Kayaking on the Bow

The Bow River in Banff is great for canoeing or kayaking on. It is only a short walk from downtown Banff to the canoe dock where you’ll be able to hire boats from the canoe docks. I hired a kayak from there a couple of years ago and spent the afternoon on the Bow River.

Mount Norquay to the left

You can paddle upstream towards the Vermilion Lakes, if you went downstream towards the Banff Avenue Bridge you might regret is slightly…as you’d be heading towards Bow Falls!

Cascade Mountain

Not the best photo of a elk I’ve taken!

It’s a good way to take in the views and there’s potential to see some wildlife. I saw a couple of elk and there were lots of waterfowl to be seen. Unfortunately my photographs of the elk aren’t the best. It was quite windy so my kayak was wobbling about a fair bit and I was a little worried about loosing my camera to the river!

Tunnel Mountain

Logs along the banks

There were quite a few submerged logs and tree limbs towards the banks so it’s good to keep an eye out just in case of catching your boat on one.

Sulphur Mountain

Mount Norquay

If you’re looking for a good alternative to a hike, and an activity that is close to town to do, it is a great way to spend the afternoon.

24 responses to “Kayaking on the Bow”

Brilliant!

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robrockies April 16, 2015 at 1:23 pm · · Reply →

Thanks for reading! 🙂

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Nothing like getting out on the water, Rob! 🙂

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robrockies April 16, 2015 at 1:23 pm · · Reply →

Thanks you for reading! 🙂

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Beautiful! I need to try and squeeze this in on one of my free days there. 🙂

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robrockies April 16, 2015 at 3:55 pm · · Reply →

Awesome! It’s a great thing to do! 🙂

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Absolutely stunning photos. I’m definitely planning on kayaking there someday.

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robrockies April 16, 2015 at 3:55 pm · · Reply →

Thanks for reading! 🙂

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Maybe not the best picture of an elk ever, but amusing (or perhaps it’s just me who is always amused by animal rear ends…).

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robrockies April 16, 2015 at 3:58 pm · · Reply →

Thanks for reading! The elk are so funny – they never stay still long enough, especially when I can’t keep the kayak still enough, whilst trying to take a photo! 🙂

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- Sarah Ferguson April 16, 2015 at 10:41 pm · ·
  
  I have this same issue with wild moose – I think I have maybe one or two pictures of a part of a moose that isn’t its rear end.
  
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glorious!

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robrockies April 17, 2015 at 7:59 am · · Reply →

Thank you for reading! 🙂

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We have been thinking about kayaking or canoeing around Banff for a while, now I want to do it even more:) Have you tried kayaking down the Bow from Lake Louise to Banff? I’ve seen kayakers there but wonder if they go with a company?

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robrockies April 17, 2015 at 8:08 am · · Reply →

I haven’t yet, but it’s something I’d love to do. I think the Bow Waters Canoe Club or the Calgary Outdoors Club might do it, but I’m not so sure. I’ll think I will have a look into doing it! 🙂

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