Why Beautiful Banff Is a Travel Bucket List Essential 

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Why Beautiful Banff Is a Travel Bucket List Essential  

Turquoise glacial lakes and breathtaking mountain views are just a couple of the attractions you’ll find at Banff National Park in Canada. If you’re something of a travel, nature, and history buff, this park is a must for your bucket list.

There are several unique aspects of the adventure you won’t want to miss.

The Journey

One of the best things about most travel plans is the road trip! To get to Banff, one of the best modes of transport is the Calgary to Banff Shuttle. The scenic trip only takes about an hour and a half from Calgary.

Making the trip to the Icefields Parkway out of Banff to the town of Jasper nestled in the mountains is also worthwhile. The journey is gorgeous, and at the icefields, you’ll enjoy walking the 10,000-year-old ice section, crisp mountain views, surging waterfalls, and outstanding natural rock formations.

World Heritage Site

Established in 1885, the Banff National Park in Alberta in Canada is not far from Calgary. The park formed when railway workers found hot springs in the area. As Canada’s oldest natural park, Banff now forms part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Charming Town 

Located within the national park, the town of Banff itself is a beautiful spot. It is ultra-clean and boasts unique architecture. The Rocky Mountains are also visible from the town, making for more aesthetic appeal.

The town’s main street is the heart of the town, and it has several restaurants, bars, and shops. The Banff Lake Louise Tourism Bureau is also in this area. You’ll get lots of detail from the bureau about where to go and what else to see in the park.

Mountain Views

At Banff National Park, expect nothing but larger-than-life scenery. The scale of the park alone is breathtaking. You’ll see snow-capped mountains, clear rivers, lush valleys and forests, and views of the renowned local lakes.

By taking the Banff Gondola, you’ll get the broadest view of the countryside.

Glacial Lakes

The Banff National Park is famous for its beautiful glacier lakes. The most popular ones are Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Lake Minnewanka. The pale blue water against the backdrop of dark green forests and the white snow is a captivating spectacle.

Lake Minnewanka is the nearest to the town of Banff, being just a ten-minute car ride away. The journey from Banff to Lake Louise takes a bit longer but is a magnificent drive.

Hot Springs

The hot springs have been one of the main tourist attractions to the area for more than 125 years. You can take a soak in the steamy mineral springs while enjoying the epic mountain views.

The hot springs are about 2.5 miles from the center of Banff and are easily reachable by car or public transport.

Wildlife

Banff National Park is home to a wide variety of wild animals. You may spot species such as elk, deer, bighorn sheep, black and grizzly bears, coyotes, and mountain goats, among others.

It is advisable to keep a safe distance from all wildlife at the park that you come across.

Fun Activities

There is a wide variety of activities to take in when visiting Banff. You can go canoeing, horse riding, hiking, canoeing, and picnicking. In winter, you can try skiing, sleighs, or snowboarding.

You can also take an hour-long cruise along Lake Minnewanka, during which you’ll find out about its history and get excellent mountain photo opportunities.

Conclusion

As you can see, shuttling off to Banff is a significant travel experience. With the esteem that comes with being a Heritage Site, the park is well worth the visit.