Travelling to Banff in the summer was always on the top of my travel bucket list and after a few years, it’s right back on that list. Banff is one of the most picturesque National Parks in Canada. It’s the postcard of Canada with it’s stunning natural beauty and scenery. Known for it’s skyscraping mountains, picturesque views, it’s a place everyone should see at least once in their lives.  Although Banff is magical in both the winter & summer, there is so much exploring to do in the warmer months.

I’ve got you covered if you’re looking to put Banff on your summer travel bucket list. Here is my ultimate Banff travel guide in the summer!

When To Visit

The best time to visit Banff depends on what season you’re looking to visit in. If you’re planning your trip for the winter season, November to February are the peak winter months to visit in. For those looking for a summer getaway, June – August are the peak summer months. It’s essential to plan your trip in advanced as Banff gets extremely busy during both of these peak seasons. When you’re packing for your trip, make sure to bring all of your travel essentials to keep your trip running smoothly.

Lake Louise & Moraine Lake

Lake Louise  and Moraine lake are just as crystal clear & breathtaking as they look in pictures. It’s is one of the most beautiful lakes and is surrounded by a stunning array of mountains and forest. When I first saw it, I couldn’t believe how picturesque it was – it didn’t even look real. Although this is a heavily visited spot, it’s absolutely worth it to put it on your itinerary for your Banff trip.

Make sure to plan your visit early as the summer time is the peak season in Banff and can get extremely busy. You can find rates here on Fairmont’s website.

Downtown Banff

When you’re ready to take a break from exploring the beautiful landscapes of Banff, head downtown for a bit of shopping, grab a bite to eat or for a night’s stay. This is a must on the ultimate Banff travel guide! The vibrant street of Banff is lined with coffee shops, restaurants bars & stores to visit.

Grab a coffee at Whitebark Cafe or Little Wild, both iconic coffee shops in the heart of Banff. For shopping, head to Banff Avenue & Bear Street for unique shops selling everything from hiking gear to fashion & souvenirs. For dinner, stop by at Block Kitchen & Bar, a local favourite, Farm & Fire for a farm to table  dining experience, or Saltik for an upscale experience with a lodgelike vibe.

Accommodation

I would definitely recommend staying in Banff to have the best access to shops, hikes & trails. Make sure to book your hotel early in advance as they book up fast during the peak season. Here are the top places to stay around Banff for any budget!

Fairmont Banff Springs

Tucked away in the mountains,  the luxurious Fairmont Banff Springs offers rooms and suites with beautiful views of the Rocky mountains. It also offers a golf course, horseback riding, spa services, fishing & much more. It’s been coined the Castle in the Rockies for its stunning exterior. The Fairmont Banff Springs remains a luxurious, world-famous resort to book for a luxurious stay.

Banff Rocky Mountain Resort

The Rocky Mountain Resort offers a relaxing retreat in the heart of Banff National Park. It’s located on 8 acres of parkland just minutes from downtown Banff & is surrounded by the stunning scenery of Alberta.

Caribou Lodge & Spa

Located on Banff Avenue, the Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa offers a beautiful mountain lodge hotel, a service spa and the Keg steakhouse restaurant all in one stunning location.

Samesun Banff

This is the closest hostel to the center of Banff & offers both comfortable dorm rooms & private rooms, a bar for cheap food & drinks and a relaxing lounge room. Samesun is known for providing high-quality, clean & cozy hostels which makes this a perfect option for the traveler on a budget.

Hikes

There are so many amazing hikes right at your fingertips in Banff. This is what makes this a nature lover’s paradise. There are hikes that are suitable for all levels of hikers. So, if you’re a novice hiker – there’s a hike out there for you! Here are some of the top hikes to put on your hiking bucket lost while in Banff.

Tunnel Mountain

Tunnel Mountain is a short & sweet 4.5km hike for all levels that offers incredible views. It’s one of the most popular hikes in Banff and has a view that makes the hike absolutely worth it. The trail leads to a stunning viewpoint on top of the famous Tunnel Mountain. The viewpoint overlooks the town of Banff and Rocky Mountains.

Peyto Lake

Peyto Lake is known worldwide for being one of the most stunning lakes in Canada. It’s a short 2.1km loop trail near Lake Louise, only taking about 45 minutes to complete. The Peyto lookout is often quite busy, so it’s best to head early or keep walking to the Upper Peyto lookout for more solitude.

Eiffel Lake

Eiffel Lake trail starts at the lakeshore trail that starts at the Moraine Lake Lodge. This trail is 12.3km out & back, and is considered moderately challenging. It takes an average of 4h 25 to complete. The trail starts with a slight incline which turns into steep switchbacks that are the most challenging part of the hike. It then levels out and splits off to Eiffel Lake on the left side and Larch Valley on the right.

The view of Eiffel lake is absolutely breathtaking and personally, was totally worth the climb! We only met a few people on our way to the lake and had the trail mostly to ourselves. There are wildflowers along the trail, dense forests and mountain peak views along the trail.

Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon is a popular and scenic 5.15 km hike that’s considered moderately challenging. It takes about 1h 52 min to complete, and is known for it’s stunning views of canyon walls, waterfalls & a beautiful canyon.

Camping in Banff

Camping in Banff is one of the best ways to soak up & immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Banff National Park. Banff has some of the most picturesque campgrounds in Canada & if you’re looking to stay on a budget, camping is the perfect option.

These are the top-rated campgrounds in Banff.

Top Rated Campgrounds in Banff

Tunnel Mountain Village 1Tunnel Mountain Village 2Two Jack LakesideCastle Mountain

Two Jack Lake Campground, Alberta

Two Jack Lake Campground

If you’re looking to camp in Banff, there are so many beautiful campgrounds to choose from. Two Jack Lake campground is like something out of a magazine. Located only 15 minutes away from the main town of Banff, it’s a great place to stay if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option with breathtaking views that surround you. This is another gem on the ultimate Banff travel guide – it’s unbelievably stunning to see in person!

Two Jack Lake Campground has a 4.8 star rating and was my absolute favourite campground during our stay in Banff. The views and scenery were breathtaking, the campgrounds were well spaced out & clean, and we were surrounded by tall trees & the wilderness of Banff.

Camping in the wilderness of the Rockies is such a unique & once in a lifetime experience everyone should do at least once.

 

That is the ultimate Banff travel guide to help you plan your trip to Banff in the summer.