Enjoy Summer in Canmore
Summer in Canmore is busy.
Residents are soaking up the short summer in the valley, and visitors are here to enjoy the mountains. Like many other outdoor places, our favourite trails or swimming holes are experiencing high visitation levels. But summer doesn't have to be a headache. We have compiled some easy steps for a hassle-free guide to summer in Canmore.
Safely enjoy your summer! It only comes once a year.
Visiting Canmore from out-of-town?
Click here to visit our partners at Tourism Canmore Kananaskis for information to guide your visit
Click here to visit our partners at Tourism Canmore Kananaskis for information to guide your visit
Pledge to the Peaks
Enjoy the landscape: Respect the environment and the wildlife that call this area home
· Take the Pledge to the Peaks to commit to traveling lightly and respectfully in the mountains
· Be bear smart. Travel in groups and carry bear spray and know how to use it.
· Dogs disturb wildlife. Please keep your pup on a leash anywhere outside off-leash parks
· Please stay out of designated wildlife corridors, underpasses, or closed areas.
· Click here for more information about living with wildlife in the Bow Valley
· Be bear smart. Travel in groups and carry bear spray and know how to use it.
· Dogs disturb wildlife. Please keep your pup on a leash anywhere outside off-leash parks
· Please stay out of designated wildlife corridors, underpasses, or closed areas.
· Click here for more information about living with wildlife in the Bow Valley
Transit
Enjoy the Ride: Roam-free with free fare local transit
· Canmore’s local Roam service is free for everyone. Forget the hassle of looking for a parking spot and hop on the bus!
Enjoy the Journey: Walk or cycle on some of Canmore's 80 kms of regional trails
· Limited parking is available downtown
· Park and walk downtown from Elevation Place, or our temporary intercept parking lot in the gravel lot behind Home Hardware
· Please share the trail with other users
· Click here for a trail map to find the trail nearest you
· Visit a bike-friendly local business!
· Park and walk downtown from Elevation Place, or our temporary intercept parking lot in the gravel lot behind Home Hardware
· Please share the trail with other users
· Click here for a trail map to find the trail nearest you
· Visit a bike-friendly local business!
Plan Ahead
Enjoy the Stillness: Get an early start to beat the crowds
· Get an early start or visit off-peak hours to beat the crowds.
· If a parking lot is full, the location is full. Do not park on shoulders or roadways.
· Paid parking is in effect as of June 1 for Quarry Lake. Get your free resident permit!
· Visit our partners at Tourism Canmore Kananaskis for trip-planning ideas
The Province of Alberta has implemented a new permit system for Provincial Parks in our area. Alberta Parks will be scanning license plates at Grassi Lakes and the Canmore Nordic Centre. Click here for more information
· If a parking lot is full, the location is full. Do not park on shoulders or roadways.
· Paid parking is in effect as of June 1 for Quarry Lake. Get your free resident permit!
· Visit our partners at Tourism Canmore Kananaskis for trip-planning ideas
The Province of Alberta has implemented a new permit system for Provincial Parks in our area. Alberta Parks will be scanning license plates at Grassi Lakes and the Canmore Nordic Centre. Click here for more information
Enjoy Something Different: Always have a Plan B in mind
· People are getting out to enjoy nature, but there are lots of places in town to explore beyond Quarry Lake
· Looking for ideas on where to go in Canmore? Click here for parks and recreation areas
· Take your pup for a walk at an off-leash area you haven't been to before
· Visit our partners at Tourism Canmore Kananaskis for trip-planning ideas
· Walk or cycle Main Street or on some of Canmore's 80 km of regional trails
· Go beyond Main Street and visit Elk Run, Benchlands, Spring Creek, and Three Sisters Village
· On a budget? Click here for free or low-cost fun ideas
· What else can I do? Click here for a list of Canmore summer activities
The Province of Alberta has implemented a new permit system for Provincial Parks in our area. Alberta Parks will be scanning license plates at Grassi Lakes and the Canmore Nordic Centre. Click here for more information
· Looking for ideas on where to go in Canmore? Click here for parks and recreation areas
· Take your pup for a walk at an off-leash area you haven't been to before
· Visit our partners at Tourism Canmore Kananaskis for trip-planning ideas
· Walk or cycle Main Street or on some of Canmore's 80 km of regional trails
· Go beyond Main Street and visit Elk Run, Benchlands, Spring Creek, and Three Sisters Village
· On a budget? Click here for free or low-cost fun ideas
· What else can I do? Click here for a list of Canmore summer activities
The Province of Alberta has implemented a new permit system for Provincial Parks in our area. Alberta Parks will be scanning license plates at Grassi Lakes and the Canmore Nordic Centre. Click here for more information
Main Street
Enjoy the Space: Walk or cycle on Main Street this summer.
