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Canmore is a charming mountain town in the heart of the Canadian Rockies and within easy reach of Banff National Park. It’s renowned for its gorgeous mountain views and small-town charm and is a fantastic base for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and other outdoor activities.
There’s no shortage of things to do in Canmore and the wider Kananaskis Country area, so let’s take a look at 20 of the best sights and activities to help you plan your adventure to this beautiful part of Alberta.
1. Wander Through Downtown Canmore
Downtown Canmore is where many of the town’s main attractions lie, and Main Street is at its heart. There’s a great range of independent stores, art galleries, restaurants, and cafes here. In fair weather, you can settle down on the patio of one of the eateries to grab a bite or a cup of coffee while taking in the stunning mountain views. In winter, you can expect the downtown area to be sparkling with Christmas lights.
2. See the Three Sisters Mountains
The Three Sisters are the most recognizable peaks in the Bow River Valley, and they’re one of Canmore’s most iconic landmarks. They’re known as Big Sister, Middle Sister, and Little Sister, or Faith, Hope, and Charity.
You’ll be able to see the Sisters with ease from Downtown, but for better views, drive out to Spring Creek, which has a campground with an excellent vantage point. Alternatively, drive along the Three Sisters Parkway for amazing views, or walk Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk, where there’s a viewpoint of the mountains.
3. Stroll Along the Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk
Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk begins near the Big Head sculpture in Downtown Canmore. It’s an easy 2.5-mile wooden boardwalk trail that is suitable for all ability levels and ages.
It runs right alongside the pretty Policeman’s Creek — you can catch sight of plenty of wildlife, including elk or deer if you head out in the early morning when it’s quiet. You’ll get epic Three Sisters Mountain views at the trail’s southern end.
4. Venture Underground at Rat’s Nest Cave
Rat’s Nest Cave is a series of natural caves and tunnels that lie underneath Grotto Mountain, just a short 10-minute drive from Canmore. It’s accessible only with a guide, so book a Canmore Cave Tour, which you can expect to last between 4.5 and 6 hours.
There are some tight squeezes, so be prepared to get dirty as you boulder, scramble, scooch, and slither on your belly through the narrow passageways. Look out for some rare pictographs that adorn the walls.
5. Get Active Outdoors at Canmore Nordic Centre
Canmore Nordic Centre is a year-round hub for outdoor activities. In summer, people flock to its extensive mountain bike trails or try their hand at orienteering, disc golf, hiking, and trail running. In winter, the center is blanketed with snow and is a fantastic destination for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing, and ice skating. The Center lies just out of Canmore towards Spray Lakes.
6. Take a Hike to Grassi Lakes
The crystal-clear emerald waters of Grassi Lakes are a must-see for any visit to Canmore. The 2.5-mile Grassi Lakes Trail is suitable for a range of skill levels because it splits around 100 yards from the trailhead into two routes.
The Upper Grassi route is a former road, so it’s wide and accessible to all, including small children and those with mobility issues. The Grassi Lake Interpretive Trail is a little more challenging but it’s dotted with informational signposts to help you learn about the trail. You’ll get incredible views over the lakes when you emerge from the trees on this route.
7. Go Boating on Bow River
Bow River is fed by waters originating from glaciers high in the Rockies’ peaks. It’s a fast-flowing, cold river that offers a thrilling ride for those who are experienced with canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.
There’s a boat launch just outside Downtown Canmore and several outfitters offering equipment rentals. If you’re new to paddleboarding or boating, Bow River is not the place to learn. Instead, head to Canmore Reservoir or join a raft tour with a skilled local expert to experience Bow River safely.
8. Play a Round of Golf on Canmore’s Courses
There are three golf courses to choose from in Canmore, all of which have incredible mountain views. Silvertip and Stewart Creek are 18-hole courses created by world-renowned architects, and they’re designed to truly test players’ skills. The third course at Canmore Golf & Curling Club is shorter but no less challenging.
9. Cycle from Canmore to Banff on the Legacy Trail
The Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail is a 16-mile trail that runs from the visitor center in Canmore through to the Bow Valley Parkway via a paved route with very gentle elevation. It’s suitable for all experience levels, but strong cyclists can expect to complete the round trip within three hours.
For an extra challenge and to turn the route into a loop, take the more challenging Rundle Riverside Trail or Goat Creek Trail to Banff and enjoy the gentle downhill ride of the Legacy Trail back to Canmore. Bike rentals are available from several stores in Canmore.
10. Discover History at the Canmore Museum
The Canmore Museum provides fascinating insights into the town’s coal mining history. Exhibits trace the near-100-year history of Canmore as it has evolved from a mining town to a tourism hub. There’s even a virtual reality experience where you can discover what it’s like to travel deep within a mine.
