Banff National Parkis a Canadian national park located in the Rocky Mountains and is the first national park in Canada.
In 1883, three railroad workers discovered hot springs in the area, and later, with the establishment of various facilities, Banff National Park was built in 1885. In 1984, UNESCO listed Banff National Park as a World Heritage Site, which is of high tourist value.
To this day, the park maintains historic sites such as the Cave and Basin, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, the Banff Park Museum, and The Cosmic Ray Station on Sanson Peak. Station on Sanson Peak.
Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, the 6,641-square-kilometer Banff National Park is filled with peaks, glacial basins, and alpine lakes, and can be roughly divided into areas to plan your trip, including Banff Town Area, Lake Louise Area, and Icefields Parkway Area.)
Banff National Park is closely connected to Jasper National Park in Canada and close to Glacier National Park in the U.S. The drive is about 4 hours and 20 minutes, allowing you to visit both of the other national parks at the same time.
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Table of Contents
What to see in Banff National Park What can you do?
Located in the Rocky Mountains, Banff National Park covers 6,641 square kilometers and is home to many natural features such as mountain peaks, canyons, glacial basins, and alpine glacial lakes, as well as a large variety of wildlife.
From Banff Town, you can visit Banff National Park’s Cave and Basin National Historic Site, enjoy Banff Upper Hot Springs, the only remaining bathing hot spring open to the public, take the Banff Sightseeing Gondola up to Sulphur Mountain, and from there, continue up to various attractions. Take the Banff Sightseeing Gondola up to Sulphur Mountain, from where you can continue up to a variety of attractions.
Back in Banff, you can choose to enjoy the scenery at Cascades Garden, Surprise Corner, Hoodoos Viewpoint, Banff View Point, or Johnston Canyon. Or take a walk or go boating on one of the several lakes near the town of Banff, such as Vermilion Lake, Two Jack Lake, or Lake Minnewanka.
In the Lake Louise area, you can enjoy or stay at the historic Fairmount Chateau Lake Louise, see or play in Lake Louise, take a teahouse tour of the Plain of Six Glaciers, or enter the Visit the Plain of Six Glaciers for a teahouse tour, or head into the Valley of the Ten Peaks to explore its many beautiful lakes along the hiking trails.
Along the Icefields Parkway, you can take various trails to attractions such as Bow Glacier Falls, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake & Bow Summit, and the Columbia Icefield at the park boundary. Bow Lake, Peyto Lake & Bow Summit, and the Columbia Icefield at the park’s border.
In addition to enjoying and hiking in your vehicle, you can bike the roads and some of the trails in Banff National Park, paddle in the lakes and rivers, or ride one of the park’s many gondola lines to get a view of the park from the air.
The cost to enter Banff National Park is:
- Adults 18-64: CAD $10.50/day
- Seniors 65+: CAD $9/day
- Minors (17 and under): Free of charge
They can be purchased at the entrance when entering the park or online. You can also purchase an annual Parks Canada pass to access the park.
Best time to visit Banff National Park?
Banff National Park is open year-round, except for special reasons such as weather that may temporarily close parts of the road, so check the park’s latest important announcements information page to determine road conditions before traveling.
In a year:
- Summertime is better for experiencing different activities such as cycling, boating, and photography;
- Autumn is better for enjoying the colorful mountain scenery;
- In winter, you can experience different winter activities such as ice walking, snowshoe walking, and dog sledding.
Temperature variations throughout the year in Banff National Park are shown below:
tip
- Time Difference: Banff National Park is one hour behind Central Time and one hour ahead of Western Time in the U.S. For example, if it’s 6:00 am in Los Angeles, it’s 7:00 am in Banff National Park, and 8:00 am in Dallas, TX.
- Do I need to change Canadian dollars? No. American credit cards can be used at almost all gas stations, stores, and restaurants in Banff.
- Do you need a Canadian visa or a Canadian eTA? U.S. Citizens and U.S. Green Cards do not need a visa or an eTA to travel directly, U.S. Citizens need to bring their U.S. passport and U.S. Green Cards need to bring their passport and U.S. Green Card. Other Chinese citizens with F1, H1b, or B1/B2 visas need a Canadian visa.
- Can I drive in Canada with a US driver’s license? Yes, it’s the same as driving in the U.S. All the rules and regulations are the same, but it’s important to note that Canadian driving speeds are measured in kilometers per hour (km/h), not in miles per hour (mph), so the dashboards of automobiles and roadway speed signs use kilometers (km).
