The Best Travel Guide to Exploring Banff National Park
The first and biggest National Park in all of Canada is of course, Banff National Park located in Alberta about an hour and a half west of Calgary. It is home to beautiful mountains and lakes, as well as canyons, waterfalls, gorgeous hikes and views and of course, an abundance of wildlife. In my opinion, the best national park I’ve been to so far!
In this guide we are going to go over the full Banff Travel Guide to help you prepare for your next national park adventure! From the best hikes and views you must see, to the best places to eat and stay, we got you covered
Must-Visit Destinations:
Lake Louise
Of course at the top of the list is the iconic Lake Louise. The most popular lake in the entire park and arguably in all of Canada.
Getting here can be difficult as parking is limited. We were able to find a spot fortunately but it was $35 CAD to park. The other options are to park and ride and take a shuttle into the Lake. But you must book your shuttle in advance because spots book up quick!
They also offer shuttles to the lake from Banff, Canmore and Calgary so if you don’t have a car then it’s no problem at all. You will just have to accommodate for the time it takes to get there and book in advance.
The lake is about 45 minutes from Banff and an hour from Canmore.
Once you’re at Lake Louise, take a minute to take in the beauty of the stunning lake. Take a walk around it as well to take it in from all angles. In the summer you can rent kayaks on the lake as well!
Then put your hiking shoes on and hike the 5 KM (about 3 miles) up to Mirror Lake and Lake Agnes. This entire hike is uphill but it is well worth the journey. You will walk up the side of the mountain overlooking Lake Louise and being able to take it in from all angles. Depending on when you go you may run into some good bits of snow on the trail the higher up you go. We visited at the end of May and the second half of the trail was covered in snow which made for an extra challenge but it was a lot of fun!
About 2 miles up, stop at Mirror Lake for a quick break. Admire the beauty of it and the castle-like mountain behind it. Refuel and recharge for the next bit of your trek. About 20-30 minutes up from there is Lake Agnes.
Lake Agnes is an otherworldly view. We stopped here for about 45 minutes just taking in the sights, eating our snacks and sitting on one of the benches next to the lake.
During the summer months the Lake Agnes Teahouse opens up, a place where you can grab coffee, tea, a bite to eat, go to the restroom and more! Have a nice little lunch while overlooking Lake Louise and Lake Agnes and admire the hike you just did.
If you’re still looking for more you can hike up further to Little Beehive for an entire view of Lake Louise from way up on top of the mountain. It’s about another hour up from Lake Agnes.
Then start your journey back down towards Lake Louise and stop in the Fairmont Chateau for a coffee or hit some of the gift shops for a souvenir. They also have several restaurants in there as well if you’re looking for some fine dining.
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is a picture-perfect destination offering activities for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. The jewel-toned waters of the lake, framed by towering peaks and lush forests, create a mesmerizing backdrop for exploration.
Start your Moraine Lake adventure with a leisurely stroll along the shoreline, taking in the breathtaking vistas and snapping photos of the iconic Valley of the Ten Peaks reflected in the crystal-clear waters. For a more immersive experience, rent a canoe and paddle out onto the lake, surrounded by awe-inspiring mountain scenery.
Hiking enthusiasts will find plenty of trails to explore, ranging from easy walks to challenging climbs. The Rockpile Trail offers a short but rewarding hike to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the lake, while the Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass trails provide more strenuous options for those seeking a true wilderness adventure.
After a day of outdoor exploration, unwind with a picnic at one of the designated areas near the lake, or simply relax on the shoreline and soak in the tranquility of this natural wonder. Whether you’re seeking adventure or serenity, Moraine Lake promises an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.
Two Jacks Lake
A little pull off you can do is Two Jacks Lake. Located right near the town of Banff, this little lake offer amazing views, and you may see some wildlife here as well! We came across a herd of mountain sheep lounging on the side of the hill next to the road.
Lake Miniwaka
From there, head up further to Lake Miniwaka where you can park your car and get out for a nice easy walk around the lake. Hop on a kayak or take a boat ride around the lake as well with the snow topped mountains in the background.
Lake Miniwaka has one trail that you can take that goes around the lake, it also has several rocky beaches that you can walk on to get great views of the lake.
Again every lake does have shuttle transportation available to you. We did a Banff Day Tour that picked us up and brought us to these two lakes which was very nice and convenient.
Row Lake:
About an hour from the town of Banff lies Row Lake along the Icefields Parkway. This nice little pull off spot is very convenient where you can pull your car off the side of the road and grab a few pictures of the large lake before heading back on the road.
