Banff Travel Tips: 30+ Things to Know Before You Go

There are a lot of things to know about visiting Banff National Park. These are frequently asked questions about Banff National Park and the surrounding area. So if you’ve ever had questions about visiting Banff National Park, you’ll find the answer in these Banff travel tips.

Within these travel tips for Banff National Park, you’ll also find more information on the park, getting around and how to stay safe in the Canadian Rockies. I also include plenty of links to other pages that go more in depth on several of Banff tips.

This post contains compensated links.

Essential Banff Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

Plan Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Transportation Before You Arrive

If Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are both on your Banff itinerary, this is one area where you really don’t want to figure things out once you arrive. Transportation to both lakes can be confusing, and the best option depends on where you’re staying, whether you have a rental car, how much time you want at each lake, and how early you’re willing to start your day.

For Lake Louise, you may be able to drive yourself, take Roam Transit, book the Parks Canada shuttle, or use a private tour or shuttle. Parking at Lake Louise fills very early in the busy season, so don’t assume you can just show up mid-morning and find a spot. Before finalizing your plans, read our full guide on How to Get to Lake Louise and our detailed post on Lake Louise Shuttles so you understand the best option for your trip.

Moraine Lake takes even more planning, since personal vehicles are no longer allowed on Moraine Lake Road. To visit Moraine Lake, most visitors need to book the Parks Canada Moraine Lake Shuttle, take Roam Transit with the appropriate pass, or use one of the private shuttle and tour options. Our guide on How to Get to Moraine Lake breaks down all the options, and our post on Moraine Lake Shuttles is the best place to start if you’re trying to compare shuttle choices.

Book Your Banff Accommodation Early

Book Your Banff Accommodation Early

Accommodation in Banff fills up quickly, especially for summer, ski season and long weekends. As soon as you know your travel dates, we recommend starting your hotel search. If your plans aren’t 100% confirmed yet, look for rooms with free cancellation so you can secure something while still keeping some flexibility.

The biggest decision is usually where to stay. Staying in the town of Banff puts you close to restaurants, shops, Roam Transit, tours and many of the main attractions. Lake Louise is a great option if your priority is spending time around Lake Louise, Moraine Lake or hiking in that area, but there are far fewer hotels and they often book up well in advance. Canmore is outside the national park, but it can be a great option if you want more space, more vacation rentals, easier parking or slightly better value.

If you already know where you want to stay, these guides are a good place to start:

• Best Hotels in the Town of Banff
• Best Lake Louise Hotels
• Best Hotels in Canmore

If you’re still deciding between Banff, Lake Louise and Canmore, start with our full guide on Where to Stay in Banff. It will help you understand the pros and cons of each area before you book.

Give Yourself More Time Than You Think

One of the biggest mistakes we see visitors make is trying to fit too much into a short Banff trip. You can absolutely see some of Banff’s main highlights in 2–3 days, but it will be a highlights trip. There is so much more to do in Banff National Park and the surrounding area if you give yourself a little extra time.

For a first visit, a simple 3-day Banff itinerary might include one day around the town of Banff and the nearby lakes along Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive, including Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake and Johnson Lake. A second day can be used for Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, and a third day could include Johnston Canyon plus anything you missed around Banff.

That sounds manageable, and it is, but it does not leave much room for slow mornings, weather changes, parking delays, shuttle timing, longer hikes, scenic viewpoints, or simply enjoying the places you came all this way to see. Banff is one of those destinations where the extra time is rarely wasted.

We also see many visitors plan a 5–6 day trip where they spend 2–3 days in Banff, drive the Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park, spend 2–3 days in Jasper, then return to the Banff area before flying home. This can work, but it is still a fairly quick trip once you factor in travel time.

The Icefields Parkway alone is worth a full day. Even though the drive between Lake Louise and Jasper is only 232 km, you’ll want time for stops along the way, including the Columbia Icefield and the many lakes, viewpoints and short walks along the route. Once you cross Sunwapta Pass, you enter Jasper National Park, and Jasper itself is best with a few days if you want to explore it properly.

