How to get to Canmore Cave Tours & The Rats Nest Cave<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nhttps:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed\/v1\/place?key=AIzaSyBAM2o7PiQqwk15LC1XRH2e_KJ-jUa7KYk&zoom=11&maptype=roadmap&q=canmore+cave\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\nCanmore, Alberta is a small town near Banff National Park<\/strong> and the Rocky Mountains. The Canmore Cave Tours is about 80 kilometers from Calgary, just right off of Highway 1A.
From being here at the building where Canmore Cave Tours operates, we all depart adn make our way to Grotto Mountain, which is about a 5 minute drive from the shop. From the parking lot of the trailhead, it is about a 10-15 minute hike to the start of the Rats Nest Cave.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAbout the tour!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The adventure kicked off with a briefing and gearing up session where the guides provided everything we needed for the tour. This included gloves, helmets, coveralls, harnesses, and all the essential equipment to keep us safe and comfortable during the experience. One thing to note\u2014there are no washrooms inside the cave (for obvious reasons), so you\u2019ll need to plan accordingly since you\u2019ll be underground for a few hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We opted for the Adventure Tour package, which gave us the full caving experience. We spent about 4 hours exploring the cave, with the entire tour lasting approximately 6 hours from start to finish. It was an incredible journey packed with fun, challenges, and unforgettable memories!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nTours Available<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Adventure Tour<\/strong>
This is the flagship tour, recognized as a Canadian Signature Experience. It includes an 18-meter rappel (no prior experience necessary) and allows participants to explore more of the cave, including passages like the Laundry Chute. The tour lasts approximately 6 hours, with about 4 hours spent underground. It is suitable for individuals aged 12 and above.<\/p>\n\n\n\nExplorer Tour<\/strong>
This tour offers a shorter caving experience without the rappel. Participants spend about 2.5 hours underground, exploring the cave\u2019s passages and formations. The total tour duration is approximately 4.5 hours. It\u2019s suitable for individuals aged 10 and above.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSolitude<\/strong>
A customizable, fully private experience in the cave. This tour is tailored to the preferences and skill levels of the participants, offering a unique and personalized adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGroup Tours<\/strong>
Fun, adventure and learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCaving Courses<\/strong>
Take adventure to the next level with the caving courses offered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe Tour Guide (Brent!)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Our caving adventure wouldn\u2019t have been the same without Brent. Brent is, without a doubt, the best tour guide we\u2019ve ever had on any experience\u2014and that\u2019s saying a lot! From the moment we met him, his enthusiasm for caving and his deep knowledge of the Rat\u2019s Nest Cave were infectious. Brent has a rare ability to combine professionalism and expertise with a warm, approachable personality that instantly put us at ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What truly sets Brent apart is his passion for sharing the wonders of the cave. Whether he was explaining the geological history of the formations, pointing out fascinating details we would have otherwise missed, or guiding us safely through the more challenging sections. He made the experience educational, exciting, and incredibly fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brent\u2019s encouragement was particularly invaluable as we navigated some of the cave\u2019s trickier features, like the Laundry Chute and Grand Gallery. He has an uncanny way of making even the most apprehensive explorers feel confident and capable. His energy, humor, and genuine love for what he does made this tour unforgettable. If you ever get the chance to explore Rat\u2019s Nest Cave, do yourself a favor and ask for Brent\u2014he\u2019s truly one of a kind!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rats Nest Cave<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ourtripsabroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/rats-nest-cave.webp?resize=1024%2C574&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOn this tour, we explored a section of the Rat\u2019s Nest Cave, located within Grotto Mountain. Our adventure began in the Bone Room and took us through notable features like the Laundry Chute and the Grand Gallery before circling back. While this journey covers only a portion of the cave, the intricate pathways and stunning formations make the experience feel expansive, with each step offering a new perspective of this underground wonder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first part of our tour was spent exploring the Bone Room. Inside, we encountered an incredible array of animal bones, ranging from large mammals like bison to smaller creatures such as rodents. Brent, our guide, shared some of the teeth he had discovered and collected, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the experience. Importantly, we learned that these artifacts must remain in the cave to preserve their historical significance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s an interesting fact: in Canada, all caves are considered public spaces, meaning anyone with the proper equipment and skills can explore them. However, Rats Nest Cave is a special exception. Due to the abundance of bones found there, it has been officially designated a Provincial Historic Resource, ensuring its protection for future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ourtripsabroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/b3c74128-48c1-4add-94af-23a40bd0b3f8.jpeg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAfter exploring the Bone Room, the next adventure was an exhilarating rappel! This descent was roughly 60 feet, if I recall correctly, and was one of the most thrilling parts of the tour. Brent, our guide, allowed each participant nearly full control of their own rappel, providing an empowering and hands-on experience. Of course, he was always there with safety measures in place, just in case.
