Picnicking in Banff National Park

Banff National Park

Where to picnic? Important information

Where to picnic in Banff National Park

Area Location Services and activities
Valleyview Trans-Canada Highway Picnic area Outhouse  Bicycles
Cascade Ponds Lake Minnewanka Loop Picnic area Picnic Shelter Fire pits flush toliets Toilet Outhouse   Bicycles Hiking 
Johnson Lake Lake Minnewanka Loop Picnic area Outhouse Bicycles Hiking  roam transit
Two-Jack Lake Lake Minnewanka Loop Picnic area Outhouse  roam transit
Lake Minnewanka Lake Minnewanka Loop Picnic area Picnic Shelter Outhouse Bicycles Hiking  Kayak rental Boat tour Restaurant 
Upper Bankhead Lake Minnewanka Loop Picnic area Picnic Shelter Outhouse Bicycles Hiking
Fenland Town of Banff Area Picnic area Outhouse  Bicycles Hiking Exhibit
*Sundance Canyon Town of Banff Area Picnic area Picnic Shelter Outhouse  Bicycles Hiking
**Fireside Bow Valley Parkway Picnic area Outhouse Hiking
**Muleshoe Bow Valley Parkway Picnic area Outhouse
**Sawback Bow Valley Parkway Picnic area Outhouse
Boom Lake Trailhead Highway 93 South Picnic area Outhouse  Hiking
Storm Mountain Bow Valley Parkway Picnic area Outhouse
Baker Creek Bow Valley Parkway Picnic area Outhouse
Corral Creek Bow Valley Parkway Picnic area Outhouse
Taylor Lake Trans-Canada Highway Picnic area Outhouse Hiking
Temple Trans-Canada Highway Picnic areaOuthouse
Bow River Canoe Launch Trans-Canada Highway (Westbound access only) Picnic area Outhouse Canoeing Kayaking
Fairview Lake Louise Picnic area Picnic Shelter Outhouse
Moraine Lake Lake Louise Picnic area Outhouse Hiking  Canoe rental Restaurant parks canada shuttle roam transit
Herbert Lake Icefields Parkway Picnic area Outhouse 
Bow Lake Picnic Site Icefields Parkway Picnic area Picnic Shelter Outhouse 
Saskatchewan Crossing Icefields Parkway Picnic area Outhouse Exhibit
Coleman Flats Icefields Parkway Picnic area Outhouse
Legend

Services:

    Picnic area  Picnic tables

    Picnic Shelter Picnic shelters are equipped with wood stove.

    Fire pits Firepits: fires permitted only in metal fire rings provided or cook stove.
    Bring your own wood. Use only firewood purchased in the area. Firewood should not be brought in from outside the park, but purchased at various providers within the park to prevent the risk of invasive insect species or disease from being brought into the park

    Outhouse Outhouses

    flush toliets Flush toilets

    roam transit Accessible by Roam Public Transit seasonally.

    parks canada shuttle Accessible by Parks Canada Shuttle seasonally.

     Bike racks

    Bicycles  Biking trails in the area

    Hiking  Hiking trails in the area

    Exhibit  Interpretive trail in the area

      Water body access

    Kayak rental  Kayak rental

    Canoe rental  Canoe rental

    Boat tour  Boat cruise

    Restaurant  Snack bar

* Walk-in day-use area, 3.5 km from the trailhead at Cave and Basin National Historic Site
** Private motor vehicle access may be restricted on portions of the Bow Valley Parkway to protect wildlife and to allow for an enhanced cycling experience. 

Important information

  Parking lots at day-use areas fill quickly. Park only in designated lots, not along the road. Check BanffNow for real-time parking status or transit and shuttle options.

While these day-use areas are not closed in the winter, some might have limited access and services due to snow. Visit the Banff or Lake Louise visitor centres  for more information and more picnic areas to enjoy.

Picnicking etiquette and regulations

Keep fires small

Fires must be contained within the metal fire ring and cook stoves provided. Random fires and rock rings are not allowed. To reduce the negative impact of campfires on the environment, keep your fires to a reasonable size.

Use only firewood purchased in the area

Firewood should not be brought in from outside the park, but purchased at various providers within the park to prevent the risk of invasive insect species or disease from being brought into the park. Do not use deadwood, bark or branches for fuel or burn food or garbage.

Never leave a fire unattended

Campfires are permitted from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Fires must be attended at all times, and completely extinguished before leaving the area. Bring your own bucket to fill with water and use the soak, stir, soak method to extinguish your fire.

Cook on a personal propane stove

We strongly recommend the use of personal propane stoves for cooking. You may also use the provided metal fire rings or wood stove when available on site. Charcoal barbeques and hibachis are permitted: ensure ashes are cold and discard into a garbage bin or firepit when finished.

Never leave food unattended

When you are done cooking or eating at your picnic table, all food, food-related and scented items MUST be stored in a hard-sided vehicle. Items such as coolers and cook stoves must be properly stored when unattended.

Do not litter

Ensure all garbage and recycling are disposed in wildlife-proof bins immediately or pack out any unwanted items.

Do not feed wildlife

Wildlife quickly find any food, scented items or garbage that is left unattended. Eating these unnatural foods teaches wildlife to approach people. Once wildlife develops a taste for human food, they often become aggressive in their search for more.

For other regulations related to picnicking, see the regulations page.

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