road trip canadian rockies banff jasper itinerary

Globetrotting adventurer and travel writer living life to the fullest following tragedy and loss.

Banff and jasper itinerary: the ultimate canadian rockies road trip.

Is Banff actually the most beautiful place on earth, or what?! It doesn’t get much better than jagged rock mountains looming over turquoise glacial lakes. Two of the most beautiful national parks in the world, Jasper and Banff are close together and make for a perfect extended Canadian Rockies road trip. There is a lot to see, so read on for my suggested road trip to  Banff and Jasper Itinerary.

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How to Get To Banff and Jasper National Parks

The nearest international airport is in the metropolitan city of Calgary, Alberta. The drive from Calgary to Banff is approximately 1.5 hours.

You can easily rent a car from the airport in Calgary. I live in Washington state just below the Canadian border, so we didn’t have to fly, we just made a one week road trip loop of it, stopping in Kelowna wine country, Jasper, Banff, and then Revelstoke on our way home.

Search For Rental Cars Here

Where to go on a Canadian Rockies Road Trip

It’s really tough to narrow it down; I feel like I could travel British Columbia and Alberta for months. Not to mention, I’d love to see it in every season. But for the purposes of this post and this Banff itinerary, I’ll focus on a Banff and Jasper itinerary  for a one week road trip. You can move this interactive map around and click to see the landmarks I’ve marked.

How Much Time Do You Need For a Banff and Jasper National Parks Itinerary?

I would say one week for a Banff and Jasper itinerary was perfect. We could’ve still seen a lot in 5 days, or we could’ve done more with two weeks. But I think a 5 day itinerary for Banff and Jasper should be the minimum. 2-3 days in each park, plus the 3.5 hour drive between them (more with stops) requires a minimum 5 days. We loved having 7 days to spend one day and night in Kelowna wine tasting and seeing the lovely downtown. So I’m unofficially making this a  one week Banff and Jasper itinerary .

Where to Stay in Jasper National Park

We opted to divide our time between camping and an Airbnb in Jasper. After a night or two sleeping in the back of our car, it was nice to have a good shower and place to spread out in town for a night or two. For camping in Jasper and Banff National Parks, you want to reserve your camp sites ahead of time as they can book up during high season. Click here –> RESERVE CAMPING SPOTS.

In Jasper, we stayed at a lovely little campground on Yellowhead Lake, named Lucerne Campground in British Columbia, just before crossing the time zone into Alberta. It is technically in Mount Robson Provincial Park, not Jasper.

When you reach the gate to Jasper National Park (or any gate to any of the National Parks), you must buy a national park pass which is good for all the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (Jasper, Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, Revelstoke, Glacier, Waterton, etc.) The daily pass price is around $11 per person, whereas an adult annual Discovery Pass is around $75 per person, which makes it a better deal if you visit for more than a week out of the year. You can also buy it  online ahead of time.

Pyramid Lake Resort – Perfect for more of a high end, lodge experience in a beautiful setting.

Whistler’s Inn – Prefer to be in town? This cute hotel features a rooftop hot tub and a steam room.

Jasper East Cabins – For more of rustic traditional cabin experience with all the comforts.

Airbnb – There are tons of other adorable houses and apartment rentals right in town. Staying in Jasper town proper was convenient for restaurants and close to many of the sites you’ll want to visit.

For breakfast and wonderful coffee, we were particularly fond of the Sunhouse Cafe right in the heart of Jasper. Jasper has a number of cute restaurants and cafes as well as outdoor gear shops.

What to See in Jasper National Park

Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake, Maligne Lake

Maligne Lake is worth a visit along your Banff and Jasper National Park itinerary. Especially if the weather is clear. We went on a day that was so foggy, it would have been pointless to spend the $75 to take the boat tour out to see Spirit Island. On a beautiful day, I think visiting Spirit Island would be a real treat.

The route to Maligne Lake also includes Medicine Lake and Maligne Canyon, so the 2+ hour roundtrip drive from the town of Jasper is worth it. A fire that burned through Maligne Valley in 2015 has dramatically changed the landscape of Medicine Lake as you’ll see driving by but it is still beautiful.

Maligne Canyon is pretty and there are a series of bridges across it. You could theoretically spend a good 2-3 hours hiking here, although for your time, I think you’d be better off spending it doing another hike with more rewarding views, and just stop at Maligne Canyon for a short while.

Pyramid and Patricia Lakes

Patricia Lake and then Pyramid Lake are both in the same area. Both are an easy 15 minute drive from the town of Jasper and fairly similar looking lakes. We saw a grizzly bear along the road in this area which was fun.

There are a handful of spots to park along Patricia Lake to have a picnic and enjoy the views. On a warm summer day, I’d have jumped right in.

A little farther up the road past Patricia Lake, you’ll come to Pyramid Lake and Pyramid Lake Lodge, which would be a great place to stay. You can also rent canoes here. Pyramid Lake is known for Pyramid Island, pictured below. You can walk across the bridge and explore the cute little island.

This little island can get busy so either come quite early or later in the afternoon when it seemed to be quieter. Late morning seemed fairly busy and there are not a lot of parking spots. To get here, just continue driving along Pyramid Lake past the resort and you’ll see a few parking spots and cars along the road. There is a trail to the bridge to the island and it’s a short easy little walk. The bridge makes for a cute photo spot with the island in the background.

Annette and Edith Lakes

These two lakes could easily be visited the same day as Patricia and Pyramid Lakes. They are small and quaint, but Annette Lake in particular is a pretty aquamarine color. Both Edith Lake and Annette Lake have trails you can walk around them. Both would make for a fantastic summer day of kayaking or paddle boarding.The road past these lakes is also the road that continues to Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake, and Maligne Lake.

In the summer, you can rent paddle boards at Lake Edith from Translucid Adventures .

Organized Tours

There are a number of outdoor adventure tours you can take in Jasper. You can river raft the rapids, take a glacial ice field or ice canyon tour, ride a sky tram, go canoeing, or leisurely float down a river.

Hike Around Jasper National Park

There are endless possibilities for creating your own outdoor adventure in Jasper, and a beautiful hike that takes you where your car can’t is the best way to do it. One of the most popular trails is the Mount Edith Cavell Trail . The trailhead is less than an hour from the town of Jasper and the trail is around 5 miles long roundtrip. You’ll come across mountain views, glaciers, and green glacial water.

Sulfur Skyline Trail is another popular hike rewarding you with incredible views. The trail is roughly 5-6 miles total but does have some steep sections and takes most people between 4 and 6 hours to complete. Close by is Miette Hot Springs if you’d like to reward yourself with a soak after the hike.

Short stop-offs to waterfalls (Maligne Canyon, Athabasca Falls, Sunwapta Falls) are much quicker, easier walks where you can explore as little or as much as you want just a short distance from your car.

Athabasca Falls

Athabasca Falls and the entire river are quite beautiful. Had the fog not been so heavy, the dramatic Mount Kerkeslin would’ve been visible in the background.

There are unique rock structures to explore in the immediate vicinity of Athabasca falls.

Sunwapta Falls

Driving about 20 minutes farther on the Icefields Parkway is Sunwapta Falls. The falls are a short little walk from the parking lot to a viewing bridge. It takes around 5 minutes to walk to and the parking area is right along the Icefields Parkway. This makes it a good stop along the drive from Jasper to Banff National Parks. You could spend more time following trails to different areas around the falls if desired.

If you set up a tripod and caught it during the right light or with a beautiful sky, it would make a lovely photograph. But it was rather grey and dreary when we went so we just made it a quick stop.

Icefields Parkway

Considered one of the most stunning drives in the world, the Icefields Parkway (AB-93) connects Jasper National Park to Banff National Park. The approximately 140 mile stretch takes around 3 hours to cover, although with stops, it can take longer.

The Icefields Parkway is a highlight of the Canadian Rockies road trip itinerary. The views are stunning, the water is milky aqua or vibrant turquoise, and the many glaciers are imposing. Take your time. We used an entire day to make stops along the way.

What to See in Banff National Park

Oh Banff. There really is no place like it. Every time I see the mountains and lakes here, I tell myself this has to be the most beautiful place on earth. Canada’s oldest national park, established in 1885, will be the highlight of your Banff and Jasper road trip itinerary. There is so much to see, but I’ll highlight some of the most popular and unmissable sites of a Banff itinerary.

Peyto Lake is a stunning turquoise blue lake, famous for the view from the overlook along the Icefields Parkway. The lake is beautiful year round, but in the summer the turquoise is much more vibrant due to mineral content in the Peyto Glacier runoff that feeds it.

The parking lot at Bow Pass can get quite busy. The trail to the overlook is paved and uphill, but it’s not too difficult and takes less than 15 minutes. The overlook on the wooden platform can get crowded, but follow the dirt trail into the trees to the right and down the hill just before the platform and the crowd thins out, the view is better, and the opportunity for photos is MUCH better.

You can extend your hike by hiking another 10 minutes past the viewing platforms to the rocky Upper Viewpoint for an even more dramatic view with fewer people. Alternatively from the main trail, you can take even a different branch of the path to get to the Bow Summit for views of Bow Lake as well.

You can indeed hike down to the actual lake shore as well by climbing down the rocky area below the first viewpoint or continuing on the main path then branching down just past the viewpoint. There is actually another way down as well. The other option is to drive a couple miles farther north on the Icefield Parkway to an unmarked pullout on the left which makes the hike even easier (2 miles roundtrip).

Just a 5 minute drive past Peyto Lake is beautiful Bow Lake. You can park right off the Icefields Parkway in the parking lot just before The Lodge at Bow Lake .

This beautiful lodge has recently been renovated since not having changed much since its completion in 1950. Before that, it was just a small cabin for mountaineer, Jimmy Simpson and his family to run his mountaineer tours. The lodge offers stunning views from the shore of Bow Lake.

You can take a 5.5 mile out and back hike to Bow Glacial Falls around the lakeshore with the option to extend the hike to beautiful Iceberg Lake, which involves some mild scrambling.

Lake Louise

Lake Louise cannot be missed, of course. With a rich history dating back to the 1800’s, Lake Louise was the set for outdoor adventure enthusiasts traveling west via the railway.

Photo sourced from the historic photos inside Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

A one story log cabin was the original structure that eventually grew to the now famed luxury Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise . It possesses an iconic, old world luxury that very few destinations can match in beauty and setting. Definitely a bucket list place to stay!

Other nearby places to stay in order of closest distance to Lake Louise:

• Paradise Lodge and Bungalows

There are also a number of places in the little hamlet of Lake Louise. We actually just stayed at Lake Louise Campground for a couple of nights.

For food, we absolutely loved grabbing a coffee and a breakfast burrito to go in the mornings from the Trailhead Cafe.   And if you want to treat yourself to a nice meal or even just a coffee at Lake Louise, there are a few options at the Fairmont.

The waterfront is stunning with the milky aquamarine lake and glacier in the background. But it is crowded. Even the massive parking lot fills up in the summer months. You can either drive to Lake Louise from the little hamlet of the same name (about a 5-10 minute drive and expensive parking from May-October) or you can take the Parks Canada Shuttle from the park and ride between 6:30 am and 6 pm. Shuttles can also transport you between Lake Louise and Moraine Lake for no extra cost. Shuttles must be booked in advance HERE under “Day Use.” If you’re coming from the town of Banff and don’t have a rental car, you can utilize HoponBanff to get around. It’s a bit spendy though.

Hiking at Lake Louise

Some of the best hikes in Banff begin from Lake Louise. Two of the most iconic and stunning places to hike to are the two tea houses.

Lake Agnes Tea House

Built in 1901 (and reconstructed in 1981) by the Canadian Pacific Railway, this tea house served as a refuge for hikers and mountaineers in the early 1900’s. Begin by hiking around the Lake Louise shoreline on the right and you’ll come across a sign to branch off to the right.

You will eventually pass by Mirror Lake before reaching Lake Agnes and the tea house. It is a steady uphill hike (which makes it a knee killer on the way down) around 2.2 miles from Lake Louise and a gain of 1312 feet.

You can extend your hike 0.6 miles past Lake Agnes for better views of Lake Louise down below by going to Little Beehive. Alternately, continue along the right shoreline of Lake Agnes to go up to Big Beehive, with an awesome view. Or go all the way up to Devil’s Thumb at over 8000 feet elevation.

View From Big Beehive

The Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House

Built in 1927 by Swiss guides, the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House remains the original structure and takes a bit longer to hike to but with more rewarding views. This 3.5 mile each way hike begins on the same trail on the right shoreline of Lake Louise but doesn’t branch off and rather continues to the end of Lake Louise and up.

Most of the elevation gain occurs towards the end with some switch backs, but it’s fairly short lived.

Finally you come to the lovely tea house where you can rest.

An additional hour roundtrip from here takes you to Abbott Pass where you can see high altitude glaciers and dramatic rock peaks. And if you’re really ambitious, you can combine Lake Agnes in a day hike. There is a trail that branches off to connect the two tea houses in something of a loop. When you descend from The Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, you’ll see the trail branch to the left that goes up to Big Beehive and Lake Agnes. Then you can get back to Lake Louise by the main Lake Agnes trail. This 9+ mile loop really killed my knees and ankles. I couldn’t survive without my knee straps. They’ve honestly made a huge difference in my comfort hiking downhill.

The tea houses have no running water or electricity. Supplies are helicoptered in at the beginning of the season, or hiked in by staff regularly as needed. Vegetarian food is prepared fresh with propane stoves and there are a variety of teas and drinks to warm you up or cool you down depending on the weather. Keep in mind they’ll only be open from June to October and accept only cash (US or Canadian).

Weather can change dramatically, so bring layers, wear good hiking shoes, and go early to avoid crowds. Also, despite being popular trails, you could always encounter bear or other wildlife. Bring bear spray just in case. Also, have you seen more beautiful outhouses?

Moraine Lake

On my mental list of most beautiful places on the planet, falls Moraine Lake securely somewhere in the top 5. It’s just that incredible. The color of the lake is better than Lake Louise. It’s a deeper, brighter turquoise and more clear. The mountains offer a far more dramatic backdrop. I just can’t get enough. Unlike Lake Louise, Moraine Lake is only accessible from May to October. The road is high risk for avalanches in the winter.

To get to Moraine Lake, you use to be able to drive the same road as if you were going to Lake Louise from the hamlet of Lake Louise and take a left on Moraine Lake Road, continuing almost 8 miles. The drive between the two lakes is only around 15-20 minutes.

Moraine Lake a much smaller parking lot and fills up sometimes by sunrise in the summer. So in 2023 they made it so you can no longer drive to Moraine Lake. The parking lot is closed to personal vehicles. Either you can be hardcore and bike there from Lake Louise, or schedule the shuttle ahead of time HERE under Day Use.

There is only one place to stay near Moraine Lake and that is Moraine Lake Lodge . It is more rustic than the Fairmont, but rooms are limited and are so high in demand, they book up a year in advance. I stayed there in 2010 and it was reasonably priced back then, but prices have changed exponentially. It’s not even reasonable to stay for one night anymore, in my opinion.

Moraine Lake has a lovely restaurant in the main lodge that is definitely worth coming for though! You must make a reservation ahead. The food is delicious and the dining room is very cozy and not over the top formal. There is also a little cafe open till 4:30 daily with snacks and beverages. Visit the website for Moraine Lake Lodge HERE for more information.

If canoeing on one of these turquoise lakes is on your bucket list, I would suggest doing it at Moraine Lake. The lake seems to have fewer people on it at one time (smaller parking lot equals less people) and it’s just a more dramatic backdrop. But it’ll cost ya. You can rent a canoe at the dock daily from 9-5 in June to September depending on the weather, and an hour will run you $140 Canadian. The price is similar at Lake Louise. Just nuts.

Unless you can rent a canoe and transport it from the town of Banff to Lake Louise or elsewhere to save money, I sort of think spending the money to canoe is worth it. To glide across that beautiful water and explore the far side of the lake from the water is a once in a lifetime experience. The canoes are first come first serve. The best times of day are right when they open or right before they close.

We have since brought our paddle boards with us when we were allowed to drive to Moraine Lake. That was really magical. The shuttles can accommodate a small number of inflatable devices. Check their website for more details.

Rockpile Hike

Hiking around Moraine Lake is definitely possible and varies in intensity. The lake itself doesn’t begin to thaw until June, so keep in mind there will be snow until mid summer. The most obvious “hike” around Moraine Lake is the Rockpile Hike. This little trail is to the left side of the lake when you approach the shore and winds up a huge pile of rocks to give you numerous vantage points and photo ops from the top. You could spend a good hour or two wandering around, taking in the views and maybe having lunch. The color of the water is best from up here.

Lakeshore Hike

A great way to see more of Moraine Lake is to follow the right shoreline past the canoe dock. The flat, easy trail will weave in and out of the trees near the shore. There are plenty of little beaches to sit on a log and have lunch or take in the view. You can follow the trail all the way to the back of the lake and back, a total of less than 2 miles roundtrip.

There are other more extensive hikes near Moraine Lake. Check out All Trails for more details, but here are some popular ones from Moraine Lake.

• Larch Valley/Sentinel Pass
• Eiffel Lake Trail
• Mount Temple
• Consolation Lakes – I found this to be a nice hike but not nearly as nice as the hikes at Lake Louise, so I’d only do this if you have extra time.

Johnston Canyon

About halfway between the towns of Lake Louise and Banff or 30 minutes from either, this popular hike is easy and fun, but parking can be a real pain during high season. There are two places to stay right at the trailhead: Johnston Canyon Lodge and Bungalows and Johnston Canyon Campground . This dramatic canyon takes you through the gorge with a tributary to the beautiful Bow River where you’ll see waterfalls and awesome rock formations.

The trail can be as short as 30 minutes to the first Lower Falls, where I couldn’t believe the line of people lined up to get misted by the falls and capture a picture. Years ago when I first came, we were easily able to walk right to the falls with hardly anyone around. Not the case more recently.

There are two viewing platforms and we noticed there was a long line for taking a picture at the bottom platform, but a few minutes farther up the hill and there was almost no one at the upper platform and the view of the waterfall is quite good. I mistakenly waited in line for the following photo at the lower platform.

The Upper Falls is a bit farther, maybe an hour total on the trail. If you continue another 2 miles or so past the upper falls, you’ll come to the Ink Pots, which are green mineral spring pools in a meadow.

The trail is open year round so in the winter you can get a totally different experience that involves frozen waterfalls. There are even tours for ice climbing.

Where to Stay Near Banff

There are so many options, from camping to basic hotels, to luxury lodges in both Banff National Park and Banff, the town proper. I was quite happy with where I’ve stayed in Banff on my two visits.

Lake Louise Campground  – The cheapest option to be close to the hamlet of Lake Louise and close to the most popular lakes. They have toilets and showers too, which were quite nice.

Johnston Canyon Campground  – These also have toilets and showers.

Johnston Canyon Lodge and Bungalows – A bit overpriced for what you get, but it’s still cheaper than many other accommodations and well located.

Storm Mountain Lodge  – For that true log cabin vibe.

Baker Creek Mountain Resort  – A fairly large complex, with large rooms with decks, fireplaces and mini kitchenettes. They even have a recreational room and sauna.

Moraine Lake Lodge  – My absolute favorite place to stay in Banff, but the price has gone up drastically over the last decade due to high demand. Very unfortunate. The price is almost not worth it anymore. But if you have the means, definitely splurge on staying here.

There are so many great places to stay, but expect to pay a lot wherever you go. But if you mix it up with some camping, that helps!

Visit the Town of Banff

The town of Banff is much bigger than the little hamlet of Lake Louise, and bigger even than the town of Jasper. It has a population of around 8,000. The luxury hotel there, the  Fairmont Banff Springs , established in 1888, is truly a marvel to behold.

The town of Banff is quite stunning with massive mountains all around it. The main street is beautiful, there are galleries and restaurants lining the streets, and deer roaming through town. It takes about 40 minutes to drive between Banff and Lake Louise.

Yoho National Park

There’s no reason to miss Yoho National Park if you’re already right there in the area. Only about a 30 minute drive to the west from the village of Lake Louise, Yoho National Park features another stunning lake resort.

Emerald Lake

I consider Emerald Lake to be one of the three gems along with Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. It’s not quite as popular, which makes it nice. I would definitely consider staying at the stunning Emerald Lake Lodge on my next visit to the area. It is incredibly stunning in the winter as well.

