Top Things to do in Banff National Park
What to do and see in Banff National Park, Canadian Rockies: The Best Walking Tours
With Cascade Mountain to the north and Sulphur Mountain to the south, the town of Banff boasts a magnificent Canadian Rocky Mountain setting. Travelers are spoiled for choice by the irresistible combination of luxury lodges, perfect powder, renowned restaurants and energetic nightlife on offer. With both summer and winter appeal, Banff lures visitors to its stores, spas and slopes year-round.
Restaurants in Banff National Park
1. Canyoning - Ghost Canyon (Intermediate Level)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Our Ghost Canyoning Trip, located just north of Banff & Banff National Park is one of the most wild, spectacular, & secluded canyon trips you’ll experience anywhere. Just getting out to the ghost itself is an adventure. Combine this with a fantastically playful canyon and you get an experience second to none. An all day adventure that requires 4x4 access, this spectacular experience rewards visitors with remote Mountain vistas. The Canyon itself is a ton of fun and includes slides, rappels, and pool jumps! The straight forward nature of the rappels makes this a great trip even for beginners who are looking for a bit more, yet the phenomenal jumps, slides and surroundings, keep it interesting even for veteran canyoneers. An all around incredible full day experience.
Inclusions: Professional guide, Professional Rappelling instruction/clinic, Wet suits (including bottom, top, and neoprene socks), Helmet, Hareness, All necessary rappelling equipment, Snacks/Energy bars/ Bottled Water, Neoprene socks/booties, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By anticoncept
Canyoning is a very popular activity in some places of this world, but not in Canada, yet; however, there is so much potential for it. As we were spending two weeks in the rockies, we thought it would a great idea and start searching for it. We have been very lucky to find Mark and his team - most of us were complete rookies - and we had a really great trip with him. It's super professional, yet fun-oriented, we have discovered places we would never have access otherwise, and it's a great alternatives to the hikes in the Kananaskis region. We seriously recommend it to anyone looking for a cool outdoor activity, and you really can't go wrong with them!
2. The Sights of Banff GPS-Guided Audio Walking Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Listen to a tour guide through your smartphone as you explore incredible Banff! Keep the professional tour guide experience, ditch the crowded tour groups, tight schedules and high prices. Live GPS map shows where you are and where to go next. As you get close, tour guide commentary will automatically play! On this 5 km (return) sightseeing tour, you'll explore Banff's past as well as it's present as we point out historical buildings, sculptures, sights & attractions. Highlights include the Banff Administration Building, Luxton Home Museum, Central Park & the Cascades of Time Gardens! Don't just see the beauty of Banff, hear what it has to say! The tour also comes with a fun location based trivia game. After the commentary plays, look at your device and tap your guess at the answer. See your score as you go! Getting started is easy, just book the tour, download the app and go. Note: the number of travelers you select is the number of devices you can download the tour too.
Inclusions: Lifetime Tour Access on Tripvia Tours app for Android & iOS, Download on WIFI before (no signal required or data used during tour), Take as long as you like to complete the tour., Customer Service via Phone & Email
Exclusions: Smartphone or tablet, Headphones (optional - audio will play from device speaker too), Attraction tickets
3. Johnston Canyon Icewalk from Banff
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 28 reviews
Trek through Johnston Canyon to a world of frozen waterfalls and pillars of blue ice. Learn about the formation of the canyon, discover fossil corals in the rocks, and photograph the incredible pillars of ice as you walk through the canyon bottom and over suspended catwalks. Your professional guide leads you past waterfalls frozen in mid-stream, and through a short tunnel for a close up view of the Lower Falls! The grand finale is the incredible "Cathedral of Ice" at the Upper Falls. Includes hot cocoa and fresh baked cookies! Activity Rating: Moderate
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Snacks, Equipment (Ice Cleats), Driver/guide, Professional guide
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Livestotravelandeat
This tour experience definitely exceeded my expectations which were already high to begin with. Our guide was Alex and he was great from beginning to end. The snow conditions were amazing and if we forgot a detail Alex had us covered. You would never be able to do this without a guide as we went through restricted areas. The fresh powder was amazing and we played, raced, and rolled around trekking up and down the mountain. This company is super organized and professional. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this tour, Alex as a guide and this company to anyone. Thank you!
