Our Favorite Free Things To Do In Banff

Feeling stuck and looking for free things to do in Banff this weekend? In all honestly, it’s effortless to find free Banff activities. You’re in a national park, and enjoying nature is free! That being said, there are some pretty expensive Banff activities you can do, so if you’re on a budget, you’ll want to stay away from those.

Things like the Banff Gondola, a sleigh ride at Lake Louise, and a boat cruise on Lake Minnewanka can really add up. So we wanted to put together our favorite free and cheap Banff activities you can enjoy!

See Also:

• The Best Restaurants in Banff
• The Best Hotels in Banff
• The Best Airbnbs in Banff
• The Best Hikes in Banff
• Best Time To Visit Banff
• The Best Banff Festivals

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Free Things to do in Banff This Weekend

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Johnston Canyon

The Johnston Canyon walk is the best thing you can do in Banff in the winter or summer for free. In the winter, it’s truly magical and has fewer tourists (but still a busier hike). Have you ever stood on a frozen waterfall before? Neither had we until the Johnston Canyon hike.

Due to the region’s elevation and the sub-zero temperatures of winter, the waterfalls of Banff freeze every winter, and the falls at Johnston Canyon are no exception. It’s a pretty surreal experience and completely accessible for all.

As a tip, we suggest picking up some microspikes in town if you visit Banff in the winter. Although the trail is well managed, it can get icy, and it’s better to have the spikes than slip everywhere on the trail – ours were very handy. Once you reach the end of the trail and the most impressive frozen fall you’ll probably find some ice climbers.

Banff in the summer is an entirely different experience, and nice to watch the waterfalls in motion. Johnston Canyon is one of the most accessible hikes you can do around Banff, with a well-maintained trail suitable for all ages.

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Hike to Lake Agnes

The Lake Agnes Teahouse trek is a popular thing to do in Banff for visitors to Lake Louise. This is an easy to moderate hike above Lake Louise that is suitable for all visitors to Banff. If you’re already visiting Lake Louise, you should seriously consider adding this hike to your Banff itinerary.

The best part is when you reach Lake Agnes, you’ll not only find a beautiful lake but also an iconic teahouse to enjoy tea and a scone. It’s seriously one of the most beautiful spots for tea in the entire world.

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Hike Tunnel Mountain

Tunnel Mountain is one of our favorite Banff activities because it’s right in the heart of Banff, it’s a free and easy hike, can be hiked all year round, and it’s beloved by locals.

Tunnel Mountain is an excellent hike for all, with gradual elevation gain the entire hike. At the top, you’ll get amazing views over both Mount Rundle and the town of Banff. Sunrise and sunset here never disappoint. You can easily complete the Tunnel Mountain hike in under an hour round trip if you’re a quick hiker.

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Walk the Moraine Lake Shoreline

Visiting Moraine Lake is a must-do while in Banff. It’s one of the most beautiful sights in the entire world and will surely take your breath away. Visiting, although it can be chaotic in the summer, is one of the best things to do in Banff for free.

Take in the million-dollar view from the top of the Rockpile trail and then continue on to walk the shoreline. This is a flat trail that works its way along the lake’s shoreline and back. It’s a beautiful trail that moves in and out of the forest with great views of the lake and mountains.

You’ll be shocked at how few visitors to Moraine Lake go just a little further than the rockpile trail, but we promise you crowds thin out the further away from the parking area you go. At the end of the hike is a boardwalk near the waters flowing down from Wenkchemna pass.

Keep in mind that while visiting Moraine Lake is free, parking during the summer and fall has been a serious struggle, and Parks Canada has decided to close Moraine Lake Rd to personal vehicles. Instead we recommend taking the Parks Canada shuttle bus to Moraine Lake for $8, or biking there for free.

Moraine Lake • Guide to Visiting Canada’s Most Beautiful Lake

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Visit Surprise Corner

Visiting Surprise Corner is one of the quickest free things to do in Banff. It’s here you will find amazing views of the Bow and Spray Valley, including the best images of the Banff Springs Hotel, one of the best hotels in Banff.

If you want an easy Banff hike, you can also go on a 7.7 hike through the Hoodoos (A series of thin spires of rock that have formed after years of erosion).

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Wander Around Cascade Gardens

If you’re strolling around Downtown Banff in the summer, you can’t miss a stop at Cascade Gardens. It’s located behind Park Canada’s building right at the end of Banff Ave.

The Cascade of Time Garden is a tremendous free Banff attraction that anyone can enjoy while they are just strolling around downtown. From the garden, you get great views of Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain.

