Randomly swiping through my Instagram, looking at images ranging from food to fashion to travel, I came across a picture of a turquoise lake. Water so turquoise that it was hard to believe it exists for real, and I thought to myself that I have to see this place someday. Three years later, I am standing on the shore of that very lake, and now I can say that it's REAL REAL!! And not just that particular lake(going to reveal the name soon 🙂), Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada is home to several such gorgeous turquoise lakes resting in the lap of Canadian Rockies. And I consider myself very, very lucky to have been able to be a part of this immaculate wilderness even if it was for a few days.
**Confession Alert- The traveler and explorer in me are quite disappointed that I didn't know of this marvelous place before I saw its picture online.**😐
Okay, enough of my confessions now; let me talk about this gem of Canada. Banff is a stunningly gorgeous place in the province of Alberta, Canada, with easy access to pristine wilderness and endless outdoor activities. Be it a hiking or canoeing adventure in summers or skiing & snowboarding in winters, you feel truly immersed in nature. While the town itself is small, there is a lot to explore in the surrounding area of the park. And so you must plan well on what you are keen on seeing and experiencing the most.
Driving your car in the Canadian Rockies is the best option to explore it; otherwise, you'll be missing on a whole lot of things. As for us, we flew into Calgary and rented a car from Hertz at the airport itself. Banff is only about a short hour and a half drive from Calgary.
Here are my recommendations on the best things to do in Banff, and I hope it will ignite the wanderlust in you for Canada. Don't blame me guys if you find yourself booking tickets for Banff after reading this blog.😉
Best time to visit??
Banff will surprise you in all seasons, but the best time to visit Banff is in the months of June-Aug when the snow has completely melted off the lakes, and one can see the turquoise and azure blue colors of lakes. All places in Banff are accessible at this time, unlike the months of May and September, when access to some places is restricted. It doesn't mean at all that you would be disappointed if you choose other months, but yes, if you are the kind of person who likes to keep all options open, then these are the months for you.🙂
1. Lake Louise
World-famous for its soaring mountain backdrops, turquoise lake, ski runs, and hiking trails, Lake Louise is a must-visit destination and on the bucket list of many. Its pristine, calming, and picturesque location is the perfect start to your Banff getaway. Lake Louise has this amazing blue-green water with the reflection of the mountain in the lake. Oh, it looked so dreamy!😍 I would suggest you go early before the sun is up to avoid the herd of tourists.
Tip: In the peak season(Mid June-Mid Sept), if you are any late than 6:30- 6:45 a.m., do not even try coming to Lake Louise's main parking lot. Either arrive early morning or late afternoon if you want to park at the main parking lot itself. We arrived at 6:30 a.m. and were few of the last ones to grab an empty parking spot before the lot was closed. Trust me on this; you would not want to waste your precious time if you are any late than that. Just park your car in the Lake Louise overflow parking lot and take a shuttle from there to Lake Louise, which is about a 20 min ride. And, the price is CAD 4 round trip.
2. Lake Moraine
It's time to spill the beans!! Yes, you guessed it right! Lake Moraine is the heavenly lake which brought me to Banff. It is a glacially-fed lake set at the foot of the rugged valley of the Ten Peaks and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, and rock piles, creating a scene so stunning that it almost seems unreal. No wonder it's the most photographed lake in Canada.
We took a park shuttle from Lake Louise to Lake Moraine, and as we stepped down from the shuttle and started walking towards the lake, I had the first glimpse of the lake, which left me dumbstruck for a moment. It was BREATHTAKING!! Its waters are of the most fabulous color, an azure blue that changes in intensity through the summer as the glaciers melt. We spent a good part of the hour just sitting at the lakeside and inhaled the pure mountain air and wished if time could freeze at that moment.
There are many hiking options as well if you would like to explore more, and of course, there is canoeing on the lake. No swimming or other activities are allowed in the lake except that. And I bet you wouldn't find a better view while canoeing than in the beautiful turquoise waters of this lake, and how could we let go of this once in a lifetime experience. It was indeed a dream canoe trip for us paddling around the calm turquoise water and with rugged snow-capped mountains all around.❤ I think there's just something about being on the water that gives you the perfect view of nature.😍 But canoeing in Moraine Lake is very expensive; 90$ to be precise. I think it was worth every penny, though.
