Banff National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The incredible natural wonders of the park offer some of the most majestic and awe-inspiring mountain views in all of Canada. There is so much to see and do with towering mountain peaks, clear turquoise waters, 130km of hiking trails, and plentiful wildlife. But one of the best things about Banff is that it’s only an hour and a half outside of Calgary! So you can easily visit it on a day trip from the city. Or better yet, stay overnight and truly indulge in the great outdoors! However you decide to visit, if you only have 24 hours in the Rockies, making the most of your time is paramount. This guided tour is here to make your day in Banff as stress-free and exciting as possible!
- First Nations Land Acknowledgement
- Banff History
- Park Pass
- When to Visit?
- How to Get to Banff
- How to Get Around Banff
- Banff Accommodation
- Hiking Tips
- The Perfect 24-Hours in Banff Tour
- Arrive at Lake Louise Early in the Morning
- Fairview Lookout Loop Hike
- Afternoon Tea at Lake Louise
- Moraine Lake
- Moraine Lake Shore Trail
- Park Distillery Restaurant and Bar
- Stargazing on Lake Minnewanka
First Nations Land Acknowledgement
Long before this area of Canada was known as “Banff,” the land was home to the First Nations, Métis, and Inuits. The area is the traditional and ancestral territory of many peoples, including the Treaty 6, 7, and 8 territories. Namely: the Blackfoot Confederacy – Kainai, Piikani, and Siksika – the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Stoney Nakoda, and the Tsuut’ina Nation and the Métis People of Alberta, as well as the unceded territory of the Ktunaxa and Secwépemc. It’s important to acknowledge those whose territory we are visiting as an act of gratitude. This is just one of many steps it’s important to recognize as a step in the journey of reconciliation.
Indigenous people have lived in the area around what is now Banff National Park for over 10,000 years. They were drawn to the Bow River as it provided a means of travel and access to rich hunting and fishing spots. The name “bow” refers to the reeds that grew on the banks of the glacier-fed river. These reeds were used by Indigenous peoples to make their hunting bows. In the Blackfoot language, the river is called Makhabn, which means “river where the bow reeds grow.“
Banff History
Banff National Park is located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. It and encompasses over 10,000 square kilometres of glacier-capped mountains, canyons, and valleys. It was actually Canada’s first national park and is the flagship of the nation’s park system! If you are Canadian, visiting the park is a right of passage. If you’re a visitor, Banff feels like the peak of Candian iconography!
The park was first established when workers on Canadian Pacific Railway discovered a series of natural hot springs. They came across them on the side of Sulphur Mountain in 1880. They were amazed by the seemingly healing properties of the springs. In 1885 the area became a federal reserve where they promoted the springs as a resort and spa just off the new railway line. It’s amazing to imagine that even over a hundred years ago, there was a direct railway that brought visitors into the Rockies. Sadly, although commercial trains still use these tracks, there is no tourist train that runs into the mountains. This is a result of corporate infighting in the ownerships of the railway’s tracks. Hopefully, they’ll resolve this in our lifetime, as a train ride through the Rockies into Banff would be so scenic.
Developement of Banff National Park
Eventually, the “Rocky Mountain Park,” as it was then known, began to expand to cover more and more areas outside the springs. It wasn’t officially named “Banff” until 1884. President George Stephen, Canadian Pacific Railway, decided to name the area after his birthplace of Banff, in Scotland.
To provide tourists with more access to the wonders of the expansive forest, construction of more roads was required. One of the most unspoken parts of Banff’s history is that this work was mostly done by prisoners of the nearby Castle Mountian internment camp. It was established in 1915 and contained a total of 660 enemy aliens of WWI. The main purpose was to use forced labour to push the Banff highway on through to Lake Louise. Grand hotels were built to accommodate the incoming tourists. Including the famous Fairmont Lake Louise.
Park Pass
Entry into the entirety of Banff National Park requires a valid Park Pass. The cost of the pass is necessary for maintaining the national park. A single adult pass costs $9.80 CAD, and children (6- 17) and seniors are $8.30 CAD. You can purchase a family pass for $19.60 CAD which covers your entire vehicle’s party.
