Banff Jasper National Park has inspired visitors from across the globe to come and explore it and will continue to entice visitors into repeated visits as you can never have enough of Banff National Park.
Nature has endowed both Banff National Parks aplenty. No matter which season you choose to visit – the park will still have something to inspire you with and leave you with memories of a lifetime. Even though most people visit the park during the spring, summer or fall, winter gives another dynamic to its ever-changing landscape.
We chose Canmore was our base for Banff National Park which is ideally located to explore the park with relative ease and proffers a wide spectrum of modern accommodation and restaurants.
Banff town which has inspired visitors for centuries is perched alongside the meandering Bow River offers excellent choices for shopping, accommodation and exploring and makes a perfect staging point for exploring:
- Tunnel Mountain Reservoir
- Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
- Central Park
- Banff Park Museum National Historic Site
- Cascade of Time Garden
- Bow Falls
- Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
- Banff Upper Hot Springs
- Banff Gondola
- Sulphur Mountain
- Cave and Basin National Historic Site
Bow Falls is one great destination not to be missed while visiting Banff. The Bow River plunges down rocks between a narrow gorge making for a great view of white water gushing down to the valley below. You can hike up the trails which take you back to Banff town and proffer scenic views of the Bow River along the way.
The views alongside the wide valley after the Bow Falls is worth taking in. The calm and soothing environment is worth every cent you spend getting thus far.
Sulphur Mountain is another destination not to be missed. You can either hike up to Sulphur Mountain which takes anything between 2 to 3 hours depending upon your fitness level or take an 8-minute ride on the Banff Gondola to the mountain top. The mountain top features restaurants, a theatre, viewing decks to soak in the spectacular 360° views of mountain ranges surrounding Sulphur Mountain or indulge in fine dining and not to forget coffee.
The walkway atop Sulphur Mountain takes you across to Sanson’s Peak host to the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station. Capturing sunsets from this vantage point is another highlight you shouldn’t miss out on.
Banff Upper Hot Springs is another destination not to miss out on and an excellent way to unwind in Banff.
Cascade of Time Garden is a treat for sore eyes. Nature at its vibrant best. Magnificently landscaped garden in full bloom just across the Bow River from Banff town. Built in 1930 this 4-acre garden has many pathways to explore with Gazebo’s to take a break.
Lake Minnewanka also known as ‘Water of the Sprits’ by the First Nations is another glacial lake fed by the Cascade River located about 20 kilometers from Banff town. The inviting emerald green waters offers ideal opportunity to take a cruise or paddle around leisurely soaking in the amazing scenery unfolding in front of your eyes.
You can scuba dive or hike around the numerous trails around the lake and is also an excellent place to view the Northern Lights.
Surrounded by towering snow topped mountain peaks Moraine Lake with its amazing turquoise blue waters is one of the Canadian Rockies gems. Located about 14 kilometers from the Lake Louise hamlet and is situated at an elevation of 1,885 meters (6,183 feet).
You have options of hiking numerous trails around the lake for even more scenic views or do cross country skiing during the winter.
Lake Louise made famous internationally by previous visitor impressions and photographs is simply mesmerizing. Surrounded by mighty snowcapped mountain peaks its emerald green waters enriched by glacier silt added every summer as the snow melts – is the jewel of Alberta if not Canada.
Lake Louise also offers premium accommodation, restaurants and can be an excellent getaway in the Canadian Rockies.
There are many trails to take for vantage viewing of Lake Louise. You can hike up to Mirror Lake and Lake Agnes for the ultimate experience of your lifetime.
Mirror Lake is a small lake backing into a mountain peak. The trail starts from Lake Louise and offers many vantage views of Lake Louise as you walk up. The hike provides interesting insights into the flora surrounding the trail. Heavily forested and lush green vegetation provides scenic views.
Lake Agnes is past Mirror Lake as you hike upwards with an elevation gain of 400 meters (1,312 feet). As you hike upwards you will pass through scenic mountain views, waterfalls cascading down from Lake Agnes.
Lake Agnes opens opportunities to hike further on the Beehive trails or enjoy steaming hot tea and food at the Lake Agnes Tea House. Hiking further to the Plain of Six Glaciers is another option to explore.
Contrary to popular belief – the Icefields Parkway starts from within the Banff National Park and you technically enter Jasper National Park as you near and cross Mount Athabasca.
The drive from the South side park entrance on Hwy 93 (North) offers breathtaking and stunning views of the Canadian Rockies as one drives North towards Jasper town.
The Hwy takes you along the Bow River and past numerous lakes with many viewing points along the route. You are encouraged to take as many stops as you can along this route as these viewing areas offer scenic views all along.
As you drive further North you will see bifurcations or viewing areas for Hector Lake, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Waterfowls Lake and the Saskatchewan River Crossing. The Crossing Resort (located just after the Hwy 11 bifurcation) is a great place to take a stopover while driving this route.
You will also be able to view many snowcapped mountain peaks along the route before officially crossing into Jasper National Park as you near Mount Athabasca.