- Entry into Canada: When entering Canada, you need to use the Kiosk machine to fill in the purpose of your trip, scan your passport, and at the same time, you need to declare whether you are carrying meat, fruits, vegetables, seeds, etc. For your convenience, it is recommended that you eat the fruits that you are carrying before you get off the plane so that it will be easier to declare. Once you have filled out the form, Kiosk will print out a form that you will take to the Canadian customs officer. You will need to speak briefly with the customs officer and give him or her your passport and/or green card, as well as the Kiosk printout. After meeting with the customs officer, remember that you will still need the Kiosk printout. You will then enter the Baggage area and once you have your bag, you will need to meet with the Customs Declaration Officer for the last time and you will only need to give the Kiosk printout to the Declaration Officer.
- What are the best places to eat in Banff? There is a local Chinese restaurant in Banff, Silver Dragon, which is good, although the taste is not the best, but it’s already very enjoyable to have Chinese food in Banff, and there is also Banff Old Spaghetti Factory, which is very affordable and tasty, and when you order a spaghetti, you will get a free coffee, ice cream and salad. In Calgary International Airport, there is a T. Pot (big family), truly recommended, about 11 minutes away from the airport, entering the door, is divided into left and right sides, the left side of the entrance is a la carte, there are a variety of sea cucumbers, abalone, the right side of the door is called the ” Peach Source Tea Restaurant “, which is the kind of Hong Kong morning tea type of dining, is the kind of Hong Kong morning tea type of dining. The right side of the entrance is called “Taoyuan Tea House”, which is a kind of Hong Kong morning tea type of catering, we have tried both sides, and both are very good, must go to try them.
- Wildlife: The park is home to a large number of wildlife, such as, bears and deer, so control your speed when traveling or riding on the road, especially in places with blind spots such as hairpin turns, and be sure to move slowly, and also, carry bear spray.
- Calculate the cost of admission: single admission to Banff National Park is calculated daily, visit a few days to buy a few days of admission, if you visit for a long time, it is more cost-effective to buy an annual pass to Canada’s national parks.
- Arrive Early: Banff National Park is a very popular area and many of the parking lots fill up in the morning, so if you need to drive yourself, it is recommended that you arrive at your parking spot by 9 or 8 a.m., or you can opt to take a bus tour of the park. For example, the parking lot for the gondola rides fills up completely by 11 a.m. and is especially crowded in the afternoon. Also, Johnson Caynon is very crowded, so try to get there early.
- Returning to the USA from Canada: When returning to the USA from Canada, you are entering the USA from a Canadian airport, which is different from other countries. This means that you will need to see a U.S. Customs official after security and before you board the plane. Therefore, you need to be at the airport at least three hours before you board the plane, or you may not be able to board the plane in time.
What to bring to visit Banff National Park?
- Water Bottle: There are many hiking trails in Banff National Park, and you need to stay hydrated while hiking, for example, the following two water bottles are great, the Giotto 32oz Water Bottle, and the Venture Pal 1.5 Gallon Water Bottle.
- Camera: Banff National Park is full of beautiful natural landscapes and wildlife, so bring your camera and be ready to capture the excitement.
- Sunscreen: there is less shade when visiting Banff National Park, so even apply sunscreen to prevent sunburn.
- Comfortable Shoes: There are a variety of hiking trails in Banff National Park, paved boardwalks, dirt trails, or glacier trails, so it’s more appropriate to bring a pair of hiking shoes that are somewhat waterproof.
Direct Flight to Banff National Park
The main airport near Banff National Park is Calgary International Airport (YYC). If you plan to fly to Jasper National Park, this is also the first airport you will arrive at.
It takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to drive to the park from YYC Airport.
YYC airport is very convenient, the car rental place is right across the street from gate 7. So there is no need to take the airport bus.
There is a Marriott Hotel at YYC Airport, located at Gate 10, about five minutes from the U.S. Arrivals gate.
