Banff Travel Podcast

Planning a September trip to Banff? In this episode, local Banff travel expert Celine Brewer shares everything you need to know to make the most of September in the Canadian Rockies.

From the golden larch season (including what they are, where they grow, and how to see them at their peak) to packing for unpredictable mountain weather, Celine gives you insider tips you won’t find in guidebooks. You’ll discover the best hikes, scenic drives, and fall activities plus which attractions are still open, what’s starting to close, and how to avoid common September travel mistakes.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Banff Restaurant Guide – Free Download

• Banff in September – Full Blog Post
• Moraine Lake Shuttle Guide

• 4 Day Larch Hiking Itinerary for Banff
• Best Larch Hikes
• Kananaskis Fall Hikes

• Easy Canmore Walking Trails
• Banff Walks & Hikes 
• Banff for Non-Hikers

This episode will help you plan a September Banff trip that’s both breathtaking and stress-free.

Support the Podcast

Send in your questions here!

Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis

Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada 

Did you know there were 3 mountain lakes to explore just minutes from downtown Banff? In this episode of The Banff Travel Podcast, Celine Brewer takes you on one of her favorite scenic routes in Banff National Park: the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive.

You'll get the local perspective on:

• The best stops along the Lake Minnewanka loop 
• Scenic viewpoints, hikes, and picnic spots 
• Tips for enjoying the Lake Minnewanka area

Whether you’re traveling with kids, want a scenic drive with incredible views, or want a great hike, this episode will help you make the most of your visit to one of Banff’s underrated gems.

Banff Cheat Sheets (get an overview of the area)

Mentioned in this Episode

Guide to Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive

Johnson Lake - Things to Do

Lake Minnewanka - Things to Do

Johnson Lake Hike

C-Level Cirque Hike

Lake Minnewanka Trail

Bankhead Ghost Town

Book Here

Lake Minnewanka Cruise

Flytographer Photoshoot

GemTrek Maps

These links are affiliate links where I may earn a small commission if you book through these links.

Support the Podcast

Send in your questions here!

Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis

Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada 

August in Banff National Park means turquoise lakes, long summer days, dry trails, and endless opportunities for adventure. This episode will help you make the most of your time and avoid common mistakes.

What You’ll Learn:

• What to expect from the weather and how to pack
• The best hikes, gondolas, lakes, and scenic drives
• Tips for wildlife safety and how to see bears safely
• What’s new for cyclists this month (including road closures for bikes only!)

Blog Posts & Guides

• Banff in August Guide (full blog post)
• Banff Rainy Day Activities
• Moraine Lake Shuttle Options
• Free Banff Restaurant Guide

Icefields Parkway Glacier Experiences

• Columbia Icefield Adventure (Ice Explorer)
• Ice Odyssey Small-Group Glacier Tour
• Guided Ice Walks on Athabasca Glacier

August Adventures to Book Early

• Via Ferrata Guided Climb (Norquay)
• Whitewater Rafting on the Kananaskis River
• Canyoning in Banff (Various Routes) use code TravelBanff10 for 10% off your canyoning tour
• Canmore Cave Tours

Travel Help & Planning Tools

• Banff Travel Consultations
• Pre-Built Banff Itineraries

*some links are affiliate links where I may earn a commission at no extra charge to you!

Support the Podcast

Send in your questions here!

Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis

Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada 

In this episode, Celine Brewer, your local Banff trip planning expert, shares how you can experience all the jaw-dropping beauty of Banff without blowing your budget. Whether you’re visiting with family, traveling solo, or planning a romantic escape, you’ll learn simple ways to cut costs while still making the most of your adventure.

From affordable places to stay and where to find the best picnic views, to free activities, transit options, and even discount tips for top attractions like the Banff Gondola and Columbia Icefield, this episode is packed with local advice to help you stretch your dollar. 

55 Free Things You Can Do In Banff

Discount codes for canyoning, GuideAlong, and more (available at travelbanffcanada.com/support)

Banff Hikes Without a Car

Hikes & Walks from Banff Townsite

Celine's Banff Facebook Group

Grab the free downloads:

• Banff Travel Planner
• Banff Cheat Sheets 

Check out the pre-built Banff Itineraries here

Support the Podcast

Send in your questions here!

Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis

Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada 

In this episode of The Banff Travel Podcast, host Celine Brewer shares why a rainy day in Banff might just be the best thing that happens to your trip. As a local who’s weathered it all, she walks you through the best ways to enjoy Banff and Canmore when the skies open up plus tips for dealing with smoky skies, packing for unpredictable weather, and even getting out on the trails anyway.

Inside, you’ll get local tips on:

• Indoor activities for all ages
• Outdoor adventures where it doesn’t matter if you get wet
• The best scenic drives and wildlife spotting routes for drizzly days
• Forested hikes that are peaceful even in the rain
• How to pack smart for shifting mountain weather
• What to do on smoky wildfire days instead of canceling your plans

Mentioned in this episode:

• Banff Rainy Day Activity Guide
• Banff Scenic Drives

Support the Podcast

Send in your questions here!

Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis

Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada 

In this episode, Celine shares her go-to list of the best easy hikes in Banff National Park. These trails deliver incredible views without a full-day effort. Whether you're travelling with kids, grandparents, or just want a low-key day in nature, these scenic walks pack in the wow factor with minimal elevation gain.

You'll learn:

• Celine’s favorite easy hikes around Banff
• Family-friendly and stroller-accessible trails
• What gear to bring (yes, you still need bear spray!)
• Mistakes to avoid when choosing short hikes
• Extra tips for wildlife sightings and trail conditions

Helpful resources:

Easy Hikes in Banff 

Best Banff Hikes with Kids

Support the Podcast

Send in your questions here!

Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis

Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada 

July is one of the most popular and most beautiful times to visit Banff National Park. In this episode, local expert Celine Brewer breaks down exactly what you can expect if you’re visiting in July, including what’s open, what to pack, how to beat the crowds, and what to book in advance.

You’ll learn:

• Why July is peak season in Banff and how to plan accordingly
• What activities, trails, and tours are open (hint: almost everything!)
• The best things to do in July
• How to avoid the biggest crowds while still seeing the highlights
• What to pack for warm days, cool nights, and changing mountain weather
• Practical tips to help you stay flexible, safe, and stress-free

Helpful links:

Guide to  Banff in July

Lake Louise hikes

Moraine Lake hikes

How to get to Moraine Lake

Best Hikes in Banff National Park

Easy Hikes in Banff National Park

Trail Conditions:

Kananaskis Closures

Banff National Park Trail Conditions

Jasper National Park Trail Conditions

Yoho National Park Trail Conditions

Kootenay National Park Trail Conditions

Support the Podcast

Send in your questions here!

Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis

Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada 

Even the most well-researched Banff trip can go sideways if you fall into one of the common planning traps. In this episode of The Banff Travel Podcast, Celine Brewer walks you through the real-world mistakes travelers make every single week, from not booking the Moraine Lake shuttle early enough, to choosing the wrong time of year, to skipping one of the best scenic drives in the world.

Whether this is your first visit to Banff National Park or your fifth, this episode is packed with helpful insights, local tips, and a few stories from behind the scenes. 

Here's my full blog post on Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting Banff National Park.

Don't miss the GuideAlong App for scenic drives in Banff. Use TVLBANFF for 15% off.

Support the Podcast

Send in your questions here!

Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis

Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada 

In this episode, Celine breaks down how to take that long list of must-sees and turn it into a realistic, stress-free Banff itinerary that flows smoothly, without the overwhelm.

Whether you're coming for three days or ten, you'll learn how to group your activities by area, avoid common mistakes like backtracking and overbooking, and balance your trip with big adventures and slower-paced moments. 

Celine shares her local insight on how planning your itinerary changes based on your travel style and how to build flexibility into your trip with built-in Plan Bs and time buffers.

What you'll get in this episode:

• How to organize your ideas and set up a simple itinerary planning system
• What to consider based on your travel style
• How to group hikes, drives, and sightseeing efficiently
• What to book ahead and when to leave space for spontaneity
• How to adapt your itinerary for 1-day, 3-day, or 7-day trips

Celine also shares a few favorite resources to help you plan, including her free Banff Travel Planner and downloadable itineraries built specifically for hiking trips, car-free travel, and Banff–Jasper road trips.

Things to do in Banff for Non-Hikers

Grab the free downloads:

• Banff Travel Planner
• Banff Cheat Sheets 

Check out the pre-built Banff Itineraries here

If you’re feeling stuck in the planning stage or just want to be sure you’re making the most of your days in Banff, this episode will help you move from scattered ideas to a smooth plan.

Support the Podcast

Send in your questions here!

Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis

Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada 

The Bow Valley Parkway isn’t just a scenic drive. In this episode, Celine shares everything you need to know about exploring this iconic stretch of road between Banff and Lake Louise, including tips for visiting Johnston Canyon, cycling the parkway, and where to stop along the way.

You’ll get a local’s insight on:

• What the Bow Valley Parkway is and why it’s worth visiting
• Seasonal closures: what they mean and how to plan around them
• How to bike the parkway while it’s closed to vehicles
• What to expect at Johnston Canyon and how to beat the crowds
• What to know about May, June, and September driving access (including Castle Junction tips!)

Hiking Johnston Canyon

Hike to the Ink Pots

Cycling the Bow Valley Parkway + Map from Banff

Everything to Know About the Bow Valley Parkway

Tours*:

Cycling Tour with Return Shuttle

Johnston Canyon Guided Hike

Banff HopOn (can also be used to visit Moraine Lake)

*these links area affiliate links

Support the Podcast

Send in your questions here!

Don’t forget to check out the free guides and planning tools on travelbanffcanada.com and banfftravelplanning.com.

Facebook Community: Travel to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore & Kananaskis

Follow me on Instagram: @travelbanffcanada