July 11 – 19, 2025
From the Canadian Badlands we traveled about 2 1/2 hours west to Cochrane (a bit northwest of Calgary). We had hoped to stay closer to Banff (specifically in Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court in Banff National Park) but couldn’t secure a reservation.
Springhill RV Park was our fall-back location. It was about 1 hour outside of Banff.
Springhill RV Park
Welcome to Spring Hill RV Park, a fully serviced, family run RV park at the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. Offering the total RV experience, we are close to Calgary, Kananaskis and Banff. We have full hook-ups including 30 and 50 amp service, water and sewer, as well as pull through lots capable of handling the largest coaches available. For your convenience we have all the amenities on site including a convenience store, gas, diesel, propane and a liquor store. As well free to all our guests, Meaghan’s Pond offers great trout fishing. Our friendly and helpful staff are here to attend to your needs so all you have to do is relax and enjoy. Also available, if pre-booked, a hall that is heated and comes equipped with a full kitchen capable of handling any function. Open year round, we offer full hookups 365 days of the year. Come over, relax and enjoy the total RV experience.
Springhill RV
When we checked in the lady told Bill that we might have trouble backing into our assigned site since there was limited room to maneuver. She offered a different site but said she had to contact the folks who had reserved it before moving us. Bill decided to accept the challenge of getting into our reserved site. The problem was limited space to position the rig plus the fence on both sides of every site. It took some doing but he won. (We talked with a neighbor who had been coming to this RV park for years. He said every year he tells the staff to remove the fences but they refuse. They contend the fences are necessary to prevent folks from driving on the grass. Wonder how often they have to replace the fence?)
Aside from the fences, the site was comfortable (although only a 30 amp site). One thing we discovered though was that the Cochrane/Calgary area is subject to severe thunderstorms. We witnessed torrential rain, hail, and flooding both in the campground and the nearby roads. In fact, during one storm the winds were so strong that one of our air conditioner shrouds blew off. We found it lying on the ground in pieces. Fortunately, Bill was able to find a replacement the following day in North Calgary and installed it himself.
We did find a great Italian restaurant in Cochrane for dinner our first night there – Momma Mia Italian Kitchen.
Calgary
The next day we had reservations for a food tour in Calgary with Alberta Food Tours. We decided to drive in a bit before our meeting time to find a place to park and to explore Stephen Avenue – an area known for its mix of historical architecture, shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Midway along the avenue, we encountered the “Tree Sculpture”. The 85 feet tall trees were installed as a wind break in 2000. In 2023, ribbons of red, orange, green and yellow were added as a colorful representation of the city’s urban fabric.
Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour
Eat the iconic foods of Calgary in the heart of downtown on this fully-guided tour. Absorb vivid stories of the blue sky city’s history, art, and culture while tasting 4 food and beverage pairings from stellar venues in the heart of the city’s culinary world. Enjoy a 1.5 kilometer easy walking and tasting journey, exploring diverse food offerings in a 2.5 hour time span. There will be 2 savoury and 2 sweet tastings. The beloved Grande Dame of Calgary Hotels, The Fairmont Palliser, anchors the tour with a chef’s demo and three tastings plus a take home recipe. From there stroll historic Stephen Avenue for another satiating savoury tasting followed by a stop at a premiere bean to bar chocolate maker before finishing with a soul satisfying dessert.
Iconic Eats
We started in the Fairmont Pallisar where we enjoyed Canada’s signature drink – the Caesar (like a Bloody Mary but made with Clamato Juice). Then we watched as the chef prepared his special salad dressing with pure canola oil (not the stuff we get in our grocery stores). That was followed by his famous ginger beef which was fantastic.
From the Fairmont, we walked along Stephen Avenue to a small Italian restaurant called Anna Belle’s. Here we enjoyed wine and rigatoni.
The final two stops were at Cucina Market Bistro for a chocolate torte with cherries and Chocolate Lab for hot chocolate and a sample of their wonderful chocolates (Starry Night and Cuppa Joe) which were divine.
Canmore
One afternoon a few days later, we drove to Canmore (about 1 hour away) for a raft float trip on the Bow River. The drive provided our first view of the Canadian Rockies.
Since the meeting point for the float trip was near the Engine Bridge, we took the opportunity to explore that area.
The Canmore Engine Bridge is an iconic landmark that seamlessly combines history, natural beauty, and outdoor adventure in the heart of Canmore, Alberta. Built in 1891 as a railway bridge for coal transportation, it now serves as a pedestrian pathway and an integral part of the Spur Line Trail and the Bow River Loop Trail. These trails offer easy access to some of Canmore’s most scenic landscapes, with the bridge providing breathtaking views of the Bow River and the towering Canadian Rockies.
This historic bridge gained worldwide recognition when it was featured in HBO’s The Last of Us, making it a must-see attraction for fans of the show.
Engine Bridge
Then we spent some time wandering through town which had a nice uncrowded pedestrian walking street. We stopped for a bite to eat at Fergus and Bix and then split a beaver tail (kind of like an elephant ear) for dessert.
Soon it was time to meet our guide for the raft trip.
Canmore Raft Trip
Beneath the towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies front ranges, flows the glacial fed Bow River. Surrounded by forests of pine and spruce, and home to some of the most majestic and iconic animals in Canada, this scenic river float provides guests of all ages the opportunity of a lifetime. Departing within a few minute walk from downtown Canmore, this professionally guided interpretive tour is perfect for families, friends and folks of all ages. Simply show up at the river and slip into the raft for a relaxing float downstream, as guides share stories about the Bow Valley. The “Explorer” Tour is the perfect way to relax at the end of a long day, and enjoy the secrets of the Bow Valley.
Explorer Tour
They fitted each participant with a floatation jacket (always so stylish), gave a safety briefing, and assigned us to a raft. We climbed aboard and off we went.
Three Sisters
The float trip was fun and relaxing. Anyone who wanted to got a turn at the oars. The kids aboard loved it. We did stop on an island to walk around and look for coal chips. The eagle across from us kept a watchful eye.
I’ve mentioned coal a couple of times. Coal played a major role in this area.
The town of Canmore itself was established in 1884 as a hard-working coal mining town servicing Canadian Pacific Railway trains. The community thrived due to the rich coal seams that dominate the eastern ranges of the Canadian Rockies—and boasted championship hockey teams—until the last of the coal mines shut down in 1979.
Canmore History
We really liked Canmore – friendly, and relatively uncrowded. If you visit this area be sure to arrange some time here. It’s just a few miles away from Banff.
