Banff National Park: Day Trips and Tours from Banff

Banff National Park is known across the globe as one of the world’s best skiing destinations. However, away from the slopes, the nature reserve is home to dazzling lakes, awe-inspiring mountainscapes and ancient glaciers.

All of these natural wonders can be explored on a day trip to Banff National Park from Banff town. Discover grizzly bears in their natural habitat, challenge yourself with a rewarding hike or simply take in the sensational views of Canada’s most beloved national park.

Here's all you need to know about visiting Banff National Park, one of the most beautiful day trips from Banff.

How to get to Banff National Park from Banff?

Banff National Park spans over 6,000 kilometers within the Rocky Mountain range of southwestern Alberta in Canada. The park surrounds the town of Banff, making it the perfect place to stay and explore the wilderness that surrounds you.

From Banff to Banff National Park by car

The easiest and most direct way to journey to Banff National Park is to drive. By hiring a car, you’ll be able to create your own itinerary and visit more locations than you would via public transport.

As Banff town is situated within the park, you can drive in any direction to find awe-inspiring nature and energizing hikes. One of the most popular destinations is Lake Louise, which takes approximately 45 minutes to reach along the Trans-Canada Highway, also known as Highway 1.

From Banff to Banff National Park by public transport

If you don’t have access to a car while in Banff, you can make the jaunt to Banff National Park via the town’s public shuttle bus. This service travels to some of the most popular destinations around the park, such as the Banff Gondola and Lake Louise.

Buses run regularly and one-way fares start at just C$2 (US$1.50) making this the most affordable way to travel around Banff National Park. You can also opt to purchase day and multi-day tickets, which provide the best value for money if you’ll be in the area for more than just a few hours.

Guided tour to Banff National Park from Banff

Alternatively, book a guided excursion to Banff National Park from Banff town and let the details be taken care of for you. You may meet your tour guide at an easy-to-locate destination in the town around 9 AM.

Some tours provide a convenient accommodation pickup and drop-off service, meaning you’ll simply need to wait in your hotel lobby at a predetermined time on the day of your trip.

Tours range in duration from 1.5 hours to 8 hours, depending on the type of excursion you choose.

How much does the entrance ticket to Banff National Park cost?

The entrance fee to Banff National Park is reasonable, making it accessible for most travelers to the region. The following rates allow access to the park for one day. You can also purchase passes for camping and fishing.

• Adults: C$10.50 (US$8)
• Seniors aged 65+: C$9 (US$7)
• Children under 18: Free

It’s also possible to purchase a family/group pass, which costs C$21 (US$15) and enables up to seven people to travel together in one vehicle to enter the park.

What is the typical itinerary?

The itinerary varies significantly between each day tour to Banff National Park, depending on the duration of your excursion and the activities you choose.

You’ll likely meet your guide in the town of Banff in the morning and travel the short distance to the park together. Along the way, you can relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery from your comfortable vehicle.

Many Banff National Park day trips head in the direction of Lake Louise — one of the most famous spots in the park. Driving through Alberta, you may stop off at a variety of viewpoints to snap a photo of the magnificent mountains or participate in a short hiking tour.

Another popular destination is Moraine Lake, located just over 10 kilometers away from Lake Louise. Whichever lake your excursion stops at, you’ll have time to stretch your legs, either with your guide or at your own pace.

These day tours are usually fast-paced, visiting several sites in the region, to give you an overview of the natural beauty of Canada. You may head to glaciers, participate in a range of outdoor activities and learn about the history of the park before returning to the ski town of Banff where your day trip ends.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Banff National Park?

There are several different types of Banff National Park day trips to choose from. Whatever your interests and time restraints, you’ll be able to find an excursion that suits you, and your loved ones, whether that’s snowshoeing around a vibrant blue lake or canoeing down a gushing river.

Guided tours to Banff National Park from Banff

On a guided day trip to Banff National Park, you can expect to stop at some of the most scenic destinations in Canada. Starting out, you’ll make your way to Lake Minnewanka — the largest stretch of water in the park — which has an entire village hidden under its calm surface.

You’ll journey on to see the iconic Lake Louise and the grand hotel that sits on its shores. Here, you’ll experience the vivid turquoise hues of the water, caused by rock flour deposits, which are carried into the lake from melting glaciers as the temperatures warm.

Travel to Moraine Lake, which is set against a backdrop of 10 towering peaks. Here, you can participate in an invigorating hike or simply sit and admire the scenery.

Drive the picturesque Icefields Parkway — one of the most stunning stretches of highway in the world — and experience the tranquility of Bow Lake. Witness the impressive Crowfoot Glacier, which measures around 1.5 kilometers before making your final stop of the day at Peyto Lake.

Snowshoeing tour to Banff National Park from Banff

On this wintertime day tour of Banff National Park, you’ll experience the magic of Canada under a blanket of fluffy snow.

You’ll drive toward Lake Louise, stopping off en route at Castle Lookout. Here, you experience panoramic views across the park, which stretch for many kilometers over pine forests to the soaring mountainscape beyond.

Once you arrive at Lake Louise, you’ll don your snowshoes for an adventure around the striking stretch of water. This outdoor activity is the winter alternative to hiking and whether you’re a total novice or a walking aficionado, you’ll be able to participate in this excursion.

With a guide on hand to teach you the basics, you’ll soon be a pro at snowshoeing as you make your way around all of the most striking spots of Lake Louise before returning to Banff town.

Hiking tour to Banff National Park from Banff

Alternatively, if you’re in the region once the snow has cleared, you can opt for a hiking day tour of Banff National Park. You can personalize this excursion to suit your own needs by choosing between four different walking trails.

