10+ Moraine Lake Hikes – Easy Trails, Scrambles, and Backcountry
Moraine Lake is one of Banff’s premier destinations. Travellers come from all over the world to see Moraine Lake’s pristine mountains and blue glacier water. But did you know there are more than 10 hiking trails at Moraine Lake ranging from easy to difficult? In this post I’ll outline all Moraine Lake’s hikes with trail stats, photos, and descriptions.
Whether you’re looking for an easy trail with your family, a moderate hike to see golden Larch trees, an overnight camping trip in the backcountry, or a difficult scrambling objective – there’s a Moraine Lake trail for every type of hiker.
I’ve been to and hiked at Moraine Lake countless times over the years and it never gets old. I highly recommend adding at least one of the Moraine Lake hikes listed below to your Banff bucket list.
Skip ahead:
- How to Get to Moraine Lake
- How to See Moraine Lake at Sunrise
- Where to Stay in Lake Louise
- About Hiking at Moraine Lake
- Easy Hikes at Moraine Lake
- Moderate Hikes at Moraine Lake
- Difficult Hikes & Scrambles at Moraine Lake
- Backcountry Hikes at Moraine Lake
- Hikes at Lake Louise
- Recommended Hiking Gear for the Rockies
- Canadian Rockies Hiking Tips
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How to Get to Moraine Lake
The Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles which means you have to arrange transportation to the lake. Try to arrange transportation to Moraine Lake far in advice as spots are limited and fill up quickly.
There are a few options for accessing the hiking trails at Moraine Lake. I have a complete guide with more information regarding how to get to Moraine Lake, but I’ll quickly outline the options here:
Parks Canada Shuttle: operates daily from the Lake Louise Ski Resort. This is the easiest way to get to Moraine Lake if you’re travelling without a personal vehicle. You can book shuttle tickets here.
Book a Tour: there are plenty of tour companies offering shuttles to Moraine Lake. I’ve used this company multiple times and have had only great experiences.
Roam Transit: booking a Roam System Wide Day Pass allows you unlimited use of the Banff shuttles throughout the day including the Moraine Lake Connector bus. This is the easiest way to get to Moraine Lake for those travelling without a car.
Keep in mind the Moraine Lake road is only open from June to mid October (exact dates vary annually). Outside this period the road sees avalanches and heavy grizzly bear travel. Walking or cycling the long road to Moraine Lake is done at your own risk.
How to get to the Paradise Valley Trailhead
There are a few Moraine Lake hikes that start from the Paradise Valley trailhead rather than the lake.
If you need to get to the Paradise Valley trailhead you’ll have to park at the Lake Louise Ski Resort and take the Parks Canada shuttle. A limited number of first-come, first-serve seats are reserved on each shuttle for hikers going to the Paradise Valley Trailhead.
If you don’t have a car, you can book the Roam System Wide Day Pass. Take the bus to Lake Louise Lakeshore then take the Park & Ride Connector to the Lake Louise Ski Resort. From here board the Parks Canada shuttle to Moraine Lake and exit early at the Paradise Valley trailhead.
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How to See Moraine Lake at Sunrise
Although crowded, Moraine Lake at sunrise is one of the most beautiful things to see in Canada.
There are a few ways to see Moraine Lake at sunrise:
Alpine Start Shuttle: Parks Canada has a 4:00am and a 5:00am alpine start shuttle to Moraine Lake that picks hikers up from Lake Louise Lakeshore. The purpose of the shuttle is to make early morning starts for big objectives or climbing routes more accessible, but you can use it to see sunrise too. You’ll have to pay the outrageous parking fee at Lake Louise and you’ll need a personal vehicle to get you to Lake Louise at these early morning hours as bus routes don’t start until 7:00am from Banff.
Book a shuttle: there are more and more shuttles popping up at Moraine Lake. I’ve used this company to see sunrise at Moraine Lake multiple times and I only have good things to say.
Roam Transit Route 10: dates change annually, but from mid September to mid October Roam runs a route direct to Moraine Lake from downtown Banff. The shuttle leaves early enough in the morning that it’s possible to see sunrise.
