What you'll do
One perfect weekend in Banff National Park, covering all the best hikes, sights & food!
If hiking isn't your thing - check out the weekend guide that has no hiking!
Day 1
Tunnel Mountain
Escursione
Scenic hiking trail overlooking Banff
Tunnel Mountain, also known as Sleeping Buffalo, is a mountain located in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. Its name comes from a proposed railway tunnel that was never built. The mountain offers a popular hiking trail with stunning views of the townsite and surrounding wilderness. It's a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike to take in the beauty of the Canadian Rockies.
This hike is 4.35 KMs from the bottom parking lot. If you want to cut out some of the hike, you can park in the upper parking lot. It would be perfect to watch the sunrise or sunset!
This hike is almost all up hill so some cardio is required.
Shoku Izakaya
ristorante
Trendy Japanese-Asian kitchen and bar
Shoku Izakaya in Banff is a trendy Japanese-Asian kitchen and bar serving up traditional and modern dishes in a cool space. We loved their tofu boa buns & the vegetarian curry!
Bow River Trail
Escursione
Scenic hike by Bow River
This is a great easy stroll in Banff. It walks along the Bow River and leads to Bow Falls. The path is paved with no elevation gain, making it the perfect casual stroll with awesome mountain views along the way!
Bow Falls
Giro turistico
Scenic waterfall near Banff Town
Bow Falls in Banff is a popular spot just outside town, known for its scenic waterfall dropping 9 meters across the Bow River. You can either walk the Bow River Trail (flat & easy) to reach the falls or you can drive and park at the small parking lot to avoid any walking.
Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive
Giro turistico
Scenic drive with wildlife sightings
The Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive is a 24 km loop that offers stunning views. Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep, who often roam the area.
Lake Minnewanka
tour
Glacial lake in stunning surroundings
Lake Minnewanka, located in Banff National Park, Canada, is a stunning glacial lake known for its crystal-clear waters and picturesque surroundings.
There are lots of great boat tours but our favourite is the beer tour. You get served local beer & bread on a boat and learn about the area!
Two Jack Lake
Giro turistico
Stunning emerald lake near Banff
Two Jack Lake is a stunning emerald green lake in Banff National Park, known for its picturesque views of Mount Rundle.
There is a easy 4 KM trail around the lake if you just want an easy hike with stunning mountain & lake views!
There is a campground here for tents, RVs (no hookups) & glamping tents.
Located 15 minutes from the town of Banff.
This rustic, unserviced campground is beautifully situated on the shores of Two Jack Lake. It is perfect for tents or small RVs (up to 27 feet / 8.5 metres) and offers lake front sites, mountain views and access to the lake for motorized boating.
- 64 unserviced sites, including 22 walk-in campsites (parking for these sites available at central location), reservations recommended
- 10 oTENTiks, reservations recommended
PARK Distillery Restaurant + Bar + Liquor Store
ristorante
Gourmet comfort eats, with amazing local mixed drinks!
This place has some of the best mixed drinks we have ever had, locally distilled Gin, Rye and Vodka - which you can also purchase in their onsite liquor store after your meal!
To drink, Storm got the "Storm Mountain" obviously - which was delicious, very well balanced! Dalton had the "Smoki Maple Old Fashion", also very tasty although quite powerful, so make sure you like Whiskey if that's the one you choose!
The food is not to be ignored either, we recommend the spinach and cheese dip is so delightful, their Mac'N'Cheese is ooey gooey deliciousness and you have to get the S'more dessert it's AMAZING!