The Bow Valley corridor runs along Highway 1 between Canmore and Kananaskis, taking in Exshaw, Lac des Arcs, Dead Man's Flats, and Bow Valley Provincial Park along the way. It's a slightly different pick than heading straight into Canmore or Kananaskis Country themselves — this list focuses on the trails scattered along that in-between stretch of highway, many of them quick, easy stops you can fold into a road trip without a big detour.
Most of the trailheads on this list sit on provincial park or Crown land rather than inside Banff or Jasper National Park, so a Parks Canada pass isn't required. A few, however, fall inside Kananaskis Country boundaries, where the Kananaskis Conservation Pass applies for day use — check the specific trailhead before you go, since the boundary running through this corridor isn't always obvious from the highway.
Because these trails are spread along a highway corridor rather than clustered around one townsite, this is also a good list for families who want to break up a long drive with a series of short stops rather than committing to one longer hike. Late spring through early fall is the best window, once trails have dried out from spring runoff.
Every hike on this list is rated Easy or Moderate, and each entry below includes real distance, elevation, and duration figures pulled from AllTrails and Alberta Parks sources, so you know what you're actually signing up for before you park the car.
Rooftop Camping with KidsDownload our free field guide (PDF)Flowing Water Interpretive Trail
Starting from inside the Willow Rock Campground, this gentle loop threads through wetland, forest, and riverside habitat beside the Bow River, with boardwalk sections and interpretive signage explaining the area's water systems along the way. It's an easy, self-contained outing if you're camped nearby, and the wetland habitat means a good chance of spotting waterfowl or other wildlife without much effort. The loop format means you always end up back at the start, which makes it easy to gauge how far little legs actually want to go.
Bow River Trail (Bow Valley Campground)
This easy, forested trail spans the length of the Bow Valley Campground along the river, with frequent access points right down to the shoreline for a mid-hike wade or skipping stones. Because it's an out-and-back, families can turn around at any point, making it as short or as long as the day calls for. The shade from the surrounding forest makes it a comfortable choice on warm afternoons, and it's a natural choice if you're already camped in the area.
Heart Creek (Lower Canyon)
The full Heart Creek trail continues much further up the valley, but the lower stretch into the mouth of the canyon is a shorter, easy stroll along the creek that most families can manage without any real elevation challenge. Steep canyon walls close in as you go, giving the walk a dramatic, tucked-away feel despite being just off the highway near Exshaw. Turning around once the canyon narrows keeps this well within easy-hike territory — continuing further up becomes a longer, more strenuous outing better suited to older kids and more time.
Lac des Arcs / Trans Canada Trail Pathway
This flat, easy stretch of the Trans Canada Trail follows the adjacent pathway along the Trans-Canada Highway near the small community of Lac des Arcs, with simple, forested terrain the whole way and mountain views opening up periodically. Because the trail continues well beyond this suggested distance, families can add on more distance if the kids are up for it, or turn around early without missing anything essential. Parking near the trailhead can fill up on busy weekends, so an early start helps.
Grotto Mountain Pond Path
Tucked between Canmore and Exshaw along the Bow Valley Trail, this short path circles a small pond that's popular with local anglers, with picnic tables and an outhouse right at the trailhead. It's short enough to be a genuine rest stop rather than a hike in its own right, making it a good pick if you're already tired from an earlier trail and just want a bit of fresh air with a view. Bring a rod if anyone in the family fishes — it's a beginner-friendly spot to try.
Elk Flats Trail
Sharing a trailhead with the Many Springs day-use area, this easy, mostly wooded trail is a quieter alternative to the park's busier boardwalk trails, ending at Middle Lake if you want to extend the outing further. Washroom and water facilities along the way make it a practical choice for families still building hiking stamina. It's an easy trail to combine with a picnic at Many Springs before or after, since both share the same parking area.
Dead Man's Flats – Bow River
For families wanting a longer outing than the shorter stops on this list, this trail follows the Bow River near the small community of Dead Man's Flats, with enough distance and modest elevation change to rate Moderate rather than Easy. It's best suited to older kids or families with a bike trailer, rather than a first-time hiking trip, but the terrain itself stays straightforward the whole way — no scrambling or technical sections, just more distance and a bit more climbing than the shorter Bow Valley trails.
Wasootch Creek Streambed Walk
The Wasootch day-use area opens onto a wide, mostly dry creek bed that's easy and flat to wander along at whatever distance suits your family, with no fixed trail or destination to aim for. Kids tend to enjoy the open, rocky terrain for hunting interesting stones or just running around without a narrow trail to stick to. It's a low-key, low-commitment stop rather than a destination hike, and a good option if everyone needs a break from stricter trail walking.
Jura Creek Canyon (Short Version)
The full Jura Creek hike continues well into a narrow slot canyon further upstream, but the approach to the canyon entrance itself is a short, easy walk along a creek bed that kids tend to genuinely love — there's rock-hopping, small scrambles, and a real sense of adventure without any technical difficulty. Turning around at the canyon mouth rather than continuing into the narrower sections keeps this well within easy-hike range for younger kids. Wear shoes that can get wet or muddy, since the creek crossing is part of the fun.
Moraine Trail (Bow River to Middle Lake)
This short, easy connector trail links the Bow River near the campground to Middle Lake, making it a practical option if you're camped at Bow Valley Campground and want a quick, low-effort outing without driving anywhere. The path is a fantastic short hike for a range of ages, with an option to loop around Middle Lake once you arrive if the kids want to keep going, or simply turn around and head back. It's one of the easiest, most forgiving trails on this list for a first hike of the day.
What to Pack for Family Hikes
None of these trails demand technical gear, but a few basics make a big difference with kids along. Bring more water than you think you'll need, plus salty and sweet snacks to head off mid-trail meltdowns, and pack layers even on a warm morning — the valley corridor can be windy, and shade varies a lot from trail to trail. Old shoes that can get wet are worth packing if Jura Creek Canyon or Wasootch Creek are on your list, since both involve creek beds and rock-hopping.
Bears and other wildlife are active throughout the Bow Valley, so carry bear spray, know how to use it, and make noise on quieter forested sections like Elk Flats or the Moraine Trail. Keep young kids close and dogs leashed, store food and scented items properly at the trailhead and in the vehicle, and check whether your chosen trailhead falls inside Kananaskis Country before you go, since the conservation pass requirement varies by exact location along this corridor.
Madusha Kumarasiri
Madusha Kumarasiri