Banff

Canada's first national park town nestled in the Canadian Rockies, offering stunning turquoise lakes, dramatic peaks, and excellent hiking trails. It's an essential stop for experiencing pristine alpine wilderness and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Things to do

• Lake Louise Hiking — Explore the iconic turquoise glacial lake with trails ranging from the easy lakeside walk to the challenging Plain of Six Glaciers trail.
• Moraine Lake — Visit this stunning valley of ten peaks with brilliant blue waters, accessible via a scenic 14 km drive from Lake Louise with excellent photo opportunities.
• Sulphur Mountain Gondola — Take the scenic chairlift to the 2,281-meter summit for panoramic views of the Bow Valley and surrounding peaks.
• Bow Falls — Walk the easy 4.8 km loop trail to this impressive 40-meter waterfall formed where the Bow and Spray Rivers meet.
• Johnston Canyon — Hike through a narrow canyon with waterfalls and turquoise pools, featuring an easy 2.7 km trail to the lower falls.
• Wildlife Spotting — Drive the scenic Icefields Parkway or explore valley floors at dawn or dusk to observe elk, bighorn sheep, marmots, and occasionally bears.
• Cave and Basin — Visit Banff's historic thermal springs where the national park was founded, with interpretive trails and bathing pools.

Food to try

• Alberta Bison Steak — Local lean and flavorful bison meat prepared as a signature entree at upscale Banff restaurants, often served with wild mushrooms and berry reductions.
• Bow River Pickerel — Fresh-caught whitefish from local waters, typically pan-seared and served with seasonal vegetables at fine dining establishments.
• Bannock with Wild Berries — Traditional Indigenous fried bread served with locally foraged saskatoon berries, often available at cafes and food markets.
• Rocky Mountain Trout — Freshly caught local trout, smoked or grilled and featured on many restaurant menus throughout Banff.
• Labatt Blue at a Patio — Enjoy Canada's most popular beer at one of Banff's scenic patios overlooking the mountains during summer evenings.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Wildlife Distance — Always maintain at least 100 meters from most wildlife and 30 meters from smaller animals; feeding wildlife is illegal and dangerous.
• Leave No Trace Hiking — Stay on marked trails, pack out all garbage, and respect the fragile alpine ecosystem that defines Banff's protected status.
• Book Accommodations Early — Summer and winter peak seasons fill quickly in this small town of 7,000 residents, so reserve hotels and activities weeks in advance.
• Indigenous Land Acknowledgment — Banff sits on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy and other First Nations; many sites include educational materials about Indigenous heritage.