Fall in Calgary is one of my favourite times of year. The weather is crisp, the leaves are changing, and some of the most beautiful places to visit are right in our own backyard. If you’re looking for a few fun ways to get out and enjoy the season before winter arrives, here are a few of my favourites.

Take a Drive to Kananaskis to See the Golden Larches

One of the most beautiful fall experiences around Calgary is seeing the golden larches in Kananaskis. People travel from around the world to see the larch trees turn that incredible golden colour, and we’re lucky enough to have them just a short drive from Calgary.

Kananaskis is also a hot spot right now for fall weddings and photography, and it’s easy to see why!

If you want that quintessential larch-tree experience without committing to a long, all-day hike, Ptarmigan Cirque and Chester Lake are hard to beat. Chester Lake is about 9 km return, so it’s definitely more of a commitment than some of the shorter walks, but the scenery is absolutely worth it.

Spend an Afternoon at Butterfield Acres

If you have kids and want an easy but entertaining fall afternoon, Butterfield Acres is the star of the show.

You can visit all of the farm animals, pick out pumpkins to take home from the pumpkin patch, and let the little ones become “Pint-Sized Pumpkin Pickers” as they hunt for their own small pumpkins.

And if you’re looking for that perfect fall photo, Butterfield Acres has some seriously Instagram-worthy pumpkin scenes. There are tractor-pulled wagon rides through Scarecrow Alley where you can take in the fall colours through the woodlands.

Feeling adventurous? They also offer pony rides, and you can finish the day around a fire pit roasting s’mores and enjoying some classic fall treats.

It’s such a fun time of year to get outside, take some beautiful yellow and orange fall photos, and take advantage of sweater weather before the snow arrives!

Get Spooked at Pumpkins After Dark

If you need another excuse to see pumpkins — and want to be scared just a little in honour of Halloween — Pumpkins After Dark is a local favourite.

This Halloween art and light experience features a whopping 10,000 carved pumpkin displays, with huge themed scenes, live pumpkin-carving demonstrations, music and special effects.

You can grab something to eat from the food trucks and enjoy a fall treat along the way. There are also adult beverages available if you’re looking to warm up with a little something while you take in the displays.

It’s a family-friendly event that has plenty of Halloween fun without being too terrifying for the kids. Just make sure you dress warmly — it’s outdoors at WinSport, and it can definitely get chilly this time of year!

Most people spend about 1–2 hours walking through the event, so it’s an easy activity to add to your fall calendar.