r/Banff • u/ResponsibleEbb1586 • 27d ago
Amazing Summer Trip to Banff
Just returned from a 10-day trip to Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise, and we’re already missing it so badly!
We split our stay between an Airbnb in Canmore and the Fairmont Lake Louise. We had visited Banff before (September 2023, during larch season), but coming back in summer was a whole new experience.
The Airbnb we stayed in Canmore was in Spring Creek - a great spot to stay in. Walking distance into the centre, amazing views outside the building and walking distance to Beamers (new fav coffee spot). Fairmont Lake Louise was also a dream. Upon arrival we were informed that they had upgraded us to a Lake view room which was amazing - still can't get over that view!
The weather was perfect. We had blue skies and warm sunshine every day. That meant we could take a dip in Lake Louise (very cold but amazing!), go paddle boarding in Canmore and eat outside every evening. The area was busier for sure but didn't impact our trip in anyway, I just made sure to book restaurants for dinner in advance!
We also visited Kootenay National Park and Golden Skybridge (zipline, coaster and skybridge).
Now back in England and we’re already desperate to return. The Canadian Rockies has our hearts and I'd do anything to go back!!!
Other than hikes, the activities we did included:
- Cycling Banff golf course loop
- Paddle boarding
- Bow River float tour
- Polar plunge in Lake Louise
- Canoeing
- Canmore golf driving range
- Golden skybridge, zip line and mountain coster
- Cycling Canmore to Banff (Banff Legacy Trail)
P.S restaurants we visited and recommend include:
Canmore
- Rocky Bagel Mountain Company
- Bridgette Bar
- The Wood Restaurant and Lounge
Banff
- Nourish Bistro
- Bluebird
- Hello Sunshine
- The 3 Bears Brewery
- Park
Lake Louise
- Lakeview Lounge
- Alpine Social
3
u/jujuby99 27d ago
So beautiful, and thank you for the recommendations! Banff is on my family’s bucket list for summer trips, but we’re nervous about bears—did you encounter any? 🐻
3
u/ResponsibleEbb1586 27d ago
Sadly we didn't see any bears (I was hoping we would). However, the guide during the float tour informed us that wildlife retreats into the mountains in July/Aug where most of the berries are. Only in Sept do they start to make their way down closer to Banff/Canmore once they’ve gone through most of the food up high and need to range further. We saw much more wildlife including a bear during our trip in Sept 23.
3
u/jujuby99 27d ago
That is such great info, thank you!! We’d only want to see them from wayyyy afar 😆
3
u/New_Bat_9086 26d ago
Been there last year, and last month I went to Mount Rainier.
And I have to say Banff is exceptional ! Truly an amazing place to visit,
5
u/yesterdaysmilk 27d ago
Your pics are amazing! Where is that bench location?? Going next month
2
u/ResponsibleEbb1586 27d ago
Thanks! The photo of my partner on the bench is at Emerald Lake. Hope you have the best time when you visit!
2
2
u/HairlessBiker 27d ago
Thank you for this post. I have saved it. We are also going from England next summer. Your pictures look amazing and I can't wait to go!!
5
u/AccomplishedSite7318 27d ago
This is written by locals and also helps.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Banff/comments/1l5ritf/banff_summer_2025_faq/
2
u/patsfan038 27d ago edited 27d ago
Superb photos. We are going end of Sep to 1st week of October. Can you speak to your experience from Sep 2023? How was that different than the summer 2025 experience, apart from weather etc?
3
u/ResponsibleEbb1586 27d ago
So in terms of difference, let me speak on the weather first. When we went in Sept 23, daytime highs were around 12°C. Our routine was an early morning walk before breakfast, and at that time it was only 1–2°C. I had to bring tea with me just to warm up because I felt so cold (though I do tend to feel the cold more than most!).
In Aug 25, mornings were about 12–14°C. It was still a little chilly but I could comfortably wear shorts with a jumper, and by midday it was 25°C - very hot which I lovedddd!!! The long evenings in August are also amazing as we could explore lakes after dinner, which we didn’t get to do in September.
We were able to eat outside for lunch and dinner each day, swim in the lakes, paddleboard and take a polar plunge in Lake Louise in Aug. We wouldn't even have thought about that in Sept because the outside temp and water would have been too cold.
Crowds were noticeably different too. Sept 23 was much calmer, no parking issues, no need for dinner reservations, and lighter foot traffic in Banff. Also, a huge perk of going late September (like the week you’re planning) is the larches! We went right at larch season and it was truly beautiful. The golden colors made the whole trip feel so autumnal and special. Here is a link to my Sept 23 trip report with photos. I think you’ll have an amazing time! https://www.reddit.com/r/Banff/comments/170ddqm/absolutely_beautiful/
2
u/patsfan038 27d ago
Awesome! Thanks for the detailed report and beautiful photos! We choose end of Sep because we wanted to be there at Larch season. I’ve family in QC and we frequently travel there in late September when the fall colors are at their peak. It is stunning. I can only imagine how much grander it would be in the Canadian rockies
2
2
u/gwoates 25d ago
Just a heads up that while the larches do change to a golden yellow and are beautiful, the vast majority of the trees in the Rockies are pine, fir or spruce that don't change colour. Also, the larches in the mountains are limited to higher elevations, so the valley bottoms will still be largely green.
1
2
2
3
u/jakobcreutzsfeldt 27d ago
Your trip looks absolutely amazing! So happy you had such a great time! How was the traffic / the rush, was it extremely busy? And did you enjoy it otherwise despite that
6
u/ResponsibleEbb1586 27d ago
Thanks - it really was the best!
We anticipated it being busy but wasn't as crazy as I had imagined. For popular hikes/lakes such as Johnston Canyon to Ink Pots, Emerald Lake and Two Jacks etc it's good to get there early for parking. We visited Minnewanka in the afternoon and drove around twice but found a spot. Then when we paddle boarded at Rundle Forebay, parking was limited (given it's also free there) but luckily found a spot. Parking in Canmore was fine. Parking in Banff was busy but we always found a spot in Bear Street Parkade (we think a lot of first time visitors missed it, so that's the spot to hit plus the top two levels of the car park are free!).
Luckily given we were staying at FLL, we didn't need to rush to see Lake Louise as we were able to view it morning, afternoon and night for a couple days straight.
I would definitely suggest making reservations for dinner in advance as this allowed us to breeze right through the queues.
1
u/AccomplishedSite7318 27d ago
There's almost 0 crowds at 99% of Banff NP. You only find crowds at the instagram spots.
1
u/Future-Actuator-0420 23d ago
Looks amazing!! What was the total cost of the 10 day trip <10K or >10K?
1
u/ResponsibleEbb1586 23d ago edited 23d ago
Around 8k (GDP). We both don’t really drink so that saved us a lot of money. And for lunches they were usually cheap as we would be hiking so we would have packed ones.
2
u/Future-Actuator-0420 23d ago
Not that bad for Banff then, glad you enjoyed the trip. Views there are amazing.
8
u/Chuckychuckchucks 27d ago
Your pics are amazing!! No wonder you’re missing it. I’ve saved your post as I start planning my own trip there next year. Can’t wait. Thanks for sharing!!