50+ Things to do in Banff: Summer Edition
There are plenty of things to do in Banff for every type of traveller and in this post I’ll tell you all the best activities in Banff specifically for the summer season. From hiking to museums to boat cruises and multi-day adventures, I go over everything in this post.
I’ve lived in Banff for years and have had the opportunity to experience Banff in all seasons multiple times. Summer is my favourite time of year because of the ample amount of things to do in Banff. There are 100+ hiking trails, weeks worth of backcountry trails, and so many unique activities nearby like caving and white water rafting nearby. Adventurers will thrive here.
Visiting Banff in winter? This guide lists my recommendations for what to do in Banff in winter
Skip Ahead:
- How to get to Banff National Park
- Best months to visit Banff in summer
- What to pack for Banff in summer
- Where to stay in Banff
- 50+ things to do in Banff in summer
- Things to do near Banff
- Banff in winter
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How to Get to Banff
Banff is located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains within the province of Alberta. Conveniently, Banff is only 1.5hrs from the city of Calgary – home to both the famous Calgary Stampede and the Calgary International Airport (YYC).
Most international travellers fly into the Calgary Airport, then take one of the following shuttles to Banff:
- BUDGET TRAVELLERS – On It and Poparide are the best options for those planning to backpack Banff as they offer the cheapest fare. On It’s schedule is seasonal and you need to book in advance to ensure you get a spot. Poparide is a ride share program. I’ve used it multiple times and have had good experiences. You can use my link to save $5 on your first trip.
- MID-RANGE TRAVELLERS – the Banff Airporter and the Brewster Express are both reliable and professional transportation services.
- LUXURY TRAVELLERS – taxis and Uber will cost you at least a couple hundred dollars one-way.
If you’re coming from Vancouver you can opt to fly to Calgary, drive, or take a bus. The most common bus company for Vancouver-Banff is Rider Express. This route typically takes 12-15hrs and makes stops in many places like Kamloops and Golden.
If your budget allows I recommend renting a car when you plan a trip to Banff – this site compares all the best local rates. Travelling Banff with a car allows you to access a much larger area of the park. If you’re a hiker this is important. Keep in mind if you rent a car you’ll need to purchase a National park Pass to display in your vehicle’s windshield for each day you’re in Banff. You can purchase these online or in person at the park gates and the visitor centre.
Banff’s Public Transportation System
Once you arrive in Banff you can take advantage of the local bus system. Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, and a handful of other places are all connected via Roam Transit.
The buses run frequently and bus fares can be paid in exact change when boarding, at the pay stations (which can be found here), or online via the Token Transit app. If you plan to use the bus frequently you can buy multi-use passes at the visitor centre for a cheaper rate.
If you’re looking for things to do in Banff but are travelling without a car, this post has 50+ hikes accessible by bus plus plenty of other activities in Banff you can do sans-vehicle.
Best Time to Visit Banff in Summer
Banff’s summer season is short and the peak months are heavy with tourism.
In this post I’ve broken down what Banff is like via a month-by-month perspective
June is the first month in Banff where temperatures start to warm up, but each year looks different. Some years June brings hot temperatures and hiking/camping season is in full swing. Other years spring still lingers and the odd snowfall occurs.
July and August are Banff’s peak summer months. These are the best months for all the things to do in Banff: water sports, summit hikes, backcountry camping, and more. If you’re hoping to tackle big objectives like big peaks and high backcountry hikes, late July/early August is best.
September is technically fall, but some years September brings warm weather and you can still complete the wide range of activities in Banff. late September/early October is when the Larch trees turn yellow, making the Rockies glow a golden colour.
Be aware that Canada has a “wildfire season” each year. Smoke can fill the skies anywhere from late May to early September. There’s no predicting when the smoke will hit or how long it’ll stay, but it comes each year.
Banff in Winter
Winter in Banff spans from late October to mid April. Ski season begins early November and extends to the end of May, but snow lingers in the alpine much longer outside this period.
In addition to Banff’s summer activities, there’s also plenty of things to do in Banff in winter. Think frozen waterfalls, wild ice skating, skiing, and beautiful snow capped mountains.
