Top Things to do in Banff National Park
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10 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. 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!
4. 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.
5. 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
6. The Lake Louise Ski Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 934 reviews
Spectacular scenery awaits at Lake Louise with uniquely beautiful terrain that is both vast and varied. Located in the heart of majestic, historic Banff National Park, Lake Louise is truly legendary and offers the world's finest terrain. With 4200 skiable acres, Lake Louise is one of the largest ski areas in North America.
Reviewed By Blob2020
Lake Louise is a real western classic, and wow it did delivered! I skied there for 2 days during the first week of february and got at least a foot of fresh powder on the first day. Being mid-week there was no crowds. On the tuesday it was mostly top to bottom all day, thursday had a bit more people but nothing crazy. The choice of runs and bowls is just amazing, there is something for everyone. If you are not comfortable with blacks and double-blacks, all lifts even the highest ones have green or blue tracks access so you can cruise your way down easily while your buddies drop through some crazy gullies. With such a variety of terrain, it's honestly hard to get bored. Don't expect a flashy touristic village at the base, it's just a big lodge with a gondola and a quad lift, and it's perfect like that.
7. Sulphur Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 718 reviews
Hike or ride to the top of this scenic mountain.
Reviewed By volcanogirl - Texas, United States
We took the gondola up to the top of Sulphur Mountain. This was a really wonderful way to spend the day. It took us about eight minutes to reach the top, and we were greeted with a breathtaking view of the valley down below and gorgeous mountains and tall stands of pine trees surrounding us. We toured the state-of-the- art visitor's center, watched a brief movie, and enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Sky Bistro. There's a series of boardwalks that go all over the mountain; we spent the day hiking those all the way up to the old weather station and an area where they used to study gamma rays - a neat piece of history. The hiking wasn't difficult, just lots well constructed steps up and down. I'd recommend going on a beautiful, clear day so you can enjoy the views. This was one of our favorite activities on our trip, and we look forward to going back again someday.
8. Banff Gondola
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,210 reviews
Soar to the top of Sulphur Mountain to experience a stunning bird's-eye view of six incredible mountain ranges. With breathtaking vistas in every direction, your adventure begins with an eight-minute journey to the summit of Sulphur Mountain in a modern, fully enclosed four-passenger gondola cabin. Glide up over the treetops to the crest of a steep-sided Rocky Mountain peak and step out into a jaw-dropping mountaintop experience at an elevation of 2,281 metres (7,486 feet). Stroll along the ridgetop boardwalk where the views get better with every step. Then warm up in our newly transformed, state-of-the-art summit facility. With new restaurants, interactive interpretive exhibits, a multi-sensory theatre and a breathtaking 360-degree rooftop observation deck, the new Banff Gondola summit heightens every sense.
Reviewed By alisona532 - Brisbane Region, Australia
A wonderful gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain for superb views looking down on snow covered pine trees, birds and mountain goats with views of Banff below and 360 deg views of mountains. Truly awe-inspiring. An 'igloo' to go into to thaw out if you get too cold on top of the viewing platform, heaters, staff to take your photos for you with your camera at no extra cost, is all part of it. A fairly steep stair walk for the fit gets you to the summit but is no better a view than the big platform. There is also an interesting mosaic mirror bear statue/artwork on the viewing platform. Very good for the soul to view the natural beauty and the clean air is good for the lungs too.
9. Johnston Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,478 reviews
Scenic wooded canyon with trails for hiking and biking.
Reviewed By GailS905 - Sydney, Australia
This is an absolute must do if you are visiting Banff. What I will warn is that no where does it explain the level of fitness required to do this walk. All the brochures say easy and suitable for all levels of fitness and age...well I have to say I struggled with it. I am in my 60’s and I do have a level of fitness in that I can easily walk 5kms and I swim 1km almost every day but this walk was NOT easy. There is some steep up hill parts albeit short and even the coming down requires use of muscles so that you do not slip. So just a warning to consider. Having said that I did make it and it was very worth while the view from the top falls is AMAZING and we even saw ice climbers in action. If you don’t think you can make it to the top falls, the bottom falls gives you a really good taste of Johnston Canyon and it is easier to get to. We went on a tour but you could easily do it yourself as a lot of people do and then you can take it at your own place and turn around when you like as it is one trail there and back, you cannot get lost.
10. Lake Louise
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,343 reviews
Reviewed By BarbaraH760 - London, United Kingdom
Sophie and Dave from Brewster gave us a superb tour of Lake Louise (was on my bucket list and didn’t disappoint!), Lake Moraine and Emerald lake as well as waterfalls. The scenery was truly breathtaking and our tour guides couldn’t have been more knowledgeable. Would highly recommend.
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