For the first time, at 34 years old, I have finally set foot on North American soil. I am excluding the stopovers in “LA” (Los Angeles) while waiting for another flight! Today I’m writing my first article on Canada, a beautiful country that I had the opportunity to discover during my road trip to the USA in the summer of 2018. In fact, to be honest, I only discovered a tiny part of Canada, on the Alberta-British Columbia border. Today I’m talking about a great place, which I absolutely loved: Banff National Park.
This park is located not far from the American border and I was very lucky to spend a whole week there. At that time I was visiting Glacier National Park, in America, and after meeting a lovely couple and their 2 children, was convinced to cross the border. A few hours later, I found myself in, what I consider, a postcard setting at the foot of the Canadian Rockies.
This article is all about the unmissable things found in Banff Park. This article will give you lots of useful information for visiting the park with some extra tips too!
I only spent a week in the park and honestly I would have stayed another week, without a problem, to hike and discover more of the turquoise lakes…Hold on, talking of beautiful lakes…
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Let’s start at the beginning; this is one of the two most famous spots in the park, one of the most photographed and one of the most visited. When you get to the edge of the lake you’ll see why! If the 3 billion tourists who are already at the lake can be ignored, even at 7am (if I can do it you can too …), the setting is simply magical.
Simply imagine a lake of the most magical colour with, at sunrise, the reflections of the mountains set just behind glistening in the water, all next to a sublime 19th century castle. It’s very beautiful to see. So yes, there are a lot of people there and you would have to be there very early or very late to avoid them, say 6:30 in the morning or around 9 or 10 pm. That will not only give you a little space before the crowds arrive but will have the added bonus of providing you with beautiful light for your photographs.
It should be noted that it is possible to go on some beautiful walks and hikes around the lake and see lots of other panoramas of the lake and the castle. Even though it’s very touristy, these paths around the lake, and the views you see in the park are a real must.
Moraine Lake
Another must in Banff National Park. Many people come to the park just to see the lakes, Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, and then continue on their way. In fact, pictures of them even appear on the country’s $20 bills! Generally, people visit Moraine Lake and Lake Louise on the same day, as they are only 14 km apart.
So what makes Moraine Lake different from Lake Louise? The latter has a magnificent turquoise colour and this particular shade of blue/green makes the lake almost look like a lagoon, depending on the brightness of the day when you happen to visit it. The reflections in the lake of the mountains and the fir-covered slopes are simply extraordinary.
lake moraine things to do in banff national park
Moraine Lake is, like Lake Louise, a victim of its own success… There are a lot of people who visit it every day. The road leading to the lake is only open from 6:30 am from May to October. I recommend that you get there very early in the morning or late at night if you don’t want to be disappointed. I went to the lake one morning at around 8am and when I arrived at the entrance to the road which takes you to the lake, I found it was already closed because there were no more space in the parking lot! Another day, cars were already queuing at 6:00 am waiting for the road to be opened. Therefore, there are definitely many people. I eventually decided to go to the lake in the evening at 10pm and still spent 30 minutes in a traffic jam….
Do take the time to climb the pebble mound on the left when you arrive, the view from above is truly breathtaking.
Lake Minnewanka
Yet another lake, and for me this is the real beauty of the park! This lake has a particular history, as it’s semi-artificial. Since the start of the 20th century dams were used to create this lake and achieve the result we see today. The spot is really superb even if it is still quite busy with tourists and locals coming to fish and relax in this amazing setting. The surrounding mountains and endless forest are breathtaking.
The old village has been completely submerged by the rising waters and scuba diving enthusiasts have a great time here. Note that you can also take a boat trip on the lake. I didn’t but I’m sure it’s a wonderful experience considering the location….
And yes, it’s also nice to spend a day in the city of Banff, or even just a morning, to soak up a little of the local atmosphere. If you are visiting in the summer, sit on one of the terraces in the sun and enjoy a tasty coffee!
The streets are still very touristy between June and September and I must admit, there were too many people for my liking. But I still liked being in a small town nestled at the foot of the mountains and, in particular, Sulphur Mountain.
The town doesn’t have the same attraction for me as the park, but it’s perfect for a little shopping and to enjoy some everyday life in beautiful surroundings. Definitely nice to spend a morning there…
Get up high with a funicular
I must admit that I hesitated to put this in an article about Banff National Park however the Banff Gondola ride, up on the funicular of Sulphur Mountain on the outskirts of the town of Banff, offers visitors the chance to see breathtaking panoramic views from way up high. An opportunity I didn’t want to miss! By the way, I’ve since found out that there is another one of these rides at Lake Louise, which I don’t know about at the time.
