The 16 Best Things to Do in Banff and the Canadian Rockies

As frequent readers surely know, the Canadian Rockies are among my absolute favorite places to explore. The views are breathtaking, wildlife is plentiful, and there are just so many things to do in Banff and the surrounding area.

I’ve had four trips to the Rockies in the last seven years and continue to find incredible and memorable things to do. That said, the best things to do in Banff National Park and its magical mountains are hiking. It is in the top tier of scenic landscapes, and you’ll simply never get sick of it.

So, let’s get cracking on the best things to do in the Canadian Rockies around Banff, Jasper, and Yoho National Parks, and help plan out your next trip!

How Many Days to spend in Banff and the Rockies?

Will you get mad if I tell you two weeks or more? But seriously, this place is epic. That said, 7-9 days is a great amount of time to spend in the Canadian Rockies. You’ll be able to check off almost everything on this list of the best things to do in Banff and then some!

That time frame will also allow you a chance to get down into Kananaskis Country, over to Golden, BC, and probably up to Jasper National Park.

Use my Canadian Rockies itinerary to help plan out your trip.

What I consider the best things to do in Banff and the region

First off, I’ve been writing about Canada for years. You can find all of my articles here to help plan a future trip.

1. Go hiking on epic trails

The hiking in the Canadian Rockies is world-class. I can’t assume everyone comes to Banff to hike, but for those who do, you’re in for a treat! And you don’t have to summit an insane peak to get epic views. With turquoise lakes aplenty, jagged peaks poking up at the heavens, the views will blow you away.

Hiking is hands down the best thing to do in Banff and the Canadian Rockies. Here are some of my favorite hikes in the area.

• Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass
• Little Beehive and Lake Agnes
• Burstall Pass and Snow Peak
• Plain of the Many Glaciers
• Rockbound Lake
• Johnston Canyon
• Chephren Lake
• Smutwood Peak (Kananaskis Country)
• Sarrail Ridge (Kananaskis Country)

I haven’t cracked the surface for hiking in this area. Can’t wait to get back and see more! (PS: Fall in Canada is epic with larches turning yellow and gold.)

Tips for hiking in Canada

• Bring bear spray on every hike (you can’t fly with it, though, pick it up in Calgary)
• Don’t hike alone
• Drink plenty of water and eat snacks
• You’re hiking at altitude, take your time if you’re coming from sea level
• While the Rockies don’t get a lot of thunderstorms, keep an eye on the weather. It can change fast.

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2. Drive the Icefields Parkway

Arguably the most beautiful drive in the world, and definitely in Canada. The Icefields Parkway is a 130+ mile drive connecting Lake Louise to Jasper. With views galore, you honestly never have to get out of your car to have your mind blown.

But I would recommend it. Make sure to see Peyto Lake, Athabasca Glacier, Athabasca Falls, and the Saskatchewan River Crossing. Plus, you should have a good chance to see wildlife, be it bears, big-horned sheep, deer, or elk.

While it is a highway, please drive slower than you would in the US. It’s a one-lane road for most of it, and drivers and passengers alike will be gawking at the mountains. And with wildlife around, not being heavy on the pedal will save lives.

Easily one of the best things to do in Banff. And This is a full-day excursion.
While there are tours you can take, I would recommend renting your own car so you’re not forced to follow a schedule. Summer days last past 10pm in Banff. Take all day and have a blast!

3. Search for wildlife

With the human population sparse in the mountains, the wildlife roam freely. It’s one of the great joys of visiting the Canadian Rockies, similar to exploring Yellowstone or the Grand Tetons. As you drive from Banff to Lake Louise, to Yoho National Park, or up to Jasper, keep your eyes peeled for animals.

They’re there. You just have to spot them.

Two places to see them: Icefields Parkway (which is obvious) & Bow Valley Parkway (which runs parallel to Highway 1 and is the road that Johnston Canyon is off of… this will be slower, but offers fantastic opportunities)

Looking for a new camera?
Here are the best on the market. And here are the best wildlife lenses.

4. Visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

The two crown jewels of Banff National Park. Sure, there are beautiful lakes throughout the Rockies; Lake Louise and Moraine Lake just happen to be incredibly easy to visit and objectively extremely captivating to look at.

But both are bending under the pressure of high tourism. So high that Parks Canada closed all personal vehicles to Moraine Lake in recent years. Now, you have to take a private shuttle or Parks Canada bus.

