Banff is one of the world’s most amazing destinations that you should visit at least once in your lifetime. Located just a short 80 minute drive from Calgary, this beautiful national park is the perfect place to escape the city buzz. Although it’s considered Canada’s premier ski destination, there are way more things to do in Banff in summer than in winter.
Banff is a perfect destination to include in any road trip to Canada. There is a reason why it’s considered one of the 10 best National Parks to visit in Alberta. Everywhere you look you see dazzling glaciers, spectacular rivers, alpine meadows and snow covered peaks.
The guide below will give you all the information you need for visiting Banff in summer, including how to get there, things to do, and places to stay.
Table of Contents
How to Get to Banff
The closest airport to Banff is in Calgary, about 80 miles away from the park. To get to Banff from Calgary you can either have to rent a car and drive there, or use the bus service from.
My recommendation would be to rent a car in Calgary, because without one you won’t be able to visit too much. Some people even consider renting a camper van in order to avoid paying for a hotel. If that sounds like a good option for you, try Camper Champ, a camper rental comparison website with very competitive prices and quite an extensive camper-van selection.
The roads in Banff are very well-maintained and marked, so driving around is not a problem, even if you visit Banff and Calgary in winter.
The park is comprised of the town of Banff, Lake Louise, Castleguard Caves, more than a thousand glaciers and glacier lakes and hundreds of hotels and restaurants.
Best Things to Do in Banff in the Summer
We visited Banff for a 3 days in summer. That was just enough time to get a taste of the majestic scenery of one the most beautiful destinations in Canada. But it wasn’t enough time to be able to accomplish all the things that you can do in Banff. Even if we stayed there another week, we still could not have covered everything there is to see and do in Banff in summer.
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1. Stroll Through Downtown Banff
Banff is a charming small-town with a lot of shops, great restaurants and many other attractions. It is worth spending at least a day there, boating on Lake Minnewanka, or visiting the excellent Jasper Brewing Co. for a taste of craft beer brewed on the premises.
2. Ride the Gondola to the Top of Sulphur Mountain
After lunch, embark on the Banff Gondola for a short ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Once you are at the top, walk along the broadwalk that takes you to a 360º observation deck for some stunning views of the Bow River Valley and Banff. This is one of the best things to do in Banff with kids, as they have a great time both in the gondola and up the mountain.
3. Visit Moraine Lake
About an hour drive north of town you find one of the most spectacular lakes in Banff: Moraine Lake. Nestled in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, this picture-perfect is surrounded by snowcapped peaks and hiking trails. There is an easy 45 minute hike (round-trip) around the lake that starts near Moraine Lake Lodge.
4. Rent a Canoe
After hiking around the lake, rent a canoe and paddle on the turquoise crystal-clear water. It’s a thrilling experience that you won’t forget very soon.
5. Take a Boat Trip Down Lake Minnewanka
This is a beautiful lake right off the highway on the way to Banff. Lake Minnewanka offers lots of walking trails, easy for families with young children. Early morning light casts a soft glow on the dark water. The landscape is absolutely spectacular!
6. Visit Columbia Icefield
One of the biggest attractions in the area is the Columbia Icefield, a huge body of ice located on the southern edge of Banff National Park. Although it’s a bit of a drive from Banff Town (about 2 ½ hours), the ice field is well worth the trip.
We booked a tour on an Ice Explorer – a special bus equipped to handle the icy terrain – which took us out onto the glacier.
There are quite a few other things to do on a stop at the Columbia Icefield, besides riding the Ice Explorer. Like hiking the Athabasca Glacier, or simply driving around and take pictures of the grandiose scenery around.
7. Hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House
The hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House one of the most popular hikes in Banff. The trail starts near the Fairmont Chateau Hotel, then goes down the lakeshore. From here you continue for a few hundred meters until you will see another path that breaks off to the right. A sign post marks it as the Lake Agnes Trail.
