Banff was Canada’s first designated National Park. It encompasses 6,641 square kilometres and is situated between Jasper to the north, Yoho and Kootenay to the west, and Kananaskis to the south and east. When speaking about Banff, visitors may be referring to the town or the park.
As a Calgarian, Banff is only about an hour from the city, so it is a common spot to go for hikes, day trips or weekends away. I’ve been going to Banff since before I can remember, exploring different spots and trails around the park. This guide gives all my top recommendations for easy hikes, viewpoints, hidden gems in town and more. You can save my map at the end to your own Google Maps account to help you plan your trip.
What’s in this guide?
- Sites Near Banff Town
- Places to See in the Town of Banff
- Along the Bow Valley Parkway
- Viewpoints and Hikes in the Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Area
- Along the Icefields Parkway
- Map of Sites in Banff National Parks
Near Banff Town
If you are travelling to Banff for the first time, there are a number of sites near the town that I would recommend you add to your itinerary. The first area I would recommend visiting is is the Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka area. This spot has some great picnic locations, cute and easy trails around the lakeshore and to Stewart Canyon. You can also take a boat cruise on the lake or rent canoes or paddleboards on Lake Minnewanka.
Closer to the town, stop at the Hoodoos Viewpoint and the Tunnel Mountain Reservoir. When you have a little more time, try the Tunnel Mountain hike. This short trail brings you to the top of Tunnel Mountain which overlooks Banff town and the Bow Valley. It is an easy level hike that is doable for families and beginners. It also saves you a $70-90 ride on the Banff Gondola — if you are able, I’d definitely recommend it!
Finally, west of the town you can find the Vermillion Lakes area, a beautiful walking/picnicking area where you can get iconic views of Mount Rundle behind the lakes. If you want to travel a little further, take a short drive to Mount Norquay and stop at the Mount Norquay viewpoint. And last but not least, consider adding the short hike to Sundance Canyon, up behind the Cave and Basin Historic Site.
Places to See in Banff Townsite
The Town of Banff has plenty of incredible things to see and do all on its own. The first place I’d recommend going is walking down Banff Ave. I prefer parking near the Banff Train Station, which offers free pakring for up to 9 hours. From there, I walk to Downtown Banff and explore the unique local shops and numerous outdoor gear and apparel stores. There are also paid lots near town centre if you don’t want to walk as far.
Shopping on Banff Ave
Spend some time window shopping in downtown Banff. I’ve included some of my favourite shops and restaurants in the map below, but the best way to see this part of Banff is just to wander.
Bow Falls
After walking down Banff Ave, I would keep walking across the bridge over the Bow River to explore the Cascade of Time Garden around the Banff National Park Administration Building. If you enjoy walking, I would then connect with the riverside pedestrian pathway near Glen Ave towards the Bow Falls viewpoint. If you don’t have time or can’t walk as far, I would return for your vehicle for these stops.
Banff Springs Hotel
From the Bow Falls viewpoint, you can either drive or walk up to the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. This historic hotel was built in 1888 as part of the Canadian Pacific Railway hotel network. It wears this history proudly, and visitors are welcome to browse the historical exhibtions on the second floor as well as visit the shops and art gallery even if they are not staying at the hotel.
Cave and Basin Historic Site
Finally, I’d recommend stopping at the Cave and Basin Historic Site and the maybe the Banff Hot Springs. The site takes visitors through both natural and human history in the area. If you are interested in visiting the hot springs, know that they are in a constructed pool to prevent erosion from high use. I prefer visiting the hot springs after a day of skiing or hiking in the winter, but you can visit all year round.
Along the Bow Valley Parkway
You can drive along the Bow Valley Parkway as a short day trip out of the Banff town area. The road runs parallel to the Trans-Canada highway, but offers some beautiful views you cannot see on the main road.
The most popular spot along the Bow Valley Parkway is Johnston Canyon. This area can get very busy, especially during the summer so here are my top tips.
First, consider taking Roam Route 9 from Downtown Banff. This will help you avoid the parking jam at the canyon, and reduce the stress or possibility of not being able to hike.
Next, take the trail as far as you’re comfortable. Visitors will turn back at each point of the trail (Lower Falls, Upper Falls, etc.). If you continue, you’ll notice the crowds thinning with each viewpoint. If you enjoy hiking, try the trail beyond the Upper Falls to the Ink Pots.
Third, wear good walking shoes. Although the hike is very moderate, most of the trail is along a metal boardwalk. It can be slippery with the mist from the waterfalls and there are uphill sections where sandals or flip-flops might get caught or fall off.
Finally, try avoiding the crowds by going early or late in the day. You should also try to go during weekdays rather than weekends as it will be less busy.
Viewpoints and Hikes in the Lake Louise Area
There are a few very important things to know about visiting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. The first is that both lakes see around 4 million tourists each year, with around 8,000-9,000 daily visitors. This means that timing and parking are key issues that you need to consider when planning your visit.
In general, parking is very difficult at Lake Louise. The lot is not large enough to accommodate the number of individuals interested in visiting the lake. The best way to get to Lake Louise is via the Parks Canada shuttle from the overflow lot (or Lake Louise townsite) or taking Roam Transit from Banff Town. This prevents frustration in trying to reach the lake by car.
It is no longer an option to reach Moraine Lake with a personal vehicle at all. It is necessary to book a reservation on the shuttle or plan to hike or bike up the access road.
If you are visiting either location (Lake Louise or Moraine Lake), I’d highly recommend doing a hike beyond the close edge of the lake in order to enjoy the area fully and get away from the crowds. Some of my favourite hikes include Plain of Six Glaciers and Big Beehive near Lake Louise and the Eiffel Lake and Sentinel Pass/Larch Valley trails near Moraine Lake.
Along the Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway is often referred to as one of the most scenic drives in Canada. And it is definitely worth a trip if you have the time.
The Icefields Parkway connects Banff with Jasper. Around Boundary Peak is the line along the highway between the two national parks. However, the drive is not just for getting from point A to point B. There are dozens of spots that I’d recommend stopping at to take photos or even a short hike.
The first stop I’d recommend is Bow Lake. There is a great viewpoint here, or you can plan to hike to Bow Glacier Falls. Next, stop at the Peyto Lake parking lot and get a photo of the iconic wolf-shaped lake.
There are numerous glaciers visible from the highway, but not all have available viewpoints where it is safe to pull off the road and get photos. Mount Patterson Glacier has a great viewpoint a few kilometres north of Peyto Lake.
The next stop that I would recommend is Mistaya Canyon. There is a short trail from the parking lot that takes less than an hour to complete.
Finally, there are too waterfalls you should stop to see: Weeping Wall and Panther Falls which are both accessible from the road.
If you do need to stop for gas or food, there are a couple options in Saskatchewan Crossing, but it is expensive and not always open. Always plan ahead and fill up your tank before heading out.
Excellent information for visitors exploring Banff National Park!
Thank you! 😊