Where to Stay in Cochrane, Alberta: Our Personal Recommendations

Planning a trip to Cochrane and wondering where to stay? You’re in the right place.

Cochrane is a charming Alberta town just outside Calgary, with a western-style downtown and plenty of outdoor adventures nearby. We actually live pretty close by, and as locals, we can tell you that this is a smart (but often overlooked) place to base yourself if you want to explore the Rockies without paying Banff or Canmore prices.

We especially love Cochrane for families and larger groups, because you can often find more spacious vacation homes here than you would in the bigger mountain towns. So if you want great value for money and access to Banff, Canmore, and Calgary, Cochrane is well worth considering!

Where to Stay in Cochrane

Pros

• Much better value than Banff or Canmore
• Rentals here tend to be much more spacious
• Ideal for families and groups 
• Cute, western-style downtown

Cons

• You’ll need a car
• Limited nightlife 

Cochrane is a charming town just outside of Calgary. Its historic, western-themed downtown is a big draw for travelers, and we always enjoy its rustic vibe. In fact, we spend quite a lot of time here since it’s just under an hour away from Canmore, where we live. It’s also an hour and 10 minutes’ drive from Banff!

And, crucially, staying in Cochrane is a LOT cheaper than basing yourself in Banff or Canmore. In fact, at peak times, the average hotel in Cochrane can be over $400 CAD per night cheaper! And even at quieter times, you’re still looking at a $200 to $300 CAD difference per night. 

Cochrane is also perfect for groups, because properties here tend to be a lot more spacious than in Banff, Canmore, or Calgary. There are many better options for families or friends who want to stay together in a vacation home and split the cost. 

It also has a ton to offer in its own right, including hikes, white water rafting, and fishing. And if you’re a golfer, you’re in for a real treat here, as there are some really impressive courses to enjoy. We love the downtown area too, as it’s full of cute cafes and bakeries, as well as some fantastic independent boutiques. And although it’s not nightlife central, there are some excellent breweries to check out! 

Eagle’s Nest Airbnb – $$$

If you’re visiting Cochrane as a family or larger group, Eagle’s Nest is our top choice. It’s a 5-bedroom vacation home located just outside downtown in Gleneagles, a quiet hillside community with beautiful views over the Bow River Valley and the Rockies beyond.

This is the kind of place that makes so much sense if you’re using Cochrane as a base for Banff, Canmore, Calgary, and the surrounding outdoors. You get way more space than you would in a hotel, plus two living areas, a giant sectional for movie nights, foosball, Xbox, and a fenced backyard with an 8-person hot tub. It’s pet-friendly too, which is a huge bonus if you’re traveling with your dog!

You’re also close to Gleneagles Golf Club, walking paths, and downtown Cochrane’s cafés, breweries, and shops. This top-rated Airbnb starts at around $600 CAD per night, which we think is pretty reasonable considering that it sleeps up to 9 people!

Canalta Hotel Cochrane – $$

Canalta Hotel Cochrane is a solid choice if you’d rather stay in a hotel than book a vacation rental. It’s located in downtown Cochrane, so you’ll be close to lots of cafes, breweries, and boutiques – plus, the main roads toward Calgary, Canmore, and Banff will be right there! 

This is a 4-star hotel, so it’s one of the more comfortable hotel options in town. The rooms are modern and practical, with free WiFi, work desks, and soundproofing, which is always a bonus. 

There’s also an indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, games room, outdoor fireplace, and free on-site parking. It doesn’t give you the same space as Eagle’s Nest, but it’s a good choice for couples or smaller groups looking for a convenient hotel stay in Cochrane. Rooms start at around $200 CAD per night.

Super 8 by Wyndham Cochrane – $$

We think that Super 8 by Wyndham Cochrane is a good option if you want a simple hotel stay just outside downtown. It’s not fancy, but it has everything you need for a comfortable base while exploring Cochrane, Calgary, and the Rockies.

The rooms are clean and practical, with free WiFi, work desks, TVs, and family room options available. There’s also free on-site parking, which is a big plus if you’re renting a car for day trips, which we definitely recommend. 

Breakfast is included too, which makes this place even better value for money, and there’s a hot tub and sauna, which are perfect for relaxing after a long day of hiking and exploring. Rooms start at around $125 CAD per night during the summer.

Days Inn & Suites – $ 

Days Inn & Suites is a good budget-friendly hotel option in downtown Cochrane. It’s a practical choice if you want to keep costs down but still stay close to restaurants and the main routes toward Calgary and the Rockies.

The rooms are simple but comfortable, and family suites are available too, which is helpful if you’re traveling with kids or just need a bit more space! There’s also an indoor pool, 24-hour front desk, and continental breakfast included, so you’ve got everything you need. 

