12 of the Best Banff Tours

If you’re looking for the best Banff tours to enjoy on your next trip to the Canadian Rockies, you’ve come to the right place!

Nestled in the heart of the breathtaking Canadian Rockies, Banff is a haven for adventure seekers, nature lovers, and anyone with a penchant for the extraordinary. As you zip up your jacket and breathe in the crisp mountain air, you’ll quickly discover that Banff isn’t just a destination; it’s a symphony of stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and awe-inspiring experiences waiting to be explored. From glacier-fed turquoise lakes to towering snow-capped peaks, the best Banff tours promise not just sightseeing, but a journey into the soul-stirring beauty that defines this iconic national park.

So, whether you’re looking to admire turquoise-coloured lakes, admire the stars at night, ride in a big canoe, or journey up the Icefields Parkway, we’ve got you covered in this guide to the best tours in Banff.

Our Top 3 Picks: Banff Tours

1. From Banff: Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield Day Trip

⭐️ RATING: 4.8 out of 5 Stars (232+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 11+ Hours | 🚀 BOOK NOW

If you’re looking for one of the most spectacular Banff tours, look no further than a tour of the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield. This top-rated tour picks you up from your Banff hotel and takes you on a journey along the world-famous Icefields Parkway to climb into an Ice Explorer vehicle and walk on a glacier. There are very few places on Earth where you can do this and it doesn’t get any more beautiful than this!

You’ll also get to experience breathtaking views of the Sunwapta Valley as you step across the Glacier Skywalk, a glass-floored bridge that sits 918 feet above the valley, learn about the area as you go, drink pure glacial water, and potentially see animals such as deer, elk, and bears. Plus, enjoy a scenic stop for a packed lunch and visit iconic landmarks along the Icefields Parkway such as Bow Lake.

NOTE: Have your own car and want to do it yourself? No problem! Just BOOK the Columbia Icefield Skywalk and Ice Explorer Ticket!

Great tour, beautiful sites. Discover Banff Tours did a great job. KELSEY was great, fun, informative, and prompt. I would highly recommend her. Tex on the Ice Explorer was great, also. Fun trip, you won’t be disappointed.

– Ron, USA (see more reviews)

This 11-hour tour includes:

• Round-trip transportation
• Tour guide
• Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure: Ice Explorer and Glacier Skywalk
• Packed lunch

Click Here to See Reviews, Pricing, and Availability.

2. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Sightseeing Tour

⭐️ RATING: 4.7 out of 5 Stars (352+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4+ Hours | 🚀 BOOK NOW

If there are only two lakes you see on a trip to Canada, make it Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. This guided tour is highly recommended for its stunning views of two of Banff’s most picturesque lakes, making it perfect for photography and nature enthusiasts​. Listen to stories about Banff National Park, its history, and the local animals while enjoying the chance to see animals such as elk, deer, and bears as you make your way there.

Once there, you’ll enjoy a 30-minute visit to Lake Louise as you wander the famous shoreline and take photos while also admiring the neighbouring Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel. Then you’ll get to explore the difficult-to-reach, but insanely beautiful Moraine Lake, set in the rugged Valley of the Ten Peaks. Enjoy a short guided walk to the famous Valley of the Ten Peaks viewpoint, or relax and take in the lake from the shoreline. Enjoy water and maple cookies at one of the scenic stops. After a 30-minute break at the viewpoint, you’ll return back to Banff and get dropped off at your hotel.

Great tour with just enough time to appreciate the beautiful lake Moraine and Lake Louise. The guide was outstanding my view and gave a very interesting overview of the area, it’s history and wildlife. I highly recommend this tour especially if you only have a half day to see these gorgeous lakes. Perfect! Thank you for a great experience.

– Jackie, United Kingdom (see more reviews)

This popular 4-hour tour includes:

• Tour guide
• Fairmont Chateau visit
• Guided walk to viewpoint at Moraine Lake
• Maple cookie snack
• Water

Click Here to See Reviews, Pricing, and Availability.

3. Kananaskis River Whitewater Rafting

⭐️ RATING: 4.8 out of 5 Stars (208+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4+ Hours | 🚀 BOOK NOW

When visiting one of the most scenic places in all of Canada, what could be better than white water rafting?

