Banff

Including Revelstoke NP, Glacier NP, Yoho NP, Jasper NP, Kootenay NP and the Bugaboos.

Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park
August 13th - September 23rd, 2023

Majestic mountains and bright blue water

We ventured again into Canada but this time focusing on the Banff area on the Alberta/British Columbia border. Our Airbnb was located in the beautiful small town of Golden BC.

This is such a unique area for it’s proximity to 6 amazing Canadian national parks, with it’s crown jewel being Banff National Park. Each of these national parks were absolutely stunning, but we appreciated the lesser known parks even more than Banff since they were less crowded.

We particularly loved driving up the Icefields Parkway to Jasper NP where we went on an ice explorer tour on the Athabasca glacier.

We loved being in this area for it’s jaw dropping views of mountain ranges and beautiful deep forests in every direction you look.

Banff National Park

Banff National Park is the most well known national park in this area. The park boundaries include the famous Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

Natalie in front of the beautiful Lake Louise.
Natalie in front of the beautiful Lake Louise.
Natalie in front of the beautiful Lake Louise.
Lake Louise, Banff National Park.
Trevor, Jereme and Natalie at Lake Louise.
We went to Lake Louise when Trevor's mom came to visit us!
The view of Lake Louise from the restaurant we ate lunch at.
The view of Lake Louise from the restaurant we ate lunch at.
Natalie at Moraine Lake.
Lake Louise's companion lake, Moraine Lake, which is equally as beautiful.
Moraine Lake from a higher vantage point.
Moraine Lake from a higher vantage point.
Views from the Banff gondola.
We went on the Banff Gondola which gives you great overviews of Banff and the surrounding areas.
Natalie and Trevor riding the Banff Gondola.
Riding the Banff Gondola.
Natalie and Trevor standing at the top of the Banff gondola.
Standing at the top of the Banff gondola.
The boardwalks at the top of the Banff Gondola.
The boardwalks at the top of the Banff Gondola.
A foggy view at the top of the Banff Gondola.
The day we rode the Banff Gondola happened to be super foggy. Still cool nonetheless!
Natalie, Jereme and Trevor at the top of the Banff Gondola.
Trevor's mom came with us on the Banff Gondola when she came to visit.
Views from the top of the Banff Gondola.
Views from the top of the Banff Gondola.
Views from the top of the Banff Gondola.
Views from the top of the Banff Gondola.
The trees at the top of the Banff Gondola had this vibrant green vegetation all over them.
The trees at the top of the Banff Gondola had this vibrant green vegetation all over them.
The Banff Gondola
The Banff Gondola
Natalie at the top of the Banff Gondola.
Natalie at the top of the Banff Gondola.
Views from the top of the Banff Gondola.
Views from the top of the Banff Gondola.
Trevor, Natalie and Jereme on a Lake Minnewanka boat tour.
We also went on a boat tour of Lake Minnewanka while Trevor's mom was in town.
The Lake Minnewanka boat tour.
The Lake Minnewanka boat tour.
The Lake Minnewanka boat tour.
The Lake Minnewanka boat tour.
Natalie dipping her feet into Lake Minnewanka before the boat tour.
Natalie dipping her feet into Lake Minnewanka before the boat tour.
Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park.
Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park.
Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park.
Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site.
We went to Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff, which features beautiful thermal water pools.
The thermal waters at Cave and Basin.
The thermal waters at Cave and Basin.
The thermal waters at Cave and Basin.
The thermal waters at Cave and Basin.
The thermal waters at Cave and Basin.
The thermal waters at Cave and Basin.
The thermal waters at Cave and Basin.
The thermal waters at Cave and Basin.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site
Cave and Basin National Historic Site
View of Banff from Tunnel Mountain.
We hiked up Tunnel Mountain in Banff which gave us great views of the city and surrounding area.
Views of Banff from Tunnel Mountain.
Views of Banff from Tunnel Mountain.
Views of Banff from Tunnel Mountain.
Views of Banff from Tunnel Mountain.
Views of Banff from Tunnel Mountain.
Views of Banff from Tunnel Mountain.
Natalie climbing up the Sunshine Slabs.
We went rock climbing in Banff at the Sunshine Slabs. Really fun!
Rock climbing at Sunshine Slabs, Banff.
Rock climbing at Sunshine Slabs, Banff.
Lower Johnston Canyon Falls.
Lower Johnston Canyon Falls in Banff National Park.
Upper Johnston Canyon Falls in Banff National Park.
Upper Johnston Canyon Falls in Banff National Park.
We met up with one of Natalie's companions from her mission with her husband and child.
We met up with one of Natalie's companions from her mission with her husband and child who live in Canada.
Natalie with Minerva in Banff.
Natalie with Minerva in Banff.

