Alberta Canoeing: Bow Falls to Canmore

Take a fantastic canoe trip in the Canadian Rockies this summer.

Canoeing really is a great way to enjoy yourself on a Canadian Rockies vacation. No, it doesn’t have quite the adrenaline punch you get from rafting, skiing or whizzing over the Rockies on a helicopter tour. But there’s something special about it.

Canoeing the Canadian Rockies is a great way to mellow out on your vacation.

Anytime I’m feeling a little cooped up in the office, I usually like to get out, jump in a canoe, and do a nice mellow float. It’s a great way to relax and let go of everything, which for me is ultimately what a Canadian Rockies vacation is all about.

Before taking your trip, you can check out the towns of Canmore and Banff, as well as local weather, with our Banff webcam and Canmore webcam. Below, you’ll find a quick guide to a great Canadian Rockies canoe trip.

Bow Falls to Canmore

Distance:

23 km (about 4 hours)

Level: intermediate

This amazing section of river starts downstream from Bow Falls takes you into the shadow of Mount Rundle and on to Canmore. Start at either the east end of the Golf Course Road, or from the Bow Falls parking lot. Do not block any roads when parking.

From Bow Falls:

The main channel here is generally to the right, although smaller channels on river left can be run by canoes when water levels are high. But the side channels are smaller, with tight turns and are likelier to be blocked by dangerous sweepers and logjams. Approaching the end of the golf course and can see the Hoodoos glacial till pinnacles just ahead. Here the river makes several tight bends and corners. All channels here have sweepers and strainers, so canoeists should exercise extreme caution.

From the end of the Golf Course:

Shortly after launching or passing this site, the river forks. The channel on river right is the safest. River left leads to a dangerous strainer logjam completely blocks the entrance to a small channel. From here on, the river is generally wide, as it flows along Mount Rundle’s base. As you approach the confluence of Cascade River, the river widens and braided channels and gravel bars appear. Care must be taken, as numerous channels are available, with the possibility of sweepers and logjams in all of them.

After the park boundary (a small sign is found on the river right bank) the river becomes narrower again, with tight corners and numerous sweepers and strainers. This area demands precise control and maneuvering and canoeists are advised to proceed with extra caution.

Taking out:

On river left at the park boundary, a trail leads for 200 metres to the highway at the park gates. In Canmore, take out on river right, just downstream of the first pedestrian bridge.