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9781786575920
Banff National Park
Day Hikes
Banff Town & Around
Lake Louise & Around
Icefields Parkway
Overnight Hikes
Driving
Cycling
Other Activities
Sights
Tours
Sleeping
Eating
Drinking & Entertainment
Shopping
Banff National Park
Why Go?
In the hit parade of top sights in Canada, Banff justifiably ranks as many people’s number one. As much a piece of Canadian history as a natural wonder, the nation’s oldest national park, founded in 1885, is what Canada is all about: a feral, but largely accessible, wilderness that attempts to cater for everyone – and largely succeeds – from bus-tour seniors to hard-core mountaineers.
Indeed, one of the great beauties of Banff is its juxtaposition of the untamed and the civilized. Grizzly bears roam within growling distance of diners clinking cocktails at the romantic Banff Springs Hotel, while weary hikers fresh from summit attempts queue up for ice cream with golfers clutching nine irons. Striking a clever balance between yin and yang, Banff is a park with two distinct personalities. Popcorn on Banff Ave or rehydrated soup at a backcountry campground in the middle of nowhere? Take your pick – or enjoy both!
Road Distance (KM)
Best Hikes
A Healy Pass
A Plain of Six Glaciers
A Larch Valley
A Cory Pass Loop
Best Places to Stay
A Skoki Lodge
A Fairmont Banff Springs
A Paradise Lodge & Bungalows
A Buffaloberry
Entrances
There are four main road entrances into Banff National Park. All are open year-round, weather permitting. The main East Gate is on Trans-Canada Hwy 1, 7km (4.3 miles) west of Canmore, and has manned tollbooths where you can purchase park passes (they all accept cash, cards and check). If you already have a pass, you can use the right-hand lane to avoid queuing at the tollbooths. The other park entrances are on Trans-Canada Hwy 1 eastbound from Yoho National Park, Hwy 93 northbound from Kootenay National Park, and Hwy 93 southbound from the Icefields Pkwy. If you’re driving, remember to hang your pass from your rearview mirror so that park staff know you’ve already paid.
DON’T MISS
A major lure of the Lake Louise area is its two hike-in teahouses built in the first half of the 20th century by some of the park’s early pioneers. Moderate but well-trodden trails to each establishment help hikers get away from the intense clamor of the lakeside and into a calmer, more serendipitous realm.
The Lake Agnes Teahouse sits 3.5km up a steep-ish trail in a hanging valley beside a beautiful lake. It was built in 1901 by the Canadian Pacific Railway and has been serving tea and other snacks (including scones) since 1905. The Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse is within viewing distance of the Victoria Glacier (behold the thunderous avalanches) at the head of Lake Louise. It was constructed by Swiss guides in 1927 and has been in the tea business since 1959. The 5.5km trail to reach it is slightly gentler than the Lake Agnes trek.
Both teahouses sit at 2100m above sea level. Neither has electricity nor road access; supplies are brought in by foot, horse or helicopter.
When You Arrive
A Buy your park pass from the tollbooths at Banff’s East Gate or from a park visitor center. Daily passes cost C$9.80/8.30/19.60 per adult/senior/family. Children 17 years and under get free admission.
A Check the latest trail reports at the Banff Information Centre or online at www.pc.gc.ca/apps/tcond/cond_e.asp?opark=100092.
A Some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served system: arrive early at your chosen site (ideally by 11am) for the best chance of securing a pitch.
PLANNING TIPS
Accommodations in Banff and Lake Louise are expensive and scarce in summer, so book early. To cut costs, avoid peak months or stay outside the park.
Fast Facts
Area 6641 sq km (2564 sq miles)
Highest elevation 3618m (11,870ft)
Lowest elevation 1310m (4297ft)
R...
Table of contents
- Contents
- Welcome to Banff, Jasper & Glacier
- Banff, Jasper & Glacier’s Top 20
- Need to Know
- What’s New
- If You Like…
- Month by Month
- Itineraries
- Activities
- Family Travel
- Travel with Pets
- Banff National Park
- Around Banff National Park
- Jasper National Park
- Glacier National Park
- Around Glacier National Park
- Waterton Lakes National Park
- Understand Banff, Jasper & Glacier
- The Parks Today
- History
- Geology
- Wildlife
- Conservation
- Health & Safety
- Clothing & Equipment
- Directory A–Z
- Transportation
- Behind the Scenes
- Our Writers