Planning trips to popular mega-destinations can be difficult, as I’ve discovered from my regular travels. It is true, especially about choosing the best accommodation. Now, Banff National Park can be very busy during summers. So you might just want to book your next tour early.
1. Can You Stay in Banff National Park?
Comparatively, the best aspect of visiting this world-famous park is its richness in natural beauty. All year round, it is an ideal holiday destination. Categorically, it is the oldest national park in Canada.
Namely, it portrays stunning sceneries, the Rocky Mountains, lush forests, musical rivers, and nature. Moreover, it has world-famous sparkling glacial lakes. Furthermore, you will enjoy your stay even more with beautiful weather in the Canadian Rockies.
1.1. Banff National Park Pass and Shuttle
Before entering the park, you need a single-location or seasonal entry pass. Recently, Parks Canada has introduced an annual Parks Canada Discovery Pass. Fortunately, it benefits you to enter 80+ notable destinations within the park for 12 months. Conveniently, Parks Canada Shuttle buses keep you worry-free. What more is, they take you to all noteworthy and famous spots.
1.2. Sleeping in Banff National Park
This world-famous park offers limited options for accommodation limited to a few particular yet renowned spots. You can not stay in the parts of the park home to wild animals. As an illustration, look at mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and beautiful landscapes. Therefore, it leaves fewer parts for residential purposes. Nonetheless, some natural settings are available as campsites like Tunnel Mountain Campground.
2. Exploring the Possibilities of Staying at Banff
For hotels in Banff National Park, I always consider the town of Banff my number 1 choice. After that, there is the Lake Louise area, the Bow Valley Parkway, and the Icefields Parkway. Some prefer nearby Canmore. Adventure lovers often head to its designated campsites.
2.1. Banff Town_ A Rich Accommodation Hub
Banff, a mountain town, is the first choice of visitors staying in the park. Conveniently, the stay in Banff is best for groups, families, and first-time visitors. Banff Avenue has hotels, restaurants, tea houses, spas, pubs, and nightclubs. Walking tours along Banff Avenue provide their overview, saving time and effort.
All Banff hotels offer unique services. For instance, rooftop hot tubs in the Moose Hotel and private rooms are in the Hi Banff Alpine Center. Likewise, a heated indoor pool is the gift of Hi Country Inn Banff. For a serene backcountry stay in Banff, check in at Sundance Lodge and Baker Creek Mountain Resort. Simultaneously, the Hidden Ridge resort is ideal for families and groups. Then, stepping into the High Country Inn gets you near the town.
Banff Attractions: Going for the Banff Gondola, Banff Upper Hot Springs, Sulphur Mountain, and sightseeing excursions are famous in Banff Town. Many history lovers venture towards Cave and Basin National Historic Site. On the other hand, hikers visit Tunnel Mountain, Lake Agnes, and the Plain of Six Glaciers.
2.1.1. Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Banff Springs is a luxury hotel in Banff Town. Altogether, it is quiet, kid-friendly, and romantic. This historic hotel has a range of amenities to suit all tastes, including food lovers and spa-goers. The castle-like rooms are elegantly designed and provide stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. The hotel is near Downtown Banff Village, Bow Falls, and many hiking trails. Its private parking entrance, swimming pool, and lounge are unique.
In Banff Town, the Rimrock Resort Hotel is among the best luxury hotels. Also, Basecamp Suites Banff and Banff Inn, top-rated hotels, provide a convenient location during your stay in Banff. In any case, these hotels ensure that children and adults have a pleasant and comfortable visit.
2.1.2. Fox Hotel and Suites
For a comfortable stay in Banff, check in the Fox Hotel and Suites. Following that, it gives you a prominent view of the Canadian Rockies. It is a 3-star mid-range hotel situated at Banff Avenue near Downtown Banff. This hotel features a hot tub area, a gym, and a complimentary breakfast. The rooms could use updating, but they have a comfy bed and coffee maker. The hotel offers free bus passes and free underground parking.
Check out other mid-range hotels, like Banff Boutique Inn (a Boutique Hotel), if you visit Banff. Afterwards, experience a spa bath at Castle Mountain Chalets. Likewise, Buffalo Mountain Lodge has a fitness center and a wood-burning fireplace. Additionally, Storm Mountain Lodge has private cabins.
2.1.3. Hi Banff Alpine Centre
Although a 1-star affordable hotel in Banff, it is well-furnished and clean. Banff Alpine Centre has relatively modern rooms. It is well worth the cost with all the amenities and services.
Banff Aspen Lodge, Banff Caribou Lodge, and Banff International Hostel are affordable hotels in Banff. Likewise, Banff Rocky Mountain Resort, the Juniper Hotel, and Tunnel Mountain Resort are also noteworthy.
