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.
Rocky Mountain Raft Tours
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 – $75
Child 2-15 years old – $35 (minimum age is 2 years old)
2. Lake Minnewanka Cruise
Lake Minnewanka Cruise
Take it nice and easy on your trip across Lake Minnewanka with the local cruise company. The cruise offers several different trips, including their Classic and Premium Cruises, the Booze Cruise, and the Junior Adventure for kids.
When: May 10 – October 13, 2025
Where: Lake Minnewanka Road, Banff
How much: $44.85 & up per person
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 paddleboard. You can catch canoe and kayak tours on the Bow with the Banff Canoe Club in town.
Banff Canoe Club
Banff Canoe Club
When: now until the end of September
Where: Corner of Bow Ave and, Wolf St, Banff
How much: $72.00 (Adult)
$36.00 (Child 6-12 years)
Free (Infant 2-5 years)
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 – Octoer 13
Where: Lake Minnewanka Boathouse – Lake Minnewanka Road, Banff
How much: $49 – $91 per hour
Banff Canoe Club
When: now until the end of September
Where: Corner of Bow Ave and, Wolf St, Banff
How much:
Canoe or Kayak first hour: $65.00 per boat
SUPS: $30.00
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Boathouse
When: mid-June to September
Where: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Boathouse – 111 Lake Louise Drive
How much:$110 to $170 + GST for an hour
Moraine Lake
When: mid-June to mid-September.
Where: end of Moraine Lake Road
How much: $160
4. 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 that can take you to the best spots on either the Bow or Lake Minnewanka. All equipment is included!
Please note that a national park fishing permit is required to fish in this area. Fishing is prohibited in select lakes and rivers within the park.
Banff Fishing Unlimited
When: June-October
Where: based in Canmore
How much: $120 – $850 per person
Explore Lake Minnewanka’s Fish with a Charter
When: May 17 – September 1
Where: Lake Minnewanka Road, Banff
How much: $102 – $211
5. Banff Upper Hot Springs
Canadian Tourism Commission
Experience a nature soak while enjoying the delightful scenery that surrounds you. It is a soothing and affordable way to relax after a day of enjoying other recreational activities around the National Park.
Where: 1 Mountain Ave, Banff
How much: $8.50 to $17.50
6. Check out Banff’s Waterfalls
To Do Canada
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:
7. Scuba Diving
Do you have enough scuba diving experience (certified) to go out on your own? Then, explore the town of Minnewanka, which was located beside 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
8. 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.