Payto Lake:
Also along the Icefields parkway and about 15 more minutes north of Row Lake is Payto Lake. Payto Lake offers a large parking lot and restroom area where you can pull into park. It is then about a 15 minute hike to the viewing area of the lake. This area may get snowy, so bring your hiking shoes. There was snow along the path when we went to hike it due to the higher elevation. Grab your pictures of the beautiful blue lake with the mountains behind it, read up on the glaciers in the area and then take the short hike back to the parking lot.
If you go further North there are more lakes and other areas to get out and hike, we were pressing for time and already almost 2 hours from the town of Banff so we decided to head back from here.
Emerald Lake:
Located in YOHO National Park lies the beautiful and pristine Emerald Lake. Another full parking area here, hop out and grab your pictures on the pier. Here there is a little lodge park where you can rent a cabin along the lake, for a very expansive price, as well as a village grill and gift shop as well.
If you’re in a hurry you can hop out and grab pictures and hop back in your car and be off. If you have the time and want to have a nice hike you can walk the trail around the lake. It’s about 3.25 miles around the entire lake but the trail is super easy and pretty much flat in all areas. There are many places to step out onto the base of the lake to grab pictures from all angles of it. With mountains peering in the background. The water is very blue and beautiful hence the name, Emerald Lake.
This hike is not to be missed if you have the time and have done the other hikes. Emerald Lake is about an hour and 20 minutes from the town of Banff and about an hour 45 from Canmore.
Johnston Canyon
About a 30 minute drive from Banff lies Johnston Canyon. This trail follows along the entire side of the canyon with the rapids flowing fiercely below you. It’s about a mile hike to the Lower Falls and about another mile to the upper falls. You will visit both view points below the falls looking at them as they roar over the edge and through the canyon.
The trail is pretty easy for the most part, a little up hill in some sections but mostly paved and pretty easy to hike for families and people of all ages.
If you’re a waterfall fanatic like me, then this a must stop on your Banff trip!
If you want, you can keep going past the upper falls about another two miles towards the Ink Pots. Little bubbling and colorful hot springs await at the end for you!
Golden Skybridge Adventure Park
A new area that many people might not have heard of but is something I will recommend to everyone from here on out, the Golden Skybridge park is an awesome time! For families with kids and just for adventure seekers.
Golden is a small town about an hour and a half from the town of Banff and two hours from Canmore.
This is an adventure park with two Skybridge that goes over a large canyon with a waterfall. Get the “Adventure Pass” for only $90 US, and get admission to the Skybridge, the adventure course which is an obstacle course through the trees where you are harnessed up with multiple tests, zip lines, climbs and more! Be ready because it is quite a workout!
You will also get an exhilarating ride on the alpine coaster through the trees and hills! And finish up with a zip line ride over the canyon! About 500 feet of zip line goes over the canyon and it is an adrenaline rush for sure! I was nervous before doing this, but it was absolutely worth it and a total blast to look down and see the canyon hundred of feet below me soaring through the air!
Something not included in the package but is an additional ride is the Canyon Swing. Where you and a partner will free fall over 100 feet down into the canyon before being caught by the cables!
If you’re an adventure or thrill seeker then this place is definitely for you!
Afterwards they have several food vendors, a picnic area, playgrounds for kids and more!
If you have a free day and don’t mind the drive, I highly recommend checking this place out. We spent about 3 hours here and we were very impressed with the place.
From here as you’re heading back towards Banff / Canmore area you can hit the hike at Emerald Lake as it is on the way back from Golden.
Banff Gondola:
A staple of every Banff trip is of course the Banff Gondola. Take a gondola up to the top of Sulpher mountain to enjoy the once in a lifetime views of the mountains, town and lakes.
You can plan to spend about an hour up here as you can walk around taking in the amazing views, walk the short trail around the mountain, check out the gift shop, coffee shop or one of the two restaurants! We dined at the Sky Bistro where we had a delicious lunch right along the window overlooking the valley. Make sure to make reservations ahead of time though or else you will not get a seat!
This was one of my favorite parts of the trip and something you absolutely need to do if you’re visiting Banff
Places to stay:
Town of Banff
The town of Banff offers many hotels and lodges such as Fairmont Banff Springs, RimRock Resort Hotel, Banff Springs, Moose Hotel & Suites and Hidden Ridge Resort. If you’re willing to spring on a nice place to stay in town then go for it, being in a mountain and tourist town they are, of course, on the pricier side so just be prepared. But of course the place is going to be absolutely stunning. If luxury travel is your thing then you’ll want to stay in Banff.
We opted to stay in an Airbnb in Canmore that was much cheaper but still a great little town.
However we spent a good amount of time in Banff still as the Main Street is full of quaint little shops, restaurants, pubs, dessert places, candy stores, gift shops, etc, so it was a lot of fun just being able to walk around the town and explore.
In the “Places to Eat” section I will list a few places we ate at when in Banff.