2.2 Lake Louise Hotels
Lake Louise is one of the busiest tourist spots. Therefore, you will run into crowds wanting the same turquoise-blue waters. It further leads to plenty of world-famous attractions and enjoyable activities. Because of this, the expenses to stay at the lake are even higher in Banff National Park. So, you might visit Lake Louise Village or the lake itself. Therefore, you should get there with that understanding.
Despite this, it is surprising how its accommodations are always busy receiving guests. It is a demonstration of the enormous popularity of this majestic lake. Paradise Lodge and Bungalows, Post Hotel and Spa, Mountaineer Lodge, and Deer Lodge are a few of its notable hotels. These lodgings present all the fun that is the signature trait of Lake Louise.
2.2.1.Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Here, you get a romantic getaway to create a divine experience. It is one of the best hotels besides the stunning lake views. If you can afford its high costs, pay for it. After that, it is like the 5-star Chateau Lake Louise Hotel is yours. It is a perfect spot for VIP business meetings and conferences. You will like a well-stocked gym, enjoyable spa, and vibrant nightlife. Next to the picturesque lake, a rich bundle of outdoor fun is its luxurious treat.
2.2.2.Lake Louise Inn
Lake Louise Inn is a 3-star hotel. It is just a 5-minute walking distance from Lake Louise Village. It satisfies you with an indoor pool, hot tub, restaurant, and breakfast buffet. I call it the best hotel for families in Lake Louise village. It has a pet-friendly environment. Although there is no AC, the rooms are comfortable, thanks to the ideal weather. It offers free shuttle service to the nearby glacial lakes.
2.2.3.Lake Louise Ski Resort
In the winter, most of the crowds in the park come to this place to enjoy their holidays. Here, you have unlimited access to skiing and skating on the white sheets of heavenly-attired snow. But, it is not a residence. From here, the tourists get all the excitement during the winter. You can stay in nearby famous hotels like Mountaineer Lodge and Hi Lake Louise Alpine Centre.
2.2.4 Things to Do at Lake Louise
Lake Louise area is full of exciting things for you to explore. For instance, adventure lovers try canoeing, hiking, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, and cycling. From here, it is easier to access famous lakes like Emerald Lake, Bow Lake, and Moraine Lake. These are just a few fun-time activities at the breathtaking lake area.
2.3. Stay at Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake Lodge is the only hotel built on the banks of Moraine Lake. Here, it pampers you with unlimited access to its majestic waters. With the availability of the Lake connector shuttles or private buses, reaching any part of the park is easier.
2.4. Book a Canmore Hotel to Explore Banff
It’s famous among tourists as ideal for budget-friendly residential benefits. Not only is it convenient, but it is also just 27 minutes away from Banff.
You will have two different yet calm experiences when travelling from Canmore to Banff. This way, you can also enjoy its famous mountain biking expedition. Book an affordable room in Canmore. Consider Canmore Rocky Mountain Inn, Canmore Inn and Suites and Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge.
2.4.1. Canmore Downtown Hostel
Built in a natural setting, it is a quiet, clean, and comfortable lodging in the heart of Canmore. This budget-friendly hostel features a well-equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, laundry, and bedside lockers. Additionally, it has free parking and an active nightlife.
2.5. Hotels Near the Bow Valley Parkway
Bow Valley Parkway is a picturesque 48-kilometre route near the Bow River and Trans Canada Highway. Staying along this unique route is possible when spending your vacation at Banff National Park hotels. This way, it will also take you past some world-renowned attractions in the Canadian Rockies.
A few accommodations, like Johnston Canyon Lodge, Mountaineer Lodge and Bungalows, are on this road. Some other examples include Hi Castle Wilderness Hostel and Baker Creek By Basecamp.
2.6. Hotels Close to the Icefields Parkway
Icefields Parkway, 230 kilometres long, runs through the heart of Banff. As a result, it led to many popular vacation spots like Athabasca Glacier, Bow Lake, and Peyto Lake. There are fewer hotels along this marvellous road. To get an experience, stay at Num Ti Jah Lodge. Furthermore, Fairmont Park Lodge, Pyramid Lake Resort, Glacier View Lodge, and Rampart Creek are on the way. Also, many tourists like staying in one of its campsites like Columbia Icefields Campground.
3. End Note
Primarily, the beauty of the park is nature. As nature lovers, the constantly changing rules about exploring Banff National Park may change your view. Secondly, they can also create more possibilities for your stay in this magnificent park. It means, now more than ever, you need a bit of research. Furthermore, you also need a road map to get the ideal place to stay in Banff.
Regarding this, an online survey is enough to clear your doubts. This way, you will get the answer to the question, Can you stay in Banff National Park?
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Thanks