For more information regarding how to see Moraine Lake at sunrise, you can reference this post
Where to Stay in Lake Louise
If you plan to hike at Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, there are plenty of lodging options available nearby. Staying directly in Lake Louise will save you driving the 1.5hrs to and from Banff each day.
Luxury Stays – the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the most iconic hotel in Banff. Staying here gives you direct access to Lake Louise, local hiking trails, and on-site parking. The Moraine Lake Lodge is a hard-to-book, but beautiful cabin stay located directly next to Moraine Lake. Staying here gives you the ability to drive your own car to the lake, meals are included and so are the pricey canoe rentals. Book this hotel as far in advance as possible.
Mid-range stays – Paradise Lodge & Bungalows is located a mere 500m from Lake Louise, but it comes in at a much lower price point than the Fairmont Chateau. Alternatively, the Lake Louise Inn offers the best value stay in town.
Budget stays – HI Lake Louise is the only hostel in Lake Louise.
Camp – reservation info.
Where to Lodge in Nearby Banff
Budget Hostels – HI Banff, Banff International, and the Samesun Banff (my top pick).
Budget stay – Bow View Lodge and Irwin’s Mountain Inn.
Mid-range stay – Banff Park Lodge, Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa, and the High Country Inn.
Luxury stay – the Fairmont Banff Springs and the RimRock Resort.
Here’s my breakdown of the best Banff hotels, organized by category
About Hiking at Moraine Lake
There are some things you need to know prior tackling the hikes at Moraine Lake.
When to hike at Moraine Lake: hiking season at Moraine Lake spans from June to mid October when the road is open. Easier trails like Consolation Lakes and the Moraine Lakeshore trail can be completed anytime during this period. Higher elevation hikes like Mount Temple or Eiffel Peak have a very short window where they’re snow and avalanche free. You’ll typically have to wait to tackle these Moraine Lake hikes until the end of July or early August.
Moraine Lake hikes: range from easy to hard to scrambles to backcountry. The trails are well signposted and there are lots of people around on the more popular routes. There’s a trail for everyone here.
Bears: the Moraine Lake area sees heavy Grizzly traffic as it’s one of the main corridors. Always carry bear spray and hike in groups. Groups of 4+ are recommended, but there’s no official law saying you can’t hike alone.
Restaurants at Moraine Lake: there’s a small cafe with a limited, pricey selection of baked goods and coffee. They typically run out of food early in the day so it’s recommended you bring your own food to Moraine Lake.
Bathrooms at Moraine Lake: there are public drop toilets at the Moraine Lake parking lot. Use these toilets before you hike. There’s lots of people around so it can be difficult to find a quiet place to “do your business” near the trail. It’s also frowned upon using the natural spaces here as a public washroom facility as it’s a protected area.
Easy Hikes at Moraine Lake
These easy Moraine Lake hikes are great for families with children or for those with limited time to explore the area. They’re quick and don’t have much elevation gain.
ps – I marked these easy hikes at Moraine Lake along with 100+ others on my Banff & Lake Louise Map with my own photos, descriptions, and links
Moraine Lake Rock Pile
The Moraine Lake rock pile is the best place to view Moraine Lake from and to grab some epic photos like the one above. The “hike” is only a quick walk up stone steps to the viewpoint.
To get here, walk past the drop toilets next to the parking lot and turn left into the wooded area. The trail briefly goes through the trees, then exits at the base of the rock pile. From this point start taking the stairs up and you’ll be at the viewpoint in no time.
Moraine Lakeshore Trail
The Moraine Lakeshore trail is another easy Moraine lake hike great for families and kids. The trail ventures past the canoe docks toward the back end of Moraine Lake.
The trail in total is less than 4kms roundtrip with under 100m of elevation. It should only take around 1hr to complete with lots of photo stops along the way.
Consolation Lakes
- Trailhead: begins from the bottom of the rockpile trail
- Distance: 6.4kms
- Elevation gain: 269m
- Estimated time: 2.5hrs
- Alltrails map
Consolation Lakes is one of the best hikes at Moraine Lake – often overshadowed by the neighbouring Larch Valley. The Consolation Lakes trail is not overly steep or long, but it does pass through grizzly territory so hiking in groups of 4+ and carrying bear spray is highly recommended.
