Quarry Lake

Canmore's economy was built on coal. The Canadian Anthracite Coal Company opened its No. 1 mine along Canmore Creek in the 1880s, with sources giving 1886 or 1887, and in 1938 the town's two rival coal companies merged to form Canmore Mines. The mines closed for good on July 13, 1979.

Quarry Lake sits on the site of the Canmore Creek No. 3 surface mine. The dates are inconsistent: one source lists the No. 3 mine as operating from the late 1940s to 1979, with strip mining tied to the late 1960s, while another account dates the surface mine to between 1969 and 1971. A 2019 industry article reports that coal extraction at the No. 3 pit finished in early 1973 and that reclamation followed from 1974, and local mining history writing says that mine engineer Gerry Stephenson, given the job of reclaiming the site, shaped the excavation into a lake rather than filling it in. By 1979 it was already a well-liked local landmark. For exact dates, the Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre is the best local source.

Alberta Parks says swimming and fishing are permitted in this spring-fed lake and describes a day-use area with picnic tables, lawns, benches, a swimming area, a walking trail and pit toilets. Dogs are the confusing part: an off-leash dog park and picnic area sit next to the lake, and a local editorial said the pond and meadow would remain off-leash with new fencing and signage, but a travel blog says dogs are not allowed in the lake itself. Rules change, so follow the signs and check the Town of Canmore.

The lake is busy in summer, and parking can fill early in the day. One guide says paid parking applies; check current arrangements with the Town of Canmore.

Quarry Lake's setting made it useful for filmmaking. D23 says the town of Mystery in the film Mystery, Alaska was built from scratch for the production on the site of a former strip coal mine near Canmore. Some blogs say almost the entire movie was shot at Quarry Lake, but that is a loose claim; the more careful statement is that the set was built on a former strip-mine site near Canmore.

The loop path around the lake is short and flat, so it suits most visitors, and the water is cold because it is spring-fed. Bring sun protection and water shoes if you plan to wade. A private Voyzo tour, with a private vehicle and driver and door-to-door pickup, can include Quarry Lake as a relaxed stop alongside other Canmore sights, and avoids the parking search on busy days. Check the Town of Canmore for current rules, swimming conditions and access.