Reviews of Surprise Corner Viewpoint (Tourist Attraction)

Francis XIV

Beautiful views and very worth the stop over and enjoy a moment there.

Benyamin Khaleghi

Spectacular views, very convenient to get from downtown, if you’ve got some spare time, don’t miss it

Lisa C

What a gorgeous vantage point from the drive to the Surprise Corner viewpoint with amazing views! See the Banff Gondola from afar, Rim Rock Hotel, Iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls and the Rocky Mountains. Free parking. Worth the visit, lots of photo op moments and great walking and hiking trails all around. Short scenic drive, spectacular!

Lukasz (Luke)

Beautiful place to watch the sunrise or just embrace the beauty of Fairmont Banff hotel! Very easy walk from the city center (about 30 minutes) or you can drive directly to it ( there is a parking lot).

Thuy N

A nice stop along the way. Great place for a stretch and some fresh air. Short walk to the Bow River Trail.

Lindsey Mateo

Never miss this spot. The view was really awesome. Parking is not enough for all so make sure you go early or you will be waiting in line to get a space.

Nicole P

We went to check this out simply because of its name. There is limited parking in the corner so you can get out and cross the road to the viewpoint. There is a very nice view of Banff Fairmont and the gondola. We ended up going to the gondola because of this, lol. Not much to do but it's free and a nice view. ????

Henry Xu

Here is the busy current you can view while mountain is already in every eyesight. Niceee

Nolan Chamczuk

Wonderful spot, the views are fantastic, awe inspiring and a real treat. lots of hiking trails to explore and enjoy. most definitely worth the stop in the heart of gods country.

Braenden Bailey

Great views of Sulphur Mountain and the Banff Springs hotel

RaJendra Thali

Very good place to see Hotel Fair Mount

Connor

Easy to reach the viewpoint. Best at night.

Jason “JdfromYYC”

A good scenic view of the back of Banff springs Hotel.

Amrit Saini

Great place for view for non hikers, you can go to the view point by your car. There is a small car parking that usually have couple spaces no matter what time or the day you visit there. Across the parking take few stairs and voila! Your are there. All the mountains ⛰ are green and fairmont is in the middle of greenery and the view is astounding. Protip: use bug spray whereever you go in mountains

Anett G

Beautiful view of the distant Banff Springs Hotel and Rocky Mountains. Wooden staircase to small viewing platform. Not wheelchair accessible.

Frank Janer

This is a great spot to take a picture with the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel in the background. Parking is limited. You can also hike down to the Bow River below.

Andrew Stephenson

Beautiful view. A lot more busy than years past. Parking can be a nightmare.

Trevor Smith

Quick 10 minute stop with family is all that's needed. Good spot for picture of banff springs hotel.

Michael Landa

Great walking trail and falls to see from just outside Banff Ave.

Michelle Gregersen

Direct view of the Banff Springs Hotel. A little bit of a walk along the road or you can challenge yourself asking the more natural Cliffside path!

Xiao Chen

Really beautiful spot

Erwin Muniruzaman

Magnificent view of Fairmont Banff Spring taken from Surprise Corner in December 2018

satya pasupuleti

View of Fairmont is excellent

Andrew Greig

Awesome spot too enjoy the views

Gaurav Dhadwal

Just a quick stop to chcek the flowing lake. Take some photos. Nothing special.

Helen Grimes

Great viewpoint just 5 mins from downtown Banff!

Shegufta Islam

Loved this place. Very scenic. The view of the rumbling Bow Falls with Sulphur mountain at the back and the Fairmont Hotel is something extra ordinary. Parking is tight but with a little luck you can find something as cars are pulling in and out frequently. It's a look out point with some paved area and there are further stairs to go up even higher. There was no ramp so we weren't able to go all the way up with a stroller. Definitely a spot not to be missed in the city of Banff!

Mandana Alejamshid

Nice view of the bow falls and Fairmount spring hotel.

Saarah Orooj

The view from here is grand. Went early morning and do not have any regret. It was truly mesmerising view if the “Castle of the Rockies”

Amreen Shafiuddin

A big dedicated viewpoint to view the bow river and fairmont banff springs. they have some information boards about the river and hotel. very very limited parking. the parking leads to the hoodoo trial. A cute spot to spend some time in the afternoon ! Shady and good seating available.

Adam Henrickson

Cool spot with lack of parking. Ranger Rick let me off with a waring... was pretty nice of him! Thanks Rick

John G Lagrada

Perfect spot to view the iconic Banff Spring Hotel.

Robyn Keller

Nice lookout point towards Fairmont Banff Lodge. The stairs can be icy and they're not maintained regularly. There's a small parking lot. I think there are other trails leading towards the river from the parking lot but I didn't want to try them in the winter conditions.

