Where to Stay When Visiting Banff National Park
It’s getting to be that time of year again…days are getting longer…people are booking summer vacations…and I’m getting asked for advice about visiting Banff, Canada. My main piece of advice is this: focus on lodging when planning, the rest will come easily. (3 other tips here)
There are four main options for type of lodging when visiting Banff National Park: campsite, hotel, hostel, or vacation rental. There are pros and cons of each. You can book in Banff Town or Canmore. Again, there are pros and cons of each.
Regardless of which type of lodging and location you chose, BOOK EARLY. Like really early, like RIGHT NOW. I am not usually an early booker, but for lodging when visiting Banff in summer, you have to be or you will find yourself with only undesirable or absurdly priced options, if any. The reason? Supply and demand: Banff is a very popular place to visit in summer. Banff Town and Canmore are the only accessible towns to stay in. They are both small towns.
1. CAMPSITE – MY TOP CHOICE!
Advantages: Low cost, as close to nature as you can get
Need to Know: Bears wander through campsites, you cannot just sleep in your car/van in the park, you need to book a site in advance
According to Parks Canada, “[d]uring peak season, there are 2462 sites located within 14 campgrounds offering a variety of services,” in Banff National Park. It sounds like a lot, but don’t be fooled! Even for campsites, you need to book early
I booked the site for our girls camping and hiking trip at Tunnel Village 1 in early June. A number of other campsites were already full. We got lucky and were able to add one more weekday night on last minute, but we talked to multiple people who tried to add on or book sites on the spot and were unable to.
Front-country car camping at Tunnel Village 1 was the perfect balance of being outdoors and amenities. Between all-day hikes and checking out downtown Banff Town, we were barely at our campsite during waking hours. A hotel would have been a waste of money.
BUT there were some perks that backcountry camping does not have. It was joyous to take a HOT shower at the end of the day and clean-up a little before going into town for a meal or drink. Unlike hike-in campsites, we could just keep our food and smelly toiletries in the car (think: bears) and did not have to hang the items for a tree.
Reserve a Campsite:
Banff National Park Camping (Official site, breaks down locations, amenities, and prices)
Backcountry Permits
Parks Canada Backcountry Trail Map & Campsites Spreadsheet
Buy Camping Basics:
Tent
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Everything Else
2. HOTEL
Advantages: Little luxuries like WIFI and indoor bathrooms
Need to Know: Many hotels do not have air conditioning and some charge for parking
Hotels are nice. You get to sleep on a bed, don’t have to worry about bears, and don’t have to go outside to go to the bathroom. The obvious downside is price. Hotels are always more expensive than camping, but in Banff hotels are a lot more. In summer, it’s unlikely you’ll get something under $175 if you can find a room.
We stayed at a hotel our last night thinking that after 5 nights of camping we’d love it, but it was actually less comfortable and convenient than camping because we had to move all our stuff, there was no air conditioning, and we were awake to hit the road before breakfast started.
Many people stay in nearby Canmore to avoid the steep prices of hotels in Banff Town, but even in Canmore, lodging isn’t cheap. Another interesting option that I just stumbled upon that seems like a hybrid between a hotel and a hostel is the YWCA Banff Hotel. I have no personal experience staying there so if anyone else does, please share your experience!
If you are a baller with no budget,, you should stay at least one night at the famous, castle-like Fairmont Banff Springs. If you are not, you should still visit for a drink and appetizers. It is a stunning location and in the casual bar area, prices are comparable to what they are in town and the drinks are excellent.
Book a Hotel:
3. HOSTEL
Advantages: Cheaper than a hotel, good way to meet fellow travelers
Need to Know: Unless you book a private room, you’ll be bunking with strangers
Experienced international travelers be prepared for sticker shock: hostel prices in Banff are not what they are in other travel circuits like Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Yet, hostels are still one of the most affordable options. They are also a great wait to meet other travelers and find hiking buddies for Moraine Lake where you are required to travel in groups of 4 or more during certain seasons and other adventures.
Book a Hostel:
4. VACATION RENTALS
Advantages: Unique spaces, large groups can stay together
Need to Know: Long gone are the days where AirBnB is the cheapest option
Vacation rentals tend to be the most large group friendly lodging option. The same is true in Banff and Canmore. They share the usual Banff premium (i.e. not as cheap as other cities) but split between multiple people, they can be less than a hotel per person, and allow large groups to hang out together. If you have rented the entire space, you can also save a few dollars by cooking at the rental. Vacation rentals by owner can also have nice amenities like hot tubs that lack of the sulfur smell of the hot springs.
Book Vacation Rentals:
VRBO Rentals Canmore
VRBO Rentals Banff
AirBnb (AirBnb first timer? You’ll get a little discount if you use the link)
HomeAway Rentals Banff
HomeAway Rentals Canmore
Feeling a little overwhelmed? Visiting Banff, Canada is 110% worth the minor headache of figuring out the best lodging for you and booking it. It is easily one of the top 5 places I’ve EVER been to. Have a blast & let me know how your trip goes
If you’re flying in like I did, the closest airport for Banff, Canada is Calgary International Airport (YYC), Canada. It’s a major airport so plenty of flights in. Then an easy drive over to Banff. I used SkyScanner to find my flights:
