Top Activities on the Ground in Banff

Experience the winter wonderland of Banff’s Johnston Canyon on this ice walk tour. Join a professional guide on a hike along the canyon’s steel walkways, to visit the beautiful lower and upper waterfalls, and learn how this majestic canyon was formed. Your excursion includes round-trip transportation, ice cleats, and a hiking pole, plus a light snack and hot chocolate to help warm you up.

Choose from among four of Banff National Park’s most iconic trails on this 7-hour guided hiking tour with packed lunch. Pick the perfect walk for your level of ability and experience, varying from 4.5 miles (7km) to 6.6 miles (10.6km) in length, with spectacular mountain scenery no matter which option you select. The trip’s four options include explorations of Larch Valley, Stanley Glacier, Consolation Lakes or the Plain of Six Glaciers.

Hike on a frozen creek, and explore surreal rock formations and indigenous wall art on this small-group tour through Grotto Canyon. Your specialist guide explains the unique history and geology of the canyon as you glide past wondrous icefalls in this sublime winter environment. The tour also includes use of ice cleats and a hiking pole, plus a light snack and hot chocolate.

The majestic landscapes around Banff are perfect settings for rock climbing adventures. But, if you're a beginner, it can be difficult to know where to start. This small-group rock climbing experience is suitable for all levels of experience, from novice to advanced. Whatever your ability, you'll benefit from expert instruction, experience the thrill of climbing and be prepared for getting out into nature.

Get ready for a Rocky Mountain adventure like no other. This thrilling tour takes you into the canyons near Jasper National Park for a day of hiking and rappelling with a small group. Featuring eight rappels, this adventure starts in Brule, Alberta (about an hour from Jasper) and takes you down into the rugged landscapes only the truly adventurous get to experience.

Saddle up for a journey through the celebrated landscape of Banff National Park on this guided horseback riding adventure. Get out of the car and onto the trails of the Bow River or the Spray River and enjoy the area’s beautiful outdoor environment, largely unchanged from the days of the pioneers. This equine-themed odyssey includes a guide, use of a horse, and all necessary equipment.

Saddle up and head out on the Rocky Mountain trails in Banff National Park. Explore the area by horseback with your cowboy guide to see the area in a way you can only experience from on the back of a horse. With a guide in the lead and a guide bringing up the rear, your ride will be a safe, fun adventure in the wilderness.  

Saddle up for a ride along the Bow River in Banff and a Western style cookout. Choose from riding on horseback or in a covered wagon through the beautiful Rocky Mountain terrain. At the dining site, spend some time perfecting your roping skills or relaxing with a game of horseshoes before “tucking in”--that’s cowboy speak for “eating”—a yummy BBQ meal.

Maximize your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion during this round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Take in views of six different mountain ranges and nearby rivers aboard your state-of-the-art alpine transport, offering large windows and seating for four guests. Enjoy time exploring the ridge line boardwalk before returning back to town.

Take a charming horse-driven sleigh ride through the snow-covered meadows of Banff during this rustic 40-minute tour. Cozy up with family, friends, or a loved one as your friendly driver whisks you away on a sightseeing tour of the area’s stunning mountain peaks.

Situated within Banff National Park, the pretty town of Banff is the stepping stone to some of Canada’s most beautiful mountain landscapes. On this tour, swing into the saddle and trek through the Rocky Mountains scenery on horseback with your guide. Follow rugged trails past dense forests and shimmering lakes, and enjoy a relaxing introduction to the spectacular Banff National Park. Along the way, spot native beavers and elk in their natural habitat.

Join an animal-spotting bus tour in Banff National Park, observing the park’s amazing wildlife at dusk on this 2-hour, small-group tour that’s perfect for nature enthusiasts. Enjoy Banff’s beautiful landscapes in the evening searching for elk, deer, bears and more because each tour has a 95% success rate of viewing animals in their natural environment. You'll also hear about the park's efforts to protect animals and their habitat from your expert guide.

Discover Lake Louise and Moraine Lake on this guided tour from Banff. Located inside the Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the lakes are well-known for their distinct turquoise hues. Gain insight into the area’s mountaineering history, admire views of the Valley of Ten Peaks and leave with plenty of frame-worthy photos. Round-trip transportation is included on this small-group tour. Don’t miss this seasonal tour that operates from April to November.

Discover one of Banff National Park’s most popular hiking trails at night, without the fear of getting lost, during this small-group tour. Equipped with a headlight, explore Johnston Canyon with a guide leading the way, and marvel at shimmering frozen waterfalls and hike along a suspended catwalk. Then, take a break to warm up mid-route with hot chocolate and maple cookies.

Never tried canyoning before? Then this is the trip for you! A relatively easy approach, an ideal location to introduce rappelling, and amazing scenery all make this canyon trip the perfect choice for your first canyoning experience. Heart Creek Canyon is also our closest trip to the townsites of Banff & Canmore. A popular summer day hike destination, few visitors of Heart Creek ever explore the top of lower Heart Canyon or venture to the upper Heart Canyon. Upper Heart Canyon provides a perfect location to learn and develop your comfort with rope rappelling. The introductory short rappels allow you to ease into the rappelling. Rappels progressively increase in length, finally culminating with an exciting 60ft waterfall rappel and slide.

This ridge hike is truly a unique experience - it's not well known, even by Banff locals. It's also the perfect add-on to the Banff Gondola experience. The views are the best you will experience in the Banff area, with a 360 degree panorama of the surrounding mountains. Our certified guides will pass on unique information about this sensitive alpine environment, the history of Banff, among other interesting topics, while making sure you are safe and comfortable.

The Ice Experience program is designed to allow people of all abilities to experience the exciting sport of waterfall ice climbing. Our guides are incredible instructors, skilled climbers, and fun to be around. They are certified to the highest standards in the industry by the ACMG/IFMGA, so you can rest assured that you are in good hands.

Listen to a nature guide through your smartphone as you hike to the incredible summit of Tunnel Mountain following the Tunnel Mountain Trail. On this 4.3 km (return) tour, you'll hear about the famous Banff character Bill Peyto, Sleeping Buffalo, local plants and wildlife, and some Banff Park history. Highlights include the views of the mighty Bow River, Sulphur Mountain, the Town of Banff, and more! The tour also comes with a fun location-based trivia game. After the commentary plays, look at your device and guess the answer. Live GPS map shows where you are and where to go next. As you get close, guide commentary will automatically play! Getting started is easy, just book the tour, download the app and go. Note: the number of travelers you select is the number of devices you can download the tour to. *** Please check the condition of the trail before booking, especially in the Fall/Winter/Spring.

Looking to get to a summit? Join this more advanced hike of our summit series and learn basic scrambling technique.

Travel up through an old burn, see the benefit of wild fire on an ecosystem, enjoy the riddle of glaciation and how it has sculpted the mountain environment we see today.

Get to know the secrets and hidden treasures of Banff on a clue-solving adventure through the city. Solve puzzles and clues through the app on your phone with your group—up to four people—over the course of one or two hours. Explore key landmarks, discover hidden gems, and learn more about Banff and Canada during your adventure.