Surprise Corner
Surprise Corner
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
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  • becky
    Palmerston North, New Zealand22 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An amazing place for some photos
    The views were amazing, especially walking alongside the Bow river and falls! Took some awesome photos along the way, and the walk was pretty easy (except for the stairs at the end:) but that’s because I hate stairs on a good day). Would recommend it as a great lookout view and photo opportunity of the Fairmount and river
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 3 February 2024
  • Edwin F
    Calgary, Canada1,750 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great views
    We have been to Banff many many times previously, but on this occasion we visited surprise corner. Great views of the mountains as well as the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. The only negative is that there is only parking for 4 vehicles, so that could be a problem on a busy day.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 5 February 2024
  • Parakh
    Calgary, Canada7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Surprise Corner: A Hidden Gem in Banff
    Discover a hidden gem in Banff National Park: Surprise Corner. This viewpoint offers breathtaking panoramic vistas of the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and the surrounding mountains. The best part? It's a short and easy walk from downtown Banff. As you ascend Surprise Corner, prepare to be captivated by the stunning scenery. The majestic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, with its castle-like architecture, dominates the landscape, surrounded by lush greenery and towering peaks. The Bow River meanders through the valley below, adding to the picturesque scene. For an even more immersive experience, venture down towards the riverbank. Here, you can find a peaceful spot to relax and enjoy the soothing sounds of the flowing water while taking in the breathtaking views. I personally loved this experience and spent some quality time sitting on a rock, listening to the river, and admiring the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in all its glory. Bonus Tip: As you walk to and from Surprise Corner, keep an eye out for the fast-moving Bow River and the impressive Bow Falls. If you have time, consider extending your walk to the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, which is just a short 5-minute stroll away. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or simply looking for a scenic detour, Surprise Corner is a must-visit destination in Banff National Park. Note: The parking space there is limited.
    Visited September 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 10 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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becky
Palmerston North, New Zealand22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Friends
The views were amazing, especially walking alongside the Bow river and falls! Took some awesome photos along the way, and the walk was pretty easy (except for the stairs at the end:) but that’s because I hate stairs on a good day). Would recommend it as a great lookout view and photo opportunity of the Fairmount and river
Written 3 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PBPG
Yorkshire, UK8,479 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023
The surprise was there was no surprise. Not sure what we were meant to be looking for. There was a view point a bit further back on the road, looking at the river, and a sign for Hoodoos but nothing else. It was all pretty enough but left us wondering if we had missed something
Written 21 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jercilla93
77 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021 • Family
We were expecting good views and were met with great ones. Lovely beautiful place to stop at. There are also 2 trails you can do from here as well I think one of which is the Hoodoo Trail. We walked this trail for about 30 minutes and then turned back from the steps leading up the side of the mountain. Very beautiful easy hike to that point.
Written 3 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ayalasibanda
Greater London, UK600 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
We were staying 10 mins walk away so decided to go for a walk. It was an easy walk and nice views. The way vack we walked along Bow river and got a great sunset and saw a deer
Written 27 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Edwin F
Calgary, Canada1,750 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
We have been to Banff many many times previously, but on this occasion we visited surprise corner. Great views of the mountains as well as the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. The only negative is that there is only parking for 4 vehicles, so that could be a problem on a busy day.
Written 5 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AK8397
Ontario, Canada1,052 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022
This is a good spot to have a nice view of the Banff Springs Hotel -- nestled in the trees in the shadow of the mountain.

But be advised: the parking lot is small and it is hard to find a spot. We passed by several times and never found a place to park. You just end up driving around in circles, hoping someone will leave. Better to park on the street a few blocks away or even downtown and walk. Or maybe you'll get lucky. Worth a quick stop.
Written 18 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vincent C
475 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
Spectacular view but can get crazy busy. Have some patience and it will be worth it. Go to the upper platform first and then stroll along the trail along the road afterwards to get pictures including the water below.
Written 11 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

1girl_1passport
Vancouver, Canada1,287 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020
When you think of Banff you think of the Fairmount Hotel and this is the viewpoint to get that classic "postcard" view/picture.

The viewpoint frames the famous Canadian hotel perfectly!

You can also take a trail down to the Bow falls viewpoint. Though we did not have the time on this trip, it will be added for next time!

The downside is the parking lot is very small.
Written 17 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SoozClues
Tampa, FL302 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2021
Went to capture a nighttime photo of the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel from Surprise Corner. It was a little dodgy as there are no lights on the steps. Going up was easy, but coming down in the dark was a bit tenuous.
Written 12 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ひぐま#1
4,649 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Solo
This is a place where you can look down on the majestic castle-like Banff Springs Hotel. There is also a parking space, and it is a tourist spot with a borrowed landscape. This time I visited during the day, but I would love to see it lit up in the evening.
Google
Written 31 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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