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Scenic Drive Around Banff
Half or Full Day
On this scenic drive around Banff you will be visiting many of the attractions in and around this beautiful and cozy mountain town. This tour is a half-day tour (with the option of making it a full-day tour)and provides you with time to take a few pictures and capture the sights and sounds forever in your memory.
Continue on Mount Norquay Road which travels up Mt. Stoney Squaw to a pull-out with amazing panoramic views at the clearing. Enjoy Vermilion Lakes, Mt Rundle, Sulphur Mountain, the Sundance Range and look down upon the townsite of Banff and up into the Spray River Valley! The road continues up to the Ski Norquay parking lot, where you can turn your vehicle around to head back down to the Trans Canada Highway by crossing the overpass and take your first left eastbound. (On the way, you may encounter deer or big horn sheep.)
This is a large dammed lake, home to many native legends about the spirit that lived in these cold deep blue waters. There are picnic areas here as well as a concession stand, which sells snacks and/or light meals.
The backdrop to this lake is stunning, and it is a pretty spot to take a few minutes and enjoy! Back in your car, turn left and continue on the loop road and if you are lucky, you may just see some big horn sheep. Now, on your way back to the townsite, you will pass by Two Jack Lake, a small but eye-catching jewel, worthy of a picture. (You will also see a sign for Johnson Lake. If you would like to go swimming or have a lakeside picnic, you may want to come back to this point another day.)
Stay on Tunnel Mountain Road to the Douglas Fir resort, then turn left onto Tunnel mountain Drive which will lead you to the backside of The Banff Centre. (It is important here to note that Tunnel Mountain Drive up to this point is closed in the winter, so if touring in the winter you would have to remain on Tunnel Mountain Road until it reaches Wolf St. Make a left onto Wolf and take the next right onto St. Julien Road. FollowSt. Julien Road all the way past the Banff Centre and turn right onto Tunnel Mountain Drive to Surprise Corner.)
In case you have time and are interested, you can return to Tunnel Mountain Drive later where there is a trailhead for Tunnel Mountain. With its many switchbacks, this is a nice relaxing hike through a forest of Douglas Fir and Lodgepole Pine. Your reward at the top is an expansive view of the Bow Valley.
From the back of the Banff Centre, continue on Tunnel Mountain Drive which at the sharp curve will eventually turn into Buffalo St. It is here at this curve, known as Surprise Corner, that you can see the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel set in the midst of a green sea of trees. Simply beautiful! You will have a photo that looks like a postcard!
It was here at Bow Falls that Marilyn Monroe frantically tried to regain control of her river raft in the movie "River of No Return" with Robert Mitchum. (Movie buffs may want to walk from the bridge down to the falls at a later time. You will undoubtedly recognize the scenery along the Bow River from the movie!)
Please be very aware of the traffic at Surprise Corner,because of the curve - it can be quite surprising and we don't want you visiting the Mineral Springs Hospital on your vacation! You are now heading back to the town of Banff. This is the end of your half-day tour.
I hope you have enjoyed your scenic drive - wish I could have gone with you! Have to get used to this virtual aspect! If you would like to spend a few more hours discovering what Banff has to offer, come on, let's go! I've got plenty more ideas!
Follow Buffalo St and turn left onto Banff Ave going over the bridge. From here you have, in my opinion, four options - depending on what you and your party are interested in and in the mood for:
1. Directly following the bridge, turn right onto Cave Ave which leads you to the historic Cave and Basin. Here you can find out more about the beginnings of Canada's first National Park - Banff National Park. Go back in time to 1883 when the hot springs were discovered by three young rail workers and retrace their steps on the boardwalks provided. You can also meet one of our tiniest attractions - the Banff Hot Springs SNAIL - (no, not to eat.) in the Basin. View historic pictures of the Bathhouse and visitors who came to take advantage of thehealing waters. From here you can walk the boardwalks in many directions, depending on what interests you. Watch how the hot sulphur waters as they percolate out of the ground.
2. Directly following the bridge, turn left onto Spray Ave and take your next right onto Mountain Ave which leadsto the Upper Hot Springs and the Banff Gondola.
