Canmore

Canmore is a town on the southeastern edge of Banff National Park in Alberta, surrounded by peaks of the Canadian Rocky Mountains at 4,293 feet (1,309 meters) above sea level. The center stretches along the Bow River, linking residential neighborhoods with commercial areas through a network of roads and paths.

The Canadian Pacific Railway founded the settlement in 1884, naming it after Malcolm III of Scotland. Coal mining defined the place until the mines closed in 1979, after which tourism and recreation became the main base.

The place sits on a wildlife corridor where elk regularly cross between neighborhoods, appearing on lawns and along paths. Many residents have learned to live with this proximity by keeping distance and planning their gardens accordingly.

The town center holds more than 100 restaurants, shops, and lodging options within walking distance. An extensive path network leads from there to hiking routes in the mountains and along the river.

The Nordic Centre maintains 65 kilometers (40 miles) of trails for winter sports and mountain biking, drawing international athletes for year-round training programs. The grounds were built for the 1988 Olympics and are now used daily by both visitors and professional teams.

Location: Alberta

Shares border with: Kananaskis Improvement District, Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8, Improvement District No. 09 (Banff National Park)

Website: https://canmore.ca

GPS coordinates: 51.08367,-115.36803

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:29