What to Do If You’re in Banff This Summer

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As Canada’s first national park, Banff continues to draw about 3 million visitors each year to its pristine lakes and high mountain peaks.

Whether you’re planning a day trip or a longer stay, here are some of the top things to do this summer in Banff National Park.

Explore the Lakes

Banff has 10 different lakes with inviting waters and shoresides to explore. Whether it’s a swim to cool off, paddling in a canoe or kayak, or rafting on some of the wilder mountain waters, the lakes in Banff hold lots of opportunities for adventure and fun. Visitors can rent a vessel and explore on their own, or take a guided trip with one of the park providers.

Consider packing a lunch that you can enjoy while you paddle around enjoying the mountain scenery. Keep your eyes open for wildlife on the shores, including moose, mountain goats, and even grizzly bears.

Fishing is permitted in the park; however, anglers will need to get a fishing permit from Parks Canada. It’s important to follow the rules when fishing in Banff lakes as fish stocks are carefully managed. The Upper Bow River offers anglers an opportunity to catch a brown trout, a Rocky Mountain whitefish, or a cutthroat, brook, and bull trout. Lake Minnewanka, which is the largest of the lakes in the park, stocks trout and can be a popular place for anglers. If you’re not sure where to go, there is a fishing tour available to help you find a spot that’s just right for you.

Take a Hike

Banff National Park has 6,641 square kilometers (2,564 square miles) with 1,600 kilometers of trails to explore. The park offers hiking for all ages and adventure styles, from easy walks or hikes to waterfall hikes offering a memorable view of the waterfalls in Baff, to heli hikes, where a helicopter drops you off in the mountains so you can explore mountain terrain. For a rewarding adventure, hikers who head down the right path can find one of the two tea houses hidden in the park.

Go Golfing

Teeing off among the mountains at the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course is sure to be a highlight for visitors. Originally built in 1928 with 18 holes, an additional nine holes were added in 1989, dubbed the Tunnel Mountain Course. The course is a par-71 and some areas have become legendary, such as hole four, the Devil’s Cauldron, where golfers need to hit the ball over a lake onto a sloped, bowl-shaped green.

What makes this golf game unique is that you’ll be sharing the space with wildlife. Elk and local bears have been known to make their way onto the course or be seen lounging on the fairways. The experience will be one to remember.

Ride a Horse

Saddle up and explore the park on horseback or by carriage with Banff trip providers. From mountain passes to vibrant pastures, one of these adventures will leave you with stories to tell.

Trips include experiences like cowboy cookouts that include a horseback or wagon ride along the Bow River and a stop at the historic 3 Mile Cabin, where you’ll enjoy a steak dinner. See the town from a horse-drawn carriage and learn more about the history of the area through stories shared by the tour guide. Tours of Banff wilderness and Lake Louise can also be done by horseback.

Go Under the Mountains

In Banff, it’s not just the outside of the mountains that can be explored—there are also cave tours and adventures to be had. With a guided tour, visitors can learn more about the geology of the area, see underground pathways, and discover stalactites and stalagmites among a crystal-clear pool of water. Overalls and headlamps will be provided.