Banff National Park
Banff National Park
Spanning 6,641 square kilometers (2,564 square miles) is a place where the Rocky Mountain peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, and adventure come together. Banff National Park - Canada's first national park and the flagship of the Nation's park system - welcomes you.
Watch the sunset on a riverside stroll or feel the breath of glaciers in the alpine. Take your pick of over 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) of maintained trails and then bask in the waters if the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Banff National Park also incorporates historic sites such as Cave and Basin National Historic Site and Banff Park Museum National Historic Site of Canada.
Wildlife and You
Banff National Park is a special place! It's home to hundreds of species, including grizzly bears, wolves, elk, and more. The chance to view wildlife in their natural environment is one of the most exciting things about visiting the mountain national parks. #WildlifeRules this special place, and you can help them survive by keeping them wild. Help protect this special place by learning the #WildlifeRules before you visit.
Getting Around Banff National Park
This place is special, and many other visitors want to experience it too, so prepare to share this place with others. Parking is extremely limited throughout the park and parking lots fill quickly in the summer months. Taking transit, walking, or biking is often the only way to see what you came to see. The good news: many of the park's most famous hikes are easily accessible from the Town of Banff and the community of Lake Louise by transit.
Your visit to Banff and Lake Louise requires advanced planning to ensure the best experience. Be sure to plan ahead and have a back-up place in case your chosen attraction is full. While summer (May to October) is the most popular time, many attractions are popular year-round.
Visiting Lake Louise or Moraine Lake? Booking a seat in a Parks Canada shuttle is the best way to see these iconic lakes, and the only way to see both lakes in one day.
Please note: Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles year-round. Parks Canada shuttles, Roam Public Transit, and commercial buses are permitted from June to mid-October. The road is closed to all traffic in the winter months due to high avalanche risk.
Book your Parks Canada shuttle starting in the spring. Advanced reservations are required and sell out quickly. Reserve your set at ExplorethePark.ca.
Banff National Park Fast Facts
- established in 1885 as Canada's first National Park (third in the world) and was the birth of Canada's vast national parks system
- Banff National Park hosts over 4.2 million visitors annually
- Banff National Park is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- The mountains are around 45-120 million years old
- The Park encompasses the Town of Banff, the highest town in Canada at an elevation of 1,384 meters (4,540 ft).
For more information visit Banff National Park.
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