How to Make the Most of a Rainy Day in Banff - a Local's Guide

So you've done all of this planning for an amazing trip to Banff, and Mother Nature decides to throw another curve ball your way. Don't worry too much - a little rain never hurt anyone! We always say "there's no bad weather, only bad clothing choices"

The mountains create interesting weather and rain hardly lasts forever. Rain days have lead to some of the coolest cloud formations and rainbows we've ever seen!

This guide will help you make the most of your day in Banff, even if it's raining.

Option 1 - Head outside and get a little wet! A little rain never stopped anyone from enjoying the park. While thunderstorms might be a different story, a bit of light rain won't ruin an adventure! Most popular viewpoints and hikes will be much less crowded in the rain too.

Take a hike!

If you already have a hike planned, grab a rain jacket and hit the trails! Most hikes can be done in rain or shine, and sometimes rain and clouds provide a really cool view.

Hikes with waterfall or lower lake viewpoints are the best on rainy days since the views are lower down. We recommend Johnston Canyon, Marble Canyon, Takakkaw Falls or Grassi Lakes.

Another great option is the Heart Mountain Bunker, where you end in a tunnel that will keep you dry while you explore!

Visit the typically busy sites

Major Banff highlights like Moraine Lake, Lake Louise & Emerald Lake are busy all summer. But when it's raining? The crowds disapear! The photo above was taken at Lake Louise. That dock is normally full of hundreds of people, so thick you can barely take a photo. That day, we were the only ones there! Not even 15 minutes later, a gorgeous rainbow appeared.

Most tour companies, like us, operate rain or shine. We provide umbrellas for our tours and the van stays at the lake with you, so you can duck out of the rain if needed! It's not worth missing these awesome places just from a little rain.

Other scenic stops that are worth it on a rainy day: Bow Lake, Lake Minnewanka, Three Sisters Viewpoint, Canmore Engine Bridge, Cascade Gardens

Go On An Outdoor Adventure!

Do a fun activity, like white water rafting, where you'll be wet anyway! You could also use a rain day to soak in a hot tub, hot spring or visit a local spa.

Go for a drive!

Get in the car and head on one of our stunning scenic roads. We recommend the Lake Minnewanka Loop or driving the Bow Valley Parkway! There's still a chance you could see some wildlife in the rain too.

Option 2: Get to know the other side of Banff & spend some time indoors. There are a lot of indoor activities that are great for families or people who have had enough time in the rain. Banff is also known for it's awesome food and shopping scene.

Indoor Fun

In Banff, we recommend Eureka Escape Rooms, bowling at High Rollers or checking out a movie at the old Lux Cinema.

For Canmore, try some virtual golf at CanGolf or paint some pottery at Haley Potter Studio

Burn off some energy!

One of the best places to visit on a rain day is Canmore's Elevation Place. It's a rec centre that features a rock climbing wall, a gym, a pool with lots of open swim times and a public library! It gets busy so make sure to get there early.

For those in Banff, check out Sally Borden Fitness Centre for similar offerings.

There is also a lot of great yoga studios in both Banff and Canmore, including Banff Yoga Practice and The Yoga Lounge.

Learn about the History of Banff

There is so much to learn about this area and how it came to be what it is today. My favourite museum is the Whyte Museum. Others include Banff Park Museum (free this summer!) and Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum. For a more hands on learning experience, visit Cave and Basin National Historic Site to see where the Park all started.

Eat Up!

There is no better time to spend a day indoors, touring the best of Banff's cafes and restaurants. Banff is a melting pot of many different cuisines and experiences!

Consider an experience like a brewery tour (Grizzly Paw Canmore), distillery tour (Park Distillery Banff) or some live music (Rose and Crown Banff). There might even be a trivia or bingo night happening (Sheepdog Banff/Canmore)

Our favourite cafes and restaurants include Eclipse Canmore, Nourish Bistro Banff & Ramen Arashi.

Take home a piece of the Mountains

Most visitors can't resist bringing home a Banff souvenir. There are a lot of local options and creative artists offering one of a kind finds. I highly recommend shopping downtown Canmore since the shopping area is pedestrian only. My favouriter shops offering locally made gifts are Project A and Alberta's own.

Another awesome shop in Canmore is Switching Gear, where you can find second-hand sports gear that's in great condition. Rocky Mountain Soap offers Canmore-made bath products that you won't be able to get enough of!

Downtown Banff offers a mix of typical tourist shops, high end stores and Canadian classics like Roots. I find shopping in Banff can be a bit challenging since the sidewalks are very crowded, but it is still worth checking out! Just pack your patience too.

At the end of the day, our advice is to stay positive and make the most of the rain. If it's your only day to do something you planned, just do it anyway! All of the pictures in this post are from Moraine Lake and Lake Louise on days we thought it would never stop raining!

The mountains are always changing the weather and it can be hard to predict. Pack a rain jacket or an extra layer and get exploring!