Facts About Banff National Park

By Cicely A. Richard

Banff National Park, Canada's first national park and the third national park in the world, was discovered by three Canadian Pacific Railway construction workers in 1883. The men discovered three hot springs in caves of Alberta's Rocky Mountains eastern slopes.

Landscape

Banff National Park contains 6,641 square kilometers, or 2,564 square miles, of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Campgrounds

Banff has 13 campgrounds with 2,468 sites. Campers share the area with wild animals like black and grizzly bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes. Purchase camping permits at campground kiosks.

Indoor Accommodations

The area around Banff National Park has indoor accommodations such as cabins on Lake Louise, mountain lodges, inns, condos, bed and breakfasts and five-star resorts.

Hot Springs

Banff Upper Hot Springs feature a historic spa and bath house built around the natural springs that attracted visitors to the area. The outdoor hot pools face Mount Rundle.

Activities Park

A Wilderness Pass lets you backpack, horseback ride, mountain bike, hike and do water activities during summer. Winter activities include skiing and ice skating on frozen ponds.

Golf

Banff Springs Golf Club, five minutes away from the national park, has a 27-hole course with panoramic views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains snowcapped ranges. Call (403) 760-1433 for information.

Resources

About The Author

Based in Tucson, Ariz., Cicely A. Richard has been writing since 1996. Her articles have been published in the “Arizona Daily Star” newspaper and “ForeWord Magazine.” Richard earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and journalism from Louisiana State University.

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