Welcome to the best things to do in Canmore!
I recently visited Canmore on a trip to Banff, and I LOVED it!
While the town of Banff was beautiful, Canmore was so much more relaxed.
Its adorable downtown, panoramic mountain views, and the lack of crowds really made it a favorite for me.
If you’re traveling to Canmore, you’ll need all the best recommendations!
On today’s post, I’ve put together the must-see places in Canmore.
Let’s dive in.
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Canmore Essentials
Top Tours & Experiences In Canmore
Where To Stay In Canmore
Budget-friendly
Mid-range
Luxury
Short on time? I recommend booking a Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Tour from Canmore!
1. Explore Downtown
Downtown Canmore houses most of the town’s shops, restaurants, and art galleries.
It’s really cute, and I loved all of the trendy cafes, boutiques, and yoga studios I found there.
Downtown is centered around the pedestrian-only Main Street, framed by views of snow-capped mountains.
I recommend grabbing a bite to eat, and exploring whatever catches your eye.
If you’re headed there in the morning, pick up coffee from local favorite, Eclipse Coffee Roasters.
Afterwards, make your way to Stonewaters to browse the cutest gifts, plants, and local goods.
For lunch, I highly recommend Communitea for healthy salads, bowls, and Instagrammable drinks.
Plus, their pad Thai is out of this world!
If you’re looking for dinner options, Crazyweed Kitchen is top notch.
They serve dishes from all over the globe with a slightly upscale vibe.
Or, if you want a more casual option, head over to Grizzly Paw Pub, a local brewery and taproom.
Switching gears here, neither of my next two breakfast recommendations are technically in Downtown.
I still wanted to mention them, because they’re just a few minutes away.
Canmore is pretty small, after all!
Rocky Mountain Bagel Co. is the perfect place to fuel up before an early morning hike.
They serve delicious bagels, coffee, and open at 6 am.
For a more relaxed breakfast, head to Cacao 70, where I had the most amazing croque madame.
2. Hike the East End of Rundle
One of the most popular hikes in Canmore, the East End of Rundle offers astonishing views over Canmore, the Bow Valley, and Ha Ling Peak.
EEOR, or “Eeyore” as locals like to call it, is a 6.6-mile roundtrip with 2,870 feet of elevation gain.
That’s a lot of vertical, meaning this hike is pretty strenuous.
There’s also some scrambling in the last section before the summit, so good hiking boots are a must.
However, you can stop at the false summit if you feel more comfortable, and the views from there are just as beautiful.
3. Hike to Mist Mountain Hot Springs
How often do you get to soak in completely natural hot springs?
On top of that, how often are they basically at the top of a mountain?
If that sounds amazing to you, make sure to head to Mist Mountain Hot Springs in Kananaskis Country!
They’re the only natural hot spring in the area, and an awesome not-so-hidden-anymore gem.
The hike to the Mist Mountain Hot Springs is short, but steep.
Along the way, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views including a waterfall.
The pools themselves are very small, and can each fit 1-2 people at most.
That means you’ll want to come as early as possible, or you may be stuck waiting around for your turn to soak.
It’s also good to know that the hot springs are more warm than “hot,” so pack some extra layers in case you get cold after you get out.
I also recommend bringing (of course) a bathing suit, towel, and sandals to wear getting in and out of the pool.
Related: Hot Springs Instagram Captions
4. Rent a bike
If you want to switch things up from hiking, renting a bike is one of the best things to do in Canmore.
There are several shops that rent bikes in Canmore, typically for a daily rate.
You’ll find some of the best mountain biking trails for any level at the Canmore Nordic Centre, which was built for the 1988 Winter Olympics.
If you’re up for a longer adventure, gear up for the Banff Legacy Trail.
This is a 25.2-mile roundtrip that connects Banff with Canmore.
Although that might sound intimidating, renting an e-bike can actually make the journey effortless, with 360-degree views along the way.
5. Explore Kananaskis Country
Kananaskis Country is Alberta’s hidden gem, full of jaw-dropping hikes and gorgeous lakes.
It remains pretty low-key, simply because its proximity to Banff means it gets overshadowed by its more-famous neighbor.
But there’s plenty of awesome stuff to do do in this year-round mountain playground.
Many of the hikes on this list are technically in Kananaskis Country, but some other amazing hikes are Ptarmigan Cirque, Tent Ridge, and Rawson Lake.
Another must-do in the area is a visit to Kananaskis Nordic Spa.
This spa and hotel features a relaxation lodge, five outdoor pools, steam and sauna cabins, a bistro, and more.
6. Stroll Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk
One of the most relaxing things to do in Canmore is a stroll on Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk.
This walking path starts near Downtown, and follows Policeman’s Creek as it meanders through Canmore.
You can turn back at any point, or take this path until it eventually connects to more challenging trails.
Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk is the perfect activity for families, pets, and those looking for an easy walk.
I recommend visiting around sunrise or sunset, for the best views and most shade.
7. Take in views of the Three Sisters
The Three Sisters are a trio of distinctive peaks, iconic to Canmore.
They’re known individually as Big Sister, Middle Sister, and Little Sister- or Faith, Hope, and Charity, respectively.
Although you can technically hike each of them, that involves anything from scrambling to advanced climbing skills.
For most of us, the best way to admire the Three Sisters is from the ground.
One of the best places to see and photograph them is from Policemen’s Creek.
You can find this spot across the street from Canmore’s off-leash dog park.
If you cross the Bow Valley Trail road and go under the train tracks, you’ll stumble upon a faint path that leads you to the photo spot after a few minutes.
I recommend getting there around sunrise or sunset for some beautiful creek reflections.
8. Hike to Ha Ling Peak
Ha Ling Peak is another summit hike that offers breathtaking views over Canmore and the Bow Valley.
It’s a 4.5-mile round trip, with 2,454 feet of elevation gain.
You’ll definitely feel like a mountain goat on this one!
The trail is mostly well-groomed, with wooden staircases in some sections.
However, once you reach the end of the maintained trail at “the saddle,” it becomes a steep rock scramble, with loose rocks and small boulders all the way to the Ha Ling summit.
The views from the top make the challenge worth it, though!
Just make sure to pack layers, because the summit gets very cold and windy, even in the summer.
9. Visit Grassi Lakes
If you’re looking for an easier, family-friendly hike in Canmore, head to Grassi Lakes.
From the trailhead, you’ll be able to choose which route you’d like to take: an easier, or more difficult route.
Whichever trail you take, you’ll be rewarded with blue-green alpine lake views at the end.
The “easy” trail to Grassi Lakes is perfect for all ages, people with small dogs, or those who aren’t looking for too much of a workout.
Even a stroller could handle the easy trail!
Here, you’ll enjoy a wide, flat trail with a gradual climb all the way to Grassi Lakes.
The “more difficult” trail to Grassi Lakes isn’t particularly hard, it’s just steeper in some parts.
But, you’ll be rewarded for the challenge with views of Lawrence Grassi Waterfall and the valley below.
Once you reach the lakes, there’s plenty of room to hang out and and enjoy a snack.
I recommend doing this hike on a sunny day, when the lakes are at their most colorful.
10. Explore Banff
Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the world-famous Banff, only a stone’s throw away from Canmore!
Many of Banff’s best attractions are just a quick day trip away.
Downtown Banff is only 20-30 minutes from Canmore, where you can check out the Fairmont Banff Springs or take the Banff Gondola.
Just a bit further, you can check out Johnston Canyon, an awesome canyon hike with waterfalls.
Or, you can make the roughly 55-minute drive to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, which are bucket list-topping destinations!
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