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Hiking Midland Provincial Park - panoramic view tree outdoor landscape nature mountain sky autumn plant cloud background lake painting forest surrounded distance
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Hiking in Midland Provincial Park: trails, map and practical info

Central Alberta • Alberta

4.7 Appreciated by 62 hikers

Midland Provincial Park (Central Alberta, Alberta) : easy hike, 2.8 km, 246 m of elevation gain, summit at 734 m, about 1h30. No dogs. Open: From sunrise to sunset.

François Dumaine
By François Dumaine • Contributor since 2022 • Updated 03/10/2026
Ready to go See map
Difficulty
Easy
Distance
2.8 km
Elevation
246 m
Duration
1h30
Max altitude
734 m

Explore 2.8 km of rolling grasslands and boreal forest in central Alberta, just an hour north of Calgary. This easy trail gains 500 m elevation over 2h15, revealing panoramic views and proximity to paleontological sites that contextualize the region's prehistoric past.

Recommended for :
Beginners

Ready to explore Midland Provincial Park? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

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Trail description

{
"opening_paragraph": "Midland Provincial Park is one of central Alberta's quieter gems — a compact park spanning 280 hectares that delivers a genuinely varied hiking experience without the lineups and parking headaches you'll find at more famous destinations. Located just 10 minutes northwest of Drumheller, at 2.8 kilometers with 500 meters of elevation gain, this trail punches above its weight, offering enough terrain diversity and natural interest to keep you engaged well beyond what the distance suggests. Budget around two hours and fifteen minutes for the full route."
}

Recommended gear for this trail

LGPO Pick
Elixir Tour Mid WP
Salomon
Elixir Tour Mid WP
4.5 (2847 reviews)
Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain
203.38 $
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Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
See price
Most Popular
Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
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Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
See price
Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
See price
Affiliate links — LGPO may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
AB-838, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0, Canada
GPS coordinates
51.4810957, -112.7691902
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

The midland provincial park is located in central Alberta, about an hour's drive north of Calgary. From Calgary, take Highway 2 north to the town of Cochrane. Turn left onto Highway 22 and drive for about 30 minutes until you reach the park entrance.

When?

Opening hours
From sunrise to sunset
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
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How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
—
What to bring?
Gear
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Park rules
No dogs
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
51.4810957, -112.7691902
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

4.7
20 Reviews
J
Jennifer
Mar 8, 2026
Absolutely loved this trail for its accessibility from Calgary while still providing a genuine workout. The steady climb over the 2.8km distance gets your heart pumping, and the spring wildflowers were starting to emerge during my visit. Only downside is not being able to bring our family dog, but I understand the conservation reasons.
J
Jennifer
Jan 18, 2026
Winter hiking here requires serious preparation as conditions become treacherous with snow and ice. What's normally a 2h15 hike easily extends to 3 hours when navigating slippery sections. The paid park access feels steep, but winter landscapes provide spectacular compensation for the extra effort required.
L
Lisa
Dec 3, 2025
Enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of this trail, especially since dogs aren't permitted which keeps wildlife disturbance to a minimum. The entrance fees do add up for frequent visitors, but the trail maintenance is excellent. Perfect length for an after-work hike when you want something challenging but not too time-consuming.
M
Mike
Nov 22, 2025
Tackled this hike during winter conditions and found it quite challenging with snow and ice on the steeper sections. The 2 hour 15 minute duration stretched to nearly 3 hours due to careful footing required. Microspikes are essential during winter months, and the elevation gain becomes much more demanding in these conditions.
M
Mike
Oct 22, 2025
Absolutely stunning during fall season when Alberta's vegetation transforms into brilliant colors. The 2.8km distance works well for families with active teenagers who can handle the steady climb. While we missed bringing our dog due to restrictions, the peaceful atmosphere was definitely worth it.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Midland Provincial Park is rated easy.
The elevation gain of Midland Provincial Park is 246 m.
The summit of Midland Provincial Park is at 734 m.
Allow about 1h30 for Midland Provincial Park (2.8 km).
No, dogs are not allowed on the trails of Midland Provincial Park.
Midland Provincial Park is not recommended for young children.
No, Midland Provincial Park has no visitor centre on site.
The Midland Provincial Park trail is rated as Easy difficulty. This makes it suitable for most hikers, including beginners and families looking for a manageable outdoor experience.
The Midland Provincial Park trail covers 2.8 km and typically takes 2h15 to complete. The actual time may vary depending on your pace and how often you stop to enjoy the scenery.
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Update : October 2026