Canmore Travel Guide
Located within the Canadian Rockies, minutes from Banff National Park and approximately 63 miles (102 km) from Calgary, lies the quaint mountain town of Canmore. Not only is Canmore known for its stunning backdrop of Three Sisters but, with its close proximity to Banff and Calgary, a stay in Canmore puts you right in the heart of all the activities this area of Alberta, Canada has to offer. While only here for a short while, I have compiled a simple Canmore Travel Guide to help you plan your trip to this beautiful destination.
Getting to Canmore
Calgary International Airport is the closest to Canmore. From here, it is about an hour and 20-minute drive which you can get to by renting a car (preferred) or taking a convenient and easy shuttle through Banff Airporter.
Accommodation
The Lodges at Canmore: From first-hand experience, I have to say, the Lodges were a great place to stay. With 1, 2, and 3 bedroom suites available, these condominiums put you in the perfect spot to access all the area’s activities. With a bonus of 3 hot tubs and a heated pool, you can relax easily after a long day of adventure.
Canmore Downtown Hostel: This newer, modern hostel is an affordable option for those traveling to the area on a budget. It is located steps away from shops, and some of the area’s best restaurants.
Three Sisters Campground: Looking to take your adventure to the next level and stay within nature? Then Three Sisters Campground is a great choice to put you minutes away from the many hiking and biking trails in the area.
Best Time to Visit
June to August and December to March are the best times to visit Canmore. Although lodging rates will be higher during these times, you can experience everything the area has to fully offer.
Walking Trails
- Policemen Boardwalk Creek: A leisurely out and back hike with moderate traffic.
- Trans Canada Trail: A 4-mile path that follows the Bow River and is best to hike from May through October.
- Larch Island Loop: A nice and quiet walk filled with golden larch trees in the fall.
Hiking Spots
No matter your skill level, there are hikes to accommodate. Come prepared with not only bags to collect and remove your trash but, don’t forget the bear spray. This is bear country after all.
- Ha Ling Peak – Kananakis: This three and a half mile hike offers stunning views right outside Canmore.
- Grassi Lakes Trail: Find peace and tranquility relaxing by the turquoise waters of Grassi Lakes. Becareful of falling rocks from the mountain goats.
- East End of Rundle: For the more experienced hiker, this 4.5 mile rock climbing expereince offers stunning views of Bow Valley and Whitemans pond.
Shopping and Festivals
From the Shops at Canmore to boutique sporting and vintage shops on Main Street, there are more than enough options to get your shopping fix. If you visit within the summer months you can find local crafts and gifts during the Canmore Mountain Market.
Both July and February offer the two biggest festivals in Canmore. The Canmore Folk Music Festival and Canmore Winter Carnival take place bringing crowds and excitement to the area.
Golfing
Lover of golf? Well, canmore has that too with the Stewart Golf Course, Silver Tip Golf Resort, and Canmore Golf Club.
Skiing and Snowboarding
While there is no official area to ski or snowboard within Canmore, it does provide you easy access to some of the best Slopes in the area. Within 30 – 60 minutes you will find Mt. Norquay, Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, and Nakiska. For more information on skiing click here
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With all these amazing options, plus many-many more I haven’t mentioned, I am sure you can see that Canmore is a dream destination for any adventure seeker or someone who just loves nature’s beauty. Will you be adding Canmore to your bucket list?
Happy exploring,
XoXo Sara