things to do in banff alberta in summer

Jaw-Dropping Things to Do in Banff Alberta in Summer (2025)

It wasn’t too long ago that I was planning my trip to the Canadian Rockies, wondering what to do in Banff in the summer. I spent my life dreaming to see Banff, and it was one of the most magical places I ever visited.

Although the summers are very busy in Banff, I still believe it is a worthwhile place to see in summer. There’s so much to do that you could probably spend a whole year and still not see it all. I truly believe that Banff is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

You could spend a whole day just in the village of Banff, visiting museums, restaurants, and shopping. In addition, there are many hikes and trails (with varying levels of abilities) that allow you to explore the Canadian Rockies.

Myself and husband have now visited Banff multiple times in the summer. The tourism industry has boomed in the last decade. I’m going to share with you the best things to do in Banff in the summer, and everything you need to keep in mind.

When you look over what to do in Banff in summer, it’s hard to not feel overwhelmed – its SO beautiful, and there’s so much to do. But I hope to give you the best tips to navigate it and plan an amazing trip.

Things To Do in Banff in Summer

1. Ride the Banff Gondola

Distance from Banff town centre: 4.5 km (2.7 miles)

The Banff Gondola is a must while visiting Banff. It takes you up Sulphur Mountain, which is right in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. The ride from the bottom to the top takes about 8 minutes, and as you can imagine – the views going up are gorgeous.

The views from the top are even more spectacular, because you have panoramic views of Mount Rundle (most famous mountain the Banff rockies), and Sundance Peak, another mountain. Our pictures do not do it justice.

Banff
banff gondola

As you can see, you’re not too far from the clouds at the top of the gondola. We were also lucky enough to see a rainbow.

At the top of the Banff Gondola, there is the main viewing platform, as well as boardwalks, trails and the Sky Bistro, where you can eat next to a view of the rockies. I recommend reserving in advance for the Sky Bistro, especially in summer.

Pro Tip: Bring an extra layer to the top of the the gondola, even on a hot day. Banff temperatures in summer are chillier than elsewhere in Canada.

The Banff Gondola is about 2.4 km (1.4 miles) from the town centre, so you can either drive or walk there in 20-25 minutes.

Grab your Banff Gondola ticket in advance here

2. Take a boat cruise on Lake Minnewanka

Distance from Banff town centre: 10 km (6.2 miles)

Lake Minnewanka is a glacier lake apart of Banff National Park. Summer is the best time to experience Lake Minnewanka, because the cruises start in mid-May and run until October.

Lake Minnewanka was my favourite experience in Banff. It’s popular, but it didn’t feel as crowded as some of the other attractions do in summer. Our cruise had a guide that taught us a lot about the indigenous history of the area.

Aside from the cruise itself, we also had time to walk along the shoreline and get photos.

I found boating around, and exploring the shoreline in Lake Minnewanka to be such a peaceful, beautiful experience. I truly believe that its one of the best places in Banff and would highly recommend it.

Lake minnewanka

Best part is, a cruise on Lake Minnewanka is not an expensive activity. It costs about $35 per adult, for a 1-hour cruise.

Tickets have been filling up quite fast, sometimes months in advance. Check availability on Viator and on their official website.

3. Go hiking

Distance from Banff town centre: It varies!

If you enjoy hiking, there are so many trail options in Banff; ranging from easy to challenging.

One of the best things about hiking in the rockies is that you won’t overheat, even in summer. It rarely gets hotter than 25°C (77°F) in the summer.

There are some trails right out of the town of Banff, and some where you need to venture further into the park to get to.

Here are some of the easy to moderate hikes in Banff which most people can participate in:

The Banff Legacy Trail – 20 km (12.4 miles) paved walkway in between Banff and Canmore. You can do as much or as little of the trail as you like. Popular with bikers and pedestrians.
Bow River Trail – 9 km (5.5 miles) along the Bow River in downtown Banff; paved and accessible, very easy. Great views, and lots of benches.
Banff Sunshine Meadows trails. It has its own chairlift and there are trails up in Mount Standish where it takes you.
The Johnston Canyon (Upper Falls or Lower Falls) *more detail below

There are literally too many hikes in Banff to name just here. There are multi-day hikes, challenging hikes through rugged mountain terrain.

See a variety of hikes in Banff and all the details on All Trails.

