Flow of 2 springs coming out just a few steps up the hill from bike/walking path just off secondary highway beside #1.
Nearest Address
#1 Highway
Directions from Nearest Address
On the #1 Highway from Calgary heading West through Canmore you will take the 3rd exit (this is also the first exit you will see for Harvie Heights). This is the smaller overpass after the main large one. Immediately turn right onto the smaller side road and park right away on the curve of the small secondary road next to the bike and walking path. Venture directly into the trees next to path, from here you will be able to see and hear the flow of water. Walk through to the top of the spring where you can see it coming out of the ground. There are a couple of old pipes there. It is recommended you bring your own pipe or lean smaller bottles up against the flow.
At the spring yesterday I spoke with a wonderful woman from Canmore Bylaw Services. She asked that those who use the spring, please park on the shoulder, rather than the grass, as the area there is getting worn out. There is a $30 fine for parking on the grass. She said she understands why people park on the grassy area, to be out of the way of the road – but asks everyone respect the area. Keep the place lush & alive for everyone 🙂
Not needed to “bring your own pipe”, this spring has been well fortified with logs from the foliage around it. Heads up, It is getting to be a very busy one.
Hi, I’ve been enjoying this spring for a few months now. What a great resource for everyone! Noticed a bunch of stuff floating around in the water. Wondering if any one could tell me what that is?
Doesn’t look to be within a Provincial Park Boundary, as per Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/Wz5gO The spring is NE of “Palliser Trail” as it is labelled on the map. It’s located essentially where the word “Palliser” is shown in the linked map. If I’m not mistaken, Provincial Parks are recognized by the darker green, and the spring is located outside this boundary.
I’ve been hearing about a lot of “scare tactics” for this Spring. Apparently (recently?) someone had posted a “This Water is Poison Do Not Drink” sign there. Also, someone had recently diverted the creek to flood the path that leads from the road. This has now been repaired by a gracious volunteer. Last year someone yelled at me from the road “Quit stealing my f**king water!”. So…. perhaps a local, perhaps nearby resident(s) (there are homes up and around the hill) may have a bone to pick. Please, if you go there – and many, many Canmore and Area residents have been going for years & years – please be nice. Pick up stuff, don’t leave stuff, keep the place wonderful, if glass breaks bring it home, don’t wander around into peoples homes/yards up the hill, etc. And if the boogieman comes, offer him a drink…
If RCMP arrive: ask the specific number of the law one is breaking if they try to fine anyone… if there even is a law. That was the problem with the National Park wardens regarding the Banff spring. There was no law against it. They just didn’t want people to be there to use the spring commercially.
The RCMP just started giving out $3000.00 fines today saying it is within a provincial park boundary. We almost got one but hadn’t filled up yet .
I don’t know that his is going to hold up in court? But we need to figure it out right away !
Man… that is such a shame Jason. I thought the canmore one was within the city limit, and didn’t really fall under the park laws. I would love to see someone challenge and reverse this. Water should be a free for all for when it comes to personal consumption IMO.
Hi everyone. I am looking if anyone in Calgary would be willing to car pool? I don’t have a vehicle available, but wanting to share gas prices going to this spring. (I personally won’t go.) If possible, could you email me at
whatchickstalkabout@gmail:disqus .com
Please use ‘spring water request’ in subject of email so I know it’s not junk mail.
Thanks so much
PamelaViktoria
Please keep in mind to tread lightly on the moss that grows at this spring. I have noticed that many of the little swells of moss that used to be abundant on the stream formed by the spring, have been trampled on (and washed away) due to high use. Since we have to walk up the stream to get to the source, we ought to be mindful that we step on the rocks. I know its only moss, but it’s a part of the magic too!
Bringing a long rubber hose is also a good idea to avoid making too many trips up the stream.
The exit number to get there is the “Exit 86” which I thought might be helpful to know if anyone else asks. Some have been concerned over the “Pest MGMT” flagging tape on a tree near the the spring… upon further research, our friends in Canmore told us that flagging tape like that is all over the place, due to the pine beetle, and is likely not too much of a concern. I don’t know if they treated the tree or just put the tape on it to monitor it.
However even if some sort of treatment was applied – its more than likely small amount topical on the tree and would not touch the water or even if it did ofcourse spring is a continual flow where it has long been washed away.
Word of the wise for this spring. Some of the locals here get unreasonably angry when they see anyone, especially those who look like tourists, visiting this spring. If you see any signs saying that the water is toxic, I wouldn’t believe them.