Information on direct flights from the United States to Calgary International Airport is provided below:
| Direct Flight City (Airport code) | flight time | direct airline |
|---|---|---|
Dallas, Texas (DFW) | 3 hours and 44 minutes | American |
Houston, Texas (IAH) | 4 hours and 16 minutes | Air Canada United WestJet |
Los Angeles, CA (LAX) | 3 hours 08 minutes | Air Canada WestJet |
San Francisco, CA (SFO) | 2 hours and 37 minutes | Air Canada United WestJet |
San Diego, CA (SAN) | 3 hours 05 minutes | WestJet |
New York, NY (EWR) | 5 hours and 06 minutes | Air Canada |
New York, NY (JFK) | 5 hours and 32 minutes | WestJet |
Boston, MA (BOS) | 5 hours | WestJet |
Las Vegas, NV (LAS) | 2 hours and 51 minutes | Air Canada WestJet |
| Seattle, WA (SEA) | 1 hour 35 minutes | Delta Alaska WestJet |
Phoenix, AZ (AZA) | 3 small 12 minutes | WestJet |
Phoenix, AZ (PHX) | 3 hours. | Air Canada WestJet |
Atlanta, GA (ATL) | 4 hours and 38 minutes | WestJet |
Denver, CO (DEN) | 2 hours and 31 minutes | United WestJet |
Salt Lake City, UT (SLC) | 2 hours 08 minutes | Delta |
Santa Ana, CA (SNA) | 3 hours 08 minutes | WestJet |
Portland (PDX) | 1 hour 57 minutes | Air Canada WestJet |
Chicago (ORD) | 3 hours and 32 minutes | American United |
| Minneapolis, MN (MSP) | 3 hours, 2 minutes. | Delta WestJet |
| Vancouver, CA (YVR) | 1 hour 27 minutes | Air Canada WestJet Lynx Air Flair Airlines |
| Toronto, CA (YYZ) | 4 hours and 22 minutes | Air Canada WestJet Lynx Air Flair Airlines Air Transat |
| Quebec City, CA (YQB) | 4 hours and 45 minutes | Air Canada |
| Montreal, CA (YUL) | 4 hours and 44 minutes | Air Canada WestJet Flair Airlines |
| Ottawa, CA (YOW) | 4 hours and 20 minutes | Air Canada WestJet Multiple airlines |
| Halifax, CA (YHZ) | 5 hours and 37 minutes | Air Canada WestJet Multiple airlines |
What are the transportation and road conditions in Banff National Park?
A. Self-driving into the park
The main roads in Banff National Park are Highway 93 and Highway 1.
These are public roads, so staff will set up ticket checkpoints along the way. If you are planning to enter the park for fun, stopping for photos, lodging, etc., you must purchase a pass before entering the park and have a paper or electronic copy ready for staff to check at any time.
In most cases, staff will check your entry pass in the attraction’s parking lot.
However, if you are just following these two paths directly through the park, you do not need to prepare a pass.
There are other roads in the park, such as Bow Valley Parkway / Highway 1A, that may be temporarily closed due to weather or other reasons, so it’s a good idea to check the park’s latest bulletin for up-to-date road conditions before you travel.
B. Access to the park from YYC airport
YYC Airport is located in the city of Calgary and it takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to rent a car from YYC Airport to Banff National Park.
Several bus routes provide paid connections from the airport to many areas including Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper Town.
You can choose a bus route according to the destination you want to go to. When choosing a bus route, you need to pay attention to whether or not the cost of the park’s entrance pass is included in the bus fare.
The main buses are:
C. Arrival at the park by train
Rocky Mountaineer can be taken from Vancouver to Lake Louise and Banff via Kamloops.
The train has large glass windows that provide excellent views of the journey, delicious food, and a detailed commentary service.
D. Public transportation in Banff Township
The Town of Banff offers hybrid attraction shuttle buses with multiple routes and a variety of ticket types as a way to encourage visitors to choose a more environmentally friendly way to visit the park.
You can view the route map of the buses to determine the route to take, and check the price list to buy the necessary tickets, and the park also offers the application Doublemap to help you know the location of the buses in real time, to organize your formation more accurately.
Doublemap APP DOWNLOAD: Apple Installation, Google Installation
How are accommodations in Banff National Park organized?
Several areas of the park offer stay, with the most common choices for visitors being Banff Town and Louise Lake Village, and several lodging options on Icefields Parkway.
Of the several lodging areas, the town of Banff is the area with the best tourist amenities, with a wide variety of dining, entertainment, and consumer venues in addition to lodging, while the village of Lake Louise is relatively quiet, and more easily accessible because it is in the heart of the park.
In addition to hotel accommodations, the park offers several camping areas to experience a night in the wilderness, as well as several lodging options in the small town of Canmore in the southern part of the park.
