Bow Falls
4.5
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Top ways to experience Bow Falls
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
137 within 3 miles
Attractions
55 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Louise Masin SattlerLos Angeles, California1,099 contributionsBring your camera- this falls and walk is very picturesqueA beautiful walk along a mostly even pathway leads you to the falls UNTIL you reach numerous sets of wooden steps. This makes it not accessible from the pathway that originates downtown. A lovely way to spend a few hours in Banff.Visited June 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten May 31, 2023
- lesliebaumanKirkland, Washington1,044 contributionsEasy walk from Banff village. Follow the signsWalked from Banff village along the river with a wonderful art nature walk along the way. There are some stairs up and down along the way but it’s basically pretty flat. Easy with nice views. Worth your time.Visited July 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten July 11, 2023
- Christina BLouisiana2,712 contributionsBeautiful East Access FallsThis was a beautiful fall. It took so long to just get parked. Longer than we were there. Watch out for the parking agents.. they ticketed a lot of people. Park only where there’s lines to park. It took about 15 mins to park so saw them take photos a lot of cars 😆 As far as the Falls they are right off the road. With that said very easy for people to flock too. SO MANY people and So many who think it’s photo session time. Take your photo and move. So many in the water that makes it hard to get a clean shot. I would have loved to have spent a little more time there, but just TOO many people hanging out long term. We were there less than 5 minutes.Visited July 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten July 22, 2023
- Anne DSydney, Australia68 contributionsWonderful and accessible falls and lakeYou can easily reach the Bow River Falls by #2 ROAM bus which runs once and hour to the falls. The falls themselves are easily reached from the shore and then the lake opens out. The float tours (all completely dry thanks to a wooden floor in the big zodiacs) and kayak trips leave form here and go one way down the river and then the guests are transported back by shuttle. It's a very popular place for families in the local areas too.Visited July 2023Written August 2, 2023
- teile mAirmont, New York8 contributionsBanff is amazingEasy walk along the Bow River to the falls. The Art in Nature was an added benefit. There were some spots where you could put your feet in the water! And benches to rest and enjoy nature. Lots of other people on itVisited July 2023Traveled with friendsWritten August 6, 2023
- JMHanIrvine, California5 contributionsBeautiful place to visitBeautiful place to visit in Banff. It’s about 1.4km from the downtown. It also has enough parking spaces for visitors. Unfortunately there are no public restrooms. Don’t forget to stop by at the surprise corner viewpoint which is the other side of the river. It’s another spectacular view.Visited August 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten August 25, 2023
- MrandMrsICHBIEngland, United Kingdom496 contributionsPleasant walkWalked along the bow river trial from Banff to the falls. A scenic walk with some steps & inclines. It is a gentle round trip of circa a hour or less depending on speed and stops for photo’s. Along the way there are numerous art displays. The falls themselves are picturesque but don’t expect anything like Niagara Falls but worth a visit.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten September 10, 2023
- tinaNtravelSan Jose, California2,011 contributionsBeautiful walk to the fallsYou can get to Bow Falls by walking down the beautiful Bow River Trail. Walk down the main street of Banff to the beautiful Cascade Gardens on the other side of the bridge, crossing the Bow River. Turn left (before the road) to get on the Bow River Trail. Walk down the trail approx 20-30 minutes to reach the falls. This is a very easy, mostly flat walk.Visited August 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten September 10, 2023
- booking1231,412 contributionsExcellentWe took roam bus 2 to falls but you can walk the trail 1.7 miles takes 39 minutes. Falls are spectacular. There are about 400 or more steps to climb if you want to look at the falls from the top. Falls are very scenicVisited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten September 19, 2023
- Peter VMarket Bosworth, United Kingdom24 contributionsExcellentYou can hear the falls from a distance. An art trail takes you there and on a cold sunny day a memorable experience. Foot paths well looked after. Well worth the walk from centre of BanffVisited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 2, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Popular mentions
4.5
4,215 reviews
Excellent
2,077
Very good
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540
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44
Terrible
4
must_travel_soon_10
Mississauga, Canada1,706 contributions
Sep 2020
Surprise corner viewpoint allows a great vista overlooking the rapids and falls from above. The river road viewpoint has the lower falls view, which is spectacular. From above the power and fast flowing waters can be appreciated. From below the falls are roaring and then down stream, seems so tranquil. Didn't get a chance to walk along the walkway along the Bow river, but it appears to be a great stroll.
Written September 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Worthy Travels
San Francisco, CA435 contributions
Sep 2022
A definite must-see when visiting Banff! Try to go early in the morning and just marvel at the way the color of the water changes with the sunlight. It's just stunning. Walk the trail and enjoy listening the rush of the water and just marvel at this breathtaking waterfall and its lovely surroundings.
Written October 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sightseer48954554169
Belfast, UK2 contributions
Sep 2022
The gentle walk along the Bow Falls offers stunning scenery and the opportunity to take a lovely hour long raft tour along the river. Our guide Kim was full of interesting information about the areas wildlife, fauna flora and geology. We visited Banff at the end of a busy sightseeing holiday in Canada and this was a lovely relaxing way to end our holiday. Easy to reach from the town and on the doorstep of Banff Springs hotel.
