
Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 93 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park worth booking?
Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park is a 1.5-hour experience in Banff, Canada, from $71 per person. It scores 70 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 93 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 70 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (93)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $71 per person
Discover life on the Bow River in our 12 seat Canoe. Join us on an early evening Big Canoe tour and learn fun facts about animal habitats, behaviors and conservation. Escape the bustling Banff streets and get back to nature. Enjoy paddling up the scenic Bow while keeping your eyes peeled for some of the locals - bald eagles, elk, muskrats and maybe even “Barry” our resident beaver. Let our informative guides share the best practices for wildlife encounters and discover the challenges they face with increasing human interaction. You can’t get a more scenic backdrop for an interpretive wildlife tour. It’s fun for all ages! Great tour for families
What you get
About this experience
Discover life on the Bow River in our 12 seat Canoe. Join us on an early evening Big Canoe tour and learn fun facts about animal habitats, behaviors and conservation. Escape the bustling Banff streets and get back to nature. Enjoy paddling up the scenic Bow while keeping your eyes peeled for some of the locals - bald eagles, elk, muskrats and maybe even “Barry” our resident beaver. Let our informative guides share the best practices for wildlife encounters and discover the challenges they face with increasing human interaction. You can’t get a more scenic backdrop for an interpretive wildlife tour. It’s fun for all ages! Great tour for families
What's included
Included
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Paddles and Life Jackets
- Live commentary on board
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Banff
Please park at the Banff Train Station and walk to the Banff Canoe Club
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please park at the Banff Train Station and walk to the Banff Canoe Club
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
- The Banff Canoe Club
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 93 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 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.
Traveler reviews
93 verified traveler reviews for Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Beautiful time on the Bow River
Megan was a lot of fun and very knowledgeable. We had a great time experiencing the scenery and learning about the animals.
Response from the operator: Hi there, Thank you for the lovely review! We’re so glad you had a great time on the Bow River and that Megan made the experience both fun and informative. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to Megan, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon! 😊
via Tripadvisor
Bow River canoe trip
Beautiful location for a trip up the Bow River - sadly there was no wildlife on show for us today - saw beaver lodge - but our tour guide Tom was fab … kept us amused with his stories and local info….. I have heard the next day a bear was spotted on the river banks but sadly not for us
Response from the operator: Hi there, Thank you for the lovely review! We’re glad you enjoyed your time on the Bow River and that Tom kept you entertained with his stories and local knowledge. It’s a shame the wildlife didn’t make an appearance for your trip, but hopefully that gives you a good reason to come back and try your luck again! We’ll pass your kind words along to Tom.
via Tripadvisor
Bow River canoe experience.
A fabulous trip,our engaging and highly knowledgeable Kiwi guide Tom kept us fully engaged with details regarding the local wildlife,surrounding mountains and all their names,history and local folklore,if your visit to Banff is a short one this is a fast forward connection to the place and it's soul.Thankyou.
Response from the operator: Hi there, Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re so glad Tom made your Bow River canoe experience so engaging with his knowledge of the wildlife, mountains, history, and local stories. It sounds like you really connected with the place during your time on the river. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to Tom, and we hope to welcome you back to Banff for another adventure!
via Tripadvisor
Family Fun!
This was a fun evening activity with our daughters. Will, the guide was informative and funny! We were only on the water for an hour or so and how far you go is very dependent on the other people in the canoe paddling too! We had some nice sightings of beavers and learnt a lot about wildlife and the environment of the Bow River and surrounding Banff area. Unfortunately not much other than beavers on our tour.
Response from the operator: Hi there, Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so glad you and your daughters had a fun evening on the water, and that Will made the trip both informative and entertaining. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words! It sounds like you had some lovely beaver sightings and learned plenty about the Bow River and its wildlife. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure—and perhaps a few more wildlife encounters next time! Banff Canoe Club
via Tripadvisor
Relaxing way to end a busy day!
It was a very relaxing and peaceful experience. The guide was really knowledgeable and helpful. Thank you!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $71 to $97
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 33
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by The Banff Canoe Club, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 67.0.
See everything The Banff Canoe Club runsWhy this scores 70
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park: 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 in Banff National Park cost?
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Prices start at $71 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 in Banff National Park 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 in Banff National Park worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 70 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 93 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 in Banff National Park?
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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 in Banff National Park suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park?
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Around 33 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 in Banff National Park 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 Hop-On and Hop-Off Banff Bus, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Icefields Parkway Full-Day Tour, Lake Louise Emerald Lake Natural Bridge Half Day Tour. 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.
What is included in Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park?
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Included: GST (Goods and Services Tax); Paddles and Life Jackets; and Live commentary on board. Not included: Gratuities; Food and drinks; and Hotel pick-up and drop-off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park?
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Please park at the Banff Train Station and walk to the Banff Canoe Club Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park?
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Across 93 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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