Are you planning to visit Banff with your baby but unsure if it’s a wise choice? Sigh in relief because Banff has many baby-friendly features, including baby-friendly hotels and restaurants. However, there are some factors to be wary of. You’ll read everything about it in this post.
Banff makes for a perfect location for a beautiful family vacation. It’s picture-perfect, diverse and safe. But nothing is perfect. Even Banff isn’t.
Below, you’ll find a breakdown of what you can expect as a parent in Banff, including difficulties you and your baby might face. I also included information on what activities are stroller-friendly..
How Baby-Friendly is Banff National Park?
Banff is considered a very baby-friendly park due in part to its many amenities and accessible outdoor activities. The towns of Banff and Lake Louise are – obviously – very green, with many great options for relaxing and having a picnic and barbecue.
The park generally provides a very safe environment with very little crime.
While traffic can be heavy in downtown Banff, the shopping district has wide pavements allowing for safe shopping. And from May through October, the local authorities block a two-block stretch of Banff Avenue and a part of Caribou Street to establish a pedestrian-friendly environment.
Furthermore, the park has many restaurants, shops and hotels to suit your needs. You’ll find most of them in Banff and, to a lesser extent, in Lake Louise.
Also good to know: The Banff Mineral Springs hospital is well-equipped to deal with medical needs in a medical emergency.
What Babysitting Facilities Are there in Banff?
Banff has plenty of babysitting facilities. While there are no daycare facilities for non-Banff residents, several hotel babysitting services exist:
They are all accredited and licensed, so you know your child will be in good and safe hands. If you’re visiting Banff to go skiing, Lake Louise and Sunshine Village resorts have on-site daycare facilities.
Shop for Baby Supplies
Banff has a couple of stores that sell baby supplies. So if you need diapers, nappies, wipes, teats, baby food or baby clothes, the town has you covered.
While there is no “real” baby shop in Banff, most things you would need, you can find at a grocery store or a pharmacy.
Below you’ll find a list of several more children-oriented shops that might have what you’re looking for:
- Scallywags, 208 Caribou Street, +1 403 – 762 4882
- Hatley Boutique Banff, 138 Banff Avenue #107, +1 403 – 762 2420
- Hudson’s Bay, 125 Banff Avenue, +1 403 – 762 5525
What Hotels Are Best for Couples with a Baby?
When traveling with a baby, it is important to choose a hotel that is both comfortable and baby-friendly.
In Banff, many hotels fit this description. The Banff Springs Hotel is one option that is both comfortable and baby-friendly.
This hotel has several features that make it ideal for couples with a baby, including a mini-fridge in each room and a crib upon request.
The Fairmont Château Lake Louise and the Banff Rimrock Resort Hotel are also baby-friendly. They can provide a crib upon request.
A smart choice can be hotels that provide rooms with kitchenettes. A lot of parents enjoy making their own baby food. If that’s you, a room with a kitchenette could come in handy. Below you’ll find eight worth checking out.
- Banff Rocky Mountain Resort, 1029 Banff Avenue, Banff
- Charltons Banff, 513 Banff Avenue, Banff
- Douglas Fir Resorts & Chalets, 525 Tunnel Mountain Road, Banff
- Hidden Ridge Resort, 901 Hidden Ridge away, Banff
- Moose Hotel and Suites, 345 Banff Avenue, Banff
- Peaks Hotel And Suites, 218 Lynx Street, Banff
- Tunnel Mountain Resort, 502 Tunnel Mountain Road, Banff
- Lake Louise Inn, 210 Village Road, Lake Louise
Click the links to check the latest prices on Booking.com
Below, you’ll find these eight hotels on the map. To view the location of the Lake Louise Inn, zoom out (It’s the only hotel on this list in Lake Louise. The other hotels are all in Banff).
What Banff Restaurants Are Baby-Friendly?
Many restaurants in Banff are baby-friendly. Several have high chairs and booster seats available.
Some restaurants will also have a changing table in the restroom. When dining out with your family, be sure to call ahead to inquire about the availability of high chairs and booster seats.
