Banff National Park

Q: What are the nearest attractions to Banff National Park?

Attractions near Banff National Park: Crowfoot Glacier Lake Louise Ski Resort Victoria Glacier

Improvement District No. 9, Banff, AB T0L

The Basics

There is so much to see and experience in Banff: lakes, rivers, mountains, caves, wildlife, hot springs, museums, the gondola in Banff Town, and more. To make the most of your time, a guided tour will help you hit the highlights and get a more in-depth look at what interests you most. Many multi-day tours from Vancouver take in other Canadian Rockies spots, such as Lake Louise, Jasper, and the Columbia Icefield; some tours comprise evening wildlife safaris or horseback-riding adventures; and day trips from Calgary offer a taster of Banff’s beauty.

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Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour

89 Reviews

US$52,45 per adult

Traveler Favorite

Beautiful Bow River trip

A beautiful trip up the Bow River, we saw Elk which was amazing, brilliant scenery and staff were so helpful

Jayne_K, Oct 2022

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Recent reviews from experiences in Banff

Wonderful memorable experience!

Kathy_L, Aug 2022

Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour

Tour guides Marc and John were wonderful. Canoes were solid. Safety was covered. It was a lot of fun and very easy. Highly recommend!

Guides were very...

Elizabeth_B, Jul 2022

Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour

Guides were very knowledgeable and interesting and entertaining . They took the time to explain the safety rules and answer any questions . They were patient with us when we were not paddling correctly and took the time to show us how to paddle correctly . The scenery was so beautiful from the canoe .We would take this tour again when we come back . We love the big canoe, very beautifully kept . Thank you again .

SO. MUCH. FUN!!! Must do!!!

Maria_O, Oct 2022

Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour

ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT. Alex was unreal, so friendly and knowledgeable without being boring lol.. (sometimes tours can be too chatty). We were lucky enough to see a pack of elk and it added to it.. it’s a beautiful boat and I highly recommend. Do not pass this up!!!!!

The view was stunning,...

Sonie_J, Aug 2022

Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour

The view was stunning, our guide John was amazing, & very informative. We saw a bear as well and that added to our great experience.

Surreal time on Bow River.

Stephanie_K, Sep 2022

Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour

Alex was a very knowledgeable guide. And we were fortunate to see a herd of 15+ elk crossing the river!

Fantastic

Hanin_I, Sep 2022

Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour

Alex was a wonderful guide. He was very informative. The trip was very scenic and enjoyable. Highly recommend it to see the mountains and ask for Alex

Up a river and enjoying it!

William_G, Aug 2022

Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour

Our guide Mitch was wonderful. He pointed out many items along the River and was in full control of the ride.

Enjoyed every minute and gave us a taste of Canada

Margaret_H, Aug 2022

Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour

Listening to what the guide told about the area as we paddled. Pointing things out so we could get the best experience of the river.

Awesome

Cheryl_S, Jul 2022

Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour

Awesome views. Mitch was an awesome guide. Was lovely to spend an hour on the river. Was lovely to see the birds

Banff 2022

jsskie, Jul 2022

Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour

Gondola, Bear Trail, Big Canoe Tour, Cascade Garden, Blackfoot Dance Performance, FOOD FOOD FOOD Our family group ages from 9 to 74 had a thoroughly wonderful time. We’re cramming in as much as we can while we’re here. This was a much-delayed and rescheduled trip because of the pandemic. We are so happy we can travel again.

A pleasant paddle

Steve_T, Aug 2022

Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour

A really lovely way to spend some time. Jon was a great guide, he was very informative and knowledgeable. The paddling was not too strenuous and on the return we didn't need to paddle as the current took us back.

Enjoyable trip

Megan_C, Jul 2022

Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour

Took the tour with Tristan. His love and enthusiasm for the area is very apparent. We enjoyed our journey and the scenic route.

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Things to Know Before You Go

Banff National Park is a must for nature lovers, outdoors enthusiasts, wildlife lovers, and all first-time visitors to Alberta.
There is a fee to enter the park.
Bring your camera—the scenery is spectacular for photography.
Much of Banff Town and most Parks Canada sites are accessible to those with limited mobility.

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How to Get There

Banff National Park is located on the Trans-Canada Highway, 78 miles (125 kilometers) from the nearest airport in Calgary, Alberta. Tourist shuttles and buses travel between Banff and Calgary. Another popular route is the scenic Icefields Parkway, which runs 179 miles (288 kilometers) between Banff and Jasper national parks.

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Trip ideas

How to Spend 3 Days in Banff

Plan a trip that includes a grizzly bear tour, horseback riding trip, and white-water rafting adventure.

How to Spot Wildlife in Banff National Park

Here are some tips to get the most out of your wildlife viewing experience in the Canadian Rockies.

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When to Get There

The summer months (June to September) are peak season in Canada’s mountain parks, and things pick up again in winter (November to March) for ski season. To avoid the crowds, spring and fall are best; however, ice and snow may limit accessibility to hiking trails and lakes, and some attractions are open seasonally.

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Banff Hotels and Lodging

From full-scale luxury to basic and budget-friendly, the hotels and lodgings in Banff National Park have something for every traveler. Many tours arrange stays for you at comfortable hotels, or you could join an outfitter for camping and adventure under the stars.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

What are the nearest attractions to Banff National Park?

Attractions near Banff National Park:

What else should I know about attractions in Banff?

As well as visiting the Banff National Park, check out these trip ideas to make the most of your visit:

Banff National Park

The Basics

Recent reviews from experiences in Banff

Things to Know Before You Go

How to Get There

Trip ideas

How to Spend 3 Days in Banff

How to Spot Wildlife in Banff National Park

Lunar New Year: A Diverse Festival That Contains Multitudes

Why Vancouver Has the World’s Best Dim Sum (and Where To Find It)

Visiting Vancouver for the First Time? Here's What to See and Do

Where to Find the Best Views in Vancouver

A Space Needle Employee’s Guide to Seattle

The National Gallery of Victoria: A Virtual Channel

A Business Owner's Guide to Vancouver's Chinatown

Don’t-Miss Dishes in Vancouver

How to Get Off the Beaten Path in Vancouver

How Seattle Became an Oyster Town (and Where To Slurp Them)

7 Must-See Vancouver Neighborhoods and How to Visit

Top 4 Spots for Culture Lovers in Vancouver

Top Spots for Art Lovers in Vancouver

When to Get There

Banff Hotels and Lodging

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