Getting away from it all at Banff National Park

By: Dipika Patel
Submitted: 2009-10-30 16:18:25
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Whether visitors are interested in taking part in some adrenalin-inducing pursuits, getting snapshots of stunning scenery or simply being at one with nature, Banff National Park could well be the perfect destination.

Located just a 90-minute drive from Calgary, the park - which is in the middle of the Canadian Rockies - may be the ideal way for people on Canada bus tours to get away from it all. And with Banff spanning more than 2,500 sq m, escaping the pressures of modern-day living could not be easier.

Holidaymakers who enjoy taking in a little culture while on a trip could find Banff to be the perfect destination for them. Established in the latter stages of the 19th century by John Macdonald, the prime minister of Canada at the time, the national park was the first to be created in the country. Indeed, it is the second oldest park across the entire continent of North America, as only the Yellowstone National Park in the United States can boast a longer past. Upon its conception in 1885, the park consisted of a 10 sq m reserve around the Cave and Basin thermal hot springs, although it has since grown significantly.

Those looking to delve further into the fascinating history of Banff may wish to head to the park's museum. First established in 1895 and with the current building constructed in 1903, visitors will have the chance to observe more than 5,000 natural history specimens.

Meanwhile, the park's rangers regularly give talks on photography, wildlife, outdoor adventure and human history, something which is sure to fill visitors with inspiration.

However, those wishing for a more active adventure tour experience will find plenty of things to do in Banff. Mountaineering enthusiasts may particularly want to visit during the summer months, when they will be able to scale a significant portion of the central Canadian Rockies, with Cascade Mountain and Mount Rundle among the peaks that can be climbed.

Cycling, hiking and horse-riding are also on offer, while those keen on watersports can go canoeing, scuba-diving, swimming and fishing.

And although visiting the park during the winter months will undoubtedly see visitors experience cold conditions, activities such as waterfall ice-climbing, ice-skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are bound to keep them busy. No matter what time of year people visit Banff, they will have the chance to go bird-watching and take pictures of the stunning wildlife on offer - so keeping a camera close at hand could be an ideal way for people to share with their loved ones some of amazing sights they have taken in.

Indeed, visitors keen on getting out of the rat race and observing animals in action are sure to find there are plenty of creatures in the national park that will grab their attention.

Budding David Attenboroughs may be particularly captivated by the sight of mountain goats, moose, wolverines and elks, while a number of threatened and endangered species - such as the Canada warbler and woodland caribou - also call Banff home. Cougars, wolves, shrews, red squirrels and coyotes can be viewed, while both the grizzly and brown species of bear inhibit the park.

Fishing enthusiasts may also spot brook stickleback, African jewelfish and various species of minnow and trout.

And whether people have been busy hiking along trails, watching majestic animals, soaking up the natural scenery or finding out more on the history of the region, those looking for the perfect end to the day might wish to visit the park's hot spring and relax in the spa centre. Open all year round, the steam room should soon soothe away any stresses and pains, while visitors may also want to indulge in a massage or a spot of aromatherapy before heading to the cafe and gift shop.

A variety of accommodation options are available in the park and the nearby town of Jasper, ranging from budget hostels and bed and breakfasts to five-star hotels and condos. However, visitors looking to get a true sense of nature over the course of their break may want to choose to sleep under the stars and camp out. With over 2,400 sites across 13 campgrounds, people can set up their tents, start a fire and become one with Mother Earth.

Opting to camp could be a particularly wise idea as the range of exhilarating sports on offer at Banff - not to mention its sheer geographical scale - means that fitting everything in over the space of a day could prove to be an impossible task. But spending a longer period of time at the park could not only give people the chance to take part in a wide range of adventure activities, but also allow them to observe rare wildlife, take photographs of stunning geological wonders and perhaps most importantly break away from the pressure of modern living.

Article source: Expert Articles