Enjoy whitewater rafting down a beautiful stretch of the Kanaskasis River, the perfect excursion for families, groups, and newcomers to whitewater rafting. During the 4-hour experience, you’ll spend almost half of the time on the river, exploring the pristine waterways of the Kananaskis River. Scout for local wildlife, get soaked by the glacial water and enjoy the unrivalled beauty of the Canadian Rockies.

This popular Banff tour includes transportation from Banff or Calgary, allowing you to enjoy the scenery before getting your wetsuits, instructions, and safety equipment to enjoy a half-day on the river. While the scenery itself is mind-blowing, you may also see eagles, deer, or bears as you wait for the thrill of class II-III rapids. Finish up the day with snacks and a swim! This tour operates from mid-May to mid-September and is ideal for anyone who has never rafted before or does not know how to swim.

It was a very memorable experience that I will always remember and cherish. The experienced team, including our amazing guide Ally, were all very welcoming and made this an amazing addition to our first trip to Canada. I look forward to coming back in the future and highly recommend this activity to all travellers!

– Happy customer (see more reviews)

This 4-hour tour includes:

• 4-hour river rafting tour (1.5-2 hours on the river)
• River guide on each raft
• Safety instructions and practice paddle
• River fee
• Professional photos (available online after your tour)
• Light snacks and refreshments
• Wetsuits, lifejacket, helmet, rain jacket, wetsuit booties, and gloves

Click Here to See Reviews, Pricing, and Availability.

4. Banff Gondola Admission Ticket

⭐️ RATING: 4.7 out of 5 Stars (1,672+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2+ Hours | 🚀 BOOK NOW

We’ve been to Banff hundreds of times and if we could only recommend one thing, it would be the Banff Gondola. This popular self-guided tour offers breathtaking panoramic views from Sulphur Mountain with sweeping views of six mountain ranges, stunning Bow Valley, and the town of Banff itself. It truly is a must-see.

However, there are more than views once you get to the top. You can walk the Sulphur Mountain boardwalk to admire views from various vantage points, explore the interpretive centre and learn about the area, buy some cool souvenirs at the gift shop, or enjoy a bite to eat at the cafe or at the Sky Bistro, which is one of the best restaurants in Banff.

Went to Banff National Park with my girlfriend for our three year anniversary. Best experience we had. The ride up, the views, the buffet (paid separately), worth every penny. No one bothers you about how long you’re up there, everyone is kind, you can really just roam freely and take it all in. It’s incredible how little this cost for what you get. It’s very well maintained, there are some fun activities offered, and the view is just priceless in itself. I’d definitely go back without hesitation next time I’m in Banff.

– Will (see more reviews)

Overall, the combination of natural beauty, educational opportunities, and amenities makes the Banff Gondola one of the top quintessential Banff tours, offering something for everyone in one of the most picturesque settings in Canada.

This self-guided tour includes:

• Roundtrip on Banff Gondola
• Knowledgeable and friendly hosts on-site
• 360-degree rooftop observation deck
• Above Banff Interpretive Center
• Above Banff Theatre
• Hiking trails
• Nightrise (after sunset Mid-November to end of March)
• Access to onsite restaurants (advance reservations recommended)

Click Here to See Reviews, Pricing, and Availability.

5. Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway Full-Day Tour

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars (483+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8+ Hours | 🚀 BOOK NOW

If you’re visiting the Canadian Rockies, don’t miss a trip up the world-famous Icefields Parkway!

Explore the stunning landscapes of Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway, with stops at iconic locations like Bow Falls and Moraine Lake for unforgettable photo opportunities on this full-day Lake Louise and Icefields Parkway tour. The Rockies boast some of Canada’s most spectacular scenery and on this full-day sightseeing tour, you can enjoy round-trip travel from Banff, enjoying personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour—limited to 22 people.

This was such a lovely day out! We were picked up on time from our hotel (in Canmore), we saw lots of gorgeous lakes, did a mini hike to a couple of viewpoints, and got to explore the wonderful nature that Canada has to offer. The tour guide was really knowledgeable and friendly, the vehicle was comfortable! Nothing in the tour felt rushed, we all had time to marvel at the nature which was nice as on sometimes you feel like you’re being rushed through everything. Thank you so much for a wonderful day 🙂 just make sure you’re wearing weather-appropriate footwear (i.e. hiking boots, not trainers or Ugg boots if it’s snowy!)

– Ruby (see more reviews)

This 8-9 hour tour includes:

• Driver/tour guide
• Transport by private vehicle
• Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points

Click Here to See Reviews, Pricing, and Availability.