A. Hotels in Banff Park
The town of Banff has the largest selection of lodging and is most recommended for dining and amenities. In the town of Banff, we most recommend the Peaks Hotel and Suites, which is a four-star guesthouse that is priced right and very close to many restaurants.
If you’re planning a trip to Columbia Icefield, consider the Glacier View Lodge at Columbia Icefield Center, with one side facing the Glacier and the other side facing the mountains, it’s worth a stay.
Another option is Lake Louise, also a popular spot to hit, the main problem is that the restaurant options are limited.
Banff Town
#1. Peaks Hotel and Suites ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 9.0 /10.0 643 reviews
Great value for money and super convenient, next to gas stations and restaurants.
#2. Fairmont Banff Springs ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.6/10.0 598 reviews
Not recommended, mainly expensive, we stayed one night, the feeling is average, but highly recommended to hit the visit. Fairmont Banff Spring is a National Historic Site in the park, built in 1888, has the largest SPA spa in Canada – Willow Spa (Willow Spa), the exterior of the hotel is dominated by the Scottish architectural style.
#3. Mount Royal Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.6/10.0 746 reviews
#4. Brewster Mountain Lodge ⭐⭐⭐ 8.4/10.0 987条评价
#5. Elk + Avenue Hotel ⭐⭐⭐ 8.3/10.0 1,414条评价
#6. High Country Inn ⭐⭐⭐ 8.6/10.0 1,577条评价
#7. Best Western Plus Siding 29 Lodge ⭐⭐⭐ 8.3/10.0 1,534条评价
#8. Canalta Lodge ⭐⭐⭐ 8.5/10.0 2,608条评价
#9. Tunnel Mountain Resort 8.5/10.0 1,100 reviews
Louise Lake Village (Louise Lake Village)
#10. Fairmont Château Lake Louise ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.3/10.0 1,017 reviews
Built more than 100 years ago, the Fairmont Château Lake Louise is also one of the most popular hotels in the park, occupying more than 36,000 square feet. Not only does it offer many rooms to stay in, but it also offers a wide range of recreational activities, including summer canoeing, winter skiing, children’s camps, a luxury spa, and fine dining. The problem is still “too expensive”.
#11. Paradise Lodge and Bungalows ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 9.0/10.0 350 reviews
#12. Post Hotel and Spa ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 9.2/10.0 123 reviews
#13. HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre – Hostel 8.0/10.0 1,059 reviews
#14. Baker Creek By Basecamp ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.8/10.0 912 reviews
Icefields Parkway
#15. Glacier View Lodge ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.8/10.0 513 reviews
#16. HI Mosquito Creek Hostel 7.9/10.0 77 reviews
#17. HI Rampart Creek – Hostel 8.3/10.0 69 reviews
#18. Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge ⭐⭐ 8.1/10.0 1,016 reviews
#19. HI Athabasca Falls – Hostel 8.6/10.0 136 reviews
B. Accommodation outside Banff Park
Canmore
#20. Pocaterra Inn & Waterslide 8.5/10.0 1,475 reviews
#21. Basecamp Resorts Canmore 8.2 /10.0 868 reviews
#22. The Georgetown Inn 8.5 /10.0 768 reviews
#23. Canmore Downtown Hostel 9.1 /10.0 821 reviews
#24. Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre 8.1 /10.0 1,444 reviews
#25. Blackstone Mountain Lodge by CLIQUE 8.8 /10.0 636 reviews
C. Campsites in Banff Park
| campsite | Opening hours in 2022 | infrastructure |
|---|---|---|
5/12 – 10/3 Reservations Required | Drinking water, flushing toilets toilets, showers | |
Open all year round Reservation required | Drinking water, flushing toilets toilets, showers, power supply | |
5/12 – 10/11 Reservations Required | Drinking water, flushing toilets toilets, showers, power supply | |
5/12 – 10/3 Reservations Required | Drinking water, flushing toilets toilets, showers, power supply | |
6/23 – 9/6 Reservations Required | Drinking water, flushing toilet latrines | |
6/23 – 9/6 Reservations Required | Drinking water, flushing toilet latrines | |
5/12 – 10/3 Reservations Required | Drinking water, flushing toilets toilets, showers | |
5/12 – 10/3 Reservations Required | Drinking water, flushing toilet latrines | |
5/26 – 9/26 Reservations required | Drinking water, flushing toilets toilets, showers | |
Close Waiting Notification | Drinking water, flushing toilet latrines | |
6/22 – 9/5 First-come, first-served | Drinking water, flushing toilet latrines | |
Open Year Round Reservation required | Drinking water, flushing toilets toilets, showers | |
6/10 – 9/27 Reservations Required | Drinking water, flushing toilets toilets, showers | |
6/10 – 9/27 First Come First Served | Drinking water, pit latrines | |
6/2 – 9/25 Reservations Required | Drinking water, pit latrines | |
6/2 – 10/2 Reservations Required | pit latrine | |
6/23 – 9/11 First Come First Served | Drinking water, flush toilet latrines, pit latrines |
What are some good restaurants in Banff National Park?
