Quick Summary
- Lake Louise & Moraine Lake: Banff's most iconic lakes; parking is nearly impossible in summer, so plan on transit, tours, or (for Moraine Lake) biking/walking in
- Tunnel Mountain: an easy 4.7km hike with big payoff views; skip the pricey trailhead parking and park free up the road instead
- Johnson Canyon: a scenic canyon walk, but expect heavy crowds and little trail etiquette in peak summer. Marble Canyon is a good alternative with a similar experience and fewer crowds.
- Bow Valley Parkway: the scenic old highway between Banff and Lake Louise, with stops like Backswamp Viewpoint, Moose Meadows, and Morant's Curve
- Lake Minnewanka: the park's largest lake, with picnicking, paddling, and boat cruise options
- Sunrise/sunset spots: Two Jack Lake at sunrise and Vermilion Lakes at sunset are low-effort, high-reward viewpoints
- Day trips: the Icefields Parkway (Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Mistaya Canyon) and Kootenay National Park (Marble Canyon, Numa Falls, Paint Pots) both make for full, worthwhile days beyond the town itself
1. Banff Village
The town of Banff itself is worth spending a bit of time wandering around. You will probably end up seeing it in bits and pieces going in for dinner each night, but it's also a fun experience to head in early and grab a coffee and go for a walk before all of the crowds set in.
There are so many restaurants, cafes, and gift stores that you definitely won't need to repeat anywhere on your trip.
Some of my favourite spots for coffee are:
- Whitebark Cafe does a great drip coffee and has a nice patio.
- Wildflower Bakery has great coffee and a huge selection of delicious baked goods.
- Mountain Folk Coffee Co. has an amazing atmosphere for a cozy coffee date.
And my favourite places to eat are:
- Nourish Bistro Banff for great plant-based options.
- Pizzeria Sophia for the best pizza in town.
- Banff Ave Brewing Co. for a pint.
2. Cascade Of Time Gardens
This is a lovely free activity in Banff, but I do have to say it probably won't be the highlight of your trip, so only add it on if you have a bit of extra time.
These gardens are free to enter, and they are just on the edge of town at the end of Banff Ave on the Parks Canada Administration's Grounds.
This pairs nicely with a walk down to the Bow Falls Viewpoint since it is right on the way.
There isn't much to do here except walk around and enjoy the garden. I'm no gardening expert, so I won't do it justice in trying to explain exactly what they've done with the place, but I will say that I was thoroughly impressed by the landscaping they've done.
There are so many different flowers all arranged beautifully, and there are narrow little paths that meander through it all, crossing bridges and passing little wooden gazebos the whole way.
It reminded me of some of the Zen gardens in Japan, but with more of a Canadian twist.
3. Bow Falls Viewpoint
These falls are neat, but they are closer to a steep section of rapids than an actual waterfall. They aren't the most impressive waterfall you will probably see on your trip, but you can walk to them easily from town, and the path on the way is really nice.
I like to make this one of the first things I do on each trip. I grab a coffee in the village and take it to go and stroll the pathway out to Bow Falls and back to town. It's a short enough walk that I'm usually still working on my coffee when I'm back in town.
4. Surprise Corner Viewpoint
This is a great viewpoint that requires no hiking at all. It's on the way to the upper parking area for the Tunnel Mountain hike, so it pairs well before or after that hike.
Parking right by the viewpoint is limited, and in the summer it is always full. Avoid that chaos and continue up the road and past the viewpoint. There is a left turn just past the viewpoint, and right there is a massive and mostly empty parking lot.
Parking here is free, and it's less than a 5-minute walk down to the viewpoint.
The focal point of the viewpoint is the striking Fairmount Hotel that looks more like a castle than an accommodation.
5. Tunnel Mountain
| Distance | Elevation | Time | Type | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7 km | 265 m | 2 h | out and back | moderate |
This is one of the most popular hikes in Banff and for good reason. The trail is easily accessible from the town itself, and it winds gently up to the top of Tunnel Mountain, which is the relatively small mountain that sticks up right at the edge of town.
This is a pretty easy hike. It's about a 5km round trip, and you climb about 265m to get to the peak. The terrain is pretty easy since the path is wide and the incline is steady. The hike will take around 2 hours, but could be a bit faster depending on your pace and how busy the trail is.
Most hikes around Banff have a natural crowd limit because of finite parking, but this trailhead can just be walked to from town, and some tour buses drop off massive groups as well. The path is wide enough that 2 way traffic is no problem, but don't expect a peaceful walk or any solitude.
This hike is still well worth it even with the crowds. There are several viewpoints along the way to the peak, some looking out over Banff, and others looking over the other side of the mountain and out to Bow Valley stretching out between the mountain ranges.
There are a pair of iconic red Muskoka chairs at the top that make for an excellent photo op, and there is a large open area where the views really open up, and there is enough space for everyone to get a photo even with how busy it is.
Don't park at the actual trailhead. This is very expensive paid parking. The best place to park is up the road a bit where the parking is free, and you shave off a bit of the elevation you need to climb.
