Cochrane is an undiscovered (and uncrowded) gem of a town at the doorstep of the Canadian Rockies. You’ll find it nestled in the rolling foothills just 20 minutes west of Calgary.
As you enter town, driving down the ‘big hill’, you’ll understand what makes this spot one of Alberta’s hidden gems: a winding river, striking mountain views, and a welcoming small-town character infused with Western heritage.
Spend a few days away from crowds exploring the area, and use Cochrane as your base to visit Calgary, Drumheller, Banff, and Lake Louise.
Here’s our insider guide to the top 10 things to do in Cochrane, Alberta:
1. Explore charming historic downtown
Cochrane traces its roots back to the 1800s when it began as a sprawling cattle ranch. Today, the town proudly retains its Old-West charm within its historic downtown.
While you won’t see horses and hitching posts anymore, you can visit the 120-year-old Rockyview Hotel. Stay the night, have a drink on the patio, or listen to a passing musician play ragtime on the slightly out-of-tune piano outside.
If you’re in search of local souvenirs, try The Social Spot Marketplace (hidden behind the blue door), featuring the work of Alberta artisans. Or, buy a book at the ridiculously charming indie bookstore Found Books. More of a foodie? Indulge in some locally made chocolates at Horse Creek Heritage Candy & Gifts.
2. Wander through a wolfdog sanctuary
A 15-minute drive west of Cochrane and surrounded by forest, the 160-acre Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary is one of Alberta’s hidden gems. It offers a rare opportunity to learn about the sanctuary’s 57 resident wolfdogs, all of whom have varying levels of wolf content in their DNA.
An interactive tour inside a wolfdog enclosure can give you a close-up look at these incredible animals — and maybe even a chance to feed a treat to one of the wolfdogs. You can also explore and view the enclosures from the outside at your own pace on a self-guided or guided tour (minimum ages apply for each experience).
3. Embrace our Western heritage and history
Get a feel for Alberta’s rich ranching heritage at Stockmen’s Memorial Foundation, where you can browse cowboy-inspired art — from murals and paintings to bronze castings and more — and flip through a sprawling library of over 19,000 books and magazines on ranching culture.
If you want to take a piece of the West home for yourself, book the Stockmen’s Branding Experience for private groups. You’ll get a taste of history as well as a takeaway of your chosen brand imprinted on a piece of wood.
Continue your deep dive into ranching culture by stopping at the Cochrane Historical Museum. Then, add in a visit to Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park — an urban park and an active cattle ranch just east of town on Hwy 1A — and take in the same sweeping views of the Canadian Rockies that local cowboys have marvelled at for 150 years.
4. Stroll the beloved Cochrane Farmers Market
Every summer Saturday brings a diverse array of vendors to the iconic Cochrane Farmers’ Market. Running from June to October, it’s a must-stop for foodies and those with an eye for unique, handcrafted goods.
Looking for some tips on who to visit? Alberta is known for its beef, bison, canola, honey, red fife wheat, root veggies, and Saskatoon berries. So as you explore, keep an eye out for these local staples.
Visit multi-generational family producer Dalziel Ranches Bison for bison steaks, sausages, or jerky. Or, stop by Uncle Bernie’s All Natural Meats’ booth for pasture-finished elk, beef, pork, and chicken. For quality regional fresh fruit and veggies, visit Souto Farms.
5. Spend a sunny day on the water
Whether you’re in the mood for an energetic day of rafting, or stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), you can enjoy it in Cochrane with Kelsey’s Caravan Water Adventures. Kelsey creates custom experiences for her guests, designed with beginners in mind. Or, if a relaxing float down the Bow River is more your speed, check out the family-friendly Bow River interpretive trip with Hunter Valley Adventures, who have been running outdoor excursions for 40 years.
GhostekNorth is another great resource offering SUPs for purchase or rent, plus a full menu of water sports and guided adventures on Ghost Lake, just 20 minutes west of Cochrane on Hwy 1A. Enjoy gliding along the water with a SUP, try your hand at SUP yoga, or chase a little more speed — and adrenaline — with hydrofoiling, a type of surfing that lifts your surfboard above the water by means of a longer fin that extends into the water.
Looking to stay on the shore? Drive about 30 minutes north of town to Winchell Lake for trout fishing, birding, and wildlife viewing, or take the kids to Cochrane’s Mitford Park to fish (children 13 and under can take home what they catch!)
6. Quench your thirst with a craft beverage tour
Discovering unique local beer is one of the best parts of visiting a new destination. At family-owned Half Hitch Brewing Company, try local favourites like award-winning Papa Bear Prairie Ale or Fire & Fury Red Ale. Or, head downtown to Rocky View Brewing Taproom where you can cozy up at a fire table while you sip a craft brew and catch live music if you’re there on a Saturday.
