10 Things You Can’t Miss On Your First Visit to Banff

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1. Moraine Lake

Admire the vibrant turquoise water and dramatic mountain views from the shores of Moraine Lake! This lake is probably the most famous spot in all of Banff National Park — people flock from all over the world to see this stunning landscape.

What You Need to Know

This lake is PHENOMENAL! It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen it in pictures…seeing it in person will absolutely take your breath away. Moraine Lake is perfectly nestled within the Valley of the Ten Peaks at over 6,000 feet above sea level.

The water color is the best from late June until October when the surrounding snow has had a chance to melt and bring in the glacial flour that gives the lake a turquoise hue.

When you reach the lake, you have several options for exploring the area. For the famous view of the lake, look for the Rockpile Trail. This trail is about 0.5 miles roundtrip with 100 feet of elevation gain (mostly stair-stepping). You’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the lake from up here!

From the parking area, you may see some people climbing up the pile of rocks…there is no need to do that. The Rockpile Trail takes you to the top in a much safer and easier way.

If you’d like to take a nice, quiet stroll along the lakeshore, the Moraine Lake Lakeshore Trail begins behind the lodge. It’s approximately 2 miles roundtrip on a mostly flat trail to reach the other side of the lake.

Canoes are available to rent at the lakeshore if you’d like to see what the scenery looks like from the water.

The road to Moraine Lake is typically open from mid-May to mid-October. You cannot drive your own vehicle to the lake, so I recommend taking the Parks Canada shuttle. Get shuttle reservations here!

Getting Here

From the town of Banff, drive west on Highway 1 toward Lake Louise. After 33.8 miles, take the exit for Lake Louise and turn left at the bottom of the off-ramp. You cannot drive your own vehicle to Moraine Lake, so you will need to make alternative arrangements to get to the lakeshore.

2.  Cave and Basin National Historic Site

Visit the birthplace of Canada’s national parks at Cave and Basin. The discovery of these thermal waters sparked a movement that has ultimately led to the protection and conservation of millions of acres of land!

What You Need to Know

These thermal springs were discovered by three railway workers in 1883, and they immediately wanted to charge money for people to come and soak in these warm waters. When the workers applied for a title to the land, the Canadian Government denied it….they decided to protect the land instead!

What started as a small section of protected land soon grew into what is now Banff National Park. Parks Canada protects 46 national parks today and is one of the largest conservation organizations in the world.

When you visit Cave and Basin, you can enter the small cave with a thermal water pond. No swimming is allowed, but you can see why that spot would be inviting!

You’ll also find educational exhibits, a gift shop, viewing decks, and hiking trails at the site. If you want to see the thermal springs that drip down into the cave, walk up to the viewing decks and find the boardwalk trail. This trail is a fun way to learn more about the discovery of the cave.

My favorite trail at Cave and Basin is the Marsh Trail, a 1.7-mile, mostly flat loop. This trail provides stunning views of the mountains and wetlands!

A small fee is required to enter Cave and Basin. If you purchase the annual Discovery Pass, entrance is included.

Getting Here

From downtown Banff, drive south on Banff Avenue. After driving across the Bow River Bridge, take a right onto Cave Avenue. Follow Cave Avenue for one mile until the road dead-ends at the parking lot. Park here, and walk to the entrance building to pay your entrance fee (bring your annual pass if you have one).

3.  Johnston Canyon

Are you ready for a thrilling adventure? Take a hike through Johnston Canyon, where the trail clings to the cliffs and the river rushes below you!

What You Need to Know

Johnston Canyon is one of Banff’s most popular trails, and it’s a thrill! As you hike perched along the dramatic cliffs, you can see the sweeping river underneath your feet.

This hike has three sections — the Lower Falls, the Upper Falls, and the Ink Pots. There is an adventure for hikers of all ages and abilities in Johnston Canyon.

The trail to the Lower Falls is 1.5 miles roundtrip with about 160 feet of elevation gain. Most people complete just this part of the trail, which is mostly flat and provides a fun experience on the catwalks. A bridge spans the river and provides a nice view of the waterfall.

Beyond the Lower Falls is the impressive Upper Falls. If you hike to the Upper Falls, your hike for the day will be 3.1 miles roundtrip with about 400 feet of elevation gain. If you can hike that far, I think that the trail to the top of the Upper Falls shouldn’t be missed — it’s spectacular!

