Top Banff Outdoor Activities

Take a charming horse-driven sleigh ride through the snow-covered meadows of Banff during this rustic 40-minute tour. Cozy up with family, friends, or a loved one as your friendly driver whisks you away on a sightseeing tour of the area’s stunning mountain peaks.

Saddle up for a journey through the celebrated landscape of Banff National Park on this guided horseback riding adventure. Get out of the car and onto the trails of the Bow River or the Spray River and enjoy the area’s beautiful outdoor environment, largely unchanged from the days of the pioneers. This equine-themed odyssey includes a guide, use of a horse, and all necessary equipment.

Saddle up and head out on the Rocky Mountain trails in Banff National Park. Explore the area by horseback with your cowboy guide to see the area in a way you can only experience from on the back of a horse. With a guide in the lead and a guide bringing up the rear, your ride will be a safe, fun adventure in the wilderness.  

Join an animal-spotting bus tour in Banff National Park, observing the park’s amazing wildlife at dusk on this 2-hour, small-group tour that’s perfect for nature enthusiasts. Enjoy Banff’s beautiful landscapes in the evening searching for elk, deer, bears and more because each tour has a 95% success rate of viewing animals in their natural environment. You'll also hear about the park's efforts to protect animals and their habitat from your expert guide.

Saddle up for a ride along the Bow River in Banff and a Western style cookout. Choose from riding on horseback or in a covered wagon through the beautiful Rocky Mountain terrain. At the dining site, spend some time perfecting your roping skills or relaxing with a game of horseshoes before “tucking in”--that’s cowboy speak for “eating”—a yummy BBQ meal.

Experience the winter wonderland of Banff’s Johnston Canyon on this ice walk tour. Join a professional guide on a hike along the canyon’s steel walkways, to visit the beautiful lower and upper waterfalls, and learn how this majestic canyon was formed. Your excursion includes round-trip transportation, ice cleats, and a hiking pole, plus a light snack and hot chocolate to help warm you up.

Choose from among four of Banff National Park’s most iconic trails on this 7-hour guided hiking tour with packed lunch. Pick the perfect walk for your level of ability and experience, varying from 4.5 miles (7km) to 6.6 miles (10.6km) in length, with spectacular mountain scenery no matter which option you select. The trip’s four options include explorations of Larch Valley, Stanley Glacier, Consolation Lakes or the Plain of Six Glaciers.

Delve deep into the Banff National Park and admire the scenery from the water on this canoe adventure. Paddle along the pretty Bow River and listen as your guide sheds light on centuries of Canadian history and heritage. Watch the riverbanks for sightings of native wildlife, then finish your canoe tour with light refreshments.

Discover one of Banff National Park’s most popular hiking trails at night, without the fear of getting lost, during this small-group tour. Equipped with a headlight, explore Johnston Canyon with a guide leading the way, and marvel at shimmering frozen waterfalls and hike along a suspended catwalk. Then, take a break to warm up mid-route with hot chocolate and maple cookies.

The majestic landscapes around Banff are perfect settings for rock climbing adventures. But, if you're a beginner, it can be difficult to know where to start. This small-group rock climbing experience is suitable for all levels of experience, from novice to advanced. Whatever your ability, you'll benefit from expert instruction, experience the thrill of climbing and be prepared for getting out into nature.

Discover Lake Louise and Moraine Lake on this guided tour from Banff. Located inside the Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the lakes are well-known for their distinct turquoise hues. Gain insight into the area’s mountaineering history, admire views of the Valley of Ten Peaks and leave with plenty of frame-worthy photos. Round-trip transportation is included on this small-group tour. Don’t miss this seasonal tour that operates from April to November.

Explore the historic landmarks and natural wonders near the town of Banff on this half-day, small-group tour. Admire the unparalleled beauty of natural sights including Bow Falls, the surreal Hoodoos rock formation, and beautiful Lake Minnewanka, among others. This guided tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Banff, a professional guide, and light refreshments.