You can dine at the Emerald Lake Lodge as a guest or not, but reservations are required. They also have Cilantro Cafe pictured above for grabbing a quick snack. Emerald Lake is also a great option for canoeing too as the price is a little cheaper and it’s a little bigger than the other lakes so there’s more to explore from the water.

Emerald Lake Lodge also has a fitness center, outdoor hot tub, and dry sauna. A winter getaway here is on my bucket list.

Other fantastic parks in the area to visit include Kootenay National Park, Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park, Bow Valley Provincial Park, and farther north of Jasper is Mt Robson Provincial Park and others. Canada is amazing!

What to do on a Canadian Rockies Road Trip Each Season

There is literally fun to be had all year long in the Canadian Rockies. And if you want to enjoy this place more than once, try coming in a different season for a totally different experience each time. Your Banff and Jasper itinerary can vary depending on the weather.

Summer in the Canadian Rockies

Naturally this is the best time of year to be able to see everything. But the crowds can be a hindrance. Highlights are hiking, canoeing , horseback riding , cycling , mountain biking, white water rafting , rock climbing , and Gondola rides .

Fall in the Canadian Rockies

You can enjoy all of the above, with some golden larches thrown in. There could be snow on the ground and the temps will drop, but this is a great time to enjoy the national parks without as many crowds. Keep in mind that snow may fall as early as October.

Winter and Spring in the Canadian Rockies

Winter enthusiasts will find the Rockies a paradise when the snow falls. With one of the longest ski seasons in the world, and no less than 3 ski resorts in the area ( Lake Louise Ski Resort , Sunshine Village , Mt. Norquay ), winter sports can be enjoyed in fall, winter, and spring. There are also endless possibilities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. You can even take advantage of magical Lake Louise and go iceskating or on a sleigh ride  but remember, Moraine Lake is closed until late spring. Ever wanted to go dog sleddingr ? Me too. A couple of the gondolas  are open year round as well!

Snow doesn’t melt and lakes don’t thaw until late spring/early summer so keep that in mind when planning your activities.

What to Pack

Memory foam mattress for the back of the car.

If you’re a car camper like we were, consider this one. We tried a few different mattresses for putting in the back with the seats all laid flat. Of course we had a big Honda Pilot so this fit wonderfully, so measure your sleeping space and see if it would fit. It squishes in a little too so if it’s a little bigger than your space, you’d probably still be ok. This memory foam trifold mattress is way more comfortable than the blow up air mattresses that we tried! Of course now we have a camper van, so we don’t have to do the car camping thing anymore.

Of course you need some bear spray. Carry it with you whenever you are hiking. I’d even keep it handy if you’re camping just in case. If you’re crossing the border then you’ll need to purchase it when you get there though.

Lots of layers for different weather is essential!

THE NORTH FACE Women’s Venture 2 Waterproof Hooded Rain Jacket (Standard and Plus Size), Light Grey Heather, X-Small

Hiking Poles and Knee Bands

If you plan to do some hiking and have bad knees, bring some poles and these knee band things. These both have literally made my hiking experience a million times better over the years.

Paddle Board

Honestly, if the weather looks even remotely warm, and you’re driving where you could throw a blow up paddle board in the trunk, I’d totally do it. I regretted not doing this years ago so when we finally had our camper van we absolutely made it a priority and brought them.

Day Pack and Water Bottle

If you plan on camping, bring a tent and sleeping pads and sleeping bags. We have a nice sized SUV and just made a bed in the back which was so nice not having to set up a tent at night.

I’m not one for binocs, but my boyfriend is. He says you should bring them.

If you’re doing any camping like we did, you definitely want a headlamp with you!

Since the only towns are Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff, and they are quite spread out, it would be a great idea to stock up on some snacks for your road trip. But you must be VERY careful about attracting wildlife. Always store your food in tight containers and don’t leave them out overnight.

That’s all I got! I hope this lengthy post is helpful in planning your Banff and Jasper road trip itinerary and you can have that bucket list Canadian rockies road trip so many people dream of. Drop me a comment or shoot me an email if you have any questions or comments, and click the pic to Pin, eh?

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4 thoughts on “ Banff and Jasper Itinerary: The Ultimate Canadian Rockies Road Trip ”

Hi, Many thanks for your most informative itinerary above. we intend to Touch down at Vancouver and hire a car to drive though to Banff, Lake Louis and onto Jasper and drive back to Vancouver. With the long drive stretch from Vancouver to Banff, would you recommend an overnight stop along the way? And if so where would you suggest to spend a night? Our intentions are to only spend time in terms of a day at each place with a view of a future longer stay. We intend to be there at start October 2024 to tie in with a cruise departing Vancouver. Many appreciations for your advise.

Hi! Thank you so much for reading! Yeah it is a long drive to Vancouver. If you have the time, I’d definitely stop in between and break up the trip into a couple days, if not more if you have time. I haven’t spent a lot of time in BC but it’s somewhere I hope to prioritize next summer. It would definitely add little time to your trip if you were looking for the shortest route, but Joffre Lakes are incredible. I have a post all about them on my other site, https://www.pnwexplored.com/day-hike-joffre-lakes-trail-british-columbia-canada/ . This route, although longer, would take you through Whistler and Squamish which are beautiful areas with a ton to do. As far as somewhere to stay, it’s definitely pretty limited. Either Pemberton or Lilooet, but I’ve never stayed in either, just passed through. That whole drive is gorgeous too. An alternative route would be through Revelstoke. They have a mountain coaster (definitely not as cool as Joffre Lakes hike though) and a cute downtown and plenty of hiking. Even more out of your way is the wine region of Kelowna, definitely a worthy destination. If I could only pick one thing to do though, I’d go with hiking Joffre Lakes.

Enjoyed this read; I am planning to go with family to Banff in June or July 2024; any additional tips?

Excellent! Perfect time of year. You’ll have to be more specific about additional tips you’re looking for. Everything I can think of off the top of my head is in this blog post:)

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The Ultimate Banff to Jasper Road Trip: 7 Day Itinerary for Alberta’s Top National Parks

Nick kembel.

• Last Modified December 14, 2021
• First Published on October 16, 2021

Post Summary: Banff to Jasper Road Trip

Banff National Park is Canada’s first and most popular national park. Adjoining Jasper National Park is every bit as beautiful and with a less touristy vibe. Connecting the two is the Icefields Parkway. Dotted with turquoise lakes and considered one of the most beautiful drives in the world, it is begging to be road tripped.

This Banff to Jasper road trip itinerary is tailor-made for anyone who has a full week off and wants to experience the best that these two Canadian Rockies national parks have to offer.

Banff & Jasper Road Trip Route Options

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Getting to Jasper and Banff National Parks

Jasper is a 3.5-hour drive from Edmonton, the provincial capital of Alberta, while Banff is a 1-hour drive from Calgary, the largest city in Alberta.

Because Calgary is the closer of the two major Alberta cities to the mountains, it only makes sense to start your trip there, unless you happen to live elsewhere in Alberta or neighboring British Columbia.

If Vancouver looks close on the map, well, note that it is an 8.5- or 10.5-hour drive from Vancouver to Jasper or Banff, respectively.

Coming in from elsewhere in Canada or the US, flying into Calgary’s international airport, and renting a car there is ideal unless you have the time to add several days’ worth of driving to your trip.

Because there is only one highway connecting Jasper and Banff National Parks, there is only one route option for this trip. However, once you reach Jasper, you’ll have three different options for the final travel day.

Option 1: Finish in Edmonton

From Jasper, the shortest option is to take the Yellowhead Highway through to Edmonton. If you have the extra time, there are loads of things to do in Edmonton to justify spending a few days there.

However, if you need to get back to Calgary for a flight or because you live there, this route option will actually be the longest one. Also, keep in mind that it can cost quite a bit more to rent a car in one city and drop it off in another.

Option 2: Backtrack to Calgary

The shortest route from Jasper back to Calgary is actually the same way you came. If you don’t mind driving back down through Jasper and Banff again, it will only take five hours for the return journey.

By choosing this route, you can make any stops that perhaps you missed on the way up.

Option 3: Return to Calgary via Nordegg and the Cowboy Trail

A final option for returning to Calgary takes a little longer than option 2, but allows you to explore different parts of Alberta on the way back.

This option involves returning down the Icefields Parkway through Jasper National Park, but then turning east onto the David Thompson Highway through the beautiful Nordegg region.

Reaching Highway 22, the Cowboy Trail, you then drive south toward Calgary through Alberta ranchland, with the Rocky Mountains visible in the background the whole way.

For this trip, get whatever vehicle is best suited to you and your group. The entire highway is fully paved, and there are so many sections or even side trips requiring 4×4 capability. I book most of my rental cars through RentalCars.com . They have a great selection of rental cars from most major agencies and the best prices – check prices here .

It is important to note, however, that if you plan to do this road trip in winter, conditions can vary wildly. While the Trans-Canada and Yellowhead highways tend to be fine, the Icefields Parkway through the mountains can become dangerously slippery. In rare cases, it can even be closed due to avalanche or blizzard.

For these reasons, it is essential to get a vehicle that has winter tires. It is also a good idea to prepare emergency supplies just in case, and familiarize yourself with your car’s emergency features.

>>> Book your rental car with RentalCars.com

This road trip is possible any time of the year, and each season comes with ups and downs. All things considered, June and September are probably the best months.

• Popular stops like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake can become so swamped with people that they’ll close the access roads, and you can’t even get in unless you take the public shuttle.
• October and November are less inspiring times to visit, though. The autumn colors are past, but the snowy landscape has yet to arrive. It’s too late for summer activities, but too early for winter ones. One plus is the lack of crowds.
• Winter – Hello ski season! And showshoeing, skating, cross-country skiing, dog-sledding, and so on. Doing this road trip in winter is more of an adventure. The whole region becomes a winter wonderland, but a little more preparation (and careful driving) is needed. And despite the ski season, the crowds are still much tamer than in summer.
• Spring – Winter lasts longer in the mountains than elsewhere, so spring doesn’t actually come until May and June, and even then can still be quite chilly. By June, wildflowers start growing in the mountains, making this a lovely month to visit before the onslaught of tourists in July.

Where to Stay on a Banff to Jasper Road Trip?

In both Banff and Jasper National Parks, accommodations are mostly limited to Banff and Jasper townsites along with a few more at Lake Louise in Banff National Park. To maximize your adventure time, here is my suggested accommodation schedule for this itinerary:

• Night 1: Canmore (optional)
• Nights 2,3,4: Banff townsite
• Night 5: Lake Louise
• Nights 6, 7, 8: Jasper townsite

Canmore Camping

If you are planning on camping during your Banff to Jasper Road Trip, skip spending the night in Canmore and plan to camp in Banff for 4 nights.

Canmore Hotels

• Canmore Rocky Mountain Inn  – Canmore Rocky Mountain Inn is a budget friendly modern hotel. Rooms from $57/night;  book on Booking.com  or  Hote l s.com .
• A Bear and Bison Inn  – A Bear and Bison Inn is a comfortable guest house located in Canmore. Rooms from $137/night;  book on Booking.com  or  Hotels.com .
• The Malcolm Hotel by CLIQUE   – The Malcolm is midrange mountain hotel with outdoor pools.  Rooms from $189/night;  book on Hotels.com .

Canmore Airbnbs and Vacation Rentals

• Mountain View Retreat – Mountain View Retreat has mountain views and is a 1 BR apartment that sleeps 4.  Rooms from $113/night; book on VRBO .
• Penthouse at Blackstone – The Penthouse is a luxuray top floor apartment that sleeps 6.  Rooms from $229/night; book on VRBO .
• Townhouse with Panorama Views – This townhouse sleeps 12 and has wraparound mountain views.  Rooms from $113/night; book on VRBO .

Banff Camping

There are 2,462 campsites located within 14 campgrounds in Banff National Park. There are spaced out around the park. For this Banff to Jasper Itinerary, it is recommended to camp in Two Jack or Tunnel Mountain.

Banff Hotels

• Fairmont Banff Springs  – Banff Springs hotel is a historic National Park Lodge that is well worth the splurge.  Rooms from $347/night;  book on Booking.com  or  Hotels.com .
• Rundlestone Lodge  – The Rundlestone Lodge is a high-end budget friendly hotel option. Rooms from $83/night;  book on Booking.com  or  Hotels.com .
• Peaks Hotel and Suites  – Peaks Hotel and Suites is a modern boutique hotel in Banff.  Rooms from $137/night;  book on Booking.com  or  Hotels.com .

Banff Airbnbs and Vacation Rentals

• Cozy Rockies Escape – This cozy rental sleeps 4.  Rooms from $184/night; book on VRBO .
• Banff Mountain Suite – The Mountain suite is a perfect getaway options that sleeps 4.  Rooms from $258/night; book on VRBO .
• Penthouse Banff Views – This penthouse sleeps 8 and comes with views of Banff.  Rooms from $403/night; book on VRBO .

Lake Louise Camping

Being able to jumpstart your day at Lake Louise is totally worth setting up for 1 night of camping at the Lake Louise Campgrounds.

Lake Louise Hotels

• Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise  – Chateau Lake Louise is THE HOTEL in the Banff/Jasper area. This hotel sits on Lake Louise and is amazing.  Rooms from $274/night;  book on Booking.com  or  Hotels.com
• Lake Louise Inn  – The Lake Louise Inn is a budget friendly option near Lake Louise.  Rooms from $67/night;  book on Booking.com  or  Hotels.com .

Lake Louise Airbnbs and Vacation Rentals

• Cozy Room at Lake Louise – This cozy room is provides shuttle access to the lakes and sleeps 3.  Rooms from $101/night; book on VRBO .
• Cozy Lake Louise Retreat – This apartment retreat sleeps 7 .  Rooms from $358/night; book on VRBO .

Jasper Camping

There are 10 different campgrounds in Jasper National Park. You can choose any campground for this Jasper to Banff Road Trip.

Jasper Hotels

• Mount Robson Inn  – Mount Robson Inn is a quaint budget friendly option. Rooms from $101/night;  book on Booking.com  or  Hotels.com .
• Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge  – Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is a luxury hotel located in Jasper.  Rooms from $250/night;  book on Booking.com  or  Hotels.com .

Jasper Airbnbs and Vacation Rentals

• Downtown Jasper Suite – The Downtown Jasper Suite sleeps 4 and is located in downtown Jasper.  Rooms from $130/night; book on VRBO .
• Bear’s Den – The apartment sleeps 4 offers mountain views.  Rooms from $202/night; book on VRBO .
• Executive Mountain Chalet – The Mountain Chalet is a private Chalet located on the edge of the park.  Rooms from $726/night; book on VRBO .
• Parks Canada Discovery Pass – The Park Canada Discovery Pass is the annual pass for the Canadian National Parks. The annual pass is the same price as seven days of daily pass. You can buy this upon arrival.
• Kananaskis Conservation Pass – Kananaskis Conservation Pass is a $15 pass that is needed for the recommend hikes in Canmore.
• Refillable Water Bottles – Help reduce litter in the parks and bringing a refillable water bottle with you. Here are my favorite water bottles >>> National Park map water bottle >>> Hydro Flask >>> Nalgene Bottle
• Hydration Bladder – For longer hikes, a hydration bladder is the best way carry water. >>> Buy a hydration reservoir
• Fruit:   Pick hard fruits such as apples or pears.  These hold-up in the heat and in packs without getting squished to mush. Another option is freeze-dried fruit. Freeze-dried strawberries are the BOMB.  They are crunchy, sweet and the best part is they are lightweight and yummy.  These are my new favorite trail snack.
• Vegetables: Cucumbers and carrots hold up well during hiking and in a hot car.
• Granola Bars:   Take your favorite non-coated in chocolate granola bars.  Anything coated in chocolate will melt and be a sticky mess.  My favorite is a selection of Cliff Bars . They are great even when squished.
• Sunscreen – Even in the mountains, sunscreen is important. While Banff doesn’t have coral reef’s, it is recommend to use reef-friendly sunscreen help protect the park’s freshwater ecosystems. >>> My favorite sunscreen.
• Lip balm – Just like our skin, our lips need protections too. >>> Check out my favorite Sunscreen Lip Balm
• Sunglasses – Similar to sunscreen, you need a good pair of polarized sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun. >>> Buy Polarized Sunglasses
• Hat – A hat can keep the sun off your face and neck and help minimize the need for sunscreen while on the trail. >>> Buy a wide-brimmed hat
• First aid kit – As with any outdoor adventure, accidents happen. It is better to be prepared and have a compact first-aid kit ready to help with any accidents. >>> Buy a Solo First Aid Kit >>> Buy Mulit-person First Aid Kit
• Learn more about hiking headlamps .
• Shoes – Shoes are probably the most important piece of gear to any hiker. Hiking shoes should be seen as an investment. On the trail, your feet are your transportation and a solid pair of hiking shoes help support your feet and can prevent injury. >>> Pick out a quality hiking shoe. >>> Buy quality hiking socks.
• Hiking Day Pack – I highly recommend getting a dayback that is designed for outdoor use since these packs come with handy pockets and straps. My 40 L day pack has a pocket for my water bladder and a clip to hold the water line in place. >>> Buy my REI Women’s Day Pack >>> Buy REI Men’s Day Pack
• National Park Obsessed Shirt – Share your love of the National Parks and support National Park Obsessed with a National Park Obsessed T-Shirt. >>> Get your National Park t-shirts

How to Spend 7 Days in Banff & Jasper National Park?

Here is the basic itinerary for this road trip, including a day of travel on either end.

7 Day Banff & Jasper Itinerary

Drive Time: It takes 1 – 1.5 hours to drive from Calgary to Canmore.

This is mainly included as a travel day because you may not have much time, depending on what time your flight is arriving or you are able to depart from Calgary. If you are short on days, you can skip this travel day and go right to Day 1 below.

If you do have the time, however, I recommend stopping to do some hiking in Kananaskis country before reaching Canmore. Here are my recommended easy hikes in Kananaskis . Note that in order to do any of these hikes, you’ll need to register your car’s license plate for Kananaskis Conservation Pass online ($15/day).

After arriving in Canmore, take some time to explore the town’s many art galleries, laid-back vibe, and excellent restaurants to choose from. There are also three breweries and one spirit distillery in town.

Drive Time: It’s a 30-minute drive from Canmore to Banff.

In the morning, wake up early to do the hike to Grassi Lakes 10 minute drive out of Canmore town.

This easy hike leads to two gorgeous, vibrantly colored lakes at the base of two iconic Canmore mountains: Rundle Mountain and Ha Ling Peak on Mt. Lawrence Grassi. The hike takes two hours, and a Kananaskis Conservation pass is required.

After you check out from your hotel, it’s time to head to Banff National Park. You can purchase your National Park Discovery Pass when you drive through the national park gates. Banff townsite is only 30 minutes away, so you’ll have some time to kill.

Park your car in Banff townsite, have lunch, then stroll to explore the town’s many shops, cafés, art galleries. Cross the bridge at the south end of town to visit Buffalo Nations Museum, which highlights local indigenous culture.

Next, follow the lovely walking trail along the south side of the Bow River east to Bow River Falls. Alternatively, take the trail on the north side of the river to Surprise Corner, an epic view of the iconic Banff Springs Hotel.

Check into your hotel, then choose from one of the many great dining options in town. For an evening drink, try Banff Ave Brewing or Park Distillery. After diner, take a stroll around Banff with Banff Ghost Tours and learn about some of the dark and spooky history of Banff (and the Banff Springs Hotel).

>>> Book your Banff Ghost Tours HERE

Drive Time: Less than 1 hour.

Today you’ll get a bird’s eye view of Banff and soak up (both literally and figuratively) the national park’s history.

Drive up the side of Sulphur Mountain to Banff Gondola , where you’ll hitch a ride up to the peak. It’s best to reserve your tickets online, and there are special deals for families and early departures.

>>> Book your Banff Gondola Ticket on Viator or Get Your Guide .

At the summit, there’s a small museum, restaurant & café, and boardwalk trail to the proper peak. The views are outstanding. Most people spend around 1.5 hours at the summit (add more time if you plan to eat there); you need to choose a return time for your gondola, but they are flexible.

Pro tip: If you don’t want to splurge on pricey food, pack a lunch.

