Anna Banff National Park is one of my favorite places. —a dream-come-true vacation with some of the most astounding landscapes I’ve ever seen. But as with any epic destination, a little insider knowledge can make your trip so much smoother and more enjoyable..
After exploring Banff firsthand and chatting with locals, I’ve gathered must-know Banff travel tips to help first-timers plan the perfect visit. From navigating the best routes to iconic lakes and stress-free parking to uncovering hidden gems, here’s everything you need to know to get the most of your Banff vacation!
How to See the Northern Lights in Banff: Tips for Catching the Aurora Borealis
One of the most magical experiences in Banff is witnessing the aurora borealis shimmering over the Canadian Rockies. It’s a Banff bucket-list experience for many people. The Aurora can be seen in Banff and you could be lucky enough to catch them during your vacation! Here’s how to increase your chances of spotting the Northern Lights dancing over Banff.
How to Track Aurora Activity in Banff
For the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights, bookmark these websites with real-time aurora forecasts. They track electromagnetic activity and estimate the chances of the Aurora being present in your area:
- Aurora Watch Canada – This site is based in Alberta and will be the best predictions for the Banff area.
- Astronomy North Aurora Forecast – Another great resource for aurora activity updates.
These websites will post predictions for a few days in advance, helping you coordinate your nightly plans with the best times and places for viewing the Northern Lights.
How to Spot the Northern Lights in Banff
Sometimes, when the aurora is present, it isn’t as bright to the naked eye as you might expect. It can appear as a gentle flicker, distant spotlights, or a subtle glow on the horizon. If you see anything that looks like light motion, it maybe the Northern Lights! Try taking a long-exposure photo with your camera or even a video with your smartphone. The aurora colors often appear more vibrant on camera sensors than to the human eye and you can still capture brilliant and impressive photos even when the light show appears dim. You’ll have the coolest souvenirs of your trip to Banff!
Best Tips for Photographing the Aurora in Banff
- Use your phone or camera to confirm activity—even a faint glow might turn into brilliant green or purple ribbons in photos.
- Check the Aurora and weather forecasts—match plans with aurora predictions and clear skies for optimal viewing.
- Find a dark, open area away from light pollution. Thankfully, the area is generally pretty dark, but Lake Minnewanka, Vermilion Lakes, and Bow Lake are great spots.
Soak in the Natural Hot Springs of the Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies have natural hot springs!! The Banff region has many outdoor facilities offering steamy, therapeutic mineral waters. What’s great about these locations is that they have FANTASTIC views, and warm waters makes it enjoyable for any season—especially in the winter. You can relax in the naturally heated springs while snowflakes float down under the soaring mountain peaks. Or enjoy a summer soak after a rigorous hike under a soft peach skies. It’s incredible. This really is one of the coolest things to do around Banff National Park.
You can also find these hot springs along hiking trails, bubbling up straight from the source. The presence of natural hot springs has cultivated a luxurious spa culture in the area. The town of Banff is home to world-class spas where you can enjoy thermal pools, massage therapy, and wellness treatments while surrounded by unbelievable scenery.
Transportation Tips for Banff
The Roam public transit system has cheap tickets (5$). It’s such a great deal that they sell out FAST. Half the tickets are available for purchase a few months in advance while the remaining tickets are released for sale 48 hours before the departure time. You should make reservations because the tickets can be difficult to get your hands on, and that may be risky for big groups. Also, the lines to get on a Roam bus can get long. You might have to wait for a few bus cycles before you get on one.
You can buy your tickets online, through the Token Transit app. Here you can also find schedules and route information. The ROAM tickets can also be purchased directly at the bus with exact change, at ticket machines, or even at the Banff Visitor Center.
Parking Tips for Banff & Canmore During Peak Season
You’ll want to check out the town of Banff and Canmore, but know that parking i during peak season can get a little dicey—especially with limited spaces and high visitor traffic. Most of public parking spaces are not free, but you can save time and avoid frustration, download the Blinkay parking app before your trip. This app allows you to pay for parking quickly and easily instead of looking for a pay station, which may not be next to your on street parking spot.
Download it ahead of time, at your hotel or before you leave when you have reliable wifi. Both Banff and Canmore have OK cell service, but you might be out of network. The app will need some car and payment information. This way, you will can pay for your space and move on quickly to something much better, like hiking around Grassi Lakes, or eating everything on the menu at Rocky Mountain Flatbread.
For less parking headaches:
- Banff has free public parking at the train station. It’s a large lot, but doesn’t allow overnight parking.
- Canmore also has a free public parking lot. It’s free up to 9 hours.
- Arrive early to secure a spot, especially at popular trailheads and downtown Canmore.
- Use designated public lots rather than circling busy streets for street parking.
- Use Blinkay Parking App so you don’t have to worry about finding a pay station
- Be aware that Canmore has resident only parking areas, check for signs as these on street spots require a permit.
