Wondering what to do in Sundre, Alberta? Not sure if there are many things to do in Sundre?
Located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, along the famous Cowboy Trail, you can spend the perfect getaway from Calgary to Sundre for an outdoor weekend. There are so many unique things to do in Sundre, Alberta. The area will surprise you.
In this article, I’m sharing our favorite things to do in Sundre with the family in a 3-day itinerary. This itinerary is filled with fun things to do and will allow you to enjoy what the area has to offer (and that Sundre is so much more than its small downtown strip.
Sundre, Alberta, may be a small town with about 2,000 residents, but it’s filled with things to do. Outdoor lovers will be pleased to know that there are kilometers of trails, thousands of campsites, and an enormous backyard, the Rocky Mountains Eastern Slopes.
I posted a video on my social media about road trip ideas from Calgary, one of which was a road trip to Sundre. I got a lot of engagement, but sadly, some comments say nothing was interesting to do in Sundre.
Well, I am here to tell you that it’s not true. Sundre is, of course, nothing like Banff, Jasper, or Waterton Lakes, but it’s still a cool place to visit in Alberta to discover the cowboy and west heritage of Alberta. One thing is sure: You’ll need at least 3 full days to explore properly Sundre and its backyard.
Sundre is an emerging tourist destination, and you’ll be glad to visit while its gems are still hidden.
You can check the video here 👇
💡 Note that the itinerary is created for families with children, but people of all ages will love it.
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All the things to do in Sundre on a detailed map
Day 1 in Sundre: Sundre Golf Course, Pioneer Village Museum & Downtown Sundre
On your first day in Sundre, arrive around lunchtime. If you’re driving from Calgary, it will take you about 1h30 to get to Sundre. Make sure you have some road trip activities planned for the kids for a smooth ride.
▶️ You might like our Road Trip Activity Book for Kids. It’s more than 70+ pages filled with activities for family road trip drives. 🚘
As you enter the town of Sundre, stop for lunch at Sundre Golf Club. If you’re a golf player family, we highly recommend arriving in the morning and playing a 18-holes before lunch.
🥗 Sundre Golf Club Restaurant
If you’re looking for an outdoor patio with a beautiful view, try the Sundre Golf Club restaurant.
The restaurant faces the golf course. There is a nice selection of meals for lunch.
Our kids are still too young to enjoy golf (and I don’t really enjoy golfing), so we skipped golfing and just enjoyed the food from the patio overlooking the golf course.
With your belly filled, it’s time to start exploring.
Head into downtown Sundre and visit the Sundre & District Pioneer Village Museum and its World of Wildlife Natural History Exhibit.
Sundre & District Pioneer Village Museum
Pioneer Village Museum is in the heart of Sundre downtown. It’s located just a little outside the main street and a few feet away from the town-operated Greenwood campground.
In this museum, you’ll travel back to see how the early Sundre pioneers lived. For example, you’ll learn that Sundre was named after a Norwegian postman’s hometown (Sondre in Norway).
The Pioneer Village is an outdoor living museum where heritage buildings come to life. It is on 4 acres and is home to 8 heritage buildings. During your visit, you’ll walk through a Ranger cabin, a district school, a barn, and many more buildings.
Kids will love seeing the antique little cars.
Inside the museum’s main building is the permanent World of Wildlife exhibit. This exhibit shows more than 170 animal mounts from around the world.
The World of Wildlife National History Exhibit is a donation from Chester Mjolsness after his years of travels around the world.
I must admit I am not totally sure how I feel about Chester’s hunting expedition, but visiting the exhibit was a great educational experience for the kids. They asked many questions about the different animals, how they lived, where they were from, …
If you can, participate in the guided tour (free) as it’s really interesting to know the story behind all animals.
The museum is open daily during the summer and is free for kids under 6 years old.
Downtown Sundre & Boondox Family Restaurant
After your visit, you can leave your car in the public parking lot and explore Sundre Little Town’s main strip. You’ll find a few stores, shops, bakeries and restaurants.
Then, end your day at Boondox Family Restaurant for a good Chicken Tandoori meal.
The Boondox Family Restaurant offers a really large choice of meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly.