After your return gondola ride, drive a few minutes to Upper Hot Springs, the only public natural hot spring spa in Banff National Park. Enjoy the mountain views all around you as you soak in the thermal waters.

Next, drive back down the mountain and visit Cave & Basin National Historic Site, or “Lower Hot Spring.” This cave hot spring was Banff’s first attraction and the whole reason that Banff National Park, Canada’s first, was created.

While you can no longer bathe at Cave & Basin, you can still see the original spring, home to an endangered species of snail. The museum details the park’s history, and there are some children’s activities and walking trails outside.

Drive Time: Around 1 hour, with lots of stops

On day three, if you’re willing to wake up early enough, take in the sunrise from Vermillion Lakes, a few minutes’ drive (or 30-minute walk) out of town. Next drive the Minnewanka Loop just north of town. Go in a clockwise direction, stopping first at Bankhead Ghosttown, the remains of a former mining town.

Next you’ll reach beautiful Lake Minnewanka, where you can enjoy a picnic or stroll by the lake, or take one of the famous cruises on the lake (advance reservations are recommended). There’s a small food shack, but don’t count on it being open; pack some food just in case.

Further along the road, Two Jack Lake is another beautiful lake that also has a popular campground. After that, a side road leads to Johnson Lake, one of the best places to go swimming in Banff. It is a non-glacial lake, so it isn’t as freezing as the others.

Finally, Cascade Ponds features gorgeous mountain views across a series of ponds, perfect for a picnic or simply basking in the sun.

Drive Time: It’s a 1-hour drive from Banff to Lake Louise (via Johnston Canyon) and 40 minutes (return) drive from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake.

>>> Avoid parking issues with the Banff National Park hop-on-hop-off Bus

Check out of your hotel and follow the Trans-Canada highway out of town toward Banff. Turn onto the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A) to reach Johnston Canyon. Johnston Canyon is a popular hike through a narrow canyon to a series of waterfalls. You can budget about an hour return to Upper Falls, or continue even further to the Ink Pots.

Next, continue on to Lake Louise, often considered the most beautiful lake in all of Canada. Besides walking the lakeside trail, a number of more difficult hiking trails begin there, you can canoe or kayak, or in winter skate on the lake.

Lake Louise’s twin, Moraine Lake, also makes a claim for the most beautiful lake in Canada. A side road (40 min return) leads to Moraine Lake, but the road closes in winter.

It’s important to note that the parking lots at both lakes can get so full that they get barricaded and you can’t even access them. This can even happen in the early morning for the sunrise rush! If you’re visiting in summer, you should consider parking your car and taking the official shuttle bus from a parking lot nearby. The shuttle does a loop to both lakes.

Finally, check into your hotel and enjoy a quiet evening.

Drive Time: It’s a 3-hour drive from Lake Louise to Jasper, not counting all the stops.

From Lake Louise, you’ll turn off the Trans-Canada and onto Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway. This route features some of the most gorgeous scenery in the Rocky Mountains.

Some stops you may want to make along the way include Herbert Lake, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake (which is particularly beautiful from the elevated parking lot), and Waterfowl Lake in Banff National Park.

After that, the highway enters Jasper National Park, and the first noteworthy stop is Athabasca Glacier on the mighty Columbia Icefield. You can walk right up to the glacier, or take a ride right on it in one of the Snow Coaches. There’s also a package deal that includes a trip to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk.

After that, other possible stops before reaching Jasper townsite include Tangle Falls, Sunwapta Falls, Athabasca Falls, and Horseshoe Lake, where you can jump off the cliffs into the water.

Start your day by choosing from one of several local hikes. The Valley of the Five Lakes is easy and beautiful, while Edith Cavell Meadows Trail is a little more challenging and includes a gorgeous glacial lake with chunks of ice floating in it, even in summer.

After lunch in town, choose one or several lakes to explore. Patricia Lake and Pyramid Lake offer stunning views of Pyramid Mountain and several trails. Around Jasper Park Lodge, Beauvert Lake, Mildred Lake, Annette Lake, and Edith Lake are each beautiful and have trails around them. Lake Annette also has a beach.

In the evening, explore the shops in Jasper townsite or go for a sun-downer at Jasper Ave Brewing.

Drive Time: It’s a 1.5-hour return drive from Jasper to Maligne Lake.

For your final full day in Jasper, drive Maligne Lake Road to Maligne Canyon, Jasper’s answer to Johnston Canyon in Banff.

Like Johnston Canyon, this is a narrow canyon with a trail through it, but the two canyons have different views and are both worth exploring. If you happen to be visiting at the peak of winter, when the ice is thick enough, the Maligne Canyon Icewalk (in which you walk through the canyon right on the frozen creek) is unbelievably beautiful.

Next, keep following Maligne Lake Road to Medicine Lake and finally Maligne Lake, where cruises depart to Spirit Island, one of the most famous scenes in the Canadian Rockies. Book your tickets early!

For your final return day, choose one of the three options I mentioned above. These are to finish in Edmonton, backtrack to Calgary, or take the slower route back to Calgary via Nordegg and Cowboy Trail.

I hope you enjoy your trip to Jasper and Banff National Parks!

Check out these other popular National Park Roads.

• Utah National Parks Road Trip
• South Dakota National Park Road Trip

Hi, I'm Jennifer!

Welcome to the wonderful world of National Parks. I'm here to help you plan your NEXT amazing adventure through the United States National Parks and beyond. I want the national parks to be accessible to all.

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BEST Banff Jasper Itinerary for 5 to 7 days: Canadian Rockies Road Trip (2024)

Looking for the ultimate Banff and Jasper itinerary for your Canadian Rockies road trip?

The Canadian Rockies are home to the most famous national parks of Canada – Banff National Park and Jasper National Park.

The snow-covered, jagged mountain peaks, alpine blue lakes, mighty glaciers, powerful waterfalls, and abundant wildlife are absolutely breathtaking. No words can describe the feeling of experiencing the Canadian Rockies!

I recently spent the most amazing seven days in Banff and Jasper National Parks and Canadian Rockies with my family.

We explored all the sights and best things to do in Banff . We were awed by the beautiful Lake Louise and Moraine Lake . We experienced the stops on Icefields Parkway Drive and walked on the Athabasca Glacier. The lakes at Jasper were beautiful.

It was the most scenic vacation destination ever, and we were in constant awe of the postcard-perfect scenery at every turn.  In this article, uncover the perfect itinerary to see Banff, Jasper, and Canadian Rockies in 7 days.

➡ In a hurry and looking for the best recommendations for your Canadian Rockies itinerary? Below are the top excursions for Banff-Jasper:

• Columbia Icefield Glacier and Skywalk combo tour – most popular thing to do near Banff!
• Lake Louise and Icefields Parkway day tour from Banff – Includes Moraine Lake!
• Banff Gondola round trip admission ticket – must do in Banff.
• 1-hour Lake Minnewanka Cruise in Banff
• Maligne Lake Cruise – most popular thing to do in Jasper.
• 1-hour horseback riding along Bow river in Banff (beginner-friendly)
• Banff Food tour at Fairmont Banff Springs – perfect for foodies and history buffs

➡ For rental car , check rates and availability with Discover Cars for best rates

➡ Top Hotel Recommendations :

• Banff – Moose Hotel and Suites (mid-range) | Fairmont Banff Springs and Rimrock Resort (luxury)
• Lake Louise – Lake Louise Inn (mid-range) | Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (luxury)
• Jasper – The Crimson , Tekarra Lodge (mid-range) | Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (luxury)

7 day Banff and Jasper itinerary with Lake Louise and Icefields Parkway

Following is a preview of my seven-day Canadian Rockies road trip itinerary:

• Day 0 – Arrive at Calgary airport the night before or early morning.
• Day 1 – Icefields Parkway drive from Banff to Jasper. Stay overnight in Jasper.
• Day 2 – Explore Jasper National Park, and stay overnight in Jasper.
• Day 3 – Columbia Icefields Glacier tour and Icefields Parkway drive back from Jasper to Lake Louise, stay overnight in Lake Louise.
• Day 4 – Explore Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Arrive in Banff, and stay overnight in Banff.
• Day 5, 6, and 7- Explore Banff National Park, and stay overnight in Banff for the remaining days.

This Banff to Jasper road trip itinerary is for seven days, but you can easily customize it to a 5 day Banff and Jasper Itinerary by reducing the days for exploring Banff towards the end.

You can also make a day trip from Banff to Lake Louise and not stay overnight at Lake Louise. I will explain later in the article how you can customize this itinerary for 5 days in Banff Jasper!

• Day 1: Banff to Jasper via Icefields Parkway scenic drive

On Day 1 of our Banff to Jasper road trip Itinerary, we will explore the Icefields Parkway scenic drive and all the amazing stops and vista points on it.

We stayed overnight in Calgary and then started the next day morning for our Canadian Rockies road trip from Banff to Jasper. Plan to stay in Calgary for a day or two to explore the city.

After checkout from our Calgary hotel, we started on our scenic journey to Jasper. After about an hour’s drive, we stopped in Canmore downtown for lunch. This is where we first saw the snow-covered Canadian Rockies and were so impressed by them.

I remember wondering how the Icefields parkway drive would be any different from this view right here in Canmore.

I had no idea how much unspoiled natural beauty and wonder was in store for us in the next 7 days! That Rockies view in Canmore was just a teaser to everything that we were going to experience.

Icefields Parkway scenic drive from Banff to Jasper

The drive between Lake Louise and Jasper is the scenic Icefields Parkway drive which is rightly named one of the top 10 drives in the world.

➡ Short on time and do not wish to stay overnight in Jasper? You can also opt for this Small group day tour from Banff that covers Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Icefields Parkway Drive .

Every bend in the road brings terrific scenery that is postcard perfect. As we went in early June, there was a lot of snow on the mountains, and the white snow contrasted splendidly with the dark, jagged mountain peaks. 

The entire drive is around 3 hours without any stops, but there are so many views and vistas along the way that cannot be missed. You should plan a whole day for the Icefields Parkway Drive.

If you start early in the day, you can make all the stops on the same day or keep some for the return drive back to Banff.

We stopped at all the viewpoints on our way to Jasper. We kept the Icefields Parkway glacier and Skywalk tour for the return drive as that was a 3-hour tour. 

Spotting wildlife along Icefields Parkway drive

Just when we left Lake Louise and started the drive on the Icefields Parkway, we spotted a black bear on the side of the road! We were so excited to see a bear on our first day.

We looked from our car at a distance and did not disturb it in any way, and it kept on eating the roadside vegetation.

Keep your eyes on the road and alongside for any wildlife spotting. If you see a car stopped on the side of the road, there is a high chance they have spotted some wildlife, so make sure to look around.

We saw two black bears, a family of bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and elk. Make sure to keep your distance from the animals and not disturb them.

Must do Stops along the Icefield Parkway

When you purchase the Parks Canada pass at the entrance to Banff National Park, they will provide you with a booklet with a map of the Icefields Parkway.

We used that map to find the stops along the way. There are signs alongside the road that match the order on the map, which makes it easy to know which stop to expect next. 

Most stops are just quick views from the parking lot, but some need short walks/hikes to reach the waterfalls and viewpoints.

I will mention this in the individual stop descriptions below. Depending on the time you have in hand, you can do all of them or keep some for the drive back. 

➡ The most popular stop on Icefields Parkway is the Columbia Icefields Center, where you can take a Columbia Icefield Glacier and Skywalk combo tour and walk on the Athabasca Glacier!

Bow Lake viewpoint

This lake can be viewed right from the parking lot, which is on the Icefields Parkway. As we went in early June, Bow Lake was still frozen.

It was a sight to behold as I had never seen a frozen lake before (Even though I live four hours drive away from Lake Tahoe in California!) Bow Lake was beautiful, with the snow-covered mountains in the backdrop.

Peyto Lake Upper Viewpoint

This viewpoint needs a little hike to reach. It is around a 15-minute hike on each side, so allow a total of 45 minutes for this stop.

In early June, this trail was covered in snow, and it was raining, so we had to skip this one. But we are told that this viewpoint has a postcard-perfect view and is a must. 

Waterfowl Lake viewpoint

This lake can be viewed right from the parking lot and is just a 30-minute drive away from Bow Lake.

We were amazed to see that this lake was not frozen as opposed to Bow Lake, which was still frozen.  It was drizzling and foggy, but it still was beautiful. 

Saskatchewan river crossing

There is a café, gas station, and restrooms at this stop. It’s about midway on the Icefields Parkway and the last stop to fill gas before you reach Jasper.

I highly recommend filling gas in Banff or Jasper as it can be expensive here. We stopped at the café store for some snacks for the road. 

Weeping wall

We didn’t see any sign for this one, but it’s hard to miss. A huge roadside mountain with many small waterfalls, which probably gave it this unique name. You can see this stop from the roadside. 

Big bend viewpoint

This viewpoint shows a panoramic view of the curvy Icefields Parkway Drive. You will have to look out for this one as it is on the top of the curve of a windy road you just drove on and is easy to miss.

I did not find this viewpoint listed in the map booklet either. This will be on your side of the road while you drive from Banff to Jasper. 

Icefields Glacier and Skywalk tour

The Athabasca Glacier is on Icefields Parkway Drive. It is around 2 hours from Banff and 1 hour from Jasper. 

The Columbia Icefields adventure tour company runs tours from mid-May to mid-October. The exact operating dates each year are weather-dependent. The whole tour, including the Skywalk, takes around 3 hours.

➡ If you are driving yourself, check rates and availability for the Columbia Icefield Glacier and Skywalk combo tour , a not to miss experience on Icefields Parkway!

This is a must for anyone visiting this region as it is a unique experience to walk on the Athabasca glacier, a 10,000-year-old sheet of ice.

➡ Looking for a day tour from Banff to the Icefields Glacier? This highly-rated small group Athabasca Glacier tour from Banff includes transport, admission to the Columbia Icefields Glacier tour and Skywalk, and a picnic lunch.

We saved this tour for Day 3 for our return drive to Banff. Read about our Athabasca Glacier and Skywalk experience on Day 3 of this itinerary below.

Sunwapta Falls

The next stop very close to Jasper is Sunwapta Falls. The falls can be viewed from a platform very close to the parking lot, so not much walking is required. The falls were rushing and gorgeous. We stopped here for just 10 minutes to admire the falls. 

Athabasca falls

The final stop in our scenic drive is Athabasca Falls. These falls are more massive and powerful than the Sunwapta Falls, and there is a nice boardwalk built to see the falls from different viewpoints.

This is around 30 minutes drive from Jasper and a must-see. The trail is short, easy, and very scenic. It can be completed in a 15 to 20 minute stroll. 

Stay overnight in Jasper

We finally reached Jasper after an amazing day and checked into Tekarra Lodge . It’s a beautiful lodge 5 minutes from Jasper town, along the river, with excellent views. We had a two-bedroom cottage with a kitchen and enough space to spread out. The lodge had a campfire and s’mores night!

Day 2: Exploring Jasper National Park

On Day 2 of our 7 days in the Canadian Rockies, we will explore Jasper National Park and its top tourist attractions. There are so many things to do in Jasper National Park !

In the morning, complete a spectacular hike on the Maligne Canyon, followed by a visit to Maligne Lake and Medicine Lake. In the evening, take the Jasper Skytram to see panoramic views of Jasper National Park from the top of Whistler Mountain. 

➡ Looking for a tour from Jasper to Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake? This highly-rated small group Jasper Wildlife and Waterfalls Tour with Maligne Lake Cruise from Jasper includes the Maligne Canyon hike, Maligne Lake cruise, Medicine Lake, and scenic stops.

Maligne canyon hike

Our first stop is Maligne Canyon. It’s around 15 minutes drive from Jasper downtown. It is a spectacular limestone canyon created by waterfalls and is a sight to see.

There are several trails here for people of all abilities to view the canyon and the waterfalls. There are six bridges built over the Maligne Canyon, and there are parking lots at the main canyon or near the first bridge, fifth bridge, and sixth bridge.

The most common way to see the falls with minimum hiking is to park at the main parking lot, where there is a restaurant, café, and restrooms. From there, you can start your hike and walk up to the second or third bridge, depending on your time availability. This area is also the most crowded. 

Another popular and recommended path is to park at the fifth bridge or sixth bridge and walk to the first bridge. This way, you walk up towards the flow of the water and save the most dramatic falls viewing for the end.

If you park at the sixth bridge, it’s a much longer hike. We parked at the fifth bridge to shorten our hike and walked our way up. It drizzled slightly, which helped with the incline hike and kept us cool. 

At the top, we ate at the Maligne Wilderness Kitchen café and started down again to reach the parking lot at the fifth bridge. We took the same route to go down alongside the river.

There are some alternate paths as well, which are steeper. It was a very scenic and refreshing hike to start our day in Jasper.

It was Monday morning in early June, but it was still very crowded near the first to third bridges. Crowds thin out as you go further down. 

In the winter, the water freezes over, and they have tours to walk inside the frozen canyon. How amazing that would be! I have seen some pictures of the frozen waterfall, and they are mind-blowing. It’s like the water is frozen in time! 

➡ If you are visiting Jasper and Maligne Canyon during the winter months of December to March, check out this highly-rated small group Maligne Canyon Ice Walk tour – walk inside a frozen canyon and see frozen waterfalls up close!

Lake Maligne

After the Maligne Canyon, we drove further on Maligne Road to see Maligne Lake. It’s a 30-minute drive from Maligne Canyon. It’s a beautiful secluded road with chances to spot wildlife.

On the way to Maligne Lake, you will come across Medicine Lake and Medicine Lake viewpoint, which is an excellent stop from which to take photos.

Finally, we reached Maligne Lake, the parking lot was huge, and there were many people there.

Unfortunately, the Maligne Lake was still frozen, and the cruise was not operating yet. But even the frozen Maligne Lake is stunning. There is a boardwalk on which to walk to see the beautiful lake. Maligne Lake is a very long, narrow lake between mountain ranges.

The Maligne Lake Cruise is 1.5 hours long and takes you near Spirit Island, where you can take pictures of the beautiful island. If visiting between June and October, you should definitely go on the Maligne Lake Cruise.

➡ Check rates and availability for Maligne Lake Cruise tickets

Jasper Skytram

In the evening, we drove to the Jasper Skytram, which is a ten-minute drive from Jasper downtown. We boarded the Jasper Skytram and headed up to Whistler Mountain .

The Skytram takes groups of people at a time and is a 7-minute ride. There is a restaurant at the upper station. The upper Skytram station and the Whistler mountain peak are visible from almost everywhere in Jasper. It’s hard to miss. 

Once you exit the upper station building, the mountaintop is very raw and welcoming. There are no boardwalks here, just a vast space to walk on and explore.

There is a Summit trail that is around a mile long but has a lot of elevation. In early June, there was still a lot of snow on the trails. We just looked around at the views but did not try to hike in the snow. 

The panoramic views from the mountaintop are magical and therapeutic. You can gaze at several mountain ranges and see the entire mountain town of Jasper, the Valley of the Five Lakes , Beauvert Lake , Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and many more turquoise-blue lakes and rivers. 

➡ Check rates and availability for Jasper Skytram tickets

After these incredible views, we called it a day and returned to our hotel. 

Miette Hot Springs

Alternate Itinerary tip for Day 2: Instead of Jasper Skytram, you can also visit the Miette Hot Springs after Maligne Lake and visit Jasper Skytram on Day 3 morning.

Miette Hot Springs is an hour’s drive north of Jasper, so it’s best to fit it on the day when you are staying in Jasper for the night. 

Miette hot springs feature the hottest hot springs in the Canadian Rockies. The natural mineral water in these pools flows from the mountains and is cooled to around 40 degrees Celsius or 104 Fahrenheit. 

They have showers and changing rooms here, and you can rent towels. If you have time after the hot springs, you can take a short stroll to the source of the hot springs, where the water is at the original hotter temperature. 

• Day 3: Columbia Icefields Glacier tour and Icefields Pkwy to Lake Louise

On Day 3 of our Jasper to Banff road trip, we will explore Jasper downtown in the morning and then drive back on Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise. If you did not take the Columbia Icefields Glacier tour during your road trip from Banff to Jasper, you should do it now.

Jasper downtown

After checkout, we stopped at the Jasper downtown for some food before starting our journey back on the Icefields Parkway.

The Jasper mountain town is bustling with hotels, lodges, and restaurants. The Jasper train station and the train tracks run parallel to the town. 

