Update March 10, 2026

We just learned that the Town of Canmore administration will not consider this type of petition this late in the game. However, we have been encouraged to keep up the signatures. We reached 1000 in less than 24hrs! 

Our big ask is that you take the time to write or call the Planning Department to register your opposition; Anika.Drost@canmore.ca or at 403-678-8943. Please refer to one of the concerns listed below to support your opinion.

Deadline for responses is Friday, March 20th.

Thank you all for your support!

Community Petition Opposing Proposed 74-Unit Tenting Campground Development

To: Planning Department, Town of Canmore

Re: Proposed 74-Unit Tenting Campground – Future Development District

We, the undersigned residents, property owners, and concerned members of the Bow Valley community, respectfully submit this petition to express our opposition to the proposed 74-unit glamping campground development in the Future Development District adjacent to established residential neighbourhoods and natural recreation areas.

While campground use may be considered as a discretionary use within this district, we believe the scale, location, and potential impacts of this proposal raise significant concerns regarding wildfire risk, wildlife conflict, traffic congestion (including in the context of emergency evacuations), infrastructure demands, impacts to nearby recreation areas, and the interpretation of “tenting campground” within the land use framework.

Key Concerns

Wildfire Risk 
The proposed development would result in a high concentration of seasonal visitors in a forested landscape, greatly increasing the risk of accidental human-caused ignitions. In the event of a wildfire, the glamping tents (which would be at risk of ember ignitions) and wooden fencing could potentially contribute to the available fuel load and intensity of the fire. The proposed development would complicate emergency evacuations from the Peaks of Grassi neighbourhood, adding to the volume of vehicles exiting the area along Peaks Drive (the only paved road in and out of the Peaks) and delay the passage of vehicles from the Peaks neighbourhood as vehicles seek to exit the campground onto Peaks Drive. Increased traffic volume could also complicate access to the Peaks of Grassi by emergency services.

Definition of “Tenting Campground”
The proposal appears to rely on glamping-style structures supplied and installed by the operator. These structures are substantially more permanent than traditional tents and are used year-round in some places, raising concerns that the development may be pushing the definition of “tenting campground” beyond its intended meaning within the land use district.

Permanent Infrastructure and Buildings
The proposal references accessory buildings and a 24/7 staffed administration building, which appear to be permanent structures supporting the operation. This raises concerns about whether the development is evolving beyond a traditional campground use into a more permanent tourism facility.

Utilities, Sewage, and Infrastructure Questions
A development accommodating dozens of tents and a large number of overnight visitors raises important questions regarding:

Water supply and utility servicing
Sewage and wastewater management
Garbage and wildlife-attractant control
Long-term infrastructure requirements
Clarity is needed regarding how these systems will be safely managed without creating environmental impacts or service strain.

Wildlife Conflict, Habitat Impact, and Corridor Protection
The site is located in forested habitat within the Bow Valley landscape, an area known for important wildlife movement corridors. A high-density campground with dozens of tent sites and visitors unfamiliar with local practices that support human-wildlife co-existence may increase wildlife attractants in the area and human–wildlife encounters.

Best practice in the Bow Valley has often included wildlife exclusionary fencing in areas where development interfaces with sensitive wildlife habitat and recreation areas. We respectfully ask whether wildlife exclusionary fencing between Quarry Lake and the proposed glamping development has been considered, and whether the project aligns with regional best practices for minimizing wildlife conflict.

Traffic Congestion and Transportation Impacts
In addition to the above-stated concerns about evacuations, a campground of this scale will generate additional vehicle traffic along municipal roads that already experience significant seasonal pressure. We respectfully ask how the developer intends to address:

Increased traffic congestion near the site
Additional vehicle movements associated with up to 74 campsites
Safe access and egress from the property
Potential conflicts between municipal roads and nearby Alberta highway traffic
Clarification is needed regarding whether a formal traffic impact assessment has been completed and how increased visitor traffic will be safely accommodated without negatively affecting local residents, recreation users, or regional transportation infrastructure.

Overcrowding at Quarry Lake and Nearby Recreation Areas
Quarry Lake is one of Canmore’s most heavily used recreation areas and already experiences significant seasonal crowding and parking demand. Introducing a 74-unit campground within close proximity to Quarry Lake is likely to intensify visitor pressure on this sensitive recreational area and surrounding trails.

Scale and Neighbourhood Compatibility
A 74-unit campground represents a substantial tourism operation. This scale of development may introduce increased activity, noise, and visitor density adjacent to established neighbourhoods and natural areas that have not historically accommodated this level of tourism use.

Request

We respectfully request that the Town of Canmore Planning Department carefully consider the wildfire risk, environmental, infrastructure, traffic, and wildlife impacts associated with this proposal and recommend that the discretionary use application for the proposed campground development not proceed in its current form.

The Bow Valley is widely recognized for its careful balance between community, wildlife, recreation, and wilderness. We believe development decisions should continue to protect that balance.

Thank you for considering the concerns of residents and community members.