Banff National Park, located in the Rocky Mountains, is Canada’s oldest national park. Established in 1885, Banff National Park is a protected area renowned for its stunning beauty, featuring mountainous, rugged terrain, pristine alpine lakes, spectacular waterfalls, and hot springs. Its proximity to Calgary makes it easily accessible via the Trans-Canada Highway. The numerous hiking trails, winter sports, and other recreational activities make Banff popular among tourists. Banff National Park was assigned a UNESCO World Heritage Site tag in 1984. Read on to know about the things to do in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
History of Banff National Park
In the 1800s, the province of British Columbia agreed to be part of Canada on the condition that a railway line be constructed to connect British Columbia to the rest of Canada. The Canadian Pacific Railway began construction through the Bow Valley in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The railway workers, by chance, discovered the natural hot springs near Sulphur Mountain. They soon became a tourist attraction. The Canadian Government created a reserve to preserve the hot springs and the surrounding area in 1885. By 1887, it was enlarged and named ‘Rocky Mountains Park of Canada’ and was later renamed Banff National Park. Soon, the town of Banff developed several hotels, and before long, it began attracting tourists from all over the world.
Johnston Canyon, Banff National Park
Having visited Yoho National Park the previous day, we are excited to explore Banff National Park. (There is a separate blog on Yoho National Park which you can read here.) We have a hearty breakfast at Chez Francois Restaurant in Canmore and drive to Johnston Canyon. There are two parking lots, and we get lucky with the one located further away from the entrance to Johnston Canyon.
Breakfast at Chez Francois Restaurant and View at Canmore
So, what exactly is the Johnston Canyon? It is a spectacular natural gorge in the middle of Banff National Park. Thousands of years of interaction between the soft limestone and natural elements, such as water and wind, have chiselled and carved the canyon into what we see today. The rugged natural chasm, enveloped in green vegetation and surrounded by turquoise blue waterfalls, makes Johnston Canyon perfect for trails and treks.
Johnston Canyon Trails
Lower and Upper Falls
The hike begins through the forest, and we walk on steel and concrete catwalks suspended from the canyon walls. We soon come to the Lower Falls. From a bridge, we can see and hear cascading and roaring waterfalls that plunge into an emerald-green basin. There is a long queue to enter a cave to get an up-close view of the Lower Falls. We decided as a family to split. I wait in the queue and enter the cave to get a closer look while the rest of the family continues the trek to the Upper Falls.
Soon, I enter the cave and get a closer look at the falls. Here is my honest confession. Even watching the Lower Falls from the bridge is good enough, and I could have skipped going into the cave. I head back to the parking lot. My family joins me soon and explains that although the Upper Falls are stunning, it might have been a challenging trek for me (since my fitness levels were not excellent), so it was a good thing that I didn’t attempt it.
Falls and Streams at Johnston Canyon
Lunch at Samson Mall
We soon head to the Samson Mall and grab a bite at the café there. We don’t have time for a leisurely meal as we must take the shuttle to the lakes. The forest fire in Jasper National Park has led to its closure, resulting in an increase in the number of tourists visiting Banff National Park. Consequently, finding parking near the lakes is proving to be a challenge. The authorities have, therefore, arranged for shuttle buses to take visitors to the lakes. The shuttle bus tickets sell out online within minutes once booking opens, so please book them promptly. The other options are to book expensive private minibuses or use the Roam public transport bus service. We hurriedly rush to the Lake Louise Ski Resort, where we will board the shuttle bus.
Lunch at Samson Mall and Shuttle Bus Stop at Lake Louise Ski Resort
Lake Louise Ski Resort, Banff National Park
We park at the Lake Louise Ski Resort parking lot. We then head to the shuttle bus pick-up point. After showing our pre-booked tickets, we hop onto a Park Canada Shuttle bus that will take us to Lake Moraine. The Lake Louise Resort is renowned among tourists who prefer to stay here. It also features a Gondola cable car that skiers use to access the mountains near the resort in winter.
Moraine Lake
We soon arrive at Moraine Lake. A series of mountains known as the ‘Valley of Ten Peaks’ surrounds the picturesque blue-green lake. People are canoeing on the lake; still, others are squealing with joy as they dip into its freezing waters, while others walk along the lake shore. There are gorgeous lodges overlooking the lake, and I see many seniors sitting on the balcony and gazing at the lake.
Several trails around Moraine Lake can be completed based on the time available and the desired difficulty level. We even spot people climbing a cliff called Rockpile to get an excellent aerial view of the lake and click Instagram-worthy images. We decided to walk around the lake and admire its waters from different angles. I want to spend more time here, but we still need to visit Lake Louise and head to the shuttle stop. Soon, our shuttle bus arrives, taking us to Lake Louise.
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is a photographer’s delight and one of the most photographed glacial lakes in the world. Stunning snow-dusted mountains surround the blue-green lake. Red canoes drift on its waters like specks. Pine trees, along with rugged mountains, complete the pristine landscape. The melting waters of Victoria Glacier on Mount Victoria feed the lake waters. Fairmont’s Chateau Lake Louise is situated on the eastern shore of the lake.
On Lake Louise, too, there are several trails that visitors may want to explore. This time, I decided I didn’t want to walk around the lake, but to sit quietly, admire the view, and spend some time in quiet contemplation. I gaze at the mountains and wonder what secrets they hold. They have been mute witnesses to human activity and passage of time. It is a pleasure to admire these natural wonders, a gift from Mother Nature. They are a legacy that must be preserved and safeguarded for future generations. I feel blessed to be with my family amidst the stunning landscape.
