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Canadian Rockies
Banff National Park
Banff
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Surprise Corner
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Surprise Corner

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See all things to do
Surprise Corner
4.5
Tours & experiences
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
130 within 5 kms
Three Ravens Restaurant & Wine Bar
609
0.4 km$$$$ • Contemporary • Canadian • Vegetarian Friendly
Zyka Elevated Indian Restaurant
292
0.6 km$$ - $$$ • Indian • Vegetarian Friendly
Chuck's Steakhouse & Patio
619
0.4 km$$$$ • Steakhouse • Canadian • Gluten Free Options
BeaverTails
663
0.4 km$ • Fast food • Canadian
Block Kitchen and Bar
1,195
0.5 km$$ - $$$ • Asian • Fusion • Canadian
The Balkan Greek Restaurant
1,625
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Greek • Healthy
Una Pizza + Wine Banff
163
0.6 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Canadian
COWS Banff
659
0.5 km$ • Dessert • Canadian
Tommy's Neighbourhood Pub
553
0.4 km$ • Bar • Pub • Canadian
Banff Ave Brewing Co
1,370
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Brew Pub • Bar • Pub
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Attractions
54 within 10 kms
Lake Minnewanka
3,845
0.4 kmBodies of Water
Banff Park Museum
447
0.4 kmSpeciality Museums • Natural History Museums
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
369
0.5 kmArt Galleries • Theatres
Banff Avenue
1,514
0.5 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Roam Public Transit Service
617
0.6 kmPublic Transportation Systems
Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
591
0.5 kmSpeciality Museums
Banff Visitor Information Centre
1,133
0.6 kmVisitor Centres
Cascade Gardens
458
0.6 kmGardens
Central Park
96
0.4 kmParks
Buffalo Nations Museum
360
0.6 kmNatural History Museums • History Museums
See all
See what travellers are saying
  • PBPG
    Yorkshire, United Kingdom6,007 contributions
    That's a surprise
    The surprise was there was no surprise. Not sure what we were meant to be looking for. There was a view point a bit further back on the road, looking at the river, and a sign for Hoodoos but nothing else. It was all pretty enough but left us wondering if we had missed something
    Visited April 2023
    Written May 21, 2023
  • ayalasibanda
    Greater London, United Kingdom413 contributions
    Nice
    We were staying 10 mins walk away so decided to go for a walk. It was an easy walk and nice views. The way vack we walked along Bow river and got a great sunset and saw a deer
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written August 27, 2023
  • Vincent C
    253 contributions
    Very Beautiful
    Spectacular view but can get crazy busy. Have some patience and it will be worth it. Go to the upper platform first and then stroll along the trail along the road afterwards to get pictures including the water below.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written September 11, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
736 reviews
Excellent
345
Very good
263
Average
115
Poor
8
Terrible
5
Vincent C
253 contributions
Very Beautiful
Sep. 2023 • Couples
Spectacular view but can get crazy busy. Have some patience and it will be worth it. Go to the upper platform first and then stroll along the trail along the road afterwards to get pictures including the water below.
Written September 11, 2023
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.
ayalasibanda
Greater London, UK413 contributions
Nice
Aug. 2023 • Family
We were staying 10 mins walk away so decided to go for a walk. It was an easy walk and nice views. The way vack we walked along Bow river and got a great sunset and saw a deer
Written August 27, 2023
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.
Avidesh
Coventry, UK558 contributions
Lovely
Jun. 2023
Here, you can get a very picturesque view of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. There is a nice lookout viewpoint with a short walking trail.
Written June 16, 2023
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.
PBPG
Yorkshire, UK6,007 contributions
That's a surprise
Apr. 2023
The surprise was there was no surprise. Not sure what we were meant to be looking for. There was a view point a bit further back on the road, looking at the river, and a sign for Hoodoos but nothing else. It was all pretty enough but left us wondering if we had missed something
Written May 21, 2023
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.
bellathexplorer
Winnipeg, Canada35 contributions
Very nice view
Apr. 2023
Nice view of Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel at the foot of Sulphur Mountain. We went there around 5 pm and it was just us. I was told the viewpoint can be very crowded during peak season. Also, I noticed that the parking area is soooo small it can only accommodate a couple of cars.

It will take around 15 minutes' walk from Banff Avenue, but we took a taxi which costs around $12 (no Uber in Banff, and no bus comes up this way).

I highly suggest walking along Buffalo Street on your way back to town. There are several spots that are suitable for picture taking and you can hear the Bow River's water.

We walked from the viewpoint to the pedestrian bridge through the Bow River Trail and it was amazing.
Written April 30, 2023
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.
Jamie H-D
Poole, UK687 contributions
What a surprise!
Apr. 2023 • Couples
Well what a surprise this truly is! We didn’t even realise this was such an amazing spot for views over the Bow River and perfect views of the Fairmont Banff Springs, we’re taken here by our wedding planner just to get some pictures of ourselves enjoying the area before the big day, and we are so glad she did take us, it’s wonderful, this is a must-visit spot of Banff for anyone wanting to take in the stunning imagery and get some amazing pictures!
Written April 16, 2023
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.
david n
Manchester, UK4,683 contributions
Super views
Jan. 2023
Absolutely spectacular views across the valley and also towards Banff Springs. A photographer's delight !
Written January 16, 2023
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.
Aussie_Binturong
Queensland, Australia328 contributions
Unsurprisingly, it’s a great view
Jan. 2023 • Solo
Yet another easily accessible viewing area where one can observe the beautiful Bow Falls in action. Spectacularness in all directions.
Written January 11, 2023
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.
AK8397
Ontario, Canada885 contributions
Surprise! There's no place to park!
Oct. 2022
This is a good spot to have a nice view of the Banff Springs Hotel -- nestled in the trees in the shadow of the mountain.

But be advised: the parking lot is small and it is hard to find a spot. We passed by several times and never found a place to park. You just end up driving around in circles, hoping someone will leave. Better to park on the street a few blocks away or even downtown and walk. Or maybe you'll get lucky. Worth a quick stop.
Written October 18, 2022
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.
Bob M
Birmingham, UK1,667 contributions
Surprise?
Jun. 2022
Well, I'm not sure that it's much of a surprise, but it's a great view. There's plently of wildlife around too.
Written October 3, 2022
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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SURPRISE CORNER - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Surprise Corner
According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Surprise Corner: