Table of Contents:
- Where is Banff National Park?
- Why Elope in Banff National Park?
- 6 Beautiful Banff Elopement Locations
- Best Time of Year to Get Married in Banff National Park
- Banff National Park Wedding & Elopement Registration
- Banff National Park Travel Tips
- Banff National Park Elopement Photographer
Hi folks, I’m Heather! I’m a Banff elopement photographer documenting gentle adventures for folks who value presence and connection on their elopement day. I love to help my couples plan their adventure with everything from location guides to vendor recommendations, so you can focus on what’s important: your best adventure yet.
If you’re considering eloping in the spectacular Canadian Rockies, I’m guessing that Banff National Park has made its way onto your list of potential locations. My first priority as an elopement photographer is to care for you, serve you, and support you in creating the adventure of your dreams—so I’ve taken the time to curate this Banff elopement guide to help you plan a day that so deeply reflects you.
From a list of the most stunning locations to a simple breakdown of the park’s permit process, you’ll leave this guide feeling confident in your ability to plan a once-in-a-lifetime experience amidst these breathtaking mountain peaks. The best part? I’ll be right there with you to bring it all to life, every step of the way.
Where is Banff National Park?
Did you know that Banff is actually Canada’s first national park? Set in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, this world-renowned national park spans over 6,000 square kilometres of alpine wonderland brimming with dramatic peaks, glorious glacial lakes, and an abundance of roaming wildlife. The nearest town to Banff is Canmore, which lies just under 25 kilometres south along the Trans-Canada Highway. From the highway, you can take either the Banff Avenue exit just before Cascade Mountain or the Mt. Norquay Road Exit, the latter of which will take you past the iconic Banff sign as you head into the park. A perfect spot to snap your first photo in Banff!
Why Elope in Banff National Park?
Banff National Park is hands down one of the most amazing places to elope in Canada—and it’s easy to see why! The Canadian Rockies are absolutely stunning, with towering mountain peaks, shimmering turquoise lakes, wildflower-filled meadows, and charming little mountain towns. Plus, there’s the relaxing hot springs and endless outdoor adventures. Honestly, the toughest part is deciding where to start!
Attracting over 4 million visitors from around the world every year, Banff is most known for its breathtaking and incredibly diverse landscapes, ranging from pine forests to ancient glaciers. The greatest thing about Banff is that you will truly never run out of hikes to trek, places to visit, activities to do, or even wildlife—you never know when you might see a grizzly bear, moose, or elk. Banff is one of those locations that makes you realize just how big the world is, and just how tiny you are, offering many moments for reflection and gratitude as you stare out at the spectacular landscapes in front of you. What better way to experience your elopement than with an adventure into the wild, rugged, and oh-so-beautiful wilderness?
6 Beautiful Banff Elopement Locations
As I said before, the most difficult part of eloping in Banff is choosing where you want to spend your time. So, I’ve put together a list of some of my favourite elopement locations in and around Banff National Park to help make your decision a little easier!
1. Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is one of the most unforgettable spots in Banff National Park for an elopement. Picture this: standing by the shimmering glacier-blue water, with the breathtaking Valley of the Ten Peaks rising behind you as you exchange your vows. It’s truly magical! Just 15 km from Lake Louise, Moraine Lake offers several beautiful trails, so after your ceremony, you can wander and explore the stunning surroundings together.
Access to Moraine Lake by car is limited, so your best options are to take the public shuttle from Lake Louise, hire a private taxi, or stay at the Moraine Lake Lodge right on the lakeshore, which gives you vehicle access. For a more peaceful experience, I recommend opting for a private taxi or staying at the Lodge. The area is much quieter outside of the shuttle hours, and you’ll have all the time you need to explore and enjoy the stunning surroundings at your own pace.
Moraine Lake is one of the most iconic views in Canada, so it can get a little crowded at times. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the lake without the crowds! Renting a private shuttle or staying at the Moraine Lake Lodge gives you access to the lake outside of the public shuttle hours, giving you a much more peaceful, intimate experience. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds even more, eloping on a weekday can also help you find some extra serenity.
2. Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka is a fantastic choice for couples looking for an elopement spot close to the town of Banff. Just a short 15-minute drive away, it offers stunning views and plenty of space for a romantic ceremony. Keep in mind, though, that it’s a popular spot, especially during peak tourist season, so plan some extra time to find parking.
As the largest lake in Banff, there are countless picturesque spots to choose from. A quick 15-minute walk from the parking lot will lead you to the peaceful peninsula, which boasts panoramic views and an ideal spot for a ceremony.
If you’re looking to add a bit of adventure, consider renting a boat at the lake (available from mid-May to mid-October). This is the only lake in Banff where you can use a motorized boat, and there are also canoes and kayaks available for rental.
3. Peyto Lake
Eloping at Peyto Lake in Banff National Park is a fantastic choice for couples who want breathtaking natural beauty, a bit of adventure, and some peace and quiet. One of the best things about Peyto Lake is how easy it is to get to. The viewpoint is just a short, 10-15 minute walk from the parking lot, so you don’t have to hike for hours to enjoy the stunning scenery. It’s the perfect spot for couples looking for a more relaxed elopement surrounded by jaw-dropping landscapes.
