What to see and do. If you're looking to "get away from it all," you might want to travel north to Jasper National Park, a sister park to Banff, which is less commercialized. Banff itself receives a heavy volume of tour buses, recreational vehicles, backpackers, and campers, especially during the summer. But if you can endure the crowds in town, even if it's only to pick up a few necessities from the grocery store, a visit to the backcountry makes it well worth the trip.

The towns of Banff and Lake Louise are the centers of activity in the park. Stop by the Infocentre in Banff before your visit to pick up literature on trails (hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking), conditions, potential wildlife hazards, and accommodations.

Lake Louise is a resort area made up of the lake and Lake Louise Village. The village itself contains a mall, some hotels, a youth hostel, and a visitor center that features a historical exhibit about how the Rocky Mountains were created.

Along the nearby lakeshore, Chateau Lake Louise (ca. 1920) offers a panoramic view of the surrounding park. The Lake Louise Gondola takes you part of the way up Mount Whitehorn, where you can pick up one of several trailheads.

Banff and Lake Louise are close to trailheads; some are short interpretive trails, while others lead into the backcountry. The national park offers 1,600 km of trails in all. Self-guided treks include interpretive roadside plaques, while the routes that lead into the woods and backcountry allow you to escape summer crowds.

One notable route is the Discovery Trail near the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. It takes you to a natural spring that flows out of a hillside, and past an opening in the roof of the cave. Along the way, signs tell you about the human and geologic history of the park, and benches are strategically placed with views of the most scenic areas. Other trails lead to canyons, the Bow River, Moraine Lake, and glacial pillars or "hoodoos."

Of the eight warm/hot springs in the park, two have been commercialized. Cave and Basin Hot Springs, located southwest of Banff on Cave Avenue, are open for viewing only. The Upper Hot Springs, on Mountain Avenue, are quite popular.

Most people come to Banff for the outdoors, but several museums offer an alternative activity or a backup plan for a rainy day. The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies offers an exhibit of paintings and photographs that depict everything from wildlife and mountain vistas to park wardens in action. The native-run Luxton Museum is also of note, with interpretive exhibits of native history and local wildlife.

Nearly a million people travel along the Icefields Parkway each year just to get a glimpse of the breathtaking scenery. It is a 230-km trek that leads from Lake Louise to Jasper and takes you through the Rocky Mountains. You can get out and stretch your legs along the way, or take a trail for more serious exploration.

Activities and Services

•	Archeological Sites
•	Beach
•	Bicycle Trails
•	Bird Watching
•	Boat Launching
•	Caving
•	Climbing
•	Cross-country Skiing
•	Downhill Skiing
•	Fishing
•	Food Service
•	Geological Sites
•	Gift Shop
•	Guided Tours
•	Hiking/Nature Trails
•	Historic Sites
•	Horse Trails
•	Motor Boating
•	Museum/Exhibits
•	Non-motor Boating
•	Picnic Sites
•	Programs/Talks
•	Self-guided Tours
•	Swimming
•	Visitor Center
•	Wildflower Viewing
•	Wildlife Viewing

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