I list my recommendations for what to do in Banff in winter in this post
What to Pack for Banff in Summer
What to pack totally varies depending on your decision of what to do in Banff and which months of summer you opt to visit. The best advice I can give you is to dress in layers, pack clothing made of natural materials like wool, and bring warm clothing even if the forecast looks like it’ll be warm.
Evenings, mornings, and higher elevation hikes always require warmer layers.
If hiking is going to be your main activity in Banff, you’ll want to pack sturdy shoes, hiking pants, wool shirts, rain gear, an outer jacket (I always pack a down jacket), and some sort of mid layer or technical outer layer. My favourite clothing items for Banff are listed in the posts linked below.
Packing light gloves, a hat, sunglasses, and extra wool socks is a great idea too.
If your main Banff activity is going to be view chasing, photography, eating out, and exploring the town you’ll want a combination of “cute” and hiking attire.
I always recommend bringing hiking boots or running shoes to Banff with a pair of flip flops or Crocs for something more comfortable. Pack a bathing suit if you decide to take a dip in the lakes, hit the hot springs, or use your hotel’s pool facilities.
After living in Banff for multiple years I can confirm the majority of my time was spent in hiking and active attire even when I wasn’t “being active.” The vibe of Banff isn’t high heels or formal wear. It’s laid back, comfortable, and practical.
Remember weather changes on a dime here and you’re never guaranteed specific weather in Banff even if the forecast calls for it. Pack a sweater and always have an extra layer handy.
Banff Gear Guides
Here are a few Banff clothing and gear guides I’ve put together to help you figure out what to pack for your trip to Banff.
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Where to Stay in Banff
From hostels to camping to luxury hotels – Banff has accommodations for everyone. Here are my top recommendations for where to lodge in Banff based on budget.
I recommend giving this post a read as I’ve listed every Banff hotel worth staying at and organized them by category.
- Hostels – Samesun Banff (best location + bar/restaurant on-site), Banff International Hostel (second best), and HI Banff.
- Budget hotels – Bow View Lodge and High Country Inn.
- Mid-range stays – Banff Park Lodge, Mount Royal, Elk & Avenue, and the Banff Caribou & spa.
- Luxury stays – Fairmont Banff Springs and the Rimrock Resort.
- Cabin retreats: Johnston Canyon Bungalows, Baker Creek, and Castle Mountain Chalets.
- Camp – reservation information can be found here. Ensure you book campsites far in advance as they’re full during summer.
- For those on ski trips: lodge on-mountain at Sunshine Village, stay near Norquay, and see my Lake Louise suggestions below.
Lodging Options Near Banff
Enjoy that nature and activities of Banff National Park, but lodge away from the busy tourist town centre at any of the following:
- Lake Louise – Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (luxury), Paradise Lodge & Bungalows (500m from the lake), Lake Louise Inn (value stay), HI Lake Louise (hostel).
- Canmore – Malcolm Hotel (luxury), Stoneridge Mountain Resort (condo suites with fully equipped kitchens), Mountain View Inn (budget), Canmore Downtown Hostel & the Canmore Hostel (party hostel).
- Johnston Canyon – Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows, Castle Mountain Chalets, and HI Castle Mountain Hostel.
- Yoho National Park – Emerald Lake Lodge and Cathedral Mountain Lodge.
- Kootenay National Park – Storm Mountain Lodge & Cabins.
- Kananaskis Country – Mount Engadine Lodge and Kananaskis Mountain Lodge (luxury), Crosswaters Resort (mid-range), and HI Kananaskis Wilderness Hostel (budget).
50+ Things to do in Banff in Summer
Below I’ve listed every thing to do in Banff in summer. These Banff activities range from epic adventures like caving and multi-day hiking trips to relaxing experiences like hot springs and spas.
Top Tours & Excursions in Banff
Banff Gondola – epic views from the top of Sulphur Mountain.
Banff Hop on Hop off – explore the park at your own pace.
Lake Minnewanka Cruise – take a scenic boat ride down the largest lake in Banff.
