If you’re looking for a fun hike to enjoy with the kids, the Jura Creek Trail is an excellent choice. This hike offers two stunning slot canyons, fascinating rock formations, beautiful mountain scenery, and is accessible for most of the year.
The Jura Creek Trail is an excellent hike in late summer after the snow has melted, as kids can scramble up the canyon in their water shoes, and having fun getting wet. In winter, the narrow canyon transforms into a mini version of the Grotto Canyon ice walk, with frozen waterfalls turning into fun slides for the kids.
If you are interested in exploring some other similar hikes in the area, check out the following:
THE JURA CREEK TRAIL HIKE OVERVIEW
To jump ahead to a certain section, click the links below:
JURA CREEK HIKE - KEY INFORMATION
Here is the key hike information:
Distance: The trail is 6.9 km round trip, but you can opt for a shorter hike by exploring just the first slot canyon, which is about 2 km round trip.
Difficulty: Moderately challenging. We hiked this trail with our 7 and 9-year-old kids in August, and they managed well with only a bit of assistance in some canyon sections. The trail is generally dog-friendly, though we had to carry our golden retriever at one point in the first slot canyon, so it may not be suitable for all dogs.
Elevation Gain: 293m according to All Trails
Time: The hike took us around 3 hours with our kids, including stops to play in the slot canyons.
Safety: In winter, dress warmly as the canyon receives minimal sunlight and ice cleats are strongly recommended. In spring, the canyon can be hazardous due to potential high runoff, so check conditions before you go.
In summer, remember that this is bear country. Bring bear spray, hike in groups, and make plenty of noise to stay safe.
HOW TO GET THERE
The trailhead is easy to find and offers ample parking. The parking lot is located near the Exshaw plant, just off Bow Valley Trail, across from the Graymont Plant. If you're driving from Calgary, take the Seebee exit (Highway 1X) off the Trans-Canada Highway, then follow it to Highway 1A. Turn left at the intersection and continue on Highway 1A for about 5.5 km.
If you’re coming from Canmore, take Highway 1A and drive approximately 5 km past the Grotto Canyon parking area to find the trailhead parking.
The hike is just a 50-minute drive from Calgary, making it easily accessible for locals as well as visitors from Kananaskis and Canmore.
Jura Creek Trail Map:
To find the trailhead, take one of the small paths on the west side of the parking lot, leading towards the Jura Creek riverbed. This section of the trail features several paths that wind through a small forest, offering lovely views of the surrounding mountains. Don’t worry too much about which path to choose - they all lead to the riverbed.
Once at the riverbed, you can either walk upstream along the bank, or scramble over the rocks (which is much more fun, in my opinion). After about 0.7 km, you’ll enter a narrow slot canyon, where the adventure truly begins!
INSIDE THE SLOT CANYON
Depending on the season, the water in the creek can range from a mere trickle to a raging torrent or be completely frozen! During our late summer visit, the water was generally boot-deep, though some areas required a bit of maneuvering. While it might not be suitable for everyone, our kids (ages 7 and 9) managed just fine.
In winter, the canyon becomes filled with snow and ice, making it quite slippery without ice cleats. If you plan to hike in spring, be cautious of early snowmelt, which can create hazardous conditions. Alternatively, there is a route that traverses along the top of the canyon, providing a different vantage point with a bird’s-eye view.
The canyon twists and turns for about 0.5 km, providing endless fun for kids—ours raced through, climbing over fallen trees and large boulders. In winter, the canyon offers plenty of chances to slide down frozen waterfalls, resembling a mini Grotto Canyon but with fewer crowds. While your kids enjoy the adventure, take a moment to appreciate the powerful natural forces that have shaped the canyon’s rock formations over millions of years.
INTERESTING ROCK FORMATIONS
Once you emerge from the slot canyon, the trail widens and becomes a relatively easy hike up the riverbed over rocks. While some people choose to turn around at this point, I recommend continuing along the trail. It’s a pleasant walk with beautiful views and leads to another fun canyon at the top. There are plenty of rocks to scramble over, keeping the kids entertained.
At around the 3 km mark, take the fork to the right to explore the small but fascinating second canyon, with intriguing rock formations. It’s a geologist’s dream, and I’d love to learn more about how these formations came to be
If you climb up the slanting rock formations, you’ll reach another small canyon where, under the right conditions, you might find a waterfall
Unfortunately there was no waterfall when we visited, but the kids decided to jump into the water pools... because, you know, kids. It was COLD. But it was a hot day, so a good way to cool off! After sliding around on the rocks for a while, we made our way back down the riverbed to the slot canyon.
By the time we re-entered the canyon, it was much busier than when we first came through, though still manageable. I’d definitely recommend starting your hike before 10 a.m. to enjoy the canyon with fewer crowds.
The views that greet you as you exit the canyon are equally stunning, providing a spectacular finish to the hike.
WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU
Bear spray – This hike is definitely in bear country. While you're unlikely to encounter a bear if you stick to the first slot canyon, it’s important to bring bear spray if you continue up the trail. Keep it readily accessible and know how to use it. Make lots of noise—though I’m pretty sure no bears would want to come near our noisy kids!
Good Hiking boots – This is definitely not a flip-flop type of hike. While a pair of water shoes can be handy for kids in the summer, it's essential that everyone in the family wears sturdy hiking boots, preferably waterproof, as some sections of the canyon can be ankle-deep in water during July and August.
In winter, the trail can become very icy, so I recommend wearing ice cleats or microspikes to help prevent falls.
Phone – Quite a bit of the trail does have signal so it's worth bringing with you from a safety standpoint, plus you'll probably want to take a photo or two.....
Food and Water – Bring lots of water! We recently bought both of our kids Camelbaks so that they can drink on the go and it has been a game changer! I always bring lots of gummies as treat / bribes for the kids!
Binoculars: There are some great views across the valley, so if you have a pair, pack them.
First Aid Kit – I always recommend bringing a basic first aid kit in your bag as a precaution.
ENJOY THE JURA CREEK TRAIL
The hike up the Jura Creek Trail is a great hike option with kids if you are looking for something a little bit different and don't mind getting your feet wet!
As always, if you have any questions about the hike feel free to ask away in the comments section!
Commentaires