For Lake Louise, you can still drive your car up there. But if you aren’t there early in the morning, the lot will likely be full. And if you do park, you’ll have to pay $37 CAD per day.

Now that we’ve gotten the bureaucratic nonsense out of the way, these two places rock!

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Moraine Lake, in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, may be the most pristine view in all of North America. Snowy peaks start on the looker’s left and follow the lake’s shores to the back.

A bit to the north is Lake Louise, one of the most turquoise lakes in the region. With massive glaciers hanging on the far rock walls, the view will fill you with awe and wonder.

5. Explore Jasper National Park

In 2024, I finally had the pleasure of visiting the town of Jasper and Jasper National Park. It was on a whim, actually. I took my fiancée up the Icefields Parkway for the first time, and by the time we reached the Athabasca Glacier, I asked her if we should keep going.

Find Jasper Hotels here.

She said yes. We found a hotel room, and that was that. (A month later, that hotel burned to the ground in the devastating July 2024 fire.) Jasper is a cute, vibrant town with surreal scenery, just like Banff.

We hit the northern part of the Icefield Parkway on the first day. Then the second day, we drove out to Maligne Lake (beautiful), hiked a little, visited Maligne Canyon, and stopped by Medicine Lake (saw the bald eagle nest). The entire drive is gorgeous and prime for wildlife spotting.

Here are a few recommendations for things to do in Jasper.

• Athabasca Glacier
• Athabasca Falls
• Sunwapta Falls
• Maligne Lake
• Maligne Canyon (though this was burned in the ’24 fire as well)
• Tonquin Valley (overnight hike)
• Mount Edith Cavell trailhead

It is, hands down, one of the best places to see in the Canadian Rockies.

6. Walk on the Athabasca Glacier

There are two options for the Athabasca Glacier. You can go on a guided tour to walk on the glacier. Or you can take a short loop hike to look at it. With our limited time (well, and the fact that we never planned to drive so far north), we only did the quick walk.

Similar to the Exit Glacier hike in Kenai Fjords National Park, this one shows you by year where the glacier used to extend. It’s one of the best things to do in the Canadian Rockies.

Combine a tour of the glacier with the Columbia Skywalk.
Book them here

7. Walk around the town of Banff

Just like the town of Jasper, Banff is lovely to walk around. You’ve got breweries, great food, wineries, and so much to do and see. Unfortunately, I’m not a big foodie or town person, so I don’t have much to add on what to do.

Maybe another hike?

8. Take a scenic helicopter ride over the Rockies

There are a few places where a flightseeing tour is more relevant. Getting above the peaks, looking down at the glacier-fed lakes, and seeing the more magnificent landscapes from above is so worth it.

If you’re looking for the most memorable flight of your life, this is it!

Book a tour above the Canadian Rockies

9. Tackle the Via Ferrata in Banff

Looking for a thrill, hanging on the side of a mountain? It might be time to check out the Via Ferrata in Banff. I haven’t done it, but it looks like a phenomenal experience. Great for couples or groups of friends looking for an adrenaline rush!

Book a tour here

10. Go up the Banff Gondola

Save your legs and head to the top of Sulphur Mountain, just south of Banff. The views will amaze, and it’s a perfect place to watch the sunset, grab lunch, or dinner.

Add this to your list of the best things to do in Banff. You won’t forget it!

Get your gondola tickets here.
Make it a date night with a local tour dinner included.

11. Kayaking on the Bow River

If you’re looking to spend some time on the water, doing a slightly more unique activity in the Canadian Rockies than just hiking and summitting mountains, may I suggest kayaking? The Bow River flows along the Icefields Parkway towards Banff.

It’s undoubtedly one of the most picturesque rivers in all of North America.

Take a look at this kayaking trip

12. Try Ice Climbing on frozen waterfalls

While I haven’t done ice climbing in Canada, I did recently take part in the Wyoming Ice Festival in Cody, Wyoming. It was super rad. If you enjoy climbing, I highly recommend trying ice climbing – if just once, to see how you like it!

Canada has some of the best ice climbing on the continent, and it’ll be an activity you remember for a long time!

Try ice climbing in Canada

13. Spend time at Lake Minnewanka (Cruise option available)

Lake Minnewanka is unbelievably beautiful and, for whatever reason, doesn’t have the same fanfare as other lakes around Banff. I highly recommend a day trip here, even if it’s just for lunch.