4. Spend time at Lake Louise

Distance from Banff town centre: 60 km (37.2 miles)

Lake Louise is one of the most famous, idyllic settings in Banff and an absolute must for your Banff itinerary.

There’s the small village of Lake Louise, and it’s also the location for the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise which overlooks the most picturesque view of the lake.

Besides heading to the base of the lake to get those famous views, there are quite a few different things you could do in Lake Louise in the summer.

  • Go canoeing or kayaking on the lake. Offered at a discount if you stay at the hotel, but you can reserve as a day visitor too. See prices and info here.
  • Ride the Lake Louise Gondola
  • Visit the tiny village of Lake Louise, (less than 1,000 residents) but has quite a few restaurants
  • Do the Bow River Loop Trail (6.9 km or 4.2 miles)

What you need to know about Lake Louise in Summer

Lake Louise is one of the most visited areas in Canada, and there’s been a huge uptick in tourism in recent years. Parking of personal vehicles at Lake Louise has become nearly impossible, with the lots filling up before the sun even rises.

So, I recommend choosing one the following options to make a trip to Lake Louise as stress-free, and fun as possible:

If you do decide to drive on your own, arrive well before sunrise. (If you don’t get a spot, there’s nowhere to wait.)

If you don’t get a spot, then try to park at nearby Lake Louise Park and Ride lot which is at 1 Whitehorn Rd. From there, you can get a shuttle to Lake Louise but it has to be reserved in advanced.

7. Marvel at Moraine Lake

Distance from Banff town centre: 180 km (111 miles)

Moraine Lake, besides Lake Louise, is the other most popular sight in Banff. Moraine Lake is also a glacier lake, and is located in an area known as the Ten Peaks.

moraine lake

You can spend as much or as little time at Moraine Lake as you like. Summer is particularly special time to see the lake, because there are a few activities you can do.

Here are some things you can do at Moraine Lake in summer.

  • Hiking: Do the Rockpile Trail, which is a 1 km (0.6 miles), or the Lakeshore Trail (1.5 km or 0.9 miles)
  • Go canoeing: Rent a canoe from the Moraine Lake Lodge for $140 CDN per canoe for 1 hour

As of 2023, it is now no longer possible to park private vehicles at Moraine Lake due to popularity and over-tourism. Your options to see Moraine Lake are to book a private tour, or take the shuttle from the Lake Louise Park and Ride or town of Banff, or the hop on hop off bus tour from Banff.

Check availability for a private tour of Moraine Lake and Lake Louise here

6. Hike the Johnston Canyon

Distance from Banff town centre: 25 km (15.5 miles)

The Johnston Canyon is a winding, wooden platform that crosses through a narrow canyon.

As you walk on the platform, you can feel the water rushing right under your feet. Even on a sunny day, its pretty shaded in the canyon because of how deep it is. This is definitely one of the coolest experiences in Banff.

Upper Falls at the Johnston Canyon
Upper Falls at the Johnston Canyon
Upper Falls at the Johnston Canyon

You have two different route options at Johnston’s Canyon. Both routes take you to a waterfall; the moderate route takes you to a larger waterfall known as Upper Falls (pictured above) and the easy route takes you to a smaller waterfall called Lower Falls.

Upper Falls – 5 km (3.8 mile) takes 2-3 hours in total.
Lower Falls – 2.2 km (1.36 miles) takes about 1 hour in total

I chose to do the Upper Falls route, and it was a beautiful hike; very scenic. I am in decent shape but not extremely and we were also carrying a 1-year old with us.

So based on that experience, I believe the Upper Falls trail should be doable for most people with some fitness level.

Pro Tip: As many other attractions in Banff, the Johnston Canyon is very busy between June and October and parking is very limited. Take the shuttle from downtown Banff.

5. See all the main sites from the Hop on Hop of Bus

The Hop on Hop off Bus is offered from June 7, 2024 to September 22nd, 2024. Its a really good way to get around the famous sites of Banff without needing to rely on a car.

This is important especially in July and August, when parking places fill up before sunrise. The bus provides a stress-free way to get around Banff, and see the most popular sites including:

  • Moraine Lake
  • Lake Louise
  • Lake Louise Summer Gondola
  • Johnston Canyon

Important: The entire loop is 8 hours, and it’s not like other city hop on hop off buses, where you can get off and get back on – this tour is designed to be an itinerary that you follow with the bus, and get off and back on when everyone else does.

