Alberta parks have several stunning trails and pathways that lead to everything from mountain tops to tranquil lakeside retreats —but there are a few defining viewpoints.

Not sure where to start your adventure? To mark the many incredible sights from coast to coast, the government of Canada has placed over 400 bright red “Easter eggs,” some of which are scattered across Wild Rose Country.

Canada’s Red Chairs

From historical spots to hidden gems, Canada’s red Adirondack chairs make a great photo op or a cozy resting place for tired adventurers who have conquered a risky hike or a long family car ride, no matter the season.

The project started in 2011 when team members from Gros Morne National Park announced a contest in which travellers had to find 18 hidden destinations marked by cherry-coloured installations.

Since then, the project has grown immensely, with more being added yearly!

If you’d like to cross a few off your list, here’s where you’ll find them in Alberta:

Banff National Park

  • Valleyview Picnic Area – Banff Legacy Trail or Hwy 1 eastbound
  • Cascade Ponds Picnic Area – Lake Minnewanaka Road
  • Lake Minnewanka Picnic Area – Lake Minnewanka Road
  • Two Jack Lake Picnic Area – Lake Minnewanka Road
  • Tunnel Mountain Summit – Town of Banff
  • Cave and Basin National Historic Site – Town of Banff
  • Sulphur Mountain Summit – Town of Banff
  • Hoodoos Viewpoint – Tunnel Mountain Road
  • Muleshoe Picnic Area – Bow Valley Parkway 1A
  • Silverhorn Creek Campground – Icefields Parkway 93N
  • Glacier Lake Trail – Icefields Parkway 93N

Bar U Ranch Historic Site

  • Viewpoint Trail – 50°25’19.3″N 114°14’42.4″W
  • Pekisko Creek – 50°25’12.1″N 114°14’59.8″W

Elk Island National Park

  • Astotin Lake Day Use Area –  “53°40’34.3” N  “112°49’56.5” W
  • Astotin Lake Day Use Area – “53°40’51.7” N  “112°49’58.0” W
  • Shoreline Trail – “53°40’17.6” N  “112°50’29.0” W

Rocky Mountian House National Historic Site

  • David Thompson Trail – West of ‘Follow the Bison Herd’ interpretive experience

Jasper National Park

Parts of Jasper National Park are closed due to impacts from the Jasper Wildfire Complex. Please visit the Parks Canada website for up-to-date information.

  • Cottonwood Slough viewpoint – 52°53’51.3”N 118°05’38.3”W
  • Maligne Lake picnic area – 52°43’36.4”N 117°38’05.5”W
  • Mt Christie viewpoint – 52°35’41.7”N 117°48’19.1”W
  • Old Fort Point Trail on the “second summit” – 52°52’03.1” N 118°02’44.5” W
  • Pyramid Overlook Trail (2b) – 52°55’26.8” N 118°05’39.3” W
  • Valley of the Five Lakes between Third and Fourth Lakes – 52°48’58.3” N 118°00’20.3” W
  • Wilcox Pass Trail  – 52°13’25.3”N 117°12’03.0”W

Waterton Lakes National Park

  • Middle Lake boat launch – 49°03’48.2″N 113°54’11.3″W
  • Marina Point – 49°03’13.2″N 113°54’20.7″W
  • Lakeshore Trail – 49°02’48.2″N 113°54’34.5″W
  • Cameron Creek – 49°02’44.3″N 113°54’46.2″W

And there you have it, travellers! The locations of all the iconic red chairs in Alberta Parks.

Where will you go first?

Happy hunting and enjoy. There’s so much to see!

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Cassandra Stefanic

Regional Editor, Prairies –Cassandra is a Calgary-based journalist with a deep appreciation for music, film, food, travelling, and storytelling. When she’s not chasing a story, writing, or editing, you’ll likely find her in the mountains, binge-watching a new series, at a speakeasy, cooking, or getting lost in a Taylor Swift re-record.

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