By Claire Taylor
Things to Do in Banff National Park
The province of Alberta in
Canada is the site of Banff National Park. As the country's oldest national park, Banff is roughly 2 hours from the city of Calgary and is perched in the Rocky Mountains. Banff lies in the middle of three other national parks as well as a few provincial parks. Visitors will find there is much to do in the area.
Lake Louise
Famous on postcards worldwide, the crystal-clear, glacier-fed waters of Lake Louise afford the visitor beautiful views of the surrounding peaks. A hike around a part of the lake followed by a relaxing tea at the majestic Chateau Fairmont is a great way to spend the day. When the sun is unobscured, visitors will be treated to stunning reflections of the chateau, forest and peaks on the lake. Wintertime guests can enjoy the view while skiing above the chateau on the slopes. For visitors who don't ski or hike, Banff is a great place to fly a kite, take a sleigh ride drawn by horses, or ride a bicycle along the lake shore.
Fairmont Chateau
111 Lake Louise Drive
Lake Louise, AB Canada
(403) 522-3511
Lake Louise Skiing
1 Whitehorn Road
Alberta, Canada, T0L 1E0
(403) 522-3555
The Town of Banff
Located mid-park, the town of Banff plays the role of cultural heart of the national park. Here, visitors can find museums dedicated to the history of the Rocky Mountains and native peoples, an annual film festival and, most notably, the Banff Center, a facility dedicated to preserving and bringing art to the public. In addition to being a performance, music and sound space, the center also serves as an artist's colony, recreation facility, media facilities, accommodations and business facilities.
The Banff Centre
107 Tunnel Mountain Drive
Banff, Alberta Canada T1L 1H5
(403) 762-6100
Backcountry
The backcountry of Banff is inaccessible to the general public. For those who apply for and receive a wilderness permit, there are rewards to reap worth the effort. The wilderness of the park is largely empty of humanity and visitors can view the land in as close to a virgin state as is possible these days. Excellent high country backpacking, camping, climbing and skiing can be done there. Note that even for camping, visitors will need reservations, as the area is quite popular and only a limited number of people are allowed into the area at a time.
Banff National Park
General Inquiries
25 Eddy Street
Gatineau, Quebec Canada K1A 0M5
(905) 566-4321
About the Author:
Claire Taylor is a health, wellness and travel writer with credits in publications such as "Woman's Day," "Marie Claire," "Adirondack Life" and "Self." Taylor is also a seasoned independent traveler, as well as a certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant.
Photo Credits:
Hayley O'Shea
