Banff · NATIONAL PARKS
19 reviewed
Good national park tours fill up fast in a national park, and the best fill first. Here are the 15 standouts, each with what it costs and what sets it apart, so you can lock one in before the calendar does.
Jasper National Park’s Maligne Lake guided cruise to Spirit Island: glacier views, wildlife chances, and expert stories. From $84.
“Extremely informative. Most gorgeous view of Hall of the Gods that you’ll only get if you do the tour or canoe for 2 days but the kids enjoyed and we learned a ton. Guide was super funny and very knowledgeable. Perfect conditions. We were lucky.”
Small-group afternoon or morning tour to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake with great viewpoints, easy transport, and just enough time for photos.
“A wonderful tour covering Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and parts of Banff National Park. Our brilliant tour guide, Jake, made this more of an adventure. Part historian, part outdoorsman, great comic relief and self proclaimed best looking tour guide in the Canadian Rockies, Jake really made this a day to remember. He shared so much history about the area and this great wilderness we all enjoyed. We were lucky enough to see a mother Grizzly Bear and her cubs eating berries on the side of the road to Moraine Lake. This 4 .5 hour tour is a perfect length. Sign up for the early tour to beat a lot of…”
Jasper National Park wildlife watch with pickup, a small group, and a 3-hour coach search for bears, elk, eagles, and more.
“Tour was excellent, Sam (Canadian)went above and beyond to make sure we saw as much wildlife as possible. We saw a bald eagle, a moose, elk and a grizzly bear. Amazing tour”
1-hour horseback ride along Banff’s Bow River with helmet and instruction, gentle horses, and Rocky Mountain views near Cave & Basin.
“Our guide was very helpful and gave us lots of information about Banff and the horses. It was a beautiful ride. My daughter and I really enjoyed ourselves.”
A 6-hour Jasper Rockies tour to Medicine Lake, Maligne Lake, and Spirit Island with hotel pickup, great guides, and easy nature time.
“Super friendly and engaging staff! We would do this excursion again if we came back to the Jasper area!”
Ride a calm horse past Bow Falls and Fairmont Banff Springs, then splash through the Spray River on a guided 1-hour trail for $83.
“The guides and tour were great. My kids loved the whole thing and can’t wait to do it again.”
Jasper’s Athabasca River grade 2 rafting for beginners: wetsuits, a licensed guide, 360 views, and optional glacial-water dips.
“Had an amazing ride with our guide Andre. Exciting, friendly staff, well organized. We would definitely do it again!”
Guided big canoe paddle on Banff’s Bow River from Banff Canoe Club. Easy for beginners, wildlife spotting, and native history.
“Great guide Mardi who gave us an informative talk about the river , animals and all the sites around the river - loads of fun”
Two-hour Class 2 Athabasca River rafting in Jasper National Park with round-trip transport, life jackets, wildlife spotting, and fun guides for $65.
“Great activity at about 1 hr on the boat. Skilled oarsmen and a great experience to see nature from a different perspective.”
Canoe Banff National Park on the Bow River in 90 minutes. Easy paddle, Rockies views, wildlife spotting, and lemonade included.
“Amazing experience and lovely, friendly, very helpful group of young people. 100% recommend”
Small-group Banff hike with poles, pickup, and packed picnic lunch on Stanley Glacier, Larch Valley, Consolation Lakes, or Six Glaciers.
“Personable tour guide. Felt safety and comfort were addressed. Unfortunately did not find any of the fossils.”
12-hour Banff and Jasper day trip with transport to Peyto Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, and the Columbia Icefield, plus optional Skywalk.
“Fantastic itinerary. Our guides Param and Anna, managed the show really well. They took us to all the places on time and ensured a memorable experience. Everyone on the tour enjoyed the experience. Thank you once again to those two for making it happen.”
Float the Bow River in a big canoe inside Banff National Park. Friendly guides, no experience needed, and 90-minute tours from $69.85.
“Alec was a great guide! It was beautiful trip! So centrally located! Absolutely doable for all fitness levels!”
Jasper National Park family rafting on the Athabasca River. 5 sets of beginner class-2 rapids, gear, transfers, and 2 hours of fun.
“This rafting adventure was really fun and our guide Kayne was knowledgeable and humorous, definitely worth the cost!”
2-hour Sundance Loop horseback ride in Banff: Bow River calm, Sulphur Mountain climb, Cave and Basin sights, and Windy Knoll photos.
“Fabulous friendly staff from start to finish. Really helpful and fun. Would highly recommend”
