Banff National Park

What to see & do

Trans-Canada Highway, Bow Valley Parkway, & the Icefields Parkway

 

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Trans-Canada Highway

Speed Limit: 90 km/hr (55 mph)
70 km/hr (43 mph) near Lake Louise

Drive with care along this busy highway. Look for two animal overpasses just west of Banff, built to allow wildlife to cross the road safely.

Trans-Canada Highway construction is underway. Obey construction speed-zone signs and flag people. Anticipate some delays.

The Nature of the Trans-Canada Highway

Wildlife Overpass,
Trans-Canada Highway
© Parks Canada

To improve safety for people and wildlife, the Trans-Canada Highway is being upgraded through Banff National Park. The most recent upgrade from a two-lane to four-lane divided highway is underway near Lake Louise.

There is no other location in the world with as many and different types of wildlife crossings or with the largest data set on wildlife use of crossings.

For details on highway twinning and wildlife crossings in the park: www.pc.gc.ca/transcanada

Town of Banff
© Parks Canada

The Town of Banff
ALL SERVICES

Explore Canada's first national park community;
population 8,721

The Village of Lake Louise
MOST SERVICES

Experience the hospitality of this hiker's haven;
population 1,500

Bow Valley Parkway

Bow Valley Parkway
© Parks Canada / Amar Athwal

Speed Limit: 60 km/hr (37 mph)

Experience life in the 'scenic' lane. Roadside Interpretive panels at pull-offs along the way connect you to the diversity of life and life forces that flow through the Bow Valley.

Prescribed Burn Roadside Exhibit
© Parks Canada

	Interpretive Displays
Distance (km) from	Banff	Lake Louise	Picnic Site
Backswamp	3	49
Mule Shoe	6	46
Prescribed Burn	8	44
Sawback	11	41
Hillsdale	13	39
Pilot Pond	16	42
Moose Meadow	21	31
Castle Cliffs	26	24
Storm Mt.	28	24
Baker Creek	40	12
Morant's Curve	48	4

Johnston Canyon
© Parks Canada

Johnston Canyon
25 km (30 min) from Banff

A paved trail and exciting cat-walks cling to the canyon walls.

• 1.1 km (20 min) to the Lower Falls
• 2.7 km (1 hr) to the Upper Falls

For safety's sake, stay on the trail and away from the edge.

Icefields Parkway

Speed Limit: 90 km/hr (56 mph)

This spectacular 230-km drive along the backbone of the continent passes through remote, high-altitude terrain. Weather and driving conditions can be severe. Chains or all-season radials are required in winter. No services November to March. A park pass is required. No commercial trucks are allowed.

• Watch for reduced speed limits in congested zones and places frequented by wildlife
• Ask for the Icefields Parkway brochure, your guide to peak names, icefield names and other points of interest.

Crowfoot Glacier
© Parks Canada

Crowfoot Glacier
34 km (25 min) from Lake Louise

A century ago, there were three "toes" of ice here. Since then the glacier has melted back and the lower toe has been lost. These days the middle toe is disappearing, too.

Bow Pass ("Bow Summit") and Peyto Lake Viewpoint
40 km (30 minutes) from Lake Louise

This is the highest road pass in the four mountain parks at 2 088 m (6 849 ft.) above sea level. A short uphill walk from the parking area leads to a view of Peyto Lake, glacially fed and brilliantly turquoise.

Mistaya Canyon
72 km (50 minutes) from Lake Louise

Only 10 minutes by trail from the road. Look for rounded potholes and a natural arch on the canyon sides

Saskatchewan River Viewpoint
© Parks Canada / Adele Laramee

Saskatchewan Crossing
77 km (55 minutes) from Lake Louise

Fuel, food and accommodation are available from April to late October. At the viewpoint located just south of the resort, enjoy spectacular views and learn about Howse Pass National Historic Site.

Columbia Icefields
130 km (1.5 hours) from Lake Louise

There is much to see and do here. Plan to spend at least an hour. Info: Jasper National Park

Banff National Park Campgrounds