Your Banff Bucket List – 20 Unmissable Places

Oh, Banff. How I’ve missed you. The six months I spent living in Banff, the most popular destination in the Canadian Rockies, were some of the best in my life. Between absolutely gorgeous scenery, awesome people and a ridiculous amount of activities and attractions, you could spend weeks here and not get around to all of it. Which is why I’ve put together this Banff Bucket List so you can make the most of however long you’ll be there.

Though there are many more things to do within Banff National Park and its immediate surroundings than just the ones on this list, these are the ones I personally did during the season I lived there, so I can attest to them being worth it.

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Bucket List – Around Banff Town

Tunnel Mountain

Banff, and the Rockies in general, are an absolute haven for hikers. One of the more accessible and easier hikes begins right from the town itself. Tunnel Mountain is the smallest peak within the immediate surroundings of Banff. Known as Sleeping Buffalo to the indigenous Nakoda people of the region, this is a fairly easy mountain to climb.

In less than an hour you will find yourself with stunning views in two directions. The main viewpoint looks straight over the whole town and the mountains beyond, while a second follows the Bow River as it meanders through the valley.

If you’re in Banff for a longer time, I recommend hiking the Tunnel Mountain trail in more than one season so you can really take in how the valley changes throughout the year. This has to be right at the top of any Banff bucket list.

Banff Avenue

The main street in town, there’s no way you can visit the town and not find yourself here at least once. Most of the restaurants and shops are located along this strip, along with one of the best views in town: a direct line of sight to the almost-perfectly symmetrical Cascade Mountain. In fact, the town was actually designed and laid out with this view in mind. You’ll never walk down the street without seeing at least one person taking that quintessential shot with Cascade.

You can also find several galleries, a museum and a cute little thrift shop on Banff Ave. It can definitely get a little crowded here at times, but it’s the perfect place to unwind after a day in nature, or grab a coffee to prepare for one.

Fairmont Banff Springs

There are two Fairmont chateau-style hotels in Banff National Park, and though the one at Lake Louise is far more famous, I actually think the Fairmont Banff Springs is much prettier. It opened in 1888 as one of Canada’s first grand railway hotels, as a result of the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway that ran through the valley.

Though you definitely need to visit the interior of the hotel and take in the beautiful swimming pool and outdoor hot pool, the best view of the hotel is actually from across the river at Surprise Corner. It doesn’t have the dramatic lakeside scenery of Lake Louise, but the castle-like hotel fits perfectly amongst the forest-covered mountain slopes and the rushing Bow River below.

Sulphur Mountain Gondola & Trail

More commonly known as the Banff Gondola, this is the most popular attraction in the area. As such, it can get pretty busy. It’s a fun thing to do if you don’t mind waiting in line (or going early) for the eight minute journey to the top of Sulphur Mountain, where the views across the Bow Valley are just insane. Your other option if you want to skip the queues – and get a bit of exercise at the same time – is to hike the trail that criss-crosses the slope instead. It’s a bit longer and steeper than Tunnel Mountain, but many people prefer to hike instead of paying for the gondola. Just remember to stay safe and carry bear spray on the outside of your bag (where it’s easy and quick to get to, not buried deep down). Banff is a haven for Canadian wildlife too.

At the top of the Gondola, there’s an entire complex with two restaurants (one pretty fancy one), a large gift shop, an information centre, outdoor viewing platforms, and a walkway to the next peak where there’s a historical weather station. If it’s even possible, the views from this second peak are better than from the top of the gondola. It’s definitely worth the fifteen-minute walk.

Vermillion Lakes

Just on the edge of town are three beautiful lakes, within easy walking or cycling distance. My favourite thing about the Vermillion Lakes is the view of Mount Rundle across the water. More than once I grabbed a takeaway pizza from my favourite pizza place (Aardvark – sooo good) and drove out to the lakes. I would sit on the dock and watch clouds go by overhead, just taking in the peace and quiet.

Like many of my favourite places in Banff, I loved seeing the difference between seasons at the Vermillion Lakes. In winter the shallow waters freeze over, and on clear days you might even see skaters out on the ice.

