Prairie Creek
Near Paddy's Flat · Kananaskis Conservation Pass area
Trail score 60 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Prairie Creek is a 9.3 km point to point trail near Paddy's Flat in Kananaskis Conservation Pass area. The route gains 320 m in total and tops out at 1,696 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate. Allow about 3 hours of moving time. It passes seven mapped trail junctions. Along the way you pass a stream crossing. Much of the route follows Prairie Creek. Also used for trail running, mountain biking and horseback riding.
- Length
- 9.3km
- Elevation gain
- 320m
- Estimated time
- 3h
- Moving time
- Route
- Point to point
- Highest point
- 1,696m
- Lowest point
- 1,515m
Elevation profile
1,515 m to 1,696 mHighest point 1,696 m, lowest 1,515 m, 320 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 23% over 100 m.
Predicted coverage: 100% of route
69% LTE · 31% 5G
- Longest modelled gap
- 0.0 km
- Model
- 2024 · Natural Resources Canada
Predicted coverage is not guaranteed. It varies by carrier, terrain, weather, device and network load, and it does not guarantee emergency service.
Along the way
- 2.4 kmStream crossing
- 9.2 kmPrairie CreekTrailhead
Good for
- Hiking, Trail running, Mountain biking, Horseback riding, Snowshoeing
- Dog friendly (on leash)
- River or creek
Rankings
Trailhead
The trail starts at 50.8660° N, 114.7898° W.
Kananaskis Conservation Pass
Vehicle pass required when parking
Pass details
Vehicles parked at provincial park and public land sites in Kananaskis Country and the Bow Valley need this pass. It is registered to the licence plate. People arriving without a vehicle do not need one, and official exemptions and free days may apply.
$15 daily for one vehicle · $90 yearly for up to three vehicles
Information and prices checked October 21, 2026.
Before you go
Carry an offline map and plan for no service in backcountry areas. Trails close for wildlife, fire, weather and construction. Check the official sources:
Nearby trails
- Beaver FlatEasy · 1.8 km · 21 m gain · 0.1 km away
- Powderface CreekModerate · 7.7 km · 498 m gain · 0.2 km away
- Iyarhe Ipan RouteHard · 5.9 km · 634 m gain · 0.3 km away
- Prairie MtnModerate · 7.8 km · 691 m gain · 0.4 km away
- White Buddha RidgeHard · 3.7 km · 402 m gain · 0.5 km away
- 3 Little Summits RouteHard · 5.3 km · 459 m gain · 0.8 km away
All 330 trails in Kananaskis Conservation Pass area
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Government of Alberta, Open Government Licence Alberta
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30