Banff National Park
Canada's first national park, with turquoise lakes, glaciers, hot springs and the town of Banff.
About Banff National Park
Banff covers 6,641 km² of mountains, glaciers, forests and alpine meadows, with the resort town of Banff as its hub. Highlights include the Banff Upper Hot Springs (at about 1,585 m, the highest hot spring in Canada), Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and dozens of trails. It's part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A brief history
Banff is Canada's first national park, established in 1885 as Rocky Mountains Park around the hot springs at what is now the Cave and Basin. The mountains themselves were formed between about 80 and 55 million years ago and later carved by glaciers.
RV tips
- A Parks Canada pass is required.
- Townsite and Lake Louise campgrounds are very popular, so book when reservations open.
- Parking big rigs in town is difficult. Use the campground and local transit.
- Wildlife on roads is common. Slow down and never stop in a traffic lane.
Before you go: Hours, road conditions, campground availability, passes and fire bans change. Check the official source below, 511 Alberta and Alberta Fire Bans before you travel. National parks need a Parks Canada pass, and Kananaskis needs a Conservation Pass.
Campgrounds nearby
- Tunnel Mountain Village I (Parks Canada, typical about $34/night)
- Tunnel Mountain Village II (Parks Canada, typical about $40/night)
- Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court (Parks Canada, typical about $47/night)
- Two Jack Lakeside (Parks Canada, typical about $34/night)
- Johnston Canyon Campground (Parks Canada, typical about $34/night)
- Lake Louise Campground (hard-sided) (Parks Canada, typical about $40/night)
Costs are approximate (checked October 2026). All Alberta campgrounds →
Sources & more information
Related trip planning: Alberta RV routes · Pre-trip checklist · Crown land camping