Banff National Park protects a vast sweep of the Canadian Rockies in Alberta: jagged limestone peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, hot springs, canyons and a highway lined with icefields.

AT A GLANCE

Best time

Mid-June to late September for lakes and trails; December to March for skiing.

How long

Four to five days covers Banff town, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Icefields Parkway.

Getting there

Fly into Calgary and drive about ninety minutes west, or take an airport shuttle.

Why visit Banff National Park

The park began with a hot spring. In 1883, railway workers came upon warm mineral pools on the lower slopes of Sulphur Mountain, and two years later the government set aside the area as a reserve, the seed of Canada's national park system.

Today you can ride a gondola to a summit, soak in hot springs, paddle a glacial lake and walk a canyon catwalk, all within an hour of town.

Banff town and its surroundings

Banff Avenue and the town centre

The town's main street runs straight toward the bulk of Cascade Mountain, lined with outdoor shops, galleries and restaurants.

Banff Avenue with shops and Cascade Mountain rising at the end of the street, Banff National Park, Canada
Cascade Mountain forms the backdrop to Banff Avenue, the main street of the town of Banff.Photo: Adam Bishop, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sulphur Mountain and the Banff Gondola

The gondola carries you up Sulphur Mountain in a few minutes to a summit building with viewing decks over six mountain ranges. From there, a boardwalk follows the ridge to Sanson's Peak and a historic weather observatory.

Gondola cabins rising up Sulphur Mountain above the Bow Valley, Banff National Park, Canada
The Banff Gondola climbs Sulphur Mountain to a summit complex and ridgetop boardwalk.Photo: Deror_avi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Cave and Basin National Historic Site

This is where the park began. A short tunnel leads into the cave where the warm spring was found, and exhibits tell the story of Canada's national parks and the Indigenous peoples who knew these springs long before.

Historic stone bathhouse and warm spring pool at the Cave and Basin site, Banff National Park, Canada
The hot springs at the Cave and Basin led to the creation of Canada's first national park in 1885.Photo: Sovernigo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Bow Falls and the Vermilion Lakes

From town, an easy riverside path leads to Bow Falls, a broad set of rapids below the castle-like railway hotel. Nearby, the Surprise Corner viewpoint frames the hotel against the mountains.

Calm water of Vermilion Lakes reflecting the slanted peak of Mount Rundle, Banff National Park, Canada
Vermilion Lakes, just west of Banff, offer classic reflections of Mount Rundle.Photo: Chris Woodrich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tunnel Mountain and the Hoodoos

Tunnel Mountain, the small peak right beside town, offers one of the easiest summit hikes in the park: a switchbacking trail of about two kilometres each way to a ridge with views over Banff, the Bow River and Mount Rundle. Allow two hours.

Lake Minnewanka

A scenic loop drive northeast of town leads to Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in the park, where boat cruises run in summer and a lakeshore trail follows the water. The loop also passes Two Jack Lake, a favorite for picnics and sunrise photos.

Long blue Lake Minnewanka stretching between forested mountain slopes, Banff National Park, Canada
Lake Minnewanka is the largest lake in Banff National Park.Photo: Jakub Fryš, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Bow Valley Parkway and Johnston Canyon

Between Banff and Lake Louise, the Bow Valley Parkway offers a slower, more scenic alternative to the Trans-Canada Highway, with pullouts, picnic sites and good chances of spotting wildlife.

Johnston Canyon

Steel catwalks bolted to the limestone walls carry the trail through a narrow canyon to the Lower Falls, about a kilometre from the parking area, and on to the higher Upper Falls.

Waterfall plunging into a narrow limestone canyon with a catwalk along the wall, Banff National Park, Canada
Catwalks bolted to the canyon walls lead to the Lower and Upper Falls of Johnston Canyon.Photo: Florian Fuchs, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Icefields Parkway

Lake Louise

The emerald lake below Victoria Glacier is the most famous view in the park. Walk the flat lakeshore trail, rent a canoe in summer or climb to the Lake Agnes Tea House, a historic hikers' teahouse above the lake that serves tea and baked goods in season.

Emerald Lake Louise with Victoria Glacier at the head of the valley, Banff National Park, Canada
Victoria Glacier rises above the far end of Lake Louise.Photo: Bob rulz, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Lake Louise Gondola

Across the valley from the lake, the summer sightseeing gondola at the Lake Louise ski area climbs the slopes of Mount Whitehorn to a viewpoint facing Lake Louise and Victoria Glacier.

Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake sits beneath the Valley of the Ten Peaks, and its intensely blue water once appeared on the back of a Canadian banknote. A short climb up the Rockpile gives the classic view.