Cave and Basin Historic Site

If I’m being honest, I really only went to the Cave and Basin Historic Site because I got in for free with my Banff Ambassador Pass – one of the many perks to being a Banff local. But it turned out to be one of my favourite Banff bucket list locations.

This National Historic Site is the reason that Banff National Park was founded, and as the first national park in Canada, it could be said that this is the birthplace of the country’s entire national park system. So there’s a lot of history here. Tucked away across the Bow River from the main town area, there’s a beautiful series of hot springs trickling down the slopes of Sulphur Mountain, culminating in an underground chamber with a sparkling pool of steaming water.

Unfortunately, it also stinks to high heaven. But if you can get passed the smell (there’s a reason it’s called Sulphur Mountain), it’s gorgeous. The information centre is very interesting, and the boardwalk winding up through the forest to the other springs is not to be missed.

Bucket List – Half-Day Trips From Banff

Lake Louise

Half an hour from Banff, Lake Louise is a much smaller village centered around the eponymous lake and ski resort. Unless your visit is focused around skiing at the resort or chilling by the lake, then I’d recommend staying in Banff and doing a day trip to Lake Louise.

Lake Louise & Fairmont Chateau

While I personally feel that Banff’s Fairmont hotel is prettier, the location of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise just can’t be beaten. Sitting right on the shores of one of the most beautiful lakes you’ll ever see, the hotel has been built, rebuilt and extended many times over its 130-year history.

During the summer, the natural scenery has everything you need for a day of exploring, while in winter there are sleigh rides, snowshoeing, ice skating and even an ice sculpting competition. Several hiking trails can be found starting from the hotel, with the Lake Agnes Tea Room Trail one of the most popular.

Like the Fairmont in Banff, you don’t have to be a guest to enter the Chateau Lake Louise. You can dine in their fancy restaurants, take high tea overlooking the lake, or even just peruse the beautiful lobby boutiques.

Moraine Lake

Quite possibly the crown jewel of Banff lakes, this is where all those stunning photos you’ve seen on Instagram and Pinterest are taken. To get there you need to drive to Lake Louise, then follow the turnoff for Moraine Lake. Because the road to the lake is in avalanche territory, it is closed to all vehicles for the winter season and it’s not recommended that you walk the 11km to the lake either because of the danger. But if you’re in Banff outside of winter, this has to be top of your bucket list.

Navigating Moraine Lake can be tricky, because of limited parking and the absolute shit tonne of people trying to go there everyday. The car park often fills up by 5.30am with all the visitors for sunrise, though you may be able to find a space by mid-morning if you don’t mind waiting. Another option is to take the shuttle from Lake Louise and not worry about parking, though this also usually leads to a lot of waiting. Either way, it’s absolutely worth it.

Canmore

The nearest town to Banff, Canmore is located outside the boundaries of the national park, and is about a twenty-minute drive away. The highway from Calgary passes right by it. Accommodation is generally a bit cheaper than Banff, so a lot of people choose to stay here instead.

Three Sisters Lookout

This place is little bit of a local secret, because you won’t find any signposts or even a marked trail. But once you get there, you’ll instantly recognise the view, because it’s been photographed a million times. The first time I went to the lookout spot, I happened upon a group of photographers all lined up by the river’s edge, tripods and cameras all pointed towards the three easily-recognisable peaks.

To get to the lookout, first you need to find the Canmore Off-Leash Dog Area to the south of the town. Directly across the road are train tracks, with a large culvert/bridge under which you can duck (please be safe when doing so!). Follow the dried river bed of Policeman Creek to the trees beyond. At some point you’ll see a few narrow tracks on the right leading away from the river bed. Follow them for just a few minutes and you’ll reach the edge of a small creek. And right there in front of you rise the Three Sisters.

If you’re not a photographer, or if you’re pushed for time, this viewpoint may not be worth the effort of visiting. But I think it’s beautiful, and a worthy addition to any Banff bucket list.

