September is Canmore and Kananaskis’ best-kept secret. The valley quiets down. The bugs disappear. The mornings are crisp enough for a jacket and toque. The afternoons still call for t-shirts. Most of the summer’s adventures, from rafting to hiking to climbing, are still in full swing. And a golden hue marks the horizon: the larches.
September is magic.
Here’s how to spend it.
The mountains that surround Canmore and Kananaskis put on a show all year long. But September? It’s the golden hour. The iconic larches begin to turn around the middle of the month. A couple weeks later, the aspens and cottonwoods are showing off too. It’s spectacular.
See the larches for yourself with our Top 10 Larch Hikes in Kananaskis Country, or take in the whole season with our Top 9 Ways to See the Fall Colours in Canmore and Kananaskis.
While the colours change, the warmth mostly sticks around. Mornings cool and hint the season ahead, but afternoons can be hot and sunny. Guided walks, hikes and rafting are still running but get them booked quickly while they are still available.
With rafting season wrapping up around the middle of the month, there are still a couple weeks in September to get on the water. Canmore Raft Tours offers scenic floats trips regularly each day. For rafting in Kananaskis, Chinook Rafting, Canadian Rockies Rafting and Green Tongue Adventures have you covered.
Both Bow Valley Canyon Tours and Banff Canyoning Canmore offer experiences until the end of the month. Consider this your last chance of the year to rappel through waterfalls and slide down natural rock chutes.
Drier and cooler temperatures mean the rock faces are in prime condition this month. It’s the best time to climb! Connect with Yamnuska Mountain Adventures or PeakStratagen to book a guided climb and make the most of it.
It’s a great month to explore on a bike. And it’s a great month to savour the tastes of the season. Check out a food tour by pedal or e-bike with Food Bike Tours, running until the end of the month.
Boundary Ranch keeps the adventure through to October 4. It’s a solid pick if you want to squeeze in one more outdoor adventure on horseback before the season wraps for good.
The last market day of the year is Thursday, October 1. Don’t miss your chance to browse local makers, farm-fresh produce, and handmade goods before it closes for the winter. Grab a coffee, wander the stalls, and enjoy market season while it’s here.
Canmore’s Main Street pedestrian zone is one of the nicest treats of the summer season. And it runs right through to the middle of October! Find a list of our favourite shops here.
September is a prime month to view wildlife. But caution is more important than ever. Elk are on the look out for mates. Bears are headed for hibernation. All the more reason to keep your distance.
This month marks the start of rutting season, when bull elk compete for mates. Listen for their hypnotic bugling and watch from a distance. That’s three school bus lengths at the very least! Keep your dogs on leash, never approach a herd, and give them lots of space.
This month sees increased bear activity as they’re working hard to fatten up for winter. When out on trails and paths, carry bear spray and know how to use it. Keep dogs leashed and dispose of food and other waste responsibly to avoid attractants. If you see a bear, give it lots of space and leave the area.
Full guidance is on our Wildlife Safety page.
Canmore Highland Games (September 4 to 6) experience Canmore’s Celtic roots with a weekend of Highland sports, dances, pipes and drums.
Stoney Nakoda Nations Annual Pow Wow and Celebration (September 4 to 6) Dancers, drummers, and families gather at Goodstoney Arena in Mînî Thnî for the final Treaty 7 Pow Wow of the season.
Andy Curtis Live at Wild Life Distillery (September 11) enjoy an evening of free live music on the WLD Tasting Room patio.
Canmore Festival of Art & Creativity (September 18 to 20) take in three days of free arts programming, live music, workshops, and multicultural events at Canmore’s artsPlace as part of Alberta Culture Days.
Oktollerfest (September 19) Oktoberfest, but with dogs, at The Drake Screaming Retriever from 2 to 8 p.m., with a dog costume contest, beer, and a dog-friendly patio. Tickets $15.
Canmore Pride Festival (September 23 to 28) enjoy a week of celebration, community, and colour, with events all over town celebrating our destination‘s LGBTQ2S+ community.
Wolfdog Photography Tour (September 26 and 27) photograph wolfdog packs up close, barrier-free, at Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary.
Stoney Drum Making Workshops (September 27) make your own drum with Stoney artists at Listen Studios.
See them all at our full events calendar.
