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50+ Things to Do in Crowsnest Pass

Chinook Lake in Crowsnest Pass

You’ve found my favourite part of the Alberta Rockies!

If you hate tourist towns, love history, or adore outdoor adventure, you may have a new favourite mountain destination too.

Crowsnest Pass is made up of five former mining towns. Stitched together by history, mountains rising on every side, cold rivers running past, and stories layered everywhere you turn.

Whether you’re looking for a spot to stretch your legs on your way to BC, camping for the weekend, or planning a full family getaway – away from the tourists – Crowsnest Pass has plenty to keep you entertained.

Land Acknowledgement

This land has welcomed First Nations from across Turtle Island, and settlers and visitors from around the world. Alberta lands are part of Treaties 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10, and the homeland of the Métis.

Alberta Mamas respects and celebrates the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all Indigenous, Métis, and Inuit nations. We are striving to better listen, understand, and learn from the Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing.

We are all Treaty people.

Map of Things to Do in Crowsnest Pass

Need a visual of where to find everything? I’ve got you! All sorts of points of interest are mapped out for you:

Read on for details about these locations and even more “unmappable” experiences!

Explore Crowsnest Pass’ History

Crowsnest Pass is literally covered in history. You can’t enter The Pass without driving straight through it.

Before Alberta was all about oil, it was about coal, and Crowsnest Pass was one of the province’s key regions. Discover some of the powerful, heartbreaking, and incredibly well preserved stories of Alberta’s founding resource and learn the context behind our province’s earliest industrial days.

Frank Slide

The boulders of Frank Slide blanket the ground in Crowsnest Pass.

One of the most humbling places I’ve ever visited, the boulder field from Turtle Mountain falling on the town of Frank in only 90 seconds in 1903 has an otherworldly feel.

There are several ways to interact with and learn about Frank Slide depending on the time you have available. I recommend all of them.

If you only do one thing, take the Old Road on the south side of the highway. You will get the most “up close” experience with the boulder field here. If this is all you do, supplement your visit with a history video or reading to get the full story.

If you’ve got a bit more time (30 minutes to 1.5 hours), head up the hill to Frank Slide Interpretive Centre.

As you wind your way up the the museum you’ll learn about the landslide, mining, a bit of geology, the Hillcrest mining disaster (Canada’s most deadly mining accident that happened just west of Frank), and see a replica of Black Beauty’s skull – the incredibly distinct t-rex that was found in Crowsnest Pass by a couple school boys playing by the river.

You can spend about 30 minutes watching a movie about the slide – I highly recommend this as your first stop in the Interpretive Centre.

If you don’t want to pay admission, or need to burn off some energy, a walk down the Frank Slide Trail on the upper edge of the boulder field will take 30 minutes to an hour, depending how slow you walk and how much time you spend reading interpretive signs.

You’ll get most of the story about the slide this way, but not the extras available inside the interpretive centre (head to the Hillcrest Mine memorial for that!).

Quick summary of Frank Slide related activities:

  • Frank Slide Interpretive Centre (admission applies; use your Experience Alberta’s History Pass here)
  • Walk the Frank Slide Trail (1.5km loop that starts and ends in the parking lot; easy, but not suitable for strollers due to stairs in a few spots)
  • Take the Old Road through Frank Slide
  • Climb Turtle Mountain – this is for the adventure family (or maybe just the parents) to gain a summit and unique view of the valley below. It’s a long, steep, challenging climb.

BUM – Bellevue Underground Mine

Mom and daughter listen to presentation by female guide in Bellevue Underground Mine.

Go underground and explore what put Crowsnest Pass on the map – coal mining!

Bellevue Underground Mine Tours take about an hour and are incredibly well done. I’ve been under a few times and the experience is always informative, interactive, and truly immersive.

Dress warm – the mine sits just above freezing year round. You can see the Buff I have over my ears in this photo, and I was pretty chilled by the end of our excursion.

The path you walk is well maintained, coal and rock chips. What you see in the photo above is consistent the entire 1000ft path. It’s wide and smooth and safe for wheels but I’d want to rinse them off before putting it back in my car!

Do you find mining history fascinating? Be sure to check out the mining history of Drumheller!

Crowsnest Museum & APP Barracks

Exterior of Alberta Provincial Police Barracks Museum in Crowsnest Pass.

A museum in two parts!

Start your visit at the Crowsnest Museum & Archives located inside the old Coleman High School. This is where you’ll pay admission and grab a copy of the photo scavenger hunt for the Museum.

We were given the choice of visiting the APP Barracks or exploring the museum first and elected to visit the Barracks. The kids were so interested in reading everything at the Barracks, which left us a bit less time in the museum.

