Banff National Park
Banff National Park · Banff National Park, AB, Canada
Last updated 2026-10-29
By Global Travel Guide Editorial Team
Introduction
The park is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO site. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are reached by Parks Canada shuttles in season; private cars are restricted at Moraine Lake. The Icefields Parkway runs north toward Jasper, with glaciers and viewpoints along the way. Wildlife is common, so keep food sealed and stay in the car for bears. A park pass is required; buy it online or at the gate. Summer and winter both have distinct activities.
Ticket Price
Daily entry: adult CAD 12.25 (≈ USD 8.7), senior CAD 10.75, youth 17 and under free, family/group CAD 24.50. Discovery Pass: adult CAD 83.50, senior CAD 71.50, family CAD 167.50. Separate parking fees apply at Lake Louise Lakeshore and some day-use areas (May-Oct).
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours year-round. Visitor centres and some facilities keep seasonal hours; mountain roads and trails can close for snow or wildlife.
Transportation
Drive or use Roam Transit in Banff town; Parks Canada shuttles serve Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in season (reservation required for Moraine Lake). Many trailheads have no public transit.
Best Season
Jun-Sep for hiking and lakes; Dec-Mar for skiing.
Pro Tip: Start early for Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
Local Tips You'd Only Learn After Visiting
The details official guides skip — save time, avoid crowds, and get better photos.
1
Start early for Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Parking fills before sunrise in summer. Use the Parks Canada shuttle, arrive on the first departure, and check whether road access requires a reservation.
Member-Only Tips
Upgrade to unlock insider hacks, best photo spots, and crowd timing advice.
Frequently Asked Questions3 questions
Three to four days cover Banff town, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and one hike; two days is a quick highlights trip. Summer shuttle reservations are essential for the lakes.
Glaciers grind rock into fine "rock flour" that stays suspended in the water and scatters blue-green light. The effect is strongest in summer, when meltwater is high.
June-September for hiking and lakes; December-March for skiing and frozen waterfalls. July-August is the busiest and most expensive.