14+ Unmissable Things to do in Banff National Park

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After 24 years of travel though over 50 countries, I finally made it to Canada. Could I have had a better welcome than by visiting the spectacular Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park.

Nestled in the heart of the breathtaking Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park is a paradise for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts alike craving exhilarating hikes, serene lake cruises, or wildlife encounters.

With its awe-inspiring landscapes, pristine wilderness, and a plethora of outdoor activities, there are plenty of things to do in Banff National Park that beckons you to embark on a journey like no other. 

When the opportunity arose to join one of my best friends – Christina McEvoy – for her annual content creator trips, I could not say no.

Mostly because I got to meet her in real life for the first time and hang out with her on fun adventures through Banff National Park, but also because she asked me to help facilitate her business workshops at her Instasuccess Retreat.

Our group of 17 women spent five days in the Banff region hiking through the national park, hanging off mountain faces, and learning and growing together.

In this guide, I’ve shared what we got up to, so you can get ready to explore a world of wonder and make memories that will last a lifetime in this iconic natural playground.

So without further ado, here are some of the most iconic things to do in Banff National Park in Alberta Canada.

Things to Do in Banff National Park

If you’re not sure what to do in Banff NP, then below are some of my favorite attractions and sites on my visit that you shouldn’t miss!

1. Climb the Via Ferrata at Mt Norquay

Feel like hanging off the side of the mountain with only a carabiner keeping your securely in place? Then the Via Ferrata course on the side of Mt Norquay in Banff National Park is for you.

This was my first-time doing a Via Ferrata. I was meant to do it on my wild adventurous trip to Otztal, Austria but my flight time home clashed with it and forced me to skip it – which I was glad about, as it looked terrifying.

There was no skipping this via ferrata in Banff. I felt braver being in a group of women, and since I’d be talking about overcoming fear in our workshops, I could hardly be rum at the first sight of an overhanging rock.

Via Ferrata is Italian for the iron path. climbing natural rock formations or cliffs using a system of fixed iron ladders, steps, cables, and bridges. It’s a thrilling way to experience the thrill of rock climbing and mountaineering without the need for advanced technical skills or equipment.

This adventure activity is extremely popular in Europe but has only recently started catching on in North America.

Two guides from Banff Norquay took us on a four-hour adventure from the chalet at the top of the gondola high up on the Norquay cliffs, climbing the Memorial, Sunrise and Vista buttresses, and hiking along the ridgeline.

They encouraged us and helped us climb up the iron rungs of the mountain face and navigate round rocks jutting out.

As our group was large, there were times when had to hang off the mountain waiting for the line to slowly move up.

We couldn’t crowd one another in a fearful attempt to hurry up to the resting ledge.

For most of the climb, I stared directly into the mountain face, refusing to look down or out and be hit with that sense of hanging off a rock with only a carabiner keeping us safe.

They’re reliable enough, but you are responsible for ensuring you always have one clipped on each time as you navigate around the cables.

When we arrived at the ridgeline, it was time to look up and out and savor the reward – spectacular panoramic views.

The turquoise brilliance of the Bow River slowly meandered its way through Banff town, and the valley lined with jagged mountain peaks.

We were all glad when the hard scaling part of the Via Ferrata was over, and we could hike along the ridgeline and down through a very steep gully back to the chalet for a delicious lunch in the Cliff House restaurant with gorgeous views out over the mountains.

Enjoy those spectacular views of Mount Rundle, the Banff townsite and the Bow Valley as you travel back down the mountain by way of the gondola.

2. Admire Views from Mt Norquay Viewpoint

If you didn’t get enough views of the Bow River Valley and Downtown Banff while hanging off Mt Norquay, there is a viewpoint on the drive back down from the Mt Norquay area.

After a few switchbacks, you’ll reach a stone retaining wall and a large grassy area, known casually as the Green Spot.

This is where you’ll pull over to park and walk out onto the grass to reach the lookout point. If you’re lucky, you might be sharing the grass with a herd of bighorn sheep that frequent the area. We saw them on the road just before we reached this Banff viewpoint.

From the parking area, you can walk out onto the green meadow for some stunning views of the Banff townsite, the Bow River, Vermillion Lakes, and the Bow Valley.

We timed it right as an extremely long freight train moved through the valley with its bright red cargo boxes. It was so striking against the yellows, greens, and blues of the natural Fall landscapes of the valley.

I’ve also heard near here is the Jupiter Hotel which is a great place to stop for a drink with a view on their patio, a meal, or even as a place to stay in Banff.

3. Catch the Sunrise at Lake Moraine

Moraine Lake is a breathtakingly beautiful glacial lake located in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, within Banff National Park It is often regarded as one of the most picturesque and iconic natural destinations in the Canadian Rockies.