The Ink Pots are the final destination for day hikers along this trail. If you hike all the way to the Ink Pots, your total mileage will be 7 miles roundtrip with about 1,100 feet of elevation gain. These bluish-green ponds are tucked away in a meadow surrounded by mountain peaks. It’s a beautiful spot, but you definitely have to work to get there!

Pets are permitted on this trail, but they must be leashed. It gets extremely crowded here, and I saw many people have to turn around or hold their dogs because of the stressful and packed trail, so be aware!

You’ll want to wear layers on this hike. The canyon can be cool and shaded, even on a hot summer day.

Getting Here

From the town of Banff, drive west on Highway 1 toward Lake Louise for 3.2 miles. Take the AB-1A/Bow Valley Parkway exit. Drive along the Bow Valley Parkway for 10.5 miles until you see the Johnston Canyon Trailhead on your right. Park here to begin your hike.

4.  Bow Falls

Take a scenic stroll from downtown Banff to Bow Falls! This powerful waterfall crashes through a bend in the Bow River, creating a charming place to relax and soak in the beautiful views while you’re in town.

What You Need to Know

If you need a break from all the souvenir shopping and beavertail-eating in downtown Banff, Bow Falls is the perfect diversion. You can easily walk here from downtown, take the bus, or drive your own vehicle.

As you walk from downtown, you’ll be treated to views of the Bow River and Cascade Mountain as you cross a picturesque pedestrian bridge.

Bow River Falls is a short and wide waterfall with mountain and forest views surrounding it. You may notice a trail along the banks of the river — this will take you closer to the top of the falls.

While you’re here, you’ll notice the majestic Banff Springs Hotel towering over you. This hotel was originally built in 1888 by the Canadian Pacific Railway and is one of the most beautiful grand railway hotels in Canada. If you want to stop in while you’re in the area, you’ll find a few restaurants, a spa, shops, and a golf course at the hotel.

Getting Here

From downtown Banff, drive south on Banff Avenue. After driving across the Bow River Bridge, take a left onto Spray Avenue. Follow Spray Avenue for 0.5 miles until you see a left turn onto Bow River/Rundle Avenue. Turn left here, and drive for another 0.3 miles to the viewpoint parking area.

Alternatively, if you’d like to walk from downtown Banff (which I highly recommend!), walk south down Banff Avenue until you find Buffalo Street and take a left. At the corner of Buffalo and Muskrat (a few blocks down), you’ll see a large pedestrian bridge crossing the river. Walk across this bridge, then turn left. Follow the pathway for about 0.5 miles to reach the Bow Falls Viewpoint.

5.  Lake Minnewanka Scenic Loop

Though most drives in Banff are scenic, the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive is particularly fantastic! You’ll find something for everyone along this drive — three beautiful lakes, bighorn sheep, a ghost town, and stunning mountain views.

What You Need to Know

This scenic drive is a 15-mile loop that starts in downtown Banff. You can spend as much time here as you’d like. It takes about an hour to drive at a leisurely pace, but you can easily be here longer if you want to get out and explore.

Here are a few of the sites you don’t want to miss as you drive:

• Cascade Ponds — these ponds are known for the picturesque bridge over the water and mountain views.
• Lower Bankhead Ghost Town — walk through the remnants of a deserted coal mining town. You can see the ruins of a church, a lamp house, a transformer building, and a boiler house, among other things.
• Lake Minnewanka — take a boat tour, swim, picnic, scuba dive to a submerged village, hike up Stewart Canyon, or rent a canoe on this large and popular lake.
• Two Jack Lake — this small lake is perhaps the most scenic along this drive. It’s the perfect place to have a quiet experience in your canoe or kayak!
• Johnson Lake — locals prefer this lake for swimming and playing in the sand.

Keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep at almost any time of day along the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive. They like to hang out in this area!

Getting Here

From downtown Banff, drive north on Banff Avenue for about 2 miles until you reach the intersection with Highway 1. Drive under the highway (staying straight on Banff Avenue). When you reach the other side of the highway, the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive begins.

Click NEXT to see stops 6-10, including the milkiest lake in all of Banff!