The trail does require a bit of scrambling over some large rocks toward the end, but aside from this it’s an easy-peasy trail with epic views.
Larch valley
- Trailhead: begins from the canoe docks
- Distance: 8.8kms
- Elevation gain: 564m
- Estimated time: 3.5hrs
- My Larch Valley trail guide
Larch valley is the “hardest” easy hike at Moraine Lake listed here.
Larch Valley is one of the most popular hikes in Banff and it’s definitely the most popular trail at Moraine Lake too. The hike to Larch valley follows switchbacks then enters a wide valley full of Larch trees that turn golden yellow. The first week of October is usually the best time of year to see the Larch trees, but exact timeframes vary year-to-year based on weather.
This Moraine Lake hike is very crowded, especially during October. If you’re hoping to find any solitude on this trail I’d recommend getting the earliest start possible. The switchbacks can be quite crowded and you’ll likely get stuck behind groups of people if you don’t get out ahead of them.
Toward the back of Larch Valley near the base of Sentinel Pass you’ll find Minnestimma Lake. This is a great spot to capture photos as there’s usually always a reflection in the morning hours.
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Moderate Hikes at Moraine Lake
If you have more time in your itinerary or are looking for something a bit more challenging than the easy hikes at Moraine Lake, try these moderate trails. These moderate Moraine Lake hikes have more elevation and are longer, but face no technical challenges.
ps – I marked these moderate hikes at Moraine Lake along with 100+ others on my Banff & Lake Louise Map with my own photos, descriptions, and links
Sentinel Pass
- Trailhead: begins from the canoe docks
- Distance: 11.1kms
- Elevation gain: 749m
- Estimated time: 4.5hrs
- My Sentinel Pass trail guide
As I just mentioned, Sentinel Pass starts toward the back of Larch Valley. From the base of the pass you’ll follow a few steeper switchbacks up to the top. It shouldn’t take more than 1hr roundtrip.
At the pass you’ll be able to see both Larch Valley and Paradise Valley from above. The view is especially beautiful when the Larch trees change.
Be mindful that the pass can be snowbound until later in July some years.
Lake Annette
- Trailhead: begins from the Paradise Valley trailhead
- Distance: 11.4kms
- Elevation gain: 370m
- Estimated time: 3hrs 15mins
- Alltrails map
Lake Annette is a small, blue body of water near Moraine Lake. There’s large cliff walls and a hanging glacier backing it which makes it quite impressive.
This hike is accessed from the Paradise Valley trailhead which differs from most Moraine Lake trails that start at the lakeshore. Due to this the trail will likely be very quiet when you visit.
Eiffel Lake
- Trailhead: begins from the canoe docks
- Distance: 12.2kms
- Elevation gain: 606m
- Estimated time: 4hrs 15mins
- Alltrails map
Considering most people flock to Larch Valley and Consolation Lakes, Eiffel Lake is one of the quieter hikes at Moraine Lake.
After the switchback section everyone takes toward Larch Valley, you’ll turn off at a fork in the trail and venture further back behind Moraine Lake. You’ll get closer and closer to the mountains and glaciers of the Valley of the Ten Peaks which are the ones you see from the shore of Moraine Lake.
It doesn’t take too long to reach Eiffel Lake from the turnoff. Once you arrive you can relax and enjoy the view of the lake from above – there’s no official trail leading down to the lake and hiking off trail is frowned upon.
Eiffel Lake has an impressive display of Larch trees in October making this a good option for a quiet Larch hike at Moraine Lake as well.
Difficult Hikes & Scrambles at Moraine Lake
These difficult Moraine Lake hikes are long, steep, and feature technical terrain. Only attempt these Moraine Lake hikes if you’re an experienced hiker with a strong level of fitness. It’s also recommended to get an early start for most of them as they can take a long time to complete depending on your skills and speed.
ps – I marked these difficult hikes at Moraine Lake along with 100+ others on my Banff & Lake Louise Map with my own photos, descriptions, and links
Wenkchemna Pass
- Trailhead: begins from the canoe docks
- Distance: 17.7kms
- Elevation gain: 919m
- Estimated time: 6hrs 15mins
- Alltrails map
Wenkchemna Pass is one of the longest hikes at Moraine Lake. The trail is accessed just past Eiffel Lake, adding an extra 5.5kms with 300m+ elevation gain to that trail.