For something different, take a sunny afternoon drive north on Hwy 22 to visit Fallentimber Meadery in Water Valley for delicious mead — a sparkling craft honey beverage unique to our corner of the world — and local honey. Blake Ryan started this family business and established its first hives in 1969. Today, Fallentimber offers tours and tastings, where you’ll be ushered into their cozy space with warm hospitality. Take your mead or non-alcoholic Honey Kissed Soda (new for 2024) outside and relax in a hammock or play a few lawn games. And if you’re hungry, you can’t miss the wood-fired pizza.
7. Take to the trails with two-wheeled travel
Road tripping by car is always fun, but some days beg for two wheels on a trail, especially in Cochrane. Gorgeous views of farmland and mountains combined with quiet, well-maintained roads are a cyclist’s dream. The Horse Creek/Grand Valley Loop is perfect if you’re looking for a full-day ride (it’s about 50 kms, so plan accordingly).
If you just want to get out for a quick spin, Cochrane has a well-connected trail system right in town (with some available on the All Trails app). There are spots to enjoy gravel biking and even regular cycling events if you’d like to meet a few locals.
Or, head to Glenbow Provincial Park if you’d like a little more room to breathe while you cycle. Try the 4.6-km Bowbend Trail for a taste of variety on your ride. This paved path is part of The Great Trail Network, which crosses the country from coast to coast. It winds along arid coulees, through aspen glades, and beside historic ranching ruins.
8. Connect with nature on a walk
Prefer walking to cycling? Cochrane’s robust trail network and scenic parks offer lots of welcoming outdoor spaces. Here, the entire family can slow down and experience nature without having to venture far.
Kids are especially fond of Big Hill Springs Provincial Park, about a 20-minute drive out of town toward the neighbouring City of Airdrie. You can choose from an easy 1.6-km creekside hike or the newer north loop trail where you’ll get a bird’s eye view of Bighill Creek Valley. As a bonus, this park offers lots of picnic spots.
If you’re craving a water view, visit Riverfront Park to stroll along the glacial-fed Bow River. You can walk all the way down to Jim Uffelmann Memorial Park, and take your pup to the off-leash dog park there.
9. Enjoy the local arts scene
Cochrane has a rich connection to the arts, with galleries, sculptures, and murals ready for you to immerse yourself. Try our self-guided art tour and take note of the bronze sculptures so unique to Cochrane.
Or, give yourself time to wander and absorb inspiration from Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery, Studio West Bronze Foundry & Gallery, and Saffron Collective Studios, where you can purchase local art or take a workshop. Be sure to catch the mural mosaic near The Station on Railway Street, too.
10. Alberta’s hidden gem also hosts events year-round
While any day of the week has fun options for things to do in Cochrane, you can also plan your trip around one of our most popular events.
During the winter, dive into Western culture at Bunkhouse Bonanza in January. Or, mingle with other book lovers as part of the celebration of words at Found Fest, our local indie bookstore, in March.
When spring arrives, sample beverages from local breweries and distilleries at Sip Sip Savour in April. If you’re an art lover, you won’t want to miss the Come Paint Alberta arts festival circuit in May.
And as you soak up the summer days, keep an eye out for Cochrane Food Fest in August to sample fare from our local restaurants. For country music lovers, the Bow Valley Boot Stomp Country Music Festival in July has to be on your list. It also wouldn’t be an Alberta summer without Canada Day in Cochrane, The Cochrane Rodeo, or our Labour Day Parade (the latter two both in September).
In fall, make some time for your health and well-being at the Elevate Cochrane wellness conference in October. Then, treat yourself at the Taste of Cochrane and Dine Out Cochrane festivals in November.
Bonus! Conquer the fairways at one of our golf courses
Cochrane boasts two glorious golf courses. The 18-hole Links of Gleneagles championship course is situated high on a bluff above Cochrane with a spectacular view of the Rockies on the horizon. The dynamic elevation change makes this course challenging and exciting to play on.
The nine-hole Cochrane Golf Club is accessible and fun and is walkable for any skill level, it’s also pet-friendly. Kids and the young at heart love the club’s 18-hole mini golf course.
You’re always welcome in the West
Spend some time in Cochrane, and you’ll quickly see why it’s a favourite stop for an Alberta road trip or a small town getaway steeped in Western charm.
We’re always planning new adventures and experiences to make every visit to this Alberta hidden gem one you’ll remember for years. Download the Explore Cochrane App to discover activities, places to stay, eat and shop, and all of our local events.
