Banff, AB

We still have a few days left before beginning our trip home, and I originally planned to wait until we got back before writing about Banff. Then I realized I was heading toward creating a day-by-day travel log, and that’s not really what I wanted this blog to be.

Instead, I simply want to say this…

If you ever have the opportunity to visit Banff and the Canadian Rockies, take it.

This trip has exceeded every expectation we had. It has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime adventure and one that had been sitting on our bucket list for years.

Everywhere you look seems like a postcard waiting to happen. Towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes, waterfalls, wildlife, and scenic drives make it difficult to put the camera away. No matter where we traveled, we found ourselves stopping to take “just one more picture.”

Even after spending two full weeks here, we’ve only scratched the surface.

There are countless hiking trails, lakes, overlooks, and small towns to explore. It almost becomes overwhelming trying to decide what to see next. More than once we found ourselves saying, “We’ll have to come back someday.”

That’s probably the highest compliment we can give any destination.

Beyond the scenery, there is something about the area that simply feels comfortable. We immediately felt at home here. Maybe it’s the relaxed atmosphere, the friendly people, or simply being surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes we’ve ever seen.

If you’re planning a trip, I have two recommendations.

First, consider staying in Canmore or Banff and using one of those communities as your base for day trips. We found that approach worked very well and allowed us to explore different areas without constantly moving the RV.

Second, start your planning months before you leave.

One of the best resources we found was a Banff and Canmore social media group. Reading the experiences of people who had recently visited—or were there at the time—helped us prioritize attractions, avoid crowded times, and discover places we might have otherwise missed. Their firsthand experiences were every bit as valuable as the traditional travel guides.

If you’d like to see more of what we experienced, we’ve put together a photo gallery from our trip. I hope the pictures capture at least a little of what makes this part of Canada so special.

I have a feeling this won’t be our last visit.