Banff in the summer is one of those places that feels almost unreal with turquoise rivers and lakes, jagged mountain peaks capped with glaciers, wildlife roaming freely, and a charming mountain town that somehow manages to feel both adventurous and relaxing at the same time. It’s perfect for families, couples, and anyone who loves the outdoors. If you’re planning a summer trip to Banff, here’s everything you need to know: how to get there, where to stay, what to eat, and the best things to do.
Banff in the summer is unforgettable — a perfect mix of adventure, natural beauty, and surprisingly great food. Whether you’re hiking alpine trails, riding a gondola above the clouds, or enjoying ice cream on Banff Avenue after a long day outdoors, it’s a destination that truly lives up to the hype.
My friend, Jana, (who helps me with blog stuff on the back end!) grew up visiting her grandma in Banff every summer, so I need to give a huge thanks to her for all of the insider advice in planning this trip! She has been telling us for years to visit Banff in the summer and we finally made it happen. Now we are already planning a trip back.
Getting to Banff
Fly Into Calgary (YYC): Most visitors fly into Calgary International Airport (YYC), the closest major airport to Banff. It’s about a 1 hour 45 minute to 2 hour drive from Calgary to Banff town along the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1), with sweeping mountain views.
Renting a Car or Taking a Shuttle: I highly recommend renting a car at the airport. Not only does it make exploring Banff, Lake Louise, and nearby areas much easier, but the drive itself is part of the experience. At first you’ll see flat prairie landscape, which will give way to rolling foothills and then the Canadian Rockies. There are also shuttle services from Calgary Airport to Banff (my brother-in-law joined us late and used the shuttle so we know it’s convenient), but having your own car gives you flexibility for early morning hikes and wildlife spotting.
Driving from the U.S. to Banff: If you’re coming from the Mountain West, driving to Banff is very doable and can be part of the adventure. My extended family drove from Utah and met us there. The drive from northern Utah to Banff is roughly 12–14 hours, depending on your route and stops, typically passing through Idaho and Montana before crossing into Alberta. Crossing the U.S.–Canada border by car is generally straightforward — you’ll need a valid passport for everyone in the vehicle, and border agents may ask about your destination and length of stay. It’s a great option for families who want flexibility, room for gear, or the experience of a classic road trip.
Where to Stay
Banff offers a full range of lodging options from luxury resorts to mountain lodges, cozy inns, and beautiful campsites. Regardless of where you want to stay, keep in mind that summer is peak season so you will want to book your accommodations well in advance.
Banff: Banff has a wide range of lodging options depending on your travel style and budget, including tent or RV camping if that’s your style. We stayed in Banff Town, which is great if you want to walk to the plentiful restaurants, shops, and cafés. I loved being able to wake up early and stroll through the town and along the Bow River before everybody else was up and about.
Canmore: For slightly lower prices, the town of Canmore is just 20 minutes outside of Banff and many people choose to stay there. But those extra 20 minutes each way adds up on days when you are already doing a bit of driving to reach places like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
Lake Louise: You can also choose to stay in the Lake Louise area for quieter vibes. There are great lodges and resorts there also, as well as camping options. This is a good choice if your priority is early morning access to some of the most beautiful hikes and lakes in Canada.
Where to Eat in Banff
Banff has an excellent food scene and after long days outdoors, good food really hits the spot. We couldn’t try everything, but these eats were the highlights for us.
Bluebird: Great brunch or relaxed lunch vibe. We enjoyed it so much that we went back TWICE. I highly recommend the chicken caesar salad. The first time we stopped for lunch and enjoyed a fantastic chicken caesar salad and a very solid turkey club sandwich with fries.
When we returned for breakfast a few days later, we got the French omelette, French toast with berries and cream, Japanese souffle pancakes, and avocado toast with smoked salmon. It was all delicious (although the smoked salmon avocado toast at Farm & Fire was better, in my opinion).
Lupo: A Northern Italian inspired menu in the heart of Banff. We ordered the saffron radiatori pasta with ‘nduja butter, sausage, peas, and mint and the roasted lamb chops roasted over coals with pea risotto, mint, and pistachio. They were both the best dishes I have ever had in my entire life. Honestly. Not pictured are the Josper roasted beets with pistachio vinaigrette, goat cheese, mint, and basil which were equally phenomenal. I would love to go back and eat my way through their entire menu.
Waldhaus: Cozy, upscale, and classic, this German restaurant was perfect after a long day of hiking. Paul got the sauerbraten and I ordered the schnitzel. Both were excellent.
The Grizzly House: Eating fondue at the Grizzly House in Banff is one of those classic, cozy experiences that feels perfectly suited to a mountain town. We started with cheese fondue and bread, then moved on to a meat course where you cook your own cuts on a hot stone right at the table. For dessert, we had chocolate fondue which was the perfect finale, with warm melted chocolate and dippable treats that feel celebratory after a day of exploring. Paul’s only complaint? That we didn’t order a second pot of chocolate fondue.
Farm & Fire: A fantastic breakfast or brunch spot that came highly recommended. The menu was more limited than Bluebird, but their salmon avocado toast with poached eggs with roasted potatoes was seriously the stuff my breakfast dreams are made of.
