The headwaters of the Bow River are North of Lake Louise in Banff National Park. From there, the river flows South to the Banff townsite before exiting the park and heading through Canmore and on towards Calgary.
Within the park, the Canadian Pacific railroad tracks follow the river for a few stretches, where canoeists are treated to great views of a passing train with a stunning mountain backdrop, or guests of Rocky Mountaineer which offers rail tours of the area, are treated to views of the beautiful Bow River (occasionally with canoeists on it).
Location: Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada