Discover the best things to do in Banff with our interactive spin wheel. From Johnston Canyon hikes to Moraine Lake canoes — let the wheel decide your Rockies adventure.
Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff is the country's oldest national park and one of the world's most spectacular destinations. Straddling the Continental Divide in Alberta, the park encompasses 6,641 square kilometres of jagged peaks, glaciers, turquoise lakes, and ancient hot springs. The town of Banff sits at 1,383 metres elevation, surrounded by peaks that soar to over 3,600 metres, making every view from every street corner feel like a postcard.
Banff is magical year-round. In summer, wildflowers carpet alpine meadows, and the lakes — Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake — glow with an almost unreal turquoise caused by glacial rock flour. In winter, snow blankets the peaks, and three ski resorts open their doors to world-class terrain. The shoulder seasons bring golden larches in September and October, and the Icefields Parkway is accessible in spring before the summer crowds arrive. If you can only visit once, aim for late September when the larches turn gold and the crowds thin.
Not sure where to start? Let the wheel decide! Spin below to get a random activity suggestion from our curated list of the best things to do in Banff.
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*Can't decide? Just spin again! You can also explore this wheel on SpinQuest to save your quest and track your adventures.*
Hike Johnston Canyon — This is perhaps the most accessible spectacular hike in all of Banff. The 5.4km trail follows catwalks bolted to limestone canyon walls above roaring waterfalls, ending at the serene Ink Pots — seven cold mineral springs bubbling up from the earth in shades of green and blue. Go early in the morning to beat the crowds, or in winter when the waterfalls freeze into dramatic blue ice columns.
Visit Moraine Lake — Moraine Lake's Valley of the Ten Peaks was so iconic it graced the Canadian twenty-dollar bill. The lake's water is an almost surreal turquoise, fed by glacial meltwater carrying rock flour that reflects blue and green wavelengths of light. Access is restricted in peak season — book the Parks Canada shuttle well in advance, or cycle in from the Lake Louise Ski Resort parking area.
Ride the Banff Gondola — For views without the sweat, the Banff Gondola whisks you to the summit of Sulphur Mountain in eight minutes. At 2,281 metres, a boardwalk leads to a historic weather station and 360-degree panoramas of six mountain ranges. The gondola runs year-round and the views after a fresh snowfall are extraordinary.
Soak in Banff Upper Hot Springs — After a day on the trails, nothing beats the Upper Hot Springs. The pool sits at 1,585 metres elevation with mountain views in every direction. The springs reach 47°C at the source and the facility has been welcoming visitors since 1886. Open year-round; suit and towel rentals available.
Wildlife Spotting at Dawn — The Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A) between Banff and Lake Louise is one of the most reliable wildlife corridors in the Rockies. Elk, mule deer, coyotes, wolves, and black bears are all commonly seen, especially at dawn and dusk. Drive slowly, keep your headlights on, and bring binoculars.
Banff is busiest from late June through August, when all facilities are open, weather is warmest, and wildflowers bloom in alpine meadows. This is also when Moraine Lake road is most restricted — book ahead. Winter (December–March) brings powder skiing at Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, and Mount Norquay, plus the magic of an ice-covered town and almost no crowds on the hiking trails.
For the best of both worlds, visit in September when larches turn brilliant gold across the alpine, temperatures remain mild, and crowds thin dramatically. October brings early snow and the first real colours of alpine winter. Spring (April–May) sees the park transition — some roads may be closed but wildlife activity increases dramatically as animals emerge from lower elevations.
Banff is 128km west of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) — about 90 minutes by car. Calgary International Airport is the closest major airport, served by all major Canadian airlines plus direct international routes. A national parks pass is required to enter Banff National Park; buy one online or at the park gates.
Combine your Banff wheel with the Jasper, Icefields Parkway, and Kananaskis wheels on SpinQuest to plan a full Rocky Mountain road trip. Create a free account to save your spins, mark activities as completed, and build a multi-stage journey that takes you from Calgary all the way to Jasper along one of the world's most spectacular drives. The SpinQuest journey feature is perfect for epic Canadian road trips — spin at each stop and see where the adventure takes you.
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