Documenting Lovely Moments
Visiting Banff National Park In The Summer
Banff National Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it has drawn the interest of visitors from around the world. It is especially popular for its breathtaking lakes, mountain views, fantastic hiking trails, charming resort towns, and bountiful wildlife.
Adventure In Banff and Surrounding Areas
What a treat to experience endless outdoor adventures and jaw-dropping sceneries during our family summer vacation to Banff. There are so many things to see and do in the area that it’s almost impossible to do everything in one visit. Keep on reading to see our favorite things to do in Banff and its surrounding areas.
12 Best Things To Do In Banff National Park
1. Banff Gondola To Sulphur Mountain
We started the adventure with morning coffee and pastries at the highest-elevation of Starbucks in all of Canada, which was located at the base of Banff Gondola. The scenic gondola ride took us to the Summit of Sulphur Mountain. Seeing a bird-eye view of six mountain ranges from the observation deck was incredible. We also took the leisurely 2-km boardwalk trail leading up to Sanson’s Peak and the historic Cosmic Ray Station. Read more about our Banff Gondola Experience.
2. Admiring the Beauty of Lake Louise
The best way to enjoy Lake Louise is to arrive early in the morning before it becomes very crowded. We arrived around 6:00 am and enjoyed the tranquil lake and the water’s morning reflection of the surrounding peaks. We also went canoeing on the turquoise water and checked out the iconic Chateau Lake Louise. Read more about our Visit to Lake Louise.
3. Lake Agnes Hiking Trail and Teahouse
We took the trail leading up to the beautiful Lake Agnes. The hike was relatively easy, even for the kids, and we were able to make stops along the way to get a bird view of Lake Louis. We made a stop at Mirror Lake with a view of the Beehive. The hike was rewarded with delicious tea and snacks at Lake Agnes Teahouse. Read more about our Hike to Lake Agnes.
4. Visiting Moraine Lake
We took the short and easy Rockpile Trail to the panoramic viewpoint of Moraine Lake. The brilliant blue water of the glacially-fed Moraine Lake is absolutely stunning, almost artificial-looking! You can rent canoes and grab a bite at Moraine Lake Lodge.
5. Lake Minnewanka Cruise Tour
Lake Minnewanka is a wonderful place to see the Canadian Rockies from a different perspective. We took the family cruise tour, where we learned fun facts about the lake while enjoying the view. The captain was amazing and let the kids take turn driving the boat and wearing the captain hat. Read more about our Lake Minnewanka Family Cruise Tour.
6. Johnston Canyon Hiking Trail
Johnston Canyon hiking trail is relatively easy to do for families with kids. We discovered beautiful waterfalls including the Upper Falls and Lower Falls. It was especially cool to get through a dark cave to get up close to the Lower Falls and get sprayed. We walked on bridges next to overhanging canyon walls, and trails surrounded by lush forest. Read more about our experience at Johnston Canyon Hiking Trail.
7. Exploring Downtown Banff
Downtown Banff is not only full of great restaurants and shops, it is also a charming town with a background view of Canadian Rockies. Don’t forget to check out the visitors center and took a picture with the “BANFF” sign. We also walked on the riverside trail, and took the Wildlife on the Bow tour to learn about local animal habitats while paddling up the scenic Bow River. Learn more about Exploring Downtown Banff In The Summer.
8. Viewing The Wolf-Shaped Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake in Banff National Park is a glacially fed lake that is uniquely shaped like a wolf. The short hiking trail to the panoramic viewpoint is definitely worth taking, even though it can be filled with tourists especially during the summer months.
9. Lake Louise Summer Gondola and Chairlift
We enjoyed a pleasant ride on the Lake Louise Sightseeing Chairlift. Don’t forget to keep an eye out during your ride for grizzly bear sighting. The views from the summit were unbelievable. We enjoyed a mountaintop dining at Whitehorn Bistro. The kids are still talking about their delectable Strawberry Shortcake to this day.
10. Icefields Parkway Scenic Drive to Jasper
The Icefields Parkway drive from Lake Louise to Jasper was full of breathtaking sceneries and was the most enjoyable drive we’d ever done. Our road trip took us to Jasper, where we did the tours to Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield Skywalk in Jasper National Park. Click here to read more about our Glacier and Skywalk Tours.
11. Hiking to Mistaya Canyon
Mistaya Canyon is a hidden gem that is easily accessible from the Icefields Parkway. We parked our car in the parking lot just off the parkway, then walked a short, easy trail leading up to the stunning Mistaya Canyon. Read more about our hiking experience to Mistaya Canyon here.
12. Banff Upper Hot Springs
Banff Upper Hot Springs was on our list of places to visit, however, we did not get to go due to our busy schedules. If you get a chance visiting the hot springs in Banff, please let us know how it is.
Yoho National Park
Yoho National Park is not far from Banff and Lake Louise, and is absolutely worth visiting when you are in Alberta. From the serene Emerald Lake, the Natural Bridge, to the magnificent Takakkaw Falls, which is Canada’s second largest waterfalls. See our Favorite Places To Visit In Yoho National Park.
About Us
I'm a happily-married mom of two. Our family enjoys an active lifestyle and spending quality time together. We love creating memories through travel, learning about different cultures around the world.
