Formed in 1885, the first known residents in the park were the Cree, Blackfoot and Kootenay. Until the late 1800s the area was used primarily by hunters and beaver trappers. In 1883, the Canadian Pacific Railway was completed, a portion of which was laid within the borders of the park and with a stop at the town of Banff, then called Sliding 29. It was during this time that the formation of the current park began. A group of railroad workers bickered over laying claim to hot springs that were discovered in the area and as a result, the prime minister decided to instead designate a 26-acre area encompassing the springs as a park. The name "Banff" comes from Banffshire, Scotland where railroad presidents were originally from.
The area encompassing Banff National Park was formed over 120 million years ago when the Pacific tectonic plate moved under the North American plate, forming the Rocky Mountains. Terrain in the park includes mountainous formations of shale, limestone, quartz, sandstone and dolomite, over 1000 glaciers, the largest cave system in Canada, a peak elevation of 11,850 feet and ice fields. The park is 2,564 square miles and lies in the province of Alberta, east of the border of British Columbia.
The park is divided up into three ecological regions: montane, sub-alpine and alpine. At the lower elevations (montane), lodgepole pine trees are numerous. In the sub-alpine region, Engelmann spruce are most numerous. The Alpine region is above tree line. Most wildlife in the park can be found at the lower elevations of the montane region. Residents include over 50 species of mammal such as grizzly bear, wolves, cougar, lynx, moose, elk, deer, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, marmot and chipmunks. Reptiles are rare but include snake and salamander. Eagle, hawk, falcon, osprey, woodpecker, jay, bluebird and chickadee are common spotted soaring above.
Banff is well-known for several features, including the often photographed Lake Louise, the close to 20 kilometers of passageways in Castleguard Caves. The Bow River is the main river of the park. Mt. Forbes is the highest peak. The town of Banff is located inside the park and the main commercial area (also the highest town elevation wise in Canada). Banff National Park also includes Parker Ridge Ski Area and many ice fields, including Hector and Crowfoot glaciers.
The park is open every day of the year except December 25th. Peak season is during July and August. Park activities during the summer include mountaineering, backpacking, camping, hiking, canoeing, fishing, swimming, boating, bird watching, interpretive programs, golfing and scuba diving. Winter activities include downhill and cross-country skiing, ice diving, snow shoeing, waterfall ice climbing and hot springs.
