Banff Travelers Recommend

Tempting with glacier adventures and wildlife hikes, Banff draws in thrill-seeking travelers year-round. Plan a trip that includes a grizzly bear tour, horseback riding trip, and white-water rafting adventure. Here are a few ways to spend three days in Banff. 

Day 1: Welcome to Banff

Get your bearings in Banff with an introductory tour. Climb aboard the hop-on hop-off bus for quick and easy transportation with stops at Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, Moraine Lake, and Samson Mall. Catch a bird’s-eye view of Banff National Park with an admission ticket to the Banff gondola and go for a ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain with views of six mountain ranges. Maximize time in Banff National Park with a tour that might include Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Leave the driving to your guide and admire views as you travel between these two lakes. Travelers that are interested in seeing Banff’s famous wildlife might want to sign up for a grizzly bear-themed tour that typically includes a stop at the Grizzly Bear Refuge. 

Day 2: Outdoor Adventure

Experience the adventurous side of Banff with an adrenaline-pumping day of outdoor activities. You might choose a rafting adventure on the Kananaskis River, a horseback riding excursion in Banff National Park with Rocky Mountain views, or a canoe tour along the Bow River with wildlife sightings. Travelers who are interested in glaciers may want to join a trip to the Athabasca Glacier, which typically includes a drive along the Icefields Parkway and a walk across the glass-bottomed Glacier Skywalk. For a glimpse into the backcountry, head out on a guided snowshoeing excursion. To see the views, but skip the exertion, opt for a mountain lakes and waterfalls day trip that often includes a bus tour with stops at Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and the Victoria Glacier. 

Day 3: Photography, Food, and Sleigh Rides

Capture the beauty of winter in Banff with a photography tour led by a professional photographer. Visit several Rocky Mountain landscapes, which might include Abraham Lake for the chance to photograph natural phenomenons like the ice bubbles beneath the lake’s surface. Discover the culinary scene in Canmore with a food-themed walking tour—many of which cover local ingredients such as Alberta-grown bison. Go for a ride in the mountains of Banff National Park on a horse-drawn sleigh ride and cuddle up beneath warm blankets while admiring the views. Both group tours that are a fit for families and private tours designed for couples are available. 

Whether for summer hiking or winter sleigh rides, Banff offers outdoor adventure year-round. Visit this Canadian resort town for wildlife safaris, helicopter tours, and snowshoeing excursions. Here are several ways to spend a single day in Banff. 

Morning: Ride the Gondola

Start your visit to Banff with an introductory tour. Such tours usually offer panoramic views of Banff National Park and a ticket to ride the Banff Gondola. Crest Sulphur Mountain in a glass-enclosed gondola and admire views of mountains and rivers below. For a more comprehensive option, take a sightseeing tour that might include the gondola ride plus an introduction to this Canadian resort town with stops at Tunnel Mountain Drive and Lake Minnewanka. Visitors looking to cover ground quickly can opt for a ride on the hop-on hop-off bus that offers convenient transport to Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, Moraine Lake, and more. 

Afternoon: See Banff by Horse, Canoe, or Helicopter

Get a new perspective on Banff on a tour by helicopter, horse, or boat. Choose among several scenic journeys including a helicopter tour over the Canadian Rockies and a relaxing Banff Lake cruise. Connect with your inner cowboy on a horseback riding tour that typically includes lunch. Horse-drawn sleigh rides work as romantic excursions or family adventures. Learn about Banff National Park with a local guide on a hiking tour with lunch to see glaciers, mountains, and lakes. Catch a different view of Banff National Park on a Bow River canoe tour and keep an eye out for wildlife.

Night: Wildlife and Starry Walks

Go for a scenic walk beneath the stars with a Lake Louise night snowshoe tour. Explore Lake Louise with ease on snowshoes and follow a guide to see the peaceful lake by moonlight. Tours usually end with a warm-up of hot chocolate and a snack. For a climate-controlled alternative, take an evening wildlife safari that usually includes a scenic bus tour on the lookout for elk, bears, deer, and bighorn sheep. Learn about local wildlife and park preservation from a guide as you explore Banff National Park at dusk. 

Banff is known for its variety of year-round outdoor adventures, from rock climbing to wildlife safaris. Visit this Canadian resort town to hike in the national park, go white-water rafting, and ride in the back of a horse-drawn sleigh. Here are a few ways to spend 48 hours in Banff. 

Day 1: Gondola Views and Climbing Adventures

**Morning:**Start your Banff adventure with an introductory tour. Choose between a ride on the Banff Gondola for mountain and river views or a trip on the hop-on hop-off bus to move quickly between destinations like Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon.

**Afternoon:**Experience the adventurous side of Banff on an afternoon tour. Choices might include an alpine climbing adventure along Via Ferrata, a national park tour focused on seeing grizzly bears, and a guided hike in Banff National Park. See glaciers, mountains, and lakes on the hike.

**Night:**Set out at dusk on an evening wildlife safari. Maximize time with a bus tour that keeps a lookout for bears, deer, elk, and more. Another way to see this landscape at dusk is with a scenic helicopter tour over the Canadian Rockies. 

Day 2: Banff by Boat, Horseback, and Helicopter

**Morning:**Explore Banff by water with a peaceful lake cruise or an adrenaline-pumping Kicking Horse River white-water rafting tour. Paddle along a calm section of the river and tackle class IV rapids during a rafting adventure that may include a hearty lunch. 

**Afternoon:**Continue the outdoor adventure with a horseback ride in Kananaskis or an ice walk in Johnston Canyon to see ice-covered waterfalls and winter wildlife. Travelers interested in photography may want to seek out tours led by professional photographers.

**Night:**Discover the romantic side of Banff with a helicopter tour over the Canadian Rockies at dusk or a horse-drawn sleigh ride. Cruise along the snow-covered meadows of Banff in the back of a sleigh and get cozy beneath warm blankets during the ride.

Visitors flock to Alberta’s Banff National Park year-round for rugged mountain scenery and fascinating wildlife—grizzly bears, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and more. Here are some tips to get the most out of your wildlife viewing experience in the Canadian Rockies.

• Take a ride aboard the Lake Louise Gondola, a scenic alpine lift that provides the perfect vantage point to scout for Banff’s famous Grizzlies during the summer months.

• Drive the Lake Minnewanka Loop Road, a route that’s famous for frequent sightings of bighorn sheep and mountain goats.

• Explore the Bow Valley Parkway, a road near the Trans-Canada Highway that’s known for elk, black bear, grizzly bear, and moose encounters.

• Plan a summer or winter wildlife safari tour, offering unique insight into how the behaviors and habitats of Banff’s animals change based on the time of year.

• Get a closer look at Banff’s famous grizzly bears during an in-depth tour covering a gondola ride, park sightseeing, and a stop at a local grizzly bear refuge.

• Search for wildlife from the water by taking a whitewater rafting trip on the Kicking Horse River.

• Keep your distance when observing the animals: Officials from Parks Canada recommend staying back at least 660 feet (200 meters) from wolf or coyote dens, 330 feet (100 meters) from bears, and 100 feet (30 meters) from other large species.

• Pick the right time of day. Wildlife sightings are most common in early morning and late evening, so plan your outings accordingly.

• Stay quiet and go slowly, as loud noises and sudden movements can easily startle creatures.