If time permits, give yourself more days than you think you need. You’ll have a much better trip if you can slow down, choose the best activities for the weather, and avoid spending every day rushing from one stop to the next.

Do Not Overpack Your Itinerary

When I create custom itineraries through my Banff Travel Planning business, this is one of the biggest pieces of advice I give: don’t try to do everything in one trip. It’s tempting to add every lake, hike, viewpoint, gondola, scenic drive and restaurant to your Banff itinerary, but that’s also how a trip starts to feel rushed instead of enjoyable.

Banff looks close together on a map, but everything takes longer than you think. Parking can take time, shuttle schedules matter, mountain weather can change quickly, and some places are worth lingering at. Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon, the Icefields Parkway and the Lake Minnewanka area can all take more time than expected, especially during the busy summer months.

A good Banff itinerary should have a clear plan, but it should also have some breathing room. We recommend choosing your must-do activities first, then adding optional stops if time permits. This gives you the flexibility to stay longer somewhere you love, adjust for weather, or take a break without feeling like the whole day has fallen apart.

This is especially important if you’re planning your first trip to Banff National Park. You don’t need to see every famous place to have an amazing trip. In fact, your trip will likely be better if you choose fewer places and give yourself enough time to actually enjoy them.

Choose the Right Time of Year to Visit Banff

There are two distinct high seasons in Banff with shoulder seasons in between. Summer, from June through September, is the busiest season and usually has the best weather. The second high season is ski season from December through March.

April/May and October/November are the shoulder seasons when the seasons are in transition. In April and May, you can still ski but many of the trails are still icy and there can still be some avalanche risks. The trails are starting to dry out enough for some biking at lower elevations.

In October and November, the season is transitioning from fall to winter. Some years you can still do plenty of hiking or biking in October and in others we’ll get a lot of snow at this time.

November has colder temperatures and the ski hills begin to open for the ski season in Banff. There isn’t quite enough snow for many of the Banff winter activities like snowshoeing, cross country skiing or dog sledding, which typically start in December. Some lakes may freeze enough for skating around Banff in November.

Carry Bear Spray if You Plan to Hike

I get asked “Do I really need to bring bear spray hiking?” all the time, but my answer is simple: you should carry bear spray when hiking in Banff National Park. If you are just visiting the town and going no further than the shores of the Banff Lakes, then you probably don’t need it. However, bears can show up even on the busiest trails (we’ve seen a bear at Johnston Canyon on a busy afternoon).

You should carry bear spray and know how to use it. My recommendation is to stop in at the visitor centre in the town of Banff and learn how to use it. You can buy bear spray at several places in Banff or Canmore.

Also, check trail reports before heading out since popular trails can be closed due to wildlife activity.

Check Seasonal Closures Before Finalizing Your Itinerary

Starting around Canadian Thanksgiving in October, many seasonal services begin changing or closing in Banff and the surrounding area:

The Lake Louise Shuttles and Moraine Lake Shuttles stop.

Roam transit also has several changes to the routes and schedules. Some routes close alltogether.

Moraine Lake Road is closed for the season, though it will be groomed and trackset for cross country skiing once there’s enough snow (though not the entire way to the lake).

Lake Louise teahouses are closed.

Canoeing on Lake Louise, Emerald Lake and Moraine Lake is done for the season.

Yoho Valley Road to Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park is closed.

Lake Minnewanka Boat Cruise is done for the season.

The Sightseeing Chairlift at Mt Norquay and the Sightseeing Chairlift at Lake Louise are closed as the ski resorts prepare for ski season.

Getting to Banff and Getting Around

How Do You Get to Banff National Park?

If you’re flying, Calgary International Airport is the closest major airport to Banff National Park. Most visitors rent a car in Calgary and drive themselves the 1.5 – 2 hours to Banff. However, if you are thinking of going car-free, there are many ways to get to Banff without a car.

