Table Of Contents

1. Location
2. Access
3. Castle Mountain Chalets History
4. About Castle Mountain 
5. Castle Mountain Room Options
   • A Word About the Train
6. Castle Mountain General Store
7. Activities around the Castle Mountain Chalets
   • Bow Valley Parkway
   • Storm Mountain Lookout
   • Castle Mountain Internment Camp
   • Castle Mountain Viewpoint
   • Rockbound Lake Trail
   • Johnston Canyon
   • Snowshoe Trails
   • Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Park and Ride

Location

Castle Mountain Chalets is located at the base of Castle Mountains in the Canadian Rockies. Castle Mountain Chalets is located just 1 hour and 40 minutes from Calgary, making it the perfect place to visit on a weekend trip. Their chalets boast panoramic views of Castle Mountain, Storm Mountain and the Sawback, Misty and Bow Ranges.

Access

From Castle Mountain Chalets, you have easy access to many of the most popular spots in Banff.

• Lake Louise Parking Lot: 20 minutes
• Lake Louise Park and Ride: 10 minutes
• Johnsons Canyon: 8 mintues
• Banff Village: 25 minutes
• Tunnelhead Mountain: 25 minutes
• Cave & Basin National Historic Site: 29 minutes
• Lake Minnewanka: 31 minutes
• Canmore: 35 minutes
• Radium Hot Springs: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Jasper: 3 hours

Castle Mountain Chalets History

One of the best parts of visiting Castle Mountain Chalets is the deep history locked into the property. The original Chalets were built in 1939 and named “Castle Mountain Bungalows.” The owners chose the location as it was the intersection of the roads to Radium Hot Springs and the main highway. In addition to the Chalets, they provided an essential gas station stop for travellers going through the park. Still to this day, this is one of the only places to gas up midway through the road to Banff. Spread throughout the property are various vintage gas pumps on display. Almost like a de facto museum.

About Castle Mountain 

Castle Mountain is the easternmost mountain of the Main Ranges in the Bow Valley. The mountain sits across the Castle Mountain Fault. The fault was responsible for thrusting older sedimentary and metamorphic rocks that formed the upper part of the mountains. These formations covered younger rocks, giving them the appearance of a castle. The mountain was named in 1858 by James Hector for that very palace-like appearance. 

One of the most famous historic landmarks is the nearby Castle Mountain Internment Camp. During World War I, any persons deemed “enemy aliens” or suspected enemy sympathizers were sent to internment camps. These prisoners were confined to mainly outdoor camps around Banff National Park. It was with the forced labour by these prisoners that much of Banff National Park was built. Whenever you drive along the road or walk through a hiking trail, chances are these areas were built by prisoners. A beautiful memorial to the victims of this internment camp can still be found just a 5-minute drive from the Castle Mountains Chalets. It is definitely worth a trip to learn more about this piece of unknown Canadian history.

Castle Mountain Room Options

Castle Mountains Chalets offers various different room types and chalets. The most popular option is their amazing one and two-bedroom chalets. These are perfect for large families as they are spacious enough to feel like a home away from home. These chalets marry rustic comfort and relaxing elegance. 

The chalets feature a full kitchen, an open living room with pull-out queen sofa, and a large wooden dining table. The dining table sits perfectly in front of the fireplace where you can sit and enjoy a warm burning fire. Fresh wood is brought to your room daily. Fireplaces are located in every suite as the Chalets are open year-round. Even in the summer, it can get pretty chilly in the morning, so these fireplaces are indeed a wonder to have!

The entire Chalet is made of wood, but it never feels too dark with the gorgeous skylights providing pool of light from above. And these skylights allow you to stargaze at night without ever having to brave the cold. All the chalets are all pet-friendly, so this means you can bring along your furry friends. Most of the trails allow for dogs on leashes. So it’s an excellent opportunity for a memorable trip with the pups.