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park of Canada is a lot like Glacier National Park of the US, but it actually has a lot of glaciers. The main trails we did here were the Great Glacier Trail and Bear Creek Falls.

Meeting of the Waters, Glacier National Park.
Meeting of the Waters, Glacier National Park.
Views along the Great Glacier Trail, Glacier National Park.
Views along the Great Glacier Trail, Glacier National Park.
At the endpoint of the Great Glacier Trail, Glacier National Park.
At the endpoint of the Great Glacier Trail, Glacier National Park.
The view at the endpoint of the Great Glacier Trail, Glacier National Park.
The view at the endpoint of the Great Glacier Trail, Glacier National Park.
Natalie and Trevor at the end of the Great Glacier Trail.
There were wildfires in the area which made the visibility lower than usual, but still beautiful.
Bear Creek Falls, Glacier National Park.
Bear Creek Falls, Glacier National Park.
Scenery along the Great Glacier Trail.
Scenery along the Great Glacier Trail.
Scenery along the Great Glacier Trail.
Scenery along the Great Glacier Trail.
Natalie being a model at Glacier National Park.
Natalie being a model at Glacier National Park.
Scenery along the Great Glacier Trail.
Scenery along the Great Glacier Trail.
Scenery along the Great Glacier Trail.
Scenery along the Great Glacier Trail.
Approaching Bear Creek Falls in Glacier NP.
Approaching Bear Creek Falls in Glacier NP.
Bear Creek Falls, Glacier National Park.
Bear Creek Falls, Glacier National Park.
Scenery along the Bear Creek Falls trail.
Scenery along the Bear Creek Falls trail.

Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park turned out to be our favorite of all the national parks in this area. It was a bit more secluded and had some truly amazing lakes and hikes.

Trevor on the Columbia Icefield Adventure.
We went on the Columbia Icefield Adventure in Jasper where we got to walk on a real glacier. Cool stuff!
Columbia Icefield up close details.
Columbia Icefield up close details.
Trevor bending down to drink some glacier water.
Bending down to drink some 100% pure glacier water.
Trevor standing next to an Ice Explorer vehicle.
The Columbia Icefield Adventure consists of riding in this massive Ice Explorer all-terrain vehicle up the glacier.
Trev and glacier
Trev and glacier
Up close glacier details.
Up close glacier details.
Natalie holding glacier ice in her hand.
The ice on the glacier was crystal clear and beautiful.
Natalie on glacier.
Natalie on glacier.
Natalie on glacier pt 2.
Natalie on glacier pt 2.
The Athabasca glacier as seen on the Columbia Icefield Adventure.
The Athabasca glacier as seen on the Columbia Icefield Adventure.
Standing on the Columbia Icefield Skywalk.
Our Columbia Icefield Adventure also included the Columbia Icefield Skywalk which was really cool.
Standing on the Columbia Icefield Skywalk.
Standing on the Columbia Icefield Skywalk.
The Columbia Icefield Skywalk.
The Columbia Icefield Skywalk.
Medicine Lake, Jasper National Park.
Medicine Lake in Jasper National Park. One of the most beautiful lake views we've ever seen.
Medicine Lake, Jasper National Park.
Medicine Lake, Jasper National Park.
The Maligne Lake boat dock
We went on a boat tour of Maligne Lake which was really amazing.
The Maligne Lake boat tour.
The Maligne Lake boat tour.
The Maligne Lake boat tour.
The Maligne Lake boat tour.
The Maligne Lake boat tour.
The Maligne Lake boat tour.
The Maligne Lake boat tour.
The Maligne Lake boat tour.
Looking towards "The Hall of the Gods" of Lake Maligne.
Looking towards "The Hall of the Gods" of Lake Maligne.
Lake Maligne, Jasper National Park.
Lake Maligne, Jasper National Park.
Spirit Island on Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park.
Spirit Island on Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park.
The Maligne Lake boat tour.
The Maligne Lake boat tour.
Lake Maligne, Jasper National Park.
Lake Maligne, Jasper National Park.
Lake Maligne, Jasper National Park.
Lake Maligne, Jasper National Park.
Lake Maligne, Jasper National Park.
Lake Maligne, Jasper National Park.
Lake Maligne, Jasper National Park.
Lake Maligne, Jasper National Park.
Lake Maligne, Jasper National Park.
Lake Maligne, Jasper National Park.
Spirit Island on Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park.
Spirit Island on Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park.
First Lake along the Valley of the Five Lakes, Jasper National Park.
First Lake along the Valley of the Five Lakes, Jasper National Park.
Second Lake, Valley of the Five Lakes.
Second Lake, Valley of the Five Lakes.
Valley of the Five Lakes trail, Jasper National Park.
Valley of the Five Lakes trail, Jasper National Park.
Third Lake, Valley of the Five Lakes.
Third Lake, Valley of the Five Lakes.
The canyon of Athabasca Falls, Jasper NP.
The canyon of Athabasca Falls, Jasper NP.
Athabasca Falls, Jasper National Park.
Athabasca Falls, Jasper National Park.
Athabasca River after Athabasca Falls.
Athabasca River after Athabasca Falls.
The interesting canyon trail connecting Athabasca Falls with it's outlet into Athabasca River.
The interesting canyon trail connecting Athabasca Falls with it's outlet into Athabasca River.
Athabasca Falls, Jasper National Park.
Athabasca Falls, Jasper National Park.
Athabasca Falls, Jasper National Park.
Athabasca Falls, Jasper National Park.
Athabasca River after Athabasca Falls.
Athabasca River after Athabasca Falls.
Peyto Lake Overlook
Peyto Lake Overlook
The views along the Icefield Parkway.
The views along the Icefield Parkway to Jasper National Park were stunning.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.
Maligne Canyon Loop, Jasper NP.

