The first thing to know about Banff National Park is that it’s Canada’s leading tourist attraction, so be prepared for summer crowds.

Make the effort to walk, bike or paddle away from the main hubs though, and you’ll readily find a rugged park with unforgettable landscapes, scenic trails and abundant wildlife.

The Town of Banff

The park’s focal point is the cheerful commercial town of Banff, the unofficial capital of the Canadian Rockies. Nestled in the flat-bottomed Bow River Valley amid majestic folds of a bowl of grey craggy peaks, it’s a buzzing resort town full of services. Among them are a huge selection of comfortable hotels, some hundred-plus quality restaurants – including great Japanese and Korean options, thanks to Banff’s popularity with East Asian visitors – and the best nightlife in the Rockies.