Is Visiting Banff in May Worth It? – All You Need to Know

Yes, visiting Banff in May is worth it. The beauty of Banff National Park makes any visit worthwhile, no matter the time of year!

However, to put it bluntly, there are way better months to visit Banff than May, especially if you’re wanting to do some of the bucket list hikes in Banff!

If you’re visiting in May, I highly recommend planning your trip for the end of the month instead of the beginning. By then, some of the lakes will be thawed and more of the lower elevation hikes will be ready to go!

Personally, I would recommend planning your trip to Banff from July through September for the best weather, thawed lakes, and prime hiking conditions.

But, if that isn’t feasible and May is your only option, this blog post will for sure help you plan the best trip to Banff in May!

If you’re interested in seeing how I spent a week in Banff during late May through early June, be sure to check out my 7 Day Banff Itinerary!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I will get a commission if you decide to purchase through those links, at no cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Is May a Good Time to Visit Banff?

Even though May is considered part of the shoulder season in Banff, it can be a great time to visit depending on what you’re wanting to do, especially in late May.

If you’re wanting to visit Banff in May, I highly recommend planning your visit for at least mid-May, preferably the end of May. 

I don’t recommend early May since it can still feel like an extension of winter. The lakes are still frozen, and most hiking trails are covered in snow and ice, making it difficult to enjoy many popular outdoor activities.

However, towards the end of May, the weather starts to warm up, and the lakes located at lower elevations begin to thaw.

In 2024, Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, and Peyto Lake were all thawed by May 31st, with Emerald Lake being completely thawed first.

If hiking is your #1 priority on your trip, and you can be flexible with dates, I recommend waiting to visit until at least the end of June, preferably July and August.

May is not the best time for hiking in Banff as many of the trails, especially those at higher elevations, remain inaccessible due to snow and ice.

With that said, if you can only visit Banff in May or already have it booked, don’t worry! There are still several lower-elevation hikes that you will be able to do.

While May is not the best month to visit Banff, especially for hiking, it is still a great time to visit, especially if you’re wanting to avoid the crowds and witness the beauty of the park as it transitions from winter to spring.

Pros of Visiting Banff in May

Fewer Crowds

May is still considered a shoulder season in Banff, meaning you’ll experience fewer crowds compared to the peak summer months. 

This allows for less crowded wait times at restaurants (we never had to wait to be seated!), easier parking at popular tourist spots, and less populated hiking trails.

Lower Cost

We planned our trip to Banff way in advance, about a year out. 

While you definitely don’t need to plan THAT far ahead, it does help you to get the best deals on hotels and rental cars.

We booked our 7-night stay at the Banff Inn, located in downtown Banff, for $1,200, averaging out to about $170 per night. 

I think this was a great deal, especially for a hotel in downtown Banff.

Closer to the time of our stay, I checked the prices, and they had increased significantly to about $400 per night. Prices rise even more for the peak summer months – end of June through August.

If you’re looking for more budget-friendly hotels or Airbnbs, be sure to check out the nearby town of Canmore, which is only about a 25 minute drive from downtown Banff.

For our rental car, we booked it through Expedia, which I highly recommend for finding the best deals on rental cars at Calgary International Airport.

Due to booking so far in advance, we were able to score a rental car for only $290 CAD dollars for our 8 day trip – probably the cheapest I have ever gotten for this length of a trip!

One of the great things about Expedia is that many of the rental car options offer free cancellation up to the time of pick up.

Additionally, you don’t have to enter your credit card information when booking; you can just pay for it at the time of pick up.

This allows you to keep an eye on the prices and easily change your reservation if you find a better deal closer to your trip!

Overall, planning ahead can save you a significant amount of money!

Check out this interactive map below to help you find lower cost hotels in Banff!

Seeing Wildlife

May is a great month to see wildlife in Banff.

Bears come out of hibernation, and you have a high chance of spotting elk, deer, and more.

Please remember to always keep a safe distance from wildlife and carry bear spray.

We rented bear spray from Snowtips Bactrax in downtown Banff. For a six day rental, it cost us $39 CAD since they provide a discount if you’re renting it for multiple days.

With that being said, we didn’t see much wildlife during our trip in late May to early June (no bears, a few deer), but we heard from many other people that they did.

If you’re looking to further increase your chances of seeing wildlife, consider booking a guided wildlife tour!

