August 24: 🌊 Colors of Kootenay & Bow Lake Reflections

One-Day Adventure with a Scenic Lakeside Hike


Want to feel the Rockies under your feet — not just through a bus window?
 This Wild Bus journey takes you into the heart of Kootenay’s waterfalls, mineral springs, and canyons, and finishes with a gentle hike along the shores of Bow Lake — where the mountains reflect so perfectly, it feels like a dream.

  • 🚐 09:00 — Departure from Calgary

    Grab a coffee, meet your adventure crew, and let’s hit the road west. The next 2 hours? Scenic views, good playlists, and our guide’s stories warming you up for the day.

    🌊 11:00 — Numa Falls & Paint Pots (2:00)

    Start with wild rivers and ancient colors. Numa Falls delivers nature’s raw power, while the Paint Pots show off their surreal orange-red mineral pools. Time for easy walks, photos, and enjoying the peace of Kootenay’s less-traveled gems.

    🏞️ 13:10 — Marble Canyon (1:30)

    Walk the wooden bridges over a narrow gorge, with turquoise streams and vertical cliffs all around. It’s a short trail, but every step is wow-worthy. We’ll stop for stories, photos, and those “just pause and look” moments.

    🌄 15:40 — Bow Lake Scenic Hike (1:30)

    Now for the highlight — Bow Lake’s shoreline hike. This gentle 3 km out-and-back trail runs right along the water, with glacier views unfolding as you walk. No rush, no steep climbs — just a peaceful stroll where every few steps you’ll want to pull out your camera. Perfect for those who want to move a bit after the bus, but still keep it chill.

    🍺 17:30 — Grizzly Paw Pub (1:30)

    Time to raise a glass. We’ll celebrate the day in Canmore’s favorite craft pub — with local beers, cozy interiors, and mountain views from the terrace. This is how Wild Bus adventures should end.

    🚐 19:00 — Return to Calgary (1:30)

    A relaxed ride home, sharing stories, photos, and already planning the next trip.

    🕗 20:30 — Arrival in Calgary

    Back in the city, but carrying the mountains with you.

  • Numa Falls & Paint Pots

    The adventure kicks off with nature’s contrasts — wild, crashing waterfalls and calm, surreal mineral pools. You’ll explore both at your own pace, walking forest trails and stopping for those postcard-perfect shots.

    Marble Canyon

    Next, we dive into a canyon carved by centuries of water and wind. Easy pathways and wooden bridges guide us over turquoise streams and vertical rock walls. It’s not just a walk — it’s a story written in stone.

    Bow Lake Scenic Hike

    A hidden gem of the Rockies. We’ll take a gentle lakeside hike along Bow Lake’s shoreline — no rush, no hard climbs. Just you, the reflections of glaciers, and that satisfying crunch of trail under your feet. A perfect moment to slow down, breathe in, and feel the mountains around you.

    Grizzly Paw Pub

    No Wild Bus trip ends without a good “cheers.” We’ll wrap up the day at Canmore’s iconic craft pub — sharing stories, photos, and a well-earned pint with mountain views all around. It’s a tradition you’ll love.

💧💧💧 Numa Falls 💧💧💧

This is where you feel the mountains.
Numa Falls isn’t just a waterfall — it’s the sound of glacial rivers crashing through ancient rock, the fresh spray in the air, and that wild energy that makes you stop and stare. Tucked away in Kootenay National Park, this spot is pure Rocky Mountain power — yet easily accessible for a quick walk and unforgettable photos.

Wooden bridges take you right over the water, with panoramic views of the canyon and forest all around. Early in the day, it’s calm and peaceful. By midday, it’s a symphony of water and light.

No long hikes, no crowds — just you, the river, and the wild.

Why We Love It:

✅ Raw, untamed waterfall energy
✅ Easy access for every adventurer
✅ Picture-perfect bridges & canyon views
✅ Hidden gem — less tourists, more nature

💦💦 Paint Pots 💦💦

🌿 Here, the earth paints itself.
The Paint Pots are natural mineral springs where iron-rich waters bubble up, coloring the ground in deep oranges, reds, and yellows. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples used this ochre clay for art and ceremony — and you’ll see why the moment you step onto the trail.

It’s an easy, peaceful walk through forest and open meadows, where every step reveals new bursts of color against the backdrop of emerald moss and crystal-clear streams. This place feels alive, like walking through a painter’s studio crafted by nature herself.

A spot for slow steps, curious glances, and stunning photos.

Why We Love It:

✅ Vibrant, otherworldly colors in the wild
✅ Easy trail, no rush — perfect for exploring
✅ Rich Indigenous history and stories
✅ A hidden photo gem few tourists know about

💦 Marble Canyon💦

Where Water Carves Stone

This place is a masterpiece — sculpted not by human hands, but by centuries of rushing water.
Marble Canyon is a narrow gorge where glacial streams have cut deep into limestone rock, creating dramatic cliffs, turquoise pools, and dizzying drops you’ll cross on wooden bridges.

The trail is short and easy, but every turn gives you a new wow. Look down into the narrow canyon walls, feel the spray of water leaping through stone arches, and listen as the guide reveals the legends of how water shaped this land — slow, patient, and unstoppable.

It’s raw nature in motion, yet perfectly designed for a relaxing walk with panoramic views.

Why We Love It:

✅ Short, scenic trail with maximum visual impact
✅ Bridges and viewpoints that’ll test your “wow” limit
✅ A canyon story written in water and stone
✅ Perfect photo ops with no steep climbs

🌊 Bow Lake 🌊

The Rockies in Full Reflection

This is where the mountains meet the water — and the water becomes a mirror.
Bow Lake is one of those places that doesn’t need filters or fancy angles. Glacial blue waters, towering peaks, and sky reflections so clear it feels like standing inside a postcard.

But it’s not just a view — it’s a feeling.
We’ll take a gentle lakeside hike where every few steps open up a new perfect frame. The shoreline trail is flat and easy, giving you time to breathe, wander, and capture those “this-is-why-I-came-to-Canada” moments.

The glaciers above, the quiet ripples below — and you, in the middle of it all.

Why We Love It:

✅ Iconic Rocky Mountain reflections
✅ Easy, relaxing lakeside hike (no crowds!)
✅ Glacial air, crystal waters, pure serenity
✅ The spot where phones stay in camera mode

🍺 Grizzly Paw Pub 🍺

No Wild Bus adventure ends without a proper “cheers”.
Grizzly Paw Pub in Canmore is the perfect place to wrap up the day — with locally brewed craft beers, cozy wooden interiors, and a sunny terrace that stares straight into the Rockies.

This isn’t just a pub — it’s a vibe.
After a day of waterfalls, canyons, and lakes, we’ll gather here to relax, swap stories, and celebrate the adventure. Whether you’re a fan of hoppy IPAs, smooth lagers, or just a cold ginger beer, there’s a pint here with your name on it.

Add in the mountain air, good company, and that “we did it” feeling — and you’ve got the best kind of ending.

Why We Love It:

✅ Local craft beer brewed right in Canmore
✅ Cozy, friendly, and perfectly Wild Bus
✅ Terrace with unbeatable mountain views
✅ The “cheers” that seals the day’s memories