Last Updated on January 2, 2026 by Samantha
Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park is a breathtaking destination that captivates travellers from all over the world with its turquoise lakes and stunning mountains. Banff National Park is actually Canada’s first national park and was established in 1885. The park 6,641 square kilometers of forest, mountains, glaciers and ice fields. Banff offers a perfect mix of adventure, relaxation and natural beauty that make it an ideal getaway for first-time visitors.
For those visiting for the first time, Banff can feel overwhelming – there’s so much to see and do. If you are planning a trip to Banff, this is the perfect place to start. This guide has everything you need to know about Banff National Park from hiking scenic trails to soaking in the Banff Hot Springs.
Know Before You Go:
- You will have to pay to enter the park. Adults are $11.00, seniors are $9.50 or you can pay $22.00 for the car. Depending on how long you are travelling, a discovery pass may be the cheaper option.
- Be aware of wildlife. Carry bear spray with you as it is possible you will encounter a bear while hiking.
- Rent a car as it will be expensive and difficult to get around the park without one.
- Make sure to pack layers as the weather is always changing. It is better to have to take off layers than suffer without.
- Some of these stops are along the Icefields Parkway, which has no service so make sure you download your map from google maps before you venture out.
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is most famous for its vibrant turquoise blue water and stunning mountain views. It is one of the most popular spots in Banff National Park and draws thousands of tourists every year. Pictures certainly don’t do it justice and it is more beautiful in person.
Moraine Lake is closed during the winter months and only accessible via Parks Canada shuttle or a privately operated shuttle. This is a great place to do some hiking and enjoy the stunning views. For more detailed information on visiting Moraine Lake, check out my other blog post here.
Lake Louise
Like Moraine Lake, Lake Louise is also famously known for its vibrant turquoise blue water and stunning mountain views but on a larger scale. It is one of Canada’s most famous glacial lakes and is a Banff icon! No trip to Banff is complete without stopping at Lake Louise.
You are able to drive and park at Lake Louise but the parking is very expensive and limited so I would recommend purchasing a shuttle pass through Parks Canada. If you do this for Moraine Lake, you will be able to take the shuttle between the lakes. For more information on Lake Louise, check out my blog post here.
Johnston Canyon
Johnston Canyon is one of the most popular trails in Banff National Park. You will hike perched along the cliffs with the sweeping river running underneath you while enjoying your hike to the falls and ink pots. Hiking through the mountain canyon with the river flowing and the beautiful waterfalls along the way is truly a unique experience and one you can’t miss while you’re in Banff.
Johnston Canyon is divided by three sections – the Lower Falls, the Upper Falls and the Ink Pots. I recommend doing the lower and the upper falls as it isn’t overly difficult and the views and hike is truly beautiful. If you are able to and have the time, I definitely recommend doing the ink pots as well. If you decide to do the lower and upper fall it’ll be a 5km hike with a 120 metre elevation, which is pretty manageable. The Ink Pots are definitely the more difficult with a 330 metre elevation and is 11.4 km round trip.
Pets are allowed on the trail but keep in mind the trail can get very busy. If your dog doesn’t do well with crowds or other dogs, I wouldn’t recommend bringing them.
Bow Falls
After exploring downtown Banff, head to Bow Falls to enjoy the beautiful falls and mountain views. There is a short trail that will bring you closer to the top of the waterfall. This will be one of the easiest waterfalls to access as it doesn’t require any hiking and you can enjoy the view after a few short steps from the parking lot.
Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake is a glacial-fed lake known for its vibrant turquoise waters. The lake gets its unique colour from the glacier flour. As the glacier moves through the mountains, it grinds the rock underneath into a fine powder – glacier flour.
Peyto Lake is a very busy spot so you’ll want to get here as busy as early as possible. I got here in the morning so the crowds weren’t too bad but there was still a ton of people.
You will likely park in the lower lot as the upper parking lot is reserved for people with a handicap placard so they don’t have to do the hike to the lake. It is about a 15 minute uphill hike to Peyto Lake from the lower lot. Once you reach the top, the view is more than worth the uphill hike and offers stunning views overlooking the lake.
