The Town of Banff
The Epicenter Of The Rockies
This former railroad town became the center of the Canadian Parks system. Banff National Park surrounds the busy town and acts as a base to explore the wonders of the Canadian Rockies. The town is undeniably blessed with natural beauty, and it’s tough to argue with that, thanks to the grandeur of Cascade Mountain towering high above Banff Ave. Its surrounding mountains have inspired travelers, hikers, climbers, and artists for decades.
Since its founding, nature has remained at the town’s doorstep. “Wild Bill Peyto,” one of the park’s first wardens, spent a winter raising cougar kittens just outside town in his cabin. However, it’s easy to forget those stories walking down the town’s pedestrian-friendly center. You can find everything here, from ramen shops to coffee or fondue to fine-dining restaurants. With a wide selection of hotels and tour operators, most visitors conveniently stay in Banff. It helps that it is situated in a stunning location and easily walkable.
Where Is Banff?
It’s easy to confuse “Banff” as it can refer to both the town and the national park. Banff National Park gets its name from where it originated, Banff. It lies 128 kilometers west of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. Canada’s park system originated from the town, serving as a hub for travelers exploring the mountains since its early days.
Popular Posts About Banff
How To Get To Banff
The first step in planning a trip to Banff is determining how you’ll arrive. Calgary International Airport (YYC) is a great gateway to the Canadian Rockies. The airport is near the Rockies and offers a wide range of direct flights across North America, Europe, and Asia.
The drive from the city to the mountains starts in the prairies, crosses the rolling foothills, and finally arrives in the Rocky Mountains. It’s an easy drive, just under two hours. Private shuttle options exist for those who don’t want to rent a vehicle. Once you arrive in Banff, the valley has a surprisingly good public transport system if you travel without a vehicle.
If you’re not coming from Calgary, here are other reference points:
Jasper
Banff is 288.3 km south of Jasper. The stunning Icefields Parkway connects the two towns and takes about 3.5 hours to drive, but most people take a full day due to all the amazing viewpoints and sights along the road.
Edmonton
Besides Calgary, Edmonton Airport is the other main airport that services Banff and Jasper. Flights here are more limited than in Calgary and can often be more expensive, but it’s popular for visitors to fly into Edmonton, drive through Jasper and down to Banff via the Icefields Parkway, and fly out of Calgary.
Vancouver
It’s very popular for many visitors to plan extended trips across B.C. and Alberta. Vancouver is an amazing city, and the province has some fantastic mountain towns to explore on the way to the Canadian Rockies.
While it’s the next province over, distances are far, and drive times are long. We suggest at least a few days to drive between the two to make it enjoyable — granted, we’ve driven it in a day before.
Where To Stay In Banff
Banff is an excellent base to explore the Canadian Rockies, including the surrounding national and provincial parks. It’s a busy hub that ensures plenty of activities and services. Accommodation options range from camping to budget to luxury.
Our favorite and most popular campground for Banff is the Two Jack Campground, a short drive from town connected via Roam Transit. Planning is a must if you hope to score a campsite, though, as it sells out every summer. The most notable hotel is the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. However, room rates are astronomical, so we recommend others, like the Peaks Hotel, Moose Hotel, and The Dorothy Motel.
What To Eat
Banff offers a wide range of cuisines, restaurants, price points, and places to eat. It’s the perfect place to fill yourself up after a long day exploring the wild Canadian Rockies. From authentic Japanese ramen to Indian to Alberta beef, here is all the best Banff food you can get!
A few of our favorite spots to eat are The Block, Three Bears Brewery, Ramen Arashi, The Sky Bistro, The Bison, The Fat Ox, and Nourish Bistro. If you’re after a great coffee, head to Whitebark, and for a beer, hit the Waldhaus on a sunny day.
The Best Things To Do in Banff
Banff has a lot to offer visitors, including restaurants, tour operators, rental shops, bars, hiking trails, museums, art galleries, and shops. The list could go on and on. There are so many activities in Banff and the surrounding region that it’s hard to get bored.
Some highlights include the Banff Gondola, Cave & Basin Historic Site, Bow Falls, Banff Ave, and Banff Canoe Club. If you’re after a ski vacation in Banff, all the local resorts run free shuttles from town. The photo shows me skating on Johnson Lake, a short drive from town.
The Best Banff Hikes
A wide swath of hiking trails provides visitors with expansive glaciated icefields, forested valleys, towering peaks, sparkling emerald lakes, and close encounters with wildlife. Banff National Park has over 1600 km of maintained hiking trails, and then there are all the provincial parks—this region is just one big natural playground! Check out Bow Falls or Fenland Trail for an easy hike around town.
More Awesome Things To Do In Banff
Biking Around Banff
If you want to find us on the average afternoon, there’s a good chance it would be on our bikes. Banff has some awesome bike trails.
Johnston Canyon
The park’s most popular hike can attract a crowd. However, it’s popular for a reason, it’s a magical spot.
Where To Canoe
What’s great is that you don’t have to own one yourself; you can rent one from several locations in town. We love to relax at the lakes.
Winter Activities
Visiting in the winter? Great. Banff is a winter wonderland with a ton of amazing things to do in the winter.
Check Out These Tours
Banff Gondola
Head to the top of the Sulphur Mountain on a scenic gondola ride. The views from the top are unreal!
Wildlife Tour
Check out this tour to see some of Banff’s wildlife. A local guide knows the best spots and can teach about the animals.
Lake Cruise
Take a scenic cruise on Lake Minnewanka, Banff’s largest Lake. It’s one of our favorites!
Moraine Lake Sunrise
Watch the sunrise over one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.
What To Pack for the Canadian Rockies?
You can come to Banff National Park in whatever you want, but remember this is an outdoor destination, and it’s best to be prepared for the wilderness. I’m not saying you need to know how to start a fire from scratch, survive in the woods for three days, and spear your own fish, but things like a hat, gloves, and jacket will come in handy—even in the summer.
Yes, it’s Canada, and yes, it gets freezing here. Even in the middle of August, we may wear down jackets at night and on hikes. You can find our full Banff packing list here. Leave the high heels and fancy dresses at home. There is nowhere to wear them unless you’re attending a wedding or event!
