Our Impromptu Visit to Banff
Surprisingly, my partner and I had no plans for the upcoming 4th of July holiday by the end of June. As we sat on the patio, enduring the sweltering heat of the Texas summer, we agreed it was time to escape to a cooler destination.
Where might we go? During summer, many Texans head to the mountains of Colorado to cool off. Colorado is a splendid choice, having loved it over the years. But I was feeling a deep desire for a new adventure.
Banff National Park, a destination I’d always wanted to explore, popped into my head. Then my heart sank since it was unlikely we could pull it off at such a late hour during a peak travel season for the area.
Time to Embrace Spontaneity
I’m not the most spontaneous of travelers, but I love adventure! And, I’m getting better at planning trips on short notice, although advanced planning can save money and provide more options. As luck would have it, the stars aligned, and we found flights and lodging within 48 hours of departure.
No surprise, the only lodging available in or near Banff on short notice was expensive. But it was also perfectly beautiful! Our 7-night stay at the historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel was priceless (thank you travel points). The hotel and its grounds are truly magical, with idyllic views.
We experienced a mixed bag weatherwise, with a couple of misty days. Truthfully, the mist and low clouds created a dramatic, otherworldly landscape that was equally beautiful. On one of those moody days, we opted for spa time at the hotel. We also took pleasure in the pools, sauna, and the hot tub (which had a secluded spot in a little grotto).
Banff National Park
If you are not familiar with Banff National Park (BNP), it is in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, Canada. Known or unknown, get ready to be wowed if you’re a fan of nature and beautiful scenery! Travel Information Banff and Lake Louise, is an excellent introduction to the area.
The closest international airport is Calgary International Airport (YYC), which is easy to navigate, as is the drive to BNP. It takes approximately 1 hour, 45-minutes (90 mi./144.8 km.) by car to reach the town of Banff via the most direct route along the TransCanada Highway. Approximately 75 minutes (77 miles) into the drive, you reach the entrance gates to BNP.
Ultimate Guide to Purchasing a Banff Park Pass will help you navigate getting a park pass, which is required to tour within the area. Long lines of traffic greeted us as we arrived at the entrance gates, likely because of peak travel season and the upcoming Canada Day (July 1st) holiday. Being overwhelmed with the number of cars, the gatekeepers began motioning folks through, so we purchased our pass at our hotel.
How to Get Around
Do you need a rental car to visit this area? No, but this is an instance where I’m glad we chose that option. It provided more flexibility in timing and pacing. Mainly for exploring sites along the Icefields Parkway. We also enjoyed our leisurely drive along the scenic loop around the Banff Springs Fairmont golf course. You may find Should You Visit Banff With Or Without a Car helpful in your decision making.
The town of Banff is easy to navigate on foot and/or using public transit. Our hotel, on the southern outskirts of town, provided free bus passes we used occasionally. We also enjoyed walking to and from town in late afternoon and early evening when wildlife was more active (namely deer and elk).
Lakes, Lakes, and More Lakes!
Because of crowds and parking challenges, we opted to take a ½ day bus tour to visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. We were happy with that choice and had the bonus of learning the history of the area from our knowledgeable bus driver. Especially the background of the Animal Bridges and Crossings we encountered along the way.
After visiting the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise on the tour, we were glad there was no availability (we were hoping to spend 2 nights at the lake). Don’t get me wrong, it’s also a beautiful property. However, it comes with enormous crowds visiting the lake (and the hotel) throughout the day. For us, a couple of hours at Lake Louise was good enough.
Although the beautiful nearby Moraine Lake was busy as well, it didn’t feel as crowded. If I have the opportunity for a return visit, I’d love to spend a night or two at Moraine Lake Lodge. The lake is stunning, and the thought of having it (almost) to myself early in the morning and in the evening makes me smile.
We also visited other beautiful lakes on our road trip day, my favorite being Peyto Lake, which included a scenic little hike to get there. If you opt for a rental car, you will have the flexibility to visit as many lakes as your heart desires. 26 Most Beautiful Lakes in Banff can help you decide which ones you’d like to see.
Experiencing Banff
I’ve already mentioned a few of the amazing experiences we shared in Banff. These are a few more of our adventures.
Johnston Canyon Hike Was a Favorite!
We enjoyed the scenic hike to the upper falls, passing the lower falls along the way. It wasn’t an easy hike (to us), but it was doable and a must-see. Arriving before 9:00 a.m. parking wasn’t a problem. Upon our exit, the crowds had increased. I recommend visiting early morning or late afternoon.
The Icefields Parkway Was Priceless!
We slept in the day after our arrival, enjoyed breakfast at the hotel, and set out on one of the world’s most highly rated scenic drives. Cloudy, drizzly weather kept us company on the first part of our journey, creating a fantastical landscape. As we approached the Columbia Icefields bordering Jasper National Park (also our turnaround point), the clouds transitioned to sunshine.
The drive (one-way) is around 2.5 hours with no stops. We opted to pull over at Bow Lake (right off the highway), Peyto Lake (short hike from the parking lot, and a favorite), and we explored the Athabasca Glacier.
