Kananaskis Wedding & Elopement Guide
February 18, 2025
Kananaskis is one of our favourite places in Alberta. It has the same breathtaking landscapes of Banff National Park (they share a border) but it sees much less tourist traffic. The possibilities for a Kananaskis elopement are endless, from beautiful and accessible lakes to epic mountain peaks, there is truly something for every couple. Kananaskis is also our backyard and playground and we are excited to share the knowledge we’ve gained in the past 12 years of exploring there in this how to elope in Kananaskis guide. ALSO, did you know that Dom and her husband eloped in Kananaskis?! She loves it THAT much and we think you will too. Happy exploring, friends, and we can’t wait to capture your Kananaskis wedding!
Table of Contents
- Learn About Kananaskis
- How to Elope in Kananaskis
- 6 Best Elopement Locations in Kananaskis
- Best Time of Year for a Kananaskis Elopement
- Kananaskis Wedding Venues
- Kananaskis Elopement Photographer
Learn about Kananaskis
Okay, you’ve probably heard about Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, but did you know that there are areas in Alberta that are JUST as pretty and are WAY less busy? Say hello to Kananaskis (or K-Country for short).
Where is Kananaskis?
Kananaskis is located on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies and south west of Calgary, Alberta. Kananaskis borders Canmore and Banff National Park and is about an hour 15 from Calgary.
How do you get to Kananaskis?
If you’re considering eloping in Kananaskis & you’ll be flying in, you should fly into the Calgary International Airport (YYC). There are no bus or transit options to get to Kananaskis from YYC, so your best bet is to rent a car and drive in. There are a couple different ways to drive to Kananaskis, depending on which of the areas you will be visiting. The road south from Canmore into Kananaskis is gravel and can be pretty rough, so keep that in mind when selecting your rental.
When is Kananaskis open?
There are multiple annual road closures in Kananaskis in the winter. Some locations are inaccessible beginning Dec 1 with most opening back up around April or May (except for the Highwood Pass which remains closed until June 1). Check the advisory page for current temporary road closure information.
Do you have to purchase a pass to access Kananaskis?
Yes! To enter Kananaskis you’ll need to purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass for $15/day/vehicle or $90 for a yearly pass which registers 2 vehicles. You can purchase this online or in-person at Kananaskis Visitor Information Centres (Barrier, Elbow, Peter Lougheed and William Watson Lodge) and the Canmore Nordic Centre Day Lodge.
How to Elope in Kananaskis
Can we get married in Kananaskis?
You sure can (and you should!).
Where can we have our Kananaskis wedding?
For outdoor ceremonies, Kananaskis Approvals (in charge of permits) only reviews and permits weddings in Day Use areas and Village Viewpoints located in Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area. For outdoor ceremonies, maximum capacity numbers are assigned with environmental protection, safety and public access in mind. There are also a number of wedding venues in Kananaskis ranging from rustic to luxury venues which we talk about in a little bit below!
Do we need a permit for our Kananaskis wedding?
Yes! To get married in Kananaskis you will need a special event permit in additional to the regular entrance fees. I recommend applying for your permit right away (up to 1 year in advance) as it can take some time for review. They look at things like group size, desired location, and event description. Here are a few of the important conditions & restrictions that come with the Kananaskis Special Use Permit for weddings:
- Each ceremony is allotted a 2 hour time segment that includes set up and take down
- Large sound systems and generators are not permitted
- Balloons are prohibited, as are confetti and any organic substance (ie. rice, flower petals, wooden logs, hay bales).
- Decorative accessories and furniture are limited according to amount and type:
- portable archway (no digging or construction allowed on site);
- flower pots, bouquets, carpet runners, easels;
- table / pulpit (of a type that will not poke in the ground);
- 10 chairs (generally for elderly or disabled guests only)
- No decorations (lights, ribbons, balloons, streamers) may be placed on trees.
Here’s how to get your Kananaskis Special Use Permit:
Fill out this form for the park in which you want to hold your wedding. They will get back to you with the next steps.
