Cascade of Time Gardens in Banff: All You NEED to Know

Located in the heart of Banff, the Cascade of Time Gardens (also known as Cascade Gardens or Banff Gardens) is the perfect spot for a walk from the town center. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, knowledgeable about plants, or just looking to immerse yourself in the fresh mountain air, we highly recommend making the Cascade Gardens a part of your plans!

The gardens were built on the grounds of a hotel that burned down in 1930, with Cascade Gardens being completed in 1935. Since then, the Cascade Gardens have been known to be a stunning year-round attraction in the heart of Banff.

As you walk through the gardens, you will notice the different groupings of plants. On top of the stunning flora and fauna displayed at the gardens, you will also notice ponds, a waterfall, and winding paths leading to postcard-worthy views. The beautiful site is free of charge (with a National Park Pass) and is the perfect activity to add to your summer trip to Banff National Park!

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Where Are the Cascade Gardens Located?

The stunning Cascade Gardens are located at Cave Ave at the end of Banff Ave. Driving up Banff Avenue towards Sulphur Mountain, you will get a head-on view of the Parks Canada Administration Ground, home of Cascade Gardens.

If driving, simply drive over Bow River Bridge, stay left at the lights onto Spray Avenue, and drive past the Administration Grounds. At the following light, turn right onto Mountain Avenue. To your right, you will see open gates. That is where you pull in to find the Cascade Gardens parking lot. Driving to Cascade Gardens from downtown Banff is quick and simple. It is a 5-minute drive (1.5 km). Keep in mind that parking is extremely limited in the summer, and it’s unlikely you’ll find space in July and August.

We love walking down to Cascade Gardens and grabbing a coffee from one of Banff’s amazing cafes. From the center of downtown Banff, it is a 10-minute walk down the iconic Banff Avenue. Whenever we’re walking around town, we stroll up to the gardens and take every guest we have to visit them as well.

If you choose to walk, you do not need to go to the back of the Administration Building. You can simply walk through the front gates at the tail end of Banff Avenue – you can’t miss them! Once you’ve walked through the gate, hang a right, and you will be greeted by the garden and its beauty. Another great option would be to rent a bike. The ride would only take roughly 3 minutes, allowing you to take advantage of your rental and enjoy other bike-accessible trails in the area!

Fun fact: The building you see was built in 1937, and is the first administration building of Parks Canada. It is the largest structure of its type within Canada’s national parks and symbolizes the development and progress of Canada’s first national park.

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One of Banff’s Best Free Attractions

A trip to Banff can be costly, so this is a great addition to the itinerary if you’re visiting on a budget, as the gardens are one of the best free activities. Whether or not you’re trying to save a couple of bucks, this lush and breathtaking venue is a must-do for anyone and everyone, as it’s something you can do in Banff in under an hour.

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How Much Time Do You Need to Explore?

Though Cascade of Time Gardens is a beautiful location, it is not a long activity. We recommend planning to stay for a maximum of one hour in the summer. For any plant enthusiasts, we are confident you could spend up to two hours enjoying the various types of flowers on display in the gardens and chatting with the friendly Parks Canada landscaping staff.

TOP TIP: When navigating Cascade Gardens, we recommend wearing good walking shoes, as there are quite a few stairs, many of them uneven.

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Are The Cascade Gardens Accessible?

Unfortunately, Cascade Gardens are not fully accessible. A wheelchair- or mobility-aid user could enjoy the gardens when arriving by car and staying at the parking-lot level. That said, Cascade Gardens has many sets of stairs, making it more challenging to navigate. If stairs are not an option for you, we recommend bringing binoculars to make the most of your experience!

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Is There Parking?

The small parking lot can get full quickly on a sunny day, and it’s not recommended to try to park at Cascade Gardens. There isn’t much parking available compared to other nearby attractions like the Cave and Basin. In the summer, the best free place to park in Banff is at the Banff Heritage Train Station and enjoy a nice walk to Cascade Gardens.

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Don’t Forget Your National Park Pass

Though Cascade Gardens does not have an admission fee, you must have a National Park Pass to enter Banff National Park. You might wonder why you need a Park Pass when visiting Banff National Park. By purchasing your National Park Pass (either the daily or annual option), you help keep the Parks up and running and continue to host visitors like you for years to come.

