Introduction

There are a few things that come to mind when discussing the Revenant. It had a victorious evening at the Oscars, winning best cinematography, best director, and landing Leonardo Dicaprio his first Oscar for best actor. This film is nothing short of spectacular, and everyone went to great lengths to capture the grittiness of this story. One thing that stands out to me the most during this film is how gorgeous the landscape was and if I had the opportunity to see it myself, I would take it (hopefully avoiding any dangerous grizzly bears). The majority of the film was actually filmed in Alberta, Canada but due to various filming reasons a few locations were shot in other parts of the globe. To see all the locations used for The Revenant be sure to check out this post from Atlas of Wonders. But for our trip, we will be focusing on Canada and its astonishing wilderness. 

Calgary

The starting location for travelers is one of Canada’s largest cities and certainly has one of the most unique city nicknames, Cowtown. Calgary rests on Canadian prairies with a rich historical culture of farmlife and even holds a massive rodeo event each July. Aside from that, surrounding Calgary is some of the most remarkable wilderness there is to find on planet Earth making it an easy pick for location scouts to tell the tale of the frontiersmen, Hugh Glass. 

I would suggest no more than half a day in Calgary not because the city lacks excitement but because the upcoming sites are just that beautiful. Travelers will want to be able to spend as much time exploring the great outdoors and soaking up each moment on the road. With that being said, take some time to explore some of the tourist attractions Calgary has to offer. The Calgary Tower stands strong above the city and offers a 360 view of the city and its surroundings. Tickets can be booked here and they are a bit cheaper than booking tickets at the counter. Another great area to check out in Calgary is the Olympic Plaza which was built for the 1988 winter olympics. This is a great spot to hang out and enjoy the weather and maybe even do a little people watching.   

Morely

Once you’ve had your fun in Calgary and picked up a rental car if needed it is time to hit the road. The first stop is not too far from the city (50 minutes) and will lead you to Morley, Alberta. This quaint little town is actually a First Nations settlement located right on the Bow River. It is around this area in which the frantic opening scene of the Revenant is filmed where the fur trappers are being ambushed. Director Iñárritu really set the precedent of high intensity and an emphasis of almost constant panic to capture the emotions of Hugh Glass’s survival story. Luckily for travelers, their experience will be quite the opposite. They will be able to enjoy this little pit stop and take in the fresh air and gather up any needed supplies for the camping ahead. 

Fortress Mountain

This slightly off the beaten path location is about a 50 minute drive from Morely. Fortress Mountain has quite the story and has been used as a film location for numerous movies. The ski resort was popular back in the day but since then it has faced some hardships. Investors are currently revamping the resort with hopes of bringing it back to its full potential. Fortress Mountain is featured a few times during the Revenant, specifically it appears during the avalanche scene. Wildly enough, that avalanche is the real deal. The film crew were able to get approval to take a helicopter up to the peak and drop explosives setting off an avalanche just for the scene. 

Now, the ski resort is privately owned so some parts might be shut down but that doesn’t mean travelers can’t explore the surroundings. There are even some trails that travelers might be able to explore. If travelers are hoping to make this a quick pit stop, try the Eau Claire Interpretive Trail which is on the outskirts of Fortress Mountain. This is a very quick and flat loop with some light views of the looming mountain ranges taking maybe 30 minutes to complete. If travelers want more of a challenge the Fortress Lake trail is for you. This trail is an out and back trail totalling 5.6 miles but takes you to the lake sitting at the foot of Fortress Mountain. Once again, this is private land but there is a number on the access gate in which you can call in order to gain permission.      

Canmore

An hour and 30 minutes from Fortress mountain we find our resting spot for the evening, Spray Lakes West Campground which is just outside the town of Canmore. This campsite has great potential to allow travelers to dive into their frontiersmen mindset without all the imminent danger. The campsite is located right on the Spray Lakes Reservoir with 50 first come first serve campsites totaling $31 a night. Travelers can take time to relax at this campsite and gear up for the next leg of the journey.   

Banff National Park

These next few locations aren’t actually featured in the Revenant but are too hard to pass up on this road trip. The national parks in Alberta are some of the best in the world and travelers certainly will feel like true explorers just like the early fur trappers that were represented in the Revenant. Banff National Park is just an hour and a half from Canmore and offers travelers some of the best hiking. I would suggest spending a couple of days camping here. Banff National park has many options for accommodations for all preferences from lodges, bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds. Travelers can book their camp spot here but spots fill up so be sure to book well in advance if you prefer to stay within the park. There are also many campsites outside of the park if there is no availability. 

Just like Hugh Glass, be prepared to cover some serious mileage during this journey but every step will be worth it. One of the most recommended hikes in Banff is the Cory Pass trail loop. It’s about 8 miles so it will take hikers about half of your day so show up prepared with plenty of water and some snacks. Always be weary of the weather and accept the possibility of sudden closures. If travelers are looking for something a little bit lighter check Parker Ridge hike or the Lake Agnes Tea House and Big Beehive hikes. No matter what hike you choose, the experience is sure to be rewarding.

Glacier National Park

Not to be confused with Glacier National Park of the United States, this park offers spectacular views of the Canadian Rockies and is home to 131 glaciers. This park is a dream for anyone that loves the outdoors filled with countless adventures and is just under two hours from Banff. One of the most popular hikes within the park is the Great Glacier trail which is about five miles with a moderate difficulty making it perfect for just about anyone. The views on this trail are picturesque but ironically you won’t actually see any glaciers on this trail. Unfortunately, the glacier has receded behind the mountain line and is no longer visible to hikers on the trail but don’t let that stop you from enjoying this trail. After your day of exploring this pristine land, be sure to set up camp at one of the three campsites Glacier has to offer but like Banff travelers will have to book far in advance.     

Squamish

This is the final stretch of the journey and honestly could be considered optional as it is about seven hours from Glacier National Park. With that being said, it is the site of the iconic bear attack scene from the Revenant. It is also interesting to see the scenery change as travelers make their way closer and closer to the lush green coastal region. A perfect eerie environment to set the tone of such a fear inducing scene. The filming scenes in the Squamish Rainforest aren’t exact but there are many hikes travelers can embark on offering them an opportunity to dive into the film. Also, if travelers need a break from the rugged road, Vancouver is just an hour from the Squamish region where travelers can enjoy the diverse city. Some suggested hikes for this lush green forest include the Stawamus Chief Trail and the Four Lakes trail.