10 Best Instagram Spots for Banff Photography

Here are some Banff Photography Tips, to find the best locations for some amazing Instagram worthy photos from the Banff National Park located in Canada.  With these location tips, grab your cameras to take some amazing photos while on your adventure.  Each season displays beautiful scenery, which makes visiting here at anytime of the year fabulous.  Whether it is for the winter snow, the gorgeous smelling flowers that bloom in spring, or the orange and fiery red leaves in fall, that makes a beautiful backdrop to the mountains and lakes of Banff.  First, let us go over some history on Banff before we find some amazing instagram worthy locations to shoot the best photos.

History of Banff

Thousands of people are drawn to this amazing Banff National Park that has seven Historic Sites, loaded full of wildlife and year-round activities.  Lots of these activities can be found on Lonely Planet Banff website or my Top Things In Banff.  The indigenous people first occupied these lands, then the railway was built and workers stumbled upon Hot Springs in 1883.  When the Intercontinental Railroad was completed in 1885, the Prime Minister of Canada, Sir John A Macdonald saw the beauty of the area and created Canada’s first National Park.  This National Park includes all 26km2 of land, the Cave, Basin Hot Springs, Lake Louise and Banff.  Now let us find these best Banff Photography Spots.

Check out the 10 Best Instagram Spots for Banff Photography

Top 10 Instagram Worthy Locations

Two Jack Lakes

Two Jack Lakes is an awesome location with views of the lake and tress.

Location:  From the town of Banff across the highway fin the drive to take you to Two Jack Lake.  Photos can be taken from the lower parking are where you can get down to the water or from the higher parking are that gives higher views of the lake and mountains.  Photos can be taken all year round.

Lake Minnewanka

Lake Minnewanka is close to Two Jack Lake.

Location:  Take the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive, go across the dam to the parking area.  Here you will find several places to pull over and take some photos all the way to the parking area.

Banff Surprise Corner

The Surprise Corner is the ultimate spot to take a photo of the fairy tale castle “The Banff Springs Hotel” at the base of the mountain.

Location:  Drive 5 minutes from the centre of Banff for the ultimate spot to capture this photo.

Castle Mountain

Castle Mountain is so full of character with its spires and jagged peaks are a favorite photo spot among photographers.  A little difficult to find but with these directions you can get some great shots.

Location:  Drive on the Trans-Canada Highway, go on the road Banff-Windermere Way and park by the bridge.  Find the path to a closed gate that keeps wildlife out.  Walk through the gate to get down to the river.  Here you will be able to take a photo of the bend in the river and jagged peaks of Castle Mountain in the background.

Lake Louise

Lake Louise is one of the most popular photo spots in the National Park.  Lots of people visit every day to catch the best photo shot.  Here is a location that you really want to catch your photos early in the morning or late in the day.

Location:  Lake Side Photo

Drive Hwy 1 take the Lake Louise Exit.  Drive to the parking lots.

Location:  Higher Elevation Photo

Take the drive to the Lake Agnes Tea House and on the way you can stop to take photos of the lake with the mountains in the background.

Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake is only a short drive from Lake Louise where you can catch first light on the mountains.  The Valley of the Ten Peaks in the back ground lite with the beautiful morning light casts an amazing reflection in the lake.

Location:  From Hwy 1 take Lake Louise Exit, drive toward the lake.  Turn left at the sign of Moraine Lake and go until you reach the parking lot.

Vermillion Lakes

Visit the Vermillion Lakes only a few minutes outside of town.  Here you will find the reflection of Mount Rundle in the smooth glassy waters.  Here is a place where you can find water sports activities.

Location:  Drive Hwy 1 in the Town of Banff, then take Vermillion Lakes Roads to the parking lot.

Sulphur Mountain

Sulphur Mountain photos shots can be taken from the top of the Banff Gondola that is 3000 feet in elevation.  If you do not want to take the gondola up the mountain, think about hiking trail up the mountain.  From what I read takes approximately 2.5 hours up the mountain.

Johnston Canyon Hiking Area

Photograph Johnston Canyon for a jaw-dropping photo  A beautiful hiking trail to the Lower Canyon 1.1 km one way with a beautiful waterfall at the end.  If you are feeling fit continue hiking to the Upper Falls for another beautiful waterfall as you hike through trees, through the canyon.

Columbia Ice field Glacier Discovery Centre

Columbia Ice Field Glacier with its turquoise lakes, nature loving hiking trails, interesting fossils, plus some rushing waterfalls, plus 100 visible glaciers draw lots people here.  Besides, camping and picnic areas, I hope your brave enough to take a walk on this clear glass, 918 feet (280 meters) high Skywalk to see some amazing views of the Sunwapta Valley.  This could almost be a day trip all by itself or camp here for the weekend and dine at the restaurant.  Some great selfies can be taken here.  For some services for disabled people head over to their website.  It is located outside of Banff but with all the extra things found here thought the need to include this adventure.

Location:  Located 2.5 hours north of Banff, 1 hour south of Jasper.  From Banff travel 55 km west on Highway 1 to Lake Louise. Then travel 125 km north from Lake Louise on the Ice fields Parkway, Highway 93, to the Columbia Ice field.

Photography Tips

• I have found the best time of day to take photos are in the early morning for the first light or at twilight as the sun is going down.
• Avoid the crowds go early or later
• Take a tripod for some great still shots
• Explore your cameras photos by using different lenses or filters
• Please be respectful to the animals and environment 🐻🐾
• Only leave footprints 👣

Etcetera

Shooting photos throughout the world is something I love to do and Banff is a place where knowing the right locations can yield the best looking photos.  For other Canadian places to visit check out 1AdventureTraveler plus for more travel adventures check out  Toronto or Niagara Falls in the Fall and the Frozen Niagara Falls in winter.  Hope you enjoy my photos as much as I do.

Life is short, go out and have an adventure!

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Check out these other Banff Blogs for more travel information

Banff Photography Locations