So, are you ready to sojourn into the heart of Canada to admire the land of everyday wonder and feel the spark? You guessed it right, I meant the Banff National Park in Alberta, one of the oldest Canadian Rockies.
Established in 1885, the Banff National Park can be alternatively assumed as The ‘Eden’ in the Heart of Canada with its scenic natural, rocky, and wilderness area. It sits majestically in Canada’s Southwestern part of Alberta, occupying 2,564 square miles (6,641 square km) adjoining its border with Yoho, British Columbia, Kootenay, and Jasper National Parks.
In this article, I’ll tell you everything about this amazing tourist spot, you might not know. But, first I would like you to check the map below to trace its exact location
As I told you earlier, Banff Park is 80 miles away from the west of Calgary. However, you must also note that the Calgary Airport services a variety of National and International carriers, with numerous flights arriving every day! So, the best possible mode of commute for you to reach National Park is to rent a car and seize Trans- Canada 1 West to head straight to the park from Calgary.
Nevertheless, direct bus services are available from Calgary’s airport or downtown straight to Banff and Lake Louise. Even shuttle services through tour operators can get you to the park.
Subsequently, being a 365-day open National Park with stunning flora and fauna and numerous shopping and dining choices, the best time to enjoy it is Fall. If you want to pin your vacation with adventure, book your ticket for summer, as you get some incredible water and land activities.
But winter is no less than summer for adventure-packed activities as you can take incredible downhills and cross-country skiing on the mountains, wildlife tours, snowshoeing, horse sleigh rides, ice walks, and dogsled.
For more information to gain entry into Banff, visit the official website to get all the answers, you seek!
Let Me Tell You What Makes the Park so Unique
The headquarters of the park is located in the Southern part of the park in the town of Banff, west of Calgary, about 80 miles (130 km). Now peek into some unusual traits that make Banff peculiar from the rest of the surrounding National Parks;
Natural Perspective
- Firstly, the Northern end of the park, consists of the most gigantic cave system in the country, known as the Castleguard cave, which extends up to 20 km below the Columbia Icefields. Interestingly, the glaciers are still found clinging to the mountain tops and have contributed much to the park by forming countless lakes, waterfalls, and an expanse of U-shaped valleys.
- Secondly, the park is gifted with evergreen flora such as the Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and lodgepole pine with deciduous trees of popular variety. Also, you can spot colorful wildflowers in the park, especially at higher altitudes beyond the treeline.
- Lastly, the variety of fauna includes over 53 mammals, 280 bird species, and a few unique reptiles such as toads, three frog species, two snake species, one salamander species, and lots more that cannot be listed here!
Human Perspective
Archaeological records show human existence in the park for 1000 decades. Also, it was observed that the park is home to many First Nation peoples tribes, such as Tsuu T’ina, Kootenay, Stoney, Peigan, Blood, and Siksika. And these people were extinguished by the Canadian Government after signing Treaty 7 in 1877.
Later the Canadian Government and the CPR (Canadian Pacific Railways) started developing the park as a tourist spot. However, during the two World Wars and the Great Depression, the park underwent a lot of reformations, and it was after the National Parks Act (1930) that the park began to expand its boundaries to the present-day size of 6,641 km2.
Numerous facilities have been installed to ensure and make it a 365-day tourist spot with thrilling activities, protecting wildlife and the environment.
Banff National Park Facts No One is Telling You
Did you know?
- Canada’s first Banff National Park is the third-best in the world.
- The Banff occupies about 2,564 miles (6,641 sq km) and has the highest elevation of 4,537 feet (1,383 metres).
- The park stretches over 1,600 kilometres (1,000 miles) of hiking trails, 2,468 campsites, and a tree line around 7,500 feet (2,300 metres) leading to beautiful alpine meadows and stunning glaciers.
- The park is also a UNESCO heritage site that hedges the Rockies of Canada to over 20,000 square kilometres (7,700 square miles).
- The Park’s name Banff originates from Banffshire, Scotland, which is the birthplace of the two initial directors of the Canadian Pacific Railways.
- The Park is the only place in the world that houses Alberta’s southern endangered woodland caribou herd.
- The highest of the Canadian Rockies in the National Park is Mount Forbes, which towers up to 11,850 feet (3,612 meters).
- Among the many lakes within the Park, Hector Lake takes the first place of being the largest natural lake.
