Things to do in Banff
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Banff National Park Tour: Lake Louise & Moraine Lake ViewsA full-day guided tour of Banff National Park departing from Calgary, Canmore or Banff, with stops at Lake Louise, Moraine Lake (June–October) or Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge (October–May), Johnston Canyon, and either Banff Avenue or Bow Falls. The tour includes an air-conditioned van, a local guide who drives, and flexible pickup and drop-off at any of the three starting points; lunch is at your own expense. The itinerary may shift due to weather or attraction closures.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Johnston Canyon in a single day without renting a car or planning the route — the guide handles the driving and timing, and you choose where to start and end. If you prefer a self-guided pace or want to spend more time at one lake, a rental car or a shorter point-to-point transfer might suit you better.
Banff to Athabasca Glacier: Icefields Parkway Day Trip & SkywalkYou’ll feel glacier wind on your face at Athabasca, taste pure ice water right from the source, and cross the glass-floored Skywalk above Sunwapta Valley—all with a local guide from Banff and picnic lunch included. Expect moments of awe (and maybe cold toes) as you travel along Icefields Parkway past Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier.
Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Tour from Calgary: Small GroupA full-day guided tour of Banff National Park departing from Calgary, Banff or Canmore, visiting Lake Louise, Moraine Lake (or Marble Canyon in winter), Bow Falls and downtown Banff with a small group of no more than 24 people. Your guide leads the stops, handles the route and helps you find the best angles for photos. Pickup and drop-off are included from your chosen departure point; meals and park admission are not.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in one day without driving yourself—the small group size and fixed itinerary mean the stops are arranged, the route is handled, and you can focus on the views instead of navigation. If you're visiting in winter (October through May), expect Marble Canyon instead of Moraine Lake, which is a different experience but still requires the special permit the tour holds.
Banff: Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Shuttle from CanmoreYou skip the drive, the parking hunt, and the navigation — a driver handles all three while you watch the Rockies. Summer takes you to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake; winter swaps Moraine for Johnston Canyon. Multiple morning and afternoon departures from Canmore or Banff mean you can fit it around your schedule, and you're back by early afternoon.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Lake Louise and the second lake without driving, parking, or navigating — the fixed schedule and shared shuttle are what make a half-day trip to both possible without renting a car.
Covered Wagon Ride in Banff with Western CookoutA covered wagon ride in Banff National Park along the Bow River leads to a remote backcountry cookout at 3 Mile Cabin, where you choose between steak or vegetarian dinner, play western games, and return by wagon. The 3-hour activity runs mornings or evenings and suits all ages; the remote kitchen serves set menus only.Is it for me?Book the morning departure if you want the ride and meal finished by early afternoon, or choose evening if you prefer to spend your day elsewhere and end it with the cookout. Either way, the remote location and set menu mean you're eating genuine backcountry food, not a catered version of it — which is exactly what makes the experience different from a standard park activity.
Private Banff Tour: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake & 6 glacial lakesA private guided tour of Banff National Park combining Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and six other alpine lakes and waterfalls across eight to eleven hours. Your group customizes the route with your guide, who handles the driving while you choose how long to spend at each stop. Parks Canada entry fees and bottled water are included; lunch is a choice you make in Lake Louise Village. SUV groups under six passengers share a shuttle for Moraine Lake only due to park regulations—book the van option for a fully private vehicle all day.Is it for me?Book the SUV option if your group is under six and you don't mind sharing the Moraine Lake shuttle—it cuts the cost and the vehicle is nimble on mountain roads. Choose the van if your group is larger or you want a fully private vehicle for the entire day without any shared portions.
Banff: Bow River Big Canoe Tour & Wildlife SpottingYou paddle a 12-seat canoe upstream on the Bow River with a local guide who shares history and wildlife facts while you watch for elk. Life jackets, paddles and instruction are included, and the tour ends with a light refreshment. No paddling experience is necessary, and the whole group stays together with a qualified guide steering from the back.Is it for me?Right for families and groups with no paddling experience who want to get on the Banff river without arranging their own gear or learning to navigate — the guide handles the steering and the pace, so you just paddle and listen.
Banff: Moraine Lake Sunrise & Lake Louise with BreakfastYou wake early for hotel pickup, reach Moraine Lake before sunrise with a guide and hot drinks, watch the Ten Peaks light up over turquoise water, then move to Lake Louise for a calm morning walk or optional canoe before crowds arrive. Breakfast croissant and coffee are included, as is the ride back to your hotel — all in a group of no more than twelve people.Is it for me?Right for early risers who want Moraine Lake's sunrise in total calm before the crowds, with transport, breakfast, and a guide handling the timing and angles. The 3:30 AM pickup is what makes reaching the viewpoint first possible — plan to be up and ready, and you'll have the rest of your day free after return.
Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Tour: Turquoise Glacial LakesThis half-day tour from Banff visits Lake Louise and Moraine Lake (or Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge when Moraine Lake closes seasonally), with pickup from your hotel, a multilingual guide, and bottled water. The tour runs four to five hours and includes time to walk from the parking lot to Moraine Lake's shore. Moraine Lake is accessible only from June through mid-October, so the itinerary shifts in winter months.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see Lake Louise and Moraine Lake without renting a car or driving the mountain roads yourself—the guide handles the route and timing, and the small group size means you get attention at each stop instead of being herded through with a crowd.
Moraine Lake, Lake Louise & Johnston Canyon Day Trip with PickupYou’ll start your day with pickup from Calgary, Banff or Canmore before heading out to see Moraine Lake’s wild color, walk Johnston Canyon’s bridges and trails, and pause by turquoise Lake Louise. There’s time for photos, small surprises (maybe elk), and coffee in Banff town before heading back—expect moments that stick with you long after.