Moraine Lake sunrise – chartered bus to see alpenglow on Canada’s most beautiful lake.
Norquay via ferrata – epic beginner friendly climbing route across iron bars on Mt Norquay.
Sunshine Meadows Gondola – find wild alpine flowers and hike around pristine alpine lakes.
Click here for a complete list of the Banff tours I recommend:
Go Hiking in Banff
Obviously #1 on this list of things to do in Banff is hiking. Banff has 100+ hiking trails scattered around the park ranging from easy to hard meaning every type of hiker has something to tackle.
I won’t go into too much detail about Banff’s hikes here as I’ve listed all my Banff hiking guides on this page, but I will note that Tunnel Mountain and Sulphur Mountain, which both lie within the town borders, are popular tourist hikes that everyone should try to accomplish during their time in Banff.
This guide has 25+ easy trails that lie within the town of Banff to the area around Lake Louise. These easy trails are suitable for families with kids and can mostly all be done in the winter months too.
There are also many nearby areas that have great hiking too. Kananaskis Country is my favourite for hikes near Banff.
Go Camping in Banff’s Backcountry
Hitting the backcountry is one of my favourite things to do in Banff. There’s an epic, well-maintained trail system here spanning kilometres and kilometres leading to quiet, pristine wilderness areas deep into the woods – far away from tourists.
Banff’s backcountry trips range from easy 1 night trips over simple terrain to more technical multi-day journeys over mountain passes. There’s a backcountry trail for every type of hiker who comes to Banff.
ps – Bactrax in the town of Banff rents out backcountry gear. Even if you don’t bring your own gear to Banff you can still easily rent a setup from town.
I have my Banff backpacking trail guides + information for how to book backcountry trips on this page
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Do a Via Ferrata
One of the best things to do in Banff for adventurers is the Norquay Via Ferrata. Via Ferrata is a protected climbing route that follows secure iron cables up the side of the mountain. Via Ferratas aren’t overly popular in North America like they are in Europe which makes this thing to do in Banff even more special.
You can book Norquay’s via ferrata here
Explore the Town of Banff
One of the things to do in Banff that’s often overlooked is exploring the local townsite. Although Banff’s hiking trails and places like Lake Louise are the main draw, the town of Banff itself is striking.
The main road – “Banff Ave” – is aligned perfectly with Cascade Mountain which is the triangular mountain featured in the image above. This road is lined with shops and restaurants that are all worth a visit.
I would budget at least 1 morning or 1 evening to wander the shops and grab a bite to eat on the outdoor patios. Some years the town of Banff shuts down the road completely to vehicles making it a pedestrian zone.
Don’t forget to have your picture taken here with the sunflowers and Cascade mountain! It’s one of the most iconic photography spots in Canada.
Go for a “Swim” in Banff’s Local Lakes
There are a few local lakes in Banff that make great “swimming” spots, or should I say polar dipping spots. The lakes in Banff remain cold even in the peak of summer, so most bodies of water are frigid to enter and you usually only last a few seconds.
Lake Minnewanka, Johnson Lake, Cascade Ponds, and Two Jack Lake are all accessible via bus in the summer months.
Johnson Lake and Herbert Lake, which is just past Lake Louise, are some of the warmest bodies of water in the Rockies. They’re a bit better if you actually want to swim.
Visit Lake Louise
Lake Louise is easily one of the most famous spots in Banff National Park and is therefore one of the best things to do in Banff. There are plenty of hiking trails at Lake Louise, canoe rentals, and a handful of places to eat.
Parking can be difficult to find at Lake Louise, so I recommend making use of public transportation to access the lake. I won’t go into too much detail about Lake Louise here as I have a couple detailed guides on the subject already, but I would recommend completing at least the Lake Agnes and Little Beehive hike while you’re there.
Lake Louise becomes bluer and bluer the higher you hike up above the lake so you’ll find a much better view from above.
Visit Moraine Lake
Right next to Lake Louise is Moraine Lake – another one of the best things to do in Banff. If you don’t plan on hiking Lake Louise’s or Moraine Lake’s trails, it’s best to visit these two lakes in the same day. If you’d like to hike at both lakes, it’s wise to visit them each on separate days.
