Bow River

One of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Bow River is to set out on the Bow River Trail. The trail is just steps from downtown Banff and is easily accessible via the Banff Train Station stop on the Banff hop-on hop-off tour. Both wildlife and wildflowers can be seen along the trail and numerous riverside benches and picnic tables make the Bow River an ideal picnic spot.

You can also explore the Bow River by canoe or kayak from the center of Banff or try your hands at fly fishing. Alternatively, book a guided tour of Banff National Park, which includes visits to other top Banff attractions like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

• Banff’s Bow River is one of the most easily accessible rivers in the Canadian Rockies.
• A must-see for fishing enthusiasts and nature lovers.
• The Bow River Trail is paved from the Muskrat Street access and is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible.

The Bow River flows through Banff National Park in western Alberta, about a 1.5-hour drive from Calgary. The nearest international airport is in Calgary. The Bow River Trail is easily accessed from the city park at the corner of Buffalo Street and Bow Avenue in Banff.

Banff National Park is a popular year-round destination, but the Bow River is best enjoyed when it’s not frozen over during the winter months. Banff is an incredibly busy summer destination, so visit during the spring and fall shoulder season if you can, to avoid the crowds. Trout season on the Bow River runs from May through the end of October.

From the Bow River Bridge in Banff, you can reach Bow Falls in just a short 0.75-mile (1.2-kilometer) walk along the Bow River Trail. Bow Falls is one of the most popular attractions in Banff and it’s a great option for families with small children and visitors with limited physical mobility. Stairs are required to get to the best viewpoint of the falls though. Several other hiking trails connect at Bow Falls like the Hoodoos Trail and the trail to Tunnel Mountain.