Banff National Park is located in the province of Alberta in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It is situated 128 km (80 miles) west of Calgary, 401 km (250 miles) southwest of Edmonton and 850 km (500 mi) northeast of Vancouver.
Banff National Park is the birthplace of Canada's national park system, created around the warm mineral springs near Banff townsite.
In the fall of 1883, three Canadian Pacific Railway construction workers stumbled across a cave containing hot springs on the eastern slopes of Alberta's Rocky Mountains. From that humble beginning was born Banff National Park, Canada's first national park and the world's third.
Banff National Park is set in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. It attracts roughly 4 million visitors each year. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The largest community within Banff National Park is the Town of Banff. We are a unique destination, and we take pride in accommodating visitors and providing tourism services, without losing the charm of a small mountain community.
The Town of Banff is in the province of Alberta in the southwestern corner of Banff National Park, and west of Calgary.
The townsite is about 90 minutes from Calgary via the Trans Canada Highway, and less than two hours from Calgary International Airport. The Hamlet of Lake Louise is 50 minutes further west, also within Banff National Park.
Because the Town of Banff is less than 4 km square in size and surrounded by mountain parkland and wilderness, the community really does share its space with the wildlife. Some say that a local on their way to work is as likely to see a deer as a neighbourhood dog. Elk, sheep and bear sightings are not uncommon near this town filled with trees, parks and trails.
Our town also abounds with opportunities to experience... everything: from the most rugged of outdoor activities to world-class arts and culture displays.
Adventures in the Lake Louise area bring you face to face with nature; jagged mountain peaks rippling into the distance and thickly forested alpine valleys. Here, you’ll share the excitement with wild animals, wild spaces and the soothing rustle of wind through the trees.
Activities in Lake Louise come at all levels. Take a casual stroll through wildflowers in an alpine meadow or test your extreme limits climbing to the roof of the Rocky Mountains. Backpack across rock ridges formed by undersea oceans over 45 million years ago, or tee-off at a five-star golf course.
Throw a fish hook in the water, walk on a glacier, or canoe on Lake Louise’s turquoise water. Take a guided trip outside the park for heli-hiking, whitewater rafting, and ATV fun, where the adventure begins on the shuttle bus.
Source: Parks Canada, Town of Banff, Banff Lake Louise Tourism
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With a history of coal mining until 1979, Canmore came into its own after hosting the Nordic (Cross Country and Biathlon ) events of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. It was this signature event that truly exposed Canmore to the world for the first time, and in truth exposed the residents of Canmore to their true calling. The next sixteen years would see incredible changes; the evolution of a wide selection of stunning full service hotel accommodations and self catering or all suite chalet style units, charming bed and breakfasts, an eclectic gathering of incredible restaurants, pubs and patios capable of sating the most discerning palate, all this built around a community of active outdoor access, with year round recreation opportunities which just have to be experienced.
A visit to downtown Canmore reveals a low key Alpine village atmosphere, with a significant selection of exquisite galleries and unique gift shops. This very contemporary character is not immediately visible, but as one explores business after business, the experience takes shape, and you begin to sense the true character of the place. Simply put, Canmore is a place of understated excellence.
Location, Location, LocationEnviable geographic placement positions Canmore, conveniently just West of Calgary, only 1.5 hours from Calgary’s International Airport, 5 minutes East of Banff National Park (20 minutes to the town site of Banff ), and virtually nestled into the northwest corner of Kananaskis Country, which is home to a multitude of Provincial (equivalent of state parks in the U.S.) and Wild-land Parks. Stand most anywhere in Canmore, turn around 360 degrees, and you will fully appreciate the term “Mountain” community, we are surrounded.
Canmore is the base camp of choice for the discerning traveler who recognizes the value of an authentic mountain community oriented to sharing a passionate sense of place with its guests.
Source: Tourism Canmore
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With a history of coal mining until 1979, Canmore came into its own after hosting the Nordic (Cross Country and Biathlon ) events of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. It was this signature event that truly exposed Canmore to the world for the first time, and in truth exposed the residents of Canmore to their true calling. The next sixteen years would see incredible changes; the evolution of a wide selection of stunning full service hotel accommodations and self catering or all suite chalet style units, charming bed and breakfasts, an eclectic gathering of incredible restaurants, pubs and patios capable of sating the most discerning palate, all this built around a community of active outdoor access, with year round recreation opportunities which just have to be experienced.
A visit to downtown Canmore reveals a low key Alpine village atmosphere, with a significant selection of exquisite galleries and unique gift shops. This very contemporary character is not immediately visible, but as one explores business after business, the experience takes shape, and you begin to sense the true character of the place. Simply put, Canmore is a place of understated excellence.
Location, Location, LocationEnviable geographic placement positions Canmore, conveniently just West of Calgary, only 1.5 hours from Calgary’s International Airport, 5 minutes East of Banff National Park (20 minutes to the town site of Banff ), and virtually nestled into the northwest corner of Kananaskis Country, which is home to a multitude of Provincial (equivalent of state parks in the U.S.) and Wild-land Parks. Stand most anywhere in Canmore, turn around 360 degrees, and you will fully appreciate the term “Mountain” community, we are surrounded.
Canmore is the base camp of choice for the discerning traveler who recognizes the value of an authentic mountain community oriented to sharing a passionate sense of place with its guests.
Source: Tourism Canmore
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