The Banff National Park Travel Guide: What To See And Do | EF Go Ahead Tours (2024)

FAQs

How many days are needed for Banff National Park? ›

How many days do you need in Banff National Park? We recommend spending between two and five days visiting Banff and its surrounding area. Our tours of Banff will give you ample time to explore the park at your leisure, while still showing you all its major sights (as well as its hidden gems).

The best times to visit Banff are June to August and December to March. Nature lovers will want to get to the park when the weather is warm and welcoming (and while the hotel rates in town are at a reasonable level).

If you hate crowds, the peak summer months of July and August could be the worst time to visit Banff. Travellers who dislike the cold should avoid December through March.

While the town of Jasper is smaller, it feels more unique and less touristy than Banff and has plenty of tasty restaurants and fun attractions to see. The town of Banff is bigger with plenty to do, but many find it overly commercialized and prefer the more “local” feel of Jasper.

Get around: Visiting the park by car or tour bus is most common. In the town of Banff you can also catch the ROAM bus, a publicly accessible and environmentally friendly hybrid outfitted with wildlife information. Pick up a map or bus schedule at the Banff or Lake Louise visitor information centers.

Banff's alpine climate and northern latitude mean weather conditions can vary widely from valley to valley. That being said, summer generally sees the most rain, starting as early as mid-April, and extending into October. June and July are the rainiest months, with around 16 days of rain each.

As with every vacation, cost is one of the first things to come to mind when planning a trip. As you begin your research, you will quickly find out that Banff National Park is not the cheapest destination to visit. BUT, it is possible to enjoy Banff on a budget!

Best Times to Witness the Aurora in Banff

While the Northern Lights can be spotted throughout the year, the best chances are during the winter months, from late September to early April. Clear, crisp nights enhance visibility, providing optimal conditions to witness this breathtaking phenomenon.

It is recommended to book ahead for the most popular activities in Banff, such as horseback riding or whitewater rafting, dogsledding and ice walks. These activities will fill up quickly. This is even more true during the peak tourist seasons – so call and book if you don't want to miss out!

Do you need a jacket in Banff? ›

Rain Jacket or Waterproof Jacket in all Seasons

Use the versatility of a reliable rain jacket or waterproof jacket. When you're on a journey to Banff National Park, a good rain jacket or waterproof jacket is indispensable for a great experience in all seasons.

The Banff townsite is just 3.94 square kilometres in area, which means it's fairly easy to get around. Locals like to walk and cycle everywhere, or Roam on Banff's great public transit system.

Cons: high costs, low wages, endless tourists, remote location, very hard to secure housing and often housing is tied to your employment, ignored by your province unless it's marketing material, lack of businesses focused on residents, high turnover of transient population.

Banff is seeing pre-COVID numbers of tourists during the 2023 season. With this, vehicle traffic in Banff is also exceeding record numbers. The National Park is concerned with this as high vehicle traffic impacts the natural environment and the air quality for humans, wildlife, and vegetation.

The minimum amount of time I would spend in the Canadian Rockies is 3 days. This is a good amount of time to explore both Banff and Jasper. However, if you have more time – you could definitely spend 7-10 days road tripping through the area!

Distances to Banff:

Lake Louise: 57km / 45min drive. Calgary: 130km / 1.5hrs drive.

Even if you only have a few days to spare, you can still make the most of your visit with the help of an expertly crafted Banff 5 day Itinerary.