Another popular summer option is to fly into Vancouver, rent an RV, and road trip from Vancouver to Banff National Park. If you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime journey from Vancouver to Banff and Jasper, check out the luxury Rocky Mountaineer sightseeing train.

You can learn about all your driving options in our guide on How to Get to Banff National Park.

Do You Need a Car for Visiting Banff National Park?

You don’t absolutely need a car for Banff, but whether you should rent one depends on your trip. If you are considering a car-free trip, I encourage you to read the many ways to get to Banff National Park without a car. For example, you can easily get to Banff without a car using one of the Calgary airport shuttles to Banff.

Once there, you absolutely can get around (especially when visiting Banff in the Summer) without a car and still get to all the popular Banff attractions. It’s a little more difficult in the winter because a lot of the public transportation schedules are reduced or routes only operate in the spring/summer and fall.

If you are visiting between May and September, there’s a good likelihood that you can visit without needing a car. Unless you want to visit places outside of Banff or do hikes further off the beaten track, you can still do a bunch of hikes in Banff without a car. There are also shuttles and Roam Transit routes that can get you to many of the most popular places.

Do You Need Reservations to Enter Banff National Park?

You do not need reservations to enter Banff National Park. However, a park pass is required for the national parks in Canada and Banff is no exception.

You can pay a daily admission fee, which is valid for several Canadian mountain national parks, including Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho, Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Waterton Lakes and Elk Island. This day pass is good until 4 pm the following day, regardless of time of purchase.

If you plan to spend 7 or more days in Banff National Park, then the Annual Discovery Pass is the best value. The Discovery Pass is for an entire year and will get you entry into ALL national parks in Canada plus National Marine Conservation Areas and National Historic Sites.

Should You Stay in Banff or Canmore?

If you’re trying to decide whether to stay in Banff or Canmore, here’s a quick rundown

Canmore is located 20 minutes from the town of Banff. While it’s a little quieter and accommodations are a little cheaper, it will require more driving each day. Canmore is a great place for anyone looking for a vacation rental instead of a hotel. You’ll find plenty to do and great restaurants in Canmore as well.

Staying in the town of Banff puts you right in the heart of the action. If you want less driving, more shopping and restaurants, then you should stay in Banff. It is typically more expensive and busier in the peak seasons.

One alternative is to stay in Lake Louise, but while it’s much closer and easier to visit Moraine Lake and Lake Louise there are fewer restaurant options. Another option is to stay in one of these Banff Cabins, which is a great way to stay closer to nature.

For a full discussion on this decision, check out my post on staying in Banff vs. Canmore. Or for a wider range of choices, don’t miss my list of alternate places to stay instead of Banff.

Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Popular Banff Attractions

Is the Banff Gondola Worth It?

The Banff Sulphur Mountain Gondola is the perfect way to see the town of Banff from a different perspective. The boardwalk up top is really lovely and has some incredible views. While it might be busy, I think the Banff Gondola is definitely worth it. If you can, make reservations for a meal at Sky Bistro for one of the best views.

There are also three other gondolas/chairlifts in Banff that offer different experiences from the Banff Gondola. The Lake Louise Summer Gondola is your best chance to see bears from a chairlift. There are also some short hikes and an interpretive centre at the top. The Whitehorn Bistro also has some stunning views!

The Norquay Chairlift provides incredible views and the Cliffhouse Bistro is the perfect place for lunch!

Our favourite is taking the Sunshine Gondola and hiking the trails at Sunshine Meadows. It’s a great opportunity to get to hiking trails in the high alpine without doing all the work to get up there.

Can You Swim in Lake Louise?

Yes, you are allowed to swim in Lake Louise, but it’s a glacier fed lake that’s extremely cold at any time of the year. Even at the height of summer the water temperature of Lake Louise will range from 4°C to 8°C (39°F to 46°F). If you’re considering entering the water, treat it as a very cold-water plunge rather than a typical swim!

If that’s not your thing, you can enjoy the water by renting a canoe at Lake Louise.

Can You Swim in Banff National Park?

