Top Things to do in Banff National Park
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10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Banff National Park That You Shouldn't Miss
With Cascade Mountain to the north and Sulphur Mountain to the south, the town of Banff boasts a magnificent Canadian Rocky Mountain setting. Travelers are spoiled for choice by the irresistible combination of luxury lodges, perfect powder, renowned restaurants and energetic nightlife on offer. With both summer and winter appeal, Banff lures visitors to its stores, spas and slopes year-round.
Restaurants in Banff National Park
1. Icefields Parkway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,845 reviews
Scenic highway cutting through breathtakingly beautiful mountain passes.
Reviewed By BCW_1016 - Charlevoix, United States
We drove it in our rental car leaving Banff at 7:30AM and did not get beck until after 4PM - so much to see! This is an absolutely beautiful drive with many places to stop to take in the marvelous views of mountains, lakes & streams and/or enjoy short hikes. You can see many glaciers on the mountains. We took the drive in mid September and the Aspen trees were a beautiful golden color against the backdrop of green pine trees. Our turning point was at the “Ice Field Center” where we walked up to the glacier. If you wanted to get up close and personal with the ice, tours are available - they take you out onto the glacier on a special bus and let you walk around for a few minutes. A very enjoyable day.
2. Moraine Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,819 reviews
This beautiful lake nestled in the mountains is best known for its appearance on the back of the Canadian dollar bill.
Reviewed By AlbertSalichs - Manresa, Spain
Moraine Lake is one of the main sightseeings in Banff National Park, one of the three national parks, which are close with others: Yoho, and Jasper National Parks. Here it is possible to do some different excursions (we did one, the Consolation Lake Trial about 6 km surrounding the lake and go up to a the other lake), really a wonderful excursion with great views of the lake and surroundings.. Near the lake, there are some natural areas of forest, where you can see also very beautiful views. A Top in (West) Canada!!! In fact, the best views are from a little top in front of Morraine Lake, from where you can see incredible views of the lake and the Valley of Ten Peaks. (See also Banff National Park, Minnenwanka Lake, Consolation Lake, Louise Lake, Herbert Lake, Hector Lake, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Johnston Canyon, Mistaya Canyon, Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Glacier, North Saskatchewan River, Valley of Ten Peaks).
3. Bow Summit
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 62 reviews
Reviewed By EkMusafir - Pune, India
To reach the Bow Summit we had to hike up further from the Peyto Lake viewing platform which was already overcrowded with tourists. It required some more effort and time to get up there but it was well worth the trouble. The view from the summit was one of the best views in the Rocky Mountains we had so far. We got a bird’s eye view of Peyto Lake, the bluest of the lakes, and the surrounding peaks. The Bow Summit was so peaceful with hardly any crowd. We were lucky to have travelled by bus as the parking lot for buses and handicapped cars are the closest to the Peyto Lake viewing platform, and so the walk to the summit is doable.
4. Parker Ridge Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 554 reviews
Reviewed By hp_hphan - Ontario, Canada
I was very fortunate to see mountain goats. They were running from one side to the other. It was quite windy at the too but the View was amazing. Definitely recommend this hike.
5. Peyto Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,192 reviews
Reviewed By Mary-Meadows - Hamilton, Canada
Driving back from the Icefield we happened upon this hidden gem. We were able to drive to top parking lot so only a short walk out to the lookout through a pine forest that was so beautiful with the snow on the trees from the snow we received that morning (yes in June!) When you get to the lookout the view of Peyto Lake is breathtaking. The colour is brilliant blue. So glad we found this beauty!
6. Valley of the Ten Peaks
7. Sentinel Pass
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By BrittanyMExplores - Winnipeg, Canada
I hiked the 8.5 km Larch Valley Trail at Moraine Lake on the morning of September 28, 2020 (did not go all the way to Sentinel Pass). It was an amazing larch hike! The trail began along the flat lakeshore path and then branched to the right. It climbed for 2.4 km, along steep, long switchbacks through the forest. There were some views of Moraine Lake through the trees which was gorgeous. The climb up was hard and I took it slow and steady. At the junction, the trail continued to the right (Eiffel Lake is to the left). It was a gradual but steady (and less steep) climb through the beautiful larch forest! The trail opened up to a clearing where there were stunning panoramic views of the mountains and larches! It then climbed some more through larch forest, steep at times, and opened up again above the trees with even more breathtaking views from a higher perspective. You could see all ten mountain peaks and the larches were plentiful. I continued on a little ways further but turned around before Sentinel Pass. This hike was incredible and one of my favourites so far for larches! I took the Roam Transit from Banff to Moraine Lake to arrive just after sunrise. This was such a good option to avoid waking up super early to find parking. The trail was not that busy when I started at 8 am or when I was on my way down. It was very nice!
8. Banff National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 523 reviews
Reviewed By EkMusafir - Pune, India
Banff National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, together with the other national and provincial parks that form the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks. There are beautiful mountain landscapes to explore with tall peaks, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, canyons, limestone caves and fossil beds. There is a lot of wildlife in the forested regions which include Grizzly Bear, Black Bear, Wolves, Cougars, Wolverine, Red Fox, Weasel, River Otter, Coyote, Elk, Moose, Deer, Mountain Goat, Bighorn Sheep and many other smaller animals like Beaver, Squirrel and Chipmunks. We took a guided coach tour and first visited the photogenic lakes; Emerald, Louise and Moraine stopping the night in Banff town. Next day we visited Bow Lake, Peyto Lake and drove up to the Columbia Icefields and Jasper National Park via the Icefields Parkway, which is supposedly one of the most scenic motorways in the world, and justifiably so. The scenery on both sides of this Highway No. 93 was spectacular with snow capped peaks even in summer, and many sparkling lakes and waterways glinting between the tall trees in unique shades of blue, green and indigo. It was a truly memorable trip in which we picked up a canvas of beautiful landscape paintings that will forever remain etched in our minds as long as we live.
9. Plain of Six Glaciers
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 413 reviews
Reviewed By Sophie_12341369 - Saint Jerome, Canada
This is a truly amazing hike that gets you up close to the glaciers with the option to eat a snack at the tea house. The trail itself is challenging but very doable for someone of average fitness. It is uphill but never gets too steep. The views are amazing all the way up. Highly recommend
10. Big Beehive
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 126 reviews
Reviewed By BlueHero - New Jersey, United States
Big Beehive is one stop while we did the big loop hike, starting from Lake Louise, then stopped at Lake Agnes, Devils Thumb, Big Beehive, Plains of Six Glaciers, and finally back to Lake Louise. You can visit Big Beehive either through the big loop as we did. Or you can just go there via Lake Agnes and then turn around. The views from Big Beehive was great. And the difficulty level for the trail leading to Big Beehive was between easy and modest. Highly recommended.
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