The hike to Wenkchemna Pass continues to follow trail into the Valley of the Ten Peaks with no technical aspects. Toward the end route finding can be difficult as there’s often snow on the pass for most of the year. The very final stretch requires scrambling up a steep, but short lived section. It’s very doable – I did it in waist deep snow and managed just fine.
The top of Wenkchemna Pass looks down a valley leading into Yoho National Park which eventually leads to Lake O’Hara. Past this point the terrain becomes wildly steep and the back valley region is considered true backcountry – groups of 4+ highly recommended if you venture past Wenkchemna Pass into Yoho.
Tower of Babel
- Trailhead: begins from the bottom of the rockpile
- Distance: 2.9kms
- Elevation gain: 516m
- Estimated time: 3hrs
- My Tower of Babel trail guide
Tower of Babel is one of the steepest hikes I’ve completed. The trail follows a loose rock field up a steep gulley to the summit. You can expect nonstop scrambling and navigating the entire route. Closer to the top the rocks become stable – almost like steps built into the mountain. Once you reach this spot handhelds are useful.
Tower of Babel is the best hike at Moraine Lake for sunrise. Although there’s lots of elevation gain, the trail does not take long to complete and the view over Moraine Lake is stunning.
A word of advice – do NOT complete this Moraine Lake hike in inclement weather. Wait for dry conditions and don’t hike if there’s snow. Avalanches occur here.
Mount Temple
- Trailhead: begins from the canoe docks
- Distance: 15.1kms
- Elevation gain: 1,633m
- Estimated time: 10-14hrs
- Alltrails map
Mount Temple is the highest peak in the Bow Valley and one of the highest peaks in Banff overall. Considering its height, the trail is much easier when compared to other nearby peaks with similar elevation profiles.
This Moraine Lake hike should not be taken lightly though. You’ll still need to endure long scrambling sections and you’ll face exposure with significant drops. Falls in some sections result in imminent death. You can expect snow at the top of this trail year round.
The Mount Temple scramble starts from Sentinel Pass.
Eiffel Peak
- Trailhead: begins from the canoe docks
- Distance: 10.5kms
- Elevation gain: 1,278m
- Estimated time: 6-10hrs
- Alltrails map
Eiffel Peak is a difficult and long scrambling route. It’s only recommended for advanced hikers.
Backcountry Hikes at Moraine Lake
There’s only one backcountry hike at Moraine Lake. If you’re looking for more backcountry trails in Banff or need information regarding how to book the backcountry campsites, you can find more resources on this page.
Giant Steps via Paradise Valley
- Trailhead: point-to-point from the Paradise Valley trailhead & the canoe docks
- Distance: 19.8kms
- Elevation gain: 1,128m
- Estimated time: 8-14hrs
- Alltrails map
The Paradise Valley trail connects the Paradise Valley trailhead to Moraine Lake. Halfway between the two points there’s a campsite near a cascading waterfall, aptly named the “Giant Steps.” The trail wanders through Paradise Valley so you can expect to be surrounded by giant mountain walls on either side of you throughout the hike. There’s also a side trail along the way to lake Annette.
This Moraine Lake hike can be done in a day, but it’s long. It’s also important to note that you’ll have to hike through a steep rock field which can be more difficult if you’re carrying a bigger overnight pack full of camping gear. You’ll hear rockfall around you.
Once up the rock field you’ll reach the top of Sentinel Pass. From here you’ll continue on through Larch Valley before descending the switchbacks and retuning to Moraine Lake. This Moraine Lake hike can also be done in reverse fashion, but you usually start from the Paradise Valley side first as it’s easier to find return transport from Moraine Lake.
