Where to Watch the Sunrise Around Canmore and Kananaskis
Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Canmore, Alberta, is a picturesque town that not only boasts stunning mountain vistas but also offers a front-row seat to one of nature's most breathtaking displays—the sunrise. These mountains have been my backyard and my playground for my entire life, and one of my favourite things to do is geting up early to experience the sunrise. Getting to watch dawn break over the rugged peaks and pristine landscapes, Canmore transforms into a canvas painted with hues of gold, pink, and orange that always takes my breath away. Come explore some of my favourite spots throughout Kananaskis and Canmore to watch the mountains transform with sunrise.
Wedge Pond
This first spot is in Kananaskis, a little over an hours drive from Calgary. Wedge pond is a quiet spot known for bird watching, swimming in the summer, and often having a great reflection on the water since it is well protected from wind by the surrounding trees. You can easily access the pond with a simple 50 meter walk from the parking lot through the trees. On your way through the trees to the pond you will also walk past a couple small fire pits where you can have a fire to warm up and make yourself a warm drink. I didn’t check out this spot for a long time because the pond was so small I didn’t think it would be that great of a reflection, but WOW was I wrong!
Kananaskis Lakes
This spot is further along highway 40 and you have your choice of viewing a beautiful sunrise from either the lower or the upper lakes. These two lakes have a variety of day use areas that you can park at and watch the sunrise from the comfort of your car or you there is a massive amount of easy and moderate trails around the lakes you can explore while the sun rises, but wherever you choose to set up these lakes will not disappoint you.
Spray Lakes
This next spot is about a 30-40 minutes drive from Canmore and it is accessible from Canmore year round and accessible from the Kananaskis lakes area through a connecting road depending on seasonal road closures. This lake is a man made reservoir that stretches on for around 20km with lots of beautiful views and a number of day use areas that you can stop at to watch the sunrise. This area is not only a beautiful place to watch a sunrise, it is also a great drive, but make sure you have the right vehicle for this bumpy mountain road.
Quarry Lake
This is another easy sunrise spot that is very close to Canmore that is super rewarding. This is a small lake just outside of Canmore that is a well known and popular spot for swimming and fishing in the summer and it has a stunning view of the entire mountain range. To get to the lake it is just a quick 5 minute drive from Canmore to Quarry Lake Park/Off Leash Dog Area. Then it is just an easy 100m walk from the parking lot to the lake, be aware that dogs are not allowed near the lake and have to stay in the designated off leash area. This spot is also very close to Rundle Forebay so you can always drive the extra 2 minutes down the road for a totally different view.
Rundle Forebay Reservoir
A super easy drive 5 minute drive from Canmore this is a personal favourite sunrise spot for me because how quickly I can make it out there if I decide to go out for sunrise last minute and I rarely see other people there early in the morning. This easy viewpoint is located just in front of the entrance road for the Canmore Nordic Center. Unfortunately this area has been massively affected by the large increase in human traffic in recent years, everything from huge increases in cars blocking roads, off leash dogs causing a variety of issues, and a mass amount of human waste being left behind. As well as this being a beautiful spot that should be taken care of and preserved, this is also the source of most of the drinking water for the entire town of Canmore so PLEASE be respectful and practice Leave No Trace Principals whenever you are exploring in nature.
Three Sisters
This is an iconic spot in Canmore that has slowly been getting more popular over the years but it so far has remained relatively pristine and hasn’t been majorly affected by the increase in traffic (fingers crossed that it stays that way). This spot doesn’t have a designated parking area or much to mark that anything is there so you don’t often have groups of people coming and going. To find this spot you will want to park at the off leash dog park in Canmore, just past the heli tour station towards the edge of town. From there you will need to CAREFULLY cross the road and walk under the small bridge for the trail tracks. Then it is an easy 5 minute walk along the creek bed and through the trees towards the mountains and you will be rewarded with this stunning view of the Three Sisters.
Policemans Creek Boardwalk
This is a super cute and easy walk you can do for sunrise right by downtown Canmore. To access the boardwalk from downtown you can easily find it located by the Lamphouse Hotel and Grizzly Paw pub, you can also access it from the opposite end in the Spring Creek neighbourhood. Along the boardwalk you might get to see some local songbirds or some ducks floating down the creek. The boardwalk also links in with multiple other trails in town so you can always add this into a longer walk through town.
Ha Ling Peak
This one will require a bit more effort and planning than other sunrise spots. This is one of the most popular hiking trails in Canmore, and in the past couple years it has been closed a number of times to collect garbage and restore the trails so make sure you check that the trail is open and PLEASE be respectful and practice Leave No Trace Seven Principals. This hike usually takes around 3-4 hours to complete depending on your pace and how much time you spend at the top but make sure you start your hike with spare time before sunrise so that you have time for breaks or any delays. In the photo above we were RUNNING to the top to catch sunrise because the snow was deeper than we expected so it took us much longer to do the last 1/3 of the hike than we had expected, I even ended up ditching my tripod partway up the trail in a bush so I didn’t have it weighing me down as we rushed to the top and I could collect it on the way down. This is an incredibly popular hike for good reason, will stunning views of Canmore below and the entire valley around you, this is a sunrise spot to remember.
Tips for Sunrise Chasers:
If you're planning to embark on a sunrise adventure in Canmore, here are a few tips to enhance your experience:
Check the Weather: Clear skies often contribute to more vibrant and colorful sunrises, so keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Arrive Early: To secure the best vantage point and witness the entire sunrise, arrive at your chosen location well before the scheduled time.
Dress Warmly: Even in the summer months, Canmore's early mornings can be chilly, so dress in layers to stay comfortable.
Respect Nature: Remember to leave no trace and respect the natural environment. Be mindful of wildlife and fellow sunrise enthusiasts.
Canmore, Alberta, invites travelers and locals alike to experience the magic of its sunrises—a spectacle that transcends the visual and delves into the realms of serenity and inspiration. Whether you're an avid photographer, a nature lover, or simply seeking a moment of quiet introspection, a Canmore sunrise promises to be a soul-stirring journey that will forever be etched in your memories. So, set your alarm early, embrace the dawn, and let the beauty of Canmore's sunrise captivate your heart.