Moraine Lake Sunrise & Lake Louise Tour: Two Lakes, No CrowdsA guided tour from Canmore to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies, departing before sunrise to reach the first lake 45 minutes before dawn. You get 2.5 hours at Moraine Lake with hot beverages and gear, then 2 hours at Lake Louise; a guide leads you to the best viewpoints at each stop, and the group stays under 13 people. Pickup is included from Canmore or Banff, and you receive your specific time by email 2–3 days before the tour.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're staying in Canmore or Banff and want to see two of the Rockies' most famous lakes in a single morning without the midday crowds. The early start is what makes Moraine Lake peaceful, and the guide's local knowledge means you spend your time at the best spots instead of searching for them.
Lake Louise, Moraine & Banff: Day Trip with Gondola or Hot SpringsYou’ll stand beside turquoise lakes at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, wander Banff’s cozy streets for lunch, then choose between soaring views from the Banff Gondola or soaking in historic hot springs. End your day by Bow Falls, feeling both awed and oddly at home in these wild mountains.
Banff waterfalls and lakes tour: Icefields Parkway with guideA guided tour of Banff and Jasper National Parks along the Icefields Parkway, visiting Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, Sunwapta Falls, and Athabasca Falls (April–November) or Abraham Lake with its frozen ice bubbles (December–March). The tour includes pickup from Calgary, Canmore, or Banff, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a live guide in English, Chinese, or Cantonese; the route and timing adjust for winter road conditions and weather.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you're traveling April–November and want to see Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls without driving the Icefields Parkway yourself; book the December–March version instead if you'd rather visit Abraham Lake's ice bubbles.
Banff: EBike & Johnston Canyon Hike with Bow Valley ParkwayYou cycle 26 kilometers on the scenic Bow Valley Parkway by e-bike, then hike 3 kilometers to Johnston Canyon's Lower Falls with a professional guide. The e-bike motor handles the elevation gain, and a return shuttle gets you back to Banff without retracing your route. The whole day takes about four hours and keeps you ahead of the parking-lot crowds that usually clog the canyon entrance.Is it for me?Book this if you want to reach Johnston Canyon without fighting for a parking spot and prefer to cover distance by bike rather than on foot — the e-bike motor and the Parkway's vehicle closure are what make the whole route possible in a single morning.
Moraine Lake & Lake Louise: Morning or Sunset Tour from CanmoreYou choose between a morning departure (8 AM, 1.5 hours per lake, brightest turquoise) or a sunset tour (quieter, golden light, often fewer people). Both include hotel pickup from Canmore or Banff, park entry fees, a knowledgeable local guide, and a drive through wildlife habitat where elk and grizzlies are spotted on most trips. The van waits on-site so you set your own pace.Is it for me?Book this if you want both iconic lakes in one trip without arranging transport, entry fees, or timing yourself — the fixed schedule and small group size are what make it possible to spend real time at each lake instead of just stopping for photos.
Moraine Lake & Lake Louise tour: Glacial lakes without the driveA half-day guided tour of Moraine Lake and Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies, departing from Banff, Canmore or Calgary. Moraine Lake closed to private vehicles in 2024, making this small-group tour the way to visit it; the tour includes park admission, transport in an air-conditioned coach, and a live English-speaking guide. Timed entry is guaranteed. Refunds available up to 24 hours before departure.Is it for me?Pick a Banff or Canmore departure to minimize driving time from the mountain towns, or start from Calgary if that's your base; the small-group format is how you access Moraine Lake now that private vehicles are restricted.
Banff: Wildlife Morning Tour with Bow Falls & Lake MinnewankaYou’ll start your morning watching Banff come alive—spotting wildlife with a local guide, hearing stories about sunken towns at Lake Minnewanka, feeling spray from Bow Falls, and tasting maple cookies with hot chocolate or water depending on season. The “Castle in the Rockies” view sneaks up on you—and so does a quiet sense of wonder.
Banff Stargazing Tour: 2-hour walk under dark skiesA two-hour guided stargazing tour in Banff National Park starts at sunset from the Cave and Basin parking lot and follows 3.5 miles of mostly flat trail through dark skies. The guide provides headlamps and lanterns; ice cleats are included when conditions require them. The tour runs if cloud cover stays at 50 percent or less, and departure time shifts with the seasonal sunset—you'll be notified 8 to 24 hours ahead if the schedule changes.Is it for me?Step into Banff's dark skies as twilight fades and the stars emerge above the open landscape—your guide leads the way so you simply arrive and experience the night sky unfold.
Sunshine Village Summer Gondola: 7,875ft Alpine ViewsYou ride a gondola up through the Rockies, take a chairlift or hike to the highest sightseeing point in the Banff area, and walk among three alpine lakes with unobstructed mountain views. Free shuttle transport from town is included, and you choose your own pace once you're at the top. Arrive by mid-afternoon to make the most of daylight.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Banff who want high-elevation views without a car or hiking commitment — the free shuttle and self-paced format mean you just show up and ride. Plan to arrive by mid-afternoon so daylight covers both the gondola and the viewpoint.
Via Ferrata Climbing in Banff: Small-Group Explorer RouteSmall-group via ferrata climbing on Mt Norquay's Explorer Route in Banff takes 2.5 hours and requires no prior climbing experience. An ACMG-certified guide leads you up steel-secured pitches with handholds, ladders and a safety cable, then across a suspension bridge. The chairlift carries you to the start; all climbing gear, a helmet, harness and lanyards are provided, along with rainwear and boots if needed. Check in 30 minutes early; minimum age is 12 and moderate fitness is required.Is it for me?Most via ferrata routes in the region require either prior climbing experience or a longer time commitment; this Explorer Route introduces the activity in 2.5 hours with no background needed, so you test the sport without a full day or a steep learning curve.
