Canada · NATIONAL PARKS
Good national park days fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
You’ll cruise 14 kilometers across Maligne Lake with an English-speaking guide such as Sam, Mitchell, or Nelson, stopping at tiny Spirit Island for photos and a short walk. Expect about 90 minutes on the water, mountain and glacier views, and useful stories about Indigenous culture, explorers, geology, and wildlife.
“Sam and Seb were excellent guides. A really enjoyable tour.”
Spend a full day in Banff National Park with a guide such as Teddy or Angel, traveling in a group of up to 12. Summer includes Moraine Lake and Lake Minnewanka; winter swaps in Johnston Canyon and Surprise Corner. Transport, park fees, water, and crampons are included.
“This tour was so much fun! Our tour guide Teddy was so knowledgeable and hospitable. I appreciate that he talks us through every spot we visited so we are aware of the background and history of it. Teddy made sure guests felt comfortable and safe and even had a conversation with all of us individually so we weren’t all complete strangers lol. Every spot was a beautiful sight to see and great spots for photos. Plenty of leisure time at each stop. We really enjoyed this tour and would definitely recommend.”
Follow a local guide through Whistler’s snowy backcountry on a three-hour snowmobile outing for confident beginners and intermediate riders. You’ll learn the basics, ride forest trails and frozen lakes, pause for photos, and return to Carleton Lodge by shuttle. Guides such as Kyle, Brock, and Tom have earned strong praise.
“Nate was an awesome guide and explained everything perfectly. Had a blast, would love to do it again”
Spend a half-day visiting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake from Banff, with a guide such as Jade, Jake, Sam, or Neil sharing local history and pointing out the best photo spots. You get comfortable transport, a maple cookie, water, and about 30 minutes at each lake. Moraine Lake access is seasonal.
“We all enjoyed the trip to see Lake Louise and Moraine absolutely majestic Simon our guide was very knowledgeable and the coach was extremely comfortable Highly recommend this excursion”
Ride a small, air-conditioned minibus through Jasper National Park at the best wildlife-watching times of day. Guides such as Sam, Ross, Catherine, Kelli, and Josh combine sharp eyes with stories about animals, forests, fires, and park protection. Choose a morning or evening departure.
“Fantastic time with Jake our guide on our evening wildlife tour. He really made it an interesting trip and we saw lots of wildlife. The beaver swimming and the bear and her cubs were definitely my favourite. Jake had lots of knowledge he shared with us and the tour was certainly the highlight of our holiday. Thanks to Jake for all his effort to find us lots of wildlife on our tour. Would highly recommend.”
Spend 10 to 11 hours exploring Banff National Park from Calgary, Canmore, Banff, or Cochrane. Your guide handles the long drive while you visit Lake Louise, Moraine Lake in summer, Lake Minnewanka, Banff Avenue, and scenic viewpoints. Guides include Dan, Dair, Gordon, Murray, and Patrick.
“Amazing guide! We really enjoyed the experience, they were on time and the explanation during our trip was really interesting.”
Ride guided backcountry trails through Brandywine and Callaghan valleys, with views of Black Tusk and Mount Fee. Blackcomb Snowmobile Ltd provides winter gear, instruction, a hot drink, snack, scenic stops, and a cabin or dome visit. Guides such as Eden, Vince, and Josh are praised for patient instruction.
“Amazing experience! Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful and our guide, Nate, was awesome! A perfect way to celebrate my mom’s 70th birthday and Christmas Eve. Thank you!”
Meet your horse at Banff Trail Riders’ red stables, learn basic Western riding, then follow lead and tail guides beside the Bow River and Cave and Basin Hot Springs. Sarah, Jade, and other guides are praised for clear instruction and local stories. Bring long pants, sturdy shoes, and insect repellent.
“Jade and Steph were fantastic guides! The one hour Bow River ride was a great experience for our family of five.”
Travel by comfortable van from Calgary, Canmore, or Banff with local guides such as Marco, Teddy, Angel, Mario, and Luis. Visit Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Banff Town, and seasonal mountain stops, with photo tips, wildlife watchouts, and two hours to explore Banff.
“The trip was excellent, we saw lots of beautiful lakes and had time to explore the charming town of Banff. Teddy, the guide, was very knowledgable, fun and professional, he even joined my partner in swimming in one of the lakes. Would highly recommend it!”
Spend about six hours exploring Jasper’s Maligne Valley with a guide such as Yvonne, Jan, or Warren. Visit Medicine Lake, cruise to Spirit Island in season or take the Mary Schaffer Loop hike, and watch for elk, moose, bears, eagles, and bighorn sheep.
“Our bus tour on the way up to the lake and back was EXCELLENT. Very informative and the driver was safe and knowledgeable. Fun group on the bus as well. Brie and Sam were a great team on the cruise. Funny and very knowledgeable as well. The lake was magnificent, fun, the waffle/coffee was a nice treat. A great trip and would highly recommend this excursion.”
Spend 8 to 11 hours touring the Rockies in an air-conditioned van with guides such as Ivan, Jackson, Mike, Ben, and Andrew. Visit Lake Louise, seasonal Moraine Lake or Marble Canyon, Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge, and either Banff Avenue or Bow Falls.
“Awesome experience, Ben our guide did a phenomenal job. Saw everything and gave us history behind it.”
Ride a gentle, well-trained horse through wooded trails near Banff Springs, with two Spray River crossings, Bow Falls views, and guides such as Samantha, Summer, Ki, and Liv sharing local stories. Basic instruction, helmets, and lead and tail guides make this a friendly first ride.
“We had a brilliant time on the hour spray ride! The tour guides were great fun and we felt really safe at all times. The ride is so scenic! Would highly recommend!”
You’ll ride an eight-person raft on the Athabasca River, just 8 km south of Jasper. Expect a safety briefing, wetsuit and boot fitting, gentle floating, grade 2 rapids, mountain views, and local stories from guides such as Jordan, Emily, Connor, and Alice.
“It was so fun! Everything was explained really well and clear, Jordan was engaging, fun and made me feel very safe for my first time rafting. The whole experience was wonderful and they were all lovely, we had Jordan, Connor, Andy and Emily take us on our trip and they were all very fun and made the trip really entertaining (thank you to Andy for the photos!!) -also nice to see Connor living out his Canadian lifestyle (as a fellow Brit). Emily was also hilarious! All super friendly, would definitely book again!❤️”
Join Hydra River Guides at the Banff Canoe Club for a 90-minute guided trip up and back along the Bow River. You’ll paddle a 12-seat Big Canoe with no experience required, watch for elk, bald eagles, ospreys, loons, and muskrats, and hear local stories from guides such as Abbey, Maddie, Cam, and Darby.
“Fun trip with great views. Phone safe (you will not get wet). Some exertion as you paddle upstream, but not too intense. Stephanie is great.”
Meet at Jasper train station, ride a short shuttle to the Athabasca River, then float for about an hour in a 25-foot oar-powered raft. Guides such as Joel, Mark, Luke, and Finn mix local stories with gentle rapids. You do not row, but you should expect splashes.
“It was a great fun activity, well organised. The team were really good, working well together. I would highly recommend. There isn’t anything that could be improved”
Pick a mountain, a shoreline or a table.
