Frequently Asked Questions

Canmore is a scenic mountain town in Alberta, Canada, located one hour west of Calgary and five minutes from the gates of Banff National Park. 

Canmore is accessible from Alberta’s major cities and international airports by personal vehicle, bus, or shuttle. The drive from Calgary takes just over an hour. We suggest taking one of our trusted shuttle services directly from Calgary International Airport (YYC) or from downtown Calgary. 

From Edmonton, Canmore is approximately a three-hour drive. 

Kananaskis Country is a collection of provincial parks and protected recreation areas in Alberta, Canada. Kananaskis is located an hour west of Calgary and borders the Town of Canmore and Banff National Park. 

You can reach Kananaskis from Canmore by personal vehicle or private transportation via Highway 40 or Highway 742 (Smith-Dorrien Trail). There is also a free, seasonal bus route from Canmore that can take you to popular attractions in Kananaskis like Grassi Lakes Trail and the Canmore Nordic Centre.  

Calgary International Airport (YYC) is the closest international airport to Canmore and Kananaskis. It is approximately 120 km or 75 mi and takes just over one hour to drive. 

Yes, there are many bus or shuttle services between Calgary and Canmore. We recommend reviewing these options to find the best fit for your travel needs. 

Yes, Roam Public Transit offers FREE public transit within Canmore. There are also additional routes connecting Canmore to Banff, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon, and beyond. These routes require purchase of a transit pass.

The Town of Canmore is approximately five minutes east of the gates of Banff National Park and 20 minutes from the Town of Banff. You can travel by personal vehicle, public transportation, private shuttle, bus, or chauffer, or taxi. 

Moraine Lake is closed to personal vehicles year-round. Parks Canada shuttles, Roam Public Transit, and private vehicle operators provide transportation service from June to mid-October.  

Lake Louise is open year-round. You can access Lake Louise via Parks Canada shuttle, Roam Public Transit, and personal vehicle. Due to the popularity of this destination, it is highly recommended that you use a shuttle service, as parking is extremely limited and makes access by personal vehicle difficult.  Paid parking is in effect from 3 a.m. to 7 p.m. from May to October and costs a flat rate of $36.75 for the day. Free parking is available at the park-and-ride for visitors with a Parks Canada shuttle reservation. 

Many of our recommended private shuttle operators offer transportation from Canmore to both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. 

Road access to Moraine Lake is closed to all vehicle traffic in the winter from November to May, including for all tour operators. Lake Louise is open year-round. 

The Kananaskis Conservation Pass is the provincial park pass needed to explore Kananaskis Country. This pass is separate from the National Parks Pass. 

The Kananaskis Conservation Pass is $15 per day and $90 for the annual pass. You can choose Single Day or Multi-Day and enter the dates you plan on being in Kananaskis. The day pass is only valid for the day in question, ending at 11:59 p.m. (i.e., it is not valid for 24 hours). You can add up to three vehicles to the annual pass. The Kananaskis Conservation Pass is registered to your license plate and does not require anything to be printed or displayed on your dash.  

You do not need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass if you are driving through, only if you plan on stopping.

A Kananaskis Conservation Pass can be purchased online or in person at the Canmore Nordic Centre and the Kananaskis Visitor Information Centre.  

No, a National Park Pass is not required for Canmore or Kananaskis. However, it is required for entry into Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, and all other Canadian National Parks.

To purchase a National Park Pass, you can visit any of the Visitor Information Centres in the towns of Banff, Lake Louise, Field, and Jasper, as well as at the national park gates between Canmore and Banff. You can also purchase a pass online and print it out to display on the dash of your vehicle.  

Day Passes are valid until 4:00 p.m. on the day after purchase. 

Annual Discovery Passes are valid for a full year from the date of purchase until the end of the calendar month from the date purchased. Discovery Passes provide entry into more than 100 National Parks, National Marine Conservation Areas, and National Historic Sites. Discovery Passes will be delivered to your home address and are required to display in your vehicle.

Canada uses the Canadian dollar (CAD).

Canada officially uses the metric system, but imperial measurements are still understood in many places.  