At Moraine Lake there are canoe rentals, hiking trails, and a small cafe. I recommend completing the Consolation Lakes trails if you’re looking for an easy hike, or going up to Sentinel Pass above Larch Valley for something a bit more difficult.
The Moraine Lake road is closed to personal vehicles which means you must secure public transportation to the lake in advance. I’ve linked two of my guides below to help you sort out transportation and find the best hikes to do in the area.
Visit Banff’s Ski Resorts
Now I know this wasn’t what you were expecting to read considering this post is aimed toward things to do in Banff in summer, however each ski resort in Banff has summer operations as well as winter operations.
Sunshine Village is one of the best places to see wildflowers in the summer. Their gondola and chairlift take you into the backcountry where they bloom in full in Sunshine Meadows. There’s a short hiking trail which loops around a few lakes and gives you a front row seat to the colourful flowers. You can book your gondola ticket here.
Lake Louise has a sightseeing chairlift that goes over a wildlife corridor meaning you have a great chance to see bears roaming beneath you. At the top of the lift there are restaurants and a couple shorter hiking trails to epic viewpoints. You can book the Lake Louise Gondola here.
Norquay also has a chairlift up to their mountaintop restaurant which is a great spot to grab dinner while overlooking the town of Banff from above.
If you’re travelling without a car and are wondering what to do in Banff, visiting the Banff ski resorts is a great choice as they each have free public shuttles. The shuttles run daily in both the summer and winter months.
Have a Picnic at Norquay Patch
An underrated thing to do in Banff is have a picnic. Most visitors flock to downtown Banff to grab a bite to eat, but there are many beautiful places scattered around the town of Banff, like Norquay patch, where you can enjoy takeout or a packed meal too.
Norquay patch is located on Norquay Rd, one switchback away from the ski resort parking lot. The location offers a clear meadow with views overlooking the town of Banff and Vermillion Lakes. Oftentimes there’s longhorn sheep and deer roaming the meadow, making it even more picturesque.
Norquay patch is my favourite picnic spot in Banff, especially at sunset.
Take the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain
The Banff Gondola is easily one of the best things to do in Banff if you’re not a hiker, but are still searching for epic mountain views.
The Banff Gondola goes up Sulphur Mountain and looks out over the surrounding valley, Lake Minnewanka, and down toward Kananaskis. At the top of the gondola there are restaurants, a boardwalk to a neighbouring peak, and interactive exhibits.
In addition to the gondola there’s a hiking trail up the front of the mountain which is a great trail for those new to summit hiking. If you’re short for time I recommend taking the gondola, but if you’ve got extra days in Banff I’d recommend adding the Sulphur Mountain hike to your list of things to do in Banff.
Below are links for my Sulphur Mountain trail guide and tickets for the Banff Gondola
Explore Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka is the biggest lake in Banff, spanning 21kms from end to end. Lake Minnewanka is accessible by the local bus making this an easy activity if you’re wondering what to do in Banff.
At Lake Minnewanka there are hiking trails, boat cruises, boat rentals (canoes, kayaks, and motorboats), a restaurant, picnic areas, and an epic backcountry trail system – more about that here. You can go for a swim, but Lake Minnewanka is one of the colder lakes in Banff.
At Lake Minnewanka there’s a quick and easy trail to Stewart Canyon. I have more information about the canyon in this post.
You can book the Lake Minnewanka cruise here
Go on a Photography Tour in Banff
Banff is one of the most beautiful national parks in the world meaning everywhere you turn is photo-worthy. There are however a handful of photography hotspots in the Bow Valley that photographers come to from different corners of the world to capture.
I’ve listed all my favourite photography spots in Banff in the map linked below with my own pictures and information regarding best time of day to capture specific lighting.
Visit the Banff Farmer’s Market
The Banff Farmers Market runs weekly typically from the end of May to early October. This is a great thing to do in Banff if you’re looking to grab fresh produce from British Columbia farms, purchase local handmade goodies as souvenirs, invest in some natural skincare products, or listen to live music by the river.