Soon, it’s time for us to leave, and we take a shuttle back to Lake Louise Ski Resort. We get into our car and drive to our last spot for the day- Lake Minnewanka.
Wildlife Spotting
The staff at the visitor centre in Yoho National Park strongly recommended visiting Lake Minnewanka at sunset. We head to Lake Minnewanka, and en route, we are pleasantly surprised to see an elk/moose in the wilderness. It is evening, and the sun is about to set, so it’s probably grazing some foliage before it retires for the day. We drive further and spot a Coyote crossing the road, but it disappears in the woods before we click a picture.
Lake Minnewanka
We soon arrive at Lake Minnewanka, park the car, and walk towards the lake. The Stoney-Nakoda First Nations people called the lake ‘Minn-waki’ or “Lake of the Spirits.” Artifacts unearthed from these archaeological sites have been known to date back 1,400 years.
We can see cruises anchored near the lake shore. During the daytime, one can explore the lake on an hourly cruise. We walk along the lake shore. Mountains surround the azure blue lake. Since the sun is setting, only the tips of the mountains receive light, whereas the lake and shores embrace darkness. The dance of light and darkness on Lake Minnewanka is surreal. We return to our cars and head back to our resort in Canmore, where we call it a day. The next day, we will do the Banff Gondola Ride and visit Banff Avenue.
The next day, we wake up and, after breakfast, head to Banff. We stop and get a picture with the Banff Signage. You will see a queue of tourists at the signage, so be prepared to spend between 15 and 30 minutes here.
Gondola Ride
We then take the Roam Transit Bus from Banff Avenue, which brings us to the Banff Gondola at the base of Sulphur Mountain. We had initially planned to take the Gondola ride on our first day, but due to the rain and cloudy weather, we rescheduled it. The sun is shining, and we’re happy to have great views of Banff and its surroundings. We queue up for the Gondola Ride, and soon, it’s our turn to hop onto a Gondola. As the cable car ascends, we can see the winding rivers, sapphire lakes, Banff town, the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel, mountain ranges, and much more. It’s an astounding eight-minute ride over treetops, and you will love every bit of it.
Gondola Summit
We hop off the Gondola at the Gondola Summit. We walk around the observation deck, which provides a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountainscape. The children and my husband, Rafiq, trek on the Boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak. The Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station is on the peak. It’s a 2-km trek, and I decide to walk for just half of it, admiring it from a distance. Next, we stroll through the ‘Above Banff Interpretive Centre’, which features numerous exhibits and interactive stations. We head to the theatre, where a short film about Banff National Park is shown. There are also restaurants and shops at the summit. We take the Gondola and the bus that takes us to Banff Avenue.
Left Staircase leading to Samson Peak and Right Samson Peak
Banff Avenue
Downtown Banff’s most visited spot is Banff Avenue, a buzzing street lined with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. The avenue overlooks the Cascade Mountain, and one almost gets the feeling that if you continued walking, you would end up at the base of the mountain! We stroll along the avenue and grab a bite. The children pick up caps and souvenirs. I walk further and see the Banff Visitor Information Centre. The St. Paul Presbyterian Church, in Victorian Gothic architectural style, is nearby. We then headed towards the Banff Train Station, as our car was parked nearby. Our Banff and Yoho National Park trip has come to an end.
Restaurants at Banff Avenue
So Many Things to Do in Banff National Park and So Little Time
The Cave and Basin National Historic Site is also near Banff town, but we need to head back to Calgary for the family wedding and skip it. The Upper Hot Springs Pool is also conveniently located near the Banff Gondola base, but unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to visit it. One can go trekking, camping, kayaking, and, of course, skiing, as well as enjoy other winter adventure activities. There was so much to do in such a short time, but we managed as best we could.
There is so much to see in the Canadian Rocky Mountains that you will need to spend three to four weeks if you want to visit all the National Parks. We saw several families in their campervans or RVs spending their summer in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, with a plan to explore the various national parks. So, plan your itinerary well, or decide what works best for you within the limited time on hand. Jasper National Park and the Columbia Icefields are also worth exploring. But that will be another holiday.
Final Word on Banff National Park
Whether you are a nature and wildlife lover, an adventure sports enthusiast or a family or group of friends, Banff, with its numerous attractions and natural beauty, will amaze and excite you. There is something for everyone. We hope these travelogues will help you plan your itinerary and explore Calgary as well as Banff National Park and Yoho National Park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
GETTING THERE
Nearest Airport to Banff National Park:
Calgary Airport is the nearest airport with connectivity to major cities around Canada, the US, and other international destinations. From here, you can drive down to Banff National Park. Distances: Calgary- Banff National Park: 110 km, 1 hour 10 mins Banff-Canmore: 7 km, 8 mins
Where to Stay in Banff:
You can do a net search for hotels depending on budget and comfort. Getting accommodation in Banff can sometimes be a challenge. We stayed at a property in Canmore town, overlooking the Three Sisters mountains, which is a 10-minute drive from Banff.
Banff Travel Tip:
Please purchase the Park Passes online in advance, as it will save you considerable time. The same park pass is valid across Banff and Yoho National Parks. Please wear comfortable shoes as there will be considerable walking. You must pre-book the shuttle services to the lakes, as parking near the lakes is restricted. Similarly, pre-book the Banff Gondola tickets. Depending on the weather forecast, you may want to change the day and time of your Gondola Ride. Please carry a raincoat and dress in layers, as the weather changes every couple of hours. Be flexible and prepared to adjust the itinerary according to changing weather conditions.