Interesting how many ( many!) years this water has been used. So easy to find the place- no-one want to tell! Exit 86 from DT Canmore heading west past the Tourist Info Centre! Cross the hiway harvie heights and there it is a few feet above sideroad! I thought H20 being tested by AB Health etc. regularly- surprised to find here no regular testing. Yes it is simply’ delicious: when first bottled and ice cold- never found any foreign bodies in it, People drive regularly from Calgary to fetch it and say they are as healthy as horses- look radiant too- but these days, who knows? we know it comes from an underground aquifer up in the distant mountains north-east of the town, not anywhere near construction. I usually boil it when cooking and also for tea and coffee but drink it copiously when we arrive for more at the beautiful little spring!
I just visited this spring a few days ago. The water seams to be a little off. It has a strong metallic taste that is normally not present. I think it is due to the heavy spring runoff and snowmelt that is occurring right now. I would advise people to stay away for a few weeks to allow the spring to clear out. Just for reference I have been visiting the Canmore spring on and off for roughly 13 years.
My partner and I have been using this spring since June 2017 and we love it. It’s quite easy to get to and it is usable all year around. The water is amazing, we have never had any issues. I would recommend not going on the weekend in the summer because it can get a little busy.
What happens over time when a pin is set on Google maps, when Google maps are updated the pins are misplaced and do not stay true to the location it was pinned. It’s alittle off.
My daughter told me about this spring and we took a ride up there to find it. it was difficult as we were given incorrect instructions but we persevered and finally found it due to the cars parked in area. I don’t know about the quality of the water but I do know that fresh spring water is the best tasting and insofar as I’ve been drinking it (about a month) I’m alive and well. Thanks to those who have cared for the area. Cheers
For the people who are having some difficulty finding the springs, this will be my 2nd attempt to find the spring. I misinterpreted the finally designation stop last time and could not find it. Thanks to this ladies short blog, it helped me with the directions as I was probably looking in the same spot as her and other people who could not find it. When taking the turn off going to Harvie Heights, turn right onto Pallister Trail while still driving on the overpass, and park vehicle on the curve. Do not drive over the bridge for about 600 ft and take that 1st immediate right and park, which is a road that will take you to a house. That was my first stop and searched for a good hour walking in bushes with no luck and I thought for sure I had the right location.
A google search for “Canmore map” and zoom in to Harvie Heights Rd will show an icon for “Park” and an “evergreen tree in a circle”, you can see the trail going into the bush not far from it. If you zoom in farther until you see the street view you will be able to see the trail leading into the trees. Yep that’s the spot…….
I tried including pics from google but looks like the images don’t come through. I will make another attempt in the coming week when my bottled water is empty.
Here’s the link for the lady who shared her story, and helped me to try again. All the best to Brando.
Q & A: If a person wants to do a basic water portability test, it will cost roughly $100+ depending on how many samples you want tested. Its your health if you are concerned.
We just went the other day! We had a really hard time finding it at first, because we took the wrong exit and were looking in the wrong patch of woods. Once you find it, though, it’s pretty hard to miss… seemed to be a really popular spot with the locals.
People who have learned we filled up with water here without having known anything about it have been particularly concerned about its safety. I trust it from what I’ve learned so far – but I can’t seem to stop getting questions like, “How do you know the water does not contain sulfates/lead/toxins/etc, and is safe to drink?” …any suggestions on how to answer eloquently?
Hey I was out there today and could not find the spring. Everything looks very dry and could not spot any wet areas?
Any help to point me in the right direction?
There seems to be two different directions. One says go into the trees and another says go up the hill a few steps off path?
Hi there, I can’t seem to find it… I know I’m in the right area because of the descriptions and map… Is there a foot trail? I couldn’t even find a deer trail. Any further description?
Thanks.
Drinking pure spring water is one of the most important things we can do for our health. Our bodies are over 99% water at the molecular level, so water affects every aspect of our biology. Yet, not all water is created equal. Almost all the bottled spring water available is pasteurized for shelf stability, which neutralizes many of the powerful health benefits such as increased hydrogen, healthy probiotics, and crystalline structure. For more about why unprocessed spring water is the best water to drink, read this.
The best way to guarantee you are getting real unprocessed spring water is to collect it yourself. This is a short and simple guide filled with information about how to gather spring water. We will cover how to find a spring, how to collect the water, how to honor the spring, how to store the water properly and other tips.
