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


Cities of Western Canada

Banff, Canada: Your Ski-Hike-Bike Luxury Wilderness Vacation Destination

Banff is at the heart: the heart of the Canadian Rockies, the heart of Alberta, and the heart of the national park that bears its name. Banff, Canada, is the perfect location for the holidays or a vacation getaway, whether you want to relax in luxury, breathe fresh alpine air and take in awe-inspiring scenery, or you want to get outside and play – skiing, trekking, biking or otherwise roughing it in the pristine wilderness amidst glacier-carved mountains and valleys.

Situated just 129 kilometers west of Calgary (about 1.5 hours driving time; there is a shuttle from the Calgary airport), 416 kilometers south of Edmonton and 847 kilometers northeast of Vancouver, British Columbia, the city of Banff resides at 1,383 meters, or about 4,537 feet. That makes it the highest town in Canada’s Rocky Mountains. It is surrounded by the wild beauty of Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park.



Banff National Park began as a 26-square-kilometer hot-springs reserve more than a century ago. Now it covers some 6,641 square kilometers of unspoiled mountain scenery in the Canadian Rockies. While the park offers limitless opportunities to rough it in untouched wilderness, you can also be pampered as much as you like in Banff with luxury hotels and resorts, and plenty of dining and nightlife options.

Wondering about the name? Banff comes from Banffshire, a county in Scotland. It seems two founding directors of the Canadian Pacific Railway were born there, and chose to honor their heritage by naming the town Banff.

Banff Area Map


View Larger Map

Banff Monthly Weather Averages

Month High (°C) Low (°C) Rain (mm) Snow (cm)
January -4.6 -14.1 2.9 34.1
February -0.4 -11.6 1.7 29.3
March 4.5 -7.3 2.7 28.1
April 9.5 -2.5 12.6 22.5
May 14.5 1.7 44.3 17
June 18.5 5.4 59.8 1.8
July 21.9 7.4 54.1 0
August 21.3 6.9 60 0.2
September 16.3 2.7 37 5.7
October 10.1 -1.3 13.8 19.8
November 0.2 -8.4 4.4 32.3
December -5.1 -13.3 3.1 43.2

Cities and towns of Western Canada and the Canadian Rockies

Banff isn’t the only place in Banff National Park or Western Canada from which to base that perfect outdoor recreation getaway or that alpine holiday. There are many other cities and towns, along with several other national parks, that serve as gateways to the Rocky Mountains, offering all sorts of opportunities for getting outdoors, enjoying beautiful scenery and wildlife, or relaxing in luxury at a resort spa or boutique hotel.

You can find out more about the warm and welcoming cities and towns of the Canadian Rockies below.

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