With its location nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, fall is one of the most magical times to visit Canmore. Brilliant hues of gold, orange, and red transform the entire region every autumn, making it somehow even more picturesque and tranquil.
Solara Resort & Spa is the perfect jumping-off point to experience it, putting you right in the centre of this postcard-worthy scene. Whether a relaxing getaway is more your vibe or you're more inclined to plan adventure-packed days, there are plenty of ways to immerse yourself in the season's unique beauty.
1. Explore Canmore's Most Iconic Views
Let's be honest: there's no such thing as a 'bad' view in Canmore (or anywhere in the Rockies!), but there’s something especially stunning about the scenery in the fall. Start your day with a cozy fall beverage from one of the local coffee shops. The Maple Latte from Canary Coffee is autumn in a mug, but you can't go wrong with anything at Eclipse Coffee Roasters, either. Warm beverage in hand, head out on foot to some of the best viewpoints around town.
The Canmore Engine Bridge is iconic, while Quarry Lake and the Three Sisters Viewpoint offer peaceful lake settings with mountain reflections without the need for hiking boots—or leaving town. These must-see Canmore attractions are within a short distance of downtown!
2. Take a Larch Hike
Larch trees are a somewhat rare natural wonder, found only in higher-elevation, northern mountain locations (Canmore included!). Their needles turn brilliant golden yellow before shedding in mid-October, making late September to early October the perfect time to spot them. Kananaskis Country is home to several incredible larch hikes, with Mount Lorette Ponds being a flat, easy option under one kilometre and just 30 minutes from Solara. If you’re up for a bit more of a challenge, the 4.5-kilometer (2.8 miles) Arethusa Cirque hike, about one hour away, treats you to blankets of larches in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
3. Explore on Two Wheels
Biking the popular Legacy Trail is an excellent way to experience fall colours, especially for families. This 22-kilometre paved path runs from Canmore to Banff, offering sweeping views nearly the whole route. Not only is the scenery out of this world in autumn, but it's also far less crowded. In the summer, biking the path is one of the most popular Canmore activities.
No bike? No worries! Solara offers complimentary adult mountain bikes as part of our Stay® | Well amenities program.
4. Go Horseback Riding
Sightseeing on horseback makes the experience even more unforgettable. It's easy to see why this is one of the most popular tours in Canmore for much of the year! Local outfitters, including Boundary Ranch and Rafter Six Ranch offer guided trail rides through October, taking you deep into the wilderness for a bucket list-worthy leaf-peeping experience.
5. Take a Scenic Drive
The Icefields Parkway, widely celebrated as one of the best drives in the world, is only a short distance from many Canmore activities. Starting near Lake Louise, about an hour from Solara, the spectacular road stretches 232 kilometres to Jasper National Park. Along the way, you’ll see incredible fall scenery and have the opportunity to spot wildlife and make roadside stops at places like Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, and Sunwapta Falls.
6. Soak in a Hot Spring
After a day full of adventures, nothing beats soaking in Banff Upper Hot Springs. Just over 30 minutes from Solara inside Banff, the hot springs are a wonderful way to unwind and recharge, especially with the rapidly changing fall scenery surrounding you.
Fun facts: at 1,585 meters in elevation, the hot springs are the highest in Canada, and they've been welcoming visitors since 1886!
7. Experience 'Rock-tober'
Fall, or "Rock-tober" as climbers call it, is prime time for rock climbing in the Bow Valley. The cooler, drier weather makes for excellent climbing conditions, and the fall foliage only adds to the experience. Even if you’ve never climbed before, you can book a guided tour with a local outfitter like Yamnuska Mountain Adventures or Cloud Nine Guides through mid-October.
8. Leaf-Peep From the Sky
For a truly unforgettable leaf-peeping excursion, splurge on a helicopter tour. Soaring above the snow-capped peaks, surrounded by golden and green trees, gives you a completely different perspective of the landscape. A handful of companies offer helicopter tours near Canmore like Alpine Helicopters, and will take you on a bird’s-eye tour of the larches, mountains, and winding rivers that make fall in the Rockies so beautiful.
No matter which Canmore activities you choose, book a stay at Solara Resort as the perfect base to explore all the enchantment of fall.
