rocky Mountains, fossil-dusted semi-desert Canadian Badlands, the Columbia Icefield and endless conifer forests. Stay for the unique cultural mix that takes in First Nations and Métis communities, and a long history of immigration from all over the world. Enjoy foraging trips and wilderness hikes, as well as pit stops in buzzing cities where exceptional restaurants sit side by side with eclectic street food and farmers’ markets that draw on livestock and produce from the province’s vast prairies.

Learn about Alberta's rich history and heritage

You’ll find Eau Claire Distillery along Highway 22 — also known as the Cowboy Trail — at the foot of the Canadian Rockies. Billed as the nation’s most-awarded craft distillery, this hipster hangout in the former frontier town of Turner Valley (now part of the larger, modern town of Diamond Valley) makes small-batch gins, vodkas and whiskies, drawing on a hooch heritage that harks back to the Prohibition era. In 1914, vast reserves of oil and gas were discovered here, and as the temperance movement spread across Alberta, Turner’s newly rich high-rollers funded speakeasy culture. Take a tour of Eau Claire’s 1920s buildings, which once housed underground bars, a brothel, a theatre and an old-time bowling alley. Then try their range of spirits made with barley still harvested by horse power.

Other gourmet spots packing in cultural heritage and excellent local cuisine include the Longview Steakhouse and Country Inn , which serves beef raised at ranches spread across the sprawling plains; and Ten Foot Henry , a vegetable-anchored Calgary venue named after a beloved local 1930s cartoon character.

Embrace the great outdoors

Take in some of Alberta’s most breathtaking panoramic views on a Peak-Nic mountain hike in Jasper National Park (offered by Jasper Food Tours), where you’ll also prepare and enjoy a gourmet meal in the great outdoors with a back-country cooking lesson. And if you’re visiting in springtime, don’t miss ‘ Devour! The Canadian Rockies Food Film Fest ’, which brings culinary stars from around the world to the town of Jasper to celebrate cinema and innovative cuisine from 5-7 April 2024.

Between Jasper and Banff, glacier-fed Lake Louise is an Alberta icon cradled by peaks and patchworked with hiking trails. In summer, arrive for sunrise then take the chairlift up to gaze out over mountains, looking for grizzly bears. In the town of Banff, you’ll find Italian restaurant Lupo , which is feted both for its food and its novel, market-style setting. Or for a dining experience with sweeping mountain views, enjoy a short journey up to the summit of Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola .

Discover Alberta's First Nations and Métis cultures

Edmonton-based food education company Pei Pei Chei Ow offers Indigenous cookery classes using locally sourced ingredients. Alternatively, try the seasonally inspired dishes from its takeaway menu.

Métis Crossing , 90 minutes northeast of downtown Edmonton, is an excellent place to gain an insight into the culture of the Métis people, who have mixed European and First Nations ancestry. This 40-room lodge on the banks of the Red River offers cooking sessions where guests can learn how to make dishes with bannock bread and bison, alongside bead making classes and Métis-guided dugout canoe trips. The lodge is entirely Métis-made, from the architecture to the hand-sewn quilts on the beds. Visitors can also spend a night under the stars in one of their luxury sky-watching domes.

Way out west, in Jasper National Park, take a medicinal plant walk with Warrior Women , guided by a local Cree knowledge-keeper — seek out the food and cures that nature offers, with tips on how to make salves, soaps and mineral salts.

Explore eclectic urban areas

With innovative itineraries in Banff, Canmore, Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta Food Tours offers the chance to uncover culinary treasures in Alberta’s diverse cities — like in the Kensington area of Calgary, where a self-guided food-finder game has players follow clues via an app, letting them taste their way through the neighbourhood.

Visit in May and sample brews at the annual Calgary International Beerfest , from 3-4 May 2024. Canada’s largest beer festival brings representatives from more than 200 breweries for tastings, brewmaster seminars and live entertainment in Stampede Park. Or head to Edmonton, where the downtown business district has seen an influx of cocktail spots, farmers’ markets and inventive restaurants over the past decade, with menus informed by the city’s history. From Vietnamese bao buns to Chinese barbecue, Mexican tacos to French and Belgian cuisine, Edmonton offers an endless choice of local and international eats.

