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About Us
Banff is Canada’s first national park and the flagship of the Rockies — a 6,600-square-kilometre sweep of glacier-fed lakes, limestone peaks and a walkable mountain town, all within a 90-minute drive of Calgary. It’s one of the most approachable big-mountain destinations in North America, which is exactly why it rewards a little planning: the same accessibility that makes a first car-camping trip easy also draws crowds, and the weather turns fast and cold at elevation.
Banff sits on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies, part of the UNESCO Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. Turquoise lakes like Louise and Moraine get their colour from glacial rock flour; above them, the Continental Divide throws up peaks over 3,000 metres. The park spans several ecoregions, from montane valley bottoms of aspen and Douglas fir up through subalpine spruce to bare alpine tundra and permanent ice. It’s prime habitat for grizzly and black bears, elk, bighorn sheep, and the occasional wolverine or cougar.
Summer (July–August) is peak season: trails are largely snow-free, the Icefields Parkway is in full swing, and daytime temperatures are pleasant — though alpine nights stay cold year-round. September brings thinner crowds, larch season, and crisp weather. Winter (December–March) turns Banff into a ski-touring and resort destination, with genuine avalanche terrain and short daylight. Spring is unpredictable, with lingering snow up high and closed high-country trails well into June.
Most visitors fly into Calgary and drive the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) about 130 km west. Inside the park, the famous Lake Louise and Moraine Lake areas now run on a shuttle-and-reservation system in summer — private vehicles are heavily restricted, so book ahead. Other trailheads such as Johnston Canyon, Sunshine Meadows and Lake Minnewanka are reachable by car or the local Roam transit buses.
Day hiking is the headline: routes range from the flat, family-friendly shoreline at Johnston Canyon to all-day alpine objectives like Sentinel Pass and Cory Pass. The backcountry opens up multi-day options such as the Sawback and Skoki circuits. Beyond hiking there’s canoeing on Louise and Moraine, cycling the Bow Valley Parkway, soaking in the Banff Upper Hot Springs, and — in winter — skiing at three resorts and touring the backcountry.
This is real bear country: carry bear spray, know how to use it, travel in groups, and store food in the provided lockers or approved canisters. Mountain weather can swing from sun to snow in an afternoon even in summer, so pack insulation and a shell regardless of the forecast. Rivers and lakes run cold and fast with glacial melt. Cell coverage is limited to the townsites — for the backcountry, carry a map, compass and a satellite messenger or PLB, and leave a trip plan with someone before you go.
Everyone entering the park needs a valid Parks Canada pass, and backcountry and frontcountry camping require reservations. Fire bans, trail closures (often for bear activity), and seasonal road conditions change constantly — this page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so always confirm current status and permits with Parks Canada before your trip.
