BanffOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Railway Stop to National Park

Banff's origins are tied to the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). In 1883, three railway workers found natural hot springs on Sulphur Mountain. This discovery led the Canadian government to designate a 26-square-kilometer area around the hot springs as a public park in 1885, initially called the Banff Hot Springs Reserve. This established Canada's first national park and the third in the world.

Two years later, in 1887, the park expanded to 674 square kilometers and was renamed Rocky Mountains Park. The CPR promoted the area for tourism, building the Banff Springs Hotel and the Lake Louise Chalet. The town, originally "Siding 29," was renamed Banff on November 25, 1883, by Lord Strathcona (Donald Smith), after his hometown in Scotland. In 1930, the park was officially renamed Banff National Park. The town became a self-governing municipality within Alberta on January 1, 1990.

Early Tourism and Conservation Challenges

Banff was developed for tourism from its inception in the 1880s. Early visitors were often wealthy Europeans and Americans who arrived by train. Mountaineering became a popular activity, with local guides like Jim and Bill Brewster establishing some of the first outfitting services. The Stoney Nakoda and other Indigenous peoples had used the area for millennia for sustenance, ceremony, trade, and as a sacred place for gathering medicines and seeking healing in the hot springs. However, between 1890 and 1920, Indigenous communities were removed from Banff National Park, as the park was designed for sportsmen and tourists, and traditional hunting and gathering were prohibited. This policy has been gradually reversed over the past 50 years, with Parks Canada now working to build relationships with Indigenous peoples for land stewardship.

• —Former Canadian Pacific Railway Station — This station, built in 1910, served as the arrival point for early tourists. It now houses a visitor center and a gift shop.
• —Banff Park Museum — Opened in 1903, this log-faced building is Canada's oldest federal building in a national park and the oldest natural history museum in Western Canada. It contains over 5,000 vintage botanical and zoological specimens.
• —Cascade Gardens — These formal gardens, at the administrative headquarters of Banff National Park, offer manicured lawns, flower beds, and views of Cascade Mountain.
• —Bow River Bridge — Constructed between 1920 and 1921, this stone and concrete bridge connects Banff Avenue to the south side of the river. It offers views of the Bow River and mountains and features six concrete-cast reliefs of an unknown First Nations man along its parapet.
• —Central Park (Banff) — A green space along the Bow River, Central Park provides an area for relaxation, picnics, and access to walking trails. It is a central point for many local events.
• —Banff Avenue — The main street of Banff, offering views of Cascade Mountain to the north. It is lined with shops, restaurants, and hotels.
• —Tunnel Mountain Drive (viewpoint) — This loop road offers several viewpoints with vistas of the Bow Valley, the town of Banff, and the surrounding peaks.
• —Banff Upper Hot Springs — These outdoor mineral hot springs, discovered in 1883, offer a soak with views of Sulphur Mountain.

The period from June to October is suitable for visiting Banff, when temperatures are mild and glacial lakes are accessible. July and August are the warmest and busiest months, with the most outdoor activities available. For fewer crowds and potentially lower hotel prices, consider May, early June, or mid-September to early October. During mid-to-late September, larch trees turn golden. Winter, from December to March, is for skiing and snowboarding, with March offering warmer weather and longer daylight hours.

Avoid visiting during late spring (April-May) if you expect fully thawed lakes, as many will still be frozen or partially frozen, and some higher elevation trails may still be snow-covered.

Banff is approximately 130 km (80 miles) west of Calgary International Airport (YYC). Shuttle services, such as the Banff Airporter and Brewster Express, operate between the airport and Banff. Once in Banff, moving around without a car is recommended due to limited parking and traffic, especially during peak season.

The town of Banff is compact (about 4 square kilometers), making walking and cycling practical. Roam Public Transit offers a network of hybrid and electric buses, covering the town, Canmore, Lake Louise, and attractions like Lake Minnewanka and Johnston Canyon. Fares are around C$2 for adults, with multi-day passes available. Shuttles also provide access to the Banff Gondola and Upper Hot Springs.

For parking, the Banff Train Station Public Parking lot offers free parking for up to 9 hours and is a 10-minute walk to Banff Avenue. Paid parking is in effect in the downtown core from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, costing $12/hour from May to October and $7/hour from November to April. RVs are encouraged to park at the Train Station or campgrounds and use transit.