Every time we drove down the Spray Lakes road and passed the unique Mount Engadine Lodge, we wondered what it would be like to stay there. After many years, we figured it was finally the year to stop wondering and actually pay a visit to the lodge and glamp for a few nights in their tents under the mountains.
What we found at Mount Engadine Lodge absolutely blew us away, and we couldn’t recommend visiting more. It’s truly one of the best places to stay in the Rockies, especially if you are after a more down-to-earth wilderness experience away from the hustle of Banff or Canmore. Here is what you can expect out of a wonderful stay at Mount Engadine Lodge.
Quick Details of Mount Engadine Lodge
- Address — 1 Mount Shark Rd
- Neighborhood — Kananaskis Country (Spray Lakes Rd)
- Booking.com — Mount Engadine Lodge
- Hotels.com – Mount Engadine
Why Book Mount Engadine Lodge?
You’re Truly Remote at Mount Engadine Lodge
Mount Engadine Lodge is located along Smith Dorrian Road/Spray Lakes Road, about one hour away from Canmore and an hour and a half away from Downtown Banff. There isn’t much else around besides mountains, valleys, trees, and some moose. In other words, Mount Engadine is in an extremely remote section of Kananaskis and one of Alberta’s best cabins.
There’s no cell service and no televisions. It’s back to wilderness here—precisely like what you may want to experience on a trip to the Canadian Rockies. If you’re eager to have that backcountry wilderness experience without roughing it in a tent and eating dehydrated meals, you seriously can’t get much better than a stay here.
Cozy Atmosphere
As you may be able to see from the photos, we stayed at Mount Engadine in the fall. Our main reason for picking early October to stay at Mount Engadine was to feel that warm, cozy feeling you can really only get as the weather gets colder, and Mount Engadine could not be any cozier
From the main lodge to the glamping tents, Mount Engadine Lodge takes homey comfort to another level. It was fantastic during a Canadian Rockies fall, but it would be just as great during the winter or summer.
The main lodge has two fireplaces and two big plush couches for cool weather. On a summer night, there is an outdoor fireplace and plenty of patio seating overlooking the meadow and Commonwealth Peak. The perfect spot for afternoon tea. However, I was most excited about the fireplaces in each glamping tent. We spent our cool mornings and nights cuddled up by the fire inside our tent in the middle of the Rockies!
Delicious Food All Day
All room rates are inclusive of meals. Mount Engadine’s meals include a hearty breakfast, a packed lunch, and a three-course dinner. As well as Afternoon Tea (more on that later). We were seriously impressed by the food at Mount Engadine. Every meal was on point, especially dinner, which rotates daily and can be enjoyed in your room or in the communal dining room.
For breakfast, we were always given a choice of two options with fresh-brewed coffee or tea, and lunch consisted of a packed sandwich with homemade bread to enjoy while out and about in the mountains. All meals beat the heck out of dehydrated meals that I would typically have on a backcountry adventure in Kananaskis.
Mount Engadine Has the Afternoon Tea in the Area!
It may sound silly, but the most exciting part of my days at Mount Engadine was the Afternoon Tea offering. Served from 2 to 5 p.m. daily, Mount Engadine’s afternoon tea is not your normal Afternoon tea with crumpets.
Their platter was more of a delectable charcuterie board with local cheeses and meats served with tea. It’s included in every guest’s room rate but is also open to non-guests to enjoy. It’s especially popular on weekends in the summer as it’s one of the most scenic places to eat in the Rockies.
Mount Engadine is Surrounded By Beautiful Mountains
It’s pretty hard to escape the mountains anywhere in this area of the world, but Mount Engadine is smack dab in the middle of some big ones. Besides Mount Engadine, which the lodge was named after, you’ll be able to see Tent Ridge, Commonwealth Peak, and Mount Birdwood right from the valley that Mount Engadine sits on.
There are Plenty of Hiking Options Around
There are many hiking options in Kananaskis to enjoy, and staying at Mount Engadine makes you that much closer to the trailhead for many hikes. For starters, one of the most popular hikes in the area, Tent Ridge, sits directly in front of the lodge.
Burstall Pass, Chester Lake, Read’s Tower, Sarrail Ridge, and Smutwood Peak are also nearby. There are also some great scrambles nearby, like Mount Shark, Rimwall Summit, Windtower, and Sparrowhawk.
If you’re not feeling a hike for the day, you can easily have a chill day at the Kananaskis Lakes or Goat Pond nearby or take a walk across the Blackshale Suspension Bridge.
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Mount Engadine is Pet Friendly
Sadly, we don’t have any pets, but I was informed that Mount Engadine Lodge was pet-friendly by their awesome “pet wall” in the lobby. Yes, pets are incredibly welcome at Mount Engadine, making it a fabulous fur-friendly place to stay near Canmore.
There Are Many Accommodation Options, Including Glamping!
You can book four main lodging styles at Mount Engadine Lodge, starting with lodge rooms connected to the main lodge. There are also wood cabins and a yurt! We stayed in their newer glamping tents, which felt like a home away from home. There are five glamping tents in total, each with a private deck overlooking the valley. Inside, you’ll find a comfortable king-size bed, full ensuite bathroom, and a gas fireplace to keep you warm at night!
I wouldn’t hesitate to book a stay at Mount Engadine again! If you have any other questions leave a comment or see our Canadian Rockies travel guide for more articles about photography spots, lakes, hikes, and everything else.
Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- Tours (New in 2024): The Banff Blog is partnering with one of the leading tour companies in Western Canada so readers can experience the magic of the Rockies with other travelers – without having to think about a thing. See all our 2024 tour offerings here!
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Get to Banff or Canmore Without a Car: The Banff Airporter provides fantastic service connecting you from the Calgary International Airport (YYC) to Banff or Canmore.
- Get Around: We suggest renting a car to get around. You can search for rental cars on Rentalcars.com. Or embark on an epic campervan trip. We like to compare prices on Motorhome Republic and Outdoorsy.
- Cheaper Airfare: We also use Going to watch for cheap airfare deals!
- Hop On, Hop Off: This tour is taking Banff by storm. It’s exactly what it sounds like, hop on and off a bus bound for all the best attractions at your own pace!
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The Banff Blog Facebook Group is your headquarters for Canadian Rockies travel advice and information, including hike and off-season travel information. You can also meet new adventure buddies.
