Episode 14: 12 Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting Banff

I see the same Banff planning mistakes come up again and again in my Facebook group and travel consultations. A few are easy to fix, like getting up a little earlier. Others can affect an entire day, especially if you haven’t arranged a Moraine Lake shuttle or didn’t realize a road is closed for the season.

Here are twelve mistakes I’d avoid when planning a trip to Banff, whether this is your first visit or you’re coming back for another adventure.

Listen to Episode 14 of The Banff Travel Podcast

3 Key Takeaways

1. Choose your travel dates with care. Hiking conditions, crowds and access vary dramatically by month, especially early in the season.
2. Make room for the Icefields Parkway. Don’t rush the drive, you’ll miss out on some incredible stops.
3. Build a realistic plan. Group nearby activities, book shuttles and respect wildlife and trail conditions.

Mistakes to Avoid Before Your Banff Trip

1. Underestimating Summer Crowds

Banff can be peaceful, but July and August are extremely busy. If you’re coming in peak summer, secure accommodations well in advance, book popular shuttles when reservations open and consider visiting busy attractions early or in the evening.

Late May and October can feel different, although they’re not substitutes for summer if you want alpine hiking and everything to be open.

2. Not Booking a Moraine Lake Shuttle

You can’t drive to Moraine Lake (unless you are staying at the Moraine Lake Lodge). You’ll want to plan a shuttle in advance.

The Parks Canada shuttle is often among the most affordable options, and its initial ticket release can sell out quickly. There is also a rolling release of additional seats closer to travel dates, but I’d rather have my transportation arranged before the holiday than rely on a last-minute opening.

If you miss the initial release, look at other shuttle operators and Roam transit options. Our Moraine Lake shuttle guide explains the options.

3. Only Allowing One or Two Days

Sometimes you genuinely have only a day or two, and you can still see beautiful places. But don’t expect to cover the Town of Banff, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Icefields Parkway and several hikes in such a short visit.

If you can, I’d allow at least four or five days. That gives you time for the lakes, a scenic drive, some hiking and a less hurried day in Banff.

4. Skipping the Icefields Parkway

The Icefields Parkway is more than a road between Banff and Jasper. The mountains, turquoise lakes and glacier views make it an experience on its own. I’ve even had consultation clients tell me they enjoyed their stop at Peyto Lake and the views up to Big Bend more than some of the places they’d originally put at the top of their list.

You don’t have to book the Columbia Icefield Adventure to enjoy the drive. The viewpoints alone are worth making time for. I also like the GuideAlong Icefields Parkway audio tour for learning about the area and noticing places you might otherwise pass.

5. Rushing Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

These lakes can be so much more than just photo stops. At Lake Louise you can walk the lakeshore, canoe, hike to Lake Agnes or one of the Beehives, visit Plain of Six Glaciers or book afternoon tea. You can easily spend a full day there.

At Moraine Lake, the Rockpile and lakeshore are worthwhile even on a shorter visit, and hikers may spend half a day or more. I go into the how to plan your day at these two Banff lakes in Episode 10: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

6. Expecting Spring Conditions in April

Visitors sometimes arrive in April wearing regular trainers and expecting dry trails, only to find icy hiking paths, frozen lakes and seasonal road closures. November through April is winter or winter-like in much of the Canadian Rockies, even when spring has arrived elsewhere.

Choose your month based on what you want to do, then plan around what will actually be accessible. Our month-by-month planning guides can help you choose.

Mistakes to Avoid While You’re Here

7. Not Leaving Room for Changes

A trail can close because of wildlife, weather can shift or a parking lot can fill. I always like to have a nearby alternative hike and a non-hiking option in mind. A backup plan takes the stress out of changing course.

8. Forgetting Road and Trail Conditions

It takes only a few minutes to look at Parks Canada trail reports before a hike. Outside summer, also check the road conditions before travelling roads like the Icefields Parkway. Seasonal wildlife restrictions affect some routes too, including the Bow Valley Parkway overnight closure in spring.

9. Crisscrossing the Park Instead of Grouping Your Days

Banff National Park is huge. Driving from Canmore to Lake Louise is close to an hour even before stops. If you travel back and forth between areas several times in a day, you’ll spend more time in the car than enjoying the mountains.

I’d group days around the Town of Banff, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, Icefields Parkway, and potentially Yoho National Park. This is the approach I use when building a Banff itinerary.

10. Assuming You Can Drive Everywhere

You can drive to many Banff attractions, but not all. Moraine Lake requires a shuttle, while Lake Louise parking is paid during the summer and often fills early. The best way to get somewhere isn’t always a rental car.

Know which days need shuttles, where parking is limited and which areas might make more sense using public transit.

11. Ignoring Wildlife Safety

This one is personal for me. I’ve asked visitors to stop feeding chipmunks, back away from elk and get back into their vehicles instead of approaching bears. It’s exciting to see wildlife, but animals need their space.

Carry bear spray when hiking, know how to use it, keep food secure and follow Parks Canada distance guidelines. If someone asks you to move away from an animal, they’re looking out for you and the wildlife. Our guide to wildlife viewing in Banff explains more.

12. Only Visiting the Famous Instagram Spots

Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Banff Avenue are popular for good reason. But don’t fill your entire holiday with the same five places everyone posts online. Leave time for a quieter walk, a scenic drive, a less-famous hike or something that genuinely interests your group.

You can find more examples in our complete list of mistakes to avoid when visiting Banff.

Helpful Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Moraine Lake shuttle guide
• Icefields Parkway
• GuideAlong Icefields Parkway audio tour
• Month-by-month planning guides
• Guide to wildlife viewing in Banff

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