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Looking for a more immersive experience on your upcoming trip to Banff? How about a way to learn about the area and see the best sights on a convenient day trip?
I don’t blame you! While I love exploring independently, there is something so helpful about guided tours. We actually did a ton of tours while living in the Banff area, which helped us find hidden gems and taught us all the tips and tricks local guides know.
So we decided to compile our experiences and pick out our favorite tours in Banff, all of which were well worth our time and money. So, keep reading to find out which tours we loved the most and why!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Banff Tour
Our favorite tour in Banff is this full-day glacier tour! Why? Well, without a tour, you are not allowed to walk on the glacier at all, so this is one of those situations where a tour is necessary. Plus, viewing a glacier up close is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
On this tour, we explored the Icefields Parkway near Banff and reached Athabasca Glacier (where we actually went onto the glacier) and then visited the Skywalk where we got to marvel at the incredible glacier landscapes high up in the air on the glass floor walkway.
This was an experience we won’t soon forget, making the price tag of $338 CAD so worth it (check out all of the 5-star reviews here)! The price includes roundtrip transportation from Banff, a picnic lunch, the Ice Explorer Tour, the Skywalk, and your professional guide.
You can check available dates and book our favorite tour online here!
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Banff Tour
- The Best Banff Tours
- 1. Banff and Yoho National Park Tour (Including Emerald Lake!)
- 2. Icefields Parkway & Athabasca Glacier Tour
- 3. Half-Day Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Tour
- 4. Banff Whitewater Rafting Tour
- 5. 1-Hour Horseback Riding Tour
- 6. Bow River Canoe Tour
- 7. Full-Day Grizzly Bears & Wildlife Tour
- 8. Lake Minnewanka Cruise
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
The Best Banff Tours
1. Banff and Yoho National Park Tour (Including Emerald Lake!)
In addition to the stunningly beautiful Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, this full-day tour visits Yoho National Park and Emerald Lake! This area holds some of our favorite attractions in the Rockies and hits areas that were on my bucket list (until I took that tour, that is!).
Emerald Lake is famed for its brilliant green hue, which is at its most vibrant during the summer months. That’s when the glacier melt deposits a fine, ground rock into the lake which causes the water to reflect the bright green hue of the surrounding vegetation.
After visiting the gorgeous (but busy!) Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, we loved visiting Yoho National Park because it’s way less crowded than Banff National Park, as fewer tourists tend to visit. Although, I’m not sure why – it’s just as beautiful! This tour took us off the beaten path and let us explore some of the quieter areas to enjoy the views in peace, which we always really appreciate.
We think that this tour is a great option for nature lovers and anyone interested in seeing some of Banff’s highlights as well as lesser-known (but still gorgeous) parts of the Canadian Rockies.
The tour departs from a designated meeting point, rather than offering hotel pickup, and there’s a maximum group size of 50 travelers. So while it’s a bigger group, we didn’t feel like it was overwhelmingly big – Yoho National Park is great to spread out in! It includes your national park fees and transportation for $160 CAD per person.
Check the dates available and reserve your spot here before it sells out!
2. Icefields Parkway & Athabasca Glacier Tour
Walking on the Athabasca Glacier is one of the most incredible experiences we’ve had, not just in Banff but anywhere in the world! It’s truly a must-do while you’re here. Plus, you can do this during summer in Banff, so it’s a fun way to cool off!
We joined this super popular glacier tour, which took us along the gorgeous Icefields Parkway. Once we got to the Columbia Icefield, we boarded the huge Ice Explorer vehicle, which has been modified to safely drive on the glacier – so up we went! We drove right to the top of the Athabasca Glacier where we got out to gawk at its size, walk on the ancient ice, and even drink fresh water from its streams!
It’s honestly a surreal experience that you can only have in very few parts of the world, so we highly recommend taking advantage of your proximity to the glacier while you’re in Banff! This tour was easily one of our favorite experiences in the Canadian Rockies and ranks high on our list of the best tours to see the Icefields Parkway.
After exploring the glacier, we also got to walk along the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, which is a walkway that gives you incredible views of the Columbia Icefield and its many glaciers. The walkway itself is suspended 280 meters (918 feet) above the Sunwapta Valley and the views are just incredible!
We also got a mountain picnic lunch and the tour stopped at the Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Lake so we could take in the views there, too.