We selected from the Asian corner the Tandoori Chicken, and it was delicious. Served with yogurt, Indian spices, butter chicken sauce, and rice or Naan.
The kids went with the homemade Mac N Cheese which was nothing like Kraft Mac n Cheese.
2. Bergen Rocks International Sculpture Park
The Bergen Rocks International Sculpture Park is the result of 4 art symposiums hosted by Morton Burke. Throughout the years, sculptors from around the world came to this location to work on unique pieces of art.
The sculpture park is located 10 minutes outside the town of Sundre on the nice private property of Morton Burke.
There, you can admire the work of stone artists from around the world. The work of artists from China, Ireland, Armenia, Vietnam, and other places is showcased.
During each symposium, artists would travel to Sundre and work with Morton for an entire month. Their work would then be exposed either at Bergen Rocks International Sculpture Park or in other parks in Alberta. For example, there are exhibits in Olds and in Sylvan Lake.
You can visit the park on your own, or you can book a private tour with Morton Burke to learn more about the artists, symposiums, and sculptures. There are no admission fees, but donations are greatly appreciated.
3. Wild Horses of Alberta Society
The Wild Horses of Alberta Society ensures the conservation and humane treatment of wild horses in Alberta. They rescue and rehabilitate wild horses, hoping they can thrive in the future.
Wild horses become residents of the Wild Horses of Alberta Society when they are either in poor health condition or if they become a threat to humans.
Many of the horses taken care of by the WHOAS have been adopted.
During your visit, you’ll be introduced to local residents of the refuge and maybe even taken on a little wagon ride through the woods to see a local herd of free-roaming horses.
Dan and Jocelyne showed us around and shared all their knowledge and experiences with us. You can see that they both are really passionate about the work they are doing for the wild horses.
There are no fixed admission fees, but donations are greatly appreciated to help the society run and rescue wild horses. You can make a donation here.
4. Go on a Bike Ride or take hikes near Sundre
Sundre offers many great paths around the town to bike or hike. Most trails are suitable for kids of all ages.
The Snake Hill Recreation Area offers many options for beautiful nature walks. In fact, it has more than 17 kilometers of nature trails that can be accessed all year round.
There is also a nice trail starting behind the Sundre Tourism office. It leads to the Red Deer River. The city is working on a boardwalk to make that trail fully accessible. It is not ready yet as of September 2022.
Then, from the municipal campground, the Greenwood Campground, you’ll find a nice trail along the Red Deer River where you can walk or bike. Make sure to also stop for a river dip in the natural swimming pools, which is perfect for a hot summer day.
If you’d like to rent bikes, you can do so at Ride n Glide Adventure Rentals. The owner, Katie, also has cross-country skis for the winter.
5. Go on a Guided Medicine Walk
Mahikan Trails Indigenous Experiences offers a medicine walk through the woods of Sundre. This easy 1.5 km walk departs from the Sundre Visitor Information Centre.
Jordan will be your guide for this Sundre medicine walk. He shares all of his family’s knowledge of medicinal plants. During this 1.5 to 2-hour walking tour, he’ll show you plants and trees that have some medicinal properties.
With his Cree heritage, he has a lot to share. You’ll learn about the different plants and trees and how they can be used for medicinal purposes.
Halfway through the walk, you’ll get to enjoy a tasty mint tea and hear wonderful stories.
The walk is suitable for all ages. We did it with our 3.5 and 5.5-year-old boys, and they were able to follow along.
Mahikan Trails Indigenous Experiences also offers medicine walks in Banff at Cascade Pounds as well as canyon walks in Canmore.
📝 Note: Mahikan means “wolf” in Cree.
6. Discover Sundre’s Backyard at Ya Ha Tinda
Ya Ha Tinda, which means “mountain prairie” in the Nakoda language, is located about 75 minutes west of Sundre. Note that you’ll be driving on a dirt, dusty, and bumpy road, but it is 100% worth the trip.
The views are beautiful and different from the rest of the Rockies.
Ya Ha Tinda is a working ranch operated by Parks Canada, but it’s not a national park nor a national historic site.
Still, nowadays, horses are trained at the Ya Ha Tinda ranch to be used as working horses for patrolling the western national parks in Canada.