The market is held at Banff’s Central Park near the end of Banff Ave.
More information about the Banff Farmers Market can be found here.
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Drive the Icefields Parkway to Jasper
One of the most iconic things to do in Banff is drive the Icefields Parkway.
The Icefields Parkway is one of the most beautiful roads in the world – a stretch of highway connecting Banff and Jasper. Along the way there are plenty of things to see like lakes, glaciers, waterfalls, etc.
Visitors commonly drive all the way to Jasper, then spend a couple days there. You can however just drive a small portion before returning to Banff. Even if you only see part of the highway, it’s worth the visit.
Some of the most famous spots to see on the Icefields Parkway are:
- Bow Lake and Peyto Lake
- The Columbia Icefields – you can book the Icefields tour here
- Glacier Skywalk – you can book the Skywalk tour here
- Athabasca Falls
I’ve put together this guide which goes over every possible thing to do on the Icefields Parkway
Chase Banff’s Waterfalls
A great thing to do in Banff is chase the various waterfalls that exist within the park. Although there aren’t as many waterfalls in Banff as there are in Alberta’s neighbouring province, British Columbia, there are a few to make note of.
Johnston Canyon is one of the most popular hikes in the park as it has high canyon walls and multiple gushing waterfalls. Past the canyon you’ll find the Ink Pots which are 5 blue/green bubbling pools of water. Here’s my Johnston Canyon trail guide.
Panther Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Banff, but it is located a bit further away up the Icefields Parkway.
Cascade Falls and Tessa Falls are just off the Lake Minnewanka Scenic dr just outside the town borders. This guide has more information for how to find them.
Silverton Falls is a small waterfall just off the main trail to Rockbound Lake.
Go for a Bike Ride in Banff
A thing to do in Banff in summer is cycling. There are a handful of bike shops where you can rent pedal and electric bikes to explore the local biking routes. Bactrax and Banff Cycle are the most popular options.
Popular biking routes in Banff include:
- The legacy trail from Banff to Canmore (40kms roundtrip). If you don’t feel like riding back, you can opt to take the Roam bus one-way for $6.
- Vermillion Lakes loop – one of the easier routes in town. This one is great for kids, families, and chill rides.
- The Fairmont Golf Course Loop – is my favourite option. The Fairmont loop starts down by Bow Falls and loops the golf course. The views of Mount Rundle are phenomenal and there’s often elk roaming around after hours and in the autumn months.
- From town to Lake Minnewanka – this is one of the more challenging routes as there’s a decent amount of elevation change.
- Bow Valley Parkway (HWY 1A) – this is one of the most famous biking routes in Banff. There’s an annual closure to vehicles each spring meaning the road is wide open to cyclists. Just beware of bears. The 1A lies in a wildlife corridor.
Watch Sunrise and Sunset in Banff
An easy thing to do in Banff is find a beautiful spot to watch sunrise or sunset – there’s lots of spots to choose from!
My favourite is watching sunrise from the top of a mountain, but this requires a very early wakeup time as the sun rises in Banff before 6:00am in the summer months.
A few great spots to watch sunset in Banff are: Two Jack Lake, Vermillion Lakes, Norquay Patch, and Hoodoos Lookout.
A few great spots to watch sunrise in Banff are: Surprise Corner, Tunnel Mountain summit (quick hike), or Banff Ave.
Go Paddling in Banff
One of my favourite things to do in Banff in summer is paddling. Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are of course the most famous spots for canoeing, but there are other more cost effective lakes and rivers to paddle on too.
Some cost effective paddling spots in Banff are:
- Bow River – the Banff Canoe Club has rentals onsite so you don’t need a car to transfer any boats
- Two Jack Lake – beautiful at sunset
- Lake Minnewanka – canoe and kayak rentals on site
- Johnson Lake – great if you want to swim and paddle as the water is warmer
- Vermillion Lakes – close to town
You can rent canoes from the Banff Canoe Club for an affordable choice and transport them wherever you like.
Taste of Banff
For a small mountain town Banff has incredible restaurants. You can find international dishes, fine dining, vegan options, sweet treats, and casual foods. I won’t go into this topic much here as I’ve listed all my favourite dining spots in this post.