Deluxe One-Bedroom Chalets From $267 | Superior Two-Bedroom Chalet From $311

The Mountain View Suites are located inside their large central lodge. These suites offer beautiful balconies facing the mountains where you can sit and enjoy your morning coffee. The bedroom has one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in; it was like falling into a cloud! Plus, the bedroom is large enough to fit an entire dresser, so if you’re staying for a longer amount of time, you’ll really feel at home.

The soaker jacuzzi tubs were the selling point for me! Sittig in the tub after a long day of hiking was the perfect way to unwind. The suites come with a full kitchen with pretty much everything you need to pack your picnics or dine at home. The living room also features a pull-out couch to fit more people if you are a larger party. The Mountain View Suite is not suitable for pets, but this means if you have any allergies, they are perfect for you.

Mountain View Suites From $239

The Mountain Pine Chalet and the Classic Cedar Chalet are both fantastic options for couples. Unlike the other Chalets, which have separate bedrooms, these Chalets feature one open room. Much like a bachelor’s apartment with the bed right in the centre of the living room. They are much smaller in size but still contain amenities of the other Chalets. The only other difference is that the bathrooms in these suites are much smaller and do not have a large jacuzzi tub. But for those who aren’t into bathing, you won’t even notice the difference.

Mountain Pine Chalet From $238 | Classic Cedar Chalet From $210

A Word About the Train

Castle Mountain Chalets is located right beside the train tracks. While the trains run pretty infrequently, they do pass by and are extremely loud. We were definitely awoken by the trains as they passed at night. But if you’re not a light sleeper like us, you should be fine. Ask the front desk when you check-in for a Chalet father away from the tracks if you you’re a light sleeper.

Castle Mountain General Store

In 2020, the Chalets updated their amazing General Store. Although this facelift has modernized the offerings inside, they kept the adorable vintage and historic decorations. This makes the shop feel like an old-fashioned general store. If you’ve ever been camping as a child (or an adult), you’ll remember one of the best parts of the trip after is a visit to the Tuck Shop or General store. As a kid, I always loved taking my allowance to buy weird, obscure candy that only ever seemed to exist inside these campground general stores.

And the Castle Mountain General Store is truly one of the best ones I’ve ever visited. Not only is there a vast, eclectic candy selection, but there is also so much more! They, of course, have lots of essential camping and hiking items like bug spray, bear spray, gas cans, and firewood. But they also have a superb selection of fresh, raw meat to cook back at your Chalet. Or on one of their open BBQs.

If you don’t feel like cooking, they also have a vast selection of pre-made meals that can be eaten cold or require minimal reheating. These meals are also great picnic items to bring with you on a hike. I had their egg salad and am happy to say it was delicious and as fresh as homemade! They also offer these fantastic BBQ packages, including hot dogs, buns, marshmallows, roasting sticks and 4 handcrafted Grizzly Paw Sodas. Perfect for an instant campfire meal! All for just $25! 

Activities around the Castle Mountain Chalets

Although most people make their way to Lake Louise or Moraine Lake on a trip out to Banff, there is so much to see and do right around Castle Mountain!

Bow Valley Parkway

The Bow Valley Parkway is a 48-kilometre secondary highway that runs parallels to the Trans-Canada Highway. It connects Banff to Lake Louise. Before the construction of the Trans-Canada Highway, it was the main highway between the two towns. Many people choose to cycle along the Bow Valley Parkway as vehicle speed is limited to 60 km/h. Not only is it safer for bike riders, it almost means the noise is reduced as well. So all in all a more peaceful ride. There are several roadside pull-outs where you can enjoy stunning views across the Bow Valley and Bow River.

A bike ride to the Storm Mountain Lookout or the Ukrainian Internment Camp Memorial is just a short 16-minute ride down the road. So even inexperienced riders will see so much along the road without a tremendous amount of effort. The road is mostly flat and easy to navigate as you go. If you don’t have your own bike, the Chalet rents them out for just $15 for up to four hours!