The hike is rather long and tiring, so bring water and appropriate hiking attire. It is however one of the most spectacular ones in Banff.
8. Spot Wildlife
One of the best things to do in Banff in summer is try to spot wild animals.
Encounters with the wildlife are not accidental but almost imminent, which makes the visit even more exciting. In fact you have to exercise utmost care at all times because you can come across a huge bear with cubs, or a large caribou even on the highway.
Therefore, it’s best to respect posted notices about wildlife in some areas and to carry bear spray if hiking or biking.
Where to Stay When Visiting Banff National Park
Initially we were thinking of camping in Banff because it was summer and the weather was good. However, because it was our wedding anniversary, my husband surprised me and rented a room at one of the most luxurious hotels in Banff: Fairmont Lake Louise.
The hotel is rather expensive, but the location is out-of-this-world beautiful: right on the edge of Lake Louise.
If you are looking for luxury accommodation, another option is the Stoneridge Mountain Resort. Tucked away in the mountains, this fancy ski resort is an excellent option for traveling families. The hotel has an outdoor pool with hot tub and a library of games and movies.
There are many other accommodations in the National Park, from small cabins and Airbnb apartments, to five star hotels. But if you are on a budget, one option is to stay in the town of Banff, just a few kilometers away from the big resorts in the park.
Is It Worth Visiting Banff in Summer?
There are many great destinations in Canada that you shouldn’t miss, but most travel guides consider Banff National Park a travelers’ mecca for a good reason. It is home to an incredible diversity of animals, from small bats and rodents, to large bears, wolves, caribou, or Bighorn sheep.
Best Time to Visit Banff
The best time to visit Banff depends a lot on what you are planning to do there. If you are up for hiking, biking, paddling, and climbing, you should be visiting Banff in summer.
Peak Season in Banff is in summer, from June to August, when the lakes are warm enough and the weather is perfect for hiking. If you choose to visit Banff in summer however, you should book your hotel in advance.
Winter is equally beautiful in Banff if you love skiing and snowboarding. There are three major downhill ski resorts within the park, great for downhill and cross-country skiing. The ski season at Banff is one of the longest in North America, running from November to May.
But even if you visit Banff in summer, you should know that wether in the Canadian Rockies is very unpredictable. In a single day you can have a mix of sunshine, snow, wind, and rain, so dressing in layers is a good idea.
We were lucky that we didn’t experience any bad weather in August, but still if you visit the glaciers you can count of high winds and cold air.
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Betta
Moraine Lake is one of favourite destinations 🙂
Cathy
Beautiful photos, glad to have found your blog through your interview with The Guy Who Flies! I would love to go to Banff for kayaking and hiking, amazing place.
Anda Galffy
Thank you, Cathy. I’m really glad you like my blog and hope to see you around.
Liz
Gorgeous photos, as always! 🙂 Banff remains very high on my travel wish list. Hopefully next year. 🙂
Anda Galffy
Hope you’ll get to see Banff, Liz. It’s absolutely beautiful.
Amanda Jomes
Banff national parks is famous for it’s glaceries and icefields.In this park a nature centric road trip is the easiest ways to visit banff’s the major sites and catch the leaf action of velleys and rivers.
Ruth
What an awesome place! I want to visit one day. This is one of the reason I love Canada.
Tara Lepore
Banff is a dream destination. Thanks for the great inspirational post!
SJ
Canada is one place that comes up often for us as a place to go – what am I wanting for. This is beautiful.
Esther
Great!! My husband has family in west Canada and we simply must go and visit them someday.
Katrina Elisabet
How beautiful! I didn’t know much about Banff, but your post (and pictures) have made me want to go visit.
Ari
Ah, what a gorgeous place. Such beauty is hard to believe exists. Added to the list. Thanks!!!
Adelina // Pack Me To
Super gorgeous! I’ve been to the park when I was really little, but I’m thinking of doing another road trip through the region next year summer perhaps.
