Lake Louise - Banff National Park, Alberta Canada » canoeing

Banff Canoeing and Kayaking

Lake Louise — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 20:24:37 +0000

Relaxing, Still Waters or Adrenaline Soaked Whitewater: Take your Pick for Canoeing and Kayaking in Banff National Park

When it comes to water sports and outdoor recreation, Banff National Park has it all – placid alpine lakes, lazy, slow moving rivers, and rippling and foamy mountain creeks and epic whitewater. There are plenty of places for canoeing and kayaking in and around the town of Banff, Canada – the Bow and Spray Rivers run through town — and the range of canoeing and kayaking opportunities offers something for paddlers of all levels, be they novice, expert, or somewhere in between.

Whether you are looking for adrenaline soaked adventure or just want to relax and take in the alpine beauty and wildlife, you can do it here in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

Canoeing

Canoes can be rented at Blue Canoe, at the north end of Bow Avenue (also accessible from Wolf Street) in downtown Banff. From the canoe docks on the river, paddlers who put in directly right here can explore a gentle leg of the Bow River or follow 40 Mile Creek into the Vermilion Lakes. Both routes offer opportunities for wildlife viewing.

More experienced paddlers can take their canoe to one of three different legs of the Bow River:

Lake Louise to Castle Junction
Castle Junction to Banff
Bow Falls to Canmore

North of Banff on Lake Louise, canoes can be rented at Moraine Lake Lodge and at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. With hourly rentals here, you can take as much or as little time as you like to explore the pristine mountain lakes and unspoiled alpine scenery here.

Kayaking

Kayaking on the lakes around Banff town are an excellent way to not only enjoy the natural beauty of Banff National Park in serene settings, but also to observe the area’s wildlife in their natural habitat. It’s also an excellent opportunity to laze away an afternoon fishing.

Banff Travel offers half-day guided tours in inflatable kayaks, including a scenic “calm water” trip down the Bow River, with instruction in basic kayaking techniques and safety.

The best kayaking spots include:

Lake Minnewanka
Vermilion Lakes
Johnson Lake
Two Jack Lake
The Bow River between Castle Junction and Banff town

If creek boat or play boat describes your kayak – if you’ve been reading this thinking “Wildlife and natural beauty is great and all, but where’s the fun stuff? Where’s the whitewater?” Don’t worry, Banff has that too. Local routes for experienced whitewater paddlers include:

Bow River (Banff Springs Golf Course to Canmore) – Class I-II
Upper Bow River – Class III-V
Pipestone (at Lake Louise) – Class IV
Red Earth Creek – Class V+*

*Yes, that’s right, V+, as in should only be attempted by expert creek boaters/kayakers. There are epic 20- and 30-foot drops, log jams — anything the experienced whitewater kayak junky could want – on this short, intense little river which empties into the Bow River between Banff town and Castle Junction.

Hard boats not your idea of watercraft? Prefer inflatable rafts? Don’t worry, there’s whitewater rafting and float tours available in Banff National Park.

If you’re looking for a guided trip, maybe something more family-friendly than epic Class V rapids, we can suggest Banff Travel.

Click here for more information on Banff activities, boutique hotels, resorts and other accommodations.

click here for Banff Travel

call toll free: 888-659-3394

211 Bear Street
Bison Courtyard
Banff, Alberta

Activities in Lake Louise, Banff and Banff National Park

Lake Louise — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:28:13 +0000

Canoing, Hiking, Tours, History: Let Lake Louise Show Your Wedding Guests the Time of Their Lives

Canoes on Lake Louise, wating for you!

When you’re a wedding guest, as opposed to the bride and groom or immediate family, weddings sometimes aren’t that much fun – especially when you have to travel somewhere to attend. That’s another great thing about a wedding in Lake Louise: there is no end of things to do for your guests.

In fact, by planning ahead, you can make sure your guests get the most out of their Canadian Rockies trip, and make your wedding more fun at the same time.

Make Your Wedding Trip a Bonding Experience

Ciara Daykin, wedding planner and owner of Firefly Occasions, suggests the bride and groom plan group activities for guests. “Your guests will all feel like they are friends by the time the wedding actually happens.” She notes that guests will want to get out and experience Lake Louise anyway, and by planning group activities, the bride and groom can create a bonding experience for their guests without incurring extra cost. “You don’t have to pay for everything, you just have to have it organized,” she says.

One Trip for the Adrenalin Junkies, One for Those that Just Want to Relax

Daykin recommends setting up two separate trips that will appeal to a broad range of guests, say whitewater rafting and guided sight seeing. Afterward, she says it’s good to have reservations made at a local restaurant, where your guests can get together and talk about their day over a great meal. “There are phenomenal restaurants in and around Lake Louise,” she notes. “These places know how to cater to a large group.”

Below, you’ll find a list of information to help you and your guests plan their stay in Lake Louise, Banff National Park, and the Canadian Rockies.

Accommodations

Everyone in your wedding party should be able to find the right accommodations in and around Lake Louise. If people want to experience the unspoiled wilderness that surrounds Lake Louise and experience alpine living, there is Skoki Lodge, for example. A quiet, cozy mountain cabin? Paradise Lodge and Bungalows is as good bet. Need to impress your spouse’s parents? Put ‘em up in Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, a fabulous resort hotel right on the shores of Lake Louise.

Activities

If your guests complain that they’re bored on their trip here, please check their pulse. There is no shortage of hikes, drives, sights, tours and other activities in and around Lake Louise to keep them busy, entertained, and out of your hair during their stay in the Canadian Rockies. Skiing, hiking, whitewater rafting, canoing and kayaking, sightseeing — there’s no end to the recreation opportunities here.

But What About the Less Adventurous?

But what will guests do if they aren’t into hiking, mountain biking and playing hard outdoors? Not to worry, there is plenty of things to do here, even if you don’t ski or hike. There are horse-drawn sleigh rides in winter, plenty of tours to take in winter or summer by car or bus that will still let your guess take in the natural beauty of Lake Louise and Banff National Park. This is also a great place for train and history buffs — the mountains are also a great place to go fossil hunting!

Ready for an adventure vacation in the Canadian Rockies?

Lake Louise — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:44:16 +0000

Timberwolf Tours

Timberwolf Tours is your Canadian Rockies adventure vacation specialist.

Based out of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Timberwolf Tours is a well known and reliable outfitter for adventure and group travel. We specialize in hiking, canoeing and trekking guided tours.

Thanks to our experience we deliver a high level of service. From your first contact with us to our last fare-well, we strive to make you feel comfortable and your vacation a safe and enjoyable adventure.

Sightseeing Tours By Banff Adventure

Witness the glory while learning the history of the Canadian Rockies with sightseeing tours offered by Banff Adventure Unlimited. Trained and knowledgeable guides will lead you to UNESCO World Heritage sites, across glacial plains, or along spirited rivers.

Each package is designed to highlight some of the most spectacular natural wonders in the Canadian Rockies. Take in Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, or travel to the Columbia Icefields to trek across glacial fields. Guests can also choose packages that combine the beauty of both the mountains and lakes.

Each sightseeing tour highlights some of the best sights of Banff National Park on either full day or half day tours.

Website: Click Here!
Call Toll Free
888-659-3394

For further information on guided tours in the Canadian Rockies, fill out the blue form on the right side of this page.