At the Barracks, work your way through the building and learn about the murder of Constable Stephen Lawson during the time of prohibition in Canada.

Back in the school, each classroom has a theme. Explore a small town mercantile, mining, wildlife, war history, and more as you move through the building.

Expect your visit to take about two hours between the two buildings.

Leitch Collieries

Interior of a building at Leitch Collieries with stairs leading down to the public rest rooms.

The ruins to the north of the highway as you enter the Pass? You can explore those. For free. (And there’s bathrooms with flush toilets!)

Leitch Collieries was established in 1907, ceased operations in 1915, and went completely bankrupt and liquidated its assets in 1919. It leaves behind spectacular ruins that are incredibly accessible just beside the highway.

There is a massive paved parking lot edged with a half dozen picnic tables. Gravel paths lead you from building to building with a plethora of interpretive signs explaining the coal mining process and the buildings at Leitch.

Expect your visit to take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours, depending how much reading and exploring you end up doing.

Hillcrest Mining Disaster Memorial

Man reads an interpretive sign at Hillcrest Mine Memorial Site with his dog.

Canada’s largest mining disaster occurred at Hillcrest Mine on June 19, 1914 at 9:30 in the morning when 198 men were killed in an explosion so intense it damaged part of the surface plant and collapsed the mine’s main entrance.

The memorial site is a mix of haunting and peaceful. A squat monolith stands in memory to all men lost to mines across Canada, and a trail opposite the parking lot provides interpretive signs about Hillcrest and mining history in general. At the back of the pet-unfriendly cemetery are the two mass graves, which we didn’t visit, as we had the dog with us.

This site is free to visit and well worth the stop.

I feel like I learned more here than I have at most other Alberta mining historical sites (it could just be the kids let me read more, but the signs are very well done).

We spent about 30 minutes here and both my husband and I got the chance to read everything – the kids were getting a bit bored by the time we left!

Crowsnest Heritage Routes

If you’re trying for a moving nap or are looking for a bike ride with history, Crowsnest Heritage has guided driving routes through Bellevue, Hillcrest, Frank, Blairmore, and Coleman you can take.

If you enjoy reading history, the pamphlets that accompany each route will help you learn the local history.

Crowsnest Pass has done an incredible job preserving their history. You will stumble upon signs all over the region that are worth pausing to read.

Guided Adventures

There are some amazing guides in the Pass to help you discover a new activity, trail, or learn while moving.

Whether you need access to their specialized knowledge and equipment, or just want someone to figuratively (or literally) hold your hand while exploring, here are a few companies to check out:

Outdoor Adventures

Enable peak adventure mode in Crowsnest Pass!

From rivers and lakes to mountain bike trails and an incredible golf course tucked between peaks, it’s easy to spend an entire month outside and still discover new trails.

Swimming

Crowsnest Pass Community Pool

Swimming is an outdoor activity in the Pass. From the community outdoor pool (renovated in 2017) to Lost Lemon Campground‘s pool (reserved for campers), to rivers and lakes, you can cool off from the heat of summer with dipping your toes in the water.

My personal favourite is setting up camp chairs at a bend in the river and soaking my feet while the kids splash around in the shallows. The current of river can be strong. Be sure to closely supervise the kids, weaker swimmers, and any toys brought into the water.

Some of the spots to swim include:

Love outdoor pools? Be sure to check out these posts!

Mountain Biking

Crowsnest Pass is a mountain bike family’s dream. Get the kids started at the incredible Kids Corner and Skills Park at the foot of Pass Powderkeg.

If you’re looking for even more, head to United Riders of Crowsnest Pass for more trail options.

Fishing

If you want to get skunked fishing (catch nothing), take me with you. With that preamble I think “I’m not into fishing” is pretty obvious. I’ve tried many times. I’ve spent several weeks at my grandparents fishing cabin. I can count my “keepers” on a single hand.

If you aren’t like me and enjoy fishing, Crowsnest Pass has a lot of great options. Obviously, my my word means nothing, but “according to my research” spots to hit include:

  • Crowsnest River for fly fishing rainbow and brown trout
  • Lynx Creek
  • Allison Creek
  • Castle River system

Check MyWildAlberta.ca for rules, regulations, and more information.

Quadding

There’s over 1500km of maintained and mapped quad and snowmobile trails in Crowsnest Pass!

We often camp at Livingstone PLUZ Staging Area, a prime starting point to exploring Crowsnest Pass’s extensive quad trails.

Be sure to check out the Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad, a family based organization for enjoying year round rides throughout the Rocky Mountains of Southwest Alberta.

