Sheep River Falls in Kananaskis Country

This is just a short blog post, but we wanted to include it because Sheep River Falls has been one of our favourite easy-access, kid-friendly stops in the Kananaskis region for years.

The falls are located in the Sheep River Valley along a scenic stretch of highway west of Millarville and Diamond Valley. It’s a much less dramatic setting than the Rockies, but the rolling hills and aspen woods offer a beautiful change of pace, and the drive is worth it on its own.

The main viewpoint can get busy, but there are ways to find quieter spots if you know where to look. It’s also a great picnic spot if you’re lucky enough to grab one of the tables near the top of the falls.

Use the links below to navigate this post:

• How to Get to the Sheep River Falls

• What to Expect at the Falls

• Where to Escape the Crowds

• Other Things to do in the Area

  
  

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How to Get to Sheep River Falls in Kananaskis

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Sheep River Falls is located along Highway 546, about 40 kilometres west of Turner Valley. The drive winds through the foothills and into the front ranges of the Rockies, with plenty of scenic pull-offs along the way.

The falls sit in the Sheep River Provincial Park day-use area, and you’ll spot the large parking lot right from the road. From there, it’s just a few minutes walk to get to the falls - you can even hear them from the car park. There are toilets at the parking lot and plenty of picnic benches just a few steps into the trees.

Kananaskis Pass:

You need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to park your vehicle here - see our post for all you need to know.

Sheep River Falls road closure:

The road is closed in winter and usually reopens in mid-May. Be sure to check the Alberta Parks website for current conditions before you go.

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What to Expect at the Falls?

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There is a nice viewpoint over the falls

The trail to the falls from the car park is short and easily accessible, and suitable for young kids, strollers, and anyone looking to stretch their legs.

There are a few different places to view the falls, but the most popular is from the rock ledge adjacent to the cascade, and you can climb up for a great view looking down over the water. If you're lucky, you might even catch kayakers going over the falls, which we've seen on a few visits now.

You will often see kayakers dropping over the edge of the falls

While the view from above is impressive, you can also climb down under the rocky shelf (where most people gather) to get a closer look. It’s not dangerous, but it’s still worth keeping an eye on very young kids. With care, it’s possible to walk right down to the water’s edge.

You can carefully walk under the ledge to get closer to the falls

You can see how close you can get (and it's safe)

Another vantage point is further up the hill, where you’ll get a wider view of the falls. A few well-placed benches make it a great spot to sit and take in the scenery.

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Where to Escape the Crowds

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If you’re looking to escape the crowds or spend time in a quieter area where kids and dogs can safely play in the water, continue past the benches along the walking trail. After a short distance, you’ll see a path leading down to the river. It's quite steep but easy enough if you take your time.

A quieter area with a small beach where kids and dogs can paddle

Evelyn at the small beach all by herself!

You won't find picnic benches here, but there is a small pebble beach and plenty of rocks for young kids to clamber over.

The view up towards the Falls from below

You can also venture downstream by scrambling over some rocks, where you’ll come across another cool overhang. Finding little spots like this is one of our top tips for keeping kids engaged on a hike.

A quieter area downstream

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Other Things to do in Kananaskis

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A few suggestions for things to do in Diamond Valley (the two small towns you drive through, formerly Black Diamond and Turner Valley, which recently merged):

For food, we highly recommend The Westwood in Black Diamond and the Chuckwagon Café in Turner Valley, though be prepared for a wait on weekends.

Longview is a small town just a short drive south and is known for its amazing beef jerky.

Millarville, to the north, has a great farmers’ market on Saturday mornings.

In terms of hikes, here are some we recommend in Kananaskis:

• The West Wind Pass (equally impressive views over Spray Lakes, but kid-friendly)

• Yates Mountain (great views over Barrier Lake)

• The Blackshale Suspension Bridge (a short hike to a free suspension bridge)

• The Grotto Canyon (a great hike in both summer and winter)

• The Jura Creek Hike (also great in the summer and winter)

• Canyon Creek Ice Cave (Involves a bike ride followed by a short scramble to the ice caves)

• Ha Ling Peak (a challenging but rewarding first summit for kids)

If you're looking for accommodation, we recommend a stay at Kananaskis Mountain Lodge - a luxury hotel in Kananaskis Country with an outdoor heated pool, and direct access to the Nordic Spa.

It has an indoor pool with water slides and a heated outdoor pool, so a great option with kids (although on the pricy side).

As always, if you have any questions about the hike feel free to ask away in the comments section!