9:30am, 11:00am, 12:30pm
Departure Time
4.5 Hours
Duration
10+
Age
Physical
Activity
Year Round
Season

An introduction to the amazing world of caves, spending two hours climbing, crawling and squeezing through the infamous Rat’s Nest Cave.

Canmore Cave Tours
Photo Credit: Canmore Cave Tours

After meeting your guide at the office in Canmore, you will then follow the guide in convoy for a 10 minute drive to the cave parking lot where you’ll pack up your caving gear then hike for 30 minutes up a mountain trail to the cave entrance. Along the trail to the cave, your guide will share with you some of the incredible history of the Bow Valley. You will discuss how caves are formed, the geologic history of the area, discover and examine some of our local fossils, and much more. Make sure to keep an eye out for bighorn sheep and maybe even signs of a bear or a cougar.

Inside the cave, you’ll get to climb, crawl, wiggle and slide your way through water-worn passages. Your route through the cave will include “the Box”, the Five Way Chamber, the Grand Gallery and finally to the Grotto. This beautiful room is the lowest point on the Banff-area cave tours, but also one of the highlights with its crystal clear pool and walls covered in stalactites and stalagmites.

The fully experienced, interpretive guides will lead you through twisted passageways, etched and sculptured by water, to large underground chambers and a pool grotto. No experience is necessary as full instruction is given by the guide.

Book our Banff-area cave tours for an unforgettable experience underground!

Included
  • Small group size (up to 8 guests per guide)
  • Professional Guides
  • Helmet, Headlamp, Coveralls, Kneepads, Gloves & Backpack
Transport Options
  • Self-drive to the trailhead
  • Meet at the Canmore office
Guide Quote

Sarah's Pick

"Temperature inside the caves remain constant all year, so you can explore regardless of what the weather is like outside." - Sarah , Reservations Supervisor, Discover Banff Tours

The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:

1

2 hours underground

You will spend approximately 2 hours underground crawling past prehistoric bones, investigating the ancient cave formations and even squeezing into places like the warm-up and challenge squeezes (if you so choose of course!).
2

Grotto Pool

This beautiful room is the lowest point on the tour, but also one of the highlights with its crystal clear pool and walls covered in stalactites and stalagmites.
Included
  • Small group size (up to 8 guests per guide)
  • Professional Guides
  • Helmet, Headlamp, Coveralls, Kneepads, Gloves & Backpack
Transport Options
  • Self-drive to the trailhead
  • Meet at the Canmore office
Guide Quote

Sarah's Pick

"Temperature inside the caves remain constant all year, so you can explore regardless of what the weather is like outside." - Sarah , Reservations Supervisor, Discover Banff Tours

The tours commence at 9:30am, 11am or 12:30pm and run for approximately 4.5 hours. The Explorer Tour spends 2.5 of its total 4.5 hours underground.
The tour includes 2.5 hours spent underground. All of the necessary caving equipment is provided, including coveralls, kneepads, gloves, helmet & headlamp, harness & safety lanyard, and backpack. The backpack will be shared by two people and will not go into the cave. Your small group tour will be led by a professional guide in a small group of up to eight people.
Please meet your guide at Canmore Cave Tours located in Canmore, and allow 30 minutes to drive to the office from Banff. Full driving directions will be included in your booking confirmation.

Please note that guests will then drive to the cave from the office. If do not have your own vehicle a taxi can be arranged to take you at an additional cost.

You will need to bring good footwear, warm clothing, water, energy/granola bars, a camera (optional, must fit in your pocket) and if you have any dietary restrictions, please bring a snack that you know works for you. Also, if you will require medication during the tour it is a good idea to bring twice what you would expect to use, just in case.

Footwear must be closed-toe and should have a sturdy tread. Hiking boots or shoes are best, but a sturdy running shoe will also work. Other options include rubber boots or winter boots (in the winter). For clothing, long pants, long sleeves, a warm sweater, and a hoodie or jacket are recommended. Synthetic fabrics are best as they will keep you warm even if you get wet.