Beautiful Scenery

A pro of visiting Banff in May is getting to see the snow-peaked mountains, which makes the scenery even more beautiful – if that is possible!

I was so happy that we had the chance to see the mountains with their beautiful snowy peaks.

Cons of Visiting Banff in May

Not Great for Hiking

Many of Banff’s popular hiking trails are still snow-covered and icy in May, especially those at higher elevations.

While you can rent crampons and hiking poles to help you hike in these conditions, most of the higher elevation hikes are still marked as “Dangerous” and “Caution” by Parks Canada due to avalanche risk.

Therefore, I would not risk it. You can check current trail conditions on the Parks Canada website.

If you’re an avid hiker, I would avoid visiting Banff in May and would wait to visit until July through September. 

Frozen Lakes

While the sight of frozen lakes is still beautiful, I know many people plan their trip to Banff to see the iconic turquoise-colored lakes at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise.

These lakes typically start to thaw towards the end of May, but early in the month, they are often completely frozen.

If you’re wanting to visit Moraine Lake, keep in mind that it is not open-year round, and personal vehicles are no longer allowed to drive there.

Since Moraine Lake is located at a higher elevation, the road to Moraine Lake is closed during the winter months, usually from mid-October to early June. 

The road to Moraine Lake reopens in late spring, usually around June 1st, once conditions are safe and the snow has been cleared. It stays open until around mid October.

You can check the opening and closing dates on the Parks Canada Website.

Colder Weather

The weather in Banff in May can be quite cold, especially in the mornings and evenings, with temperatures often close to freezing.

Be prepared to dress in layers and for changing weather conditions. This might not be the ideal time to visit for someone wanting warmer temperatures.

But if you’re visiting the Canadian Rockies you shouldn’t be expecting hot temperatures anyway lol!

Some Activities Not Available

Certain activities and attractions in Banff may not be available or accessible in May due to lingering snow and ice.

It is definitely an in-between season, since you won’t be skiing but summer activities like via ferrata don’t open until mid June.

Weather in Banff in May

May in Banff brings a mix of weather conditions. 

Towards the end of May, daytime temperatures range from from 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F), but mornings and evenings can be much cooler, often close to freezing 0°C (around 30°F).

In May, higher elevations in Banff still have significant amounts of snow, while lower elevations and the town itself are generally free of snow.

However, snowstorms are still possible, especially in early to mid-May.

When we visited during the last week of May in 2024, there were no snowstorms.

However, we had heard of a snowstorm that happened the week prior that brought additional snow accumulations. 

Fortunately, it melted pretty quickly in town, on the roads, and at lower elevations.

How to Dress in Banff in May?

I was quite stressed about packing for our trip because I wasn’t sure how cold it would feel while hiking or walking around in town.

After visiting, I found that dressing in layers is the best approach when visiting Banff in May. 

The mornings and evenings can be quite chilly, while the afternoons are often quite warmer and sunny.

Here’s what I recommend packing for Banff in May:

• Base-Layers: Merino wool layers are nice since they are lightweight and quick to dry
• Mid-Layers: Light Fleece or Jacket
• Outer-Layers: Waterproof Jacket or Lightweight Puffer
• Gloves: This were nice to have for the chilly mornings.
• Hiking Boots: My favorite hiking boots! They are not too heavy and keep me blister free.
• Wool Socks: These kept my feet nice and warm but not too hot.
• Leggings: I always just wore leggings while hiking and didn’t feel too cold – especially once I started working up a sweat.
• Sweatshirt: A crewneck or hooded sweatshirt were nice to have in the evenings when walking around town for dinner.

When we visited during the last week in May, the morning temperatures tended to be in the 30s (°F), while the daytime highs reached the high 40s and low 50s (°F).

Despite the temperatures being near freezing in the mornings, I didn’t feel very cold being dressed in layers, and I was not even wearing a typical winter jacket.

Layering clothes is also great, because it allows you to adjust what you’re wearing throughout the day as it gets warmer and sunnier. 

We carried around this backpack all day and were able to shed off some of our layers and put it in here when we got warmer.

What Hikes in Banff Can You Do in May?

May is definitely not the best month to visit if you’re wanting to do all of the best hikes in Banff, especially the ones at higher elevation.

We visited during the last week of May and were still able to do quite a few hikes at lower elevation.

However, most of my bucket list hikes, specifically the ones located at higher elevations, were still inaccessible.