FindASpring.org is the best resource for locating a spring near you. However, not all springs are on the map. First, check the map to see if there is a spring in your local area. If there is, look at the reviews and comments. Has anyone shared helpful information about flow rate or posted a water test result? Is the spring in a pristine area? Do a bit of research and make sure the spring is safe to drink from. If you have any doubt about the purity, don’t risk it and get a water test, HERE. If you don’t see a spring on the map in your area, there still might be some that aren’t listed yet. First, ask the older generation who have lived in your area a long time if they know. You can also ask people in your community who might already get spring water such as people at a health food store or at a farmers market. Another great option is to view A US forest service map, where many springs have been marked. You can view these maps through the Gaia GPS or All Trails hiking apps on your phone. The map overlay you want is USGS Topo. Not all are easily accessible or ideal for drinking, but some are and it can be a fun adventure to find them. We have found over half a dozen great springs this way.
Once you’ve found your spring, figure out how you are going to gather the water. Is it right on the side of the road and easy to access or do you have to hike to it? We recommend storing spring water in glass instead of plastic to preserve the purity of the water. It is better for the environment, your body, and the water. Even BPA free plastic has toxic chemicals that can leach into water and cause health issues. If you do want to use plastic for safety reasons when filling at the spring, we recommend transferring the water to glass as soon as possible. FindASpring is sponsored by Alive Waters, which offers beautiful reusable glass. They have a 2.5 gallon option, which is a convenient size for carrying that isn’t too heavy. They also sell handles that you can use to transport the jugs even more easily. If you have to hike to access the spring, we recommend putting the water jugs into an extra large backpack to hike the water out with ease. We use Osprey packs that hold 2 jugs each. You can also use a wheelbarrow or even a stroller depending on how easy a walk it is.
Filling 2.5 Gallon Alive Waters Jug
When you get to the spring, remember to first give back before you take. Springs are considered sacred in indigenous cultures around the world for their life giving water and also as a connection to the inner earth. A powerful and simple way to give back is to clean up. Is there any trash that needs to be collected? Could you move any dead leaves or sticks to improve the flow rate? Show up in service. Some other wonderful ways to give is with a moment of expressing verbal gratitude, singing songs to the water, offering the water an ethically sourced crystal, a feather, or some other physical gift. Flowers are a popular and beautiful thing to offer, but please be careful to source organic ones as most flowers from the store are sprayed with pesticides and can be toxic to put near a spring. Also, flowers can attract bugs as they decay, so it can be best to offer them to the flowing water directly or a little downstream from the spring head.
When gathering the water, fill the jug as close to the spring head as possible, never gather downstream. Be very careful as wet glass is extremely slippery. Make sure the lid is securely fastened. When transporting the spring water home, the jugs can sometimes slide around the car. Secure them in place or wrap them with towels or something so they don’t crash into each other.
How you store your spring water is essential. It is not pasteurized like spring water from the store, so it will start growing algae if left in direct sunlight. This is good because it means it’s alive! If the water you drink can’t even support the most basic life forms, how do you think it will support your body? Store your water in a cool, dark place such as a dark corner, pantry or closet. The fridge is ideal if you have room. Some people prefer to filter their water through a Berkey filter before drinking, but if the spring is pure, it’s not necessary. We drink our spring water completely unfiltered.
How long the water stays good for depends on how cold a temperature it’s stored at. Spring water is best fresh. We personally do not prefer to drink spring water past 2 weeks old. However, we know other people that will drink it at a month old. It’s great to get in a rhythm where you know how long the water lasts you and put your collection day on the calendar in advance.
I believe that water is calling us to reconnect with her in the deepest way, to gather our own water. Just like our ancestors did. Our ancestors didn’t have fancy water machines. They also didn’t create villages or settle where there was no water. Water was revered as the center of the community and the nodal point around which life could spiral out and take root.
Here’s to restoring the sacred connection with the waters of life.
Written by Dakota Chanel. Water Priestess and Ceremonialist. DakotaChanel.com
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Please Park on the Shoulder – Not On The Grass.
At the spring yesterday I spoke with a wonderful woman from Canmore Bylaw Services. She asked that those who use the spring, please park on the shoulder, rather than the grass, as the area there is getting worn out. There is a $30 fine for parking on the grass. She said she understands why people park on the grassy area, to be out of the way of the road – but asks everyone respect the area. Keep the place lush & alive for everyone 🙂
Not needed to “bring your own pipe”, this spring has been well fortified with logs from the foliage around it. Heads up, It is getting to be a very busy one.
Hi, I’ve been enjoying this spring for a few months now. What a great resource for everyone! Noticed a bunch of stuff floating around in the water. Wondering if any one could tell me what that is?
