Couple in wedding attire in a canoe on a lake in Banff National Park

There’s no denying its beauty, Banff National Park has some of the most stunning places in the Canadian Rockies, and the world. The towering, jagged mountains, crystal blue lakes, bright orange larch trees in the fall… it is any adventurer’s dream.

With its proximity to Calgary, and its rise in popularity, both Banff and Canmore are a hotspot destination for weddings, camping, and touring. In recent years, it’s led to major changes on the accessibility of some of the most popular destinations, and requires more planning than you might think. This guide goes through all the basics you need to know if you are thinking about eloping in Banff National Park or Canmore.

Things you Should Know Before Deciding to Elope in Banff National Park or Canmore

While the area in and around Banff National Park is absolutely stunning, and makes for gorgeous wedding photos, and has all the adventure opportunities you could ask for, there are certain things to note if you want to get married here, and can be considered both pros or cons depending on how you feel about each.

Proximity to Major City and Airport

Banff is only about an hour and a half drive from the Calgary International Airport (YYC) which makes it easily accessible if you are coming from afar, and very easy for day-trippers who live in the city or surrounding areas. If you compare it to Jasper National Park, which is over a 3-hour drive from Edmonton, and 5 hours from Calgary, you can see why Banff is prone to much more tourism. If you are looking for a location that has everything within a short driving distance, Banff might be the perfect location for you!

Popularity

Banff and Canmore’s popularity has allowed it to grow with all the amenities and opportunities you could want from a beautiful mountain town, but on the flipside, has led to overcrowding and high prices in peak seasons.

There are many venue options for those wanting somewhere to host a reception after their intimate wedding or elopement, and also plenty of fantastic dining opportunities, unique adventures, and so forth.

However, if you are not a big fan of crowds, or prefer to get off the beaten track, Banff and Canmore may not be for you. The town of Banff alone can see about 4 million visitors a year, which can leave streets bustling with tourists and the more popular places crowded.

Overcrowding

In recent years, Banff National Park has had issues with overcrowding at some of the very popular destinations, including Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. While you used to be able to head up to either lake without much issue, lack of parking and infrastructure has led to Parks Canada closing Moraine Lake to private vehicles completely, and implementing paid parking at Lake Louise. Areas like Johnston Canyon also receive large amounts of tourist, and have resulted in packed trails. On the August 2023 long weekend, RCMP and Parks Canada shut down Lake Louise to any further visitors due to overcrowding.

While this isn’t meant to deter you from eloping in Banff, it’s meant to shed light on an ongoing problem, and if you’re like me and prefer to stay off the beaten path, I’d hate for you to plan your perfect wedding day just to have it ruined with swarms of tourists!

*Getting off the beaten path in more remote areas can lend to a more intimate experience.*

Other Fun Facts

Banff National Park was the first Canadian National Park, and it started after the hot springs that were found there became a conflict of interest, and who could develop them for a resort and commercial interest. The Canadian Government stepped in, and created the first National Park. If you’ve never been to the Banff Hot Springs, it’s an amazing place not only to relax, but to learn the fascinating history!

Couple running during their wedding at Two Jack Lake, Banff National Park

Still want to elope in Banff National Park or Canmore? Then let’s get to the details!

Getting Here:

By Car:

The most popular way to get to Banff and Canmore is by driving. The Transcanada Highway that runs through both of these towns was designed explicitly to direct tourism toward them. Other than watching out for the occasional construction or wildlife, the drive from Calgary or Edmonton is very straightforward. If you plan to come from Jasper through the Icefields Parkway, or interior BC, be aware that you will be travelling mountain roads, and conditions can change at any time.

By Plane:

As I mentioned already, Calgary International Airport is an hour and a half drive from Banff, and most major airlines fly into it! So if you are coming from afar, you can fly into Calgary and rent a car to travel to the mountains.

By Bus:

While there are options for travelling by bus or shuttle, there is still limited infrastructure in place. I recommend looking at these options in advance to see if it is doable for your timeframe. Also keep in mind, that if you don’t have a vehicle while in the Canadian Rockies, you will be much more limited to where you can explore and what you can see!