Storm Mountain Lookout

As previously mentioned, just a short 5-minute drive or 10-minute bike road along the Bow Valley Parkway is the amazing Storm Mountain viewpoint. A handful of picnic tables are dotted above the beautiful Bow River, with the shadow of the great Storm Mountain looming across the river. There are a few interpretive signs along the edge which identify the different landmarks along the ridgeline.

Best of all is the train tracks which run along the river’s edge making for such an iconic photograph. Many people think you need to go all the way to Lake Louise of Moraine Lake to see the iconic turquoise waters but so many parts of the Bow are just as ethereal and saturated!

Castle Mountain Internment Camp

A further minute down the road in the car or 5-minutes by bike is the Castle Mountain Internment Camp Memorial. One of the most unspoken parts of Banff’s history was that early work to build the infrastructure of the park was done mainly by prisoners of the nearby Castle Mountian internment camp. The camp was established in 1915 and contained a total of 660 “enemy aliens” of WWI. This included primarily Ukrainian immigrants who were sent here due to their home country being a part of the Austro-Hungary empire. It was later proved that almost none of these prisoners had any collusion with soldiers on the other side of the world.

The primary purpose was to use forced labour to push the Banff highway on through to Lake Louise. The small memorial here is dedicated to the Ukrainian prisoners. While very small, it is a worthwhile visit if you’re in the area, as this part of Canadian history is too often overlooked.

Castle Mountain Viewpoint

Many people accessing Castle Mountain Chalets will cross the Castle Mountain Bridge, over the Bow River. Take a walk down the road to the bridge on foot as it is one of the most scenic places in the area. On the other side of the bridge, there is a gorgeous view of the Castle mountains framed above the turquoise Bow River. We loved coming down to the river after a day of hiking with our packaged sandwiches. Sitting by the river, relaxing to the sound of the rushing waters, is the perfect way to end the day.

Rockbound Lake Trail

3-minutes down the road from the Chalets is the entrance to the Rockbound Lake Trail. From the trailhead, you can take one of three hikes of varying difficulty. The easiest is the Silverton Falls trail which is only 1.8 km return. The track does switchback along some steep pathways, so you should still be wearing good walking shoes. And always carry bear spray even if you think the trail is not intensive. Bear can be found deep into the forest or just by the roadside. The Silverton Falls trail leads you directly to an incredible, two-tiered waterfall that cascades over a series of narrow ledges. From the peak of the path, you also get beautiful views out of the forest around you.

If you are looking for a more difficult day hike, you can take the Tower Lake Trail which is 16 km return. The Tower Lake trail offers gorgeous views of the forest and lots of great chances to see wildlife along the way. The first half of the path is pretty tough as you gain elevation, but as you reach the plateau the stunning backside of Castle Mountian is slowly revealed. Tower Lake will creep into view, surrounded by the shadow of Eisenhower Tower. If you are still full of energy, you can continue along the Rockbound Lake trail. The Rockbound lake trail is another 1.9 km and culminates at the beautiful Rockbound Lake glacial cirque. 

Johnston Canyon

Just 8-minutes down the road from the Chalets is Johnston Canyon. Johnston Canyon is an unbelievable hike with such an accessible trail. The elevated catwalk takes you into the canyon towards the mighty falls carved into the ancient limestone cliffs. You have the option of simply hiking to the lower part of the falls, which is a short 2.3 km return hike or continue on towards the upper fall’s viewpoints which is a 5.1 km hike. Thankfully, both options are very walkable for most people, even inexperienced hikers. The trail is also well-populated, with benches along the way if you want to stop and rest while enjoying the majesty all around you.

