Banff National Park

Banff National Park is a protected area in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, covering roughly 6,641 square kilometers and including glaciers, mountain peaks, and alpine lakes such as Louise and Moraine. The terrain ranges across different elevations, with valleys, conifer forests, and snow-capped ridges connected by a network of hiking trails and roadways.

The area became Rocky Mountains Park in 1885 after railway workers found hot springs at Sulphur Mountain. This establishment made it the first national park in Canada and the third in the world, marking the beginning of organized conservation efforts in the country.

Visitors walk trails that Indigenous peoples once followed for hunting and seasonal gathering, leaving behind a network of routes still visible today. Several First Nations maintain connections to these mountains through ceremonies and traditional practices, some of which become accessible to the public during summer events.

Three visitor centers offer guidance on trails, lodging options, and safety rules, with a valid pass required for every entry into the reserve. Winter closes some roads and renders many paths inaccessible, while summer opens all elevations and provides longer daylight hours for exploration.

Thermal springs within the reserve reach temperatures around 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit), forming the only natural hot mineral springs in the Canadian Rockies. These springs attract bathers year-round and remain steaming and ice-free even in the depths of winter.