3 Days of Outdoor Adventure in Cochrane, Alberta

This is a great base for adventurers and families! This 90-room hotel is located 5 minutes from downtown Cochrane and features a waterslide, games room, and free breakfast with every stay. It’s the perfect base for exploring Cochrane and the Canadian Rockies!

This charming 27-guest-room country inn, event venue & retreat centre is set on 145 scenic acres along the Ghost River west of Cochrane, only one hour from Calgary. This is truly a hidden gem, and the perfect spot to unwind, disconnect, and spend time in nature.

Nestled in the foothills of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, just 5 minutes from Historic Downtown Cochrane, the Super 8 Cochrane is full of Cochrane charm and the perfect base for an Alberta vacation.

Bow RiversEdge Campground is your RV home and hub in charming Cochrane, Alberta, tucked along the Bow River, with exceptional personalized service by friendly staff. Each site has a nice patch of grass and hedges for privacy, as well as full hook-up facilities including water, sewer, power, and Internet! And the location can’t be beat – right next to walking and cycling paths, pickleball courts, a swimming pool and ice rink, and a grocery store. Bow RiversEdge Campground is your ideal getaway to the Foothills & Rocky Mountains!

The Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation is responsible for Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park’s Visitor Services. Look for the Visitor Information Centre and interpretive signage throughout the park. Public programs at the park range from interpretive golf cart tours to family programs, all thanks to the Foundation at work! Their Discover Archaeology and Discover Grasslands school outreach programs are direct connections into the community. Sign up for a scheduled program from the online events calendar, or contact them to see what programs they can design to cater to your needs. Location: Hwy 1A between Cochrane and Calgary at Glenbow Road Hours: sunrise to sunset every day of the year.

The Historic Cochrane Ranche was Alberta’s first large-scale ranch, operating from 1881 to 1888. Today, the 136-acre park has something for everyone: An accessible walking path, trails for hiking or mountain biking with views of the Rockies and through the forest, picnic sites and fire pits, two museums, and the well-known Men of Vision statue.

Half Hitch Brewing Company is a family-owned microbrewery just outside downtown Cochrane. They brew on-site favourites like Papa Bear and the Fire n’ Fury red ale. Their dog-friendly patio is heated in winter and opens up in summer for views of the foothills and Bow River, and they serve amazing burgers, and a standout brisket sandwich, shareables and more.

Kelsey’s Caravan is once again offering Cochrane River Trips! This is a special Kelsey’s Caravan experience, hosted right in  the heart of Cochrane. Kelsey will take you from Riverfront Park to the new Jack Tennant Memorial Bridge. This beginner-friendly program runs on select dates from June to August and includes a river guide, all gear, and safety checks to ensure you have a blast on the water. You can also check out her River Raft Adventures, Mountain Lake SUP Adventures, paddle board courses, and overnight camping experiences. While every experience is designed with the beginner in mind, you can contact Kelsey directly to customize your trip to suit your needs. Group bookings or solo outings are all welcome! Book your tour today!

Log Town Outdoors puts you on some of the best wild trout water in the Rockies — guided drift boat and walk-and-wade fly fishing on the Bow River, with all gear provided and trips tailored to any skill level.

Nestled along the Upper Red Deer River, this unique off-grid retreat was created for those seeking something increasingly difficult to find in today’s world: peace, presence, and genuine connection. Here, nature, wellness, and adventure come together to create meaningful experiences that nourish the mind, body, and soul. This rustic retreat is ideal for beginning campers and has rustic cabins and geodome tents, as well as wellness and nature experiences. Located about 75 minutes northwest of Cochrane.