Doesn’t look to be within a Provincial Park Boundary, as per Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/Wz5gO The spring is NE of “Palliser Trail” as it is labelled on the map. It’s located essentially where the word “Palliser” is shown in the linked map. If I’m not mistaken, Provincial Parks are recognized by the darker green, and the spring is located outside this boundary.
Also:
I’ve been hearing about a lot of “scare tactics” for this Spring. Apparently (recently?) someone had posted a “This Water is Poison Do Not Drink” sign there. Also, someone had recently diverted the creek to flood the path that leads from the road. This has now been repaired by a gracious volunteer. Last year someone yelled at me from the road “Quit stealing my f**king water!”. So…. perhaps a local, perhaps nearby resident(s) (there are homes up and around the hill) may have a bone to pick. Please, if you go there – and many, many Canmore and Area residents have been going for years & years – please be nice. Pick up stuff, don’t leave stuff, keep the place wonderful, if glass breaks bring it home, don’t wander around into peoples homes/yards up the hill, etc. And if the boogieman comes, offer him a drink…
If RCMP arrive: ask the specific number of the law one is breaking if they try to fine anyone… if there even is a law. That was the problem with the National Park wardens regarding the Banff spring. There was no law against it. They just didn’t want people to be there to use the spring commercially.
The RCMP just started giving out $3000.00 fines today saying it is within a provincial park boundary. We almost got one but hadn’t filled up yet .
I don’t know that his is going to hold up in court? But we need to figure it out right away !
Jason Rennie
Canmore ab.
hi Jason, have you heard any more related to the RCMP handing out fines? I don’t want to make the drive only to encounter problems with the law!
Man… that is such a shame Jason. I thought the canmore one was within the city limit, and didn’t really fall under the park laws. I would love to see someone challenge and reverse this. Water should be a free for all for when it comes to personal consumption IMO.
..I was there yesterday but could not find it 🙁
email me at meade.james@gmail.com and ill try to give you better directions.
Its worth the trip again!
Hi everyone. I am looking if anyone in Calgary would be willing to car pool? I don’t have a vehicle available, but wanting to share gas prices going to this spring. (I personally won’t go.) If possible, could you email me at
whatchickstalkabout@gmail:disqus .com
Please use ‘spring water request’ in subject of email so I know it’s not junk mail.
Thanks so much
PamelaViktoria
Hey guys. Thanks for sharing this. I had this water tested yesterday (November 12th, 2011). Here were the results for anyone who may be interested …
TDS: 167
PH: 6
Iron: 0
Cal/Mag (i.e. hardness): 13 GPG
Overall a pretty good water. TDS is pretty good. PH is slightly more acidic than I would like, but still not a bad water.
Cheers,
Jake
Please keep in mind to tread lightly on the moss that grows at this spring. I have noticed that many of the little swells of moss that used to be abundant on the stream formed by the spring, have been trampled on (and washed away) due to high use. Since we have to walk up the stream to get to the source, we ought to be mindful that we step on the rocks. I know its only moss, but it’s a part of the magic too!
Bringing a long rubber hose is also a good idea to avoid making too many trips up the stream.
thanks so much Malcolm. we’re heading there today… aiming to find it this time. seems to be hidden quite well.
Hello Shelley:
Did you end up finding this spring? You can also follow us out there next time we go out there.
Deborah
just to add some clarification to this spring…
The exit number to get there is the “Exit 86” which I thought might be helpful to know if anyone else asks. Some have been concerned over the “Pest MGMT” flagging tape on a tree near the the spring… upon further research, our friends in Canmore told us that flagging tape like that is all over the place, due to the pine beetle, and is likely not too much of a concern. I don’t know if they treated the tree or just put the tape on it to monitor it.
However even if some sort of treatment was applied – its more than likely small amount topical on the tree and would not touch the water or even if it did ofcourse spring is a continual flow where it has long been washed away.
hi Guys. Does anyone have any idea how long this spring has been used by people? Or any history on it?
Word of the wise for this spring. Some of the locals here get unreasonably angry when they see anyone, especially those who look like tourists, visiting this spring. If you see any signs saying that the water is toxic, I wouldn’t believe them.
This location is extremely inaccurate, the actual spring is 1.5km away at 51.11157, -115.36661. Please update the location.
