Hike Alberta
2 km N
Route preview. The interactive map opens here with terrain, contours and live notices.Open the map

Indianhead Creek

Banff National Park

Hard · Out and back · Official trail

Trail score 41 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

2 km Open the map

About this trail

Indianhead Creek is a 24.5 km out and back trail in Banff National Park. It runs 12.3 km each way. The route gains 797 m in total and tops out at 2,272 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard, and Parks Canada rates it difficult. Allow about 8 hours 15 minutes of moving time. It passes one mapped trail junction, at 7.6 km. At 8.6 km the trail forks. This route keeps right; the left fork is a 0.3 km side branch with the same name. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Also used for horseback riding and backpacking.

Length
24.5km
12.3 km each way
Elevation gain
797m
Estimated time
8h15min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
2,272m
Lowest point
1,804m

Elevation profile

1,804 m to 2,272 m
2,2721,804 0 km12.3 km

Highest point 2,272 m, lowest 1,804 m, 797 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 26% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 0% of route

0% LTE · 0% 5G

Longest modelled gap
12.3 km
Model
2024 · Natural Resources Canada

Predicted coverage is not guaranteed. It varies by carrier, terrain, weather, device and network load, and it does not guarantee emergency service.

Good for

  • Hiking, Horseback riding, Backpacking
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Views, River or creek, Alpine

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.8413° N, 116.0108° W.

Driving directions

Banff National Park admission

National park admission required

Buy day or annual pass

Pass details

Visitors spending time in a national park need valid daily admission or a Parks Canada Discovery Pass. Admission is separate from camping, reservations, parking and other service fees.

Information checked October 21, 2026.

Official details

Before you go

Carry an offline map and plan for no service in backcountry areas. Trails close for wildlife, fire, weather and construction. Check the official sources:

Nearby trails

All 588 trails in Banff National Park

Parks Canada trail data, Open Government Licence Canada
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30