Some summers Banff turns its main road into a pedestrian zone filled with patios. This is a great spot to grab dinner or lunch. If Banff Ave remains open to vehicles, your next best bet would be the rooftop patios. Rose & Crown, the Rundle Bar, Magpie & Stump, and the Banff Gondola’s outdoor patio are the best options in town.
I do want to mention Taxi Mike to all the foodies reading this post. Taxi Mike is run by a local who lists all Banff’s meal deals, happy hours, and specials. It’s a great way to save a few bucks as dining in Banff can be expensive – especially if any kind of “food tour” is one of the things to do in Banff you’ve planned.
Explore the Bow River & Bow Falls
An easy thing to do in Banff in summer is explore the local trails. There’s a riverfront walk from downtown Banff to a waterfall that only takes around 45 minutes roundtrip. The walk to Bow Falls is a quick Banff activity you can easily squeeze into your itinerary.
Learn at Banff’s Museums
For a small mountain town Banff has an impressive collection of museums. If you’re wondering what to do in Banff on a rainy day, this is one of the best options.
Buffalo Nations Museum – is full of Indigenous resources.
Banff Park Museum – is all about Banff’s local wildlife.
Cave & Basin – holds Banff’s hot springs and a unique type of snail found only on Sulphur Mountain.
Whyte Museum – tells Banff’s origin story.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
The Banff Upper hot springs rest near the base of Sulphur Mountain. The water is natural, but Parks Canada has made the springs into a public pool-type setting.
I consider the hot springs “human soup” because there’s always so many people jammed in there, but this is a great thing to do in Banff in summer after a hike to help your sore muscles recover.
Try Rock Climbing in Banff
Rock climbing is among one of the favourite things to do in Banff for locals. There are plenty of outdoor crags and climbing spots great for both experienced and inexperienced climbers.
If outdoor climbing isn’t your thing, you can also grab a day pass at Sally Borden and try your hand at indoor climbing.
Spot Banff’s Wildlife
Canada is known for having wildlife and in Banff the animals exist in abundance. The animals in Banff are not afraid of humans – us locals like to call them “national park animals.” They’re not afraid of people because they’ve never been hunted and are protected.
You can spot all kinds of wildlife in Banff like grizzly bears, elk, deer, longhorn sheep, etc. So going on a wildlife spotting tour is a great thing to do in Banff.
Some popular spots to see wildlife in Banff are: Norquay road, Fairmont Golf Course Loop, Highway 1A, and the Lake Minnewanka road.
Please be mindful that even though these animals may not be afraid of you they are still wild. Maintain a safe distance between yourself/your car/the animals, do not approach them, and do not feed them. Be there to observe, not to interfere.
To increase your chances of seeing wildlife in Banff you can join one of these safari tours
Things to do in Banff at Night
I’m personally not a night person and I find especially when I’m in Banff I go to sleep early as I’m tired from the day’s activities.
If you are however a night person, you can consider one of these things to do in Banff as an evening activity.
Hit the bars – Banff has 1 nightclub, the Dancing Sasquatch, and a handful of bars which are busy every day in summer. High Rollers (pool and bowling), Hello Sunshine (karaoke), and Mel’s are the local favourites. There’s also Rose & Crown (wine Wednesdays), Tommy’s, Pump & Tap (dive bar), and St James Gate (Irish pub).
Sundays are Banff’s biggest night out opposed to Saturdays.
Stargaze – anywhere in Banff is excellent for this as the surrounding sky is so dark. Lake Minnewanka is especially beautiful on a clear night.
Hang out at the Rec Grounds
The Banff Recreation Grounds is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a wide variety of things to do in Banff in one spot. The Banff Rec Grounds have a soccer field, baseball diamond, kids play equipment, fire pits, and more activities that can be used by anyone for free.
Try Horse Back Riding in Banff
Horseback riding through the Canadian Rockies is definitely bucket list worthy enough to make it on your list of things to do in Banff. There are local stables providing tours around the surrounding area and out to the backcountry on multi-day trips.
