Banff National Park is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. This little slice of paradise, located in the Canadian Rockies, west of Calgary, Alberta is one of the top tourist destinations in Canada. With breathtaking mountain views, the most astonishingly coloured glacial lakes, unbeatable hiking routes, incredibly scenic drives and picture perfect mountain towns, it is a destination that just keeps on giving. 

Banff has something for every type of traveller:  the nature lover, the photographer, the thrill seeker, the luxury lover and every type in-between, including we budget conscious wanderlusters.  

There are not enough superlatives for me to describe how magnificent Banff is. It stole my heart, and is one of the destinations I can’t wait to return to. 

Here are 5 reasons why you should visit Banff National Park…or add it to your bucket list:

• The Lakes

The iconic turquoise waters of glacier-fed lakes in Banff are the main draw. Set against alpine scenery, towering snow-capped mountains and beautiful verdant evergreen trees, the lakes are resplendent and awe-inspiring. The lakes derive their colour from ‘rock flour’. These finely ground sediments which are released when glaciers melt, remain suspended in the waters and scatter sunlight to give the mesmerising blue tones of the lakes. 

There are over thirty lakes in Banff. Some are known for the particular brilliance of colour, others for their scenic overlook and others still for the activities on offer (canoeing, ice-skating etc). The most famous are Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Emerald Lake, Peyto Lake and Lake Minnewanka are close seconds.  With so many lakes, it can be difficult to know where to start. I’d recommend a tour on your first visit, especially if you aren’t driving. I enjoyed the Mountain, Lakes and Waterfall tour offered by Pursuit. 

• The Mountains

The mountain scenery in Banff deserves its own mention. Visible from the pretty mountain towns to famous highways, the peaks at Banff overlook all who enter the boundaries of the park. They were a delight to observe and the perfect backdrop to beautiful lakes and rivers. 

There are almost 150 peaks in the park. The most famous include ‘Cascade Mountain’ – located in Banff town itself, this iconic mountain steals the spotlight in pictures of the town.  ‘Tunnel Mountain’ – the mountain offers panoramic views of Banff town and Bow Valley.  ‘Mount Rundle’  – this mountain range has several distinct peaks and overlooks Banff and Canmore towns. ‘Three Sisters Mountains’ – the most recognisable peaks from Canmore, they are a famous challenge for hikers and rock climbers. 

• The Nature and Wildlife

Yes, the above lakes and mountains are part of the nature(al) and landscape of Banff but I cannot emphasise how incredibly awesome it felt to find stunning, beautiful scenery on a casual walk two minutes from my digs in Canmore. There was undiluted gorgeousness at every turn in Banff. From forests of evergreen douglas firs and deciduous larches that turn burnished gold in the autumn, to dwarf -shrub meadows which become overrun with the riotous colours of wildflowers in the spring, the natural beauty of the Banff landscape is one more reason to visit. 

The wildlife in Banff ranges from small and allegedly cute (pikas and marmots), to hulking (moose, elk and black bears)  and dangerous (grizzly bears). I was unaware of the acute risks of a grizzly encounter until I was advised to always have bear spray with me, when I checked into my hostel. Apparently some people go on hikes with the expressed hope of seeing black or grizzly bears, I was very happy not to encounter either. However I was lucky to spot deers and elk. On my last night, my friend Bryony and I were visited by a herd of elk while sitting in the aptly named ‘Elk Run Park’ in Canmore.

• The Scenic Drives 

Banff’s 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 square miles) of park is crisscrossed by miles of wide-shouldered highways and winding roads that go through towns and up high mountain passes with steep grades and switchbacks, all serving scenic, postcard views at every turn. 

The Icefields Parkway, consistently ranked as one of the top 10 drives in the world, is the most famous. This 144-mile stretch of road connects Banff with Jasper National Park (one of the other three National Parks  in the Canadian Rockies). There are majestic vistas along the route, past towering mountains, cascading waterfalls,  glistening lakes and glaciers. Famous stops along the way include Bow Lake and Peyto Lake, Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Falls. 

The best way to explore is to set aside a day to drive along the route: don layers, take a picnic with you and a loose itinerary but be prepared to be adventurous and stop along the way at any spot that takes your fancy. This was how we stumbled upon Mistaya Canyon, and the spectacular view of the roaring river plunging through the limestone canyon. 

• The Activities 

There is no shortage of activities in Banff National Park, and the options are season dependent. In the summer, hiking, biking and water sports (paddling, canoeing/kayaking and rafting) are king. In the winter, ice skating, skiing and snowboarding take over. 

However there are also arts & culture events (I caught the tail end of the Canmore Highland Games the evening I arrived),  museums and galleries, spas and a range of shopping options. I was also pleasantly surprised by the food scene. There were many different cuisines on offer – from  fine dining restaurants serving European dishes to an intimate bar serving delicious Japanese ramen dishes, excellent bakeries to bustling bistros, there was no lack of choice for the foodie.

• Take Home

There’s a reason over 4 million people make an annual pilgrimage to this incredibly picturesque and breathtaking National Park. It offers the most stunning views, a range of outdoor adventures and a rich wildlife experience, minutes from beautifully charming mountain towns. 

Banff National Park is easily one of the most impressive places I’ve visited and I cannot wait for you to go out there and experience it yourself. 

Visited September 2022. 

Comment below if you’ve been to Banff National Park or it’s on your bucket-list. What were you/are you most excited about? 

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