The hikes at higher elevation were still too dangerous to attempt since they were snowbound and crossed avalanche territory areas.

Since we aren’t experienced hikers, we heeded the recommendations on the Parks Canada website for the current trail conditions which you can check out here. 

I guess that means I will just have to plan another trip to Banff during the hiking season (July through September)!

Here is a list of the hikes we did in Banff in late May, as well as some of the ones we were recommended to do but didn’t get to.

Tunnel Mountain Summit

Tunnel Mountain Summit is a fantastic, relatively short hike within walking distance from downtown Banff!

We headed here after getting our bear spray rental for the week from Snowtips Bactrax, located in downtown Banff.

The worker at Snowtips Bactrax mentioned that Tunnel Mountain is usually one of the first accessible hikes in Banff for the season, as it’s usually the first to be relatively free of snow and ice. 

We did this hike on May 27th, and the trail was clear of snow and ice, and it wasn’t muddy either.

This hike offers stunning views of the Bow River, the town of Banff, and the surrounding area, making it a great choice for an early-season hike in Banff.

Johnston Canyon Lower and Upper Falls

Johnston Canyon is another great hike to do in Banff in May, as the snowmelt runoff makes the Lower and Upper Falls at their most powerful.

The walk to the Lower and Upper Falls is along well-maintained walkways that tend to be free of snow and ice towards the end of May.

If you’re visiting during early to mid May, it might be worth renting crampons from Snowtips Bactrax to make walking on the ice easier.

To check current trail conditions, you can always read the current reviews on AllTrails from hikers who have just recently completed the hike or take a look at Parks Canada’s website.

The Lower Falls is only about 0.7 miles from the parking lot, and is, in my opinion, the standout between the two falls since you’re able to get up closer to them. 

If you do decide to walk through the tunnel like opening to reach the viewing platform of the Lower Falls (which you totally should), I recommend bringing a waterproof jacket as you will get wet.

I still recommend walking to the Upper Falls from the Lower Falls as it is a relatively short and easy hike.

Another popular hike at Johnston Canyon is the Ink Pots trail, which continues past the Upper Falls to an open meadow where seven mineral springs are located, known as the Ink Pots.

The hike to the Ink Pots tends to be muddier, with more snow and ice, since it transitions into a more forested area rather than the walkways leading to the Lower and Upper Falls. 

Therefore, it might be best to wait to do this hike until at least mid-June when the conditions are better.

Also, I recommend getting to Johnston Canyon early to beat the crowds. 

We got there around 7:30 am and were one of the first cars in the parking lot.

This allowed us to have the Lower Falls and Upper Falls all to ourselves. We only passed a few people on the trail, making the experience much more enjoyable.

I have heard it can get quite crowded later in the morning and afternoon, making for a less pleasant experience since the walkways are quite narrow for two lanes of traffic. 

This can make it harder to stop for photos and may require you to wait in line to go out on to the viewpoint for the Lower Falls.

We noticed more people coming in as we were leaving around 9:30 am.

Bow Falls Viewpoint

Bow Falls Viewpoint is another short hike in Banff that is accessible in the month of May, with the waterfall at its peak due to the snow melting.

This is an accessible and easy hike making it great for all ages and families.

It is a great one to explore after having dinner in downtown Banff, as you can walk here from town.

Wapta Falls

While visiting Banff, you should definitely make a day trip to the nearby Yoho National Park.

The Parks Canada Pass for Banff National Park also covers Yoho National Park as well, so no additional pass needs to be purchased.

Wapta Falls is a great hike to do in Yoho National Park that leads to you a magnificent and powerful waterfall.

We did this trail in late May, and it was pretty muddy, so this might not be the best one to do in early to mid May.

To get an idea of the current trail conditions, you can check out the recent reviews on AllTrails app from people who have recently hiked it.

Emerald Lakeshore

I 100% recommend making the drive to Yoho National Park to see the stunning Emerald Lake. 

It is only about an hour and 15 minutes away from downtown Banff.

It is seriously so beautiful, and it tends to thaw a week or two before Lake Lousie, or at least it did in 2024!

The Emerald Lakeshore is an easy hike that circles the entire lake, offering different viewpoints of the beautiful turquoise-colored water.

Emerald Lake was definitely a highlight of our trip!

We visited in late May, and the hike was muddy in some parts, so hiking boots were necessary.