This was definitely one of my favourite stops as the view was truly unlike anything I had ever seen.
Herbert Lake
Herbert Lake was surprisingly one of my favourite spots in Banff National Park. There weren’t many people there at the time and the lake itself was so peaceful. If you have a camping chair with you, I definitely recommend stopping here for your lunch break or even just to sit, read a book and enjoy the beauty around you.
Bow Lake
Bow Lake is another beautiful glacier-fed lake that can be found along the Icefields Parkway. This lake is fed by the Crowfoot Glacier, which makes it a brilliant blue colour. Depending on how much time you have, you can stop for a quick photo and to enjoy the beauty or if you have longer you can eat a meal or even go stand up paddleboarding.
Grassi Lakes
The Grassi Lakes are just outside of Canmore and can be accessed by two different trails, both of which are about 2 km. One of the trails is slightly more difficult but the other one is perfect for families and beginner hikers. This is a popular spot for rock climbers looking to conquer the 75 meter call Cairn Formation Cliffs. The lake is beautiful and definitely a great stop especially if you are staying in Canmore.
Waterfowl Lakes
Waterfowl Lakes is another great stop along the Icefields Parkway. This is another popular stop because of the stunning lake and mountain peaks. If you are travelling with your paddleboard or canoe, I recommend taking it out on the lake here. There is a campground here if you are looking for a spot to camp while traveling the Icefields Parkway.
Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk
If you are staying in Canmore, this is a great place to end your day. The boardwalk is beautiful and you’ll be able to see the Tree Sisters Mountains from here. This scenic walk will take you from Downtown Canmore to the Malcolm Hotel and back. This walk will only take 20-30 minutes and is definitely worth it.
Mistaya Canyon
Getting to the Canyon is about a 1 km roundtrip hike, which is a pretty easy hike for anyone to complete. Once you get down the Canyon you will be amazed by the rushing water carving through the deep gorge below the bridge. You can walk along the Canyon and enjoy the beauty of the Mistaya River.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
The Banff Hot Springs is a great way to end the day after a full day of hiking or if you are just looking to do some relaxing between days of hiking. The Hot Springs can be enjoyed all year round. These hot springs were discovered in 1883 and are the last remaining hot springs accessible to the public. The water ranges between 37°C and 40°C (98-104°F) and is a great way to work in some relaxing time while in Banff.
Banff Gondola
An easy way to see beautiful mountain views without having to hike is by taking the Banff gondola up Sulphur Mountain. Once you reach the top you will enjoy 360° scenic views from 7,486 ft above sea level. After enjoying the views you can climb up higher on a secured staircase, enjoy some lunch of head to the Banff Skywalk. The Banff Skywalk will lead you to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site and Sanson’s Peak Meteorological Station.
Tickets are pricey ranging from $69-$88 CAD but you can get 10% off if you book far enough in advance. Although the tickets are pricey, the views are breathtaking.
Two Jack Lake
Two Jack Lake is a great spot to head to for a picnic and a swim. Swimming in the lake with Mount Rundle in the background is a unique experience and a great way to enjoy a break while in Banff. This lake also forms part of the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Loop. If you don’t have time to do the whole loop, I recommend at least checking out Lake Minnewanka as well.
Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka is the second longest lakes in the mountain parks at 21 km. This lake is also known as “Lake of the Spirits” If you are doing the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Loop, this will be one of the stops. If you aren’t doing the full loop I still recommend stopping here as the views are beautiful. As well as enjoying the view, you can also do a lake cruise or rent a canoe to take out on the water.
Norquay Lookout
This is a great spot not too far from Banff to stop and enjoy the views overlooking the town and of Mount Rundle. There is a nice grassy area so if you have time, you can sit and enjoy the view. This will make a great stop if you are heading to Vermillion Lakes as it isn’t too far out of the way and the views are worth it.
Vermillion Lakes
Located just outside of Banff are three shallow lakes known as Vermillion Lakes. These stunning lakes offer beautiful views of Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain and are a great stop close to Banff.
