Summer in Canmore – picnics in the mountains
Summer has arrived in the Canadian Rockies and summer in Canmore, the gateway to the rockies, means picnics for us. A picnic is the best way to celebrate the long nights and warm temperatures. Canmore is teeming with idyllic picnic spots and foodie stops to fill up your picnic basket.
Picnic Spots
Riverside Park
Just a short walk from Main Street on River Rd., Riverside park has picnic tables and lots of open green space. Be sure to bring a frisbee or bocce set, and enjoy the views of the three sisters.
Quarry Lake
On a hot day, Quarry Lake is the best spot in Canmore to have a picnic and take a dip. Be sure to arrive early, it can be a popular spot. Located on the Smith Dorrien Trail about 2 kms before the Canmore Nordic Centre.
Sparrowhawk/Spray Lake Day use areas – Kananaskis
If you’d like a more removed spot, this is it. About a 40-minute drive from Canmore up the beautiful (gravel) Smith Dorian Road. Here you’ll find picnic tables in the trees, as well as picnic tables with a beautiful view of the Spray Lake Reservoir.
Food Stops
Mountain Mercato
Mountain Mercato is our favourite little gourmet grocery. Picnic options are endless, but a few personal favourites include a jug of TruBuch Kombucha, some artisan cheese paired with house made preserves, or their Caprese salad with mozzarella di bufala. Look for the kitchen papers here – the fancy placemats can really take your picnic up a notch.
Le Fournil French Bakery
Here you’ll find fresh made french bread (pain), pastry (viennoiseries), and desserts (Pâtisserie). Try the fancy ‘epi’ baguette, their famous chocolatine, or the beautifully crafted mini-tartlets.
Valbella Gourmet Foods
A Canmore institution since 1978, Valbella’s cured meats and charcuterie are the perfect pairings for your bread and cheese. Look for the ‘bundnerfleisch’ a smoked beef, or their smoked bison. You can also pick up some unique Austrian, Swiss and German treats.
Alpine Edible Schoolyard – Mountain Market
If you happen to be in Canmore on a Thursday between June and October, head down to 7th Ave. to visit the Mountain Market. A favourite here is the Alpine Edible Schoolyard greens & veggies you can find at the Organic box stand. These greens are produced right down the street, and children aged 3-18 help with the production.
By: Callandra Caufield, operations manager
Alberta Food Tours, Inc.