The Legalities:

When you arrive at Banff National Park, you will be required to pass through the park gates and either purchase your Parks Canada Pass or show it. Any vehicle entering the park is required to have one. You can order your pass in advance, or purchase at the gates. You do not require a Parks Canada Pass for Canmore.

For Canmore, if you plan to explore any areas outside of the town, you will likely require a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. You can purchase either a daily or a yearly pass, and is required for most areas outside of the townsite. For more information, visit https://www.alberta.ca/kananaskis-conservation-pass.aspx

What do I require to get married in Banff National Park and Canmore?

*Hiking Elopement in Larch Valley, Banff National Park, when the Larch trees are in full color*

Unless you are holding your wedding at a venue with other than these set conditions, Banff National Park requires several conditions to be met when holding your wedding ceremony to minimize the impact on the park and natural habitat. The great thing about eloping in the Canadian Rockies is that you can do it practically anywhere (on top of a mountain or on the edge of an alpine lake) but you must respect that it is a public location, and there are guideline to follow.

Some of these guidelines include:

- No more than 20 participants (a perfect intimate wedding number)

- Follow all national park rules

- Avoid interfering with the public access, meaning you cannot cordone off an area for your ceremony, and it is recommended to pick less popular areas or quieter times of the day for your ceremony

- Follow Leave No Trace Guidelines.

You must submit a registration form if you are organizing your wedding to Parks Canada no later than 3 days before your marriage. This is technically your permit, and is free!

All the details about what you can and cannot do can be found here: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/info/permis-permit/mariage-wedding

Other requirements to get legally married in Alberta are:

- Two witnesses

- Valid marriage licence

- Some one to legally marry you, whether it’s a friend or family member with a temporary certificate to marry you or a registered officiant

Where to Get Married in Banff and Canmore

There are so many amazing places you can choose to have your wedding, so while this list isn’t exhaustive, it can give you some ideas to check out!

Accessible Alpine Lakes:

Moraine Lake:

Moraine Lake is an icon and is absolutely stunning. It’s no surprise it is popular!

If you want to elope at Moraine Lake, there is a couple things to keep in mind:

- A recent decision by Parks Canada means it is no longer possible to drive your personal vehicle up to Moraine Lake. You must either pay for a taxi, private transfer, or book a seat on a Parks Canada or private shuttle.

- It can be very busy! So if you want to keep it quiet and more intimate, I suggest trying to arrange for a sunrise or sunset elopement, or consider eloping in the middle of the week.

- There are many hiking trails that start at Moraine Lake, so if you want to hike to your elopement location, or just go for some epic hiking for epic pictures, there are lots of options!

Lake Louise:

Another icon, Lake Louise is well known and popular, just as much and possibly more than Moraine Lake.

If you are feeling fancy, the Fairmont Lake Louise sits practically right on the lake, and is a great location to either start or end your day, or both. If you plan to have many guests to your wedding, you can also use them as a proper venue.

There are also many beautiful hikes starting from Lake Louise. You can also visit one of the two teahouses for some amazing foods and drink!

Two Jack Lake:

If you want to combine camping with your wedding, Two Jack Lake provides a perfect location.

There are two campgrounds at Two Jack Lake, one on the lake and a main campground. The location is stunning and you have all the amenities you could want for a campground. The lake provides a stunning backdrop of mountains and blue water, and if it’s nice you can even go for a swim!

Accessible Summit Views:

Banff Gondola and Sky Bistro

If you are looking to have up to 60 guests and want a mountaintop wedding, this may be perfect! Take an 8 minute ride up the gondola and have beautiful views all around.

Best Small Venues for an Intimate Wedding in Banff and Canmore:

Bear and Bison Inn: Perfect for the smaller wedding with 50-60 guests.

Canmore Nordic Center with Cornerstone Weddings: Nestled near Canmore with options for 30-80 guests

Mount Engadine Lodge: More remote set in Kananaskis Country, 30-40 minute drive from Canmore. Beautiful small lodge with max capacity of 36-38 guests.

The Ultimate Guide for Eloping in Banff and Canmore