Banff’s Bow River Becomes an Art Gallery This Summer

What’s Happening? Who needs four walls? Banff’s Art in Nature Trail is back, blending scenic views and creative expression along a 3km riverside route—no ticket required.

The Details. Running July 1 to September 30, the self-guided exhibit features over 65 curated works by Bow Valley artists in a variety of mediums—everything from sculpture and painting to glass, textiles, and even pyrography. The loop starts behind the Banff Park Museum, follows the Bow River Trail to Bow Falls, and returns via the Nancy Pauw Bridge to Central Park.

The Vibe. It’s equal parts nature walk and gallery hop. You’ll find Indigenous art, abstract landscapes, student collabs, and even pieces made from rusted farm metal or reclaimed silk. Bonus: dogs are welcome (on leash), and elevation gain is a tame 50mm—so your art crawl won’t turn into a mountain scramble.

Produced by. Banff & Lake Louise Tourism and Carter-Ryan Productions, with creative direction from Bridget Ryan.

Local Tip. Download the map before you go—cell service gets patchy near the falls. Happy trails!

More details here.