Trip to Banff

I’ve narrowed down most of my must see places are near/in Banff National Park, but is there any inside info that isn’t known outside of TripAdvisor and such that locals know about? Super excited to see Canada. I’ll be going late July, so I expect it to be busy but nothing a super early morning cup of coffee can’t fix I’m assuming.
Just looking for any must see/do ideas.
Thanks!

 

Which way are you getting there? Through Montana?

 

most say Lake Lorraine. true!

but I'll say Lake Peyto... better!

they are both amazing. you cannot go wrong on that trip. Bannf & Jasper is one of the most strikingly beautiful places on the planet. good luck!

 

Both on the list! I know I probably won’t be able to do both of them in a day but I plan on spending a little over a week there. Airbnb’s are dirt cheap there so taking full advantage of that. I saw there is some pretty cool waterfalls further north as well.

Flying straight there from Seattle!

 

In the summer your best bet is to bring your hiking boots, Banff does get a lot of visitors but if you are willing to hike into the mountains you will drop a lot of tourists. Jasper is quieter with incredible scenery and hiking trails as well.
Canoeing and kayaking on the lakes is awesome as well as whitewater rafting.
Lake louise will be busy but if you hike or canoe you won't be stuck on the shore with the majority of visitors.
Have a great trip!

 

Lussier Hot Springs, thank me later

 

If it's to busy in Banff and Jasper for you, hit up Emerald Lake and Field. Field is a nice tiny town and Emerald lake is amazing. I'd also drop into Canmore if you want to escape the "touristy" towns. Goof luck and safe travels.

 

Canmore is awesome! I stayed there in 07, oddly enough the place we stayed was right on top of the train tracks, but the deck overlooked the tracks with the mountains as the backdrop, seen a cool t&l storm on the west side of the mountain (cloud glow). We came upon a hiking trail that looks down on the Fairmont Banff Springs golf course. There was a cool tourist trap we stopped at just after we were in Jasper, I want to say before the Athabaska Glacier (cool photo op just North up the highway, overlooks that glacier), raging river and a bridge you could snap awesome photos.

 

Just got back from snowboarding around the Lake Louise area.
Peyto Lake was very cool - probably much cooler in the summer.
Johnston Canyon - did the Upper and Lower falls but due to time constraints didn't make it to the Ink Pots. Go early.

 

Here's a pic of Peyto Lake...

 

Another from Mt. Edith Cavell near Jasper...

 

Gorgeous pics. Beautiful area for sure.

 

If your camping in the park book in advance. There are places to camp outside if the park but if your there might as well stay in the park. Canmore is really nice, spray lakes has a decent camp ground also with lots of hiking trails around. If you like disc golf, canmores Nordic centre has one of the hardest ( but really fun ) courses around but three sisters also has alittle course set up. If you do golf, I would check out Brewster golf course, I used to work there and think it’s under rated a bit granted I haven’t been in many years but it was beautiful place and easy going. If you want to do some free camping, like mentioned above, check out Lussierboot springs for sure. Lots of easy exploring out there with lots of nice free camping. So many options it’s not even funny, just take you time and try not to rush. It’s going to be busy in the parks regardless so just keep that in mind. One more thing, if you have never had a real Quebec poutine, there is a really nice place in Canmore called 514 poutine. Check out it.

 

Anyone know any cool spots in Canmore area that I can camp with my truck and RTT?

 

Been to Glacier few times. Is the border open, into Canada to fly from USA to BANFF?

 

Not sure anymore now that more restrictions are in place. Quarantine rules might have changed up too.

 

Yeah thats what i am afraid of

 

You’ll get there eventually. Should be better times ahead. It’s been there a spell so not like it’s goin’ anywhere soon.