Banff National Park

National Park ·🇨🇦 Canada

Area 6,809 km²

Time zone America/Edmonton

Official website parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff

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Explore Banff National Park

Banff National Park: The Absolute Essentials

Banff National Park, established in 1885, is Canada's oldest national park. It features iconic glacial lakes like Louise and Moraine, the limestone cliffs of Johnston Canyon, and the thermal waters of the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. The park is characterized by the Canadian Rockies' jagged peaks, the Icefields Parkway scenic drive, and diverse ecosystems supporting grizzly bears and elk.

13 places

Majestic Mountain Peaks

This collection features the most prominent summits within and surrounding Banff National Park, including the iconic wedge of Mount Rundle and the fortress-like cliffs of Castle Mountain. The list spans from the accessible Sulphur Mountain, home to a historic cosmic ray station, to the remote 3,618-meter Mount Assiniboine, often called the Matterhorn of the Rockies. These peaks represent diverse geological formations, such as the tilted limestone strata of the Sawback and Palliser Ranges and the massive icefields surrounding Castleguard Mountain.

20 places

Scenic Viewpoints

This collection highlights key observation points throughout Banff National Park, ranging from roadside stops along the Icefields Parkway to elevated hiking trails. It features the turquoise glacial waters of Moraine and Peyto Lakes, the historic Bow Falls, and the naturally eroded pillars of the Hoodoos. These sites provide perspectives on the region's unique geological features, including the Valley of the Ten Peaks, the Bow River watershed, and the massive limestone faces of Mount Rundle and Castle Mountain.

20 places

Glaciers and Glacial Lakes

This collection features iconic turquoise waters and ancient ice formations along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park. Glacial lakes like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are renowned for their vibrant color caused by rock flour suspended in the water. The list includes the Columbia Icefield, the largest ice mass in the North American Rockies, which feeds the Saskatchewan and Peyto Glaciers. Visitors can observe the distinct recession patterns of the Crowfoot Glacier or view the wolf-shaped Peyto Lake from the Bow Summit lookout.

10 places

Alpine Camps & Huts

This collection features a range of accommodations within Banff National Park, from vehicle-accessible campgrounds to remote mountaineering huts. High-altitude shelters like the Neil Colgan Hut—Canada’s highest—serve the Wapta Icefield traverse, while historic sites like Shadow Lake Lodge offer backcountry comfort. Campgrounds near Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway provide specific amenities, including electric fencing for bear safety at soft-sided sites and dedicated loops for hard-sided trailers.

16 places

Majestic Waterfalls

This collection features prominent cascades across Banff National Park and the Icefields Parkway. Bow Falls provides a powerful, wide drop near the Banff townsite, while Johnston Canyon’s Upper Falls plunges 30 meters into a limestone gorge accessible via elevated catwalks. Further north, the Icefields Parkway hosts the multi-tiered Bridal Veil Falls and the 66-meter drop of Panther Falls. These sites showcase the region's glacial meltwater and unique geological formations, ranging from roadside viewpoints to forested trailheads.

7 places