{"id":2122078,"date":"2022-04-15T20:08:52","date_gmt":"2022-04-15T20:08:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/banffnationalpark.com\/?p=2122078"},"modified":"2022-08-04T20:01:50","modified_gmt":"2022-08-04T20:01:50","slug":"a-first-timers-guide-to-banff-national-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/banffnationalpark.com\/howto\/a-first-timers-guide-to-banff-national-park\/","title":{"rendered":"A First Timers Guide to Banff National Park"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The idea behind this article is to provide some guidance to those of you who have never been to the Canadian Rockies and Banff National Park.  This article will try to head off some of those Canadian myths that are floating around out there and advise you what not to take for granted.  If you come from any type of large urban area take careful notes and be prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Distances<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A lot of people visiting don\u2019t seem to have an idea of how big this area is and the distances they will have to travel to go from place to place, the little chunk of western Canada which forms the <a href=\"https:\/\/banffnationalpark.com\/canadian-rockies\/\">Canadian Rockies<\/a> occupies a land mass approximately the size of England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A common plan is driving up to Jasper for the day along the Icefield Parkway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>EDITORS NOTE<\/strong>: Well during the summer this is possible but all you are going to do is drive. The drive to Jasper is approximately 290 km and takes about 3.5 hours one way with no stopping. Another thing that most people don\u2019t realize is that between Lake Louise and Jasper there is a total of 3 buildings \u2013 and that in the winter 2 of the 3 are closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Driving Time Estimates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>These timings are for Summer driving conditions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Vancouver to Victoria Ferry trip approximately 1.5 hrs one way \u2013 not including wait time for ferry and driving times to\/from ferry terminals<\/li><li>Vancouver to Banff is approximately 900km one way \u2013 or around 10 hours NONSTOP<\/li><li>Banff to Jasper approximately 300 km one way or around 3.5 hours NONSTOP<\/li><li>Banff to Calgary approximately 135 km one way or around 1.5 hours NONSTOP<\/li><li>Jasper to Edmonton approximately 400 km one way or around 4 hours NON STOP<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/banffnationalpark.com\/places-to-stay\/\">Banff Accommodations<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The images most people have of Canada are of classic wilderness scenes and expect that it\u2019s available everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The National Parks here do not have that quintessential log cabin on the lake \u2013 because the towns are inside National Parks (which are protected areas) they are not allowed to be developed outside their boundaries\u2026 nor do we have on-hill condos where you can ski to your door. Do they exist in Canada \u2013 Yes \u2013 just not in places that you have heard of. Fernie, Silverstar, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Do not wait to make reservations<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 JULY and AUGUST months are always booked months ahead \u2013 think about it \u2013 4.5 million people visit Banff every year \u2013 probably close to half of them during those two months \u2013 the hotels, motels, b&amp;b\u2019s, etc, etc can only hold about 60,000 people a night and you will be several hours drive from more accommodations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Costs<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 expect to pay premium dollars to stay in Banff or Lake Louise \u2013 it\u2019s known thru out the world \u2013 it\u2019s a World Heritage Site \u2013 it has limited space \u2013 prices range from $175 Cdn \u2013 $300 Cdn per night for your average hotel room (two beds and a bathroom).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Services<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>New York City this is not! The thing about the Canadian Rockies is that they are almost completely within protected lands \u2013 that means that nothing may be developed within them with the exceptions of the townsite areas which have very small boundaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Gas\/Petrol \u2013&nbsp;<\/strong>You will be able to get gas, propane and diesel in the main townsites (Banff, Canmore, LakeLouise, Jasper, Golden, Invermere , Revelstoke) \u2013 off the TransCanada Highway #1 you will more than likely only find gas, and occassionally diesel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>** Almost all rental cars and rental RV\u2019s use unleaded gas which is found everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Hardware\/Drug Stores<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 ditto but probably closed on Sundays in smaller towns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Grocery Stores<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 open 7 days a week usually till 9:00p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/banffnationalpark.com\/exploring-the-canadian-rockies-by-car\/\">Car Rentals<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Big cities \u2013 Calgary, Kelowna, Vancouver, Edmonton, etc., small car rental agencies in Banff, Canmore and Jasper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shuttle Service to Banff &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/banffairporter.zaui.net\/booking\/web\/#\/2391\/?agentId=291174\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Banff Airporter<\/a> provides shuttle service from Calgary International Airport to Banff. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Towns<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A common misconception is the expectations visitors have of the towns and villages that are in the Rockies \u2013 one thing to note is that most of the buildings in the towns are only three stories high due to development restrictions in National Parks and the average population of a town in the Canadian Rockies is about 5,000 people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Banff<\/strong>&nbsp;is a busy small town with a densely developed core of about three square blocks \u2013 there is a lot of museums, curios shops, clothing stores and restaurants and bars. During the summer months Banff is a wall of people and cars\u2026. A good comparison would be Jackson Hole but smaller and less flashy. Do yourself a favor and think of Banff National Park as what it is \u2013 a huge area of undeveloped landscapes that has 2 little town in it where most of the visitors go. If you leave the towns and go for a walk you will quickly leave behind those scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canmorekananaskis.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Canmore<\/a>&nbsp;<\/strong>&#8211; essentially the bedroom town of Banff \u2013 it\u2019s developing it\u2019s own core of \u2018tourism\u2019 stores and nightlife but is still very quiet at night \u2013 the kind of place that most stores close at 6:00 p.m. Weekends but the Music and Games Festivals are very crowded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.discoverlakelouise.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lake Louise<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 is the Lake, a few hotels with restaurants and a mall with a visitor centre, this is not a big place, but there is a stunning amount of quality restaurants in the immediate area for <em>reasonable<\/em> prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jasper<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 like Banff but with a smaller downtown core \u2013 not as many museums or as many <em>things to see<\/em>. Is a main stop for the VIA Rail (the only \u201cnon-tourism\u201d train stop in the National Parks).