9 tips for pet friendly Banff & Lake Louise vacations

Pets are a special part of a family. So it can be hard to leave them at home during a vacation or to find a trusted pet sitter at short notice. If you’d like to bring your furry friends along for an adventure Banff National Park, here are some useful tips for a pet friendly Banff and Lake Louise getaway.

Lobo the dog explores Banff National Park with his owner. | Photo by Luke Sudermann

1) Bring the right accessories

While pets are welcome in Banff National Park, they must be kept on a leash at all times. Want to go somewhere your furry friend can roam free? Banff is home to an off-leash dog walking park in the town’s industrial area. The Banff Recreation Grounds are another popular place where you can go to walk your pet. If you're visiting during the snow season, it can be a good idea to bring a coat or booties to keep your pet warm - if they will wear them!

Remember your leash when exploring Banff National Park with your pet. | Photo by @emmagumblebum

2) Choose from a number of pet friendly Banff hotels

In the Banff area, you’ll find pet-friendly accommodation at properties including:

• Fairmont Banff Springs

• The Moose Hotel & Suites

• Hidden Ridge Resort

• Juniper Hotel

• Buffalo Mountain Lodge

• Irwin’s Mountain Inn

• Tunnel Mountain Resort

• Rocky Mountain Resort

• Banff Ptarmigan Inn

In Lake Louise, your furry friend is welcome to join you at properties such as:

• Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

• Lake Louise Inn

• Emerald Lake Lodge (near Field, BC)

TIP: In order to avoid disappointment, be sure to confirm the pet-friendliness of your hotel prior to making a reservation. Hotels may also have different policies on the number of pets permitted in each room, the type of pets allowed, and the number of pet-friendly rooms available.  Call our reservations team at 1-844-754-2443 and we would be happy to confirm your dog-friendly accommodation!

Avoid disappointment and confirm the pet-friendliness of your hotel prior to making a reservation. | Photo by Roberto Nickson

3) Prepare to pay for your pet

Most properties in Banff National Park charge a pet fee starting from $25 per pet, per night – however, this varies between each property. Usually, hotels will request that you do not leave your pets unattended in your room - however, some will make an exception if they are housed in an appropriate kennel.

Crusoe the Celebrity Daschund kicks back in style at The Moose Hotel & Suites in Banff.| Photo by CelebrityDachshund.com

4) Hire a doggy babysitter

If you need someone to look after your furry friend during your ski trip in Banff National Park, or if you’d just like to have a day or night out while your pet is cared for, MyHotelSitter.com offers doggy babysitting. The service includes walks and costs $29 per hour for up to 3 dogs at a time.

Your pets will be well taken care of at Banff National Park's pet-friendly hotels.

5) Share a tasty treat together

Prior to arriving at your accommodation, ensure that you have enough food for your pet during your stay, or check with the hotel to see if they are able to provide pet food options.

If you'd like to head out on the town for a snack, head to local Banff favourite Wild Flour Artisan Bakery & Café. It’s not just people who flock to this popular, casual cafe - here you’ll find a smorgasbord of delicious baked treats for people (tarts, cookies, muffins, granola bars, foccacias and more), plus a brimming jar of delicious home-baked treats for pups.

Travelling with pets doesn't have to be a dog's breakfast. | Photo by Psilaska.cz

6) Avoid wildlife encounters – especially with pets

The towns of Banff and Lake Louise are part of Banff National Park, a protected, UNESCO World Heritage-listed area known famed for its untouched wilderness. This scenic area is home to a number of amazing wild animals such as bears and wolves, plus other large mammals such as elk and deer. While encounters with these animals are relatively uncommon, it’s important to remember that they are unpredictable and potentially dangerous if they feel threatened.

It’s particularly important that visitors do not feed any wild animals in Banff National Park. Feeding wildlife can put both their lives and yours at risk -   it causes wild animals to become dependent on food from humans, leading to increased risks of human interaction and this may cause them to be culled in the interest of public safety.

Protect yourself, your pet and Banff National Park’s magnificent creatures by using caution to avoid wildlife when exploring the area with your furry family members. Take note of wildlife warnings on signs around town and via the Parks Canada website.

Stay safe when exploring Banff National Park your pet by keeping your distance from wildlife. | Photo by CelebrityDachshund.com

7) Learn about Banff’s remarkable service dogs

Not all heroes wear capes – some wear collars. In Banff National Park, dogs make a valuable contribution to a number of public safety roles. In the event of emergencies, avalanche rescue dogs assist with tracking missing persons who may find themselves lost or injured in the wilderness. Bear tracking dogs are also used to monitor the location of grizzlies that call Banff National Park home.

Rescue dogs are a valuable part of avalanche response teams in Banff National Park. | Photo by Parks Canada

8) Explore Banff National Park with a dog sledding tour

Missing your pup back home? Life’s ruff when you’re a dog lover if you can't bring your pup everywhere you go. But you can still get your dose of doggo while exploring the outdoors with one of the many dog sledding adventures available in Banff National Park. A visit to the wolf-dog sanctuary may also be in order.

Dogsledding is a scenic way to explore Banff National Park. | Photo by ThePlanetD.com

Book a pet friendly Banff getaway

To book your next pet friendly Banff ski vacation with SkiBig3 in the Canadian Rockies, check out our featured ski and stay vacation packages or call us at 1-844-754-2443!