Banff National Park is Canada's first national park, boasting stunning Rocky Mountain peaks, glacial lakes, and endless adventure opportunities. Visitors can explore the park year-round, with winter being a particularly magical time to visit. From snowy trails to thermal waters, Banff offers something for everyone. Just remember, no drones allowed! So, leave your drone at home and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of this iconic park. You do need a park pass and I will explain that in my travel tips! You can get day passes, multiple days or annual passes.

Buffalo Mountain Lodge, nestled atop Tunnel Mountain in Banff National Park, is our go to resort in Banff.. It is beautiful with wood beams and a magical chalet style feel. The hot tub also had incredible views and was a must. It was a good mid budget hotel! We really like the restaurant the Prow there too.

Johnston Canyon is a popular hiking spot in Banff National Park and it is about 10 minutes out of town. The hike first goes to the Lower Falls and then to the Upper Falls at the end and it is a one way hike. This hike takes you through dramatic canyons with waterfalls and cliffside walkways. The Lower falls are a short walk from the trailhead, and the upper falls are slightly longer. It is an easy hike in the area all in all!

Stats to Upper Falls: 5.5km return, 255 meters (2 hours)

If you are there in summer it is probably one of the busiest hikes in Banff so try to go early to avoid crowds, it does not get that busy in winter.

We did it in winter and it was seriously a winter wonderland, the frozen waterfall were insane. Highly recommend bringing crampons in winter. It is 5.5km return to the upper falls and has little elevation gain. It is only half of that distance to the lower falls, but i do recommend doing the whole thing.

Johnston Canyon to Upper Falls, Alberta, Canada - 9,949 Reviews, Map | AllTrails

The Banff Roasting Company is a cozy café nestled in the heart of Banff, Alberta. Known for their delicious coffee and friendly atmosphere, this local hotspot is a favorite among both residents and tourists alike. With a wide selection of specialty drinks and freshly baked treats, it's the perfect place to relax and recharge after a day of exploring the stunning Rocky Mountains.

Two Jack Lake is a picturesque emerald green lake nestled in Banff National Park, offering panoramic views of Mount Rundle. The road there from Banff is really pretty and only about 15 minutes away. It is the small lake before Minnewanka which is a huge lake. Two Jack Lake is known for the red chairs on the shore. You can walk around and find some really pretty picnic spots and in winter you can skate there!

Lake Minnewanka is the largest lake in Banff National Park, nestled in the Canadian Rockies. This is located on a scenic road that takes you past Two Jack Lake. We always see elk here so keep your eye out! We came when the lake was frozen and you can walk on it, so cool! In the summer you can bring your paddleboard or just walk along the shore.

Wildlife sightings are common, so keep an eye out for wolves, grizzlies, and elk. Plus, there's a scenic trail along the northern shore perfect for exploring. Whether you're into outdoor adventures or just want to soak in the stunning views, Lake Minnewanka has something for everyone.

The Prow at Buffalo Mountain Lodge is the place to be for delicious mountain tapas, creative cocktails. Tasty upscale Canadian cuisine in a nice setting. Whether you're looking to unwind après adventure or indulge in some elevated Rocky Mountain cuisine, The Prow has got you covered.

Lake Louise is a stunning alpine lake nestled in the heart of Banff National Park, known for its turquoise waters and breathtaking mountain backdrop. It is free to go to, but you do need to pay for parking in the summer months. Parking is free after 7pm and in the off season!

There is also a shuttle service from Lake Louise Village as the parking does fill up! The lake does get busy right at the viewing area. However, just keep walking along the path and you can find quieter spots. At the lake you can walk the path or even go up to Lake Agnes Tea House or the Beehive hikes. In the winter you can snow shoe, ride horses, or ice skate the lake. You can of course canoe on the lake in the summer but it is so expensive at about $140. if you really want to ball out you can stay at the Fairmont Lake Louise or go to one of their restaurants.

