| Cardinal River | |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Canada |
| Subdivision Type2: | Province |
| Subdivision Name2: | Alberta |
| Source1 Location: | Cardinal River Headwaters |
| Source1 Coordinates: | 52.9006°N -117.3839°W |
| Mouth Location: | Brazeau River |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 52.8644°N -116.5875°W |
| Source1 Elevation: | 2224m (7,297feet) |
| Mouth Elevation: | 1288m (4,226feet) |
Cardinal River is a short river in western Alberta, Canada. It flows from the Canadian Rockies, and empties into the Brazeau River, itself a major tributary of the North Saskatchewan River.
At its origin, just east of Jasper National Park, the Cardinal River forms in a basin between Tripoli, Cheviot, Prospect, Climax, and Blackface Mountains, as well as Mount Cardinal, in the Nikanassin Range. From there it flows east, through the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies and into the foothills. A portion of Grave Flats Road follows the river before it reaches the Bighorn Highway, where it empties into the Brazeau River south of Pembina Forks.
The Cardinal river and other surrounding landmarks are named for Jacques Cardinal, a local fur trader. His grave is located on the banks of the river.[1]