You can purchase your Park Pass at the gate when you enter the park’s boundaries. But better yet, purchase it online before your arrival. Buying the pass in advance means you can simply print it off and then drive right into the park. That saves a bunch of time when there is a lineup to buy passes at the gate. Be sure to keep your pass on the dashboard of your vehicle, where it is clearly visible. Park rangers periodically check cars for their passes and you don’t want to get a ticket unduly!
When to Visit?
The best time to visit Banff is during the summer and early fall. Even at the height of the summer, the weather in the mountains is so much colder than in the city. Even in June, you might still see some snow! So visiting in the summer means the weather up in the mountains will be much more pleasant for exploring. My other favourite time to travel to Banff is in the fall. The crowds are much lighter, and the colours of the changing seasons are beautiful. Just be sure to dress for the chillier mornings. The winter in Banff is a sight to see, but various roads are closed, and the brilliant turquoise water of Lake Louise is frozen over.
How to Get to Banff
As mentioned before, Banff is an easy day trip from Calgary, and there are many different ways to get there. While many people think renting a car is the only option, Banff is much more accessible than you might think via public transport!
By Car
To get to Calgary by car, you’ll need to rent one from the airport or any car rental locations downtown. Car rentals in Calgary for a simple, mid-size vehicle can be found as low as $60/day. The prices go up in the summer months, so I would plan on about $100/day if travelling in high-season. If you are travelling in the summer or during busy holidays, book your rentals months in advance. You might be surprised to find car rentals book up relatively quickly as a drive into the mountains is such a popular activity. If you can’t find any rentals downtown, consider looking at the airport since they usually have more rental availability there.
By Bus
What really surprised me was that you can actually take the bus from Calgary, directly to Banff and Canmore! On-It Regional Transit offers weekend-only service to and from Calgary. You can book a spot on their Saturday service 6:40 am bus which arrives in Banff around 9:15 am. Return buses to Calgary run about every hour after 5 pm. This means you can easily spend a whole day in Banff without a car!
If you’re looking to stay in Banff overnight or for the entire weekend, you can book one of their Friday Night tickets. They will get you into Banff at 8:30pm and you can stay the entire weekend, returning Sunday afternoon. There is only one bus on Friday Night so book those tickets in advance. Sunday buses run six times a-day. Each one-way tickets only cost $10! Super affordable, and great for any budget. Be sure to book your spots in advance as there are only so many buses available.
How to Get Around Banff
Shuttle Bus
If you are driving, please please consider taking the Park and Ride Shuttle Bus. This shuttle bus runs to and from Lake Louise and Moraine Lake! Traffic congestion in the Lake Louise area is horrific, and parking is extremely limited! The parking lots are consistently full by sunrise (!) and remain full throughout the day. This means you’ll be hectically driving around and around the parking lots praying for someone to leave. Unless you’re willing to get to the parking lot at 6 am this is a real shot in the dark and could easily ruin your trip!
And don’t think if the parking lot is packed, you can just park down the road. No, park rangers patrol the area and pretty much anywhere you could think of parking is restricted. Plus, even if you arrive early and find a spot at Lake Louise, then you’ll miss the early-bird parking at Moraine Lake. And vice-versa. But not to fear! This is where the Parks Canada Shuttle Bus comes in hand.
You must book your tickets in advance as only a certain number of tickets are sold every day. Walk-up seat sales are not permitted. Tickets are only $8 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for youths (6 – 17 years), and children under 6 are free! You need to book your ticket in advance and select your specific departure time. This is to ensure no one timeslot is overcrowded. This requires a little bit of extra scheduling but is worth the effort.
Park and Ride → Lake Louise → Moraine Lake → Park and Ride
This shuttle bus runs from the Park and Ride lot to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. The Park and Ride area is located just off the Trans-Canada Highway as marked on the map. But there are plenty of signs to direct you on your way. Once you arrive you check-in at the desk to get your ticket and wait for your designated bus. Buses depart every 15-20 minutes. From the Park and Ride, you can either go directly to Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. In less than 20 minutes, you’ll arrive at the entrance to the park with NO STRESS. No worrying about finding parking spots or the need to arrive at 4 am.
