There is nowhere quite like Banff, a town of turquoise glacial lakes, soaring Rocky Mountain peaks and roaming wildlife inside Canada’s oldest national park. We spent days exploring the park, from canoeing on Lake Louise to hiking to alpine lakes and driving the Icefields Parkway. This first-hand guide covers the best things to do in Banff, Canada, how many days to plan for, the free highlights, and where to stay and eat.
Key Takeaways
- The icons are the turquoise lakes: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are the must-sees, backed by the Banff Gondola, Lake Minnewanka and Johnston Canyon.
- Three to five days covers the highlights; a week lets you add the Icefields Parkway and neighbouring Yoho (Emerald Lake) in BC.
- Many of the best things to do are free (you only need a Parks Canada pass), from lakeshore walks to the Bow Valley Parkway and the town’s red chairs.
- A car helps hugely, though shuttles serve the busiest lakes; book Lake Louise and Moraine Lake access ahead in summer.
- June to September is best for hiking and the lakes at their bluest; winter is for skiing and frozen-lake magic.
Banff at a Glance
| Where | Banff National Park, Alberta, Canadian Rockies |
| How many days | 3 to 5 for the highlights (a week with day trips) |
| Must-sees | Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Banff Gondola, Lake Minnewanka |
| Park pass | Parks Canada day/annual pass required |
| Best time | Jun–Sep for hiking & lakes; winter for skiing |
| Getting around | A car (plus shuttles for the busiest lakes) |
Banff sits about 90 minutes west of Calgary, high in the Canadian Rockies, and it packs a staggering amount of scenery into a compact area: glacial lakes, hikes for every level, wildlife, hot springs and a lively mountain town. Here are the best things to do in Banff, starting with the icons everyone comes for.
Getting to Banff and the Park Pass
The nearest airport is Calgary (YYC), about a 90-minute drive east, and a rental car is the easiest way to explore, though shuttles and tours run from Calgary and Banff town. Everyone entering the park needs a Parks Canada pass (a day pass or the better-value annual Discovery Pass), displayed in your windscreen. In summer, private vehicle access to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake is restricted, so reserve the Parks Canada shuttle or a tour in advance; Moraine Lake in particular can only be reached by shuttle, bus or bike. For the drive up from the airport, a car makes reaching the early-morning lakes far easier.
The Best Things to Do in Banff
Here is our shortlist at a glance, followed by a proper writeup of each. Almost all of these are things we did ourselves.
| Thing to do | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Louise | Lake Louise | The iconic lake, canoeing, the Plain of Six Glaciers hike |
| Moraine Lake | Lake Louise | The bluest lake, the Rockpile viewpoint |
| Banff Gondola Sulphur Mountain | Banff town | Summit views over six ranges |
| Lake Minnewanka | Banff town | Boat cruise, Stewart Canyon hike |
| Johnston Canyon | Bow Valley Pkwy | Waterfall catwalk trail |
| Banff Canoe Club | Banff town | Paddling the Bow River |
| Cascade Ponds | Banff town | Free picnic + mountain reflections |
| Bow Valley Parkway | Banff–Lake Louise | Free scenic drive, wildlife |
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is the image that draws most people to Banff, and it lives up to it: a startlingly turquoise lake beneath the Victoria Glacier, with the grand Fairmont Chateau on its shore. Rent a canoe from the Chateau boathouse for the classic experience, or lace up for the Plain of Six Glaciers trail, one of our favourite hikes in the park, which climbs along the lake to a historic teahouse with glacier views. Come early (before 8am) to beat the crowds and catch the calm, mirror-still water.
Moraine Lake
If anything, Moraine Lake is even more striking than Lake Louise: a smaller, impossibly blue lake cradled by the jagged Valley of the Ten Peaks. Climb the short Rockpile Trail for the postcard view (the one that once graced the Canadian twenty-dollar bill). Access is by shuttle, bus or bike only, and it is worth every bit of the planning to see it. Sunrise here is something special.
The Banff Gondola and Sulphur Mountain
For the big-picture view, the Banff Gondola whisks you up Sulphur Mountain to an observation deck and boardwalk with a sweeping panorama over six mountain ranges and the Bow Valley far below. There is an interpretive centre and restaurants at the top, and fit hikers can climb up and ride down. It is one of the best ways to grasp the sheer scale of the Rockies.
