Top 8 Favourite Banff + Area Places To Visit
Living next to the Rockies.. ahhh it’s a blessing! Honestly I cannot get sick of this view no matter how many times I venture out. As a kid I would stare out my window in awe of how truly massive the mountains are. You would think as an adult I would get used to the view, but I still pull off the side of the road for an epic mountain shot when I drive through. We live in one of the most beautiful country and I totally get why people travel from all over the world to come to the Rockies. SO if you are one of those people traveling to this gem of a place - here are some of my favourite water views that require NO HIKING! You just pull up and check out the view <3
I will save you the best lake for last, { + if you follow me, you already know what place that is hehe}
8 . TWO JACK LAKE
Two Jack Lake is about 10 minutes outside of Banff and along the way to Lake Minnewanka (so you can knock two birds with one stone and visit both lakes). I usually go to Two Jack Lake because of the still water (always seems to be less choppy). So if you are wanting to paddle board and sit on the rocky beach - go for it! The lake isn’t as big as the others, but given that it is so close to the Town of Banff, you can’t go wrong.
If you are hoping for a less busy spot (as Two Jack tends to fill up with the minimal parking), check out Johnson Lake which is 10 minutes from Two Jack. You can do a walk around the whole lake and the view on the other side is spectacular with many benches for breaks along the way.
7 . JOHNSTON CANYON
Johnston Canyon is beautiful in any season - the above photos were taken in February! BUT if you are planning on going between late October - late May, I recommend bringing clamp-ons (which grip to your shoes for support in the ice), because the trails can be ssliipppeerrryyy and walking with UGGS or even runners up a sheer ice hill is like Olaf trying to skate.. just a gong show.
Aside from that, the view will be spectacular. But don’t just stop at the main falls, if you are up for it - hike another 2ish km’s to see the ink pots (recommended seeing in the summer time). There you will also see this beautiful rock around the water that is shallow at the bottom and deep at the top which is one of my favourite sites! Pre-warning that the summer months are much more busy, so prepare for the walk to be a bit longer as the trails aren’t wide.
6 . EMERALD LAKE
Emerald Lake is located on the edge of British Columbia, meaning it’s only an hour drive from Banff. This has similar water color to Lake Louise + Moraine Lake. There is a beautiful lodge called “Emerald Lake Lodge” {how creative of a name haha}, so if you wan’t to impress your partner with a sleepover, consider that place! Many have weddings at Emerald Lake as well, so inquire with them for pricing on elopements + mini weddings. Be sure to check out the “Natural Bridge” on the way to Emerald too, it’s a pretty site <3
4 . BARRIER LAKE
Barrier Lake is the place I go to when I want to escape from the city, but don’t want to drive THAT far into the mountains. It is located in Kananaskis Country and about 45 minutes from Calgary. There is a boat load off zone, but you can also find some trails from the parking lot that lead you to the secluded beach. And yes, there is SAND!! If you want to skip rocks, there are tons in certain areas as well. I find this place to be the least busy because it’s not located within Canmore or Banff, which is why I usually go down with my girlfriends and we do some paddleboarding on this lake + soak up the sunshine!
Feel free to stay at the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge which is 15 minutes down the road. Or visit another popular point, Mount Lorette Ponds.
4 . LAKE MINNEWANKA
As mentioned about, Lake Minnewanka is about a 5-7 minute drive from Two Jack Lake - all just a short distance from the Town of Banff. This is a VERY popular lake and the parking can be quite difficult to enter during the high tourist season. But if you walk along the pathway, past the little food hut {Black Anchor}, you will see a bunch of rocks that overlook the mountains (shown in the above photo). I love this little area as it is a little more private and the view of the lake + mountains are dreamy {MCDREAMY!}
3 . TOWN OF CANMORE
Don’t be fooled, Canmore can be just as beautiful to stay as Banff {if not more!} Why do I love Canmore so much? Well I find it more spaced out than Banff with the same spectacular views. The main town centre has my favourite bagel place {Rocky Mountain Bagel Co.}, and my favourite shop.. Rocky Mountain Soap Co. There are more local shops around and it is slightly less busy than Banff. I say “slightly” because over the decade, it has become increasingly popular. You can hike Grassi Lakes {emerald and green small lake at the top! with option to free style rock climb}, or picnic at Spray Lakes. Look at the photo below.. this was taken at spray lakes with all the Elk flooding the area. Prepare for some possible wild life…
2 . LAKE LOUISE
Oh Lake Louise .. I am pretty sure this is the TOP SEARCHED places next to Banff. People love the infamous crystal blue waters and the Lake Louise Chateau! And I will answer it now for you, yes it’s that blue (same as Moraine Lake), no photoshop needed. The reason why it is my second favourite and not my first is because it’s ALWAYS CROWDED and you can’t really hike for a different perspective or to get away from the tourists. It has a trail that runs along the lake + honestly I find it busy everywhere I walk. If you are considering this as your backdrop for a wedding, prepare to have many tourists being a part of your outdoor ceremony as well. The hotels tries their best to keep the crowds moving along and not stopping to stare, but you can only control so much. But there is a reason it’s a huge hit - because the two mountains colliding together with the lake in front is one of a kind.
If you are traveling here during the winter months, be sure to check out the ice sculptures! And rent some skates so you can skate on the lake - now THAT is once in a lifetime experience. I love it!
1 . MORAINE LAKE
Leaving the best for last.. Moraine Lake! sigh You will forever have my heart.. FOREVER!!
I remember the first time I headed here, I couldn’t believe how long the windy road was.. felt like forever. And then I saw the lake, and the 2.5 hour drive from Calgary was forgotten and I was in the most magical place!
It is hands down my FAVOURITE place to shoot and here is why. Yes, it is popular too (that’s just a given), BUT if you hike up to the top which is only about 10 minutes.. the view is INSANE!!! Unlike Lake Louise, you can access the top with no required hiking.. it is WORTH IT. You are surrounded by mountains wherever you turn.. you are almost enclosed in a little nook of the Rockies and it feels like you are getting a big fat hug by nature. That makes no sense, but I cannot make sense of this place. It’s my happy place and EVERY SINGLE TIME I take a couple to this place, they stop in awe. And then proceed to ask how this water can be so blue haha. I am no scientist, I am just an artist. BUT PUT THIS PLACE ON YOUR TO DO LIST… and check out my other blog called “A Travel Guide for Moraine Lake” which gives you all the best tips to make that visit your best.
If you want to book a photo session at any of these 8 places, message me!
I promise I will be a good tour guide and bring bear spray for you :)