Banff National Park

Travel Guide for Banff National Park & the Canadian Rockies

Menu
  • Places to Stay
    • Camping in Banff
  • Things To Do
    • Backpacking
    • Banff Wildlife
    • Biking
    • Golf Courses
    • Hiking
    • Skiing In Banff
    • Snowshoeing in Banff National Park
    • Summer Sightseeing Tours
    • White Water Rafting
    • Zipline Tours
  • Plan Your Trip
    • How To Get Here
    • Shuttle Service to Banff
    • Banff National Park of Canada Maps & Guides
    • Maps of Banff and Area
    • From Vancouver To Banff By Train
  • Eat & Drink
  • Shopping
  • Canadian Rockies
    • Webcams in Banff
    • Real Estate in Banff
  • Contact
    • Have a Picture You Want to Share?
  • Book Hotel
Menu


Short Scenic Drives around Banff and the Canadian Rockies

Posted on March 11, 2010April 26, 2014 by K. Gordon

Short Scenic Drives around Banff and the Canadian Rockies

It is hard to go wrong on a vacation to Banff and the Canadian Rockies. Whether you are driving or catching an airport connector from Calgary, within minutes of being outside the city, you will be surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains on all sides. Even getting to your destination is an adventure through stunning scenery. In winter, snow flickers in the fields like stars in the sky. The green fields and forests are full of grazing animals in spring and summer. Regardless of time of year, if you keep your eyes open on your trips, you are likely to see some wildlife. If you don’t want to spend too much time in the car but fancy a nice scenic drive – check out my home made Kananaskis Route.

Kananaskis Country

When I say I found this drive, I mean a million other people have probably driven it before but it doesn’t become an official ‘great drive’ until I give it the go ahead. After a visit to the beautiful Rafter Six Ranch just outside Canmore, I took a wrong turn and missed the highway turnoff. However the signs were still there for Canmore and Banff so I followed and was rewarded for my sheep-like tendency. If you want to make a day trip of it, have a day trip to Kananaskis Golf Course or Inside Out Rafting for example. You will need to drive about 20km past Canmore and turn into Kananaskis Country. Keep on the back roads and you are rewarded with raw beauty.



There are water reservoirs with eagles floating overhead hunting for dinner and possibly local writers. An elk stood alone on the side of the road chewing the grass not fussed about this annoying human interruption. The winding Rocky Mountain roads back to Canmore are just gorgeous. There are very few other cars on this road as it is a longer way to go than the highway. Vacations are made from the little things like driving adventures after a game of golf with buddies or a day horse riding at a ranch with the family. Remember who told you first… or fifteenth anyway!

Visit Rafter Six Ranch –
Exshaw Alberta TOL2CO Canada
1-888-26-RANCH

Related Articles

  • banff
  • canmore
  • driving
  • kananaskis county
  • scenic drives
  • Shop Banff

    Banff Sponsors

     

    Search for Banff Info

    Our Banff Activity Partners

    Wild Warter

    Yamnuska Mountain Adventures

    Valley Zipline Adventures

    Great Divide Nature Interpretation

    WOW Banff

    Golf Canada's West

    The Banff Newsletter

    Keep up to date on all the hotel deals, things to do, and latest news in Banff!
    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    Banff Sponsors

     

    Banff Sponsors

     

    Find It Fast!

    • Ultimate Canadian Rockies Vacation Planner
    • A First Timers Guide to Banff National Park
    • Shuttle Service to Banff
    • Plan Your Trip to Banff
    • How to Get to Banff
    • From Vancouver To Banff By Train
    • Banff Alberta Maps & Guides
    • Maps of Banff and Area
    • The Must Dos in Banff Town
    • Webcams in Banff

    Follow Us

    Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Pinterest

    Accommodations in Banff

    • Where to Stay in Banff National Park
    • Banff Bed & Breakfasts
    • Hotels in Banff
    • Banff Inns
    • Banff Lodges
    • Banff Hostels
    • Banff Campgrounds

    Banff Activities

    • Things To Do in Banff
    • Zipline Tours
    • White Water Rafting in Banff
    • The Complete Guide to Wildlife Viewing in Banff National Park
    • Backpacking
    • Biking
    • Fishing
    • Golf
    • Hiking

    Plan Your Trip to Banff

    • Ultimate Canadian Rockies Vacation Planner
    • A First Timers Guide to Banff National Park
    • Shuttle Service to Banff
    • Plan Your Trip to Banff
    • How to Get to Banff
    • From Vancouver To Banff By Train
    • Banff Alberta Maps & Guides
    • Maps of Banff and Area
    • The Must Dos in Banff Town
    • Webcams in Banff
    © 2023 Banff National Park • Advertise With Us • Privacy Policy

    As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This site also participates in various other affiliate programs, and we may get a commission through purchases made through our links. Please read our complete Privacy Policy for more information.

    hotels

    deals

    shuttles

    activities