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Hike Up Sulphur Mountain

Sulphur Mountain is one of the closest mountains to hike in Banff. It’s also the site of the Banff Gondola, which is not free or cheap. You can either take the Banff Gondola up, or hike on a series of switchback trails to the top for free. Considering you are looking at a list of the best free things to do in Banff, I assume you are interested in hiking up!

I prefer the hike to save money and get the legs moving. At the top, you’ll have amazing views over the Bow Valley and the entire town of Banff. It’s not a challenging hike, but it does involve plenty of switchback trails with views. Fast hikers can be up in an hour, but plan for the walk up to take two hours.

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Swim in Johnson Lake

Johnson Lake is one of our favorite lakes in Banff because it’s often overlooked by the more popular Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka. It’s a great lake to stroll around and enjoy the views of Mount Rundle.

Johnson Lake is also one of the best lakes in Banff to take a dip in. It’s warm and not wind affected like so many other lakes in the Canadian Rockies. Plus, there is a hidden rope swing on this lake!

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Enjoy Sunset at Vermilion Lakes

Vermilion Lakes reflect the iconic Mount Rundle that looms over the town of Banff and is the ultimate Banff photography spot. The series of three lakes are situated west of Banff and are fed by the Bow River in the Canadian Rockies.

They can be seen from right off the Trans-Canada, but you’ll need to stop to grab an epic photo. Don’t just stop off the Trans Canada either. Head down Vermilion Lakes Rd so you can get out of the car and walk on the docks to get up close to Mount Rundle.

Vermilion Lakes are one of my favorite Banff attractions to just chill out at, particularly because there are a few docks to sit at with a drink with a good book.

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Take Photographs at the Mt. Norquay Lookout

Another great Banff attraction that gives exceptional views over Mount Rundle is the Mt Norquay Viewpoint. You know it’s a remarkable Banff activity because Parks Canada has put a few of its iconic red chairs there for visitors to sit and marvel at the view.

To reach this destination, you’ll need to drive to Mt. Norquay for about 4.8 km till you reach a pull-off point on your right-hand side.

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Drive the Bow Valley Parkway

The Bow Valley Parkway (or the 1A) is a road that every visitor to Banff National Park should drive on at least once. It’s a great alternative to the Trans-Canada when connecting Banff to Lake Louise. Although it’s much slower than the highway, it allows visitors ample time to get out of the car and enjoy the breathtaking views.

Driving the Bow Valley Parkway is one of the best free things you can do in Banff and a fun Banff activity for the whole family. There are so many beautiful stops on it, including Johnston Canyon and Morant’s Curve.

To drive the entire parkway will take you between 1.5-2 hours. I find it most beautiful in the winter when the trees are powdered with snow, however in the summer, you can cycle the road with very few cars around you.

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Spot the Rockies Wildlife

A lot of visitors head to Banff solely for wildlife spotting. There are so many beautiful animals in Banff to see. Like bears, moose, elk, deer, owls, coyotes, and foxes. Although seeing these creatures is never a given, you stand a strong chance at seeing at least some of them in Banff.

We frequently have elk roaming through our backyard. Please remember to respect all wildlife, this is their home after all, and we are just visitors in it. Wildlife should never be chased or threatened for a photo, and never get close enough to make wildlife change it’s course of direction.

If you see a bear, consider yourself lucky. Respect the bear, take a quick photo, and let it get on with its day!

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Best Free Things to do in Banff in Winter

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These are just a few of my favorite Banff winter activities. For the complete list, check out our things to do in Banff in the winter.

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Walk on Lake Louise

Lake Louise freezes completely over every winter providing you the opportunity to walk or snowshoe on and explore the stunning area.

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Ice Skate on Lake Minnewanka

Lake Minnewanka is an amazing lake that is 21 km long and 142 meters deep and helps power Banff with hydroelectric power. At that size it’s easily one of the largest lakes in the Rockies (as well as Maligne Lake in Jasper).

In the summer, it’s a busy place to hike, picnic, and go canoeing on, and in the winter it’s a sight to behold. Around December or January, Lake Minnewanka will freeze and become a giant ice skating rink. Although you can ice skate on many of the lakes in the Rockies, Lake Minnewanka has always been one of my favorites!

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Banff Ice Festival

For 12 days between Jan – Feb, 2024 (Jan 26-28 & Feb 2-4, 2024, 6pm – 9pm), there is an extraordinary event at Lake Louise. The Ice Magic event is what winter in Canada is all about. This is where ice comes alive and serves as a form of art and architectural design. During this time, you can watch artists from around the world carve different frozen figures.

