Banff National Park
Epic Rockies views, family fun, and frugal Banff adventures
Highlights
See legendary turquoise waters at Lake Louise and Bow Lake along with stunning alpine backdrops.
Walk kid-friendly trails like Johnston Canyon and Fenland Trail with minimal elevation gain.
Stroll Banff Avenue, Bow River, and local viewpoints all within walking distance of downtown.
Keep an eye out for elk, deer, and mountain goats from safe distances along the park roads.
Cruise stretches of the Icefields Parkway and Bow Valley Parkway for world-class vistas on a budget.
Soak sore legs in the historic Banff Upper Hot Springs after a day of exploring.
Where to Stay
2 picks
HI Banff Alpine Centre
Budget-friendly hostel on Tunnel Mountain Road offering private family rooms, shared kitchen, laundry, and a free Roam Transit pass in some seasons.
Canmore Downtown Hostel
Simple hostel-style lodging in nearby Canmore with access to a shared kitchen, close to cheaper supermarkets and restaurants than Banff.
Where to Eat
10 picks
Coyotes Southwestern Grill
Casual sit-down spot with hearty breakfasts; share big plates like pancakes or breakfast burritos and water instead of drinks to keep costs down.
IGA Banff
Full-service supermarket where you can grab sandwich ingredients, rotisserie chicken, salads, fruit, and snacks for DIY picnics.
BeaverTails Banff West
Canadian pastry stand serving fried dough topped with cinnamon sugar, chocolate, or fruit—share a couple between the family.
Tommy's Neighbourhood Pub
Cozy basement pub with filling comfort food like burgers, fish and chips, and nachos; look for daily specials and share plates.
Good Earth Coffeehouse - Banff
Local coffee chain offering pastries, breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal, and good coffee; grab-and-go friendly.
Laggan's Mountain Bakery & Delicatessen
Busy bakery and deli offering sandwiches, pies, pizza-by-the-slice, and pastries perfect for takeaway picnics.
Aardvark Pizza & Sub
Take-out focused pizza and subs joint; order large pizzas and share to keep the per-person cost low.
Tim Hortons
Iconic Canadian fast-food and coffee chain with cheap breakfast sandwiches, bagels, and doughnuts—useful if you’re staying or passing through Canmore.
Subway
Familiar sandwich chain located in the Lake Louise area, good for building simple, filling subs for picnics.
McDonald's
Fast-food staple in nearby Canmore, often cheaper than many Banff town restaurants and convenient if you’re driving back to Calgary.
What to Do
14 picks
Banff Visitor Centre
Stop first for free maps, trail updates, weather info, and to ask rangers for current family-friendly trail suggestions.
Banff Avenue
Stroll the main street, pop into souvenir shops, check out the mountains framing town, and orient yourselves.
Fenland Trail
Easy 2 km loop through quiet forest and wetlands just outside town; flat and stroller-friendly if you go slowly.
Bow River Trail (Banff)
Walk the riverside path from town along the Bow River, with benches, calm water views, and easy access from Banff Avenue.
Bow Falls Viewpoint
Short walk or drive from town to a broad waterfall with viewpoints and access to the surrounding trails.
Cascade of Time Garden
Manicured terraced gardens near the Parks Canada Administration Building with mountain views and walking paths.
Johnston Canyon
Popular trail along catwalks and forest paths to Lower and Upper Falls; Lower Falls is about 1.2 km one-way and great for kids.
Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A)
Scenic secondary road between Banff and Lake Louise with viewpoints, picnic areas, and high chances of seeing wildlife from the car.
Lake Louise Lakeshore
Stroll the flat lakeshore trail for incredible turquoise lake and mountain views; benches and picnic spots along the way.
Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail
Continue beyond the main viewpoint along the 4 km return lakeshore path for quieter views and fewer crowds.
Vermilion Lakes Viewpoint
Short drive or bike ride from town to a chain of shallow lakes with wooden docks and stunning reflections of Mount Rundle, especially around sunset.
Peyto Lake Viewpoint
Short uphill walk from the parking area to a renowned viewpoint overlooking a bright blue, wolf-shaped glacial lake.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
Historic hot spring pool with mountain views; soak in warm mineral water to relax after days of hiking and driving.
Banff Legacy Trail (section near town)
Paved multi-use path connecting Banff and Canmore; you can walk or bike a short section near Banff for mountain views without traffic.
Good to Know
5 picks
Use Shuttles for Lake Access
In peak season, driving and parking at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake can be difficult and expensive; look into Parks Canada shuttles from Lake Louise Ski Resort park-and-ride or Roam Transit buses from Banff.
Pack Picnics and Refillable Bottles
Groceries, snacks, and drinks add up in Banff; bring refillable water bottles, simple snacks from home, and do one big grocery run to assemble lunches and some dinners.
Start Early to Beat Crowds
Plan your biggest sights like Johnston Canyon and Lake Louise for early morning, ideally arriving before 8–8:30 a.m. in summer.
Dress in Layers and Bring Rain Gear
Temperatures can swing from chilly to hot in a single day, and sudden showers are common; pack lightweight layers, a fleece, and a small rain jacket for everyone.
Respect Wildlife and Trail Safety
Carry bear spray on popular forested trails, hike in groups, make noise, and always keep at least 30–100 meters from wildlife while staying on marked paths.
Map
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