Spray River Loop Hike in Banff National Park

As you get close to the trailhead on the Spray River loop you can see the Banff Springs Hotel

The Spray River loop trail is ideal for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and cycling, depending on the conditions and the season. With a trailhead within a few hundred feet of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, it’s a super accessible trail for visitors to the area or for day-trippers from the Calgary – Canmore corridor.

While I’ve done the Spray River trail many times – on fat bikes in winter, mountain bikes in summer, and on foot throughout the year, one of the most memorable hikes took place in December.

We completed the Spray River Loop trail, and followed it up with a soak in nearby Banff Hot Springs and finished with a pub dinner at the Banff Springs Hotel. That’s a darned good day in my books.

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Approaching the intersection at the bridge over the Spray River
Approaching the intersection at the bridge over the Spray River

Spray River Loop summary

Distance: Approximately 12.0 km or 7.5 miles.

Elevation gain: 75 m or 250 feet.

Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate depending on age (harder for kids) and how often you hike.

Time needed: Allow 3.5 – 4 hours to do the full loop hike.

Permits: You will need a national park pass to do the Spray River Loop in Banff National Park. If you didn’t buy one on the way into the park, you can buy one in downtown Banff or online. 

Weather: Before you go check the weather in Banff. 

Map: Gem Trek Banff & Mount Assiniboine. (You’ll find lots of other trails that it’s useful for.) For hiking apps I like Organic Maps.

The sprawling Banff Springs Hotel is near the start of the Spray River Loop hike
The sprawling Banff Springs Hotel is near the start of the Spray River Loop hike

Spray River Loop hike highlights

  • A great year-round trail that can be done as an out and back or as a loop.
  • Ideal for walking, snowshoeing, fat biking, mountain biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing if the snow is good.
  • Look for elk and other wildlife along the trail.

Spray River Loop trailhead location

The trailhead and the parking lot for the Spray River hike are easy to find. Drive PAST the Banff Springs Hotel and continue straight past the parkade for about 100 metres.

You’ll see a giant parking area on the right that states that parking is for users of the Spray River trails only. There were all of about six cars one day we did it, even though the parking around the Banff Springs Hotel was crazy busy. Be sure your parks pass is visible in the car, so you don’t get a ticket.

You can also take Roam transit and get dropped off at the Banff Springs Hotel. From there it’s a short walk to the Spray River loop trailhead. 

Trailhead for the Spray River Loop
Trailhead for the Spray River Loop near the Banff Springs Hotel

Safety considerations on the hike

Trail condition: Before you drive to the park check the Banff National Park trail report. Trails get closed at the last minute for a variety of reasons.

Don’t forget: Always go prepared with the hiking essentials. In winter, pack extra layers and throw in some handwarmers like these that deliver instant heat.

Cell coverage: You won’t always find cell service along this trail though route finding is easy and usually you meet other people along it.

Bears: Except for the dead of winter, I would recommend carrying accessible bear spray. I keep mine in a bear spray holster, so I don’t accidentally set it off. 

Spray River loop description

In early December when we did the Spray River loop hike one year, there wasn’t a lot of snow pack (as is often the case) so though skiable, conditions were not ideal. It could easily be snowshoed and as you’ll see in the photos, some people cycled it on fat bikes.

The Spray River loop doesn’t offer drop-dead mountain views, but it’s very pleasant hiking. From the trailhead you follow the Spray River 5.7 km down to the bridge and an intersection with the Goat Creek junction.

If you were to bike (or cross-country ski) the Goat Creek trail you would pass this junction on the way to Banff.

Along this section you encounter beautiful views of Mount Rundle. The river is constantly in view, with its crystal-clear turquoise coloured waters.

View up the Spray River from near the start of the trail
View up the Spray River from near the start of the trail
Fat tire biking the Spray River trail
Fat tire biking the Spray River trail

An out and back or a loop hike?

Once you reach the bridge over the Spray River, you could retrace your steps but better yet cross the bridge and follow the river back to a junction about a kilometre from the trailhead.

There are fewer views on this side of the Spray River, but if you pay attention, you might get lucky and see ice climbers on a frozen waterfall.

Trail junction - stay right for Goat Creek or cross the bridge to return to the parking lot
Trail junction – stay right for Goat Creek or cross the bridge to return to the parking lot
Looking down the Spray River from the bridge at the end of the loop part of the trail
Looking down the Spray River from the bridge at the end of the loop part of the trail
Ice climbers on a huge frozen waterfall on the north side of the Spray River in Banff
Ice climbers on a huge frozen waterfall on the north side of the Spray River

At the first intersection you reach on the return hike, about 4.7 km from the bridge, you have the choice of continuing towards the Banff Springs Golf Course or descending to the river and crossing a bridge that offers a view of the Banff Springs Hotel. 

That’s what we elected to do – and it ended up being the prettiest part of the hike. Look for picnic tables scattered around in the woods on the far side of the bridge. In summer, this area would make a very pleasant destination for a family picnic.

Looking towards the Banff Springs Hotel
Looking towards the Banff Springs Hotel
Fading light on the Spray River Loop hike by 4 PM on December 21st
Fading light on the Spray River Loop hike by 4 PM on December 21st
Walk beside great slabs of rock by the Spray River
Walk beside great slabs of rock by the Spray River

Location map of the Spray River Loop hike

                                                   

Where to stay in Banff

The following are places I can recommend. My favourite hotel on the “strip” in downtown Banff is the Moose Hotel. 

On Banff Avenue, the Mount Royal Hotel, the Fox Hotel & Suites, the Moose Hotel & Suites and the Canalta Lodge are all good choices.

For a hotel with a great dining room, choose the Rimrock Resort Hotel.

And for a splurge, try the obviously, super-convenient Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.

A welcoming front lobby at the Canalta Hotel
A welcoming front lobby at the Canalta Hotel

More great hikes in Banff National Park

Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.

The year round Spray River Loop hike/bike/snowshoe or ski in Banff National Park

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