Icefields Parkway

North of Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway runs toward Jasper, past waterfalls, glaciers and lakes. Within Banff National Park, the highlights are Bow Lake, beside the road below Crowfoot Glacier, and Peyto Lake, seen from a viewing platform a short walk from a parking area.

Bright blue Peyto Lake seen from above, shaped like an animal head, among forested valleys, Banff National Park, Canada
Peyto Lake is viewed from a platform a short walk from the Icefields Parkway.Photo: Tobias Alt, Tobi 87, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Bow Lake is especially lovely early in the morning, when the water is calm and Crowfoot Mountain is reflected in it, and the nearby trail to Bow Glacier Falls makes a rewarding half-day hike.

Bow Lake with Crowfoot Mountain and glaciers reflected in still water, Banff National Park, Canada
Bow Lake lies beside the Icefields Parkway north of Lake Louise.Photo: Florian Fuchs, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
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Food and local flavors

Banff's dining reflects Alberta ranch country and the mountains around it. Alberta beef is the classic order, and many menus feature bison, elk and wild game, along with trout and Arctic char.

Most restaurants are in the town of Banff, clustered along Banff Avenue and the side streets around Caribou and Wolf streets, from casual pubs and bakeries to fine dining.

Popular dishes to try in Banff National Park

Alberta beef in Banff National Park, Canada
Alberta beef Alberta beef is the classic order, and many menus feature bison, elk and wild game, along with trout and Arctic char.Photo: Wilson Hui from Calgary, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Bison in Banff National Park, Canada
Bison Alberta beef is the classic order, and many menus feature bison, elk and wild game, along with trout and Arctic char.Photo: Joseph R. Roy, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Poutine in Banff National Park, Canada
Poutine Canadian comfort foods are everywhere too: poutine, with fries, cheese curds and gravy; butter tarts; and Nanaimo bars, a layered no-bake dessert.Photo: Safyrr, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Nanaimo bar in Banff National Park, Canada
Nanaimo bar Canadian comfort foods are everywhere too: poutine, with fries, cheese curds and gravy; butter tarts; and Nanaimo bars, a layered no-bake dessert.Photo: Rachel Kramer Bussel from New York City, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Where to stay in Banff National Park

The town of Banff has the widest range of lodging, restaurants and services, and makes a convenient base for first-time visitors who want to walk to dinner and ride transit to trailheads.

Lake Louise is smaller and quieter, ideal if you plan early starts for Moraine Lake, Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway. Along the Icefields Parkway, a few rustic lodges and hostels suit hikers who want to wake up in the backcountry.

Where to stay in Banff National Park

Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, Canada
Icefields Parkway Lake Louise is smaller and quieter, ideal if you plan early starts for Moraine Lake, Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway.Photo: Florian Fuchs, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Banff National Park old town, Banff National Park, Canada
Banff National Park old town One of the best areas to base yourself in Banff National Park.Photo: Wilson Hui from Calgary, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Banff National Park downtown, Banff National Park, Canada
Banff National Park downtown One of the best areas to base yourself in Banff National Park.Photo: Prabh17, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Banff National Park skyline, Banff National Park, Canada
Banff National Park skyline One of the best areas to base yourself in Banff National Park.Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Best time to visit Banff National Park

Summer, from late June to early September, brings warm days, open trails and ice-free lakes, but also the biggest crowds.

Winter runs from roughly November to April, with three ski areas in the park, frozen lakes for skating at Lake Louise and snowshoe trails. The Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival takes place in late autumn.

Getting there and getting around

Calgary International Airport is the nearest major airport, about ninety minutes east of Banff by car via the Trans-Canada Highway.

Roam Transit runs public buses in Banff town and to Canmore, Lake Minnewanka, Johnston Canyon and Lake Louise, while Parks Canada shuttles serve Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in summer.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Explore Banff Avenue and the Cave and Basin, then ride the gondola up Sulphur Mountain and soak at the Upper Hot Springs.

Second day

Drive the Lake Minnewanka loop in the morning and take a cruise.

Third day

Take an early shuttle to Moraine Lake, then continue to Lake Louise and hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House.

Fourth day

Drive the Icefields Parkway, stopping at Bow Lake and Peyto Lake, and continue north as far as time allows.

Fifth day

Keep a flexible day for weather.

Practical tips

  • Buy your park pass before you arrive and display it in your vehicle.
  • Reserve Parks Canada shuttles for Lake Louise and Moraine Lake as soon as booking opens.
  • Carry bear spray on trails, know how to use it and hike in groups.
  • Stay at least one hundred metres from bears and wolves and thirty metres from elk and other large animals.
  • Start early; parking at popular trailheads fills by mid-morning in summer.
  • Pack layers, rain gear and sun protection, as mountain weather changes quickly.