Rockpile Trail
It's a short and easy hike up the Rockpile trail to get a bird's eye view of the Moraine Lake. The views from here are jaw-dropping, and I would strongly recommend doing this hike. Just go a little further off-trail after reaching the top, and you will have solitude from the crowds and a different perspective of the lake.
Know Before You Go
Getting a parking spot at this lake is a mammoth task. The parking lot is full by 5:30 a.m., and this is no joke. The access road to Moraine Lake closes once the parking lot is packed, and you have no option but to take a shuttle from Lake Louise Lakeshore. The first bus leaves at 8:40 a.m., and it departs every 20 min after that. Consider an hour of wait in line to buy the tickets for the shuttle and 30 min of travel time while making your plans.
If you want to be at the Moraine lake early morning, either be at the lake by 5:30 a.m. or take the Moraine Lake Early Bird Shuttle that departs from Lake Louise Park and Ride. The first bus leaves at 6 a.m. and every 30 minutes after that till 7:30 a.m.! I think the park officials are not managing all of this the right way(totally my personal opinion); it can be done more productively, but what can we do anyways. But trust me on this; you don't want to miss this lake even it's hours of wait time.
If you are short on time, I would highly recommend doing Lake Moraine rather than Lake Louise. Although Lake Louise is much more prominent in size, Moraine is way more scenic & beautiful.
3. The Fairy Tale Town of Banff
Located right in the Banff National Park, the town of Banff is one of Canada's most precious jewels. With Cascade Mountain rising above the city at one end and several quaint timber stores lining the streets, Banff is as close to a living fairy tale destination that you can imagine.
You must take out some time to visit this fairy tale town for at least a few hours, if not for a day. The pretty streets are lined up with many restaurants, cafes, and bars. Craving some coffee? Head over to Whitebark Cafe or Evelyn’s Coffee Bar for something a bit different.
Or if you want to have the best ice cream in Canada, stop by Cows on Banff Avenue.
For drinks, head to the Rose and Crown, which is the oldest pub in Banff.
Besides being home to plenty of great restaurants, you can also buy all the Banff sweaters and leaf-shaped maple syrup bottles your heart desires in Banff.
Parking in Banff
Parking in Banff can be tight, especially in the summer. Luckily, Banff is a very walkable place. Currently, parking is free in the town of Banff at designated on-street parking spots and off-street lots. However, all visitors do require a Parks Pass, which can be purchased either at the Banff National Park gates as you enter on the highway, at a Parks Canada Visitor Information Centre, or online ahead of time.
The largest parking lots in Banff are the Bear Street parkade (which has indoor above-ground parking), on Beaver Street, at the Fenlands Recreation Centre, and the Railway Station. You can also check BanffParking.ca to check live updates on parking availability at the major lots.
4. Hang out at Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka is a large glacial lake 3 miles (5 km) from the town of Banff. With 21km in length, it is the second-longest in the mountain parks of Canadian Rockies. It’s a fantastic place to relax by the water and a beautiful place for picnicking, mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, diving, and snowshoeing. But the water of this lake is choppy, so canoeing or kayaking may not be an excellent option if you are a novice.
Lake Minnewanka is the only lake in Banff National Park that allows limited use of powerboats. Scenic boat cruises go out daily to Devil’s Gap, with an interpretive tour guide that can tell you about the rich history and local lore of the lake and surrounding mountains. Hiking around Lake Minnewanka is also spectacular and accessible with its rocky shores, stands of aspen trees, and jagged peaks. And if you don't feel like doing any of these activities, then grab the red chairs on the dock and relax by the lake, just like us.🙂
5. Vermilion Lakes
The Vermilion Lakes are a network of lush marshlands and three expansive lakes in the Bow Valley, offering spectacular views of Mount Rundle and Mount Sulphur. The lakes are just about 1.5 miles from the town of Banff, and easily accessible by walking, cycling, or driving. Drive along the beautiful Vermilion lakes drive along the creeks and see the alpine scenery.