For this reason, travellers need to be at least 4 years old for the Hop on Hop off Bus tour, so its not an option if you’re in Banff with babies or toddlers.

Check availability for the Banff Hop on Hop Off Bus here

6. Go for a scenic bike ride

Another great thing about summer in Banff is the chance to enjoy biking on scenic trails.

You can rent bikes in the town of Banff. They offer a variety of bikes for different purposes (kids bikes, electric bikes, offroad bikes) as well as helmets and locks.

There are so many trails all around Banff National Park ranging from easy to challenging.

Here are some of your options for summer biking options in Banff:

  • Bike the Banff Legacy Trail – a 20 km (12. 4 miles) paved walkway designed for both bikers and hikers. Starts in Canmore, but you can do as much or little as you want.
  • Book a guided e-bike tour starting from either Banff or Canmore.
  • Bike to Lake Louise (58 km or 36 miles.)

Pro Tip: The Banff Town Centre, also rents out bear spray for $10/day. It’s a great way to get ahold of it without having to buy your own bottle and then get stuck bringing it home with you or throwing it out.

8. Go canoeing

Banff is an amazing place to go canoeing, and canoeing is something that you can only really do in the summer in the rockies. There are glacier-fed lakes that you can canoe on, and also some winding rivers.

You have your option between large multi-person canoes, or smaller canoes meant for 1-3 people. This is perfect for couples, or families visiting Banff.

Here are some of your options for canoeing in the Banff and area:

  • Canoeing on the Bow River with Banff Canoe Tours (1.5 hours)
  • You can rent canoes to go canoeing on Lake Minnewanka from the Lake Minnewanka Boat Rentals
  • Moraine Lake (pictured above) -rent from Moraine Lake Lodge for $140 per canoe for 1 hour
  • Lake Louise – offered for 1-3 hours, and can be reserved online

9. Visit the Banff Farmer’s Market

Distance from Banff town centre: 650 m

The Banff Farmer’s Market runs on Wednesdays from 10am to 6pm from May 29th, 2024 through to October.

It’s a great way to shop for local produce with the picturesque view of the Rocky mountains in the background.

The Banff Farmer’s Market is at the central Banff’s Central Park, which is near the Banff Public Library in the south side of town. (It’s about a 5-10 minute walk from the heart of downtown.)

Pro Tip: There is parking near the farmer’s market, but its very limited – so I’d recommend walking or biking from anywhere in town town.

10. Spot wildlife

One of the best things about Banff in summer is how easy it is to see wildlife. There are moose, elk, deer, grizzly bears, and mountain goats native to the area.

Clark’s nutcracker birds (pictured below) are also native to the rockies.

wildlife in banff in summer

It’s not as easy to spot wildlife in Banff as it is in Jasper, because of the influx of people and cars. But you’d be surprised – some of the animals don’t mind, such as the moose we posed with above.

The best time to see wildlife in Banff is at dawn or dusk, as this is when they’re most active. A hike or canoe ride first thing in the morning is a good way to have a chance to see birds and other wildlife.

11. Visit Yoko National Park, BC

Distance from Banff town centre: 200 km (124 miles)

Yoho National Park in British Columbia is about a 1 hour drive from Banff National Park, but in my opinion- definitely worth the trip! Its name means “wonder and awe” in the native Cree language, and its understandable why they picked this name.

There are waterfalls, dozens of mountain peeks, and a light turquoise, robin-egg coloured water. Emerald Bay (pictured below) is possibly one of the most beautiful places I’d ever seen.

As you can imagine, you could spend anywhere from just a couple hours to days in Yoho National Park.

Although the photos are super pristine, expect many other people – especially in summer. We had to compete with a few tour buses to get the perfect shots, but of course – they’re worth it.

You could go simply go to Yoho National Park to sightsee, like I did the first time (as I was visiting Banff with a toddler and we weren’t up to too much adventure.) But there are a number of things to see and do there too, such as camping and hiking.

I highly recommend seeing Emerald Lake and if possible, Lake O’Hara while you’re there.

Yoho National Park is included in this day tour from Banff (or Calgary) along with Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

12. Walk along the main strip in Banff

Downtown Banff is a tourist attraction in itself. Banff is a town of over 9,000 people with a picturesque main street.

The downtown area is very quaint and walkable. Summer offers the warmest weather, and is a good time to just walk around enjoy the ambiance in downtown Banff, grabbing a bite on some of the outdoor patios overlooking the rockies, and shopping.