- Initially, Banff was started around Sulphur Mountain as a 10-square-mile reserve for its sizzling springs.
- Banff’s Rockies are older than Dinosaurs, about 45- 120 million years old.
- It has an enormous manufactured lake called Lake Minnewanka that brings water to Banff town. One can dive, take a boat or go skiing in or nearby this lake.
- Lake Louis in the Park offers the highest permanent settlement in Canada and the most extensively photographed place worldwide for its comprehensive panoramic views of the lush Canadian Rockies and valleys. Also, the lake’s first name was Emerald Lake, which was changed to Lake Louise after the succession of Princess Caroline Alberta Louise.
- Banff has the bluest hues and 365 days of glacier-fed lakes, such as Moraine Lake and Peyto Lake.
- Johnston Canyon in Banff is considered the busiest spot for hiking all year round.
- Interestingly, skiing was not a part of the Banff National Park. But with the arrival of the Swiss and Austrian Mountain guides, they were open to the public.
- The Castle in the Wilderness is one of Banff’s hotspot areas that overflows with crowds. It is the crown jewel of elegant resort hotels on the CPR (Canadian Pacific Railroad).
- The famous Banff Springs Hotel opened in 1888, is part Scottish Baronial Castle and French Chateau.
- The park has unique flora and fauna, over 53 mammal species, and 996 trees, flowers, and grass species—however, this number varies upon the various elevation and climate changes.
ll Tell You the Interesting Things to do in Banff National Park: Pre-Arrival Checklist
Is your wanderlust craving to join the bash in this wonderful park? Well, you must plan ahead in time before you jet, set and fly!
Here’s a traveler pre-arrival checklist offered by the Banff National Park just for you to enjoy every second at the park and take back some mesmerizing memories that will make you return to the place again!
- You can obtain the park pass online or from a Canadian partner beforehand.
- Reserve your place to stay, especially if you are visiting for a long weekend. And if you are visiting between mid-June and September, you must opt for a campground reservation.
- Learn the Wildlife rules to ensure that the animals are hale and healthy because your actions matter a lot. Don’t leave or feed food or litter the place with plastic for the animals.
- Get in touch with a visitor center to know the insiders about trials and how to make the most of your adventure at Banff.
- Keep track of the weather to reach the spot you enjoy most, as the Banff different weather conditions are prevalent in diverse parts.
- Being a dynamic environment, the Banff National Park has seasonal closures. For instance, Moraine Lake Road is open between mid-May and October, whereas the high alpine hikes are inaccessible in July due to snowpack.
- Besides closures, there can be warnings and restrictions from time to time. So, ensure a keen eye to remove these obstacles from reaching the spot.
- Suppose you plan to take a trial; be sure to know the trial’s condition to decide whether you can take it up.
- Finally, plan much earlier for popular destinations; you might land up with less parking space. Get some real-time updates and insider views to get your parking slot!
Now you are all set to create your kind of holiday!
Places and Activities You Must Indulge Yourself at Banff National Park
Wow! With so much to explore at Banff, you might go mad with adventure and go off trail, missing some mind-blowing places you can’t afford to miss!
So, I have prepared this list for you. This will help you get organized, trail through these places season by season to plan your trip accordingly and bash up your day to dream, relax and enjoy to the fullest!
Banff National Park in Summer
As mentioned earlier, Banff is a place subject to frequent climatic changes. And if you are someone looking for extra thrill and excitement, narrow your tickets between June and September to get an edge over numerous activities.
Subsequently, this is when the Park is in full bloom without icy lakes and full of fauna to be one with the wild instead of human company. Some prime activities to wobble your body are biking, hiking, and exploring the Park’s beautiful lakes and rivers by kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard, or raft.
On the other hand, if you want to enjoy the calm and serene place of the Park, you can take a scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway that gives you lesser physical exertion.
But you must note that the early you go to the spots, the higher your chances of being one amidst nature. Now, you must keep these spots atop your bucket list to get unlimited and unforgettable memories!
- Visit the iconic Lake Louise and Lake Moraine by hiking, renting a canoe, paddle boating or taking a sip of tea at the teahouses to get a glimpse of the marvellous perspectives of the lakes.
