Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour

Recommended by 96% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Banff, Canada

1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Banff Highlights & Wildlife | Award-Winning Small Group Adventure

Banff, Alberta

4.7

(734)

Banff Highlights & Wildlife | Award-Winning Small Group Adventure

from $92

Canyoning half day - Heart Creek Canyon (beginner level)

Banff, Alberta

4.8

(130)

Canyoning half day - Heart Creek Canyon (beginner level)

from $144

Moraine Lake, Lake Louise & Banff Secrets | Award-Winning Tour

Banff, Alberta

4.8

(519)

Moraine Lake, Lake Louise & Banff Secrets | Award-Winning Tour

from $247

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Discover Banff National Park from the water on a scenic canoe journey up the Bow River. Surrounded by stunning peaks, pristine water, and wildlife, this is the perfect outing for park visitors who want to break away from the crowded overlooks and hiking trails. Plus, traveling by canoe provides an idyllic way to travel deeper into the park without the effort of hiking.

Take a guided canoe trip through Banff National Park
Enjoy paddling with the other participants while the guide steers the canoe
Learn about the area’s history and wildlife from your guide
Refuel with refreshments at the end of the tour

What's Included

Paddles and Life Jackets
Professional Guide

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Banff Canoe Club
Corner of Bow Ave and, Wolf St, Banff, AB T1L 1A8, Canada
Corner of Wolf Street and Bow Ave

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Banff Canoe Club (Pass By)

Banff National Park (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 12 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Mike_S

A fantastic trip up the river with an exceptional guide. You start by paddling against the current, but this means you get to enjoy more of a relaxing ride on the back. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and made the trip really interesting.

Reviews

4.9

based on 52 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Not worth it.

David_S, Aug 2025

They don’t let you paddle back to the starting point. Way too much time spent discussing animals that are rarely seen on the tour.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Hi David, Thanks for your review. This is not the usual feedback we get on this tour. We try our best to see animals but it depends on the day. We also do let guest guests paddle back, but there is not as much need when travelling downstream. If you prefer to paddle more, we may suggest a canoe rental might be more suitable. Thanks again and we will pass the feedback to the team.

Fun experience

Fred_H, Aug 2025

It was a beautiful experience. Our guide was very knowledgeable. Good location for pick up and she made sure we were comfortable

Canoeing with CAM — FUN!’

Moira_A, Jul 2025

Listen to the instructions about how you hold the paddle and paddle in unison(!!), sit with butt up to the side of the canoe. Enjoy the evening as you paddle and listen to the narrative about the history, animals , conservation care. Cam made it fun to listen to the history

A fantastic trip up the...

Mike_S, Jun 2025

Fun morning on the Bow River

Ernest_L, Sep 2024

Our guide, Cam, was fantastic. We had a great ride on the Bow River. Professionally done. I would definitely recommend it.

Wonderful

Tresa_M, Aug 2024

It was a lovely canoe tour. Jacob was very informative and helpful. He was a great guide. The canoe trip had great scenery and we saw 2 beavers and a beautiful rainbow.

Loved it!! Great for families

STEPHANIE_R, Aug 2024

We had an amazing time with our 3 kids. Emily was a fantastic guide and we loved our time in the canoe. Recommend it highly.

Great family friendly experience

Anton_K, Aug 2024

Great family friendly experience. Knowledgeable hosts. 10/10! Great way to meet and chat with people. Wear sunscreen ;)

Banff River Rowing Adventure was a Blast!

Amber_P, Jul 2024

We had a great time with Ethan on our trip down the river this week! Ethan provided a wealth of knowledge during the trip, and made the tough job of rowing much more fun. Just recommend that you get a good group of rowers so everyone pitches in! Haha. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a nice ride up (or was it down?) the river.

okay

katie_m, Jul 2024

The guide was nice and friendly. the whole canoe ride was a bit disappointing. It says on the ticket its a 90 min. experience. The guide talked for 20 min. and then we got in the canoe, which I felt was a waste. The river is beautiful and peaceful. It was a nice ride but not worth the money. Nothing exceptional or exciting.

