Kananaskis Country, established by the Alberta government in 1977, is just 90 kilometers (56 miles) southwest of Calgary. The Park encompasses over 5,000 square kilometers (2,600 square miles) of land, three provincial parks and some of Canada’s most spectacular rolling terrain.
The name was first given, by 1858 explorer John Palliser, to the pass over the continental divide, in honour of a Cree amed Kineahkis who is said to have recovered from a blow to the head. Since then the name is given to a lake, a set of falls, a mountain range, an alpine village and a provincial park.
The word “Kananaskis” comes from an Indian word that means either “meeting of the waters” or “man with tomahawk in head”. To get to “K-Country”, as locals call it, take the Seebe exit from the Transportation-Canada Highway (1) and then follow Highway 40 south.
Kananaskis has something to satisfy almost every outdoor interest. In addition to recreation, the land also mixes livestock, forestry, and petroleum production to show that such activities can co-exist with provincial parks, wildlife sanctuaries, recreation facilities and natural areas.
