Banff National Park National Park

Address: Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada (nearest town: Banff)

Website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff

Hours: Open 24 hours (visitor centre hours vary seasonally)

Admission: Parks Canada entry pass required (daily/multi‑day options; fees vary)

Banff National Park is Canada’s first national park, established in 1885, and protects a large section of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. It covers roughly 6,600 square kilometres and includes glaciers, peaks, forests and alpine meadows.

The park is known for its alpine scenery and iconic turquoise glacial lakes such as Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, extensive hiking and backcountry routes, and developed ski areas including Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort and Mt. Norquay. There are also thermal springs, numerous scenic drives and the Icefields Parkway, a roughly 232 km route that links Banff and Jasper with multiple viewpoints and trailheads.

Initial protection began after the discovery of natural hot springs in the area; the park’s boundaries and facilities expanded over the late 19th and 20th centuries to accommodate tourism and conservation. Infrastructure such as roads, lodges and ski facilities were added in the 20th century while park management has focused on balancing recreation and species/habitat protection.

The park sits in the Canadian Rockies in southwestern Alberta. The town of Banff is inside the park and the park is approximately 120 kilometres west of Calgary by road, with mountains, valleys and glaciers forming the surrounding landscape.

• Founding and size: The park was established in 1885 as Canada’s first national park and covers roughly 6,600 square kilometres, protecting peaks, glaciers, forests and alpine meadows.
• Best viewpoint: Sulphur Mountain gondola provides quick access to panoramic viewpoints and is a convenient way to see the Bow Valley and surrounding ranges without a long hike.

What to See#

• Lake Louise: A glacial lake known for its vivid turquoise colour fed by meltwater and set beneath the Victoria Glacier; the lakeshore and Fairmont Château Lake Louise hotel are focal points for visitors.
• Moraine Lake: A glacially carved lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks noted for its deep blue-green water and dramatic mountain backdrop; access is by road and short hikes around the moraine.
• Banff town: The townsite that serves as the main visitor hub with shops, accommodations, and access to trails, ski lifts, and the Banff Upper Hot Springs.
• Icefields Parkway: A scenic highway linking Lake Louise and Jasper that runs approximately 232 km and provides access to Columbia Icefield viewpoints and numerous pullouts for glaciers and waterfalls.

Banff National Park is reached most commonly from Calgary. Driving from Calgary to the town of Banff is about 120-130 km (roughly 1.25-1.75 hours) west on the Trans‑Canada Highway (Alberta Highway 1); the townsite provides access to trailheads and park attractions. Regular airport shuttles and buses run between Calgary International Airport and Banff, and once in Banff many sights are reachable on foot or via local bus routes.

• For iconic views of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, arrive before sunrise-parking fills very quickly and the lakes are far quieter with better morning light and fewer tour buses.
• Use the Roam Transit and park-and-ride services in summer where available; major lakes and trailheads have very limited parking during peak season and shuttles greatly simplify access.
• Visit in early fall (September) if possible for larch season-trails remain accessible and you'll often encounter far fewer visitors than in July/August with spectacular color displays.
• Most visitors stick to the very popular lakes; explore less-crowded hikes like the Bow River pathway, Lake Minnewanka shore, or smaller trailheads near Banff town to find quiet alpine scenery.