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The Drive from Calgary to Fernie: Things to Do, Map and Photos
- andrewsco3
- Mar 17
- 10 min read
Updated: Apr 23
If you're planning a drive from Calgary to Fernie, there are plenty of great stops to explore along the way! This route offers more than just scenic views - it's an adventure filled with stunning mountain landscapes, charming small towns, and endless opportunities for outdoor activities. Whether you're on a weekend road trip or taking your time to explore, you'll find no shortage of incredible places to visit. From breathtaking mountain views to historic sites and hikes for all abilities, here are the top things to do between Calgary and Fernie to make the most of your journey.
ABOUT US: We are a family of four who moved to Alberta in 2012 and have explored extensively throughout Alberta and British Columbia. We write travel guides with families in mind, so the majority of the suggested stops in this guide are kid-friendly.
In this guide, we cover the route from Calgary to Fernie, passing through Crowsnest pass, including maps, the best things to do, plus lots of photos, to help you decide what stops are best for you.
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT FERNIE
Fernie is a beautiful old coal town located about three hours from Calgary in the Rocky Mountains. It’s a fantastic year-round destination, especially for those who love the outdoors.
The town itself is much quieter compared to other Rocky Mountain towns like Banff, and has a charming artsy vibe with plenty of outdoor gear shops, local restaurants, distilleries, and coffee spots along the main street.
In the summer, Fernie becomes a hub for outdoor enthusiasts and is one of the best places for mountain biking. It’s one of our favorite camping spots (the Mount Fernie Campground is excellent), and there are some stunning hikes to explore. In winter, Fernie is renowned for having some of the best powder skiing conditions in the Canadian Rockies.
And that’s not all - there are plenty of amazing sights along the route to Fernie, which is, of course, the focus of this blog post!
THINGS TO DO IN BETWEEN CALGARY AND FERNIE
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Table of Contents (click to expand)
So without further ado, here are our suggestions for things to do between Calgary and Fernie, starting with a map to show where everything is located.
MAP OF THINGS TO DO BETWEEN CALGARY AND FERNIE
Whenever we plan a trip, we always start with Google Maps. It helps us visualize locations and create efficient itineraries. We’ve added all the sights and attractions to the map below to help you see where everything is and choose which attractions you'd like to stop at and visit.
To use this map, click the tab in the top left corner to toggle between layers and for more details about each attraction. To save the map to your Google Maps account, click the star next to the title. To access it later, open Google Maps, go to “Your Places,” and find it under “Maps.”
OVERVIEW OF THE JOURNEY
DISTANCE: 297km
DRIVING TIME: The journey takes around 3 hours without stopping. If you plan on adding in any of the suggestions detailed in this post, I would plan for a minimum of 6 hours, or as much of the day as you can.
ROUTE GUIDE: There are a few ways to drive from Calgary to Crowsnest Pass. Our usual route follows Highway 2 South to Nanton, where we cut across to the Cowboy Trail (Highway 22X) and continue south. In this post, we suggest driving through Okotoks and crossing over to Diamond Valley for more time on Highway 22X. Both routes are scenic, and if you're planning a round trip, it's worth taking one route each way. Once you reach Highway 3, the scenic drive from Crowsnest Pass to Fernie takes you through historic mining towns and stunning mountain scenery.
WHEN TO GO: You can drive through Crowsnest Pass year round. However, in the winter, the conditions can be difficult to drive in. One of our scariest drives ever was experiencing a 'white out' on the way to Fernie - so it's best to check the weather forecast ahead of time.
THINGS TO SEE BETWEEN CALGARY AND FERNIE
This list of things to do starts in Calgary, continues down the Cowboy Trail (22X), then through the Crowsnest pass to Fernie. It's unlikely that you will be able to fit everything in on this list, but we wanted to give you lots of options.
CALGARY
We are lucky enough to call Calgary home, and it's a wonderful city to visit, with lots of things to see and do. Many people visiting Calgary often rush up to the Canadian Rockies to start a road trip through the mountains, without spending much time in and around the city. That of course is totally understandable! Banff National Park is one of the most stunningly beautiful places to visit in the world; but, it's definitely worth sticking around for a while to see what the city is all about.