The pickup and drop-off point for this tour is the Mount Royal Hotel in downtown Banff, and it’s a small group experience with a maximum of 24 participants, so it doesn’t feel overcrowded. It costs $338 CAD per person, so while it isn’t cheap, we really do think it’s worth paying a bit extra to have this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You can book this 5-star Banff tour in advance here!
Related Read: For more options to get here, check out our complete guide on getting to the Columbia Icefield from Banff!
3. Half-Day Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Tour
Lake Louise is one of our favorite lakes in all of Canada, and we actually got engaged at Moraine Lake so obviously, it’s a very special place for us. This Banff tour takes you to both lakes with a small group of 24 travelers (or less) and offers half a day of stunning views, wildlife sightings, and some delicious maple cookies!
This tour is a great way to see a little bit of everything, such as forests, meadows, wildlife, and the two most iconic lakes in Banff of course! It’s not an overly long tour so it isn’t exhausting by the end, but I felt like we had the perfect amount of time at each lake.
Visiting these lakes on an organized tour from Banff is handy as parking is difficult at Lake Louise and no longer allowed at Moraine Lake. A tour is one of the easiest ways to get to Moraine Lake! Trust me when I tell you, this is the best option if you’re looking for a stress-free visit to the lakes (I know from personal experience!).
This tour starts at $113 CAD per person and has multiple departure times throughout the day. I recommend going on the earliest tour possible, or else you’ll run into a lot of people later in the day. It operates from June to mid-October, as Moraine Lake is closed during the winter due to avalanche risk.
Overall, we loved our experience on this tour and think it’s perfect for anyone who wants to experience two of Banff’s most iconic lakes – if you don’t believe us, just check out the hundreds of 5-star reviews here! I especially recommend it if this is your first visit, as it takes the hassle out of visiting and we learned so much from our guide.
Reserve your spot on this top-rated tour here, so you don’t miss out!
Related Read: If you do want to visit either of these lakes on your own, read up on our parking guide for Lake Louise and parking alternatives at Moraine Lake first!
4. Banff Whitewater Rafting Tour
We are HUGE fans of whitewater rafting and we had the best time on this rafting tour in Banff!
The Kananaskis River is one of the most beautiful rivers in Canada, and this tour took us on Class 1-3 rapids. It was a great way to soak up the gorgeous scenery while simultaneously enjoying an adrenaline-pumping adventure.
We had a small group of 9 (the tour’s max) and also our experienced guide, who not only made us feel safe but was also cracking jokes the whole time! It’s definitely a really exciting activity, but it’s also not very dangerous and participants over the age of 5 are welcome, so you could even take part as a family.
We started in the most challenging part of the river, so we got to experience the best part of the tour right away, and then the difficulty gradually decreased as we moved downstream. At the end, there’s even a chance to go swimming in the calmest part of the river although be warned, the water is very cold!
One of the best things about this tour – besides the awesome adrenaline rush you get – is how enthusiastic the guides are and how much they know about the area. So it’s not just an exciting adventure, but you’ll also have a chance to learn more about the Kananaskis River and the surrounding natural landscape.
The tour provided all of the necessary equipment and the guide, as well as photos of the experience! We loved laughing at the pictures at the end, it made for a great souvenir for our trip. Just note that it doesn’t include hotel pick-up or drop-off so you’ll have to get to the meeting point on your own. This tour is $140 CAD for a 4-hour experience, which leaves time for other epic (or relaxing) activities in the day!
I can’t recommend this experience enough – check out the raving reviews and book your tour here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
5. 1-Hour Horseback Riding Tour
We love hiking, but sometimes it’s nice to change up the pace! Horseback riding is a great alternative, as you still get to be out in the open air and enjoy the stunning views and landscapes, but you can do it in comfort on the back of a horse while still getting a bit of an adrenaline fix.
This one-hour Spray River ride is perfect for beginners like us, as we could still have a fun experience without committing to a half or full-day tour. We traveled in a small group with a maximum of 12 participants, and the guides were super patient and made us all feel very safe.
We wove through forest landscapes to the beautiful Bow Falls, which had incredible views for nearly the entire ride. The most exciting part was leading our horses across the Spray River – I am shocked at how strong they are! All the while, our guides pointed out important mountain peaks and taught us about the history of the landscape – it was such a unique experience!
Kids over the age of 8 are welcome on this tour, but they’ll need to ride their own horse rather than share with an adult. There’s also a maximum weight limit of 230 lbs (104 kg), and participants under the age of 18 need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
It’s a great way to get up close and personal with nature without having to do too much strenuous exercise, and the tour company has been around since the 1960s, so they’ll give you a real insight into cowboy culture in the Rockies. This tour runs from May to early October and prices start at $107 CAD per person.
