Driving on Tunnel Mountain Road, make a stop at Surprise Corner, a sudden 90-degree bend that opens up to a sweeping view of a historical hotel. Drive or walk up to the viewing platform, a wooden deck that lets you observe the picturesque scenery. Gaze upon the grandiose 19th-century railway hotel, star of many postcards and paintings over the years. With the Bow river rushing in the foreground and snow-capped Sulphur Mountain dominating the backdrop, the vantage point makes for a great photo op. Our Banff National Park trip itinerary planning tool makes visiting Surprise Corner and other Banff National Park attractions simple, and helps you make a travel plan personal to you.
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(Banff National Park is the nearest city to Surprise Corner)
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Surprise Corner Tours
Places to stay near Surprise Corner
Surprise Corner Reviews
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You come around a corner and there it is - the Banff Springs Hotel Fairmont. It is rather gothic and is built backwards as the builders looked at the blue print the wrong way around so the kitchen sta... more »
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Traveled to this site with a group of 35 people. Wish we had more time at this stop as there was an abundant amount of trails to be explored. Traveled there in winter so there was a lot a snow on the ... more »
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.. you can walk here from Downtown Banff in around 20-25 minutes. The view across the frozen Bow river to Banff Springs iconic hotel is fabulous and also back towards the town. Well recommended to get... more »
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This viewing area provides an excellent view of the Banff Springs Hotel across the Bow river. That's pretty much it. There are also some information boards about the area/hotel. There is a small parking lot across the street and a space that I presume can be used for parking on the same side. Downside is there didn't seem to be any washrooms on-site or in the parking lot. Visited May 2016
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A beautiful spot to snap a family picture, with the Fairmont Castle in the background.
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An amazing place to walk and the views are breath-taking!
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Limited parking but the view is magnificent. You can see the Fairmont Banff Springs historic hotel and several mountains.
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Beautiful veiws worth the walk anytime of year
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