Other things to do in the village of Banff:

  • Walk along the Bow River on a paved trail, walking distance from downtown Banff
  • Visit one of the art galleries or museums (more on museums and art galleries below)
  • Check out the Cave & Basin National Historic Sight
  • Shop for the best Canadian souvenirs and gifts. I recommend the Banff Candy Store for a sweet treat, the Banff Trading Post for indigenous souvenirs, and the Rocky Mountain Flannel Company for cozy pajamas
town of Banff
Downtown Banff on a summer evening

13. Go swimming

Swimming seems like an obvious summer activity in Canada, but keep in mind that it doesn’t get as hot up in Banff as it does in other parts of North America in summer.

Banff is situated at 4,537 feet (1,383 meters) above sea level, and is actually the highest town in Canada. So, even in the summer, it doesn’t get super hot which means the lakes are usually quite chilly.

Most of the lakes in Banff are glacier-fed and are still chilly, even in June and July. Their average water temperature usually only reaches a high of 13.5°C (56.3°F) even in the middle of summer.

However, there are a few places in Banff that are popular for swimming in the summer.

Where to swim in Banff:

  • Johnston Lake, within the national park. This lake is not glacier fed, so the water is a bit warmer. It’s a 15 minute drive from downtown Banff. More info here.
  • Cascade Ponds at Lake Minnewanka. There are picnic tables, fire pits, and public bathrooms. Info here.
  • Two Jack Lake. Hike an easy, family-friendly trail to 3.2 km (1.9 miles) which brings you to an incredible swimming area.
  • Sally Borden Fitness Centre (indoor swimming) 6 minute drive from downtown Banff. You’ll need a day pass in order access the pool. See hours here.

14. Soak in a the Banff Hot Springs

Distance from Banff town centre: 5.2 km (3.2 miles)

Banff Upper Hot Springs is the highest hot spring in Canada, and located just a 12 minute drive from downtown Banff. They’re open from 10am to 10pm every day, and are suitable for all ages.

The view from the hot springs of the rockies is beautiful. Keep in mind it is all ages, so don’t be surprised to see kids in the thermal pool. (It might not always be as quiet as you hope, depending on the time of day.)

I would recommend going later in the evening, or early morning if you want the most relaxing visit possible.

You can rent towels and even swimsuits, or bring your own. View the rate information for Banff Upper Springs here.

Pro Tip: The Banff Upper Hot Springs is connected to the Cave & Basin National Historic Site which is also worth a visit. You can buy a Thermal Pass which allows you to visit both (and you don’t have to see them on the same day.) Passes can be bought in person at the Cave & Basin, or the hot springs – they are not sold online.

Cave and Basin National Historic sight in Banff

15. See waterfalls

Banff National Park isn’t exactly know for waterfalls, bu tere are about half a dozen waterfalls in the park.

The most popular ones are the Upper Falls and Lower Falls of the Johnston Canyon.

Johnston Canyon Lower Falls
Lower Falls at Johnston Canyon

In addition to the Johnston Canyon waterfalls, there’s a hand full of other waterfalls in Banff National Park, such as:

  • Bow Falls, accessed from Bow Falls Trail in downtown Banff
  • Cascade Mountain waterfall, located in between Canmore and Banff
  • Weeping Wall and Bridal Veil Falls, accessed the Icefields Parkway

16. Go camping

The other unique thing about summertime in the rockies is that its the only time that you can camp outside.

You can camp in Banff National Park anytime between May and October.

Since Banff is a popular spot in summer, campsites will need to be booked in advance through Parks Canada. Some of the sites are serviced, and others are non-serviced. Since its a national park, camping in Banff is booked on the Parks Canada website here.

Pro Tip: Bring lots of warm clothes if you’re planning to camp in Banff, because it can chilly in Banff in summer – especially in the evenings.

17. Rent a stand up paddle board

Stand up Paddle-boarding (SUP) is a really fun activity in Banff, because it allows you to be so close up to the water, often being able to see down to the bottom of the glacier lakes.

If you haven’t tried SUP, it’s a lot of fun, and very popular in Canada. It takes some balance, but for the most part people (both kids and adults) are able to pick it up the first time they try it.

Of course you don’t have to stand the whole time – you can sit on the paddle-board, as if its a canoe too.

