Sat Jun 22 2024
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
An iconic National Park encompassing the Rocky Mountains where sunrises are prettier than sunsets, Banff is an incredible destination, especially for those who enjoy the outdoors. From quick viewpoint hikes to winded treks, there are plenty of opportunities for breathtaking views for all fitness levels and ages.
Metadata
Trip Duration: 5 days
Season: Early summer
Weather: Temperate and unpredictable with a sprinkle of melting snow
Sunrise: 5:30 AM
Sunset: 10:00 PM
Popularity Level: 8/10 - tourist season is ramping up
Major Nearby Cities: Calgary, Alberta
Prep
Packing Essentials
- Summer clothes for the hot afternoons
- Insulating jacket for the chilly mornings and evenings
- Long pants will also be useful for the chilly weather and early hikes
- Hiking gear, duh!
- Raincoat and/or umbrella as it does tend to randomly rain
- Bear spray. It is bear season and grizzly and black bears frequent the area. Luckily our Airbnb provided us with one.
Tips
- Be sure to do some planning for Moraine Lake. Parking is not allowed so be sure to prebook a shuttle. Visit the Parks Canada website for up to date information.
- Renting a car is useful for getting around. You can easily take a 4 hour road trip up to Jasper National Park for some more scenic trails and lakes.
- Bears exist around here so be bear aware!
Flying In
Calgary
Calgary, Alberta is the closest city to the National Park. If you’re flying in from elsewhere, Banff is only a 2 hour drive from Calgary. The city is definitely worth checking out! There are even sky bridges to easily get around without having to walk outside in case you’re visiting in the dead of winter.
Vancouver
Although much further, the drive from Vancouver, British Columbia to Banff is very scenic and an option for those who seek long road trips. You can also opt to take a scenic train ride on one of Canada’s railways.
Where to Stay
Banff
It is harder to find options in downtown Banff, so be sure to book early. While several hostels do exist, there are more expensive options such as the Fairmont Hotel. For those who really want to be close to nature, there are several campgrounds within the park that can be reserved on the Parks Canada website.
Canmore
Canmore is about 30 minutes from the town of Banff and a good choice to look for budget options that are family friendly. There are several Airbnbs in the area and Canmore itself is a worthwhile town to explore.
Highlights
Attractions
Sunrise at Moraine Lake
Highly recommend watching the sunrise at Moraine Lake! It had started to rain but just as the sun was rising, the clouds opened up and a double rainbow appeared. It is touristy but was so worth it. Be sure to book the alpine start bus to arrive before sunrise.
Emerald Lake
This underrated gem was just as stunning as Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. It was crowded in the afternoon and a popular destination for swimming. It is a bit out of the way, about 2 hours drive West of Banff.
Natural Bridge
A fun rock formation with a waterfall. This can be a quick stop on the way to Emerald Lake.
Golden and the Skybridge
The town of Golden was an unexpected surprise with a cute wooden pedestrian bridge and a quaint downtown area. The hallmark feature of Golden during the summer is its skybridge, offering magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. The cost to walk the bridge was quite steep though.
Lake Louise
This is the iconic turquoise lake that is very popular for canoeing/kayaking. Be sure not to miss this one! It definitely lives up to the hype.
Peyto Lake (Fox Lake)
A lake shaped like a fox (supposedly). It’s a short trek up a paved trail.
Horseshoe Lake
On the way to Jasper, this lake would have been amazing to swim in (and also great for cliff jumping) but definitely an activity for later in the summer.
Three Sisters
These are an iconic range of mountains that you will definitely spot while exploring Canmore.
Activities
Banff Gondola
A relaxing family friendly activity with amazing views at the top. Plus, there’s a cool bear statue at the top.
Canoeing and Kayaking
Almost all the major lakes have boat rentals nearby.
Swimming
So much water and so many options. If you enjoy a cold plunge, the famouse Lake Louise or Moraine Lake are glacier runoffs, contributing to their turquoise color.
Biking
There are tons of biking trails around the park and bike rentals are very common.
Glacier Icewalk
If you’re taking a trip up to Jasper, stop by the Glacier. There are tours that will take you on the glacier and gear is provided.
Walking around Town
Being surrounded by scenic mountain ranges, Banff and Canmore are great for an evening of shopping. Alternatively, opt to relax at a restaurant or bar after a long day of activities.
Wildlife viewing
Bring binoculars to spot the different species of birds or greet the big horn sheep casually resting by the road. You may also find some deer, goats, or bison roaming around.
Hikes
Sentinel Pass via Larch Valley Trail
Time to Complete: 5 hrs
Distance: 7.3 miles
Elevation Gain: ~2600 ft
Trail Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Difficult
This hike can easily be done after catching the sunrise at Moraine Lake. The trailhead is located in the same parking area. Most of the elevation occurs in the beginning with a switchback that ends at a very rewarding view of larch valley. In the fall time, you’ll be surrounded by the infamous yellow hues of the larch trees. Sentinel pass is the last ~1.5 miles of the hike. Even in late June, it was covered with snow, with some areas reaching above the knees. Unfortunately, this made the trail difficult to navigate without the right gear. Larch valley is still beautiful and worth the hike even if you need to turn back early.
Lake Agnes Tea House and Big Beehive
Time to Complete: 4-6 hrs
Distance: 4.9-7.7 miles depending on which trail you choose to take
Elevation Gain: ~1600-2800 ft
Trail Type: Out and back with loop options
Difficulty: Choose your own adventure
My favorite hike of the trip! Resting at the tea house is a must and the views of Lake Louise and the valley from above are phenomenal.
The trailhead is located at Lake Louise and there was still ample amount of parking at 6:30am. Lake Agnes trail was fairly easy and well-paved. However, I would strongly recommend arriving at the tea house at 8am, right when they open. The place fills up quickly and by 8:30am there were no more seats. If you’re a little late, don’t fret as there are a number of benches to enjoy the food takeaway around Lake Agnes.
The tea house takes cash but if you only have USD, the conversion rate is 1 to 1, so you end up paying more. There is a surcharge for paying with card but usually more worth it than paying with USD.
Little beehive is about 45 minutes from the tea house and the trail to big beehive was icey this time of year. You can take a detour through the high line trail instead, which offers amazing views of Lake Louise.
Sulphur Mountain (Banff Gondola)
Time to Complete: 2 hrs
Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation Gain: ~2400 ft
Trail Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Strenuous
This was the most grueling hike of the trip and had me questioning my decisions at every turn of the 26 switchbacks. This hike is one option to get to the top of (or back down) Sulphur mountain that will save you money. The top offers some of the best views of the Bow River valley and downtown Banff and there is also a nice restaurant to relax at. If you go later in the evening, the ticket window may be closed and you might luckily get to down load on the gondola for free.
Memories
Short on time and need to choose?
Lake Agnes Tea House! This hike not only takes you to a charming tea house serving fresh sandwiches, but also rewards you with stunning views of Lake Louise, where the turquoise water truly shines. Don’t get me wrong, Lake Agnes is also beautiful and a great spot to sip on some tea.
Favorite Restaurant
Wagashi Tea House in Canmore is located inside a garden and is ADORABLE. It serves up traditional Japanese teas and breakfasts. Be sure to go early as it fills up fast. Located about 25 km from Banff, Canmore is a popular (and usually cheaper) town to stay in.
Fun Fact
If you get caught going 40 km/h (25 m/h) over the limit in Ontario, your vehicle may be impounded.