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Banff National Park
Categories: Public Services & Government Active Life Public Services & Government, Active Life [Edit]
224 Banff AveBanff, AB T1L
(403) 762-1550
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
7 reviews for Banff National Park
7 reviews in English
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Review from Diana R.
4/13/2012 5 photos
I landed in Regina SK and my friend told me we were gonna drive 9 hours to Banff to see the mountains... I was like WTF, I just got here!
I am SO GLAD we took the long drive. Banff is absolutely beautiful, there is no other place like it! This place is like a small winter wonderland... especially for Aussies. The downtown area has attractive shops and restaurants. We ate fondue at the Grizzley House and stopped by the fudge shoppe later. Mmm
We also went sledding at the Fairmont Hotel and had a picnic at Lake Minnewanka - it was completely frozen but the views were unimaginable.
Banff is one of those places where you look up at the mountains and realize just how small and insignificant you are... and how PERFECT nature is.
*sigh* I miss you Banff. I hope my pictures do you justice. -
Review from Eric B.
6/8/2011
Driving to Banff from Calgary always impresses me for ever closer majestic peaks the you see starting from the City, and the fact that there are really no curvy roads or switchbacks to get here. And before I know it, Kananaskis Country (a fine visit by itself) and a busy "metropolitan" Canmore are in my rear view mirror, and I'm at the pay gate handing over my hard earned Loonies.
Banff is Canada's oldest national park, established in 1885 in the Rocky Mountains. The park (located ~70 miles west of Calgary), encompasses 2500+square miles of mountainous terrain, with numerous glaciers and ice fields, dense coniferous forest, and alpine landscapes. The Icefields Parkway (the most gloriously scenic road ever) extends from Lake Louise, connecting to Jasper National Park in the north. Provincial forests and Yoho National Park are neighbours to the west, while Kootenay National Park is located to the south and Kananaskis Country to the southeast. The main commercial centre of the park is the town of Banff, in the Bow River valley.
The Canadian Pacific Railway was instrumental in Banff's early years, building the Banff Springs Hotel and Chateau Lake Louise, and attracting tourists through extensive advertising. In the early 20th century, roads were built in Banff, at times by war internees, and through Great Depression-era public works projects. Since the 1960s, park accommodations have been open all year, with annual tourism visits to Banff in the millions. Millions more pass through the park on the Trans-Canada Highway. This is a Park that is in danger of being loved to death and in recent years recommendations have been made to preserve its ecological integrity.
I'm not a huge fan of the Banff Town Site (with some notable exceptions), but I love the Park. I've driven it, skied it, animal watched it, and hiked it. I have also made visits in all 4 Seasons and have been awed and humbled each time. You'll find many of my Banff reviews sprinkled throughout my catalogue and I can easily tell you that the totality of Banff National Park definitely exceeds the sum of those parts. My only regret has been not taking the train here and through the Spiral Tunnels. VIA no longer offers service, but the Rocky Mountaineer excursion train does.
My first Honeymoon was here, Gayle has made the trip with me, and I'm itching to get back and explore something new that I had not previously considered. And to reconnect, I first stop at one of the Parks Canada Visitor Centres. One is smack dab on the main street of the Banff Town Site and the other is at Lake Louise right next to the Samson Mall. There's also a nice Welcome Centre in Field BC for those of you who want to expand your National Park horizons to Yoho. The nearby Jasper and Kootenay wonders are pretty cool too. -
Review from Trisha K.
4/18/2011
It is really hard to describe the beauty of Banff. It was my first really big vacation, which in itself was a huge deal. I am by nature a person who likes to vacation to warmer climates, but this place is more beautiful and visually overwhelming than any other vacation destination for me, to date. You have to see it to believe it!
Be sure to go to Chateau Lake Louise to hike around the lake. Afterwards, hit the bar inside the hotel. The arched windows frame the lake and it's like nothing you've ever felt. If you feel the need for a tropical drink in the middle of a snow storm, they have awesome pina coladas! HA! -
Review from Sapna G.
Calgary, AB
1/8/2010 12 photos
Banff National Park is one of the most majestic places in this world. I often refer to it as the 8th wonder of the world and I'm surprised it's not considering people travel from all corners of the planet to come and witness its beauty.
Established in 1885 in The Rocky Mountains, Banff National Park stretches 2,564 square miles and is the purest, freshest and most beautiful place on earth.
Whether you're making the visit to animal watch, hike, shop, sit in the hot springs, stay at the Banff Springs Hotel or carry on to Jasper or Lake Louise, Banff truly is 'a diamond in the Rocky rough'.
Don't wanna take my word for it? Take a look at my photos associated with this review and you'll discover just how breathtaking Banff truly is. -
Review from Anne K.
9/29/2009
Going to Banff National Park, Canada's first national park, was a must for me while in Western Canada. Not having enough time to explore all 6641 square kilometres, I enjoyed visiting Lake Louise and Lake Morraine. I did not pass through the very touristy town of Banff itself but rather relished hiking around the lakes in the Canadian Rockies at sunset among other things. I highly recommend the short hike to Peyto Lake (just north of Lake Louise off the Icefields Parkway). While I did a quick tour through the park, there appears to be many good trails, many campsites and even nice hotels, as well as friendly rangers to help one make the most of their experience here.
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Review from Tiffany W.
7/21/2010
I love the Canadian Rockies! It is sooo beautiful! I've been there a couple times previously via a tour. This time we went by ourselves. Morraine Lake is just stunning and goregous. The views are breath-taking. Didn't get to explore or hike, just did alot of drive by shots. If i had a 2-week vacation I'd definitely do more walking/exploring/hiking.
There is so many camping opporotunities but even in summer it gets very cold at night. We drove from Calgary to Canmore, visited Lake Louise and Moraine, Yoho and fiinlaly up to Jasper. I'd say if you have limited time, Lake Louise/Banff/Yoho would be good. Driving up to Jasper is another 3.5 hours and personally i d rather spendthe extra time exploring the southern part. -
Review from David L.
7/28/2010
Amazing scenery, lots of wildlife, and lots of tourists. Banff National Park is one of my favourite National Parks in Canada. It is the first National Park in Canada established in 1885. The mountains, lakes, and rivers are almost out of this world. Almost all of the lakes in Banff have this beautiful baby blue colour. Lake Louise is a must visit. Behind the lake, there are three snow-capped mountains. You might even encounter this guy playing a large swiss horn at the lake.