Top Hikes at Lake Louise
Just around the corner from Moraine Lake is the equally famous Lake Louise. Below are a few of my favourite hikes at Lake Louise, however you can find every hike (including backcountry trails) at Lake Louise in this post.
To find detailed guides and more Lake Louise hikes, check out these posts
Lake Agnes
Lake Agnes is the most famous hike in Banff. The trail wanders through the forest before reaching a teahouse next to this beautiful lake. You can grab a snack here, find the little waterfall nearby, or just enjoy the scenery.
This hike is rated moderate and it’s very doable regardless of your previous hiking experience.
Little Beehive
The Little Beehive is just around the corner from Lake Agnes. This is another fairly easy trail and it’s a great place to watch sunrise over Lake Louise. The Little Beehive and Lake Agnes are typically done in conjunction with one another.
As you can see, the higher you hike above Lake Louise the bluer the lake gets.
Plain of Six Glaciers
The Plain of Six Glaciers is another fairly easy trail which brings you up close and personal to 6 glaciers in the Lake Louise region. There’s also a teahouse at the end of this trail. It’s arguably one of the best places I’ve ever enjoyed a warm beverage!
Saddleback Pass
This is one of my favourite Larch hikes in all of Banff. The trail isn’t overly long and the pass is covered in golden Larch trees in early October.
Mount St Piran
Mt St Piran is one of the most challenging hikes listed here, but it’s still very doable. This is one of the quieter trails at Lake Louise so if you like to “get away from the crowds,” this might be the perfect trail for you.
From the summit you can see both Lake Louise and Lake Agnes, plus you’ll have a wide open view down the Bow Valley.
To see more of my Lake Louise hiking guides and to find more info about the hikes above, read this post
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Recommended Hiking Gear for the Rockies
Below are my personal recommendations and favourite products for Rockies specific hiking gear.
If you’re after a more extensive gear breakdown, check out this post.
Backpack: I prefer a smaller 24L pack for shorter day hikes and a 36L bag for longer day hikes + light overnighters. I’ve been using the backpacks below for years and love all the features and durability they offer.
- For women: Osprey Sirrus 24L & Osprey Sirrus 36L
- For men: Osprey Stratos 24L & Osprey Stratos 36L
Hydration: I use the 3L Hydrapak to carry water. A 2L or 3L reservoir is typically the perfect size for any length of day hike. You can also bring lightweight aquatabs if you need to clean water on-the-go.
Footwear: I currently use the Scarpa Kailesh (men’s version) and full cushion crew Smartwool socks.
Safety: carry a communication device. The Garmin Inreach Mini is a fan favourite for its small size and price point.
I also always carry hiking poles (no need to purchase fancy hiking poles), a hat, and an extra layer.
Looking for my backcountry gear recommendations? Check out this post.
Rockies Hiking Gear: Winter
If you’re planning to hike the Rockies in winter, you’ll need to add a few more items to your gear arsenal. The below are my personal favourites.
Spikes: I love Hillsound’s trail crampon which provides killer traction and long-lasting durability.
Snowshoes: I use TSL’s sustainable Symbioz Hyperflex snowshoe, however any snowshoe from TSL is top of the line. This one is their midrange model which offers similar features at a light weight and better price point.
Gaiters: this is my top pick for gaiters which are great for keeping water and snow out of your boots. If you’re on a budget, these ones are a little more cost effective and have plenty of great reviews.
Warmth: I struggle with Raynaud’s disease and use Aurora Heat’s reusable, fur hand + ultra foot warmers which have made a massive difference for both winter hiking and skiing.
Softshell Pants: these are my favourite pants (men’s sizing) for cold weather hiking. They’re water resistant, wind resistant, and warm. If you’re reading from the USA, these REI pants are equivalent: women’s sizing | men’s sizing.
You can apply this information to your Moraine Lake hikes.
Canadian Rockies Hiking Tips
Hiking in the Canadian Rockies is much more advanced than hiking in other regions of Canada and around the world. Here you need to factor in high elevations, extreme weather, potentially dangerous wildlife, and vast wilderness.