When I climbed to the top of Sulphur Mountain, the weather was not ideal and there were a lot of people there. So overall, the conditions for me were not great, however, the idea is a good one: a large funicular with an amazing view of the town of Banff and surrounding mountains. In good weather, I’m sure it must be magical! At the top, you will find everything you need; things to eat, read, and of course souvenirs to buy, etc.
From a financial point of view, the ride was a little pricey for my liking, $64/adult and $32 for children. I think that’s too much to pay to see a view, no matter how amazing. The funicular at Lake Louise is cheaper, and I’m sure just as spectacular. It’s definitely a must so do try to take one or the other of these rides when you go there.
Going on a hike
If there is one thing you must do in Banff National Park, it is to walk. A bit like going to the Maldives and not going diving, it’s unthinkable! The park is perfect for all nature lovers to discover the local fauna and flora. On the agenda: rivers, waterfalls, snow-covered peaks, gorges, abundant wildlife and all of that in a dream setting.
I was able to go on a few short hikes and walks in the park, mainly around the more known areas, but if you have the time, I’m sure you would appreciate getting off the tourist track and doing a little exploring of your own. Having my 3-year-old with me made it a bit difficult to go on long hikes, but I hope to come back one day and take a little more time to really see the park.
For lovers of walking, it is the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with nature in a truly beautiful setting. However, do be careful around the wildlife (bears, etc.) and respect the instructions given about care and safety in the park. There’s a good summary, given here on the Canadian government website, of what you need to know and also a list of all the walks/hikes in the different sections of the park.
Swimming at Banff Upper Hot Springs
What could be better after a good day’s hiking than relaxing in the city’s hot springs?! There are several of these springs in the park but the Upper Hot Springs are the most famous and closest to the city.
It’s a great spot and a really affordable one. At the time when this article was written it cost only $8 C so it is definitely worth taking a look around and spending an hour or two relaxing in these beautiful hot springs.
Vermilion Lakes
These lakes are one of the other wonders I was fortunate to see during my stay in Canada. Located just outside the town of Banff, and easily accessible, is another perfect opportunity to enjoy a quiet walk, especially if you are travelling with your family.
I recommend that you make time to go at least once in the late evening, as I did, in order to admire the magnificent reflections in the lakes, which are once again surrounded by mountains and their peaks. In good weather, Mount Rundle is one of the most beautiful in the area. The scenic road is only 4 km long, and easily travelled on foot!
A very beautiful stroll in a fairy tale setting, at least that’s how I would describe it!
This is another wonderful place I visited in Banff Park. You can access it via the road between Banff and Lake Louise (it is signposted). The valley is famous, as are many places in the park, for its splendid landscapes, wildlife and hiking trails. The trail goes on for 48 km!
You can easily spend a day in this beautiful valley. With a little luck (which we didn’t have), you can meet some of the wildlife (bighorn sheep or black bears, for example). All along the road are areas in which to stop and observe the scenery, which is absolutely breathtaking in some places.
One of the best-known areas of the valley is the beautiful Johnston Canyon. It is better to be there early in the summer to really appreciate this valley. You might also like to take the time to drive around in your car looking at the scenery and searching for animals. The road is well laid out with a lot of picnic tables, etc. It’s perfect for taking it easy and relaxing with your family!
Otherwise known as the Glacier Route, this route is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen on my travels. It’s so beautiful; words just don’t do it justice! Icefields Parkway starts a little north of Lake Louise and ends at the entrance to the town of Jasper, about 230 km further north. The road offers breathtaking panoramic views of the glaciers.
Think about starting your journey from Lake Louise and heading towards Jasper, or vice versa. Considering the position of the sun, I would say that it is better to start from the South, starting from Lake Louise, and heading north, especially for those photographers among you. To give you a little practical advice; set off early, very early! We set off around 6am, just before sunrise. Seeing the sun emerge from behind the mountains and glaciers was truly magical to see.
On the agenda of a very long day: breathtaking views of snow-covered mountains and their peaks, the white of the rivers, glaciers hanging from rocky peaks, a scattering of wildlife here and there. In short: it’s extraordinary.
How long to visit Banff National Park?
Last but not least, how many days should you spend in Banff? This is a difficult question to answer, because it will depend on a lot of factors, including how much time you actually have.
Based on my experience, I would say that a week in the park is a good amount of time. That gives you a day to visit the town of Banff as well as having time to visit all the attractions mentioned in this article.
However, I didn’t see and do everything in the park and there are plenty more hikes giving access to other magnificent waterfalls and lakes. The fact is that travelling with a three-year-old child, while being a lovely experience, certainly has its restrictions, especially as you’ll probably end up carrying him!
In addition to the 10 points listed above, there are plenty more reasons to stay longer, especially if you love nature, walking and watching wildlife.