Off the Beaten Track in Banff: Alternative Things to do in Banff in Summer

What is the first thing you think of when you someone says Banff? Chances are its Lake Louise, that’s what most people picture. Having been, I can’t say I blame them. The lake and surrounding scenery is beautiful. But, while I’m glad to have seen it, sharing it with about 20,000 people in a single day wasn’t exactly my ideal. I hate crowds; the pushing, yelling, and waiting in line for the chance to take a photo, only to have someone run in front of you anyway. It drives me crazy. That being said, I also realize that in many places, my dream of having beautiful scenery to (almost) myself is, well, a dream. But thankfully not here. There are lots of amazing and quiet places to be found for those wanting to get off the beaten track in Banff National Park. These are my top suggestions for things to do in Banff in summer. 

Skip Canoeing on Lake Louise, Do it at Bow River Instead

How many times have you searched for photos of Banff and stumbled across photos of someone canoeing on turquoise water with mountains in the distance? About a million? Yeah, me too. I’m not going to lie, canoeing on Lake Louise does make for great photos. But it’s also become a bit of a tourist trap, frequently listed as one of the best things to do in Banff in summer. What they don’t always tell you is that canoe rentals cost $135/hour, the lineups can be massive, and the lake isn’t really that big; meaning you probably won’t escape the other noisy, clumsy paddlers all keen on getting their perfect Instagram photos.

My advice? Skip it and head instead to the Banff Canoe Club on Bow River. You get your choice of a canoe or kayak, it’s $55 per hour ($30 for each additional hour), there’s a very small wait time (if any), and the river is massive so you can go as far (or near) as you please. Plus, there is still pretty green/blue water and plenty of mountains in the background. You really can’t go wrong.

Skip Peyto Lake and Head to the Waterfowl Lakes

Another must do when in Banff in the summer is go for a hike. There are tons of trails through this National Park varying in levels of difficulty. I wanted a relatively easy one and was recommend Peyto Lake.  Turns out, everyone else had the same idea. The trail is short and easy but with dozens of other visitors it’s not really an experience in nature. Not to mention that the main trail doesn’t even take you to the lake, but rather above it. Is it beautiful? Absolutely. But is it a relaxing hike in nature? With all the other people around, definitely not. 

However, just past Peyto Lake are two gorgeous Lakes that almost nobody seems to go to: the Waterfowl Lakes. We stopped by chance thinking it might be a great spot to have lunch, and it turned out to be one of our absolute favourite spots. Why? Aside from two men leaving when we arrived, we had the entire lower lake to ourselves. Add gorgeous blue waters, surrounding mountains, a loon calling, and a warm breeze and its the idyllic ‘Canada’ that most people imagine. You definitely want to add this off the beaten track in Banff stop to your itinerary. 

Skip the Banff Gondola, Do the Mt. Norquay Chairlift

The Banff Gondola is on the top of the ‘must-do’ list along with Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. And it is pretty cool. But like everything else on the top of must-do lists it’s crowded, expensive, and hectic. Was the view great? Yes, it was. But in an area surrounded by mountains, you have to know that there will be other equally awesome viewpoints.

About 15 minutes outside of Banff Town is Mt. Norquay. Best known for downhill skiing or rock climbing, it also has a chairlift for those who want to take in the mountain top view. I’ll be honest; our early morning view was impeded by clouds, but while we didn’t see Banff town, watching the mountains appear and disappear through the cloud cover was pretty magical in itself. Perhaps the best part? The area is natural bear habitat, so keep your eyes open as you go up. While we didn’t see a bear we did see a fully grown long-horned sheep on the hill and a young one near the top. There is a bit of a walking path at the top with a couple of benches so grab a hot chocolate or coffee from the bistro and enjoy the view. If you are lucky, which we were, you won’t have to share with anyone else.

Skip Sunrise at Moraine Lake, Watch at Vermillion Lakes Instead

I love mornings. There’s something incredibly peaceful about watching the sun rise to greet the day. Unless of course you are surrounded by a few dozen others all trying to do the same. Most of which have 100 pounds of photography equipment and have no problem telling you and your DSL-R with only one lens to get out of ‘their shot’. Which is what tends to happen at the more popular spots like Moraine Lake where everyone clamors atop the huge rock pile to watch the lighting change.

So do yourself a favour, sleep in an extra hour, and go instead to the Vermillion Lakes. They are literally just outside of Banff Town; so close you could walk. There are three viewpoints with benches and/or docks around the lake. We went right to the far end with two docks and there was only one other vehicle there with us. We managed to set up our cameras for time lapses with nobody interfering and then relaxed in the peace and quiet of the early morning as we watched the sky change from inky blue to cotton candy pinks.
*Bonus tip: Sunset is pretty gorgeous here as well

Final Tips for Getting Off the Beaten Track in Banff

Banff National Park is beautiful and there are so many incredible things to do in Banff in the summer. While I am not saying to avoid the tourist highlights of Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, or the Banff Gondola, don’t be afraid to explore a little more. There are definitely some off the beaten track spots in Banff and they are worth finding. Not only will they save you from the crowds, but these places will probably be kinder on your budget as well!

Need a place to stay in Banff? Check these options. 

*Thank your to Banff tourism who provided me with a media pass during my stay

Ready to Book Your Trip?

Don’t forget travel insurance!

Please do not travel without travel insurance! I’ve had to use it multiple times throughout my travels and it has saved me thousands of dollars. You can learn more about travel insurance here. If you are looking for a provider I love and recommend SafetyWing. For Canadian readers, take a look at SoNomad.

Book your accommodation

I love and recommend booking.com for accommodation. They have a range of hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and resorts. Plus, the platform has a great loyalty program that means the more you book, the more you can save. 

Book your tours

My go-to tour provider that I love to recommend is GetYourGuide. They have options all over the world and partner with local companies for everything from day trips to food experiences and even airport transfers. 

Get connected

If you want to have data while travelling for online maps or any other needs, an esim is one of the easiest solutions. I have used esims around the world from Brazil to Uzbekistan, Greece to the USA- they are super easy and you don’t risk losing your home sim! There are two brands I have used and recommend so I suggest comparing both. 

Airalo: download the app, pick what country you want an esim for, and after you purchase it follow the installation instructions. You can use promo code HANNAH3326 to save $3USD on your next esim purchase.

Truely: This one is easier in that it’s a one-time download instead of downloading an esim for each country. It also allows you to hotspot and tether- which not all esims do. Check out options here.

Not sure what to pack?

I have destination-specific guides for some countries but you can also check my travel essentials and camera gear if you are looking for some ideas. 

Looking for a travel buddy?

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