4. Snowshoeing Tour to the Paint Pots
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 27 reviews
This easy 3-kilometre trail through Kootenay National Park to see the historical Paint Pots is the perfect introduction to snowshoeing. You'll hike along a snowy forest path to the Paint Pots, a cultural treasure, with an option to try tobogganing on a crazy carpet slide. This small-group tour includes round-trip transportation from Banff, snowshoes, hot chocolate and a uniquely Canadian treat - hot maple taffy made in the snow by your guide.
Inclusions: Professional guide, Snowshoes, Hiking pole, Hot chocolate and a maple taffy treat, Return transport from Banff, Small group size (up to 12 guests per guide)
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By joyce8958
I did this hike on the first week of April, with Jeff. What made the ice walk amazing was that Jeff kept it lively in addition to the beautiful scenery! I loved that it wasn’t crowded. For this reason alone, this tour is so worth it!
5. Snowshoeing Tour to Marble Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 17 reviews
This half-day tour is an easy morning introduction to snowshoeing in Kootenay National Park where you can admire the dramatic colours of Marble Canyon, worn away over centuries by the rushing waters of Tokumn Creek. This small-group tour includes round-trip transportation from Banff, snowshoes, hot chocolate and a uniquely Canadian treat - hot maple taffy made in the snow by your guide.
Inclusions: Professional guide, Snowshoes, Hiking pole, Hot chocolate and a maple taffy treat, Return transport from Banff, Small group size (up to 12 guests per guide)
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By joyce8958
I did this hike on the first week of April, with Jeff. What made the ice walk amazing was that Jeff kept it lively in addition to the beautiful scenery! I loved that it wasn’t crowded. For this reason alone, this tour is so worth it!
6. Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 33 reviews
Johnston Canyon is one of Banff National Park’s most popular hiking spots, but most people don’t think to experience it at night. Your headlight (yours to keep after the tour) makes the frozen waterfalls shimmer as you hike along the suspended catwalk in quiet darkness. The evening icewalk is all about heightening your senses, appreciating the darkness, the scents of the fresh pine forest and enjoying the silence of a night spent beneath the stars as you follow your guide through this narrow, water-formed canyon.
Inclusions: Professional guide, Ice cleats, Hiking pole, Souvenir headlamp to keep, Maple cookie snack, hot chocolate, Small group size (up to 12 guests per guide)
Exclusions: Optional gratuities
Reviewed By joyce8958
I did this hike on the first week of April, with Jeff. What made the ice walk amazing was that Jeff kept it lively in addition to the beautiful scenery! I loved that it wasn’t crowded. For this reason alone, this tour is so worth it!
7. Johnston Canyon Icewalk
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 284 reviews
Water cascades into this narrow canyon in the heat of summer, but in the winter the thundering falls freeze solid to create natural ice sculptures. Johnston Canyon is one of the most popular attractions in Banff National Park and has a network of steel catwalks built into the canyon walls that allows you to walk right along this cathedral of ice with airy views into the gorge below. As you do, you’ll get to wander through a natural cave to gaze down at the flowering waters of the lower falls. Continue onto the awe-inducing upper falls - a glittering tower of ice that rise 30 metres above your head. These gigantic pillars of ice are the tour highlight and ice climbers can often be seen scaling the frozen columns. This popular guided icewalk will lead you past the lower falls and on to view the breathtaking upper icefalls from the upper deck. You will also travel through prime wildlife habitat to reach the falls and learn the clues to how Johnston Canyon was formed.
Inclusions: Professional guide, Ice cleats, Hiking pole, Maple cookie snack, hot chocolate, Small group size (up to 12 guests per guide)
Exclusions: Optional gratuities
Reviewed By BusymomEsssex
We went as a group on the morning icewalk. Neil our guide was punctual in collecting us at the pick up point and was very informative throughout the drive and tour. It was a beautiful walk and our two families really enjoyed the sites. I do think however for the price that was charged it was way overpriced for what we received. I think this company is simply capitalizing on the fact that during COVID the canyon is closed to the public unless you go in with a guide. Kind of sad. Also, although our guide was polite and informative he came across as very COVID fearful so I’m not sure why he was electing to work as a guide. If you seriously think you are going to catch COVID outside while hiking in a canyon stay home and let your colleagues who are confortable being with tourists do the tours.