Dining in the park is concentrated in the town of Banff and is limited in other areas, except for the restaurants in the hotels.
Just outside the park in Calgary, there are several quality restaurants to choose from.
A. Summary of Chinese food
- T. Pot (Big House) @Calgary
- Taoyuan Tea House @Calgary
- Silver Dragon @ Banff
- Forbidden City @Calgary
- Sun’s BBQ Restaurant @Calgary
- Cafe 100% @Calgary
B. Restaurants in Banff Township in the Park
#1. Block Kitchen + Bar 4.6/5.0 (913 reviews) map
#2. Chaya 4.1/5.0 (560 reviews) map
#3. The Maple Leaf 4.3/5.0 (1,117 reviews) map
#4. The Old Spaghetti Factory (Banff) 4.3/5.0 (2,646 reviews) map
#5. Nourish Bistro Banff 4.4/5.0 (1,038 reviews) map
#6. Balkan Restaurant 4.3/5.0 (1,533 reviews) map
#7. Sushi House Banff 4.3/5.0 (518 reviews) Map
#8. Hankki Banff 4.9/5.0 (163 reviews) map
#9. Chuck’s Steakhouse 4.6/5.0 (1,125 reviews) map
#10. The Bison Restaurant 4.6/5.0 (981 reviews) map
#11. Tooloulous 4.3/5.0 (2,013 reviews) map
C. Restaurants in other areas of the park
#12. Lakeview Lounge 4.2/5.0 (294 reviews) map
#13. Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise 4.2/5.0 (96 reviews) map
#14. Walliser Stube 4.5/5.0 (118 reviews) map
#15. The Guide’s Pantry 4.0/5.0 (8 reviews) map
#16. Bill Peyto’s Cafe 4.5/5.0 (770 reviews) map
#171. Timberwolf Pizza & Pasta Cafe 4.1/5.0 (384 reviews) map
#8. Legends Restaurant 4.3/5.0 (240 reviews) map
#19. Lake Louise Railway Station & Restaurant 4.4/5.0 (673 reviews) map
#20. Lake Agnes Tea House 4.5/5.0 (1,246 reviews) map
#21. Whitehorn Bistro 4.3/5.0 (439 reviews) map
#22. Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse 4.7/5.0 (481 reviews) map
#23. The Lodge at Bow Lake 4.3/5.0 (281 reviews) map
D. Restaurants outside parks
#24. Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co. 4.6/5.0 (2,177 reviews) map
#25. Crazyweed Kitchen 4.4/5.0 (913 reviews) map
#26. Iron Goat Pub & Grill 4.3/5.0 (2,368 reviews) map
#27. The Grizzly Paw Pub – Downtown Location 4.3/5.0 (4,166 reviews) map
#28. Tavern 1883 4.4/5.0 (1,322 reviews) map
#29. Chez Francois Restaurant and patio 4.4/5.0 (1,164 reviews) map
#30. BLAKE Restaurant Brewhouse and Distillery 4.2/5.0 (1,207 reviews) map
#31. Communitea Cafe 4.6/5.0 (1,258 reviews) map
#32. Gaucho 4.6/5.0 (813 reviews) map
#33. Georgetown Inn & Pub 4.4/5.0 (1,167 reviews) map
#34. Craigs’ Way Station 4.4/5.0 (1,373 reviews) map
Itinerary + Highlights
Banff National Park covers a large area, and the good thing is that the popular sights are concentrated in three general areas, namely:
- Close to Banff Town in the south;
- LAKE LOUISE area in the center;
- Along the Icefields Parkway all the way north to the border with Jasper National Park, there are a few must-see attractions along the way.
When traveling, you can follow the south-to-north route. This way, you can visit Banff National Park and then continue to Jasper National Park.
