Banff is a town within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is located in Alberta’s Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately 126 km (78 mi) west of Calgary and 58 km (36 mi) east of Lake Louise. At 1,400 to 1,630 m (4,590 to 5,350 ft) above sea level,[4] Banff is the community with the second highest elevation in Alberta, after Lake Louise.

The Town of Banff was the first municipality to incorporate within a Canadian national park. The town is a member of the Calgary Regional Partnership.

The Cave and Basin National Historic Site of Canada is located in the town of Banff, at the site of natural thermal mineral springs around which Canada’s first national park, Banff National Park, was established.

Geology and setting The Cave and Basin is the lowest component of nine sulphurous hot springs clustered in three groups on the northeast flank of Sulphur Mountain. All are located along the Sulphur Mountain Thrust Fault below Devonian limestones. The water is heated geothermally from an estimated depth of three kilometres. The Cave and Basin is the only cavern large enough to accommodate groups of people.

Lake Louise is a hamlet within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. Named after Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, it lies in Alberta’s Rockies on the Bow River, 3 km (1.9 mi) northeast of the lake that shares its name. Initially settled in 1884 as an outpost for the Canadian Pacific Railway, Lake Louise sits at an elevation of 1,600 m (5,200 ft), making it Canada’s highest community. The nearby lake, framed by mountains, is one of the most famous mountain vistas in the world; the famous Chateau Lake Louise also overlooks the lake.

Lake Agnes is a small mountain lake in the Banff National Park. It has a surface of 0.52 km2 and is located approximately 3.5 km (one-way) hiking distance from Lake Louise. A teahouse is situated along the eastern shore at an elevation of 2134 metres (7002 ft). A hiking trail continues down the northern shore, making a 180° turn before ascending to the Big Beehive. Just before the trail starts the arc, a scrambling route up Mount Niblock can be found. The Little Beehive can be ascended to the east of Lake Agnes. At the top, there are excellent views of the Continental Divide. The Lake Agnes Tea House is situation on the eastern shores of the lake.

Moraine Lake's waters are the most amazing colour, a vivid shade of turquoise that changes in intensity through the summer as the glaciers melt. Set in the rugged Valley of the Ten Peaks, Moraine Lake is surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and rock piles, creating a scene so stunning it almost seems unreal. Sit lakeside and absorb the sights and pure mountain air, or explore further by canoeing and hiking. It’s an iconically jaw-dropping place that is sure to leave a lasting impression. Moraine Lake is 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) southeast of the hamlet of Lake Louise. Glacier-fed, its brilliant blue-green colour is a result of light refracting off the rock flour (fine particles of rock) in the glacier run-off which flows into the lake.

As Johnston Creek approaches the Bow River, it flows through a large canyon formed by erosion over thousands of years. The creek has cut through the limestone rock to form sheer canyon walls, as well as waterfalls, tunnels, and pools. A popular hiking trail follows the canyon and leads to a meadow within the Johnston Valley above the canyon. The first part of the trail consists of a constructed walkway with safety rails and bridges, while the last part of the trail is natural and more rugged. Within the meadow are the Ink Pots, which are six blue-green spring-fed pools. Ice climbing is a popular activity on the frozen waterfalls in winter.

Lake Minnewanka is a large glacial lake five kilometres (three miles) from the town of Banff. The lake is 21 kilometres (13 miles) long and 142 metres (466 feet) deep. It is a beautiful spot, popular for picnicking, mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, diving, and snowshoeing. For over 100 centuries, people have camped and hunted along the original shores of Lake Minnewanka. The indigenous Stoney Nakoda First Nations people called it Minn-waki (Lake of the Spirits) because they respected and feared the lake for its resident spirits. Early European settlers later named it Devil’s Lake. 

The Upper and Lower Grassi Lakes lie at an elevation of about 1,525 m (5,003 ft) in the southern Canadian Rockies overlooking the town of Canmore, Alberta. They receive their water from the Spray Lakes Reservoir on the Spray River. The land is part of the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, which is part of the Kananaskis Country park system. The lakes are named after Lawrence Grassi, who emigrated to Canada in 1912. After working for the Canadian Pacific Railway for several years, he began work as a miner in the Canmore coal mines in 1916. Grassi went on to become a well-respected climbing guide and built many trails in the area, including the one to the Grassi Lakes that bear his name.

Canmore first rose to international prominence over a century ago when prospectors discovered high quality anthracite coal. Anthracite coal is hard and lustrous with a high carbon content that burns hot and clean, making it ideal for generating steam. The Canmore coal mines closed on July 13, 1979.

Quarry Lake is the work of many people and agencies, including the Province of Alberta, the Town of Canmore, Canmore Mine Ltd. and Rocky Mountain Heritage Foundation, with the vision and commitment to turn the Canmore Creek No. 3 Surface Mine into what is now a beloved community resource.

Lac des Arcs is a hamlet in Alberta, Canada within the Municipal District (M.D.) of Bighorn No. 8. It is located on the south side of the Bow River opposite the Hamlet of Exshaw and has an elevation of 1,320 metres (4,330 ft). Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway) borders Lac des Arcs on the south.

The hamlet is located in census division No. 15 and in the federal riding of Wild Rose.