Will

While a nice viewpoint I don't get the fuss over it. Bow Falls across the way was a much better experience. It has much more parking. A nice walking path and multiple viewpoints to take in Bow river and the falls. The only thing it lacks is a nice view of the Fairmont. If you drive by and there is parking go take a look. If not you're not missing much.

Jesse Han

The Surprise Corner Viewpoint is a fantastic vantage point with amazing views of the iconic Fairmount Banff Springs, the Bow River, and the Rocky Mountains. It is free parking and has a nice trail to take lots of photos around the area. A short but scenic adventure around the Banff area. For more adventure photos, follow me at @byjessehan

Marcy Minchin

In order to get a view of the falls, you have to walk back along the road to a little jut-out viewpoint. When trying to find the view, first we went up the stairs across from the parking lot, then down a trail from the parking lot, but the best views are not there! Walk down the road.

Rahul Narsimhan

Great views and of the iconic Banff Springs hotel

anushree

Limited parking but the view is magnificent. You can see the Fairmont Banff Springs historic hotel and several mountains.

Anthony kannampuzha

Nice walk from bow falls into hoodoo trail. Take time and enjoy the hike. Take water and snacks. Have a picnic there

Ostap Doubas

Great location. Resonably priced food. Friendly staff

Edwin Tsang

Great view, parking just across the road.

Bob Zahlmann

Nice view of the hotel and some hikes available. Parking could be a problem.

Hoggustina Hoop

Good signs all around very good place to stop to have a quick view.

Tharaneesan Nadarajah

Really neat overlook in Banff that has great views of the Fairmont!

Gil Marcondes

Lovely view! But you have to explore.

Sophie Wu

The parking space is limited (only about 10 spots) but it’s less busy now due to COVID. We went there around 5pm and the hotel is kind of in the dark. Probably it’ll have a better view in the morning.

Channel 33 with Spongie

The Best things in life are free! Enjoy everyone of them and this one is a must. Not even three minutes from The town's centre.

Natasha Minaeva

We came here by accident on our way to Bow Falls viewpoint, but it was even better location to see the river, the falls and Fairmount hotel. Information boards are very well written and give you good overview of the area (animal crossing zone). Definitely come here when visiting Banff.

Luke Kowand

Awesome view point of the Banff springs Hotel along with great trails. A bit more difficult than the average trail but lots to see!

Rae Ewen

What a beautiful little spot. Not a lot of parking but we found a spot. The hike down was moderately easy and the view was phenomenal.

Timtwoface (Timtwoface)

A great viewpoint of Sulphur Mountain and the Banff Springs Hotel.

Edward Li

Beautiful place

Irwan Marroc

Perfect place to see the Fairmount Banff Springs Hotel. It is an incredible viewpoint in the day or at night.

Gail Ulloa

Beautiful surprise. Tricky to go down to the best viewpoint but worth it. Not very far at all.

Jasmeen

A beautiful view of the the hotel. It was slippery in February so stay on the road!

Sebastian Carson

Majestic view. Parking around there is a bit limited.

Ross Lane

really nice view of the falls in the winter!

Darcy

Man this is breathtaking.. the fresh air, nature, the river, the people, the views, the pure enjoyment of the outdoors. Highly highly recommended!!

Mark Roy

Beautiful park bt the river. Wendsdays there is a farmers market.

W J

One of many scenic spots around Banff. Has a good view of the "castle", and great place to take postcard like pictures.

Young Eun Kim

A nice quick stop. The view of Fairmont Banff Springs from afar, cuddled up in the mountains was epic. There was a trail leading towards the river but was closed during winter. Has parking space for 6-7 cars.

Ryan Pan

Great view point!

Douglas Williamson

Great Vantage point to take pictures of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. The parking lot is small but there is lots of turn over quickly as people are usually here for a short time.

TLS Sutherland

Great views after the short walk. A different perspective of the majestic Banff Springs hotel.

Spencer Schweitzer

Pictures don't do justice. It's a fresh sight

R shamo

Very easy and beautiful stroll. Short and sweet

Shine Li

Good place to take photos. A few mins drive to Banff downtown. You can visit here after dinner. You can see the hotel, gondola, trees, mountains.

Partha Sarathi Sinha

Great place to see the sunset. Beautiful views of the hotel.

Fiona McDonald

Magical place close to downtown Banff. Visited here several times-nice jog or walk from the Banff Centre or downtown over the footbridge or it’s possible to drive round to the car park. Visited after snow and on a sunny day - incredibly beautiful. Seems you can go rafting from here as well. Definitely worth visiting and easily accessible for all.

Brodie Sandusky

Check it out!! Short walk from town 20 minutes. Theres a trail to follow that's not on the road. Road also has a bike lane for walking/riding. View point is very nice.