Planning the Perfect Trip to Canmore with Your Dog
Visiting Canmore with a dog can be a magical experience. There are countless fun, pet-friendly adventures and great hotel options where you and your dog will feel right at home. From five off-leash areas to hikes both long and short, there are so many things to do in Canmore with dogs that it only makes sense to bring your pet along on your next trip.
It’s important to be prepared when travelling with your dog. This 3-day itinerary will help you plan out the perfect trip.
Key Takeaways
- Canmore has five off-leash dog parks: Quarry Lake, Cougar Creek, Elk Run, Palliser, and Hubman, with everything from fully fenced runs to open meadows and swim ponds
- Dogs must be on leash outside designated off-leash areas at all times; fines start at $250 and wildlife, including bears, elk, and cougars are present throughout the area
- The best leashed dog trails in town include Policeman's Creek, the Bow River Loop, and the Engine Bridge Trail, all flat, scenic, and walkable from downtown
- TABLE Food + Drink at the Coast Canmore, Where the Buffalo Roam Saloon, Sage Bistro, and the Grizzly Paw Taproom all welcome leashed dogs on their patios
- The Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre welcomes pets at $25/night and greets every dog with a pet bed, food bowl, and a locally-sourced treat on arrival
- Pugs n Mutts doggy daycare is located right next door to the Coast Canmore, perfect for days when you want to tackle a tougher hike or explore without your dog
Before You Arrive: What to Know About Visiting Canmore with a Dog
Canmore is extremely pet-friendly, but a few things are worth knowing before you pull into town.
Dogs must be kept on leash at all times outside of the five designated off-leash areas. This isn't just a formality: Canmore is bear, elk, and cougar country, and the leash rule exists to protect both your dog and the wildlife. Fines start at $250 for off-leash violations and can reach $2,500 if your dog harasses wildlife. Carry bear spray on any trail outside the downtown core, check local trail reports before you head out, and make noise while hiking.
The good news is that Canmore's amenities for dog owners are exceptional:
- Five off-leash areas
- Pet-friendly hotels like the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre
- Countless dog-friendly trails through Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country
- Pet-friendly patios and restaurants throughout downtown
- Three emergency veterinary hospitals in town
- Doggy daycare right next to the Coast Canmore
All dogs using Canmore's off-leash parks must be vaccinated and licensed. Pick up after your dog and keep them within sight and under control at all times.
Best Things to Do with Your Dog in Canmore: A 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Settle In and Explore Downtown
Morning: Check In and Hit Policeman's Creek
After arriving and getting settled at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre, head straight for Policeman's Creek. The trailhead is within easy walking distance of the hotel.
What to expect: This flat boardwalk trail follows Policeman's Creek through wetlands and forest, with spectacular views of the Three Sisters and Mount Rundle throughout. The path is well-maintained, connects to more than 70 km of wider trail network, and is great for birding. It does get busy on summer weekends, so the morning is the best time to go.
The full loop is about 4 km, but there are multiple entry and exit points if you want to shorten it. Dogs must be on leash the entire route.
Afternoon: Quarry Lake Dog Park
Drive or walk to Quarry Lake for your dog's first real off-leash run. This is the biggest and best off-leash area in Canmore. It has a large open meadow for running and fetching, plus a pond area where dogs can swim. It was once an open-pit coal mine and is now one of the most spectacular recreation spots in the Canadian Rockies.
What to expect: Off-leash zones are clearly marked. Paid parking is required. Some people swim in the lake in summer, though the water stays cold. Your dog, on the other hand, will likely have no hesitation.
Evening: TABLE Food + Drink Patio
End the day at TABLE Food + Drink, located right inside the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre. It's one of the best restaurants in town, with a pet-friendly patio, a seasonal menu built around locally-sourced ingredients, and a relaxed atmosphere that suits a post-hike evening. No need to leave the dog in the room.
Day 2: Hit the Trails
Morning: Engine Bridge Loop
Start early on the Engine Bridge Loop: a local favourite that winds along the Bow River on a wide gravel path, crossing several pedestrian bridges, including the historic Canmore Engine Bridge, an iconic railway bridge built in 1891 that now serves pedestrians.
What to expect: The trail passes Riverside Park, which is a great place to stop for a break, and gives you some truly outstanding views of the surrounding mountains. Dogs on leash throughout. The river offers plenty of spots for a drink or a wade along the way.
Afternoon: Cougar Creek or Elk Run Dog Park
Give your dog another off-leash session in the afternoon.