Golf

A major part of the local community, Crowsnest Pass Golf Club regularly hosts community events including a giant Easter Egg Hunt, Mother’s Day Brunch, and several weekly dinner nights.

I love their weekly “learn to play” event to encourage new players to discover the game.

My father-in-law is a club pro, and husband has a 300 yard drive (and I have yet to break 120), so we can be a bit picky with golf courses. With a slope rating of 134 and a 73 USGA rating everyone in the family has something for them on the course (and I’ll be taking advantage of the discounted 5-holes after 5:30pm option!).

And it’s never a bad time playing golf in the Rockies.

Bonus: Disc Golf

A newer edition to the area, try out 9-hole disc golf behind the Rec Centre! It’s a challenging 9-hole course that’s super hilly.

Hiking

Woman taking a photo of the photographer with Rainbow Falls at the end of Miner's Path in the background.

Crowsnest Pass is filled with incredible hiking opportunities. Whether you want to climb mountains, embark on an ultra marathon, casually ascend to a peaceful waterfall, meander around a lake, or explore local history, there is something for everyone.

I’m not a big hiker myself, and need a solid destination at the end of a short, low elevation trail to head out, but man, Crowsnest Pass has some trails that make me wish I hiked!

Here are some highlights:

Waterfalls

  • Rainbow Falls at the end of Miner’s Path (pictured)
  • Star Creek Falls Loop near Coleman, take the trail from Willow Drive
  • Allison Creek Falls
  • North York Creek Falls

Lakes

  • Chinook Lake (cover photo)

Playgrounds

Flumerfelt Spray Park in Coleman.

Need to burn off some of the kids’ energy?

Crowsnest Pass is filled with playgrounds across all five communities. From accessible parks to seasonal spray parks and themed neighbourhood spaces, you’ve got plenty of options no matter where you’re staying.

For a full, up-to-date list of parks and playgrounds, check the Town of Crowsnest Pass’ playground page.

Indoor Activities

Only about half the days of the year are completely dry in Crowsnest Pass. That could just be an evening thunderstorm after a hot day (something all Albertans are used to), or it could be an entire day of drizzle.

Whether you’re looking to escape the heat, the cold, the rain, or the wind, there are a several indoor options in the Pass. More than just a back-up plan, these are stops you’ll be glad you made!

Tour Allison Creek Trout Brood Station

Open for self-guided public tours on weekdays, Allison Creek Trout Brood Station is a new discovery for me. I’m looking forward to checking it out this summer to expand this section!

You can find it on the right at the Allison Creek Falls Trailhead in Chinook Provincial Recreation Area.

Take a Cooking Class

With 2 certified chefs, Country Encounters is a top choice for a B&B to stay at. But, beyond that, you can take cooking classes from them! Book ahead and learn something new while enjoying delicious flavors.

Explore Art

Crowsnest Pass is a haven for artists. The mountains have inspired artists for generations, and Crowsnest Pass continues to attract creatives looking for space, affordability, and community within the Alberta Rockies.

The “Photo Studio” in Blairmore (south of Ben Wong’s Chinese Restaurant) is the Gushul Artist’s Studio and Cottage operated by the University of Lethbridge and Southern Alberta Art Gallery.

To spend a bit of time enjoying local creations, head to:

And keep your eyes open as you travel around town for public art installations and murals.

Indoor History

Animal room in Crowsnest Pass Museum.

Scroll back up for details on these specific activities, but when you need something indoors, a few spots to stop include:

  • Frank Slide Interpretive Centre
  • Bellevue Underground Mine
  • Crowsnest Museum & APP Barracks

Grab a Book

Stop in at Tuesday’s Bookshop for a book! This quaint bookstore is a guaranteed stop for our family on every trip to Crowsnest Pass.

Bonus: It’s dog friendly, so our pup gets to join us, too!

Photo Stops

Need a quick break from the car while driving through, or just like those quick, impressive moments? There isn’t a lot extra to these stops, but they definitely pack some visual WOW.

Lundbreck Falls

Kids and mom at the base of Lundbreck Falls near Crowsnest Pass

Heading west of the hamlet of Lundbreck, take one of the first two south turns to reach Lundbreck Falls.

I describe it as a mini version of Niagara Falls (at about 1/10th scale) with a horseshoe on the right, and a more broken up, rocky falls on the left. You can see the falls within 2 metres of the parking lot, making it one of the most accessible falls in Alberta as well.

If you explore beyond the parking lot viewing platforms this stop could easily stretch to 30 minutes or more when you take the path down to the base of the falls, dip your toes in the icy cold water, and cross the bridge to the other side and repeat.

