Bankhead is a tiny coal mining town that thrived in Banff National Park in the early 1900s. The town's coal mine was situated under Cascade Mountain, which harbored superior-quality anthracite coal reserves. Pacific Coal Company, a Canadian Pacific Railway subsidiary, operated the Bankhead Coal Mine, as the railway required the coal to power its steam engines. In 1903, the mine commenced operations and contributed significantly to the local economy.

The Pacific Coal Company owned and constructed all buildings in Bankhead, which were then rented to residents. Eventually, in 1926, several structures were relocated to nearby Banff and Canmore. Some of which you can still see today!

The Lower Bankhead area is off of Lake Minnewanka Loop Road and now features an interpretive trail with signs highlighting key buildings and providing interesting facts about the area. Visitors can easily identify the remaining structures, as well as explore the foundations of buildings that are still visible. It's one of the best things to do in Banff with kids if you're looking for a bit of history in the area you're visiting.