Columbia Icefields Glacier tour and Skywalk

Around an hour’s drive from Jasper towards Lake Louise, you will reach the Columbia Icefields Center, where you can take a Glacier tour to walk on the Athabasca Glacier!

➡ Check rates and availability for the Columbia Icefield Glacier and Skywalk combo tour and walk on the Athabasca Glacier!

The entire tour is nicely organized. The Icefield Center has good facilities, a restaurant, and even a Starbucks to get some hot chocolate and snacks after the tour. 

Athabasca glacier tour experience

First, you board a tour bus which takes you to the foot of the glacier and is a 10-minute ride, and then you change and board the massive Ice Explorer vehicle. These special vehicles are amazing and have the most enormous tires I have ever seen.

Our driver was really knowledgeable and gave a lot of good information about the Athabasca Glacier and the Ice Explorer vehicle. The vehicle goes down a very steep grade road, and it’s an extraordinary experience. Then it continues to drive on the glacier ice! 

We were given around 15-20 minutes on the glacier. The ice is very slippery, but the views are mind-blowing. This was our family’s first experience walking on a glacier, and it was so cool!

It was very cold and windy on the glacier, so bring jackets, winter caps, and gloves. The glacier experience totally made our day and was the most memorable part of our trip. 

➡ Looking for a day tour from Banff to the Icefields Glacier? This highly-rated small group Athabasca Glacier tour from Banff includes transport from Banff and tickets to the Columbia Icefields Glacier tour and Skywalk and a picnic lunch.

Skywalk experience

After the glacier experience, you board the tour bus again, and they take you to the Skywalk experience. The Skywalk has a glass floor and has jaw-dropping views of the Sunwapta Valley below. The panoramic views of the surrounding mountains are breathtaking. 

Stay overnight in Lake Louise

We made several stops on the Icefields Parkway before we reached our hotel at Lake Louise.

We stayed at Lake Louise Inn . It was a very good hotel, and the lobby was impressive. It had several restaurants, including a pizzeria. We ordered a pizza and called it a night.

Day 4: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

On Day 4 of our Canadian Rockies itinerary, explore Lake Louise and Lake Moraine, the most beautiful lakes in the world!

➡ Looking for a day tour from Banff to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake? This highly-rated small group Lake Louise and Icefields Parkway tour from Banff includes Moraine Lake (seasonal), Lake Minnewanka in Banff, Bow Lake, and Peyto Lake on Icefields Parkway as well!

Lake Louise

This is the most famous lake in the Canadian Rockies. Before I saw this lake, I was wondering what all the hype was about. We had already seen so many amazing lakes on this trip. How different can it be? 

We visited this lake in early June. A couple of days before, I checked the live webcams, and the lake was still partly frozen. I was hoping we would get to see the turquoise blue waters that it’s famous for. We got so lucky! The weather warmed up the day before, and the lake was fully melted!

Parking at Lake Louise

As Lake Louise is a must-do for anyone visiting the Canadian Rockies and Banff, the parking lot fills up pretty fast, sometimes before sunrise, especially in the summer months of July and August .

We went in early June on a Wednesday and reached there around 8 am. The parking lot was huge, but it seemed like the whole world was there! Luckily we got parking. In the busy months of July and August, the parking fills up very early in the morning, sometimes before sunrise! 

There is a shuttle service that runs between Lake Louise Park and Ride and Lake Louise And Lake Moraine. Reservations are highly recommended during July and August and can be made on the Parks Canada website . 

Lake Louise views

After exiting the parking lot, it is a very short walk to Lake Louise Lakeshore. It was a most breathtaking sight.

The turquoise blue water of the lake, the Victoria glacier, the majestic mountains backdrop, and the Fairmont Chateau Hotel , which stood like a crown, added to the beauty of the scene. It was indeed the most stunning scenery! 

Lake Louise Lakeshore trail

It was drizzling slightly that morning, and we walked the Lakeshore trail. This is an almost flat, out-and-back trail on the right side of the lake along the shore that takes you to the other end of the lake.

The view of the Fairmont Hotel from the other end is magnificent. The total trail is around 3 miles out and back. It is very busy at the start of the trail but the crowds thin out in the latter half. It’s a beautiful walk with picture-perfect scenery. 

Afternoon tea at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

While researching for our trip, I came across the Afternoon tea at the Fairmont , and I knew my girls would love it. It is expensive, but as we had never tried an afternoon tea experience before, we decided to splurge for it.

They have a regular menu, a vegetarian/vegan menu, and a children’s menu. The tea experience menu has three categories – Scones, Savories, and desserts.

The server showed us the tea menu, and they had a lot of options. Their tea special that day was the Masala chai, and we definitely opted for that. We each got our own teapots. The girls tried herb teas. 

Our three-tiered trays arrived loaded with food. The presentation was top-notch. The top tray had scones and an assortment of custards, jams, and marmalades.

The middle tray had the savories, and the bottom tray had the desserts. We had a lot of fun trying everything and sharing it with each other. The masala chai was welcoming as it was cold and drizzling outside. 

For my girls, this tea experience was the highlight of their trip. I was so glad we decided to try it!

Lake Agnes Teahouse hike

Alternate itinerary tip: If you are up for a more moderately challenging hike, the Lake Agnes trail that leads to the Lake Agnes teahouse is a very popular trail in Lake Louise.

This trail had a lot of deep snow in early June, so we did not attempt it. But from July onwards it should be doable.

The trail starts from the Lake Louise lakeshore area.  It is around 5 miles out and back with 1,427 feet of elevation gain. The teahouse is very busy during the summer months, and there are lines out the door! 

Moraine lake

After feasting our eyes on the incredible Lake Louise, we went to Lake Moraine. It’s around a 30-minute drive from Lake Louise.

I was not sure how Lake Moraine could match the view we had just experienced at Lake Louise and was expecting it to be just a quick stop. Moraine Lake was so beautiful and so worth it! Do not miss this!

Note: Starting in 2023, you cannot drive your personal vehicle to Moraine Lake in an attempt to reduce parking congestion. You have to either make advance reservations on the Parks Canada Shuttle, use the ROAM Transit bus, or use a commercial transport provider like Hop-on Hop-off Banff Bus or a day tour from Banff .

When we reached Lake Moraine, it was a winter wonderland! The lake was still solid frozen with snow on it, and everyone was playing in the snow. It was amazing.

There is a massive rock pile on one end, the lake in the middle, and snow-covered mountains around it. There are steps on the back side of the rock pile to reach the top. From the top of the rock pile, you will enjoy picture-perfect views of Moraine Lake.

What to do at Moraine Lake

Apart from admiring the views at Moraine Lake, other popular activities here are hiking , canoeing , and paddleboarding .

The Lake Moraine Lakeshore Trail is a great easy walk to admire the views of the lake and the surrounding mountain ranges. The short hike to the top of the rock pile also will reward you with excellent views!

Sunrise and sunset at Moraine Lake

If you are staying overnight in Lake Louise and are up for waking up super early, many folks go to Lake Moraine at sunrise to take pictures. I heard it gets very crowded, and people are waiting with tripods everywhere to take the perfect sunrise shot.

But keep in mind the sunrise in that region during the summer months is around 5:30 AM, and sunset is around 10 PM. Both times were not doable for us, so we just went in the early evening. 

Note: Starting in 2023, you can no longer drive to Moraine Lake in your personal vehicle. Commercial vehicles are still allowed. Parks Canada Shuttle does not operate before 6 AM. The only way to go to Moraine Lake for sunrise viewing would be through a commercial operator.

Drive back to Banff

After a fantastic day at Lake Louise and Lake Moraine and a lifetime of memories, we started for our Banff hotel. 

We stayed at the Moose hotel and suites in Banff town. We had a comfortable suite with a separate living room. The location was perfect, and we could walk to all the restaurants and stores downtown.

Day 5: Banff Gondola and Banff Hot Springs

On Day 5 of our 7 days in Banff itinerary, we will explore the two most popular Banff National Park attractions – Banff Gondola and Banff Hot Springs.

Banff Gondola

In the morning, we headed to the Banff gondola. It’s around a 12-minute drive from Banff downtown. There is a free shuttle to Banff Gondola from downtown, and it’s highly recommended to use the shuttle during the peak summer months as parking can be limited at the Gondola.

➡ Check rates and availability for Banff Gondola tickets

The lower gondola station was very crowded. There is a huge Starbucks at the lower station and restroom facilities. Our gondola time was 12:10 PM, but the boarding line was quite long, and it took us another 30 minutes to board the gondola. 

The Banff gondola takes you up the Sulfur Mountain. Each gondola car can seat four people comfortably. You can split into multiple cars if you have a larger group.

The views going up on the Gondola are really mind-blowing, and I am always amazed at the construction marvel of how high the gondolas take us. 

The upper gondola station is huge, with three levels. There are two restaurants, a coffee shop, a theater, a souvenir shop, an excellent upstairs terrace for 360-degree views, and restrooms.

Once you exit the upper station, there is an easy boardwalk trail that goes all the way to Sanson’s Peak and the historic Cosmic Ray station.

The boardwalk trail is a little less than 2 miles and is worth doing because of the incredible views of the surrounding mountain peaks, Banff town, turquoise blue lakes, and Bow Valley.  The Cosmic Ray station at the other end of the trail is a fascinating piece of history.  

Banff Upper Hot Springs

Banff hot springs are right across the Banff Gondola, and it makes sense to visit both of them on the same day. If you visited the Miette Hot Springs in Jasper, then you can skip this one and do some hiking instead or explore Banff downtown. 

The waters of Banff hot springs are heated geothermally and are mineral rich. The hot springs are very crowded as people love to sit and relax in the healing and therapeutic mineral-rich water.

The facilities have restrooms, showers, locker rooms, and towel rentals. There is also a café to enjoy some snacks afterward. 

A local tip is to visit the hot springs in the early morning instead of the evening for a more relaxing and less crowded experience.

Day 6: Lake Minnewanka and Johnston Canyon in Banff

On Day 6 of our Banff Itinerary, we will explore Lake Minnewanka and Johnston Canyon lower and upper falls in Banff National Park.

Lake Minnewanka 

In the morning, we went to Lake Minnewanka. We had a cruise time of noon booked. We were able to find parking, but there is a free shuttle that runs from Banff downtown if you have a cruise ticket. 

➡ Check rates and availability for Lake Minnewanka cruise tickets

Lake Minnewanka is a large glacial lake around 21 kilometers (13 miles long) and is a very popular lake in summer for hiking, biking, fishing, diving, canoeing, and boating. There are canoe and boat rentals available, café, picnic tables, and restrooms. 

It was a beautiful sunny day, and the turquoise water of the lake shone with the sun’s rays. The mountain ranges, and the alpine forests around it provided the perfect backdrop. 

Once you check in at the gift shop ticket counter, you get pre-assigned seats for the boat. Our boat cruise staff was a skilled boat captain and a tour guide that told us all about the history of the lake and the surrounding mountains. 

The lake was called Minn-waki (Lake of the Spirits) because the people respected and feared the lake for its resident spirits. There are historic artifacts thousands of years old, buried at Lake Minnewanka shores, that are protected. 

There is a buried resort town in the lake, Minnewanka Landing , which was submerged when a dam built in 1941 raised the water level by 30 meters. How cool is that!

The boat cruise takes you near the Devil’s gap , which is an opening between the mountain ranges. The boat has a small deck in the back, and you can enjoy the panoramic scenery from there. 

Overall it was a very relaxing and informative cruise, and an hour went by too fast. After the cruise, if you are up for it, you can hike the Minnewanka Lakeside trail . We were planning to hike the Johnston Canyon later that day so we skipped the hike. 

We headed back to Banff downtown for lunch. 

Johnston Canyon hike and waterfalls

After lunch, we went to Johnston Canyon to see the waterfalls. It’s around a 30-minute drive from Banff downtown. This is the most famous hike in Banff, and it’s very popular and crowded. The Johnston Canyon is carved by thousands of years of water erosion, and the views are phenomenal. 

The Johnston Canyon hike has three levels . Johnston Canyon hike to the lower falls is 1.4 miles out and back with 344 feet of elevation. This is the easiest trail, and most people should be able to do this.

From the lower falls, the hike to the upper falls is another 1.8 miles and 500 feet elevation. The crowds here are much less than on the lower falls trail.

After the upper falls, the hike to the Ink Pots is very strenuous, with another 4 miles and around 1100 feet elevation. We did the hike up to the Upper Falls. 

We reached Johnston Canyon in the evening around 5 PM. In Summer, we prefer hikes in the late afternoons as the weather cools down a bit and gets more pleasant. The crowds are also lesser in the evenings than in the mornings on popular hikes. 

The parking lot is huge and free. During the busy summer months, an alternative is to take the ROAM Public Transit Route 9 from Banff to avoid parking issues. 

You can also use the Hop-On and Hop-Off Banff Bus to travel between Banff, Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake.

Johnston Canyon hike to the Lower Falls

We started our ascent to the lower falls along a paved trail. The trail started out in a forest setting and then through boardwalks along the canyon. Johnston Creek is next to the trail almost the entire time.

The lower falls arrived in less than 30 minutes and were spectacular. There is a tunnel cut across a canyon rock to see the falls up close. There might be a line to get across the tunnel, but the view of the falls from the tunnel is worth the wait! You can feel the mist of the water inside the cave.

Johnston Canyon hike to the Upper Falls

Next, we started for the upper falls. This part is a bit tiring, and there is some incline. My kids wanted to give up, but we kept them going. Finally, we reached the upper falls in another 40 minutes or so. We were so glad we pushed ourselves! 

The upper falls are truly awe-inspiring. Watching the water cascade down from such a height is a humbling experience. There were still some ice sheets on the sides of the canyon, and it was quite cool up there.

There is a viewing platform constructed along the canyon that offers breathtaking views of the upper falls. After completing the hike, the mist from the waterfall was a welcome relief.

Descending was quite effortless, and we reached the parking lot in just about 30 minutes. The entire hike lasted between 2 to 3 hours. Make sure to carry enough water for the hike. 

There is a restaurant at the base of the Johnston Canyon, a gift shop, and restrooms. 

Just like with Maligne Canyon, during winter months, the waterfalls and Johnston creek freeze, and you can walk in the frozen canyon through guided tours. 

After a refreshing hike, we headed back to Banff downtown for dinner.

Day 7: Cave and Basin, Banff downtown, horseback riding 

Day 7 was the last day of our Canadian Rockies road trip, and we wanted to do a morning activity and then relax and explore the Banff downtown area. 

Horseback riding along Bow River

For our morning activity, we chose horseback riding and headed to the stables in Banff. We had booked a 1-hour scenic horse ride along the Bow River.

➡ Check rates and availability for 1-hour horseback riding along Bow river in Banff (beginner-friendly)

The stables were huge, and they had lots of horses. While we were waiting, a group of 12-14 riders was ready to leave, and we passed another group that was returning just when we started. 

We were assigned our horses and given a few minutes to warm up to our horses. This was our second time trying horse riding, but I was still a bit nervous.

The riders in charge there were really nice and knew their horses quite well. My kids were quite comfortable with the horses. The horses walk nose to tail in a line, and there is no galloping. One staff rider rode in the front and another at the end of the line.

The trail was nice and scenic. The latter half was along the Bow River, and we could see the mountains in the backdrop.

There was tall grass growing on the side of the trail, and the horses would take every occasion to stop to eat the grass and stop the entire line! Overall it was a fun experience. 

Cave and Basin National Historic Site

On the way back to Banff downtown, we passed the Cave and Basin National Historic Site and made an unplanned stop to explore. We had seen the Cave and Basin banners on the lampposts in Banff downtown.

Our Canada Discovery pass gave us free access to the site. We still needed to get our pass checked and get a hand stamp from the gift shop. Tickets can be purchased at the gift shop as well. 

The Cave and Basin have been a special place for the Banff people for over a thousand years, and today the site is a museum with tours, interactive exhibits, and short film presentations.

The Cave and Basin are natural hot springs heated geothermally. As the Cave and Basin are protected, you are not allowed to touch the water here.

The Cave and Basin are home to an endangered Banff Snail, which lives in the water. The tour guide showed us the snails in the water. The sulfur smell is very strong in the Cave.

This place was also home to a bathhouse which is now closed. There is no bathing in the hot springs allowed at this site. You will have to go to Banff Hot Springs for that.  

The whole museum can be seen in an hour. There are several trails from the Cave and Basin if you would like to explore more. 

Explore Banff town

The downtown scene at Banff has a really cool vibe, with stunning snow-covered mountains as the backdrop.

After lunch at Banff downtown, we spent a lazy afternoon strolling in the downtown area and browsing local shops and boutiques. We tried Rocky Mountain chocolates and Rocky Mountain Soap Co. We also did some souvenir shopping. 

Where to eat in Banff

Below are some excellent restaurants we tried in Banff during our three days in Banff:

Magpie and Stump – Mexican cuisine. This place had great decor, and the upstairs patio was beautiful. 

Saffron Indian bistro – Indian cuisine. Really good Indian food, which satisfied our home food cravings.

Balkan – Greek cuisine. They had entertainment on Thursday, so we went to check it out. They had good vegetarian options. 

Uno pizza – Really good pizza and appetizers! 

Beavertails – My kids loved the Canadian pastries, and you can customize your toppings. 

White Bark Café – I read somewhere about this café, and it did not disappoint!

➡ Check rates and availability for this Banff Food tour at Fairmont Banff Springs – perfect for foodies and history buffs!

Return to Calgary

In the evening, we drove back to our Calgary airport hotel, bringing an end to our epic Canadian Rockies road trip. We had an early morning flight the next day back to San Francisco. 

Banff Jasper itinerary for 5 days

If you have 5 days to see Canadian Rockies, you can modify the above 7 day Banff to Jasper itinerary to make it 5 day itinerary as suggested below:

• Arrive at Calgary airport the night before or early morning
• Day 1 – Icefields Parkway Drive to Jasper, Columbia Icefields Glacier tour. Stay overnight at Jasper.
• Day 2- Explore Jasper National Park, arrive at Lake Louise. Stay overnight at Lake Louise.
• Day 3-Explore Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Stay overnight at Banff.
• Day 4, 5-Explore Banff National Park

Where to Stay for the Canadian Rockies Road Trip

This needs a little planning as the drive from Banff to Jasper is roughly 4 hours, with Icefields Parkway’s scenic route in between.

As there are several stops on the Icefields Parkway to check out, it pretty much takes the whole day for the drive, and a couple of nights in Jasper are a must to visit all the beautiful attractions near Jasper. 

We broke down our road trip stay in the order below:

• 1 night in Calgary
• 2 nights in Jasper
• 1 night in Lake Louise
• 3 nights in Banff

But it all depends on hotel availability. You can also start with Banff first and keep Jasper in the end. 

Money-saving tip: If your flight is arriving late in the evening in Calgary and/or leaving early in the morning on the return trip, consider staying the shoulder nights in an airport hotel in Calgary.

Our flight landed at 11 PM, and it was so convenient to drive 5 minutes to our Calgary Hyatt Place hotel.

Similarly, on return, we had a morning flight, and we arrived the night before. We saved quite a bit as hotels near Calgary airport are cheaper than Banff. Also, we started our trip on the scenic route refreshed in the morning.

Where to stay in Banff

There are several accommodation options in Banff, ranging from luxurious to affordable hotels.

The Banff downtown area has plenty of hotels and is the most convenient place to stay as you can walk to all restaurants and shops. Also, many attractions offer shuttle service from the Banff town area.

Luxury resorts : Fairmont Banff Springs and Rimrock Resort . These resorts are a bit outside of the main Banff town area, so you will have to drive to Banff downtown for restaurants. There are plenty of restaurants within these resorts as well if you decide to stay in, but do make a trip to explore Banff town.

Mid-range hotels : Moose Hotel and Suites is a great option to stay in Banff, and this is where we stayed. It is in an excellent location and very accessible. Peaks Hotel and Suites is another great hotel in a prime location. You can walk to all the restaurants and stores from both of these hotels.

Economy hotels : Best Western Plus is a good budget-friendly option and yet close to all the action on Banff Avenue. But for more savings, look at accommodations in Canmore as well.

➡ Check rates and availability for your stay in Banff

Where to stay in Canmore

Staying in the town of Canmore instead of Banff is a budget-friendly alternative if you do not mind the extra 30-minute drive to Banff attractions.