If you’re visiting in early to mid May, it could be very muddy or snow covered in some areas so be sure to check the up-to-date reviews on the AllTrails app for current conditions.

Lake Louise Lakeshore

The Lake Louise Lakeshore trail is an easy and well maintained path that takes you along the right side of Lake Louise, offering great views of the lake and the surrounding mountain peaks.

The trail is about 2.8 miles out and back, taking around an hour to complete. 

This is a great hike to do in mid to late May once the ice and snow has melted off the path. 

It’s also a great alternative if the Plain of Six Glaciers and Lake Agnes trail are not accessible yet, which they most likely won’t be, even towards the end of May.

You can keep an eye on the current trail conditions on the Parks Canada website.

When we visited on June 1st, those two hikes were listed as “Dangerous” and “Caution” due to the amount of snow and avalanche risk. So, we didn’t take our chances!

Silverton Falls

Silverton Falls is a great short hike in Banff National Park, at only 1.1 miles round trip.

It leads you to a beautiful waterfall ,which is especially powerful in May due to the snow melting.

The trail is mostly accessible during the month of May, even in early May.

It is a pretty short drive from the Lake Louise area.

Grassi Lakes

Grassi Lakes is a stunning hike near the town of Canmore.

Please note that an additional permit is required for this hike, as the Canada Parks Pass that covers your entry into Banff National Park does not apply to the Grassi Lakes area.

You will need to purchase the Kananaskis Pass which you can read more about here.

This hike is accessible for most of May without the need to wear crampons, as there is usually minimal ice and snow on the trail in May, but it might still be muddy.

Be sure to check the AllTrails reviews for current conditions provided by people who have hiked the trail recently.

Troll Falls

Troll Falls is an enjoyable moderately challenging hike near the town of Canmore, covering 2.9 miles in distance round trip.

A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required for this hike, which also covers the nearby Grassi Lakes hike mentioned earlier.

This is separate from the Parks Canada Pass that covers your entry into Banff National Park.

Some of the highlights on this trail include a teepee-like structure you will pass and the beautiful Troll Falls, which has both a lower and upper section.

Things to Do in Banff in May

Banff Gondola

The Banff Gondola is the perfect thing to do in Banff in May!

It offers beautiful views year-round of the mountain peaks, downtown Banff, and the surrounding areas.

In May, you are able to witness the stunning snowy mountain peaks and there is still quite a bit of snow on the area beyond the walkways in the forested area.

At around $70 CAD per person, it is an expensive activity, but it is 100% worth it to me. I was hesitant to spend that much, but it exceeded my expectations.

The views are nothing short of spectacular, especially if you walk along the boardwalks to reach Sanson’s Peak which provides you with 360 views.

There are also a couple restaurants up there as well as a coffee shop!

The Sky Bistro is a popular place to grab a nice dinner while enjoying the beautiful views. 

Reservations are highly recommended, and they open up about 90 days in advance on their website.

We did not dine here as it is pricey, but I have heard great reviews!

White Water Rafting

May is prime time for white water rafting in Banff.

The rivers are filled with the snowmelt, creating strong rapids for the white water rafting experience!

This is a really fun and thrilling adventure!

Bike the Bow Valley Parkway

In the month of May, the Bow Valley Parkway closes to cars, allowing you to bike the Bow Valley Parkway with no cars.

It is a great activity to do in Banff in May, providing you with one of the most scenic bike rides ever.

The roads are quieter, and there are plenty of opportunities to potentially spot wildlife.

In 2024, it is closed to cars during May 1 to June 25 and August 30 to September 30 between the Fireside Day-Use Area and Johnston Canyon. You can read more here.

If you need to rent bikes, I recommend Snowtips Bactrax in downtown Banff.

Once you have your bike, you will bike up Mount Norquay Road, which will lead you to Vermilion Lakes Drive.

From there, you will bike along Vermilion Lakes Drive until you get to the Heritage Trail, which will take you to Bow Valley Parkway.

From there, you can ride all the way to Johnston Canyon or turn around whenever you’re ready

!There are multiple beautiful viewpoints on the way, and since there are no cars on the road, you can bike with ease.

I recommend using this All Trails map 

Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk

May is a great time to embark on the Columbia Icefield Tour which can be combined with the fun Glacier Skywalk as well.

During the Columbia Icefield Tour, you will get to ride on an ice explorer vehicle where you will be given a guided tour of the Athabasca Glacier and even get to walk on it.