Follow in the footsteps of Canada’s rugged pioneers during this guided horseback ride through stunning Banff National Park. Get access to more sights in less time, moving swiftly through the tranquil Canadian wilderness. Highlights include a first-hand peek at Bow Falls and its surrounding mountain range and a chance to lead your horse across Spray River.

Paddle along the Bow River in a 12-seater canoe as the sun sets in Banff’s backyard during this guided canoe tour. Dip your oars into the water as team and take in the wildlife and mountain scenery as your guide tells you about the animals and land. Be on the lookout for elk, bald eagles, beaver, and muskrats as the current carries you along.

The Ice Experience program is designed to allow people of all abilities to experience the exciting sport of waterfall ice climbing. Our guides are incredible instructors, skilled climbers, and fun to be around. They are certified to the highest standards in the industry by the ACMG/IFMGA, so you can rest assured that you are in good hands.

Take an unexpected winter excursion through the landscape of Banff as you search for the park’s famous wildlife on this tour. Head out on a nature-spotting tour to observe animals and learn about their ability to survive the cold winter months. Your morning tour includes round-trip transportation, a professional guide, a light snack and hot chocolate.

Situated within Banff National Park, the pretty town of Banff is the stepping stone to some of Canada’s most beautiful mountain landscapes. On this tour, swing into the saddle and trek through the Rocky Mountains scenery on horseback with your guide. Follow rugged trails past dense forests and shimmering lakes, and enjoy a relaxing introduction to the spectacular Banff National Park. Along the way, spot native beavers and elk in their natural habitat.

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are widely considered the most beautiful corners of the Banff National Park, but their popularity means they can get busy with nature-loving sightseers. On this tour, visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in the evening and admire the scenery when the crowds have gone. Spot native wildlife along the Bow Valley Parkway and enjoy dinner in a log cabin in the Baker Creek Mountain Resort.

Immerse yourself in Canada's stunning winter landscape on a 4-hour snowshoe tour from Banff to Kootenay National Park. Follow your guide through Marble Canyon and keep your eyes peeled for moose and wolf tracks. The 2-mile (3km) route is along mostly flat terrain and perfect for first time snowshoers. You also enjoy a hot chocolate break with the opportunity to make your own maple taffy in the snow.

Discover Banff National Park from the water on a scenic canoe journey up the Bow River. Surrounded by stunning peaks, pristine water, and wildlife, this is the perfect outing for park visitors who want to break away from the crowded overlooks and hiking trails. Plus, traveling by canoe provides an idyllic way to travel deeper into the park without the effort of hiking.

Maximize your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion during this round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Take in views of six different mountain ranges and nearby rivers aboard your state-of-the-art alpine transport, offering large windows and seating for four guests. Enjoy time exploring the ridge line boardwalk before returning back to town.

Enjoy this full-day tour from Banff, visiting the Athabasca Glacier and the stunning scenery lining the breathtaking Icefields Parkway. This tour travels halfway along the world-famous Icefields Parkway, recognized as one of the top drives in the world passing numerous Rocky Mountain peaks, glaciers, waterfalls, and emerald lakes. Your tour also includes round-trip transport from Banff, a mountain picnic lunch, Glacier Skywalk, and an all-terrain Ice Explorer tour.

Pursue the elusive Canadian Grizzly Bear on this 10-hour excursion through Banff and Yoho National Parks, perfect for animal- and nature-lovers alike. Head out for a gondola ride up to 7,700 feet for a mountain-top lunch at Canada’s highest restaurant, and then take a chairlift ride up to the world’s largest enclosed and protected grizzly bear habitat to see Boo the resident bear rescued as a cub. This full-day trip also includes round-trip transportation, professional guide, lunch and light refreshments.

Explore the wilds of western Alberta on this full-day Banff to Jasper one-way tour. Travel with your guide through the rugged wilderness of Banff and Jasper national parks. Take in top regional attractions such as Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, Athabasca Falls, Lake Louise, and the Weeping Wall. At the Columbia Icefield, hike to the Athabasca Glacier or take the Glacier Skywalk over Sunwapta Valley. Learn about the region’s geology at the Columbia Icefield Centre or enjoy a guided walk to a scenic viewpoint. Then, finish your journey in Jasper.