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Banff Summer activities

Our most recommended Banff Summer activities

Banff: Lake Minnewanka Cruise

1. Banff: Lake Minnewanka Cruise

Admire views of the Canadian Rockies as you cruise on the largest lake in Banff National Park. Get the chance to see sheep, deer, and mountain goats along the shore, and learn about the culture of the indigenous people who used to live in the area from your expert guide. Meet your guide and captain on the boat dock at Lake Minnewanka and begin your adventure. Glide through the crystal clear water of this glacier lake and soak up the views of the mountains and blue sky above you. Keep an eye out for wildlife on the lakeshore, including big-horned sheep, deer, mountain goats, and even the occasional bear. During the cruise, learn interesting facts and stories about the wildlife and vegetation that inhabit the Canadian Rockies from your guides. Dive into the culture of the indigenous people who used to call the area home and hear a lot of entertaining legends of the area.

From Banff: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Sightseeing Tour

2. From Banff: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Sightseeing Tour

Experience Banff’s famous lakes on a guided tour of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.  Keep your eyes peeled for animals such as deer, elk, and bears on your way, and admire views of Castle Mountain before arriving at the first lake of the day. Hear stories about Banff National Park, its history, and the local animals from your guide. Enjoy a 30-minute visit to Lake Louise. Wander the famous shoreline and take photos of the lake against the backdrop of the mountains and Victoria Glacier.  Admire the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel from the outside or inside. Explore Moraine Lake, set in the rugged Valley of the Ten Peaks with waterfalls and rock piles. Enjoy a short guided walk to the famous Valley of the Ten Peaks viewpoint, or relax and take in the lake from the shoreline. Enjoy hot chocolate and maple cookies at one of the scenic stops. After a 30-minute break at the viewpoint, return back to Banff and drop you off at your hotel.

Banff: Afternoon Kananaskis River Whitewater Rafting Tour

3. Banff: Afternoon Kananaskis River Whitewater Rafting Tour

Enjoy whitewater rafting down an idyllic stretch of the Kanaskasis River, the perfect excursion for families, groups, and newcomers to whitewater rafting. Explore the pristine waterways of the Kananaskis River. Scout for local wildlife and enjoy the unrivaled beauty of the Canadian wilderness. Meet at the Nakoda Lakeside Lodge on Highway 1A. Start your rafting adventure with a 45-minute drive from Banff or Calgary. Enjoy the short scenic ride as you wind through the Canadian countryside. Once you're fitted with your wetsuits and other safety equipment, ride in a comfortable bus a short distance to the starting point on the Kananaskis River. Here, your guides will provide safety instructions and teach your paddle techniques. Feel equipped and ready to go as you prepare for the river. Board your raft and begin your journey. Admire the views during calm parts of the river. Practice different paddling techniques with your guide. Spot local wildlife such as soaring eagles, and deer who stroll along the banks of the river. Then, get ready to be splashed as your raft through class 2-3 rapids as you travel along a lovely forested area of the river. At the end of the journey enjoy a scenic float to the finish where you can swim and splash in the water. Return to the river base for high fives and snacks to celebrate your rafting adventure. This tour operates from mid-May to mid-September and is ideal for anyone that has never rafted before or does not know how to swim.

Banff: Mount Norquay 2.5 or 4-Hour Guided Via Ferrata Climb

4. Banff: Mount Norquay 2.5 or 4-Hour Guided Via Ferrata Climb

Join this fun alpine climbing tour that's perfect for all abilities, including those with no previous experience. Experience the thrill of climbing a via ferrata with an expert guide and delight in bird’s-eye views of Banff National Park.  Choose between a 2.5-hour Explorer Route or a 4-hour Ridgewalker Route. Upon arrival to Mount Norquay, located just 10 minutes from Banff, check in and meet your guide. Get equipped with a harness, lanyards, and helmet, then ride the sightseeing chairlift to where your adventure begins.  After an equipment check and training is complete, take a short 5-minute walk to your first via ferrata buttress to climb. The 2.5-hour Explorer Route is a great choice for those who are slightly limited on time or looking for an introduction to via ferrata. Spend some time with your guide and get introduced to the equipment before heading up a few pitches and crossing the suspension bridge.  You will reach 2,235 meters (7,332 feet) above sea level. The tour lasts 2-2.5 hours, covers 1 kilometer (3,280 feet), and involves an elevation gain of 145 meters (475 feet). Select the 4-hour Ridgewalker Route to get a greater feel for heights and experience the via ferrata in full.  Get comfortable with the equipment on a practice wall, then continue on the Norquay cliffs, climbing the memorial, sunrise and vista buttresses — and, of course, traversing the suspension bridge. The route heads up to the Ridgewalker Summit, 2,300 meters (7,545 feet) above sea level. At the top, enjoy incredible views and snap some photos before descending back to the starting point.  The tour lasts 3.5-4 hours, covers 1.4 kilometers (4,593 feet), and involves an elevation gain of 260 meters (853 feet).

Banff: Kananaskis Whitewater Rafting Tour

5. Banff: Kananaskis Whitewater Rafting Tour

The Kananaskis Whitewater Tour is a Whitewater Rafting experience that everyone can enjoy. From the playful waves to the scenic landscapes, punching through rapids, to fun filled games on calmer sections of the river; this tour has something for everyone. Don't let this Class 2-3 grade river, fool you, it delivers big splashes with heart pumping hits. We meet at our River Base, or hop on our complimentary shuttle from Canmore, where you'll be greeted and checkin with one of our awesome team members. We then gear up in the provided wetsuit, helmet, booties, splash jacket and life vest, gather around our demo raft to go over a safety briefing and load the buses for a 5 mins drive to the put in. At the put in you'll meet your fun and trusty guide. Pay close attention as they go over paddling commands and general instructions for your time on the river. Now hop in the raft and let's go rafting! After your full filled adventure you'll be reunited with our buses for a quick 10 min ride back to our River Base to change and grab a refreshing non alcoholic beverage. You'll also be provided the "how to" on where to view and purchase the photos from your tour. Your adventure has now come to an end, if you took our transport from Canmore we are ready to bring you back, if you met us at the River Base you are free to enjoy the rest of your time in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Don't be sad, we will be here whenever you are ready for more fun!

