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​Family adventures in the Canadian Rockies Field Guide

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Hello and welcome to the Follow That Moose Field Guides. In this edition we’re going to provide you with some ideas and inspiration for a family adventure in the Canadian Rockies.

Let's get started with a quick orientation. 

For most international travellers the main arrival point is the city of Calgary, just a ninety  minute drive from Banff National Park. The towns of Canmore (outside the park boundary) and Banff (inside the park boundary) are excellent bases for a family adventure in the Canadian Rockies. Canmore and Banff have a good selection of lodging, restaurants, shops, outdoor adventure activity operators and outfitters too.

The Canadian Rockies have activities for families of all ages, from toddlers to teens or grown up families looking to spend some quality time together. It’s also a mecca for outdoor and adventure activity enthusiasts who flock here to hike, bike, raft, climb and just about anything else you can think of. 
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Banff
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Hiking near Canmore
If you prefer to join an organised tour with professional guides, pre planned activities and fully inclusive of meals and accommodation we’ll list these in the field notes that accompany this guide. If you’d rather have the freedom and flexibility that comes with planning your own trip we have a few suggestions to kick start your vacation plans. So here we go!

Base Camp Resorts have numerous lodging options in Canmore and Banff. Some dwellings can accommodate up to 16 guests and have kitchens with full size appliances capable of feeding the entire family and communal spaces with outdoor seating and BBQ's.

We’ll put more information about Base Camp Resorts and any other recommendations for family friendly accommodation in Banff & Canmore in the field notes that accompany this guide.

Some of the most beautiful paddle boarding lakes in the world are only a short drive from Canmore and Banff. Two Jack Lake is ideal for beginners and families. It has a small sandy beach where you can launch a paddle board with minimum effort.  Paddle Boarding equipment can be rented from Bow Valley Stand Up Paddleboarding in Canmore or you can join one of their guided excursions. 

If you’d prefer to kayak or canoe equipment can be rented from outfitters in both Banff and Canmore. The best time for paddling in Banff National Park is from late June to mid September but always be prepared with layers of clothing as conditions can be changeable.

Another family friendly activity is the bike ride from Banff to Johnston Canyon along Bow Valley Parkway. In recent years the Bow Valley Parkway has been closed to motorised vehicles in May, June and September, creating a family friendly car-free cycling route. 

The ride from Banff to Johnston Canyon is 25 kilometers, which takes about 1.5 - 2 hours each way. Once at Johnston Canyon you can hike to the Upper & Lower Johnston Falls. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the lower falls with an elevation gain of 30 meters and about another 30 minutes to reach the upper falls with an elevation gain of 120 meters.

Bikes can be rented from outfitters in both Banff and Canmore and there’s bike storage at the main entrance to Johnston Canyon and in the parking lot.
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Two Jack Lake
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Johnston Canyon
A visit to Johnson Lake is also a popular family activity. The hike around Johnson Lake is about 3 kilometers and doesn't have much elevation gain. Johnson Lake day use area has ample picnic tables and a small beach area making it ideal for kids.

Other family activities around Banff & Canmore include horseback riding, canoeing and hiking at Lake Louise and walking or rafting along the Bow River. You certainly won’t be short of things to do. 

That's all from me. I hope you’ve found our family adventures in the Canadian Rockies field guide helpful. We’ll reference everything in this guide in the field notes and mooseful information section. 

If you enjoyed this guide remember to subscribe. Subscribing is free, it just means you’ll be the first to find out about future editions.

Until next time; Keep Following That Moose!
 

​​​Field Notes & Mooseful Information

Banff & Jasper Family Vacation

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​​DURATION
6 days / 5 nights

HIGHLIGHTS
• Horseback riding & biking through K-Country
• Hiking Troll Falls Trail
• Rafting on the Kananaskis River
• Lake Louise
• Bike Vermillion Lakes Trail
• Hiking Sentinel Pass
• Glacier hike on Athabasca Glacier
• Hike around Johnson Lake


INCLUSIONS
• Professional guides
• Accommodation throughout your trip
• Most meals
• Activities mentioned in the itinerary
• Any necessary equipment - all safe and well-maintained
• All transportation from trip start to end
• All gratuities for hotels, restaurants, and activities
• Park and other entry fees
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate

TRIP START (ARRIVAL)
Calgary, Alberta

TRIP END (RETURN)
Calgary, Alberta
​
​GUIDE PRICE
From £3,899 / USD $4,699 per adult
From £3,549 / USD$4,299 per child 

​DEPARTURE DATES
Sunday, June 18, 2023
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Sunday, July 2, 2023
Sunday, July 9, 2023
Sunday, July 16, 2023
Sunday, July 23, 2023
Sunday, July 30, 2023
Sunday, August 6, 2023
Sunday, August 13, 2023
Sunday, June 23, 2024
Sunday, July 7, 2024
Sunday, July 21, 2024
Sunday, August 4, 2024
Sunday, August 11, 2024
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Northwinds by Basecamp
ALBERTA | CANADA

Mooseful information
​

Location: Canmore, AB
Travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes from Calgary International Airport & 20 
minutes to Banff Visitor Centre
Accommodation: Hotel / Motel
Noteworthy: Communal patio, restaurant

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Basecamp Resorts Canmore
ALBERTA | CANADA

Mooseful information
​

Location: Canmore, AB
Travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes from Calgary International Airport & 20 
minutes to Banff Visitor Centre
Accommodation: Hotel / Resort
Noteworthy: Communal BBQs, rooftop hot tub, patios
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Basecamp Lodge Canmore
ALBERTA | CANADA

Mooseful information
​

Location: Canmore, AB
Travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes from Calgary International Airport & 20 
minutes to Banff Visitor Centre
Accommodation: Lodges
Noteworthy: Dry sauna
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Lamphouse by Basecamp
ALBERTA | CANADA

Mooseful information
​

Location: Canmore, AB
Travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes from Calgary International Airport & 20 
minutes to Banff Visitor Centre
Accommodation: Hotel / Motel
Noteworthy: Riverside hot tub
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Basecamp Suites Canmore
ALBERTA | CANADA

Mooseful information
​

Location: Canmore, AB
Travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes from Calgary International Airport & 20 
minutes to Banff Visitor Centre
Accommodation: Hotel / Resort
Noteworthy: Rooftop hot tub
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Basecamp Suites Banff
ALBERTA | CANADA

Mooseful information
​

Location: Banff, AB
Travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes from Calgary International Airport & 4 
minutes to Banff Visitor Centre
Accommodation: Suites
Noteworthy: Rooftop hot tubs
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    • GET OUTTA HERE
      • Wyoming & Montana vacation packages
      • Yellowstone vacation packages for families
      • Arizona & Utah vacation packages
      • Yosemite vacation packages for families
    • FIELD GUIDES
      • Glamping in Utah
      • Best places to stay near Zion National Park
      • Best places to stay near Arches & Canyonlands National Park
      • Family adventures in the Canadian Rockies Field Guide
      • Paddle Boarding in the Canadian Rockies
      • When is the best time to visit Arches National Park
      • When is the best time to visit Canyonlands National Park
      • When is the best time to visit Zion National Park
      • When is the best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park
      • When is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park
      • When is the best time to visit Grand Canyon National Park
      • When is the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park
      • Bear Camp