Canmore Inn and Suites is a great mid-range hotel in Canmore with a pool and waterslide. This property has larger suites for families and an Indian restaurant onsite.

Canmore accommodations can be cheaper than Banff. If you like to be in the middle of the hustle and bustle, choose to stay in Banff town. 

➡ Check rates and availability for your stay in Canmore

Where to stay in Lake Louise

Spending a night in the Lake Louise area is a good idea, especially if you want to stay to see sunrise or sunset at Lake Louise or Lake Moraine or if you want more time to do some hikes or just admire the views.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the ultimate resort if you want to splurge for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Another affordable option is staying at the Lake Louise Inn where we stayed, and it was really a great stay. The lobby was impressive, with several restaurants for dinner and a breakfast restaurant with a great breakfast buffet spread.

➡ Check rates and availability for your stay in Lake Louise

Where to stay in Jasper National Park

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is a luxury resort in Jasper and is lake-front with beautiful scenery and epic views.

Tekarra Lodge is a great accommodation option 5 minutes away from Jasper downtown and has individual cabins with kitchens. We had a 2 bedroom cabin, and it was pretty comfortable. You feel amidst the wilderness here while still being close to the downtown shops and restaurants.

The Crimson is a good option if you are looking for accommodation in the Jasper downtown area. You can walk to the many shops and restaurants here.

➡ Check rates and availability for your stay in Jasper

Where to stay in Calgary

In Calgary, as we were only staying the night before and after our flights, we stayed at the Hyatt Place near Calgary airport . It is just 5 minute’s drive from the airport and has free breakfast which was great.

➡ Check rates and availability for your stay in Calgary

Travel tips and FAQs for visiting Banff, Jasper, and Canadian Rockies

Below are travel tips that will help you make the most of your trip to the Canadian Rockies and Banff and Jasper:

When is the best time to visit Banff and the Canadian Rockies?

Banff and the Canadian Rockies area are beautiful year-round, but its busy tourist sightseeing season is mainly June to September , as summer in Banff is the only time the lakes are not frozen, and most roads and tours/activities are open.

June and September are the shoulder seasons, with the busiest seasons being July and August.

We decided to go in early June to avoid the crowds and make it more affordable. Keep in mind it does rain quite a lot in June, but we took a chance. It rained one and half days out of our seven-day trip so it was not bad at all.

How many days are needed for Banff and Canadian Rockies road trip?

As you would need a few days in both Banff and Jasper and a day to drive the Icefields Parkway, between 5 to 7 days is ideal if you want to cover Banff, Lake Louise, Icefield Parkway, and Jasper.

If you plan to do longer hikes or visit the nearby National parks, then you will need a few extra days.

This Canadian Rockies itinerary covering Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, and Icefields Parkway Drive is for 7 days.

But it can be easily modified for 5 days in Banff and Jasper road trip. Just reduce one night in Banff and make a day trip to Lake Louise.

How to get to Banff and the Canadian Rockies?

Flying in and out of Calgary Airport will be the fastest way to get to the Canadian Rockies. From there, you can drive to Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper or use a transfer service.

• Banff is around a 1.5-hour drive from Calgary over the scenic Trans-Canada Hwy AB-1.
• Lake Louise is around a 40-minute drive from Banff.
• Jasper is around a 3-hour drive from Lake Louise.
• The total drive from Calgary to Jasper will be around 5 hours without any stops.

You will need a rental car for your Canadian Rockies Road trip. It’s best to rent a car at the Calgary International Airport.

➡ Check rates and availability with Discover Cars as they check top car rental brands and provide the best rental car rates!

Use a shuttle or private transfer service

It is becoming increasingly popular to ditch the rental car and use a transfer service to Banff and then do sightseeing via tours to avoid the hassle of parking, especially during the busy tourist months of July and August.

➡ This shared Alberta Transfer service is an affordable way to transfer between Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Calgary, and Kananaskis.

➡ This Calgary YYC Airport to Banff private shuttle will be exclusive to your group and will pick up from Calgary Airport and drop you off at your Banff hotel.

How to get around Banff and the Canadian Rockies?

You can use a rental car to get around Banff and the Canadian Rockies.

For attractions within Banff, you can also use the ROAM transit service that stops at major Banff attractions.

Another alternative is to use the Hop-On and Hop-Off Banff Bus to travel between Banff, Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake. As you can no longer drive your personal vehicle to Moraine Lake (starting 2023), this is a great option.

Day pass or annual pass for Banff and Jasper National Parks?

The entire Banff and Jasper area, including the towns, fall under the National Parks, and you need a permit to enter. You can purchase a day pass or an annual pass at the entry checkpoint into Banff. 

You can also purchase it from the Parks Canada website, but they add shipping costs as they ship the actual physical pass to you. It’s easier to just buy it at the gate when you enter Banff National Park.

The Discovery annual pass is good for a year for up to seven people in a vehicle. We bought the Discovery annual pass as we were going to be there for 7 days, and it turned out to be cheaper than the daily passes. 

Just remember to bring it back with you and not forget it in your rental car like we did! You can reuse it if you plan to visit any other national parks in Canada in the one-year timeframe.

Final Takeaways: Canadian Rockies itinerary 5 to 7 days

Hope my Banff and Jasper itinerary helps you plan the most memorable road trip to the Canadian Rockies.

Soak in the majestic views and collect memories of a lifetime in Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Icefields Parkway, and Jasper National Park.

Summary of Banff and Jasper itinerary 7 days:

• Day 2: Explore Jasper National Park – Maligne Canyon hike, Maligne Lake, Jasper Skytram
• Day 4: Explore Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
• Day 5: Explore Banff: Banff Gondola and Banff Hot Springs
• Day 6: Explore Banff: Lake Minnewanka and Johnston Canyon hike
• Day 7: Explore Banff: Cave and Basin, Banff downtown, horseback riding

Related Posts

Going to Banff and the Canadian Rockies? Check out my other posts from the Canadian Rockies series:

25 BEST things to do in Banff in summer

13 BEST Icefields Parkway stops: 1 day itinerary

BEST of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in one Day

Johnston Canyon Hike to the Lower and Upper falls in Banff

Is Calgary Worth Visiting? Things To Do & Reasons To Visit

Anu Agarwal is the founder and author of vacation travel blog Destination Checkoff. Anu, a Northern California resident, and a regular nine-to-fiver, loves to vacation with her family to destinations all over the world. She is obsessed with doing endless research for her trips. She has traveled to several destinations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Asia. With her blog, Anu is excited to share her destination itineraries and vacation travel guides and help you check those dream destinations off your bucket list!

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Banff And Jasper Itinerary – 8 Days In The Canadian Rockies

Looking to plan an amazing Banff and Jasper itinerary? Look no further!

If you’re dreaming of crystal-clear lakes, jaw-dropping mountain vistas, and the fresh scent of pine trees, then a trip to Banff and Jasper National Parks is calling your name!

I have been to the Canadian Rockies so many times, and Banff and Jasper are two of my favourite places in Canada. From the best things to do in Lake Louise , to driving the Icefields Parkway , both National Parks will blow you away!

This 8-day itinerary is packed with breathtaking scenery, amazing photos spots , thrilling hikes, and unforgettable experiences.

A City Girl Outside contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for reading!

Essential Links For Booking Your Banff & Jasper Trip!

Transport: Book your rental car here .

Top rated tours and experiences in Banff and Jasper:

My accommodation recommendations for Banff:

My accommodation recommendations for Jasper:

→ Check out my Canada packing list for all seasons for all the essential items you’ll need when visiting Canada year-round, from hot to cold! (Don’t come unprepared like I did!)

Banff & Jasper Itinerary Overview

• Day 1 – Banff Avenue/Cascade Gardens/Cave & Basin/Vermilion Lakes
• Day 2 – Lake Minnewanka/Hoodoos Trail/ Surprise Corner/Tunnel Mountain Hike
• Day 3 – Johnston Canyon/Bow Falls Trail/Banff Gondola
• Day 4 – Bow Valley Parkway/Lake Louise/ Lake Agnes/Little Beehive
• Day 5 – Moraine Lake/Emerald Lake/Takakkaw Falls
• Day 6 – Icefields Parkway/Peyto Lake/Columbia Icefield/Athabasca Falls
• Day 7 – Maligne Lake/Spirit Island/Maligne Canyon/Beauvert Lake
• Day 8 – Valley of the Five Lakes/Mount Edith Cavell/Pyramid Lake

There is SO much to do between Banff and Jasper. I recommend spending at least 4 days in Banff National Park, and then 3 to 4 days in Jasper . Many of the best Banff attractions are in Lake Louise, so I also recommend booking a hotel here for the 2 days you’ll spend doing the top things in Lake Louise.

Day 1 – Arrive in Banff

Start your trip by flying into Calgary International Airport and renting a car. From there, it’s about a 1.5-hour drive from Calgary to Banff. Day one of this Banff and Jasper itinerary is all about getting acquainted with your surroundings.

Banff Avenue

After checking into your accommodation, take some time to explore this charming mountain town. Banff Avenue is the main street in the town of Banff and is lined with cute shops, delicious restaurants, and stunning views of Cascade Mountain which towers over the town.

Take a stroll down around town and stop for a Canadian sweet treat from Beavertails, or some gourmet popcorn from Mary’s Popcorn Shop.

For the best souvenirs in Banff, head to Big Bear Trading Company – I love this store! They sell everything from cute “outdoor” themed gifts to the best Banff t-shirts, hoodies, magnets and mugs!

Cascade Gardens and Cave & Basin

If you have some spare time, take a walk through the Cascade of Time Garden (or Cascade Gardens) for beautiful flower displays and a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of town.

The Cave and Basin is one of the best things to do in Banff when it rains, and a great way to learn about the origins of the national park. This historic site is where Banff National Park was first established and has some fascinating exhibits about the park’s history and geology.

Afterwards, grab dinner at one of Banff’s many delicious restaurants – my personal favourite is the Grizzly House for the best wild game and fondu!

Vermilion Lakes

In the evening, catch the sunset at Vermilion Lakes for stunning views of Mount Rundle (and potentially some wildlife!) Before turning in for the night, make sure to catch a glimpse of Banff Avenue lit up with twinkling lights – it truly is a magical sight.

Day 2 – Lake Minnewanka, Two-Jack Lake, Tunnel Mountain

Lake minnewanka.

Start your day early with a scenic cruise on Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in Banff National Park . The turquoise water and surrounding mountains make for breathtaking views and great photo opportunities.

During your scenic cruise, you’ll learn about the history and origins of Lake Minnewanka. Like did you know there is a full town submerged beneath its waters? When the new dam was built in 1941, the water rose and submerged what was Minnewanka Landing. This area was also inhabited by the Nakoda people thousands of years ago. Book your cruise online in advance so you don’t miss out!

Afterwards, head over to Two-Jack Lake for a picnic lunch and some relaxation time. This small but stunning lake is one of my favourite hidden gems in Banff – perfect for a quiet afternoon surrounded by nature.

As you head out of this area, you’ll pass by Johnson Lake, which is popular for paddle boarding. You can book a 1-hour paddle boarding session which is great for cooling off on a hot day!

Banff Hoodoos & Surprise Corner

After Two Jack Lake, it’s time to check out one of the best photo spots in Banff – Surprise Corner! This viewpoint offers spectacular views of the iconic Banff Springs Hotel and Bow River Valley. It’s an easy stop along Tunnel Mountain Road, with a small parking lot and informational signs about the area.

Next, head to the Hoodoos trail for a short hike through a unique geological formation – hoodoos! These tall, thin spires of rock are formed by erosion are often seen in places like Bryce Canyon , but did you know you can find some in Banff National Park?

This short trail is one of my favourite easy hikes in Banff because it showcases breathtaking views of Mount Rundle! There’s also a lookout point along the trail with the iconic red Parks Canada chairs (and you know I can’t pass these up!)

Tunnel Mountain Hike

Next up is Tunnel Mountain hike, one of the most popular hikes in Banff. This moderate hike takes about 2-3 hours round trip. Along the way there are several lookout areas where you can see Mount Rundle in all its glory!

And what do you know? There’s more red chairs at the summit! I actually love the view from the red chairs on the Tunnel Mountain hike, they are situated looking out towards panoramic views of Banff town and the Bow Valley below.

Day 3 – Johnston Canyon, Bow Falls, Banff Gondola

Johnston canyon.

Start the morning with a scenic hike through Johnston Canyon, located just outside of Banff. This easy hike takes you through a narrow limestone canyon carved by centuries of water erosion.

The trail consists of a series of catwalks affixed to the canyon walls, allowing you to walk directly above the rushing waters and offering up-close views of the cascading falls.

The walk to the Lower Falls is relatively short and manageable for most, taking about 30 minutes round trip. If you have time, continue the trail to the Upper Falls, which takes roughly an hour to complete one way.

Don’t miss the “secret” cave viewpoint, a unique vantage point of the Lower Falls through a naturally formed window in the rock – be prepared to get wet!

Johnston Canyon is one of the most popular things to do in Banff, so its best visited early in the morning or late afternoon.

While I wouldn’t consider Bow Falls a “must do” in Banff, it is a really good place to come if you are visiting with kids or have people in your party with mobility issues. You can drive here from Banff town which takes around 5-minutes, and the parking lot is directly next to the viewing area for the falls.

Or if you are visiting Banff without a car , you can take the hiking/walking route, but keep in mind there are a few series of stairs. I love this route and you can pass the Banff Pedestrian Bridge which has the best views of Cascade Mountain (FAR better than those on Banff Avenue in my opinion). The trail follows the Bow River until you reach the Banff Springs Hotel. There are several areas to view the rushing Bow River, with some sections being calm and others having small rapids.

Banff Gondola

In the evening, take a ride on the Banff Gondola which takes about 8 minutes and brings you to the top of Sulphur Mountain.

Once you start your ascent up Sulphur Mountain, you’ll be treated to some jaw-dropping panoramic views that’ll have you glued to the window. We’re talking a 360-degree view of six mountain ranges, Banff town, and the winding Bow River!

When you reach the top, don’t just hang around the viewing platforms (though, of course, they’re awesome). Take a stroll along the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak. It’s about a 1km walk and trust me, the views get even better.

Don’t skip the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site and Sanson’s Peak Meteorological Station, where you can learn some fascinating insights into early scientific research conducted in the area. Tickets for the Banff Gondola can sell out in peak tourist season, so book your tickets in advance online to avoid missing out.

A lot of people think dining at the Sky Bistro on the mountain is a must-do, but here’s a pro tip: you might find more unique and possibly even tastier options back on Banff Avenue.

Remember to dress in layers, as temperatures at the top of Sulphur Mountain can be significantly cooler than in Banff town, regardless of the season.

Day 4 – Lake Louise, Lake Agnes Tea House, Big Beehive Hike

Bow valley parkway.

The best way to get from Banff to Lake Louise (or Lake Louise to Banff) is via the Bow Valley Parkway. You can take the highway if you want, but I think the Bow Valley Parkway is far more scenic and there’s always the chance of spotting some wildlife along the way! I have seen a herd of Elk and some Big Horn Sheep along this road.

Some of my favourite places to stop include both Morant’s Curve and the Bow River viewpoint of Castle Mountain (pictured below) which is one of my favourite photo spots in Banff .

Lake Louise

The best time to visit Lake Louise is sunrise, and it’s definitely not a secret any more! Sunrise at Lake Louise is still one of the quietest times to visit, but don’t expect it to be like it used to be (with very few people here)

I have watched the sunrise in Lake Louise several years in a row, and each time the crowds grew. However Lake Louise is a pretty big lake, and there’s plenty of space along it’s shores to find a quiet space to enjoy. Either way, nothing quite beats watching the Victoria Glacier and the peaks of Mount Fairview turn pink first thing in the morning – it’s amazing!

Lake Agnes Tea House

After enjoying the sunrise, it’s time to get in some hiking! Lake Louise features some of the best hikes in Banff National Park . My personal favourite hikes are the Big Beehive and Little Beehive, both of which by-pass the Lake Agnes Tea House – an absolute must do in Banff!

The Lake Agnes Tea House is a charming and rustic tea house located above Lake Louise, serving up some delicious homemade treats. The hike to the tea house takes about an hour and offers scenic views of both Lake Louise and Mirror Lake along the way.

You should absolutely stop here for tea and treats! There are over 100 teas featured on the menu, including English Breakfast, Oolong and Rooibos. And don’t forget to order the famous tea cakes – they are so yummy!

Big Beehive and/or Little Beehive

You can choose to hike to Lake Agnes Tea House only, or extend your hike by continuing on to the Big or Little Beehives. I personally think these two hikes you absolutely cannot miss when visiting Lake Louise. If you do choose either one, I would stop at Lake Agnes on the way down to refuel and relax after your hike!

Both the Big and Little Beehive feature views of Lake Louise from above but the view does vary slightly. The Big Beehive is harder than the Little Beehive as it is longer and gains more elevation. There is also a section that is very narrow with loose rock, so if you prefer more solid ground, I would go with the Little Beehive.

Both views took my breath away, so no matter which one you decide to do you won’t be disappointed! If you’re really adventurous, you could even do all 3 in a day, but this would be a full day of hiking.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

I realize big hikes are not for everyone, so if you do not want to hike in Lake Louise, or have mobility issues, there’s some amazing alternatives!

First of all I think everybody should check out the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, this hotel is a beautiful castle-like hotel that is located right on the lake. It’s worth popping in to check out the lobby and see some of the historic photos on the walls.

Inside the Fairmont Lake Louise is a deli and coffee shop – the only one directly at the lake. It isn’t cheap but it is good! Every time I mention this place I mention the croissants – you need to try them to see for yourself just how good they are!

Dining in the height of busy season is strictly reserved for hotel guests unless you have a reservation. I reserved for afternoon tea at the Fairmont Lake Louise on my first visit and had a wonderful view of the lake from my table!

If you do want to splash some cash, a night here is truly an experience like no other. I stayed here back in 2022 and it was a bucket-list worthy experience. You can find out more in my Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise review .

Canoeing on Lake Louise

Is there a more iconic activity at Lake Louise than canoeing? I don’t think so!

Renting a canoe at Lake Louise doesn’t come cheap, but it is the one ONE thing everyone wants to do. It’s the best way to really experience the lake. I canoed on Lake Louise during my first visit to Banff and loved every minute of it! It was a really windy day on the lake, and I definitely got an arm workout from trying not to float away down the Bow River, but it was super fun!

The Boathouse at Lake Louise is run by the Fairmont Chateau and rates are $135 CAD (+GST) for 30-minutes or $145 CAD (+GST) for one hour. If you are staying at the hotel you can by-pass the long line (yes, expect a line) and pay cheaper rates.

I have never not seen a line for the canoes at Lake Louise, so arrive early when the Boathouse opens at 8am or be prepared for a wait.

Day 5 – Moraine Lake & Yoho National Park

Moraine lake.

Besides Lake Louise, the other famous lake that often comes to mind when people think of Banff National Park, is Moraine Lake!

Most people pair Moraine Lake and Lake Louise on the same say, I think they both need to be seen in the early morning, preferably sunrise – so today will be spent enjoying Moraine Lake first thing without the crowds!

Moraine Lake is famous for it’s intense turquoise colour, it’s so blue that it’s almost impossible to believe it’s real! And that’s why it’s one of the best things to do in Lake Louise .

Visiting Moraine Lake is not as easy as it used to be. In 2023 Parks Canada closed the road to Moraine Lake to all personal vehicles. Now the only way to visit is by taking the Parks Canada shuttle, the Roam transit busses, or a private tour.

If you want to watch the sunrise at Moraine Lake, you can book a guided tour , these are highly likely to sell out so be sure to reserve ahead of time. I was lucky enough to watch the sunrise at Moraine Lake before the closure, but I would absolutely book a tour if it meant less people.

Yoho National Park

After spending a morning at Moraine Lake, it’s time to head over to Yoho National Park! I always stop by Yoho National Park on my way from Whistler to Banff .

Yoho National Park (along with Glacier NP) was the second National Park of Canada after Banff. It borders Banff National Park, and is a short 20-minute drive from Lake Louise. Despite only being a short drive away, Yoho is actually in British Columbia, so you’ll get to visit two Canadian Provinces on this Banff and Jasper itinerary!