Related Topics

• FOOD CULTURE
• FOOD TOURISM
• FINE CUISINE

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Alberta Tourism Information

Why visit alberta.

Alberta , the largest of Canada’s three  prairie provinces , contains a large portion of the Rocky Mountains and most tourism to the province centers around visiting the beautiful parks that surround them. The province’s two main cities, Calgary and Edmonton , are Canada’s largest outside the Toronto-Montreal-Vancouver axis, though they’re much less popular as tourist destinations. The larger city, Calgary, is generally acknowledged to contain more to see and do, though Edmonton contains a few famous attractions, as well.

Orientation

Most Albertans live in either Calgary or Edmonton and the cities are about three hours apart, with Calgary in the south and Edmonton in the north. The Rocky Mountain region is on the province’s far west, along the border with British Columbia . Everywhere else is largely rural, home to small farm towns and oil fields.

Lake Louise in Banff National Park. kavram/Shutterstock

The rocky mountain parks.

The most iconic tourist destination in Alberta — and possibly the entire country — is the beautiful Banff National Park and its emerald-green Lake Louise . Containing over 6,000 square kilometers of unspoiled Rocky Mountain scenery, Canada’s most popular outdoor resort is home to virtually every activity you could imagine, with over 1,000 km of hiking trails, a dozen campgrounds, numerous ski hills, a 27-hole golf course , three hot springs, and a wild river (the Kicking Horse ) that’s ideal for white water rafting . There are no shortages of shops, hotels, and restaurants in the village of Banff Town , which is usually packed with tourists.

Three hours north of Banff is Jasper National Park , which is broadly similar to Banff in terms of natural beauty, but is harder to get to, has fewer activities and is thus slightly less popular. Some prefer its more laid-back vibe. Even more laid-back are the smaller-still mountain communities of Canmore Kananaskis , which is near Banff, and Waterton Lakes National Park which is in Alberta’s most south-west corner. All of the Rocky Mountain parks are a couple hours from the two big cities. Banff, Canmore, and Waterton are closer to Calgary while Jasper is closer to Edmonton.

Calgary's Peace Bridge, over the Bow River that divides the city. Its eccentric design, though controversial at first, has now become an icon of the city.

Calgary Tourism

The largest city in Alberta.

Calgary is split in half by the Bow River , which has a pleasant coastline for walking and in the summer is popular for “floating” — what locals call riding in inner tubes. The river is crossed by multiple bridges, with the recently-completed Peace Bridge the most architecturally interesting.

The 160 meter tall  Calgary Tower is the city’s most famous landmark, and like most buildings of its sort, it contains a rotating restaurant and observation deck at the top. It’s no longer the tallest building in Calgary, however — that honor goes to the uniquely curved Bow Building , recognizable from afar with its criss-cross design. Equally iconic is the sloping roof of the Scotiabank Saddledome , home of the city’s NHL team, as well as other sports events and concerts.

Within walking distance of downtown is the massive Calgary Zoo which encompasses over 159 hectares and houses a vast assortment of Canadian and foreign animals, as well as exhibits on Alberta’s dinosaur-filled past.

Calgary postcards often feature pictures of the Ski Jump Towers , a relic of the 1988 Olympics found on the edge of the city limits. The surrounding  Olympic Park  is now run by a company named WinSport that offers a variety of public activities, including a Zipline and bobsled.

• Official Website, Tourism Calgary
• The Top 10 Things to Do in Calgary, TripAdviso r

" Wonderland ," a sculpture by famed Spanish artist Jaume Plensaat (b. 1955) at the base of downtown Calgary's Bow Building.

Museums and Galleries

The Glenbow Museum is Alberta’s largest museum, featuring an extensive history of the province from aboriginal times to the present, as well as contemporary artwork and traveling exhibits from around the world.

Spanning over 127 acres, Heritage Park Historical Village is a vast village of antique buildings containing re-creations of Canadian life from the Victorian era to the 1950s, complete with costumed actors.

