Calling All Wildlife Lovers! Discover Banff Like Never Before!
If you love the great outdoors and discovering the many creatures that call Canada’s wilderness home, Alberta’s Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park are ideal destinations to relax, unwind, and (safely) encounter majestic creatures like never before!
If you love the great outdoors and discovering the many creatures that call Canada’s wilderness home, Alberta’s Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park are ideal destinations to relax, unwind, and (safely) encounter majestic creatures like never before! As summer temperatures begin to cool, local critters become more active during the day, giving you the perfect opportunity to experience and learn more about the incredible animals that call the Rockies home.
At Banff Adventures, we love helping adventure seekers explore and encounter the mountains like never before. We offer a variety of excursions and activity packages designed to help you make the most out of your getaway. Learn more about our animal-friendly adventures below!
The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary is a unique wildlife activity that provides guests with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal (and even touch, in many cases!) with majestic wolfdogs. These incredible creatures are, as their name suggests, a blend of canine and lupine characteristics. They present an amazing opportunity to learn about how wolves differ from the pets we keep at home and why it’s so important to be aware of natural characteristics that can put animals at risk in the wrong setting.
The Yamnuska Sanctuary offers a safe haven for abandoned, abused, and neglected wolfdogs. It is devoted to educating the public and helping protect these beautiful animals through its work. Tour participants can choose between a self-guided tour that allows entry into the facility and viewing of the animals within their secure enclosures, a guided tour which includes access as well as entry into an enclosure (behind a barrier), and an interactive tour that brings you directly into a safe enclosure with a wolfdog and staff member. Interactive tours are the only tour that offers an opportunity to interact directly with the animals. We recommend the interactive tour for animal lovers, as well as those looking for an unprecedented chance to get jaw-dropping photos of these creatures up close.
Tours operate all year round, with the wolfdogs becoming more active and engaged during the fall and winter when cooler temperatures make it more comfortable for them during the day.
Please note: the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary is located in Cochrane, Alberta, approximately 90 minutes outside of Banff National Park. Tours are suitable for all ages; however, children must be closely supervised at all times and must be able to remain calm and quiet to protect the animals’ well-being. Dogs are not allowed in or near the sanctuary.
Wildlife Safari/Sightseeing Tours
For those who want to experience the diverse wildlife of the Rocky Mountains directly inside Banff National Park, our wildlife safaris and sightseeing tours are a must. These tours take you deep into the heart of Banff National Park, where you’ll have the chance to see a variety of animals in their natural habitats. Cooler temperatures make both daytime and nighttime activity more prevalent, making it even easier for guests to spy elk grazing in grassy meadows, bighorn sheep scaling rocky cliffs, and plenty of other creatures enjoying their homes.
As a UNESCO World Heritage site, there are endless facts and tidbits to learn about Banff National Park; our tours are designed to help welcome you to the region, provide you with unbeatable views, and offer a safe, informative way to experience the beauty of nature and its many critters with the help of an experienced interpretive guide.
Wildlife tours are great for adventurers of all ages and experience levels, making this a perfect family-fun experience!
Horseback Riding
Ready to let your inner cowboy shine? Horseback riding is the perfect activity for those who love animals, and who want the chance to explore and fully immerse themselves in the Rockies. Our guided horseback tours are suitable for riders of all experience levels (including first-timers) and range in duration from 1-4 hours. Our friendly and knowledgeable guides will lead you through some of the most scenic areas in Banff, sharing insights about the local flora and fauna, as well as pointing out creatures you spy along the way. For a full “western” experience, you can even try our horseback + cowboy cookout, which combines a horseback or wagon ride with a delicious BBQ steak dinner with all the trimmings.
Horseback tours are suitable for guests ages 8+ and depart daily from Warner Stables Or the Banff Springs Corral. View more about our tours here.
Discover Grizzly Bear Tours
For a truly unforgettable wildlife experience, join us on our Discover Grizzly Bear Tours. Operating until September (don’t miss your chance—book now to catch the end of the season!), this adventure is perfect for those wanting to see one of North America’s most iconic animals—the grizzly bear. Located in Golden, BC (approximately 90 minutes away from Banff), the Grizzly Bear Refuge is home to Boo, a beautiful brown grizzly rescued as an orphaned cub. Much like Yamnuksa, the Refuge is dedicated to education and conservation, with guides sharing share stories and facts about the region's wildlife and ecosystems. The tour also includes a scenic gondola ride up to the refuge, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Plan Your Perfect Adventure Today
Banff Adventures is here to help adventure seekers of all ages, activity levels and interests. With affordable seasonal packages and experienced guides that always put your safety and peace of mind first, we make it easy to experience the Rockies like never before. Learn more by contacting us today!
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