Book this tour with flexible payment and cancellation options here.
6. Bow River Canoe Tour
The Bow River is a beautiful turquoise river that runs through Banff, carving its way past the stunning Rocky Mountains. We absolutely love canoeing, so this 1.5-hour guided tour is an awesome way to enjoy a sightseeing adventure on the water.
This tour was a unique way to get pretty deep in the park without having to go on an hours-long hike. Don’t get me wrong, we love hiking in Banff, but sometimes it’s just nice to take an easier option, right?
The trails and viewpoints along the Bow River can also get very busy during the summer months, so we found that canoeing was an amazing way to beat the crowds and spend a tranquil couple of hours exploring. Plus, the guide is responsible for the steering so we didn’t need to worry about crashing into the river banks or getting tangled up in the foliage – hooray!
Canoeing is one of our favorite ways to explore a new place, and this tour is perfect for adventurous souls who want to see Banff’s beautiful Bow River and all of its glorious wildlife from a different perspective.
The tour starts and ends at the Banff Canoe Club, and the experience takes around 1.5 hours in total, with several departures throughout the day. It only costs $76 CAD per person and there’s a maximum of 24 travelers, so you cultivate a real sense of teamwork as you get going along the river!
If you’re looking for an adventure while in Banff, book this tour here!
7. Full-Day Grizzly Bears & Wildlife Tour
Have you ever wanted to spot a grizzly bear? Me too – but from a safe distance of course! This grizzly bear tour actually makes seeing this iconic animal a reality by visiting the quaint town of Golden, BC. Here, you’ll find a grizzly bear sanctuary where you can meet Boo, an orphaned bear who was rescued by the sanctuary as a baby.
Even though Boo is a giant grizzly, he is as cute as he sounds!
There’s a lot more to this experience though. We got to ride the Kicking Horse gondola up the mountainside to enjoy lunch at Canada’s highest restaurant. Of course, we had some poutine (a Canadian classic!) but the views were the truly memorable part. We rate the views from here as some of the best we’ve ever seen in Canada!
Afterward, we visited the Spiral Tunnels viewpoint, a popular spot where two railway tunnels circle around each other. We finished it off by visiting Yoho National Park, where we got to see the magnificent Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls – the 2nd largest waterfall in Canada!
The tour lasts about 10 hours in total, so it’s a long day, but it’s a great way to experience the highlights of Golden and Yoho National Park. We think it’s perfect for anyone who wants to see the beauty and amazing wildlife of the Canadian Rockies but without a lot of hiking or strenuous activity.
It costs $312 CAD in total, which includes your gondola ride up to Kicking Horse mountain top, lunch at Eagle’s Eye, admission and a chairlift ride to the Bear Refuge, and return transport from Banff. So although it’s one of the more expensive tours on this list, there’s a lot included in the price. We think it’s a pretty great deal for the amazing experience it provides – just check out all of the glowing reviews here!
8. Lake Minnewanka Cruise
Lake Minnewanka is the biggest lake in Banff National Park and we had so much fun cruising across it like a VIP on this hour-long tour. Not only did we get incredible views of the Rocky Mountains, but we also got to see eagles and coyotes while learning about its important Indigenous history.
Dan and I have taken this cruise and the incredible views and time on the water were well worth it. I mean, really, does anything say “vacation” more than this?
Prices start at $70 CAD per person and we think that it’s by far the best way to explore Lake Minnewanka. It lasts for around an hour and is located close to Banff Town, about a 10-minute drive away. We also love that there are multiple departure times throughout the day, making it easy to fit into your busy Banff schedule.
It’s a very family-friendly excursion and a must for nature lovers, but it’s suitable for pretty much anyone who wants to spend an hour or so on a gorgeous boat ride!
Book your ticket here today to enjoy the same cruise we took!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Hopefully, this guide to all the best tours in Banff has helped you pick out a few tours for your trip! No matter what season you’re visiting, there’s a tour that makes a fantastic addition to any Banff itinerary. This list compiles all the ones that stood out for us. Leave us a comment below on which tour was your favorite!
If you’re up for more exploring, take a look at our other blogs about traveling in Canada. We have tons of activities, destination guides, dining recommendations, road trip ideas, and more. We’re like your personal guides to planning an amazing trip in Canada!
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