Experience the real West in the spectacular natural beauty of the Kananaskis Valley. Boundary Ranch is an exceptional location to discover the adventure and serenity of the Canadian Rockies. Embark on horseback to explore scenic backcountry trails with captivating nature and mountain views. The Western Entertainment Centre is open year-round and includes banquet facilities, meeting rooms, and a gift shop. Guided rides are suitable for guests six years and older with all riding levels and experience. Book online or by contacting the office at 403-591-7171 or [email protected]

Immerse yourself in a true western experience – horseback riding! Bar Jo is a family-run outfitter just 25 minutes west of Cochrane – take a trail ride (ages 8+) or a pony ride ( ages 4-7) through the rolling foothills with the Canadian Rockies rising on the horizon; it’s an experience you’ll never forget!

Have you ever dreamed of exploring the rolling foothills of the Canadian Rockies on horseback? Family-owned Saddle Peak Adventures offers short rides for beginners, half- and full-day rides for intermediate and advanced riders, and 3-, 4-, or 5-night pack trips that are the experience of a lifetime!

Spend a few hours at Links of GlenEagles, where every hole looks out on the Rockies above Cochrane. The course climbs and drops with the foothills, with white sand bunkers cutting through the fairways. Book a tee time, play a round, then wind down with food and drinks at the Eagle’s Nest Lounge & Patio.

Cochrane Golf Club is a relaxed, nine-hole course in Riverview, set beside the Bow River and walkable enough to fit into a busy day. There’s an 18-hole mini golf course and warm-up nets alongside it, plus pet-friendly grounds, a rain check guarantee, lessons, swing clinics, and junior camps.

Water Valley Golf Club, 25 minutes north of Cochrane, winds an 18-hole semi-private course through poplar and spruce in the Mountain View County foothills. On-site, Paradise Pines serves Sunday brunch and an authentic Mexican menu on Saturdays, with a deck overlooking the course, open to golfers and non-golfers alike.

Not surprisingly, the 18-hole championship mini-golf course at the Cochrane Golf Club is a busy place in summer. The super-fun course is mini-golf at its finest! Beautiful landscaping, water hazards, well-maintained synthetic turf, bridges, benches, and asphalt pathways throughout make every round memorable. A great activity for families to enjoy!  If you’re looking for a fun, laid-back version of the game that absolutely anyone can do, this is it.

Exclusive Private Helicopter Tours – Year-Round from Springbank Airport

Take off on a private helicopter adventure with LR Helicopters, offering year-round flights over the stunning landscapes of the Canadian Rockies. Tours range from 30 to 90 minutes, with custom flights available. Fly over the breathtaking Elbow Range on a one-hour scenic journey, or take a shorter 30-minute tour showcasing Bragg Creek and Calgary from above. For a truly unforgettable experience, land on a remote mountain peak and enjoy a gourmet meal from Mercato with the Picnic on the Peaks tour.

For those looking to do more than just fly, the Flight Training Experience puts you in the pilot’s seat under expert instruction. Every flight departs from Springbank Airport and is private, personalized, and designed to showcase Alberta’s incredible scenery from above.

Book your experience today.

Mahikan Trails offers authentic Indigenous experiences rooted in traditions and culture, with Medicine Walks and workshops in Cochrane, Banff, Sundre, and their scenic property.

Explore Cochrane, the foothills, and the Rockies with a local guide who brings the landscape to life. Wildlife, hiking, cultural experiences, and photography—all tailored, with pickup right in Cochrane.

Learn about Indigenous art, culture and traditional practices with Inuvialuit Gwichya Gwich’in educator Kelly Gordon. Experiences include crafting workshops like a medicine pouch-making workshop or a dream-catcher-making workshop. For a more immersive experience, book a half-day, full-day, or multi-day hide tanning course. These workshops are customizable and available to small and large groups!

When the day’s done, Fence & Post is refined Canadian cooking downtown is worth a reservation. Rocky View Brewing Co is a laid-back local taproom with a spacious, dog-friendly backyard patio and a casual gastro-pub feel inside. And Flores & Pine, is elevated casual dining done right. Locally sourced, wood-fired, and worth booking ahead. Phil’s at the west end of Main Street is the diner breakfast that gets every good day started.