KANANASKIS COUNTRY - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 201

CAMPGROUNDS
The park holds a number of picnic areas, two large campgrounds, and a grocery store (near
the entrance to Bow Valley Campground) with bike rentals and firewood sales. Facilities
at the two campgrounds within the park are as good as any in the Canadian Rockies. Both
have showers, flush toilets, firewood for sale ($8 per bundle), and kitchen shelters. Contin-
ue beyond the information center to reach Bow Valley Campground (May-early Oct.),
where unserviced sites are $23 and a limited number of sites with power and water are $35.
Across Highway 1X, the loop road through Willow Rock Campground (Apr.-late Oct.)
passes a few powered sites in an open area ($29), then descends to a smattering of well-
spaced unserviced sites ($23), some right near the river. This campground also has a coin
laundry and playground. For more information, or for reservations at Bow Valley, contact
Bow Valley Park Campgrounds (403/673-2163, www.bowvalleycampgrounds.com ) .
Kananaskis Valley
This is the most developed area of Kananaskis Country, yet summer crowds are minimal
compared to Banff. Highway 40 follows the Kananaskis River through the valley between
the TransCanada Highway and Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
SIGHTS
The following sights are along Highway 40 and are detailed from the TransCanada High-
way in the north to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in the south.
MM Canoe Meadows
From the TransCanada Highway, 76 kilometers (47 miles) west of Calgary, Highway 40
branches south across open rangeland, entering Kananaskis Country beyond the boundary
of the Stoney native reserve. The first worthwhile stop along this route is Canoe Meadows,
a large day-use area above the sparkling Kananaskis River. Below the picnic area, white-
water enthusiasts use a short stretch of river as a slalom course. Man-made obstacles and
gates challenge recreational and racing kayakers, while upstream (around the first bend),
the man-made Green Tongue creates a steep wave, allowing kayakers to remain in one
spot, spinning and twisting while water rushes past them.