Once at the ranch, you may see some wild animals, such as wild horses, deer, bighorn sheep, and many more. It’s also in grizzly bear country, so be cautious.
Don’t forget to take the trail to the right of the parking lot. It leads to the beautiful Bighorn waterfalls. It’s only a 1.0 km out-and-back easy walk to the waterfalls.
We sadly didn’t make it to the waterfalls because the kids were having too much fun playing in the river creek and trying to cross over the rocks. Those things happen when traveling with little ones 😉
7. Go on a Family Overlanding Adventure
The Sundre area is a paradise for camping lovers. In fact, there are at least ten campgrounds and over 2000 campsites within 10 minutes of town.
But there are also many opportunities for random camping (dispersed camping). In fact, the Panther Corners Public Land Use Zone is nearby, and random, no-service camping is permitted.
Note that a permit is required to random camp along the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains. You can get your pass here.
So why not rent a Ford Bronco with a rooftop tent from MyHideAway and go for a family overlanding adventure in Sundre’s beautiful and wild backyard? 👉🏻 Checkout iKamper rooftop tents here
⛰️ More articles on camping with kids ⛰️
➡️ The Best Camping Apps for the family
➡️ Finding the Best Portable Power Station for Camping
➡️ The Best Rooftop Tent for Camping
Now it’s time to check out our 3-day itinerary below. 😉
Things to do in Sundre, Alberta: a 3-day itinerary
Here is our 3-day itinerary filled with unique things to do around Sundre, Alberta.
📝 Note:
For winter travel, you may not be able to do all the activities, but some could be changed with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter hikes.
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Second Day: Bergen Rocks, Wild Horse Refuge & Nature Walk
Start your day with a yummy egg benedict breakfast at Kodiak BBQ & Deli.
After a good breakfast, drive outside town for about 10 minutes to Bergen Rocks International Sculpture Park, where you can admire the work of stone artists.
On your way out, make a small detour to Davidson Park to cool off in the river.
You can then drive north and stop at Schott’s Lake Resort for a fancy lunch. The location is beautiful. You’ll find this nice wood building with a patio overlooking the lake. There are also a few hiking trails around.
When you are ready, head to the Wild Horses of Alberta Society (WHOAS) to see what a wild horse refuge looks like. You’ll have a wonderful cowboy experience.
If you still have some energy, why not go for a bike ride at Snake Hill Nature Recreation Area or along the Red Deer River?
End your day at Piros Family Restaurant for a great Greek meal. We recommend the Spanakopita with Greek salad.
Third Day: Medicine Walk, Coffee & Wild Horses Ranch
Start your day with French toast and coffee at Sundre Hotel Restaurant.
Relax in the morning by the river. Then, make your way to Sundre Visitor Center to meet with Jordan of Mahikan Trails Indigenous Experiences for a medicine walk through the woods. The walk starts at 10:00 am and lasts for 1:30/2h.
After the medicine walks, grab a coffee to go from Elk&Owl, fill the car with gas, pack your lunch, and head to Ya Ha Tinta Ranch.
📝 Note that there is no cell service in the area.
It will take about 1h30 to reach the ranch and the beautiful Bighorn waterfalls. Stay as long as you want to explore Sundre’s backyard and beautiful views.
When you return to town, end your last day at Tasty Thai Restaurant.
Where is Sundre, Alberta
Sundre is an emerging resort town located on the Red Deer River along the Cowboy Trail.
It was established by cowboys and rangers. But it’s a Norwegian postman who named the town after his hometown, Sundre, back in Norway. With a small population of around 2,700 people, the town is filled with campers, golfers, and outdoor-loving tourists, especially in the summer.
Sundre is a great getaway town as it’s easily accessible.
- 115 km from Calgary to Sundre
- 250 km from Edmonton to Sundre
- 100 km from Sundre to Red Deer
- 36 km from Olds to Sundre
Where to Stay When Visiting Sundre, Alberta
The Sundre area is a paradise for camping lovers. There are over 2000 campsites within 10 minutes of the town. So, if you enjoy camping as much as we do, we highly recommend camping during your stay in Sundre.
Now, which Sundre campground to choose from with that many options for camping around Sundre?
