Hike Alberta
CR31 Flints Park Campground 1 km N
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Sawback Creek Trail

Near Banff · Banff National Park

Moderate · Out and back

Trail score 26 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

CR31 Flints Park Campground 2 km Open the map

About this trail

Sawback Creek Trail is a 9.2 km out and back trail near Banff in Banff National Park. It runs 4.6 km each way. The route gains 214 m in total and tops out at 1,989 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate. Allow about 2 hours 45 minutes of moving time. It meets Rainbow Lake Trail at 3.3 km, and passes two other mapped junctions. Along the way you pass a campground. Also used for trail running, horseback riding and backpacking.

Length
9.2km
4.6 km each way
Elevation gain
214m
Estimated time
2h45min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
1,989m
Lowest point
1,831m

Elevation profile

1,831 m to 1,989 m
1,9891,831 0 km4.6 km

Highest point 1,989 m, lowest 1,831 m, 214 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 20% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 0% of route

0% LTE · 0% 5G

Longest modelled gap
4.6 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.

Along the way

  1. 0.0 kmCR31 Flints Park CampgroundCampground

Good for

  • Hiking, Trail running, Horseback riding, Backpacking
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • River or creek, Camping

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.4078° N, 115.7653° 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

Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30