Banff National Park

Visiting Banff National Park is one of the most unforgettable trips that you will ever experience. To start, the 4 hour drive from Calgary will provide you with a road trip and scenery that is jaw-dropping, and that's just the "tip of iceberg" of what you will see once you arrive at the park. I HIGHLY recommend that you do not stay for less than a week because there is SO much to see, visit, walk, canoe, cable car, and drive that you will do yourself a disservice. The countless trails to hike, lakes to visits, animals to see (including grizzly bears), and mountain tops to climb will leave you stunned. The clear forest air, sounds of wildlife, rushing rivers, and waterfalls are things you will not forget. A rental car is an absolute must, with plenty of accommodations to be had, depending on where you want to visit and how much you want to drive. And drive you will do in order to get the full experience. The topography is unlike anything you have seen, as you drive through closed canopy forests, open fields, amazing canyons, and even glaciers. You will see wildflowers of so many varieties and colors that your eyes will dance with excitement. You will wish you had a hammock to tie between trees or a comfortable blanket to lay in the massive fields of tall grass to enjoy a nap that you've probably never experienced or will. Go and do your heart, mind, and soul some good. Please respect the untouched beauty and throw your trash away in designated places.

I mean……it’s indescribable. The beauty surrounds you. It’s impossible to take it all in. Everywhere you look there is a stunning view, a mountain, a river, a lake….it’s endless. I thought Glacier USA was amazing but Banff is Glacier on steroids. I could stay forever.

Beautiful and scenic
Visited in Mid April with friends, we hiked a few days and drove to multiple spots, including Lake Louise.
Most of the lakes were frozen, but the mountains were all the more imposing and grand when snow covered them.
We bought ice cleats to hike, without them it would have been difficult

This park is comparable to Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain National Park in the US, one of those places I wanna come back to if I can.

The park is beautiful but can be very crowded. We have to take public transportation to get to lake Louise due to lack of parking. Even in late May the lake is still frozen so could not appreciate the view as in the summer. However, can’t imagine the crowd and how can one enjoy this place at the peak time.

A wonderful place that combines beautiful mountains, forests, lakes and rivers! Many wild animals, fresh air, good roads. There are campsites where you can stay.

Banff Town is lovely with so many places to eat and drink.
The scenery at lakes like Louise and Moraine is fantastic!

The view of the lake was indescribably beautiful. I definitely want to visit again. July or August seems to be the best time to visit when the water has melted and it's most beautiful.

Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a natural wonderland of unparalleled beauty. From the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the crystal-clear lakes and dense forests, every corner exudes awe-inspiring scenery. Outdoor enthusiasts can indulge in hiking, skiing, wildlife spotting, and more. With charming towns like Banff and Lake Louise offering cozy accommodations and vibrant dining options, visiting this park is an unforgettable experience that immerses you in the heart of Canada's wilderness.

Probably some of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen in my life. Some of the most popular tourist destinations are really packed and really takes away from the national park feeling, but if you stray away from that and look more towards the lesser known but still gorgeous locations, you’re definitely going to get some really chill vibes with the beautiful scenery.

Best place ever visited . what a awesome vibes . we are so grateful for god for creating such a landscape. This is just some places i visited . You will never get tired of these view.

Banff lives up to the hype. It is absolutely stunning!
My partner and I went into this vacation with not too much research, as we have friends from Calgary who gave us a lot of their recommendations.
We live in Utah and have both thought the actual town of Banff to have similar vibes as Park City.
We were surprised at the vastness of the park (like we knew it was large, but there is just SO much to explore), the amount of gas stations and cell service along different routes, the amount of accommodations, etc.
We have also been amazed at how great the signage and public transport have been throughout our week exploring. While we have google maps and Alltrails maps of the park downloaded, we haven’t had to solely rely on them, as roads, trailheads, etc are very well marked.

We have done some of the more touristy spots (Lakes Louise, Moraine, and Agnes), but our favorite hikes have been that which our friends recommended, as they were just as beautiful but without the crowds.

This was my first time in Banff. I live in Alberta now, so I’ll check it out a lot more Lake Louise was absolutely beautiful. I don’t know the names of the other glaciers but they’re all absolutely amazing.

I Travelled to Banff National Park AB Canada on May 10-14 -2024 I found this place Amazing and I enjoyed there with my family specially that I hiked around the Lakeside area That I never saw before like this place around the world.
I recommend to you if you would like to be there never forget to bring some warmer clothes.

The most unexpected place I dared myself to go. Bears, wolves. You name it they have it. They go hiding in winter. That leaves the -20° temperature to manage. Entry is getting expensive.

Stunning landscapes with so much natural beauty. A photographer's dream. One of the most gorgeous places on earth we have visited. The turquoise color of water is unbelievable. Great infrastructure, well maintained highways. Have visited both in Summer and Winter.

Absolutely awesome - we did this on a roadtrip from Charlotte to Banff that took us 6 days in the Tesla. Worth it.

This was my first solo road trip and I truly enjoyed it. Loved travelling alone in my car. Empty highways without any lights and under the full moon, listening to good music, the drive was excellent. One of my favourite places in the world. Though I went in winter after lakes are frozen and landscapes are mostly black and white, that winter climate also makes the journey and the destination enjoyable and memorable.

Highly recommend going, but keep in mind traffic and tourists get crazy during the summer seasons. Getting through the Parks gates can be a long wait (expect 3 hour waits between morning to afternoon)

Banff National Park is just amazing! It’s a must see for everyone! Remember you are in a National Park, so you must get a parking pass for the park…or you WILL get a ticket. The interesting/weird/amazing part of a visit, is where you’re visiting… say to Banff or Johnston Canyon, both are located in the park itself…you might need to pay for parking twice... once for the park and once for the location. Here are a few photos of downtown Banff, Johnston Canyon and Lake Minnewanka.

1. The park is characterized by rugged mountain peaks, glaciers, dense forests, alpine meadows, and turquoise-blue lakes. It is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2. Banff is home to a variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, black bears, elk, moose, wolves, and mountain goats. Visitors often have the chance to spot these animals in their natural habitat.

3. Popular activities in the park include hiking, camping, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, wildlife viewing, canoeing, and fishing.

4. Iconic attractions within the park include Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, the town of Banff, the Icefields Parkway, and the Columbia Icefield. These attractions draw millions of visitors each year.

5. Conservation efforts in Banff National Park focus on preserving the natural environment, protecting wildlife habitat, and maintaining the ecological integrity of the ecosystem.

6. There are several visitor centers within the park, including the Banff Visitor Centre, Lake Louise Visitor Centre, and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, where visitors can learn about the park's history, wildlife, and conservation efforts.

7. Banff National Park was established in 1885, making it Canada's first national park and the third national park in the world. It was established to protect the hot springs and surrounding wilderness area.

8. The construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway played a significant role in the park's early history. The railway brought increased accessibility to the area and facilitated tourism, leading to the development of hotels and resorts.

9. Banff quickly became a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world who came to admire the stunning mountain scenery, explore the hot springs, and engage in outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and horseback riding.

10. Over the years, infrastructure was developed within the park to accommodate the growing number of visitors. This included the construction of roads, trails, campgrounds, and visitor centers.

11. Throughout its history, Banff National Park has been a focal point for conservation efforts. Initiatives have been undertaken to protect wildlife, preserve fragile ecosystems, and maintain the park's natural beauty.

12. In 1984, Banff National Park, along with several other national and provincial parks in the Canadian Rockies, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding natural beauty and ecological significance.

13. The park is also home to significant cultural heritage sites, including Indigenous archaeological sites and historic landmarks such as the Banff Springs Hotel and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site.