With snow-capped mountain peaks reflected in turquoise lakes, exploring the picture-postcard sights of Banff National Park is a must when visiting the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
The park is home to two of Rocky Mountaineer’s destinations, Banff and Lake Louise, making it easy to spend time here either before or after your train journey.
Established as Canada’s very first national park back in 1885, it now welcomes more than three million visitors each year, keen to take in those iconic views, paddle the lakes, and breathe in the fresh mountain air.
Just taking a walk among the alpine surroundings is an experience here, but there’s so much more to do. Here’s a list of five things you can’t miss when visiting Banff and Lake Louise.
Banff Gondola
Head up Sulphur Mountain for a jaw-dropping view of six mountain ranges, the Bow Valley, and the town of Banff itself. Once you’re up there, take the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak for the ultimate view, then indulge in lunch at the award-winning Sky Bistro.
Afternoon tea at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
The majestic hotel that stands today is a far cry from the modest log cabin that originally opened on the site in 1890, but it’s still faithful to tradition. A classic way to spend an afternoon, you can sip tea (or Champagne!) and nibble on finger sandwiches, scones, and sweets as you take in the spectacular view of Lake Louise and the Victoria Glacier. If you’re arriving later in the day, visit the Walliser Stube restaurant for its famous fondue.
Lake Minnewanka
This glacial lake offers you the rugged, wild beauty you came to the Canadian Rockies to see. Stretch your legs on the Stewart Canyon Trail, an easy, flat one-hour hike. Or take to the water on a Lake Minnewanka cruise, an hour-long guided tour where you’ll get a stunning view of mountains rising vertically from the water’s edge and likely glimpse the bighorn sheep, bald eagles, osprey, and deer that call Lake Minnewanka home.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
The bathhouse at these natural hot springs dates back to 1932. Still, local Indigenous Peoples have a much longer history of soaking in the refreshing waters, naturally full of minerals like sulfate, calcium, and magnesium. Popular with locals as well as visitors, the steamy waters at Banff Upper Hot Springs are pushed up two kilometers (1.25 miles) from the earth’s crust and are kept between 37°C and 40°C (98°F and 104°F).
Local flavors of Banff
After you’ve worked up an appetite in that fresh mountain air, enjoy a real taste of the Canadian Rockies. Alberta’s beef is justifiably famous, and you’ll find it lovingly prepared at Chuck’s Steakhouse. Locally sourced ingredients take center stage at Eden at The Rimrock Hotel and Three Ravens at the Banff Centre. Or toast your time in Banff National Park with craft spirits at Park Distillery or a local brew from Banff Ave Brewing Co.
Train spotlight: Banff and Lake Louise by train
Banff and Lake Louise are where Rocky Mountaineer’s First Passage to the West ends. You leave Vancouver in the morning, spend a night in Kamloops, then climb through the Spiral Tunnels and over Kicking Horse Pass on day two before arriving in Banff that evening. Everything on this list fits into the two or three nights I build in once you step off the train, and that time in the mountains is what turns a train ride into a full trip.
If you would rather finish in Jasper, Journey Through the Clouds takes the northern line instead. My Journey Through the Clouds itinerary shows how a guided drive down the Icefields Parkway still brings you to Lake Louise and Banff before you fly home from Calgary.
For the shape of the whole week, read the Canadian Rockies by train, day by day. My Canadian Rockies page covers how I plan these trips, and what sells out first for 2027 explains why GoldLeaf seats and rooms at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise go first.
Banff and Lake Louise FAQ
Can you take a train to Banff? Yes. Rocky Mountaineer’s First Passage to the West runs from Vancouver to Banff or Lake Louise over two days in daylight, with a hotel night in Kamloops in between. VIA Rail does not serve Banff. Its Canadian route goes through Jasper instead.
How many nights should I spend in Banff and Lake Louise? Two is the minimum that works and three is better. With only one night you see the train but not the mountains.
Do I need a car in Banff? No. Banff is walkable, Roam Transit buses connect Banff and Lake Louise, and guided tours handle the rest. The only good reason for a car is driving the Icefields Parkway yourself.
Can you drive to Moraine Lake? No. Moraine Lake Road has been closed to private vehicles since 2023. You get there on the Parks Canada shuttle, a commercial shuttle or a guided tour.