Banff 
Many great things happen in Canmore during the fall months. And when you add this to all the natural beauty and recreational opportunities around town, planning a fall getaway is even easier. Canmore is a gateway to the Rockies, with Kananaskis and Provincial Parks to the south and Banff to the west. But there is plenty of reason to stay right in Canmore for fall events like Pride, the Bow River Valley, shopping, or dining.
There are many ways to see Canmore this fall with the help of local guides. The area is home to recreational tours, food or drink experiences, and river trips.
Hiking under Canmore’s Fall Colours
There are several options for a scenic fall hike near Canmore. These fall scenes around and near the town include the Bow River, waterfalls, Kananaskis Lakes, bright blue/green ponds, and the area’s popular golden larch trails.
- Take in the gorgeous Bow River Valley in its fall colours from Canmore’s extensive river valley trail system. Starting near Canmore’s Big Head sculpture, the 3.9-km trail along Policeman’s Creek is a fall paradise. Vibrant foliage frames ponds filled with ducks and forested areas alive with birdsong. Stunning views of the Three Sisters, Ha Ling Peaks, and Mount Rundle enhance the experience, while elk or deer may make a cameo, perfect for fall photography.
- Bow River Loop and the Spur Line Trail are excellent for fall colour walks and have amazing views of Engine Bridge, backdropped by Rundle Mountain Range.
- The Grotto Canyon Trail begins from the Grotto Mountain day-use area on the Bow Valley Trail (1A). This short hike is worth every step as it leads through a limestone canyon with tall walls and narrow passageways. The trail ends at a waterfall; keep your eyes open for the 1000-year-old pictographs on the limestone.
- Head into Kananaskis and the Provincial Parks south of Canmore for the famous golden larch hikes and views. These range in difficulty with the simpler trails around the Mt. Lorette Ponds or Chester Lake. For more challenging hikes, try the Pocaterra Ridge or Arethusa Cirque.
- The Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park offers opportunities for fall hikes, bike rides, mountain biking, and a game of disc golf. Within the park are several kilometres of easy, moderate, or difficult trails.
Paddling the Bow River
Take advantage of the last few months of paddling in Alberta with the Bow River as it runs through the town of Canmore. Rentals and guided paddling experiences are also available in town. The fall colours become much brighter with the contrast of the Bow River waters to create some epic sights to see along your paddle. Canoeing and kayaking are also great ways to enjoy wildlife viewing around Canmore.
- Canoe, kayak, and SUP rentals are available with Bow Valley SUP, and Green Tongue Adventures, while guided float tours are available with Canmore River Adventures. Rentals and tours from each of the three companies are available until the end of September.
Bow Valley Food & Drink Tours
There are several ways to get a guided food or drink experience at Canmore’s bustling restaurant, including brewing and distilling scenes.
- Food Bike Tours operates guided tasting experiences in Canmore, Calgary, and Edmonton. The Canmore options include the Food Bike Tours (until late September), Legacy Trail Food Bike Tours (until early October), and a Canmore E-bike Tour (until late October and not a tasting tour).
- Hop on with the Mountain City Brew Bus company for a variety of drink tours around the Bow Valley. Choose between the Beer Shuttle, and the Liquid Valley tour. The Rafts and Crafts tours are available from May to September 15.
- Alberta Food Tours Inc. provides all the details for a memorable self-guided Canmore food tour.
More Fall Tours in Canmore
- The spooky Canmore Ghost Walk tours are available across the entire fall season (open from May to November). Enjoy stories and tales from local guides on an evening walk through town.
- Canmore is surrounded by an abundance of natural attractions, some of which offer much higher levels of adventure than others. The Canmore Cave Tours offer a great deal of adventure for your fall vacation and are open year-round. They provide two tour options for cave exploration and vertical caving courses.
- If you’re after great views of the fall colours on your trip to Canmore, there is no better option for seeing it all than a helicopter tour. Alpine Helicopter tours depart from Canmore and offer sightseeing trips for a variety of areas in the nearby Rockies.
Fall Events in Canmore
The upcoming events around Canmore offer a wide array of activities, types of fun, and things to do around town this fall. Choose between live shows, several markets, dozens of Pride events, and chances to see a variety of artistic showcases.
- Canmore Pride Festival is made up of several small and large events taking place in town across a full week in October (October 4-12, 2025).
- The Canmore Festival of Art & Creativity offers a full weekend of free all-ages fun including live entertainment and performances, the Mountain Made Market, and the Bike Shorts Film Festival.
- Experience more local art from the Canadian Rockies Quilt Show, hosted at the Canmore Recreation Centre at the end of September.
- The Canmore Farmer’s Market is open each Thursday until October 2. Find all the local goodies, gifts, or souvenirs all in one place!
