Banff National Park, Alberta
Bannff National Park located approximately 90 minutes from Calgary spans 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 square miles). Banff is home to amazing destinations like Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Icefields Parkway, and Peyto Lake, and Johnston Canyon. There are both campgrounds, hotels, and other lodging options near Banff for an overnight trip. Banff National Park is typically visited during two seasons: Summer and Winter. The summer provides for all of the great hiking opportunities whereas the winter provides great skiing at the big three resorts: Lake Louise, Banff Sunshine, and Norquay.
Top Spots in and near Banff National Park
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Banff, Alberta
Ski at Mount Norquay
5.0Oh, small but mighty Norquay! You might not hear as much about this gem as you do its larger siblings in the area, but don’t underestimate its charm or gnarly terrain. While we couldn’t quite access all of the nooks and crannies at the beginning of the season, old-timers regaled us with tales com...Read more -
Banff, Alberta
Hike Cascade Mountain, Banff NP
7.5 mi / 4800 ft gainFrom Banff, follow the Norquay Road (the west access road to Banff) up to Mt. Norquay Ski Area. The trail begins from the day lodge at the far end of the first parking lot on the right.Walk by the front of the day lodge and follow a service roaddown through the ski area past the base of three cha...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Hike the Cory & Edith Pass Trail
4.09.3 mi / 3002 ft gainGoing west from Banff, take the first exit for Highway 1A (Bow Valley Parkway). Take the first right up to the fireside picnic area and begin your hike here. The first 5kms of the hike climb uphill through the forest, making up most of the 915m elevation gain. Watch for trail markers over the ro...Read more -
Sawback, Alberta
Ice Climbing at Bear Spirit
From the parking lot head East for about 200m, to find the trail that heads North. The trail follows the riverbed for about 45 minutes and in parts is washed out. A piece of flagging tape and a downed tree that is used as a bench marks the point where the trail gets tougher. At this point you wil...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Explore Bankhead Ghost Town
5.00.81 mi / 37 ft gainBankhead is a ghost town which flanks Cascade Mountain and lies just south of Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park. The main portion of the ghost town is located in Lower Bankhead, which can be reach by traveling North on Range Rd 1158 (closed Nov - Apr), following the signs to Lake Minnewanka....Read more -
Banff, Alberta
Take in the View at the Mount Norquay Green Spot
3.5The "Green Spot" is a beautiful grassy slope that opens up to sweeping views of downtown Banff and the surrounding area. It's a great spot for photography, especially capturing the peak of Mt. Rundle. There's also a set of chairs conveniently placed on the slope so you can kick back and enjoy t...Read more -
Banff, Alberta
Rock Climb Escargot Corner
6 Pitches5.6-5.8 Climbing Sustained climbing for the grade. You follow up 2 right facing corners with some face climbing.I really enjoyed this route and found it worth the long approach. Approach requires a few hours of consistent elevation gain and fair bit of scrambling. If you don’t know where...Read more -
Banff, Alberta
Explore Vermillion Lakes in Banff National Park
4.7Vermillion Lakes is one of the best spot's in Banff to catch a sunrise or sunset depending on the season. Although it's one of the most popular locations for photographers, there are so many different areas around the lakes that you'll never feel like it's too crowded. Mount Rundle can be photogr...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Explore Lake Minnewanka
4.2Head up to Lake Minnewanka on a high alert night to get the perfect view of the Canadian Northern Lights. You can go online to get updates on the best times to go and where they will be the brightest. While the dam at the lake may be overrun with people, explore around and you can find a nice emp...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Kayak Two Jack Lake
4.2Of all the lakes in the Banff area, this was one of my favorites to get out on the water. Don't expect the bright blue glacial waters of some of the other lakes in the Canadian Rockies, but the water is pristine and it was one of the few places I went where it felt like it was all locals hanging...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Watch the Sunrise at Bow Lake, Banff NP
5.0Make sure check the sunrise time and to try to arrive 30 minutes to an hour before. If you're driving north or south along the Icefields Parkway, you'll see a sign for Bow Lake, it's about 38km north of Lake Louise. There are two pull-offs for the lake, if you're heading north take the second roa...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Hike to Bow Glacier Falls
5.05.6 mi / 508.5 ft gainThe trailhead begins directly behind the Num-Ti-Jah Lodge on km 37 of the Icefields Highway. The trail is well marked and winds along the shore of Bow Lake for the first 1.2km of the hike. Eventually you will lead up to a narrow gorge and onto the crest of a glacial moraine. There are only a few...Read more -
Field, British Columbia
Hike the Emerald Lake Circuit
5.03.2 miEmerald Lake is without a doubt one of the most beautiful lakes in the Canadian Rockies and is the jewel (see what I did there...) of Yoho National Park. The circuit surrounding the lake allows great opportunities for pictures and views from all sides.Getting there: Just west of Field, BC turn of...Read more -
Field, British Columbia
Canoe Emerald Lake
4.32 miBeat the crowd at Moraine Lake and paddle Emerald Lake instead! This lake is a must for any Banff/Yoho explorer. It's an easy drive off HWY 1 but stop at the Natural Bridge along the way. There's a restaurant, Cilantro, inside the lodge with a patio along the shore. Canoe rentals are around $90 ...Read more -
Columbia-Shuswap A, British Columbia
Hike to Hamilton Falls, Yoho NP
4.01.76 mi / 474 ft gainHamilton Falls trail sign is across the parking lot from Emerald Lake and points you in the direction of the trail. The trail will start with a gentle incline which immediately places you into a lush forest as the noise of tourism begins to fade. Approximately 0.4 miles up the trail, you will rea...Read more -
Banff, Alberta
Rock Climb Plutonian Shores in Banff
1.0To get to the base of the climb, you must brave the (hordes of) tourists at the Cave and Basin Historical Site in Banff. This requires a park pass and calloused elbows fit for pushing your way through crowds. Or an alarm clock to get up early - the visitor centre is only open after 9 AM and this ...Read more
