Banff National Park

[slow]

The DW and I are on our way back home after 7 fantastic days at Banff NP. Although we have been to Banff 15+ times skiing in the winter the last number of years, we had not been back in the summer since 2003. We had forgotten what a beautiful place it is in the summer and the number of things to do.

Here are a few pictures for those thinking of making the trip. And with the current exchange rate, it is the right time for our US neighbours.

Banff Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court full service campground:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160803/db4318fee579f13a22b640b9a4ebcf91.jpg

Hoodoo hike next to campground:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160803/f28105f59d1b59dc0cffd6f7628bc778.jpg

Banff Townsite:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160803/420e8ea55675eb3a3d17edb96dc23a2d.jpg

View of golf course from Tunnel Mountain during a hike:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160803/5058c5c68712bd98012607b0821b52f5.jpg


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[slow]

Vermilion Lakes next to the townsite:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160803/c22e3a6e3da2d0319828ea1b306d257c.jpg

Bow Falls in Banff townsite:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160803/810bee4bddfdbabf6ebdc3791507843b.jpg

Bike ride and then hike up Sundance Canyon:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160803/d81f87c375616eea079061a4aecb41c4.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160803/6c15b3c256c5c0a4db54d084e00f89d1.jpg


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[slow]

Minnewanka Lake just north of the Banff townsite:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160803/e8dc241979bc11931f6c081e13fb9ea1.jpg

Johnson Lake north of the Banff townsite:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160803/8d18f0860da48105bb303ec2b2b2427d.jpg

A short drive from the Banff townsite is a great hike at Johnston Canyon.

Lower Falls:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160803/c9f730e0dab94bd2cf38ac83e820fcb7.jpg

Ink Pots:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160803/ccd71e6efe04ac11b2d3416a93056151.jpg


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[slow]

Lake Louise is approximately an hour drive from the Banff townsite. A must location to visit.

Canoeing and hiking with fabulous views:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160803/540859260cd64e748f45d53b45473ba8.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160803/b5c75975b8cd535d4acd5b3348d998f1.jpg

The Chateau Lake Louise:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160803/139d85f0150e3b88d13a42bd6e8413ff.jpg

A short drive from Lake Louise is Morraine Lake:
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160803/99f4fbc900230f0137bbe45668703f7e.jpg

We are going to have to come back soon!


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[Canonman]

What a beautiful place. We absolutely loved our vacation to Banff.
We'll trade you a ski week in Utah for a ski week in Banff"bouncey:

[Alpine]

Oh good stuff right there! Thanks for the memories. We made a pre-retirement car trip there in the late 90's. Looks like we need to do some wagon-draggin' up that way!

[gkainz]

Thanks for the beautiful photos. Last time I was in Banff and Lake Louise was 1975. Way too long ago!

[GMcKenzie]

Just did 2 weeks in Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff. Beautiful area despite the weather not co-operating.

Really don't like the Tunnel Mountain trailer court, but no where else to get full hookups that I could find. Feel like your camping on the side of a road.

Had Elk walk through our site in Japser. Met nice people in Lake Louise. Saw lots of wildlife except bears. Didn't see one although they were in the area.

[Cbrez]

Thanks for your pictures. We are going to visit Banff and Yoho in late-May 17 on our way to Denli. Can't wait. Let us know if you have any other Banff travel tips.

[Tbos]

Wow, what a beautiful place.

[GMcKenzie]

Thanks for your pictures. We are going to visit Banff and Yoho in late-May 17 on our way to Denli. Can't wait. Let us know if you have any other Banff travel tips.

Plan for snow.

Book well in advance. May may not be too bad but I delayed a week in booking (it opens very early January) and had to re-plan my route as campsites were booked up.

We picked up a walking tour guide at the info center, bought a day bus pass (nice buses) for $5 each and saw the historic things in Banff that way. Much easier than trying to find parking. Could get to the main gondola, the old hotel, the museums all by riding the bus.

[heyaim]

Breathtaking photos!!
Banff National Park is one of my top bucket list locations! I can't wait to see it in person one day!

[GMcKenzie]

Not sure if this will work or not. Might be behind a paywall, but here is a recent article on some of the scenery in the area.

http://news.nationalpost.com/life/travel/postcard-perfect-canadas-most-picturesque-mountain-lakes?__lsa=eece-e740

Saw about 8 out of 10 of these. Just was much cloudier so my pictures don't look as nice.

[Canonman]

One of the most picturesque places we've ever visited.
Highly recommend spending a week there and seeing something different every day!

[Cbrez]

Plan for snow.

Book well in advance. May may not be too bad but I delayed a week in booking (it opens very early January) and had to re-plan my route as campsites were booked up.

We picked up a walking tour guide at the info center, bought a day bus pass (nice buses) for $5 each and saw the historic things in Banff that way. Much easier than trying to find parking. Could get to the main gondola, the old hotel, the museums all by riding the bus.
Thanks very much for the tips. I have already tried to reserve Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court Campground, but couldn't. Thanks to your advice I will call them first of Jan. Also appreciate your tips on snow and the bus. Great info.

[notanlines]

We will be in the Banff area about the middle of October or so. Are most of the RV parks still open at this time? We aren't on a schedule (Yep, retirement IS all it's cracked up to be) so we can't really make any kind of reservations.

[GMcKenzie]

Thanks very much for the tips. I have already tried to reserve Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court Campground, but couldn't. Thanks to your advice I will call them first of Jan. Also appreciate your tips on snow and the bus. Great info.

Website for reservations.
https://reservation.pc.gc.ca/

I think it opens up around Jan 5 or so. But check in December and it will have the date reservations open.

[GMcKenzie]

We will be in the Banff area about the middle of October or so. Are most of the RV parks still open at this time? We aren't on a schedule (Yep, retirement IS all it's cracked up to be) so we can't really make any kind of reservations.

Doesn't look like it.

[-]Operating Dates:
Johnston Canyon:
May 26, 2016 - September 26, 2016
Trailer Court:
May 12, 2016 - October 3, 2016
Two Jack Lakeside:
May 12, 2016 - October 3, 2016
Two Jack Main:
June 23, 2016 - September 5, 2016
Village 1:
May 12, 2016 - October 3, 2016
Village 2:
Operating Year-round.

[GMcKenzie]

You might try here.
http://www.wapiticamping.com/page2.html
In Canmore. About 25 kms from Banff. Never been there but they seem to be open mid-October (until our thanksgiving).

[66joej]

I worked for Parks Canada for several years and lived in both Banff and Canmore. The season for most campgrounds in the area starts on Victoria day (3rd Monday in May) until Labour day (first monday in Sept). Some open a bit earlier and some close later. Try Bow Valley campground in Canmore. Right on the Bow river. Nice spot although not full hookups as I recall.

[rschad]

Try Spring Creek RV park in Canmore, it should be open and has full hookups, very close sites but it is a place to stay with full hookups and easy access to Canmore and close to Banff.

[Knight rider]

I am blown away by your pictures, can't wait until we see them in person!