If you tour in order from south to north:
first day
- Explore Banff Town, visit various attractions, soak in hot springs and more;
- Take the cable car Banff Gondola and hike to the top of the mountain, which takes about 2 to 3 hours;
- Overnight in the town of Banff.
the morrow
- In the morning head to Johnson Caynon where a half-day hike can be arranged;
- Continue toLake Louis to see the sights around Lake Louis for about half a day;
- Return to Banff Town for the night or stay in Lake Louise.
the morrow
- Go to Columbia Icefield to experience ice activities and at the same time, visit SkyWalk, the whole trip takes about three hours. It takes about 2 hours to drive from Banff Town to Columbia Icefield;
- View around Columbia Icefield;
- If you plan to continue north, consider staying at Columbia Icefield for the night, or if you plan to return to the city, consider returning to Banff Town or Lake Louis for the night.
A. Banff Town Area Attractions
The birth town of Banff National Park has gradually evolved from an outpost to the popular resort town it is now.
The town has a full complement of tourist attractions, including museums such as the Banff Park Museum National Historic Site, featuring animal, botanical, and architectural history, and the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, featuring historic buildings with artistic features, which can be visited on an optional basis. Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, featuring historic buildings with artistic features, is optional.
Several attractions in the town of Banff are not far from each other and are the most recommended places to visit, including:
- Cave and Basin National Historic Site
- Banff Upper Hot Springs
- Banff Sightseeing Gondola at Sulphur Mountain
Secondly, there are several secondary attractions that you can selectively visit for sightseeing, including:
- Cascades Garden
- Surprise Corner
- Bow Falls Viewpoint
- Vermilion Lake
There are two other attractions you can visit a little further away from the town of Banff, including:
- Devil’s Rock Viewpoint (Hoodoos Viewpoint)
- Mount Norquay Lookout
The secondary attractions are sightseeing attractions that can be walked around and easily glimpsed.
B. Lake Louise region
Lake Louise is the most popular lake in Banff National Park, named after Queen Victoria’s fourth daughter.
This is an alpine lake, even in summer, the water temperature is very low, not very suitable for swimming in the water, you can paddle for fun.
On the way from Banff to Lake Louise along Highway 1, you will pass by Castle Mountain, which looks like a castle from afar and is suitable for taking photos from afar.
Before turning off the main road into Lake Louise, drive south to Moraine Lake, with its unique glacial water in a very attractive blue-green color, then to Lake Louise to see the historic Fairmont Château Lake Louise, and follow the trail into the Plain of Six Glaciers, where you can find two famous tea rooms for a short break. Then follow the trail into the Plain of Six Glaciers, where you’ll find two famous tea rooms to take a break.
C. Icefields Parkway area
From Lake Louise, head north on the Icefields Parkway and encounter several attractions along the way.
Finally, you’ll come to the Columbia Icefield Glacier, where Banff and Jasper National Parks meet.
You can not only enjoy the view of the ice field but also participate in the ice field adventure activities.
Banff National Park Attractions
Banff National Park is full of attractions, and some of the most can’t-miss hit points include:
- Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure (Skywalk)
- Banff Sightseeing Gondola
- Johnston Canyon
- Lake Louise
- Cave and Basin National Historic Site
- Mount Norquay Lookout
- Lake Minnewanka
- Cave and Basin National Historic Site
- Banff Upper Hot Springs
- Banff Sightseeing Gondola
- Cascades of Time Garden
- Surprise Corner
- Bow Falls Viewpoint
- Vermilion Lake
- Hoodoos Viewpoint
- Mount Norquay Lookout
- Johnston Canyon
- Moraine Lake
- Lake Louise
- Plain of Six Glaciers
- Bow Lake
- Peyto Lake
- Parker Ridge
- Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure (Skywalk)
1. Lake Minnewanka
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 / 5.0 (661 reviews)
The first attraction you encounter as you enter the park from Canmore.
Minnewanka, meaning ” water spirit ” in Native American, is the largest and deepest lake in Banff National Park.
At the top of the lake, there is also a small lake, Two Jack Lake, where you can go boating.
2. Cave and Basin National Historic Site
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.2 / 5.0 (3,493 reviews)
The Caves and Basin National Historic Site is a preserved site of the original birthplace of Banff National Park.
Three railroad workers discovered the hot springs here in 1883, and since then a variety of commercial developments, or planning activities for natural lands, have slowly built up around the area that is now Banff National Park.
You can learn about local history by watching interactive exhibits, short films, and more.
There are also several less difficult walking trails from here to explore the surrounding landscape.
