Easy hikes and walks around Clearwater County

Crescent Falls Provincial Recreation Area is a small park west of Nordegg, centred around the beautiful twin cascades of Crescent Falls. The park includes a day‑use viewpoint at the canyon rim, short trails to several overlooks, and a lovely seasonal campground with nine walk-in sites tucked into the forest. There are washrooms, fire pits, water pumps, picnic areas, free day-use parking, and camping at $28 per night from May to October. It’s a fantastic spot to spend the day enjoying the falls or a longer stay in the canyon to explore the nearby trails.

Crescent Falls is absolutely stunning, with its two tiers flowing beautifully into the Bighorn River gorge surrounded by steep canyon walls and lush evergreen trees. This viewpoint at the edge of the canyon is a great spot to soak in the full view of the falls, and is the perfect place to snap some memorable photos and take a moment to appreciate the natural beauty around you.

Crescent Falls Access Trail is a lovely gravel path that’s just under a kilometre long and drops about 66 metres through the forest to the canyon rim. It’s well maintained, with recent safety upgrades that include stairs and fenced platforms that make it easy to navigate. These improvements take you to some great viewpoints of the breathtaking twin cascades of Crescent Falls as they crash into the Bighorn River gorge.

A valid Parks Canada pass is required to stop anywhere in the park, including roadside viewpoints and trailheads. Parking for Panther Falls is available at a small roadside pullout along the parkway. Dogs are permitted on the trail but must remain on a leash at all times. As with most hikes in Banff, visitors should be aware of wildlife in the area and carry bear spray when exploring trails.

This short trail descends in a few switchbacks along the rock face, leading closer to Panther Falls. As you make your way down, several openings along the path offer views of the surrounding valley, including glimpses of the river below and nearby Bridal Veil Falls. Though brief, the trail is a rewarding detour from the Icefields Parkway, with dramatic mountain scenery and multiple vantage points along the way.

Panther Falls is a small but scenic waterfall along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park. A short trail leads from the roadside down toward the base of the falls, where water spills over rocky ledges into a narrow creek below. The quick walk makes this an easy stop while travelling the Icefields Parkway, and the surrounding mountain scenery adds to the dramatic setting. It’s a nice place to stretch your legs and enjoy one of the many waterfalls found along this famous route.

The Twin Lake trail is a well-marked, family-friendly path that connects Highway 11 to the southeast shore of Twin Lake. It follows a flat dirt track through quiet forest and open stretches, with no significant elevation changes, making it an easy walk for all ages. As you approach the lake, the trees open to views of the calm shoreline and the small pier at the day-use area. It’s a simple, relaxed route that offers easy access to one of the park’s quieter lakes.

Twin Lake is a quiet, sheltered lake surrounded by spruce and aspen forest, with calm water that’s ideal for paddling, fishing, or simply relaxing at the day-use area. A small wooden pier offers an easy vantage point over the shoreline, and the Lakeshore Connector Trail begins nearby, linking the lake to the forest paths and eventually toward Crimson Lake. Birdlife is a major draw here — loons, sandhill cranes, owls, and western tanagers are often spotted around the water.