While most lakes are glacier-fed and very cold, there are a few lakes that are more popular for swimming in Banff National Park and the surrounding area. In Banff, Johnson Lake and Herbert Lake are better for swimming. In the nearby town of Canmore, locals typically flock to Quarry Lake on a hot summer day.

Should I Visit the Other National Parks Near Banff?

If you look at a map of the area, you’ll see that the boundaries for Banff National Park meet up with three other Canadian national parks. As you cross into British Columbia on the Trans Canada highway you’ll enter Yoho National Park.

Yoho is where you’ll find Emerald Lake, Wapta Falls, Natural Bridge, Spiral Tunnels and Takakkaw Falls. Emerald Lake is only an hour from Banff and can easily be done as a day trip from Banff.

Taking highway 93S and at the Continental Divide you’ll leave Banff National Park and enter Kootenay National Park (which is also the boundary between Alberta and British Columbia). You can find some great hiking trails along highway 93S like Marble Canyon, the Paint Pots and Stanley Glacier. These can be done on a day trip from Banff town.

When Can I See the Turquoise Color of the Lakes?

This comes as a surprise to many, but if you come in early spring many of the lakes will still be frozen and you won’t get to see that turquoise hue. The unfreezing of lakes like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake (which are at higher elevations) varies from year to year.

This past year, we were able to canoe on Lake Louise early in June but the previous year the lake was still frozen until closer to mid-June. After mid to late June is your best bet to ensure you see the Banff lakes unfrozen.

What’s the Best Way to Learn More about Banff National Park?

There are several ways you can learn more about Banff National Park during your visit:

Use the Canadian Rockies audio tour by GuideAlong while you drive. This GPS enabled app gives you information about the park on-the-go. It starts and stops as you do at the different places to stop along the park. Visit our Banff Discounts for a 15% discount!

Visit the Banff Park Museum – the oldest natural history museum in Western Canada.

Do a self-guided walking tour in the town of Banff – The Walking Through Banff’s History Tour has five online tours to choose from.

Visit the Cave and Basin Historic Site, the birthplace of Canada’s first national park.

Use the Parks Canada app to listen to stories from the park rangers.

Read interpretive signs you find throughout the park as you explore (like at Lower Bankhead, Johnston Canyon and C-Level Cirque).

Visit interpretive centres at the Banff Gondola, Lake Louise Gondola and Sunshine Village.

Visit the Visitor Centre in the town of Banff.

Wildlife, Safety and Practical Banff Travel Advice

Should You Make Dinner Reservations?

During the peak seasons, you should make dinner reservations for the restaurants you don’t want to miss. Dinner reservations are less necessary during the shoulder season months. For places like Sky Bistro at the Banff Gondola, I recommend making reservations.

Should You Bring Cash for Banff National Park?

You don’t need to bring cash for Banff National Park. Credit cards are widely accepted. If you’re visiting from the United States and want to use U.S. cash, just know that it may be accepted at par, which means you’ll lose out on the exchange rate. If you want to carry some cash around, the easiest way is to just visit an ATM once you get to the airport or the town of Banff.

What Animals Can You See in Banff?

You may see black bears or grizzlies in the warmer months, and elk, deer and bighorn sheep are commonly seen around the park. Mountain goats are possible in higher, rockier terrain but are less commonly seen than roadside wildlife. We’ve also been fortunate to see foxes and a lynx in recent years.

Moose are much less commonly seen around Banff townsite and Canmore; visitors tend to have better odds in places like Kananaskis or farther north toward Jasper.

We asked a local wildlife photographer for advice, and he gave us his best tips for spotting wildlife in Banff.

Banff National Park Tips for Winter

Is Banff worth visiting in the winter?

Yes, Banff National Park is definitely worth visiting in the winter. You’ll be transported to a winter wonderland with so many winter activities to enjoy. The mountain views are spectacular on a bluebird sky day with the peaks covered in snow.

From skiing and snowboarding to tubing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, fat biking, horse-drawn carriage rides and frozen waterfall hikes, there’s no shortage of things to do in Banff in winter.