Canmore, Alberta is a small town near Banff National Park<\/strong> and the Rocky Mountains. The Canmore Cave Tours is about 80 kilometers from Calgary, just right off of Highway 1A. The adventure kicked off with a briefing and gearing up session where the guides provided everything we needed for the tour. This included gloves, helmets, coveralls, harnesses, and all the essential equipment to keep us safe and comfortable during the experience. One thing to note\u2014there are no washrooms inside the cave (for obvious reasons), so you\u2019ll need to plan accordingly since you\u2019ll be underground for a few hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We opted for the Adventure Tour package, which gave us the full caving experience. We spent about 4 hours exploring the cave, with the entire tour lasting approximately 6 hours from start to finish. It was an incredible journey packed with fun, challenges, and unforgettable memories!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adventure Tour<\/strong> Explorer Tour<\/strong> Solitude<\/strong> Group Tours<\/strong> Caving Courses<\/strong> Our caving adventure wouldn\u2019t have been the same without Brent. Brent is, without a doubt, the best tour guide we\u2019ve ever had on any experience\u2014and that\u2019s saying a lot! From the moment we met him, his enthusiasm for caving and his deep knowledge of the Rat\u2019s Nest Cave were infectious. Brent has a rare ability to combine professionalism and expertise with a warm, approachable personality that instantly put us at ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What truly sets Brent apart is his passion for sharing the wonders of the cave. Whether he was explaining the geological history of the formations, pointing out fascinating details we would have otherwise missed, or guiding us safely through the more challenging sections. He made the experience educational, exciting, and incredibly fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brent\u2019s encouragement was particularly invaluable as we navigated some of the cave\u2019s trickier features, like the Laundry Chute and Grand Gallery. He has an uncanny way of making even the most apprehensive explorers feel confident and capable. His energy, humor, and genuine love for what he does made this tour unforgettable. If you ever get the chance to explore Rat\u2019s Nest Cave, do yourself a favor and ask for Brent\u2014he\u2019s truly one of a kind!<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this tour, we explored a section of the Rat\u2019s Nest Cave, located within Grotto Mountain. Our adventure began in the Bone Room and took us through notable features like the Laundry Chute and the Grand Gallery before circling back. While this journey covers only a portion of the cave, the intricate pathways and stunning formations make the experience feel expansive, with each step offering a new perspective of this underground wonder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first part of our tour was spent exploring the Bone Room. Inside, we encountered an incredible array of animal bones, ranging from large mammals like bison to smaller creatures such as rodents. Brent, our guide, shared some of the teeth he had discovered and collected, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the experience. Importantly, we learned that these artifacts must remain in the cave to preserve their historical significance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s an interesting fact: in Canada, all caves are considered public spaces, meaning anyone with the proper equipment and skills can explore them. However, Rats Nest Cave is a special exception. Due to the abundance of bones found there, it has been officially designated a Provincial Historic Resource, ensuring its protection for future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After exploring the Bone Room, the next adventure was an exhilarating rappel! This descent was roughly 60 feet, if I recall correctly, and was one of the most thrilling parts of the tour. Brent, our guide, allowed each participant nearly full control of their own rappel, providing an empowering and hands-on experience. Of course, he was always there with safety measures in place, just in case.
From being here at the building where Canmore Cave Tours operates, we all depart adn make our way to Grotto Mountain, which is about a 5 minute drive from the shop. From the parking lot of the trailhead, it is about a 10-15 minute hike to the start of the Rats Nest Cave.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAbout the tour!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nTours Available<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This is the flagship tour, recognized as a Canadian Signature Experience. It includes an 18-meter rappel (no prior experience necessary) and allows participants to explore more of the cave, including passages like the Laundry Chute. The tour lasts approximately 6 hours, with about 4 hours spent underground. It is suitable for individuals aged 12 and above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This tour offers a shorter caving experience without the rappel. Participants spend about 2.5 hours underground, exploring the cave\u2019s passages and formations. The total tour duration is approximately 4.5 hours. It\u2019s suitable for individuals aged 10 and above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A customizable, fully private experience in the cave. This tour is tailored to the preferences and skill levels of the participants, offering a unique and personalized adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fun, adventure and learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take adventure to the next level with the caving courses offered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe Tour Guide (Brent!)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nRats Nest Cave<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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