The Explorer Tour is a shorter tour, ideal for families with younger members or first timers to caving.
The hike to the cave takes approximately 30-40 minutes and is uphill the whole way on a mountain trail (it is a 1km hike with an elevation gain of 200 metres). Most guests find this to be the hardest part of the day, but the group will take lots of stops along the way to enjoy the scenery. Once in the cave the pace is quite slow as we maneuver through the passages. This is not a flat walking tour. There are no handrails, walkways or fixed lighting. You will climb, crawl, slide and wiggle your way around the cave so it is best to have a moderate level of fitness. Even more important though is your sense of adventure!

Yes, but only up until the end of the first trimester (12 weeks). It is always advisable to seek advice from your doctor when participating in activities like caving.
Rat’s Nest Cave is named after the nests of Bushy-tailed Wood Rats found in the entrance. This species of super-cute rodents is native to the area and they use the cave as a home due to it’s constantly warm temperatures and protection from predators. Rats are rarely seen, and if you see a rat, it’s usually just the one.

Bats are rarely seen at Rat’s Nest Cave. The cave is not a hibernaculum (a place where bats hibernate through the winter). The occasional bat is seen in the summer as they are passing through the area.

There is a 48 hour cancellation policy, which allows you to change/cancel or refund your booking up to 48 hours outside your booked tour (up to 7 days for group bookings).
Tips are not expected, but are certainly appreciated. If you think your guide did a wonderful job and would like to indicate that with a tip, it will be graciously accepted.
Included
  • Small group size (up to 8 guests per guide)
  • Professional Guides
  • Helmet, Headlamp, Coveralls, Kneepads, Gloves & Backpack
Transport Options
  • Self-drive to the trailhead
  • Meet at the Canmore office
Guide Quote

Sarah's Pick

"Temperature inside the caves remain constant all year, so you can explore regardless of what the weather is like outside." - Sarah , Reservations Supervisor, Discover Banff Tours

Rat's Nest Map of Canmore Cave Tours

Included
  • Small group size (up to 8 guests per guide)
  • Professional Guides
  • Helmet, Headlamp, Coveralls, Kneepads, Gloves & Backpack
Transport Options
  • Self-drive to the trailhead
  • Meet at the Canmore office
Guide Quote

Sarah's Pick

"Temperature inside the caves remain constant all year, so you can explore regardless of what the weather is like outside." - Sarah , Reservations Supervisor, Discover Banff Tours

  • The minimum age for this tour is 10 years old.
  • This tour is physically demanding and is directed at physically fit individuals.
  • Fitness is more of a concern than size, however all participants must wear a safety harness which has a maximum waist size of 46″ (116 cm) and a maximum leg size of 33″ (84 cm).
  • All participants will need to complete a liability waiver. Any minors must have their waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian before participating on the tour.
  • Photo ID may be required for identity verification.
  • Please note that this tour requires a minimum of 2 participants, please call the day prior to confirm the tour.
Included
  • Small group size (up to 8 guests per guide)
  • Professional Guides
  • Helmet, Headlamp, Coveralls, Kneepads, Gloves & Backpack
Transport Options
  • Self-drive to the trailhead
  • Meet at the Canmore office
Guide Quote

Sarah's Pick

"Temperature inside the caves remain constant all year, so you can explore regardless of what the weather is like outside." - Sarah , Reservations Supervisor, Discover Banff Tours

See Grotto Pool on a Canmore Cave Tour in the Canadian Rockies
Hike to Rats Nest Cave on a Canmore Cave Tour in the Canadian Rockies
Your guide will show you ancient bones on a Canmore Cave Tour in the Canadian Rockies
See ancient bones on a Canmore Cave Tour in the Canadian Rockies
See the Grand Gallery in Rats Nest Cave on a Canmore Cave Tour in the Canadian Rockies
Canmore Cave Tour Explorer Tour The Grand Gallery
Canmore Cave Tour Explorer Tour The Grand Gallery
Grotto Pool is a highlight of the Canmore Cave Explorer Tour in the Canadian Rockies