Day Trips
Unpack the suitcases and stay awhile. You are about to experience a location that offers a refreshingly welcoming alpine village atmosphere, a place for the weary explorer to recharge, rejuvenate and gain inspiration.
Surrounded by historic Banff National Park, and legendary Kananaskis Country to the south and west you will stand literally in the footsteps of some of North America’s most intrepid explorers. For a change of pace, day trips to the east can lead you to nearby Calgary, or south along the frontal ranges of the Rockies in search of authentic cattle drives with working cowboys, and free ranging cattle, or further afield to the Badlands of Alberta. Digs and dinosaurs await.
Whether you are here for a scant few days or for a significant stay of days leading into weeks, Canmore is the perfect place from which to base your exploits. Unique geographic placement has given you key strategic positioning.
The following is a short sampling of the many journeys that are yours for the taking. We will group your options based on average travel times to each destination. The discovery experiences are primarily driving accessed, and are sightseeing in orientation with options for light front country walks.
Travel Time: 45 minutes or less
one way from Canmore
Canmore Nordic Centre
5-10 minutes from downtown Canmore.
The Canmore Nordic Centre was built to host Cross Country Ski and Biathlon competition during the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. Today, visitors to the centre can cross country ski in winter and mountain bike the trails in summer.
Spray Lakes Reservoir
30 minutes
Travel beyond the Nordic Centre following the Smith Dorrien Trail/Spray Lakes Road (a.k.a. Route 742), and you will find yourself on a gravel (4 wheel drive not required) road winding your way quickly up and out of the Bow Valley. You will just be scratching the outer edges of what is likely one of the best wildlife viewing roads in North America, however you will have journeyed far enough to experience the immense majesty of the Canadian Rockies. Perhaps you should drive on.
Nakiska Ski Hill
45 minutes
Taking the TransCanada Highway east to Highway 40 and south into Kananaskis Country, this short drive will bring you to the Alpine Ski area of Nakiska built to host the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic’s Alpine ski events. The drive deeper south into Kananaskis Country is stunning.
Canmore, Highway 1A to Bow Valley Provincial Park
45 minutes return
Travel east of Canmore along the 1A Highway. Expect to see big horn sheep within 10 minutes of leaving Canmore (summer months in particular, but year round definitely likely). Journey past the Hamlet of Exshaw and on to the 1X connector highway then south on the 1X
to Bow Valley Provincial Park. Visit the park and stretch your legs on the “Many Springs Trail”. Paved paths provide excellent wheelchair access.
Banff Townsite in Banff National Park
15 minutes
Follow the TransCanada (Highway 1) west from Canmore to the historic mountain community of Banff. Visit historic sites such as the Cave and Basin, and learn about Canadian history at Canada Place.
Banff Gondola
(Just outside the downtown core of the Banff townsite in Banff National Park.)
25 minutes
Take the gondola up Sulphur Mountain and watch as breathtaking views of Banff and the Bow Valley unfold before you.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
(Just outside the downtown core of the Banff townsite in Banff National Park.)
25 minutes
What better way to relax after a long day of activity in the mountains? Your muscles will thank you as you rejuvenate them for the next day’s activities.
Lake Minnewanka
35-45 minutes
Travel west on the TransCanada (Highway 1) to the exits for Banff town site and Lake Minnewanka. Follow signage to Lake Minnewanka. Excellent opportunities for viewing big horn sheep and other wildlife abound and the 19 mile long reservoir is surrounded by spectacular scenery. Interpretive boat cruises, by Minnewanka Lake Cruise, are a highlight of the location.
Johnston’s Canyon, Banff National Park
45 minutes
Travel west on Highway 1 from Canmore to the exit for the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A, the scenic route). Follow this road to the Johnston’s Canyon parking lot. A spectacular light hike is possible at this location. Turn around at Johnston’s Canyon for a return trip along the 1A or alternately follow signs to Castle Junction and return via Highway 1.
Travel Time: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours away
one way from Canmore
Calgary
1.25 hours
Travel east on Highway 1 from Canmore for approximately 1 hour. This will bring you to the city limits of Calgary. Visible landmark at this
point will be the ski jumping towers on the right at Canada Olympic Park. Be sure to make this one of your stops, as this is an Olympic legacy site from the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. Other particular highlights of a day in Calgary that should not be missed are the Calgary Stampede grounds, Heritage Park, the Glenbow Museum, the Calgary Tower, and of course the Calgary Zoo. In the event that you are visiting in the winter months and you are a hockey fan, or perhaps just interested in seeing your first National Hockey League game, Calgary is the home of the Calgary Flames, and you may well be able to catch them on home ice.
Kananaskis Lakes
1.5 hours
From Canmore, the beauty of the Kananaskis Lakes can be accessed by two different routes. To stay on black top or paved roads all the way, follow the trip directions for Canmore to Nakiska (trips under 45 minutes). At Nakiska, continue south on Highway 40 approximately 30 minutes further. You will locate the exit for the Kananaskis Lakes Trail- an absolutely spectacular trip awaits you. An alternate route for the same destination requires that you follow the Spray Lakes reservoir trip directions, which will have you using a route less travelled. The Smith Dorrien Trail/Spray Lakes Road (a.k.a. Route 742) is unpaved, and although quite dusty at
times, does offer phenomenal vistas and wildlife viewing opportunities. Make sure to bring binoculars.
The Highwood Summit
1.5 hours
Following Kananaskis Lakes directions, do not exit Highway 40 south at the junction with the Kananaskis Lakes Trail, but rather
continue on Hwy 40. Highway 40 begins a rapid elevation gain as you make your way to the Highwood Summit. This is the highest paved pass in the Canadian Rockies. A well used wildlife corridor, this section of Highway 40 is closed from December 1st until June 15th inclusively.
Moraine Lake and/or Lake Louise
1.5 hours
Travelling west to Lake Louise can be done via the TransCanada (Highway 1) for the duration of the trip or alternately via the Bow Valley Parkway (the scenic route). In either case travel time will be between one and one and a half hours. In the winter, Moraine Lake Road is closed to vehicle access and used as a cross country ski trail.
Field
1.5 hours
Highlights include the Spiral Tunnels, Takakkaw Falls (one of the highest measured waterfalls in Western Canada) and Emerald Lake.
Travel Time: 3 to 3.5 hours away
one way
from Canmore
Drumheller
3 hours
Located in the heart of the Badlands, the Royal Tyrrell Museum features the world’s most extensive collection of dinosaur fossils and exhibits on prehistoric life.
Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo Jump
(via Highway 1 to 22)
3.5 hours
This UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases hunting techniques practiced by the Native people of the North American plains.
Cardston
3.5 hours
The Remington Carriage Museum houses the largest collection of horsedrawn vehicles in North America with over 250 carriages, wagons and sleighs.
Travel Time: 4 hours away
one way from Canmore
Jasper
4 hours
If you are planning to visit Jasper, we recommend taking your time to enjoy the drive along the Icefields Parkway, journey onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier in the comfort of a Brewster Ice Explorer and stay overnight in Jasper.
Location: 907A 7th Ave
Open 7 days per week from 09:00-18:00
Phone: 403-678-1295