There are so many things to do in Yoho , in fact I’d say it’s actually my favourite National Park in Canada (so far at least!)

Emerald Lake

If you hadn’t already gotten your fill of turquoise glacial lakes, Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park is another stunning option! It’s a little less crowded than Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, but still offers the same beautiful views.

There is a hiking trail around the lake which takes about 1-2 hours to complete, or you can rent a canoe and explore the lake from a different perspective. Canoe rentals here are much cheaper than Lake Louise at $90 per canoe, and the lines are substantially smaller (sometimes there isn’t a line at all)

For lunch, stop by the historic Emerald Lake Lodge or bring a picnic to enjoy by the water. Before leaving Emerald Lake, make sure to stop at Natural Bridge – a unique rock formation that has been carved out by the Kicking Horse River.

Takakkaw Falls

One of the must-see spots in Yoho is Takakkaw Falls, one of Canada’s tallest waterfalls measuring in at 384 metres high! The waterfall is easily accessible by car and a short walk from the parking lot. There’s also a walking trail that takes you to the base of the falls for a closer look.

There is so much more to see and do in Yoho National Park , these are just the must-do highlights that you can easily squeeze into this itinerary. But if you fall in love with it like I did, I would highly recommend visiting Lake O’Hara on a return visit.

This pristine alpine wilderness is a highly sought after spot, with a limited number of daily visitors allowed. You can learn more about how to visit Lake O’Hara in my comprehensive guide .

Day 6 – Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Columbia Icefields

Day 6 of this Banff and Jasper itinerary is a full day of exploring the Icefields Parkway .

The Icefields Parkway is by far the most scenic drive I have ever experienced in my life! It’s a 232 km stretch of road connecting Lake Louise to Jasper , passing by glaciers, turquoise lakes, and stunning mountain peaks. The drive itself is an attraction, so give yourself a full day to stop and take photos along the way.

The first stop I recommend making on the Icefields Parkway is Bow Lake. Before you reach Bow Lake, you will come across the Crow Foot Glacier, a beautiful glacier that resembles “three toes” of a Crows Foot. It’s a quick pit stop, but worth pulling over to take some photos.

After Crow Foot Glacier, pull into the parking lot for the Lodge at Bow Lake (previously known as Num-Ti-Jah Lodge).

Bow Lake is another stunning turquoise lake in Banff, but what makes it unique is its location right next to the highway. From the parking lot the lake is a few minutes walk. I think the best time to visit Bow Lake is first thing in the morning when there are fewer crowds and the sun hits the mountain peaks!

Next up is one of my personal favourite lakes in Banff National Park – Peyto Lake ! This part of the Icefields Parkway is also the highest elevation that you will gain on the drive, so expect to experience chillier temperatures than that in Banff.

Peyto lake is famous for its vibrant turquoise colour and is often said to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. It’s a short hike up from the parking lot, and once you reach the viewing platform, you’ll see why this lake is so highly acclaimed.

The trail up is paved the whole way, and the viewpoint offers an incredible panoramic view of the lake with its famous “wolf” shape. The new viewing platform that opened in 2021 is better equipped for the large crowds this lake brings. I personally think the view from Peyto Lake trumps the view of Lake Louise from Big Beehive, the shape alone is so unique!

The best time to visit Peyto Lake is early in the morning or later in the evening, as it can get very crowded during peak hours. Plus, the lighting is much better for photos during these times.

Columbia Icefields

Continuing along the Icefields Parkway, you’ll come across the famous Columbia Icefields where you can experience walking on a glacier! The Athabasca Glacier is the most accessible glacier in North America, and it’s a must-see on your trip.

At the Columbia Icefields Centre, you can purchase tickets for an ice explorer tour that takes you onto the glacier. These large vehicles are specifically designed to navigate the icy terrain safely. It’s a unique experience to be able to walk on a glacier and see its majestic beauty up close. I would bring sunglasses for this – it was SUPER sunny the day I visited and the reflections against the ice were intense.

After the ice explorer tour, make sure to check out the Skywalk (which is included in your ticket) – a glass-floored observation platform where you can see the carved out Sunwapta Valley below.

The Columbia Icefields is also home to the Glacier Discovery Centre, which features interactive exhibits and displays about glaciers, climate change, and the natural history of the area. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn more about the incredible glaciers in the Canadian Rockies and the importance of this area.

The tour takes around 3 hours total, so I would factor this into your drive. You can also skip the tour and admire the glaciers and icefield from afar.

Just after the Athabasca Glacier, make a quick stop to take photos at Tangle Creek Falls , a cascading waterfall right off the highway.

Sunwapta Falls

As you approach Jasper, make sure to stop at Sunwapta Falls. This waterfall is one of my favourite hidden gems in Jasper National Park! It’s less crowded than other waterfalls in the area, but equally as impressive. The falls are easily accessible from the parking lot with a 5-minute walk until you reach the viewing area. There are also some longer hiking trails that lead to different viewpoints.

Athabasca Falls

The final stop on the Icefields Parkway before reaching Jasper is Athabasca Falls, considered the most powerful waterfall in the Canadian Rockies. This waterfall is a must-see in Jasper National Park, with its dramatic drop and stunning turquoise waters.

Just standing near the falls you will experience its power, as the spray reaches quite far. It’s really amazing to spend some time watching the water here. You can see how the water has carved the Athabasca Canyon over millions of years.

Athabasca Falls is another easily accessible stop from the parking lot, with plenty of viewing platforms and walking trails to explore.

The town of Jasper is a 25-minute drive from Athabasca Falls. Tomorrow you will explore more of Jasper National Park!

Day 7 – Jasper: Maligne Lake & Spirit Island, Maligne Canyon, Beauvert Lake

Day 7 of this itinerary will take you to some of the most breathtaking places in the Canadian Rockies!

Your first day in Jasper should be an early one for a visit to Maligne Lake – one of the most beautiful lakes in the Canadian Rockies.

Maligne Lake & Spirit Island

You cannot go to Jasper without stopping at Maligne Lake. This place absolutely blew me away when I visited and it’s hard to imagine such a place really exists!

It is one of the best things to do in Jasper, so it does get very busy. I recommend booking a Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island early in the morning (or late afternoon). The middle of the day is usually the busiest for this area, and you have a better chance of seeing wildlife at these times!

Spirit Island is a small island in Maligne Lake that is only accessible by boat, and it’s one of the most iconic views in the Canadian Rockies.

The cruise also includes a stop at Spirit Island for photos and a short walk around the area. (Please note that Spirit Island is a spiritual place for the First Nations people, and walking on it is strictly prohibited)

Maligne Lake is the busiest attraction in Jasper, and cruise tours are highly likely to sell out. You can book your tour online in advance to avoid missing out!

Maligne Lake Road & Medicine Lake

The Maligne Lake Road (the road that leads to Maligne Lake…) is a bit of a long one, but it is a very scenic drive so I do recommend spending some time here to really appreciate it. It’s one of the best spots in Jasper for spotting wildlife – I saw elk on this road every single time we drove it!

Along the way you’ll pass by Medicine Lake, a really beautiful lake that is actually a geological mystery. In the summer months, this lake can completely disappear due to underground channels and sinkholes draining the water. Crazy right?!

Maligne Canyon

After the cruise, head back towards Jasper townsite and make a stop at Maligne Canyon. This incredible canyon features waterfalls, natural bridges and stunning rock formations. There is a series of hiking trails that follow the canyon, with varying lengths and difficulty levels.

You can spend hours walking the many bridges that follow Maligne Canyon, but if you are short on time, I recommend just making a stop at First Bridge, which is the main viewing area.

Lake Beauvert

Before calling it a day, make a stop at Lake Beauvert and enjoy the stunning views of Pyramid Mountain in the background. This lake is located next to the iconic Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, where many famous people have stayed over the years.

Even if you’re not staying at this luxurious lodge, you can still roam around the property and maybe even spot some wildlife!

Lake Beauvert is one of the most stunning lakes I have ever seen. If you thought Lake Louise and Moraine Lake were beautiful, Lake Beauvert has them beat in my opinion. The blue colour is like something I have never seen before!

You can canoe on Lake Beauvert, and just like Lake Louise the Boathouse is run by the Fairmont. A hour canoe rental will cost $99 CAD. Canoeing on Lake Beauvert is definitely one of the best tourist activities in Jasper!

After a day of exploring, head back to your accommodation in Jasper and get a good night’s rest before another day filled with adventure!

Day 8 – Jasper, Pyramid Island, Mount Edith Cavell, Valley of the Five Lakes

Valley of the five lakes.

Start your last day with an easy to moderate hike through the Valley of the Five Lakes . This trail is approximately 4.5 km round trip and takes you to five stunning alpine lakes with crystal clear waters.

Just like the name suggests, this trail takes you to five stunning glacial-fed lakes. Each one offers its own unique beauty and you may even spot some wildlife along the way!

My favourite of the five lakes was the third lake where you can find the iconic Parks Canada red chairs!

Mount Edith Cavell – Path Of The Glacier Trail

Next, head to Mount Edith Cavell for one of the most beautiful hikes in Jasper National Park – Path of the Glacier Trail. This easy 1.6 km trail takes you to a viewpoint where you can see and Angel Glacier calving into a picturesque lake.

The Path of the Glacier is a short easy trail perfect for families or non-experienced hikers. If you want to extend your hike, continue onto the Mount Edith Cavell Meadows Trail, a half-day hike that takes around 3-5 hours.

Pyramid Lake & Pyramid Island

End your final day in Jasper with a visit to the picturesque Pyramid Island. This small island is located on Pyramid Lake and showcases amazing views of Mount Edith Cavell. You can either stroll around the island or rent a canoe or kayak to explore the lake.

Pyramid Island is a popular photo spot in Jasper, so expect crowds during the middle of the day. The best times to come are early in the morning and later afternoon/early evening.

This wraps up your time in Jasper National Park, but there’s still so much more to explore in the Canadian Rockies. If you have extra time, I highly recommend extending your trip and visiting other nearby places such as Mount Robson, Kootenay National Park, Canmore and Kananaskis Country. I’ve put together a longer Canadian Rockies road trip that incorporates some of these places for you to check out!

Best time of year to visit Banff & Jasper

The best time to visit Banff and Jasper is undoubtedly during the summer months! Summer (June-August) is the most popular time to visit due to the warm weather and longer days. However, this also means larger crowds and higher prices.

Fall (September-November) brings cooler temperatures and stunning fall foliage, making it a great time for hiking. But keep in mine that come the first week of October, many places are closed for the season, such as Moraine Lake Road.

Winter (December-March) offers incredible skiing and snowboarding opportunities, as well as festivals like the SnowDays Festival. However, be prepared for cold temperatures and heavy snowfall.

Spring (April-May) brings milder temperatures and fewer crowds, making it a great time to visit if you want to avoid the peak summer season. Keep in mind that some hiking trails may still have snow during this time.

Best way to get to Banff & Jasper

The best way to get to Banff and Jasper is by flying into Calgary International Airport. From there, you can rent a car or book a shuttle service that will take you directly to your accommodation in either Banff or Jasper.

If you prefer not to drive, there are also shuttle bus options available from Calgary Airport. I have used several shuttles but my personal recommendation is the Banff Airporter who have exceptional service!

Thanks For Reading!

Thank you for following along on this 8-day Banff and Jasper itinerary! I hope this has given you some inspiration for your own trip and shown you just how much there is to see and do in this beautiful destination.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg – there are endless opportunities for adventure, relaxation, and breathtaking views in Banff and Jasper.

These locations are becoming increasingly popular due to their vibrant blue lakes and epic mountain trails. Plan and book early to save money, especially during the high-season.

Also consider exploring Canmore, Revelstoke, or Golden BC if you have more time. There’s a lot to see and do in these areas!

Explore More of the Canadian Rockies

• Best Things to do in Lake Louise
• 4 Days in Banff Itinerary
• 4 Days in Jasper Itinerary
• One Day in Banff Itinerary
• Best Things to do in Yoho National Park
• Guide to Visiting Lake O’Hara
• Vancouver to Banff Road Trip

About Rachael

Rachael is an avid adventurer and writer, originally hailing from London, England. She embarked on a life-changing journey by moving to Canada in 2016. Settling in the picturesque town of Whistler, British Columbia, Rachael found solace in the majestic beauty of the Canadian wilderness.

A City Girl Outside invites readers to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery and encourages them to embrace the transformative power of exploration.

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Banff and Jasper itinerary: exploring the Canadian Rockies

By: Author Sylvia

Posted on Last updated: February 22, 2024

Are you looking for the perfect Banff and Jasper itinerary for your upcoming adventure in the Canadian Rockies? You came to the right place.

Here we share everything you need to know to spend a great vacation in this lush green mountainous paradise.

There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

Best tips for your Banff and Jasper trip

Here is an overview of the most important things to know before traveling to Banff and Jasper.

Where to stay: Depending on where you are starting your trip we would advise you to stay in Jasper or the Banff area.

• Jasper: Fairmont Jasper park lodge (luxury hotel), Jasper Inn & Suites ( comfortable hotel), Hi Jasper hostel ( basic hotel), Bear’s Den ( vacation home).
• Banff: Fairmont Banff Springs ( luxury hotel), Fox hotel and suites ( comfortable hotel), Blue Mountain lodge B&B
• Lake Louise: Fairmont chateau ( luxury hotel).
• Canmore: Malcolm hotel by CLIQUE ( luxury hotel ), Silver Creek lodge ( comfortable hotel), Days Inn by Wyndham Canmore ( basic hotel), luxurious 2 bedroom with spa, steam room & hot tub ( vacation home).

Renting a car? Check out Rentalscars.com and Discover cars Edmonton and Discover Cars Calgary.

Need insurance for your Banff and Jasper road trip? Be sure to check out quotes and coverage with our recommended partner HeyMondo.

In a hurry? This is the summary of the complete Jasper and Banff itinerary

If you don’t have time to read through the full Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise itinerary,  use this overview to get an idea of the things to do each day and save it for later.

• Day 1: Arriving in Banff, explore downtown Banff and its surroundings
• Day 2: Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, Vermilion Lake, Cave and Basin, Banff Upper hot springs

Day 3: Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, and Johnston Canyon

• Day 4: Icefields Parkway
• Day 5: Patricia Lake, Pyramid Lake, and Jasper Skytram
• Day 6: Maligne Lake, Medicine lake, Maligne Canyon, and Valley of the Five Lakes
• Day 7: Sulphur Skyline and Miette hot springs

Planning a trip to Banff and Jasper: Read this first

Let’s start this itinerary for Banff and Jasper by answering some general questions you may have about Banff and Jasper.

What’s the best time of the year to visit Banff and Jasper?

Banff and Jasper can be visited all year round.

Choosing when to visit will depend on the time you can go and the activities you want to do.

Summer ( June-August)

Summer is a great season if you love outdoor activities such as rafting, kayaking, or hiking.

It is also by far the most popular season to visit Jasper and Banff. This means it can get very busy.

Prices of accommodation go through the roof and you need to book well in advance if you have specific hotels or Airbnbs in mind. Some hotels sell out months in advance.

If possible try to avoid the summer months. The crowds start building up in June and July and August are super busy. Certainly in Banff.

Fall ( September- November)

Autumn is a great season to visit Banff and Jasper.

Not only will there be fewer crowds but it is also a great time for hiking and wildlife spotting.

Winter ( December-March)

We visited Banff and Jasper in winter and absolutely loved it.

Although it can get very cold and not everything is open, this is compensated by the wide amount of thrilling winter activities you can do such as skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling dog sledding, etc.

These are some winter activities you can do in Banff. For a list of fun winter activities in Jasper, click here. 

If you love hiking, check out these posts about the best winter hikes near Banff  , Canmore , and Jasper.

For more tips about visiting the Rocky Mountains in winter, click here.

Spring ( March-June)

Winter in the mountains is long.

This means that in April and even May you still can have snow. The famous lakes such as Lake Louise can still be frozen, some roads are still closed and the weather is unpredictable.

However, visiting Banf and Jasper in Spring means also low season with fewer crowds and cheaper accommodation prices.

Late spring is also one of the best times to see bears.

How many days do you need in Banff and Jasper?

You could spend weeks exploring Banff and Jasper without getting bored, at least we could, but unfortunately, most of us don’t have that many days off and will need to make choices.

6 days in Banff and Jasper gives you enough time to see the highlights, make some great hikes, and soak up the Canadian Rockies atmosphere.

It’s best to add 1 extra day for the iconic Icefields Parkway.

You can just drive across the parkway but if you have an extra day it will allow you to stop more often, do some small hikes and really take in the beauty of this scenic highway.

How far apart are Banff and Jasper?

Banff and Jasper are 288 km apart.

You should count at least 4 hours for driving along the Icefields Parkway with minimal stops.

How to get to Banff and Jasper

Although we describe this itinerary as starting from Banff you could easily make this itinerary the other way around depending on where you are coming from.

We, therefore, describe the quickest, easiest, and most comfortable ways to get to both Banff and Jasper.

How to get to Banff?

If you are flying, Calgary is the closest airport to Banff.

From there it’s a quick 90-minute drive along the Trans Canada Highway ( Highway 1 ) to downtown Banff.

The road can get congested in peak season, mostly around the weekends.

It’s best to rent a car at the airport.  Having a car will make it much easier to visit all the places we mention in this itinerary.

Rentalcars.com is a great site where you can easily compare the prices of different rental companies.  The site is one of the biggest of its kind, works with all large household names as well as most small niche rental car companies, and, therefore, has a global offering.

A good and often cheaper alternative is Discover cars. The booking process with Discover Cars is just as intuitive as it is with Rentalcars.  All rates include the CDW and I like that the deductible is already clearly shown on the comparison page. The fuel policy included mileage and the cancelation policy is also clearly stated.  Most cars are cancellable up to 2 days in advance without any fees.  In some cases, a fully refundable deposit is taken at the time of booking.

How to get to Jasper?

The closest airport to Jasper is Edmonton.

From Edmonton International Airport it’s a 4-hour drive along the Trans Canada Highway 16 also known as the Yellowhead to Jasper.

If you are looking to rent a car from Edmonton, click here.

How to get around Banff and Jasper?

The easiest way to get around Banff and Jasper is by rental car. Jasper does not have a bus transit system.

Although you cannot miss the Roam transit busses when you walk along Banff’s main avenue they are not as efficient as your rental car to reach sights located outside of the city.

When relying on these buses you will also not be able to reach all places we mention in this itinerary

Entrance to Banff and Jasper national park

Banff and Jasper are both National Parks which means you need a Park Pass to enjoy their beauty.

The Discovery Pass will be your best option since you’re visiting two National Parks with this itinerary. This pass gives you unlimited access for a full year to both parks and almost 80 other locations managed by parks Canada.

Where to stay in Banff

We get a lot of questions about the best place to stay in Banff.

Banff has plenty of amazing places to stay. From luxury hotels to charming boutique hotels and Airbnbs.

Here is an overview of amazing hotels.

For a friend’s trip or when you’re traveling with your family, and Airbnb might be the better choice. We found some charming properties with luxurious amenities such as a hot tub and sauna.

Here we’ve made a selection of the best Airbnbs in Banff .

Banff is a popular destination all year round but certainly in summer. Accommodation tends to be fully booked a long time in advance and prices in peak season are sky-high.

Whether you will be staying in an Airbnb or a hotel, make sure to book well in advance.

Canmore used to be the spillover option when hotels in Banff were fully booked. However, the village deserves better than that.

The town is located just outside the national park’s borders and is just a 15-20 minute drive from Banff.

Downtown Canmore counts numerous restaurants, grocery stores, and outdoor and sporting establishments. You will also find all kinds of souvenirs and boutique shops.

The pros of staying in Canmore are that it is less touristy.

Banff might be slightly more charming but the crowds in summer ruin the whole experience for many visitors.

Accommodation and food are also cheaper in Canmore, although both towns can be considered expensive.

You don’t even need to go to Banff to find excellent hikes.  Try some of the superb winter hikes in Canmore .

The cons of staying in Canmore is that the town is a little more stretched-out and therefore cannot be easily explored on foot.

Here is an overview of the best hotels in Canmore. If you prefer staying in an Airbnb, take a look at our selection of the best Airbnbs in Canmore.

Where to stay in Jasper

Jasper also has plenty of accommodation options. There are B&B’s, boutique hotels, Airbnb’s, and luxury hotels.