- Enjoy a closer view of the Lower Falls and a hiking experience at the Johnston Canyon that’s worth every second to enjoy! Also, you can boost your thrill hiking away from the crowds to the Ink Pots.
- Cruise a motorized boat at Minnewanka, a famous mountain lake offering rich history. Also, you can paddle or take an epic hike near the lake to fill your cameras with stunning views of the place.
- Take a wildlife tour to see some fantastic creatures without cages! If you’re an avid photographer, you can capture nature’s most majestic animals in their natural habitat.
- Catch a tour of the many Banff viewpoints to gain stunning views of the mountain scenery apart from the hiking. Then park at the Surprise Corner for a marvellous view of the Fairmont Banff Hotel. Then at a walkaway distance, get some robust views of the Hoodoos viewpoint and the Morants Curve along the Bow Valley Parkway.
- Enjoy the mountain view from Banff town, sipping a coffee or licking an ice cream, or just shopping. And go downtown along the pathway to reach the famous Bow Falls.
- Dip yourself in Banff’s searing springs to rejuvenate after the thrill experienced throughout the day.
- Finally, take a scenic view drive around Banff in places like the Bow Parkway, Icefields Parkway, and Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive.
- Or go hiking, choosing from the hiking list or take a leisurely hike over the boardwalk to the summit of Banff Gondola.
Some activities for summer visitors include; Mount Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift, Whitewater Rafting in Banff, Via Ferrata at Mount Norquay, Cycling, Banff Mountain biking, horse-riding and e- biking tour, Canyoning in Canmore, cave tours, golfing and fishing.
Banff National Park in Winter
If you plan to enjoy skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing, narrow your tickets between December and March, checking the weather predictions. And to enjoy the most out of the 8 hours of daylight, pack your bags like an early bird and set out immediately to enjoy the gorgeous slopes!
Here are some things you must not avoid to entertain yourself to the core during snow at the park.
- Ski or snowboard in Mount Norquay and the stalwart destination to visit in winter. Also, this place offers the most fabulous resorts for skiing in town, Banff. If you are a winter sports enthusiast, take nighttime skiing here on Friday or Saturday night, apart from regular skiing, tubing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.
- Enter the Banff sunshine ski resort to experience a Continental Divide at the core of the Canadian Rockies, and it offers dazzling views of skiing terrains at an expanse of over 3,300 acres. But these are for intermediate to advanced skiers comfortable with huge mountains.
- Take a guided snowshoeing tour at Lake Louise to glimpse some spectacular scenery. And this is the best resort for beginner skiing, with rental equipment and numerous teaching lessons on ski and snowboarding available.
- Go out on cross-country skiing from the beginner level at Tunnel Mountain to get excellent views of Mount Rundle as you pass by. For challenging levels, try the Cascade Valley Trail.
- For those wanting to enjoy a nature walk, take out a backcountry walk on snowshoes to see Banff in winter. There are numerous shops available to offer equipment on rent for both skiing and snowshoeing there.
- If you are an advanced skier, take up heli-skiing from Banff to Panorama in British Columbia. This tour includes a certified guide with you, picnic lunches, and après-ski treats (chases platters and hot chocolates).
- You can take up ice fishing here with an experienced guide and necessary equipment and catch mostly trout, and you can cook your catch for dinner with delicious sides and drinks.
- Make your trip magical by boarding horse-drawn sledges through snowcapped peaks, frozen lakes and thick green forests from Warner Stables in Banff to make some lifetime memories.
- Take an Ice walk at Johnston or dip yourself in the Upper Hot Springs and take a winter guided sightseeing tour to relax, explore and discover the unheard beauties of nature.
- Visit the aurora borealis in Banff between March and September for a magical nighttime sightseeing of the Northern lights.
- Enjoy the wildlife safari or ice climbing on the frozen waterfalls; have a breathtaking experience.
And, the list goes on. So, click here for more exciting goodies from the Banff National Park during Winter!
Now, which is your best season to head straight to the National Park?
Are You Ready to Invade and Enjoy Your Next Trip?
Whoosh! Were you able to zoom into every nook and corner of the Banff National Park through this post and have a sizable time enjoying it with your senses?
Well, plan ahead to quench your wanderlust by experiencing the place all by yourself and your family and bring back some timeless memories that will make you keep going to the place through your mind!
Last Updated on May 21, 2024 by Pragya
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