Kootenay National Park

Kootenay National Park shares a boundary with Banff National Park, and even though it is much less visited we liked it just as much if not more than Banff. The hike we went on up Marble Canyon was probably our favorite hike out of all the parks in this area.

Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park.
Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park.
Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park.
Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park.
Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park.
Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park.
Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park.
Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park.
Views from the Marble Canyon Trail, Kootenay National Park.
Views from the Marble Canyon Trail, Kootenay National Park.
Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park.
Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park.
Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park.
Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park.
Views from the Marble Canyon Trail, Kootenay National Park.
Views from the Marble Canyon Trail, Kootenay National Park.
Views from the Marble Canyon Trail, Kootenay National Park.
Views from the Marble Canyon Trail, Kootenay National Park.
The Paint Pots trail, Kootenay NP.
The Paint Pots trail in Kootenay NP, which has this bright ochre colored mud/pools.
The Paint Pots trail, Kootenay NP.
The Paint Pots trail, Kootenay NP.
The Paint Pots trail, Kootenay NP.
The Paint Pots trail, Kootenay NP.
The Paint Pots trail, Kootenay NP.
The Paint Pots trail, Kootenay NP.
Numa Falls, Kootenay National Park.
Numa Falls, Kootenay National Park.
Radium Hot Springs near Kootenay National Park.
Radium Hot Springs near Kootenay National Park.

Yoho National Park

Yoho National Park is located in between Banff and Golden (where we stayed), so we stopped in Yoho a number of times and went on a handful of amazing hikes in the area.

Takakkaw Falls with Trevor's mom in Yoho National Park.
Takakkaw Falls with Trevor's mom in Yoho National Park.
Takakkaw Falls trail, Yoho National Park.
Takakkaw Falls trail, Yoho National Park.
The Yoho River near Takakkaw Falls.
The Yoho River near Takakkaw Falls.
Takakkaw Falls, Yoho National Park.
Takakkaw Falls in Yoho NP, one of the most stunning waterfalls we've ever seen.
Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park.
Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park.
Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park.
Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park.
Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park.
Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park.
Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park.
Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park.
Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park.
Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park.
Wapta Falls, Yoho National Park.
Wapta Falls, Yoho National Park.
Wapta Falls, Yoho National Park.
Wapta Falls, Yoho National Park.
Wapta Falls, Yoho National Park.
Wapta Falls, Yoho National Park.

Mount Revelstoke National Park

Mount Revelstoke National Park is a smaller park compared to the others in the area, but we really enjoyed driving to the top of Mount Revelstoke and doing a couple hikes in the area.

Scenery from Mount Revelstoke National Park
Scenery from Mount Revelstoke National Park
Views from the top of Mount Revelstoke National Park.
Views from the top of Mount Revelstoke National Park.
Scenery from Mount Revelstoke National Park
Scenery from Mount Revelstoke National Park
Scenery from Mount Revelstoke National Park
Scenery from Mount Revelstoke National Park
Scenery from Mount Revelstoke National Park
Scenery from Mount Revelstoke National Park
Scenery from Mount Revelstoke National Park
Scenery from Mount Revelstoke National Park

Golden Skybridge

Near our Airbnb in Golden, the Golden Skybridge is a fun attraction that features a suspension bridge across a deep canyon, a ropes course, a zipline, an alpine coaster, and more. We came here multiple times, bringing Trevor's mom here when she came to visit.