6. Ride The Banff Gondola
If you want the views from the top of a mountain without sweating through your shirt, the Banff Gondola is the move. It whisks you up Sulphur Mountain in about 8 minutes, and you go from valley floor to sitting above the treeline before you've even finished your coffee.
Tickets aren't cheap, and this is one of the more expensive things you'll do in town, but the views at the top make a solid case for themselves. On a clear day you can see out over the entire Bow Valley, with Banff town looking tiny below and mountain ranges stretching out in every direction.
Book your ticket online ahead of time. Walk-up prices are higher, and in peak summer the midday and afternoon slots sell out. Early morning is your best bet for both cost and crowds.
Once you're at the top there's more to do than just look around. A boardwalk trail leads you along the ridge to Sanson's Peak, where there's a historic weather observatory perched right at the summit. It's an easy, mostly flat walk (with some stairs), and it's paved the whole way, so it's a good option even if you've got people in your group who aren't up for a real hike.
There's also a restaurant and a couple of dining options at the top if you want to make a meal out of the views, though like everything else up there, expect to pay a premium for the location.
If you'd rather save the ticket price and don't mind the effort, you can hike up the Sulphur Mountain Trail instead and ride the gondola down (but you will still need to buy a download ticket), or skip it entirely and hike both ways. It's about 5.5km one way with a solid, steady climb the whole way up, so budget 2-3 hours if you're going up on foot.
7. Picnic at Cascade Ponds
This is probably the most popular picnic spot I've ever seen. We went on a Saturday in August, and we had to wait around 15 minutes for a parking spot. The parking lot is massive, but it was filled to the brim, and everyone had the exact same idea as us: picnic by the lake.
Families, couples, and whole tour groups were set up on the grass and at the many picnic tables set up across the area.
There are several small lakes that kids were taking all sorts of flotation devices out on, and several beautiful flat trails that walkers and cyclists were taking advantage of.
It's one of the best places in Banff to have a picnic; just don't expect any solitude.
And also watch out for the squirrels. They are very emboldened, and they are cheeky enough to try and join you for lunch.
8. Sunrise At Two Jack Lake
This doesn't necessarily have to be a sunrise mission. The lake is still stunning during the day, but at sunrise there is an entirely different magic.
We did sunrise here later in the year, in October, so the sunrise was quite a bit later and made it a lot more manageable. But if you manage to get here for sunrise, you will be rewarded by one of the most beautiful views in Banff.
The morning light glows on the peak and slowly engulfs more and more of the mountains as it climbs in the sky.
The still morning air leaves the lake completely unperturbed, making it unbelievably reflective. Seeing a double vision of the mountains, lightly dusted with snow, and glowing in the morning light was one of the highlights of the Autumn visit.
The lake is just a 15-minute drive from town, and there is free parking at pit toilets right next to the lake. So no big drive and no long hike required, making it one of the best effort-to-reward ratios of anything on this list.
9. Sunset at Vermillion Lakes
Similarly, this doesn't have to be only a sunset spot, but it is a popular option.
This one is just a 5-minute drive from town, or you could walk from the free parking by the train station in less than half an hour.
There is a small parking lot close to the famous dock, but if it is full, there is a big shoulder along the road you can park on.
The lake itself is gorgeous, and the dock is an amazing spot for photos, but for me, the thing that steals the show is the amazing and unobstructed view of Mount Rundle.
There aren't any washrooms or picnic areas here, so it's more suited for a quick visit or a great place to watch the sun go down.
10. Johnson Canyon
This is one of the most well-known stops along the Bow Valley Parkway just outside of Banff town. It's almost too well known, because the crowds in peak summer can be a bit much.
Parking is tough but not impossible. We visited on a weekend at the end of August, and the place was packed, but we circled the parking lot for less than 5 minutes and got lucky with someone heading out. There is a constant cycle of people moving on, so parking is really just a game of patience. We showed up around noon and still got a spot, so anything is possible.
The hike itself is quite nice since it follows the canyon the whole way
To be honest, the crowds do take away from this a bit. If you don't normally hike in Canada, the crowds might not be so surprising, but if you are a frequent hiker in BC and Alberta, you will notice a complete lack of trail etiquette here. You will have people dragging their feet without looking behind them for anyone moving at a fast clip. You have big groups congesting the trail with no concept of 2 way traffic.
This is a full-on tourist-dominated zone, so don't expect any of the regular courtesy you see elsewhere in Canada. Go into this expecting busy and ill-informed crowds, and you won't be disappointed.
The canyon itself is very impressive and has earned the huge crowds it draws.
11. Lake Minnewaka
This is the largest lake in Banff National Park, and it is just a short drive out of town.
I consider this one of the must-see stops in Banff. Not only is the lake amazing to see, but the surrounding forests and mountains are stunning, untouched wilderness. There is also a lot to do at this lake. There are areas for picnics; there are boats you can rent to paddle yourself out onto the lake; or, if you want to get out on the lake without the effort, you can also book one of the boat cruises that take you out into the middle of the massive lake with no paddling required.
For more details about your activity options, check out our full Lake Minnewaka guide.
