Banff, Alberta and the surrounding Banff National Park are among the premiere summer vacation destinations in Western Canada, not to mention North America — if not the world. Its high latitudes coupled with mountain elevations make this part of the Canadian Rockies ideal for summer fun – sweeping alpine vistas, clear blue lakes, verdant forests and mountain meadows filled with wildflowers – all under a clear Albertan sky.
Despite the amount of precipitation experienced in the Canadian Rockies each year, the humidity during the summer months is low, particularly in July and August. Temperatures are nice, with average highs between 21- and 22-degrees Celsius (or about 70- to 72-degrees Fahrenheit, to you Yanks). And in summer in the Canadian Rockies you’ve got plenty of daylight for outdoor recreation – at the summer solstice it’s still light out after 11 p.m.!
Just a word of advice about summer in the high latitudes and elevations to be found in Banff National Park and throughout Western Canada: the UV rating in Banff National Park tends to be high. Between the altitude and the angle of the Sun people burn easily: sunscreen, sunglasses and a good wide-brimmed hat are a must when you hit the trail, hop in the boat, or hit the links for a round of golf.
![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|
![]() | ![]() |
The Banff Upper Hot Springs are family friendly, with a kids wading area, changing rooms with heated floors and dedicated family changing rooms.
Roaring waterfalls, emerald lakes, alpine meadows, snowcapped peaks and wildlife sound nice? Take a sightseeing tour in Banff National Park.
Go rock climbing and mountaineering in the alpine terrain of the Continental Divide and the Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park.
See Banff National Park via helicopter. Like heli-skiing, heli-hiking lets you enjoy the scenic alpine beauty of the Canadian Rockies in and around Banff.
Placid alpine lakes; lazy rivers; rippling mountain creeks and epic whitewater: perfect for canoeing and kayaking. It’s all in Banff National Park.
A bicycle is an excellent way to take in the scenic beauty of Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies, whether you prefer mountain biking or road cycling.
You can choose resort and boutique hotels, but camping is a great and inexpensive way to enjoy Banff National Park and Canadian Rockies.
Operating in Banff and Lake Louise, gondolas are a perfect option for the whole family to enjoy mountain scenery and Canadian Rockies wildlife.