Natalie on the Golden Skybridge
Natalie on the Golden Skybridge
Trevor on the Golden Skybridge
Trevor on the Golden Skybridge
Golden Skybridge
Golden Skybridge
The zipline at Golden Skybridge.
The zipline at Golden Skybridge.
Looking down from the Golden Skybridge.
Looking down from the Golden Skybridge.
Trevor and his mom on the Golden Skybridge.
We took Trevor's mom to the Golden Skybridge when she came to visit us.
The zipline at the Golden Skybridge.
The zipline at the Golden Skybridge.
The ropes course at the Golden Skybridge.
The ropes course at the Golden Skybridge.
Trevor + mom at Golden Skybridge
Trevor + mom at Golden Skybridge
Trevor + mom + Natalie at Golden Skybridge
Trevor + mom + Natalie at Golden Skybridge
Natalie on the Golden Skybridge.
Natalie on the Golden Skybridge.
The ropes course at the Golden Skybridge.
The ropes course at the Golden Skybridge.
The ropes course at the Golden Skybridge.
The ropes course at the Golden Skybridge.
Golden Skybridge
Golden Skybridge

Golden

Golden is the city we stayed in during our visit here. It was a good central spot among all the national parks. We loved the town's small town charm and did a lot of fun things here.

Our cute Airbnb in Glacier.
Our cute Airbnb in Glacier.
Our cute Airbnb in Glacier.
Our cute Airbnb in Glacier.
We rented a canoe and went down the Columbia River near Golden.
We rented a canoe and went down the Columbia River near Golden.
Canoe trip down the Columbia River.
Canoe trip down the Columbia River.
Canoe trip down the Columbia River.
Canoe trip down the Columbia River.
Nat finds a heart shaped rock along the Columbia River.
Nat finds a heart shaped rock along the Columbia River.
We took Trevor's mom to the Columbia River when she came to visit us.
We took Trevor's mom to the Columbia River when she came to visit us.
The Kicking Horse Pedestrian bridge near downtown Golden.
The Kicking Horse Pedestrian bridge near downtown Golden.
Rock finds along the Kicking Horse River, Golden BC.
Rock finds along the Kicking Horse River, Golden BC.
Kicking Horse River, Golden BC.
Kicking Horse River, Golden BC.
The neighbors cat at our Airbnb would come by each day and stare at us through the window until we let him in.
The neighbors cat at our Airbnb would come by each day and stare at us through the window until we let him in.
The neighbor's cat would hang out with us for an hour or two most days.
The neighbor's cat would hang out with us for an hour or two most days.
Natalie with a cat on the couch.
Natalie absolutely loved that this Airbnb came with a cute cat (not really but it felt that way).
JJ the cat snuggled up on a blanket.
We found out later on that his name was JJ, he was such a cute cat.

Bugaboos Park

The Bugaboos are an iconic area in the rock climbing and mountaineering scene. Trevor came here and did a hike just to explore the area.

Hiking up the main Bugaboos trail to Kain Hut
Hiking up the main Bugaboos trail to Kain Hut
Scenery along the Kain Hut to Applebee Campground trail
Scenery along the Kain Hut to Applebee Campground trail
Scenery along the Kain Hut to Applebee Campground trail
Scenery along the Kain Hut to Applebee Campground trail
Scenery along the Kain Hut to Applebee Campground trail
Scenery along the Kain Hut to Applebee Campground trail
Kain Hut in the Bugaboos, where climbers and mountaineers sleep during their adventures in the Bugaboos.
Kain Hut in the Bugaboos, where climbers and mountaineers sleep during their adventures in the Bugaboos.
The view from Applebee Campground, Bugaboos.
The view from Applebee Campground, Bugaboos.
The view from Applebee Campground, Bugaboos.
The view from Applebee Campground, Bugaboos.

Waterton Lakes National Park

We stopped at Waterton Lakes National Park on our way from Golden down to our next stop (Jackson, WY) which is situated right on the US-Canada border directly across from Glacier National Park. Our favorite thing we did was hike up the Bear Hump trail which provides a truly amazing view of the lakes.

The view of Waterton Lakes from the Bear's Hump trail
The view of Waterton Lakes from the Bear's Hump trail
The view of Waterton Lakes from the Bear's Hump trail
The view of Waterton Lakes from the Bear's Hump trail
The view of Waterton Lakes from the Bear's Hump trail
The view of Waterton Lakes from the Bear's Hump trail
Blakiston Falls, Waterton Lakes.
Blakiston Falls, Waterton Lakes.
Blakiston Falls, Waterton Lakes.
Blakiston Falls, Waterton Lakes.
Blakiston Falls, Waterton Lakes.
Blakiston Falls, Waterton Lakes.
Blakiston Falls, Waterton Lakes.
Blakiston Falls, Waterton Lakes.
Some night time pictures of Waterton Lakes that Natalie captured.
Some night time pictures of Waterton Lakes that Natalie captured.
Some night time pictures of Waterton Lakes that Natalie captured.
Some night time pictures of Waterton Lakes that Natalie captured.
Some night time pictures of Waterton Lakes that Natalie captured.
Some night time pictures of Waterton Lakes that Natalie captured.
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Jackson, WY

The Tetons reflected off the surface of a lake.
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Glacier National Park

Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park.