A beginner's guide to Banff National Park

As a significant part of Canadian heritage, Banff National Park stands as the world’s third-oldest national park. In its 140-year history, it has successfully balanced accessibility with diligent environmental stewardship.

Banff boasts some of Canada’s most iconic landscapes, including Lake Louise. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains just west of Calgary, it attracts over four million visitors annually while preserving its fragile ecosystem. Beyond the townsite, the park features three ski resorts, three national historic sites, a well-marked trail network, and various lakes and waterways suitable for kayaking. Despite its fame, the vast backcountry remains relatively untouched.

Here’s how to maximize your first experience at Banff National Park.

When is the best time to visit Banff National Park?

Unlike many Canadian national parks that have limited winter offerings, Banff is a year-round destination, thanks to its three ski resorts and a wide range of winter activities that keep the area lively even during the coldest months.

However, summer is arguably the prime time to visit, with most facilities open from Victoria Day (the last Monday in May) to Labor Day (the first Monday in September). Keep in mind that trails and campgrounds at higher elevations may remain snow-covered until late June or early July, depending on the weather.

The first boat cruises on Lake Minnewanka typically begin in mid-May and continue until mid-October. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake generally thaw a couple of weeks later.

Wildflowers flourish in subalpine regions like Sunshine Meadows from late June to early September, with the peak vibrancy occurring in the last two weeks of July. This period also coincides with the highest mosquito activity and potential forest fires.

Prices typically decrease after Labor Day, and great hiking conditions often last until early October, when the larch trees display their stunning colors.

The ski resorts usually open in early November and operate until late April or May, with Banff Sunshine remaining open until the end of May.

How long should I spend in Banff National Park?

Banff National Park experiences significant drive-through traffic, and many visitors don't venture much beyond the shops and attractions on Banff Avenue, the main street in Banff Town.

To truly explore the park beyond the townsite, plan for at least three days. For a deeper experience, aim for a week. If you're camping or tackling long-distance hikes, you could easily spend two to three weeks wandering through the park’s vast backcountry.

Discover more: Explore Canada's top 10 national parks

What’s the best way to reach Banff National Park?

Calgary International Airport is the closest, located 145 km (90 miles) to the east. The Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) runs directly through the park from east to west.

While it's possible to reach Banff without a car, having your own vehicle provides the freedom to explore and make spontaneous stops along Hwy 1 or the Icefields Parkway.

The Banff Airporter operates about a dozen daily shuttles between Banff and Calgary Airport. The Brewster Express connects Calgary Airport to downtown Calgary, Canmore, Banff Town, and Lake Louise.

How can I navigate around Banff National Park?

Getting around the park is quite easy. Banff offers its own public transit service known as Roam, which connects to the Upper Hot Springs, Canmore, Lake Louise, and – seasonally – Lake Minnewanka and Johnston Canyon.

Sundog offers a daily bus service year-round along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper, stopping at Lake Louise. Banff Sunshine provides a complimentary shuttle during the summer and winter to the Sunshine Village gondola base.

Must-see attractions in Banff National Park

Hike through wildflower-filled Healy Meadows

Although Sunshine Meadows boasts the most accessible subalpine flower meadows thanks to its summer gondola, Healy Meadows, located at the Continental Divide between Alberta and British Columbia, offers equal beauty with fewer crowds. The catch? You'll need to hike several kilometers through the forest to reach it. In return, you'll be rewarded with an unbroken tapestry of flowers like purple fleabane, yellow aster, and red paintbrush, all set against sweeping views of mountains, ridges, and lakes. Healy Pass also serves as the entry point to the more secluded backcountry surrounding Egypt Lake.

Enjoy tea by Lake Agnes

The Lake Agnes Teahouse, one of Canada’s finest backcountry spots, requires a bit of effort to reach – precisely km (2.2 miles) along a gradually ascending trail that begins on the shores of Lake Louise. Once you arrive at Lake Agnes, where a charming wooden teahouse nestles under a majestic mountain cirque, you can savor some of Canada’s best tea accompanied by delicious snacks.

Paddle in Vermilion Lakes

This trio of marshy lakes near Banff Town is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, artists, photographers, and canoeists. To explore this serene area, rent a canoe from the Banff Canoe Club along the Bow River and paddle up Forty Mile Creek to reach the lakes. With the river behind you, enter a peaceful realm filled with foraging birds, busy beavers, solitary moose, and stunning mountain reflections on the water.

Mountain bike the Goat Creek Trail

Connecting the mountain towns of Banff and Canmore, the Goat Creek Trail offers a serene 19km (12 miles) journey along the western base of Mt Rundle. This off-road cycling route is wild and bumpy yet accessible for families, weekend warriors, and those without expert skills. Starting at the Ha Ling trailhead above Canmore, the trail gently descends into Banff Town, emerging near the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. After your ride, you can either cycle back to Canmore on the flat, paved Legacy Trail (24km; 15 miles) or catch a bus. Rent bikes from Gear Up Mountain Sports in Canmore.