Anda Galffy
You’d have a blast there, Adelina. It’s so beautiful…
Francesca
SO beautiful! I’ve been dreaming of Banff since childhood. Hope to get there someday soon!
Anda Galffy
Thanks, Francesca. Hope you will get to see Banff in the near future.
jennifer
Banff looks so beautiful. The town is adorable too. It looks like it belongs on another continent.
Anda Galffy
Banff is a great choice for traveling with children. They get to see and learn so much about nature there.
JP
I love Banff! A fairy tale of a place 🙂
Anda Galffy
It is, isn’t it?
Lauren
Absolutely breathtaking and stunning photographs! I really want to go here…
Vlad
Anda, I think these pictures redefine the word “breathtaking”. I’m definitely adding this wonderful place to my list!
Anda Galffy
Thank you, Vlad. Hope you’ll get to see it someday…
Marisol@TravelingSolemates
Hi Anda, I love your description of paradise, made me think of my own description and found it pretty matches up yours. I will be happy to visit then this paradise of Banff. I have heard about how beautiful it is but had no idea of its grandeur. Your photographs are so stunning and brings the beauty of Banff to life. The gondola ride with 360 degree view of paradise must be exhilarating. I wish to go hiking here sometime soon. Hopefully, we’ll be lucky with the weather like you did. Thanks for hosting this weekly link-up.
Anda Galffy
Thank you, Marisol. Banff is so beautiful, it made the list for the 5 places I would revisit anytime.
Isabella
I head so many stories about beautiful Canadian nature. Haven’t been there yet, but I think it’s time to visit my family living there 🙂
BTW great photos!
Anda Galffy
An extra reason to go visit Banff, Isabella.
Anne Sutherland-Smith
Thanks for sharing your amazing photos of the area around Banff. This is a part of the world I definitely want to see as the landscapes and wildlife are so gorgeous.
Anda Galffy
Thank you, Anne. Banff is a real paradise.
Lyn - A Hole in my Shoe
Wow Anda, these photos are breathtaking and even your beautiful description of paradise does not do this area justice. In a word, AMAZING!
Anda Galffy
Thank you, Lyn. Always kind …
K.T.
You pictures are STUNNING! Can’t believe we are Canadian and never been to Banff. I think that makes us “Bad- Canadians”?
Anda Galffy
Not necessarily, K.T. I haven’t been all over USA myself either …
Anne Klien ( Meanne)
Wow stunning views
Mark
Banff is most possibly the most beautiful places on earth. Love going there and will go again and again.
Anda Galffy
I’m planning a return trip myself. It’s gorgeous.
Ryan Biddulph
Hi Anda,
What an absolutely stunning collection of images you have here.
Banff looks like paradise because it’s so clean, and pristine, and its views are eye-popping. I vibe with the nature thing too. Chance encounters with bear or caribou make me feel alive, and yep, even if I run into a bat here and there I feel invigorated.
Here in Savusavu Fiji, we see monstrously large fruit bats swoop in to rain the 20 or so papaya trees on the front lawn. These guys – also know as flying foxes – have about a 3 foot wingspan. They look like little dogs with wings. So cute but oh so loud at night as they screech, and claw at each other, fighting for the best fruits. As you can imagine their fighting carries deep into the jungle night here in a remote area but I’m used to it by now; doesn’t keep me up.
Adding this one to the list Anda. Way different climate and views but the pristine beauty reminds me of Fiji, in that everything is so clean, clear and crisp, it just wakes you up to nature, and to endless beauty.
Thanks so much for sharing, and I’ll tweet this soon for my travel blogger buddies….I know they’ll dig it 😉
Signing off from Savusavu.
Ryan
Anda Galffy
Thanks for the detailed comment. I see you do what you preach which is a great thing.
Adrienne
Your photos are breathtaking and making me want add Banff to my near future bucket list!
Anda Galffy
Thank you, Adrienne. Banff is one of those places that look almost surreal.