Here are some horseback riding tours that start in the town of Banff:
- 1 hour Bow River Loop
- 1 hour Spray River Ride
- 3 hour Bow Valley loop – this tour is a little longer if you want more time riding
- 4 hour Sulphur Mountain Ride – this is the longest day trip in town
- 2 Day Sundance Backcountry Lodge
- 3-Day Sundance Backcountry Lodge
Go Fishing in Banff
If you’re looking for “different” things to do in Banff, you can try your hand at fishing. Almost all the lakes in Banff can be fished in, but there are specific regulations that need to be followed.
Here are Parks Canada’s fishing regulations for Banff
See the Flowers at Cascade Gardens
At the end of Banff Ave you’ll find the Cascade of Times Garden. This area is full of flowers in the summer and overlooks Cascade Mountain. It’s exceptionally beautiful at sunrise and sunset.
Have a Bonfire or BBQ in Banff
Canada’s National Parks have strict regulations against fires. You can however have bonfires at the Rec Grounds and Cascade Ponds in the designated fire rings.
Having a fire is a great thing to do in Banff at the end of the day. You can cook over the fire and relax by the lake. Just make sure you purchase your wood locally (at gas stations in Banff) as you’re not allowed to bring wood from outside the park into Banff.
Go Golfing in Banff
Banff has a world renown 18 hole golf course at the Fairmont Banff Springs. They also have a driving range.
Nearby Canmore has a few golf courses too.
Treat Yourself to the Spa
This is not one of my typical go-to things to do in Banff, but it is one of my favourites when I decide to treat myself. The Fairmont Banff Springs has a lovely spa with saunas, steam rooms, cold pools, hot tubs, warm rooms, snacks, cucumber water – everything you can imagine. There’s also the Kananaskis Spa at the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge. This one should be nice, but there’s no music and limited amenities so I find it overpriced compared to the Fairmont.
Banff spas: Fairmont Banff Springs, the Red Earth Spa at the Banff Caribou, the Grotto Pool and Spa at the Royal Canadian Lodge, and the spa at Chateau Lake Louise.
Banff Google Map: 600+ Pins
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Outdoors: hiking trails, campgrounds, ski resorts, waterfalls & lakes
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Things to do: tours, viewpoints & unique activities
I lived in Banff for years and know all the best spots!
Things to do Near Banff
In addition to the things to do in Banff, there are also plenty of things to do near Banff as well.
Parks to Visit Near Banff
The following are all provincial and national parks within close proximity to Banff. Each offers amazing hiking trails, wildlife, and lakes similar to Banff’s
There’s also Kootenay National Park which is around 30 minutes away from Banff.
Visit Hot Springs Near Banff
The only hot springs in Banff are the Banff Upper Hot Springs. If I’m being 100% honest the Banff Hot Springs aren’t the best thing to do in Banff, so I’d recommend taking a drive to see the hot springs outside the park borders instead.
Mist Mountain Hot Springs are in Kananaskis and require hiking to access. Here’s my guide for how to find them.
Radium Hot Springs are located 1.5hrs away from Banff in the direction of Invermere.
The Fairmont Hot Springs pictured above are 30 minutes further than the Radium Hot Springs.
Lussier Hot Springs are around 2.5hrs away from Banff. The drive to these springs can be a bit sketchy.
Spend Time in Canmore
Canmore is Banff’s “sister mountain town.” It’s located only 20 minutes away and can be accessed by bus which makes spending a day here easy-peasy. There are lots of stores and restaurants here as well as cute little mountain roads similar to Banff Ave.
There are plenty of hikes and unique things to do in Canmore, some of which I’ll mention below.
Plunge into the Depths of Rat’s Nest Cave
This is one of the best things to do near Banff from an “off-the-beaten-path” perspective. These cave tours take you into Grotto Mountain, down into Rat’s Nest Cave where you can repel down open areas and slide through chutes.
These tours are not for the faint of heart, but you can do them with no previous experience.
There are two cave tours you can book depending on how long you want to spend underground. I did the 4hr tour which I thought was the best option as I got to see a way larger section of the cave.
