If you’re planning a family road trip through the Canadian Rockies, this Calgary to Radium Hot Springs itinerary is one of the most beautiful drives we’ve done. We traveled with our kids and packed the trip with easy adventures, gorgeous scenery, and activities that worked well for young children.
We based ourselves at the Best Western in Calgary before starting our adventure and later stayed at the Best Western in Radium Hot Springs, which made a great home base for exploring the area.
Suggested Route
Calgary (we slept here) → Canmore → Grassi Lakes → Emerald Lake → Golden (we slept here) → Radium Hot Springs (we slept here)
Stop #1: Canmore River Rafting on the Bow River
Our first stop after leaving Calgary was Canmore, where we booked a family-friendly float trip on the Bow River through GetYourGuide.
If you’re traveling with kids or nervous about rafting, this is a fantastic option. The river was incredibly calm, the scenery was beautiful, and best of all—we didn’t get wet at all.
The experience felt more like a scenic floating tour than whitewater rafting, making it perfect for families.
If you’re booking through GetYourGuide, you can use my discount code WHEREISBRIGGS5 to save on eligible activities (note the 5 at the end of that code).
The views of the mountains from the river were incredible and gave us a completely different perspective of the Canadian Rockies. Check out the video I made about our experience here!
Stop #2: Grassi Lakes Hike
Just outside Canmore, we made one of our favorite stops of the entire trip: Grassi Lakes.
This short family-friendly hike leads to stunning turquoise lakes surrounded by mountain scenery. The colors almost don’t look real.
If you’re visiting with toddlers or younger children, I highly recommend bringing a baby carrier. While the hike isn’t difficult, younger kids will likely need assistance on some of the steeper sections.
The reward at the top is absolutely worth it.
Family Tip
Go early in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy the lakes before tour buses begin arriving.
Stop #3: Canoeing at Emerald Lake
Next, we drove to Emerald Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in all of Canada.
While many visitors head straight to Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake ended up being one of our favorite experiences.
We rented a canoe for $100 CAD per hour, which is significantly cheaper than canoe rentals at Lake Louise or Moraine Lake.
The water is a stunning emerald color, and the surrounding mountains create a picture-perfect backdrop.
Emerald Lake Canoe Tip
Arrive right when rentals open at 10:00 AM.
The line grows quickly, especially during summer, and getting there early allowed us to get on the water with very little waiting.
The calm water made it easy to paddle even with young kids.
Stop #4: Golden, British Columbia
Before reaching Radium Hot Springs, we spent time exploring Golden.
Families could easily spend an entire day here because there are so many kid-friendly activities.
Golden Skybridge
The Golden Skybridge features Canada’s highest suspension bridges and incredible mountain views. Walking across the bridges was a highlight for both adults and kids.
Mountain Coaster
The mountain coaster was one of our kids’ favorite activities. You control your own speed as you wind down the mountain.
Ziplining
Golden offers several zipline experiences ranging from beginner-friendly rides to more adventurous options.
Adventure Course
The aerial ropes course is a fun challenge for older kids and adventurous adults.
Playground
One thing we loved was that Golden also has fantastic playgrounds, making it easy to mix big adventures with simple kid-friendly fun.
Check out our experience at Golden here!
Stop #5: Radium Hot Springs
Our final destination was Radium Hot Springs.
After several days of hiking, paddling, and exploring, soaking in the hot pools was the perfect way to relax.
The pools are large enough for families to spread out, and our kids absolutely loved swimming and playing in the warm water.
The surrounding mountain scenery makes this one of the most scenic hot springs experiences in Canada.
We stayed at the Best Western in Radium Hot Springs, which provided easy access to both the pools and the area’s hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Why This Is the Perfect Family Road Trip
What we loved most about this route was the variety.
In just a few days we experienced:
- Scenic river rafting
- Mountain hiking
- Canoeing on a turquoise lake
- Suspension bridges
- Ziplining
- Mountain coasters
- Hot springs
- Incredible Canadian Rockies scenery
Every stop felt different, which kept both adults and kids excited throughout the trip.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable Canadian Rockies road trip with kids, this Calgary to Radium Hot Springs itinerary is one I’d happily do again.