Shopping and Restaurants

8th Ave SE, better known as Stephen Ave (Calgary streets often have two names) is the primary shopping district. Closed to car traffic in the summer and weekends, it contains a vast array of shops, restaurants, and vendors, many of which are housed in iconic Victorian-era sandstone buildings. An enormous shopping mall known as the CORE runs parallel to a portion of 8th, and contains most major retail chains, as well as a large indoor park, the Devonian Gardens , on the top floor.

Many blocks away, 17th Ave SW, also known as the Red Mile , is the other trendy shopping area, but is better known for its bars and restaurants. A 15 minute drive from the downtown core is the city’s largest mall, the Chinook Centre , which has everything the CORE doesn’t.

The Red Mile is Calgary’s iconic drinking and party zone, named after the color of Calgary’s hockey team, the Flames, which appears in considerable abundance on game nights. The Mile is home to many of the city’s oldest and most iconic bars and lounges.

Chuckwagon races at the 2016 Stampede. Bill Marsh/Calgary Stampede

A T-Rex skeleton display at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller.

The Calgary Stampede is Canada’s biggest party, and takes over much of the city for 10 days every July. Though the 100-year-old festival is officially supposed to revolve around watching traditional cowboy sports like bronco riding and steer wrestling, the modern-day Stampede has grown to offer something for everyone, including live concerts, carnival rides, shopping, and plenty of hot, greasy food.

Spectator Spots

Calgary has an NHL team, the Calgary Flames who play in the Scotiabank Saddledome  and a CFL team, the Calgary Stampeders , who play in the  McMahon Stadium .

Outside Calgary

An hour and a half from Calgary, the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller houses a vast collection of exhibits on life in prehistoric Canada, including an array of dinosaur skeletons uncovered from the Alberta badlands. The bizarre landscape of the  badlands themselves, which surround the museum, are fun to explore as well.

The skyline of Edmonton on the base of the Saskatchewan River .

Edmonton Tourism

Alberta’s second-biggest city and provincial capital.

Edmonton is split in half by the North Saskatchewan River and ample parklands surround the coasts. The downtown area is located on the north side.

The city’s most iconic building is the enormous sandstone structure that houses the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and four glass pyramids on the south side of the river that house the Muttart Conservatory , a massive indoor garden and museum. An equally grand glass pyramid can be found on the roof of the distinctive City Hall building. Surrounding city hall is Sir Winston Churchill Square , a large public plaza.

The gigantic Hotel Macdonald is Edmonton’s fanciest hotel, and the city’s most prominent example of Victorian-era architecture. Outside of downtown, the neighborhood of Old Strathcona contains most other historic buildings of note.

• Official Website, Tourism Edmonton
• The Top 10 Things to Do in Edmonton, TripAdvisor

The World Waterpark at the West Edmonton Mall. Jeff Whyte/Shutterstock

Edmonton City Hall and the Friendship Tower clock.

Most of Edmonton’s shops and restaurants are concentrated around the long Jasper Ave. (also known as 101st Ave) which runs through the downtown core, and the Old Strathcona neighborhood, centered around Whyte Ave (also known as 82nd Ave), which has a more bohemian character.

More than anything else, however, shopping in Edmonton is synonymous with the enormous West Edmonton Mall , which was at one time the largest mall in the world. Though the 1980s-era building is hardly state-of-the-art by today’s standards, its size remains awe-inspiring. It contains over 800 shops and countless other gimmicky attractions, including a roller coaster, a waterpark, a petting zoo, mini-golf, and a re-created 16th Spanish galleon. It’s about a half-hour drive from downtown.

The Art Gallery of Alberta is a wild-looking building containing the province’s largest collection of historic and contemporary art from both Canadian and international artists, with constantly changing exhibits.

Fort Edmonton Park  is an outdoor “living history” museum offering recreated streets and buildings from Edmonton’s past. It’s popular with schoolchildren on field trips.

Spectator sports

Edmonton has an NHL team, the Edmonton Oilers , who play in Rogers Place . Edmonton’s CFL team, the Edmonton Eskimos , play at  the Brick Field  in  Commonwealth Stadium .

