In summer of 2017, I saw a friend visit Banff with her family and it reignited my desire to find a way to visit one of my bucket list locations.. In December 2017 when I saw a deal on Going (previously Scott’s Cheap Flights), I jumped on it to treat myself for the end of my summer break. Normally, in the peak of tourist season Banff can be a little bit pricey, but during this trip I found ways to see Banff’s beauty without breaking my budget.
Accommodations: Samesun Backpackers Banff
Samesun Backpackers Banff was perfect for my short trip. I booked it through HostelWorld and I did a 6 bed mixed dorm. It was a good lesson that it is important to book accommodations early if you want the same sex dorm rooms. The hostel had free parking (8 spots on site, but close to other free parking), free breakfast, fridge and full kitchen, as well as a restaurant and pub. After long days of hiking, I really enjoyed the social activities at the hostel including the trivia and karaoke.
Hiking Trails:
Moraine Lake Shoreline Trail:
Distance: 3.2 miles out and back
Elevation Gain: 902 feet
Time to Completion: 1 hour 30 minutes (or if you stay up at the top to enjoy the sunrise longer)
Trail Rating: Easy Recommendation:
There is a reason Moraine Lake is one of the top spots for sunrise viewing because when it comes over the mountain top there is truly nothing like it. I really enjoyed going out on the lake because of a lovely waterfall at the end. Expect the crowds – buy your ticket early and get there early.
Moraine Lake Bus Company:
As of summer 2023, there is no personal car parking in the lot of Moraine Lake. You must take a shuttle up there or you can walk or bike to the trailhead. To see this stunning sunrise book with Moraine Lake Bus Company for around $75 per adult.
They are the only scheduled shuttle company offering sunrise shuttles. Visitors who book with them aren’t left waiting in line at the end of the day. Parks Canada shuttles only let you book a 1-hour time slot, so the lines are regularly 60+ minutes at the end of the day. The Parks Canada shuttle (that only begins at 6:30am) has already sold out most mornings this summer (2023). Parks has indicated that bookings are up 300% over last year, and they estimate their final ticket releases to sell out in minutes. Finally, their website is easy to use, no account is required, and provides all necessary information (compared to the Parks website).
I recommend booking as far in advance as you can because they will sell out. Dogs are allowed on the shuttle as long as they can fit in a carrier similar to those on an airplane.
If you don’t want to see the sunrise, you can book a standard shuttle through Parks Canada for other times during the day. These also sell out quickly so book far in advance as well. If you don’t, set a reminder because they will release a small number of last minute tickets 2 days prior to the travel date at 8 am mountain standard time.
Sulphur Mountain for Sunset:
Distance: 6.7 miles out and back (3.35 miles to the summit)
Elevation Gain: 2,490 feet
Time to Completion: 1 hour 30 minutes (one way)
Trail Rating: Moderate
Recommendation:
This hike offers one of the absolute best views of the Canadian Rockies and downtown Banff for sunset. Make sure you have great hiking boots for the steep elevation, as well as lots of water and food for fuel on your way up. I loved the boardwalk at the top where you can walk around to enjoy different viewpoints. During my hike up, I was lucky enough to meet and hang out with a lovely family from Alaska who had bear bells and bear spray – two very important items to have on this trip.
Other Important Information:
This mountain is where the Banff Gondola is located. In the past, you were able to go down it for free after hiking up the mountain, but unfortunately now that is not the case. If you want to take the Banff Gondola down it is 50% a regular priced ticket, which can range from $30-$35 pending on the day. You can only buy them when you get up top.
Plain of Six Glaciers – Big Beehive – Lake Agnes Tea House Trail:
Distance: 11.3 mile loop
Elevation gain: 3,336 feet
Time to Completion: 3-4 hours pending how long you stay at the tea house
Trail Rating: Hard
Recommendation:
This trail is truly immaculate especially in the late morning. I went the opposite direction of the hike and went up to the tea house first. You don’t get many views of the lake on the hike up to the tea house, but you can see stunning views of six glaciers on the way back down. I recommend bringing lots of water and food as this hike is very strenuous. If you want to enjoy tea at the tea house, make sure you bring cash because they do not take cards. If you want to extend your hike even more, you can go up to Devil’s Thumb (an additional hike past the tea house).
Other Important Information:
This trail’s parking lot is open to the public, but you need to get there before 7am to ensure you get a parking spot. If you are arriving later, you can take a shuttle. I was lucky to arrive around 7:30 and was still able to get a spot. It costs $21 to park in the lot and you will pay at a kiosk when you get there with your license plate number. Majority of the crowds are at the base of the lake but once you start hiking they dissipate. If you’d like to stay in the area longer you can explore the Fairmont Banff or go kayaking on Lake Louise. If you go kayaking on Lake Louise know that it is first come first serve, at least one person in the kayak has to be 16 years or older and max of 3 people can be in the kayak. It is quite expensive at $145 an hour.
Johnston Canyon to Ink Pots:
Distance: 7 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 1,889 feet
Time to Completion: 3-4 hours
Trail Rating: Moderate
Recommendation:
Contrary to its moderate rating, I found this trail to be very difficult at the end of the day with two other hikes prior to it. It is a straight up hill for the first two miles, but along the way you do get to see 8 total waterfalls and two “main” ones during the hike up. If you can go early to this trail, I recommend that as well because the lines for taking pictures of the waterfalls were very long as it is a more narrow trail. At the top you have some very scenic and beautiful ink pots. Sadly, I did not make it to the very top because my legs were so tired that I ended up turning around after seeing some of the main waterfalls.