• Speed limits: kilometres per hour
• Distances: kilometres and metres
• Temperature: Celsius
• Height and weight: commonly measured in feet/inches and pounds 

In case of emergency, dial 911.

Canmore and Kananaskis follow Mountain Time (MT/MST) (UTC/GMT -7). 

Canmore has cell phone service and offers free Wi-Fi in the downtown corridor. Cell service is not available in most of Kananaskis Country. It is recommended to download trail information and/or bring a map of Kananaskis while travelling outside of cell service. You can find downloadable/printable maps here.

If you are traveling internationally, access to cell service may depend on your cell phone plan. Check with your provider before your trip for more information. 

To find an interactive map and downloadable maps of Canmore and Kananaskis, click here.

It’s important to know how to stay safe while enjoying the mountain adventures Canmore and Kananaskis have to offer. Be prepared and plan ahead when making your travel plans. 

Wildlife encounters in the mountains are common, and we strive to keep them and ourselves safe. Be aware of what to do if you encounter wildlife. 

We take great pride in our beautiful lakes and rivers and are committed to keeping them pristine. Learn how to protect our waterways by cleaning your equipment properly, and ensure you also protect yourself when you are out enjoying the water. 

Canmore and Kananaskis are year-round destinations with lots of unique activities to do each season. 

• Early spring (March-April) and early winter (October-November) are typically the least busy, so you can enjoy our most popular attractions without big crowds. 
• Spring (April-June) and fall (September-October) are the best times of year for wildlife viewing opportunities.
• Summer (June-August) and fall (September-October) are great times of year for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, paddling, horseback riding, fishing, golfing, nature walks, rock climbing, and more.
• Winter (November-March) is the best season for skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, ice skating, dog sledding, tubing and sledding, ice fishing, and more. 

Weather in Canmore and Kananaskis can vary greatly depending on the time of year. Regardless of the season, it’s always a good idea to check the forecast before you head out as the weather can change rapidly in the mountains. 

With proper preparation, you can enjoy all the natural beauty that Canmore and Kananaskis have to offer in any weather condition. Learn what to pack so you can prepare yourself for a safe and comfortable adventure. 

Yes, Canmore has a number of dog-friendly hotels. Many restaurants also allow dogs on their patios (seasonally). We recommend calling ahead to confirm pet policies.  

There are four paid parking zones within the Town of Canmore. For more information about parking in Canmore, visit the Town of Canmore website. There is free parking at Elevation Place or in the gravel parking lot behind Save-on Foods, which can also be accessed from Elevation Place. 

Many retailers in town sell or rent bear spray, including:

• Wapiti Sports & Outfitters – available for purchase year-round
• Sports Garage Consignment & E-Bike Rentals – available for purchase only during summer
• Trail Sports – available for purchase or rent year-round
• Kananaskis Outfitters – available for purchase or rent year-round
• GearUp Mountain Sport and Rentals – available for purchase or rent year-round
• Pedego Electric Bikes Canmore – available for purchase or rent year-round
• BeHappy Adventours & Rentals – available for rent year-round

Bear spray is not allowed on commercial airlines in or out of Canada. If you purchase bear spray while visiting, you will not be able to bring it on your flight home. Do NOT dispose of bear spray in residential garbage bins. You can drop off unused bear spray at the following locations:

• Canmore Fire Rescue Services
• Any designated fire hall

There are many retailers in Canmore that sell and rent outdoor gear. Browse through our partners for shopping or gear rental. 

Within the Town of Canmore, there is only one municipal campground that is first come, first served. The Wapiti Campground has 87 sites and 50 RV sites all with 30-amp power. Amenities include picnic tables, common washrooms, and showers.  

If you are booking a campsite in Kananaskis, you must check the availability on the Alberta Parks booking website. Reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance. More information on campgrounds and RV parks can be found here. For information on backcountry campsite bookings, click here. 

If you are booking a campsite in a National Park, visit the Parks Canada booking website.  

RV parking is available in the gravel parking lot behind Save-on Foods, accessible from the Elevation Place or Save-on Foods parking lot. This parking lot is free for up to nine hours. It is illegal to park overnight anywhere in Canmore and all surrounding national and provincial parks without a campground site. 