You can pull up at the lakes and relax on the docks and benches and soak up the sun as you gaze at the impressive Mount Rundle in the backdrop - one of Banff's most recognizable mountains. The lake is very still and calm, and you are undisturbed apart from a couple of other onlookers, unlike most other lakes in Banff, which are overcrowded by tourists.
6. Icefields Parkway
There is one road in Canada that will leave you breathless with some of the most impressive landscapes and its's criminal to visit Banff and not drive down this road. The 232 km highway called the Icefields Parkway in Alberta, Canada, links Canada's two iconic national parks, Banff National Park to Jasper National Park and is rated as one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Postcard mountain vistas, ancient glaciers, vast valleys, turquoise mountain lakes, and the opportunity to spot wildlife such as bears, elk, moose, and wolves; you get all of this all along the way either you drive from Banff to Jasper or vice-versa.
Typically, it takes about 3.5 hrs to get to Jasper from Banff, but that would be almost impossible since there are so many pull-offs along the way, usually at the most scenic points. And this I am talking in addition to the countless impromptu stops you will make to soak in the gorgeous views or to catch a glimpse of a bear on the highway. Consider taking a day from one side if you don't want to feel rushed.
Crowfoot Glacier
About 32 km (20 miles) northwest of Lake Louise, you can view this glacier right from the highway. Snowmelt feeds the Bow River, which runs alongside the scenic drive.
Saskatchewan River Crossing
Saskatchewan River Crossing is a bridge along Alberta’s Highway 93, between Jasper and Banff. The view from the bridge is striking, with channels of Saskatchewan river running through small islands and sandbanks covered with alpine trees. You cannot drive the Icefields Parkway and miss this bridge. But there is no pull-off point near the bridge. You can park your car on the side of the highway and enjoy the view from the road.
Note- The Crossing Resort close to the river crossing is the only place offering essential services between Banff and Jasper, including gasoline, restaurant, and lodging. There is no other gas station on the Icefields parkway except this one, and the prices are high. However, these services are seasonal and closed during the winter. Plan your trip accordingly. Also, there is no network coverage on the entire Icefields Parkway, but just in case you need the internet, you can get the Wifi here at the resort for 10$.
Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake is a glacially-fed lake in the Canadian Rockies about an hour north of Downtown Banff via the Icefields Parkway. If you are in Banff, you must find time to drive up the Icefields Parkway to view this stunning lake. It is the most beautiful lake you will find on this scenic drive. The color of the lake is purely insane; it's that blue. You have to see it to believe it!
The Bow Summit( 2085m), which is also the highest elevation point on Icefields Parkway, overlooks Peyto Lake. There are two parking lots at the Bow Summit (Peyto Lake lookout). The main parking lot for visitors is about 500m from the Icefields Parkway exit, and it's a short 10 min uphill walk along the Timberline Trail to the summit. The second parking lot for buses and disabled is right next to the viewing platform.
Why is Peyto Lake so Blue??
During the summer, significant amounts of glacial rock flour flow into the lake from the nearby Peyto glacier, and these suspended rock particles are what gives the lake its unique bright, turquoise color.
7. Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park
After visiting the most famous places in the first few days, we then decided to visit the less well known and less visited, Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park. And it was a beautiful surprise! Emerald Lake is aptly named with its pristine green water glimmering in the sun and the surrounding mountains framing the complete scene beautifully.
I would definitely recommend visiting here if you are staying in Yoho or Banff. Walk along the pretty and peaceful Lakeshore Trail, which is an easy 5 km trail to discover incredible views of the lake and plenty of photo opportunities. The trail encircles the entire lake, and there are wooden benches along the way where you can sit and enjoy the silence of the lake and surroundings. You can also rent Canoe and boats here to explore the lake up close.
That's all from this trip, folks!! It is not an exhaustive list, but it's all those places we were able to visit during our trip. I haven't mentioned about places like Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park, Johnston Canyon, and Athabasca Glacier – mostly because I haven't been to these places yet and also these places were not the top priority for this trip! (But one day…) I think this list is definitely a good start, and hopefully has sparked your wanderlust for Alberta.
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