Andrew Hempstead - Moon Canadian Rockies

Bow Lake in Banff National Park.

Snowcapped peaks, glaciers and ice fields, multihued lakes, rushing rivers, alpine meadows, and abundant wildlife make the Canadian Rockies a destination that is rivaled by few places in the world. Mother Nature dealt a winning hand to the Canadian Rockies and governments had the foresight to protect most of the land for all time in a string of contiguous parkseach with its own character but combining to create one massive swath of wilderness.

Outstanding recreational opportunities make the Canadian Rockies unique. Hiking tops the list in popularity. Over 3,000 kilometers (1,860 miles) of hiking trails lace the mountains, ranging from wheelchair-accessible boardwalks to backcountry treks. Biking, canoeing, kayaking, white-water rafting, golfing, and fishing also rank high in summertime popularity, while in winter visitors don skis, snowboards, and snowshoes. An abundance of wildlife can be found in the most unexpected placesan elk grazing on a golf course, a bear feasting on dandelions as you ride overhead on a gondola.

The Canadian Rockies parks are filled with tourism infrastructure. The opportunity to vacation in a wilderness setting without sacrificing the amenities of a resort destination is unequaled. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the town of Banff. Its main street is lined with boutiques, restaurants, and hotel rooms serving every budget. To the north, the town of Jasper offers a toned-down version of Banff with similar services. Outside of the parks, the city of Calgary is known around the world for the Calgary Stampede, while smaller mountain towns such as Canmore, Bragg Creek, Radium Hot Springs, and Invermere thrive. Throughout the region, campgrounds cater to those who like to sleep under the starseven if it is in an RV with all the trimmings.

bugling elk

loon

hikers on Opabin Plateau

While natural beauty is the main selling point, the growth of towns as tourist resorts makes the Canadian Rockies an ideal destination for all interests and budgets. One visitor may spend the day golfing one of the worlds most scenic courses, taking a gondola to a mountain peak, soaking in a European-style spa, and then dining in a fine French restaurant before retiring to a luxurious suite. Another visitor may strike out early on foot for a remote alpine lake, go white-water rafting in the afternoon, and then return to pitch a tent and grill dinner over a campfire.... Two very different experiences of a most singular destination.

Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park

Indian paintbrush.

the Fairmont Banff Springs

Where to Go

Banff National Park

Banff is the crown jewel in Canadas national park system and home to the worlds most photographed lakes. Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the Icefields Parkway are just some of the parks awe-inspiring highlights. Biking along the shoreline of Lake Minnewanka, exploring Larch Valley when fall colors are at their height, canoeing across Bow Lake, and hiking in to backcountry Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park may not be as well known, but each activity allows a glimpse of the park you wont see in the tourist brochures.

town of Banff

Canmore

Canmore is the largest population center in the Canadian Rockies, but dont let that put you off including it in your itinerary. It has transformed itself from a coal-mining town without a coal mine to a hotbed of recreational pursuits. The surrounding mountains are legendary among the climbing fraternity. Hiking trails lead to crystal-clear lakes and mountain peaks. But Canmore should also factor into your vacation plans for more practical purposes, such as the range of excellent restaurants and a choice of comparatively well-priced accommodations.

Kananaskis Country

Pronounced exactly as it reads, this recreational playground lies adjacent to Banff National Park and is handy for Calgarians who flock west to revel in a diverse range of activities or simply to do nothing at all. Along with scenery rivaling that of the national parks, it has top-notch facilities1,300 kilometers (800 miles) of hiking