Peyto Lake is located along the Icefields Parkway, a scenic drive that runs through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, making it a convenient stop if you’re exploring Banff and Jasper National Parks. Although it’s a popular spot, it’s much quieter and less crowded than some of the other well-known locations in Banff, like Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. If you plan your elopement early in the morning or later in the evening, you can have the place almost to yourselves, making for a more intimate and peaceful experience.
Be aware though: the hike is short but she is steep!!
4. Tunnel Mountain Reservoir
Just five minutes from the town of Banff, Tunnel Mountain Reservoir is a beautiful meadow with Mount Rundle towering above it. This spot is one of the easiest to access in the area—no hiking required—making it perfect for couples who want a simple, stress-free elopement.
If you’re looking to be close to restaurants, accommodations, and other amenities in Banff, this is a great choice. You’ll have all the convenience of the town while still enjoying a peaceful, natural setting.
The reservoir itself offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including Tunnel Mountain, which gives the area its name. The tranquil waters and rugged landscape create a gorgeous backdrop for your ceremony, whether you want to be by the water or tucked into the forested areas nearby.
Though it’s a well-known spot among locals, the Tunnel Mountain Reservoir is generally much quieter than some of Banff’s more famous locations like Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. So, if you’re looking for a private, intimate elopement away from the crowds, this is the perfect place to say your vows in peace.
5. Bow Lake
Bow Lake offers a breathtaking backdrop for your elopement. The vibrant turquoise waters shimmer against the dramatic mountain peaks and glaciers, with the iconic Bow Glacier towering in the distance. It’s a truly unforgettable spot for saying your vows.
Whether you choose to have the lake as your backdrop or explore the nearby forested areas, Bow Lake’s natural beauty ensures that your photos will be absolutely stunning and full of memories that last a lifetime.
Though Bow Lake is undeniably gorgeous, it’s often overlooked in favor of more famous spots like Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. This means you’ll enjoy a quieter, more intimate ceremony with fewer tourists around. If you’re after some peace and privacy, Bow Lake is a perfect choice—especially if you visit early in the morning or later in the evening when the crowds are lighter.
Getting there is easy, too. The lake is accessible via the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in Canada. It’s just a short walk from the parking lot to the water’s edge, so while it’s easy to reach, it still feels wonderfully remote and serene—ideal for couples who want the beauty of nature without a long hike.
If you want to add a little adventure to your day, there are also nearby trails, like the Bow Glacier Falls trail, that let you explore the area even further.
6. Mount Norquay Lookout
Last but certainly not least is Mount Norquay Lookout, an observation deck perched high above Banff that offers panoramic views of the alpine landscapes around you. Mount Norquay is a fabulous location for couples not only for its phenomenal views, but for its ease of access—you can make your way to the lookout via a car ride up Mount Norquay Scenic Drive, or a chairlift ride that takes you all the way up. No matter which way you choose to head up to this panoramic point, you’ll be rewarded with views of both Bow Valley and the expansive Canadian Rockies that seem to go on endlessly in the distance.
Mount Norquay Lookout has a little something for everyone, making it an amazing option for any type of couple, and any type of adventure; whether you want to spend your time hiking nearby trails, watching for wildlife, or feasting on delicious meals at the scenic Cliffhouse Bistro atop the mountain. The lookout even offers opportunities to rock climb, if you’re craving a bit more of a thrill!
Best Time of Year to Get Married in Banff National Park
One of the most important pieces of planning your Banff elopement is choosing the right date, second only to settling on a beautiful location that you adore. Because of Banff’s location in the middle of the Canadian Rockies, there are certain times of year that allow for more accessibility than others, especially as you get deeper into and higher up the mountains. To ensure you feel confident picking a time of year for your adventure elopement, I’ve got a quick breakdown of the best times to elope in Banff for you below—but don’t worry about it too much, as this is something I’ll happily help you with as your photographer 🙂
When is the best month to go to Banff?
While every season in Banff offers its own unique magic, summer and fall are the best times to elope in Banff if you’re envisioning an elopement day with warm, sunny days, or gorgeous foliage and crisp alpine air. The summer months in Banff (June-August) are pretty spectacular, boasting warm weather, blue skies, and stunning greenery throughout the mountains. These are the months with the most predictable weather, so it’s a great time of year to elope if you’d like to have a good idea of what the conditions may be like on your elopement day.
If you’d prefer the fresh autumn air and the breathtaking fall foliage that Banff has to offer, consider eloping in October, instead! You’ll run into much fewer crowds, making it easier to find privacy as you exchange your vows and capture elopement portraits around the park—but it’ll also be much harder to predict the weather. Even if the forecast says it’ll be warm and sunny on your elopement day, the weather in the mountains can change surprisingly fast, and you’ll want to be ready to adapt. I always recommend that my couples have a bit of a go-with-the-flow mindset, as that’s needed for any type of outdoor adventure where you may run into unexpected obstacles, but it’s especially crucial in the shoulder seasons, like the fall, when you never know what the days may look like.
