What to do and see in Banff National Park, Canadian Rockies: The Best Hidden Gems Things to do

December 9, 2021 Brandee Mangan

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. Hydra River Guides

Excellent
92%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
1%
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1%
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5.0 based on 1,008 reviews

Hydra River Guides

Rafting on the Kicking Horse is a MUST DO activity during your vacation to the Canadian Rockies. Let Hydra River Guides introduce you to the water we call home. We offer rafting trips to suit all budgets and abilities, starting at only $59. 190,000 rafters can’t be wrong. Are you ready to join us?

2. Chinook Rafting

Excellent
91%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
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0%
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5.0 based on 1,810 reviews

Chinook Rafting

Closest whitewater rafting available from Banff and Calgary with daily half day trips. Whether you want Mild or Wild, our fun-loving professional guides will provide you with the best whitewater rafting adventure. Perfect activity for families (5 years and up), and groups like Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties or your Corporate Team Building Event.

3. Rockies Ice & Alpine Specialists

Excellent
98%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
2%
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5.0 based on 50 reviews

Rockies Ice & Alpine Specialists

We specialize in guided mountaineering, rock climbing, via ferrata, trail running, ice climbing, backpacking, hiking, and scrambling excursions and instructional courses in Western Canada. Beginner to advanced climbers welcome!

4. Bow Summit

Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, Alberta Canada +1 403-762-1550 [email protected] http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/les10-top10.aspx
Excellent
89%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
0%
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5.0 based on 62 reviews

Bow Summit

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.

5. Parker Ridge Trail

Icefields Parkway 93, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T0L 0C0 Canada +1 403-762-1550 http://www.trailpeak.com/trail-Parker-Ridge-near-Jasper-AB-1918
Excellent
84%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 554 reviews

Parker Ridge Trail

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.

6. Wild Water Adventures

Excellent
97%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
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0%
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5.0 based on 1,086 reviews

Wild Water Adventures

OPENING DAY FOR THE 2021 SEASON: SATURDAY, MAY 22nd! Rated on TripAdvisor as the #1 Activity in the Canadian Rockies. Join Wild Water Adventures on the famous KICKING HORSE RIVER and experience the best whitewater in the region! Choose from fun & splashy Class II/III rapids or more challenging (and bigger!) Class IV rapids for an adrenaline-pumping adventure. Guests need only bring a bathing suit and towel; top-quality wetsuits, neoprene booties & gloves, spray jackets, life jackets and helmets are provided. Our RiverBase offers heated change rooms and spacious covered decks for enjoying views of the river and mountains. Daily half-day & full-length trips are offered mid-May through mid-September. No previous rafting experience required. Ideal for the entire family! Combine rafting with Lake Louise gondola. Rafting the Kicking Horse since 1992. Wild Water Adventures adheres to all COVID-19 regulations. BOOK TODAY AND PAY LATER (7 days prior to rafting departure). See you on the river!

7. Bow Valley Stand Up Paddleboarding

Excellent
97%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
1%
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0%
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5.0 based on 136 reviews

Bow Valley Stand Up Paddleboarding

Located in the mountains of Canmore, Alberta Canada. Bow Valley Stand Up Paddleboarding offers Paddle Canada Certified Lessons, high quality board rentals, SUP sales and tours on SUP of the beautiful lakes and rivers in the Canadian Rockies. Love SUP, love life!

8. Banff Photo Workshops & Tours

Excellent
98%
Good
2%
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5.0 based on 42 reviews

Banff Photo Workshops & Tours

Private one-on-one guided photography workshops and photo tours in Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies. In our workshops/photo tours you will have the opportunity to witness and photograph the breathtaking beauty of the Canadian Rockies with customized one-on-one instruction. All ages and photographic skill levels are welcome!

9. Sentinel Pass

Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta Canada http://www.trailpeak.com/trail-Larch-Valley-Sentinel-Pass-near-Banff-AB-1384
Excellent
89%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
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5.0 based on 122 reviews

Sentinel Pass

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!

10. Toby Creek Adventures

Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
2%
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5.0 based on 45 reviews

Toby Creek Adventures

Toby Creek Adventures is the premier snowmobile and ATV adventure company in the Canadian Rockies. Daily departures. FREE hotel pick up. Tours to suit all levels of experience - beginners welcome. An excellent outdoor family adventure experience.

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