How much does it cost to elope in Kananaskis?
It costs at least $160 to get married in Kananaskis. The cost of a wedding permit is $105, entrance in is $15/day/vehicle and your marriage license will cost at least $40 (the additional service fees vary by registry).
After that, the rest is up to you for choosing your own adventure here with added costs of accommodations, florals, food, photographer, officiant, attire, etc. We recommend choosing vendors that are familiar with the area and have experience working in the area. We can help you out with this! We have a ton of great experienced and inclusive vendor recommendations to share with our couples! If you’re having a hiking elopement, please make sure your photographer has experience hiking, knows how to handle backcountry emergencies, and has the proper business permits to work in Kananaskis.
To give you an example, this is the average spending cost for experienced vendors and accommodations on your elopement day in Kananaskis.
Kananaskis Conservation Pass (2025 rate): $15
Kananaskis Special Use Permit: $105
Photographer: $4000-$12000
Videographer: $3500-$12000
Wedding Officiant: $400-$1000
Marriage License: $100-$150
Hair & Makeup: $200-$500
Florals: $200-$600
Cake/Dessert: $300-$600
Planner: $2000-$8000
Accommodation: $600-$3000
On average, couples who elope in Kananaskis spend anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 on their vendors and accommodations. Then there’s the cost of any activities you want to get up to, but this is also personal preference so the cost here all depends! You could add in something extra fun, like an epic helicopter ride, side by side tour, or a dog sled adventure! Bottom line: your elopement is all about YOU, so let it be as unique and exciting as your love story!
6 Best Elopement Locations in Kananaskis
Kananaskis is seriously packed full of gems and like we said before, there is something for everyone. There are so many gorgeous spots that we couldn’t even begin to list them all out, so we picked 6 of the best Kananaskis elopement locations. These spots are popular spots, but if you’re interested in eloping in Kananaskis and having a more off the beaten path experience, just ask and we will share our hidden gem list with you 🙂
1. Barrier Lake
Barrier Lake is the located just off Highway 1 down Highway 40 and is easily accessible. It’s a popular spot during the day in the summer for SUP and kayaking but there is a lot of shoreline so it’s possible to find quieter spots. It’s so beautiful here with the mountains so close. There is also an easy/moderate hike leaving from Barrier Lake that offer views down to the lake below and is a stunning spot for wedding photos.
2. Upper Kananaskis Lake
Located a bit deeper in Kananaskis is Upper Kananaskis Lake. The shoreline is just a short walk from the many parking lots and day use areas so it’s a good option if any of your guests have mobility considerations. It can get pretty busy during the day in peak season but it’s always possible to find quieter more private spots along the shore. Like we mentioned, there are a couple different day use areas, some of which have picnic tables and fire pits if you wanted to have a little picnic with guests after the ceremony. There are a lot of hikes that begin from various points around the lake if you wanted to have a sunrise hike vow exchange and then come back down to the lake for a ceremony with friends and family.
3. Spray Lakes Reservoir
An almost 21km long lake in Kananaskis Country. It’s another perfect spot for ceremonies that include friends and family as there are a bunch of different day use areas and campgrounds along both sides of the lake to chose from. Again, you could have a sunrise hiking vow exchange and then head back down to meet friends and family for a late morning ceremony along the lake. The views (and hikes) along Spray Lake are some of our favourite!
4. Tent Ridge
If you’re an experienced hiker and are looking for the best views in Kananaskis, look no further than Tent Ridge. It’s a 10km loop with some scrambling involved if you do the whole horseshoe loop. The views looking down onto Spray Lake are insane and the way the mountains all layer together looking the other way is so beautiful. It is one of our favourite spots for a summer sunrise or sunset hiking elopement. Wondering what you need to bring on your hiking elopement? We have a blog for that!
5. Prairie View Trail
An easier hike starting from Barrier Lake brings you up a wide trail to a rocky outcrop above the lake. This is a stunning hike for sunrise and one of our favourites for people that may not be as used to harder hikes in the Rocky Mountains.
