At the end of Main St, half-buried in gravel by the Bow River, sits the impressive sculpture known as the Big Head (for reasons that will quickly become…
Getty Images/All Canada Photos
Canmore
Canmore is Banff for locals, a former coal-mining town that reinvented itself as an outdoorsy hub during the 1988 Winter Olympics, when it hosted the cross-country skiing events. Spend time sitting in a downtown bar or cafe and you’ll quickly intuit that most of the population lives here because they love it – and no wonder! The hiking, cycling, skiing and spiky mountain vistas are magnificent, and the rock climbing – Canmore acts as HQ for the Alpine Club of Canada – is world-class. Quieter, cheaper and more relaxed than Banff, Canmore makes a good launching pad for the national park or the more hidden pleasures of Kananaskis Country to the south.
While not officially part of Banff National Park, Canmore is a mere 24km (15 miles) southeast of Banff Town and 7km (4.3 miles) from the park’s East Gate along Hwy 1.
Explore Canmore
- BBig Head
At the end of Main St, half-buried in gravel by the Bow River, sits the impressive sculpture known as the Big Head (for reasons that will quickly become…
- CCanmore Museum & Geoscience Centre
Exhibits at this small museum cover the region's coal-mining past and the community's survival following the mine closure in 1979. Check out the 160…
- NNorth West Mounted Police Barracks
The oldest surviving barracks in western Canada was built in 1893 and used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) until 1929. Today, this itty-bitty…
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Canmore.
See
Big Head
At the end of Main St, half-buried in gravel by the Bow River, sits the impressive sculpture known as the Big Head (for reasons that will quickly become…
See
Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre
Exhibits at this small museum cover the region's coal-mining past and the community's survival following the mine closure in 1979. Check out the 160…
See
North West Mounted Police Barracks
The oldest surviving barracks in western Canada was built in 1893 and used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) until 1929. Today, this itty-bitty…
Guidebooks
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