Delve deep into the Banff National Park and admire the scenery from the water on this canoe adventure. Paddle along the pretty Bow River and listen as your guide sheds light on centuries of Canadian history and heritage. Watch the riverbanks for sightings of native wildlife, then finish your canoe tour with light refreshments.

Canoe tour in the Banff National Park
Paddle through the Banff National Park by canoe with your guide
Keep watch for sightings of native animal and bird life
Gain insight into Banff’s rich native history

What's Included

Guide
GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Banff Canoe Club
Corner of Bow Ave and, Wolf St, Banff, AB T1L 1A8, Canada
Located on the Corner of Bow Avenue & Wolf Street, Banff

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible

Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers

Operated by Hydra River Guides

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

about cancellations.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Wander45168963701

The staff members were very positive and upbeat. They had lots of information to share. The scenery was beautiful. Lucy did a great job!!

Reviews

4.5

90 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 90 reviews

Absolute must when in Banff!

Alissa_H, Jun 2023

Holy moly, what a lovely adventure! Alec and Ramsay were such a hoot as we paddled in pure paradise. Weather could not have been better. A++ experience!

Beautiful Bow River trip

Jayne_K, Oct 2022

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

Surreal time on Bow River.

Stephanie_K, Sep 2022

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

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

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

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.

NOT THAT FUN

Dennis_B, Aug 2022

Guide did well with explaining information about the area however there were no wild life sightings at all

1 traveler found this review helpful

A pleasant paddle

Steve_T, Aug 2022

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.

Great Canoe Trip

Brian_C, Aug 2022

Informative trip, excellent scenery. Our guide Tristin was great! He had lots of information on the surrounding area

Lovely afternoon canoe trip

Russell_B, Aug 2022

Great friendly and informative tour. Keira was a great guide. Lovely canoe down the Bow River with great scenery.

Wonderful memorable experience!

Kathy_L, Aug 2022

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

Lovely family experience.

MRDM_F, Aug 2022

So peacful on the water, it was just a bit too hot. Great views and very informative. The pace was leisurly and the guide helpful.

Fun outing on Bow River

ljroesch, Jul 2022

Fun and informative canoeing trip with friendly people from all over the world. Our guide, Alec, was great! Tour was convenient if staying in Banff and also nearby public transportation. Wildlife sightings were very limited, but learned a lot about the history of the area and enjoyed beautiful views! Highly recommend!

Running late our fault. ...

John_S, Jul 2022

Running late our fault. They said we would hold it and they didn't. Ask to switch to new trip and they what us to pay again.

Weather conditions prevented us from enjoying the experience

Arjun_C, Jul 2022

Unfortunately we barely got on to the canoe. There were thunderstorms and the trip had to be abandoned.

Disappointing trip

Amanda_W, Jul 2022

Disappointing & expensive experience shared unexpectedly with another family. Less than 1 hour there and back on a relatively uneventful and characterless part of the river. One positive was the guides knowledge of the area, river and wildlife.

Guides were very...

Elizabeth_B, Jul 2022

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 .

Fun Canoe Ride!

Teresa_S, Jul 2022

Fun canoe ride with a great guide. Beautiful scenery and our guide Becca gave us interesting information about the river along the way. Would definitely recommend this tour.

Best tour so far. Using the same Company for a Lake Louise tour as well.

KLary_P, Jul 2022

Besides the magic of Banff, our tour guide Corey was exceptional. He was loaded knowledge about the park and full of energy. The eight of us left the tour in love with the history and magic of this place and very grateful to Corey for such a magical experience ♥️

Very well organized and...

Sura_N, Jul 2022

Very well organized and knowledgeable staff Highly recommended for families and couples. Encourage anyone visiting Banff and area to try it.