MORE CONTENT: If you are spending some time in Calgary, you can find more information in our Calgary Travel Guide, as well as the following comprehensive blog posts, where you will find more information:
OKOTOKS ERRATIC
The Okotoks Erratic, also known as the Big Rock, is an interesting geological feature located near the town of Okotoks, Alberta. This massive boulder weighs an estimated 16,500 tons, and is a glacial erratic that was transported via glaciation from the Canadian Rockies during the last Ice Age, around 13,000 years ago. It is literally the only rock anywhere near it, so it stands out against the flat plains of the prairies.
It's a fun place to stop, as the kids can climb on the rocks, and there are some cracks between the rocks for the kids to climb through. It's also a good way to teach the kids about glaciation if you are doing any world schooling!
PLANNING: The ranch is located right next to the highway so there is no detour. I would plan to spend around 30 minutes there if you want to walk up to the rocks to do some climbing. Or you can take a photo from the parking lot.
THE COWBOY TRAIL
The Cowboy Trail (or Highway 22) officially starts in Edmonton, and extends all the way south to Lundbreck, where it intersects with Highway 3 near Crowsnest Pass. Assuming you are coming from Calgary, you can drive West Highway 22X and join the Cowboy Trail at Priddis. However in this itinerary I recommend joining the Cowboy Trail at Diamond Valley.
As you continue south, you’ll pass through beautiful prairie landscapes and charming towns like Millarville, Diamond Valley and Longview, home to some of the best beef jerky in Alberta.
You'll also pass the stunning Chain Lakes Provincial Park, before ending at Lundbreck, home to the famous Lundbreck Falls. This scenic route is a popular drive for those wanting to experience Alberta’s ranching culture while enjoying some amazing views of the Rockies.
BAR U RANCH
As you make your way down the Cowboy Trail, there's no better place to learn about Calgary's ranching heritage than Bar U Ranch National Historic Site, just south of Longview.
While the original ranch has faded into history, the site features 35 recreated heritage buildings, including a saddle repair shop and cookhouse. There’s even a roping station where cowboys demonstrate how to rope over a replica steer's horn—and you can give it a try yourself.
MORE INFO: Read our blog post here: Our Visit to Bar U Ranch
PLANNING: There isn't any detour to visit as you practically drive right past it. I would recommend between 1-2 hours at the ranch.
CHAIN LAKES PROVINCIAL PARK
Chain Lakes Provincial Park is a series of man-made reservoirs that offer great opportunities for fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. The lakes are right next to the Cowboy Trail, making them an easy stop to stretch your legs, enjoy a picnic, or simply take in the stunning views.
CAMPING: If you’re planning to split up the journey over multiple days, Chain Lakes is also a fun place to camp. For more information, including campsite availability and booking details, you can read more here.
LUNDBRECK FALLS
Lundbreck Falls is one of the most stunning waterfalls in Alberta and a great spot for swimming, paddling, and even fishing. If you visit later in the summer, you might even spot fish attempting to leap up the falls.
There are fairly steep steps leading down to the water if you want to take a dip, or you can simply admire the falls from above at one of the many viewpoints.
PLANNING: If you want to just take a few photos, then plan for 30 minutes to an hour. In the summer it's a great swimming spot, so plan to stay longer if the weather is good.
CROWSNEST PASS
Once you reach the end of the Cowboy Trail, you'll join Highway 3 and head toward Fernie, passing through Crowsnest Pass. This historic mountain pass features stunning scenery, rich mining history, and plenty of outdoor adventures.
There are lots of things to do in Crowsnest Pass. You can consider stopping at Leitch Collieries, a Provincial Historic Site with the ruins of one of the area's early coal mines. You can also visit the Crowsnest Museum, explore the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre (see below), or hit the trails for of some of the best mountain biking in the province.
Crowsnest Pass also offers excellent hiking, with several short and easy trails worth exploring. Many of these hikes lead to waterfalls or scenic viewpoints, making them perfect for families. Here are some kid-friendly hikes we recommend:
Frank Slide Interpretive Trail – A 1.5 km loop offering close-up views of the Frank Slide rockfall.
Allison Creek Falls – A 2.6 km trail leading to beautiful shallow waterfalls.
Miners Path Trail – A 2 km out-and-back route to a small waterfall, perfect for families.