This is definitely more of a functional stay than a special one, but if you’re planning to spend most of your time out hiking, exploring Cochrane, or day-tripping to Canmore and Banff, it does the job nicely.

Bow River Inn – $ 

Bow River Inn is a no-frills motel in downtown Cochrane, and it’s a good pick if you want somewhere affordable with more space than a standard hotel room.

All rooms are on the ground floor, and some come with a kitchen or kitchenette, which is handy if you’re staying for a few nights or traveling with family. This isn’t a luxury stay, but that’s not really what it’s trying to be. It’s clean, practical, and well-located, with restaurants, local facilities, and walking trails nearby. There’s also on-site laundry, which is useful if your time in Cochrane is part of a longer Alberta road trip.

Related Read: Before you head off to Cochrane, take a look at our Canada packing list for tips on what to pack for changing mountain weather and outdoor adventures.

Top Activities to do in Cochrane

With your Cochrane stay sorted, it’s time to discover what makes this town so special. Beyond its western charm and easy access to the Rockies, you’ll find everything from wolfdog encounters and scenic hikes to local cafés, golf courses, and some of the best ice cream in Alberta.

• Visit the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary – Visiting Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary is one of the most unique things to do near Cochrane, especially if you’re an animal lover. It’s Canada’s only wolfdog sanctuary, and you’ll get to see some of the resident wolfdogs while learning more about the sanctuary’s rescue and conservation work.

• Try the famous Mackay’s Ice Cream – You can’t visit Cochrane without stopping at Mackay’s Ice Cream, which has been a local favorite for generations. The shop itself is part of the charm, with old photos, artifacts, and a real sense of history, so it’s worth taking a few minutes to look around before choosing between tons of flavors.

• Go hiking at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park – Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is a great place to go hiking near Cochrane, especially if you want beautiful views without driving all the way into the mountains. The park sits along the Bow River and has a network of trails through rolling grasslands, with Rocky Mountain views on a clear day.

• Enjoy a round of golf – If you’re a golfer, Cochrane is a great place to stay, and The Links of GlenEagles is one of its best courses. It’s a gorgeous course with amazing views over the Bow River Valley and snow-capped mountains in the background. For us, this is one of the biggest perks of staying at the Eagle’s Nest Airbnb that we mentioned earlier in this blog, because the course is right next to the property! 

• Explore Downtown Cochrane – As much as Cochrane makes a great base for exploring Banff, its downtown area is so much fun to explore! If you like cute local shops and cafés, you’ll feel right at home here. The historic center has a western feel, with lots of boutique stores, galleries, bakeries, and coffee spots that make it a lovely place to wander for an afternoon.

Renting a Car in Alberta

If you’re arriving in Alberta via plane then I can’t recommend getting a rental car enough! Canada is a large country and traveling between cities and even just getting out to some of the best places to visit in Alberta requires transport. Although you can use public transport, on some occasions, it means your trip will not only require more time but more planning.

Renting a car will definitely make exploring all of the fun things to see and do in Alberta easier.

Car rental in Canada isn’t super cheap, but it isn’t overly expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. The cheapest car with pickup and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. The price does vary though depending on the time of year and the type of car that you rent. For car rentals, I use the website DiscoverCars.com. It’s a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. In fact, I’ve used them all over the world including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. Read our honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!

Check availability and prices on Discover Cars here!

Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter). Using Motorhome Republic you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. Having a motorhome is a stunning way to see Canada, and you can often camp for free or very cheap in the most beautiful places imaginable! Check out my review of Motorhome Republic here for tips before you book.

And if you’re planning to camp but don’t want to splurge on a huge RV, we highly recommend Smile Campervans. Based in Calgary, this local company provides compact campervans fully equipped with everything you need for a comfortable and affordable road trip adventure!

In fact, Smile Campervans has actually given us a special discount code for our readers! Use the code DESTINATIONLESSTRAVEL at checkout to get 5% off your campervan rental! Click here to browse availability, prices, and book with our discount code!

Thanks for reading!

As locals, we think Cochrane is one of Alberta’s most underrated places to stay. It offers easy access to Banff, Canmore, and Calgary, but with more space, better value, and a laid-back atmosphere that’s hard not to love. We hope this guide has helped you find the right hotel or vacation rental for your trip.

And if you’re looking for more ideas while planning your time in the Canadian Rockies, be sure to browse our other Canada travel guides for even more ideas on where to stay, what to do, and how to make the most of your adventure. Or, browse some of our newest guides below for more travel tips and inspiration. Cheers!

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