Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

It's no wonder this gem of a camping area in Alberta’s Kananaskis Country is popular with the locals. It has all the peak attributes you get in nearby Banff, but without the crowds. Nestled on a promontory, it sits on the west shore of Upper Kananaskis Lake, and delivers a 360-degree view. The bad news for most people is that you can only reach it by hiking (or paddling) about three kilometres. Which is good news for the rest of us.

Things to do: Besides fishing for rainbow or cutthroat trout from camp, you can shoulder your rod and trek to Maude or Three Isle lakes for backcountry angling in spectacular locations. If you don’t fish, continue on to the flower-filled meadows and nice mountain views at South Kananaskis Pass. More ambitious hikers can tackle the all-day expedition to the headwall at Fossil Falls on an informal but well-used trail. Around camp, launch canoes and kayaks to explore the shoreline of Upper Kananaskis Lake.

For a quick and easy taste of alpine, drive south to the 2,200-metre Highwood Pass on Highway 40—Canada’s highest paved road—and hike the five-kilometre Ptarmigan Cirque Trail.