Ski your way to the Skoki Lodge

As one of North America's oldest backcountry ski lodges, Skoki is nestled in a secluded valley filled with lakes, peaks, and meadows, located 11km (7 miles) northeast of the Lake Louise ski area. This national historic site, constructed in 1931, offers cozy accommodations and hearty meals. Positioned at the junction of several trail loops, it's a perfect hub for cross-country and telemark skiing in winter, as well as hiking during the summer months.

My top activity in Banff National Park

For an adventurous day in Banff, I typically kick things off with a jog up the winding 5.4km (3.3-mile) Sulphur Mountain Trail to reach the gondola station. After catching my breath at the summit and joining fellow hikers on a brief interpretive stroll to an old weather station, I enjoy a cup of coffee at the cafe before taking the gondola back down. Once at the base, I treat my weary muscles to a soak in the Upper Hot Springs, nestled beneath Rundle Mountain. If I’m in the mood for a treat, I’ll swing by the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel for an indulgent afternoon tea before heading back to town.

What’s the budget like in Banff National Park?

Banff can be pricey compared to other areas in Canada. With high demand and a limited number of hotels, costs soar, particularly during the busy summer season. To save on lodging, consider staying in Canmore, located 25km (15.5 miles) southeast of Banff, just outside the park entrance. The towns are well-connected by public buses, and Canmore offers a wider range of budget-friendly accommodations, including hostels, motels, and apartments.

Camping offers a more budget-friendly option compared to hotels, although spots are often in high demand. Front-country campgrounds typically cost around C$40 per night.

Hiking is the park’s most economical activity, and bike rentals are also reasonably priced. Among Banff’s three ski resorts, Norquay is the most affordable. Consider a Ski Big 3 lift ticket to access all of them at a better rate.

Average costs

• Double room in a Banff hotel (summer): C$400

• Campground: C$19.75–78

• Backcountry camping per night: C$10

• National Park pass: C$11

• Bike rental per day: C$50

• Ski pass: C$124–165

• Dinner mains: C$30–45

Are there good options for day hikes?

Absolutely! The park offers a variety of day hikes categorized as easy, moderate, and difficult, all well-maintained and clearly marked.

Some fantastic easy trails are Sunshine Meadows (10km/6.2 miles) near Banff Town, Consolation Lakes (2.9km/1.8 miles one-way) near Lake Louise, and Parker Ridge (2.7km/1.7 miles one-way) along the Icefields Parkway.

Moderate trails include Cascade Amphitheater (7.7km/4.8 miles one-way) near Banff Town, Larch Valley (4.3km/2.7 miles one-way) near Lake Louise, and Helen Lake (6km/3.7 miles one-way) off the Icefields Parkway.

Challenging trails include the Cory Pass Loop (13km/8 miles) near Banff Town, Paradise Valley (10.3km/6.4 miles one-way) near Lake Louise, and Sunset Pass (8.2km/5.1 miles one-way) along the Icefields Parkway.

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Are there backcountry lodges available?

Yes, the park features three backcountry lodges accessible only by foot, bike, skis, or horseback. Reservations are required in advance. They provide meals and cozy rustic lodging.

The Shadow Lake Lodge was established in 1930 when the original rest house was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway. You can reach it from three different trails, whether on foot, bike, snowshoes, or skis, located 14km (8.7 miles) from the nearest road.

The nearest lodge to Banff Town, Sundance Lodge, is situated 12km (7.5 miles) from the Trans-Canada Highway and is a favorite among horseback riders in summer and skiers in winter.

Located near Lake Louise, the Skoki Lodge originally served as a ski lodge in the 1930s and now also accommodates summer hikers. It’s 11km (6.8 miles) from the nearest roadway.

What are the top spots for wildlife viewing?

Vermilion Lakes is a prime wildlife viewing area close to town, ideal for observing waterfowl, small mammals, and the occasional moose.

In summer, it's easy and safer to spot grizzly bears on the slopes of Whitehorn Mountain, a wildlife corridor, from the Lake Louise gondola. Be aware that Larch Valley and Paradise Valley near Lake Louise have seasonal hiking restrictions from mid-July to October (groups of four only) due to the high bear population.

The Bow Valley Parkway is a serene alternative route between Banff Town and Lake Louise (the only road until the 1960s), where you’re likely to encounter bighorn sheep, black bears, elk, deer, and coyotes.

Is it possible to rent a kayak or canoe?

You can rent a kayak or canoe, but it's more cost-effective to bring your own if you have the option.

For rentals, your best option is the boat rental service at Lake Minnewanka, where kayaks are available for C$47 for the first hour. Banff Canoe Club on the Bow River provides canoes with convenient access to Vermilion Lakes for C$60 for the first hour.

There are premium canoe rentals (starting at C$145 for the first hour) at the historic boathouses on Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.