Month guide · Banff · Canada
Banff in September
What September is really like in Banff: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kimpayant, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
September is one of the best months to visit Banff. Expect average highs of 16°C (61°F), lows of 2°C (36°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 12.5 hours of daylight. Crisp, clearer days; larches turn gold on the high trails, usually in the second half of the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 16°C (61°F) / 2°C (36°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in September
September is the 4th-warmest month in Banff: days average 16°C (61°F) against a yearly average high of 9°C (48°F), and nights fall to about 2°C (36°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 30 days. Compared with August (22°C (72°F)), September is cooler; by October highs drop to around 9°C (48°F).
- Sunrise (15 September)
- About 07:17
- Sunset (15 September)
- About 19:57
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
Autumn (September–November). Larch gold in late September, crisp days and thinning crowds, then early snow and quiet November rates.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, September rates 4 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: September is one of the pricier months.
Events in September
- Larch season (usually mid-to-late September)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in September
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Nature · Lake Louise
Moraine Lake
Book the earliest shuttle or a sunrise tour for calm water and softer light on the peaks.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Nature
- Views
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · Spray Avenue and the Banff Springs
Banff Gondola
The gondola rises to the summit of Sulphur Mountain in about eight minutes.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Views
- Iconic
- Kids
- Couples
Nature · Bow Valley Parkway
Johnston Canyon
Start before 9am or after 5pm in summer to avoid the queues on the catwalks; ice cleats help in winter.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Active
- Photo spot
Nature · Minnewanka Loop
Lake Minnewanka
The largest lake in the park, about 10 minutes' drive from town, is 21 km long and edged by peaks.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Views
- Kids
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 16°C, lows near 2°C and 11 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is September a good time to visit Banff?
One of the best months to visit Banff, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are June–August. Compare every month.
Banff in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is September a good time to visit Banff?
It is one of the best months to visit Banff. Crisp, clearer days; larches turn gold on the high trails, usually in the second half of the month.
+How warm is Banff in September?
Average highs are around 16°C (61°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Banff in September?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.