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

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6. Peyto Lake Overlook

Even in a park full of beautiful lakes, Peyto Lake is the star. Everything about this area (from the glaciers to the peaks to the colors) is dramatically marvelous!

What You Need to Know

You may be wondering if the lake is really that blue…and the answer is: Yes! As the Peyto Glacier moves through the mountains, it grinds the rock underneath into a fine powder. This powder is called glacier flour. The flour then gets deposited into the water, giving the lake its milky turquoise color.

Peyto Lake is located along the Icefields Parkway, a road that travels through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world as it connects Banff and Jasper National Parks. Don’t miss out on driving the Icefields Parkway — it is MAGNIFICENT!

When you reach the Peyto Lake Overlook, you’ll find two parking lots — the lower and the upper. The lower lot is for most visitors to the area, so this is likely the one you’ll park in. A short 15-minute walk is required to reach the overlook from the lower parking lot.

The upper parking lot is for those who have a handicap placard. Parking here cuts out most of the walk to the overlook.

Peyto Lake is an extremely busy place, so consider stopping here in the early morning or evening hours.

Getting Here

From the town of Banff, drive west along Highway 1 toward Lake Louise for 35.5 miles. Pass by Lake Louise, then look for the AB-93 North exit toward Jasper. Take this exit, and follow Highway 93 (the Icefields Parkway) north for 24.5 miles. Turn left toward Peyto Lake/Bow Summit and follow the road to the parking area.

7.  Tea Houses

High in the mountains, you can find a small respite from the elements while enjoying a warm cup of tea. These tea houses in Banff take the phrase “treat yourself” to a whole new level!

What You Need to Know

You’ll find two popular tea houses in Banff — Lake Agnes and Plain of Six Glaciers. Both were built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the early 1900s, and both require a substantial hike to get there.

The easiest tea house to reach is on Lake Agnes, perched in the mountains high above Lake Louise. You can get here via a 4.25-mile roundtrip hike with about 1,300 feet of elevation gain. This trail stays very busy, and waiting in line for a table can take an hour or more.

The Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House is located at the end of the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail. It’s a 6.5-mile roundtrip hike to this tea house, with about 1,200 feet of elevation gain.

Both trails offer stunning scenery and the traditional tea house experience. I was more impressed with the Plain of Six Glaciers, as it travels through a large valley with impressive mountain and glacier views.

Lake Agnes is beautiful, and the tea house is perfectly perched on the cliffs at the lakeshore. But I felt like it was an extension of my experience near Lake Louise with crowds everywhere.

Both tea houses serve treats such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate, pastries, biscuits with homemade jam, and stew. There is no electricity up here, so you can only pay in cash. Be prepared to pack out all of the trash from your meal, and expect higher than normal prices ($7 for two biscuits, haha). It’s all a part of the experience!

Getting Here

Both the Lake Agnes Tea House and the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House start at Lake Louise. 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. Drive along this road for 2.7 miles until you see the Lake Louise parking area. Park here, walk to the lakeshore, and then follow the trail around the right side of the lake to reach either trail.

8.  Vermilion Lakes

Nestled in a picturesque valley near the town of Banff, you’ll find a series of lakes with amazing views of Mount Rundle. You won’t believe that you’re only a few minutes away from the downtown shops!

What You Need to Know

This spot is certainly a surprise, especially with its close proximity to town. The Vermilion Lakes are situated in a beautiful marshland that’s perfect for bear and moose sightings.

As you sit along the shore, you’ll notice the dramatic Mount Rundle reflecting off the lakes. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot a variety of wildlife near the water. This spot is especially popular for moose, who like to feast on the grasses along the lakeshore.

Enjoying canoeing on the lakes, hiking the Fenland Trail, or biking the Vermilion Lakes Road while you’re here.

Getting Here

From downtown Banff, drive west on Elk Street for 0.4 miles. Turn right onto Mt. Norquay Road and drive for 0.4 miles until you see the Vermilion Lakes Road on your left. Turn here, and follow the Vermilion Lakes Road past each lake. The road is about 2.7 miles long — stop when you see something beautiful!

9.  Parker Ridge Trail

If you’re looking for a hike that provides some of the best views in the park without the difficulty of a long hike, then look no further than the Parker Ridge Trail. Words and pictures can’t adequately prepare you for the beauty you’ll encounter along this trail!

What You Need to Know

This hike encompasses everything that is spectacular about Banff National Park — craggy mountains, a massive glacier, a beautiful valley, milky turquoise water, and a feeling of wonder and awe.

From the top of this trail, you’ll be treated to views of the impressive Saskatchewan Glacier, which is the headwaters of the mighty Saskatchewan River.

From the parking area, it’s a 3.4-mile roundtrip hike to the top of Parker Ridge. You’ll follow the trail up some seemingly endless switchbacks to gain about 820 feet of elevation. Please don’t shortcut these switchbacks — stay on the trail to protect the fragile tundra wilderness.

As you make your way up the switchbacks, search for the impressive display of fossilized coral on the rocks along the trail!

This trail takes a while to melt out from all the winter snow, so it’s better attempted in mid-summer or later. It can be chilly and windy up here, even in the middle of the summer. A jacket is always a good idea — the weather in these mountains can change in an instant.

From Parker Ridge, you are just a few minutes away from Jasper National Park. I suggest driving north along the Icefields Parkway to the Icefield Discovery Centre in Jasper if you have time.

Getting Here

From the town of Banff, drive west along Highway 1 toward Lake Louise for 35.5 miles. Pass by Lake Louise, then look for the AB-93 North exit toward Jasper. Take this exit, and follow Highway 93 (the Icefields Parkway) north for 71.9 miles. Look for the Parker Ridge parking area on your left.

10.  Lake Louise

Stroll along the shoreline of one of Canada’s most famous glacial lakes! Lake Louise is a Banff icon — you simply can’t visit the park without stopping here at least once or twice.

What You Need to Know

Lake Louise is a stunning glacial lake (yes, you’ll see that beautiful turquoise water here, too!) surrounded by dramatic mountains. There are so many things to do at or near this lake — it’s a fantastic kick-off point for many of your Banff adventures!

You can go canoeing, hike to Lake Agnes or the Plain of Six Glaciers, or dine at the Fairmont Chateau right next to the lake. If you drive into the small town of Lake Louise (the lake and the town share the same name, and they are separated by about 2.5 miles of road), you’ll find dog sledding, horseback riding, and a fabulous ski resort.

Lake Louise is extremely busy, so don’t expect much solitude unless you’re willing to hike a long trail. Finding parking near the lake is almost always a challenge, but there is a shuttle that you can take from the Park and Ride in town if needed.

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. Drive along this road for 2.7 miles until you see the Lake Louise parking area. Park here, and walk to the lakeshore.

Bonus: Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre

The Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre is technically in Jasper National Park, but it’s so close to the Banff border that it’s worth a mention!

If you’re exploring the Icefields Parkway during your trip to Banff (the stretch of highway between Lake Louise and Jasper), you’ll find the Icefield Centre up near Parker Ridge.

At this centre, you can take a sno-coach tour to stand on top of a glacier, admire the beautiful mountain views, grab a bite to eat, shop for souvenirs, or hike to the Toe of the Glacier. The phenomenal Wilcox Pass Trail is also nearby. Click here to learn more about activities in Jasper National Park.

Have a fantastic trip to Banff National Park. America’s Glacier National Park is nearby — click NEXT to see the things you can’t miss!