A person gives a dog a treat during a day trip from Canmore.

Fun Pet-Friendly Day Trips from Canmore

24/06/2025

Canmore isn’t just pet-friendly; it’s a destination for dog owners who want to get out and enjoy day trips from Canmore with their pups. With the majestic Canadian Rockies serving not only as a backdrop but also as a playground to explore with your pet, there are so many day trips you can plan and things to do near Canmore that will make your visit the trip of a lifetime.

The Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre serves as the home base for many dog-lovers when they come to town looking to explore, as our pet-friendly Canmore hotel loves hosting you and your pet as you go off and experience the beautiful region surrounding our town.

Here are some of our top recommendations for pet-friendly day trips from Canmore:

Pet-Friendly Day Trips from Canmore

A person stands with their two dogs and looks at the mountains on a day trip from Canmore.

Canmore is an incredible pet-friendly destination where you’ll never run out of things to do with your dog. Staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre means you’ve got a home base where your pet will feel welcome and loved when you return from your day trips. 

A few must-do day trips from Canmore for you and your pup include:

Go Hiking in Kananaskis

If you’re looking for hiking trails near Canmore that are pet-friendly and are hoping to avoid the crowds that can build up in Banff National Park, look to Kananaskis Country. The vast and sprawling alpine area has five provincial parks to explore and is perfect for day trips from Canmore. 

Whether you’re an advanced hiker or looking for an easygoing and casual stroll through the gorgeous mountain vistas, you and your dog will be able to find something perfect.

A few of our favourites include:

Easy: Troll Falls
This charming 3.7-kilometre hike is family-friendly, with only 163 metres of elevation gain, making it relatively doable for hikers of all ages and a great option for day trips from Canmore. 

It’s easy to access by car, too, and the trail is well-marked. Your dog will love the wide-open spaces and get plenty of exercise. The hike leads to a beautiful waterfall where you can settle in for a picnic or some quiet time with your family. It’s truly one of the more beautiful waterfalls near Canmore and highly recommended for day trips.

Medium: Karst Springs
There’s nothing quite like a natural spring in the mountains to soothe the soul. This hike measures 9.2 kilometres, so both you and your dog will get a good workout, but there isn’t too much elevation, making it perfect for day trips from Canmore for people who might not have been training to walk up to an alpine peak. 

Be sure to bring snacks, as you’ll get hungry along the way, but the gorgeous alpine spring you’ll hike to is worth the work.

Hard: Ha Ling Peak
You’ve got options when it comes to hiking the peaks that surround Canmore. Ha Ling is an extremely popular hike for Canmore locals, and recent trail improvements toward the summit have made it safer and a little easier on windy days. 

Make no mistake, though, you’re walking to the top of a mountain when you take on Ha Ling, so your legs will be sore at the end of any day trips from Canmore to the summit, and your dog will be grateful for its pet bed at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre.

The incredible panoramic views at the top are absolutely worth the grind, though.

Also Check Out: Mist Mountain
When it comes to hot springs near Canmore, Mist Mountain is an under-the-radar option you should consider. Coming in at 9.8 kilometres, it’s pretty long and will take up most of your day trip from Canmore, but the views are absolutely stunning once you get to the top, and you can kick back and take in a soak in a unique natural hot spring. 

It’s one of the day trips from Canmore that might go a little under the radar, but can’t be missed.

Visit one of Banff National Park’s Hot Spots

A person and a dog on a paddleboard on a lake during a day trip from Canmore.

Tourists come from all over the world to visit Banff National Park, and while many find that it’s more affordable and less stressful to avoid the crowds and stay just 20 minutes down the road in Canmore, it’s still remarkably easy to plan day trips into the internationally-renowned park. 

Banff is a great destination for day trips from Canmore, and here are a few pet-friendly spots you can check out.

Johnston Canyon
This trail can and does get busy, but for good reason. Johnston Canyon features one of the most beautiful hikes you’ll find anywhere, leading to an utterly stunning waterfall. It’s pet-friendly, too, and while there is a slight incline throughout the hike, even small dogs won’t have trouble getting from beginning to end. 

It’s an in-and-out trail with food options at the entrance, so whether you pack a lunch or buy a meal, you won’t go hungry on day trips from Canmore to Johnston Canyon.

Lake Louise
Lake Louise is out-of-this-world gorgeous. Even if you’re just looking to snap a picture for Instagram from the shores of this turquoise lake with the mountains that surround it, Lake Louise is one of the bucket-list day trips from Canmore. 

There’s a lot more to do than just pose for cute photos, though. Whether that’s a hike up to Lake Agnes Tea House, a walk around the lakeshore or a more challenging route up to the Plain of Six Glaciers or the Big Beehive, the area around Lake Louise is rightfully a destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. It’s also perfect for a day trip from Canmore with your pet.

Get Out On the Water
What could be more idyllic than paddling in a canoe on a serene mountain lake? There are lots of options for pet-friendly canoe rentals on day trips from Canmore, and the Banff Canoe Club rents canoes you can take your pup in to explore the beautiful Bow River.

The Icefields Parkway

While visiting the Town of Jasper is probably a bit much for day trips from Canmore, you could easily check out the world-renowned Icefields Parkway. The turn-off from the Trans-Canada is just a few minutes after Lake Louise, and there are some incredible natural attractions worth checking out. 
If you make the Columbia Icefield your final destination before turning back, you could walk right up to an enormous glacier with your dog, while Bow Lake is an absolute must-see for anyone visiting the region and offers lots of space for your dog to play.

Stay at a Pet-Friendly Hotel in Canmore

Two people feed a dog a treat in a pet-friendly hotel after a long day trip from Canmore.

There are a ton of pet-friendly day trips from Canmore to explore, but it’s important that you have a safe and cozy place to stay with your pet while you’re in town. The Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre has you covered. We understand that your pet is part of your family, and we’d love to have them stay with us.

We charge a pet fee of $25 per pet, per day. However, we welcome all breeds, and they’ll receive a cozy pet bed and a special, locally-sourced pet treat as well. We’re conveniently located near several off-leash areas. 

We are happy to provide you with additional information on pet-friendly businesses and restaurants, and help you plan your day trips from Canmore.

To book your stay with us today, call us at (800) 716-6199 or book online.