Experiencing Banff Responsibly This Summer

There's something about summer in Banff that's hard to describe unless you've felt it: the quiet of early mornings on Banff Avenue, the sound of footsteps headed toward the mountains, and the buzz of people arriving to see one of the most beautiful places on earth.

That kind of beauty comes with a shared sense of responsibility to care for it.

This summer, Banff and Lake Louise Tourism, the Town of Banff and Parks Canada invite visitors to Shift Into Park Mode - a shared approach to experiencing the park with care and intention.

At Pursuit, this aligns closely with our Promise to Place: how we operate across our experiences to care for the places we're privileged to be part of, support the communities around us, and create more meaningful ways for guests to connect with these landscapes.

Because how we move through a place like this shapes what it remains.

Explore Banff Car-Free

One easy way to make your visit more sustainable is to literally put your car in park mode and hop on public transit provided by ROAM Transit, a shuttle bus, Brewster Express or a Brewster Sightseeing tour.

Car-free options make it easier to access Banff's most iconic places while reducing congestion and pressure on the park.

• Banff Gondola: Guests can ride ROAM Transit Route 1 or the Banff Gondola Shuttle from various locations in Downtown Banff to Sulphur Mountain with a valid Gondola ticket.
• Lake Minnewanka Cruise: Between June 13 to September 7, guests with a valid cruise ticket can hop on our new complimentary shuttle service from the Brewster bus depot and the Elk + Avenue hotel, or ride ROAM Transit Route 6 to and from Lake Minnewanka free of charge.
• Book the Explore Banff Tour, which includes both the Banff Gondola and Lake Minnewanka Cruise, with direct pickup from your hotel and the Brewster Transportation Centre.
• Skip the car altogether and hop on Brewster Express, a comfortable, stress-free way to travel between Calgary, Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper.
• Open Top Touring's vintage-style sightseeing experience loops through Banff's cultural and scenic highlights, sharing the rich stories and heritage of Banff National Park along the way.
• Book a Brewster Sightseeing tour to experience the wonders of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
• Reserve a Parks Canada shuttle to Lake Louise and/or Moraine Lake.

Connect More Deeply with Banff

People come to wild places like Banff National Park to connect with nature, be moved by beauty, and hit the reset button. Shifting into park mode means slowing down and engaging with the stories that make this place what it is.

• The Rockies Rangers program invites younger explorers to engage with the landscape in a hands-on way. Through interactive guides and activities, kids learn about wildlife, ecosystems and stewardship, building a connection that lasts beyond the visit.
• Guided tours will give you deeper insight into history, geology, geography, plants, animals, people and stories that make this place so special.
• Check out one of Banff's museums. Learn about Banff's history and cultures at the Whyte Museum, the park's animals at the Banff Park Museum, or the origin story of Canada's National Parks at Cave and Basin.

Respect the National Park's Wildlife and Share the Space Responsibly

56 species of mammals and 300 species of birds make their home in Banff, not to mention fish, amphibians, trees, wildflowers and so much more. Each and every living thing is a part of a thriving ecosystem, and it's up to each of us to keep the animals and the land wild.

Here's how you can do your part:

• Never feed the wildlife. It not only endangers the animals, but it's also illegal. That includes not throwing apple cores out the window or into the trees.
• To protect fragile plants, stay on designated trails and/or take a guided tour to see Banff's most beautiful mountain lakes and waterfalls.
• To protect Banff's pristine lakes from invasive species, personal watercraft are prohibited in the Lake Minewanka area. If you love exploring by water, rent a kayak, canoe or motorboat at Lake Minnewanka. Anglers can also book a guided fishing trip.
• Respect and don't disturb all living things. Give wildlife space. Leave wildflowers where you find them.
• Leave no trace: pack out what you bring in and dispose of waste properly to help keep these places as you found them.

Plan Ahead, Experience More

Summer is peak season in Banff. Planning ahead doesn't limit your experience - it unlocks it.

Booking in advance, understanding distances, and choosing the right time to visit helps you spend less time navigating logistics and more time being present.

Insider tips:

• Kids are free for the first two hours at the Banff Gondola. Or, come up after peak hours to hear live music at the Sunset Festival.
• You can save up to 40% on Pursuit attractions with the Pursuit Pass.
• Make sure to look up distances between places. Banff attractions are spread out.
• Plug in some downtime to breathe, stumble upon an unexpected adventure or simply take in your surroundings.

Guests come to a place like Banff to see it, but also to feel it. The stillness, the scale, the stories that have always been here.

Shifting into park mode is simply about meeting that experience with the same level of care.