Interesting how many ( many!) years this water has been used. So easy to find the place- no-one want to tell! Exit 86 from DT Canmore heading west past the Tourist Info Centre! Cross the hiway harvie heights and there it is a few feet above sideroad! I thought H20 being tested by AB Health etc. regularly- surprised to find here no regular testing. Yes it is simply’ delicious: when first bottled and ice cold- never found any foreign bodies in it, People drive regularly from Calgary to fetch it and say they are as healthy as horses- look radiant too- but these days, who knows? we know it comes from an underground aquifer up in the distant mountains north-east of the town, not anywhere near construction. I usually boil it when cooking and also for tea and coffee but drink it copiously when we arrive for more at the beautiful little spring!
I just visited this spring a few days ago. The water seams to be a little off. It has a strong metallic taste that is normally not present. I think it is due to the heavy spring runoff and snowmelt that is occurring right now. I would advise people to stay away for a few weeks to allow the spring to clear out. Just for reference I have been visiting the Canmore spring on and off for roughly 13 years.
My partner and I have been using this spring since June 2017 and we love it. It’s quite easy to get to and it is usable all year around. The water is amazing, we have never had any issues. I would recommend not going on the weekend in the summer because it can get a little busy.
it’s awesome. I like how it is cold and ready to drink
Isn’t pin at the wrong spot?
What happens over time when a pin is set on Google maps, when Google maps are updated the pins are misplaced and do not stay true to the location it was pinned. It’s alittle off.
Hi All,
My daughter told me about this spring and we took a ride up there to find it. it was difficult as we were given incorrect instructions but we persevered and finally found it due to the cars parked in area. I don’t know about the quality of the water but I do know that fresh spring water is the best tasting and insofar as I’ve been drinking it (about a month) I’m alive and well. Thanks to those who have cared for the area. Cheers
For the people who are having some difficulty finding the springs, this will be my 2nd attempt to find the spring. I misinterpreted the finally designation stop last time and could not find it. Thanks to this ladies short blog, it helped me with the directions as I was probably looking in the same spot as her and other people who could not find it. When taking the turn off going to Harvie Heights, turn right onto Pallister Trail while still driving on the overpass, and park vehicle on the curve. Do not drive over the bridge for about 600 ft and take that 1st immediate right and park, which is a road that will take you to a house. That was my first stop and searched for a good hour walking in bushes with no luck and I thought for sure I had the right location.
A google search for “Canmore map” and zoom in to Harvie Heights Rd will show an icon for “Park” and an “evergreen tree in a circle”, you can see the trail going into the bush not far from it. If you zoom in farther until you see the street view you will be able to see the trail leading into the trees. Yep that’s the spot…….
I tried including pics from google but looks like the images don’t come through. I will make another attempt in the coming week when my bottled water is empty.
Here’s the link for the lady who shared her story, and helped me to try again. All the best to Brando.
Harvie Heights/Canmore Spring – Gritty & Gracious
https://grittygracious.wordpress.com/2016/05/27/harvie-heightscanmore-spring/
Q & A: If a person wants to do a basic water portability test, it will cost roughly $100+ depending on how many samples you want tested. Its your health if you are concerned.
We just went the other day! We had a really hard time finding it at first, because we took the wrong exit and were looking in the wrong patch of woods. Once you find it, though, it’s pretty hard to miss… seemed to be a really popular spot with the locals.
People who have learned we filled up with water here without having known anything about it have been particularly concerned about its safety. I trust it from what I’ve learned so far – but I can’t seem to stop getting questions like, “How do you know the water does not contain sulfates/lead/toxins/etc, and is safe to drink?” …any suggestions on how to answer eloquently?
Thanks! Great little spot!
The water is terrific.
While we were there there about 6 other cars pulled up from many locations. Its a very popular spot
Hey I was out there today and could not find the spring. Everything looks very dry and could not spot any wet areas?
Any help to point me in the right direction?
There seems to be two different directions. One says go into the trees and another says go up the hill a few steps off path?
Hi All, I went to this spring on the weekend for the first time.. the pin on this map is wrong… can I fix it?
Hi there, I can’t seem to find it… I know I’m in the right area because of the descriptions and map… Is there a foot trail? I couldn’t even find a deer trail. Any further description?
Thanks.
Hi
Does anyone know if this water is safe to drink as is?
Hi
Does anyone know if this water is safe to drink as is, or do people filter it.
Thanks
I love the water . I like how it’s coid
Went last year, the water is great.
PLEASE anyone going to care of the area. Don’t leave garbage and be respectful. Thank you
Has anyone gone here lately?
i would like to head up there but have a feeling id gett lost…, would anyone want to let me folllow perchance?