Go back up Bow Falls Drive and turn left onto Spray Ave which will take you to one of Canada's National Historic Sites - The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Originally built in 1888, (and continuously rebuilt, remodeled and added onto, this hotel is really worth visiting, even if you aren't going to be a guest. There are walking tours available and if you are interested in fine dining - you have come to the right place. I personally can recommend the Bow Valley Grill. If you are a guest at the Springs and would like to relax, you may want to visit the Springs' Spa - The Willow Stream.
4. Directly following the bridge, turn left and then make two immediate rights. Go around the building and you will find a parking lot and relax in Cascade Gardens. (Since we are in the mountains, the flowers are usually planted in late spring and taken out in early fall.) What a colourful location for that group photo and quiet setting for a picnic!
From here you can turn onto Spray Ave and follow it up to Bow Falls Drive on your left. (Rundle Ave is on your right.) Turn left onto Bow Falls Drive and take it down to the little parking lot facing the famous falls. Get out and enjoy!
Please stay to the right on this road as it is a two-way loop road which will take you back to where you began. Enjoy thisroad as it truly is a little getaway, away from the hustle-bustle of this mountain town and you have a very good chance of seeing some wildlife from your vehicle. If you get hungry, you can stop in at the Fairmont Banff Springs Clubhouse which is located right in the middle of the 27 hole golf course.
This is now the end of my full-day tour around Banff. I hope you've enjoyed all the beautiful sights and sounds of this little mountain town! Enjoy your evening and see you back here tomorrow for our next adventure!
Norquay Viewpoint
Continue on Mount Norquay Road which travels up Mt. Stoney Squaw to a pull-out with amazing panoramic views at the clearing. Enjoy Vermilion Lakes, Mt Rundle, Sulphur Mountain, the Sundance Range and look down upon the townsite of Banff and up into the Spray River Valley! The road continues up to the Ski Norquay parking lot, where you can turn your vehicle around to head back down to the Trans Canada Highway by crossing the overpass and take your first left eastbound. (On the way, you may encounter deer or big horn sheep.)
Big Horn Ewe with Kid
Marcel Finnigan
This is a large dammed lake, home to many native legends about the spirit that lived in these cold deep blue waters. There are picnic areas here as well as a concession stand, which sells snacks and/or light meals.
The backdrop to this lake is stunning, and it is a pretty spot to take a few minutes and enjoy! Back in your car, turn left and continue on the loop road and if you are lucky, you may just see some big horn sheep. Now, on your way back to the townsite, you will pass by Two Jack Lake, a small but eye-catching jewel, worthy of a picture. (You will also see a sign for Johnson Lake. If you would like to go swimming or have a lakeside picnic, you may want to come back to this point another day.)
Hoodoos & Bow River from Hoodoo Viewpoint, Tunnel Mountain
Marcel Finnigan
Continue on back toward Banff, turn left at the Banff Rocky Mountain Resort and travel up Tunnel Mountain Road. You will soon come upon a viewpoint where you can see the famous Banff Hoodoos. The term Hoodoo is an African word referring to humans who had been turned to stone through witchcraft. At this viewpoint you can admire vertical standing pillars of deposits that have stood the test of time.
View from Surprise Corner
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel & Bow Falls
Marcel Finnigan
Stay on Tunnel Mountain Road to the Douglas Fir resort, then turn left onto Tunnel mountain Drive which will lead you to the backside of The Banff Centre. (It is important here to note that Tunnel Mountain Drive up to this point is closed in the winter, so if touring in the winter you would have to remain on Tunnel Mountain Road until it reaches Wolf St. Make a left onto Wolf and take the next right onto St. Julien Road. FollowSt. Julien Road all the way past the Banff Centre and turn right onto Tunnel Mountain Drive to Surprise Corner.)
In case you have time and are interested, you can return to Tunnel Mountain Drive later where there is a trailhead for Tunnel Mountain. With its many switchbacks, this is a nice relaxing hike through a forest of Douglas Fir and Lodgepole Pine. Your reward at the top is an expansive view of the Bow Valley.
