
Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 17 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour worth booking?
Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour is a 1.5-hour experience in Banff, Canada, from $50 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 17 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (17)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $50 per person
Paddle along the Bow River in a 12-seater canoe in Banff’s backyard during this guided big canoe tour. Dip your oars into the water as team and take in the wildlife and mountain scenery as your guide tells you about the
What you get
- Paddles and Life Jackets
About this experience
Paddle along the Bow River in a 12-seater canoe in Banff’s backyard during this guided big canoe tour. Dip your oars into the water as team and take in the wildlife and mountain scenery as your guide tells you about the animals and landscape. Be on the lookout for elk, bald eagles, beaver, and muskrats as the current carries you along. Perfect for families!
What's included
Included
- Paddles and Life Jackets
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Banff National Park
Guest will be on a guided Big Canoe and journey up the Bow River in Banff National Park. The views are stunning
50 minutes here · Admission not included
The Banff Canoe Club is where all our big canoe tours depart from. It is located on the banks of the beautiful Bow River
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Banff
Corner of Wolf Street and Bow Ave
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Corner of Wolf Street and Bow Ave
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Banff Adventures
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 17 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
17 verified traveler reviews for Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Brilliant trip up the river
Never been on a Canoe before until now. It was brilliant, I loved every moment nute of it. We were given clear instructions and got to paddle up river and back down. Took my waterproofs jacket st in case but didn't really need them as it wasn't wet. Am going to book this type of trip again. We were only 6 to a boat but aged between 16 and 64( yes that's me). Great tour and would book with them again without hesitation, very helpful and considerate. We did see a female Elk and some beavers near their lodges on the river. I was at the front and had a brilliant view.
Response from the operator: Hi there, Thank you for the fantastic review! We’re so glad your first-ever canoe trip was such a memorable one and that you loved every minute. It sounds like you had some amazing wildlife sightings too, especially the elk and beavers! We’ll be sure to share your kind words with the team. We’d love to welcome you back for another trip on the river! Banff Adventures
via Tripadvisor
Meghan is super knowledgeable!
Our very knowledgeable guide Meghan was super nice and had some great stories about the area.
Response from the operator: Hi there, Thank you for your kind review! We're so glad to hear you had a great experience exploring Banff. We'll be sure to pass your feedback along to Meghan. It's wonderful to hear that her knowledge, friendliness, and storytelling helped make your time in the area even more enjoyable. We really appreciate you joining us, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure in Banff soon! Banff Adventures
via Tripadvisor
Great way to see Banff wildlife and landscape
Lovely float down a gorgeous river with a friendly & experienced tour guide
Response from the operator: Hi There, Thank you for your wonderful review! Its great to hear that you had an amazing time on your float tour and able to get in some great views of the river. We hope to welcome you to Banff again for your next adventure! Banff Adventures
via Tripadvisor
Fabulous float down the Bow River
We had a great trip late yesterday doing the Bow River Float with our guide Jack. He was informative, friendly and great fun. We learnt lots about the local area and were extremely lucky to see a herd of elk crossing the river just in front of us. All communication with the office team has been great too. Thanks!
Response from the operator: Thank you for the fantastic review! We’re so glad you enjoyed your Bow River float with Jack and had that incredible elk sighting right in front of you. It’s great to hear our office team made everything smooth too. Hope to welcome you back for another memorable trip soon!
via Tripadvisor
Great family activity
we did widlife big canoe tour with our tour guide Mardi. She was amazing, provided lot of information about the widlife and the area and wasmver funny and friendly. we have enjoyed our time. thank you, Mardi.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your lovely review! We're so glad you joined us for the Wildlife Big Canoe Tour and had such a great time with Mardi. She’s a fantastic guide—knowledgeable, friendly, and always ready to make the experience fun and memorable. We’ll be sure to pass along your thanks to her—she’ll be thrilled to know you had just a wonderful time!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 2+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $50 to $97
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Banff.
How much does Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour cost?
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Prices start at $50 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Banff usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour take?
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Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Banff is not rushed.
Is Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 17 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Banff, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 2. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 1.5-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour?
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Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Banff can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Banff and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Banff within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Banff?
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On Outty we rank every Banff experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Icefields Parkway Full-Day Tour, Hop-On and Hop-Off Banff Bus, ShuttleBus 2way Banff to Lake Louise (1Hr) and Moraine Lake (1Hr). The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Banff?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Banff?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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