Grotto Canyon

This beautiful canyon is only accessible on foot, with a fifteen minute walk from the car park to get to the canyon entrance. In winter the river that flows along the foot of the canyon freezes over, so you end up walking over the ice. I went on a tour of the canyon with Discover Banff, which provides crampons and hot chocolate, two very important things.

One of the most fascinating things in Grotto Canyon is the presence of Hopi pictographs on the canyon walls. These painted images of animals and people are between 500 and 1300 years old. The reason they are so significant is because the Hopi people are from Arizona, giving definitive proof of long-distance trade and communication between them and the indigenous tribes of the Bow Valley.

At the end of the canyon are several waterfalls, which freeze over in winter, offering brave souls the chance to do some ice-climbing. It’s a truly beautiful place and is very underrated and under-explored compared to other attractions in the area.

Grassi Lakes

The carpark is easy to find, just ten minutes drive from Canmore, and the trail heads are very well signposted. Located inside the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, this hike is about 4km long and takes 1-2 hours depending on which trail you decide to take.

There are two routes to the lakes: Grassi Lakes Trail and Upper Grassi Lakes Trail. Without proper gear I wouldn’t recommend doing the first in winter, while the second (Upper) is longer but easier, but was still a bit treacherous on the way down!

The Grassi Lakes are tucked away underneath peaks amidst forested slopes, and are the most beautiful green-blue colours. Oh, and the views over Canmore are pretty great along the way, too.

Johnston Canyon

This is quite possibly my favourite place in the whole Banff region, so of course it was gonna be on my Banff bucket list. I went there twice – once during the day in summer, and once at night in winter. Two very different experiences, two unforgettable visits.

There are two waterfalls in Johnston Canyon – Upper and Lower (imaginative). The Lower Falls is just 1km from the car park, but it’s definitely worth walking the extra 2km to the Upper Falls. Much of the canyon trail is along boardwalks attached to the cliffs, the river rushing along below. When it’s not winding through the forest above the canyon, it’s dipping down to the river’s edge and underneath rocky overhangs. Most people turn back at the Upper Falls, but if you’re up for more of a hike, keep going to the Ink Pots, 3km further along. The trail continues upwards, then descends into a huge open mountain meadow, where underground springs bubble to the surface in a series of ponds.

25km from Banff, the easiest way to get there is by driving, or else you can get the no. 9 bus from downtown Banff. I would actually recommend getting the bus, even if it’s awkward, because unless you go really early or last thing in the afternoon, during the busy season both the main car park and the overflow car park are likely to be full.

For safety reasons, I recommend a guided tour if you plan to visit at night in the winter. It’s an incredible experience, as you will likely be the only people in the canyon, and to see the silent, frozen waterfalls sparkling in torchlight is unforgettable. I went with Discover Banff and had an amazing time.

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Bow Lake & Peyto Lake

Want to get a bit further afield? Then Peyto Lake is just for you. It’s also perfect if you want to see a bit of the Icefields Parkway but don’t have the time to see the whole thing. The drive there passes by glaciers and several other lakes, including Bow Lake. I highly recommend stopping in at Bow Lake for a while to walk along the shore and take in the beautiful reflections of the mountains.

Peyto Lake is mostly famous for the colour of its water. The carpark is just a ten-minute walk from the main viewpoint high above the lake, but for the best angle you need to take the forest trails to the left of the platform. Be careful on the trails, they’re little more than animals tracks and are not signposted, and of course, there can be wildlife around at any point. Soon the tracks reach an open rocky outcrop, perfect for taking some photos of the turquoise glacial lake away from the crowds.

The day I visited Peyto Lake was cloudy and grey, not ideal. But as there was construction about to start on the carpark, meaning the area would be closed to the public for the whole season, I jumped in the car on the last possible day and raced up to it (shoutout to the lovely German couple who stopped to help me change my tyre on that narrow, winding road when I got a flat, meaning I could still get there!).

