Banff Wildlife Tours
Watch rutting elk lock horns in combat, giant moose strut across the landscape, and shaggy-haired grizzly bears fish for salmon in glacial-fed rivers.
Seeing these creatures for the first time is a true Banff experience.
On our wildlife watching tours, there’s no knowing what animals you might end up spotting. But our eagle-eyed guides know the top places to visit for the best chances of a sighting.
On our Evening Wildlife Safari, keep your eyes peeled for elk, moose, deer and coyotes. To guarantee seeing a bear, join our Grizzly Bear Refuge Tour and meet “Boo” – an orphaned bear who lives and plays in the world’s largest enclosed and protected grizzly bear habitat.
Highlights
- We see wildlife on over 95% of our tours
- Learn about animal behavior, eating habits and the conservation efforts being made to protect their natural environment
- Buses are smaller so you have more interaction with the guide and everyone has a great view
- Buses feature hands-on interpretive props and binoculars to help you get a closer look at wildlife
- Tours are free for children aged five and under
Discover Banff & Its Wildlife
Uncover the secrets of a historic mountain haven, with a local guide leading the way. Gaze at stunning views, stroll down spectacular rails and hear legends of Banff’s past. The Town of Banff is an island of culture and history, surrounded by a sea of untamed wilderness. This tour enriches your visit with stories of 11,000 years of history, hidden in these rugged hills. Navigate a half-day journey to some of the most important landmarks in the area. You'll stop at the iconic Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka and the “oh wow!” view at Surprise Corner. Venture down peaceful pine-scented trails and learn about wildlife habitat and behaviour. Ask as many questions as you like, as our guides are experts and love to share their knowledge. Don’t forget your camera - we spot wildlife on 95% of
Apr – Nov
8:30am
3 Hours
Evening Wildlife Safari
Where do you find the animals of Banff when the sun goes down? Your guide will know! So keep your eyes peeled for twilight wildlife encounters on this sunset tour. As the sun sets behind the craggy peaks, the wildlife of Banff National Park become more active in the cool hours before dark. We see wildlife on 95% of our tours, so this is your best chance to get up close with some of Banff’s wildest residents. Your guide will lead a safari to the hotspots where you are most likely to see Rocky Mountain creatures. You might spot an elk sauntering across a clearing, a mountain goat perched high on a ridge, and sometimes even a grizzly bear snuffling through a berry bush. You’ll also learn about how the park protects these animals and their natural habitat from
Apr – Oct
5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm
2 Hours
Discover Grizzly Bears
Seeing a grizzly bear in the flesh is a thrilling moment that will stay with you long after you’ve left the mountains. Meet Boo, a bear with paws the size of hubcaps, a mouth full of sharp teeth and enormous muscles moving beneath his shaggy fur. He saunters slowly through his 20-acre habitat in the Rocky Mountain bush, allowing you to watch him explore, hunt and forage just like his wild cousins. You’ll also hear his personal story and learn about grizzly bear behaviour during your visit to the largest enclosed grizzly bear habitat in the world. The tour also includes stops at gorgeous Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake. We’ll take a gondola ride to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, where you’ll enjoy lunch with a view at the highest restaurant in Canada.
Jun – Sep
8:30am
10 Hours
Wolfdog Sanctuary – Self Guided
An interpretive walk through the sanctuary allows visitors to see the sanctuary and view the various packs of wolfdogs at your own pace. This is a great opportunity to learn interesting facts about wolves and wolfdogs and support the sanctuary. This tour provides a general admission into the sanctuary. Since this tour has unlimited availability, this is a great tour option for large groups, school groups, and any last minute visits to the sanctuary. There is no interaction with the wolfdogs on this tour.
Year Round
Throughout the day
1 Hour
Wolfdog Sanctuary – Intro
Want to know more about wolfdogs? Enjoy the opportunity to learn all about the sanctuary and get an introduction to what wolfdogs are all about. This is a great way to photograph one of the packs of wolfdogs as well as having full access to one of the wolfdog experts. In addition to the Sanctuary Walk, this tour provides an introduction to wolfdogs as guests are taken inside one of the enclosures and given a 30 minute presentation on wolfdogs. Guests can expect to learn general information on wolfdogs and the mission of the sanctuary. There is no interaction with the wolfdogs on this tour.
Year Round
10:45am, 12:15pm, 1:15pm, 2:15pm, 3:45pm
30 Mins
Wolfdog Sanctuary – Interactive
Come enjoy an up-close and intimate look at wolves and wolfdogs. This tour requires a booking in advance! Gain a better understanding about wolf behaviour through the wolfdogs at the sanctuary and how this behaviour fundamentally differs from domestic dogs. This is also a great opportunity to learn about the importance of wolves in the ecosystem, and why it’s so important to preserve them in our natural environment. This exclusive tour has limited availability and restricted numbers per tour to ensure the wolfdogs stay inquisitive and close during your visit. You will also have plenty of photo opportunities and ample time to speak with a sanctuary team member leading the tour.
Year Round
10:30am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:30pm
45 Mins
Discover Wolfdogs
Learn all about the fascinating aspects of wolves and wolfdogs and how these animals differ from our domestic pets at home. Meet them close up at Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary in the Cochrane Foothills. This experience is as close as you are likely to ever get to the wild and elusive wolf - while still in a safe and secure context. The sanctuary is purpose-designed with the welfare of the animals at heart. It’s clear to see the staff at Yamnuska have a passion for the animals. They’ll teach you about how First Nations people and European settlers viewed wolves, the challenges these rare animals face and the importance of protecting them in the wild. On the way to the sanctuary we’ll stop at Gap Lake for a jaw-dropping view. You’ll also get to visit the 1875 McDougal Church -
May-Sep
8:30am
4 Hours