12. Bow Valley Parkway
Bow Valley Parkway is a stunning drive. It runs parallel to the Trans Canada Highway, and it seems a little bit pointless at first. Why does this slower 2 lane road wind through the forest if the speedy highway takes you to the same place faster? It's actually because this was the original road that connected Banff and Lake Louise, before Highway 1 was built.
Now it is just the much more scenic option with plenty of stops along the way. Here are the notable stops to make along the way.
- Backswamp Viewpoint
- Hillsdale Meadow Viewpoint
- Johnson Canyon
- Moose Meadows
- Castle Mountain Lookout
- Storm Mountain Lookout
- Mourant's Curve
If you're short on time, prioritize Backswamp Viewpoint, Johnson Canyon, and Mourant's Curve.
Check out our 'Full Bow Valley Parkway' guide for more details on each stop.
13. Lake Louise
Some places are overrated and just famous for being famous. This is not one of them. This is one of the most photographed places in Canada, but somehow it is still not overrated.
Because of the lake's popularity, it is a bit complicated to visit. Parking here is nearly impossible all summer, leaving you with several transit and tour options for getting here.
Once you arrive, there is a lot to see and do. There are several different viewpoints that are varying difficulties to reach, a chill lakeside walk you can do, and of course the iconic red canoes you can rent to get out on the water.
To make sure you make the most of your visit, check out our 'How to Get To Lake Louise' guide to see all of your options for transportation.
And to make the most of your visit, check out our 'Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Lake Louise' guide that breaks down all the best hikes and viewpoints around the lake.
14. Moraine Lake
This is arguably the most famous lake in Canada, and it's known for that for a good reason. They literally had to stop letting people drive here because the demand was so ridiculous. Now, if you want to visit, you will need to be self-propelled, like on your own two feet or a pair of non-motorized wheels.
The road to the lake is long and climbs the whole way steadily. Lots of cyclists take on the challenge, but these are usually experienced cyclists with nice road bikes and strong legs.
The way most people visit, and what we did, is through a tour.
There are several tours that can get you out to the lake, and they are all subtly different.
A lot of tours take you to both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise on the same day. This is what we opted for, and we're really happy we did.
The two lakes are pretty close together, so it makes sense to bundle them up into the same day.
For more information about the many different ways you can reach Moraine Lake, and what to do when you get there, check out our 'Things to Know Before Visiting Moraine Lake' guide.
15. Icefields Parkway Day Trip
You could spend days exploring the Icefields Parkway and still just scratch the surface of what there is to see here.
But if you stick just to the highlights, you can make an amazing day trip along this stretch of highway.
If you only have 1 day, I would suggest prioritizing:
- Bow Lake
- Peyto Lake
- Waterfowl Lakes
- Mistaya Canyon
- Howse Pass Viewpoint
And if you want to get a hike in during the day trip, I would pick one of these:
- Bow Glacier Falls
- Parker Ridge
- Chephren lake
There are way more stops to do and lots of great hikes along the route between Banff and Jasper, so make sure to check out our comprehensive Icefields Parkway guide to see all the rest of the stops worth making and more details about how to make the most of your trip.
16. Kootenay National Park Day Trip
The highway that connects Banff and Radium Hot Springs cuts through Kootenay National Park, and there are enough roadside stops and hikes to fill an entire day trip from Banff.
The highlights along this route are:
- The Continental Divide
- Marble Canyon
- Numa Falls
- Paint Pots
My personal favourite thing to do along this stretch of highway is hiking to Floe Lake, but this is a big hike and will take up pretty much your whole day.
And if you make it all the way down to Radium Hot Springs, you might as well take a short detour to go have a soak in the natural hot springs the town is named after.
For more details about all of these stops, plus a few more worthwhile detours, check out our Full Kootenay National Park guide.
The highway that connects Banff and Radium Hot Springs cuts through Kootenay National Park, and there are enough roadside stops and hikes to fill an entire day trip from Banff.
The highlights along this route are:
- The Continental Divide
- Marble Canyon
- Numa Falls
- Paint Pots
My personal favourite thing to do along this stretch of highway is hiking to Floe Lake, but this is a big hike and will take up pretty much your whole day.
And if you make it all the way down to Radium Hot Springs, you might as well take a short detour to go have a soak in the natural hot springs the town is named after.
For more details about all of these stops, plus a few more worthwhile detours, check out our Full Kootenay National Park guide.
Final Thoughts
Banff earns its reputation as the heart of the Rockies, but that reputation comes with crowds, so go in with the right expectations. The classics like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Johnson Canyon are worth the hype (and the parking headaches), while quieter wins like Two Jack Lake at sunrise or the free stroll to Bow Falls give you some breathing room from the tour buses. Round it out with a day trip down the Icefields Parkway or through Kootenay National Park, and you've got more than enough to fill a trip.
With this many options, it helps to know how to actually string them together. That's where our 3 Day Banff Itinerary comes in. We've taken the highlights from this list and mapped them into a structure that balances the big-ticket sights with the low-key spots, without the whiplash of backtracking across town. Check it out to see exactly how to fit it all in.
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