The lake is frozen solid from late October to early June, but you can take a canoe out and enjoy the fresh air in the summer. Canoes are available to rent by half the half-hour from the Fairmont.
If you want to go for a hike while visiting Lake Louise and I highly suggest you do , numerous hikes range in difficulty leaving right from Lake Louise. The most popular and easiest hike is to the Lake Agnes Tea House. This is an easy hike that can be done in under two hours and is an iconic thing to do in Banff. However, be warned, its ease makes it a busy one!
To escape the crowds and get better views , keep climbing to the Big or Little Beehive. There are also other hikes like the Fairview Lookout and Mount St.
If you book early enough and score yourself a room here in the summer, enjoy it! After your day enjoying Moraine Lake and Lake Louise , you can now relax and have dinner at the Chateau and enjoy a night in the Fairmont.
Ensure to take advantage of the location and catch the stars at night around the Lake without the daytime crowds! Wake up at Lake Louise, enjoy a coffee with views and head out for a road trip on the Icefields Parkway.
The Icefields Parkway is one of the most beautiful road trips you can take in the entire world. The drive itself is stunning, but there are so many pull-offs along the way. Make sure to hit these places.
If you have a stand-up paddleboard, canoe, or kayak, this is one of the best places to enjoy the water. This is probably the third most popular lake to visit in Banff, after Louise and Moraine. The reason is its unique shape and absolutely mind-blowingly blue water.
Peyto Lake is easily accessible from the Icefields Parkway. To get a great view, all you have to do is park and hike up an easy minute path to the viewpoint. Athabasca Glacier is a popular place to stop along the Icefields Parkway. Here you can step out on a cliff edge walk and see the glaciers around you and have views out of the Sunwapta Valley. The Columbia Icefield Skywalk has views of wildlife, waterfalls, and fossils.
However, in my opinion, you can get the same experience by going on a beautiful hike in Banff National Park for free. The views keep continuing, though, and the drive is just as stunning. Continue on to Jasper Town and relax here for the night. Take a stroll around town and enjoy the fresh mountain air. Maligne Canyon is another one of the things to do in Jasper that will keep you occupied and fulfilled, regardless of the season you visit.
Carved slowly out of limestone over the years by the rushing waters within, the deep canyon walls reach nearly feet in places, making it one of the most dramatic sights in Jasper National Park. Due to its sacredness, the island is off-limits, but boat tours are available, which will take you close enough to appreciate its splendor.
For those who need a little more exertion and adventure to view the island by kayak or canoe, this option is only for the physically fit because the roundtrip is difficult to complete in a day. There are campsites nearby where you can book an overnight spot, breaking the trip into a day and a half and giving you a wonderful night in the wilderness.
A great thing to do in Jasper in the winter is to check out Athabasca Falls. The volume of water that rushes over the edge is very high, making the upper Athabasca River positively roar — especially during the height of the thaw in late spring. There are ample hiking trails to get you to viewing areas, allowing you to ogle the river and fall in all its glory. Tunnel Mountain is right in the heart of Banff.
It may be one of the smallest mountains in Banff National Park, but it still offers tremendous views of the surrounding valleys and Mount Rundle, especially at sunrise. The hike moves slowly up the mountain through several switchbacks and offers various viewpoints out into the Bow and Spray Valleys.
There are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants to enjoy in Banff. But really, I just love strolling and admiring the mountain views from down low. Bow Falls are a must-see Banff waterfall. They are only a short walk away from the town and take you into magnificent nature. There are nice walkways for visitors so they can view safely. One of the best places to catch the sunset in Banff is from the top of Sulphur Mountain.
The Banff Gondola runs all day to take visitors up and down, making it the easiest mountaintop to catch the sunset in Banff.
Sulphur mountain peak can be reached in under two hours through a path of easy but relentless switchbacks. A great Banff summer and winter excursion are Vermilion Lakes. Vermilion Lakes is one of my favorite places to go to Banff for both sunrise and sunset. Mount Rundle, arguably the most famous mountain in the whole park, towers over the lake, creating an epic backdrop any time of the year. You can also take a canoe, kayak, or paddleboards out here and enjoy the water.
The lakes are pretty calm and a great place for a chill ride. Two Jack is one of the most photographed lakes in the Canadian Rockies due to its proximity to Banff.
Lake Minnewanka is a glacial lake that is close to Two Jack Lake. This lake is 21 km long and meters deep. The mountains towering over Lake Minnewanka are seriously impressive all year round. Norquay Via Ferrata. This is an assisted climbing experience up Mount Norquay. There are four different routes that vary in length and difficulty. Perfect for any visitor in Banff with many different options for families too. The sun has set over Banff National Park. A few of our favorites are:.
Our favorite restaurant in Banff with a great atmosphere and high-quality farm-to-table food. They have a seasonal menu and won several national awards in Canada for exceptional service. That means the first part of the trail through the canyon is going to have quite a lot of people, especially in the Summer.