Cougar Creek Dog Park: Sits right off Highway 1A along Cougar Creek, with a four-foot fence and a generous off-leash area. The creek is a natural draw for water-loving dogs. Keep wildlife awareness in mind—Cougar Creek is an active wildlife corridor.
Elk Run Dog Park: On Glacier Drive, is a fully fenced, five-foot chain-link enclosure that's spacious and well-maintained. It’s a popular social spot for both dogs and their owners, and a good choice if your dog is more comfortable in a fully enclosed space.
Evening: Where the Buffalo Roam or Sage Bistro
For dinner, Where the Buffalo Roam Saloon brings a genuinely western feel to Canmore's dining scene with a great patio and a uniquely local character that suits the post-trail mood. Or, if you want a proper sit-down evening, Sage Bistro serves one of the best steaks in Canmore on a spacious, relaxed patio. Both welcome leashed dogs outdoors. It’s worth booking Sage in advance on summer weekends.
Day 3: Day Trip into the Mountains
Johnston Canyon or Lake Louise in Banff National Park (Best for Scenery)
If you haven't made it into Banff National Park yet, Day 3 is the day. Johnston Canyon is a dramatic canyon trail that follows a river through a series of waterfalls. It’s one of the most visited hikes in the park and is worth it despite the crowds. Get there early. Lake Louise is worth the drive for the scenery alone; leashed dogs are welcome on the trails around the lake.
Note: Banff townsite is significantly more crowded than Canmore in summer. For dogs that find busy streets stressful, keep your time in the townsite brief and stick to the trails.
Afternoon: Pamper Your Pet at Pugs n Mutts
If you want a few hours to explore downtown Canmore's shops and coffee shops without a leash in hand, drop your dog at Pugs n Mutts, located right next door to the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre. They offer daycare, grooming, walks, playtime, and snacks. It's perfect if you're planning on a hike that's a little too tough for your dog, or just want a relaxed afternoon of browsing.
Evening: Grizzly Paw Taproom
Finish the trip at the Grizzly Paw Taproom, located practically right next door to the Coast Canmore. It's one of the most beloved local breweries in the Rockies, with a pet-friendly patio and one of the best beer selections in town. A fitting end to three days in the mountains with your dog.
Services for Your Pet in Canmore
Doggy daycare: Pugs n Mutts is located right next to the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre and offers grooming, walks, playtime, and snacks.
Veterinary care: Canmore has three animal hospitals if something goes wrong while you're travelling:
Where to Stay: Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre
At the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre, every room is pet-friendly, and each dog is greeted with a cozy pet bed, a food bowl, and a locally-sourced treat on arrival, all for $25 per night. It's centrally located just a few short blocks from downtown, right across from Elevation Place, and next door to Pugs n Mutts, making it the most practical base in Canmore for a dog-focused trip.
Other amenities worth knowing about:
- Heated indoor pool and hot tub
- TABLE Food + Drink on site with a pet-friendly patio
- Free in-room WiFi, coffee and tea in every room
- Pet amenities, including treats, dishes, dog beds, and waste bags
Book your stay at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre
FAQ
Where can I eat with my dog in Canmore?
There are lots of great dog-friendly restaurants in Canmore when it’s patio season, so visitors in the spring, summer and fall won’t have any trouble finding a great place to eat. TABLE Food + Drink is located inside the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre and features a spacious, pet-friendly patio and some of the best food in town.
Is Banff pet-friendly?
Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on many trails, but visitors in the summer will notice that Banff is much more crowded than Canmore. The busier streets and big crowds may be overwhelming for some pets, which is why many people visiting Banff choose to stay in Canmore instead.
Is there a dog-friendly pub in Canmore?
Yes, the Grizzly Paw Taproom is right next to the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre and has a great pet-friendly patio with an excellent selection of locally-brewed beer.
How many off-leash dog parks are in Canmore?
Five: Quarry Lake, Cougar Creek, Elk Run, Palliser, and Hubman. Quarry Lake is the largest, with both a meadow and a swim pond. Outside these areas, dogs must be on leash. Fines start at $250.
What should I know about wildlife when hiking with my dog?
Canmore and the surrounding mountains are home to bears, elk, and cougars. Keep your dog on leash on all trails outside designated off-leash areas, carry bear spray, and never let your dog chase wildlife. Fines for allowing dogs to harass wildlife can reach $2,500. Check local trail reports before heading out.