Kananaskis Country is 40 years old this year!

The mountains here formed 200 million years ago as tectonic plates forced layers of rock upward. The rock seen is mainly limestone created by layers of fossilized sea creatures that lived in an inland sea that once covered southern Alberta. For more, see our sister publication, Experience the Dinosaur Trails.

The name Kananaskis was chosen 160 years ago by Captain John Palliser on his expedition. It comes from the Cree word ‘Kin-e-a-kis’, the name of a warrior who survived an axe blow to the head. Human use of this area goes back over 8000 years, and the Stoney-Nakoda, Siksika, Blood, and Kootenai First Nations all have deep connection to this land.

Kananaskis Country was first identified as a very special place worthy of being preserved, more than a century ago. In 1902, parts of Kananaskis Country were included in the Rocky Mountain National Park (which is now Banff National Park), but they were removed in 1911 and eventually turned over to the Alberta Government in 1930.

Photo Courtesy of Mark Burden

Bow Valley and Bragg Creek Provincial Parks were created in 1959 and 1960, respectively and remain very popular places to visit in Kananaskis Country. In 1972, the Alberta Wilderness Association proposed a wilderness area in the Elbow, Sheep, and Kananaskis Valleys. That same year, the Environment Conservation Authority identified a need to protect watersheds and provide tourism and recreation opportunities.

Forty years ago, on September 22nd, 1978, Premier Peter Lougheed officially dedicated Kananaskis Country and the Kananaskis Provincial Park (now Peter Lougheed Provincial Park), as a place where visitors could enjoy outdoor recreation.

Located only a half hour west of Calgary, this vast area has been a cherished location for Albertans to get away from city life. Here, on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies, we enjoy numerous outdoor activities with friends and family, year-round. And since the `88 Olympics, people from around the world come to enjoy K-Country as a place to renew one’s spirit and reconnect with wilderness.

Celebrate Kananaskis Country’s 40th birthday by exploring the area’s spectacular landscape. The friendly staff in our Info Centres can provide you with current information about trails, activities, and special events. Please minimize your impact and have a safe and enjoyable visit!