If you are looking for the best place to stay in Jasper, take a look here . For Airbnbs and vacation homes, take a look at our Jasper Airbnb selection.

The complete Banff Jasper itinerary

Map of Banff

Day 1 Arriving in Banff, explore downtown Banff and its surroundings

There is plenty to do in Banff and its surroundings and 3 days is too short to discover it all.

Therefore we share some day-to-day suggestions and the average time you need for every activity.

This allows you to make your own selection based on your personal preferences.

Since this is your first day in Banff, and chances are you arrived relatively late, this is a great day to discover downtown Banff and its surroundings.

Wander around downtown Banff

Once you’ve checked into your hotel and left your bags head to Banff Avenue. Banff is very picturesque and its main avenue is very lively and atmospheric all year round.

The avenue is lined with bars, boutiques, and restaurants and a great place to soak up the atmosphere of this mountain town.

It’s also here that you can take the famous picture of Banff with Cascade mountain in the background.

Average time needed: discovering downtown Banff shouldn’t take longer than 2 hours, including a rest stop in one of the quaint bars.

Hike to the Bow falls viewpoint

If you are looking to stretch your legs after this long drive why not hike to the Bow falls Viewpoint.

This is an easy 2.4 km hike, completely flat except for a few stairs. It starts close to downtown Banff at the pedestrian bridge across the Bow River.

The Bow Falls are a teaser of all the beauty you will witness in the coming days and this perfect short hike will get you in the mood for more hikes in the upcoming days.

In winter the actual viewpoint may be closed because of icy conditions but you will still be able to see the frozen waterfall.

Average time needed: +-1 hour

Does this taste like more? Here are more easy hikes in Banff and these are some great winter hikes in Banff.

Take a picture at Surprise Corner

Next, we head to the Banff Gondola but before we board the cable car to ride to the top of Sulphur mountain we make one quick stop.

On our way to the cable car’s base station, we make a small detour to the Suprise Corner Viewpoint.

This is the best spot for a picture of the iconic Banff Fairmont hotel together with the Bow river.

Time needed: +_15 minutes

Ride the Banff Gondola

Although the Banff Gondola is considered by many locals as a tourist trap our experience is different.

We do agree the price tag is quite steep but also think that you get a lot in return for this price.

The modern top station houses a large interpretive center where you can also watch a beautiful short movie about the region. The boardwalk offers impressive views in all directions and is a nice place to catch the sunset.

The restaurants, there are three of them, offer food in all price classes. Sky Bistro is a great place for a romantic dinner. This place gets raving reviews for the quality of the food, the drinks, and the service.

The Banff Gondola is the most convenient way to get unparalleled views of the Canadian Rockies but it is certainly not the only way.

For one, you can hike to the top station and enjoy the same view, but there are also two other lesser-known sightseeing gondolas.

Read this complete guide about the Banff gondola and the alternatives if you’re not 100% sure whether you want to spend your hard-earned money on them for a ride to the top.

We based this article on our visit to the Banff Gondola during winter, but the post will give you an idea of what there is to do and what you can expect from your visit.

The switchback trail to the top follows a steady grade up and will absolutely get your heart rate up as well.

It is a good alternative if you don’t want to spend your money on the Gondola but as it is somewhat challenging and rated as moderate it might be a little too much for your first day in town.

We hiked this trail during winter and loved it. In winter, the path is icy in places, we’ve heard it can be quite muddy at other times of the year, especially when the snow just starts to melt after winter.  You can read more about our experience here. 

Time needed: On average you need two hours but of course, this depends on what you want to see and to do. If you want to explore all areas of the station, hike to Samson’s peak and have dinner in one of the restaurants you may want to preserve a little more time.

Even with these steep prices the Banff Gondola remains one of the town’s more popular attractions, we would advise you to buy your tickets well in advance. Especially if will be in Banff in the busy summer season.

Check prices and availability: Banff Gondola Tickets

Drive to Mount Norquay Lookout

A visit to the Mount Norquay lookout can serve as an alternative to the Banff gondola but nothing stops you from doing both.

The lookout is located 10 minutes by car from Banff.

On sunny days it offers splendid views of Banff with Mount Rundle and Sulphur mountain with the Vermilion lakes in the foreground.

And if you are lucky you might even see some wildlife roaming around the viewpoint and on the meadows right behind it.

Time needed: 15-20 minutes

If you are traveling during winter in Banff, Mount Norquay is a great place for skiing. If you don’t ski, tubbing is a great alternative. We went tubbing one afternoon and had loads of fun.

I think the above-mentioned activities are enough to make a great first day in Banff. If you still have some time you can continue a little further along this road to the Norquay sightseeing chairlift and soar to an elevation of nearly 7,000ft for more amazing views.

Now let’s take a look at what we will be doing during your second day.

Day 2: Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake,

Start your day in Banff early and head to Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake.

Watch the sunrise at Two Jack Lake

Two Jack Lake is the small brother of Lake Minnewanka. It’s a great place to watch the sunrise light up Rundle Mountain and see it reflected in the lake.

It’s true that Two Jack lake is not as often mentioned as Lake Moraine when one is talking about sunrise but the advantage of going to Two Jack Lake is that you don’t need to be here 2 hours in advance in the summer months. The experience is much more peaceful.

This is also a great spot to put on your hiking shoes since some of the best short and longer trails start on the shores of Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake.

These are hikes that we recommend. Click on their names to find out more about the trails:

• Bankside of Bankhead trail ( easy 1.1 km loop )
• Stewart Canyon hike ( easy 6.6 km out & back )
• Two Jack Lake ( easy 3.2 km out & back )
• Aylmer Pass and Lookout Trail ( moderate 23.2 km out & back )

Don’t forget that you are in grizzly territory. Even though many of these trails are heavily trafficked it is still recommended to take bear spray in summer.

If you aren’t an avid hiker these 2 lakes offer plenty of other possibilities to enjoy their beauty.

Go kayaking or paddleboarding

Both lakes a great places to jump in a kayak and discover the beauty of the lake from the water. If you love to go paddleboarding, then Two Jack Lake is more suited since it’s calmer than Lake Minnewanka.

How to reach? Two Jack Lake is the little brother of Minnewanka Lake. It is located right next to it.

Coming from downtown Banff head north on Banff Ave and then continue onto the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive.

Time needed: The time you spend here will of course depend on the activities you will be doing. Unless you do a day-long hike you should still have time to explore a few other things in Banff.

Make a scenic drive along Vermilion Lake

Bird lovers and just about everybody that wants to soak up nature will love driving along the Vermillion Lakes .

The 4.3 km scenic road offers plenty of opportunities for wildlife watching including Osprey and Bald Eagles and to gaze at Mount Rundle, one of Banff’s most recognizable mountains.

Take your time to drive along the lake and make sure to stop from time to time to take pictures.

This is also a great place for watching the sunset.

Since this place is quite popular for sunset viewing, we advise you to come 30-60 minutes before the sun sets.

Time needed: +_ 1 hour

Cave and Basin National Historic site

If you want to add some culture to your Banff itinerary we recommend that you visit the Cave and Basin Natural Historic site.

This place, which started the entire national parks system, lies a little outside town, across the Bow River. It’s a 25-minute walk from Banff but since we’re underway with our car we recommend driving there. There is a large parking lot.

Here you can learn more about the natural and cultural history of the mountains. The historic site consists of an artificial cave that leads to a natural hot spring, a replica of a boathouse, and a restored 1916 swimming pool. The visitor center also constantly hosts seasonal exhibitions.

You could explore this site on your own or take a guided tour.

Opening hours:  from 9:00 am or 11:00 am, season depending, until 5:00 pm daily. There is a small fee of approximately $4 CAD for adults to enter but if you have a National Park Pass the entrance is free.

Time needed: Depending on your interests, we recommend spending 45 minutes- 2 hours.

Go hiking around the Cave and Basin National Historic site

The Cave and Basin site is also the starting point of several hiking trails such as the Marsh Loop and the Sundance Trail. These trails can be done all year round.

The first offers excellent opportunities to see moose and is also very popular among birders. Here you can find more info:

• Marsh Loop ( easy 2.8 km loop )
• Sundance Trail ( 9 km out & back )

Time needed: 1 hour for the Marsh loop, 2 to 3 hours for the Sundance trail.

Go bathing in the Banff Upper hot springs

There is no better way to end a sporty day outside than with a dip in the Banff hot springs.

With a water temperature between 98 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit ( 36-40 degrees Celsius ), it is a great place to rest your sore muscles after this active day.

Note that the water is 100% natural. Because of that, it has a strong sulfur smell. However, don’t let this put you off. We had a great time splashing in the hot water.

How to reach: These hot springs are located at the foot of Sulphur Mountain, 2 miles south of Banff.

Note that the hot springs can get busy and there is limited parking for cars. A good alternative is to take the Roam public transit bus which conveniently drops you off at the same parking lot.

We will organize day 3 differently depending on whether you want to see the sunrise at Moraine Lake.

Sunrise at Lake Moraine is very popular which means that the parking lot is often completely filled up 2 hours before the actual sunrise. The road is closed once the parking lot is full which means you will need to wake up in the middle of the night. It would take an additional hour to drive from Banff to Lake Moraine.

Therefore we really advise staying in Lake Louise if you want to witness the sunrise at Lake Moraine.

Wondering where to stay in Lake Louise? Lake Louise is really just a tiny hamlet but because it is flooded with tourists each summer it offers plenty of accommodations for every budget. From luxurious hotels such as the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise to homey B&B’s.

Here you can find an overview of the different accommodations.

If you start your day at Lake Moraine you will visit Lake Louise next and then stop at Johnston Canyon on your way back to Banff.

If you love your bed too much to get up at 3 am we will start this day with a visit to Johnston Canyon instead.

In that case, it’s also not necessary to look for a hotel in Lake Louise. From Johnston Canyon, continue to Lake Louise and then Lake Moraine before driving back to Banff.

Experience the sunrise at Moraine Lake

If you want to enjoy the sunrise at Moraine Lake, you will be off for an early start of the day.

In summer the parking lot is always full before dawn and once the parking space is packed, you will be turned away.

Although the lake is at its most beautiful in the morning we do want to warn you that it may not be the peaceful and romantic experience you have in mind.

The viewpoint is flooded with photographers that in a combative way stand their ground to take the perfect picture.

How to reach Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake can be reached from Lake Louise village by driving uphill on Lake Louise road until you reach the crossroad with Moraine Lake Drive. The journey takes about 18 minutes.

Lake Louise

Lake Louise, named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta ( 1848-1939), is one of the most famous lakes in the Canadian Rockies.

The view of the lake is stunning but it has much more to offer than just its incredible turquoise water.

Here are some suggestions to do around Lake Louise.

Lake Louise during summer

The Lake Louise area is a hikers walhalla with trails suited for all levels.

The Fairview Lookout, Lake Agnes trail, and plain of the Six Glaciers trail are just some of the popular day hikes. There are plenty of other great trails. For a complete overview, click here.

Go paddling

Canoeing or kayaking is a great way to see the turquoise waters and to enjoy the scenery.

Don’t expect it to be a cheap activity but, if you are traveling during the high season, it is a good way to escape the crowds.

Note that if you are a guest of the Fairmont Chateau , you get priority and a discount.

Ride the Lake Louise summer Gondola

If you are visiting Lake Louise during summer, you should definitely ride the Lake Louise Gondola.

The 14 minutes gondola ride offers stunning views, especially on the way down as you get to see Lake Louise. If you are lucky, you might also spot a grizzly bear.

Besides enjoying the view, there are plenty of other things to do.

It is the starting point for several hikes and you can visit the Wildlife Interpretative Center where you will learn more about Banff Park.

If you are hungry, you can have lunch at the Whitehorn Bistro while enjoying the views ( make a reservation if you don’t want to wait too long ).

Insider tip: Check out the local guides for a small discount for the Gondola ride.  Usually they contain $5 off coupons.

If you plan on having lunch at the Whitehorn Bistro, you can save a few dollars by buying a combo-ticket that includes the gondola ride and $25 food and beverage credit.

Visiting Lake Louise in winter

In winter Lake Louise turns into a winter wonderland.

Besides hiking you can go skiing, snowshoeing or ice skating on the frozen lake.

Romantic souls can make a sleigh ride and dog lovers should consider making a dog sledding tour.

Here you can read more about the best things to do in Lake Louise in winter.

How to reach Lake Louise

Lake Louise is 58 km (36 miles) from Banff.  It takes 40 minutes by car via the Trans- Canada Highway (Highway-1).  For a more scenic route, you can opt to follow the Bow Valley Parkway which will take 30 minutes longer.

Explore the Johnston Canyon

If you are only to make one hike while in Banff, it should be the Johnston Canyon.

This 2.7 km easy hike along smooth trails and footbridges is a must-do while you are in Banff. Here you can find more info.

The upper and lower falls are breathtaking especially during winter when they are frozen.

If you are looking for a longer hike, you could hike the trail beyond the upper falls to the Ink Pots which are 7 stunning pools of green-colored mineral springs.

They are placed in an open meadow about 3 km from the Upper Falls.

How to reach the Johnston Canyon

The Johnston Canyon can be found 25 kilometers from Banff and 33 km from Lake Louise on the Bow Valley Highway. It’s a quick 30 minutes drive from Banff or 36 minutes from Lake Louise.

Day 4: Drive the Icefields Parkway to Jasper

Map of the Icefields Parkway:

The 232 kilometers long Icefields Parkway ( Highway 93 North ) connects Lake Louise with Jasper. You will see this highway featured in many ‘top scenic road’ lists.

For a good reason. It truly deserves its status as one of the most scenic roads in the world.

Whatever the season you’re in. Driving this highway is like driving from one amazing postcard view to another.

Fill up your car before you leave for Jasper.  There is only one gas station along the Icefields Parkway and it is closed during the winter.

Read these additional safety tips if you will be driving the parkway in winter.

Time needed

You will need at least 3,5 hours to drive from Banff to Jasper. That is without stopping and when you’re here you really have to make at least a few stops to take in the amazing beauty of this place.

In this itinerary, we have provided a full day so that you have enough time to explore the highlights of the Icefields Parkway.

These are the not-to-be-missed spots.

Stopping at all these places guarantees an exciting but jam-packed day. It is best is to start your day early, especially if you also plan on doing some of the recommended hikes or if you want to spend some extra time at the Columbia Icefield.

Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Lake

The Crowfoot Glacier is our first quick stop on the Icefields Parkway since it can be seen really well from the roadside stop.

Bow Lake is just a few kilometers further. It’s a breathtaking sight to see the beautiful lake surrounded by the majestic mountains and it makes a great photo stop.

The Bow Lake stop also offers an amazing view of both the Bow and Crowfoot Glacier. If you don’t want to stop at Crowfoot Glacier you can head directly to Bow Lake and see the glacier from there.

Time needed: 15 minutes at Crowfoot Glacier, 30 minutes at Bow Lake

Distance to the Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Lake

• Distance from Lake Louise: Crowgoot Glacier 37 km and Bow Lake 39 km
• Distance from Jasper: Crowfoot Glacier 196 km and Bow Lake 175 km

Peyto Lake and Peyto Lookout

Our next stop is at the world-renowned Peyto Lake.

The amazing turquoise blue water you always see in pictures looks unreal and may have you think that it is photoshopped. Now you have the opportunity to see it for real, it really is as beautiful as the pictures.

The beautiful turquoise blue color comes from glacial dust that is taken down from the mountains by the glacier and mixes with the water.

The first viewpoint attracts large crowds. For a more peaceful experience, it is better to continue a little further along a 2.6 km trail to the upper viewpoint. It is not exactly hiking, it’s more of an easy walk.

Here you can find more info about these easy trails.

Time needed: 20 minutes if you only go to the first viewpoint, 30 minutes to an hour if you continue to the upper viewpoint

Distance to Peyto Lake and the Peyto Lookout:

• Distance from Lake Louise: 46 km
• Distance from Jasper: 188 km

Water Fowl Lakes

Our next stop is at the Water Fowl Lakes which is a 10-minute drive from Peyto Lake. The Water Fowl lakes are accessible from June to early September.

Both the lower and upper waterfowl lakes are beautiful but if you are an avid photographer we advise you to head to the Upper Waterfowl lakes since they are slightly more pretty and photogenic.

These lakes make a great spot for a short break if by now you’re already a little hungry.

If you plan on hiking it’s time to strap on your hiking shoes since the Waterfowl Lakes are the starting point of the Chephren Lake Hike. This 7.7 km out and back trail offers amazing views on the lakeside, and the Howse and Chephren peaks.

Time needed: 20 minutes for lower waterfowl lake, 40 minutes if you want to go to upper waterfowl lake, add 2 hours if you want to hike the Chephren Lake trail.

Distance to Water Fowl Lakes

• Distance from Lake Louise: 66 km
• Distance from Jasper: 171 km

Mistaya Canyon

This canyon is located alongside the Icefields Parkway but unlike our previous stops, you won’t find a viewpoint right next to the parking lot.

To witness the beauty of this distinctive curvy canyon you will have to hike the 2km short and easy loop trail.

The trail leads to a wooden bridge that offers an open view of the canyon. and several small waterfalls.

Time needed: 30 minutes

Distance to Mistaya Canyon

• Distance from Lake Louise: 75 km
• Distance from Jasper: 158 km

Saskatchewan River Crossing

Saskatchewan River Crossing was an important settlement in the early days when fur traders and explorers first traveled through the Rocky Mountains.

Nowadays, it is the only place on the Icefields Parkway that has a shop, a restaurant, and lodging.

Note that these facilities are all closed during winter.

At Saskatchewan, you can witness the meeting of the North Saskatchewan, the Mistaya, and the Howse rivers.

This is also the only gas station along the parkway. Make sure to check your fuel meter to see if you can make it until Jasper before you continue your way and refuel if necessary.

The gas station is also closed in the Winter!

• Distance from Lake Louise: 79 km
• Distance from Jasper: 153 km

The Columbia Icefields

The Columbia Icefield is definitely one of the highlights of the Icefields Parkway. It is one of the largest non-polar ice fields in the world, the Athabasca Glacier.

The glacier is visible from the parkway but what you’re seeing is just a tiny fraction. There is also a path leading from the parking lot to the base of the glacier, but you cannot walk on it.

Here is how you can see the whole of this giant pack of ice and snow and set foot on it.

Columbia Discovery center

Start your visit by heading to the Columbia Discovery center where you will learn more about glaciers and how they are formed.

Here you can also buy your tickets for the Columbia Icefield Adventure tour and the Columbia Icefield Skywalk.

Columbia Icefield Adventure tour

The Columbia Icefield Adventure tour takes you to the Athabasca Glacier on a giant Ice explorer, a specialized bus outfitted with impressive tires.

Once arrived at the impressive glacier you can walk around freely for about 20 minutes.

Dress in layers and wear appropriate shoes with grippy soles.

Columbia Icefield Skywalk

The Columbia Skywalk is a 400-meter long glass-floor walkway that’s hanging approximately 280 meters above the valley.

Ironically, and despite being so close to the Athabasca Glacier, you won’t be able to see the glacier from the Skywalk.

It offers a bird’s eye view over the neighboring Sunwapta Valley. A beautiful view but nothing you can’t see in other areas of the park where you don’t need to pay.

The big difference of course is that here you experience the thrill of standing on a glass-floored lookout.

Tickets used to be separate, but have since been combined in a package with both the Icefield adventure and the Icefield Skywalk.

Time needed: 2-3 hours

Note that both these activities are closed in winter.

Distance to the Columbia Icefields

• Distance from Lake Louise: 179 km
• Distance from Jasper: 56 km

Stutfield Glacier

A few hundred meters from the Columbia Icefields you can find the stunning Stutfield Glacier.

This glacier might not be as widely known as its neighbor but it is certainly worth a stop.

Some even think it is more impressive than the Athabasca Glacier.

This glacier can be seen from the parking lot alongside the Parkway. No hiking is necessary.

Time needed: 15 minutes

Sunwapta Falls

Our next stop brings us to the Sunwapta Falls which consists of upper and lower falls.

The upper falls are just a short walk from the parking lot. If you also want to see the lower falls, you need to hike 2km on a well-marked trail through the forest.

Although the Sunwapta Falls are less impressive than the nearby Athabasca falls they are still worth a stop.

