Banff Travel Guide
Hello!
I’m Taylor and I’ve lived in the beautiful Banff National Park for years.
As such, every Banff post you find on theholisticbackpacker.com is “locally sourced” and based off years of personal research and time spent playing in the mountains.
There’s plenty to see in Banff like the famous Moraine Lake & lake Louise, however my Banff blogs go outside “mainstream Banff” and showcase the lesser known areas and attractions of the park.
On this page you’ll find all my favourite hiking trails, backcountry camping areas, tips for living & working in town, travel guides, and so much more.
First time visiting Banff? See my detailed guide for planning the perfect trip to Banff
Banff Google Map: 600+ Pins
Don’t feel like scrolling through blog posts trying to find things to do in Banff?
Get my 600+ Banff recommendations saved to your Google Maps app
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!
Featured Banff Blogs
If you’re planning a trip to Banff you can first reference my Banff trip planner blog which holds information regarding everything you need to know about Banff before you visit: what to pack, transportation, lodging, activities, hikes, etc.
Click here to see
Hikes in Banff
There are hundreds of named/unnamed hiking trails, backcountry routes, and scrambling objectives to tackle in Banff. Here are a few of my Banff hiking recommendations:
You can find every Banff trail guide I’ve written here
Winter in Banff
In the colder months Banff turns into a winter wonderland. Snowshoeing, skiing, skating, and frozen waterfalls are just a few things you can look forward to from November to May.
- 25+ Easy Banff hikes – almost all these trails are suitable for winter
How to Live in Banff
For some, Banff is a year round home – not just an epic vacation spot.
I’ve lived in Banff for years and I’ve compiled everything I know about living in the park in this guide. From the housing crisis to community resources, local post, resident parking, social atmosphere, and tips for living in the area. This guide has it all.
If you’re in the midst of searching for work in Banff, this post outlines everything you need to know about finding a job in Banff, plus an employee review of working for both the Banff Gondola and Sunshine Village.
Moving to Banff without a car? Here’s how you can get around with the bus. That post includes 50+ hikes you can access with the bus too.
And finally, make sure your move to Banff is sustainable – you will be living in a national park after all! This post has tips for leading a more sustainable life during your time in Banff.
Destinations Near Banff
Banff is situated in the middle of the beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountains. Within less than an hour you can find more national parks and provincial parks all containing mountains, glaciers, wildlife, and lakes.
A few of these other destinations are:
All Banff Blogs
- How to Plan a Trip to Banff: Backpacking to Luxury Travel
- Local’s Guide to Skiing Sunshine Village, Banff
- Living in Banff: Everything you Need to Know from a Local
- 25+ Easy Hikes In Banff for Summer & Winter
- How to Travel Banff Without a Car & 50+ Banff Hikes Accessible by Bus
- 25+ Epic Lake Louise Hikes (Frontcountry & Backcountry)
- Best Banff Hotels (Organized by Category) for Your Next Trip to the Mountains
- How to Get to Moraine Lake & Lake Louise in 2024 – Hike, Bike, & Shuttles
- 50+ Wicked Things to do in Banff: Summer Edition
- ICEFIELDS PARKWAY: Literally Everything to do/see & Tips for Driving (Banff to Jasper)
- A Smoky Hike to the Mount Bourgeau Summit in Banff
- C-Level Cirque Hike Guide – Banff
- 8 Things You Can Expect In Banff National Park
- Larch Valley & Sentinel Pass Hike at Moraine Lake
- Hiking to Rockbound Lake Behind Castle Mountain – Banff
- Sulphur Mountain Hike Guide + Gondola Information (Banff)
- Best Banff Ski Resort & Season Pass: SkiBig3 Review
- 30+ Epic Things to do in Banff: Winter Edition
- Boom Lake Trail – an Easy Hike in Banff
- How to Hike Taylor Lake & O’Brien Lake – Banff
- 6 Resources You Must Know About Before Moving to Banff
- Sulphur Mountain Traverse Route: An Off-the-Beaten Path Hike in Banff
- Devils Thumb Hike & Inversion at Lake Louise – Banff Scrambles
- Lake Louise Circuit: Hike EVERYTHING at Lake Louise in 1 Day
- Banff Skoki Loop: 3 Day Banff Backpacking Trail Guide
- Parker Ridge Trail to Saskatchewan Glacier – Icefields Parkway
- Johnston Canyon Ink Pots Hike Guide + Winter Tips
- Tower of Babel Hike at Moraine Lake – Banff Scrambles
- Tunnel Mountain Hike – Banff National Park
- Tips for Working in Banff + Sunshine Village & Banff Gondola Employment Review
- How To Live Sustainably In Banff & Canmore: A Waste-Free Guide
- Arnica Lake & Twin Lakes Hike – Banff National Park
- Glacier Lake Backpacking Trail – Banff National Park
