5 Banff elopement locations

Jun 24

You probably already know that Banff National Park is one of the most incredible places to elope. But do you know where to elope in Banff? It has mountain peaks, turquoise blue waters, waterfalls, canyons, and beautiful boreal forests. It also has easy hikes, epic views next to parking lots, and extreme hiking trails. This means that Banff is perfect for whatever aesthetic you want and whatever your hiking experience is!

Here’s a list of my favourite elopement locations in Banff!

TUNNEL MOUNTAIN RESERVOIR

Tunnel Mountain Reservoir is perfect for the couple who wants an easy access location with incredible mountain views. This location is right in the Town of Banff and is a short one minute walk from the street. If you or any guests have mobility restrictions this location is a must!

I highly recommend this location for couples who want to set up some ceremony decor. It looks absolutely stunning and it’s easy access means no one will be struggling to set things up!

A few potential downsides to this location is that a rental fee is required to reserve your date and it might not be totally private. Even when renting this location, it’s near a couple of hotels and popular trails. This means you will get strangers walking past. If you’re interested in checking out Tunnel Mountain Reservoir for your Banff elopement, check out their website for more information!

Pros:

Easily accessible
Right in the Town of Banff
Incredible mountain views without hiking
Accessible for ceremony decor

Cons:

Rental fee required
Not very private
No washrooms

BOW FALLS

Bow Falls is another great location for epic views and minimal hiking for your Banff elopement! This is the best location for couples who want easy access to beautiful waterfall views. The falls and river are right next to the parking lot. There are also incredible views of the mountains right next to the river.

Like Tunnel Mountain Reservoir, Bow Falls is right in the Town of Banff. This makes it easily accessible but you may have to sacrifice privacy. If you’re looking for a bit more privacy at this location I suggest having your ceremony at sunrise or sunset.

There are also a few trails around the falls on either side of the river making it an ideal location for portraits. You’ll be able to walk around and get a variety of different views and shots!

P.S. My favourite memory of this location is when the elk came down for a sip of water at sunset!

Pros:

Easily accessible
Right in the Town or Banff
Incredible mountain views without hiking
Washrooms available

Cons:

Not very private
Won’t be able to set up decor

LAKE LOUISE

When most people think of Banff they instantly think of the “castle” in front of the turquoise blue lake. This is the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise that sits right next to Lake Louise. My favourite part about this location is that there are many hiking trails at different difficulty levels. Whether you prefer to get beautiful views with minimal hiking or you want to do a full day hike, there are trails for you!

The Fairmont is available to host your elopement. But, you can also choose another location around the lake if you’d rather not book with the Fairmont.

Due to the popularity of Lake Louise you won’t get much privacy. If privacy is important to you I suggest having your ceremony at sunrise or sunset. Or you can do one of the longer hikes to get a bit more privacy!

Pros:

Variety of hiking trails for all skill levels
Lake is easily accessible
Incredible mountain views without hiking
Washrooms available

Cons:

Not very private
Hard to find parking during peak hours

MORAINE LAKE

Moraine Lake is another well known elopement location in Banff. This is a great location for couples who like to explore and want the classic blue lakes with mountain views.

There are many trails around here for different skill levels. If you’re new to hiking or just don’t care for it, you can still get those epic views with minimal hiking. A very popular photo location is a short walk away from the parking lot. Since it’s an accessible location, there is a lack of privacy.

If you’d like more privacy you can opt for a sunrise or sunset ceremony or hike up one of the longer trails. Usually the further you hike, the more private a location will be. However, Moraine Lake is gorgeous at sunrise and sunset making it worth the odd hours!

Pros:

Variety of hiking trails for all skill levels
Lake is easily accessible by bus only
Incredible mountain views with minimal hiking

Cons:

Not very private
Must purchase bus ticket early to reserve a spot
Main ceremony location may be difficult for individuals with mobility issues

MISTAYA CANYON

Mistaya Canyon is perfect for the couples who love water, rock formations, and mountain views in the background! The main trail is a short loop but there is the option to go further to explore. If you love to explore but don’t want to include a full day hike in your elopement, then Mistaya Canyon might be for you.

Pros:

Easy hiking trail
Variety of views (mountains, trees, river, canyon)
Potential for more privacy further down the trail

Cons:

No washroom
Not well suited for individuals with mobility issues
Not very private on main trail
Probably won’t be able to set up decor

MAKE IT LEGAL

There are countless places to elope in Banff! But make sure you do it legally. A ceremony permit may be required based on your plans. The fee will change depending on your location and what you have planned. If you’d like more information on how to make your elopement legal check out these blog posts where I go more in depth about the legal side of eloping in Banff.

How to legally elope in Alberta

So, where are you going to elope in Banff?