Edmonton is unexpectedly home to the world’s third-largest fringe festival , run by a local outfit called  Fringe Theatre Adventures . Held in August, Edmonton Fringe is an 11-day celebration of independent plays, story slams, comedy, magic, busking, and all other forms of public performance. A global assortment of talent stage shows all over town. Ticket prices are quite cheap.

Fan of more conventional performances can check out a play at the  Citadel Theater , or a concert by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at the beautiful Winspear Centre .

Outside Edmonton

As Edmonton is not exactly a major tourist destination unto itself, the surrounding area offers limited appeal for visitors. Parks and campgrounds are the main attractions, primarily Jasper National Park (see above), and to a lesser extent  Elk Island National Park , which, though beautiful, has the dubious distinction of being Alberta’s only national park not recognized as a World Heritage Site by the U.N.

Alberta Tourism Resources

• Alberta Tourism Official Website
• Alberta, Lonely Planet
• Alberta Travel Guide, Fodor's

Wild West Badlands Tours

Drumheller, alberta, guided tours | guided operator.

Discover the beautiful geography, hidden history, and unique culture of the Canadian Badlands with this Drumheller-based tour company. They provide an Award Winning Tour of Drumheller and also provide pick up at the Calgary Airport to travel to Drumheller. Their tour lasts about 3.5 hours and they go right through the Drumheller Valley. They realize that their customers are on vacation and are looking to relax and have a great tour of the valley. They try to provide service so you will enjoy yourselves and come back to Drumheller with your friends and relatives. They also offer an evening tour, the Wild West Adventure Tour, on which they take a hayride into a herd of Buffalo. You can see the Buffalo right up close as they feed them right beside the wagon.

More in Southern Alberta

Boy chief trading post, oji creations, dry canyon collectables.

The Wild Horses of Alberta Society

“Wherever man has left his footprints in the long ascent from barbarism to civilization, we find the hoofprint of a horse beside it.” John Moore

The Wild Horses of Alberta Society (WHOAS) was formed as a nonprofit society in 2002 following the public outcry over the destruction of several wild horses that were living along the Eastern slopes of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. Since 2002, WHOAS has been working diligently and progressively on the protection and preservation of Alberta’s wild horses.

In March of 2015 WHOAS was Registered as a Charitable Organization. As such, our operation runs solely on membership fees, adoption fees, donations and fundraising efforts. We do not receive financial support from the government in any way.

**More detailed information regarding our funding is available in the Fundin g page of our website.

WHOAS has always believed there is a better way to manage the wild horse populations in a more humane and civilized manner. WHOAS is part of the government’s Feral Horse Advisory Committee (FHAC) and is the only nonprofit, volunteer member advocating on behalf of the wild horses who have no voice.

WHOAS has secured land adjacent to the forestry and has set up our rescue/handling facility so that we can continue to work to rescue and rehabilitate wild horses that have been found injured or abandoned.  We have an established adoption program and provide education and training on the gentling and handling of these wild animals.

Alberta’s wild horses are currently regulated under the Stray Animals Act, which at minimum, affords them some protection as it is against the law to shoot them or use snares to capture them. However, under the auspice of Alberta’s Minister of Parks and Recreation an annual capture season can still be declared if the government deems it necessary. If that happens, wild horses in large, indiscriminate quantities would be captured and removed by any licensed horse trapper, and “disposed of” as that trapper sees fit. (Usually auctioned off to the highest bidder).

WHOAS has always believed there is a better, more humane way to manage the wild horse populations, if and when it is deemed necessary to manage them. In an effort to build a relationship with the deciding parties, WHOAS has been part of the government’s Feral Horse Advisory Committee (FHAC) since it’s inception in 2013, Through this membership, we are able to offer a strong voice in favour of protecting the Wild Horses of Alberta. WHOAS is the only Registered Charitable Society advocating for and giving a voice to the Wild Horses of Alberta.

WHOAS has also been active for years in helping private landowners who live adjacent to the crown land maintain fences to help keep the horses on the public land where they belong. Whenever possible, we also volunteer to help haze horses back across the fence when they do stray on to private land.

