5 Kananaskis elopement locations

Jun 23

Alberta has a hidden gem for elopement locations - Kananaskis Country! Kananaskis is right next to Banff National Park. It's quieter than Banff which is perfect for those who want a more intimate experience. Since it’s less well known I’ve created this guide to help you choose where to elope in Kananaskis. These locations include mountain peaks, turquoise blue waters, waterfalls, and beautiful boreal forests. There’s a combination of easy hikes, epic views, and extreme hiking trails. There’s sure to be a Kananaskis elopement location for you on this list!

TROLL FALLS

Troll Falls is perfect for the couple who wants an easy hike with great mountain views and waterfalls. This location is 3km’s away from Kananaskis Village. The trail is well groomed and rated ‘easy.’ The trail is well groomed and rated ‘easy.’ There are a few spots with a steeper incline. Yet, they will only be challenging for those with extreme disabilities or injuries.

If you want a bit more adventure, a steep but short route extends to Upper Troll Falls. Here you'll find cascades along Marmot Creek. It's picturesque in the winter - don't forget to bring your crampons!

As a Kananaskis elopement photographer, I recommend this location for couples who are brand new to hiking or just want a leisurely hike for their elopement. There’s also a beautiful field surrounded by mountains on the return route for a picnic!

Pros:

Easily accessible
Right in the Town of Banff
Incredible mountain view

Cons:

Busy year round
Not very private
No washrooms

EAST END OF RUNDLE

Although East End of Rundle (or EEOR pronounced Eeyore) is one of my favourite Kananaskis elopement locations, it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s a short 2.4km up to incredible views but it’s extremely steep, difficult to navigate, and has a couple of screes. This trail is for the couple who wants a more extreme elopement hiking adventure.

For the purpose of elopements, I don’t take couples to the very top. Instead I take them up one scree and stop at the beautiful alpine valley where there’s a magical view of Ha Ling Peak straight across. It’s the perfect elopement location for your ceremony, portraits, and a picnic. I recommend planning for a sunrise elopement at this spot. If we’re lucky, we may even get those magical rain clouds rolling through!

Pros:

Private
Right next to Canmore
The best mountain peak views

Cons:

Very difficult and dangerous hike
Won’t be able to set up decor

ELBOW LAKE

Elbow Lake is by far one of my favourite Kananaskis elopement locations! It’s a quick and easy hike to the turquoise lake and the trail extends further to other locations. I get fantasy novel vibes when I’m in this area! This location is best suited for those who want easy access to multiple types of scenery including turquoise lakes, boreal forest, alpine meadows, mountain peaks, and more.

The best part is that there’s a campground at the top with washrooms. If you plan ahead we can easily turn your elopement into a two day backcountry camping experience! I mean, who doesn’t want that!? Hike up to your site, set up your tent, and have a beautiful couple’s photo session right at sunset. Capture some more casual photos of you two sipping champagne or beer with your toes in the lake. Then wake up to say your vows at sunrise in front of the lake and spend the day exploring in your wedding attire, getting epic portraits taken, and exploring the trails around the area. Are you in? I got my bags packed already!

Pros:

Short and easy to medium hike difficulty
Backcountry campground - click HERE for more info
Washrooms available
Multiple trails to explore
Multiple types of scenery for portraits

Cons:

Can get busy during busy season
Hike is more challenging for those with disabilities and injuries

BARRIER LAKE

Barrier Lake is a popular Kananaskis location. It offers gorgeous mountain views along the lake and multiple trails through boreal forest. The trail is fairly quiet throughout the day as most visitors stay near the lake. As a Kananaskis elopement photographer, I recommend hiking up to the top for sunrise to catch incredible views as the sun rises behind the mountains. This is a great location for couples who like to explore and want the classic blue lakes with mountain views.

The trail is 7.7km total and rated moderate. However, for those who aren’t interested in hiking, you can still get those beautiful views by sticking to the shoreline.

Pros:

Lake is easily accessible
Incredible mountain views with minimal hiking
Washrooms
Private if you do a bit of hiking
Great for sunrise

Cons:

Not very private if you stick to the lake

HA LING PEAK

If EEOR sounded a bit intimidating for you but you want something similar, then Ha Ling Peak might be for you! It’s rated as a difficult hike but less intimidating. There are a few man made stairs and the trail is well maintained. Only the last 400m of the trail is unmaintained and you’ll encounter some scrambling. Ha Ling Peak is perfect for the couples who want a friendly adventure and love to hike.

This location is even more magical if you choose to have your ceremony and portraits taken at sunrise. The alpine glow is stunning.

Pros:

Maintained trail
Incredible mountain views
Potential for more privacy further up the trail

Cons:

No washroom
Not well suited for individuals with mobility issues

BONUS LOCATIONS

Here are a few locations that I haven’t been to, but recommend them for your Kananaskis elopement experience!

MOUNT SMUTWOOD

Mount Smutwood has some of the most incredible views in Kananaskis. It’s rated as a difficult hike but the description shows that it may be an easier summit to reach compared to others like EEOR. The trail has a variety of features to see such as mountain peaks, waterfalls, lakes, boreal forest, and larch trees.

ARETHUSA CIRQUE ROUTE

This hike has some serious fantasy vibes that will make you feel like you’ve stumbled into another world. It has incredible mountain views and is rated as a moderate hike. This Kananaskis elopement location is perfect for the couples who want epic portraits without too difficult of a hike.

MIST CREEK HILLS

A less popular trail that will add some adventure and intimacy to your Kananaskis elopement experience. This location is perfect for an elopement picnic and portraits at sunrise or sunset. There is a gorgeous alpine valley surrounded by mountains. If you want to feel like you’re the only two people in the world on your elopement day - this is your spot!

MAKE IT LEGAL

There are countless places to elope in Kananaskis! But make sure you do it legally. A ceremony permit may be required based on your plans. The fee will change depending on your location and what you have planned. If you’d like more information on how to make your elopement legal check out these blog posts where I go more in depth about the legal side of eloping in Kananaskis.

So, where are you going to elope in Kananaskis?