Heart Creek Canyon
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| | Raps:6, max ↨66ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Limestone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 17 Jun 2026
"Fun little canyon. Way easier and shorter than we expected. No hydraulic issues, anchors are all excellent bolts. Top section was flowing good. Bottom |
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| Best season: | May-Oct
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51.0374, -115.1464
51.0472, -115.1643
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WaterflowIntroduction
Heart Creek Canyon is a small and very accessible canyon near Canmore. This one is popular with guided groups, and a good place for beginners to learn. While not a destination canyon for experienced canyoneers, it's well-worth a stop if you are in the area. The canyon can easily be done in only a few hours.
While it's rated Class C, it typically only floods in extreme rainfall events, and it's very easy to see water levels before committing. The upper section only flows in the spring, and the lower section flows all year.
It's in a popular hiking area and you are very likely to see hikers and rock climbers nearby.
Approach
Follow the well-marked trail from the parking lot to Heart Creek. Head upstream on the trail, crossing multiple excellent footbridges.
Once you reach the end of the main trail at a very obvious slot, glance at the flow of this Lower Section and retrace your steps downstream for about one minute. Take the side trail on downcanyon-left, up a steep slope heading upstream.
Follow this trail up, and continue walking upstream at the top. You'll reach another section - the Upper Section - again with a trail on your right (downcanyon left). Again follow this up and over, quickly putting you above this slot. Suit up here.
Descent
The upper section has around 6 rappels with excellent anchors, up to about 12m. When flowing, this one's a lot of fun. No dangerous hydraulic or deep pools. If dry, it's quite easy.
When the upper slot opens, walk downstream for a little ways until the obvious lower section. There are excellent bolts on the left here. While from the top it appears you'll be rappelling into a frigid cauldron of furious whitewater, the rappel actually never enters the flow, and deposits you in a waist deep pool.
There are a few fun slides or downclimbs after this pool, and then the canyon ends, leaving you wanting more.
Exit
Follow your steps back downstream to your vehicle.
Red tape
You need to buy a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to be here. These can easily be bought online at https://conservationpass.alberta.ca/kcp.
Bear in mind that rangers will scan your license plate to verify.