SUP rentals usually cost around $49 in Banff for 1 hour, and can be done in numerous places – Johnston Lake, Bow River, Two Jack Lake. Grab a rental at the Bow Valley SUP & Surf.

Pro Tip: If you want to paddle-board at Moraine Lake (picture above) or Lake Louise, then you can rent from their lodges directly.

18. Go whitewater rafting

If you appreciate an adrenaline rush, then you might want to consider whitewater rafting in Banff.

White water rafting tours are offered on Kicking Horse River, which is in Yoho National Park (1 hour from Banff.)

If you’ve never been whitewater rafting, it is so much fun (and yes, safe.) I did not try it until I was 20 years old, even though it can be a an extreme sport, there are different routes for ability levels.

To participate in any of the whitewater rafting tours in Banff, riders need to be at least 8 years old and weigh 50 lbs (23kg.)

19. Find indoor things to do on a rainy day

The weather in Banff during July and August is usually at its best, but it can rain sometimes. The wettest month is actually June.

The rockies are still beautiful, even with clouds and rain. If you want to make back up plans, or escape the rain, there are still many ‘indoor’ things to do in Banff.

Banff is actually an artsy town, with art galleries such as Canada House Gallery, The Quest Gallery, and All In the Wild Gallery.

I really liked the All in the Wild Gallery; its actually a small photography museum with breathtaking photos of Canadian scenery. You can buy photography, or even calendars, books and other souvenirs. I bought a children’s book for my daughter about the Arctic and Global Warming.

Check out Museums in town:

  • The Banff Park Museum, located in a log building and is the oldest museum in Western Canada.
  • Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, where you can learn a lot of interesting facts about the local indigenous culture as well as geological facts about Banff
  • Buffalo Nations Museum, which introduces you to arts and way of life of indigenous people in the area

20. Check out the Three Sisters

Distance from Banff town centre: 25 km

The Three Sisters are a set of three mountain peaks located in Canmore, just 15 minutes from the town of Banff.

They’re named Big Sister, Middle Sister and Little Sister, and have a legend behind them; about nuns who fled the town leaving

There is a short trail (1 km or 06. miles) that takes you to the Three Sisters Viewpoint. It takes about 15 minutes and is quite popular. Summer is the best time for this trail, because it get be slippery and icy during other seasons.

If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, you can actually hike to the summit of Big Sister (the tallest of the sisters.) The views from the top are incredible.

The other option for getting views of the Three Sisters are just driving around anymore in Canmore. They are quite tall, and you can see them from almost anywhere in town.

Pro Tip: Many people (including us) choose to stay in Canmore rather than in the town of Banff because it’s quite a bit cheaper.

21. Go for a road trip along the Icefields Parkway

Distance from Banff town centre: 200 km +

I can’t communicate just how beautiful the Icefields Parkway drive is; it is likely one of the most beautiful drives on the planet.

We drove the Parkway while coming from Jasper to Banff (here is a 7 day itinerary), but you can of course do the other way around.

A photo I took from the parking lot at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre

The Icefields Parkway starts in Lake Louise, just 1 hour from Banff. If you were to drive from Lake Louise to Jasper, it would take 3 hours without stopping. But of course, you’ll want to leave a lot of time for stops.

If you don’t have a car, you can also book a 1-day tour from Banff to see the key sights on the Icefields Parkway, for ages 12 and over. (I highly recommend it – it’s something you don’t want to miss.)

The places you’ll want to see on the Icefields Parkway are:

  • Peyto Lake Upper Viewpoint (pictured above)
  • Columbia Icefields
  • Mistaya Canyon

We spent at least 2-3 hours enjoying the three stops, taking photos and just admiring the mountain peaks. I would definitely recommend that you devote a whole day to the Icefields Parkway, because the views are absolutely incredible.

22. Try scuba diving

If you’re a PADI-certified scuba diver, then scuba diving in Banff National Park is an exciting thing to do in the summer.

As a certified diver myself, I wouldn’t recommend Banff as the first place to scuba dive in your life, but swimming in glacier fed waters is a fun experience for those who already have enough prior experience.

cold water scuba diving

Keep in mind that the water is COLD, even in summer. You would need a 7mm suit, booties, gloves and full face mask.

There are dive sites at Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake. You will need to rent equipment and get tanks filled at one of the dive shops in Calgary. (The Dive Shop or Aqua Dive & Watersports.)

You can read about the dive sites at each location in Banff on the Parks Canada website here.

