Camping & Hiking · Scenic Views · Alberta
Canada's famous Rocky Mountain national park, home to Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and countless trails, loved for its turquoise glacial lakes and wildlife. Popular spots get crowded, so plan ahead.
Banff National Park covers a huge stretch of the Rockies, and visitors struggle to describe it without superlatives. The turquoise glacier-fed lakes and rivers, waterfalls, glaciers and mountain views in every direction are the headline. Reviewers visit in summer, fall, winter and spring and find it striking in every season.
Getting around is by car, and a vehicle is close to essential. The highways are well maintained, with plenty of pull-offs for photos, and several reviewers liked the wildlife overpasses. Buy a park pass in advance. Accommodation fills quickly, so book early; one family stayed in nearby Canmore and drove in each day.
There's a trail for everyone. Reviewers mention Johnston Canyon, the Lake Agnes Tea House trail above Lake Louise, Tunnel Mountain, Peyto Lake and the Moraine Lake Rockpile. Many suggest spending at least a week. Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are reached by shuttle, and one family used a private company when the Parks Canada shuttle was full, so reserve early. Families with young kids found plenty of easy walks and stroller-friendly spots.
The most popular places can be packed and lose some of their wild feel, so start early to get parking and quieter trails. Mornings can dip below freezing even in September, so pack layers, and spring visitors needed ice cleats on frozen trails. Please stay on trails and pack out your garbage.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 29,755 Google reviews. Details change — confirm hours, prices and bookings with Banff National Park directly.