Bucket List – Day Trips from Banff

Columbia Icefield

Ever wanted to walk on a glacier? Now’s your chance. About two-thirds of the way between Banff and the town of Jasper, driving to the Athabasca Glacier is an experience in itself, with many of the most beautiful Icefields Parkway views along the way. Ironically, visiting the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefield is only available during the summer, starting in May. As it’s right on the border of Banff and Jasper National Parks, it was the only time I got the chance to visit the latter.

Glaciers are extremely important parts of the environment, and they are under severe threat from climate change. So it’s important to protect them, especially when they are a popular tourist destination. That’s why I was so impressed by the Columbia Icefield Adventure experience.

The whole tour is laid out to be as protective of the glacier as possible, right from the start. To access the glacier, once you’ve exited the shuttle from the centre, you are put onto one of the large Ice Explorers. These specially-designed trucks have wheels almost as tall as us and use brake fluid that’s totally organic so that if a spill does occur, it won’t have lasting effects on the ice. The Explorers follow an exact path – including the steepest commercial road in the world, quite the experience – and the tyres are washed before getting back onto the ice so nothing is brought onto the glacier.

Once on the glacier itself, visitors can only walk on a specific section of the glacier to preserve as much of it as possible. I got genuine jitters stepping off that bus. I had my empty water bottle at the ready, scooping up some glacial water that trickled around the walking area. It was amazingly clear and refreshing. Various country flags (Ireland was not one of them, to my utter disappointment) stick up out of the ice, perfect for photos.

Is this the ultimate Banff Bucket List place or what?

Ski or Snowboard

There are three ski resorts within the Banff vicinity: Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise. Each of them has its pros and cons. Depending on your level of skill and confidence, one resort may be more suitable than another, so its worth doing some research before buying lift passes.

Norquay is just ten minutes from Banff, so it’s the easiest to get to. But it’s also the smallest, and leaps very quickly from a tiny beginners area to steep downhill slopes, with little in between. It also has a tube park, which is ridiculously fun.

Sunshine is probably the most popular, and as a beginner I definitely felt the most comfortable there. Lake Louise is the biggest, but the furthest away, and has opportunities for snowshoeing. Many visitors to Banff in winter come for the skiing and snowboarding, and it’s easy to see why.

Snowmobiling

I did not know I needed snowmobiling in my life until I went snowmobiling. Holy crap, is it fun. As day trips go it’s a little expensive, so thankfully for me I got to go not once, but twice for free as part of my awesome job. The size of the snowmobiles can be intimidating, but they’re fairly easy to use.

Snowmobiling isn’t actually allowed within Banff National Park, so the closest places to go are in British Columbia, several hours drive away (which is why it’s a day trip). But all companies offer an easy shuttle pickup from Banff, so getting there is a breeze.

This shit is crazy fun. Speeding along fresh powdery snow through forest trails (up to 80km/hour!), up mountain paths (and through avalanche zones, in case there wasn’t already enough adrenaline pumping through my veins), to gorgeous viewpoints overlooking snowy mountain ranges. I didn’t stop smiling the entire time, and I challenge anyone to go and not feel the same.

If you have an extra day during your trip, snowmobiling is a Banff Bucket List experience you won’t want to miss.

Practical Information:

Banff National Park Passes

The town of Banff is located within the bounds of the national park, so you need to buy a park pass for each day you’re there, even if you’re not planning to explore beyond the town’s borders. These passes must be displayed on the dashboard of your vehicle, and park rangers are on constant patrol, so it’s not something you can expect to do without. Park passes can be bought on the road into Banff from Calgary or at the Tourist Office on Banff Avenue. Park fees: $10 per day per adult / $20 per day for a family or group / free in for under 17 year olds. Depending on how long you’ll be in the area it might be better value to get an annual Discovery Pass.

Also important to note is that by law, dogs must be kept on a leash at all times within the national and provincial parks in the area. It’s for the safety of the dog as well as for the wildlife.

Banff Bucket List Attraction Prices

All prices are in CA$ and are accurate as of February 2021.

