The gorgeous town of Banff in the Canadian Rockies was the first municipality to spring up in a national park. As you can imagine, it’s heaven for outdoorsy types! Banff is among the most popular tourist destinations in Canada, and there’s so much to do and experience here.
Whatever you want to try in the great outdoors, you can do it here: hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding — you name it! So pack your backpack, roll up your hiking tent, and have a great time outside.
Here are our top picks of things to do in Banff.
Enjoy Day Hiking Up Tunnel Mountain
The Tunnel Mountain Trail provides an opportunity for novice hikers to get acquainted with the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It’s a fairly easy hike with amazing scenery, which you can undertake with your family. You may even bring your dog, but remember to always keep them on the leash.
It’s a nicely graded walk up the mountainside with a stunning view of Banff from the top, as well as the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Experience the Canadian Rockies Through Heli-Hiking
If you want to hike the remotest, most pristine high-alpine meadows knowing you’re miles away from other people, then you should try heli-hiking. Just imagine the view from the helicopter as you’re flying over the powerful Eastern Rockies!
Once the helicopter drops you off, you have up to three hours of easy to moderate hiking before you’re picked up again. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.
Get Your Heart Pumping With Whitewater Rafting
If you’re an adrenaline junkie — or just an eager explorer — who likes a good splash, you could try rafting on either the Kicking Horse River or Kananaskis River. The latter is great for newbies or families who’d like to try this exciting activity, while the former can work for all levels and ages.
You’ll have tons of fun hitting the waves, going through various rapids, enjoying the view, and just having a ball!
Take a Guided E-Bike Tour
Would you like to pedal through nature but are afraid your muscles may fail you? Then taking an e-bike tour might be the perfect option for you! No matter whether you’d like a leisurely ride or a more strenuous trip through nature, we have the right tours for you.
You may explore the townsite, hit the Legacy Trail and pedal to a nearby mountain town of Canmore, ride through the Bow Valley Parkway, and more.
Explore the Rugged Terrain on Horseback
Riding a bike through nature may not be your thing, but riding a horse through the magnificent Banff National Park is any adventurer’s dream! A horseback riding tour will transport you back in time and make you feel like a true cowboy or cowgirl.
You may choose a day ride or embark on a longer backcountry lodge trip through remote wilderness.
Try Exclusive ATV-Assisted Hiking in Kananaskis
What do “Jumanji,” “The Revenant,” and “Inception” have in common? The answer is a beautiful filming location — Fortress Mountain in Kananaskis Country. You can explore this breathtaking scenery through our exclusive ATV-assisted hiking tours.
You’ll be transported to high alpine ridgelines by an ATV shuttle, where you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy soothing fields of mountain wildflowers, rivers, forests, and more.
Explore Banff’s Waterways in a Canoe or Kayak
We’ve talked about adrenaline-inducing rafting, but if you’d like a relaxing time on the water while soaking in the sun and the stunning views, try canoeing or kayaking on the Bow River. You can take either a solo or guided tour and follow the river’s winding path at your own pace.
This can be a great family activity, an excursion where you can meet a bunch of new people, or a romantic couple’s date idea.
Visiting in the Winter? Go Skiing or Snowboarding
Banff is as packed with tourists during the winter as it is in the summer. There are plenty of outdoor winter activities to try, but skiing and snowboarding are the most popular options Banff is known for worldwide.
Banff has one of the longest ski seasons in all of North America and an immensity of skiing terrain. There are three top-class resorts to choose from, and you can also try backcountry skiing.
Unwind on a Panoramic Lake Cruise
Some of the outdoor activities we’ve mentioned are more challenging than others, but if you’d like something extra relaxing, cruising on Lake Minnewanka is a great option. It’s just five kilometres away from the townsite, and it’s a perfect way to enjoy a sunny day.
You can admire the scenery, connect with the wildlife, listen to the impressive Canadian history, and all that while sipping on your craft beer.
Go Beneath the Surface of Grotto Mountain
There’s truly no adventurous activity you can think of that Banff doesn’t offer, and cave tours are further proof of that. Beneath Grotto Mountain lies one of the longest cave systems in all of Canada. You can visit any time of the year and explore the incredible limestone formations as well as stumble across numerous fossils.
It’s a perfect activity if you want to find shelter from the summer heat while still having a fun and active day.
Ride to the Top of Banff
You can walk, bike, horseback ride, fly over, get shuttled up, and go beneath the gorgeous Rockies, but you can also ride over them on a gondola or chairlift. You can soar to incredible heights and admire the Canadian Rockies’ majestic peaks.
This activity is sure to leave you speechless and inspire your awe for nature even more.
Soak in the Banff Hot Springs
Finally, after a day or several days of active adventure, you can relax your tense muscles in the mineral-rich Hot Springs of Banff. There’s an outside pool with a great view of the nearby Cascade and Rundle Mountains. The Springs are a true winter delight that will warm you to your soul and help you unwind.
As you can see, Banff has something for everyone, so choose your adventure and enjoy your stay!
I’m Rebecca, a translator, avid traveler, and bookworm. My job has given me the amazing opportunity to travel to dozens of countries around the world, and writing on Rough Draft gives me a chance to try to showcase some of them.