Town of Canmore
About 20 minutes East of Banff is the small town of Canmore. In Canmore the hotels and lodges will be a little bit cheaper, however they are still pricy as Canmore is a growing town and just outside of Banff. If you are need of transportation, don’t worry because almost all the shuttles come to Canmore as well.
As mentioned we stayed in a nice little Airbnb for about $75 US a night, with beautiful views and within walking distance of the town for coffee and restaurants.
The only down side to Canmore is that it is about 20 minutes further to everything since it is East of Banff and closer to Calgary, but if you’re looking to save some money on accommodation and don’t care about the extra drive time then Canmore is a great option to stay at.
Places to Eat:
Banff:
Three Bears Brewery, if you’re looking for a brewery vibe, burgers, sandwiches, fish etc then this is a great place. Try to the different local beers as well with a flight.
Gateway Irish Pub – We were told this place had the best fish and chips in Banff and it did not disappoint. A nice Irish pub feel, with terrific fish and chips, poutine and other Canadian delicacies.
Block Kitchen + Bar – A sandwich shop with tremendous steak sandwiches, bison, elk, you name it. Also with bar food and local beers. Sit inside of outside here!
Bluebird – Looking for more fine dining? Check out Blue Bird Steakhouse. Definitely going to be pricy but it is 100% worth it. The atmosphere and the feel of the place alone makes it worth the price.
Beaver Tails – when you’re finished with dinner stop at one of the “Beavertails” pastry places for an authentic Banff Beavertail. It’s friend dough with whatever you want on top of it. Chocolate, brownies, apple pie, peanut butter, Oreo, Reese’s pieces, lemon, you name it, they got it. A delicous treat to the end the night in Banff.
Canmore:
Rocket Pie – If you’re in the mood for pizza, this place was delicious, tremendous service as well and a wide variety of different pizzas and calzones.
Rocky Mountain Bagel Company – Start your day with a coffee and a breakfast sandwich here. This place is usually busy in the morning but for good reason. The coffee and bagels are delicious.
The Iron Goat Pub and Grille – Stop in here for an authentic Canadian pub feel. With great burgers, bar food, bangers and mash and more!
Transportation / Tours
We opted to rent a car for convenience and for the things we wanted to do, but you definitely don’t need to rent a car especially if you’re staying in Banff or Canmore. They have shuttles and transportation for everything you want to do. Just make sure you book your times in advance
They also have many day tours that you can do as well where the pick you up and take you around for the entire day! We did a day tour with “Banff Day Tour “ where they picked us up in a small van. It was only about 10 of us, but very worth it. He took us to the several lakes around Banff, then stopped in Banff for lunch and finally out to Lake Louise for an hour or so before dropping us back off at our places.
If you’re looking to do more hikes and spend more time then you will need to come back. We went back to lake Louise the next day to spend more time and do the hikes around the lake, but the tours are still a great option if you’re not a big hiker and just want someone to drive you around while you look at the scenery.
Ratings
Cost $$$$– I give it four dollar signs because Banff is a very expensive place to visit. Mainly just the accommodations, food and shops. But that is to be expected as it is a very large tourist city and destination. This isn’t to say it’s not worth the money because it 100% is and I would absolutely go back, but be prepared to spend money.
Scenery 5/5 – Banff is up there as the most beautiful national park I’ve ever seen. The mountains are just unreal, at every turn there is a new mountain, topped with snow and a gorgeous lake waiting to be discovered. I think it’s going to be very difficult to find a lake that is more beautiful than Lake Louise, and a hike that is more fun than Lake Agnes.
Accessibility 4/5 – The main airport to fly into is Calgary, about an hour and a half or so from the town of Banff. They do have shuttles that will take you from the airport to Banff as well.
Everything in the park is within about an hour and a half from Banff, about two hours from Canmore. There are shuttles that take you around town, shuttles to every lake you wish to visit etc.
How strong do I recommend it? 5/5
Banff is a National park that should be on everyone’s bucket list. It’s a park with amazing views and things to do. You will never get bored in Banff between the nature, exploring Canmore or the town of Banff or just enjoying a nice picnic next to one of the many lakes. I recommend going sooner while you’re still able to walk and get around easily because some of the hikes and activities can be challenging for older folks and folks that have difficulty getting around. And you don’t want to miss some of these hikes.
Conclusion
Banff should be a top priority for people that love nature and want to get out and explore. From pristine, beautiful blue lakes, to towering mountains and canyons. Banff truly does have it all. The towns of Banff and Canmore and very quaint and fun to explore and there is always something to do or somewhere to explore.
I recommend spending at least 3-4 days here to truly get the full experience and ensure that you’re seeing everything there is to see. Plus you will need to factor in the drive time as well depending on where you’re staying.
Be sure to check out my other articles about Banff and National Parks and subscribe for more!