Get the Most Out of a Trip to Banff National Park

Get the Most Out of a Trip to Banff National Park

Posted on August 24, 2017

Banff
National Park sits in the Rocky Mountains and is Canada's first national park.
What started out a small hot springs reserve is now a 6,641-square-kilometer
park nestled in the mountains.

Swim in the Hot Springs

Enjoying a
dip in one of the hot or cold pools at the Banff Upper Hot Springs is a must on a trip to Banff
National Park. The water is made up of natural mineral water, and, at an
elevation of 5,200 feet, it's the highest hot spring in Canada.

The most
relaxing time to visit the hot springs is early in the morning, when the
springs open at 9 a.m. As the day goes on it becomes busier, and the pools are
much more crowded.

Go For a Ride on the
Banff Legacy Trail

Be sure to
pack your bikes when you head to Banff and take a leisurely ride on the 16-mile
Banff Legacy Trail. The paved trail goes from the park's east gate to the Bow
Valley Parkway. As you ride, you'll be able to stop at picnic areas and in
small towns. Enjoy views, picnic areas, and a variety of rest spots and trail
connectors.

If you plan
to do the entire trail, give yourself two to three hours, not including any
stops you might make. The best time to ride is between April and October, as
snow is usually present outside of those months.

Take the Banff Gondola

For a scenic
view of the surrounding Rocky Mountains, a ride up to the top of the Banff
Gondola is unbeatable. It takes roughly eight minutes to reach the top of the
7,500-foot summit. At the top, you'll not only find incredible views, but there
are a few restaurants and a gift shop to keep you busy all afternoon.

Hike Around Lake
Moraine

Lake Moraine
is one of the many lakes within Banff National Park that's worth visiting.
There's an easy 45-minute loop trail that takes you around the lakeshore. Along
this trail, you'll get a glimpse of Mount Fay and the Fay Glacier. On a sunny
day, you'll be able to see a stunning reflection of the mountains in the lake.

There are
more difficult hikes in the area, or you can opt to rent a kayak or canoe from
Moraine Lake Lodge and explore the lake in a different way.

Ski Sunshine Village

There's no
denying what draws most people to Banff during the winter months. Skiing is a
popular activity, and there are three excellent resort areas around Banff
National Park. The most visited one is Sunshine Village. It has 12 lifts and almost 3,500
acres of runs with a peak elevation of 8,954 feet.

Even if
you're not interested in skiing, Sunshine Village is still worth a visit,
especially in the warmer months. The resort's slopes are open to hikers from
mid-June until late September.

Banff is a
playground for nature lovers and adventurers. Whether you're looking for a
winter escape to ski and relax in hot springs, or a summer vacation where you
can hike, kayak, and bike all day long, Banff has something for you.