- Learn About Kananaskis
- How to Elope in Kananaskis
- 6 Best Elopement Locations in Kananaskis
- Best Time of Year for a Kananaskis Elopement
- Kananaskis Wedding Venues
- Kananaskis Elopement Photographer
Kananaskis is one of my favourite places in Alberta. It has the same breathtaking landscapes of Banff National Park (they share a border) but it sees much less tourist traffic. The possibilities for a Kananaskis elopement are endless, from beautiful and accessible lakes to epic mountain peaks, there is truly something for every couple. Kananaskis is also my backyard and playground and I’m excited to share the knowledge I’ve gained in the past 9 years of exploring there in this how to elopement in Kananaskis guide. ALSO, did you know that I eloped in Kananaskis?! I love it THAT much and I think you will too.
Learn about Kananaskis
Okay, you’ve probably heard about Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, but did you know that there are areas in Alberta that are JUST as pretty and are WAY less busy? Say hello to Kananaskis (or K-Country for short).
Where is Kananaskis?
Kananaskis is located on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies and south west of Calgary, Alberta. Kananaskis borders Canmore and Banff National Park and is about an hour 15 from Calgary.
How do you get to Kananaskis?
If you’re considering eloping in Kananaskis & you’ll be flying in, you should fly into the Calgary International Airport (YYC). There are no bus or transit options to get to Kananaskis from YYC, so your best bet is to rent a car and drive in. There are a couple different ways to drive to Kananaskis, depending on which of the areas you will be visiting. The road south from Canmore into Kananaskis is gravel and can be pretty rough, so keep that in mind when selecting your rental.
When is Kananaskis open?
There are multiple annual road closures in Kananaskis in the winter. Some locations are inaccessible beginning Dec 1 with most opening back up around April or May (except for the Highwood Pass which remains closed until June 1). Check the advisory page for current temporary road closure information.
Do you have to purchase a pass to access Kananaskis?
Yes! To enter Kananaskis you’ll need to purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass for $15/day/vehicle or $90 for a yearly pass which registers 2 vehicles. You can purchase this online or in-person at Kananaskis Visitor Information Centres (Barrier, Elbow, Peter Lougheed and William Watson Lodge) and the Canmore Nordic Centre Day Lodge.
How to Elope in Kananaskis
Can we get married in Kananaskis?
You sure can (and you should!).
Where can we have our Kananaskis wedding?
For outdoor ceremonies, Kananaskis Approvals (in charge of permits) only reviews and permits weddings in Day Use areas and Village Viewpoints located in Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area. For outdoor ceremonies, maximum capacity numbers are assigned with environmental protection, safety and public access in mind. There are also a number of wedding venues in Kananaskis ranging from rustic to luxury venues which we talk about in a little bit below!
Do we need a permit for our Kananaskis wedding?
Yes! To get married in Kananaskis you will need a special event permit in additional to the regular entrance fees. I recommend applying for your permit right away (up to 1 year in advance) as it can take some time for review. They look at things like group size, desired location, and event description. Here are a few of the important conditions & restrictions that come with the Kananaskis Special Use Permit for weddings:
- Each ceremony is allotted a 2 hour time segment that includes set up and take down
- Large sound systems and generators are not permitted
- Balloons are prohibited, as are confetti and any organic substance (ie. rice, flower petals, wooden logs, hay bales).
- Decorative accessories and furniture are limited according to amount and type:
- portable archway (no digging or construction allowed on site);
- flower pots, bouquets, carpet runners, easels;
- table / pulpit (of a type that will not poke in the ground);
- 10 chairs (generally for elderly or disabled guests only)
- No decorations (lights, ribbons, balloons, streamers) may be placed on trees.
Here’s how to get your Kananaskis Special Use Permit:
Fill out this form for the park in which you want to hold your wedding. They will get back to you with the next steps.
How much does it cost to elope in Kananaskis?
It costs at least $160 to get married in Kananaskis. The cost of a wedding permit is $105.00, entrance in is $15/day/vehicle and your marriage license will cost at least $40 (the additional service fees vary by registry). For more information about how to legally elope in Kananaskis, read this section of my How to Elope in Alberta Guide.
6 Best Elopement Locations in Kananaskis
Kananaskis is seriously packed full of gems and like I said before, there is something for everyone. There are so many gorgeous spots that I couldn’t even begin to list them all out, so I picked 6 of the best Kananaskis elopement locations. These spots are popular spots, but if you’re interested in eloping in Kananaskis and having a more off the beaten path experience, just ask and I will share my hidden gem list with you 🙂
1. Barrier Lake
Barrier Lake is the located just off Highway 1 down Highway 40 and is easily accessible. It’s a popular spot during the day in the summer for SUP and kayaking but there is a lot of shoreline so it’s possible to find quieter spots. It’s so beautiful here with the mountains so close. There is also an easy/moderate hike leaving from Barrier Lake that offer views down to the lake below and is a stunning spot for wedding photos.
