Parking
Limited gravel parking at the Spray River West Trailhead at the end of Spray Avenue past the Fairmont Banff Springs. Use designated spaces and display the required Banff National Park pass.
Overview
About Spray River Loop
The Spray River Loop is a forested multi-use route that follows the Spray River from the Spray River West Trailhead at the end of Spray Avenue, crosses the Spray River bridge, returns along the east side, and reconnects through the Spray Connector. The full loop is about 14 km and typically takes 4–5 hours. Expect rolling terrain, gravel doubletrack, a few loose-rock or rooty sections, and modest elevation change rather than a steep mountain climb.
Why go
- Complete riverside loop close to Banff with rolling terrain and modest elevation change
- Wide multi-use trail with forest, river views, picnic areas, and wildlife opportunities
Heads up
- Mostly forested, with limited broad mountain panoramas
- Shared use with cyclists and horseback riders can make sections busy
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,363–1,443 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Banff alerts
- ClosureRed Deer River valley bottom closed for ceremonial bison harvestThe Red Deer River valley bottom is closed to the public during an Indigenous ceremonial bison harvest taking place through November.Official details
- ClosureLake Minnewanka and Aylmer area closureLake Minnewanka Trail, Aylmer Pass Trail, and campgrounds Lm8, Lm9, Lm11, Lm20, Lm22 and Lm31 are closed to all users because black bears are displaying food-seeking behaviour.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Banff Tour Guide
Your drive to Spray River Loop, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Banff National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this area
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel: Castle in the RockiesListen
“You're seeing the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, the 'Castle in the Rockies.”
Plays on the road 0.5 km from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, and the Waldhaus
- Banff Upper Hot Springs and Rimrock Resort
- Valleyview Picnic Area: An Eastbound-Only Stop
- Banff Centre: Arts, Views, and Elk
- 178 audio storiesacross Banff’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Brown Bear, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 177 trails, 236 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“…Loved the commentary as you drove thru. I’m sure the app can do more than I know but the tips were very helpful. I’m gonna use it when we go to Banff next month.”
Trail guide
Hiking Spray River Loop
Route and sceneryStart at the Spray River West Trailhead past the Fairmont Banff Springs.
Start at the Spray River West Trailhead past the Fairmont Banff Springs. Follow the west-side trail toward the Spray River bridge, cross there, and return on the east-side trail toward Golf Course Road. The Spray Connector closes the loop between the two trailheads. The route stays mostly in forest beside the river, with occasional openings, picnic areas, and a backcountry campground along the corridor.
Access and trail characterThis is a popular route for hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders, with wide gravel or dirt…
This is a popular route for hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders, with wide gravel or dirt surfaces and generally easy-to-follow navigation. It is also used for winter recreation where conditions and grooming allow. The trailhead has limited gravel parking; approach via Spray Avenue and use designated parking.
Planning and safetyCarry water, bear spray, and navigation or emergency supplies; cell service can be unreliable.
Carry water, bear spray, and navigation or emergency supplies; cell service can be unreliable. Give horses, cyclists, and other trail users room, and expect muddy or icy sections in wet or cold conditions. Wildlife remains active year-round, so stay alert and never approach animals. Check Parks Canada information for access rules and temporary advisories before setting out.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Banff
122 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
150 sightingsBrown BearMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
44 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
12 sightingsRiver OtterMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
67 sightingsMooseMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
465 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 9 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
