Banff Travel Guide: Must-Visit Spots and Attractions
Banff National Park is Canada’s oldest national park and the most well-known of the nation’s park system. When you see it in person or in photos, there’s no question why Banff is considered such a special place. The majestic mountain peaks and stunning turquoise lakes will make your jaw drop!
Banff is located just 1.5 hours by car from Calgary, the largest city in Canada’s Alberta province. It also borders three other national parks: Jasper National Park to the north, Yoho National Park to the west, and Kootenay National Park to the south. These four national parks, together with three British Columbia provincial parks, make up the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site.
The park offers a wide range of outdoor activities year-round. Visitors enjoy driving the scenic parkways, exploring the extensive system of hiking trails, biking, canoeing and kayaking, camping, and spotting wildlife. Visitors can also ski and snowboard during the colder months.
Where to stay in Banff
Luxury Option: Fairmont Banff Springs
Fairmont Banff Springs is the most iconic hotel in Banff, and maybe even all of Canada. Often referred to as the “Castle in the Rockies,” this luxury hotel is an experience all its own! It’s surrounded by towering mountains, lush forests, and pristine lakes. And if you book a room with a view, you can enjoy the surrounding landscape from the comfort of your bed. With 12 dining options on hotel property, it’s also a perfect place for foodies.
Budget-Friendly Options: Canmore
Canmore, Alberta, is a lovely town just outside Banff National Park. While it isn’t in the park itself, Canmore is just a 20-minute drive from downtown Banff and 1 hour from Lake Louise. It offers many accommodation options at affordable prices as well as many restaurants and stores. Considering downtown Banff is only 10 minutes closer to Lake Louise, Canmore is a great place to set up a base camp while visiting the park.
PRO TIP: We recommend booking your accommodations in Banff as soon as possible. Hotels and campsites fill up quickly, especially during the peak season in July and August.
Best Attractions and Activities in Banff
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is the most popular attraction in Banff, and for good reason! Its stunning turquoise water against the backdrop of towering mountain peaks looks almost unreal.
Parking at Lake Louise
Parking is available, but the lot often fills early in the day. In the busy summer season, you might not find a spot after 6:00 am! From May to October, parking is paid between the hours of 7:00 am and 7:00 pm, and the fee is $21 per vehicle. Parking is free for the rest of the year.
If you’re traveling by car and the lot is full when you arrive, there’s overflow parking available at Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola. From there you can take a shuttle to the lake.
One of the best, and most popular, hiking trails at Lake Louise is Little Beehive. The trail is 8.8 km there and back, with 490 meters in elevation gain. It’s best to start the trail early in the morning if you hope to avoid crowds.
In total, you’ll need at least 3-4 hours to complete the trail, especially if you stop at Agnes Tea House along the way. And we recommend that you do! Agnes has amazing soup, biscuits, and hot tea—perfect options to refuel and warm yourself up in the cold mountain air.
TIP: Agnes Tea House is very popular. Hikers start lining up even before the tea house opens at 8:00 am. If you arrive later than that, be prepared to wait a while. Also, it’s possible not all menu items will be available when you visit, as supplies vary from day to day.
Make sure to also stop briefly at Mirror Lake, a small mountain lake in front of the majestic Big Beehive peak.
The best viewpoint is from a rock pile just before the end of the trail. Looking southeast in the direction of Canmore, there’s an expansive view of Bow River Valley. There’s also an amazing view of the jagged peaks surrounding Lake Louise.
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is another of the most popular lakes in Banff. Jagged mountain peaks soar over the lake’s bright turquoise water. And at sunrise (the best time to visit), you can see warm alpenglow crowning the surrounding peaks. Early morning is also when the lake water is most calm, which allows for stunning, glass-like reflections. One final advantage of arriving early is avoiding crowds.
Getting to Lake Moraine
It used to be possible to visit Moraine Lake by car, but in recent years the road leading to the lake has been closed to passenger cars. Now you have to book a shuttle or tour or use public transportation. For sunrise shuttles, check out Moraine Lake Bus Company. You can park your car for free at Samson Mall in Lake Louise Village, where the shuttle picks you up and drops you off.
To see the iconic view of Moraine Lake, follow the trail to the left of the parking lot until you reach the rock pile. Depending on how much time you have to spend there, there are other trails in the area worth exploring. For example, the Moraine Lake Shore Trail is an easy out-and-back trail along the shoreline.
Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake is located along the Icefields Parkway toward the northern end of the park. From the parking lot, it takes about 10 minutes to hike up the paved walkway to the main viewpoint, which looks north across the icy blue lake toward distant peaks.