· Browse safely while supporting our great local businesses on Main Street from May to October.
· Support local throughout Canmore and enjoy locally made products and services. Go beyond Main Street and visit Elk Run, Benchlands, Spring Creek, Three Sisters Village, and other vibrant areas throughout town.
· Support local throughout Canmore and enjoy locally made products and services. Go beyond Main Street and visit Elk Run, Benchlands, Spring Creek, Three Sisters Village, and other vibrant areas throughout town.
Quarry Lake
Enjoy the Lake: Get your Quarry Lake Resident Parking Permit
· Paid parking is in effect at Quarry Lake to help manage congestion. Each residential household address in Canmore is eligible for one free Quarry Lake Parking Permit.
· Residential Parking Permit zones will also be implemented in certain areas of the Peaks of Grassi and Rundleview neighborhoods to manage spillover parking from Quarry Lake. Residents in these areas will be able to apply for permits to park in these zones.
· Residential Parking Permit zones will also be implemented in certain areas of the Peaks of Grassi and Rundleview neighborhoods to manage spillover parking from Quarry Lake. Residents in these areas will be able to apply for permits to park in these zones.
Keep Canmore Clean: We all have a part to play to keep our landscape clean
· Take the Pledge to the Peaks to commit to traveling lightly and respectfully in the mountains
· Respect 'no parking signs'
· Use the bear-proof garbage bins to dispose of your trash. Or pack-in, pack-out
· Dogs are not allowed at Quarry Lake (even on-leash)
· Use the available pit-toilet washroom facilities
· Respect others using the area
· Do not park on Highway 742 or in neighbouring residential areas
Click here for more information about Quarry Lake enhancements to create an enjoyable and sustainable experience for all.
· Respect 'no parking signs'
· Use the bear-proof garbage bins to dispose of your trash. Or pack-in, pack-out
· Dogs are not allowed at Quarry Lake (even on-leash)
· Use the available pit-toilet washroom facilities
· Respect others using the area
· Do not park on Highway 742 or in neighbouring residential areas
Click here for more information about Quarry Lake enhancements to create an enjoyable and sustainable experience for all.
Canmore Mountain Market
Enjoy local produce and artisanal goods: The Canmore Mountain Market is on every Thursday!
To ensure that the Canmore Mountain Market aligns with provincial guidelines and provides a safe space for both vendors and attendees, we have made some big changes. Here is what to expect:
· NEW location at the Elevation Place parking lot with additional overflow parking
· Reduced market hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
· New expectations when visiting the market during COVID-19
· Same rain or shine attitude
· Same great regional vendors with tasty produce and beautiful goods
· Limited access to ensure a safe number of attendees at the market at a time
· Limited public washrooms
· NEW location at the Elevation Place parking lot with additional overflow parking
· Reduced market hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
· New expectations when visiting the market during COVID-19
· Same rain or shine attitude
· Same great regional vendors with tasty produce and beautiful goods
· Limited access to ensure a safe number of attendees at the market at a time
· Limited public washrooms
Arts, Culture, and Events
Enjoy Canmore Culture: Explore our local art collection
· Take a journey of imagination on the Curbside Museum's Larch Island: a Story Walk
· Go for a stroll around town to visit our fabulous collection of Canmore public art
· Check out some of the Building Neighbourhoods Builds Community art projects around town
· Take a self-guided walk in Cougar Creek called Walk with Wally that explores our community's relationship with a special elk
· Learn more about residential schools in Canada and the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and commit to a better future
Summer FAQs
What is the Town doing to manage visitation levels this summer?
We want to ensure that our public spaces are safe and welcoming for all to enjoy. To that end, we have implemented paid parking at Quarry Lake, we continue to provide free fare Roam transit, we are expanding intercept parking opportunities, and are working closely with our partners at TCK to help educate visitors before and during their visit.
Where can I park to access downtown?
· Limited parking is available downtown. There are several accessible parking stalls located near Main Street for easy access to local businesses.
· Park and walk downtown from Elevation Place! Use our intercept parking at Elevation Place or the gravel behind Home Hardware. The intercept parking lot is only 5 minutes’ walk from downtown!
· Park and walk downtown from Elevation Place! Use our intercept parking at Elevation Place or the gravel behind Home Hardware. The intercept parking lot is only 5 minutes’ walk from downtown!
When is the best time to visit Quarry Lake?
People are getting out to enjoy nature. Always have a plan B to avoid disappointment. Get an early start or visit off-peak hours to beat the crowds.
Where do I learn more about the Quarry Lake Residents' pass?
How much does parking at Quarry Lake cost?
Resources
Summer safety tips
Visiting Quarry Lake
Tourism Canmore Kananaskis
Alberta Parks