There are no operating sani-dumps in Canmore. Sani-dumps near Canmore include: 

• Boulton Creek Campground
• Bow Valley Campground
• Canyon Campground
• Kananaskis Visitor Information Centre
• McLean Creek Campground
• Mount Kidd RV Park
• Sandy McNabb Campground
• Sheep River Administration & Information Centre
• Willow Rock Campground
• Lake Louise Campground (Fairview Rd, Lake Louise)
• Town of Banff (104 Hawk Ave, Banff)
• Calaway Park (245033 Range Road 33, Calgary) (closed in the winter) 

Locations may charge to use the sani-dump amenities. Research ahead of time before planning your trip and make sure locations are open before arrival. 

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) are not permitted in the town of Canmore or within the Alberta provincial parks system including Kananaskis Country.

It is possible to apply for and obtain a permit to fly a drone in these areas. For information about drone permits in Canmore, visit the town of Canmore website. For information about drone permits in Kananaskis, visit the Alberta Parks website.

Kananaskis has hundreds of hiking trails with a range of difficulties suitable for all ages and skill levels. Here are some of our recommendations: 

Family-friendly trails 

Spring hiking trails 

Summer hiking trails 

Fall hiking trails 

Winter hiking trails 

Waterfall and lakeside hikes 

Snowshoeing is a classic winter activity to enjoy in the Canadian Rockies. Here are some of the top snowshoe and winter hiking trails in Kananaskis.

Canmore and Kananaskis are home to world-class cross-country skiing. Read our guide to the best cross-country ski trails in the area to find where to go skiing. 

Ice skating is a popular winter activity, and there are many local rinks and natural frozen surfaces in the area to enjoy. Here are the top ice skating spots in Canmore and Kananaskis. 

There are several retailers in Canmore that offer bike and e-bike rentals, including:

• GearUp Sport and Mountain Rentals
• Sports Garage Consignment & e-Bike Rentals
• Pedego Electric Bikes Canmore
• Kananaskis Outfitters
• Rebound Cycle
• Trail Sports

Nakiska Ski Resort is a great option to ski and snowboard while visiting Canmore.

Mt. Norquay Ski Resort, Banff Sunshine Resort, and Lake Louise Ski Resort are also nearby.  

Larch trees are unique conifers native to the Canadian Rockies. Unlike most conifers, which stay green year-round, larch trees turn a brilliant golden yellow in the fall before shedding their needles for the winter.  

The best time to see larch trees is from mid-September to mid-October when they reach their peak yellow colouring. This seasonal phenomenon attracts many visitors to the mountains each year. 

Kananaskis Country is one of the top destinations to see larch trees during their transformation. Read our blog on top larch hikes in Kananaskis to learn where you can see these magnificent trees. 

Quarry Lake is a popular location to go outdoor swimming in Canmore during the summer months. The lake is over 100 meters (328 feet) deep in some areas and is fed by an underground mountain spring, meaning the water temperature remains quite cold throughout the year. The best months for swimming are July and August when temperatures are warmest. 

Lakes in Kananaskis remain extremely cold year-round due to their glacial origins and the snow run-off from the mountain peaks. We do not recommend swimming in these lakes, even in the summer. Read our Water Safety and Sustainability page for more information.  

For indoor swimming, Elevation Place has lane swimming, public swimming, water slide, lazy river, hot tub, sauna, and steam room. 

Canmore and Kananaskis are home to diverse wildlife, including elk, deer, bears, bighorn sheep, and many bird species. While wildlife sightings are common, they are never guaranteed as animals move freely in their natural habitat.  

We take great pride in coexisting with wildlife, and it’s crucial to know how to safely observe them. If you encounter elk, bears, or other wildlife, remain calm and follow proper safety guidelines. Read up on wildlife safety tips before your trip to learn more before your visit. 

The Travel Alberta Canmore Visitor Information Centre is permanently closed. The washroom facilities and parking lot at this location remain open for public use at this time.

Other local visitor information centres:

Canmore Nordic Centre  

Kananaskis Information Centre  

Peter Lougheed Discovery Centre (closed October 15-November 30)

Town of Banff Visitor Information Centre  

Lake Louise Visitor Information Centre