Snowshoe Trails

If you visit during the winter, the Castle Mountain Chalets provides visitors with 20+ km of groomed trails for snowshoers. Their dedicated professional grooming equipment produces a firm and immaculately groomed surfaces for anyone wanting to explore trails at the foot of Castle Mountian. If you’ve never been snowshoeing before, this is an excellent opportunity to give it a try! The General Store rents out snowshoes for just $15 for up to two hours. The perfect amount of time to get a taste of snowshoeing!

Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Park and Ride

The Lake Louise Park and Ride shuttle lot is located just down the road from the Chalets. The Park and Ride Shuttle will take you directly to Lake Louise or Moraine Lake in under 25 minutes! With no need to worry about finding that impossible to find a parking spot! So many trips to Lake Louise have been ruined when you show up and can’t find a parking spot. But no more! Tickets on the shuttle must be booked in advance to ensure you reserve yourself a place on the bus. But after you have your spot booked, your trip to these iconic destinations is bound to be stress-free!

All in all, there really is no better place to stay in Banff than the historic Castle Mountian Chalets! It’s the perfect place to get away from it all, relax, unwind and discover the incredible treasures which make up the Canadian Rockies. Let me know in the comments where you’re most looking forward to exploring on your next trip to Banff!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post Castle Mountain Chalets, Best Place to Stay in Banff! first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Grab a Coffe at Gravity Espresso

Gravity Espresso is one of those coffee shops that feels like a staple of the community. Their little artist gallery inside featuring new local talent is such a beautiful way to learn about the artisans who make their living in Inglewood. Sitting in this comfy shop you’ll get to watch locals meet up, chat with their favourite baristas and smile at strangers as their morning begins with a great cup of coffee. And the coffees are really that good!

Have Brunch at Red’s Diner

As fun as trendy and hip brunch places are, nothing really hits the spot better than a traditional greasy spoon-type diner. And Red’s Diner is the best of the best. Red’s Diner serves incredible all-day breakfasts inside a friendly and comfortable interior. They have all the classics and a specialty Prairie Breakfast Plate, which adds potato cheddar perogies and Rocky’s kielbasa to a traditional breakfast platter. Their Blueberry, Basil & Goat Cheese Stuffed French Toast was INCREDIBLE! Portions are enormous, so don’t hesitate to share.

Grab a Novel at Fair’s Fair Books

Inglewood is home to some of the best shopping in all of Calgary. Make your first stop at the famed Fair’s Fair Books. This shop has been open since 1988, curating one of the best-used books stores in the province. While some used bookstores are a real shot in the dark for finding what you’re looking for, this enormous store really feels more like a high-end new bookstore as their selection is so deep! Plus, the cute and quirky decorations really make the place so inviting.

Be Entranced at The Apothecary in Inglewood

If you’re looking to relax, then you need to visit the Apothecary in Inglewood! You’re overwhelmed with the intoxicating smell of aromatic herbs, spices, and more just walking in the door. This store is known for its zero waste goods, pure essential oils, bulk herbs and refillable products. Forget Lush bath bombs and instead grab yourself a few of their handmade herbal bombs to pamper yourself in an indulgent bath. I love their selection of locally crafted candles as well. Nothing better than scents to bring back travel memories!

Become a Cowboy at Smithbilt Hats Inc

There’s perhaps no better accessory to shop for in Calgary than a cowboy hat. And no better place to do so than Smithbilt Hats Inc. The Smithbilt’s company was started by Morris Schumiatcher in 1910. The Schumiatcher family immigrated from Russia to Canada and changed their name to Smith when they arrived. The family made and sold dress hats with small brims, as was the style in Europe at the time. But as they spent more time in the prairies, the Stampede Board wanted to have Smithbilt’s create a special hat to promote western wear. This was where the white cattleman hat was invented. The white cattleman hat soon became the symbol of the Stampede and of Calgary itself.

You can still buy your very own white cattleman hat today in the shop. But there are so many more designs to choose from. Everything from classic styles to modern, brightly coloured hats withs feather and jewelled embellishments. Even if hats aren’t your thing, checking out the artistry required to handmake these hats is well worth your time. Drop-in and visit this truly historic Calgary establishment.

