Top Banff Outdoor Activities

Join an animal-spotting bus tour in Banff National Park, observing the park’s amazing wildlife at dusk on this 2-hour, small-group tour that’s perfect for nature enthusiasts. Enjoy Banff’s beautiful landscapes in the evening searching for elk, deer, bears and more because each tour has a 95% success rate of viewing animals in their natural environment. You'll also hear about the park's efforts to protect animals and their habitat from your expert guide.

Discover the awe-inspiring mountain scenery and massive glaciers of Alberta’s Rocky Mountain region on this full-day Banff glacier tour to the Columbia Icefields. As you follow one of the world’s most famous mountain drives, the Icefield Parkway, you’ll stop at stunning Lake Louise, Crowfoot Glacier and Peyto Lake before the tour culminates in an all-terrain ride on the Ice Explorer through the amazing Columbia Icefields. This day trip includes roundtrip transport from multiple locations in Banff, a knowledgeable guide and buffet lunch.

Discover Lake Louise and Moraine Lake on this 4-hour guided tour from Banff. Located inside the Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the lakes are well-known for their distinct turquoise hues. Gain insight into the area’s mountaineering history, admire views of the Valley of Ten Peaks and leave with plenty of frame-worthy photos. Round-trip transportation is included on this small-group tour. Don’t miss this seasonal tour that operates from April to November.

Saddle up for a 1-hour trip through the celebrated landscape of Banff National Park on this guided horseback-riding adventure. Get out of the car and onto the trails of the Bow River or the Spray River, where you’ll enjoy the area’s beautiful outdoor environment, largely unchanged from the days of the pioneers. This equine-themed odyssey includes a guide, use of a horse, and all necessary equipment.

Enjoy this full-day tour from Banff, visiting the Athabasca Glacier and the stunning scenery lining the breathtaking Icefields Parkway. This adventurous tour gets you up close with Canada’s stunning Athabasca Glacier, including visits to other attractions such as Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, and Columbia Icefields along the way. Your tour also includes round-trip transport from Banff, a mountain picnic lunch, Glacier Skywalk, and an all-terrain Ice Explorer tour.

The fall is a fantastic time for sightseeing and viewing wildlife in Banff National Park. Foliage color start to change, the first hints of winter begin to appear and a low sun makes photographic opportunities more dramatic. This time of the year also heralds tremendous activity with the local elk population because of the rutting season. This tour will give visitors a chance to see a few of Banff’s highlights as well as spend an hour at Lake Louise for short walks and exploring on your own.

Choose from among four of Banff National Park’s most iconic trails on this 7-hour guided hiking tour with packed lunch. Pick the perfect walk for your level of ability and experience, varying from 4.5 miles (7km) to 6.6 miles (10.6km) in length, with spectacular mountain scenery no matter which option you select. The trip’s four options include explorations of the Larch Valley, Stanley Glacier, Kootenay National Park Trails or the Plain of Six Glaciers. Your excursion also includes round-trip transportation, and hiking poles.

Experience the winter wonderland of Banff’s Johnston Canyon on this 4-hour ice walk tour. Join a professional guide on a hike along the canyon’s steel walkways, where you’ll visit the beautiful lower and upper waterfalls, and learn how this majestic canyon was formed. Your excursion includes round-trip transportation, ice cleats, and a hiking pole, plus a light snack and hot chocolate to help warm you up.

Take a charming horse-driven sleigh ride through the snow-covered meadows of Banff during this rustic 45-minute tour. Cozy up under a wool blanket with family, friends, or a loved one as your friendly driver whisks you away on a sightseeing tour of the area’s stunning mountain peaks.

Hike on a frozen creek, and explore surreal rock formations and indigenous wall art on this 4-hour, small-group tour through Grotto Canyon. Your specialist guide will explain the unique history and geology of the canyon as you glide past wondrous icefalls in this sublime winter environment. The tour also includes use of ice cleats and a hiking pole, plus a light snack and hot chocolate.

Explore the historic landmarks and natural wonders near the town of Banff on this half-day, small-group tour. Admire the unparalleled beauty of natural sights including Bow Falls, the surreal Hoodoos rock formation and beautiful Lake Minnewanka, among others. This 3-hour tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Banff, a professional guide, and light refreshments.