Other Important Details:
There are two parking lots for the canyon. P1, the main lot is the first right in the traffic circle whereas P2 the second lot is a short distance away heading back towards Banff on the main road. If you get there later in the day as I did, be patient and you will find parking on the side of the road if the parking lots are full. The best part of Johnston Canyon is that the parking is free!
Johnson Lake:
Distance: 1.8 mile loop
Elevation gain: 226 feet
Time to Completion: 45 minutes
Trail Rating: Easy
Recommendation:
This trail is perfect if you want stunning mountain views, minimal crowds and minimal elevation. This was the perfect way to start my day after a very strenuous first day of hiking. At the halfway point on the trail, there is a wonderful bench you can sit on to read a book, listen to music, or just enjoy the beauty that is the Canadian Rockies.
Other Important Details:
Johnson Lake is blocked from the wind compared to the other mountains in the area making it more enjoyable. It is great for swimming, kayaking or paddle boarding if you can bring your own. There is free parking and free bathrooms.
C-Level Cirque:
Distance: 5.8 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 2490 feet
Time to Completion: 3-4 hours
Trail Rating: Moderate
Recommendation:
This trail was suggested to me based on my preferences from my hostel. Unfortunately, when I arrived at the trailhead many hikers said there was a bear on the trail and I wasn’t prepared, so I decided to not complete it that day. The reviews are great and the trail specs and view of the lake seem worth it for when I return.
Other Important Details:
There is a free parking lot at the trailhead but it is very small. There are facilities for bathrooms very close by at Lake Minnewanka. The last part of the trail is a mix of dirt and rocks so make sure you wear proper footwear and take it easy because the odds of slipping are high.
Bow Falls Viewpoint:
Distance: 1.7 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 216 feet
Time to Completion: 30 minutes
Trail Rating: Easy
Recommendation:
This is a great hike while exploring the downtown area of Banff or if you want a recovery day/hike. It is a very easy trail with many tourists and bikers on it as well. You will climb some stairs to get to the Bow River viewpoint. If your legs are tired but you still want stunning views, this is the trail for you.
Other Important Details:
You can park for free at the Banff Indian Trading Post for 2 hours or at the bottom of the Bow River if you just want to go to the lookout.
Sundance Canyon Trail:
Distance: 5.4 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 1,122 feet
Time to Completion: 2-3 hours
Trail Rating: Moderate
Recommendation:
Right outside the city, this hike is a great stopping point coming back from the more popular hikes outside the city. It is located right next to the Cave and Basin Historic Site. This a great hike for those with knee problems since it is a paved path for the majority of the trail and nestles up next to some beautiful river waters. Sadly as soon as I was about to turn towards the canyon on the dirt trail, there was another bear sitting and due to my lack of supplies I decided to turn back.
Important Information:
There is free parking at the Cave and Basin Historic Site and the trailhead is located just behind it. Inside the site there is a museum as well as access to the thermal waters at the Cave and Basin Historic Site. There is a $8.50 fee for the museum and a $23 fee for the thermal waters.
Food/Restaurants:
I personally packed all my breakfasts and lunches for the trip and ate dinners mostly at my hostel to save money. If you are on a budget and are wanting to shop at a local store and cook, IGA has everything you would need. However, if you are looking for restaurants, there are tons of other great food spots in Banff.
The Grizzly House:
Known for their wild types of meats, The Grizzly House is a great spot after a long day of hiking. They get very busy in the summertime so put in a reservation early. The Grizzly house is most famous for their fondue dinners but there is a two person minimum for them.
Magpie & Stump:
I stopped at this local Mexican spot for an afternoon snack after my second day of hiking. They have traditional affairs like tacos, nachos, fajitas and quesadillas. If you travel to Banff on a Tuesday, go between 3-5 pm for their special $4 tacos.
Melissa’s Missteak:
My friend Christie recommended this place to me as she visited Banff shortly after I did. Melissa’s serves food all day.Breakfast and lunch are pretty affordable but dinner would be a little bit of a splurge item. My friend said, “The Swiss apple pancake changed my life.”
Ice Cream at Cows:
On my first night of hiking, I met this amazing family from Seattle. We were enjoying each other’s company so much that we decided to go get ice cream together. Cows has pretty standard pricing for ice cream but they have very unique flavors and large scoops to fill that sweet tooth craving. I got the moo malt crunch and the sea salted toffee flavors.
Beavertails Banff:
A little bit heavier than ice cream, this pastry is a Canadian delicacy. It is similar to a pancake or crepe but thicker. You can add toppings to it as well which makes it the perfect on the go treat as you explore downtown Banff.
There are so many more beautiful and epic places to see inside and outside of Banff. I was able to just skim the surface on my quick trip. Even though it is a national park and it can get expensive, if you budget correctly with food and flights, it can be an affordable trip.
Budget:
Item Cost
Flight $295.06 (booked through Going)
Hostel $152.06 (free with Chase travel credit)
Rental Car $200
Gas $30.06
Food $100 (free breakfast from hostel + packed lunches from home)
Park Fee $21
Lake Moraine Bus Company $75
Lake Louise Parking $21
Total: $896