Banff National Park: 1-Hour Bow River Horseback Ride

6. Banff National Park: 1-Hour Bow River Horseback Ride

Start the tour in Banff where you will meet a member of the riding office, who will check you in and provide you a helmet for your ride. From here, walk back outside into the sunshine and meet your trusty horse. Using a step, climb onto your horse under the direction of your guide, and learn some basic horseback riding techniques. Follow your guide along the tranquil Bow River and past the historic Cave and Basin Hot springs - the original birthplace of Banff National Park. This area is home to wildlife in amongst the thick marshes and grassy meadows. Enjoy unspoiled views of the magnificent Rocky Mountains along the way. After 1 hour of scenic horseback riding, return to the stables, where you'll disembark and say goodbye to your horse with some farewell pats.

Banff: Evening Wildlife Safari Guided Tour

7. Banff: Evening Wildlife Safari Guided Tour

Go on an evening wildlife safari tour and discover the animals of Banff. Led by your expert guide, experience twilight wildlife encounters.  As the sun sets behind the craggy peaks, the wildlife of Banff National Park become more active in the cool hours before dark. Get the chance to be up close with some of Banff’s wildest residents. Spot an elk sauntering across a clearing or a bighorn sheep grazing in an alpine meadow. Sometimes, you may even see a grizzly bear snuffling through a berry bush.  Have your guide take you on a paved road bus tour where you are most likely to see Rocky Mountain creatures. Learn about how the park protects these animals and their natural habitat from many threats to the ecosystem.

Banff: Highlights and Wildlife Group Tour

8. Banff: Highlights and Wildlife Group Tour

Experience many of Banff's highlights on this tour with a focus on viewing wildlife in their natural environment. Enjoy guaranteed visits to Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, Hoodoos Viewpoint, and Mt. Norquay Viewpoint. Start your wildlife adventure with pickup from select locations in Banff. Enjoy an itinerary carefully tailored by your expert local guide based on each day’s recent wildlife sightings and weather conditions. In addition to the sites mentioned above, you can also expect visits to some of the following locations: Vermilion Lakes, Cave and Basin, Marsh Loop, Tunnel Mountain, and some local secret spots. Learn all about the area from your guide along the way. Get your cameras ready and keep your eyes peeled as you travel through wildlife corridors and seek out bears, elk, deer, coyotes, foxes, bighorn sheep, and more.

Banff: Horseshoe Canyon Whitewater Rafting Tour

9. Banff: Horseshoe Canyon Whitewater Rafting Tour

The Bow River Horseshoe Canyon Whitewater Tour is not for the faint of heart. With a river rating of Class 2-4, the Horseshoe Canyon offers big waves, hard hits, and a whole lot of excitement. From the steep shale walls to the surging glacial waters, with big hits and optional cliff jumps (8ft & 30ft) the Horseshoe Canyon will satisfy the itch for adventure you were looking for. We meet at our River Base, or hop on our complimentary shuttle from Canmore, where you'll be greeted and checked-in with one of our awesome team members. We then gear up in the provided wetsuit, helmet, booties, splash jacket and life vest, gather around our demo raft to go over a safety briefing and load the buses for a 15 mins drive to the put in. At the put in you'll meet your fun and trusty guide. Pay close attention as they go over paddling commands and general instructions for your time on the river. Now hop in the raft and let's go rafting! After your fun filled adventure you'll be reunited with our buses for a quick 15 min ride back to our River Base to change and grab a refreshing non alcoholic beverage. You'll also be provided the "how to" on where to view and purchase the photos from your tour. Your adventure has now come to an end, if you took our transport from Canmore we are ready to bring you back, if you met us at the River Base you are free to enjoy the rest of your time in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Don't be sad, we will be here whenever you are ready for more fun!

Banff National Park: 1-Hour Spray River Horseback Ride

10. Banff National Park: 1-Hour Spray River Horseback Ride

Embark on a horseback riding adventure as you breathe in the pine-spiced mountain air. Approach the Bow Falls and enjoy spectacular views. Pass by the famous Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course known as one of the most immaculately manicured courses in Canada. Continue along the edge of the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course and cross through the waters once more. A partial climb up Sulphur Mountain brings you through a wooded residential area and back to the corrals. Enjoy a unique experience and cross the Spray River. On hotter days, your horse may even decide to cool itself off by splashing water onto its belly. Have an experience unlike anything else.

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Frequently asked questions about Banff Summer activities

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Other Sightseeing Options in Banff

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What people are saying about Banff

The whole trip was very smooth - we had a really small group of 5 so it was perfect. The pace was just right too and the hot chocolate was delicious! Our guide Chris was really kind, friendly and knowledgeable and he really took the time to make sure everyone was ok.

My boyfriend and I loved it. The guide was great and the tour was super nice. It takes you to the main natural attractions in Banff and the lake part was a true adventure

The guide Annika was very informative, had lots of photos to hand around and show different aspects of the tour, good stops for viewing

Such an awesome little ride! friendly staff and informative, great family experience! Definitely coming back in the summer!

The guid was super nice and viewing was also awesome.