Fall Camping in Banff National Park

You'll fall in love with Banff National Park in the fall.

Sure, a late season fall camping trip is a bit of risk. I mean, this is Canada so you never know what the weather will be, but we were prepared for all of it.

The risk is worth it...
You'll fall in love with Banff National Park in the fall.

Sure, a late season fall camping trip is a bit of risk. I mean, this is Canada so you never know what the weather will be, but we were prepared for all of it.

The risk is worth it though because fall just might be the best time of year to explore Banff National Park in Alberta. The golden fall colours of the trees contrasting against the snow-capped mountains and the blue of the waters and the sky is stunning.

Lucky for us, we took a chance and were rewarded with a spectacular weekend enjoying the sites, hunting for golden larches and enjoying a post-hike warmup at Radium Hot Springs across the border in BC.
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4 October 2024 at   Banff National Park, Improvement District No. 9, AB T0L, Canada
Two Jack Lakeside Campground is a very popular campground near the Town of Banff. It 64 large and well treed unserviced sites as well as 22 walk-in tent sites and 10 oTentiks. This is our favourite campground in the area. To get a spot here we...
Two Jack Lakeside Campground is a very popular campground near the Town of Banff. It 64 large and well treed unserviced sites as well as 22 walk-in tent sites and 10 oTentiks. This is our favourite campground in the area. To get a spot here we had to book the day Banff National Park front country reservations opened in January!
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4 October 2024 ·   1 month ago taken in   Two Jack Lakeside Campground, Banff National Park Of Canada, Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr, Improvement District No. 9, AB T1L 1K2, Canada
There is a nice, leisurely trail that runs through the Two Jack Lakeside Campground to a day use area and viewpoint. The trail follows along the shoreline.
4 October 2024 ·   1 month ago taken in   Two Jack Lake, Improvement District No. 9, AB T0L, Canada
The Two Jack Trail from our campground to this viewpoint was just over 3km round trip. If you aren't up for the walk and still want to watch the sunset, you can always drive up the road towards Lake Minnewanka to get to this spot too.
4 October 2024 ·   1 month ago taken in   Two Jack Lake, Improvement District No. 9, AB T0L, Canada
The Vista Lake Trail is 2.7km round trip. It begins with a 165m descent to the lake which means you will have a 165m climb out of the valley at the end of your hike. Fortunately, the views and fall colours are great.
5 October 2024 ·   1 month ago taken in   Banff National Park, Improvement District No. 9, AB T0L, Canada
There are some amazing views along the Arnica Trail in Banff National Park. From here you can see a weather system starting to roll in....good thing we brought our daypacks with everything we will need.
5 October 2024 ·   1 month ago taken in   Banff National Park, Improvement District No. 9, AB T0L, Canada
We packed ourselves a small picnic to enjoy at Arnica Lake. We made it just as the snow started to fall.
5 October 2024 ·   1 month ago taken in   Banff National Park, Improvement District No. 9, AB T0L, Canada
At 2,290m (7,513 feet) Arnica Lake is a high alpine lake making it susceptible to early season snow falls.
5 October 2024 ·   1 month ago taken in   Banff National Park, Improvement District No. 9, AB T0L, Canada
The lake is still beautiful in snowy weather even though the spectacular golden larches colour was dampened by the weather.
5 October 2024 ·   1 month ago taken in   Banff National Park, Improvement District No. 9, AB T0L, Canada
A quick change into something more waterproof and a stop to capture the same viewpoint that we stopped at earlier...although the view was gone this time as the snow fell.
5 October 2024 ·   1 month ago taken in   Banff National Park, Improvement District No. 9, AB T0L, Canada
The snow quickly turns to rain as we reach lower elevations near Vista Lake, but the fall colours of the Canadian Rocky Mountains does not disappoint!
5 October 2024 ·   1 month ago taken in   Banff National Park, Improvement District No. 9, AB T0L, Canada
Is there a better way to warm up after am 11km hike through snow and rain than to hit Radium Hot Springs? We think not.
Radium Hot Springs is an hour down the road from the Vista & Arnica Lake Trailhead. The drive leads through another beautiful...
Is there a better way to warm up after am 11km hike through snow and rain than to hit Radium Hot Springs? We think not.
Radium Hot Springs is an hour down the road from the Vista & Arnica Lake Trailhead. The drive leads through another beautiful Rocky Mountain Park, Kootenay National Park. The hot springs are just over the border into British Columbia.
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5 October 2024 ·   1 month ago taken in   Radium Hot Springs, BC, Canada
The Cascade Gardens at the Parks Administration Building in the Town of Banff are beautiful all year. Banff's very own secret gardens we built nearly a century ago and a just as beautiful today as they were then. This is an ideal spot for a quiet...
The Cascade Gardens at the Parks Administration Building in the Town of Banff are beautiful all year. Banff's very own secret gardens we built nearly a century ago and a just as beautiful today as they were then. This is an ideal spot for a quiet picnic on a gorgeous fall day.
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5 October 2024 ·   1 month ago taken in   Banff, AB, Canada
For over 100 years, the Banff Fur Trading Post has been 'THE' spot for authentic Indigenous arts, crafts, jewelry, moccasins and mukluks. The Trading Post is famous for more than one reason though. It is also home to the mummified remains of a...
For over 100 years, the Banff Fur Trading Post has been 'THE' spot for authentic Indigenous arts, crafts, jewelry, moccasins and mukluks. The Trading Post is famous for more than one reason though. It is also home to the mummified remains of a merman! According to legend, the Merman is from Lake Minnewanka meaning the Lake of Spirits.
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6 October 2024 ·   1 month ago taken in   Banff, AB, Canada
The Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum celebrates and preserves the cultures of First Nations People and is one of Alberta's oldest museums!
6 October 2024 ·   1 month ago taken in   Banff, AB, Canada
The Bow River Trail is a mostly paved trail located in the heart of downtown Banff. Portions are wheelchair accessible and there are plenty of benches to rest at along the way. This trail connects to Fenland, Legacy, Hoodoos, and Bow Falls trails...
The Bow River Trail is a mostly paved trail located in the heart of downtown Banff. Portions are wheelchair accessible and there are plenty of benches to rest at along the way. This trail connects to Fenland, Legacy, Hoodoos, and Bow Falls trails for those looking to lengthen their adventure.
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6 October 2024 ·   1 month ago taken in   Banff, AB, Canada
Cascade Ponds is a beautiful park just outside of Banff along the road to Lake Minnewanka. There are a few small ponds connect by a 1km trail and few pedestrian bridges with beautiful views of Cascade Mountain. This is another great spot for a...
Cascade Ponds is a beautiful park just outside of Banff along the road to Lake Minnewanka. There are a few small ponds connect by a 1km trail and few pedestrian bridges with beautiful views of Cascade Mountain. This is another great spot for a picnic and an ideal place to spend an afternoon.
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6 October 2024 ·   1 month ago taken in   Cascade Ponds Banff Bound, Improvement District No. 9, AB T0L, Canada
It was nice having the opportunity to visit Johnson Lake again and to see the beautiful views. We were here for a snowshoe last winter, but it was in the middle of a snowstorm. Johnson Lake is one of the warmest lakes in Banff, so it is a popular...
It was nice having the opportunity to visit Johnson Lake again and to see the beautiful views. We were here for a snowshoe last winter, but it was in the middle of a snowstorm. Johnson Lake is one of the warmest lakes in Banff, so it is a popular water sports and picnicking destination.
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6 October 2024 ·   1 month ago taken in   Johnson Lake, Improvement District No. 9, AB T0L, Canada
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