Last September I had the wonderful opportunity to go to Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada with two of my most fun girlfriends, Stephanie and Heather.
Banff is a breathtaking mountain town in Alberta, just a few hours away from Calgary. The spectacular mountain views of the Canadian Rockies are unparalleled.
We went the last two weeks of September and I think it was the perfect time to go! The weather was still nice and the leaves on the trees were changing colors. So beautiful!
Below are some of the amazing things to see and do in Banff. I took some of the most beautiful pictures I have ever taken in my life during these incredible two weeks.
Two Jack Lake
Sunrise at Two Jack Lake with a view of Mt. Rundle is an unforgettable experience. The mountain turns pink as the sun rises and the vibrant colors reflect off the water.
Nearby is Lake Minnewanka with vibrant turquoise water and incredible mountain views.
There are hiking trails and picnic areas here — it’s the perfect spot to spend a morning or afternoon.
Vermillion Lakes
One of the most amazing sunrises I have ever seen was at Vermillion Lakes.
The colors just kept getting better and better.
Seriously!! Could not believe this was even real.
Sunrise in Banff at the end of September isn’t until around 7:30 am, so you don’t have to get up too early either for views like these.
Vermillion Lakes is gorgeous during the day as well.
You could definitely spend a few hours here.
You can drive here, and there are several spots where you can pull over for views.
So beautiful!
Three Sisters
The Three Sisters are a trio of peaks in the neighboring town of Canmore.
Keep an eye out for them if you are driving from Calgary to Banff!
It is such a beautiful drive.
Their reflection in the Bow River is amazing.
Take a Scenic Drive
Speaking of driving, you’ll definitely need a car in Banff to get around. But there are tons of scenic drives you can take. This is a view of the Hoodoos from Tunnel Mountain Road.
You might even see some wildlife!
Another great option is the Mount Norquay Scenic Drive.
Here you can get a 360 degree panoramic view of Banff.
And Vermillion Lakes!
At the top of Mount Norquay Scenic Drive is the Mount Norquay Chairlift.
You can take this to the top for an even higher view of Banff.
Banff Gondola
The view from the Banff Gondola might have been one of my favorite views of Banff! Be sure to go early in the morning as it gets crowded later in the day.
There’s lots of hiking up here with sweeping mountain views to keep you entertained as long as you want to stay.
That’s our hotel way down there!! More on that in the next post! :)
For more ideas and resources to help you plan the perfect trip to Banff, be sure to visit these sites below:
Travel Alberta
Banff & Lake Louise Tourism
Fairmont Banff Springs
Your pictures are amazing! What camera did you use to take them?
Loved this – thank you! The pictures are wonderful and reflect the beauty there.
I have been reading your posts for a few years and I especially love your travel posts. Just one little complain….well, not really a complaint but an observation. I don’t like the filters that you use on your photos. The colors do not look right. Scotland looks the same as Paris. I know this is yoir perogative as the photographer. I love your photos and you are obviously talented. Just my two cents ?
Oh my gosh, your pictures are amazing!!! They should be on a calendar or postcard!!
I’ve been reading your blog for the past few years and have enjoyed these types of posts, especially with the wonderful photos that give a sense of what the places are actually like to visit. However, there are so many ads that pop up over the photos now that it’s distracting and annoying to the point that I’m heavily leaning towards no longer reading your blog unless the way the ads occur changes (I can’t even read it on my phone anymore due to this). Would you consider displaying ads differently, please, so the focus is on your wonderful photos and content?
Gorgeous photos! Sell them to a jigsaw puzzle company so I can put them together.
I LOVE your travel posts! Seeing your photos of Banff make me proud to be Canadian! And…by the way, this y ar is Canada’s 150th Birthday, in Celebration, National Parks have “no admission” fees all year!
Also loved your recent psots about Viking River tours! We leave April 28, Budapest to Nuremberg!
How do you get your photos so vibrant, always stunning!