Things to Do in Banff National Park: The Complete Guide
Banff National Park packs an almost unfair amount of beauty into one place: glacier-fed lakes in colors that don't look real, peaks that rise straight from the valley floor, a walkable mountain town, and wildlife you can spot from the roadside if you know where to look. Founded in 1885 as Canada's first national park and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers more than most visitors can fit into a single trip.
This guide runs through the essential things to do, organized from the iconic must-sees to the quieter gems, with notes on logistics throughout. You'll also need a Parks Canada pass for most visits outside the free Canada Strong Pass window — our complete 2026 park fees guide covers all pass types and exactly what the pass does and doesn't cover.
Banff highlights at a glance
- Lakes: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake — two iconic glacial lakes, both requiring planned access in peak season
- Gondola: Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain for a 360° panorama in eight minutes
- Canyon: Johnston Canyon catwalks to the Lower and Upper Falls
- Hot springs: Banff Upper Hot Springs — highest pool in Canada, open year-round
- Drives: Bow Valley Parkway and Icefields Parkway, two of the world's great scenic roads
- Wildlife: Grizzlies, elk, bighorn sheep, and moose — best at dawn and dusk
- Hiking: 1,600+ km of trails from easy lakeshore paths to high-alpine scrambles
- Town: Banff townsite with Bow Falls, Vermilion Lakes, Cave and Basin, and the Hoodoos
Banff Guided Experiences Worth Booking
The best way to see Banff National Park at its finest is with a local guide who knows where the wildlife is, how to reach Moraine Lake and Lake Louise without the parking battle, and when to be on the Bow Valley Parkway for grizzly bears. From the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge Tour — with a guaranteed sighting of Boo — to evening Twilight Wildlife Safaris, Bear Country Wildlife Hikes in Kananaskis, and the Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus connecting Johnston Canyon, the Banff Gondola, and the alpine lakes, these tours cover what's hardest to do independently.
The iconic lakes
Lake Louise is the one on the postcards: a milky-turquoise lake beneath the Victoria Glacier, backed by the grand Fairmont Chateau. You can walk the flat lakeshore path, rent a canoe, or hike up to the Lake Agnes Tea House or the Plain of Six Glaciers. It's stunning and, unsurprisingly, extremely popular — planning your access and timing is essential. Note that lakeshore parking runs $42 per vehicle per day on top of your park pass; the Parks Canada shuttle is often the smarter choice.
Moraine Lake, in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, is arguably even more photogenic — especially from the Rockpile viewpoint that once graced the Canadian twenty-dollar bill. Crucially, you cannot drive your own vehicle to Moraine Lake. The road is closed to personal cars year-round, so you'll reach it by Parks Canada shuttle, a guided tour, or a hop-on-hop-off bus that covers both lakes in one efficient day.
Both lakes typically don't thaw to their famous turquoise until late May or even June, so spring visitors should temper expectations. For timing guidance across every season, see our month-by-month Banff planning guide.
The gondola, Johnston Canyon, hot springs, and Minnewanka
For the single best panoramic view accessible to almost anyone, ride the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain. In about eight minutes, glass cabins carry you to a summit at 2,281 metres, where a boardwalk leads along the ridge to historic sites and multiple dining options. On a clear day you'll see six mountain ranges, the Bow Valley, and Lake Minnewanka below. Book ahead — it uses dynamic pricing and advance tickets get better rates. Fit hikers can climb the Sulphur Mountain trail and ride down at a discount.
One of Banff's most popular hikes for good reason, Johnston Canyon takes you along raised steel catwalks bolted to the canyon walls, past rushing water to the Lower Falls (about 1.1 km one-way) and Upper Falls (about 2.7 km). Beyond the falls, the trail continues to the Ink Pots — a set of blue-green mineral springs in a meadow. In winter, the frozen falls become a destination for ice walks. Arrive early or take Roam Transit Route 9 from Banff to skip the parking scramble.
After a day on the trails, soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs, the highest hot-springs pool in Canada at about 1,585 metres. The naturally heated mineral water is kept between 37 and 40°C, and the mountain views are superb — especially on a snowy winter evening with steam rising around you. First-come, first-served with no reservations, open year-round until about 10 p.m.
The largest lake in the park, Lake Minnewanka is just a short drive from town and offers a completely different flavor from the alpine lakes. The classic interpretive boat cruise — running since 1912 — heads toward Devil's Gap while you watch for bighorn sheep and bald eagles along the shore. You can also rent boats and kayaks, hike the lakeshore trail through Stewart Canyon, or simply drive the scenic Minnewanka Loop past Two Jack Lake and Johnson Lake.
The scenic drives and the town of Banff
Some of Banff's best experiences happen from behind the wheel — or a tour van window.
The Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A) is the slow, scenic alternative to the main highway between Banff and Lake Louise, and one of the park's premier wildlife-viewing roads. Bears, elk, and more are regularly spotted, especially at dawn and dusk. Sections have seasonal restrictions to protect wildlife, including spring overnight closures; check current Parks Canada rules before you drive.
The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North) is one of the world's great road trips, running about 230 km from Lake Louise to Jasper. Highlights include Bow Lake, the viewpoint over Peyto Lake at Bow Summit — the highest point crossed by a public road in Canada — and the Columbia Icefield with the Athabasca Glacier. There's no fuel for a long stretch, so fill up and give yourself a full day. Worth every minute.
The town of Banff itself is worth time. Stroll Banff Avenue with Cascade Mountain framing the view, browse shops and galleries, and eat well — the town punches far above its size for restaurants. A few quick stops from the townsite deserve their own visit: Bow Falls and Surprise Corner (a short walk to a powerful cascade, with a classic view of the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel); Vermilion Lakes (mirror reflections of Mount Rundle at sunrise, excellent birding); Cave and Basin National Historic Site (the thermal springs where the park was born in 1885 — a guided cave tour tells the origin story of Canada's national parks); and Tunnel Mountain and the Hoodoos (an easy summit hike plus eroded rock spires along the Bow River).