Our first goal is and has always been, to see the horses remain wild and free. Unfortunately, situations do occur where wild horses find themselves in distress, in a dangerous situation, or causing problems for private landowners adjacent to crown land, and those landowners want the horses captured and removed.

As a responsible society, we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge that whether we like it or not, there are many other groups who utilize or have procured permission to utilize the public land that these horses and other wildlife call home. And whether we like it or not, the wild horses can create problems for those users, and for private landowners adjacent to the public land. In those cases, and because of the current laws associated with the Stray Animals Act which these horses and we all are governed by, we choose to rescue the horses who get into trouble, gentle them and offer them a good future with humans that they otherwise would not have.

In keeping with that choice, WHOAS has been granted a capture license through the Government of Alberta. If a report is made indicating that wild horses are in distress, or a complaint is made about wild horses who have strayed on private land and are deemed to be a nuisance, this permit then allows WHOAS to step in and humanely capture those horses.

For more information on the steps and legalities involved in a capture, please reference our FAQ section.

How Are We Regulated?

Wild Horses in Alberta are considered “feral” and are governed by the Stray Animals Act . Livestock Inspection Services (LIS), administers or manages animals who fall under this act. When Stray livestock is found trespassing in other people’s property or on highways, LIS may impound the livestock and locate the owner or last person in possession and assist in making arrangements for return. In cases where the owner or last person in possession of the livestock can’t be found, or if they can’t pay the incurred stray expenses, then the livestock will be sold by public auction.  In the past, if the strays are wild horses, the LIS would contact anyone with a horse capture permit to round up the horses in question who would then be taken to auction where they would end up, in most cases, in the possession of local meat buyers.

In the last few years, WHOAS has come to an agreement with the government of Alberta and the LIS, enabling us to step in and rescue these horses and bring them to our facility. The horses that stray on to private land make up almost 99% of the horses WHOAS rescues and adopts out. Once captured, we are obligated to file a report specifying the age, class, sex, colour and any markings of each horse captured. Pictures must be submitted within 48 hours of the capture.

It is important to note that, according to the law, once captured, we Can Not release horses back onto public land . It is also important to note that if not for WHOAS’ adoption program, these horses would likely be sold at auction and very likely slaughtered for their meat. By cultivating a mutually respectful relationship with the Government, the LIS, and local private landowners, WHOAS has been able to significantly contribute to the fact that since 2015 no culls have been carried out, with no large scale random removal of wild horses being deemed necessary.

You can find more detailed information in our FAQ section.

Our Facility

Once WHOAS rescues a wild horse, then by government regulations, we are not permitted to relocate the horse back onto public lands.

In 2014, realizing a need for a larger scale rescue facility, WHOAS was fortunate to have a small parcel of private land adjacent to the forestry donated to our cause. Here we were finally able to build a proper barn and holding pens to ensure we are able to provide the care and rehabilitation for wild horses that have been found injured, abandoned or who have strayed onto private land and had to be removed.  Once the animals have settled into their new temporary home at our facility, we begin the gentling process getting them ready for eventual adoption to their new forever home.

Through the facility and all of the wonderful volunteers who show up every day to care for and work with the horses, we have developed an established adoption program and are able to provide quality education and training on the gentling and handling of these magnificent wild animals.

How to Connect With Us

To reach us via email:.

• [email protected]

Our mailing address:

• Wild Horses of Alberta Society (WHOAS) Box 64 Sundre, AB T0M 1X0

Find us on Facebook:

Our  rescue/handling facility  is located 15 minutes west of  Sundre, Alberta . Send us an email to book a time to visit or call the phone number at  587-444-2247 . Our volunteers will be happy to arrange a time when they are there to show you around.

