Banff National Park

Banff National Park covers 6,641 square kilometres of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, about 110 to 180 km west of Calgary. It was created on 25 November 1885 as Rocky Mountains Park, making it Canada's first national park, and it is run by Parks Canada.

The park began as a small reserve around the hot springs at what is now the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, a place long used by the Stoney Nakoda and other Indigenous peoples. Railway workers on the Canadian Pacific line came across the springs in the 1880s, and the railway soon promoted the area to tourists with grand hotels. In 1984 Banff became part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site.

The town of Banff, in the Bow River valley, is the main base, with hotels, restaurants and the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain. About 54 km north-west lies the hamlet of Lake Louise, beside the turquoise lake of the same name, and Moraine Lake sits about 15 km away below the Valley of the Ten Peaks. The Icefields Parkway runs about 230 km north from Lake Louise to Jasper past glaciers, waterfalls and lakes such as Peyto and Bow.

Parks Canada records 53 mammal species, including grizzly and black bears, elk, bighorn sheep and mountain goats. Wildlife crossings over and under the Trans-Canada Highway are used by many animals. Hiking, canoeing and cycling fill the summer, and skiing at three resorts runs in winter.

A Parks Canada pass is required for anyone stopping in the park, sold as daily or annual passes. Access to Moraine Lake is by shuttle or tour bus only, as private vehicles are not allowed on its road. Summer is very busy, so book accommodation early and start hikes in the morning.

How does the Moraine Lake shuttle work?

Parks Canada runs a shuttle that links the Park and Ride at the Lake Louise Ski Resort with Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Adults pay C$12.75, seniors C$6 and youths C$4, plus a non-refundable reservation fee of C$3.50 online or C$5.50 by phone. Seats go on sale in spring and early morning departures, including the Alpine Start trips for hikers, sell out first.

Within the town of Banff, Roam Transit buses connect hotels with the Banff Gondola, the Upper Hot Springs and Lake Minnewanka in summer, which saves hunting for parking in July and August.