Amazing Banff Summer Tours to do
Are you visiting Banff this Summer and wondering what the heck to decide what to do and see while you are there. A tour is one of the best ways to see the best parts of Banff National Park without the stress of trying to plan and get around by yourself.
I especially love booking tours when I am solo travelling without Dave because it is a great way to meet people and make new friends.
Read on for a list of the top Banff tours to do in Summer, including the prices, length of each tour and what to expect. Alternatively, if you are visiting Banff in the Winter, here is a list of the best Winter tours in Banff.
I have included tours that will take you to the must-see spots in and around Banff National Park. The types of tours consist of day tours, hiking tours and activity based tours such as once in a lifetime opportunity helicopter tours where you get to see the most insane views over the Canadian Rocky Mountains!
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1. Banff & The Icefields Parkway | Small Group Full Day Adventure
💰 Price: CAD$289
⏰ Duration: 8 hours
⭐ Rating: 5/5 (105+ reviews)
▶ Click here to book
On this full day tour, you will see some of the BEST viewpoints along the famous Icefields Parkway, one of the most beautiful roads in Canada and quite possibly THE WORLD!
The stops are spread over Banff National Park and Jasper National Park and include Peyto Lake which this is one of my all time favourite viewpoints in Banff because it is only a short walk to the unbelievably epic viewpoint.
You will also get to see Bow Lake (another gorgeous alpine lake), Mistaya Canyon, the Columbia Icefields and more!
2. Moraine Lake Sunrise and Lake Louise
💰 Price: CAD$309
⏰ Duration: 7 hours
⭐ Rating: 5/5 (155+ reviews)
▶ Click here to book
If you are into photography, I highly recommend this tour! The road to Moraine Lake is no longer open to the public and so you now have to take a shuttle bus or tour to get there.
To get to Moraine Lake for sunrise, the only way is to book a tour. On this tour, you will beat the crowds and watch the sun light up the peaks at Moraine Lake while enjoying a hot drink.
Your tour guide will assist you with getting an epic photo and then you will head back to Lake Louise. There is paid public parking available at Lake Louise, however it tends to fill up by sunrise during the Summer so a tour is a great way to see the lake.
At Lake Louise you can hire a canoe from the dock and paddle Lake Louise itself or enjoy a hot breakfast at one of the cafes at the Fairmont Hotel which is located right next to the lake.
Pro Tip: There are a limited number of sunrise tours available. Book this tour well in advance so that you don’t miss out!
3. 1 Day Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake & Yoho National Park
💰 Price: CAD$119
⏰ Duration: 9-10 hours
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 (414+ reviews)
▶ Click here to book
This tour starts from both Banff and Calgary.
If you have a chance to visit Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, you have to do it because it is SUCH a beautiful and highly underrated lake! Yoho National Park is one of our favourite parks in Canada and Emerald Lake is a gorgeous turquoise Lake where you can rent canoes or walk around the lake.
On this tour, you will first visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. If you are not keen on doing a sunrise at Moraine Lake then this tour might be the one for you. You will get to spend a little over an hour at Lake Louise before moving onto Moraine Lake.
After Moraine Lake, you will stop in Lake Louise for some lunch and then it’s onto Yoho National Park!
4. Helicopter Tour over the Canadian Rockies
💰 Price: < CAD$277
⏰ Duration: 20-55 minutes
⭐ Rating: 4.9/5 (139+ reviews)
▶ Click here to book
One of the best ways to see the Canadian Rockies is by helicopter! On this incredible tour you will soar over some of the tallest mountains you may have ever seen as well as incredible glaciers. Choose from 3 different tours that are 20-minute, 30-minute, or 55-minute tours.
This is something that we haven’t done yet but would love to because it is a once in a lifetime experience that you will never forget!
Just make sure you pick a clear day to get those epic views! 😉
Tour Tip: This is a popular tour. Book now so that you don’t miss out!
5. Banff National Park Guided Hike with Lunch
💰 Price: CAD$194
⏰ Duration: 7 hours
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 (154+ reviews)
▶ Click here to book
Are you dying to do hiking out in the backcountry in Banff National Park but not feeling fully confident going by yourself? Don’t worry, I know exactly how you feel!
When Dave and I first moved to Canada and went hiking by ourselves, we were kind of terrified. I mean there are SO many large wild animals out there that can potentially hurt you! It is WAY scarier here than Australia. 😅
A hiking tour is a great way to experience the backcountry while with a professional hiking guide and a group of hikers in the exact same situation as you.