Pursue the elusive Canadian Grizzly Bear on this 10-hour excursion through Banff and Yoho National Parks, perfect for animal- and nature-lovers alike. Head out for a gondola ride up to 7,700 feet for a mountain-top lunch at Canada’s highest restaurant, and then take a chairlift ride up to the world’s largest enclosed and protected grizzly bear habitat to see Boo the resident bear rescued as a cub. This full-day trip also includes round-trip transportation, professional guide, lunch and light refreshments.

Discover the amazing, underground world of caves on this half-day, small-group guided cave explorer tour with all equipment included. Follow your guide through the twists and turns of this subterranean world, crawling past prehistoric bones and observing centuries-old rock formations. Choose to explore lesser-travelled places in the cave and wriggle through manhole-cover sized passages (optional) to test yourself in this rugged environment.

Take your Banff trip to new heights with this 2.5- or 4-hour 'Via Ferrata' adventure, an alpine climbing activity with fixed iron ropes that’s perfect for those of all experience levels. Choose from one of two protected climbing routes you’ll ascend using a fixed steel cable (Via Ferrata means ‘iron road’ in Italian), offering a safe and scenic way to explore the gorgeous scenery of the Canadian Rockies. Your Via Ferrata excursion includes an experienced guide and all necessary equipment.

Feast your eyes on spectacular views of Sunshine Village, a premier ski destination located in Banff National Park, with a chairlift and gondola combo ticket. This ticket grants you access to an 8-passenger gondola and the Mt. Standish chairlift, destined for Standish Viewing Platform. At the park’s highest viewing point, you’ll see sweeping panoramas of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park.

Saddle up for a ride along the Bow River in Banff and a Western style cookout. Choose from riding on horseback or in a covered wagon through the beautiful Rocky Mountain terrain. At the dining site, spend some time perfecting your roping skills or relaxing with a game of horseshoes before “tucking in”--that’s cowboy speak for “eating”—a yummy BBQ meal.

Saddle up and head out on the Rocky Mountain trails in Banff National Park. Explore the area by horseback with your cowboy guide to see the area in a way you can only experience from on the back of a horse. With a guide in the lead and a guide bringing up the rear, your ride will be a safe, fun adventure in the wilderness.  

Ride high above Kananaskis Valley on this horseback tour in the Alberta mountains. Along the way, catch spectacular views of the entire area, as you travel into remote arboreal forests and the quiet backcountry with your guides. If the lunch option is chosen, enjoy a rustic BBQ meal before or after the ride.

Visit Kootenay National Park, Marble Canyon, and Lake Louise all in one day on this tour from Baniff that includes round-trip transport and snowshoes for trekking around the snow and ice. After you get a look at one of the deepest canyons in the Rockies, head over to the lake. You can choose to ice skate or go on a sleigh ride (own expense), or you can relax at the Chateau Lake Louise or follow your guide around on snowshoes through the area.

Situated within Banff National Park, the pretty town of Banff is the stepping stone to some of Canada’s most beautiful mountain landscapes. On this tour, swing into the saddle and trek through the Rocky Mountains scenery on horseback with your guide. Follow rugged trails past dense forests and shimmering lakes, and enjoy a relaxing introduction to the spectacular Banff National Park. Along the way, spot native beavers and elk in their natural habitat.

Take an unexpected winter excursion through the landscape of Banff as you search for the park’s famous wildlife on this 3-hour tour. Head out on a nature-spotting tour to observe animals and learn about their ability to survive the cold winter months. Your morning tour includes round-trip transportation, a professional guide, a light snack and hot chocolate.

See the mountains of Kananaskis Country the way they have been seen for hundreds of years…on horseback. You’ll spend about an hour riding the Lodgepole Loop around Boundary Ranch. Take in the stunning Rocky Mountain scenery on a sturdy horse who knows the trail well. You will love this authentic Western experience.

Take a magical winter walk under the stars during this nighttime snowshoe trip in Lake Louise. Enjoy the stillness of the winter night, accompanied by only the sound of your breath, as you gaze up in wonder at the illuminated sky above. A guide, snowshoes, round-trip hotel transport from select properties, hot chocolate and a snack are included.

Go snowshoeing through the snowy backcountry of Canada during this tour from Baniff, including round-trip transport and your gondola ticket. As you trek across the snow, keep your eyes peeled for sights of the famous Rocky Mountains. Please also note that although this tour includes access to snowshoes, you must come prepared in your own winter clothing and boots.