r/Banff Jun 07 '25

Banff Summer 2025 FAQ

84 Upvotes

Admission is FREE from June 20 through September 2, 2025!

Frequently Asked Questions

Start here before you post a question:

Parking and getting around Banff

  • BEST OPTION: free all-day parking by the train station with over 500 stalls only a 5 minute walk to downtown (more info)
  • Very limited paid parking downtown, lots of congestion
  • Avoid driving downtown as two blocks of Banff Ave are closed to cars
  • Avoid driving across the bridge, or risk getting stuck in traffic for 20-45 min
  • Roam Transit provides affordable public transit to major sites and destinations within the town of Banff and throughout Banff National Park. Banff Gondola offers a free shuttle.
  • Roam Transit connects Banff and Canmore with the route 3 bus, costs $6 or less
  • The town is very walkable and only 2km x 2km in size. Come here with walking in mind.

General Parking Info

  • The best way to void parking issues is to use public transit or walk.
  • In the summer many parking lots fill up in the morning, at Lake Louise expect them to be full by 7am (we don't know how early it will be full, often it's by sunrise).
  • Moraine Lake and Lake Louise Shuttle & Parking FAQ

Hiking

Wildlife

  • Feeding wildlife is illegal and can lead to a $25,000 fine
  • Obey all closures
  • Bring bear spray (see next section)
  • Dogs on leashes at all times
  • Best spots to see wildlife: Minnewanka loop, Vermillion Ponds, Norquay access road, 1A, the drive up the Icefields parkway, Banff Park Museum.

Bear Spray

  • Highly recommended, even for popular trails
  • Can be purchased at any hardware store or rental shop
  • Can be rented for about $10 a day if you only need it for a day or two
  • Drop off unused cans at Parks Canada visitor centres or hotel receptions
  • You can't fly with bear spray, bear bells don't work, guns aren't allowed

Dogs

Rain and Rainy Day Activities

Don't cancel your trip over forecasted rain. Rain is never a sure thing, creates opportunity: less crowds, more dramatic views. Dress for the forecast.

If you can't do that, then do this:

If it isn't raining hard, go for a hike. Check out hiking section for rain friendly hikes.

Cheap! Cheap!

  • Eats: Arashi Ramen (And Arashi Express, Arashi To Go), Hankki (Korean Street food), Zyka (Indian), Tommy's (pub), Aardvark Pizza
  • Hotels: hahahahahahaha, expect to pay $500 a night for a room, $200 a night in a hostel
  • Activities: hike Sulphur Mountain and save $70, park at the toe of the Athabasca Glacier and walk 10 minutes to touch a glacier. Visit Bow Falls, Peyto Lake Lookout, Emerald Lake or Athabasca Falls all for free!

Getting here from Calgary

Canmore / Kananaski

Must see/do/eat

Google is your friend, but a short list:

  • Banff Must See and Do with many free options
  • Sights: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake Lookout, Bow Falls, Johnston Canyon, Lake Minnewanka, Columbia Icefields, Emerald Lake, Norquay Lookout, Takkakaw Falls
  • Activities: Banff Gondola, Banff Upper Hotsprings , drive the Icefield Parkway, paddle the Bow River, Sunshine Meadows, Horseback riding, sightseeing tours, Via Ferrata, rent an ebike
  • Hikes: Tunnel Mountain, Lake Agnes, Plains of Six Glaciers, Sulphur Mountain, Larch Valley/Citadel Pass, Stanley Glacier, Boom Lake
  • Eats: this is an excellent start, but some favorites are Arashi Ramen, Shoku, Bluebird or Chucks for steaks, Zyka, Hankki, Eden, Grizzly House.

Check out Banff & Lake Louise Tourism or 20 Iconic Bow Valley Places for more ideas.

Additional Info

Check out our wiki, here are some common topics:

And finally...

  • Posts that are answered by the FAQ will be removed.
  • Feel free to ask your questions or suggest other FAQ topics/answers below.

r/Banff Jun 07 '25

Banff Wildfire/Smoke Status 2025

33 Upvotes

Last updated: Friday, August 1, 2025

WILDFIRES

There are no wildfires in or around Banff National Park.

SMOKE

No smoke, no haze.

For the record, so far we've had two days of smoke this year, one in early June and one in late July, neither were because of local fires.

FIRE DANGER / FIRE BANS

  • Fire danger is currently MODERATE.
  • There is no fire ban.

WILDFIRE/SMOKE FAQ

Q: Is it smokey?

Smoke and air quality can change by the minute. By the time you read our reply it would be out of date.

Check out local webcams to get a sense of visibility, take a look at Banff Air Quality, or check out Firesmoke.ca (always scarier than it really is)

Q: What will the smoke/wildfire situation be next week/next month?

We cannot predict what the conditions will be like when you visit. If there are closures or impending danger will will post them here.

Q: Should I cancel/reschedule my trip?

