Harvie Heights/Canmore Spring, Canmore, Alberta, Canada

## Overview Tucked just off the Trans-Canada Highway near the hamlet of Harvie Heights, this natural spring site features two separate flows emerging from the ground at the edge of the Bow Valley. Located only minutes from the town of Canmore and the gates of Banff National Park, the Harvie Heights/Canmore Spring is a convenient stop for locals and travellers alike who are looking to fill up with fresh, naturally sourced water. The springs surface through the earth in a lightly wooded area adjacent to a popular cycling and walking path. Visitors have historically used the site as a drinking water source, and the water has been reported to flow year-round. A few old pipes remain at the site from previous efforts to channel the flow, though they may not be in ideal condition for filling containers. Situated in the Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8 at an elevation consistent with the surrounding Canadian Rockies foothills, the spring water likely originates from snowmelt and precipitation filtering through the limestone and dolomite bedrock that characterizes much of the Bow Valley — a geological setting known for producing clean, mineral-rich groundwater. ## Directions 1. **From Calgary**, head west on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) toward Canmore. 2. Take **Exit 3** — this is the exit that also leads to the hamlet of **Harvie Heights**. It comes up shortly before the main Canmore exit. 3. After exiting, you will see two side roads. Ignore the larger, main road and instead take the **smaller secondary road** immediately to the right. 4. Follow this small road briefly and **park along the curve** of the road, right next to the bicycle and walking path. 5. From where you park, **walk straight into the trees** near the path. You should be able to hear the water flowing before you see it. 6. The springs can be seen emerging from the ground if you walk a short distance through the wooded area. Look for the old pipes that mark where the flow has been historically collected. **GPS Coordinates:** 51.11982, -115.379906 ## What to Expect The site is informal and natural — there are no signs, paved walkways, or formal infrastructure. Two springs flow in close proximity, and the water emerges directly from the ground in a treed area just steps from the paved cycling/walking path that runs alongside the highway. A few old pipes have been placed at the spring over the years to help direct the water flow, but they may be deteriorated. Visitors have recommended bringing your own short length of pipe or tubing, or using smaller bottles that can be held directly against the flow to collect water more easily. The spring is accessible **24 hours a day, 365 days a year**, though winter visitors should be prepared for icy and snowy conditions on the path and surrounding ground. The area is generally flat and easy to reach — the walk from the roadside parking spot to the springs is very short. The surrounding landscape is classic Bow Valley scenery: dense coniferous forest backed by the dramatic peaks of the Canadian Rockies. The nearby cycling and walking path makes it easy to combine a spring visit with a longer walk or ride in the area. Canmore's shops, restaurants, and other amenities are just a few minutes' drive away.