a lake surrounded by mountains and trees under a blue sky

Banff National Park

Lakes, glaciers and peaks in Alberta's Rocky Mountains, with the Icefields Parkway running about 230 km north from Lake Louise to Jasper.

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Banff National Park sits in Alberta's Rocky Mountains on the border with British Columbia. It covers about 6,641 square kilometers and was founded in 1885 as Rocky Mountains Park, making it Canada's first national park. The town of Banff, in the Bow River valley, is the park's main commercial center and visitor information hub, about 128 km west of Calgary by road. Visitor numbers reached about 4.5 million in 2025.

Lake Louise, with the Chateau Lake Louise hotel on its shore, is one of the most visited lakes in the world. Moraine Lake lies about 15 km away and offers a view of the Valley of the Ten Peaks. The Icefields Parkway runs about 230 km north from Lake Louise toward Jasper, past Peyto Lake and Bow Lake. Summer suits hiking and camping, and winter suits skiing. Parks Canada's Roam transit links the Banff townsite, Canmore, Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon.

Banff National Park in five

Pay the daily fee or buy a Discovery PassAdults pay a daily park fee and youth 17 and under enter free. For a week or more, the annual Discovery Pass usually costs less than daily admission.Parks Canada pass
Reserve the Moraine Lake and Lake Louise shuttlesMoraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles all year, and both lakes run on reservation-only Parks Canada shuttles from the Lake Louise Park and Ride. The Lake Louise guide covers when seats release and how the lakeshore lot works.Lake Louise shuttles
Never feed or approach wildlifeElk, bighorn sheep and bears use the roadsides. Stay in your car at roadside sightings; feeding wildlife is illegal in Canada's national parks.
Fly into Calgary, then choose a transferCalgary (YYC) is about 1.5 hours from the town of Banff on the Trans-Canada Highway. The Calgary to Banff guide compares coach, shuttle and rental car, and the Icefields Parkway runs on north to Jasper.Calgary to Banff

Things to do in Banff National Park

See all attractions in Banff National Park

Lake · Banff National ParkVermilion LakesGo early or near sunset for soft light and reflections; smoke or midday light can make them less distinct.

Park · Banff National ParkCave and Basin National Historic SiteThe pools are not open for bathing. Visit the Banff Upper Hot Springs if you want to soak.

Lake · Banff National ParkLake MinnewankaArrive early, especially in peak season, because parking fills quickly.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Banff National ParkPut the places you like in Banff National Park on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Entrance: $12.25 adult, $24.50 family or group per day; Discovery Pass from $83.50 Read more
Permits: Moraine Lake by shuttle only; wilderness pass for backcountry camping Read more
Season: Open all year; Moraine Lake shuttle June 1 to October 12
Nearest town: Banff town; Lake Louise village about 45 min west
Getting there: Calgary airport (YYC), about 1.5 hours by car or airport bus

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy5 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh-5°Low-13°Ski season
FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh-6°Low-15°Ski, cold
MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh0°Low-9°Spring skiing
AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh5°Low-4°Lakes frozen
MayPartly cloudy12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low2°Lakes still icy
JuneRain13 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh16°Low6°Moraine road opens
JulyRain13 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh21°Low9°Peak season
AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh20°Low9°Peak season
SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 snowy day1 day with stormsHigh15°Low5°Larches turn gold
OctoberPartly cloudy9 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh6°Low-3°Quiet, first snow
NovemberPartly cloudy8 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh-1°Low-9°Early ski
DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh-6°Low-14°Ski, holidays

Average daily high and low in Banff town, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Banff National Park

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

-2

Feels like: -5°
Humidity: 64%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Banff National Park

02:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-6

Today-1°-12°0%Monday: Fog. High -1°, Low -12°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue0°-9°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 0°, Low -9°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed0°-9°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 0°, Low -9°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu-3°-11°22%Thursday: Snow. High -3°, Low -11°. Chance of rain 22%.
Fri-5°-12°71%Friday: Snow. High -5°, Low -12°. Chance of rain 71%.
Sat-7°-13°28%Saturday: Fog. High -7°, Low -13°. Chance of rain 28%.
Sun-2°-12°47%Sunday: Snow. High -2°, Low -12°. Chance of rain 47%.

Updated 12:04 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.397 CAD

Amount

Converted to

CAD · Canadian Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Before you go to Banff National Park

Moraine Lake and Lake Louise shuttlesReserve seats on the Parks Canada siteCheck shuttle dates

Car hire from CalgaryRoads to Banff, Lake Louise, JasperCompare car hire

eSIM for the RockiesSignal fades on the Icefields ParkwayRead the guide

Insurance for Banff tripsCover for hiking injuries and transfersRead the guide

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Rules for Banff National Park, checked

Adults pay a daily park fee or hold a Discovery Pass; youth 17 and under enter freeChecked Oct 1, 2026 · Source

All Banff National Park guides

RulesBanff park pass: daily fees, the Discovery Pass and Lake LouiseChecked Oct 1, 2026

Plan around Banff National Park

All of Canada

eTA, regions, cities and money basics

Read the guide Lake Louise

Shuttle seats, parking and bases

Read the guide Jasper National Park

North along the Icefields Parkway, quieter

Read the guide Banff and Jasper planner

Icefields Parkway, fuel and nights

Read the guide Vancouver

The usual start or end of a Rockies trip

Read the guide Getting around Canada

Car hire, trains and long distances

Read the guide Travel insurance

Medical cover for hiking and remote roads

Read the guide

Banff National Park FAQ

Do I need a pass to drive through Banff?

Not if you drive straight through on the Trans-Canada Highway without stopping. Any stop, even for a viewpoint or a coffee in town, needs a valid Parks Canada pass.

Can I drive to Moraine Lake?

No. The road is closed to personal vehicles year-round. Access is by Parks Canada shuttle or a licensed commercial operator, and the Lake Louise guide explains how to reserve.

When are Lake Louise and Moraine Lake blue?

Both are usually ice-free from about mid-June, and the color is strongest in July and August when glacial silt in the water peaks.

How many days do I need in Banff?

Three days covers the town, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake with one longer hike. Add a day or two for the Icefields Parkway toward Jasper.

Is Banff worth visiting in winter?

Yes, for skiing at the three resorts, frozen lakes and quiet trails. Roads can be icy and daylight is short, so keep a flexible plan; the Banff and Jasper planner lists the winter tire rule for the Icefields Parkway.