Top places to picnic in the mountains this fall

By Tanya Koob

Visit one of these day-use areas and plan a mountain great place to explore. Search for the picnic for the next nice weekend. Many of the picnic hidden beach area underneath the areas highlighted here have water features, so bring your suspension bridge. There’s sand and swimsuits for a final dip before colder weather sets in! more than enough rocks for the kids

Wedge Pond, Kananaskis. Located just beyond to throw in the Elbow River. Kananaskis Village on Highway 40, this small pond is Beaver Lodge Day-Use Area, Banff Recreational Grounds great for kids who enjoy playing in water. Spread a Elbow Valley, Kananaskis. At Elbow blanket out by the lakeshore while the kids play and Valley, there are a few picnic spots snack on delicious food you’ve packed. You’ll also find a and a cute hiking trail that follows along the beaver Elbow Lake, Kananaskis. The trailhead is located few picnic tables and fire pits, along with a short walking ponds. Kids will love playing in the ponds, and the trail is on Highway 40 to the north of Highwood Pass, and trail around the pond. fun for little ones on run bikes. There is one picnic table the hike is 1.4 kilometres one way. The trail is Chariot

For families who enjoy biking, you can also access located near the largest beaver pond. friendly, and there is wood at the campground. Bring Wedge Pond via the paved Bill Milne Bike Trail. I This day-use area is located within a kilometre of the marshmallows and hot dogs, and head here for an recommend starting at the Kovach Day-Use Area below Elbow Falls Day-Use Area, so you can visit both locations enjoyable day. Kananaskis Village and biking to Wedge Pond for your in the same outing. The kids will have fun playing in the Ghost Lake Reservoir. This reservoir is located 20 picnic. It’s an easy return ride after playing at the pond. river below the falls where there are plenty of rocks to minutes west of Cochrane. My family enjoyed a paddle Total distance between the two day-use areas is 17 keep them busy. up the reservoir and discovered the perfect beach! The kilometres return. If this distance is too far to bike, an Buller Mountain Day-Use Area, Spray Valley, beach is located where the Ghost River flows into the adult can bike back for the vehicle. Kananaskis. Here you’ll find picnic tables, fire pits, and a lake after paddling under the bridge and up the narrow

Forgetmenot Pond, Elbow Valley, Kananaskis. Drive lovely pond. Popular activities include easy family-friendly part of the reservoir. With wind in your favor, this is an 10 kilometres farther down Highway 66 toward the mountain biking from the Mount Shark Day-Use Area to easy 20- to 30-minute paddle by canoe or kayak. Little Elbow Campground where you’ll find this beautiful Watridge Lake (3.7 kilometres one way on an old gravel But wind can be a serious challenge on this lake, so pond. There are fire pits and picnic tables. The pond is a road) or hiking to Chester Lake (4.6 kilometres one way). choose a calm day for your picnic and plan a backup option. You don’t want to be stuck at the far end of the lake with a head wind, fighting to get back to your vehicle. Bring sand toys and a change of clothes for the For fun and drive home. innovative virtual Johnson Lake, Banff . The sister to Quarry Lake, this is activities for Banff’s local town beach. Bring your swimsuits, a blanket, families, check and sand toys. There are a few picnic tables on-site but no out the NMC fire pits. As with Quarry Lake, wear your swimsuits under Learning at your clothing or you will be changing in the bathrooms. Home series at While at Johnson Lake, enjoy a peaceful paddle (bring NOW OPEN! amplify.nmc.ca. your own boat or inflatable raft) or hike around the lakeshore in a 3.5-kilometre loop. Families who enjoy mountain biking will also find the trailhead for the intermediate Water Tower Trail here. The trail begins past the bridge on the right side of the lake. Follow the FREE ADMISSION COURTESY OF BELL old road up to the water tower and continue on the EVERY WEEKEND UNTIL SEPTEMBER 6. single-track trail from there. It’s best done as an out-andback ride. The trail is roughly a 6-kilometre return, if you stop at the high point above Cascade Ponds. Beginning September 12, Banff Recreation Grounds, Banff. This popular picnic area is located near the Bow River in downtown Banff admission will be offered and has picnic tables and fire pits. There is a wonderful at a reduced price. playground that will amuse a wide range of ages along with a bike park for your junior mountain biker. From the Banff Recreation Grounds, you can access Every weekend, roaming the paved Bow River Trail and bike or walk around performances and Banff. You’re also close to the other amenities of Banff including ice cream shops, restaurants, and shopping. pop-up experiences Sundance Canyon, Banff. The paved Sundance courtesy of Scotiabank Trail leads to a picnic site at the entrance to Sundance Canyon. There are bathrooms and picnic tables. The trail Backbeat. is 3.9 kilometres one way to the picnic area and entrance to the Sundance Canyon Loop (1.6-kilometre loop on a moderate trail, which has stairs and a few spots where you’ll want to hold a hand if hiking with young kids). The first part of the trail is Chariot-friendly. This trail is also great for families who enjoy biking. It’s an easy ride up to the picnic area. There are benches along the trail for resting, and you can watch as people canoe down the Bow River beside you.

Tanya is a freelance writer and mom to an energetic 11-year-old boy. She loves hiking, camping, skiing, and all things mountainrelated. She is the author of the blog, Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies, rockiesfamilyadventures.com. CCM