Last Updated on May 1, 2021
Banff offers some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world and if you are looking for where to go take amazing photography then read on for the best locations in Banff for photography.
Banff National Park is Canada’s oldest national park and the first natural heritage site in the world. The Banff area lies within the Canadian Rockies, a mountain range of peaks that extends along the western edge of Alberta and British Columbia for about 300 miles. This beautiful place takes on an interesting look when photographed during different times of year.
Sulphur Mountain
All the way to the south there is a beautiful area called Sulphur Mountain. It sits in Banff National Park and it is amazing to photograph with its old growth trees and granite looking rocks. The area around the mountain is also an awesome base camp for hiking out of Banff National Park.
Lake Louise
Lake Louise on the other hand offers a lot more activities in the way of hiking. The wide open spaces and mountain views around Lake Louise offer some great photography opportunities for both landscape pictures and also wildlife photos. There are many hikes that go out from Lake Louise, including to see Moraine Lake and Hidden Lake as well as many others.
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake on the other hand is a lake that is surrounded by the rocks and boulders of the Moraine Lake Valley. There are many great photographs around this area. First off it is one of the most popular places to visit in Banff National Park because of the amazing view of jagged mountains surrounding a glacial fed lake. Another good thing about this location for photography is that it is easy to get to and in no time you can have awesome landscape or wildlife shots.
Icefields Parkway
One of the best ways to get around Banff National Park is by taking the Icefields Parkway. This is the longest road in Alberta and it has a lot of great scenery on both sides of it. There are many scenic vistas that can be had from the road, including a famous stop called Emerald Lake with its white marble walls surrounding this amazing lake.
Bow Lake
The beauty of Bow Lake is that it is surrounded by mountain peaks, cliffs and rock formations perfectly framing this pristine location. There are many amazing views you can get from the lake itself or from the surrounding mountains. All of the beauty around this area as well as the ease of getting there make this one of the top places to photograph in Banff National Park.
Peyto Lake
Just a short hike from the parking area is the Peyto Lake lookout which offers stunning views of the Bow Pass area. The view is so beautiful that at times it seems to disappear behind the clouds. The lake itself is still beautiful, but the views are what makes this a top spot for landscape photography.
Bow Valley Parkway
Running between Banff and Lake Louise is this view packed drive perfect for landscape photographers to explore. The Bow Valley Parkway is wide open with views to the left and right and it has many mountain peaks that you can take photos of. You will also find wildlife in this area, especially around Bow Lake where there are many ducks and geese for amazing wildlife photos.
Johnston Canyon
A great hiking trail awaits at Johnston Canyon where you can explore and photograph this awe inspiring location, including two waterfalls. The hiking trail is not too difficult, but the views do get more and more spectacular as you go along.
Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka is a long and winding lake that forms the feeder to the Waterton Lakes. Along this beautiful lake you can find amazing rock formations, towering mountains and a lot of wildlife including deer and bighorn sheep. The views from the frozen lake are simply stunning and make for some stunning landscape photos.
Bottom Line
As you can see Banff offers many great locations for photography. With its beauty and ease of getting around it is no wonder that this is one of the most photographed places in the world. Choosing where to take photos can be hard, but if you stick to these top locations you will have a good chance at getting some incredible pictures back home after your trip.