If you want to get out on it, there are hour-long rides available. But if I’m being honest with you all, I don’t think it’s necessary.

14. Explore the Sky Bridge or go Whitewater Rafting in Golden

Golden is uniquely situated in the heart of the Rockies. It has access to Revelstoke NP, Glacier NP, Banff NP, and Yoho NP, all within easy driving distance.

Granted, this one’s a little outside of the Lake Louise/Banff area. But if you’re staying in Golden for a night or two, consider checking out the Sky Bridge or going whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River.

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Checkout the Skybridge
Checkout Whitewater Rafting

15. Visit Yoho National Park

Definitely not hidden, but far less visited. I think this is a must for visiting the Canadian Rockies. I have a two-day itinerary for Yoho National Park here. You will love every second of your time in Yoho.

I’ll also share the highlights:

• Emerald Lake
• Takakkaw Falls
• Lake O’Hara (and surrounding lakes)
• Wapta Falls

A visit here is simply one of the best things to do in the Canadian Rockies.

16. Enjoy sunrise at Vermillion Lakes

On my 2021 trip to Banff, one of the final mornings was spent watching and photographing the sunrise here. It’s just a few minutes outside of the Banff Town Center, making it possibly the easiest place to go.

Just roll out of bed and drive a mile. You won’t be disappointed, and you’ll get to experience one of the best things to do in Banff National Park.

Where to stay around Banff National Park

Over the last five to seven years, hotels in the area have increased considerably. But, unless you want to camp, there’s not much you can do there.

Below are my suggestions for where to stay in the Lake Louise area. And below that are Banff-specific recommendations.

Hotels around Banff

Solo/Younger Travelers: HI Lake Louise Hostel—I’ve stayed here twice, and it’s been awesome. It’s one of the best-located hostels, and for the price point, it’s super affordable!
HI Lake Louise Hostel – HI Banff Hostel
Mid-Range Options: Mountaineer Lodge – Deer Lodge – Lake Louise Inn
Luxury Options: Emerald Lake Lodge – Chateau Lake Louise – Baker Creek by Basecamp

Camping in the area

Do you want to camp? There are an incredible number of campgrounds to stay at while you tackle the best things to do in Banff.

Banff National Park Campgrounds

Jasper National Park Campgrounds

Near Jasper Townsite

• Whistlers (largest campground)
• Wapiti (large sites, RV-friendly)

Icefields Parkway

• Snaring (first-come, first-served)
• Jonas Creek
• Honeymoon Lake
• Mount Kerkeslin

Hiking Gear Suggestions for the Rockies

• Wide-brimmed hat
• Sunglasses
• Sun shirt or sun hoodie
• Hiking Shoes or Trail Runners
• Hiking Shorts or Hiking Pants
• 25L+ Hiking Pack
• 2L hiking bladder or water bottles
• Garmin inReach 2
• Garmin Fenix hiking watch
• Light jacket for mornings
• Hiking Poles

Things To Know About Visiting the Canadian Rockies

Keep these in mind as you explore the best of the Canadian Rockies.

• Always carry bear spray, no matter th.e hike
• First-come, first-served campgrounds are a nice way to get cheap camping without having to make reservations. Easier to get them on weekdays.
• Mid-June is a great time to visit, with fewer crowds and no wildfires
• August has the potential to be terrible for wildfires. But you never know these days
• There are so many hikes that no one goes to, which are still gorgeous. Don’t be afraid to go outside of the popular places.
• You’ll likely want to fly in and out of Calgary for ease and convenience. From Calgary to Banff, it’s less than two hours.

Final thoughts on things to do in Banff and Jasper

The views in Banff and Jasper National Parks have few rivals. And you’ll soon figure that out as you enter the mountains from Calgary or Edmonton and begin one of the best trips of your life. There are so many things to do in Banff and the Canadian Rockies that you’ll probably start planning a new trip before you even head home.

And that’s a good thing! More trips to Canada are good for the soul.

To do a quick, final recap, here’s what I would prioritize on my first trip:

• Watch the sunrise at Moraine Lake
• Spend a day on the Icefields Parkway
• Hike around Lake Louise (either the Beehives or the Plain of Many Glacier)
• If you can win a permit for Lake O’Hara, prioritize it.

Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.

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