Canmore Cave Tours at Rats Nest Cave

Canmore Cave Tours offers something completely different from the lakes and viewpoints of the Rockies: a guided trip into Rat's Nest Cave, a wild cave system inside Grotto Mountain just east of Canmore. This is not a show cave. There are no artificial lights, no boardwalks and no handrails; you explore by headlamp, crawling through low passages, squeezing between rock walls and scrambling over formations, with a guide leading the way and explaining the cave's geology and history. The cave stays at a constant cool temperature year-round, which makes it one of the few adventure activities in the area that runs every month of the year, including the shoulder season and the coldest days of winter when outdoor plans fall apart. Groups are small, from two to eight people, and reservations are required. All caving equipment is provided, including a helmet, headlamp, coveralls, harness, kneepads, gloves and backpack. You should bring a water bottle, an energy bar, light hiking shoes and warm but not bulky layers, plus a compact camera with flash if you want photos. The tour is physically demanding but needs no previous experience, and the minimum recommended age is ten. Expect to get dirty, to work your way through tight spaces and to use your arms and legs throughout. People with strong claustrophobia should think carefully before booking. The cave is protected, and access is only with a licensed guide, which keeps the formations intact and the experience safe.

What makes Rat's Nest Cave special. The cave formed over a very long time as water dissolved the limestone of Grotto Mountain, leaving passages decorated with formations such as stalactites and flowstone. It gets its name from the bushy-tailed woodrats, or pack rats, that have lived near the entrance. Bones and other finds from the cave have given researchers glimpses into the area's past, and the guides share that story along the way. Because the cave is protected, only guided groups can enter, so you are seeing a place few visitors to the Rockies ever experience.

Who it suits. Active teens and adults who like a physical challenge love it, and it is a great rainy or bitterly cold day option. It is not for everyone: you need reasonable mobility to crawl and climb, and some sections are tight. If you are unsure, talk to the operator when booking about the route and what is involved. Children must be at least ten, and younger family members will need to sit this one out.

Planning. Allow a half day. The tour meets in Canmore, about twenty minutes from Banff and just over an hour from Calgary. Canmore is outside the national park, so no Parks Canada pass is needed. Wear clothes you do not mind getting muddy under the coveralls, and bring a change of clothes and a towel for afterward. Book a few days ahead, since groups are small and fill quickly in peak periods.