Star Creek Falls – A fun 2.1 km hike featuring chains to help navigate the creek and reach a waterfall. (For reference, our daughter managed this at age 6, and the chains were manageable for her.)
NOTE: The small town of Crowsnest is a great place to stop for food if you need to refuel along the way.
FRANK SLIDE
This is one attraction that’s almost impossible to miss on your drive through! The Frank Slide was one of Canada’s deadliest rockslides, occurring in 1903 when a massive section of Turtle Mountain collapsed, completely destroying the coal mining town of Frank. It’s incredible to look up at the mountain and see half of it gone - but even more astonishing to witness how far the enormous boulders have spread across the valley.
At the site you can visit the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, where you can learn more about the history and impact of this catastrophe. There is a small gift shop there too. This is also where the Frank Slide Interpretive Trail, mentioned above, begins.
HIKING TIME: The Interpretive Trail typically takes around 30-45 minutes, so if you plan on an hour to do the hike and see the small interpretive center, that should be enough time.
STAR CREEK FALLS
If you're choosing between the short hikes I recommended above, this would be my top pick for families with kids aged 7 and up. It’s a quick, fun hike - perfect for a short break to stretch your legs. As you make your way up the creek, you'll have to cross the river on stepping stones and logs, as well as tackling a few sections with chains, which our kids really enjoyed. The highlight is a beautiful waterfall at the end, making the effort well worth it. It's only 2km in length, so it’s a relatively easy hike that won’t take too much time out of your day.
MORE INFO: Check out our blog post on The Star Creek Falls Hike in Crowsnest Pass, where we share our experience and plenty of photos!
WORLD'S LARGEST TRUCK (SPARWOOD)
Sparwood is a small town about 20 minutes from Fernie, and is the last place to stop before arriving at Fernie, and it has amenities like Tim Hortons, McDonald's, and a gas station.
The main attraction though is the "World's Largest Truck," a massive green tandem-axle truck standing nearly 23 feet tall - so big you can spot it from the road. This truck was once the largest in the world for about 25 years and was actively used in open-pit mining. Though it no longer holds that record, and it's long since retired, it remains the world's largest tandem-axle truck and kids will love climbing inside its enormous tires for a photo.
PLANNING: It's a quick stop, so should take no more than 20 minutes before you're back on the road.
FERNIE
Fernie is one of my favourite mountain towns, as it has the perfect mix of amenities, things to do, without the heavy crowds of more popular tourist towns like Banff. The mountain views from every corner of town are stunning.
Fernie offers plenty to see and do, from outdoor adventures to family-friendly activities. I’ve put together a detailed guide covering all the best things to do, but here are some of our top picks to get you started:
Visit Fernie Alpine Resort - a top powder ski destination in the winter and excellent hiking and mountain biking in the summer.
Camp at Mount Fernie Provincial Park - one of our favourite places to camp, with excellent hiking and biking right at its doorstep.
Explore Historic Downtown Fernie – Stroll along 2nd Avenue to explore shops, local cafes, and one of our favourite food spots in Fernie - Big Bang Bagels.
Fernie Brewing Co – One of our favourite breweries in Alberta / BC
Family Friendly Hikes – Try Island Lake Lodge (2km), Matheson Falls (1.5km) or Fairy Creek Falls (4.5km)
More Challenging Hikes - The Ammonite Trail where you can see a huge ammonite. Read our blog post here.
Fernie Aquatic Centre – A great indoor option. There is also a splash park and a mountain biking jump track right outside.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I Need a Park Pass?
No, you do not need a park pass to visit Fernie, or to pass through Crowsnest Pass. If you plan to continue on to Waterton National Park or Banff National Park then you will need to purchase one upon entry.
Where is the Best Places to Get Gas?
I’d recommend filling up before you leave Calgary or at least having a plan for where to refuel. Gas prices are often cheaper in Calgary. Diamond Valley on the Cowboy Trail and Nanton on Highway 2 are good options, but once you're on the Cowboy Trail, there are no gas stations until you reach Blairmore on the Crowsnest Pass (just after the Frank Slide). Plan accordingly.
Is There Phone Service in the Crowsnest Pass?
Cell service in the Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, can be spotty, especially in remote areas, but generally, it's available in the main towns and along the highway
If you have any questions about driving from Calgary to Fernie, or would like to share your experience, feel free to leave a comment below.
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