Wildlife viewing
For many visitors, seeing a bear, elk, or bighorn sheep in the wild is the highlight of the whole trip. Banff is home to grizzlies, black bears, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, moose, wolves, and more. The best viewing is at dawn and dusk along the Bow Valley Parkway and Icefields Parkway. Always keep a safe, legal distance — 100 metres from bears, 30 metres from elk and sheep — and never feed or approach wildlife.
Around 65 wild grizzlies range across the park's 6,641 km². Wild sightings are rewarding but never guaranteed. For a guaranteed grizzly encounter, the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge near Golden is where you'll find Boo — a resident grizzly living in a large natural habitat. For the full picture on wild versus guaranteed sightings, see our main Banff grizzly bear guide.
A guided wildlife tour is one of the safest and most rewarding ways to see animals. Expert guides know where wildlife has been active, how to position a vehicle at a safe legal distance, and how to watch responsibly without disturbing the animals. Evening tours timed to the golden hour cover the peak activity window for bears, elk, and deer along the Bow Valley.
Hiking
With over 1,600 kilometres of trails, Banff is a hiker's dream at every ability level. Easy options include the lakeshore paths at Lake Louise and Minnewanka and the boardwalks of Johnston Canyon. Moderate classics include the Lake Agnes Tea House hike, the Plain of Six Glaciers, and Sunshine Meadows — a high alpine wildflower paradise reached by gondola and foot. Ambitious hikers tackle Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass (spectacular in fall's golden larch season), Healy Pass, or the Big Beehive. Whatever you choose, carry bear spray, make noise on the trail, and check conditions and wildlife closures before setting out.
For wildlife-focused hiking with expert guidance and a bear-safety briefing led by a biologist specialising in human-bear coexistence, guided hikes are available in both Banff and Kananaskis — taking you well off the beaten path to the most active wildlife corridors.
On the water
Beyond the famous canoe shots at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, you can paddle at Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, Vermilion Lakes, and Emerald Lake in neighbouring Yoho. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at several lakes in summer. Personal watercraft rules vary by lake to protect waterways from invasive species — some lakes restrict outside boats entirely, so check before you bring your own.
Winter in Banff
Banff doesn't hibernate. Three ski resorts — Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, and Mt. Norquay — offer some of Canada's best skiing and snowboarding. Beyond the slopes, you can walk on frozen lakes, take an ice walk through Johnston Canyon, try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, go dog sledding, or soak in the hot springs while snow falls. Clear winter nights even bring a chance of northern lights. Our month-by-month guide covers winter in full detail.
Planning Your Banff Visit
You won't do everything in one trip — and that's fine. Banff rewards return visits. A few universal tips will make even a first trip exceptional. Sorting your travel dates? See our month-by-month Banff timing guide. Planning the journey from Calgary? Our Calgary to Banff transport guide covers every option.
Focus and move fast
Pick one lake cluster plus the gondola or a wildlife drive at dusk. Don't try to do Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the gondola in a single day — one will feel rushed.
The classic Banff trip
Cover the iconic lakes, the town's easy stops, a big scenic drive, and a wildlife tour without rushing. Add the Icefields Parkway as a dedicated day if you have five full days.
Start early, plan access
Start early to beat crowds and catch wildlife. Plan your Lake Louise and Moraine Lake access in advance. Use Roam Transit and Parks Canada shuttles to skip parking headaches at the busiest sights.
Layers and bear spray
Mountain weather changes fast. Carry warm layers, rain gear, and sun protection regardless of the forecast. If you're hiking, bear spray is essential — and know how to use it before the trailhead.
Banff Activities: Common Questions
Practical answers to what visitors ask most before arriving in the park.
Can you see grizzly bears in Banff National Park?
Yes — Banff is home to around 65 wild grizzly bears. Sightings are most likely at dawn and dusk along the Bow Valley Parkway and Icefields Parkway, between May and October. Always stay at least 100 metres from a bear and never approach or feed wildlife. For a guaranteed grizzly encounter, the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge tour visits Boo, a resident grizzly living in a large natural habitat near Golden, BC. For the full picture of wild versus guaranteed sightings, see our main Banff grizzly bear guide.
Do I need to book a Parks Canada shuttle for Lake Louise and Moraine Lake?
Yes, advance reservations are strongly recommended. The Parks Canada shuttle to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise runs from the park-and-ride lot in Lake Louise village, and popular time slots fill up quickly in summer. Personal vehicles cannot drive to Moraine Lake. An alternative is the Hop-On-Hop-Off day bus, which covers both lakes and Johnston Canyon without requiring separate shuttle reservations for each stop.
Is the Banff Gondola worth it?
For most visitors, yes. It's the most accessible summit view in the Rockies — eight minutes up Sulphur Mountain to 2,281 metres, with six mountain ranges visible on a clear day. Book advance tickets online to save versus the gate price, which uses dynamic pricing. Fit hikers who want the ascent on foot can hike up and take the gondola down at a discounted descent-only rate — a popular option for those who want the views without the full return descent.
What is Johnston Canyon like, and how busy does it get?
Johnston Canyon is one of the most popular hikes in the park for good reason — steel catwalks bolted into the canyon walls carry you alongside rushing water to the Lower Falls (1.1 km one-way) and Upper Falls (2.7 km). The trail continues to the Ink Pots, a striking set of blue-green mineral springs in a meadow. Very busy in summer. Arrive before 8 a.m. to have it mostly to yourself, or take Roam Transit Route 9 from Banff to skip the parking frustration entirely.