6. West Wind Pass
A short, steep hike that is another favourite for a sunrise. You come to a pass with views over each side and watching the sun come up and hit the peaks above Spray Lake is an incredible way to start married life.
There you have it, those are 6 of the best Kananaskis elopement and wedding locations! Like we said, there are soooo many more options including longer hikes, backcountry sites, etc. If you’re interested in having a backcountry camping elopement in Kananaskis, check out our guide to How to Plan a Backcountry Camping Elopement in 6 Steps. And be sure to check out our 15 Best Places to Elope In Alberta if you want to see more stunning locations around the province.
Best Time of the Year for a Kananaskis Wedding or Elopement
Kananaskis is our fave place to explore all year round but there are definitely some considerations to keep in mind when planning your Kananaskis elopement.
Peak season in Kananaskis is July-September which means that’s when the most crowds are out. It’s peak season for a reason though, the trails are in good shape, the wildflowers are out in July/August, and then the larches are putting on their golden show in late September. Keep in mind that Kananaskis has typical mountain weather and it can snow at any time and up on summits in the mornings can be below freezing even in July.
Come winter, some of the roads and a lot of hikes are inaccessible in the winter due to the snowpack and it can get bitterly cold. That being said, it’s also a magical time of the year with beautiful soft light, no crowds, fluffy snow and a lot of fun options for your Kananaskis elopement. Think snowshoeing, dog sledding, ice fishing, winter hiking, skiing, backcountry huts, or a cozy lodge elopement. The possibilities are endless.
Kananaskis Wedding Venues
Kananaskis has a wide range of wedding venues that go from the rustic side of things to the luxury locations. Here are some of the popular venues:
Mount Engadine Lodge
Mount Engadine Lodge is deep in Kananaskis and offers an insanely beautiful experience. It’s located about 40 minutes south of Canmore. You have the option to book out the whole lodge or if it’s just you two, you can book a room, a cabin, a yurt, or a glamping tent. Dom has stayed there before with her family and it was a magical experience… just breathtakingly beautiful, the food is all local and included in your stay. There is a wooden platform down in the meadow below the lodge that can accommodate small ceremonies (up to 10). Highly recommend getting married here or staying here for a couple nights while you elope in Kananaskis.
Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge
The Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge is just an hour west of Calgary, the Lodge offers beautiful views, rooms, the Nordic Spa, and a bunch of other amenities. It’s definitely luxury and very worth it. Dom’s also stayed here with her family and loved it. There are a number of locations around the lodge which permit outdoor ceremonies of varying sizes. You could have a small outdoor ceremony and then rent one of their rooms inside the lodge for a dinner with your guests.
Boundary Ranch
Boundary Ranch is located in Kananaskis with the capacity for up to 300 guests. They have a beautiful spot for outdoor ceremonies and want to help make your day unique! You can arrange for a horse drawn carriage or wagon rides for your guests.
Fortress Mountain Resorts
Fortress Mountain Resort is a hidden gem in Kananaskis. They cater to elopements, intimate weddings (up to 20 guests), or you can head there for just photos after your ceremony. We get to explore the whole gorgeous area by side by side or a snowcat in the winter. This is perfect for those couples who want to get up high for some epic photos but don’t want to hike or book a helicopter. Intrigued by this? Check out this winter adventure elopement at Fortress Mountain.
Kananaskis Wedding & Elopement Photographer
Okay, we are SO excited to have shared all that information about getting married or eloping in Kananaskis with you all! It’s such a special place for me (Dom), having eloped there myself in 2019 and then we actually named our daughter after the lake that we backpacked to and said our vows in front of. We want you to experience the magic that Kananaskis has to offer and we want to be there to capture it all for you. So, if you’re looking for the most passionate Kananaskis elopement photographers who knows the area so so well, look no further! Click the link below to read about our Kananaskis wedding and elopement pricing and packages and be sure to contact us so we can start planning your Kananaskis wedding.
Kananaskis Wedding & Elopement Packages
Chat soon! xx Liz & Dom
