Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Banff

"The scenic blue Lake Minnewanka has much to offer the outdoors recreationalist: hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and booing. Winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. It is a nature photographer’s dream, with gorgeous scenery and an abundance of wildlife, including deer, bears, mountain sheep and elk."

"A glacial lake, the Lake Minnewanka is famous for its scenic drive that is a 15 mile loop. Going clockwise, you can begin by exploring the abandoned coal mines and the mining community and head up to the Lake, the largest lake in the park. The natural beauty you’ll see here is par excellence."

"I recommend you walk eastward along the shore of Banff’s biggest lake. That’s where the lake usually thaws first and offers up a reflection of the surrounding peaks. Paul’s Photography Tip: Look for natural frames to add depth to your compositions (try shooting through trees, for example)."

"For those who do not wish to hike, you can take the famous Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain for a panoramic view of Banff as well as the surrounding mountain peaks. The Banff Sighting seeing Gondola is an 8 minute ride that takes you 2281m (~7500ft) above ground to the summit of Sulphur Mountain in a 4 people cabin. There are restaurants, cafes, an interpretive center and short hiking trails at the Sulphur Mountain Board Walk. The price for adults is CAD 58 per ticket, and for children aged 6-15 is CAD 29."

"Next on our list is one of the most famous things to do in Banff and that’s taking the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain. From the top, the views are absolutely stunning!. To me, the Banff Gondola is the most spectacular gondola ride in Canada."

"After exploring the Banff town, head to the Sulphur mountains. The Banff Sightseeing Gondola is located 5 minutes from the Town of Banff."

"Sitting at the foot of Mount Rundle and a 5-minute drive from the township of Banff, Vermilion Lakes are a series of 3 shallow lakes. To reach them, take Vermilion Lakes Road, a scenic 4.3-kilometre route. When the water is calm, the lakes provide a perfect reflection of the surrounding mountains."

"The trail follows the south shore of the Bow River from Banff Pedestrian Bridge to Bow Falls, the famous waterfall below Banff Springs Hotel. The trail has some up and down but nothing that little ones can’t handle. You can budget about an hour return for walking Bow Falls trail with kids."

"The Bow Falls trail is just a few minutes away from the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. It is a section of the Bow River that is easily accessible by car for you to quickly be able to watch this magnificent river flows through the Rockies. So quick, so clear and so cold!"

"While Two Jack Lake is not a glacial-fed lake and is not nearly as blue as the lakes mentioned above, it’s still a must-visit in Banff. Two Jack is only a short drive away from town, and besides being a fantastic lake to canoe on, sup on, or even swim in, it’s also one of the most photographed spots in the park. Thanks to its neverending views of Mount Rundle, photographers flock from all over to get a shot of Two Jack Lake."

"There are too many spots in Banff to take in views and enjoy a picnic lunch but our favourite is Two Jack Lake. You’ve got water, a perfect view of the mountains, and of course, some friendly wildlife. Depending on the season, you can also hike, fish, dive, and camp on one of the secluded camp sites."

"After the turnoff to Johnson Lake, the loop road reaches Two Jack Lake. There’s an excellent campground here (book early!), with one section on the lake shore and other on the other side of the road. Two Jack Lake is incredibly beautiful and is a great spot for all kinds of water activities."

"Two spots to check out in this region are Grassi Lakes and braving the summit of Ha Ling Peak. You can also visit the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary and get up close in person with these amazing creatures."

"We were so excited to finally get a break from the light rain and headed to Johnston Canyon in the afternoon. It was easy to understand why Johnston Canyon was a very popular day hike. We saw plenty of families here including grandparents and babies. There were even a few who took their strollers/prams on the trails."

"Lake Minnewanka and Johnston Canyon are two fan favourites. Take a tour through the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and take in the amazing architecture, followed by a stroll down the Bow River that flows directly through town. You also can’t leave without taking the gondola up Sulphur Mountain!"

"This small lake has a nice 1 km loop around it plus a small beach where kids can play. Quarry Lake is a fun place to stand up paddle board in Canmore. Quarry Lake parking fees: Effective May 14, 2021 visitors will have to pay to park at Quarry Lake."

"I love natural playgrounds, and this one does a great job of blending into the stunning scenery. The playground features slides, a climbing wall, and several fallen trees and tree stumps for climbing. On the other side of the park, there’s a faux-mountain that kids can climb or run underneath (there’s a small opening in the middle)."

"Banff gets hip with a microdistillery to complement its microbrewery, plying spirits (gin, vodka and whiskey) and beer made from Alberta's foothills' grain. It all goes down perfectly with a mesquite beef hoagie,..."

"#6 137 Banff Av, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T1L 1B7, CanadaTakeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free WifiAmerican, Bar, Canadian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free OptionsLunch, Dinner, Late Night+1 403-762-2230"

"Source: Photo by Flickr user Jerry Huddleston used under CC BY 2.0. Photo is only for illustrative purposes. If you are in Banff, chances are you won’t be seeing this burger bar because of its location."

"Maybe because everyone is fueling up for a big day in the mountains, morning meal spots abound and many do it really right. Brunos Bar and Grill is one such place that serves a killer breakfast and mounds of it at a reasonable price. Veggie options are available yet the menu is definitely pig heavy."

"Lovely gallery with some gorgeous treasures: ceramic tea pots, prints, photography, jewellery, contemporary landscapes and sculptures. Highlighting local Alberta and Canadian artists. 211 Bear St. (Bison Courtyard building) 403 762 2214"

"This is one of the fancier restaurants in town and it does not disappoint. It’s been years since we’ve made it back here but I still remember the maple-glazed salmon and the super creamy mashed potatoes. If you’re looking for an upscale restaurant in the heart of Banff, this is one of the top options."

"The Maple Leaf is one of Banff’s high end restaurants, and is incredibly popular due to it serving fully Canadian cuisine. Primarily working with steak and seafood, the food is beautiful, as is the restaurant itself. Canadian oysters, Alberta beef and wild salmon, every dish just screams eh!"

"With plenty of local and foreign plaudits, the classy Maple Leaf eschews all other pretensions in favor of one defining word: 'Canadian.' The menu is anchored by Albertan beef, along with BC salmon, East Coast... Ice Cream in Banff Town"

"Our favorite restaurant in Banff with a great atmosphere and high-quality farm-to-table food. They have a seasonal menu and won several national awards in Canada for exceptional service. It’s well known as the best spot in Banff for brunch on Sundays."

"Best known by locals for its stunning views of the Canadian Rockies (nab a seat by the giant windows to make other diners jealous!), the Bison’s best-kept secret is its addictive dinner and Sunday brunch menus. Chefs Liz and Kirk are..."