You can wander around Moraine Lake toward Larch Valley, which is known for its abundance of fiery-toned trees against snow-capped mountains during the fall season. Along the way, you’ll see the mirrored Minnestimma Lake and Mount Temple, which towers over the landscape at a height of 3,400 meters.

You can opt for an easier route to Consolation Lakes from the Valley of the Ten Peaks, stopping to explore the jaw-dropping beauty of Moraine Lake as you travel through the park.

Another of the hikes you can choose from travels from Lake Louise to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse, journeying through an ancient glacial valley, which will give you an insight into Canada’s geological past.

Alternatively, leave Banff National Park behind and participate in a moderate hike through Kootenay National Park, nestled in between two great mountains. During this hike, you’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of nature as you make your way through fragrant pine forests.

4-Day tour to Banff National Park from Banff

On this multi-day trip from Banff to Banff National Park, you can relax and allow all the preparations to be made for you. After being collected from Calgary Airport, you’ll recover from your jetlag overnight in a comfortable hotel before beginning your adventure the next day.

You’ll travel to Two Jack Lake, as well as Lake Minnewanka, where icy bubbles form under the surface. Discover Johnston Canyon before returning to Banff town to explore its quaint streets and bathe in thermal hot springs.

You’ll spend the following day around Lake Louise, where you can participate in snowshoeing or opt for a magical sleigh ride around the shores of the lake. Hop on the gondola to view the azure waters from above or slide down the slopes in a snow tube.

The final day of your Banff National Park tour takes you on an exploration of the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, which marks the park’s 13,000 years of aboriginal history.

You’ll also witness the magnitude of the roaring Bow Falls and see a charming Scottish castle before your excursion draws to a close.

Canoe day trip to Banff National Park from Banff

Another way to experience the delights of Banff National Park is from the water on a canoeing tour. You’ll paddle your way along the Bow River watching the dramatic Alberta scenery pass you by.

This is the perfect family-friendly activity for anyone traveling to the area during the summertime, and you’ll be able to spot mountains, pine forests, and dams as you learn how to work together to move your canoe along the water.

With an expert on hand to teach you the method behind paddling, you’ll become a canoeing expert in no time.

How much does a day trip to Baff National Park from Banff cost?

The most budget-friendly way to experience this corner of Alberta is on a canoeing day trip to Banff National Park, which costs US$50 per person and lasts 1.5 hours.

Snowshoeing excursions typically last around 4 hours and cost US$70 each. This price includes all equipment, as well as a hot beverage. A hiking tour costs around US$100 per person and you’ll receive a packed lunch to enjoy on your excursion.

A more complete full-day trip to Banff National Park lasts approximately 8 hours and you can expect to pay around US$130 per person. You’ll be part of a small group, which is limited to 15 participants and you’ll have a knowledgeable guide to show you around the area.

Those who have additional time to spare can opt for a multi-day tour of Banff National Park, which costs US$650 each and includes 3 nights' accommodation in the town of Banff.

What will you see and do?

Banff National Park is Canada’s first national park and was established in 1885. Originally a hot spring reserve, the park has grown to include over 6,600 square kilometers of land.

One of the main attractions of this natural reserve is the Icefields Parkway, which links Lake Louise to Lake Jasper National Park and extends for 230 kilometers. While this road is an accessible highway, it also serves as a tourist attraction because of its dramatic natural surroundings.

Many visitors also like to stop at the Bow River, which runs through the Alberta Rockies and all the way through Banff National Park to the city of Calgary. Another must-see on tourists’ bucket lists is Lake Louise, the glacier-fed alpine lake that is famed for its alarmingly blue waters.

The lake is framed by lofty peaks and provides ample hiking opportunities to outdoor enthusiasts. Black bears and grizzly bears can both be found within the park, and are best spotted during the spring and summer months when they leave hibernation.

Elk also call the park home and give birth to calves between May, and July, which you can see throughout the park.

Less frequently seen by tourists during Banff National Park day tours are wolves and coyotes. There are four wolf packs that reside in this area of Alberta, numbering around 40 creatures in total. Coyotes are most often spotted on Vermillion Lakes Road or the Bow Valley Parkway.

What are the opening times?

Banff National Park is open 24/7 year-round. However, if you wish to visit the visitor center, you’ll find it open between 9 AM and 5 PM from September to May, and from 8 AM to 8 PM during the summer months.

When is the best time to visit Banff National Park?

The best time to plan a day trip to Banff National Park depends on the experience you're seeking. Those who are looking for powdery slopes and snow-covered landscapes will find the winter months to be most suited to their needs.

The ski season typically lasts between November and May. However, you'll find the best conditions during February when the snow is fresh and dry or March, which often experiences the largest snowfall of the season.

Temperatures range drastically from -22 to 10 degrees Celsius during the winter season, depending on which month you head to the park. The coolest month is December when daytime averages are around -10 degrees Celsius, while April and May experience milder temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius.

Alternatively, if your interests lie in hiking, you may choose a day tour to Banff National Park during the summer, once the snow has cleared. July and August are the hottest months of the year when temperatures hover around 18 and 20 degrees Celsius with long and sunny days.

However, with these warmer conditions come plenty of tourists wanting to make the most of the short summer season. If you wish to avoid the crowds, you should consider visiting in the shoulder months of June or September, when you’ll experience warm weather and be able to trek around the park's trails undisturbed.

Travel tips

• The temperatures in Banff National Park can vary dramatically between day and night so ensure you take plenty of spare layers with you on your excursion.
• Check to see whether your Banff National Park day trip includes the entrance fee to the park.
• Some day tours include lunch within the price. If yours doesn’t, consider packing a meal to take with you as you won’t find many restaurants in the park.
• If you spot wildlife within the park, make sure you keep a safe distance and never try to feed any animals.