The Last of Us Filming Location Directions: Canmore Engine Bridge!

The Last of Us is a video game turned TV series which has taken everyone by storm in 2023 and was filmed in Canada’s beautiful province of Alberta!

Read on for directions to finding the Canmore Engine Bridge in the town of Canmore, Alberta, Canada which was a filming location for The Last of Us.

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About Canmore Engine Bridge

Dating back to the 1800s, Canadian Pacific Railway built this Canmore bridge for coal mine purposes over the Bow River in Canmore, Alberta, Canada.

Today it is used for pedestrians only (and filming productions). The structure spans 97 metres and is admired for the rare vertical end posts.

About The Last of Us TV Series

It’s a post-apocalyptic world following Joel and Ellie, two unlikely companions, as they navigate the world lost to a deadly virus.

The HBO TV show is set in the USA but completely filmed in Canada, mainly in the Alberta province in places like Edmonton, Calgary and of course, Canmore.

This is the largest film production to ever shoot in Canada! This trumps the likes of The Revenant, Brokeback Mountain, Cool Runnings and Suits to name a few.

The Last of Us HBO Filming Locations in Canmore

image of Canmore Engine Bridge in Canmore Alberta Canada. Filming Location for The Last of Us. Image taken from end of bridge with snow on ground, iron bridge either side of picture, mountains in background, blue sky and sun setting over far left mountain.

There is a community in The Last of Us universe that live in Jackson, Wyoming but none of the scenes were filmed in this place as this town’s filming locations were all in Canmore. Canmore is a charming mountain town in Alberta, 30 minutes from Banff and an hour from Calgary.

Without giving spoilers, in episode six “Kin”, we are taken to the stunning Canmore where the entire town is used as the setting for Jackson. You’ll notice the streets, the clocks and the mountains!

But not before Joel and Ellie cross the “River of Death” by using none other than the Engine Bridge in Canmore.

How to Find The Canmore Engine Bridge!

Address: Spur Line Trail, Canmore, AB T1W 1V9, Canada

If you’ve become a fan of the show, why wouldn’t you also want to cross the “River of Death”, known in real life as the Bow River?!

It’s really not far from town and an easy, pleasurable walk. I walked this in freezing temperatures and still enjoyed. Note: Be wary of wildlife on any walk in these parts.

Distance from town to bridge: 6km

Time it takes to walk there and back: 30 mins

Directions to Canmore Bridge From Downtown Canmore

Starting from 8th Street which is the main street with the likes of Grizzly Paw, Canary Coffee, Canmore Mayor’s Office and Rocky Mountain Bagel Company on it, walk straight down this main street and take a right onto 8 Avenue at The Wood Restaurant & Lounge on the corner.

Continue to walk 8 Ave / Fairholme Drive until you find 11th Street. But do not turn left yet.

Take your very next left after 11th Street known as the ‘Spur Line Trail‘.

You’ll find a long path that looks like the picture below and if you continue straight, you’ll come out at the beginning of Canmore Bridge.

path full of snow and trees either side leading to Canmore Engine Bridge

The first glimpse of the Bridge in Canmore is in sight!

Canmore Engine Bridge first sighting. Snow on ground in forefront, bridge in far centre with mountains and blue sky behind.

You’ll see a ‘Whirling Disease’ warning sign to your right with glorious views of the river and mountains:

Start of the Canmore Engine Bridge. Image of the right hand side showing warning signs, snow on ground, river, trees and blue sky in background.

You’ve found the filming location of The Last of Us!

Getting Back to Town

Either turn and go the way you came or take the route to the left of this bridge to do a full loop down a path known as ‘Higashikawa Friendship Trail‘ that looks like this:

image of path from Canmore bridge back to Downtown Canmore.

You can take this shortcut to get back to town after walking the path for a few minutes, to your left you’ll see a small drop with this trail sign:

image of walking path toward town from Canmore Engine Bridge.

Next you’ll see the residential street that looks like it leads to nowhere but following this road will take you right back to downtown Canmore:

Map of Engine Bridge Canmore

Canmore Engine Bridge

Another Filming Location for The Last of Us: Bow Falls in Banff!

Things to Do Near Engine Canmore Bridge

image of Canmore Engine Bridge in Canmore Alberta Canada. Filming Location for The Last of Us. Image taken on the bridge and looking through a gap in the left hand side to show mountain and river.

Admire the mountain views including spotting Three Sisters, Cascade and Rundle.

Explore the town of Canmore.

Walk multiple trails and hikes including: Policeman Creek Trail, Cougar Creek Trail, Ha Ling Peak Trailhead, and River Walk Canmore.

Spot wildlife!

Travel to nearby town of Banff. See all my Banff Posts here.

Photograph the same shots as The Last of Us.

The Last of Us Filming Locations in Alberta

The Last of Us filming locations episode 1 to 5 are mainly filmed in Calgary (notably the high school, quarantine zone, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and “Indonesia” flashback), High River (the home and highway), and Fort Macleod (shops and cinema). Edmonton is also the setting for what is supposed to be Boston.

Canmore makes its debut by episode six. And how beautiful is this bridge when it appears!

Lots more Albertan locations were used for this TV series which I’ll likely save for another post.

How to Find The Canmore Engine Bridge in Alberta, CA | The Last of Us Filming Location!