Welcome to Canmore, Alberta – our favorite town in the Canadian Rockies!
Canmore is a vibrant and friendly community in Alberta’s Kananaskis region, full of bustling local shops, cafes, and restaurants. It is surrounded by towering mountain peaks and gorgeous scenery everywhere you turn. Whether you want to go hiking or skiing, or just relax and soak in the magnificent views, Canmore truly has it all!
Conveniently located right on the edge of Banff National Park, Canmore is only a 20-minute drive from Banff town. Due to its close location to the National Park, some people choose to stay in Canmore instead of Banff because it is less busy, less expensive, but equally as beautiful!
Having lived there for quite some time, we are excited to give you the insider’s scoop on this quaint mountain town and the surrounding Kananaskis region. There are endless places to explore and adventures to be had which is why we created our guides below to help you plan the perfect visit!
So buckle up and get ready to discover everything Canmore has to offer!
Planning Essentials
Canmore is such a beautiful part of Canada, making it a popular destination during holidays and the warmer summer months. The articles below will help you plan your itinerary, and decide what hotel and tours to book in advance so you don’t miss out!
Hiking in Canmore
With over 110 scenic trails in the Canmore area, there is a hike here for everyone! There is nothing better than getting outside and exploring no matter the season. Have a look at some of our favorite Canmore hikes below!
Canmore for Beer & Coffee Lovers
For a town of only 14,000 people, Canmore has its fair share of breweries, distilleries, and coffee shops. Take a peak at the blogs below to see which one you want to visit (or just visit them all)!
Kananaskis
Canmore is located within Alberta’s Kananaskis region – an area that is home to 5 provincial parks! It is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor explorers. We have outlined the region’s highlights in our guides below so that you can check them out on your trip to Canmore!
Canmore Road Trips
There is nothing quite like driving through the Canadian Rockies! If you are renting a car the road trip itineraries below will help you get to and from some key places around Canmore while making some truly epic stops along the way. And if you aren’t driving yourself, don’t worry, because the articles provide some alternative transport options to get you from place to place!
Where to Next?
Canmore is located right next to Banff National Park and is also not too far from Yoho and Kootenay National Parks. While visiting, we definitely recommend venturing into these areas to explore the many great attractions they offer. We’ve outlined some of our favorite nearby things to do and places to visit below!
Top Nearby Attractions
Banff Town
This popular resort town is only around a 20-minute drive from Canmore, making it super easy to visit on a day trip. It is full of great shopping, restaurants, and scenery. Have a look at these top blog posts to help plan your time there!
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is a charming area of Banff National Park, located about 50 minutes from Canmore. It is home to one of the world’s most stunning lakes and we think it is a must-visit location while you’re in the Rockies!
Moraine Lake
Just past Lake Louise, you’ll find Moraine Lake – our favorite lake in Canada! We think everyone on a summer trip to Western Canada should go see the bright turquoise water for themselves. But, getting to Moraine Lake can be quite difficult, so make sure to read our top guides below for everything you need to know about visiting!
Calgary
Calgary is a thriving city metropolis around an hour away from Canmore. It has a well-connected international airport making it convenient to fly in and out of when visiting the Canadian Rockies. But with so much to do there, we think it’s worth exploring for a day or two on its own!