Canada
Alberta
Canadian Rockies
Banff National Park
Banff
Things to do in Banff
Spray River Trail Loop
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Spray River Trail Loop

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See all things to do
Spray River Trail Loop
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Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
130 within 5 kms
El Toro
911
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Steakhouse • Spanish
Whitebark Cafe
413
0.5 km$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • Healthy
Chili's Grill & Bar
1,032
48 m$$ - $$$ • Mexican • American • Southwestern
Ticino Swiss-Italian Restaurant
606
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Swiss • European
Farm & Fire
850
0.6 km$$ - $$$ • Pizza • Canadian • Dining bars
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar - Banff Caribou
1,911
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Bar • Canadian
The Beaver Bar
146
0.2 km$ • Bar • Pub • Canadian
Carlito's Pizzaria
375
0.1 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Canadian
The Evergreen Restaurant and Lounge
303
62 m$$$$ • Canadian • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
Hello Sunshine Banff
772
0.8 km$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Sushi • Asian
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Attractions
54 within 10 kms
Banff Legacy Trail
177
0 mHiking Trails
C Level Cirque Trail
40
0 mHiking Trails
Banff Rotary Park
1
0.3 kmParks
Roam Public Transit Service
617
0.8 kmPublic Transportation Systems
Banff Visitor Information Centre
1,133
0.8 kmVisitor Centres
Tunnel Mountain Trail
792
0.9 kmHiking Trails
Banff Avenue
1,514
0.9 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Banff Gondola
12,699
3.9 kmTrams
Lake Minnewanka
3,845
1.3 kmBodies of Water
Surprise Corner
736
1.1 kmLookouts • Observation Decks & Towers
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
26 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
9
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Justin C
Alberta, Canada224 contributions
Easy access from the Fairmont Banff Springs
Oct. 2020
My wife and I walked this trail on a weekday during an Alberta staycation while staying at the Banff Springs. The trail was easily accessible within walking distance, as the trailhead was just to the south of the hotel parkade.

The trail is a 12km loop around the Spray River, with a clearing and picnic area at a bridge at the half way mark. There was a fair amount of elevation gain/fall with the walk. We walked the trail in late October, there was a thin layer of packed snow on the trail from frequent use and occasional bare areas of gravel.

Lots of signs of wildlife around - human footprints were interspersed with lots of footprints of other fauna. Two other hikers waved us off from doing the east side of the trail after showing us a picture of a rather fresh looking bear footprint!

I look forward to doing this trail again in the future either on my mountain bike or a rented fat bike!
Written November 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ross M
Airdrie, Canada3,802 contributions
Awesome trail
Oct. 2020 • Friends
The trail is a little type steep and loose gravel in places / but is totally worth the ride. Awesome colours and views
Written October 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
39abbey
Halifax, UK40 contributions
Must do
Dec. 2019 • Couples
We rented snow shoes from bactracks for 20CAD each for 6hrs which was plenty time. This trail was perfect for the cold weather but with a good opportunity to get out and see a little bit of the wildneress.
Written December 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marie J
Rock Creek, Canada757 contributions
What adventures await here
Aug. 2018 • Friends
We did not know that this trail would lead us to seeing big horn mountain sheep to seeing the old boss man him self . He is the biggest grizzly bear we seen and Banffs icon . The amazing views and the majestic mountains covered in snow here and there and the green emerald waters dancing in the sun with the ice unthawing on them . Can we say breath taking
Written April 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy V
28 contributions
Fantastic ride or walk from upper Kanaskis to Canmore
Jul. 2018 • Family
We rode this trail a number of times in our car.
The scenery is breathtaking along spraylake and the spray river. It offers a galore of wildlife on a quiet day,or when the weather is rainy.
You can walk it also,but it is very long. It takes us about an hour to drive.
The trail is not paved,but sometimes kept wet in summer,to keep the enormous amount of dust at bay.
Take extra precoutions when driving on ice and snow,the road is full of holes and tricky corners,so it is wise to keep the speed limit.
The trail also offers many picknick opportunities along the lake,there is a seclusive camping ground and a cute as a button bed and breakfast,where you can observe moose from your window.
The trail ends in Canmore,high above the town. You will see Canmore below you and the view is breath taking. An absolute must,but if you bike or hike,be sure to deal with a lot of dust and if you drive,don't take an expensive car.
Written January 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lauren B
Calgary, Canada47 contributions
Morning Hike
Aug. 2018 • Couples
Nice trail for easy hiking. It took us just under 3 hours which included a stop have way for lunch (we packed and brought in). It was relatively easy and not a lot of people on the trail. There is a small area with one picnic table and one little hut for lunch half before you start the east part of loop. We walked west - east but you could go either way. Lots of horse poop on the east section.
Written August 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scottloves2golf
Heber City, UT328 contributions
Mountain Biking this trail with kids was a blast!
Jul. 2018 • Family
We rode our bikes on this Trail and it was wonderful. We have a 12 year old, a ten-year-old, and an 8 year old and by the end of the ride that they were all successful in climbing the hills and staying on their bikes. it really was in the top 3 mountain bike rides I've ever done with my kids. long enough to be a challenge, but short enough to know the end was in sight. we actually stopped at the bridge and waited in the river a little bit and just enjoyed the peace and quiet. We only saw five or six other people on the trail all day. It was wonderful to get away from the crowds :-). I must do if you are in Banff with children
Written July 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chickandbeast
Southgate, Canada8,552 contributions
Spray River scenery
Jun. 2018 • Couples
Spray River Trail Loop in Alberta's Banff National Park is a great place tomtry and spot the elusive wildlife. I saw more signs to watch for deet, elk, near and moose than any actual creatures in fact I only saw elk, deer and an otter.

You have to buy the Banff day pass to be able to walk this loop then parking is included.
Written June 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tanc;
British Columbia, Canada30 contributions
Great place to walk, camp and picnic!
Jun. 2017
A great getaway for something different than what Banff mostly is...busy! Great place to walk, camp and picnic!
Written April 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deathracerJH
Sparwood, Canada567 contributions
Great XC Ski trail, beautiful
Mar. 2018 • Couples
Great trail for XC Skiing. Late season conditions down low. Decent up high. Very pretty, fairly quiet trail and some fun hills. Would like to get an earlier start and explore to Goat Creek. Will be back soon to try it for trail running.
Written March 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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SPRAY RIVER TRAIL LOOP - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Spray River Trail Loop
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