I honestly cannot recommend this service enough. Not only does the shuttle bus take you from the parking lot to either Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, you can also take the shuttles between the two lakes. As many times as you want. This guided itinerary to 24-hours in Banff is created around using the public transport system and the shuttle bus as it is truly the BEST WAY to explore the area with ease. The buses run about every 15 minutes, so you never have to wait very long in between shuttles to get where you want to go.
Roam
But how do I get around once I arrive if I take the On-It bus? Well, lucky for you, your On-It tickets allow you to travel for FREE on local Roam Regional services! Roam is the local transit system around the Bow Valley. Even if you don’t have an On-It ticket but want to ditch your car for the day you can get a 1-Day pass for the Roam local transit system. Tickets cost only $5 for adults and $2.50 for students and seniors. Kids under 13 are free!
For a 1-Day ticket onto their expanded network, including buses to Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Johnston Canyon, tickets cost $15 for adults and $7.50 for seniors and students.
Banff Accommodation
Although you can easily do this 24-Hour Guide on a day trip from Calgary, staying a night in the mountains is a beautiful way to get more out of your trip to Banff. Plus, there is so much more to do outside of this one-day guide. Accommodation in Banff can be pretty pricey, so if you’re looking to save some money, try visiting during the week and avoid weekends and holidays.
Castle Mountain Chalets
Castle Mountain Chalets is my #1 choice for a stay in Banff. While many people choose to stay in the famous Banff village, this area has become somewhat too touristy for me. If I’m going to head out into the mountains, I want to feel like I’m away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Castle Mountain Chalets are located off the Trans-Canada Highway, just 20 minutes away from Lake Louise, 10 minutes from the Park and Ride lot or 24 minutes from Banff Village. So no matter where you’re off to, this is the perfect outpost.
The chalets are located under the shadow of the incredible Castle Mountain, which towers above. Their rustic and yet opulent buildings are simply stunning. The aroma of the cedar log walls is intoxicating and deeply comforting. They offer a combination of suites inside their lodge (from $189/night ) and larger chalets (from $159-$290 per night).
Juniper Hotel
The Juniper Hotel is located just on the other side of Banff village. So despite being so close to all the action, it manages to feel tranquil and out of the way. Although the hotel is more than 60 years old, there is a reason it stands today as an icon of Banff tourism. Friendly staff greet you upon walking in the door, and as soon as you step into your room, with its unparalleled views of the mountains, you’ll find it hard to leave! Opt for the deluxe room as it features mountain views and your own private balcony or deck! Starting at $209/night
Airbnbs in Banff and Canmore
In Banff Village and nearby Canmore, there are dozens and dozens of apartments created as timeshare opportunities. These are popular with locals from Alberta who loves to take weekend escapes to the mountains. But during the year when they are not staying there, they rent them out on Airbnb and VRBO. This means there are a plethora of different apartments always online for you to choose from! Lots of people love staying inside Banff Village since there are so many excellent bars and restaurants. So you can get the feeling of going out for a night on the town while in the middle of the mountains.
The best part is there are so many different kinds of rooms, so you can find something for any price point. Wanna splurge? Find yourself a suite with a panoramic view. Need to save some money? There are lots of you can get a smaller single room in Canmore which can be almost half the price of Banff village! If you have a large family these are especially great as they have large kitchens where you can save some money by cooking dinner at home.
A Note about Forest Fires & Smoke
If you’re planning a trip to Banff in the summer, you need to be aware that forest fires as far away as British Columbia might affect the visibility in Banff. Smoke is something any Calgary resident is familiar with. But to visitors, you might, like me, be surprised by just how thick the smoke can be. When smoke is especially prevalent, you should avoid heavy exercise outdoors. If you have a mask, consider wearing it even when outside to prevent excess smoke inhalation.
The views around Banff can be changed drastically by the presence of smoke. Try your best not to let that get you down. I know coming to Lake Louise is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for some people and they might be disappointed not to get the iconic view which has been made so famous. There is no way to really plan around this, and all you can do is make the best of it. Places where the views are closer to you, like Lake Minnewanka or Johnston Canyon, might be great alternatives if the smoke is very heavy and you want to try Lake Louise of Moraine Lake another day.
