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National park in Alberta, Canada
Photo: Traveler100, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Banff National Park is in the Alberta Rockies region of Alberta. Together with six other national parks it makes up the UNESCO World Heritage site "Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks".
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Glacial lake with impressive mountain backdrop.
A scenic location on the Icefields Parkway about 40 km north of the town of Lake Louise. Access to the viewing area for this magnificent area is immediately off the parkway and is well signposted. Upon climbing the short distance to the viewing point you are greeted by what many consider to be one of the best views in Canada. The lake is located in a convergence of valleys surrounded by majestic mountains and rich forests. The lake system is fed from the Peyto Glacier to the left of the view point and this gives the lake a magnificent blue colour in the summer months due to the mineral content.
Scenic mountain location with the lake an incredible blue colour due to the glacial rock flour. A short paved trail from the car park (The Rock Pile, 0.8 km return, 30 meter elevation gain) provides a spectacular view of the lake, known as the "Twenty Dollar View", as it was featured on the reverse side of the Canadian $20 banknote (1969 and 1979 issue). By 8:30AM the coach groups start to arrive. Driving your own car to the lake is no longer allowed; the only way to get there is by taking a shuttle bus. These fill up quickly, so reservations are essential.
11-km hike up the narrow Johnston Creek passed a spectacular waterfalls (2.7 km from car park) to the Ink Pots, six blue-green spring-fed pools.
For hikes amongst beautiful alpine meadows. Circular hike of about 6 km from the Sunshine Village.
Visit and hike around the beautiful Moraine Lake, or catch the iconic sunrise shot. Moraine Lake is only accessible by commercial shuttle busses.
3,358 acres of lift-accessed terrain on three mountains. With a peak elevation of 2,730 m, you can see well into British Columbia from the top.
4,200 acres of lift-accessed terrain on four mountains makes this resort the largest single ski area in Canada.
190 acres of lift-accessed terrain. Norquay is famous for its super-steeps serviced by the original double chair.
Teeing-off amongst the backdrop of dramatic mountain ranges, with local wildlife as your gallery, is an unequalled golfing experience. Stanley Thompson, a notable golf course architect, designed the original 18 holes in 1928. The course winds along the Bow River under the snow-capped peaks of Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle. In 1989, the course was complemented with the construction of an adjoining 9 holes, designed by Cornish and Robinson, resulting in 27 holes of championship layout.
A lot of the lakes in Banff National Park allow kayaking. Some nice places to do it are Lake Louise or Lake Moraine.
A walk along the suspended catwalks of Johnston Canyon (30 minutes from Banff) to see the frozen Lower and Upper Falls. Hiking poles, ice cleats, and a snack is included. Make sure to dress warmly.
Horseback rides ranging from 1 hour to 6 days. Depart from Warner Stables less than a mile from downtown Banff or at the Banff Springs Corral at the south end of town.
Rooms, dining, coffee shop and small gift shop.
A small hostel about halfway down the road towards Banff, and offers a very laid back atmosphere. The facilities are excellent, with a sizeable kitchen, friendly atmosphere and beautiful surroundings. Reservations are required during the winter months, as closure dates may apply, and recommended during the summer months to ensure a bed. Dorm beds from $23, with a $4 surcharge for non-members, ski packages available. Pets not allowed.
It is a simple, rustic but clean hostel, in the middle of the Rockies at 1,816 m along the glacier-fed creek, offering a true back-to-nature "off-the-grid" Canadian experience. World-class outdoor pursuits are on your doorstep here, with an on-site sauna to soothe weary muscles at the end of the day. Pets not allowed.
Banff National Park uses Parks Canada Campground Reservation Service for campsites within the park
Open seasonally. Reservable. has drinking water, flush toilets, showers, and sewage disposal.
Open year-round. Reservable. Has electricity, drinking water, flush toilets, showers, and sewage disposal. oTENTik glamping sites available seasonally.
Open seasonally. Reservable. For trailers and RVs. Has full hookup, drinking water, flush toilets, showers, and sewage disposal.
Open seasonally. Reservable. Has drinking water, flush toilets, and sewage disposal. Equipped sites with supplied tents available seasonally.
Open seasonally. Reservable. Has drinking water, flush toilets, and showers. oTENTik glamping sites available seasonally.
Open seasonally. Reservable. Has drinking water, flush toilets, and showers.
Open seasonally. Reservable. Has drinking water and flush toilets.
Open seasonally. First come first served only. Has drinking water and flush toilets.
Open year-round. Reservable during the summer. Has drinking water, flush toilets, showers, and sewage disposal. Some sites have electricity. The campground has a Parks Canada shuttle stop.
Open seasonally. First come first served only. Has drinking water and outhouse.
Open seasonally. Reservable. Has outhouse.
Open seasonally. First come first served only. Has drinking water, flush toilet, and sewage disposal.
Open seasonally. Reservable. Has drinking water and outhouse.
For registration if you are planning on camping in the backcountry.
By bus
By train
By plane
The closest international airport is in Calgary. Vancouver International Airport is approximately 12 hours' drive to the west.
Moraine Lake vehicle access restriction
No personal vehicles are allowed to travel to Moraine Lake. Roam Transit, the Parks Canada Shuttle, and commercial shuttles are your only options to reach Moraine Lake.
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Calgary · International · YYC
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