Below, I inserted a table with a list of six baby-friendly restaurants in Banff and their amenities. There might be more in Banff; these are the ones I could check.
| RESTAURANT | Changing Table | High Chair | Kid-Friendly Healthy Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Street Tavern | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Coyotes Southwestern Grill | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Grizzly House | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Old Spaghetti Factory | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Magpie and Stump | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wild Flour | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Below, you’ll find a map with the above-mentioned restaurants.
Challenges of Traveling Banff with a Baby
It’s good to know the challenges you will face when spending time in Banff with a baby (or spending time in Banff with toddlers, for that matter). Knowing them in advance will avoid unexpected, undesired situations.
Banff Is Crowded in Summer
Banff National Park is a bustling place during summer. Finding appropriate accommodation can be challenging, so make sure you book in time. The same goes for winter, but to a lesser extent.
Furthermore, there may be large crowds of people everywhere you go in summer. This could occasionally get a little distressing when pushing a stroller ahead.
Your Baby Could Get Sick with Altitude Sickness
Some parents may feel apprehensive about bringing their young children to Banff due to its high altitude. Because, yes, your baby could experience altitude sickness.
High altitude (starting at 1,500 meters or 4,921 ft) causes lower air pressure and oxygen levels to which your baby must adapt (just like you).
It’s not dangerous for your child if he or she is older than three months. At a younger age, their lungs are not yet mature to handle these circumstances.
The average elevation of Banff is 1,383 meters (4,537 ft) above sea level, so technically, it’s not yet high altitude, but many touristic places in the park are situated above 1,500 meters.
According to Dr. MP Samuels in his research on the effects of flight and altitude, the following factors play a role in your child getting sick with altitude sickness.
- Young age
- Exercise
- Genetic susceptibility
- Recent infection
- Rapid ascent
- High altitude
- State of hydration
- Underlying illness
Additionally, the altitude in Banff can be a bit difficult for those who are not used to it, and babies are no exception.
Make sure to take breaks often, drink plenty of fluids, and watch for signs of altitude sickness in your little one. Click the link to read about these, as I wrote a post about altitude sickness in Banff.
Weather
The weather in Banff can be very changeable, so be sure to pack appropriate clothing for both warm and cold weather.
Stroller-Friendly Hikes
When visiting Banff, chances are you’re going to want to hike. But with a baby, you’re more or less forced to stick to trails accessible for strollers, unless you have a baby carrier.
In other words: you’ll need an easy hike with either a paved or a flat trail that allows you to push a stroller along.
Here are some easy hiking trails that are stroller-friendly:
Banff Legacy Trail
This trail extends all the way to Canmore and is entirely paved. It’s much too far to walk since it’s 26.8 kilometers (16.65 miles) long, but you could walk the little portion that starts in Banff. It’s a lovely walk.
The trail is frequently used by bicyclists. Therefore it’s best to walk on the left side so you can see them coming.
Fenland Trail
This 1.77-kilometer (1.10 mi) loop near Vermilion Lakes is an excellent trail when you have some extra time to spare. It typically takes 30 minutes to complete. Its surface is flat and easily accessible.
In this wetland environment, you can see the mountains through the trees. Expect other people on the path, as it’s a popular trail used by mountain bikers.
Johnston Canyon Hike
Johnston Canyon is not entirely stroller-accessible, but you can reach the lower falls. Some parts of the trail are very narrow, however. They leave just enough room for a stroller to pass.
Visiting the canyon in summer can be stressful as many visitors will be on the trail. Therefore it’s advisable to come to Johnston Canyon either early in the morning, before 8 am, or later in the day, after 7 pm.
Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail
You can do the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail at Lake Louise, providing you with lovely perspectives of the most famous lake in the park.
The path, leading from the hotel to the back of the lake, hardly inclines. It’s (very) crowded in summer, but it shouldn’t pose any problems because the trail is pretty broad.
Marsh Loop Trail
This flat and paved trail begins at the Cave and Basin parking area. It skirts the nearby wetlands and leads to the Bow River.
You share the trail with bikers and horses. The latter means that the path is often littered with horse poop.