Ideally, I would spend a full day enjoying this epic road trip, beginning early in the morning. If you drive, be sure to gas up, take along some snacks, and take advantage of the indoor facilities available at the Saskatchewan River Crossing.
Bow River Float Trip Was a Peaceful Trip
It was a peaceful way to enjoy the scenery from the vantage point of Bow River, including picturesque views of Bow Falls (upon launch), the Banff Springs Fairmont, and the Banff Hoodoos.
Banff Gondola, While Expensive, Will Be Worth It for Most
The sweeping views from the summit of Sulphur Mountain are incredible. You are also highly likely to see mountain goats at the top, especially near the observation deck outside of the gondola.
Tidbits
We saw a lot, but much remained undone. So much so that I’d love to revisit this jewel in the future! Here are a few extra bits of interest.
- Canada Rockies by Rail.
- Head to These Spots to visit Banff’s Spectacular Wildlife.
- 22 Hidden Gems in Banff.
- 25 Best Banff Restaurants to Try. Of this list, we enjoyed and can vouch for the fabulous Bluebird Wood-fired Steak House and Farm and Fire.
Budget Friendly Banff
Vacations in Banff, even when booked in advance, can be costly. Banff on a Budget: Banff National Park Travel Guide is an excellent resource that includes ways to save money when planning your visit. I’ve listed a few of the suggestions below:
- Plan and book way in advance.
- Visit during shoulder season (September, October, May and June).
- Compare pricing on car rentals from the airport vs. the center of town in Calgary.
- Stay in nearby Canmore.
- Camp.
Accessible Banff
For those with disabilities who might like to visit Banff, the article Accessibility may be helpful in planning your trip.
Fall, Winter and Spring in Banff
As I’m writing this article in September, I can’t help but imagine how beautiful Banff is in the fall. What to Expect When Visiting Banff in Fall is an excellent resource for that. Also, for all the fall loving members of this community, you might enjoy reading my Sixty and Me article Fabulous Ways to Celebrate Fall!
Then there’s winter in Banff. Can you imagine spending Christmas there? If winter sports aren’t your thing, Banff has plenty of other winter activities to offer. Planning a Trip to Banff in Winter is a lovely article to assist you. It contains many suggestions for lots of winter fun!
And last, but not least, check out Top Ten Spring Activities in Banff if you’re curious about traveling to Banff during springtime!
It’s a Wrap!
I have no complaints, but in hindsight, and with a bit of advanced planning, my ideal trip to the area would look like this. Fly into Calgary and drive to Moraine Lake for 2 nights. Hike in the area and visit Lake Louise. Continue on the Icefields Parkway (seeing and doing as much as your heart desires), and arrive in Jasper National Park for at least 2 nights. Return drive along the Icefields Parkway (last chance to see what you missed) and arrive in Banff for at least 5 nights, more if possible.
While Jasper National Park is a separate experience, it’s likely worth visiting both parks if you’re already investing time and money. Also, as for bear sightings, folks we chatted with had spotted several bears in Jasper National Park, especially on the grounds of the Fairmont Jasper Lodge. Sadly, this hotel is currently closed because of wildfire.
What a joy it was to visit Banff National Park! And whether an impromptu visit or otherwise, Banff most certainly should be on your bucket list!
Please Join in the Conversation
Have you traveled to Banff National Park? If so, what were your favorite experiences? What advice can you offer our community if planning a visit to Banff?
How wonderful to see Banff, Lake Louise and Canmore featured on Sixty+Me! Like Carol, I am blessed to have these beautiful places in my proverbial backyard. The glorious photos absolutely capture the beauty of these magical places.
Wonderfully written article and quite interesting!
You could be hired for marketing the area. Great article.
I live in Calgary. Have most of my life. My husband and I lived in Texas many years ago. Loved it there. The people, the warm winters.
The hiking is fantastic in the parks here which I do and used to ski. Yes it is beautiful.
I think you saw all the major sites. It was fun reading about my area from a tourist’s point of view.
I travelled to Banff in late September 2022 with family. I am fortunate as my brother lives in Washington State and we took a private car. We chose to stay in Canmore as the author suggests and it was a good decision. That area had always been on my bucket list as well and it lives up to its hype. Just stunning. The American Rockies, while beautiful, are no match to the Canadian Rockies.
Lake Louise was gorgeous but VERY crowded and we missed Lake Moraine due to getting there too late in the day. Try to be anywhere early if possible. We also ran out of time and were not able to visit the Icefields but that, and Lake Moraine, is for another trip!
I do think you need more time than you anticipate to see the area. We stayed 5 days and I feel we needed a few more days. Distances are longer than you think due to mountain highways.
The larches were in full color and very dramatic! The hotel in Banff looked like a brooding castle from afar. Just going into the grand lobby and grounds was a nice free diversion. The hot springs are a must as well and there are several in the area. We visited Banff Upper springs and then Radium Springs on our way back. Truly a wonderful area.