Canmore doesn't get quite the same top billing as Banff or Kananaskis, but for families with young kids, that's part of the appeal. It sits right on the highway on the way into the mountains, which means less driving and more actual hiking time, and its trail network ranges from flat riverside boardwalks to short forested climbs, without needing a full day trip to reach any of them.
One of the most practical perks of basing a trip around Canmore: most of the trails in this list sit within town or on adjacent municipal and provincial land, so you generally don't need a park pass to use them. That's a real difference from Banff or Waterton, where a Parks Canada pass is required, or Kananaskis Country, where the Kananaskis Conservation Pass applies — one less thing to buy, print, or forget in the glovebox before you set out for the day.
Late spring through early fall is the sweet spot for most of these hikes, once trails have dried out from spring runoff and before the first snow closes in on the higher ground. Summer days can get warm, so an early start and a shaded trail are both worth factoring in, especially with smaller kids in tow.
Every hike on this list is rated Easy or Moderate, and each entry below includes real distance, elevation, and duration figures pulled from AllTrails and local trail sources, so you know what you're actually signing up for before you park the car.
Rooftop Camping with KidsDownload our free field guide (PDF)Quarry Lake Loop
This short, flat loop circles a turquoise, spring-fed lake just minutes from downtown Canmore, making it an easy first stop for families with young kids or a stroller. The wide gravel path stays level the whole way, with a sandy beach area on the north shore that's perfect for a mid-hike splash or picnic. Mountain views of Ha Ling Peak and the Rimwall frame the lake, and there's a fenced off-leash dog area if you're travelling with a pup too. Bathrooms and parking right at the trailhead make it low-stress for a first outing.
Policeman's Creek Boardwalk
Starting right in downtown Canmore, this wooden boardwalk winds through a quiet wetland along Policeman's Creek, past beaver ponds, old cabins, and the historic Canmore Hotel. It's completely flat and boardwalked, so strollers and wagons roll through with zero trouble, and kids love scanning the water for ducks, muskrats, and the resident beavers. It connects directly into Canmore's larger pathway network, so you can stretch the walk longer if little legs have more energy to burn. A great low-commitment option after a big travel day or before dinner downtown.
Bow River Loop
This gentle riverside loop follows the Bow River on a wide, well-maintained gravel path, crossing back and forth over a couple of pedestrian bridges including the historic Canmore Engine Bridge. The scenery does a lot of the work here: turquoise glacial water, Rundle's limestone cliffs rising overhead, and usually a few rafters or kayakers to point out to the kids. It's flat enough for scooters, balance bikes, or a wagon, and there are benches along the way if anyone needs a break. Easy to link up with Policeman's Creek Boardwalk for a longer outing.
Georgetown Interpretive Trail and Orchid Trail Loop
This forested loop through the Canmore Nordic Centre is wide, smooth, and nearly flat, with only a few gentle rises — ideal for kids who are graduating from stroller walks to their own two feet. The trail leads to the site of Georgetown, an abandoned early-1900s coal-mining settlement, where interpretive signs explain what life was like for the families who once lived there. Kids get a "we found the old ghost town" payoff at the end, plus a picnic table for a snack break. The surrounding lush mixed forest also makes this a good shaded option on hot summer days.
Larch Island Interpretive Trail
This easy woodland loop follows the Bow River into a stand of larch and spruce forest on the edge of the Canmore Nordic Centre, with interpretive signs about the local ecosystem along the way. The path is a mix of crushed gravel and packed dirt with only minor elevation change, so it's manageable for young walkers, though a jogging stroller handles it better than a standard one on the rootier sections. It connects easily to the Bow River Loop for families who want to extend the outing. The shaded canopy makes it a comfortable choice even on warmer afternoons.
Larch and Bow River Loop
For families who want a longer riverside outing without technical terrain, this loop links the Larch Island forest trail with the Bow River pathway for a gentle, flat-to-rolling walk along the turquoise Bow River. Despite the extra distance, AllTrails rates it Easy — there's no scrambling or steep sections, just a wide path through larch and spruce forest with big mountain views opening up periodically. It's a great half-day option if you want more distance and scenery than the shorter loops offer, or if the kids are up for biking instead of walking. Bring snacks and water since it's longer than the other in-town options.
Spray River Short Loop
Just down the highway from Canmore, this shorter version of the popular Spray River Loop follows a wide, well-maintained fire road along one side of the turquoise Spray River, with towering limestone cliffs of Mount Rundle as the backdrop. It's rated Moderate mainly for its modest elevation change rather than technical difficulty, and the broad, obvious trail bed makes it easy for kids to run ahead a little without getting lost. A small pedestrian bridge near the Fairmont Banff Springs links both sides of the loop if you want to make a full circuit. It's a good pick for families staying near Canmore who want a slightly longer, scenic walk without driving all the way into Banff townsite.
Grotto Canyon Trail
This narrow limestone canyon just east of Canmore is a favourite for families because of its built-in scavenger hunt: ancient pictographs painted on the canyon walls by Indigenous peoples centuries ago, followed by a seasonal waterfall at the turnaround point. The catch is the creek — the trail crosses the shallow creek bed repeatedly, so older kids in water shoes or rubber boots will have the most fun, and it's best tackled with dry weather and confident walkers rather than toddlers. AllTrails rates it Moderate rather than Easy specifically because of the creek crossings and a few slick, rounded boulders, so keep a hand free for smaller kids on those sections. It's a memorable outing if your family doesn't mind wet feet.
Canmore Hoodoos Trail
Tucked into the hillside above the Canmore Cemetery, this short trail climbs through open forest to a cluster of hoodoos — the same wind-and-water-carved limestone pillars Banff's are famous for, minus the crowds. The climb is brief but real, with a steady, rooty grade that's more fun-scramble than flat stroll, so it suits kids who like a bit of a challenge and a "we made it to the top" moment. Interpretive geocaching and photo ops among the hoodoo formations make a great turnaround-point reward. Because of the incline and uneven footing, it's best for walking-age kids rather than stroller-bound toddlers.
Bow River Trail (Rundle Trailhead)
This out-and-back river path is a different stretch of the Bow River than Canmore's popular downtown loop — starting from the small Rundle lot by the Bow River Bridge, it follows a mix of paved pathway and packed singletrack along the water with open views of the river and surrounding peaks the whole way. Because it's out-and-back rather than a fixed loop, families can turn around whenever kids are done, making it as short or as long as the day calls for. The mostly flat, wide trail is easy underfoot, and there's usually river traffic — rafters, paddleboarders, the occasional angler — to keep young hikers entertained along the way. Arrive early since the trailhead parking lot is small.
What to Pack for Family Hikes
None of these trails demand technical gear, but a few basics make a big difference with kids along. Bring more water than you think you'll need, plus salty and sweet snacks to head off mid-trail meltdowns, and pack layers even on a warm morning — the Bow Valley can turn cool fast once you're in the shade or the wind picks up along the river. Closed-toe shoes with good grip are worth it even on the flatter boardwalk trails, and water shoes are genuinely useful if Grotto Canyon is on your list.
Bears and other wildlife are active throughout the Bow Valley, so carry bear spray, know how to use it, and make noise on quieter forested sections like Larch Island or the Hoodoos trail. Keep young kids close and dogs leashed, store food and scented items properly at the trailhead and in the vehicle, and check current trail reports before you go, since conditions can change quickly after rain or a busy long weekend.
Madusha Kumarasiri
Madusha Kumarasiri