Banff Parks and Gardens

(Banff, Alberta - AB, Canada)



Famous for being home to the Banff National Park, many of the most notable parks and gardens in Banff are connected to this vast network. The Banff townsite also features a number of more formal, landscaped parks and gardens, full of seasonal plantings, and in particular, Banff's spectacular Cascade Gardens are a must-see attraction.

Other popular parks in the Banff area include the Cave and Basin National Historic Site and also the nearby Canmore Nordic Center Provincial Park. Here are Banff's main parks and gardens.


Banff National Park

Address: Banff, Alberta (AB), T1L 1K2, Canada
Tel: +1 403 762 1550
Banff National Park is one of the area's premier attractions and is famous for being the birthplace of the country's impressive national parks network. Overflowing with local flora and fauna, the scenery around the Banff National Park is spectacular and includes a number of glaciers and dramatic mountains. Part of the important Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, the park is vast and offers many scenic walking and hiking trails.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Canmore Nordic Center Provincial Park

Address: 1988 Olympic Way, Canmore, Alberta (AB), T1W 2T6, Canada
Tel: +1 403 678 2400
Located in nearby Canmore, around 17 miles / 27 km from the Banff townsite, Canmore Nordic Center Provincial Park offers a host of seasonal recreational activities. Standing amongst the very beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountains, the park is known for its summer mountain bike trails, pathways, sports facilities and peaceful areas. During the winter months, the Canmore Nordic Center Provincial Park even offers tobogganing and cross-country skiing. Other highlights at the park include a sports shop, gift store and café area.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:30
Admission: free

Cascade Gardens

Address: Banff Avenue, Banff, Alberta (AB), Canada
Tel: +1 403 762 1550
The beautiful Cascade Gardens can be found at the southern end of Banff Avenue and are not to be missed. Featuring outstanding landscaped gardens, filled with seasonal plants, ponds, bridges, walkways and mature trees, Banff's Cascade Gardens date back to the mid-1930s. Standing alongside Canada Place, the Cascade Gardens contain an extensive rockery area and each summer is filled with more than 50,000 flowers.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Cave and Basin National Historic Site

Address: Cave Avenue, Banff, Alberta (AB), T0L 0C0, Canada
Tel: +1 403 762 1557
The Cave and Basin National Historic Site, on the western side of Banff, dates back to the 1880s. Attractions here include a cave trail, nature trails, a high concentration of wildlife, ponds and areas suitable for picnicking.
Open hours: June to September - 09:00 to 18:00; October to May, Monday to Thursday - 11:00 to 16:00, Friday to Sunday - 09:30 to 17:00
Admission: free