Accessibility
Things To Do
Many viewpoints and natural attractions in Banff National Park can be reached by car, and some of the most popular things to do are wheelchair friendly. Accessible parking and a short wheelchair friendly journey can take you to Lake Louise, Moraine Lake (summer only), Bow Lake, Bow Falls, Vermilion Lakes, Peyto Lake (summer only) and more.
Some shorter in Banff and Lake Louise are suitable for wheelchairs, with asphalt or crushed gravel surfaces and level or gentle grades. For example, the Banff Legacy Trail, Lake Louise Lakeshore and Bow River Trail offer beautiful scenery and accessibility to wheelchairs and physically challenged visitors.
For sweeping views over Banff or Lake Louise, take a ride on the Banff Gondola, the Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola or visit Banff Sunshine. For a different perspective, try a boat tour on Lake Minnewanka. If you feel like enjoying the steamy natural hot springs, the Banff Upper Hot Springs offers parking near the rear entrance and a water-accessible wheelchair.
Cascade Ponds, Coral Creek picnic area and Bow Lake are beautiful places to picnic. The parking lots and paved wheelchair paths make them easy to get to and maneuver around.
Many of the museums are accessible, with assistive hearing devices and closed-captions videos for those with sight or hearing difficulties. The Cave & Basin National Historic Site is particularly good. It has facilities for those with hearing and sight challenges, an all-terrain wheelchair surface, a wheelchair-friendly bathroom, and guides upon request.
Rocky Mountain Adaptive
Rocky Mountain Adaptive is a charity which aims to provide any individual with a disability the chance to access sports and recreational activities in the Bow Valley. See their website for more information about their programmes and activities.
Learn MoreServices, Facilities & Public Transit
The Banff and Lake Louise Visitor Centres have up-to-date information and resources about access to attractions, services, and accommodations in Banff and Lake Louise for people with hearing, vision, mobility, or cognitive disabilities. They can provide information about accommodation, services, and activities that will fit your particular needs.
Mobility scooter rentals are available with the Banff Scooter Company, located at the Banff Train Station.
Wheelchair-accessible public washrooms are located throughout the Banff townsite, at drive-in campgrounds and picnic sites in the village of Lake Louise and along the Bow Valley and Icefields Parkways (Highway 93).
Roam is a public transit bus service operating in the Bow Valley, including around the Banff townsite and to popular destinations like Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon. The buses are wheelchair friendly, with a fold-out ramp and low floor to assist in getting on and off. See the Roam Transit website for more information.
Where to stay
The Rimrock Resort Hotel
7 wheelchair-accessible rooms, accessible main entrance and lobby, accessible dining options. Accessible features include wheelchair-accessible wide doorways, transition ramps, accessible bathrooms with roll-in showers, grab bars, and hearing impaired set-up for emergencies.
Learn MoreBanff Caribou Lodge and Spa
4 accessible rooms, located on the 3rd and 4th floor with elevator access. Accessible features include: light switches and peephole no higher than 48’’, roll-in shower, shower chairs available upon request, grab bars, roll-up bathroom counters
Learn MoreFairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Offers eased access rooms and fully accessible rooms, and accessible main entrance and lobby. Accessible features include large entry door frames, automatic entry door opener, roll-in shower, and sliding bar shower.
Lear moreFairmont Banff Springs
Accessible entrance, restaurants and meeting rooms. Accessible features include a person lift (upon request), shower transfer bench and toilet raiser (upon request), tub/ shower chair (upon request), and roll-in showers.
Learn MoreMoose Hotel and Suites
6 Accessible rooms located on the first floor, roll-in shower with grab bars and handheld shower head. They can provide portable shower chairs upon request, and ADA-approved toilets with adjacent grab bars. The pool on the 4th floor is accessible for guests with limited mobility and wheelchair access however, they do not offer aquatic chairs or a pool lift.
Learn MorePeaks Hotel & Suites
They have two accessible rooms, one on the first and one on the 2nd floor. Wheelchair-accessible path to the elevator on all floors, and 4 wheelchair-accessible parking lots. Roll-in showers are available in accessible rooms.
Learn MoreJuniper Hotel
The hotel has one accessible room equipped with a roll-in shower.
Learn MoreBuffalo Mountain Lodge
They have two accessible rooms equipped with roll-in showers.
Learn More