Go White Water Rafting
The Kicking Horse River has the best whitewater rafting in the Canadian Rockies. For those that like adrenaline this is a great activity to add to your things to do in Banff list.
The rapids here go up to class 5 which means you’re riding some pretty gnarly terrain. The best time of year for whitewater rafting in Golden is early June as temperature will be slightly warmer, but the snowmelt will still be fairly high.
Best white water rafting tours near Banff
- Kicking Horse River rafting adventure – this is the most common rafting excursion offered in Golden.
- Extreme white water rafting – this one is for the adventurous.
- This tour on the Kicking Horse is great for those new to white water rafting.
- Kananaskis Whitewater rafting with included transportation from Banff or Jasper.
- There are also quite a few rafting opportunities in Jasper.
Play Frisbee Golf in Canmore
The Canmore Nordic Centre has an epic 18 hole frisbee golf course that’s free to use. You can rent frisbees at the centre if you don’t have your own.
Visit Banff in Winter
From October to April Banff transforms into a winter wonderland full of frozen waterfalls and snowcapped mountains.
There are plenty of things to do in Banff in winter like snowshoeing and wild ice skating. In this guide I list everything.
Banff Google Map: 600+ Pins
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Outdoors: hiking trails, campgrounds, ski resorts, waterfalls & lakes
Planning: lodging, restaurants, public washrooms & transit hubs
Things to do: tours, viewpoints & unique activities
I lived in Banff for years and know all the best spots!
My Featured Banff Blogs
Travel Guides
Banff Activities
Quick Banff Guide
First time visiting Canada? This page outlines all my travel tips for those new to Canada.
When to visit: this post breaks down each month in Banff with average temperatures and corresponding activities.
How to get to Banff: fly into Calgary International Airport. From here, rent a car (what I recommend), RV, or take one of the following shuttles to Banff:
- Budget: On-It runs during the summer months and Pop-a-Ride is a ride-share program. You can use my Poparide link to save $5 on your first trip.
- Professional shuttles: Banff Airporter and Brewster.
- Car rental: having access to a car is the best way to travel to/from/within Banff. This site compares the best local rates.
Best Activities in Banff: here are all my recommendations for the best tours, activities, and unique experiences in Banff & beyond.
Moraine Lake or Lake Louise: read my guide for how to get there with the new road closures. If you want to see Moraine Lake at sunrise, you can book a shuttle here.
Lodging & Camping: Here’s my guide for hotels in Banff (Organized by Category). If you’re visiting during peak summer (mid June to early September), make your lodging reservations FAR in advance. Front country and backcountry camping reservations must be made on the Parks Canada reservation system. The system typically opens in January and it’s recommended you make reservations then.
Reservations: for activities and restaurants should be made well in advance during summer. Get Your Guide and Viator are popular tour booking platforms whereas OpenTable is used for restaurants.
Parks Pass: You’ll need a National Park Pass for your vehicle for each day you’re in Banff. Passes can be purchased at the East Parks Gates, the Visitor Centre, or online. If you’ll be in any of Canada’s National Parks for more than 7 days in a 365 day period, an annual Discovery Pass offers a better rate than purchasing individual day passes.
Roam Transit: once you arrive in Banff, use the local transit service as much as possible to avoid parking issues. There are bus lines within town, plus lines to popular spots like Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon. The bus to Lake Louise should be reserved in advance.
Parking: the best spot to park is the free lot next to the train station. More information about parking in town can be found here and parking fees can be paid here. Bylaw is strict, so ensure you’re following parking rules exactly.
Wildlife Safety: 11 ways to stay safe from wildlife, bear safety, & bear basics.
Happy adventuring!
Taylor ♡
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About the Author
HI, I’m Taylor – the voice behind The Holistic Backpacker.
After moving to Banff National Park in 2020 I became an outdoor adventure enthusiast and vowed to never stop exploring.
I now spend my days travelling the world, climbing mountains, and spending nights under the stars in the Canadian Rockies backcountry.
I created The Holistic Backpacker so I could share my adventures and help connect people like you with the same amazing experiences.