From the back of the Banff Centre, continue on Tunnel Mountain Drive which at the sharp curve will eventually turn into Buffalo St. It is here at this curve, known as Surprise Corner, that you can see the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel set in the midst of a green sea of trees. Simply beautiful! You will have a photo that looks like a postcard!
Bow Falls
It was here at Bow Falls that Marilyn Monroe frantically tried to regain control of her river raft in the movie "River of No Return" with Robert Mitchum. (Movie buffs may want to walk from the bridge down to the falls at a later time. You will undoubtedly recognize the scenery along the Bow River from the movie!)
Please be very aware of the traffic at Surprise Corner,because of the curve - it can be quite surprising and we don't want you visiting the Mineral Springs Hospital on your vacation! You are now heading back to the town of Banff. This is the end of your half-day tour.
I hope you have enjoyed your scenic drive - wish I could have gone with you! Have to get used to this virtual aspect! If you would like to spend a few more hours discovering what Banff has to offer, come on, let's go! I've got plenty more ideas!
Follow Buffalo St and turn left onto Banff Ave going over the bridge. From here you have, in my opinion, four options - depending on what you and your party are interested in and in the mood for:
1. Directly following the bridge, turn right onto Cave Ave which leads you to the historic Cave and Basin. Here you can find out more about the beginnings of Canada's first National Park - Banff National Park. Go back in time to 1883 when the hot springs were discovered by three young rail workers and retrace their steps on the boardwalks provided. You can also meet one of our tiniest attractions - the Banff Hot Springs SNAIL - (no, not to eat.) in the Basin. View historic pictures of the Bathhouse and visitors who came to take advantage of thehealing waters. From here you can walk the boardwalks in many directions, depending on what interests you. Watch how the hot sulphur waters as they percolate out of the ground.
Take a soak up at the
Banff Upper Hot Springs
2. Directly following the bridge, turn left onto Spray Ave and take your next right onto Mountain Ave which leadsto the Upper Hot Springs and the Banff Gondola.
Banff Gondola
Up Sulphur Mountain
Go back up Bow Falls Drive and turn left onto Spray Ave which will take you to one of Canada's National Historic Sites - The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Originally built in 1888, (and continuously rebuilt, remodeled and added onto, this hotel is really worth visiting, even if you aren't going to be a guest. There are walking tours available and if you are interested in fine dining - you have come to the right place. I personally can recommend the Bow Valley Grill. If you are a guest at the Springs and would like to relax, you may want to visit the Springs' Spa - The Willow Stream.
4. Directly following the bridge, turn left and then make two immediate rights. Go around the building and you will find a parking lot and relax in Cascade Gardens. (Since we are in the mountains, the flowers are usually planted in late spring and taken out in early fall.) What a colourful location for that group photo and quiet setting for a picnic!
Marcel Canoeing in the Past at Canada Place
Marcel Finnigan
From here you can turn onto Spray Ave and follow it up to Bow Falls Drive on your left. (Rundle Ave is on your right.) Turn left onto Bow Falls Drive and take it down to the little parking lot facing the famous falls. Get out and enjoy!
Fairmont Banff Springs Clubhouse
Please stay to the right on this road as it is a two-way loop road which will take you back to where you began. Enjoy thisroad as it truly is a little getaway, away from the hustle-bustle of this mountain town and you have a very good chance of seeing some wildlife from your vehicle. If you get hungry, you can stop in at the Fairmont Banff Springs Clubhouse which is located right in the middle of the 27 hole golf course.
This is now the end of my full-day tour around Banff. I hope you've enjoyed all the beautiful sights and sounds of this little mountain town! Enjoy your evening and see you back here tomorrow for our next adventure!
SUMMARY OF SCENIC DRIVE AROUND BANFF
Vermillion Lakes Road
Mt. Stoney Squaw/Norquay Lookout
Lake Minnewanka Loop Road (in the summer)
Two Jack Lake
Tunnel Mountain Road/Hoodoos
Tunnel Mountain Drive to Surprise Corner
Banff Avenue
Cave & BasinOR
Banff Gondola/Banff Upper Hot SpringsOR
Bow Falls/Fairmont Banff Springs HotelOR
Cascade Gardens/Canada Place/Bow Falls/Gold Course Drive (Loop Rd open in the summer)