Lake Minnewanka and Johnston Canyon
Lake Minnewanka, the park’s largest lake, is a short drive from town and makes a lovely half-day: take the interpretive boat cruise, picnic on the shore, or walk the easy trail to Stewart Canyon. Nearby, Johnston Canyon is one of Banff’s most popular walks, a catwalk trail bolted to the canyon walls that leads past thundering waterfalls to the Ink Pots meadows. Go early, as both get busy.
Canoe the Bow River in town
You do not have to leave Banff town for the water: the Banff Canoe Club rents canoes right in the townsite, and paddling the gentle Bow River beneath Mount Norquay and the surrounding peaks is a relaxed, scenic way to spend an hour or two, no shuttle reservation required.
The Best Hikes in Banff
Banff is a hiker’s dream, with trails for every level. Beyond the Plain of Six Glaciers at Lake Louise, these are the walks we loved.
Arnica Lake and Twin Lakes
For a quieter alpine day, the trail to Arnica Lake and the Twin Lakes climbs through forest and larch meadows to a string of serene mountain lakes, glorious in the golden larch season of late September. It is a proper hike with a rewarding payoff and a fraction of the crowds of the marquee lakes.
Easy walks: Johnson Lake and Cascade Ponds
Not every walk needs to be a slog. Johnson Lake has an easy, family-friendly loop with a swimmable (if chilly) lake, and Cascade Ponds is a free, pretty picnic spot just outside town with footbridges and postcard mountain reflections, a lovely spot for a low-key afternoon.
Free Things to Do in Banff
Banff has a reputation for being pricey, but many of its best experiences cost nothing beyond your park pass. Here are the free highlights.
Wander the Banff townsite and its red-chair viewpoints, stroll the Bow River to Bow Falls, and picnic at Cascade Ponds. Drive the scenic Bow Valley Parkway between Banff and Lake Louise (slower and far prettier than the highway, and one of the best places to spot elk, deer and bears). Simply visiting the lakes and viewpoints is free, as are the countless hiking trails. The park’s famous red Adirondack chairs, dotted at scenic spots, are made for exactly this kind of slow, free afternoon.
Day Trips from Banff
With more time, some of the Rockies’ greatest scenery sits just beyond the park.
The Icefields Parkway and Bow Lake
The Icefields Parkway, running north from Lake Louise toward Jasper, is one of the most scenic drives on Earth, threading past glaciers, waterfalls and lakes. Even a half-day out to Bow Lake and Peyto Lake is worth it. For the full route, see our guide to the stops on the Icefields Parkway.
Emerald Lake and Yoho, BC
Just over the border in British Columbia, Yoho National Park’s Emerald Lake is a jewel: a vivid green lake ringed by peaks, with a lovely lakeshore loop and a classic lodge. We stayed at the Emerald Lake Lodge and woke up to the lake from our balcony, one of the highlights of our whole Rockies trip. It pairs perfectly with Takakkaw Falls and the Natural Bridge. There is more in the things to do in BC guide.
How Many Days Do You Need in Banff?
Three to five days is the sweet spot for Banff itself. In three days you can see Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, ride the gondola, walk Johnston Canyon and explore the town. Five days adds Lake Minnewanka, a bigger hike or two and a slower pace. With a week, add a day on the Icefields Parkway and a day trip to Emerald Lake and Yoho. Banff pairs naturally with a wider Canadian road trip through the Rockies if you have longer.
Where to Stay in Banff
Banff accommodation ranges from the historic grand hotels on the lakes to cosy mountain lodges and the town’s hotels; book well ahead for summer. These are some of the standouts, including lodges we stayed at ourselves.
| Hotel | Area | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise | Lake Louise | $$$$ | Iconic lakefront grande dame |
| Buffalo Mountain Lodge | Banff town | $$$ | Rustic-luxe timber lodge + great restaurant |
| Storm Mountain Lodge | Bow Valley | $$$ | Historic log cabins between Banff & Lake Louise |
| Emerald Lake Lodge | Yoho, BC | $$$$ | Lakefront cabins (worth the border hop) |
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the grand hotel right on the shore of Lake Louise, with the canoe dock and the Plain of Six Glaciers trail on its doorstep. Staying here lets you enjoy the lake before and after the day-trip crowds, which is the whole point.