Find some Indigenous Made Treasures at Moonstone Creation

Moonstone Creation is an Indigenous-owned and family-run business proud to represent over 60 Indigenous makers and artisans from across Turtle Island. So many people buy Moccasins as a souvenir when visiting anywhere in Canada but rarely are these created by Indigenous makers. To purchase an authentic pair of Moccasins is expensive, but that is because they are intricately made by hand, with genuine leather and embellished with meaningful beading. But most importantly, you are supporting and honouring the Indigenous culture by buying them from Indigenous creators.

If you are looking for a beautiful gift or souvenir, they also have lovely beaded feather & orange shirt brooch kits. It’s a great way to learn about the history of beading and the methods which they have used to create these crafts for hundreds of years. The kits come with all the supplies you need. They also run beading workshops throughout the year, so check their website to see if one is running while you’re in town!

Fill up on Stationary at Recess

For anyone who loves stationery as much as me, visiting Recess is like being a kid in a candy store! There’s nothing better than a bright white interior filled with vividly bejewelled paper treasures. If you haven’t grabbed a new journal to document your travel memories, this is the perfect place to get one. If you’re interested in learning how to create beautiful hand lettering to take your journaling game to the next level, then you should grab one of their customs Learn to Letter Guides. They have so many unique items that will spice up any desk drawer.

Bring Home a Plant

Even if you can’t bring any of these little beauties home with you, a visit to Plant Shop is sure to brighten any grey day. The Plant Shop aims to help re-connect people with the natural world and inspire them to build and maintain more beautiful spaces! Just walking around the shop and looking at all the exotic plants is such a serene experience. They have great selections of handmade and ceramic planters as well in a myriad of exciting designs. So if you have some green beauties at home, you can bring these home as a memento of your trip. Plus their custom DIY Terrariums are a gorgeous gift for anyone who wants a low-maintenance plant to bring some greenery into their home office.

Get Your Spices at The Silk Road Spice Merchant

The Silk Road Spice Merchant is my favourite shop in town. This is the perfect place to come to upgrade your pantry! The colours, smells and flavours of the spices on offer here are captivating. The Silk Road Spice Merchant started up when the owners couldn’t find the kinds of international spices they wanted to try in their cooking. So they aimed to start up their own store where they would carry every type of spice imaginable! One of my favourite things in their shop is their Hot Cocoa blends. They offer Spicy Mexican Hot Cocoa, Winter Spice (with cinnamon, ginger, cloves and mace,) Cinnamon Cardamom Hot Cocoa and even Chai Masala Hot Cocoa. All of these warm, exotic flavours are the perfect thing to warm you up on a cold night.

Lunch at Inglewood Drive-In

If it’s time to get something to eat for lunch, head on over to the Inglewood Drive-In. This retro Diner is one of those classic spots you just can’t miss. Don’t let the dated exterior fool you; this place is an iconic Calgary destination. Everything from their mouth-watering handmade burgers, thick milkshakes, crispy onion rings, and perfectly seasoned french fries will make you coming back for more. They even serve up a Dole Whip ice cream! One of the only places you can get this pineapple treat outside of Disneyland. But the old-school foods aren’t without a few modern twists. They have new additions like the curry veggie burger and the spicy kimchi burger.

Hop on a Scooter

If the weather allows during your visit, you need to spend the afternoon explore Inglewood on a Scooter. There are several different companies that serve the Calgary area, with the various brands of scooters littering the sidestreets of the city. Bird scooters, Lime and Neuron Mobility, are the most popular and readily available in the city. Download the related app, and you’ll be able to see which scooters are the closest to you. You can also see on the app which scooters have the most battery life since you don’t wanna get stuck with no battery.

These scooters are so much fun to ride. Although you can easily walk to the following destinations spread out around Inglewood, the scooters are a blast to use and make the journey a little more speedy and a lot more fun! Simply hop on the scooter and make your way into the parkland towards our next destination.