Getting to Peyto Lake
The main viewpoint is wonderful, but there’s an even better one if you’re willing to hike a little further. Standing on the main viewing platform, facing away from the lake, take the paved walkway to the right, which continues to rise. Eventually you’ll reach a network of trails that run through the forest. This part can be a little confusing, as the trails aren’t clearly marked. In general, you’ll want to continue walking to the right when the trail forks. The most important things to remember are: don’t take the trail leading to Bow Summit (this trail goes uphill and away from Peyto Lake), and don’t take the trail heading downhill towards the lake shore. The trail you should follow is a narrow dirt path that is mostly flat. Hike for about 5-10 minutes along this route and eventually you’ll reach the rock pile. Here you’ll find an amazing view of the lake, a rocky foreground that provides extra magic for your photos, and fewer people.
The best times to visit Peyto Lake are sunrise and sunset. If you visit close to sunset like we did, plan to get there a little early (1-2 hours before). Even before the sun sets, it will dip below the mountain peaks on the western side of the lake. You want to make sure the sun is still high enough in the sky that the valley and lake below are well-lit.
Vermilion Lakes
Vermillion Lakes is located just 5 minutes by car from downtown Banff (a 5-minute drive) and 20 minutes from Canmore. It’s a great spot to visit at both sunrise and sunset. Because it’s so close to Banff and Canmore, you won’t have to wake up too early or get back to your accommodations too late. The view of the distinctive Mt. Rundle across the water is incredible, especially at sunrise and sunset when the peak glows orange.
Emerald Lake
Technically, Emerald Lake is located in Yoho National Park in British Columbia. But it’s definitely worth a visit since it’s both very beautiful and close to the border with Banff. The lake’s shoreline trail is just over 5 km long. While walking along the water’s edge, you can take in amazing views of the surrounding President Mountain Range.
Downtown Banff
In downtown Banff, you’ll find lots of interesting shops and cafes. It’s fun to take a stroll around! You can browse unique boutiques, grab some local souvenirs, and enjoy tasty food. The lively vibe and mountain views are perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring.
Surprise Corner Viewpoint in Banff
Located at the corner of Buffalo Street and Tunnel Mountain Road, Surprise Corner Viewpoint is an easy one to get to and it should not be missed! Here you’ll find a wonderful view of the famous Fairmont Banff Springs hotel from the northern side of the Bow River.
Mistaya Canyon
Mistaya Canyon is about a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Banff and 1 hour from Lake Louise. The parking lot for the trailhead is conveniently located on the western side of the Icefields Parkway (Route 93). In Google Maps, the location is called “Mistaya Canyon Trail Head.”
In total, the easy hike there and back is about 1 km. From the parking lot, the trail leads downhill and over a bridge to the main viewpoint. From a rocky platform on a bend in the Bow River, you can see rushing waters plunge into the canyon. Here, lush evergreen trees surround you on all sides and majestic mountains loom in the distance. Make sure to keep a safe distance from the canyon’s rim as you admire its beauty, especially if the rocks are wet and slippery. The water in this spot is extremely powerful and dangerous.
Take a Gondola Ride
The Banff Gondola is the most popular gondola in the park. Make sure to book tickets in advance as they sell out quickly. Once at the top, have a drink or a bite to eat at Sky Bistro, which offers panoramic views of the area.
An alternative to the Banff Gondola is the Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola. The mountside you pass over while riding the gondola is a known wildlife corridor. That makes the ride a great opportunity for spotting wildlife, so make sure to bring binoculars, a telephoto lens, or both. During our ride we spotted a grizzly bear! Once at the top, you can visit the restaurant or choose from several hiking trails that lead further up the mountain. From here you’ll also have a unique view of Lake Louise on the opposite side of the Icefields Parkway.
Take a Scenic Drive
Icefields Parkway (Highway 93)
Running north to south, the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) is one of the main highways in Banff National Park. Starting in Lake Louise, the parkway goes all the way to Jasper, Alberta. Even if you do nothing else while visiting Banff, just driving along this road you’ll see some of the most beautiful views of your life!
Bow Valley Parkway
The Bow Valley Parkway is a smaller two-lane road that runs parallel to Trans Canada Highway 1 from Lake Louise in the north to Castle Mountain in the south. If you’re hoping to spot wildlife, this is a good place to do it. While driving the parkway, make sure to stop at Morant’s Curve viewpoint. Here you’ll find a great view of the Bow River, surrounding mountain peaks, and railroad tracks. If you’re lucky, you can catch a freight train heading west!
There’s a reason Banff is Canada’s oldest and most well-known national park—it’s awe-inspiring! So, plan your visit and go be amazed by one of the most beautiful places on earth!
