Fun & Adventurous Pet Friendly Canmore Activities
There are certain things every pet owner looks for when planning a vacation and bringing their dog along. What makes a town like Canmore pet-friendly for visitors? Is it the off-leash areas, cozy and comfortable pet-friendly accommodations or the endless choices for hiking and day-trips?
The answer is it’s a combination of all of it, making Canmore an exceptional destination for people travelling with pets. Before you pack your bags, check out the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre’s pet-friendly rooms and everything Canmore has to offer for visitors and their furry friends.
Key Takeaways
- Canmore offers something for every type of pet owner: From alpine hikes to leisurely walks, off-leash parks, and dog-friendly patios, there's a pet-friendly option no matter how you like to spend your day.
- Five off-leash dog parks are scattered around town: Spots like Quarry Lake Dog Park and Cougar Creek let dogs run free, with most just minutes from the Coast Canmore Hotel.
- Not every hike is right for every pet: Trails range from easy (Heart Creek) to hard (Ha Ling Peak), so plan based on your dog's fitness and the terrain.
- Pet emergency services are nearby if needed: Canmore has pet emergency care and doggy daycare options for tougher hikes or unexpected situations.
- Many local restaurants welcome dogs on their patios: Spots like TABLE Food + Drink, Bridgette Bar and Communitea Cafe all offer pet-friendly outdoor seating.
Pet-Friendly Things to Do in Canmore
Canmore is the perfect place to vacation with your pup. Take a look at this list of things to do in Canmore and plan the perfect day, whether you’d like it to be relaxing, adventurous, or full of delicious food and drink.
Best Dog-Friendly Hikes Near Canmore
With Banff National Park just a couple of minutes to the west and the stunning Kananaskis region surrounding Canmore, the community is a destination for hikers from all over the world seeking alpine thrills. Bringing your pet along will give them all the exercise they need, but you should carefully plan to ensure they’re fit enough for the challenge you select and that you’ve packed appropriately.
In the case that something does go wrong, there are fortunately pet emergency services in Canmore and the surrounding areas, and anyone who decides it might be best to leave their pet behind while they take on a more technical route can always check their pet into doggy daycare for the day.
Here are a few recommendations for great hikes in the area:
1. Ha Ling Peak
Difficulty: Hard
Distance: 7.8 kilometres
This popular hike just outside of Canmore is fully possible with pets. The trail is well-maintained, and while it can be steep and a bit of a grind, there are lots of areas to stop and take a break for snacks, water and rest. Dogs should be kept on leash, and you’ll be rewarded at the top with breathtaking views of the Bow Valley.
2. Prairie View Trail
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Distance: 6.6 kilometres (one way)
Less than a 30-minute drive from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre is this stunning trail that starts at the parking lot next to Barrier Lake, a popular recreational hub. The hike takes you along wide, well-maintained paths for the first hour or so, and while it does tighten up a bit near the top, most hikers and their pets won’t have any trouble making it to the top and taking in the stunning views.
3. Heart Creek Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 4.3 kilometres
Just 12 minutes down the Trans-Canada Trail from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre is a great, pet-friendly trail suitable for the whole family. The hike takes you through a small canyon and over multiple bridges, offering gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains. Your pet will love getting out and exploring.
Best Walks with Your Dog in Canmore
Even if you aren’t heading into the alpine to hike up the mountains in nearby Kananaskis or Banff National Park, Canmore has so many opportunities for you to take in the fresh mountain air and walk your dog.
Canmore has over 80 km of multi-use trails that connect the town and the surrounding recreational areas, so your options are endless for exploring with your dog, just make sure they’re on a leash.
1. Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk
This beautiful boardwalk starts downtown, just a 10-minute walk from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre. It’s perfect for kids and pets as it is flat but offers unobstructed views of the Three Sisters and Rundle Mountain, and opportunities to spot wildlife that call the Bow Valley home.
The Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk Trail, for example, starts in downtown Canmore and winds through forests and wetlands. It also connects to more than 70 km of further trails. The Upper Grassi Lakes Trail is spectacular, too. There are several entrances and exits to this trail, so you can keep it short or walk for up to 4 km.
2. See the Engine Bridge
The Engine Bridge is one of Canmore’s most iconic landmarks. Built in 1891 as a railway bridge, it’s now pedestrian-only, part of both the Spur Line Loop and Bow River Loop, and a great spot for photos.
The Bow River Loop is also a spectacular walk for dog owners. It’s about 2.1 kilometres long and will take most walkers around 45 minutes to complete. It’s also only a short, five-minute drive from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre, and you can even walk there in about 25 minutes, with the trailhead sitting just off 8th Avenue.
3. Quarry Lake Loop
This is one of Canmore’s most popular dog walks, and it has the added benefit of a nearby off-leash area. The trail itself is about 1.25 kilometres long and takes you to a gorgeous alpine lake that’s perfect for a picnic. Some people even go for a swim, although the water can be cold. The parking lot is only about a 9-minute drive from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre.
Best Off-Leash Dog Areas in Canmore
Canmore has five off-leash areas for your pooches to run to their hearts’ content and socialize with other pups, each with its own distinct vibe.
For pet owners looking for things to do in Canmore, start with one of these five amazing off-leash dog parks.