Moraine Lake is celebrated for its vibrant turquoise water, a result of the fine rock particles known as “rock flour” carried into the lake by melting glaciers.

The striking color of the lake, combined with the dramatic backdrop of the Valley of the Ten Peaks, creates a mesmerizing and picture-perfect landscape.

Lake Moraine was my favorite of the lakes we visited in Banff National Park. It had a more dramatic feel than the other lakes with the triple mountain peaks rising sheerly up from the lake’s edge.

We arrived for sunrise, and while the clouds covered that morning glory, we were still able to witness the slow unveiling of this beautiful brilliant blue glacier fed lake.

We stayed awhile time taking photos until finally the clouds lifted and we saw the snow-covered peaks and their reflection in the water.

For the best view of Lake Moraine, take the short steep path up to the rock pile for the viewing platform. The first section will give you a view framed by trees. You can go up to the next level for the more wide-open vista. Both are worth seeing.

It’s smaller than Lake Louise, the most popular lake in Banff National Park.

You can hire canoes to paddle on the lake. You;’ll also get a fantastic view from here!

There are also several hikes in the Lake Moraine area, one of which we did ….

4. Hike the Larch Valley Hike, Lake Moraine

One of the most popular hikes in Banff National Park during the Fall is the Larch Valley hike, known for the brilliant yellow colors of the Larch trees.

We were lucky as we had these beautiful trees lightly dusted in snow on our walk up, but melted away on our way down so we got the full brilliant color – although many still had tinges of green in their leaves.

The Larch Valley hike rises from the shores of Moraine Lake to an extensive forest of larch trees. From this forest of larch trees, Banff hikers will enjoy panoramic views of the mountains which make up the Valley of the Ten Peaks.

The hike begins with a series of quite steep switchbacks before leveling out to the Larch Valley.

The Larch Valley hike is about 9km/ 5 miles return trip, and I would call a moderate hike (I am an experienced hiker).

Allow 4 hours for the return trip, and make sure to take the shorter fall daylight hours into account! If hiking in the fall expect it to be busier, although I didn’t find it bad at all. It was getting busier as we hiked back though.

We did leave for the hike at around 8:30am.We took our time going up and down to get lots of photos – a bunch of content creators together means many photos shoots.

The hike ends at the Minnestimma lakes which had quite striking reflections.

You can continue to Sentinel Pass between Pinnacle Mountain and Mount Temple which is meant to have some of the best views in Banff over the lakes, the Larch Valley, and the Valley of the Ten Peaks.

After the via ferrata the day before, our crew passed on taking the very steep switch backs we saw zig zagging up the mountain like a lightning bolt.

Plus, we were running short on time and had to get back for the shuttle to go back to our condo for some workshops.

We were meant to see the sunset at Vermillion Lakes later that day, but it poured with rain, so we passed opting for a night in with pizza and conversations.

5. Visit Iconic Lake Louise 

Lake Louise is famous for its stunning, turquoise-colored waters, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and lush forests.

The vibrant turquoise color of the water comes from the fine glacial silt suspended in it, and it’s set against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, including Mount Victoria and the iconic Victoria Glacier.

It’s said to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, but I say Lake Moraine is more beautiful.

In the summer, visitors can go hiking, canoeing, or simply enjoy a leisurely stroll along the lakeside trail.

In the winter, the lake freezes over, becoming a magical ice-skating rink, and the surrounding area becomes a winter wonderland for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Lake Louise is one of the most visited destinations in Canada so plan your visit well. The parking lot fills up quickly here, especially during the summer season.

If you miss a parking spot, you have to go back to Lake Louise town and get a shuttle bus from the park and ride center (just off the Trans Canada Highway, 6km from the Lake Louise town).

To avoid this issue, you may just want to pre-book the shuttle! And look at these private tours as an alternative option to avoid the public crowds.

Most visitors to the world-famous Lake Louise area don’t venture much farther than the area between the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and the shoreline of Lake Louise. To go beyond this, you may want to stroll the flat and short Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail.

Otherwise, to get a better look at the vibrancy of the Lake Louise water, I recommend the following activities. (From ground level, depending on lighting conditions, it may not pop as much!)

6. Enjoy a Canoe Ride on Lake Louise

You can of course just stay on the water’s edge and enjoy the views, hike any of the trails in this section of Banff National Park or rent a canoe to get up close to the beautiful clear water.

It was only when I put my paddle in the water and saw an orange leaf float by that I truly saw how clean and clear the water is.

We rented canoes after our Tea house hike and had a fun hour paddling around. Canoe rental is expensive, so paddle with some friends! If you stay at the Fairmont located on Lake Louise, you get a discounted canoe rental rate.

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