3. Banff Upper Hot Springs
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.2 / 5.0 (5,503 reviews)
After three railroad workers discovered the hot springs in 1883, locals began to develop hot springs tourism as “spas” became more popular in the 19th century.
Subsequently, due to environmental conservation, operational adjustments, and other factors, Banff Upper Hot Springs became the only remaining bathing spa center open to the public.
The center offers a large swimming pool and a cafe where you can rent swimsuits and towels and get a feel for it if you have enough time.
4. Banff Sightseeing Gondola at Sulphur Mountain
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4. 7/ 5.0 (4,714 reviews)
One of the most popular gondola lines in Banff National Park, the one-way run takes around 8 minutes to reach the summit of Sulphur Mountain at a height of 7,486 feet, where there are a couple of restaurants to take a break.
From the summit, follow the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to the remains of the Cosmic Ray Station, a former Canadian research station built to study cosmic rays.
5. Cascades of Time Garden
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4. 6/ 5.0 (1,985 reviews)
This is a small, well-designed garden, and summer is the best time to visit, as the garden will be in full bloom and the view is stunning.
6. Surprise Corner
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4. 5/ 5.0 (818 reviews)
Across the Bow River, closest to the famous Banff Springs Hotel, from where you can take great photos of the famous Banff Springs Hotel from a unique perspective, or just enjoy the hotel’s one-of-a-kind exterior views.
7. Bow Falls Viewpoint
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4. 7/ 5.0 (3,811 reviews)
From here you can see the Bow Falls, which is not very high, but wide enough to enjoy along the way.
8. Vermilion Lake
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4. 6/ 5.0 (172 reviews)
In a wetland along the Bow River, there are hot springs at the bottom of the lake so the water doesn’t freeze even in winter.
Also due to the lush vegetation of the surrounding wetlands, you can see a wide range of migratory birds touching the area.
9. Devil’s Rock Viewpoint (Hoodoos Viewpoint)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 / 5.0 (1,040 reviews)
Located just east of the town of Banff, once you enter from Canmore, you can turn onto Tunnel Mountain Rd, park at the parking lot, come down to view the area, and then continue to the town of Banff.
From here you can see the intricate tributaries of the Bow River at your feet and the surrounding mountain scenery.
10. Mount Norquay Lookout
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 / 5.0 (277 reviews)
From the town of Banff, drive along Mt Norquay Rd, cross Highway 1, and enter Mt Norquay Scenic Dr. Follow the rugged mountain road to the last hairpin turn to reach the Mt Norquay Lookout, from which you can see the view of the rolling peaks in the distance.
11. Johnston Canyon
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4. 7/ 5.0 (5,441 reviews)
The canyon is dominated by waterfall scenery, which can be viewed in the foreground along the trail. The vertical drop distance of the Lower Waterfall is around 30 meters, and the hiking distance is around 1.1 kilometers, while the vertical drop distance of the Upper Waterfall is around 120 meters, and the hiking distance from the Lower Waterfall is around 2.7 kilometers.
12. Moraine Lake
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4. 8/ 5.0 (2,366 reviews)
Moraine Lake is located in the Valley of the Ten Peaks and can be reached from Moraine Lake Road.
Moran Lake, with its stunning turquoise hue due to the natural glacial water quality, based on the rock dust that flowed into the lake, was once featured on the back of the Canadian twenty-dollar bill issued between 1969 and 1979.
The Valley of the Ten Peaks, on the other hand, is named after the ten peaks that can be seen in one valley, so you can also follow the hiking trails around Moran Lake and enter the valley to enjoy the views of the surrounding peaks from different angles.
13. Lake Louise
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4. 8/ 5.0 (1,045 reviews)
The clear water of Lake Louise, gathered trip from the melting of mountain glaciers, also has a unique color due to the unique minerals in the water.
The Fairmont Château Lake Louise on the shores of the lake is over 100 years old and not only is it worth visiting, but it is also popular for the large number of rooms it offers, as well as several lake-view restaurants and more.
The Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail along the shores of Lake Louise offers views of Lake Louise as well as a different perspective on the exterior of the Fort Hotel.
14. Plain of Six Glaciers
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 / 5.0 (33 reviews)
From the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail, you can turn onto the Lake Agnes Trail, along which you can enjoy views of Lake Agnes while finding one of the park’s most famous tea rooms, the Lake Agnes Tea.