There are three points of interest at different distances: the lower falls, the upper falls, and the ink pots. We only made it to the lower falls and honestly found it a little bit underwhelming — there was a queue to see the waterfall from inside a cave and the view was not much different than seeing it from the outside. After dinner, you can head up the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain to watch the sunset over Banff town and its surroundings.
And indeed, after the sun had thoroughly set, most people were queueing up to head back down to town. Icefields Parkway is considered one of the most scenic road trips you can do in the entire world. Our strategy was to focus on stops on the side of the road with the best sunlight during that time of day in order to snap the best photos. For the most part we focused on driving up north quickly, and only start to make stops after hitting the half-way point.
We woke up around 6AM in order to leave by AM for a long day of driving. Make sure you have plenty of gas in your car , the only place to gas up before you get to Jasper is the Saskatchewan River Crossing which is more expensive than getting gas beforehand.
You should also be aware that these services are not available in the Winter, so be prepared! Our first stop in the morning is Bow Lake , which is probably the most famous for its ultra-reflective water. It also has a fabulous color in the sunlight thanks to the adjoining glacier. Make sure that once you transfer from the Trans Canada Highway that you change onto the 93, which is the Icefields Parkway that leads to Jasper.
Icefields Parkway gets its name for the enormous Columbia Icefield that rests on top of the mountain range. You can get close to a certain point, enough for some really nice pictures! But if you want to actually get onto the glacier and see it up close, you can take a tour by the same company that runs the Minnewanka Lake Cruise and the Banff Gondola:.
You can choose to visit Sunwapta Falls either on your way up the Parkway or back down, but we opted to do it on the way up in order to get the falls in good lighting. Here you can see that a good part of the falls was already in shade when we arrived a little after noon. After shooting some photos, we stopped at a picnic spot for lunch. Otherwise, we made it up to Jasper and there are plenty of options there. Athabasca Falls are the highest volume waterfalls in Jasper National Park, and super powerful!
You can get out here and see the spot where trappers and fur traders used to cross on their way into British Columbia. The map we got at the beginning of the parkway warned us to be on the lookout for sheep! This lake is the highlight of the day, and we were lucky we got to visit it because the maps we received from the park service said it was closed for rennovation! Luckily we decided to check it out anyways, and after a short m hike for 2km on a paved path, you emerge with a high-level view of Peyto Lake!
Peyto Lake is probably most famous for being shaped like the head of a wolf. It has the same famous turquoise water. You can take a 2. We visited during Golden Hour and the crowds were certainly managable. The last place we stopped on the way back from our Icefields Parkway drive was Herbert Lake, which is best known for its reflections in the water.
On a day without wind, the lake acts like a perfect mirror for the trees and mountains above. Herbert Lake also has a number of spots for day camping if you want a spot to chill out and picnic. This itinerary is all about saving the best for last. Read on for lots of tips on exactly how to reach these lakes, which are typically the most popular with tourists.
Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife in the numerous meadows and forests along the way! And this special place attracts crowds. That said, I found the reviews on TripAdvisor to be completely overdramatic with the number of crowds I was not, however, visiting Lake Louise on a weekend!
There are crowds but I thought that Parks Canada did a good job managing them and that the bus system was pretty well organized. They send busses every 15 minutes and it helps control how many people are at the lake. We also found the lake a bit crowded but still totally mangable around 11AM on a Thursday in August.
At Lake Louise you can directly buy a ticket for the bus to Moraine Lake. We opted to spend 3 hours at Lake Louise for photos and eating lunch. Moraine Lake, like Lake Louise, has limited parking that tends to fill up fast. I highly recommend you book all the rental cars and hotels at least 3 months in advance to avoid disappointment. As mentioned earlier, you should also aim to start your day no later than 7am and arrive at the lakes before 8am to make sure you get parking.
Many people also choose to visit Banff in the winter for winter sports and frozen waterfalls at Johnston Canyon. The easiest way is to drive from Calgary to Banff considering the closest airport to fly in to visit Banff is Calgary International Airport. After you land in Calgary, it takes about 1. If you are visiting from Vancouver, then Banff is a 9 hour drive from Vancouver. I personally recommend that you fly to Calgary and do the Calgary to Banff drive as it is just so much more efficient.
The drive from Calgary to Banff is also quite easy. Once you are about to enter Banff National Park, you will need to buy a multi-day Banff National Park Pass either at one of the booth on the road or in the visitor center in the town of Banff. You can also purchase the Banff National Park Pass online. The Park Pass will need to be taped to the inside of your windshield.
If the police finds your car without a valid park pass, you will be given a warning ticket first then a real ticket. The fees are used to help conserve and maintain the park, so please make sure you buy the pass. Renting a car to drive around Banff is probably the easiest and most convenient way of traveling. There are rental car agencies located in Banff or you can rent a car from Calgary after you land and drive to Banff.