Funds raised from National Park Passes are distributed to all Canadian National Parks and are very helpful to those that do not receive as many visitors as Banff National Park.

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When is the Best Time to Visit?

• Summer: Cascade Gardens are most vibrant and colorful during the summer months. The Banff Gardens are in full bloom between June and September, with gardeners and caretakers managing the pristine grounds. However, the grounds can still be enjoyed throughout all four seasons.
• Fall: Enjoy walking through Cascade Gardens while admiring the golden foliage in the fall. Though the flowers will no longer be there, it is still a lovely walk in and around the site.
• Winter: During late November and December, Cascade Gardens transforms into what is called In Search of Christmas Spirit. As you walk through the grounds, enjoy a story told through the lit-up animal structures throughout the grounds. This is a fun activity for people of all ages and one of the best things to do in Banff around Christmas. Though tickets are free, they must be booked in advance, plan for approximately 30 minutes for this experience, and dress warmly!
• Spring: Though there isn’t as much to do at Cascade Gardens throughout the spring months, it is still an area that can be enjoyed when breathing in the fresh spring air and appreciating the beauty surrounding you.

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What Is There to Do Nearby?

There are many awesome things to do after visiting Cascade Gardens. Here are a few of our favorites.

Cave and Basin

Another budget-friendly option close to Cascade Gardens is the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. With an admission fee of only $9 for adults (and free if you have the Discovery Pass) and a 4-minute drive from Cascade Gardens, you can’t go wrong with this location!

Sundance Trail/ Sundance Canyon

The Sundance Canyon trailhead is behind the Cave and Basin site. It is 3.7 km one way and approximately a 3-hour round trip. We love this trail because it is beautiful throughout the hike, and you can turn around at any time and still feel satisfied with your adventure. Be sure to pack your bear spray and stay aware of your surroundings.

Banff Gondola

The Banff Gondola can be found at a short 7-minute drive from Cascade Gardens. This 8-minute ride climbs to 2281 m and offers 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks.

Banff Upper Hot Springs

The Banff Upper Hot Springs is yet another cost-friendly activity. It is a 6-minute drive from Cascade Gardens. Warm up and relax in the heated water while enjoying the surrounding views.

Banff Recreation Grounds

There are so many ways to enjoy the Banff Recreation Grounds. One great way to supplement your time at Cascade Gardens would be to pack a picnic to enjoy at one of the many picnic shelters at the Banff Recreation Grounds. Reminder: Do not leave any remains behind to keep the wildlife and yourself safe! Otherwise, you could enjoy a campfire (keep an eye on fire bans), play basketball, barbecue, or pack a Frisbee to throw around.

Bow Falls

Bow Falls is another free attraction we recommend pairing with your trip to Cascade Gardens. This 9.1-meter beauty offers incredible views of surrounding peaks and foliage and is one of the most accessible waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies. At just a 3-minute drive from the Gardens (parking is limited at Bow Falls), or a 15-minute walk via Bow Falls Trail, you can’t go wrong by adding it to your itinerary!

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Are the Cascade Gardens Worth Visiting?

Cascade Gardens is absolutely worth visiting! The garden is open year-round and free to the public. We prefer visiting during the summer, when the garden beds are full and colorful.

That said, it is still worth a visit throughout the other seasons. In the fall, you can spot some golden colors and join the winter festivities held at the gardens. The Cascade Gardens make for a serene and relaxing destination, regardless of the season.

Cascade Garden is an absolute gem, located on the tip of downtown Banff. If you’re looking for a peaceful and beautiful destination as a garden-lover or someone looking to get outside and breathe in the fresh mountain air, this is the place for you.

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Things to Know Before Visiting

• Please don’t pick the flowers! They are for all to enjoy and are meant to be left alone for viewing.
• Respect the gardeners, as they are there to garden and are not meant to be tour guides. They may answer a few of your questions about flowers and plants but will direct you elsewhere if you ask them for directions to Lake Louise, the best hikes in the area, and so on.
• Cascade Gardens is a pet-free environment.
• You cannot swim in the ponds. To immerse yourself in water, we recommend the Banff Hot Springs, just a short drive away.
• There aren’t signs everywhere indicating what plants you are looking at. If you want to know plant types, we recommend loading some plant identifier apps on your phone before visiting. There is cell service at Cascade Ponds if you need to Google anything.

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