Banff National Park: Visitor Information

General information on Banff National Park

By Caroline Shin
Staff Writer

Rockies.com

Banff National Park is home to some stunning scenery.

BANFF, Alberta (Rockies.com) – Intrigued and enticed by the magnificent Banff National Park in the sprawling Alberta stretch of the Canadian Rockies? Seeking important Canadian national park visitor information? Well, look no further.

A Little Bit of Banff History:

One autumn day in 1883, three Canadian Pacific Railway construction workers discovered a cave containing hot springs on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. This accidental find became a traveler’s goldmine: Banff National Park. Spanning 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 square miles) of Canadian valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers, it is Canada’s first national park and the world’s third.

Fortunately for our world travelers, Banff National Park, along with many of its facilities and services, is open year-round. Included are:
* Canadian Information Centres
* Canada’s Fabulous Accommodation and Travel Services
* Upper Hot Springs
* Transportation
* Emergency Contacts
* Disabled Accessibility

Banff National Park Information Centres

Banff Information Centre
224 Banff Avenue, in the Town of Banff, Alberta
Hours of Operation 2009:
* Winter (Jan 1 to May 14): 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Spring (May 15 to June 17): 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
* Summer (June 18 to Sept 9): 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
* Fall (Sept 10 to 23): 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
* Winter (Sept 24 to May, 2010): 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Closed December 25

Banff National Park: Lake Louise Visitor Centre
Box 213, Lake Louise, AB
TOL 1E0, Canada
It is located in the village of Lake Louise, next to the Samson Mall.
Hours of Operation 2009:
* Winter (January 1 to April 30): 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
* Spring (May 1 to June 18): 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Summer (June 19 to Sept 6): 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
* Fall (Sept 7 to Sept 12): 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
* Fall (Sept 13 to Sept 26): 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Winter (Sept 26 to March 31, 2010): 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
* Closed December 25
Please note: From October 10 to April 30, Alberta’s Lake Louise Visitor Reception Centre is closed from 12:30 to 1:00 pm.

Banff National Park’s Upper Hot Springs

Banff is nestled amongst towering Canadian Rocky Mountains.

A special zone of relaxation and decompression in Banff National Park, the Upper Hot Springs presents one of the main attractions in Banff and the whole of the Canadian Rockies.

Banff Upper Hot Springs: Hours of Operation 2009

The Banff Upper Hot Springs and Radium Hot Springs are open year-round. Laberta’s Miette Hot Springs is open from early-May to mid-October annually. Extended hours offered during holiday periods; please check with each facility for details.

*September 8, 2008 to May 14, 2009
Sunday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
*May 15, 2008 to September 13, 2009
Daily: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
*September 14, 2009 to May 20, 2010
Sunday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Last admission 1/2 hr before closing time.

Transportation in Banff National Park

Banff: The municipal Roam bus provides environment-friendly transportation to the main attractions of Banff town site. Please note that parking is limited in the town of Banff. To save you some hassle, you should leave your vehicle elsewhere, for example at your hotel or campsite or at the edge of town, and walk or take local transit. The municipal bus service operates between May and September.

Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper: For those who want to get around the area, there is bus service that connects the Alberta towns of Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper throughout the year. Contact the Alberta Tourism office in Banff and Lake Louise for more information.

Insider Tip:
The luminous Lake Louise and Moraine Lake of Banff National Park attract adoring crowds. It is best to visit these Canadian lakes in the early morning or evening to avoid the human and vehicular congestion.

Emergency Contacts at Banff National Park
* Ambulance, RCMP (police), Fire: 911
* Park Wardens – 24 hours (403) 762-4506
* Banff Mineral Springs Hospital (403) 762-2222
* Lake Louise Medical Clinic (403) 522-2184

Disabled Accessibility at Banff National Park
Banff National Park offers a variety of wheelchair-accessible services and facilities, as do most Canadian National Parks.

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