11. Spend a Rainy Day at Elevation Place
Elevation Place is a state-of-the-art fitness center with a pool, a waterslide, an indoor climbers gym, and an excellent range of fitness equipment. There are also exercise classes and drop-in sports sessions so you can try something new. This is a great place to burn off some steam when the mountain weather is too extreme for outdoor pursuits.
12. Ski, Snowboard, or Snowshoe on Canmore’s Slopes
Hit the slopes and go skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing at one of the many ski resorts that lie close to Canmore. Nakiska Ski Area is one of the cheapest and quietest resorts in the area, which makes it ideal for those who want to beat the crowds. Lake Louise Ski Resort is an hour’s drive away from Canmore but worth the journey. It has more than 160 runs and boasts epic views.
Mt. Norquay Ski Resort is just 30 minutes away from Canmore and is perfect for beginners. It’s relatively small but easy to navigate and much cheaper than many other resorts in the Rockies. Finally, Sunshine Village, which lies just beyond Banff, is a great option for advanced skiers.
13. Sample Craft Beer at a Local Brewery
There’s a fantastic craft beer scene in Canmore, and there’s no better way to relax after a busy day outdoors than with a cool, refreshing beer.
Head to the Grizzly Paw Pub for great food and tasty brews. Blake Brewhouse and Distillery is a top spot for cocktails made with artisanal spirits. Canmore Brewing Company is one of the town’s most famed craft beer producers and offers Saturday afternoon tours. Sheepdog Brewery is known for its weird and wonderful brews that incorporate unusual flavors such as coconut and sour berries.
14. Meet Grizzly Bears at Calgary Zoo
Calgary is around 90 minutes away from Canmore via the Trans-Canada Highway, but it’s well worth the journey to spend a full day at Calgary Zoo. It’s the biggest and most-visited zoo in Canada, and it’s home to more than 1,000 animals across 120 acres. More than 270 native and exotic species are represented, including grizzly bears, pandas, and lemurs.
15. Enjoy a Day Trip to Jasper
It takes almost four hours to reach Jasper from Canmore via the Trans-Canada Highway and Icefields Parkway, but the drive offers exceptional views of pristine mountain lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, alpine meadows, and wild forests.
Be sure to stop off at Athabasca Falls along the way and look out for the likes of black bears, grizzly bears, moose, elk, and mountain goats. Jasper has a quiet vibe not dissimilar to Canmore, so spend an hour or two exploring before enjoying the return journey as the sun sets behind the mountains.
16. Dog Sledding in Provincial Park
One of the more unique ways of exploring the Rockie Mountain trails is by sledding with an excitable team of huskies. You can either be bundled up safely in the sled while a skilled musher directs the dogs, or you can try your hand at driving the dogs yourself. Head to Spray Provincial Park to find your ideal dog sledding experience.
17. Seek Thrills with Whitewater Rafting
The rivers in Kananaskis Country make for some of the best whitewater rafting in Canada. Popular rapids can be found on the Kananaskis River, Kicking Horse River, Red Deer River, Elbow River, and Horseshoe Canyon on the Bow River. Tours are available for a variety of skill levels from the likes of White Wolf Rafting and Wild Water Adventures.
18. Take a Cruise on Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka lies near Banff, around 30 minutes away from Canmore by car. It’s a popular spot throughout the year, with summer visitors enjoying cruises on the water and winter visitors ice skating across the frozen lake. You’ll also find plenty of picnic tables and firepits surrounding the lake, so you can spend a few hours taking in the view. Plus, there are plenty of hiking trails in the area.
19. Explore Canmore & Kananaskis’ Hiking Trails
One of the best ways to soak in the beauty of Canmore and Kananaskis is to hike through its rugged wilderness. There are countless trails to choose from, with options for all ability levels.
Johnston Canyon is a flat, easy route with gorgeous views of waterfalls that freeze in the winter. The Grotto Canyon Trail is slightly more challenging and features waterfalls, a cave, and a lake at its trailhead. Ha Ling Peak is a much steeper and more demanding route suitable for those with moderate fitness and some hiking experience. It offers exceptional views over Canmore from its peak.
20. Catch Live Music at Canmore Folk Music Festival
The Canmore Folk Music Festival has taken place annually since 1978 and attracts thousands of visitors from all over Alberta and neighboring provinces. It takes place in Centennial Park on Heritage Day weekend in August, and there’s no better setting to take in fantastic live music than in the Canadian Rockies.
What Will You Do On Your Canmore Vacation?
The town of Canmore has a huge variety of fun activities and sights on offer. What will you get up to on your visit to this beautiful Rocky Mountain haven?
