Top Things to Do in Banff National Park

Banff National Park and its surrounding areas offer over 1,600 km of trails, making it a paradise for hikers and adventure seekers. From iconic turquoise lakes, jaw dropping scenery, epic hikes, cozy mountain-town charm to hidden gems.

Here’s our ultimate Banff checklist👇

🥾 1. Hike Sulphur Mountain, Ride the Gondola Down (Highlight)
~ Trailhead: Behind the Banff Upper Hot Springs parking lot
~ Distance: 6.7 miles (10.8 km) round trip
~ Time: 4.5 to 5 hours round trip
~ Ride the gondola down with the epic views

🍵 2. Lake Agnes Tea House Trail (Lake Louise) (Highlight)
~ Trailhead: Lake Louise shoreline, near the Fairmont Chateau
~ Distance: 7.4 km (4.6 miles) round trip
~ Time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours round trip
~ Cash only—no cards or Wi-Fi at the Tea House

🌊 3. Explore Lake Louise (highlight)
~ Rent a canoe and paddle across turquoise waters
~ Walk the trail along the turquoise lake with views of Mount Victoria and the glacier, at the far end of the lake, follow a short path to a hidden waterfall tucked into the forest. This hike is easy, great for families and its about 1-1.5 hours.

🏨 4. Visit the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
~ Step inside this historic alpine hotel for a drink, a meal, or just the view
~ Bonus: the lobby windows frame Lake Louise like a painting

🚵 5. Mountain Bike a Remote River Loop (Highlight)
~ Rent a bike in Banff
~ Ride through alpine meadows and riverside trails like Spray River or Goat Creek

🛁 6. Soak in Banff Upper Hot Springs
~ Steamy soak at 1,585 m elevation
~ Perfect post-hike recovery with mountain views

🏘️ 7. Stroll Banff Avenue
~ Gear up, grab a local brew, and watch for elk crossing the street
~ Snap a photo at the Banff sign

🏛️ 8. Visit Cave and Basin National Historic Site
~ Explore steamy caves, bubbling springs, and the birthplace of Canada’s national parks

🛣️ 9. Drive the Icefields Parkway (Banff Side)
~ One of the world’s most scenic drives
~ Must-stops: Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, Mistaya Canyon

🏞️ 10. Visit or Hike in at Moraine Lake
~ Book your shuttle time in advance—parking is restricted unless you hike in
~ The lake’s surreal blue and Ten Peaks backdrop are legendary
~ It’s always been booked up when we’ve tried to go, and the weather’s never cooperated for hiking—but it’s still at the very top of our list

🐺 11. Peyto Lake Viewpoint (Highlight)
~ One of the most surreal panoramic views in the Rockies—bright turquoise water shaped like a wolf’s head. The color is so vivid it looks unreal, like someone turned the saturation all the way up.
~ Distance: ~0.8 miles (1.3 km) round trip
~ Time: 30–60 minutes

🧭 Our Tips

• Start early to beat the crowds—or you’ll be parking far and shuttling in if you start late in the day
• Carry bear spray and hike in groups, if you come across a bear: don’t throw anything, don’t run walk slowly back, make loud noises, wave your arms, and try to look big
• Pack layers—mountain weather changes fast. Lake Louise loves surprise snowstorms—even in June (we’ve been caught in one!)
• Book well in advance for Moraine Lake and popular trails (wish we knew this sooner—we haven’t seen Moraine Lake yet, but it’s high on our bucket list
• Reserve your hotels early—Banff is wildly popular and books up fast or stay in Canmore—a beautiful town just 30 minutes away with great adventure vibes and easier availability. We love Basecamp Resort—clean, cozy, and close to everything (especially the best bagels in town)