When should we not go to Banff?
This is going to completely depend on what your unique elopement involves (the types of activities, locations you’d like to visit, etc.), as well as what your top priorities are. If your number one priority is to avoid crowds as much as possible, and you really value having a private + intimate place to say your vows, then you’ll want to avoid the peak summer months from July-August. Keep in mind that these are also the warmest months, so you will have to sacrifice either that beautiful warmth and predictable weather, or fewer crowds, to find the perfect date!
Couples who don’t enjoy cold weather should avoid eloping in Banff from December-March, sometimes even further into the spring and earlier in the fall depending on the year. These months see a significant amount of rain and snow in Banff, making them the perfect time to elope if you want to go skiing, snowboarding, or take advantage of winter sports. And hey, there’s just something about rain on a wedding day that has always felt like pure magic to me—the moody skies, the big laughs, the who-cares energy. Maybe we should all play in the rain more often; you’ll never find me complaining about rain on your elopement day, as it truly brings its own kind of beauty amidst the lush mountain landscapes.
Banff National Park Wedding & Elopement Registration
I will be honest and tell you that this is probably the least fun part of planning your Banff elopement, but it’s a necessary one: making your Banff National Park wedding registration. Let’s break down what that process entails, and how you can begin your application online!
Can you elope in Banff National Park?
Yes, yes, and yes! You can absolutely elope in Banff National Park, as long as you complete the park’s registration process to inform them of the special event you’d like to host in the park. You’ll need to fill out this registration form online, which will ask you for information about your requested event location, date, time, and group size. The completed form must be sent in to the park at least 3 days prior to your ceremony, either via email to banffadministration@pc.gc.ca, or to the following address:
Parks Canada
Attn: Reception (Weddings)
PO Box 900
Banff, AB
T1L 1K2
Once the park office has received your permit, you’ll be contacted about any additional/final information needed!
What is allowed for a wedding ceremony in Banff?
Banff allows wedding ceremonies of up to 20 people maximum, so make sure that your entire group (including the two of you, your guests, and your vendors) fits under that restriction.
As Banff is a national park and it’s important to minimize damage to the beautiful land, the park is best for intimate ceremonies with little to no decorations or equipment required—only a wedding arch, registration table, and a chair are allowed, as long as they are small enough.
The park office also asks that you keep your vehicles to a minimum (carpooling recommended!), and that you refrain from playing music unless it’s quiet enough as to not disturb fellow park goers.
Finally, day-use areas in Banff are open from 7:00-23:00 every day, so your ceremony will need to take place within that time frame!
How can we get away from crowds with our Banff wedding?
Here are a few tips for avoiding crowds with your wedding ceremony in Banff National Park:
- Opt for less-busy locations, if possible (these may be more remote/harder to access, or simply not as popular)
- Aim for an early morning or evening ceremony to avoid daytime crowds
- Monitor real-time traffic & parking updates to see what travel into the park may entail on your special day
- Get married on a weekday instead of a weekend
- Choose a date in the shoulder seasons (late spring and early fall), rather than the peak summer months
Is there an entrance fee for Banff?
Yes, and you + your guests will still need to pay the entrance fee even when you complete your wedding registration. Daily passes can be purchased online here for $11 per adult, or $22 for a group of up to 7 people. Alternatively, if you’re an avid visitor of Canada Parks, you might prefer a Discovery Pass, which is valid for a full year, costs $75.25 per adult or $151.25 for a family, and grants you entry into over 80 Parks Canada destinations!
Banff National Park Travel Tips
As the final portion of this Banff elopement guide, I thought it would be helpful to include a few last travel tips to make the most of your time in this magnificent mountain wonderland—and to ensure your elopement is as safe, stress-free, and memorable as possible.
- Download maps offline before you head into the park in case you lose cell service.
- Let yourselves go with the flow—don’t try to plan too much, because you’ll end up worrying too much about what’s coming next rather than being present in the moment. I’ll help you plan the perfect elopement timeline that allows you to do just that!
- Stay up to date on seasonal closures & restrictions
- Learn how to respect the local wildlife before you go
- Budget for any camping, backcountry, fishing, parking, or reservation fees that may apply for your elopement
Banff National Park Elopement Photographer
Before you go, I wanted to share with you a few scenes from Banff from February 2024, where during a series of flight delays my sister drove us to the mountains. We bought crampons and hiked into Johnston Canyon, and we were the only ones around. The golden winter light pooled outside the canyon with the deep, old blue of glaciers within. I stared at the mountains so hard I nearly cried.
These mountains have been on the outer reaches of my orbit for most of my life, and I’ve always felt so deeply inspired by them. I have dreamed for so long about photographing intentional elopements for adventurous folks in the mountains.
That’s why I’ve decided to offer *free travel fees* for Banff and surrounding area elopements for May and June 2025. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to shoot in a place that inspires me so much, and I can’t wait to create with you! Please reach out if you are interested in chatting!
Looking for more elopement resources to help you plan your dream adventure? Take a peek at a few recent blogs below:
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