Written September 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne D
Sydney, Australia68 contributions
Jul 2023
You can easily reach the Bow River Falls by #2 ROAM bus which runs once and hour to the falls. The falls themselves are easily reached from the shore and then the lake opens out. The float tours (all completely dry thanks to a wooden floor in the big zodiacs) and kayak trips leave form here and go one way down the river and then the guests are transported back by shuttle. It's a very popular place for families in the local areas too.
Written August 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
booking123
New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada1,412 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We took roam bus 2 to falls but you can walk the trail 1.7 miles takes 39 minutes. Falls are spectacular. There are about 400 or more steps to climb if you want to look at the falls from the top. Falls are very scenic
Written September 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chad M
Calgary, Canada213 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
We always make it a point to come and visit the Bow Falls. This place is very meaningful for our family. This time of year, especially on a weekday, it’s quiet and there’s less rushing water. It was a gorgeous day and we truly love the view of the falls and the river below the falls. Go see for yourself if you find yourself in Banff!
Written November 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marvi62
Horsham, PA623 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
I think the 3 of us would have had a better impression of the Falls if we had parked on the side of the river where the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is. We could see people on that side walking on a trail facing the Falls. But we followed the signs and parked on Buffalo St in the designated (and small) parking lot. We could hear the Falls but couldn’t really see them.
Written June 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ScubaNut099
Edmonton, Canada222 contributions
Dec 2020
Walking along the trail system in Banff we happened to come across Bow Falls. Being winter, they were partially frozen, which actually made for better photos if you ask me. Takes a little bit of walking to get here, but the trail is extremely wide open and flat.
Worth the quick walk out to see it.
Worth the quick walk out to see it.
Written December 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharla P
41 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Lovely view of Bow Falls from the lookout! We went around noon and though busy, there was ample parking and lots of room to snap a picture of the falls. Our young children had no problem on the path and we even saw people with strollers. Would recommend.
Written August 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norman A
Ucluelet, Canada356 contributions
Sep 2020
When we traveled, in late September. You have the leaves on the trees turning, the air is crisp. It is the matting season for the Elk. The falls them selves are nice, but there are many more spectacular falls to see in the Park, it makes these falls look small. It is the sum of the whole beautiful area, not just the falls. It is a special place.
Written July 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
treavelbug
Vancouver, Canada23 contributions
Where are those stunning falls?
ScubaNut099
Edmonton, Canada222 contributions
The falls are accessible from within the Banff townsite itself by following a very easy trail. It's towards the south east end of town and follows the Bow River.
The Banff townsite website does have maps showing the location.
Salman S
Edmonton, Canada39 contributions
Are there washrooms at the Bow falls view point?
EKSKS21
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK1,422 contributions
Toilet Facilities at base of Falls and nearby ar Fairmont Springs Hotel which we were allowed to use during our visit.
No Washrooms situated at actual viewpoint but not an issue as so many are in nearby vicinity withing easy walking distance
travelingmontez
Plano, TX3 contributions
Hello I am looking for some fly fishing spots that are in close proximity to Rimrock Resort Hotel. Can anyone give me their recommendations?
JD W
Millet, Canada
Sorry not sure on that
Malu M
3 contributions
E seguro fazer rafting no River BOw
sueli2015
Rio Claro, SP36 contributions
Eu não fiz rafting lá, mas pesquisei e verifiquei que se forem tomadas todas as precauções e atendidas as normas de segurança que são fornecidas no local, é seguro. É bom também evitar uma passagem perigosa - a Harvie Passage. Espero ter sido útil minha resposta.
James C
United Kingdom14 contributions
How far are the falls from the centre of town and is the path steep ? Thanks
davGrimshaw
Alberta, Canada513 contributions
It would take about half an hour to walk to the falls from the downtown core. Before you descend to the falls from the street, you have a steep hill. Remember: what goes down must go up.
And when you arrive at the parking lot, situated at the bottom of the falls, there is a primitive (safe and well fenced) path along the side of the falls. You can see the full extent of the falls from the parking lot, but it's best to experience them but taking that path.
Lots of nice photo ops along that path. It's rugged, so if your heart is up to it, the effort is well rewarded.
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Claim your listingBow Falls - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Bow Falls
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Bow Falls:
- Year Round Tour: Banff and its Wildlife (From $66.91)
- Classic Banff DayTour: Banff, Bow Falls, Johnston Canyon (From $134.81)
- 6 Day Canadian Rocky Mountains Explorer Private Tour (From $3,647.64)
- Lake Louise and Banff Day Trip (From $719.07)
- Super DEAL! Canadian Rockies visit Banff, Jasper and Yoho, 5-days tour (From $1,119.99)
- Hotels near Bow Falls:
- (0.12 mi) Fairmont Banff Springs
- (0.31 mi) Banff Log Cabin B&B
- (0.36 mi) Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity - Hotels
- (0.79 mi) Beaujolais Boutique B&B at Thea's House
- (0.34 mi) Cascade Court Bed & Breakfast
- Restaurants near Bow Falls:
- (0.10 mi) Rundle Bar
- (0.11 mi) The Vermillion Room
- (0.13 mi) Grapes
- (0.11 mi) Waldhaus Pub & Patio
- (0.10 mi) Waldhaus Restaurant