You can make the visit even longer by heading into Lundbreck Falls Provincial Recreation Area and exploring the river-side trail. We’ve camped here before and really enjoyed it.

We return here almost every time we’re in the area. Easy access to Mother Nature at her finest is hard to beat.

If you’re big into roadside attractions, be sure to catch the pale yellow, two storey outhouse behind the community centre on the south-east corner of Railway Street and Breckenridge Ave in Lundbreck.

Lime City

Back-side of Lime City in Crowsnest Pass.

Driving the Old Frank Road, you may notice three giant smokestacks on the east side of the boulder field – all that remains of the small community known as Lime City.

The two concrete wood-fired “draw kilns” were built in 1910 with the third, cheaper stone kiln added after Winnipeg Fuel and Supply Company purchased the operation in 1912. The plant ceased operation in 1918, permanently closing in 1923.

It isn’t the most inviting driveway, but it’s possible to drive right in front of the ruins and explore around them. The climb up to the back side is a bit sketchy and not recommended for someone with mobility issues, but most able-bodied folks should be able to manage a full tour of the site.

“World’s Largest” Items

Front view of the white with black trip Back to God Chapel tiny church in Blairmore.

If you’re like us and collect photos of roadside attractions, Crowsnest Pass has a few to visit!

  • World’s (Former) Largest Piggy Bank – Coleman
  • Giant Crows Guarding their Nest – Blairmore and Bellevue
  • Back to God Chapel Tiny Church – Blairmore
  • Frank Slide – Crowsnest Pass
  • Burmis Tree – East of Frank Slide

And while you’re in the area, stop in at the hamlet of Lundbreck for the two storey outhouse.

Events & Festivals

This small community is all about community! I’ve highlighted some of the more unique events below, but there’s something going on every month somewhere in Crowsnest Pass.

Find more in the Crowsnest Pass Events Facebook group.

Winter Activities in Crowsnest Pass

Winter doesn’t shut Crowsnest Pass down. It wakes it up in a different way.

Snow transforms the valley into a playground for outdoor winter enthusiasts. If you’re willing to layer up winter might be the most underrated season to visit.

Downhill Skiing

The local ski hill, Pass Powderkeg, has 1,000 feet of vertical over 27 trails. Owned by the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, the hill is about as community-focused as they come.

One of my favourite things about Pass Powderkeg is the free Beginner lift. Just stop in at the ticket office to pick yours up, and enjoy your time on Seasame Street (yes, that’s the name of the bunny hill run!).

Powderkeg also offers night skiing. If you’ve never tried it before it’s a must!

45 minutes from Crowsnest Pass, Castle Mountain Resort is known for epic powder days. With almost 3,000 feet of vertical over 115 trails Castle is a tough hill that skiers and boarders love. I love the little village at the base of the mountain – something you don’t see at many resorts in Alberta.

Cross Country Skiing

The Crowsnest Nordic Ski Club maintains about 26km of classic ski trails, with about 7km also set for skate skiing in Chinook Provincial Recreation Area and surrounding public lands.

Snowmobiling

Person in black riding a white snowmobile. up a hill (source: Canva).

With over 1,200km of trails (200km groomed), Crowsnest Pass is an award winning snowmobiling destination. With trails suitable for every level of rider, the region deserves the title “Alberta’s Playground.”

Check out Crow Snow Riders for all the details.

Where to Eat with Kids in Crowsnest Pass

Sampler at Pass Beer Co. in Crowsnest Pass.

There are a few dozen local restaurants and cafes within the Pass. We’re limited by the dog, so a lot of restaurants aren’t an option for us, but here are a few of our favourites:

  • Cafes – Between hubby being a coffee fiend and being able to grab things to go without bringing the dog in, cafes are often a top pick for us. Bonus, the food is usually more affordable and the kids can always find something they like!
  • Dog-friendly patios
    • Pass Beer Co. in Blairmore makes amazing pizza and soda for the kids (in addition to brewing their own beer). The patio is one of our favourite spots to sit in the Pass.
    • Rum Runner

And if you need to hit the grocery store I highly recommend a stop at The Pantry for locally produced items including fresh fruit, veggies, and baking, coffee, and seasonings. If that doesn’t hit your needs there’s an IGA two minutes down the road.

Where to Stay

Exterior of Rapunzel's Cottage at Charmed Resorts in Crowsness Pass

We always travel to Crowsnest Pass with our trailer. We’ve stayed at Lost Lemon Campground and enjoyed their pool, and bought a Public Lands Camping Pass to camp at McGillivray Staging Area.

If you’re looking for the most unique accommodations, check out Charmed Resort and stay in a fairytale cottage.

For more options, check out the list maintained by Sinister Sports.

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