Where to Stay in Canmore, Alberta in the Summer (Best Areas & Hotels)
If you’re planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies, there’s a good chance Canmore is already on your radar – and for good reason!
Canmore is a charming mountain town filled with cozy cafés, local restaurants, scenic walking paths, and stunning views in every direction, which makes it the perfect place to be based while exploring the Canadian Rockies.
Located roughly 1 hour from Calgary on the way to Banff National Park (20 minutes away), Canmore is your gateway to Banff and beyond. Not only is it close to Canada’s first national park, but it’s also the best place to stay if you want to explore Kananaskis, which is one of our favourite places to hike in Alberta!
It’s one of our favourite places to stay when visiting the Rockies because it’s close to trails like Ha Ling Peak and East End of Rundle. On top of that, it’s also both more local and affordable than staying directly in Banff Town, which is why we prefer Canmore over Banff!
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Where should you stay in Canmore?
Left: Spotted this elk while running in Canmore | Right: Grassi Lakes
You could think that Canmore is just another mountain town, but this is far from the truth! Out of all the mountain towns we’ve been to, this is probably one of the most beautiful ones, with huge rocky mountains towering above you. It’s hard to comprehend the scale and the beauty of them!
While Canmore is relatively small, choosing the right area can still make a big difference for your trip, depending on what type of trip you’re planning. Some areas are best if you want to walk to restaurants and shops, while others offer quieter mountain views, and some areas are simply more affordable.
In this Canmore guide, we’ll cover:
- The best areas to stay in Canmore
- Hotel recommendations for different budgets
- Helpful tips to choose a place for the type of trip you want
Don’t have time to read the whole guide? Here are our top suggestions:
- Lamphouse by Basecamp – Budget-friendly, modern hotel, great for a trip with friends. Definitely the most central location you’ll find!
- Stoneridge Mountain Resort – Great option for a couple’s getaway with mountain views, a fireplace, a balcony (or deck), as well as hot tub and pool access.
- Pocaterra Inn & Waterslide – If you’re travelling with kids or are on a budget, this might be the best option for you. It’s one of the most affordable options in Canmore, and it has both an indoor pool & waterslide, which is so fun!
Best areas to stay in Canmore
Unlike large cities, Canmore doesn’t have dozens of neighbourhoods to choose from. But there are still a few key areas that are better than others and that we can recommend!
Each area offers something slightly different depending on whether you’re looking for walkability, scenery, or budget-friendly accommodation.
Downtown Canmore (best for first-time visitors)
For most travellers, downtown Canmore is the best place to stay – especially if it’s your first time in the Rockies!
This area is the heart of the town and where you’ll find most of Canmore’s coffee shops (Canary Coffee and Eclipse are great), cafés (Rocky Mountain Bagel Company is the best!), breweries, restaurants, and local shops. It’s also very walkable, so you can get everywhere on foot, which we love.
After a long day of driving or hiking a peak, it’s nice to be able to walk to dinner or grab a drink at a local brewery and not have to worry about how to get “home” – or parking.
Downtown is also close to a few scenic spots, including the Bow River Pathway and Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk, which are great for easy nature strolls.
Great hotels in Downtown Canmore
The Malcolm Hotel
💙 Best for: Couples, luxury stays, special occasions
If you are, however, looking for a more luxurious stay in Canmore, The Malcolm Hotel is the top option we’d recommend!
It’s located steps from downtown, and you’ll get some of the best views of the surrounding mountains. One of the highlights here is the outdoor heated pool and hot tubs overlooking the Three Sisters mountain range.
The rooms are modern and spacious, perfect for couples seeking a slightly more upscale stay in the Rockies – and the reviews speak for themselves.
Lamphouse by Basecamp
💙 Best for: Couples, friends, family going away for the weekend
Lamphouse by Basecamp is a great option if you want something stylish but slightly more budget-friendly right in the heart of Canmore.
The location is great, close to downtown, and near both Canary Coffee and the Grizzly Paw Pub if you fancy a drink after a day in the mountains.
It’s a great pick if you want a central location without the higher price tag of some of the luxury hotels.
Spring Creek (best for scenic mountain views)
Spring Creek is one of the most scenic and peaceful areas in Canmore.
Located just a short walk from downtown (5-6 minutes), this newer neighbourhood feels a bit more like a mountain resort (this neighbourhood wasn’t here when I, Dom, was growing up).
Around Spring Creek, you’ll find small ponds, walking paths, and some awesome mountain views from the properties!
Many of the accommodations here are condo-style resorts, which means you’ll often get larger suites with kitchens, living rooms, and fireplaces.
This makes it a great area if you’re coming as a family or a group of friends and planning to stay a few days and explore the Rockies.
Great hotels in Spring Creek
This is where we stayed near Spring Creek. Unfortunately, this place isn’t available right now, but we’ve listed out a great alternative below!
Stoneridge Mountain Resort
💙 Best for: Families, groups, and travellers wanting more space
Stoneridge Mountain Resort is one of the best condo-style resorts in Canmore.
The suites here are spacious and include full kitchens, large living areas, fireplaces, and balconies with mountain views. The outdoor heated pool and hot tubs are also a highlight after a day exploring the Rockies.
It really is a great getaway spot, and it’s really nice after a long day out exploring to come back to a place that feels like home! Check out their pricing & availability here.