Skip the Lines: Buy Your Banff National Park Pass Online
Buy your Banff National Park pass online before your trip. This allows you to bypass the ticket booths where most visitors purchase their passes on arrival, and ask the park rangers for travel tips. If you have pre-printed your park pass, you may use the “fast lane” at the park gates, cutting down on wait times—especially during the busy summer months when traffic backs up.
How to Buy & Use Your Banff Park Pass
✅ Purchase online before your trip (set your arrival date for when you’ll be at the park).
✅ Print the pass in advance—it must be displayed on your dashboard upon entering the park.
✅ Pack it in your suitcase so you don’t forget it when you hit the road!
Why You Need a Park Pass
A park pass is required not just for hiking and sightseeing but also to access the town of Banff, and visit Johnston Canyon. A park pass also required drive the Icefields Parkway, an astoundingly scenic drive will take you to many of Banff’s can’t-miss sites.
How to Get to Moraine Lake & Lake Louise: Essential Transportation Tips
You can not miss Lake Louise and Lake Moraine! I will be personally devastated if you don’t go. They draw a thicc crowd, and visiting these bucket-list destination could go off the rails if you’re not prepared.
Private vehicles are no longer allowed on the Moraine Lake access road and will soon be restricted for Lake Louise as well. The only way to get there is by private shuttle service, public transit, or an organized tour—so planning ahead is essential.
I don’t recommend driving to Lake Louise…
Lake Louise parking is still open (for now) and you can park there for 30$/day. People do it, it’s possible to get lucky. However, be aware that the lot fills up by early morning, and traffic backs up (sometimes for hours!!) as cars vie for a spot.
This seems like a huge waste of time to me! I mean—imagine traveling all the way to Banff and all you get to see of Lake Louise is the angry parking lot?! Absolutely not— just book a shuttle in advance, it’s not worth the risk!! Here’s a list of transportation options to Lake Moraine and Lake Louise.
I was surprised to learn that this area doesn’t have rideshare options. You can’t rely on rideshare services for transportation to the lakes. This is because the cell service at both Lake Moraine and Lake Louise isn’t reliable enough to support this industry here— you couldn’t call a cab even if they were available. So, if you miss your shuttle home, your only option is a looong walk back to civilization.
Misc tips for visiting the lakes and hiking in Banff
- Because cell service isn’t reliable consider downloading an offline trail map (especially at your hotel, when you have WIFI). You should also check trail conditions and be aware of the forecast.
- The weathers is unpredictable. You should pack layers of clothing in your backpack for rain, snow, wind and warm sun. It’s likely that you will encounter all of these conditions 🙂
- If you plan on eating at the tea houses, it’s a good idea to bring cash. They both take credit cards…usually. The credit card machines often don’t work, so bring some cash to
- Not all locations have flushable toilets so plan accordingly and pack hand sanitizer etc. The pit toilets are currently cleaned on Thursdays.
Wildlife Safety & Rules in Banff National Park: What You Need to Know
Banff National Park is home to an incredible wildlife, think grizzly (basically the mascot of the park), elk, mountain goats etc. Wildlife sighting is a bucket-list experience for many visitors, it’s essential to respect wildlife safety rules to protect both yourself and the animals.
Admire all wildlife from a respectable distance.
Feeding wildlife is illegal- even the little guys like birds and squirrels, who can become dependent or harmed by eating human food.
Dogs are welcome in the national park, but they must be on leash (safer for everyone) and you must clean up after them.
Drones are illegal within the national park.
Be bear aware ! This is a refrain you will get used to hearing during your stay in Banff National Park—It’s bear country.
- Hike in groups of at least 4, larger groups are safer.
- Make some noise to avoid startling bears. Some hikers attach bells to their backpacks, so the jingling can be heard down the trial.
- Expect increased in bear activity in the fall, as they climb down from the mountain tops to enjoy the cooling temps and prepare for winter.
- Always carry bear spray– literally long-range pepper spray and KEEP IT ACCESSIBLE. It won’t help you if it’s buried in the bottom of your backpack.
- Ask your hotel if they have left over bear spray— travelers sometimes leave their unused bear spray at the front desk. You can’t take it on planes at all, even in your checked bag.
Wildlife Crossings: Banff’s Smart Solution
Banff National Park has built many wildlife crossings— bridges over the highway so animals can safely cross the busy roads. The park has a ton of them, so be on the lookout for animals around these overpasses.
The installation of these bridges has dramatically reduced the number of animal/ car collisions, making the area safer for everyone! Banff has been so successful that other areas are modeling their infrastructure after Alberta, and that’s so awesome!
Bow Valley Parkway doesn’t have these wildlife crossings, so has more animal activity. Taking the parkway instead of AB-1 is a liiiitle slower, but it will this road will increase your chances of seeing wildlife like elk, bears, deer or foxes. But drive safely– not only can large animals approach the road, but it’s not uncommon for motorists to stop along the side to watch them for a little bit.
Banff National Park is truly an amazing destination. It’s no surprise why this park is on so many travelers’ bucket-lists. I hope these tips help you plan an stress-free and memorable trip to Banff. Save this guide or share to for later and thank you for reading :).