During our time in Sundre, we stayed at the Greenwood Campground. This campground is operated by the town of Sundre. The campground is located within walking distance from downtown, along the Red Deer River.
But don’t worry, it’s really quiet, and there is a lot of shade and trees to make it feel like you’re in the middle of the woods.
With our boys, we loved that we could walk and bike in town, to the museum, and to all the restaurants. We were also able to take advantage of the river and its natural swimming holes and the nice trail along the river.
If you’re not a fan of camping, you can find rustic cabins in the area or stay at one of the hotels in town. We recommend checking out the Mountain View Inn & Suites.
Need Help Planning Your Canada Road Trip Itinerary?
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Where to Eat: Restaurants in Sundre, Alberta
Even if Sundre is a small town with only 2000+ residents, there are a lot of options for dining. Here are a few Sundre restaurants we tried during our stay.
🍽️ Kodiak BBQ and Deli
While the core business of the Kodiak BBQ and Deli is catering services, it offers breakfast. And they are DELICIOUS.
The eggs benedict served with a bowl of fresh fruits and potatoes, a recommendation from the owner of the place, Tom, were great. The pancake was also a hit with the kids.
The atmosphere in the deli is old fashion. We loved looking at all the different ancient objects. Plus, Tom was really generous with his time chatting with us about his business and the town.
y-friendly.
🍕 Piros Family Restaurant
The Piros Family Restaurant is another great option for dinner with kids. It offers a nice selection of Greek-inspired meals and also more typical options (such as burgers, pizzas, …).
With the recommendation of our waitress, we tried the Spanakopita, a spinach and feta pie. It comes with a side of Greek salad, pitta bread, and tzatziki.
🍹 Sundre Hotel Restaurant
Sundre Hotel Restaurant is in the heart of Sundre, perfectly located near the Sundre & District Historical Village and the Greenwood Campground. It’s open all day long, serving food from breakfast to dinner. We recommend going for a cup of coffee and some French toast.
nch, but the fish tacos are to try. They were really tasty and filling. Of course, the boys ended their meal with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
☕ Elk & Owl Coffee Shop
This is not technically a restaurant, but Elk & Owl Craft Coffee is a must-stop for all traveling parents in need of a little caffeine boost.
Elk & Owl is a small, yet super trendy and cozy coffee shop with great biscotti. They offer specialty coffee and shakes as well as some little treats.
You can also purchase some coffee beans to bring back home.
Need Help Planning Your Canada Road Trip Itinerary?
Check out this in-depth guide for family road trips across Canada
F.A.Q.S: Things to do in Sundre Alberta
What is Sundre Alberta known for?
Sundre Alberta is known for its museum, the Sundre & District Museum, where people step back in time to discover how the town started, with old objects from the pioneers and exhibits that excite local stories. Here at Sundre & District Museum, you can check out old buildings and see displays about the town’s culture and customs.
Is Sundre a town or city?
Sundre is a small town located in Alberta, Canada.
Is Sundre a good place to live?
Yes, Sundre is a great place to live. It offers beautiful natural scenery with plenty of outdoor activities like camping and fishing. The town also has great restaurants and shops, and the people in Sundre are nice and friendly, so it’s easy to make new friends here. Plus, you’ll find more affordable housing here compared to other cities.
What river runs through Sundre Alberta?
The James River runs through Sundre, Alberta, and meets with the Reed River.
Final Thoughts: Fun Things to Do in Sundre Alberta with Families
As you’ve seen, there are so many things to do in Sundre for the entire family.
From horseback riding to hiking and camping, you’ll have a wonderful time in Sundre. Plus, during your stay in Sundre, you’ll get to meet super welcoming and nice people from the town.
For us, visiting the Wild Horse Refuge was one of the highlights of our stay.
It was amazing talking to Jocelyne and Dan about the incredible work they do for those horses. I also know that the boys loved biking around the town and swimming in the river.
Will you add Sundre to your Alberta road trip? 😉
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Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She helps moms plan epic road trips and outdoor adventures with their families. Because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids? She’s based in the Canadian Rockies and shares her love for the region as well as other unique places in Canada & USA. She works with tourism boards and outdoor brands to inspire families to experience new unique destinations and outdoor activities.