Lake Agnes Tea House is a charming spot nestled in the Rockies, accessible by a moderate hike from the Upper Lake Louise parking area. It is 3.6km one way to get there over 400m elevation gain, and it is really worth it. Teas are about $4 and they do have some really good cakes. From here head up to the big or little beehive hikes or head back! The trail passes Mirror Lake and has some beautiful vantage points of Lake Lake Louise.

The Beehive is a popular hiking trail at Lake Louise. There are actually 2 Beehives the Big Beehive and the Little Beehive. Both hike starts at the Upper Lake Louise parking area and takes you up to a charming European-style tea house nestled by Lake Agnes. From there, you can continue on to the Big Beehive for panoramic views or head to the Little Beehive for a lookout over the Bow Valley. We did both of the beehives and it was worth it as the Little beehive is just a small detour.

Big and Little Beehive in Banff National Park

• Distance: ~12 km (round trip)

• Elevation Gain: ~880 m

• Duration: 6 hours

• Overview: This is technically two hikes in Banff National Park, but they can both be done together as the trail forks. If you are there and you can do it, definitely do both! If you have to pick one I would choose the Big Beehive. The little Beehive is only an extra 1.7km in total.

  There are a lot of signs so you can't get lost, but here is the alltrails to map it out. I always like to use offline maps such as maps.me for hikes.

• Lake Agnes, Big and Little Beehive, Alberta, Canada - Map, Guide | AllTrails

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Boathouse is where guests can rent canoes. This boathouse is right on the lakeside you can't miss it and there is usually a line. It is really pricey at about $140 for like an hour. We were on a tourism trip so got if for free. There is a loophole. You can bring your own paddleboard or kayak or whatever and bring it on the lake for free, but you do need to get it inspected as bacteria can contaminate the lake. The inspection site is near the parking lot.

Farm & Fire is Banff's farm to table restaurant. It is super good and in a great location.

Moraine Lake in Banff National Park is a stunning turquoise gem nestled in the Canadian Rockies and is probably the most photographed lake in Canada. Accessible only by shuttle or commercial transportation, you have to book in advance to get here as you can't drive here. There is a bit of a hack where you can bike there, but it is too far of a walk. The shuttles book out quickly. You can book on the Parks Canada site in April/May depending when they release the tickets or you can book a private companies shuttle. There are also several tours that bring you here. You used to be able to drive here in the past, but it just got too busy. You can rent canoes at the lake, walk the lakeside trail, or just hang out. There are some little restaurants there too. I would recommend going for sunrise as it is really beautiful and staying atleast 3 hours.

Canmore, a charming town in the Canadian Rockies, offers stunning views and a laid-back vibe that's perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. It is a great alternative as a base to Banff town for accommodation as it is a bit cheaper too! If I were to live in the Rockies, I would 100% pick Canmore it is so nice and central and the town is so cute.

Rocky Mountain Bagel Company is a go-to spot in Canmore for a quick and delicious breakfast or lunch. They serve fresh bagels with your choice of tasty toppings, making it the perfect place to start your day off right. The ingredients are always fresh, so you can bet that your bagel will be amazing.

Grassi Lakes is a popular hiking spot in Canmore, Alberta, known for its stunning turquoise-colored lakes and picturesque views. It is only a 3.4km hike, fairly easy, but these lakes are really unique so it is worth it! The area is perfect for a leisurely day hike or a relaxing picnic by the water. It is one of the best bang for your buck little hikes!

The Banff Gondola takes you up Sulphur Mountain in just eight minutes. From the top, you get killer views of Banff town, Bow Valley, and beyond. There's a cool observation deck and a short trail to check out. It's a must-do for anyone visiting Banff National Park! It costs $60 for a return trip. There is a wooden boardwalk at the top that is about 1km return of a walk. I would recommend trying to head up for sunset.

Sky Bistro is a top-rated restaurant located at the summit of Sulphur Mountain in Banff. You take the gondola to get here! Offering mountain-top dining with stunning views, this dining sanctuary in the sky serves up fresh and inspired cuisine sourced from local producers in Western Canada. Whether you're looking for a special occasion spot or just want to enjoy a unique dining experience, Sky Bistro is the place to be. You reach the restaurant by taking the scenic gondola ride so its a whole experience in itself.