And don’t forget the treats. My favorite were the BeaverTails (a must-try Canadian treat that is fried dough with sweet toppings), but you might also want to stop at COWS Ice Cream (an iconic Canadian ice cream brand on Banff Ave. that is perfect for cooling down after a hike) or one of the numerous candy shops for bear claws made with chocolate, caramel, and cashews!
You should also visit one of the excellent bakeries in town and pick up some fresh pastries or a nanaimo bar, for good measure.
Things to Do in Banff During the Summer
Banff National Park is a hiker’s dream, with everything from easy waterfall walks to challenging alpine routes. There are just too many to talk about here, but these hikes were some of the highlights and came highly recommended from our local friends.
Bow River Trail & Bow Falls
One of Banff’s most peaceful and beautiful summer experiences is a walk along the Bow River right from town. The trail is mostly paved and flat, making it perfect for families, casual strolls, or even walking to dinner after a day of sightseeing. The path follows the Bow River for roughly 1 mile each way and it is great for all ages, strollers, and bikes. There are footbridges at both ends of town so you can do the whole thing as a loop, if you like. You’ll see sections of the river that are calm and reflective as well as gentle rapids closer to the falls.
In summer months there is a seasonal “Art in Nature” walk, which is a free outdoor exhibition of sculptures and installations created by local artists and community groups. We loved the bears carrying a red canoe and other pieces along the path.
The paved Bow River Trail leads naturally to Bow Falls, one of Banff’s most popular waterfall viewpoints. This isn’t a high drop or the most impressive waterfall I’ve ever seen, but it’s broad and powerful, especially in summer when snowmelt swells the river, and well worth the short (less than 30 minutes) wooded riverside hike to view it.
Gondolas & Epic Views
Banff has several gondolas that offer jaw-dropping scenery with minimal effort. They are a little pricey, but totally worth the splurge.
Banff Gondola
Banff Gondola (Sulphur Mountain) has panoramic views over Banff town and surrounding peaks with boardwalks and restaurants at the top that make it easy and fun to explore. See my post about riding the Banff Gondola for even more info and photos from the top!
Sunshine Village Gondola
This gondola takes you up to Sunshine Meadows. It’s one of Banff’s most spectacular high alpine areas filled with wildflowers, shimmering alpine lakes, and panoramic hiking trails in summer. You can learn more about this hike in my post about hikes to do around Banff in the summer.
Lake Louise Gondola
This is the only gondola we didn’t get a chance to go on during this trip, but it is supposed to have great views and opportunities to spot wildlife. My Canadian friend Jana says that they have usually had good luck spotting bears on the mountain slopes while riding the gondola here!
Cave & Basin National Historic Site
This is the birthplace of Canada’s national parks and a fascinating stop that combines history, geology, and nature in one easy visit. This is where natural thermal hot springs were first discovered in the late 1800s, ultimately leading to the creation of Banff National Park.
Visitors can walk through the historic bathhouse, peer into the steamy (and smelly) cave where mineral-rich waters bubble up from deep underground, and stroll along short boardwalk trails surrounding the site. I enjoyed reading the signs about the history of this place and how it has evolved over time and been returned as much as possible to its natural state.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
One of the most memorable family experiences in Banff for us was a visit to the Banff Upper Hot Springs. The outdoor pool stays comfortably warm year-round and is family-friendly. Kids and grown-ups alike love swimming in the steamy water surrounded by mountain views.
It is almost a rite of passage to rent vintage-style bathing suits inside the historic bathhouse, which is part of the fun and makes for hilarious and adorable photos. Lockers and towels are available, making it an easy stop even on a full sightseeing day.
Check out the Banff Springs Hotel
Visiting the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, even if you’re not staying there, is a fun and worthwhile experience while in Banff. Often called the “Castle in the Rockies,” the historic hotel feels more like a landmark than a place to sleep, with grand hallways, dramatic staircases, and sweeping views of the Bow Valley.
You can wander the public areas, admire the architecture, stroll the grounds, or stop in for a drink or dessert to soak in the atmosphere. It’s an easy, low-effort way to experience a piece of Banff’s history and elegance, and a great contrast to all the outdoor adventure the area is known for.
Stroll Down Banff Avenue
Strolling down Banff Avenue is one of the simplest pleasures of visiting Banff, and somehow one of the most memorable. I honestly think our kids had as much fun wandering up and down the main street in town, ducking into shops, and getting treats as much as anything else we did this entire trip.
The main street runs right through town with dramatic mountain peaks rising at the end of nearly every view, making even a casual walk feel scenic. Lined with local shops, outdoor outfitters, cafés, restaurants, ice cream spots, and candy shops, it’s the perfect place to slow down, browse, and just soak in the mountain-town energy.
Wildlife Spotting
One of the most exciting parts of visiting Banff in the summer is the chance to see wildlife. It’s not uncommon to spot black bears or grizzly bears, moose, bighorn sheep, elk and deer, chipmunks, and more.
Early mornings and evenings are the best times to see animals, especially along quieter roads. Drive slowly and be sure to always keep a safe distance and follow park guidelines. There are guided wildlife tours available too.
Have you visited Banff or are planning a trip? I would love to hear about it in the comments below!