6. Banff Highlights & Wildlife | Award-Winning Small Group Adventure

⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars (153+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3+ Hours | 🚀 BOOK NOW

Banff National Park is known for its wildlife and this is one of the best Banff tours for potentially spotting bears, coyotes, elk, bighorn sheep, foxes, and more. This small-group tour departs during the evening, which is the best time to spot wildlife. Customizing the itinerary to your needs, we will take you to the most wildlife-popping spots, including gorgeous Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake! This tour is limited to 12 guests in upscale modern transportation with large panoramic windows, perfect for safe wildlife viewing and photography.

Wildlife and locations we were taken to were fantastic. Our tour guide was professional, knowledgeable, fun. There was enough time at each spot to take in the splendor. Appreciated the hot chocolate as well. The whole tour was enjoyable and I would take it again.

– Lynda (see more reviews)

This 3-hour tour includes:

• Exclusive access to hard-to-reach locations where we commonly see wildlife
• Expert local guiding
• Small group guarantee (Max 12 guests)
• Upscale, modern & spacious transportation with large panoramic windows
• Water refills (please BYO water bottle)
• Pick up from Banff Train Station
• Complimentary hot chocolate, tea or coffee at a stunning viewpoint (winter only)

Click Here to See Reviews, Pricing, and Availability.

7. Discover Grizzly Bears Tour in Banff

⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars (112+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 10+ Hours | 🚀 BOOK NOW

This tour includes a gondola ride up Kicking Horse Mountain Resort with a guaranteed grizzly bear sighting or your next tour is free.

Pursue the elusive Canadian Grizzly Bear on this 10-hour excursion through Banff and Yoho National Parks, perfect for animal and nature lovers alike. Visit Kicking Horse Ski Resort and ride the gondola up to 7,700 feet for a mountain-top lunch at Canada’s highest restaurant before taking a chairlift ride up to the world’s largest enclosed and protected grizzly bear habitat to see Boo the resident bear. Rescued as a cub, he is almost always wanting to show off. This full-day trip also includes round-trip transportation, a professional guide, lunch and light refreshments. In addition, visit Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls and the Spiral Tunnels.

Travelled to Banff for my husbands 50th and he has always been fascinated by bears so a must do trip for us. Bobby the guide was fantastic and really made everyone feel so welcome. Boo of course was the star of the show and put on a brilliant display.

– Claire (see more reviews)

This 10-hour tour includes:

• Professional guide
• Lunch at Eagle’s Eye Restaurant, Canada’s highest restaurant
• Gondola ride at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
• Chairlift ride
• Visit to a grizzly bear refuge
• Return transport from Banff
• Small group size (up to 24 guests per guide)
• Pick up from the public bus parking located behind the Mount Royal Hotel

Click Here to See Pricing, Reviews, and Availability.

8. Banff National Park: Big Canoe River Explorer Tour

⭐️ RATING: 4.8 out of 5 Stars (150+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5+ Hours | 🚀 BOOK NOW

Enjoy the serenity of the Bow River on this fun family-friendly canoe tour. Get ready to be amazed by the incredible views of Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies. This sightseeing tour is perfect for the whole family and doesn’t require any previous experience. Meet at the Banff Canoe Club, just a 5-minute walk from downtown Banff and journey upstream as your expert guide entertains you with stories of the past, history of canoeing, and interesting local facts. After 1 and a half hours of fun, enjoy a complimentary, refreshing lemonade on the shore.

We had a great time on our canoe tour. We are a family of 4, with a 7 year old and a 10 year old, they had such a blast. The rest of our time in Banff they kept asking if we could do it again. CJ was our guide and he was great, super friendly and informative. Would definitely recommend.

– Happy Customer (see more reviews)

This tour includes:

• All required safety equipment
• Certified guide
• All taxes and fees

Click Here to See Reviews, Pricing, and Availability.

9. Hop-On and Hop-Off Banff Bus

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars (495+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8+ Hours | 🚀 BOOK NOW

If you’re one of those people who dislike being rushed, this is one of the best Banff tours for you!

Discover Banff National Park at your own pace with this wildly popular Hop-On Hop-Off Banff Bus! Buy your ticket in advance to guarantee your spot on the shuttle that takes you around to some of the top Banff attractions. The modern school bus-style shuttle goes between the town of Banff, Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the Lake Louise gondola. You choose where to visit and when.  Choose to ride between two stops, or stop at each place along the route.