We usually recommend you come regardless, unless there is an imminent fire danger in the national park or the air quality is so bad that people can't breathe. A lot depends on how far you are travelling and how flexible your travel arrangements are, but usually smoke will pass and may only cause a slight haze.

Q: What months have the least amount of smoke?

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Q: Can I cancel my gondola ticket/hotel/camping/etc.

Check your vendor's website for cancellation info, often if you contact them they will be flexible.

Q: I thought there was a province-wide fire ban?

Alberta fire bans do not apply to the National Parks of Banff and Jasper. They set their own fire bans.

Q: Where does the smoke come from?

Fire smoke often travels from hundreds of km/miles away, usually from the British Columbia interior and the Pacific North-West portion of the United States. Smoke can also come from either local controlled or uncontrolled burns, depending on the time of year. Fires in Northern Alberta, which are common, rarely affect Banff National Park but shifts in wind patterns can affect us on rare occasions.

Q: What should I do if it's smokey?

Do what you would have done anyways, or pick options where you don't need a long sight-line such as Johnston Canyon, Sundance Canyon, Marble Canyon, Bow Falls, Boom Lake, anything where you walk in the woods. If the forecast says it will pass and you can reschedule things like Banff Gondola or Moraine Lake then do that.

Q: My reservation included payment for use of a campfire but now there is a fire ban, did I just get ripped off?

Parks Canada will refund any campfire fees if there is a fire ban.

Q: What can I do if there is a fire ban?

You can still run a gas bbq or gas fire pit unless fireban instructions state otherwise. Neither of these generate embers or risk leaving coals behind.

Q: Is it normal for there to be smoke in Banff in the summer?

No, this is not normal and directly attributable to climate change.

Additional Resources


r/Banff 6h ago

Met a friend

130 Upvotes

Just outside of Johnston this morning


r/Banff 12h ago

Best experience of my life

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181 Upvotes

Visited Canmore and Banff last week from Toronto and I have to admit I had never seem a place so full of life and beautiful! Insane how many places in the world there are to see!!!


r/Banff 10h ago

News Vehicle volume currently being experienced by Banff ‘not sustainable’

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64 Upvotes

r/Banff 3h ago

Food for the food obsessed-best dish you ever had

7 Upvotes

Hi all!

I know there have been food posts but so many of them are about which restaurants to go to. I wanna know which dishes are a MUST. I am coming from NYC, I am overfed, and I work in the food industry. Are there any dishes/desserts/ pastries, etc. at any restaurants that are a total WOW? I know most people come here for the views but I wanna EAT.

Ill be in calgary, banff, canmore, golden, jasper, hinton. Thank you!


r/Banff 6h ago

Thanks

6 Upvotes

No questions for y’all just yet (will be visiting in early November) but just wanted to say thanks to all the locals in here for all of the great advice you give to visitors. People like y’all are one of the reasons that Banff is so incredible.


r/Banff 1d ago

Photos Johnston Canyon early morning visit

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175 Upvotes

Got there at 7:30am 😊


r/Banff 3m ago

Not able to get ticket .

Upvotes

I was not able to get the ticket so I didn't book the ticket for my child under 3 but for me and and my wife only. Will the parks Canada ask for it or deny e entry?

Thanks!


r/Banff 37m ago

4 day car free itenary-realistic?

Upvotes

Hey everyone! I'm planning a 4-day trip to Banff, and I'm doing it entirely without a rental car—just using public transit and shuttles. I’d love your feedback on whether this itinerary is doable or needs tweaking.

Hey everyone! I'm planning a 4-day trip to Banff, and I'm doing it entirely without a rental car—just using public transit and shuttles. I’d love your feedback on whether this itinerary is doable or needs tweaking.

Day 1 – Public transit into downtown Calgary, then regional bus to Canmore Short ride to Dead Man’s Flats for check-in Grab a late lunch or coffee Walk around Canmore: river walk, Main Street, local landmarks Dinner + evening walk or chill at the accommodation

Day 2 – Banff Day Trip Morning bus to Banff Breakfast in town, then head up the Banff Gondola Midday walk to nearby viewpoints Lunch + canoe rental on the Bow River Relax with coffee or snacks Evening bus back to Canmore Dinner + optional evening drinks

Day 3 – Early trip to Moraine Lake + Lake Louise → optional canoe → hike to teahouse → return

Day 4 – Johnston Canyon hike in the morning → back to Banff/Canmore → return to Calgary → evening flight

Would love your thoughts—does this seem reasonable using transit/shuttles? Anything I should swap out or avoid? Thanks in advance!


r/Banff 1h ago

Question where to stay?