1. Cougar Creek
Distance from Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre: 1.5 kilometres (3-minute drive)
Conveniently located right off the side of the highway, there’s a four-foot fence that runs all the way around the boundary of this dog-lover’s dream. You’ll feel like you’re in a thick forest when you and your pup visit Cougar Creek. There are intersecting pathways that wind through this park, but there is ample space for your dog to run and for you to explore.
2. Quarry Lake Dog Park
Distance from Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre: 3.8 kilometres (9-minute drive)
Technically, Quarry Lake Dog Park should count as two locations. This park is the biggest on this list and offers two distinct off-leash areas. One is a gorgeous meadow with a ton of room for dogs to run, play, and fetch. The second backs right onto a pond, so your dog can do more than just run, they can swim, too! Quarry Lake Dog Park also features incredible views of the surrounding mountains.
3. Elk Run Dog Park
Distance from Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre: 3.2 kilometres (6-minute drive)
This neighbourhood park has a little bit of everything, with two baseball diamonds nearby and trails that are great for exploring once you’ve put your pup back on its leash after a run in the off-leash area. The off-leash section is fenced in, so no need to worry about your dog taking off and getting lost. Plus, it has absolutely stunning views of the mountains.
4. Palliser Dog Park
Distance from Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre: 1.9 kilometres (5-minute drive)
Though it isn’t as big as the previous three off-leash areas we’ve listed, it has a neighbourhood vibe and is ideal for puppies or smaller dogs. There’s a five-foot-tall chain-link fence and lots of room for dogs to play, socialize and get the running in that they need and crave.
5. Hubman Dog Park
Distance from Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre: 5.8 kilometres (7-minute drive)
Like Palliser, this is more of a neighbourhood park. It’s smaller, but it is right by a popular disc-golf course, and there is an extensive system of paved trails nearby. You could easily make a day of exploring the area with your dog, with a stop-in at the off-leash area, too.
Best Pet-Friendly Canmore Patios
When the weather’s nice, locals in Canmore love setting up outside and kicking back. Patio season can be any time the weather’s nice enough to be sitting outside with your meal, your coffee or a drink that’s a little bit stronger. It’s especially relaxing after a long day of exercising with your pet.
Plenty of pet-friendly restaurants in Canmore welcome dogs on their outdoor patios:
1. TABLE Food + Drink: Located in the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre, this pet-friendly restaurant in Canmore allows pets on the patio. Browse the Weekly Features menu for fresh, seasonal eats made with local ingredients, or sip a café latte in the sun amidst the mountains with your pup.
2. Bridgette Bar: This upscale, chef-driven restaurant and bar has a terrific daily matinee happy hour, and the pizzas are spectacular. Part of their patio is designated dog-friendly.
3. Communitea Cafe: This delightful Canmore staple is a lot more than just a cafe. Yes, it’s got a great selection of coffee and teas, but its menu is packed with healthy bowls and sandwiches, and you should absolutely bring your dog along if you’re planning on sitting outside.
4. The Drake Pub: Grabbing a drink at the Drake is a quintessential Canmore experience, but the pub has a great food menu, too, and one of Canmore’s best pet-friendly patios.
Book an Unforgettable Trip to Canmore with Your Dog
If you’re planning a trip to Canmore, there’s no reason to leave your pet behind. With countless pet-friendly activities in Canmore, you will love seeing your dog exercise, interact, and embrace life in this mountain community. There are so many things to do in Canmore in summer, especially with your pet, so start planning your trip today.
The Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre is the perfect place to stay in Canmore if you’re bringing your dog along. It’s not just that pets are welcome; our hotel is excited to see them, and all dogs will receive a cozy pet bed, a food bowl, and a locally sourced treat.
Book your stay with us today!
FAQs About Pet-Friendly Activities in Canmore
1. Is Canmore pet-friendly?
-Absolutely, Canmore is pet-friendly. With expansive off-leash areas, trails that wind through town and up into the mountains and pet-friendly hotels, there are endless activities for you and your family pet.
2. Are there any tips for visiting Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk with kids or pets?
-Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk was designed to be accessible for everyone, and that includes kids and dogs. It’s stroller-friendly, the boardwalk is wide enough for dogs on a leash to walk comfortably and without bothering anybody, and there are multiple entry and exit points along the trail so you can choose how far you walk.
The main entry point to the boardwalk is near the Big Head statue in downtown, and there are lots of paid parking spaces in the immediate vicinity. When you stay at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre, though, you can easily leave your car in its parking spot and walk 10 minutes to the boardwalk.
3. Which Canmore accommodations have nearby off-leash dog areas or parks?
-The Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre is conveniently located near several of Canmore’s off-leash areas. Cougar Creek is closest and can be reached in about 20 minutes on foot, while Palliser Dog Park is only a little farther away. The reality is that Canmore is still a small town, so all of the off-leash areas are easily accessible from our hotel.
4. What should I know about pet policies at hotels in Banff and Lake Louise?
-There are many pet-friendly hotels in Banff and Lake Louise. Dogs need to be kept on leash at all times and should never be left unattended in rooms. For dogs that struggle with crowds or overstimulation, staying in Canmore can be a better alternative as there are often fewer visitors during the busy summer season.