Planning a Visit to Banff National Park
This Banff National Park travel guide helps you plan a first visit without spending hours figuring out what is actually worth your vacation time. Banff is the kind of place where turquoise lakes really are that blue, snow-covered mountains seem to appear around every corner, and you can spend the morning hiking beside a glacier-fed lake and the evening soaking in hot springs.
You will find what not to miss, where to stay, when to visit, and the practical details you need before you arrive. I’ve also included the experiences that make a Banff trip memorable, from seeing Lake Louise and Moraine Lake to riding the Banff Gondola, looking for wildlife, hiking to a teahouse, and driving one of the most beautiful stretches of the Canadian Rockies.
READ Complete Canada Travel Guide, What You Need to Know
READ Alberta Canada, Canadian Rocky Mountains Road Trip Planner
Banff National Park at a Glance
Location: Alberta, Canada, in the Canadian Rockies
Closest major airport: Calgary International Airport
How many days: 3–4 days for a first visit
Best time to visit: June through September for hiking and lakes, December through March for skiing
Best place to stay: Banff for convenience, Lake Louise for mountain scenery
Don’t miss: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Banff Gondola, Johnston Canyon, Bow Valley Parkway, and Lake Minnewanka
Best scenic drive: Icefields Parkway
Best easy viewpoint: Surprise Corner
Getting around: Rental car plus Roam Transit and Parks Canada shuttles
Plan ahead: Accommodation, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake transportation, popular hikes, and summer camping
Good to know: Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles year-round
Banff National Park Travel Guide
Top 10 Things to Do in Banff National Park
1. See Lake Louise and walk along the lakeshore
2. Photograph Moraine Lake from the Rockpile
3. Ride the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain
4. Hike Johnston Canyon to the waterfalls
5. Drive the Bow Valley Parkway
6. Cruise or paddle on Lake Minnewanka
7. Hike to Lake Agnes Tea House
8. Photograph Fairmont Banff Springs from Surprise Corner
9. Explore Banff Avenue and walk along the Bow River
10. Drive part of the Icefields Parkway toward Jasper
Where is Banff National Park
Banff National Park is located in the Canadian Rockies in Canada’s Alberta Province. The best way to explore Banff National Park is by self-drive. The closest international airport is in Calgary Canada. From Calgary rent a car and drive 1.5 hours to Banff. Alternatively, shuttle service from Calgary to Banff is provided by the Brewster Express, Sundog Tours, the Banff Airporter, or the On-It Transit Service. Once in Banff ROAM Transit will connect you to popular sites.
Facts About Banff National Park
- Banff National Park is Canada’s first national park, over 4 million people visit it every year
- It is the oldest of Canada’s National Parks and became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984
- Banff is 2,564 square miles with 1,000 miles of hiking trails
- The boundary of Banff and Jasper National Park is a triple divide, meaning a raindrop may go to the Atlantic, the Pacific, or the Arctic Ocean
- There are over 1,000 glaciers in Banff National Park
- Banff’s mountains are 120 million years old
- Banff has the world’s only distillery located in a national park
- Lake Louise is the most photographed lake in the world
Best Time of Year to Visit Banff National Park
July and August are the busiest times and peak season. Summer temperatures range from 60-75 degrees F. Early June and late September are shoulder seasons. Most of the trails are dry from June to September. Leaves begin to change color in September and October is a great time for viewing the night sky. Winter begins in mid-October and continues until April or mid-May. The best skiing is from December to March. Moraine Lake and most campsites are closed in the winter; many roads or hikes are not accessible. April and May are great for spotting wildlife, wildflowers are in bloom and waterfalls are full of rushing water.
Accommodation in Banff National Park
Camping in Banff National Park is by permit and fills quickly, be sure to make a reservation. Lodging is available in Banff, Lake Louise, and Canmore.
One Day in Banff National Park
Early Morning: Lake Louise
Start your day at Lake Louise before the area gets busy. Walk the Lakeshore Trail for views across the turquoise water toward Victoria Glacier. Reserve your shuttle or transit before your trip rather than counting on finding lakeshore parking.
Morning: Moraine Lake
Continue to Moraine Lake using your reserved shuttle or other authorized transportation. Personal vehicles are not allowed on Moraine Lake Road. Walk the short Rockpile Trail for the classic view over the lake and Valley of the Ten Peaks.