Relax at Harvie Passage

Head north along 13th Street and east along New St. along the Bow River. The residential neighbourhood quickly gives way to the beautiful natural environment of the Pearce Estate Park. This tree-filled pathway is such a calming part of the city and the fact its mere steps away from the main street is one of the amazing things about Calgary.

Making your way along the river, you’ll reach the Harvie Passage Lookout. The Harvie Passage Lookout is wonderfully designed to give visitors a stunning view of the rapids below. Harvie Passage is a fast-running channel off the Bow River. After a massive flood in 2013, the city went about an extensive redesign to not only make this part of the river safer (for the rafters who would constantly sneak onto the waters) but provide a more enjoyable experience for river-based recreationists.

Kids and adults can wear lifejackets and ride down the western passage, which was created as a natural river ride. Lots of locals bring floaties or small rafts to ride down the river rapids as well. Even if you don’t have any of these with you, the stone steps they have created make a great place to rest your feet on a hot day. It’s incredible to see the entire community come out on hot days to enjoy this amazing riverside feature. And best of all, it’s totally free!

Enjoy a 5-Course Dinner at Deane House

One of the best ways to end off your day is with dinner at Deane House. Deane House was initially built in 1906 for Captain Richard Deane, who worked at Fort Calgary. Eventually, the house was moved the where you find it today. It was moved in 1929 to an area with a better view of the Elbow River. Over the years, the house was used as a boarding home and then purchased by the city to be used as a gallery.

Today, it’s home to one of the best restaurants in the city. In the summertime, you can dine outside in their immersive garden, rain or shine. Although they have a complete a-la-carte menu, the best option is their delightful 5-course chef’s tasting menu. The chef curates this selection weekly to suit the flavours and fresh produce of the month. The 5-course menu is $90 per person, which is truly a great price for the quality of food you receive. It’s such a fantastic way to cap off your evening.

Sunset on Scotsman’s Hill

If you’re looking for a spot to watch the sunset over the city, take a walk through ENMAX Park to the top of Scotsman’s Hill. To get there you’ll walk through the Elbow Riverpath which is the most serene walking path surrounded by Calgary’s relaxing natural landscape. Scotsman’s Hill is one of the best places in the town to give a view of Calgary’s skyline set behind a steep escarpment facing the Elbow River.

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Late Night Drinks at Ol’ Beautiful Brewing Co.

To end the night, take a walk over to the Ol’ Beautiful Brewing Co. Ol’Beautiful Brewing Co. is located in this little hidden away corner of Inglewood, where you’ll want to while the night away. I’m not going to lie; the design of the beer cans drew me in right away but it was the amazing atmosphere that made me want to stay. The time-worn and well-loved interior designs of their taproom feels like it belongs in the hippest streets of Los Angeles or New York City. Inside this chic and vintage-adorned interior, you can sit and enjoy any of their amazing craft brews. Best of all surrounded by their friendly staff and incredible regulars. They are more than happy to help you find your perfect brew! If the weather is nice, their outdoor patio is a lively and fun place to enjoy your drinks.

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Play some Games at Revival Brewcade

If you’re a night owl and aren’t yet ready for your night to end, head back up to 9th avenue to Revival Brewcade. While the bar is stocked with incredible drinks, the best thing about this place is the retro pinball and arcade machines that line the walls. One of my biggest pet peeves about so-called “retro arcade bars” is how expensive the games can be. But here at Revival Brewcade, you can buy a $5 all you can play pinball card!! This will keep you there all night trying to get the top score!

After a day of cold brews, boutiques, beers and bars, it’s time to head back to your hotel or home for the night. Hopefully, you found more interesting shops along the way, which keep you coming back to Inglewood for more! Let me know in the comments if I missed your favourite place!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post How To Spend the Perfect Day in Inglewood Calgary first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.