Spring
Banff in May
Green returns to the valley floor while the peaks stay white. Lower trails open, waterfalls run hard with snowmelt, and the summer crowds have not arrived yet.
Typical High
14°C / 57°F
Typical Low
1°C / 34°F
Daylight
≈16h
Crowds
Building toward summer
What to do in Banff in May
- Lower-elevation hikes: Tunnel Mountain, Johnston Canyon, Sundance Canyon.
- Peak waterfall flow from snowmelt.
- Bear cubs and elk calves — the best month for roadside wildlife.
- Lake Louise typically thaws to turquoise in late May or early June.
What to pack
- Layers plus a rain shell; May is the start of the wetter season.
- Hiking shoes — upper trails are still snowy, lower ones are muddy.
Getting from Calgary Airport to Banff in May
Banff is about 140 km west of Calgary International Airport — roughly 1 hour 40 minutes on the Trans-Canada Highway. Full-day service. Long daylight means late arrivals are straightforward.
Bow Valley Chauffeur runs a private door-to-door SUV transfer for up to 5 passengers at a published CA$475 flat rate each way, with meet-and-greet inside arrivals and flight tracking included. Canmore is CA$425. Full details are on the rates page, and the airport procedure is on the YYC arrivals guide.
Is May a good time to visit?
Best for: Hikers and photographers who want colour without crowds.