On this hiking tour, you can choose from a few different trails depending on your hiking ability. Each of the trails have amazing mountain scenery and you will have the opportunity to get some great photos. A gourmet picnic lunch will be provided which you will get to enjoy surrounded by the incredible Canadian Rockies.
6. Discover Grizzly Bears from Banff
💰 Price: CAD$326
⏰ Duration: 10 hours
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 (127+ reviews)
▶ Click here to book
If you are keen on seeing a Grizzly Bear while in Banff, this is the only real way to guarantee that you will see one! Boo the bear has lived in the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refugee ever since being rescued as a cub.
The refugee is located in Golden, which is about a 1.5 – 2 hour drive from Banff. While in Golden, you will also get to eat lunch at Canada’s highest restaurant by taking the gondola up to 7,700 feet where you will be surrounded by Panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies.
Along the way, you will also stop at Emerald Lake, Takkakaw Falls and the Spiral Tunnels.
If you are looking for a tour to see more of the Canadian Rockies outside of Banff, I highly recommend this one!
Tip: Book your Discover Grizzly Bears Tour in advance so you don’t miss out!
7. 2 Hour Banff Horseback Riding Adventure
💰 Price: CAD$203
⏰ Duration: 2 hours
⭐ Rating: 4/5 (112+ reviews)
▶ Click here to book
What better way to see Banff National Park than on a horse riding tour?!
On this tour, you will ride along Bow River, pass by the natural sulphur hot springs and up Sulphur Mountain. You will then ride to Windy Knoll where you will have amazing views of the Rocky Mountain Landscape below.
8. Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls & Canadian Rockies Hidden Gems
💰 Price: CAD$289
⏰ Duration: 8 hours
⭐ Rating: 5/5 (62+ reviews)
▶ Click here to book
Yoho National Park is not too far away from Banff and is an absolutely gorgeous place. I highly recommend checking it out either on this tour or by yourself if you can find the time.
On this tour, you will get to see Emerald Lake where you can try canoeing on the bright turquoise waters, the Spiral Tunnels, Takakkaw Falls and Marble Canyon.
9. Small-Group Guided Via Ferrata Climbing with Banff’s Best Views
💰 Price: CAD$198
⏰ Duration: 2.5 hours
⭐ Rating: 5/5 (164+ reviews)
▶ Click here to book
Adrenaline, fantastic views and FUN! What more could you want?! On this Via Ferrata Banff Tour, you will get to cross a suspension bridge and take in jaw-dropping views from high up above Banff.
Complimentary rainwear, backpacks and hiking boots are available if you don’t have your own.
If you love experiencing the thrill of adventure, then this is the tour for you!
10. Lake Minnewanka Cruise
💰 Price: CAD$77
⏰ Duration: 1 hour
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 (317+ reviews)
▶ Click here to book
If you are looking for something relaxing to do while in Banff, a boat cruise on Lake Minnewanka is a perfect choice!
This boat tour takes you across the turquoise lake and over to Devil’s Gap as you watch for wildlife such as elk, deer, big-horned sheep and bears along the shoreline.
As you cruise along and take in the incredible views of the Canadian Rockies, you will learn about the indigenous people who used to called this region home.
This tour is perfect for if you are looking to fill in some free time in your schedule or even just need a bit of a break from hiking and exploring.
👉 Tip: Book the Lake Minnewanka Cruise well ahead of time to make sure you don’t miss out!
Our Thoughts
Banff is an amazing place to visit but it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what to do while you are there. I often like to book a tour for my first day in an area so that I can get to know the area and ask the tour guide questions on what else I should do while there.
Whether you decide to do a tour in Banff or explore Banff purely by yourself, you are going to have an incredible time!
HAPPY ADVENTURING! 🥾
You might also enjoy:
- Amazing Icefields Parkway Stops You Shouldn’t Miss!
- How to Spend a Weekend in Banff
- How to Visit Banff Without a Car
- Everything You Need to Know About Johnston Canyon
- Amazing Lake Louise Tours
- Banff Winter Tours You Need to Check Out!
- Little Beehive, Big Beehive and Lake Agnes Teahouse Hike
- Mistaya Canyon – The Most Beautiful Icefield Parkway Stop
- Tangle Creek Falls – A Must-See Icefields Parkway Waterfall
- Beautiful Lakes to Paddle Board in Canmore and Banff
- Beautiful Lakes in Jasper for Swimming and Kayaking
- 3 Days in Jasper National Park: The Ultimate Itinerary
- How to Get to Spirit Island in Jasper
- Amazing Fall Hikes in Banff
- Is the Banff Gondola Worth it?
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