Fun outing

sallyturk, Jul 2024

Our guide was a lot of fun and knowledgeable He was very skilled and informative I always felt safe .

Great way to enjoy Banff

Felicia_B, Jul 2024

Very enjoyable experience for the entire family. Guides are kind, informative and engaging. My 8 yr old absolutely loved all the things he learned on the canoe.

Excellent, thanks Ethan!

Sheri_P, Jul 2024

Ethan was a spectacular guide! He was knowledgeable, funny and full of energy. He also shared recommendations for local parks & restaurants and we absolutely loved that.

Fantastic

Anangelina_A, Jul 2024

Very peaceful trip! And if you want to have a guide, you may want to have Cam! What a funny, personable and enthusiastic person! Thanks Cam, your information and jokes during the trip was awesome!

This canoe trip was fun....

Edward_R, Jun 2024

This canoe trip was fun. We had adults and a very nice 7 year old along. The guides have knowledge and can tell a story to entertain. The river is very picturesque.

Serene canoeing at Sulphur mtn Banff

HARISH_P, Jun 2024

V beautiful serene . Guide was v informed.....paddle canoeing is fun. Gets cooler down river....don't forget the PAY parking.

Amazing canoeing experience with an Aussie!

Robert_L, May 2024

Had a amazing experience on the canoeing tour Andy was very passionate about his job and made it very interesting and enjoyable

A lovely way to start our tour through the Canadian Rockies.

Charlotte_K, Oct 2023

Although it was a little cold and rainy at the start, we had a wonderful canoe trip on the Bow River on Sept. 30, 2023. The scenery was magnificent even though it was slightly overcast/rainy. Our leader was a bright, attentive young man whose name I am sorry to say escapes me but this was his last tour of the year and he made it memorable for all 7 of us on our tour. This was a lovely way for us to start our Rocky Mountaineer trip through the Canadian Rockies. On the water, viewing the extraordinary scenery around the Bow River, and hearing nothing but quiet. I'll never forget it.

Excellent guide....

Om_B, Jul 2023

Excellent guide. Drew did above and beyond to make our experience most enjoyable and memorable. She is a 5 Star.

Fun, interesting cano trip

MayKristin_A, Jul 2023

First half of the tour we had rain and it was cold. The paddling back we had nice weather. It was a fun trip and a nice way to see Banff from the river. Great nature. Our Australian guide Andrew did a great job, lots of knowledge of the area and wild life. He was right, even though first half was wet and cold it was a great canoe trip.

Relaxing ride up bow river

Paul_O, Jul 2023

Jon was a great guide and very knowledgeable about the area! We had a great time on the canoe and it was perfect weather. If you have a few hours to spare I recommend this activity!

SO. MUCH. FUN!!! Must do!!!

Maria_O, Oct 2022

ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT. Alex was unreal, so friendly and knowledgeable without being boring lol.. (sometimes tours can be too chatty). We were lucky enough to see a pack of elk and it added to it.. it’s a beautiful boat and I highly recommend. Do not pass this up!!!!!

The view was stunning,...

Sonie_J, Aug 2022

The view was stunning, our guide John was amazing, & very informative. We saw a bear as well and that added to our great experience.

Awesome

Cheryl_S, Jul 2022

Awesome views. Mitch was an awesome guide. Was lovely to spend an hour on the river. Was lovely to see the birds

Banff 2022

jsskie, Jul 2022

Gondola, Bear Trail, Big Canoe Tour, Cascade Garden, Blackfoot Dance Performance, FOOD FOOD FOOD Our family group ages from 9 to 74 had a thoroughly wonderful time. We’re cramming in as much as we can while we’re here. This was a much-delayed and rescheduled trip because of the pandemic. We are so happy we can travel again.