Banff National Park Travel Guide

Dramatic mountains, shimmering glaciers and Swiss-village-style charm. The oldest national park in Canada has a majestic beauty and offers a playground of outdoor sports options—from hiking to skiing to fishing and more. It has walkable streets, a wide range of restaurants, and no shortage of fudge shops. The town started, ostensibly, in 1888 when the Canadian Pacific Railway built the grande dame Banff Springs Hotel, in order to get more people to visit Banff National Park. Clearly, the gamble worked. While you can not fault this popular part of the Canadian Rockies as being a blissfully quiet getaway, it’s worth it to subject yourself to any bustle: this place is gorgeous. Read on in this Banff National Park travel guide to find your own corner of bliss in this colorful wonderland of nature:

Things Not to Miss in Banff National Park

• See the glacial Lake Minnewanka
 • Rent a bike and cycle along the 22-kilometer Banff Legacy Trail
 • Take a dip in the Upper Hot Springs Pool, which hovers around 100 degrees
 • Step inside the Banff Springs Hotel
 • Take a day trip up to see Lake Louise, especially when it turns turquoise blue in the summer

When to Go to Banff National Park

Depending on whether you are wowed by winter wonderland scenery or lush evergreens against reflecting lakes, there is no bad time of ear to travel to Banff National Park. The peak of the Banff National Park travel season is in July or August, when daily highs stay at around 70 degrees, the chance of rain is low, and you can see wildflowers in bloom. December through March is the peak for snow sports. For the fewest crowds and lowest prices, come in the shoulder seasons of late spring and early fall.