Banff National Park
Wildlife, Rocky Mountain peaks, and turquoise glacial lakes.Canada's first national park with beautiful lakes and abundance of wildlife.
Alpine glacial lake
Moraine Lake in Baniff National Park has bright blue water against the Ten Peaks.
Hike to the waterfalls
Johnston Canyon offers trails to waterfalls and the Ink Pots in Banff, perfect for hiking and wildlife spotting.
Iconic turquoise lake views
Visit Lake Louise in Banff for year-round outdoor fun and beautiful glacial scenery.
Boat tours and lakeside picnics
Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park offers boat trips, hikes, history, and winter sports amid impressive Canadian Rockies scenery.
Panoramic views from Sulphur Mountain
Ride the Banff Gondola for wide views of six mountain ranges and fun peak activities in Canada's Rockies.
Breathtaking scenic drive
Icefields Parkway: 232-km drive through the Canadian Rockies with glaciers, wildlife, and famous lakes.
Wildlife spotting and scenic views
Travel along the 51 km Bow Valley Parkway for scenic views, wildlife, Johnston Canyon, and historical Canadian Rockies sites.
Soothing natural hot springs
Relax in Banff Upper Hot Springs' warm waters, surrounded by the Canadian Rockies, with a long history and scenic views.
Located in the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park is Canada's first national park, as well as being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This park is home to lakes fed by glaciers, and the historic Banff Springs Hotel.
Banff National Park's landscape is made up of pine forests, alpine meadows, and high mountains. People come here to see the blue-green waters of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, which get their unique color from very fine rock particles carried in the glacial meltwater. The Icefields Parkway, a 230-kilometer (143-mile) road, has beautiful views and serves as an access point to the Columbia Icefield.
The park's history started in 1885 when railway workers discovered hot springs on Sulphur Mountain. This led to the creation of the park to protect the area's natural scenery. The town of Banff, located within the park, shows a mix of cultures, with places like the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity featuring work by local and international artists.
For those interested in viewing animals, it's quite normal to see elk, bears, and bighorn sheep. Canoeing, mountain biking, and guided tours are some of the many ways to experience the park's environment.
Both summer and winter are popular times for visits, but visiting in the off-peak seasons—fall and spring—can mean fewer people and a different kind of beauty.
When planning a visit, the Banff Park Museum is worth a stop. It's a national historic site with exhibits of natural history. Or relax in the Banff Upper Hot Springs or take the Banff Gondola for an impressive view.