Hiking Tips
Many of the short hikes/walks around Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are very easy. They don’t require any high fitness level, so don’t be intimidated. Take it at your own pace and just enjoy the beautiful views. Remember to always dress in layers. You might get outta bed in the morning with frost in the air, but by midday, it could be sweltering! So be prepared for all kinds of weather. Bring a large refillable water bottle, as even with a short or easy hike, you need to keep hydrated. Wear comfortable hiking or running shoes. Even if the trails are flat, you’ll be doing a lot of walking and you’ll want to be comfortable.
Be Bear Aware!
Even if you’re going on an easy, well-populated hiking trail, you need to be careful of bears. In fact, the area around Lake Louise has the highest ratio of grizzlies to humans in Canada! Something no hiker (or walker) should be without is bear spray. Bear spray can usually be purchased at campground stores or even in your hotel. Ask hotel staff if anyone left any bear spray behind. Since bear spray cannot be brought on the plane, people often check out and simply leave it behind.
In addition to bear spray, being bear aware on your walks is of the utmost importance. Walk and hike in large groups. Talk loudly, so you don’t surprise any bears, especially when turning around corners. Watch out for fresh signs of bear activity, including droppings, torn-up logs, overturned rocks, and diggings.
The Perfect 24-Hours in Banff Tour
Arrive at Lake Louise Early in the Morning
Lake Louise is by far the most popular place in all of Banff National Park. It’s the main draw for many visitors. It’s the Eiffel Tower of the Mountains. There are many lakes in the world, but there’s only one Lake Louise. It’s one of the most photographed lakes in the world and attracts millions of visitors every year. With its turquoise waters and the surrounding mountain peaks, the lake has become a must-see destination.
As mentioned before, the parking lot at Lake Louise fills up before sunrise. Be sure you’ve booked yourself an early morning ticket onto the Banff Park and Ride Shuttle to Lake Louise. The park fills up a lot throughout the day, and the earlier you arrive, the more you’ll have the place to yourself. Although dealing with loads of tourists is part and parcel with the experience of visiting Lake Louise. But there are definitely ways to get around being overwhelmed by the crowds. Arriving early is one of those ways.
About Lake Louise
Lake Louise was previously named Ho-run-num-nay (Lake of the Little Fishes) by the Stoney Nakota First Nations people. The name “Lake Louise” was given to the waters in the 19th century. It was named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. She was also the wife of the Marquess of Lorne, then the Governor-General of Canada.
The lake is situated between three great mountains, Mount Temple, Mount Whyte, and Mount Niblock. In the center of the snowcapped mountains, you can make out the massive Victoria Glacier in the center. When the glacier melts it gives the lake that iconic brilliant turquoise colour. The glacier melt that trickles down into the lake contains large particles that refract light’s blue and green wavelengths.
The lake’s water looks like the perfect place for a dip but trust me, you won’t make it past putting your toes in the water. That same glacier melt which colours the waters also means that the lake is either freezing or frozen over! We tried dunking our legs in on one of the hottest days of the years and quickly jumped right out! No chance!
Canoeing on Lake Louise
Renting a canoe on Lake Louise is a bucket list activity for many visitors. And by renting one early in the morning, you’ll find the lake to be the most peaceful and least crowded. As the day goes on, the line for the canoe rentals can get pretty long. Personally, I would recommend renting a canoe at Moraine Lake instead. Moraine is slightly cheaper and I think a little more scenic. But if you have your heart set on renting one at Lake Louise then don’t let anyone stop you! Especially if it’s a nice clear day, the views you’ll get of the waters are indeed spectacular. I’m just personally more a fan of Moraine Lake over Lake Louse (controversial opinion, I know.)
The boathouse where you can rent a canoe is located along the left side of the lake. But here’s the kicker, the cost to rent a canoe is $135/per hour, or $95/hour if you are a hotel guest! If you are travelling with a larger group, the divided cost might be a little more manageable but for couples, it’s a pretty pricey activity.
Fairview Lookout Loop Hike
There are a variety of different hikes you take around Lake Louise. But the Fairview Lookout Loop Hike is my favourite for beginners who just want a taste of hiking in the mountains but don’t want to get into any too difficult or too long. This hike starts on the trail beside the canoe boathouse and loops up around the hillside to the east of Lake Louise.
