Bankhead Ghost Town
Most people come to Alberta’s Banff National Park for the Rocky Mountains, but anyone seeking a fascinating slice of local history should check out Bankhead Ghost Town. Bankhead wasn’t always a ghost town: in its heyday it was a thriving coal-mining town. The mine closed in the 1920s and the residents, and many buildings, relocated.
The basics
Some buildings remain in various states of ruin, and visitors can take an easy 0.6-mile (1-kilometer), family-friendly walk along an interpretive loop. Find information boards along the way and, when the sky is clear, great views of Mt. Rundle from the Bankhead lookout at the start of the trail.
Most people visit Bankhead independently as it’s easy to reach from Banff town, but some guided tours of the Banff area include a stop here in summer, alongside other attractions such as Lake Minnewanka and Bow Falls.
Things to know before you go
- The trail is mostly flat but there are quite a lot of steps at the start and end, so it’s not recommended for travelers with mobility issues or strollers.
- The Bankhead parking lot offers free parking.
- There’s a lot of coal left around the site—if you’re traveling with kids, make sure they wear clothes that can get dirty.
- Bring bug repellent as the mosquitoes here are hungry.
How to get there
Bankhead is just 4 miles (7 kilometers) north of Banff town and you can cycle or drive here. Follow Banff Avenue north out of town until it becomes the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive. When you have a choice to continue straight or turn east/right to Lake Minnewanka, continue going straight as this road leads to Bankhead; note that this part of the road is closed between November and April.
When to get there
The access road to Bankhead from Banff is closed between November and April because of snow, so visit at any other time of year. The conditions for hiking are best from July to August. This is a popular place with families so it can get quite busy on summer weekends; come earlier in the day to secure a parking spot.
More Bankhead views from the C Level Cirque hike
If you’re looking for a more challenging hike that will still give you a taste of Bankhead Ghost Town, check out the 4.8-mile (7.8-kilometer) in-and-out C Level Cirque hike up Cascade Mountain. You’ll pass some of the buildings and structures of the old Bankhead coal mine near the start of the trail.
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