Then, you will held to the Glacier Skywalk which is a glass-bottom walkway over the edge of a cliff!

Lake Minnewanka Cruise

Towards the end of May, Lake Minnewanka will be completely thawed (hopefully!), and you can embark on a scenic boat cruise to enjoy the beautiful scenery and learn about its history from an educated guide.

Wildlife Tours

May is a great time to join a guided wildlife tour to hopefully spot some wildlife during your trip!

The knowledgeable guides will be able to bring you to places that have higher potential of spotting wildlife such as elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and maybe even a bear as they come out of hibernation!

Paddle at Two Jack Lake and Vermilion Lakes

Consider renting a kayak or canoe and paddle along the beautiful waters at Two Jack Lake and Vermilion Lakes that both thaw usually in early May.

They offer peaceful conditions with their calm waters and beautiful mountain scenery.

You can rent canoes for Vermilion Lakes here.

Banff Upper Hot Springs

What’s a better way to relax on vacation than in a hot spring? 

Consider adding the Banff Upper Hot Springs to your itinerary so you can relax in the warm waters amidst the cool temperatures while you get to enjoy mountain views from the pool.

FAQs About Visiting Banff in May

Can You Go to Lake Louise in May?

Yes, you can visit Lake Louise in May. 

There is a designated parking lot, and from there, it is a quick walk to the lake. 

Even when the lake is frozen, the walk there is usually free of snow and ice unless there has been a recent snowstorm. 

From mid May to mid October, it costs around $36.75 CAD to park at Lake Louise. Outside of these dates, parking is free.

For 2024, paid parking is in effect from 3:00 am to 7:00 pm, starting May 17th through October 14th. Check out additional information here.

Alternatively, you can take a shuttle to Lake Louise from mid May to mid October, if you prefer to not worry about parking, as the lot can fill up quickly especially during July and August.

When we visited on June 1st, we got there around 6:30 am and there was still plenty of parking. I have heard that you need to get there around 6:30 am during the peak summer months (July and August) if you want to secure a spot.

Keep in mind that the hiking trails around the lake, especially the ones at higher elevations like Plain of Six Glaciers and Lake Agnes, may be muddy or snow-covered in May, making them unlikely to do safely.

Is Lake Louise Still Frozen in May?

Lake Louise is still frozen during early to mid-May. By the end of the month, it is often completely thawed, depending on how the winter and spring conditions have been that year.

The exact timing can vary year to year based on the weather. 

If you visit in early May, expect to see a frozen lake, in mid May you might start to see some patches of open water appearing as the lake starts to thaw, and hopefully by the end of May, you will see a fully thawed Lake Louise!

When we visited in 2024, the lake was completely thawed by May 29th.

I highly recommend checking out the live camera operated by Fairmont Lake Louise to see the current conditions of the lake.

I may or may not have obsessively checked this live cam leading up to our trip to see if Lake Louise had thawed out yet!

Can You Skate on Lake Louise in May?

No, you cannot skate on Lake Louise in May, due to the lake starting to transition from ice to water, making it unsafe for skating. 

Skating on Lake Louise is typically a winter activity, best enjoyed from December to early April.

It officially closes sometime in mid April depending on the winter conditions that year. You can check out the current dates on Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise’s website.

Can you See Moraine Lake in May?

No, you can not see Moraine Lake in May, except if you are interested in biking there in late May.

The road to Moraine Lake usually opens on June 1st, and as a heads up, no personal vehicles are allowed to drive to Moraine Lake. 

Therefore, the only way to get to Moraine Lake is by shuttle bus or biking there which takes about 26 km round trip.

I only recommend biking to Moraine Lake a few days before the road opens on June 1st since the roads have usually been cleared of snow in preparation for the road opening to the shuttles.

I wouldn’t recommend biking from late October to mid May since it is in avalanche territory and the road will be covered in snow.

On May 31st, we rented mountain bikes from Wilson Mountain Sports and biked the long way up to Moraine Lake. 

I won’t lie, the bike to Moraine Lake was pretty hard for me, especially the bike from Wilson Mountain Sports to the beginning of Moraine Lake road as it was pretty steep.

I walked most of the way with my bike until we got to Moraine Lake road and then started biking from there, with a few stops to walk the bike up the steep parts.

You can make the bike ride significantly easier by reserving an ebike over a mountain bike.

The bike ride up took about 2 hours, and the way down was so much easier and only took about 45 minutes!

