Canmore, Where Serenity Meets Adventure

Canmore will always hold a special place in my heart. It was my first stop during my travels through Banff National Park.

I stayed at the Silver Creek Lodge, which is about a twenty-five-minute walk from the town’s center. The lodge was cozy and had some great amenities, including an in-suite kitchen and a washer and dryer. Plus, there is a shared spa and hot pool area on the ground level.

Most of the units are managed by the lodge itself, but some suites are privately owned and available for booking on Airbnb. That’s how I discovered the place!

There are so many trails and lakes to explore in and around Canmore. Even though I was only there for three days, my schedule was packed! It’s funny because I was initially worried that I wouldn’t have enough planned during my stay – impossible.

Quarry Lakes, Mountain View

My first adventure began at Quarry Lakes. There’s a large parking area with a stunning view of the mountains. If you’re planning a trip through the National Park and are renting a vehicle, I’d recommend an SUV or a camper with a hatch. Trust me, it comes in handy after long hikes when all you want to do is relax with a drink and some snacks while taking in the scenery!

The main park area was bustling with hikers and their dogs. Just to the left was Quarry Lakes, which turned out to be a bit smaller than I’d pictured. There were people out in their canoes, watching the views and enjoying the weather.

Behind Quarry Lakes was an entry point to a trail leading up to Grassi Lakes. I believe it’s called Highland Trail. The hike was quite secluded, and I only encountered two other people on the path. It was a challenging walk with some uphill sections that had me catching my breath.

Unintentionally, the hike took me four hours to complete (and this was starting at a later point of entry)! I was hoping to discover a hidden gem at the end of the trail. To my surprise, there were plenty of people already at the lake and looking refreshed. As it turns out there’s a parking lot much closer to Grassi Lakes. If you plan on going and don’t want to deal with a heavy incline, choose a closer parking lot!

Grassi Lakes

I also noticed some rock climbers in that area that were scaling up the side of the mountain. I think they were part of a mountain climbing group – pretty impressive! Here’s the mountainside that people were climbing, scary…

Grassi Lake Mountain Climbers

After completing a challenging hike, I returned to my lodge, had lunch, and then soaked in the outdoor hot pool. My calves were sore by then, so the hot water felt incredibly soothing. It had just begun to rain and the sound and feel of raindrops were very relaxing.

Later, more travelers joined, including some from Boston and Illinois. It was enjoyable listening to everyone share their travel stories and destinations.

I was amazed to hear that a woman had traveled alone across Canada in her car. I couldn’t imagine the long distance she covered and how she kept herself entertained while driving through the prairies. After parting ways, the rain stopped and I decided to venture out and explore the charming town of Canmore.

Canmore gave me the vibe of one of those cozy places you read about in Nancy Drew books. I visited in the fall, but I bet it’s just as charming in the winter with all of the snow.

A Sunny Moment in the Town of Canmore

The town has plenty of restaurants and shops to explore. There’s even a bike rental shop, called Rebound Cycle if the mood strikes. The staff there are friendly and happy to help plan your biking adventures. From the rental shop, you can pedal around town or up to one of the surrounding trails, including to the Three Sisters mountains.

At the center of town lies a lovely trail called Policeman’s Creek. It’s a boardwalk-like path surrounded by grassy areas, offering a serene and scenic walk. I would recommend checking it out, for those looking for an easy, low-impact walk.

Policeman’s Creek

Canmore is a town located just a short drive away from Banff National Park. During my stay, I found it to be conveniently located close to all of the places I wanted to visit.

There were fewer crowds during my stay, but the trade-off was the weather. If you are looking for sunnier days, I believe the high-season summer months would be best for you. Summertime would also increase the chances of capturing a crystal-clear photo! Either way, the scenery was still wonderful, rain or shine!

I had an incredible time and would love to visit again someday. If you are interested in learning more about my travels, feel free to check out my Travel Series page!