While it used to be free to visit the ice carving events and wander around between Monday – Friday and on the weekends before 10 a.m. or after 5:30 p.m. You’ll now need tickets to join in the fun, these are available for purchase starting December 12, 2023. Tickets allow public viewing from 6 pm to 9 pm every weekend. The main events will go down like this:

• January 26 – 27: Witness skilled artisans create breathtaking ice sculptures during the 2024 Ice Magic Competition.
• January 28: Attend the Award Ceremony to discover the champions of the 2024 Ice Magic Competition and savor a captivating live carving demonstration.
• February 2 – 4: Appreciate the completed ice sculptures and experience live carving demonstrations.

(psst If you bring your ice skates, you can enjoy skating on Lake Louise beforehand.)

The Ice Magic 2024 experience starts at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, where a complimentary shuttle will take you to the event. Ticket prices are $14 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $7 for children. Lake Louise Ski Resort Guests, Banff Hotel Guests, Lake Louise Area Hotel Guests, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Guests either receive complimentary or discounted tickets. Contact your hotel for more information.

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Check Out Peyto Lake

Peyto Lake is the most famous lake in Banff National Park, which you’ve probably never heard of before. It’s a turquoise-blue glacier-fed lake 40 km north of Lake Louise and a popular stop on the famous Icefields Parkway. The Peyto Glacier, high above the lake and part of the Wapta Icefield, feeds the brilliant display of blue.

It’s stunning in the summer, but you can still see a beautiful frozen wonderland in the dead of winter. If you arrive right after the first snowfall in October but before the lake freezes, it makes for an extra remarkable sight! It’s a great place for snowshoeing in Banff, but be mindful not to continue to Bow Summit as it is avalanche terrain, and you should have proper avalanche knowledge.

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See the Frozen Bow Falls

Bow Falls are one of those must-see Banff activities in the winter. They are only a short walk from the town and take you into magnificent nature. Depending on when you go to see them in the winter, they may be frozen, which is a treat to see.

18 Amazing Banff Waterfalls to Chase

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Is Visiting Banff Free?

While there are many free things to do in Banff, every visitor will have to pay for a Parks Canada pass to visit Banff. You can purchase a daily pass or a Discovery Pass, which lasts for the whole year and is often better.

ULTIMATE Guide To Purchasing A Banff Park Pass (Parks Canada Pass)

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How to Save Money in Banff

• Visit During the Off Season: The high seasons in Banff are between June and September, and December and February. These are when the prices are the highest. To get lower prices on things like hotels and discounts on local attractions visit outside these times.
• Be Wise About Your Parks Canada Pass Purchase: You can purchase a Parks Canada pass at any park gate. Or you can buy them in advance online. A Parks Canada Discovery Pass, which gets you entrance to all Parks Canada destinations for the year, is only $145 for a family. Day passes are $11.00 per person, so if you are a group visiting Banff for more than two days, getting the full year is worth it.
• Avoid Paid Banff Activities: I should start off saying that some of the paid experiences in Banff are spectacular. Nothing will ever beat my horseback trip in Banff, for example. However some are tourist traps in my opinon, like the Jasper Skywalk and you can often achieve the same thing by putting in some legwork (literal) for free. There are plenty of free things to do in Banff that cost $0 so take advantage of this.
• Fuel Up Outside of the Park: Gas costs the most in Banff and Lake Louise so to save money on fuel you should try and fill up outside of the park if possible. My favorite place for gas is in Dead Man’s Flats which is cheaper than Canmore. Canmore is cheaper than gas in Banff, and the cheapest place of all is in Calgary.
• Buy Food from the Grocery Store: While it’s fantastic to eat out at all the yummy Banff restaurants and Canmore restaurants this is going to put a dent in your wallet. To save money on food make sure to buy from the grocery stores and cook your own dinners, and pack packed luck for hikes out!
• Take Public Transport: The ROAM transport is surprisingly efficient for a little mountain town. The ROAM bus will take you to some of the hot spots like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake and also shuttle you between Banff and Canmore, which is a great way to save money in Banff when you don’t have a car.
• Check for Local Discounts: If you are a local Alberta resident you may get some special discounts, especially in the offseason when booking hotels and Banff activities. Check or call with the operator first to find out if you qualify.
• Stay in Canmore: While the town next to Banff is still an expensive touristy one, it’s often slightly cheaper than Banff so check out the Airbnbs in Canmore and the Hotels in Canmore before booking a place in Banff first. However, unfortunately neither mountain town is particularly inexpensive.

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