Whether you’re looking to surround yourself with mountains, pine forests, or Canadian wildlife, go no further than Banff National Park, located in the Rocky Mountains, 100 miles west of Calgary, Alberta. Established in 1885, it is Canada’s oldest national park, spanning 2,564 square miles of breathtaking terrain.
Pack your long johns and head for the hills. The park has a subarctic climate, with Lodgepole pines and Engelmann spruce forests. Above the tree line it’s mostly rock and ice. Here you’ll find glaciers, including the Columbia Icefield, the largest uninterrupted glacial mass in the Rockies.
Take the only bi-cable gondola in Canada up to the top of 700-ft Sulphur Mountain, with spectacular views of Bow Valley, Lake Minnewanka, and six Banff National Park mountain ranges. Lake Minnewanka, named “Water of the Spirits” by the First Nations, is the largest lake in the park, and the perfect spot for an outdoor picnic. Admission to the Cascade Gardens is included in your park pass. The gardens surround the park administration building, and are host to a variety of annual and perennial plants and flowers. Feast your eyes on the vibrant colors, on a backdrop of the Canadian Rockies. When you get tired of walking, head to the Banff Upper Hot Springs for an outdoor soak in the steamy hot pool that visitors have enjoyed for over a century. Want to spend time indoors instead? The park has you covered with the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum, where you can immerse yourself in a time when the Native peoples moved their camps and followed the buffalo across the region.
Some of the largest and fastest mammals live in the park. Keep your eyes open for sightings of grizzly bears, cougars, wolverines, elk, bighorn sheep and moose. Remain calm and quiet, they can be somewhat people and camera shy.
One can see here the varieties of geological and ecological features, like mountains, glaciers, icefields, lakes, alpine meadows, mineral hot springs, canyons, and hoodoos.
Main highlights are :
The Cave and Basin Hot Springs
Lake Minnewanka
Banff Legacy Trail
Upper Hot Springs Pool
Johnson Lake
Vermilion Lakes
There are bus services from the city center to Banff namely Brewster and Greyhound.
Departure times, pick-up spots, and reservations are all available through their websites. Book early to get the seats as buses are mostly fill up fast.
To roam around the Banff there are the energy-efficient Roam buses, which are operated by Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission and run regularly throughout the day for a small fee.
If you’re driving, you will need to purchase a Park Pass to enter Banff National Park.
There are many taxi cab companies in Calgary to choose from and the rates for the journey are fixed by the government.
Different fees for discovery park, camping, and fishing.
Do not feed wildlife or leave food or garbage outside.
Keep your dog on a leash for its safety and for the comfort of wildlife.
It is forbidden to bring drone, firearm, and motorized equipment to preserve the peace and safety of the national park.
The park is especially busy from May through September which may result in heavy crowds.
There are lots of places to eat and also many souvenir shops.
Try to take to go by car to enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
Don't forget to bring a camera.
If you are traveling in the summer season, make sure that you cover yourself well, carry an umbrella, hat, water, and sunglasses.
Wear comfortable shoes.
Carry an ample amount of water to avoid dehydration.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Waiting Time
Entrance Fee
Adult - 9.80 CAD
Senior - 8.30 CAD
Youth - free (admission for youth 17 and under free)
Family/Group- 19.60 CAD
Commercial Group, per person- 8.30 CAD
Time you can spend
Weather
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