Bow River Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Bow River. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, Banff National Park

• Banff Highlights: Moraine Lake, Lake Louise and Beyond

• Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk

• Discover Lake Louise and Yoho in Winter

• Abraham IceBubble, Peyto, Bow Lake, With Snowshoeing & Icewalk

There’s no specific admission fee to visit the Bow River, but you need a pass to enter Banff National Park, where the river originates. Passes cost CA$12.25 per day for adults, $10.75 for seniors, $24.50 for families or groups, and are free for kids and youth. The Bow River also flows through Calgary, so you can see it, swim in it, or float on it in the city at no cost.

The best time of year for water sports or fishing on the Bow River is during the summer; the river starts in the mountains, so it’s cold even in the warmest months. Trout are most active in the summer, too. Early fall is also a good time to go, but winters are very harsh in this part of Canada, so opt for a different season.

Yes, you need a permit to fish on the Bow River: a National Park Fishing Permit to fish in Banff National Park, and a Sportfishing License elsewhere. Angling tours and charters don’t typically include these in the cost for the trip, though they may be able to give you information on how to get a permit. Plan ahead if you want to go fishing while traveling in Alberta.

Yes, whether you want to visit the Bow River in the Banff National Park area or in Calgary, it’s easy to combine with other nearby attractions. The river starts at the beautiful Bow Lake, beside the Icefields Parkway. It runs through Banff town, as well as near Lake Louise, a major attraction. In Calgary, the Chinatown neighborhood is right beside the Bow River. You can also visit Prince’s Island Park, which sits in the middle of the river.

Starting in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, at Bow Lake, the Bow River flows 365 miles (587 kilometers) south and east, and the swimming conditions vary a lot as the river travels down from the mountains. You can often swim safely from riverside beaches in Calgary, but check the weather—and follow any warning signs—before jumping in. Water quality may not be good after heavy rain.