8. Banff Ghost Walks
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 21 reviews
Spend a spooktacular evening unearthing ghastly ghosts, ghouls and mysterious events lurking in the shadows of Banff’s historic streets. Take a walk on the other side and explore Banff’s hidden history on a Banff ghost walk. From haunted hotels to ghost towns, Banff is full of things that go bump in the night. Discover the ghostly past of the Bow Valley on an evening stroll through the paranormal including haunted landmarks, unsolved mysteries and terrifying encounters at hotels. Hear some of the most spine-tingling stories as you stroll along the historic streets, led by a knowledgeable interpretive guide.
Inclusions: Interpretive guide, Small group size (up to 20 guests per guide)
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Reviewed By joyce8958
I did this hike on the first week of April, with Jeff. What made the ice walk amazing was that Jeff kept it lively in addition to the beautiful scenery! I loved that it wasn’t crowded. For this reason alone, this tour is so worth it!
9. Banff Clue Solving Adventure - Treasures of Banff
Treasures of Banff is an immersive clue solving adventure for teams of 2 - 4 people, priced per team. Discover the popular sights, hidden gems and spots even the locals don’t know about in Banff on a 1-2 hour adventure. You and your team work together to solve a series of clues & puzzles delivered to an App on your phone. Each Canadiana based clue guides you around Banff to find the treasure by solving puzzles, with some interactions in local businesses and visiting her interesting spots around the town. You can start any time between 10am – 5pm any day, but finish before 7p.m. to complete your mission. The puzzle of an escape room, the fun of a scavenger hunt, and the thrill of the amazing race. So! Much! Fun!
Inclusions: All activities, Free App to play the game
Exclusions: Available to purchase along route, Available to purchase along route, Available to purchase along route
Reviewed By sja454
Wife and I did the Crowsnest Pass mystery. Early frustration as the mystery wouldn't open on my phone. Tried reloading the app a couple of times, but it wouldn't work. I called the phone number that was included on the receipt, not really expecting to get a hold of anyone as it was Saturday afternoon. Pleasantly surprised when Iain answered! I explained what was going on and he tried troubleshooting over the phone but problem persisted. He contacted someone on the technical team for advice and called me back. We tried a few more things with no success. He then called someone involved with the app and discovered a problem with the app. It was corrected within minutes. Iain called back and sent me a new code. We tried it and it worked!! Wife and I did the tour-very cool! A great way to learn about local history and some easy exercise at the same time! Tour took us about 1 and 3/4 hours to complete. Troubleshooting took 20ish minutes prior to starting. App worked flawless during the challenge. Will definitely do another tour! Iain was very apologetic and helpful. He even called back once we started to make sure the app was working and ask if we had any questions! Would absolutely recommend!!
10. Listen to a Tour Guide as You Drive & Walk with our Discover the Rockies Package
'Discover the Rockies' package includes: Two Walking Tours. Your phone becomes your tour guide as you explore Banff & Canmore with two GPS-guided audio walking tours! Each with 30 fully narrated points of interest. Driving Tour. Listen to a tour guide as you drive between Calgary, Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, Sunshine Village & Nakiska! Over 50 points of interest. Freedom. No directions or time limits. Stop at as many sights & attractions as you like. Start / stop anywhere. Travel in any direction along route. Hands Free. Fun audio clips play automatically as you drive. Live GPS map. No data used during tour. Easy to Use. Download the app. Select the tour. Go! Family Friendly. Fun Tripvia Guides keep you laughing & engaged along the way! Trivia Fun. Each point of interest has a fun multiple choice trivia question. Keep score or just listen! Inexpensive. Only 1 tour booking needed per vehicle / group. Play audio through vehicle's stereo so everyone can hear.
Inclusions: Hands free (audio plays automatically), Customer Service via Phone & Email, Lifetime Tour Access on Tripvia Tours app for Android & iOS, Download on WIFI before (no signal required or data used during tour)
Exclusions: Attraction tickets, Smartphone or tablet, Transportation (use your own vehicle)
Reviewed By parasuram2119
This was fun! Never knew this existed. Would do it again for sure. I love to give it five stars. Recommended
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