Bankhead Ghost Town
Bankhead Ghost Town
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
34 reviews
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karol452
Edmonton, Canada1,005 contributions
Aug 2021
You will need a car to get to Bankhead because Roam transit does not stop here. Bankhead is on the road to Lake Minnewanka. The path goes is a loop. Along the loop there are information stands about Bankhead. There are also some other buildings and old equipment. Bankhead was an old mining town. This is an easy small hike. Bankhead was not crowded when we went. Bankhead gives a person an insight to the past.
Written August 21, 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.
SeniorTravelerTF
Fort Atkinson1,223 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
An easy trail that leads through the former mining town of Lower Bankhead. Outstanding descriptive signs along the way tell about the mining, town and the people. Machinery, buildings, slag heaps, pits all left over from the town give it a haunting feeling that echoes the activity of years ago. The most informative and educational trail I took in two weeks in the four national parks in the Canadian Rockies.
Written November 13, 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.
Johnny H.
Manassas, VA342 contributions
May 2022
I was so happy to find this on the map when I was looking for things to do in the Banff area. The hike is short from the parking area and is a simple loop through the ghost town. There are many examples of the old mining equipment used for coal extraction, which is very interesting to see.
One of my favorite things is all the wild rutabaga growing, which is left over from when the Chinese laborers lived in the area.
One of my favorite things is all the wild rutabaga growing, which is left over from when the Chinese laborers lived in the area.
Written July 16, 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.
Lara_M1
london112 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
We went to bankhead on the way back from visiting Lake Minnewanka.
We knew it would be a deserted old town where the miners lived and worked, but we were surprised to see so many untouched things since the place was abandoned years ago.
We were the only ones there, which made it even more eerie and special ( except for the animals which walked freely around us). The place has a sad history to it but is very interesting to see and experience.
We knew it would be a deserted old town where the miners lived and worked, but we were surprised to see so many untouched things since the place was abandoned years ago.
We were the only ones there, which made it even more eerie and special ( except for the animals which walked freely around us). The place has a sad history to it but is very interesting to see and experience.
Written May 29, 2013
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.
ciarajayne
Banff, Canada4 contributions
Best time to go is in Winter from Cascade ponds after a snow fall! It magical : )
Written February 25, 2012
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.
Christina
New Brunswick, Canada112 contributions
Sep 2017 • Family
We have done this hike a number of times leaving from across from Cascade Ponds to Lower Bankhead, around the town then back out again. The trail head can be hard to find and you have to cross a dry river bed. Otherwise, it is an easy walk that is stroller and strider friendly. There is lots to see as items have been discarded along the trail. The town itself is full of history and even has an old train for kids to climb on. Fall is a great time to see the leaves change in the area.
Written September 10, 2017
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.
Mitchmo1
Fontana, CA65 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
Bankhead is divided in two sections: upper and lower.
The upper part is the remains of the old town and there are lots of artifacts laying around if you take the time to look. There is not a defined trail through the town site. Just tread gently and be sure to take only pictures! There is also a nice picnic area too!
The lower section is where the stamp mill was. There is a well defined trail and lots to look at.
The upper part is the remains of the old town and there are lots of artifacts laying around if you take the time to look. There is not a defined trail through the town site. Just tread gently and be sure to take only pictures! There is also a nice picnic area too!
The lower section is where the stamp mill was. There is a well defined trail and lots to look at.
Written June 3, 2015
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.
veebee54
Ipswich, UK148 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
Abandoned coal mining town which takes you back in time to when this was a thriving local community. Although you have to use your imagination there are plenty of relics from the past plus photos and signage. It's abit unkempt and could do with a bit of attention and better information on the people who lived there, however it makes for a good trail in itself but the bonus is the past history you are walking though.
Written July 28, 2019
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.
Mueller85
Oklahoma City, OK80 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
This place seems to be relatively unknown, yet it is extremely interesting. Abandoned mining town with insightful history. It's a fun experience, something that should be ranked higher on the list of things to do in Banff. And it's free!
Written February 16, 2019
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.
188petere
Brisbane, Australia1,627 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We were told about this when doing our Lake cruise so decided t have a look whilst in the area.
It is close to the road with a small carpark but not many visitors. There is an easily accessed lookout over the area although there isn't many buildings remaining. There is a short walk (some steps) along a pathway that takes you through the remaining ruins which are well signposted explaining their role in the mining village.
The history is pretty amazing & was the hour or so we spent - not sure I would make a special trip there to see it.
It is close to the road with a small carpark but not many visitors. There is an easily accessed lookout over the area although there isn't many buildings remaining. There is a short walk (some steps) along a pathway that takes you through the remaining ruins which are well signposted explaining their role in the mining village.
The history is pretty amazing & was the hour or so we spent - not sure I would make a special trip there to see it.
Written June 23, 2019
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.
janinecleveland1988
Palestine, Texas
Are there ranger guided walks starting at the lower Bankhead during September 2018.
Written August 22, 2018
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