Travel Guide: Banff National Park

Banff National Park is a highlight of any trip to Canada. There are beautiful glacier lakes, snow-capped mountains, and quaint mountain towns that make you feel like you’ve been transported to a European mountain town.

Banff is a destination that I have visited many times and is one of my favorite places. If you have any more detailed questions, please feel free to reach out to sasha.pulde@traveledge.com.

When to Go to Banff:

The most popular time time to visit Banff is summer, and winter as a close second. Banff is known for its outdoor activities. There are plenty of hiking and biking trails during the summer and ski trails during the winter months. This means that summer and winter months are usually the busiest times of year to visit Banff. However, one thing to know before visiting Banff, is that the weather can be very temperamental and unpredictable. Even in the summer months, it may be freezing cold and there is a chance of snow.

Things to know before visiting Banff/Lake Louise:

• There is a daily park entrance fee to visit Banff National Park
• It is better to book your hotels and accommodations earlier if you plan to visit during high season
• Some of the access roads including Moraine Lake are seasonal and may not be open year-round. Most roads remain open until mid-October/Canadian Thanksgiving
• The closest airport to Banff National Park is Calgary Airport which is located about an hour away by car.

Popular Towns in Banff National Park:

• Canmore is located right outside of the entrance of Banff National Park and has incredible views of the Three Sister Mountain range. The town has gained in more popularity in recent years but still has a less touristy feel compared to Banff or Lake Louise. Here you will find many year-round residents rather than travelers who are there for a holiday or vacation. If you are looking for a more calm and less crowded destination, I would recommend staying here. The drive from Canmore to Banff is about 10 minutes.

• Banff: In my opinion, this is where you should stay for your first trip to Banff. Here you will find a wide range of hotels and restaurants that vary in price point and luxury. Although Banff is a popular tourist destination, the town has managed to stay authentic to its roots. While the town center can get a bit crowded during the day, you never feel overwhelmed with the number of visitors. Banff has the most incredible backdrop of the Canadian Rockies. It takes about forty minutes to get to Lake Louise from Banff.

• Lake Louise: Lake Louise is the crown jewel of Banff National Park. There is an option to stay in Lake Louise but it is a bit more isolated than Banff. There are fewer hotels and restaurants in close proximity.

Activities in Banff National Park:

• Explore Banff Town Center: The town of Banff is a quaint and picturesque mountain town that makes you feel like you are in a European town. There are a ton of restaurants, coffee shops, and retail shops. While a majority of the stores are small businesses, there are also some commercial brands such as Patagonia, Lululemon, and Canada Goose. There is also a Safeway if you ever need groceries.

• Visit Fairmont Banff Springs: This the most iconic hotel in Banff and is known as the “castle in the sky.”

• Hikes: One of the most popular activities in Banff National Park is to hike. There are a number of different hikes that suit different fitness levels. Some of the most popular hikes in the area are Johnston Canyon, Sulfure Mountain, Lake Louise Lakefront Trail, and Little/Big Beehive Trail.

• Banff Upper Hot Springs: Banff Upper Hot Springs are thermal pools located close to the base of Sulfur Mountain.

• Visit Peyto Lake, Moraine Lake and Lake Louise: There are countless famous and picturesque lakes in Banff National Park. Some of the most famous are Peyto Lake, Moraine Lake, and Lake Louise. As these are popular destinations for visitors, they can get very busy, very early throughout the high season. Banff National Park does provide shuttle services to many of these lakes in case you do not want to risk parking. During the summer months, there are boats available for rent on Lake Louise, and during the winter months, you can go ice-skating if the lake has frozen.

• Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is located on the shores of Lake Louise. There are over 500 guest rooms and seven restaurants right on site. It is a beautiful hotel with so much to do for guests and visitors.

I would highly suggest visiting Banff National Park if you ever have the opportunity to go- it truly is one of the most magical places on earth!