Guides for hikes in: Banff | Jasper | Kananaskis | Kootenay | Waterton | Yoho
Approach: if you’re new to hiking in the Rockies, take a conservative approach and know it will likely take you longer than you think to complete a trail. Start out with smaller hikes and gradually work your way up when it comes to elevation, exposure, and remoteness. Additionally, ensure you have more than enough daylight to return to the trailhead. Keep in mind you may experience some form of altitude sickness if you’re new to the mountains.
Best Time of Year: you can hike year round in the Rockies however summer (July-early September) is best for any kind of summit hike, Larch season (when the trees turn yellow) generally happens the last week of September to the first week of October, and spring (May-June) is best for lower elevation hikes that do not cross avalanche terrain.
- Hiking in winter? Check the avalanche bulletin, take an avalanche safety course, stick to conservative terrain, hike in groups, and don’t take risks. If you’re unsure, don’t go as the Canadian Rockies can be volatile in the snow. I go off local knowledge and use a combination of the slope angle tool on Caltopo and Google Maps satellite view to survey terrain before hiking.
- My favourite weather tool for the Rockies is SpotWx.
Pets: Generally dogs are allowed on all trails in the Rockies unless otherwise stated. Dogs must remain leashed at all times.
Safety: Always tell someone (or better yet, multiple people) where you’re going and your estimated return time (check-in). Additionally, ensure you tell your safety contacts when you return (check out).
- Carry a satellite communication device as there’s typically no cell service on-trail in the Rockies. The Garmin InReach Mini is a fan favourite, however newer iPhones (14+) have a satellite feature.
What to Bring: always carry more water and snacks than you need. I always have a thin pair of gloves, sunglasses, and sun protection with me too. Blister care, tissues, and a hat are always good to have on hand. Remember, whatever you pack in, you must pack out.
What to Wear: The key is to dress in layers so you can add or take away clothing on a need basis. A combination of wool/synthetic fibres is the best material and you’ll always want to bring an extra layer for warmth (even in summer). You’ll want sturdy footwear (I prefer boots over shoes), and a water/windproof jacket as weather here is unpredictable.
Wildlife: you’ll come across many animals in the Canadian Rockies (elk, moose, deer, etc). The best thing to do is hike in groups of 4+, make noise, give all animals space, and carry bear spray (learn how to use it, too). Here are bear safety tips from Parks Canada.
Maps: I use the Alltrails+ membership which allows users to download their maps and track their location via satellite even when they’re out of service. Alltrails is also currently the best resource to find hikes in the Canadian Rockies.
Canadian Rockies Camping Tips
Camping in the Rockies takes place in two forms – front country and backcountry. Front country camping is in an established campground with amenities like bathrooms, parking, and staff. Backcountry camping is when you hike into your campsite.
Unless you’re on some form of public land – random camping and free car camping is not permitted in the Canadian Rockies. If you do plan to “free” camp in the designated areas, you must purchase the Public Lands Camping Pass.
Camping Reservations: must be made far in advance, especially for popular sites in the National Parks. Reservation day (when booking goes live) typically occurs in February. Try to book your front country and backcountry reservations then as sites will book out instantly for the entire summer.
- Front + backcountry National Park camping reservations can be made here and Kananaskis reservations can be made here: backcountry | front country.
- Can’t get a reservation? Sign up for cancellation notifications via Schnerp. I use this resource frequently and have found cancellations at even the most popular spots in the Rockies like Lake O’Hara.
When to Camp: Camping can be done year round in some locations, however many campgrounds close for the winter. If you’re hoping to backcountry camp, July-August is the best time of year for warmer and more stable weather. Keep in mind, temperatures are typically very cold at night even during peak summer.
Backcountry Campgrounds: generally have a drop toilet (bring your own TP), picnic tables, tent pads, and bear facilities (lockers or a hanging device). Two items I don’t go backcountry without are dry bags for food storage and Stasher Bags for cooking, garbage, etc.
Hut Camping: the Alpine Club of Canada has established alpine huts scattered around the Rockies and beyond. These huts must be booked in advance and cater to backcountry skiers, hikers, and climbers.
Packing advice and my personal gear recommendations can be found in my Backcountry Gear Guide.
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Things to do: tours, viewpoints & unique activities
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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.
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