Canada’s first national park encompasses 2,564 square miles of pristine wilderness along the eastern edge of the spine of the Rocky Mountains. To put it all into perspective, 96 percent of the park is wilderness. The scenic highways that wind between towering peaks are well maintained, but even the most popular roadways in the park feel far removed from civilization.
Unlike many national parks, there are small communities nestled amid the subalpine forests of the park’s Bow Valley. The town of Banff, the highest incorporated town in Canada at 4,537 feet above sea level, sits just a few miles past the iconic Banff Park Gate at the eastern boundary. Less than an hour’s drive west is the hamlet of Lake Louise, a base camp for exploring the hiking trails and vistas surrounding the intensely turquoise waters of Lake Louise itself. From there, the Icefields Parkway leads northwest into truly remote territory and the border with neighboring Jasper National Park.
The Trans-Canada Highway leads through the heart of the park, making it simple to connect Banff with Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway. The Bow Valley Parkway provides an alternate route between the two communities (and a perfect way to make the trip into a loop).
To get your bearings when you arrive in Banff, visit the Banff Visitor Centre for local advice. There are also park visitor information services in Lake Louise and at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, the birthplace of the park and a living display of the human and natural history of the Rockies.
From here, it’s a real-life choose-your-own-adventure story.
What to do in Banff National Park in summer
Banff National Park changes with the seasons and is a natural playground all year round. Summer, when alpine flowers bloom and lakes are free of ice, is the most popular time to visit, and it’s worth getting out early in the day while bucket-list spots are quiet. We suggest timing your trip for June or September to boost your chances of sharing the trails with wildlife rather than people.
Low-difficulty paths (like the one to Moraine Lake) attract plenty of tourists, so consider Banff’s more involved trails to beat the crowds: Afar Executive Editor Billie Cohen recommends the “Big Beehive” trail, which leads hikers past Lake Agnes and up a series of switchbacks, offering incredible views of the Bow Valley and Lake Louise.
Marvel at scenic lakes
When the Canadian Rockies were formed millennia ago, retreating glaciers left behind vivid blue lakes colored by glacial silt and canyons carved by water. On the must-see list (heading from east to west) are Lake Minnewanka, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake in the famed Valley of the Ten Peaks, and Peyto Lake up at the highest point of the Icefields Parkway.
Jump into a canoe at Lake Louise or Moraine Lake for a quintessentially Canadian experience paddling the waters. To discover the untouched shores of the Bow River flowing the length of the valley, join a float trip that meanders gently down the river on a passenger raft.
Hikers treat themselves to a mountain bar at Lake Agnes Teahouse.
Photo by Michelle Heimerman
Get into the spirit of the mountains
More than 1,000 miles of hiking trails crisscross Banff National Park, and exploring them is undoubtedly the best way to get up close and personal with the mountains. There are hikes for every age and ability within town boundaries and further afield.
To start, follow the trail right from downtown Banff up Tunnel Mountain—the park’s smallest official summit—for a sweeping view over the valley. Other options include the lakeshore trail to Stewart Canyon on the Lake Minnewanka Loop near Banff and the tree-lined path from Lake Louise up to the historic (and still operating!) Lake Agnes Teahouse. Bring cash to treat yourself to the daily soup or “mountain bar” and enjoy the view from the original teahouse windows, where hikers have been refueling for more than a century.
Reach the summits
To really wrap your head around the grandeur of the Rockies, it’s best to get up high for a view of the endless peaks. Luckily, summit shortcuts are available at the Banff Gondola, Lake Louise Summer Gondola, and Mount Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift. Hiking trails lead out along the ridgelines from each gondola or lift, and the vistas extend to the horizon. Thrill-seekers can get an added adrenaline rush by clipping onto the iron ladder rungs and cable suspension bridges of Mount Norquay’s guided Via Ferrata.
What to do in Banff National Park in winter
Falling snow blankets the mountains in winter and brings a sense of renewal. Those willing to explore this winter wonderland are rewarded with exclusive access and distinctive experiences.
Stretch your snow legs
There are plenty of ways to stay warm and discover the rosy-cheeked excitement of good old-fashioned winter fun. The snowy trails of the park remain accessible all winter thanks to snowshoes, which can be rented in both Lake Louise and Banff. Skate rentals are also available and highly recommended to glide across the sparkling, frozen surface of Lake Louise.
Another experience that’s not to be missed is a guided ice walk into the glacial realms of Johnston Canyon, where pillars of cascading ice form a surreal frozen world.
Slide on snow
Skiers and snowboarders from around the world are drawn to the three world-class ski resorts of Banff National Park. There’s a combined 7,748 acres of skiable terrain at Banff’s local Mount Norquay, the nearby Banff Sunshine, and Lake Louise Ski Resort.
Go snow tubing
Nonskiers won’t be disappointed either. Mount Norquay and Lake Louise ski resorts both offer snow tubing, the ultimate version of your childhood tobogganing experiences, not to mention horse-drawn sleigh rides and dogsledding.
Soak in the elements
A visit to Banff isn’t complete without a trip to the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Human history at the naturally heated mineral hot springs dates back thousands of years to the First Nations people who first called these mountains home. Open year-round, the experience is best during the wintertime when falling snowflakes melt into the rising steam.
Tips for visiting Banff
Mother Nature rules here. Layering in warm clothing is the locals’ rule of thumb—especially early or late in the day, which are optimal times for wildlife viewing. Here are a few other key insights to make the most of your time in the mountains.
Get your park pass
Entry to Banff National Park is via a paid permit system, which supports the preservation of the park. Considering it’s about US$8 per adult (or US$16/family) per day, it’s often worth getting the Discovery Pass, which provides entry to more than 80 Parks Canada destinations for you (US$55) or your family (about US$111) for a year. Passes are available at the park gates and visitor centers, but we recommend getting yours online in advance.
Travel by tour or transit
Parking areas at popular sights fill up early on busy summer days. Hop on a guided tour for hassle-free sightseeing (your options include incredible heli-hiking experiences), or use the park’s accessible transit system.
Make time to wander
The streets of Banff are home to a vibrant dining scene and locally owned artisan shops inspired by the surroundings. Each is unique, from the regional artwork at Canada House Gallery to the craft spirits “from glacier to glass” produced by Park Distillery.
More than 130 years old, Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is worth a visit, even if you’re not staying the night.
Photo by Michelle Heimerman
Where to stay in Banff National Park
Accommodation options abound in the park, from luxury lodges to backcountry cabins. Here are a handful of our favorite hotels in Banff National Park.
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
- Book now: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, also known as the “Castle in the Rockies,” is a Banff landmark and as rich in character as it is in history. Take a well-deserved break from your adventures with 27 holes of golf or its 40,000-square-foot spa.
Mount Royal Hotel
- Book now: Mount Royal Hotel
In the heart of downtown Banff, rooms at the 2018-renovated Mount Royal Hotel (following a devastating fire in 2016) offer comfort in a classic setting dating back over a century. In the town of Banff, Mount Royal is only a 10-minute drive from Banff Upper Hot Springs and a five-minute walk from the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies.
Baker Creek Mountain Resort
- Book now: Baker Creek Mountain Resort
Located between Banff and Lake Louise, the 16 suites and 19 log cabins at Baker Creek Mountain Resort offer a peaceful getaway.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
- Book now: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Rising on the shores of Lake Louise, the Fairmont Chateau’s 539 rooms offer expansive views across the water to the hanging Victoria Glacier.
This article originally appeared online in 2021; it was most recently updated on May 13, 2024, to include current information.