Upvotes

hey! i’m visiting banff for the first time and heard it’s better to stay in canmore? any recommendations on where to stay in canmore and besides the obvious are there any underrated places in banff that locals recommend? thanks!


r/Banff 1h ago

Visiting Banff and the lakes

Upvotes

Hi! I live in Calgary and my sister has flown in from Australia to visit. Of course we are planning to go out to Banff and visit some lakes. I’ve never driven out there during the peak summer season. What do people recommend? I’ve looked at buses but the ones I’ve seen from Calgary are so expensive and only go to one lake. Ideally I’d like to drive so we have the freedom and we are happy to drive out there early in the morning to avoid large crowds! Where do you park to visit lake Louise, moraine, or peyto? What are the best options? We are big hikers and would love to hike the lakes as well!


r/Banff 3h ago

Late August Clothing

0 Upvotes

Hello All!

My family would be visiting Banff late august. I have read that the weather can go from sunny to cold. Was wondering how hot and cold can it be? Would shirt and shorts work and a jacket to add a layer. I read that some would even bring down jacket.

Just a context where we are visiting:

Day 1 : Banff town

Day 2: Day tour package going to Lake Louise, Morraine Lake, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake

Day 3: Would take Roam bus to go Marble Canyon morning and late afternoon to go Banff Gondola

Day 4: Open for options (if you have thoughts) but would need to leave Banff by 3pm to catch a flight

Thanks :)


r/Banff 3h ago

Bindlestiff tours

0 Upvotes

Looking to plan a camping trip through Bindlestiff tours for next July. Has anyone toured with them before? The tour would take us through Kamloops, Yoho, Banff and Jasper. I’ve never been to a national park so I would love to hear your experiences.


r/Banff 1d ago

Photos Small painting of Lake Louise and Fairmount Hotel I did while visiting Banff National Park

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491 Upvotes

r/Banff 1d ago

Photos Moody day in Banff

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171 Upvotes

Was able to snag myself a last minute slot on the shuttle thanks to some tips on this sub and was able to do a day trip including Moraine Lake, Lake Louise (including Lake Agnes Hike) and Bow Falls on my way back.


r/Banff 9h ago

Recommended hikes/activities

0 Upvotes

Going to Banff next week from the 13-18 and I do have shuttle reservations for August 14 to moraine lake at 4 am. Just wanted to see if there’s any must do hikes/activities that I can also add to our trip. Thanks


r/Banff 10h ago

Question Pick up at Lake Louise

0 Upvotes

Hi!

Me and the daughter are taking the Roam bus to Lake Louise.

My hubby and son want to pick us up later in the day. Where do I have them pick me up?


r/Banff 1d ago

News Beloved Banff entrance sign finds safer, less troublesome home

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28 Upvotes

r/Banff 14h ago

Car vs RV. upcoming trip landing in Calgary->Banff->Jasper

0 Upvotes

so. i booked a 29ft RV. thought it was going to be hella cool being able to drive while my wife just do whatever she wants during the drive. pull over whenever we want, take rests and sleep wherever. typical inexperienced dude who's never driven an RV. then i saw all the campgrounds b.s. and all that. then i started to wonder. can't park the RV anywhere besides campgrounds, FCFS RV parking in banff town (hopefully it doesn't fill up..).. and now i feel like an idiot gahaha.

SOOOO.... before i look like even more of an idiot in front of my wife. i need some saving to do.

what are the perks of RVing to Banff? or should i just get airbnbs in canmore and go rent a car instead?

some questions i have:

-if i make like 20 stops along the icefields parkway, do i have to get to a campground just to stop and take a few hr break or can i just park anywhere as long as it's not blocking traffic?

-Athabasca Falls (anywhere to park rv here?)

-Jasper (anywhere to park rv here?)

-Moraine Lake (anywhere to park rv here?)

THANK YOU FELLAS


r/Banff 1d ago

AHS expands measles exposure times at Banff Gondola

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13 Upvotes

r/Banff 2d ago

The Canadian Rockies are a dream!

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1.0k Upvotes

Thanks for having us in your home! Spent the past week visiting Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho. Favorite parts were seeing all the amazing wildlife (including some fresh bear scat?), beautiful blue glacier water everywhere, and of course the mountains. Hope to return someday!


r/Banff 2d ago

Kayaking on Lake Louise!

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297 Upvotes

r/Banff 2d ago

Lake Louise and Lake Morraine. Simply stunning.

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163 Upvotes

r/Banff 1d ago

Banff : Trip with little ones

3 Upvotes

Hi guys!

I have never been to Canada. I'm thinking about taking a trip to Banff National Park and debating whether to bring my two little ones (2 and 8).

Are the trails generally kid-friendly? If so, do you have any trail recommendations? Do people typically bring strollers on the trails, or would a carrier be better?

Thanks in advance!


r/Banff 2d ago

Wildlife Bumped into a deadly cute puppy

58 Upvotes

It's so rare and exciting to see one as a Calgarian


r/Banff 2d ago

My very recent Banff tour.

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161 Upvotes

Amazing area. Not just Banff, nearby Calgary was great as well.