10 incredible things to do in Banff National Park

Only a few kms outside of Banff town sits Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake, two very picturesque lakes that are actually joined at one end. There is a small scenic drive that takes you along one side of Lake Minnewanka down to Two Jack Lake. The route is very short but well worth doing all the same. As with many lakes in the area there are some great activities such as kayaking, swimming and even hiking and biking around the shore.

Only a 30 minute drive north from Banff town is the Johnston Canyon hiking area, one of the most popular hiking areas in Banff. As with all of the hikes in the area, it is very well signposted, the route is clear and there is a map and information point at the car park (in addition to restrooms which are always handy) so there isn’t much preparation required. You can make the hike as short or as long as you’d like by either hiking there and back to lower falls (2.2 km), upper falls (5.2 km) or further to Ink pots (11.6 km). Bear in mind that the hike can get quite busy and the trail is quite narrow so an early start is required unless you’re a fan of queuing for viewpoints. If you find yourself in need of a snack or drink then there is also a restaurant at the start of the trail but the prices are fairly steep.

If you’ve seen a photo from Banff it is more than likely of Lake Louise (or Moraine Lake, next). The stunning blue lake is one of the most popular stops in Banff and rightly so. The glacier fed lake is famous for its stunning blue colour, surrounded by hiking trails, mountain peaks and a stately chateau. There isn’t a bad time to see it but if you’re after that really special moment then be sure to get there for sunrise. We visited it both in the afternoon and at sunrise the following day and it was incredibly beautiful both times so you can’t go wrong. In the summer there is a kayak rental station to hire those famous red kayaks and paddle out onto the water for the rather steep price of $115 CAD (plus tax) per half an hour. In the winter you can ice skate on the lake and even ski their very own ski area. On a practical note, the car park gets full quick so plan on getting there as early as possible. Alternatively, if you are staying at Lake Louise campground you can walk to the lake and avoid the parking situation all together. 

Situated in the Valley of the 10 peaks and just a 20 minute drive from Lake Louise is the breathtaking Moraine Lake. The lake is accessed by its own road, Moraine Lake road (closed during winter) but if you’d prefer not to drive then there is also a shuttle bus service that runs from Lake Louise. This beautiful glacier fed lake is one of the most photographed lakes in the world and rightly so. With its green-blue hues and epic backdrop it’s easy to see why so many people flock there to see it. Head up to the viewpoints for some great photo ops or jump in a canoe to get out on to the lake itself. If you’re in the mood for something a little more active then try one of the many hiking trails around Moraine Lake. They vary in difficulty and length but if you’re up for it, make sure to do the Larch Valley – Minnestimma Lakes – Sentinel Pass trail. You will not regret it.

As mentioned above, an absolutely unmissable hike is the Larch Valley – Minnestimma Lakes – Sentinel Pass hike from Moraine Lake. Considered a moderate hike to Larch Valley (4.3km round trip) and an advanced hike to Sentinel Pass (9.3km total round trip), it’s not your casual walk in the park. However, it is the most incredible hike we did during a week in the Canadian Rockies and we could not recommend it highly enough. Accessible during 3 out of the 4 seasons (closed in Winter), many recommend visiting in Autumn to see the Larch Valley and its golden hues. Gaining in elevation throughout the hike you will pass through Larch Valley, get unrivalled views of the 10 peaks and if you make it all the way to the top – well, those views are pretty out of this world. Stay tuned for a full post on this hike – what to take, wear and everything else you need to know.

A trip to Alberta would not be complete without driving the iconic Icefields Parkway, the 232km stretch of highway between Banff and Jasper National Parks. Rated as one of the world’s best drives, this scenic stretch of road has over 100 glaciers, waterfalls, emerald lakes and thick larch forests. There is so much to see and do along this highway that you could spend a whole week just on this section. Whether you’re doing the trip by car or campervan you will be surprised at how long it can take you to drive the full length due to the fact that you will be stopping every 15 minutes to jump out and gaze at the view. Allow plenty of time for the journey, make sure you’ve got a full tank of gas and plenty of food as you won’t be passing any towns or petrol stations for a while. Stay tuned for a full post on this drive, how to plan it, the best stops and tips for the road.

Another beautiful stop on the Icefield Parkway is Bow Lake, one of the smaller lakes in Banff that offers more incredible hiking, viewpoints and photo ops. The backdrop of Crowfoot glacier just adds to the already incredible setting. If you’re up for a hike then try the Bow glacier falls hike, a fairly easy 9km round trip to Bow glacier falls with incredible views of Mount Jimmy Simpson in the background. Alternatively, head to Simpson’s Num-Ti-Jah Lodge on the north end of the lake to enjoy a coffee by the with incredible views.

Famous for its shape, Peyto Lake is an absolute must see when in Banff. Head to Bow summit for incredible views over the dog-shaped blue lake and more hiking trails. Unfortunately Bow summit and the Peyto lake viewpoint and trail areas are closed for rehabilitation from September 2019 until summer 2021 but be sure to keep an eye out online for updates if you’re planning a trip. Check the parks canada website for updates on reopening dates.

If you’re a skier then I have no doubt that skiing in Canada is on your bucket list. There are multiple ski areas in the Rockies, all with unbelievable backdrops, lovely mountain towns and some of the best snow conditions you could possibly ask for. In Banff alone there are 3 ski areas: Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Mt Norquay that cover over 8000 acres of incredible terrain with an annual snowfall of over 30 feet. There is a little something for everyone from beginners to advanced as well as an abundance of other activities from dog sledding and snowshoeing to shopping and soaking in hot springs. We have yet to ski in Canada but the way we see it, it’s the perfect excuse to go back.