The season changes in September. Our need to take care of this place does not.
Give wildlife room. September is elk rutting season. Bears are actively feeding before winter. Keep your distance, carry bear spray, stay on the trail, and don’t linger for photos.
Leave no trace. Larch viewing can bring even more people to these popular hikes. Pack out what you take in, every time you hit the trails.
Choose public transit. Avoid the hassle of finding a parking spot and keep a car off the road.
Walk. Over 80 kilometres of multi-use trails connect the town and surrounding recreational areas, so much of Canmore is best explored on foot.
Looking for more ways to get around without a car and tread lightly? Visit our Responsible Travel page. And want to sign on to make a difference? Take our Pledge to the Peaks.
Where you stay shapes the whole trip. Whether you’re after a downtown hotel within walking distance of the patios and shops, a backcountry lodge deep in Kananaskis, or a glamping setup that puts you right under the stars, there’s a spot to match every kind of trip. Browse the best hotels and accommodations in Canmore and Kananaskis and lock in your dates early, then let the mountains take it from there.
Layer up. Mornings and evenings are chilly, even if afternoons still feel the summer heat.
Check trail conditions before you go. The season changes quickly in September, as do trail advisories and closures. Visit AlbertaParks.ca for all the latest, the day you head out on your adventure.
Book ahead. The secret of September in Canmore and Kananaskis is spreading! Spots fill up quickly so plan (and book!) ahead. Use our new Peaks Trip Planner, our online tool and app.
Purchase your Kananaskis Conservation Pass before you head out. It’s required any time you stop and explore in Kananaskis. And you’re not going to want to miss that!
Be wildlife aware. Bear spray, noise, distance, leashed dogs. Elk and bears are extra unpredictable this month.
Popular larch lots fill fast. Aim to be at the trailhead early and have a plan B. If you pull in and the lot is full, drive to the next hike on your list. Our guide to larch hikes will help you build one.
What’s the weather like in Canmore in September?
You can feel winter on the way as morning can be chilly and evenings cool. Average highs are 17 degrees Celsius (63 degrees Fahrenheit) and lows around 3 degrees Celsius (37 degrees Fahrenheit).
Is September a good time to visit?
Yes! In fact, it’s one of the best. There are fewer crowds, no bugs, and the beauty of the golden larches await. Better yet, there are still countless summer activities to entertain you.
What is there to do in Canmore in September?
The list is endless! Chase the larches, enjoy a rafting or canyoning trip, and catch major events like the Highland Games or the Festival of Art & Creativity.
Is there still wildlife around in September?
Definitely. And it’s an active month. Elk rutting season gets underway and bears are feeding hard before winter. Keep your distance and keep everyone safe.
When am I guaranteed to see the larches?
It depends on the weather each year, but they start to turn around the middle of the month. The sweet spot is usually the last two weeks of September. Trees on higher trails change first and lower ones follow, so time your elevation to your dates.
Should I go to Kananaskis in September?
Absolutely. It’s your front row seat to the larches. In fact, you’ll find most of the best hikes here with lots of options from busy and popular to almost completely on your own.
How many days do I need in Canmore and Kananaskis?
Three days gives you a proper taste: one in town and on the valley trails, one for a bigger hike, and one out in Kananaskis. Four or five lets you add a rafting trip, a climb, or a slow day on a patio without feeling rushed.
What shouldn’t I miss in Canmore in September?
A larch hike in the second half of the month, a walk along Policeman’s Creek when the aspens turn, a Thursday at the Mountain Market before it closes for the season, and an early morning somewhere quiet enough to hear the elk bugling.
Will there be snow in September?
Spotting a dusting on the highest peaks isn’t unusual in September. You may even see a light dusting on the larches themselves if you are out on an early morning. Lower in the valley, it’s rare but not impossible late this month.
What should I pack?
It will still be warm in the day, so have your shorts and t-shirts. Be prepared with layers. It’s always good to have a waterproof shell to keep you covered for most weather scenarios this month.
In Canmore and Kananaskis, our natural ecosystems and stunning landscapes are the heart and soul of our local mountain culture. Before your visit, we encourage you to sign the Pledge to the Peaks, committing to mindful exploration to ensure the safety of all inhabitants of the region and preserve the beauty of our unfiltered wilderness for generations to come.