• Sulphur Mountain Gondola – starts at $53 per adult. Prices are now dynamic, so they change depending on the day and time of year.
• Cave and Basin Historic Site – $7.90 for adults, free in for youths.
• Johnston Canyon Icewalk – $82 per adult for a guided evening tour with Discover Banff. Free in otherwise.
• Ski Lift Passes – there are many different options for passes, depending on whether you want to visit one, two or all three of the resorts. Visit the SkiBig3 website for more information.
• Snowmobiling – Tours start at around $220 per driver for a half-day tour including transport, and there are several companies offering trips. I had an absolute ball with Rocky Mountain Riders.
• Columbia Icefield Glacier – $87 for both the glacier walk and the nearby Skywalk combined / from $281 for full-day tour including transport with Brewster Sightseeing.

Where to stay in Banff

Okay, so Banff isn’t exactly the most budget-friendly place in the world. And as I got a job the day I arrived in town, and spent one night sleeping in my car before moving into staff accommodation the next day, I didn’t sleep a single night in any of the hostels in town. Compared to other places in Canada, the hostels are pretty expensive, more than triple what I paid in places like St. John’s or Montreal.

But I did work at Hidden Ridge Resort, and can personally attest to how awesome the staff there are. There’s a beautiful hot pool overlooking the town, and the cabins range from one-bedroom units to multi-storey cabins sleeping up to ten people – perfect for groups!

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So what do you think of my Banff Bucket List?

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HOW TO INTERACT WITH BANFF WILDLIFE RESPONSIBLY

Never, EVER feed wildlife.

Enticing wildlife with food not only puts yourself in danger, but can lead to wildlife learning to depend on humans to survive or becoming more aggressive – neither of which are a good thing. Human food can also be dangerous to animals, making them ill or malnourished. Feeding Canadian wildlife in national or provincial parks can also lead to hefty fines if you’re caught, so don’t risk it just for a photo op.

Mind your food and dispose of scraps properly.

Feeding wildlife can occur accidentally too, if left unattended or not thrown away correctly. When camping, hiking, or just out in nature, store any snacks or food in proper containers, and don’t leave food lying around unwatched. Even if you think there are no animals around, there probably are. And never leave food next to a rubbish bin. If the bins are full or you can’t find one, take it with you. Don’t be lazy!

Keep your distance.

Wildlife is unpredictable. Unless you’re very familiar with animal behaviour, it can be hard to tell how wildlife is reacting to a situation. Just because an animal looks calm, doesn’t mean it is. Certain times of the year have added dangers, such as berry season for bears, and mating season for elk. Animals can be even more aggressive or volatile during these times, so extra caution is necessary. There have been too many instances of tourists getting too close to wildlife and getting injured, which usually leads to negative consequences for the animal as well.

A really good trick I learned here in Canada was to use your thumb to check your distance. Hold out your hand and if you can cover the entire animal with your thumb, then you should be safe. If you can’t, back away slowly. Obviously the safe distance depends on the animal: deer need less, bears need more, etc.

Don’t touch.

If you’re lucky enough that an animal approaches you of their own free will, please don’t try to pat them. They’re not pets, they don’t enjoy it and it can spook them into doing something aggressive. Your touch can also be dangerous to some animals, particularly marine wildlife who have very sensitive skin. Whales, dolphins and sea turtles can be harmed by the chemicals often found on our skin from lotions, suncream and insect repellent.

Always be aware of your surroundings.

Many wildlife encounters become dangerous simply because the human wasn’t paying attention. When out in nature, always listen out for wildlife, don’t wear headphones, make noise and travel in groups if possible. Bears, for example, are generally only aggressive when surprised, so giving them a chance to hear you coming and move away is always a good idea. Carrying bear spray (and knowing how to use it) is always recommended too.

Stay calm.

Always important. If you’re surprised by wildlife, remain calm and don’t run. While the original intention of the animal is probably not to hunt, suddenly running or moving away may cause their chase instincts to kick in. Stay facing them and back away slowly. Bear behaviour in particular can be unpredictable, so your response will depend on how they are acting. I recommend reading this Parks Canada Bear Safety page, as it has some really good information on the subject.