If you're in the mood for a leisurely road trip and want to enjoy the mountains from your car, you should definitely drive the Smith Dorrien Highway. This gravel road journey starts in Canmore and concludes at Kananaskis Lakes, or you can do it in reverse.

Along the way, you'll encounter beautiful sights like Whiteman's Pond, Goat Pond, Spray Lakes, and stunning mountain vistas. You might also spot some mountain goats or bighorn sheep! You can connect the Smith Dorrien Highway to Highway 40 to create a full loop.

I recommend setting aside at least 2 to 3 hours to complete the drive at a relaxed pace. We particularly enjoy driving during the early morning or evening hours for better wildlife viewing. Please remember to adhere to the speed limit, as there is a lot of wildlife on this road, and speeding can lead to dangerous collisions with animals. Also for that matter it's a pretty rough dirt road so it's best done with an SUV or truck.