Family adventures in the Canadian Rockies Field Guide
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.
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.
Banff
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Hiking near Canmore
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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.
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.
Two Jack Lake
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Johnston Canyon
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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!
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!
