Visiting Banff in July? Here’s All You Need to Know

There’s only one word to describe Banff in July – stunning. July is one of the best times to visit the Canadian Rockies if you’re after sunshine, warmth, and long days. I love Banff in July as the snow disappears off the mountain peaks, hiking is plentiful, and the vibe is delightful.

July in Banff also means many clear days and nights, meaning you can play all day, stay up, and star gaze with a hot tea at night. So what’s the weather like in Banff in July and what can you do? Let’s dig in.

Things to Know Before Visiting Banff in July

What’s the Weather Like?

Banff in July is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful times, as it’s truly summer in the Canadian Rockies. And summer here is short, but it is oh so sweet. In July, the rainfall is typically low, and if you’re lucky, your vacation will mainly be sunshine and long, warm days.

The average temperature is 24°C, but it tends to be warmer in the afternoon under the sunshine. Yes, this means you can finally forget about winter, though you’ll still want to pack a packable down jacket and a shell jacket just in case, especially if you are doing lots of hiking at higher elevations.

In July, I typically spend my days in shorts and a T-shirt. It’s also finally bathing suit season in Banff (a short-lived season in the Canadian Rockies).

Is there snow in Banff in July? Thankfully, most winter snow has melted, and hiking trails are generally snow-free. However, the higher the mountain and the summits, the more snow you’ll find. Several popular passes will still be snowbound at the beginning of the month.

All that sunshine and melting snow have made the mountainsides a lush carpet of greenery, and the wildflowers abound. There’s a lot of daylight – about 16 hours per day, meaning the sun doesn’t set until after 10 pm and rises extra early. However, if you stay up late, you’ll be rewarded with superb stargazing.

If all this sounds too good to be true, that’s because there’s a pitfall. The park is filled with visitors, and you’ll need reservations for any popular camping spots and attractions like the Banff Gondola. If you plan on staying in a hotel in Banff, book your reservation well in advance and be prepared to pay premium prices.

Spots like Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, and Lake Minnewanka will be packed, and it’s going to be a struggle to get parking at peak times. Don’t worry – the park is vast, and you can visit plenty of places without the crowds, though many congregate in the same areas.

Festivals in July

On July 1, it’s Canada Day. This is celebrated with processions and concerts in both Downtown Banff and Canmore! We personally like to escape the crowds and get out on a hike during the celebration.

If you like your festivities to be less wild and more of a weekly thing, then you’ll like Banff Farmers Market. This takes place every Wednesday (between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Central Park) throughout the summer and is the place to go for fresh produce, crafts, and ceramics – as well as food trucks if you get hungry.

If you’re staying in Canmore, check out the Canmore Mountain Farmers Market, which runs on Thursdays from May 23 until October 3, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Elevation Place (700 Railway Ave.).

What to Pack for Banff in July?

Is it cold in Banff in July? Well – it could be, so pack just about everything! It is one of the warmest months in Banff National Park, but that doesn’t make it incredibly warm.

So, while you will probably be comfortable in shorts and a tank top throughout the day, it’s best to come prepared with a jacket and pants for the evening. You’ll hardly ever be uncomfortable in pants in the Canadian Rockies.

It’s a national park, so bring good footwear and hiking gear. We have a great post on what to wear hiking in the Canadian Rockies. Also, there are some fantastic restaurants and nice experiences here, so bring a nice outfit for a night out on Banff Ave. Of course, you can wear hiking gear and trail runners to almost any restaurant.

Can You Visit Lake Louise in July?

July is one of the best months to visit Lake Louise. The lake is thawed, and you can expect a bright blue glacial-fed lake to await you. Most hiking trails around Lake Louise are free of snow and open.

The only downside is it’s one of the busiest times of the year to visit the famous lake, and you’ll need to arrive by sunrise to get a parking spot. So plan your visit to Lake Louise accordingly. Public transportation options make it easier to reach Lake Louise.

The Roam Transit 8X from Banff and the Park & Ride shuttle service both take visitors to the lakeshore. If you don’t want to deal with shuttles, buses, and parking, there is plenty of private tours that take visitors to both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise.

Can You Visit Moraine Lake in July?

Moraine Lake in July is an absolutely incredible time. Like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake is completely thawed and full. I say that because Lake Moraine is a glacial-fed lake that recedes depending on the season. Most of the hiking around Lake Moraine is also good to go by mid-July, though you should wait until August to attempt to summit Mount Temple.

July is peaks season at Lake Moraine though, and you must plan how to get to Moraine Lake in advance. Since parking is no longer allowed at Moraine Lake, we recommend taking the Parks Canada Moraine Lake shuttle, booking a spot on the Moraine Lake Bus Company, hopping on the Hop On Hop Off Bus from Banff, or booking a private tour.

