Banff National Park is Canada's oldest national park, established in 1885 as Rocky Mountains Park. Located in Alberta's Rocky Mountains, 110–180 kilometres (68–112 mi) west of Calgary, Banff encompasses 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 sq mi) of mountainous terrain, with many glaciers and ice fields, dense coniferous forest, and alpine landscapes. Provincial forests and Yoho National Park are neighbours to the west, while Kootenay National Park is located to the south and Kananaskis Country to the southeast. The main commercial centre of the park is the town of Banff, in the Bow River valley.

National parks of Canada are vast natural spaces throughout the country that are protected by Parks Canada, a government agency. Parks Canada manages the National Parks and Reserves in order to educator visitors, keep them safe, and ensure public enjoyment in ways that do not compromise the area for future generations. Protections include the management of Canadian wildlife and habitat within the ecosystems of the park. Within Parks Canada's governance is a wide range of protected areas, encompassing National Historic Sites, National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCA), and national park reserves. Canada established its first national park in Banff in 1885, and has since expanded its national park system to include 37 national parks and 10 national park reserves.