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BC Side of the Rockies<\/strong><br>Field \u2013 an original whistle stop for the CPR railway \u2013 this town hasn\u2019t changed too much. A decent deli is in the centre of town or slide out of town towards the stunning takkakaw falls \u2013 there is also a deli in the general store by the campground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Invermere\/Radium<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 the place to go when the weather on the AB side is a little too cold for your liking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Revelstoke<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 nice mix of heritage houses, restaurants, browsing thru antique shops, coffee places etc. Railway Museum, located next to the Columbia River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">RVer\u2019s and those planning on renting campers\/motorhomes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Learn how to use all the basic items\/systems BEFORE you leave<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 TAKE NOTES \u2013 but don\u2019t be afraid to ask your neighbours for help \u2013 RVers are a friendly bunch \u2013 and Banff\/Jasper is on the main full time RVer\u2019s route to Alaska \u2013 and they are very knowledgable people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Out of all the campgrounds available there are a total of 4 (four) campgrounds with full hookup services (water, power, sewer) in the entire Mountain National Parks (Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay \u2013 that\u2019s about 20,000 square kilometers\/8,000 square miles)\u2026. and no we\u2019re not kidding \u2013 the rest of the campgrounds are dry camping sites \u2013 usually with a central provisioning point for water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You MAY NOT camp along the roadside<\/strong>\u2026. not only do the national parks not allow it but there simply is no room. Boondocking is tough since there is almost no side roads throughout the National Parks \u2013 you\u2019ll have better luck just outside the National Parks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>NOTE<\/strong>: National Parks require a park visitor permit PLUS your camping fee at the campground. Provincial Parks only require a camping fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/banffnationalpark.com\/things-to-do\/\">Things to Do in Banff<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ever notice how you fumble around looking for <em>stuff to do<\/em> on holidays when our work and chore routines are gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of the ACTIVITIES here tend to involve being outdoors and having access to a car, by this we mean the mountain areas are a very outdoor pursuits oriented area \u2013 there are a few museums and galleries to poke around in, a few movie theatres (Banff, Jasper, Golden, Revelstoke ) but the majority of stuff to do involves some sort of physical activity or driving or walking somewhere to look at something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sightseeing<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 Big, bold mountains \u2013 towering waterfalls \u2013 There are so many picturesque scenes in this part of the world you may actually start to grow bored.<br><strong><br>Activities<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/banffnationalpark.com\/banff-activities\/fishing-in-banff-national-park-canadian-rockies\/\">Flyfishing<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/banffnationalpark.com\/white-water-rafting-banff\/\">Rafting<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/banffnationalpark.com\/banff-activities\/hiking\/\">Hiking<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/banffnationalpark.com\/banff-activities\/biking\/\">Biking<\/a> \u2013 they all exist \u2013 just like back home but click here to go to the unique places that exist here to do them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Weather and Driving<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We get a lot of questions regarding winter and winter driving conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/banffnationalpark.com\/visitors-information\/weather-banff-national-park\/\">Click here to go to the weather overview and current conditions.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Winter Driving Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Winter conditions start in earnest during the month of December \u2013 the odd freak storm may occur earlier \u2013 but this is the month when snow stays until spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Typically most driving problems are related to visibility on the highways due to either blowing snow or windshields being covered with slush by passing vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the towns problems relate to traction \u2013 usually at intersections and curves where ice can build up \u2013 and this is very slippery ice, slow speeds are required when approaching intersections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All rental cars come with all-season radial tires \u2013 and are recommended and in some cases required to travel on high mountain passes such as Rogers Pass or the Icefields Parkway \u2013 basically anything north or west of Lake Louise. Chains are not required for passenger vehicles. And remember \u2013 4\u00d74 only means it\u2019s easier to go forward \u2013 if conditions are so bad you have to use 4\u00d74 mode you should be going much, much slower\u2026 you can still spinout, slide, etc with a 4\u00d74 just as you can with a regular car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Road conditions are monitored and patrolled daily by both the Parks Service and the R.C.M.P. Snow plows maintain the highways year round and road reports are broadcast on local radio stations and are available at any Parks Information Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Good Winter Driving Conditions<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 roads are bare and dry; visibility is good \u2013 you should have no problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fair Winter Driving Conditions<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 roads are snow packed (you\u2019re driving on snow not pavement) or slush covered with some slippery sections (hitting slush causes vehicle to pull to one side dramatically); visibility is reduced due to blowing snow as well as spray from passing transport trucks. These are the average conditions of mountain roads \u2013 by paying attention and slowing down you can safely reach your destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Poor Winter Driving Conditions<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 just stay where you are and wait for a few hours. Typically these are storm conditions and the road may actually close behind you. Roads slush covered or snow drifts forming on roadway; traction loss on hills; limited visibility due to blowing snow.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The idea behind this article is to provide some guidance to those of you who have never been to the Canadian Rockies and Banff National Park.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":2122079,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2122078","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-howto"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>A First Timers Guide to Banff National Park - Banff National Park<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The idea behind this article is to provide some guidance to those of you who have never been to the Canadian Rockies and Banff National Park.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/banffnationalpark.com\/howto\/a-first-timers-guide-to-banff-national-park\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A First Timers Guide to Banff National Park - 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