Banff National Park

Introduction
Banff National Park, located on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in Alberta, was established in 1885 as Canada's first national park and the third national park in the world, following Yellowstone in the United States and Royal National Park in Australia. Encompassing approximately 6,641 square kilometers of pristine mountain wilderness, the park is renowned globally for its majestic Rocky Mountain peaks, vivid turquoise glacial lakes, ancient subalpine forests, and thriving populations of iconic North American wildlife. Signature lakes including Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Peyto Lake display an almost surreal gemstone-blue coloration caused by the refraction of light from finely ground rock flour suspended in the glacial meltwater, and are widely celebrated as the crown jewels of the Canadian Rockies. The park provides critical habitat for grizzly bears, black bears, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, wolves, and caribou, making it one of the premier wildlife viewing destinations in Canada. Banff also serves as a sacred site for alpine outdoor enthusiasts and nature photographers from around the world, offering world-class hiking, skiing, mountaineering, and backcountry exploration opportunities throughout the year, while the charming mountain town of Banff serves as a sophisticated base for exploring this extraordinary protected landscape.
✨ Highlights
🛈 Practical Info
💡 Tips
FAQ
Any practical tips for visiting Banff National Park?
Arrive early at Moraine Lake, limited parking fills by mid-morning Summer bear encounters are possible, carry bear spray and hike in groups
Trips featuring Banff National Park
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![3 days [Exclusive stay at The Crossing Resort in the cabin in the heart of the icefield] Three major national parks: Banff + Yoho + Jasper | Moraine Lake + Lake Louise + Emerald Lake + Maligne Lake | Columbia Icefield | Free all-summer national park tickets](https://qiniu.usitour.com/images/picture/2015-06/detail_60_1435100659.jpg?imageView2=2&w=1920&q=70&format=webp)
![4-Day [Exclusive Stay Icefield Heart Cabin The Crossing Resort] Banff + Yoho + Jasper Three National Parks + Maligne Lake + Lake Louise + Moraine Lake + Emerald Lake | Free All Summer National Park Tickets | Close Contact Ten-Thousand-Year Columbia Icefield](https://qiniu.usitour.com/images/picture/2015-06/detail_60_1435100659.jpg?imageView2=2&w=1920&q=70&format=webp)
![2-Day [Limited Free National Park Tickets - Rocky Mountain D Line] Columbia Icefield + Yoho National Park + Icefields Parkway | Lake Louise + Emerald Lake + Moraine Lake Three Fairy Lakes Check-in](https://qiniu.usitour.com/images/picture/2019/10/detail_83_5d97e246efeab.jpg?imageView2=2&w=1920&q=70&format=webp)

![2-Day [Limited Free National Park Tickets - Rocky Mountain B Line] Ice Bus Tour Columbia Icefield | Jasper National Park + Peyto Lake + Bow Lake + Athabasca Falls | Optional Maligne Lake Cruise](https://qiniu.usitour.com/images/picture/2018-01/detail_89_1516996587.jpg?imageView2=2&w=1920&q=70&format=webp)