There are numerous parking lots in the town of Banff as well as at all the touristy sites and hiking trail heads. However, parking can be an issue during summer peak season unless you visit early morning. Many visitors to Banff also rent RVs to drive around the park. There are many designated RV Parking lot for those who wish to stay overnight or camp. Within the town of Banff, there is a local bus ran by the company Roam. Check their official w ebsite for schedules and timetables.
Many hotels offer complimentary shuttles to different areas in Banff, check with your hotel for more information on that. There are also complimentary shuttle bus that take visitors from overflow parking lots especially at Lake Louise to Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Johnston Canyon. There are a ton of accommodation options from budget to luxurious in both Banff, Canmore and Lake Louise.
You can also camp in Banff. Banff International Hostel : Hostel located in the town of Banff, 10 minute walk to the center of town. Tends to get booked up fast. Alpine Club of Canada Canmore : a cute hostel located in the town of Canmore, 20 minute drive from Banff. I stayed there personally and loved the view from the deck. Very quiet place. High Country Inn : Each room has two beds and a balcony! Really surprised at how spacious the room is. Fairmont Banff Hot Springs : Luxury hotel that offers golf course in the summer and skiing in the winter.
Banff is a pretty big resort town compare to its neighbors Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper. I was actually surprised at the large number of stores, bars, and restaurants in Banff. During the summer month, the town of Banff is very lively and popping even late night and restaurants and bars are open till midnight depends on the place.
Here are some of the restaurants that I tried and would highly recommend. It has an extensive brunch list that ranges from Canadian specialties poutine to French toasts to sandwiches to eggs.
They offer some specialty burgers as well as beers. When you walk by the restaurant you will definitely be drawn in by the delicious smell of their truffle fries. Elk and Oarsman Kitchen and Bar : We stopped by this place because it had a rooftop but we were not disappointed by the food.
They offer a variety of burgers, pizzas and salads as well as drinks. Cows : If you want ice cream in Banff then Cows is the place to be. There is usually a line out of the door but for good reasons. There is a gift store attached to the ice cream shop that sells cow themed souvenirs shirts, mugs, stuffed animals, etc. Beaver Tails : Beaver Tails is a Canadian pastry shop that basically puts different toppings on fried dough. There are a couple of stores in Banff so out of curiosity we tried it.
There were a few different topping combination to choose from and I ended up trying to Nutella one with banana which was extremely rich and delicious.
The fried dough is a bit salty, which went well with the sweetness of Nutella. You can sit indoors or outside under the umbrellas. There is a huge population of grizzly bear and black bear in Banff National Park and the number of bears double in Jasper National Park because Jasper National Park is further up so it receives way fewer visitors a year compare to Banff National Park.
Generally you will not see a bear during your visit because bears tend to avoid people. However, every year there are reports of hikers encountering bears or injuries and death during a bear encounter. Therefore even though the chance of you encountering a bear is slim, it is still important to understand how to protect yourself in case you see a bear.
If you are hiking, you should be hiking with other people and not alone. There are many trails near Moraine Lake that require a minimum of 4 in a group because of the risks of encountering bears. During the hikes, make sure you are loud, that means talking and laughing loudly or play some music during your hike.
Generally when bears hear unfamiliar sounds, they will run away. Unfortunately many incidents occur when a bear cub unknowingly runs across a hiking trail and the mama bear sees humans as a threat and starts to attack.
To avoid getting injured during a bear attack, make sure to buy a bottle of Bear Repellent a really strong version of human mace and learn how to use it. You can buy the Bear Repellent at the visitors center in the town of Banff. The weather changes drastically throughout a day in Banff. If you plan to hike, bring athletic gear and hiking shoes as well as water bottles or a hydration pack.
The sun can be quite strong during the day especially if you are hiking, make sure to pack a hat and plenty of sunscreens to avoid being burned. There are a lot of bugs and mosquitoes during the hikes and near the lakes, so make sure to pack insect repellent or get 10 mosquito bites like me.
If you are an avid photographer, definitely pack a wide angle lens in order to capture the peaks and mountains. This is one of the most common questions people have on visiting Banff. How many days in Banff is entirely based on what you want to see there. If you just want to see some lakes and take some photos then I think 2 days is enough to see Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, do the gondola, drive to Peyto Lake and explore the town of Banff.
If you are an avid outdoor person hiking, climbing, etc then I suggest at least 3 full days to see the highlight of Banff. I would even suggest a week in Banff itself to get the fullest experience.
If you are planning to drive up to Jasper National park then you would be interested in all the best photo stops along Icefields Parkway. Click here to see the privacy policy. Only have 3 days in Banff in the summer to explore the Canadian Rockies? Follow the best 3 day Banff itinerary in this Banff blog to see all the best things to do in Banff. Hidden cave at Johnson Canyon. Johnston Canyon Lower Fall. Johnston Canyon Upper Fall.
View this post on Instagram. Lake Louise in the morning.
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