Canmore: Rat’s Nest Cave Adventure Tour with Rappel & Squeeze

Summary

Rappel inside Rat’s Nest Cave then crawl & scramble deep underground

You’ll hike up from Canmore to Rat’s Nest Cave, then rappel 18 meters straight down before crawling, climbing, and squeezing through ancient rock passages with an expert guide by your side. Expect muddy knees, shaky laughs in tight spaces like the Laundry Chute, and moments of awe in hidden chambers—all gear included for your caving adventure.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I hesitated at the cave entrance. Our guide, Jamie, grinned and said, “You’ll get used to the helmet hair.” The air smelled like cold stone and something earthy—almost metallic. We clipped on harnesses, checked headlamps (mine kept slipping), and started up this short but steep trail above Canmore. By the time we reached the mouth of Rat’s Nest Cave, my nerves had settled into a kind of excited dread. I didn’t expect the first real challenge to be just standing there, looking into that black hole and knowing we’d be dropping 18 meters down inside it.

The rappel itself was wild—my palms were sweaty and I could feel my heart in my teeth. Jamie talked us through every step (“Trust your feet!”), and then suddenly I was dangling in cool darkness, boots scraping rock. Down below it got quiet except for our breathing and some water dripping somewhere far off. There’s this moment when you land and realize you’re really inside the mountain. We crawled, scrambled over boulders slick with centuries of touch, squeezed through tight spots (the “Laundry Chute” is no joke—I got stuck halfway and laughed so hard I almost lost my helmet). At one point Jamie pointed out old animal bones wedged in a crevice—he told us stories about early explorers getting lost down here. It felt both claustrophobic and weirdly peaceful.

We spent hours underground but time slipped away—I only noticed because my knees were muddy and my arms ached from pulling myself through cracks. The Grande Gallery opened up suddenly after a narrow tunnel; everyone just stopped talking for a second to take it in. It wasn’t beautiful in any postcard way—just vast and echoey with our headlamps bouncing off jagged walls. Someone tried to whistle but it sounded tiny against all that emptiness. On the way back out, Jamie asked if anyone wanted to try another squeeze (“optional,” he said, but somehow we all did). I still think about that silence down there sometimes—it sticks with you more than you’d expect.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Canmore Rat's Nest Cave Adventure

• Arrive at Rat's Nest Cave
• Rappel down 18m drop
• Crawl, climb, and scramble inside cave
• Navigate to The Grande Gallery and The Grotto
• Complete warm-up and challenge squeezes
• Experience the Laundry Chute challenge
• Spend approximately 4 hours underground

Top questions

How long does the Canmore caving adventure tour last?

The tour includes about four hours spent underground inside Rat's Nest Cave.

Is rappelling included on the Rat's Nest Cave tour?

Yes, you'll rappel 18 meters (about six stories) as part of the adventure tour.

Are guides provided during the caving experience?

Yes, an expert guide leads you throughout the entire caving adventure.

What equipment is included for the Canmore cave tour?

All necessary caving equipment is provided for participants.

Do I need previous caving experience to join?

No previous experience is needed but moderate fitness is required.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; public transportation options are available nearby.

Are there any health restrictions for this caving trip?

The tour isn’t recommended for those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What physical activity is involved on this day trip?

You’ll hike uphill 30-40 minutes plus climb, crawl, squeeze and slide inside the cave.

What’s included

Your day includes all safety gear—helmet, harness—and every bit of caving equipment you’ll need as you follow an expert guide through rappelling, crawling, climbing and squeezing adventures deep inside Rat’s Nest Cave near Canmore.