We did this trip as part of our honeymoon and it was fantastic! They give you enough time and each spot without feeling rushed or like you have to wait around for the next bus to pick up. The tour guides were wonderful! They were very nice and informative about the park. Would recommend to anyone.

– Alison (see more reviews)

This tour includes:

• English-speaking tour escort/host on board each bus
• Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
• GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Click Here to See Reviews, Pricing, and Availability.

10. Electric Fat Biking Adventure in Banff

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2+ Hours | 🚀 BOOK NOW

Enjoy a 2-hour electric fat biking tour through Banff National Park, blending adrenaline with the unmatched beauty of the Canadian Rockies!

Instead of attempting to navigate the backcountry around Banff by yourself, join this small-group tour and allow local guides to lead you through the rugged terrain on electric fat-tire bikes. Travel around downtown Banff and into the mountains, discovering lesser-known trails and popular sites like Bow Falls. Along the way, stop at an exclusive viewpoint where you can savour complimentary hot drinks and revel in the world-class views.

This was highly anticipated activity for our group and it didn’t disappoint. Really enjoyed the overall activity but loved taking our bikes through some snow. Michael was very personable and knowledgeable. He was a nice, relaxed guide.

– Karen (see more reviews)

This tour includes:

• Small group guarantee! (Maximum of 8 guests)
• Premium electric fat bike rental
• Helmet
• Hot drinks (hot chocolate, tea or coffee)
• Expert local, certified fat-biking guide

Click Here to See Reviews, Pricing, and Availability.

11. Banff Sunset & Stars – 2hr Walking Tour

⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2+ Hours | 🚀 BOOK NOW

Banff is beautiful in the day but imagine it lit up with stars!

Explore Banff National Park at night without the risk of getting lost by going with a guide on this popular Banff night tour. Follow hiking trails through the park and look out for nocturnal wildlife that you might otherwise miss. Look up and enjoy a sky full of spectacular stars, free of light pollution. Headlamps, flashlights, and ice cleats (in the winter) will be provided. Expect to walk around 3.5 miles (5 kilometres).

Amazing your, views like nothing I’ve seen before and so unique going at night. Some of the nicest pictures I’ve taken of the night sky. Started out a little cloudy but cleared up well. Even if it hadn’t cleared the views were still stunning. Highly recommend for anyone. Tour guide well prepared and knowledgeable. Felt very safe with the headlamp and metal crampons. Half of the hike we didn’t even need the headlamp because of how bright the sky was from the northern lights but you could still see the stars and satélites. Will def do it again next time we are back here.

– Jennifer (see more reviews)

This tour includes:

• Headlamps and Lanterns Included
• Professional Certified Guide
• Ice Cleats Included *when required

Click Here to See Reviews, Pricing, and Availability.

12. Day Trip to Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Yoho from Calgary, Banff

⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars (271+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8+ Hours | 🚀 BOOK NOW

Why only see Banff when you can also see Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Yoho National Park in British Columbia?!

Discover the striking scenery of the Canadian Rockies one of the top Banff tours, visiting some of the most famous and beautiful lakes and landmarks of Banff and Yoho National Parks on this full-day tour from Calgary and Banff. Depart in the morning in an air-conditioned vehicle to visit dramatic Lake Louise, stunning Moraine Lake, and gorgeous Emerald Lake, enjoying two provinces in one day while leaving all the logistics to your guide.

The experience was amazing and all thanks to the best tour guy we had ever have, Kelvin! We had take around 18 tours in the last 4 years and this was amazing. Is not just about to take us the beautiful destinations is about that he take us to best spots and also make the trip very funny. This guy should be the manager of the company! Thanks for everything we really recommend this tour, don’t hesitate to take it!!

– Laury (see more reviews)

This Banff tour includes:

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Insurance: Traffic Accident Liability
• Driver/Guide: Bilingual guide service (Mandarin/English during the tour)
• Gratuities

Click Here to See Reviews, Pricing, and Availability.

Looking for more?

We’ve explored Banff more than any other destination in Canada. After all, we live next door. It’s one of our favourite places in the world and we hope this list of the best Banff tours helped you experience it in the best way possible.

For more things to do in Banff, check out these travel guides below:

• Best Banff Restaurants
• Banff Horseback Rides