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!
Cascade Gardens were completed by 1935. The gardens were built on the grounds of a hotel that burned down in 1930. 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!
Where Are the Cascade Gardens Located?
The stunning Cascade Gardens is 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 the amazing cafes that Banff has to offer. 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.
One of Banff’s Best Free Attractions
The Banff Gardens are one of the best free activities. A trip to Banff can make for a costly vacation, so this is great to add to the itinerary if you’re visiting Banff on a budget. 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.
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 convinced that you could spend up to two hours enjoying the different types of flowers the gardens have on display 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.
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 on the path level with the parking lot. That said, Cascade Gardens has many sets of stairs, making it more challenging to navigate. If stairs are not possible for you, we recommend bringing a set of binoculars when possible to make the most of your experience!
Is There Parking?
The parking lot can be quite full on a sunny day. There isn’t a lot of parking available compared to other nearby attractions like the Cave and Basin. We recommend visiting earlier in the day or later in the evening (while the sun is still up) in the summer months to avoid any parking issues.
In the summer, the best free place to park in Banff is at the Banff Heritage Train Station.
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), the Parks can be kept up and continue to host visitors like you for years to come.
The funds raised from National Park Passes are distributed to all Canadian National Parks and are very helpful to those that do not get as many visitors as Banff National Park. You do not need a pass if you are simply passing through on the highway, but please be sure to buy the appropriate pass if you are looking to stop at any of the attractions in a National Park along your travels.
Parks Canada Day Pass Rates
| Pass Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Adult | $11.00 |
| Senior | $9.50 |
| Youth (up to 17) | Free |
| Family/Group (7 Persons) | $22.00 |
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.
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
This 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.
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 having a campfire (keep your eye on fire bans), playing basketball, enjoying a barbecue, or packing a frisbee to throw around.
Bow Falls
Bow Falls is another free attraction we recommend pairing with your Cascade Gardens trip. 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, you can’t go wrong by adding it to your itinerary!
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.
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.
Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- We now have an interactive map! With over 300 stops around the Canadian Rockies, our personal map is your one stop shop to an epic trip here.
- Recommended Experiences: There are many things to do in the Rockies, but our top recommendation is the Banff Gondola – a must do experience! Want to get up close and personal with a glacier? We cannot recommend this Icewalks tour enough!
- Planning your visit to Moraine Lake and don’t want to deal with the Parks shuttles? We recommend using Moraine Lake Bus Company or booking this Radventures tour!
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Get Around: We suggest renting a car to get around. You can search for rental cars on Rentalcars.com. For a campervan trip, you can check prices and compare on Outdoorsy.
- We can help you plan your 2025 trip to Western Canada! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by planning we can assist! We’ll PERSONALLY go over your itinerary, hop on a 1 on 1 phone call, or create a bespoke itinerary just for you! See our services here.