Things to Do in Banff in July

Hike Healy Pass

One of the finest hikes in Banff National Park is Healy Pass. The hike’s starting point is Sunshine Village, a short drive from Banff town. It climbs a gradual pass until it unveils a pristine alpine meadow. At 17.6 km and nearly 700 meters of elevation gain it’s a moderate hike that is a full day out. There’s no scrambling and anything technical involved, but you can still expect this hike to take you anywhere between five and seven hours.

You’ll be well rewarded for your efforts as the meadow is resplendent for hiking and famed for wildflowers in Banff in the summer. There are quite a few storybook vistas in the park, but Healy Pass rivals the best of them. You can read all about the Healy Pass hike here.

Go for a Bike Ride

Biking around Banff is one of the best things you can do while visiting. Whether it’s mountain biking or cycling, there are tons of trails to explore. My favorite long distance rides are the Legacy Trail from Canmore to Banff or the Bow Valley Parkway from Banff to Lake Louise. Biking the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Loop Road is also a fun way to get to Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka.

If you want to mountain bike, there are some great trails at the Nordic Center in Canmore, including my personal favorite – The Odyssey. Besides the Nordic Center, some easy mountain biking trails include Lokis and Fun Forest, while the Cloudline Trail is a harder trail to tackle in the valley. Other good mountain biking around Banff include Top Notch and Star Wars.

If you want a downhill bike park, there are none in Banff, and you’ll have to travel to Panorama Resort in Invermere or Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden.

Head to Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake isn’t technically in Banff, but it’s not far from it. Just past Lake Louise, you can drive into Yoho National Park and take in all the beauty there. Emerald Lake is one of the most turquoise lakes I’ve ever seen and rivals Lake Moraine and Lake Louise in beauty.

It’s definitely a must-visit spot in the Canadian Rockies. If you had canoeing on your bucket list, enjoy canoeing on Emerald Lake for a fraction of the price of Lake Louise or Moraine Lake.

Go Deep in the Backcountry on Horseback

Banff Trail Riders is a local company that can take visitors deep into the backcountry via horseback in the summer. It’s one of those bucket list experiences I would recommend to anyone who genuinely wants to live out those old Western dreams.

We spent a week in the backcountry with Banff Trail Riders, which was marvelous. Though an experience like this needs to be booked up very far in advance. If you want a short taster of what horseback riding in Banff National Park is like we can’t recommend this one-hour ride along the Bow River enough!

Canoe on Vermilion Lakes

There are plenty of lakes to canoe on in Banff National Park. The closest one to town is Vermilion Lakes. The connected lakes offer tremendous views of Mount Rundle and have some interesting wetlands to paddle through.

There are always some curious ducks and geese on the water, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a beaver. You can rent canoes and other watercraft devices from Banff Canoe Club.

Hike the Beehive Circuit

The Big Beehive and Little Beehive are two of the most popular hikes in all of Banff National Park and hiking them is one of the best things to do in Banff. While the trail is busy and often feels far from the wilderness, the surreal views make up for anything you can say negatively about the hike.

The greater “Beehive Circuit” makes for a tremendous day out for beginner to intermediate hikers with spectacular views and a solid challenge. It will take hikers past Mirror Lake, Lake Agnes, and the Little and Big Beehive. If you want to add more to your day you can consider adding on the Plain of Six Glaciers.

Go for a Hike in Kananaskis

There is plenty of hiking to do in Banff, don’t get us wrong. But for a change of views, it’s a great idea to do one or two hikes in Kananaskis Country. A few of our favorites are Smutwood Peak, Tent Ridge, and Sarrail Ridge.

Walk Across the Golden Skybridge

If you are keen to venture a bit outside of Banff or plan on embarking on a road trip to Revelstoke or Vancouver, it’s worth it to stop at one of our favorite towns – Golden! Golden is about 45 minutes away from Emerald Lake and Yoho National Park. There are plenty of things to do in Golden, but their newest attraction is the Golden Skybridge.

It’s not every day you can walk 426 feet above a vast canyon. Surrounded by the Columbia Valley, walking across this Skybridge while a river and waterfall crash below you is memorable. It’s one of the best things to do in the area with families as they have plenty more to do here than the Skybridge, including a mountain cart, zipline, ropes course, and giant boulder swing.

Head Up the Banff Gondola

The Banff Gondola gets you to the top of Sulphur Mountain in just eight minutes and climbs to 2281 meters (7486 ft) above sea level. It’s unlikely you’ve ever climbed 698 meters so quick in your life! Once at the top, you’ll have panoramic views of the Bow Valley and down toward Banff, with Cascade Mountain looming above it.

It is one of the most popular things to do, and you can expect it to be very busy. We recommend booking tickets in advance in the summer. To avoid crowds shoot for morning. or late evening to catch the evening light. If you’re up for a short walk, head to the end of the boardwalk and Cosmic Ray Station!