Canadian Wildlife Magazine Article – Feb’24

Recently, Canadian Wildlife Magazine released their March April 2024 issue. Within the magazine is an article on Alberta’s Wild Horses. We were fortunate to have had our past president and founder of WHOAS, Bob Henderson, interviewed for this article. While we would stress that there is information in the article that WHOAS does not necessarily […]

WHOAS Fundraising Banquet

Join us on May 4, 2024 at the Olds Legion in Olds Alberta, for our Annual Fund Raising dinner for the Wild Horses of Alberta Society. Tickets are $35 per person and available from any one of our Board Members. You can also request tickets by messaging us on our Facebook page, or by emailing […]

Merry Christmas

On behalf of the Board of Directors of WHOAS and the Alberta wild horses, we want to take this time for a safe and good Christmas and a better New Year. We hope the beauty of our wild horses can offer our supporters some happy thoughts and peace inside. Thank you to all our members and supporters.

Follow us on YouTube for videos of wild horses that we have posted.

Support for WHOAS

Learn How You Can Help Support WHOAS

• Wild Horses of Alberta Society (WHOAS) - Box 64 Sundre, AB T0M 1X0

©  Copyright Wild Horses of Alberta Society (WHOAS) Red Deer Web Design by Promark Business Solutions

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BARRHEAD - The County of Barrhead has decided not to renew its membership in GROWTH Alberta. On May 3, following an in-camera session, councillors passed a motion not to renew their membership, which expired at the end of April. GROWTH Alberta, founded in 2001, is one of nine Regional Economic Development Alliances (REDA) in the province. Their purpose is to create economic growth through marketing. At one time, GROWTH's membership roster was in the teens, but in recent years that number has dwindled. Presently, it has three members: Woodlands County, Swan Hills and Mayerthorpe. The county's membership contribution was $9,000 annually. Although councillors decided not to remain a part of GROWTH, they voted to allow Coun. Walter Preugschas, council's current GROWTH representative, to continue contribute to the organization's WILD Alberta tourism brand efforts. Currently, the WILD brand is characterized mainly by an annual tourism brochure, with the latest version scheduled to be published by the Victoria Day long weekend and distributed in select Edmonton region locations. It will also be available at yet-to-be determined locations locally and online via its WILD Alberta website (www.wildalberta.com), populated mostly with podcasts and short featurettes on participating tourism operators. For going on two years, GROWTH has been focusing on re-launching its WILD brand, which was dormant for over two years as a separate but connected entity —  a study they commissioned in 2017 and 2018 recommended. After the meeting, reeve Doug Drozd said it was a tough decision as the municipality has been an active member of the organization for many years. In preparation for the decision, councillors instructed administration staff to collect the meeting minutes and financial documents from GROWTH that would help council gauge the benefits the municipality received from its membership. "We wanted to go through (the information) because we suspected that GROWTH was a bit rudderless, not going in any one direction," he said. "Although we always did value the concept they were trying to get to through their tourism initiative ... we thought it is better to back away from GROWTH and support it through the WILD initiative until the REDA side can get itself together in some form that we can find value in." In the meanwhile, Drozd said they would continue to look for ways to grow economic development, by looking for other partnerships, including that with the Town of Barrhead. "It makes good sense to brand Barrhead together," he said. Preugschas said he was disappointed in council's decision, saying he believed the GROWTH's "WILD" brand was starting to get traction. He noted the website, after initially experiencing some technical issues, was being filled with more content from interested tourism operators. He also noted that WILD recently hosted two networking sessions, one in Fort Assiniboine in February and another a month later in Westlock. "They were really successful, well-attended, and the operators who participated are all really keen in working together and learning about each other's operations so they can refer visitors of their attraction to other places and activities in the region," Preugschas said. Presently, on the WILD side of GROWTH's operation, Lac Ste. Anne County, Onoway and Alexander First Nation are official members. Preugschas said many other communities and operators have expressed their support but, as of yet, have not contributed financially. While GROWTH has been bleeding members for several years, it really started getting into difficulties in the spring of 2020 when its provincial grant funding expired and a lengthy delay in getting its next funding allocation occurred due to a government review of the REDA program. This forced the organization to run entirely on membership funds, and as a result, GROWTH temporarily suspended operations in October of that year. When they eventually inked a new three-year contract with the province it was for $50,000 annually, half of its previous funding. During their temporary closure, long-time executive director Troy Grainger left the organization, and the vacancy was filled only recently. Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com

About the Author: Barry Kerton

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