Ray’s guidebook to the Rockies
Sightseeing
Two Jack Lake is one of the closest places to visit from our Airbnb townhouse. If you are lucky, you can spot a family of big horns/goats here. Oh, also the elks. Just pay attention to the road sides when you drive in sunset hours or early morning.
13 recommandé par les habitants
Two Jack Lake
Two Jack Lake is one of the closest places to visit from our Airbnb townhouse. If you are lucky, you can spot a family of big horns/goats here. Oh, also the elks. Just pay attention to the road sides when you drive in sunset hours or early morning.
This is a hidden gem and also very close to our Airbnb stay. If you have more time, I suggest you take the short hike around the lake. You won't regret it!
10 recommandé par les habitants
Johnson Lake
Johnson Lake RoadThis is a hidden gem and also very close to our Airbnb stay. If you have more time, I suggest you take the short hike around the lake. You won't regret it!
Do you know this is the deepest lake in Canadian Rockies? And there is a town hidden beneath the lake (ok, ok, no more spoilers...). You highly suggest you take the short hike to the bridge over the river/canyon. Oh, remember I mentioned the goats/big horns in Two Jack Lake? It seems they travel a lot between Minnewanka and Two Jack. Make sure say hello to them.
75 recommandé par les habitants
Lake Minnewanka
Do you know this is the deepest lake in Canadian Rockies? And there is a town hidden beneath the lake (ok, ok, no more spoilers...). You highly suggest you take the short hike to the bridge over the river/canyon. Oh, remember I mentioned the goats/big horns in Two Jack Lake? It seems they travel a lot between Minnewanka and Two Jack. Make sure say hello to them.
If you go to visit Lake Louise, make sure you take the Bow Valley Parkway (HWY 1A). It's so beautiful and during early morning or sunset, you can easily spot wild animals on the road sides. When you see others cars driving "embarrassingly" slowly, they are probably looking for wild lives like you do :)
Bow Valley Parkway
Bow Valley ParkwayIf you go to visit Lake Louise, make sure you take the Bow Valley Parkway (HWY 1A). It's so beautiful and during early morning or sunset, you can easily spot wild animals on the road sides. When you see others cars driving "embarrassingly" slowly, they are probably looking for wild lives like you do :)
Take the Norquay Road to Mount Norquay and you will find yourself driving on a steep winding road. Make sure stop at the scenic spot as you can see the whole Banff Town up there. Plus, there are two red muskoka chairs. Goats are also easily spot here.
84 recommandé par les habitants
Mount Norquay
2 Mt Norquay RdTake the Norquay Road to Mount Norquay and you will find yourself driving on a steep winding road. Make sure stop at the scenic spot as you can see the whole Banff Town up there. Plus, there are two red muskoka chairs. Goats are also easily spot here.
If you love taking sunset photos, you have to visit Vermilion Lake. Just outside Banff Town, it is very close to our Airbnb stay. Oh, if you smell sulphur, that's because most of the water from the hot springs will flow into this lake. And you can also see the train passing if you stay long enough. It's beautiful!
13 recommandé par les habitants
Vermilion Lakes
If you love taking sunset photos, you have to visit Vermilion Lake. Just outside Banff Town, it is very close to our Airbnb stay. Oh, if you smell sulphur, that's because most of the water from the hot springs will flow into this lake. And you can also see the train passing if you stay long enough. It's beautiful!
Hoodoos are strange and awesome! And the place where you can see the Hoodoos is the windiest place in Banff National Park (or maybe all the national parks but don't quote me on that...). Another reason I recommend this place is you will need take the tunnel mountain drive to get there and it's a great drive. It's also our favourite road to access Banff Town.
Hoodoos Trail
Hoodoos TrailHoodoos are strange and awesome! And the place where you can see the Hoodoos is the windiest place in Banff National Park (or maybe all the national parks but don't quote me on that...). Another reason I recommend this place is you will need take the tunnel mountain drive to get there and it's a great drive. It's also our favourite road to access Banff Town.
You must visit Bow Falls when you visit Banff Town. You can drive all the way to the parking lot at the Falls. Plus, Fairmont Banff Springs is also there!
15 recommandé par les habitants
Bow Falls
You must visit Bow Falls when you visit Banff Town. You can drive all the way to the parking lot at the Falls. Plus, Fairmont Banff Springs is also there!
This is a must visit without saying...! However you must pay attention that since 2023, visitors are NOT allowed to visit by their own cars. You must reserve the shuttle bus service to visit Moraine Lake. Because of its popularity, it highly recommended to book the shuttle bus in advance (as soon as possible). Seriously, after you read this guide, go book the shuttle bus...
Please search morainelakeshuttle online and you will find a guide and link to book (Airbnb won't allow me to post the link here).
One good thing about the shuttle bus is that you can visit BOTH Moraine Lake and Lake Louise with one ticket in the same day.
When you are there, do NOT climb the rocks to see the lake. There is a hiking trail to the top of the rocks where you can see the whole lake and take the iconic photos of Moraine Lake you see on the internet. It's embarrassing for me as a local to take two years to find out there is an easy path to the top of the rocks...
127 recommandé par les habitants
Moraine Lake
This is a must visit without saying...! However you must pay attention that since 2023, visitors are NOT allowed to visit by their own cars. You must reserve the shuttle bus service to visit Moraine Lake. Because of its popularity, it highly recommended to book the shuttle bus in advance (as soon as possible). Seriously, after you read this guide, go book the shuttle bus...
Please search morainelakeshuttle online and you will find a guide and link to book (Airbnb won't allow me to post the link here).
One good thing about the shuttle bus is that you can visit BOTH Moraine Lake and Lake Louise with one ticket in the same day.
When you are there, do NOT climb the rocks to see the lake. There is a hiking trail to the top of the rocks where you can see the whole lake and take the iconic photos of Moraine Lake you see on the internet. It's embarrassing for me as a local to take two years to find out there is an easy path to the top of the rocks...
You already know how great Lake Louise is. The only thing I want to add is taking the hike all the way to the tea house if you have the time. It's totally worth it. Also they have this very giant dog there sleeping all the time. I'm not sure if the dog is still there. Let me know when you make it there.
371 recommandé par les habitants
Lake Louise
Lake Louise Lakeshore TrailYou already know how great Lake Louise is. The only thing I want to add is taking the hike all the way to the tea house if you have the time. It's totally worth it. Also they have this very giant dog there sleeping all the time. I'm not sure if the dog is still there. Let me know when you make it there.