Catch Sunrise at Moraine Lake

It’s not possible to drive to Moraine Lake for sunrise, so if catching the sun rising over the Ten Peaks is on your bucket list, you’ll have to make alternative plans. The Moraine Lake Bus Company is a shuttle service that starts as early as 4 a.m. in the summer, bringing people up Moraine Lake Rd so they can witness a special sunrise.

If you want a full tour Radventures runs an Earlybird Explorer Tour picks guests up in Banff and brings them to Moraine Lake for sunrise. They’ll spend two hours at Moraine Lake taking photos and walking the lakeshore before heading to Lake Louise early in the morning before crowds arrive.

Drive the Icefields Parkway

The Icefields Parkway, or Hwy 93, is a scenic drive between Banff and Jasper. It’s been frequently referred to as one of the best drives in the entire world, and after driving it many times, we have to agree. You can expect the Icefields Parkway to be very busy in July, so we recommend an early start (6am) to beat some of the crowds and make the most out of your day.

There are many stops along the Icefields Parkway, and even with a full day, it’s unlikely you’ll get to most of them. If you have time, we recommend booking an Icefields Parkway hotel, like the Glacier View Lodge, to split up your day.

**If you don’t have your own set of wheels in Banff, this is a great tour that will bring you as far as Peyto Lake!

Admire Peyto Lake

Peyto Lake is a dazzling blue lake and the third most visited in Banff after Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. A large viewing platform to see the fox-shaped lake is the best spot to take in the scene. It’s accessible to all via two different well-maintained paved trails. If you’re driving the Icefields Parkway, stopping here is a must.

Hike Parker Ridge

Speaking of the Icefields Parkway, if you plan to drive between Banff to Jasper, it’s well worth it to leave a few extra hours open in your schedule to hike Parker Ridge. Parker Ridge is an easy hike in Banff that provides stunning views of the Saskatchewan Glacier. Seriously, it’s rare that I am rewarded with such beautiful views for low effort.

Guided Glacier Hike on The Athabasca with IceWalks

While it’s certainly possible to book the Columbia Adventure Tour and take the Ice Explorer vehicles and let them do all the heavy lifting for you to the foot of a glacier, we think it’s more fun to walk on Athabasca Glacier instead.

This half day guided glacier hike will get you close to glaciers, and allow you to walk on the ice with microspikes, all accompanied by a certified guide. If you’d like to actually repel into a crevasse, Rockaboo is the guiding company that can make that happen. If you do not have glacier travel experience, do not try to walk on the glacier yourself and book a tour!

eBike and Hike

You may have heard of Johnston Canyon, one of the most popular trails in the Canadian Rockies. While it’s possible to drive to the trailhead, that’s not much fun! Instead, we recommend an eBike & Hike tour, where you can bike along the Bow Valley Parkway before hiking along the Johnston Canyon trail.

This half-day tour combines the thrill of e-biking along scenic routes that will take you past Vermilion Lakes, Legacy Trail forests, and onto the Bow Valley Parkway before you reach the trailhead.

Summit Cascade Mountain

For those who walk down Banff Avenue and see that massive mountain in front of their eyes and think, “Can I climb that?” – this one is for you. That mountain is Cascade Mountain, and you can summit it in a day.

It’s a very long day, but a day nonetheless. Summiting Cascade Mountain will require you to embark on a 20km+ day with over 1500 meters of elevation gain. Once at the top, though, you’ll have fantastic views of the Bow Valley and Lake Minnewanka. Summiting Cascade involves some light scrambling, so it’s best reserved for those with experience hiking in the Rockies.

Lake Minnewanka Cruise

With long days and glorious weather, cruises on Lake Minnewanka are in full swing in July. The hour-long panoramic cruise heads to Devil’s Gap at the end of Lake Minnewanka and back. It’s a unique natural feature that looks out to the east and the plains of Alberta while enveloped in a mountain amphitheater.

As you cruise you are pretty much guaranteed great mountain vistas while you cruise across the blue water. Along the way, a guide will share stories about the area and land’s importance to the Stoney Nakoda people.

Stay at a Banff Cabin

Although my favorite time to enjoy a cozy Banff cabin is in the winter, it’s still pretty awesome to stay in one in the summer. Who doesn’t love sleeping in a log cabin surrounded by mountains, without modern annoyances like WiFi?

Get into the backcountry at Skoki Lodge or Halfway Lodge (must be pre booked) or enjoy a more catered experience at Baker Creek and Storm Mountain.

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Pros and Cons of Visiting Banff in July

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Hopefully, this helped you determine if you want to visit Banff in July. If you have any other questions leave a comment or see our Canadian Rockies travel guide for more articles about photography spots, lakes, hikes, and everything else.

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