What To Do In Banff In June

Like we said, June is a great time to visit Banff!

Banff really starts to show off in June, that’s why the crowds start coming! Early June is a little slower, but once you hit mid to late June, Banff is booming. When lakes like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake expose their beautiful turquoise color, it’s hard to resist coming to see.

There is a ton to do in Banff National Park in June

Warmer weather means even more possibilities when it comes to exploring Banff National Park. There are trails to hike, glacier lakes to see (Lake Louise and Moraine Lake), informational and adventurous tours to take, and so much more. If you want to do more than just see the stunning blue of the glacier lakes, you can rent a canoe and guide through its beauty to soak it all in.

It can still be a little chilly in Banff in June

Let’s not forget that we are talking about the weather in the Canadian Rockies in June–that means that it’s going to be a little different than typical summer weather. In general, the high temperature in Banff in June is around 19 ℃ but it can drop to as low as 5 ℃ at night.

You might see some rainy days

Rainy days come by pretty often in June, so you will most likely encounter one or two of them.  Don’t forget to pack a rain jacket and you’ll be all set!

Pack in light layers

A rain jacket is a great place to start (like mentioned above), especially because a rain jacket can be a great outer layer. Light layers are key to navigating temperatures in Banff in June. You can encounter some high temps, low temps, sunshine, and rain, so being able to adapt to each situation by adding or taking away a light layer will ensure that you are ready for anything Banff can throw at you!

Hiking is a great June activity in Banff

Heavier traffic starts to travel the Banff trails once June rolls around. June is the beginning of nice hiking weather and the glacier lakes have thawed which means great hiking temperatures and even better hiking views. Note that some trails might still be a little muddy and mountaintops will still have snow, so if you are visiting in early June, you might want to focus on lower altitude hiking.

Now let’s hop into all of the other things to do in Banff in June! 

1. Meet wolfdogs up close at Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary

Calling all animal lovers! Located just an hour from Banff (and conveniently about halfway between Banff and Calgary), the non-profit Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary offers a range of tours to learn about wolfdogs. From a self guided tour around the sanctuary that allows you to learn from informational signage, and see the packs of wolfdogs from outside of their enclosure at your own pace to a small-group interactive tour that takes you inside two enclosures to interact, learn, and experience the wolfdogs by being up close and personal.

2. See and touch the World Famous Glacier—The Columbia Icefields

You can’t see a glacier like this every day, and June is a wonderful time to see it because it just opened back up! You can adventure on the cold glacier and down Columbia Icefields Parkway while the moderate to warm Jasper weather in June greets you during your adventures. It means you can experience the cold without having to feel it (well, mostly, it is a glacier after all). Taking a tour down the Parkway is a great way to actually take in the views from the drive, see everything with the expert knowledge of a guide, and the comfort of the Ice Explorer which is made for this kind of terrain.

3. Catch some sky-high views on a Banff helicopter ride

Keen to see more of the backcountry? While it’s hard to get back there in June, that doesn’t mean that June isn’t a good time to see it. This might leave you wondering how you can see it—with a Banff helicopter ride! This stunning flight can take you as far as the famous Mt. Assiniboine and right over the glacier. If you are looking for a truly unique Canadian Rockies experience, you can take a helicopter flight up to 7,000′ for a guided alpine hike or a private flight just for two with a scenic stopover. The Rockies aren’t the only views that get better from a bird’s-eye-view, the Columbia Icefields in Jasper is also known to drop some jaws.

4. See the world-famous Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

With the access road to Moraine Lake reopening in late May, June is the perfect time to visit both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. They will both be freshly thawed and beaming a brilliant turquoise color. Both lakes have a very limited amount of parking that usually fills up by sunrise, so the best option is to save yourself the hassle and see both lakes on one convenient tour from your hotel in Banff. Daily tours run in the morning and afternoon with a 30-minute stop at each lake, as well as a special evening tour when the crowds have left for the day.

5. Enjoy a horseback ride in Banff

If ground-based activities are more your thing, Banff’s horseback rides are the perfect thing to do in Banff in June. With nicer weather and fresh summer views, it is a great way to see the gorgeous Banff scenery. With a convenient location right near downtown Banff, it is easy for riders to find and experience these wonderful Alberta trail rides. As the days grow warmer, try a ride that crosses the Bow River – your horse might even decide to cool itself off by splashing water onto its belly!

6. Experience Banff lakes and rivers

As the lakes and rivers fully thaw in June, it’s the perfect time to soak in the scenery from the water. There are almost infinite ways to do this– whether it’s a lake cruise on Banff’s largest lake, canoeing, paddleboarding, scenic floats, or whitewater rafting. There is no shortage of ways to soak up all the beauty that Banff lakes have to offer, and June is a great time to jump in (well, maybe not literally, depends the day)!

7. Try rocking climbing in Banff

Looking for an extra thrill? One of the most popular Banff summer activities is experiencing Banff’s mountains by climbing them, and one of the most popular destinations is the Banff Via Ferrata. Experienced climbers might have their own equipment, knowledge, and skill to scale the mountain on their own, but you don’t have to be an expert. There are guided options, short and long, for climbing Mount Norquay’s Via Ferrata that gives you the opportunity to climb a mountain while safely secured with a harness and a professional guide. So whether you’re a newbie or an expert, there’s an ideal rock climbing option in Banff for you!

 Is your time in Banff extending into July? Check out our recommendations for What To Do in Banff in July.

Have More Questions About Travelling to Banff in June? We have Answers.