2. Upper Kananaskis Lake
Located a bit deeper in Kananaskis is Upper Kananaskis Lake. The shoreline is just a short walk from the many parking lots and day use areas so it’s a good option if any of your guests have mobility issues. It can get pretty busy during the day in peak season but it’s always possible to find quieter more private spots along the shore. Like I mentioned, there are a couple different day use areas, some of which have picnic tables and fire pits if you wanted to have a little picnic with guests after the ceremony. There are a lot of hikes that begin from various points around the lake if you wanted to have a sunrise hike vow exchange and then come back down to the lake for a ceremony with friends and family.
3. Spray Lakes Reservoir
An almost 21km long lake in Kananaskis Country. It’s another perfect spot for ceremonies that include friends and family as there are a bunch of different day use areas and campgrounds along both sides of the lake to chose from. Again, you could have a sunrise hiking vow exchange and then head back down to meet friends and family for a late morning ceremony along the lake. The views (and hikes) along Spray Lake are some of my favourite!
4. Tent Ridge
If you’re an experienced hiker and are looking for the best views in Kananaskis, look no further than Tent Ridge. It’s a 10km loop with some scrambling involved if you do the whole horseshoe loop. The views looking down onto Spray Lake are insane and the way the mountains all layer together looking the other way is so beautiful. It is one of my favourite spots for a summer sunrise or sunset hiking elopement.
5. Prairie View Trail
An easier hike starting from Barrier Lake brings you up a wide trail to a rocky outcrop above the lake. This is a stunning hike for sunrise and one of my favourites for people that may not be as used to harder hikes in the Rocky Mountains.
6. West Wind Pass
A short, steep hike that is another favourite for a sunrise. You come to a pass with views over each side and watching the sun come up and hit the peaks above Spray Lake is an incredible way to start married life.
There you have it, those are 6 of the best Kananaskis elopement and wedding locations! Like I said, there are soooo many more options including longer hikes, backcountry sites, etc. If you’re interested in having a backcountry camping elopement in Kananaskis, check out my guide to How to Plan a Backcountry Camping Elopement in 6 Steps. I put this together after I planned my own backpacking elopement in Kananaskis and couldn’t find any good resources to help me out!
Best Time of the Year for a Kananaskis Wedding or Elopement
Kananaskis is my fave place to explore all year round but there are definitely some considerations to keep in mind when planning your Kananaskis elopement.
Peak season in Kananaskis is July-September which means that’s when the most crowds are out. It’s peak season for a reason though, the trails are in good shape, the wildflowers are out in July/August, and then the larches are putting on their golden show in late September. Keep in mind that Kananaskis has typical mountain weather and it can snow at any time and up on summits in the mornings can be below freezing even in July.
Come winter, some of the roads and a lot of hikes are inaccessible in the winter due to the snowpack and it can get bitterly cold. That being said, it’s also a magical time of the year with beautiful soft light, no crowds, fluffy snow and a lot of fun options for your Kananaskis elopement. Think snowshoeing, dog sledding, ice fishing, winter hiking, skiing, backcountry huts, or a cozy lodge elopement. The possibilities are endless.
Kananaskis Wedding Venues
Kananaskis has a wide range of wedding venues that go from the rustic side of things to the luxury locations. Here are some of the popular venues:
Mount Engadine Lodge
Mount Engadine Lodge is deep in Kananaskis and offers an insanely beautiful experience. It’s located about 40 minutes south of Canmore. You have the option to book out the whole lodge or if it’s just you two, you can book a room, a cabin, a yurt, or a glamping tent. I’ve stayed there before with my family and it was a magical experience. Just breathtakingly beautiful, the food is all local and included in your stay. There is a wooden platform down in the meadow below the lodge that can accommodate small ceremonies (up to 10). Highly recommend getting married here or staying here for a couple nights while you elope in Kananaskis.
Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge
The Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge is just an hour west of Calgary, the Lodge offers beautiful views, rooms, the Nordic Spa, and a bunch of other amenities. It’s definitely luxury and very worth it. I’ve also stayed here with my family and loved it. There are a number of locations around the lodge which permit outdoor ceremonies of varying sizes. You could have a small outdoor ceremony and then rent one of their rooms inside the lodge for a dinner with your guests.
Boundary Ranch
Boundary Ranch is located in Kananaskis with the capacity for up to 300 guests. They have a beautiful spot for outdoor ceremonies and want to help make your day unique! You can arrange for a horse drawn carriage or wagon rides for your guests.
Kananaskis Wedding & Elopement Photographer
Okay, I am SO excited to have shared all that information about getting married or eloping in Kananaskis with you all! It’s such a special place for me, having eloped there myself in 2019 and then we named our daughter after the lake that we backpacked to and said our vows in front of. I want you to experience the magic that Kananaskis has to offer and I want to be there to capture it all for you. So, if you’re looking for the most passionate Kananaskis elopement photographer who knows the area so so well, look no further! Click the link below to read about my Kananaskis wedding and elopement pricing and packages and be sure to contact me so we can start planning your Kananaskis wedding.
Kananaskis Wedding & Elopement Packages
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