Parking lots at day-use areas fill quickly. Park only in designated lots, not along the road. Check BanffNow for real-time parking status or transit and shuttle options.

While these day-use areas are not closed in the winter, some might have limited access and services due to snow. Visit the Banff or Lake Louise visitor centres for more information and more picnic areas to enjoy.

 

Where to picnic in Banff National Park


Area Location Services and activities
Valleyview Trans-Canada Highway
  • Picnic tables
  • Outhouses
  • Bike racks
  • Biking trails in the area
Cascade Ponds Lake Minnewanka Loop
  • Picnic tables
  • Picnic shelters with wood stove
  • Firepits: fires permitted only in metal fire rings provided or cook stove
  • Flush toilets
  • Outhouses
  • Accessible by Roam Public Transit seasonally
  • Bike racks
  • Biking trails in the area
  • Hiking trails in the area
  • Water body access
Johnson Lake Lake Minnewanka Loop
Two-Jack Lake Lake Minnewanka Loop
Lake Minnewanka Lake Minnewanka Loop
  • Picnic tables
  • Picnic shelters with wood stove
  • Flush toilets
  • Outhouses
  • Accessible by Roam Public Transit seasonally
  • Bike racks
  • Biking trails in the area
  • Hiking trails in the area
  • Water body access
  • Boat launching ramp
  • Kayak rental
  • Canoe rental
  • Boat cruise
  • Snack bar
Upper Bankhead Lake Minnewanka Loop
  • Picnic tables
  • Picnic shelters with wood stove
  • Outhouses
  • Biking trails in the area
  • Hiking trails in the area
Fenland Town of Banff Area
  • Picnic tables
  • Outhouses
  • Bike racks
  • Biking trails in the area
  • Hiking trails in the area
  • Interpretive trail in the area
*Sundance Canyon Town of Banff Area
  • Picnic tables
  • Picnic shelters with wood stove
  • Outhouses
  • Bike racks
  • Biking trails in the area
  • Hiking trails in the area
**Fireside Bow Valley Parkway
  • Picnic tables
  • Outhouses
  • Hiking trails in the area
**Muleshoe Bow Valley Parkway
  • Picnic tables
  • Outhouses
**Sawback Bow Valley Parkway
  • Picnic tables
  • Outhouses
Boom Lake Trailhead Highway 93 South
  • Picnic tables
  • Outhouses
  • Bike racks
  • Hiking trails in the area
Storm Mountain Bow Valley Parkway
  • Picnic tables
  • Outhouses
Baker Creek Bow Valley Parkway
  • Picnic tables
  • Outhouses
Corral Creek Bow Valley Parkway
  • Picnic tables
  • Outhouses
Taylor Lake Trans-Canada Highway
  • Picnic tables
  • Outhouses
  • Hiking trails in the area
Temple Trans-Canada Highway
  • Picnic tables
  • Outhouses
Bow River Canoe Launch Trans-Canada Highway (Westbound access only)
  • Picnic tables
  • Outhouses
  • Water body access
Moraine Lake Lake Louise
Herbert Lake Icefields Parkway
  • Picnic tables
  • Outhouses
  • Water body access
Bow Lake Picnic Site Icefields Parkway
  • Picnic tables
  • Picnic shelters with wood stove
  • Outhouses
  • Water body access
Saskatchewan Crossing Icefields Parkway
  • Picnic tables
  • Outhouses
  • Interpretive trail in the area
Coleman Flats Icefields Parkway
  • Picnic tables
  • Outhouses

* Walk-in day-use area, 3.5 km from the trailhead at Cave and Basin National Historic Site.
** Private motor vehicle access may be restricted on portions of the Bow Valley Parkway to protect wildlife and to allow for an enhanced cycling experience. 

 

Picnicking etiquette and regulations

Keep fires small

Fires must be contained within the metal fire ring and cook stoves provided. Random fires and rock rings are not allowed. To reduce the negative impact of campfires on the environment, keep your fires to a reasonable size.

Use only firewood purchased in the area

Firewood should not be brought in from outside the park, but purchased at various providers within the park to prevent the risk of invasive insect species or disease from being brought into the park. Do not use deadwood, bark or branches for fuel or burn food or garbage.

Never leave a fire unattended

Campfires are permitted from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Fires must be attended at all times, and completely extinguished before leaving the area. Bring your own bucket to fill with water and use the soak, stir, soak method to extinguish your fire.

Cook on a personal propane stove

We strongly recommend the use of personal propane stoves for cooking. You may also use the provided metal fire rings or wood stove when available on site. Charcoal barbeques and hibachis are permitted: ensure ashes are cold and discard into a garbage bin or firepit when finished.

Never leave food unattended

When you are done cooking or eating at your picnic table, all food, food-related and scented items MUST be stored in a hard-sided vehicle. Items such as coolers and cook stoves must be properly stored when unattended.

Do not litter

Ensure all garbage and recycling are disposed in wildlife-proof bins immediately or pack out any unwanted items.

Do not feed wildlife

Wildlife quickly find any food, scented items or garbage that is left unattended. Eating these unnatural foods teaches wildlife to approach people. Once wildlife develops a taste for human food, they often become aggressive in their search for more.

 

For other regulations related to picnicking, see the regulations page.

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