Most people opt for the Lake Louise Lakeshore walk, a leisurely walk around the west side of the lake. The Lakeshore walk is great in its own right, as it’s super accessible with a paved trail for wheelchair and stroller use. But this trail is SUPER packed with people almost all the time. When we took the alternative Fairview Lookout Loop Hike, we didn’t see a single person on the track the entire time we were walking. It felt so much more peaceful and more like a true hike into nature.
The Fairview Lookout Loop Hike is also a short 1 km one-way hike that will take around 45 minutes roundtrip. The walk heads up into the woods towards a gorgeous lookout over the lake and the historic Fairmont Hotel. While the Lakeshore hikes provide unobscured views of the lake the entire time, this is all at the same elevations. The Fairview Lookout Loop Hike, on the other hand, actually gives you a more rich introduction to flora and fauna of the Lake Louise area. And that view at the top is otherworldly! On the way back down towards the hotel, the trail pop in and out of the water edge where you’ll get some truly amazing shots along the water. Far better than anything you’ll see on the Lakeshore Trail.
Fairmont Hotel
To cap off the perfect morning at Lake Louise, book yourself an Afternoon High Tea inside the Fairmont Hotel Lake Louise in their Fairview Restaurant. The Fairmont Hotel Lake Louise is a historic icon of the area. And although the hotel prices are astronomical, the high tea they offer is shockingly well priced. Plus, you get a stunning view of the entire lake from the inside.
History of the Fairmont Hotel
The origins of the Fairmont Hotel Lake Louise began in 1890 when Cornelius Van Horne, a Canadian Pacific Railway manager, built a small log cabin on the shores of the lake. He thought the scenic lake would make for the perfect vacation destination as it was easily accessible by the nearby Canadian Pacific Railway. He named the small lodge, the ‘Chalet Lake Louise’. The small hotel was originally only able to accommodate 50 guests. But over the years, as its popularity grew, the hotel began to expand.
By 1912, the property was seeing over 50,000 people through its doors yearly. Over the years, various fires that swept through the hotel changed its appearance. The current incarnation of the hotel was built in Renaissance Revival style. Renaissance Revival-style architecture drew its inspiration from early western European architecture and consisted of colonnades, low-pitched roofs with grand staircases and magnificent lobbies.
Afternoon Tea at Lake Louise
Once you are escorted inside the grand tea room at the Fairview Restaurant, you’ll be seated at a table either right against the windows or facing the windows. The benefit of being a two-some is that the tables against the windows are for groups of two and have the best view! So if you’re a group of four, consider making two separate reservations inside so you’ll get the window-side tables. Reservations for the high-tea are available from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm.
Afternoon Tea Highlights
The Afternoon Tea features a selection of one of their luxurious tea blends paired with a three-tiered tray of delicious goodies. They are fantastic with accomodating dietary restrictions and even have an entirely vegan menu as well. We caught a glimpse of the vegan trays, and they looked incredible! They also have options for gluten-free and dairy-free diets.
The top tray features your choice of scones. We went with the jalapeno cheddar and the Saskatoon berry. The jalapeno cheddar paired perfectly with the marmalade and apricot jam! But my favourite topping for the scones is, of course, the clotted cream. The second tier features tiny savoury pastries like blackened tuna on a croissant, brioche toast with honeycomb and brie, and prawn & avocado.
The last tier is the sweet desserts, and although the sizes look small, we were beyond stuffed by the end of the meal. The staff kindly allowed us to take what we couldn’t finish home. We were sure to eat up the desserts that we knew wouldn’t travel well first. These desserts included macaroons, truffles, passionfruit pot de crème, salted caramel cake, olive oil tarts and lemon meringue.
Moraine Lake
After lunch, head back to the parking lot and hop on the Shuttle Bus or Roam Bus towards Moraine Lake. Moraine Lake is only 20 minutes away from Lake Louise. As you don’t need to worry about the parking lot being full, it’s a beautiful and relaxing drive through the mountains.