Bow Valley Trail (best for budget-friendly accommodation)
If you’re travelling on a budget, near Bow Valley Trail is where you’ll find many of the more affordable hotels in Canmore.
This road runs through town and is lined with several motor lodges, mid-range hotels, and budget-friendly accommodation options.
It’s not quite as charming as staying right downtown, or as flashy as staying in some of the condo-style properties, but it is a lot cheaper + many of these hotels are still only a short drive or bike ride from Canmore’s main street.
If you’re planning to spend most of your time exploring Banff National Park or hiking anyway, staying here can be a great way to save money on accommodation.
Also, just because it’s more budget-friendly, it doesn’t mean the accommodation isn’t good. There are actually some great options here. We’ve listed our favourites below.
Great hotels on Bow Valley Trail
Basecamp Resorts
💙 Best for: Friends, bigger groups, hiking
We stayed at Basecamp Resorts by Basecamp back in September with a bunch of friends after we ran the Melissa’s Half Marathon in Banff, and it was great!
It was stylish but slightly more budget-friendly, and the bed was super comfy. It’s located close to the highway (you can’t hear it, just the train sometimes), so you’ve got easy access to all the nearby hiking trails and Banff.
They’ve got a bunch of different-sized rooms, but we definitely suggest this if you’re going as a group of friends, as we did.
🥯 PS: It’s located right next to Rocky Mountain Bagel Company, so if you get up early, you might be able to skip the queue 😉
Pocaterra Inn & Waterslide
💙 Best for: Families and budget travellers
If you’re travelling with kids, Pocaterra Inn is a great option thanks to its indoor pool and waterslide.
It’s one of the more affordable hotels in Canmore and offers comfortable rooms with breakfast included.
The only downside is that the location is slightly outside downtown. But like we’ve mentioned a few times, everything in Canmore is close by so it shouldn’t be an issue.
Should you stay in Canmore or Banff?
This is one of the most popular questions people ask when planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies.
While Banff is the iconic mountain town everyone visits, many travellers actually prefer staying in Canmore because it does feel more calm and peaceful.
Banff is so close too so it’s easy to go there for a day trip, explore Banff, and then come back to Canmore in the evening.
Choose Canmore if you’re looking for:
- Cheaper accommodation
- Fewer crowds
- More local restaurants and cafés
- A more relaxed mountain town vibe
- Closer to hiking in Kananaskis
Choose Banff if you want:
- To be closer to some popular sights like Lake Louise
- Very walkable downtown
- More luxury hotel options
- The full bucketlist experience (after all, Banff is the most famous)
For most travellers, we recommend staying in Canmore and visiting Banff during the day – especially during peak season.
You’ll still be able to explore all the iconic spots like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Johnston Canyon while enjoying a quieter place to stay in the evenings.
Tips for booking accommodation in Canmore
Book early during the peak summer season (July & August)
It’s always busy in Canmore, but the Summer year over year has become increasingly busy, which means finding accommodation can be challenging if you don’t book early.
We’ve made this mistake before, where we found a place in December for our stay in August but didn’t book anything until April, and it ended up being a lot more expensive!
If you want to better understand how hotels set prices and why rates change, this article about hotel data explains how it all works.
If you’re visiting during peak season, it’s a good idea to book as soon as you know the dates! Even if it’s half a year before, it’s worth booking your place in Canmore because next thing you know, all the best options will be gone.
Also, since both Booking.com and Expedia offer free cancellation at most places, it makes sense to just book it as soon as you have your dates for your trip.
Consider visiting during Fall instead
September and early October are some of the best times to visit Canmore – especially if you want to see the larch trees change colour.
Honestly, it’s amazing hiking weather, crowds start to thin out, and the fall colours in the mountains are beautiful. Of course, it’s amazing to come in the summer, but the fall is equally as beautiful in my eyes.
While fall also gets quite busy because of the beautiful larches, it’s less busy than during July and August when most people are off for their summer holidays. So if you’re flexible, this is something to consider!
Opt for a condo-style stay
One of the unique things about Canmore is how many hotels offer condo-style suites with kitchens and living rooms.
If you’re staying multiple nights or travelling as a group, this can be a great way to spend more time together at “home” while also saving money by cooking a few meals.
Don’t get me wrong, I do love eating out, but if you’re doing a Canadian Road Trip, there aren’t many towns that offer this kind of condo-style stays, so Canmore is the place to do it!
You may also like…
- Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Canada for the First Time
- 6 Amazing Hikes in Kananaskis You Need to Do
- Hiking the Stunning Ha Ling Peak near Canmore
- 5 Great Hotels in Banff, Alberta (2026)
Final thoughts on where to stay in Canmore
Canmore has always had a special place in our hearts! The town is one of those places that you fall in love with as soon as you get there.
There’s so much to do, from visiting the cute shops and having a coffee downtown to exploring Banff National Park and hiking in Kananaskis. The first time Josie went hiking (ever) was right behind Canmore to the peak of East End of Rundle (EEOR), and we’ve been searching for a better hike ever since 😜
We hope this guide has helped give you some inspiration for where to stay during your visit to Canmore, and that you’ll enjoy this little mountain town to the fullest!
If you have any questions about visiting Canmore, please leave a comment below. You can also DM us on Instagram, and we will happily help you out!
It’s one of our favourite places in Canada, so the least we can do is to help make it a memorable trip. Enjoy the Rockies and the beautiful town of Canmore.
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