Buffalo Mountain Lodge
Buffalo Mountain Lodge is a rustic-luxe timber lodge on Tunnel Mountain, a short drive from the townsite, with wood-burning fireplaces and one of the best game-focused restaurants in Banff. It is a cosy, characterful base with a genuine mountain-lodge feel.
Emerald Lake Lodge
Emerald Lake Lodge sits right on Emerald Lake over in Yoho, BC, an easy day trip or overnight from Banff. Waking up to the green lake from the balcony, as we did, is a memory that sticks, and being on the water before the day-trippers arrive is the whole appeal.
Where to Eat in Banff
Banff town has a surprisingly good food scene for its size. A few favourites, all worth a table.
| Spot | Type | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Mountain Lodge Restaurant | Rocky Mountain game | Elk, bison, mountain-lodge fine dining |
| Nourish Bistro | Vegetarian | Creative veggie plates in the town centre |
| Wild Flour Bakery Banff | Bakery / cafe | Coffee, pastries and picnic supplies |
For a special dinner, the restaurant at Buffalo Mountain Lodge is known for its Rocky Mountain game (elk, bison), while Nourish Bistro is a beloved, creative vegetarian spot in the town centre that even committed carnivores rave about. Grab coffee and picnic supplies at Wild Flour Bakery and take them to Cascade Ponds or a lakeshore for the best-value (and best-view) lunch in the Rockies.
The Banff Upper Hot Springs
After a day on the trails, the Banff Upper Hot Springs are a Rockies institution: a historic open-air pool of naturally heated mineral water, perched on Sulphur Mountain with steam rising against the peaks. It is especially magical in winter, soaking in the warm water surrounded by snow. It is an easy, affordable way to end a day in the park.
Best Time to Visit Banff
June to September is the classic window: the roads and trails are open, the lakes are at their bluest (Moraine Lake is typically accessible roughly June to early October), and hiking is at its best, though it is also the busiest and priciest time. Late September brings golden larch season and thinner crowds. Winter (December to March) transforms Banff into a world-class ski destination, with frozen lakes, ice walks in Johnston Canyon and the hot springs at their most atmospheric. Spring and late autumn are quiet shoulder seasons with some closures. For a wider trip, our Canada travel guide helps with planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Banff?
Three to five days covers the highlights: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, the Banff Gondola, Johnston Canyon and the town, plus a hike or two. A week lets you add the Icefields Parkway and a day trip to Emerald Lake in Yoho.
What is Banff most famous for?
Its turquoise glacial lakes, above all Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, along with the surrounding Rocky Mountain peaks, wildlife, hot springs and the Banff Gondola, all within Canada’s oldest national park.
What are the best free things to do in Banff?
Walking the Banff townsite and the Bow River to Bow Falls, driving the scenic Bow Valley Parkway, picnicking at Cascade Ponds, and simply visiting the lakes and viewpoints are all free; you only need a Parks Canada pass to enter the park.
Do you need a car in Banff?
A car makes exploring much easier, especially for early starts and day trips, but it is not essential: shuttles and tours serve Lake Louise and Moraine Lake (and Moraine Lake is shuttle/bus/bike-only), and Banff town is walkable.
What is the best time of year to visit Banff?
June to September is best for hiking and the lakes at their bluest; late September adds golden larches and fewer crowds; and December to March is prime ski season with frozen-lake scenery. Peak summer is busiest, so book ahead.
Final Thoughts
Banff is the Canadian Rockies at their most jaw-dropping, and the best things to do here range from world-famous turquoise lakes to quiet larch-lined trails and free lakeshore picnics. Give it three to five days, start early at the marquee lakes, mix a couple of hikes with the easy wins, and let the mountains do the rest. Pair it with the wider Alberta Rockies and even Dinosaur Provincial Park out east for a fuller trip. Which Banff lake will you see first?
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