You’ll want to ensure you pack for Banff in winter which means you should wear layers and make sure you’re prepared for really cold temperatures.

Can I drive the Icefields Parkway in the winter?

From November 1 to April 1, vehicles on the Icefields Parkway must have snow tires or chains. Snow tires must have a snowflake or ‘M+S’ symbol.

True winter tires with the snowflake are the best option and what most people will switch over to in the winter months here in Alberta. The all season M+S are designed for year round usage as well, but they will not perform as well under 7°C.

I highly recommend you read this page from Parks Canada about the Icefields Parkway in the winter.

If you plan to continue into B.C., winter tire and chain rules also apply on many routes from October 1 to April 30, though requirements can vary by highway.

Can I visit Moraine Lake in the winter?

Unless you are trained and have the equipment to enter avalanche terrain, you should not visit Moraine Lake in the winter. The only way to get to Moraine Lake in the winter is by skiing or snowshoeing up the Moraine Lake Road. The Moraine Lake Road is groomed and trackset for cross-country skiing in the winter.

The grooming of the Moraine Lake Road stops well before the lake with a sign warning that going past that area enters dangerous avalanche terrain.

Can I visit Lake Louise in the winter?

Yes, you can visit Lake Louise in the winter. Lake Louise is a year-round destination that offers something for everyone. In the winter, you can walk the lakeshore to see the frozen Louise Falls (continuing past the end of Lake Louise enters avalanche terrain).

You can also snowshoe or do a winter hike up to Mirror Lake (going past Mirror Lake to Lake Agnes enters avalanche terrain). To get a great view of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, hike or snowshoe up to Fairview Lookout.

As winter progresses and the lake freezes, you can skate on Lake Louise and cross country ski across the lake and on various trails in the area.

Should I rent a car in the winter?

Before renting a car in the winter, make sure that you are going to use it. If you are planning on visiting Banff on a ski trip, you can easily take a ski shuttle to the ski resorts. Sunshine Village Ski Resort and Lake Louise ski resort offer ski shuttles from both Canmore and Banff. You can also take a free Mount Norquay shuttle from the town of Banff to ski at Mt. Norquay.

Even if you aren’t skiing, if you plan to stay in Banff, you can take several tours from the town of Banff without needing your own car. If you plan on doing more sightseeing, then having your own rental car is ideal so you aren’t waiting outside in the cold for a bus, just make sure you are prepared for winter driving conditions.

Can I get winter tires on my rental car?

You can get winter tires on your rental car if you request and pay an additional daily fee. Rental cars will come with all season M+S (mud + snow) tires which have less traction as it gets colder. Some car rental companies charge an additional daily fee for true winter tires.

Can I skate on Lake Louise?

Once Lake Louise is solidly frozen, you can skate on it. This typically happens by mid-December. Lake Louise is one of the best lakes for outdoor skating as it gets cleared of snow all winter long.

When do the ski resorts open?

Opening dates for Banff’s ski resorts depend on weather and snow conditions, so they vary from year to year. We’ve seen them open as early as late October. Around mid-November is pretty typical. Just keep in mind that often when they open really early, they only have a few runs open.

Can I hike in Banff in the winter?

Yes, you can hike in Banff in the winter, but winter hiking in Banff does require more preparation and research. You should always check trail reports, know if you are entering avalanche terrain and be aware of any closures.

I highly recommend winter traction devices such as micro spikes or snowshoes for winter hiking in Banff National Park. Even in early spring (April & May), the hiking trails can be snow covered or very icy.

Keep in mind that days are also much shorter in the winter, so it’s best to plan shorter adventures.

Do I need to carry bear spray in the winter?

While it’s more unlikely that you’ll need your bear spray in the winter, the possibility is always there. Bears don’t go into a deep sleep for the entire winter like we imagine they do. They can still emerge from their dens on a warm winter day.

There are also other animals around throughout the winter like elk, wolves and cougars. It’s recommended that you carry bear spray when hiking all year round.