This was a great way to see Moraine Lake with virtually no crowds besides others who took the bike ride in.

The lake was still partially frozen on May 31st in 2024, but it was still so stunning.

What is the Best Month to Visit Banff?

The best month to visit Banff depends on what you want to do!

July and August are the best months to visit Banff for hiking and warm weather activities, but they are also the busiest, so be prepared for large crowds.

If you prefer fewer crowds and cooler temperatures, mid to late June or September can be ideal and are still great for hiking.

For winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, January and February are prime months to visit.

Since I love hiking, I would personally plan my trip between July through September.

Can You See the Northern Lights in Banff in May?

The northern lights are not very common in Banff, and May is not the best time to see them. 

The longer daylight hours reduce the chances of seeing the aurora. 

If you specifically want to see the northern lights, plan a trip in the winter months when the nights are longer.

Personally, I wouldn’t plan a trip to Banff to just see the northern lights, as it is not a prime spot to see them – you would need to travel farther north to increase your chances.

Are There Bears in Banff in May?

Yes, bears are active in Banff in May as they are coming out of hibernation.

As the snow melts, both black bears and grizzly bears come out of hibernation and start looking for food. 

It’s important to be bear-aware and take necessary precautions, such as carrying bear spray and making noise while hiking.

Check out this helpful blog post on bear safety tips.

You can rent bear spray at Snowtips Bactrax in downtown Banff. It cost us $39 CAD for a six-day rental.

Can You Drive in Banff in May?

Yes, you can drive in Banff in May. 

Most of the main roads are clear of snow by then, but you may still encounter snow and ice in higher elevations or if there was a recent snow storm.

Is There Snow in Banff at the End of May?

There can still be some snow in Banff at the end of May, especially in higher elevations and on hiking trails. 

In the lower elevation areas in town, there is usually no snow unless a storm has passed through. 

When we visited the last week of May, there was no snow in town. One day though it did snow flurry for a little but nothing substantial.

How Busy is Banff at the End of May?

Banff starts to get busier towards the end of May as it is nearing the beginning of tourist season, which usually starts towards the end of June when schools in that area are let out.

However, it’s still significantly less crowded compared to the peak summer months (late June through August). 

You can still expect moderate crowds in downtown Banff during the day but in my opinion, it was nothing too crazy.

Do keep in mind that if you’re visiting during the holidays or on the weekends, there will be a spike in the crowds.

Conclusion: Is it Worth Going to Banff in May?

Yep, going to Banff in May is 100% worth it!

However, if you’re in the beginning planning stages, I do recommend visiting later in the year from July through September. During these months, all of the hikes are accessible and the lakes are thawed

But, if you’re like me and have already planned your trip for the end of May before realizing that May in the Canadian Rockies can still be like winter, do not fear like I did!

I hope this blog post gave you some reassurance that you have the potential to still see some thawed lakes, do some amazing hikes at lower elevations, and other fun activities like white water rafting!

Check out my other Banff blog posts to help plan your trip!

• How to Visit Moraine Lake at Sunrise – All You Need to Know
• 18 of the Best Lakes in Banff You Need to See On Your Trip
• The Ultimate 7 Day Banff Itinerary for a Bucket List Trip
• Must-Know Guide About Johnston Canyon: One of Banff’s Most Popular Hikes
• 20 of the Best Hikes in Banff National Park You Need to Experience

Helpful Tips For Planning Your Trip to Banff

• Recommended Activities: I highly recommend checking out the Banff Gondola, Via Ferrata, White Water Rafting, and Lake Minnewanka Cruise.
• Best Hikes in Banff: Plain of Six Glaciers, Little Beehive & Big Beehive, Johnston Canyon, Peyto Lake, Tunnel Mountain – read more on my best hikes in Banff blog post!
• Where to Stay in Banff: I loved our stay at the Banff Inn and would 100% recommend! The Canalta Lodge and Moose Hotel & Suites are great options too.
• Rental Car: If you’re wanting to get a rental car in Banff, I recommend using Expedia or Rentalcars.com for the best deals!
• Flights: Look for the best flight deals using Aviasales.
• Airport Transfer: Use the Banff Airporter to get you from the Calgary Airport to your hotel in Banff if you don’t have a rental car.
• No Rental Car: If you don’t have a rental car, consider using the Hop-On and Hop-Off Bus or joining a guided tour of the most popular sights.