Best Places to Stay in Banff in Summer

Here are the best places to stay in Banff during the summer months

  • Budget: Canmore Inn & Suites Just a 15 minute drive from Banff, Canmore Inn & Suites has a swimming pool with waterslide and a restaurant on-site (I stayed here once with kids and we had a good experience.)
  • Mid-Range: Brewster Mountain Lodge Located right downtown Banff within walking distance of attractions, Brewster offers beautiful rooms and a hearty breakfast
  • Luxury:The Fairmont Banff Springs OR Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise These two castles are honeymoon-level luxury and are within walking distance from some of the most famous attractions

Tips for Visiting Banff in the Summer

 Book accommodations and experiences early. I can’t stress this enough. Banff, while beautiful, suffers from over-tourism and it has become very challenging in the last decade

✅ Expect more mild temperatures than what you’d encounter elsewhere in Canada. Temperatures in Banff sit at an average high of 23°C (73.4°F) and a low of 7°C (44.6°F). Always have an extra layer to throw on, incase you’re cold.

 Be sure to bring:

  • layers
  • good hiking boots
  • bug spray or mosquito repellent stickers
  • a swim suit
  • sun screen (you are closer to the sun up in the rockies, so protect your skin)

Tips Banff in Summer By Month

Banff in June

Average temperature: 13°C

June is when many of the summer activities in Banff first become available. The glacier lakes have melted, and flowers are blooming.

One of my trips to Banff was in mid-June, and it was the perfect time to visit. It was almost as warm as July weather, but we probably saved a lot of time being able to come before the week of school in Canada letting out for summer.

banff with toddler in summer
Visiting Banff in late June with my toddler

Banff in July and August

Average temperature: 15°C

July and August are by far, the most popular times to visit Banff.

While I personally prefer visiting during a shoulder season (June or September) July and August are popular for a reason. The weather is at its warmest, and often reaches over 20°C.

Pro Tip: Most restaurants in Banff take reservations. If there’s anywhere you’re particularly keen at eating at (such as the popular Bison Restaurant) then be sure to book tables in advance, as they fill up fast during high season.

Emerald Lake in July

Banff in September

Average temperature: 10°C

September is chillier than other summer months in Banff, so bring lots of layers, and even a scarf or beanie. The first Monday in September is a civic holiday in Canada, so there might be some business closures on that day.

The best thing about Banff in September is that the crowds do start to dwindle a bit, with the Canadian back-to-school season.

Moraine Lake in September (it was a cloudier than usual day, but the view was still amazing)

One of our trips to Banff was in September, and we found it to be a good time to go. Although we almost always had long sleeves, all of the summer attractions were still open and we enjoyed visiting with what was probably less crowds.

Although, don’t get me wrong – Banff is still popular in September, just less so than July and August.

In September, there’s a special Harvest Festival that is usually held the second weekend of September in Banff Central Park. The Banff Harvest Festival features music, food and vendors for the whole weekend in downtown Banff.

Lake Louise on a foggy September day

Banff in Summer FAQ

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about visiting Banff during the summer

Is it worth going to Banff in summer?

Banff is highly worth visiting in the summer, because the days are longer and there’s so many activities you can enjoy between June and September that aren’t available the rest of the year. However, you will need to keep in mind

Is Banff too crowded in July?

Honestly, yes- Banff has become too crowded in July and August. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t go, but a lot of planning ahead is needed. You should also be willing to use the public transportation offered, as parking has become near-impossible at most of the attractions.

Is it better to go to Banff in July or August?

July and August in Banff are about equal in terms of temperature, rain, and the amount of bugs. July and August are both equal in terms of crowds, and they both have long-weekends attached to them (Canada Day weekend, Civic Holiday in August and Labour Day weekend at the beginning of September.)

Final Thoughts on What to do in Banff in the Summer

I hope that this has helped you fill your itinerary with things to do in Banff Alberta in summer. It is one of the most beautiful, photogenic places on earth, and I am certain that you’ll be amazed by the natural beauty of the Canadian rockies.

Banff offers all the typical summer activities that you could think of – camping, hiking, biking, swimming, paddle-boarding and more. Mostly though, people come to Banff just to enjoy the views. They will undoubtedly be among the most breathtaking sceneries that you could see.

You don’t necessarily need to do anything specific in Banff other than simply take in countless beautiful views. I hope this has given you lots of ideas for things to do in Banff between June and September.