Moraine Lake is known for its incredible colours, which change with the time of day and season. In my opinion, Moraine Lake is THE most iconic view in the Canadian Rockies. It’s a gorgeous glacier-fed lake, just like Lake Louise, whose turquoise waters contrast with its rugged surroundings. The lake is set at an elevation of 1,740 metres and is surrounded by towering mountains on all sides. There’s nothing quite like a clear blue sky and shining sun reflecting off the pristine waters of Moraine Lake.
One of the reasons that Moraine Lake isn’t the first choice for visitors, like Lake Louise, is because of its small parking lot and narrow road. Both these aspects made getting to the lake a bit more complicated. But with the introduction of the shuttle bus, more and more people are starting to discover the natural beauty of this amazing National Park.
Moraine Lake Shore Trail
The Moraine Lake Shore Trail is the most leisurely hike around the lake. And unlike the Lakeshore trail in Lake Louise, this trail is more dynamic, with different views that change as you go. The track is 1.5 km long and takes only about 45 minutes to return. The way the trail weaves in and out of the forest and down to the water’s edge makes it such a beautiful walk, over boardwalks and ending at a babbling rapids. The Rockpile trail, located right off the parking lot, is the most popular route, so you’ll find this trail is a little hidden gem. The stunning colour of the water, just like that of Lake Louise, is created with that glacier water that floods into the lake when the glaciers start to melt in late June.
Canoe Rental
As mentioned before, you can rent canoes on Moraine Lake for $124/hour. While this is still pretty pricey, many people view a trip to Moraine Lake as a bucket list activity. Nothing something you’d splurge on every day. Getting onto the waters is a truly unique experience. Don’t break the bank and feel like you MUST do this, but if you have the money saved and are a big fan of canoeing, you will definitely enjoy yourself.
Rockpile Trail
As you head back to the parking lot, you’ll find access to the famous Rockpile Trail. There is a reason this short hike is so popular. The Moraine Lake Viewpoint, located just 0.4km uphill, is genuinely one of the most spectacular views you’ll ever see with such an easily accessible trail. And once you get to the top, you’ll be glad you did!
Moraine Lake is located in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. The ten peaks are the ten different mountain peaks that can be seen across the vista. The views you get from the peak of the Rockpile Trail were featured on the Canadian twenty-dollar bill from 1969 to 1979. Since then it has been called the “Twenty Dollar View.” The tallest of all the mountains seen from the viewpoint is the Deltaform Mountain, which stands 3424 meters tall.
Banff Village
To end your day, head back down to Banff village. If you take the Shuttle bus, it’s a short drive from the Park and Ride parking lot. If you arrived via the Roam bus, you can easily take the bus directly back to Banff from Moraine Lake.
Park Distillery Restaurant and Bar
There are so many unique places to eat in Banff Village, so you really have the pick of the litter. One of the best places we found was Park Distillery Restaurant and Bar. This trendy new restaurant was designed to emulate the atmosphere of being around a campfire bbq. The menu focuses on woodfired food, smokey-savoury flavours and their in-house distilled beverages. Such a homey place to relax after a long day in the mountains.
Stargazing on Lake Minnewanka
To end your day in Banff, consider a trip out to Lake Minnewanka to stargaze. If you didn’t drive your own car to Banff, the Roam bus will take you directly from Banff Village to Lake Minnewanka. But be aware the last bus generally leaves around 8:30 pm. The bus ride to Lake Minnewanka is about 30 minutes from Banff, and by car, it’s only 13 minutes. The parking lot is relatively large, and at night, you’ll find it’s much more empty than during the day.
Many people will go up the Banff Gondola to stargaze at the summit, but at $65 per person, the view you get for free from the shores of Lake Minnewanka is just as amazing! Those of us who live mainly in crowded cities rarely get to see the skies without light pollution. And seeing the stars under the gentle shadow of the mountains is such a spectacular sight to see.
Hopefully, this guide helped you in your planning of the perfect day in Banff! There is so much more to see and do, but you can still take in so much magic from the Rockies for those who can only make it out for the day. Let me know in the comments if you agree or disagree with me as to if Moraine Lake or Lake Louise is the prettiest spot in Canada!
Happy Travels, Adventurers!
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