Good to know
Good to Know
- Prime hiking season runs July through mid-September; until late June many passes are still snow-bound
- Avoid wearing earbuds or headphones. Be alert at all times. in bear country
- Free admission and 25% off camping and overnight stays with Parks Canada is in effect from June 19 to September 7, 2026
- Many popular trails become very crowded in peak season—consider visiting early morning or outside summer months for a quieter experience
Hiking
- Season
- Prime hiking season runs July through mid-September. Until late June, many passes are still snow-bound and may be subject to avalanche hazard. Trails tend to be muddier at this time and the best hiking is at lower elevations or on drier, south facing slopes around the town of Banff.
Safety Considerations
- Ticks, which can carry diseases, may be present in the park. It is important to check yourself and your pet after hiking.
- Cell phone coverage is not reliable throughout the national park.
- The bears are awake from early spring to late fall so make sure you carry and know how to use bear spray should you encounter one on the trails.
Popular Trails Near Banff
Fenland Trail
- Time
- 1 hour round trip
- Distance
- 1.5 km one way
- Proximity To Downtown
- 20 minute/1.5 km walk northwest of downtown Banff
- Description
- This trail encircles a wetland filled from hot springs flowing out of the lower slopes of Sulphur Mountain. This is a good place to observe birds and waterfowl.
Stewart Canyon Trail
- Time
- 1 hour round trip
- Distance
- 1.5 km one way
- Proximity To Downtown
- Lake Minnewanka area, ~10-15 minutes from downtown
- Description
- This low elevation trail follows the Lake Minnewanka reservoir shoreline to a bridge spanning the walls of Stewart Canyon.
Marsh Loop
- Time
- 1 hour round trip
- Distance
- 2.6 km loop
- Proximity To Downtown
- 30 minute/2 km walk from downtown Banff
- Description
- This trail encircles a wetland filled from hot springs flowing out of the lower slopes of Sulphur Mountain. Due to heavy horse use, the Marsh Loop tends to be muddy after rain.
Johnston Canyon
- Description
- This busy trail takes you into the depths of the canyon on wide paths and narrow bridges with railings that lead to the Lower Falls and to the spectacular 30 metre-high Upper Falls. For a unique perspective, continue 265 m further to the viewpoint at the top of the Upper Falls. Beyond the falls, a forested trail continues up and down to a meadow where water bubbles from deep below the Earth's surface into shallow pools called the Ink Pots.
Sulphur Mountain
- Description
- Sulphur Mountain offers some of the best views in Banff National Park. You can reach the summit by taking the Banff Gondola or by hiking the Sulphur Mountain Trail. The gondola offers a quick and easy way to the top, while the trail offers a more challenging but rewarding experience. Once at the summit, you can explore the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Lake Agnes Tea House Trail
- Description
- The Lake Agnes Trail is an accessible route up to the Lake Agnes Tea House, which was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1901 as a refuge for hikers travelling to higher locations.
Cycling
- Mountain Biking
- With more than 190 km of mountain bike trails and numerous road riding options, biking is an excellent way to explore Banff National Park.
- Trail Etiquette
- In the park there are some trails that allow for mixed uses such as hiking, horseback riding and cycling. Cyclists and hikers yield to horses and cyclists yield to hikers on most trails.
Banff Gondola
- Price
- CA$66
- Note
- Tickets for the Banff Gondola are dynamic and change depending on the demand, season, and day of the week. Adults tickets range anywhere from $59 to $72 CAD, with youth tickets (age 6-15) starting at $37 CAD and children 5 and under being free.
Winter Sports
- Overview
- Banff is probably best known as a winter sports hotspot, and is one of the best places in the Rockies for skiing.
Parks Overview
- Primary Location
- Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
- Description
- Over 1,600 kilometres of maintained trails across Banff National Park
Water Sports And Lakes
- Lake Minnewanka
- Lake Minnewanka is the largest lake in Banff National Park and offers a variety of activities, including boating, fishing, and hiking.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this nature, parks & outdoor activities research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Banff
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.