Banff National Park

Canada’s First National Park

By Michele Kadison

Staff Writer
Rockies.com

BANFF NATIONAL PARK, Alberta (Rockies.com) – Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park, is 1 1/2 hrs drive west of Calgary, Alberta.. From Banff’s humble beginnings as a 26 square kilometre hot springs reserve, Banff National Park now consists of 6,641 square kilometres of unparalleled mountain scenery nestled in the heart of the magnificent Canadian Rockies.

Each year, millions of visitors come to Banff to marvel at the emerald waters of Lake Louise, walk amongst the flower-filled heavens at Sunshine Meadows and drive beneath the towering jagged peaks lining the Icefields Parkway. Snow-capped peaks, glistening glaciers and sweeping vistas are all just part of the allure that is Banff National Park.

You can enjoy all the comforts of home in the town of Banff and the village of Lake Louise, or step out into the wilderness and visit the home of some of North America’s wildest creatures, including grizzly bears, caribou and wolves.