Banff National Park is teeming with rivers, creaks, and glacier-fed lakes. The bright waters give a blueish-turquoise hue in the spring and early summer from the glacial melt and add to the wonderful mountain scenery in the park.
If you’d like to get out and explore these waters this summer, try one of these water adventures in Banff.
1. Gentle Floating with Rocky Mountain Raft Tours
Take it nice and easy on the Bow, too! The Rocky Mountain Raft Tours take you on the Bow River with a raft as you slowly meander the waters and learn about the area’s plants and wildlife.
Where: Rocky Mountain Raft Tours, 1 Golf Course Rd, Banff
How much: Adult/senior – $70
Child 2-15 years old – $30 (minimum age is 2 years old)
2. Lake Minnewanka Cruise
Take it nice and easy on your trip across Lake Minnewanka with their local cruise company. The cruise takes a few different trips, too, including their Classic and Premium Cruises, the Booze Cruise, or the Junior adventure for kids.
When: now until October 10, 2022
Where: Lake Minnewanka Road, Banff
How much: $36.40-$86 per person (1-1.5-hour cruises)
3. Canoe Tours
You can take off on the waters of Banff with an experienced guide and on either a kayak, a canoe, or a stand-up paddle board. You can catch canoe and kayak tours on the Bow with the Banff Canoe Club in town.
1. Banff Canoe Club
When: now until the end of September
Where: Corner of Bow Ave and, Wolf St, Banff
How much: $30-$90 per person
2. Rent your own Canoe or Kayak
There are rental companies with which you can rent and take off, but these boathouses and rental companies in Banff offer onsite rentals. With Lakes Minnewanka, Louise, and Moraine, you can rent your canoe or kayak right at the lake.
Lake Minnewanka Boathouse
When: May 14-September 10
Where: Lake Minnewanka Boathouse – Lake Minnewanka Road, Banff
How much: $55-$85 per hour
Banff Canoe Club
When: now until the end of September
Where: Corner of Bow Ave and, Wolf St, Banff
How much:
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Boathouse
When: mid-June to September
Where: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Boathouse – 111 Lake Louise Drive
How much: $95-$125
Moraine Lake
When: June 1st – September 30th, 2022
Where: end of Moraine Lake Road
4. Stand-up Paddle Boards Tour
Radventures offers the SUP tours in both Canmore and Banff on the bright blue-green glacial lakes, and reservoirs.
When: Friday to Sunday until mid November
Where: Banff and Canmore
How much: $85-$95 per person
Rent Stand-up Paddle Boards
There are many beautiful places to launch your SUP this summer in Banff. Keep in mind these waters are cold! But the paddles offer great rewards in terms of views. You can sUP at any lake in the park at which you can canoe or kayak, and you can rent them if you need from Radventures.
Where: Samesun Hostel 433 Banff Ave, Banff
How much: $40-$55
5. Fishing Boat Charters
The Bow River and Banff’s glacial lakes are filled with several species of fish, including many types of trout.
But if you need a little guidance in this venture, you can pick from two charters who can take you to the best spots on either the Bow or Lake Minnewanka. All equipment is included!
Remember, a national park fishing permit is required to fish here. Fishing is not allowed in select lakes and rivers in the park.
Banff Fishing Unlimited
When: June-October
Where: based in Canmore
How much: $215-$825 per person
Explore Lake Minnewanka’s Fish with a Charter
When: May-October 2022
Where: Lake Minnewanka Road, Banff
How much: $78-$579
6. Banff Upper Hot Springs
Experience a nature soak while enjoying the delighful scenery that surrounds you. It is a soothing and cheap way to relax after a day of taking in other recreational fun around the National Park.
Where: 1 Mountain Ave, Banff
How much: $$8.00 to $9.25
7. Check out Banff’s Waterfalls
Embark on a hike, either short or long, easy or difficult, to see Banff’s glacial waters rush and gush down the rocky mountain cliffs. There are a variety of waterfalls to see in the park, but all are awe-inspiring. These are some of the most accessible:
8. Scuba Diving
Do you have enough scuba diving experience (certified) to go out on your own? Then, explore the town of Minnewanka which existed by the side of the Lake that was submerged when dams were built in 1912 & 1941. Within the 100m depth of Lake Minnewanka, divers can explore the ruins of a flooded town, and the rich summer plant life thriving below. Lake Minnewanka is a high-altitude and cold water dive.
Where: Lake Minnewanka Boathouse
9. Whitewater Rafting
There are no whitewater rafting adventures within Banff National Park, but many tour operators offer services for rafting in Kicking Horse River or in Kananaskis from Canmore and Lake Louise.