Waterfall Parks and Hiking Trails in Alberta.

10 Family Friendly Waterfalls to Explore in Southern Alberta.

10 Waterfalls in Southern Alberta Canada - Did you know that Alberta Canada has a large number of waterfalls? Okay, maybe you already did because Banff and Jasper are home to many beautiful waterfalls known around the world. But did you know there are a bunch of them outside of the main parks? Including southern Alberta, which is mostly known for being prairies and farmland. Here are 10 fun waterfalls worth checking out in southern Alberta. Some are easily accessed just a few feet from their respective parking lots, while some others require moderate to easy hikes. Coordinates here are just general locations to get you close. The majority are easily found on Google Maps. Luckily, none of these waterfalls are difficult to get to, all of them are family-friendly with simple safety precautions. Be warned, most of these are in bear country, so be prepared and be bear aware. Additionally, cougars also frequent a lot of these areas, but I have never seen one. Although, I am sure they have seen me...

10 Best Waterfalls in Southern Alberta Canada for Families

Oldman River Falls

Oldman River North Provincial Recreation Area - Livingstone Range

50.0507089, -114.5857789

Found at the 19km mark on Oldman River Rd in the Livingstone PLUZ,  Oldman River North Recreation Area.  A rugged waterfall in the backcountry down a long gravel/dirt road. You will not have cell service in this area and you are in bear and cougar country. Make sure to go prepared. No guardrails or official trails, and a bit of a drop down in elevation towards the falls, but very close to where you park. Next to no hiking required. Marked incorrectly in Backroads Maps, or there are more, but this is the main Oldman River Falls. 
Kananaskis Park Pass required.

Livingstone Falls

Livingstone Falls Provincial Recreation Area - Livingstone Range

50.1011213, -114.4429959

A unique waterfall that seems to have shifted since the big flood in the area years ago. Found on the Forestry Trunk Rd/Hwy 40, right at the Livingstone Falls Provincial Recreation Area. There are trails from the campground leading to the falls. It is a very short hike/walk from the day-use parking lot. In the backcountry in the wilderness, so be prepared for wildlife. We often see moose out this way in the Livingstone PLUZ.
Kananaskis Park Pass is required.

​Sheep River Falls

Sheep River Provincial Park - Turner Valley 

50.6160526, -114.7035782

A large rugged waterfall in the Sheep River Provincial Park. Found on Sheep River Rd in Turner Valley, this road is not open during the winter. There are a few day-use areas around the falls with picnic tables. There are some foot trails to lead you along the river and it is not far from the parking lot.
A Kananaskis Park Pass is required.

​Elbow Falls

Elbow Falls Provincial Recreation Area - Bragg Creek 

50.8675713, -114.7794361

A beautiful easily accessed large waterfall in Bragg Creek Alberta Canada on AB-66. Nice walking paths will lead you along the river with beautiful viewpoints of Elbow Falls. Located very close to the parking lot, only a short walk is required.
A Kananaskis Park Pass is required.

Castle Falls

Castle Provincial Park - Pincher Creek 

49.4445161, -114.3223183

 A beautiful waterfall located in Castle Provincial Park found on Castle Falls Rd. Located just steps away from the parking lot. There is a campground located right at this waterfall. Castle Falls is a fantastic fishing location as well as a nice swimming hole with cliff-jumping opportunities. 

No park pass is required. 

North Drywood Falls

Castle Wildland Provincial Park - Pincher Creek 

49.2655903, -114.1048572

 A large beautiful waterfall in Castle Wildland Provincial Park is just another on the 10 Waterfalls in Southern Alberta Canada worth exploring. This waterfall requires some hiking, but it is an easy 8km (total) in and back trail along an old service road. Only about 150 meters of elevation gain, and easy access around the waterfall. No park pass is required.

Allison Creek Falls

Chinook Provincial Recreation Area - Crowsnest Pass 

49.6740974, -114.5947948

A recently renovated trail, Allison Creek Falls is a wonderful family-friendly hike in the Crowsnest Pass. Start out from Chinook Lake (summer), and follow the lake loop to the northeast side. Take the service road away from the lake for about 1km and you will reach an opening in the trees with some signage (none for Allison Falls yet). This is your trailhead into the bush towards Allison Creek. You will eventually find signs letting you know you're going the right way once into the trees. Very easy trail to follow, hiking is required as it's about a 4km (total) in-and-back trail. I have heard this is a wonderful area to snowshoe, but access can be limited as some roads are closed during the winter months. Winter will just add a couple extra kms to the hike.

No park pass is required.

Rainbow Falls

Coleman - Crowsnest Pass 

49.6389127, -114.5058521

A simple family-friendly hike leading to a small waterfall in the Crowsnest Pass. You take the Miners Path trailhead from Flumerfelt Park in Coleman Alberta. It's about a 2.5km total, in and back trail. Don't let the small gate deter you, keep going, you're almost there. And don't forget to check out the largest piggy bank, located in Flumerfelt Park near the trailhead.

No park pass is required.

Star Creek Falls

Near Coleman - Crowsnest Pass 

49.6264468, -114.5387233

Pretty sure I got off trail for this one and ended up just following a game trail until it ran out, then climbing up and around to the falls the long way. The trail here can be confusing as there are lots of different crisscrossing trails. Off-road vehicles use this area as well. This is a moderate hike, if you take the proper way, in the Crowsnest Pass to a beautiful waterfall. Star Creek Falls are fairly easy to see once up the dirt road a bit, and therefore easy to pick a path and get to it one way or another. 

No park pass is required. 

Lundbreck Falls 

Lundbreck Provincial Recreation Area - Lundbreck 

49.5827506, -114.2081249

 The absolute easiest waterfall to view on our list of 10 Waterfalls in Southern Alberta Canada. In fact you don't even need to leave your vehicle. With multiple viewing areas around the falls, and stairs leading down to the base from the north parking lot, it is a fantastic place to visit if hiking is not an option. This area is great for swimming as the base of the falls is quite large and deep. I have seen many people cliff jump from the north side. Services are available in nearby Lundbreck. 

No park pass is required. 

10 Waterfalling Adventures in Southern Alberta Canada

​Finally, waterfalls are different from month to month, week to week. Sometimes they're raging, typically mid-spring to early summer. Alternatively, they start to slow down into August through October until they start to freeze and we get more snow and the cycle continues again into spring. Some of these would be wonderful winter adventures!

Waterfalls of Southern Alberta 

Things to do Alberta Canada