VIEWPOINT: Banff National Park
A national park resort that's equal parts beauty and development.
Banff National Park is the centerpiece of the Canadian Rockies, but it also highlights the differences between national parks in the United States and Canada. Banff has as many amenities as we’ve ever seen in a national park, complete with massive hotels, a ski resort, and two golf courses. It’s an incredible vacation spot, though not exactly the wilderness escape we Americans have come to expect from national parks.
NATURE: INCROYABLE!
Social Media’s Favorite Lakes and Mountains
Banff National Park’s Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are two of the most picturesque lakes in the world. They’ve got the signature light blue hue of glacial water, and they’re set on a background of magnificent mountain peaks. It’s no wonder why they feature so prominently on Instagram and Reddit.
But there’s more to this park than those popular destinations. Driving over the Continental Divide never gets old, as the section of the Trans-Canada Highway that splits the park is framed by mountains and glaciers. There are also some incredible waterfalls, like Bow Glacier Falls, which predictably is fed by Bow Glacier and feeds into Bow Lake. There’s truly no shortage of amazing places to visit in Banff.
EXPERIENCE: INCROYABLE!
A Spectacular Setting for a Dream Vacation
Whatever you think a national park “should be,” there’s no denying the tourist experience in Banff is top-tier. There aren’t many places where people can gaze upon glaciers and play a round of golf in the same day. Or hike a mountain pass and relax in a spa without driving their own vehicle between the two. Or canoe on an alpine lake and enjoy fine dining within a square mile.
Fortunately, there’s also something for those of us who like national parks for the escape they provide. The crowds are mostly contained to the lakes’ shorelines, meaning even a short hike is a near guarantee to find some solitude. Many of the trails are steep and strenuous, which seems to ward of most of the tourists. They are worth doing, however, as the peaks and lakes of Banff are a bit easier to enjoy from a hard-to-reach mountain pass.
VISITING: EASY
Busses and Highways Galore
Banff can feel a bit like Disneyland sometimes, like when you have to buy a ticket for a bus that will shuttle you to the main attractions of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. It’s remarkable how many people take these busses each day, and while reserving a spot can be difficult, it beats the insanity of finding a parking spot in a relatively tiny lot.
For destinations outside the featured lakes, the Trans-Canada Highway is a critical artery. It splits the park and makes for easy travel to, from, and within Banff. Whether there should be a major highway through a national park at all, though, is a matter for a different discussion.
STUPIDITY INDEX
The Stupid Will Be Fine
It is the mountains, and there are wild animals here. But the stupid could hang out in town or by a lake all day and have themselves a perfectly safe, enjoyable trip.
CATSBY’S TAKE
It Was Decent
It was mostly good, but one evening the humans went outside to play cards, so I yelled at them until they came back in.