Lunch: Banff
Return to Banff for lunch and take a walk along Banff Avenue. This is also a good time to shop for souvenirs or grab coffee before your afternoon stops.
Afternoon: Bow Falls and Surprise Corner
Walk along Bow Falls, then stop at Surprise Corner for one of the best views of Fairmont Banff Springs against the mountains.
Late Afternoon: Banff Gondola
Ride the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain and walk the summit boardwalk for panoramic views across the Canadian Rockies.
Evening: Banff
Finish with dinner in Banff. If you still have daylight, make a quick stop at Vermilion Lakes for mountain reflections and sunset.
If you have extra time: Add Lake Minnewanka or Two Jack Lake. Save Johnston Canyon, the Bow Valley Parkway, and Icefields Parkway for another day rather than rushing through them.
Hikes at Banff National Park
- Hike the Via Ferrata, a 1.3-mile loop trail
- Tunnel Mountain Trail, 2.7-mile out-and-back
- Hike 3.6-miles RT to Consolation Lakes
- Stuart Canyon, 4.2-mile out-and-back trail
- Hike 4.2 miles RT to Lake Agnes and have a cup of tea
- Larch Valley Hike, 5.5-mile out-and-back trail
- Hike 6.6 miles RT to the Plain of Six Glaciers teahouse
- Sunshine Meadows Trail, 11.6-mile out-and-back trail
- Aylmer Lookout Hike, 14.4-mile out-and-back trail
Things to Do at Banff National Park
- Photograph Fairmont Banff Springs, “Canada’s Castle in the Rockies”, from Surprise Corner
- Tour Fairmont Banff Springs and enjoy afternoon tea in the Rundle Bar
- Take a walk along the Bow Falls Trail and relax by the river
- Ride the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain and check out the ridge-top boardwalk
- Banff Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift
- Soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs
- Stop for lunch in a brewpub and shop for souvenirs along Banff Avenue
- Enjoy dinner with a view on the roof of The Elk and Oarsman
- Go white water rafting on the Kicking Horse River
- Photograph the mountain reflection in Two Jack Lake early in the morning
- Enjoy a cruise on Lake Minnewanka and learn the history of the area
- Scuba dive in Lake Minnewanka
- Hike the Johnston Canyon 2.5-mile steel catwalk to the lower waterfall
- Drive the scenic Bow Valley Parkway
- Photograph the train coming around the corner at Morant’s Curve
- Kayak or canoe Lake Louise or Moraine Lake
- Photograph Moraine Lake from the top of the Rockpile Trail
- Photograph the reflection of Mount Rundle in Vermillion Lakes
- Walk the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail and photograph the hotel from across the lake
- Enjoy lunch overlooking the lake at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
- Photograph Victoria Glacier across from Lake Louise
- Ride the Lake Louise Gondola
- Have lunch in a dining car at the Lake Louise Station restaurant
- Learn Banff National Park history at Cave and Basin National Historic Site
- Take a Covered Wagon or Horseback Ride on the trail along Bow River and enjoy a cookout
- Go canoeing on the Bow River
- Bike the Spray River Loop or the Legacy Trail from Banff to Canmore
- Drive the scenic Icefields Parkway stopping at the viewpoints
- Learn First Nations History at Buffalo Nation Luxton Museum
- Check the Banff National Park Service website for current events
Tips for Visiting Banff National Park
- Know ahead of time Banff is not a budget destination, kayak rental is over $100 an hour
- Give yourself time to adjust to an altitude of over 5,000 feet
- The town of Banff has free 9-hour parking at the train station with a free shuttle into downtown
- Use Roam Transit to travel between Banff, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Johnston Canyon
- Don’t count on parking at Lake Louise. Reserve a Parks Canada shuttle from the Lake Louise Park and Ride
- Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles year-round, use the Parks Canada shuttle
- Wear good hiking shoes, many trails are steep and uneven with loose rocks
- Learn bear safety
- Practice Leave No Trace Principles
Have more time in the area?
Supplement this Banff National Park travel guide by planning your visit during the Calgary Stampede or drive along Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park to view the Columbia Icefield and Glacier Skywalk. Do not miss my 10 -day Alberta Canada, Canadian Rocky Mountains Road Trip Planner
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