After returning to the Lake Louise Lakefront Trail along the Lake Agnes Trail, turn onto the Plain of Six Glaciers, also known as the Teahouse Trail, and at the end of the trail you will find the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, another of the most popular tea houses in the park. At the end of the trail, you will find the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, another one of the most popular teahouses in the park.
15. Bow Lake
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4. 8/ 5.0 (686 reviews)
Bow Lake is the headwaters of the Bow River, which flows south through the city of Calgary and into the Oldman River, eventually reaching Hudson Bay and flowing into the ocean.
Bow Lake runs parallel to Icefields Drive, which can be viewed while driving, or you can get out of the car and follow the road to the surrounding Crowfoot Glacier, Wapta Icefield, Bow Glacier, and Bow Falls, enjoying the views along the way.
16. Peyto Lake
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4. 8/ 5.0 (577 reviews)
Lake Peto is one of the most popular glacial lakes in the park, surrounded by a large number of tourists taking photos or playing all year round. Similar to the other glacial lakes in the park, it is fascinating because of the special glacial waters that give the lake a turquoise color.
You can enjoy it from the shore, or climb up to Bow Summit / Peyto Lake Upper Viewpoint for a full view of Peyto Lake, which is also the highest point on the Icefields Road, the highest elevation traversed by a public road in Canada.
17. Parker Ridge
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 / 5.0 (23 reviews)
Along with Bow Summit, it’s also one of the best viewpoints for getting up high, and you can walk to Park Ridge, a round trip that takes about two hours, or get an elevated view from The Big Bend viewpoint just down the road.
On the way from Peyto Lake to Park Ridge, you’ll pass the Weeping Wall viewpoint, where, if you visit in the fall, you’ll see a “trail of tears” appearing on the surface of the mountain as glacial water travels down the mountain, making it a special sight when viewed from a distance.
18. Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4. 5/ 5.0 (727 reviews)
The Columbia Icefield Discovery Center is located on the Columbia Icefield Glacier, which straddles two national parks and is the largest area south of the Arctic Circle, totaling 325 square kilometers, with depths ranging from 100 to 365 meters, and annual snowfalls of around 7 meters.
During the summer months, visitors can participate in the Discovery Center’s Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure, an all-terrain bus ride on the Icefield Explorer to the Athabasca Glacier, and enjoy scenic hikes along the way. Enjoy scenic views and ice hiking along the way.
During the event, you can also visit the Glacier Skywalk, which is located in Jasper Park. There is no need to purchase a separate ticket as you can enter Jasper Park at the same time if you have purchased a Banff Park ticket.
The Glacier Skywalk is a curved glass walkway that extends out of the cliff face, suspended 280 meters in the air, making for an exhilarating experience.
Bicycling
With over 360 kilometers of mountain biking trails and road cycling trail options in Banff National Park, offering cycling experiences of varying difficulty levels, cycling is one of the best ways to explore Banff National Park and is generally recommended between May and October.
Check the park’s Road Bike Route Guide and Mountain Bike Route Guide, or the park’s latest Important Announcements information page, to determine road conditions for guest rides before you leave.
rowing boat
Non-motorized boats, including canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards, are allowed on all waters in Banff National Park.
Rentals are available through Banff Canoe Club, Black Diamond Rentals, Bow Valley SUP, Lake Minnewanka Boat Rentals, Radventures, SkiBig3 Adventure Hub and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Canoe Marina, among others.
You can also buy gear in the Atmosphere in Banff Township.
Cable car (Gondolas)
There are four scenic gondola routes in the Banff and Lake Louise area:
- Banff Sightseeing Gondola at Sulphur Mountain: The Banff Sightseeing Gondola at Sulphur Mountain is the most popular, so climb to the top of Sulphur Mountain, experience the restaurants there, or hike to the Cosmic Ray Station.
- Banff Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift: The Banff Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift takes you to the top of Mount Norquay, and also offers a restaurant and hiking trails overlooking all of the Bow Valley, as well as the adventurous Via Ferrata, climbing up the mountain on metal ladders and rungs to climb the peaks.
- Lake Louise Gondola: The Lake Louise Gondola reaches the top of the mountain at 2,088 meters, from where it offers a spectacular view of Lake Louise and the Victoria Glacier.
- Banff Sunshine Sightseeing Gondola: The Banff Sunshine Sightseeing Gondola takes you to the top of Mt. Standish, where you’ll not only get 360-degree views, but you can rest and picnic in the Sunshine Meadows.
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