Banff National Park of Canada

What to See & Do

  Banff Information Centre
224 Banff Avenue

Check out our daily video featuring Banff National Park.

• Parks Canada information: 403.762.1550
• Banff/Lake Louise Tourism: 403.762.8421
• Friends of Banff National Park gift shop.

Cave and Basin National Historic Site
311 Cave Avenue (1 km from downtown Banff) 403.762.1566

This is the birthplace of Canada's national park system.

• Thermal mineral springs
• Interpretive boardwalk trails
• Exhibits and video
• Interpretive programs available – see page 9
• Café open in the summer

Admission charged

Banff Park Museum National Historic Site
91 Banff Avenue by the Bow River Bridge; 403.762.1558

A showpiece of early architecture and natural history interpretation

• Collection of natural specimens
• Hands on Discovery Room
• Interpretive programs available – see page 9

May 15 - Sept. 30, 10 am - 6 pm daily
Oct. 1 - May 14, 1 pm - 5 pm daily
Closed Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1

Admission charged

Cascades of Time Gardens
101 Mountain Avenue (Behind the Park Administration Building)

Historic gazebos, rustic bridges and rundle stone paths entwine in a garden of colourful flowers. In bloom from June to September. Interpretive Programs available see page 9.

Sulphur Mountain
4 km from town, Mountain Avenue

• Hike the trail (visit the Banff Information Centre fortrail details and conditions) or take the gondola (call 403.762.2523 for hours and fees).

Buffalo Nations Museum
1 Birch Avenue; 403.762.2388

Native History, art and culture

Admission charged

Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
111 Bear Street; 403.762.2291

Mountain history, culture and archives

Admission charged

Vermilion Lakes
1 km from town, turn off the Mount Norquay Road south of the Trans-Canada Highway

Guided nature strolls of the Bow Valley’s biggest wetland are offered here in summer. Register in advance at Friends of Banff stores, 403.762.8911

Upper Hot Springs Pool   
4 km from town, Mountain Ave.; 403.762.1515

Enjoy the splendid heritage bath house and pool

• locker, bathing suits and towel for rent
• Dday spa- 403.762.2500,cafe, and gift shop on site

Bow Falls and Banff Springs Hotel National Historic Site

Magnificent views from either side of the Bow River

Bankhead
8 km (12 minutes) from Banff on the Minnewanka Loop

Once the site of a huge coal-mining operation..,

• Lower Bankhead: now a quiet 1.1-km (30 min) interpretive trail loops amongthe ruins
• Upper Bankhead: a popular picnic area.
• Not accessible by car Nov. 15 to April 15

Lake Minnewanka
10 km (15 minutes) from Banff

A place once known as Lake of the Water Spirits

• Enjoy a leisurely lakeside stroll to Stewart Canyon (1.4 km, 30 min return)
• Boat tours of the lake are available mid-may to September, call 403.762.3473 for times and fees
• Please do not feed the bighorn sheep.

Johnson Lake
14 km (20 minutes) from Banff on the Minnewanka Loop

Explore this easy lakeside trail year round.

The Hoodoos

A short interpretive trail unlocks the mystery of these bizarre natural pillars and leads to a superb view of the Bow Valley.

Now that you're here, we're all you need to hear trail conditions, park updates, weather, local events, activities, history and music to experience the mountains by. Tune into your surroundings ...
on PARK RADIO 101.1 FM

 

Camping

 

Tunnel Mountain Village 1
Tunnel Mountain Village 2
Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court
Two Jack Main Campground
Two Jack Lakeside Campground

Town of Banff

Trails Around Town
Map of Banff Townsite Area
Camping

What to see & do:
Lake Louise & Moraine Lake
Bow Valley Parkway
Icefields Parkway
Trans-Canada Highway

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