Camping The 13 Banff National Park campgrounds offer 2,468 sites and they are very affordable. The demand for campgrounds peaks from June through September, with July and August being the busiest. Most campgrounds operate on a first come, first serve basis.
Canoeing Rent in Banff at Blue Canoe, at the north end of Bow Avenue, and explore up a gentle leg of the Bow River, or follow 40 Mile Creek into the Vermilion Lakes. Canoes are also available to rent at Moraine Lake Lodge and at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Columbia Icefields See the brilliance and majesty of the Columbia Icefield on an unforgettable 90-minute Brewster Snocoach tour! For more info, visit www.ExploreRockies.com.
Explore Bankhead An easy hike to Bankhead will reward your kids with a fascinating abandoned miner’s camp to explore! Located on the Lake Minnewanka loop.
Go Four-Wheeling Experience the beauty of the backwoods from an ATV. Banff ATV Tours and Toby Creek Adventures offer guided tours. Great fun for you and your teenage kids!
Hiking Discover Banff’s magnificent alpine scenery! Interpretive hikes are offered by guided tours with White Mountain Adventures at Sunshine Meadows.
Johnston Canyon 25 kilometres from Banff, on the Bow Valley Parkway, kids will love the waterfalls at Johnston Canyon. The lower falls are accessible via a one-kilometre catwalk.
Local Swim Spots The Cascade Ponds site is a local favourite, with shallow water and expansive grassy areas making this a great place for families to spend time. Also nearby are Johnston Lake, Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka, the Park’s largest lake.
Picnicking Having a picnic in Banff National Park is a great way to both save money and enjoy the views. Cascade Gardens, Mount Norquay Lookout or any of the nearby lakes are ideal spots.
Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies The world’s largest collection of Canadian Rockies art, photography and literature. Kids are special guests at the Whyte Museum, as there are free Museo Funatic Packs that have activities to help kids 5-12 explore the museum.
