Planning to Photograph Canmore? Here Is Our List of the Best Photo Spots in Canmore

Canmore, Alberta is full of spectacular sights and views and is perfect for photographers. Whether you’re a beginner or expert, the stunning landscapes that surround the mountain town lead to plenty of opportunities for dramatic landscape photography, and practically take the photos for you. But with so many great photo spots in Canmore for landscape photography, where do you even start?

As local experts who live in Canmore full time, we know all the spots to get the best shots of Canmore’s landscape. If you’re planning a full trip just to photograph Canmore, or simply want to know some good spots to take photos in Canmore, then we’ve got you covered.

Read on for Spring Creek Vacations’ top 5 best photo spots in Canmore. 

Best Photo Spots in Canmore #1: Canmore Engine Bridge 

One of the iconic spots to photograph Canmore’s landscape is the Canmore Engine Bridge. This historic bridge, built in 1891 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, stretches over the impressive waters of the Bow River and offers plenty of vantage points to take great photos of the river and the bridge, with the Canadian Rockies making the perfect backdrop.

Directions to Canmore Engine Bridge:

Located on the Spur Line Trail, it also makes for a nice hike if you feel like continuing along the trail across the bridge. To get to the bridge, you can access it by the closest road, 13th Street, park along the road and then take 10 Avenue southeast, which will turn into a smaller road that leads directly to Spur Line Trail. Or, if you’re planning to go for a longer expedition, you can park in the Safeway parking lot and take the Spur Line Trail from there towards the bridge. The Canmore Engine Bridge is a wonderful spot to photograph Canmore from, and it’s also not very far from Canmore, either.

We highly recommend making the quick stop, whether you want to photograph it or simply admire this fascinating piece of history surrounded by Canmore’s natural environment.

Best Photo Spots in Canmore #2: Policeman’s Creek Three Sisters Viewpoint

The Policeman’s Creek Three Sisters Viewpoint is an absolute must when visiting Canmore. The Three Sisters are one of the most famous sights in Canmore, and for good reason. These three peaks offer a distinctive, unique line across Canmore’s skies and many consider it to be the view of Canmore. And if you’re planning to photograph it, one of the best spots to do so is from Policeman’s Creek Three Sisters Viewpoint. This spot displays the peaks overlooking the peaceful waters of the creek and it offers a pleasant short hike as well.

Directions to Policeman’s Creek Three Sisters Viewpoint:

To get to the viewpoint, you can park at the Off-Leash Dog Park along the Bow Valley Trail Road, cross the road (do so carefully! It’s a busy road) and follow along the creek bed southward until you reach the viewpoint. There is also a full trail map on the All Trails website if you need a proper map. It’s a truly remarkable spot and we highly recommend taking the time to visit the spot.

Best Photo Spots in Canmore #3: Quarry Lake & Quarry Lake Park

Looking for a nice swim in the summer and one of the best photo spots in Canmore? Then Quarry Lake and Quarry Lake Park is the spot for you. Quarry Lake in Quarry Lake Park shows off vibrant waters surrounded by evergreen trees and with the Canadian Rockies on one side. If you like lake photography, this spot has plenty of opportunities to take your beautiful lake photos of vibrant natural water accented by the natural landscape and mountains around it. Plus, many love to take a dip in the lake in the summer.

Directions to Quarry Lake & Quarry Lake Park:

Quarry Lake Park is also a lovely park to explore, too. To access the lake, you can park in Quarry Lake Park’s parking lot and take the trail southward towards the lake. Along with the lake, there are plenty of hiking trails and even an off-leash dog park if you’re planning to bring your dog. We strongly recommend adding Quarry Lake to your Canmore itinerary.

Best Photo Spots in Canmore #4: Grotto Canyon Trail

Want to take photos of dramatic canyons and jagged mountain landscapes, accented by beautiful forests and views? Then the Grotto Canyon Trail is the photo spot for you. Full of interesting rock formations, this trail takes you along a narrow canyon trail. With sights like waterfalls, forests, distant mountains and fascinating shadows from the way the sun hits the rocks, you can take some truly interesting photos while hiking the trail. It’s also a popular spot for bird watching!

Directions to Grotto Canyon Trail:

To get to the best spots along the trail, you will need to hike a little further in. And even though this is a bit of a longer hike, most consider it to be relatively easy to complete, and well worth the excursion. After a short drive (about 12-15 mins) along the Bow Valley Trail (Also called Highway 1A) eastward, you can park in the Grotto Canyon Trail Parking Lot and access the Grotto Canyon Trail Head from there. For one of the best photo spots in Canmore with a bit more adventure tacked on, we highly recommend exploring the Grotto Canyon Trail.

Best Photo Spots in Canmore #5: Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk Trail in Spring Creek

For even more photos and a peaceful walk, we also recommend the Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk (also called Spring Creek Boardwalk Trail), full of stunning views and an easy walking path. This boardwalk travels right by the Spring Creek neighbourhood and continues along Policeman’s Creek. The scenic route offers plenty of opportunities for photos of the mountain town, the creek, the mountains and the surrounding nature. This is the perfect way to enjoy Canmore’s scenery without investing in a long hike or going very far. Plus, there’s something enchanting about the way the boardwalk curves through grassy fields and beside the creek that makes it a unique and tranquil activity.

Directions to Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk Trail:

The great thing about Policemans’ Creek Boardwalk Trail is that you won’t have to travel very far to get to it! Access to the trail is right off of Spring Creek Drive, where you can head northwest along the boardwalk. The boardwalk will take you past the neighbourhood of Spring Creek while beside Policeman’s Creek. Once past Spring Creek, you can keep your walk short and sweet and continue into town or back to Spring Creek. Or, if you want a longer promenade, you can continue along the trail further north for more photo spots along the trail.

While a popular trail, it’s an excellent walk that doesn’t feel hurried and offers plenty of photo opportunities even when it is busier. To visit it when it’s less busy, we recommend the early morning or try for a sunset stroll along the boardwalk for some “Golden Hour” shots.

Best Photo Spots in Canmore Honourable Mentions

There are so many great photo spots in Canmore to choose from, so we also wanted to include some of our honourable mentions in case you’re looking for more options:

• Grassi Lakes & Grassi Lakes Interpretive Trail (Access is from the Canmore Nordic Centre. Temporarily closed, but when it opens again Grassi Lakes is a real stunner!)
• Bow River Loop (This is a short, easy hike that offers plenty of opportunities to photograph the Bow River)
• Rundle Bay Reservoir (Near the Canmore Nordic Centre, this reservoir is full of calm waters and great photo opportunities)

Plan To Photograph Canmore On Your Next Trip To The Canadian Rockies

With these top photo spots in Canmore now added to your itinerary, you’re ready to start snapping photos of our beautiful mountain town and its remarkable landscapes. No matter where you look, there’s always something beautiful to photograph in Canmore.

Whether photographing our scenery or enjoying our incredible mountain town, there’s so much to see and do in Canmore. Planning to visit Canmore, but need a place to stay? Browse our Canmore vacation rentals and book your accommodation today.