Cool fact: Elk are a well-known sight along the Marsh Loop Trail. On the downside, however, the amounts of mosquitoes can be nearly intolerable in summer.
Peyto Lake Viewpoint
You’ll manage to push a stroller to the viewing platform at Peyto Lake if you drive your car to the highest parking place (for buses) and offload your stroller.
As your partner stays with your baby, you need to drive back and park your car at the main parking lot below.
Sundance Canyon Trail
This calm and beautiful trail near the town of Banff starts at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site and hugs the Bow River for kilometers on end. It’s paved, which makes it very stroller-friendly.
It also has a slight incline but nothing too daunting.
Watch out for cyclists and horses as they frequent the trail as well. The end of the paved road indicates the actual trailhead to the Sundance Canyon Trail, which is unfortunately inaccessible for strollers. Nevertheless, the run-up to the trailhead is worthwhile, with several beautiful viewpoints.
Other Baby-Friendly Activities
While hiking on stroller-friendly trails (see above) is probably the most obvious activity to do with your baby, there are a bunch of other excellent options you have. I’ve listed them below.
Visit the Banff Upper Hotsprings
Banff Upper Hot Springs is an outdoor pool located on the flanks of Sulphur Mountain. It is fed by hot mineral water from a crack in Sulphur Mountain called the Sulphur Mountain Thrust Fault.
You can’t swim laps here. It is meant to be bathed in for the beneficial effects of the water. So you’ll see people mostly sitting on a submerged ledge in the water. It’s a soothing, relaxing experience with a fantastic view from the pool.
Click the link to read more about this pool and other hot springs in the Banff area.
Take a Ride on the Banff Gondola
If you’re okay with going to higher altitudes with your infant, the Banff Gondola is a great way to introduce your little one(s) to the Rocky Mountains.
The gondola provides an eight-minute ride up Sulphur Mountain, allowing breathtaking vistas of Banff and the Bow Valley. The mountain’s summit is fitted with a wooden boardwalk.
However, walking around with a stroller is somewhat restricted, as the boardwalk has many smaller and bigger staircases.
Visit the Cave and Basin
The famous Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Banff’s birthplace, is generally well-accessible for strollers. However, the access to the museum is pretty steep.
Also, the path to the cave might pose some challenges as it is relatively narrow.
Visit Lake Louise
Lake Louise is easy to visit with a stroller. Depending on your chosen route, the path to the lakeshore is completely asphalted and flat.
If you’re coming by car (there’s also a Roam Transit bus service to the Lake), make sure to arrive very early (between 6 and 7 am) to find a spot at the lakeshore parking.
It quickly fills up, so later in the day, you’ll need to take the shuttle bus from the overflow parking next to the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1).
Although it’s a bit of a hassle, you can bring your stroller on the shuttle bus.
Visit Moraine Lake
You’ll be able to walk around the lakeshore and visit the Moraine Lake Lodge’s restaurant, but a stroll around the lakeshore is a bit more complicated.
A trail hugging the lakeshore goes through the forest, and the path is strewn with obstacles like rocks and tree roots.
Visit Bow Lake
Reaching Bow Lake’s lakeshore is tricky as you need to climb down a steep hill from the adjacent parking lot to get there. Luckily you have a fantastic view from the parking lot, so you can still take in the sheer beauty of this lake and its surroundings.
Visit The Columbia Icefield
The Athabasca Glacier is the main draw at this top-rated destination along the Icefields Parkway. Their “Ice Explorers”, that drive onto the Athabasca Glacier, are accessible for strollers.
Furthermore, the Columbia Icefield main building, which houses two restaurants, is equipped with lifts.
A few kilometers down the road, the Skywalk is also accessible for baby carriages.
Visit Vermilion Lakes
Vermilion Lakes is a stunning location to explore, just outside of Banff. You can easily walk there. An asphalted road runs along the lakes, but be wary of cars. They are parked everywhere and anywhere as there’s no designated parking place.
Selected Sources
- Samuels MP. The effects of flight and altitude. Arch Dis Child. 2004 May;89(5):448-55. doi: 10.1136/adc.2003.031708. PMID: 15102638; PMCID: PMC1719897.
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