Summer in Banff and Lake Louise

Banff and Lake Louise has a full range of accommodation options, whatever your budget or preferences. Discover all of your options with our accommodation page.

Family-friendly or Romantic Getaway

If you’re visiting with your family, there are many family-friendly condos and chalets available. For a romantic break, a cozy bed & breakfast could be exactly what you're looking for.

Backcountry Lodges

For a truly remote stay in the wilderness of Banff National Park, pack your things and head to a backcountry lodge. Skoki Lodge is located in the Lake Louise area and is accessible by hiking in the summer time. Sundance Lodge is located in the Banff area and is accessible by horseback in the summer months. Both lodges offer an escape from your everyday life and an opportunity to make lasting memories.

Camping Out

If you like the idea of going to sleep with just canvas between you and the millions of stars in the sky, explore camping options throughout Banff National Park. Parks Canada has many frontcountry and backcountry campsites in the Banff, Lake Louise and Icefields Parkway areas.

Be aware that campsites book up quickly when they are released for the season (usually in January), so plan ahead and be prepared to book early.

All the sunshine and outdoor fun is hunger-making! There are so many choices for food and drinks in the Banff town and Lake Louise villahe, from distilled spirits and microbrews, to delicious juices for breakfast, pizza or picnics for lunch, and Western style steak or vegan meals for dinner. Visit our dining page for a full list of your options.

Outdoor patios

Banff prides itself on its patio scene. During the long days of summer, savour the lingering light and the opportunity to have a long lunch with friends or enjoy a beer after your hike. Many of the restaurants and cafés in town have patios - check out our summer patio and rooftop patioblogs for inspo!

Dining with a view

Take your dining experience to new heights with a mountaintop restaurant or enjoy your meal with a million dollar view lakeside at Lake Louise. No matter your preference, Banff and Lake Louise has an abundance of dining options with incredible vistas. Take a look at our guide to scenic restaurants for more.

Banff Farmers Market

The Banff Farmers Market is legendary in the area for amazing local produce, delicious home-baked goods, and arts and crafts. You’ll find it on Bear Street every Wednesday during the summer between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.. Also check our guide for other healthy food choices in Banff.

Banff and Lake Louise are very easy to get around by foot, bike, public transit, and shuttles. With just a bit of planning, you can use these modes of transit and avoid dealing with traffic and parking.

Public Transit

Getting around Banff National Park is easier than ever, just make sure you plan ahead! With several shuttles and Roam Transit options, find the easiest routes around Banff, Canmore, Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake. For more information visit Roam Transit.

Walking

Walking is a great option in both the town of Banff and the hamlet of Lake Louise. There are always the local buses and shuttles to help you get around if your legs are tired after a big day out. Read about our tips for exploring on two feet.

Cycle

Banff National Park provides some of the most scenic backdrops for your cycling adventures. Jump on two wheels to get around town, or even out of town. Whether you are wanting to stay on the road, or get off the road and do some mountain biking, there is something for everyone. For trail suggestions or rental options, our biking page has more information for you.

Banff National Park is a protected, wild place with unique guidelines that keep our visitors, communities, and wildlife happy and healthy.

1. Practice leave no trace: Leave no trace means ensuring your impact on the park is as small and as positive as possible. This means taking all garbage and wrappers with you, staying on the trail to prevent erosion, and staying far back from wildlife.
2. Choose local & choose reusable: Bring your reusable cups and cutlery to help reduce the number of single-use items and the burden on our environment. When you're looking for that tasty bite while on the trail, head to a local café or bakery to support the community while getting freshly made foods with less packaging.
3. Keep wildlife wild: When we say wildlife, we really mean it. Banff National Park is home to many animals that you may encounter on your travels. If you do have the opportunity to spot wildlife, make sure you give them space (up to 100 meters for bears and coyotes). If you are in your vehicle, stay inside and don't stop on roadways - this helps keep you, other travellers, and the wildlife safe.
4. Photograph responsibly: We know Banff and Lake Louise have some iconic viewpoints you'll want to photograph and please do so while you are here. But there are some things to remember when you're venturing out and creating your memories. While scrambling down a cliff or up a tree may seem like a good idea at the time, it can be very dangerous. Please save our rescue crews a call and stick to visiting designated viewpoints, trails and pathways. Also note that drones are banned in Banff National Park due to the level of disturbance they can cause to wildlife.
5. Take Transit: The best way to enjoy the sites and save yourself time is by taking public transit and shuttles. You can access all the iconic sites via Roam Transit and Parks Canada shuttles, and you won't spend time circling parking lots or being disappointed when you can't find a parking spot.

Discover more responsible travel tips for your visit to Banff and Lake Louise in our blog.