Time needed: 20 minutes for the upper falls, add one hour if you want to hike to the lower falls

Distance to the Sunwapta Falls

Athabasca Falls

As we reach Jasper, we make a final stop at the Athabasca Falls.

This impressive fall is another must-see spot on the Icefields Parkway.

This is not one of the highest waterfalls in Jasper national park but certainly one of the most powerful.

To see this waterfall you just follow the trail which will lead to several different viewpoints.

Besides gazing at the waterfall, the area has plenty of other fun things to offer. During summer you can hike or wild water raft and during winter it’s a great place for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

We visited these impressive falls during winter. The trail gets very slippery in winter, on the steep sections, and on stairs, we recommend wearing ice cleats.

You can read more about hiking these falls here.

Time needed: 30-45 minutes

• Distance from Lake Louise: 202 km
• Distance from Jasper: 33 km

This concludes our beautiful journey along the Icefields Parkway. It’s time to continue to Jasper where more adventures await.

If you are driving the Icefields Parkway in winter, check out this post.

Day 5 Jasper: Patricia Lake, Pyramid Lake, Jasper sky tram

Although 3 days in Jasper isn’t a lot, it is enough to cover the highlights. Today we start by visiting 2 stunning lakes.

Jasper map:

Watch the sunrise at Patricia Lake and take a picture at Pyramid Lake

Start your first day in Jasper early by heading to Patricia lake to see the sunrise.

If you’re not an early bird you can also catch the sunset at Patricia lake, it’s an equally mesmerizing experience.

Pay a quick visit to the nearby iconic Pyramid lake to take a picture with the Pyramid Mountain in the background.

If you want to explore the lake from a different perspective you can also rent a kano or kayak.

How to get there: Patricia lake and Pyramid lake are only a 10-minute drive from Jasper.

Take the Jasper SkyTram to Whistlers Mountain

Our next stop is the Jasper SkyTram. In just a few minutes this tram travels nearly 2300 meters up to the top of Whistlers mountain.

If you are riding the Jasper SkyTram during peak season, we would advise you to buy your tickets in advance.

Once at the top station, it is only 1200 meters more to the mountain ridge.

Although it’s a short hike, it’s quite steep, so definitely wear proper hiking shoes, and hiking leggings, and dress in layers. You should count around 30-45 minutes to reach the top.

Once arrived at the top of Whistler’s mountain, you will be rewarded with an amazing overview of Jasper and the surroundings.

Where to find it: The Jasper Sky tram lies 8 km South of Jasper. You can park at the Whistlers mountain tramway parking lot.

Time needed: Allow 2-3 hours to make the most of the Sky tram experience.

Hike to the summit of Whistlers Mountain

If you’re an avid hiker you will probably rather hike to the top than pay for the tramway.

Be warned that this is a tough climb, it becomes steeper as you progress and it will definitely wear you out.

It is 6,8 km to the top station and an additional 1,2km to the mountain ridge. Be sure to provide plenty of water and some snacks. The first part leads through a forest but once you pass the tree line there is no more shade.

Time needed: Between 3-6 hours depending on your fitness level

Where to find it: If you plan on hiking to the summit you can start the hike, at the West end of the Jasper Sky Tram parking lot.

Explore downtown Jasper

Although tiny, Jasper is a charming town to explore. You can easily spend a couple of hours strolling through the main street and exploring the boutiques.

The Jasper museum shows a wide collection of local historic artifacts.

Attention beer lovers, be sure to stop at the Jasper Brewing Company for their happy hour.

Watch the sunset at Edith and Annette lake

End your day by watching the sunset at Annette and Edith lake.

With some luck, you can even spot wildlife.

Day 6: Maligne Lake, Medicine lake, Maligne Canyon

Today we will explore the sights around Maligne Lake Rd.

We start at the eponymous lake located all the way at the end of the road and then gradually make our way back to Jasper.

Maligne Lake

We start our day by driving to Maligne Lake, stretching approximately 22 km, this is the largest natural lake in Jasper National Park.

There are plenty of fun things to do around Maligne Lake.

If you love hiking you can choose from many different trails.

If you are looking to spend a relaxing morning, you can take a scenic cruise on the lake or rent a canoe or kayak.

If you are visiting Maligne Lake during winter it’s a great place for snowshoeing.

Time needed: 20 minutes to see the lake, 2 to 6 hours if you want to go hiking or do any of the other activities

How to get there :

Maligne Lake lies around 45 km from Jasper along Maligne Lake Road. It takes about an hour to reach it.

Medicine lake

From Maligne Lake, we will return to Jasper the same way we came.

Our next stop is Medicine lake.

This lake, which is formed by the Maligne River, is a very special lake since it disappears in autumn when all the water drains out.

It’s a great spot to have lunch while enjoying the impressive scenery.

There is a good chance you may see some wildlife such as sheep, bears, and moose.

If you are looking for more beautiful lakes in Canada, click here.

Time needed: 20 minutes

Maligne Canyon

Our next and last stop for today is at the Maligne Canyon which is one of the highlights of Jasper. The canyon is impressive in every season.

The Maligne Canyon is with a depth of more than 50 meters the deepest canyon in the Rocky Mounties and is a great place to spend a couple of hours.

Things to do at Maligne Canyon in summer

Maligne Canyon in summer is gorgeous.

If you love hiking, there are different trails of varying distances to choose from.

One of the best is the Maligne Canyon Loop Trail. This easy 3,4 km loop takes you past all the 6 canyon bridges and offers countless scenic views of the gorge.

You can start and end this hike at the first bridge where you will also find the Maligne Canyon Wilderness kitchen. A place that serves excellent food for a reasonable price. Here you can quell your hunger or thirst before you start your hike.

Maligne Canyon in winter

We visited the Canyon in winter and took a guided Maligne Canyon Ice walk tour.

I can truly say this was one of the highlights of our trip.

Find more info about the Maligne canyon and read our full review of the Maligne Ice walk here.

Hike The Valley of the Five lakes

The Valley of the Five lakes is an amazing 4,6 km moderate loop that brings you around 5 beautifully colored lakes that range from bright blue to emerald green.

At one of the lakes, you will also see the famous red chairs.

Count around 2 hours to hike the loop.

If you are traveling during high season, we advise you to start early to avoid the crowds. 

When hiking during summer, bring bugs spray since there are lots of mosquitos.

How to reach the starting point

To find the trailhead, proceed along the Icefields Parkway, south of Jasper.

The parking lot is along the road.

Jasper Dark Sky Preserve

Jasper was designated a Dark Sky Preserve in 2011. It’s one of the few places that is easily accessible and has limited light pollution.

This offers excellent opportunities for stargazing.

The Jasper Planetarium offers tours where weather permitting, you can look at the sky through the largest and most powerful telescope in the North American Rockies.

Day 7: Sulphur Skyline hike and Miette hot springs

Hike the sulphur skyline.

The Sulphur Skyline hike is a challenging 8 km out and back uphill hike to the Sulphur Skyline summit.

The trail starts on a paved path and then transitions to gravel leading through the forest for most of the time.

When continuing the path it will change into steep switchbacks once you get closer to the top.

At the summit, you will be rewarded with 360-degree views.

Bears are often seen during this hike. We therefore recommend that you bring bear spray and bells.

Goats and other wildlife can also be seen.

From Jasper drive North East on highway AB-16 towards Edmonton for 44 km to the Pocahontas and the Miette Road Junction. Drive for 15-20 minutes on the Miette RD. Then you will reach the Miette hot springs.

Where to start the Sulphur Skyline hike

The hike starts above and right of the Miette hot springs.

Miette hot springs

The hot springs will be a real treat for your sore muscles after this demanding hike.

The complex features 4 outdoor pools of different temperatures.

It’s a great place to unwind before driving further to Edmonton or back to Calgary.

Here you can find more info about hot springs.

Note that they close for the winter season.

Banff and Jasper are 2 amazing destinations in the Rocky Mountains. There is so much to see and to do that you need to prioritize.

In this post, we shared a sample Banff-Jasper itinerary for 7 days.

Feel free to adapt this itinerary to your own preferences.

We hope you have an amazing holiday in the Canadian Rockies.

Here is an overview of more amazing national parks in Canada.

See the web Stories that accompany this post.

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Hello! I'm Lynn.

What Lynn Loves

Travel + Adventure in Whistler + Around the World

Canada , Travel · June 25, 2023

Canadian Rockies Road Trip: Banff to Jasper Itinerary

Are you getting ready to embark on an unforgettable road trip from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park? I grew up in Alberta and lived in the Rockies, and am STILL blown away by the turquoise lakes, towering peaks, and the wonders of nature at every turn. When you check this Banff to Jasper Itinerary experience off your bucket list and travel this scenic route with awe-inspiring vistas and literal breathtaking landscapes, you’ll discover the spectacular beauty of the Canadian Rockies. 

Follow my epic travel guide with this Banff and Jasper itinerary, and get ready to immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty of Banff and Jasper National Parks. I hope you’re ready for an extraordinary adventure!

Banff to Jasper Road Trip Questions

Before we get to the Banff and Jasper itinerary, I want to answer some of the most asked Banff to Jasper Road Trip Questions.

How long does it take to drive from Banff to Jasper? 

When you drive from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park, you’ll cover a distance of about 288 kilometers (179 miles). This is along the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) and Icefields Parkway (Highway 93). The duration of your drive can vary depending on a lot of factors traffic, road conditions, wildlife traffic jams (yes, that’s a real thing), and the number of stops you make along the way. 

On average, it takes about 3 to 4 hours to drive from Banff to Jasper. However, many people choose to extend their trip to fully immerse themselves in the breathtaking landscapes. You may want to make frequent stops at the various attractions and viewpoints along the way. I highly recommend you give yourself extra time so that you can fully appreciate the stunning scenery and explore the remarkable sights, transforming your drive into an unforgettable adventure. You won’t regret it!

Looking for a rental car? I’ve got you covered with these rental car options for your road trip.

What is the most scenic route from Banff to Jasper?

The journey from Banff to Jasper is along the iconic Icefields Parkway, also known as Highway 93. It is widely regarded as one of the most breathtaking drives in the world.

What is the best time of year to visit Banff and Jasper? 

The best time of year to visit Banff and Jasper National Parks really depends on your preferences and the type of experience you’re seeking. Here’s a breakdown of the different seasons:

• Summer (June to August): This is the peak tourist season when the weather is generally pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F) in Banff and slightly cooler in Jasper. The summer months offer the advantage of longer daylight hours, allowing you to maximize your outdoor activities such as hiking, wildlife viewing, and exploring the national parks’ iconic attractions well into the evening. However, be prepared for larger crowds, more traffic, and higher accommodation prices during this time.
• Fall (September to October): Fall in Banff and Jasper is characterized by stunning foliage as the forests transform into a brilliant palette of golden hues. The weather remains mild, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F). This season offers fewer crowds compared to summer, making it a great time to enjoy the beautiful landscapes, hike on scenic trails, and potentially witness wildlife during their fall migrations. This is one of my favourite times to visit because there are fewer crowds however the lakes haven’t frozen, so you still get more of that “summer” experience.
• Winter (November to March): If you’re a fan of winter activities, like skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and ice skating, then visiting Banff and Jasper during the winter season is ideal. The parks are transformed into a winter wonderland, with snow-covered peaks and frozen lakes. Temperatures can drop below freezing, ranging from -10°C to -20°C (14°F to -4°F). Be prepared for shorter daylight hours, but you’ll have a chance to witness the stunning beauty of the parks in a peaceful and serene setting. Here are 3 Reasons to visit Banff in Winter .
• Spring (April to May): Spring in Banff and Jasper is a transitional period, where you can witness the parks coming alive with vibrant wildflowers and the return of wildlife. The temperatures gradually start to warm up, ranging from 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F), but snow and chilly weather can still be present, especially during early spring. It’s a quieter time to visit compared to summer, with opportunities for hiking, wildlife spotting, and enjoying the emerging beauty of nature.

For the purpose of this Canadian Rockies road trip travel guide, I’m going to base the recommendations I make in my Banff and Jasper itinerary on the Summer and Fall season.

Your Ultimate Banff to Jasper Road Trip Itinerary

A road trip from Banff to Jasper offers breathtaking views of the Canadian Rockies and stunning natural landscapes. Here’s a detailed itinerary for your journey, including the main route, distances, estimated driving times, and some alternative routes you can consider:

Banff to Jasper Itinerary Day 1:

• Start your road trip in Banff, Alberta.
• Drive from Banff to Lake Louise (58 km / 36 mi, approximately 45 minutes).
• Spend some time exploring Lake Louise and its famous turquoise waters. Consider hiking around the lake or visiting the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise . (*Note: during the busy summer season, many parts of the Fairmont are only accessible for hotel guests.)
• Drive from Lake Louise to the Columbia Icefield (125 km / 78 mi, approximately 1.5 hours).
• Take a guided tour onto the Athabasca Glacier or visit the Glacier Skywalk for panoramic views. Try this Full Day Icefields Parkway Tour which includes both. 
• Continue driving from the Columbia Icefield to the town of Jasper (103 km / 64 mi, approximately 1.5 hours).
• Arrive in Jasper and settle into your accommodation.

Banff to Jasper Itinerary Day 2:

• Explore Jasper National Park.
• Visit Maligne Lake (50 km / 31 mi, approximately 1 hour) and consider taking a boat tour to Spirit Island. This Wildlife and Waterfalls Tour with Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island is incredible! 
• Drive to Maligne Canyon (10 km / 6 mi, approximately 15 minute drive) and do an easy hike along the scenic canyon trails.
• Head back to Jasper and spend the evening in the town, enjoying its charming atmosphere and local restaurants.

Banff to Jasper Itinerary Day 3:

• Take a day trip to Mount Edith Cavell (45 km / 28 mi, approximately 1 hour) for stunning views of Angel Glacier.
• Hike the Path of the Glacier Trail for a closer look at the glacier and surrounding peaks (approximately 1 hour).
• Return to Jasper and explore some of the local shops and galleries or continue to Sunwapta Falls (56 km, approximately 1 hour).
• Take a short walk to view the impressive waterfalls and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. If time allows, try a River Rafting Trip on Sunwapta River .
• Return to Jasper (56 km / 34 mi, approximately 43 minutes)

Banff to Jasper Itinerary Day 4:

• Depart from Jasper and start your return journey. You may want to give yourself 1-3 more days for your return trip based on your route. *Various route options are available below.

Alternative Banff to Jasper Itinerary Return Routes:

• Icefields Parkway Loop:
• From Jasper, drive south on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) to Lake Louise.
• Continue on Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) to Yoho National Park and visit attractions like Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls. If time allows, I recommend you do the Full-Day Yoho National Park and Grizzly Bear Refuge Tour . 
• Return to Banff via Highway 1, completing a loop. This route adds additional driving time but offers diverse scenery and more attractions.
• Highway 16 Route:
• From Jasper, drive east on Highway 16 to Hinton.
• Continue on Highway 16 to Edmonton, Alberta’s capital city.
• Explore Edmonton or continue further eastward to Saskatchewan or Manitoba.

Here are some recommendations for the Best Things to Do in Edmonton . 

What are some recommended places to eat and stay during the road trip?

During your road trip from Banff to Jasper, you’ll come across various dining and accommodation options that cater to different tastes and budgets. Here are some recommended places to eat and stay along the route.

Best Places to Eat:

• STOCK at Fairmont Banff Springs (Banff): STOCK Food + Drink is a great place to fuel up with coffee, pastries, soups and sandwiches before your road trip. Eat in or grab your goodies to go.
• Storm Mountain Lodge (near Castle Junction): Stop by this charming lodge’s restaurant for a unique dining experience. Enjoy delicious dishes made from scratch, using fresh ingredients and flavors inspired by the Canadian Rockies.
• Columbia Icefield Glacier View Restaurant (Icefields Parkway): Situated at the Columbia Icefield Visitor Centre, this restaurant offers panoramic views of the surrounding glaciers. Grab a bite while enjoying the breathtaking scenery.
• Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge (near Sunwapta Falls): This lodge features a restaurant that serves hearty meals with a focus on regional flavors. It’s a great place to relax and refuel after exploring the nearby waterfalls.

Looking for the Best Restaurants to Dine in Jasper ? Look no further!

Places to Stay:

• Fairmont Banff Springs (Banff) : This castle-like hotel offers a luxurious stay with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Experience the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains while enjoying top-notch amenities and services.
• Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (Lake Louise): A renowned luxury hotel overlooking the iconic Lake Louise, the Fairmont offers elegant accommodations, world-class dining, and a range of outdoor activities for a truly unforgettable experience.
• HI-Rampart Creek Wilderness Hostel (Icefields Parkway): For budget-conscious travelers, this wilderness hostel provides a unique experience. It’s a rustic and off-the-grid accommodation option with shared facilities, perfect for those seeking a closer connection with nature.

I’ve got an entire post dedicated to Where to Stay in Jasper, Alberta. Check it out!

Remember to book accommodations in advance, especially during peak travel seasons, as they can fill up quickly. Additionally, explore other lodging and dining options along the route to find establishments that suit your preferences and budget.

Banff and Jasper Itinerary: Highlights and Must-See Attractions

Here are some iconic and must-visit attractions on the Banff to Jasper route, along with information about each location, its natural features, activities, and popular outdoor adventures:

Johnston Canyon:

• Johnston Canyon is known for its stunning waterfalls, crystal-clear streams, and scenic canyon views. 
• The Johnston Canyon trail is relatively accessible, making it suitable for a wide range of visitors. The trail is well-maintained, with a mostly paved path and sturdy catwalks and bridges that provide safe passage through the canyon. This accessibility makes it a popular choice for families, casual hikers, and those looking for a shorter, less strenuous hike.
• The highlight of Johnston Canyon is the opportunity to see two beautiful waterfalls: the Lower Falls and the Upper Falls. The Lower Falls are easily accessible from the trailhead, requiring just a short walk. The Upper Falls are located further along the trail and involve a moderate uphill hike. Both waterfalls are impressive and offer great photo opportunities.

Lake Louise:

• Lake Louise is known for its stunning turquoise-colored waters, surrounded by towering mountain peaks.
• It offers scenic beauty and opportunities for photography, leisurely walks along the lakeshore, and relaxation in a serene setting.
• Visitors can hike around the lake, rent canoes to explore the waters, or enjoy a meal at the historic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise .
• Popular hikes in the area include the Lake Agnes Tea House hike, Plain of Six Glaciers hike, and Big Beehive hike, offering varying levels of difficulty and panoramic views.

Moraine Lake

• Moraine Lake is renowned for its stunning turquoise-blue waters surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains and dense forests. The vibrant color of the lake, caused by rock flour suspended in the water, creates a mesmerizing visual spectacle that is truly awe-inspiring.
• The Valley of the Ten Peaks serves as a majestic backdrop to Moraine Lake, adding to its allure. The ten towering peaks provide a dramatic and picturesque scene, making it one of the most photographed locations in the Canadian Rockies.
• The area around Moraine Lake offers several hiking trails for different skill levels. The Rockpile Trail is a short hike, an easy 5 minute walk really, that provides a panoramic view of the lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. For more adventurous hikers, trails like the Larch Valley/Sentinel Pass or Eiffel Lake offer a chance to explore the surrounding alpine landscapes.
• Please note, as of 2023 personal vehicles do NOT have access to Moraine Lake. You must take the Park & Ride Shuttle or ROAM public transit. Neither of these options are available for sunrise. If you wish to visit Moraine Lake at sunrise, this private tour of Moraine Lake at Sunrise is a great option. 

If you wish to do a day trip from Banff to visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, I highly recommend this Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Private Tour . You will be picked up from your Banff hotel and as its a return trip, you won’t need to worry about finding parking at these iconic landmarks. 

Icefields Parkway:

• The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) is a renowned scenic highway that stretches from Lake Louise to Jasper, offering breathtaking views of glaciers, waterfalls, and rugged mountain landscapes.
• It is considered one of the most scenic drives in the world.
• Along the way, you’ll encounter viewpoints like Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, and Mistaya Canyon, which provide excellent photo opportunities and short walks to admire the natural beauty.
• Wildlife sightings are common, so keep an eye out for animals such as bears, elk, and mountain goats.

Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield:

• The Athabasca Glacier is a part of the Columbia Icefield, one of the largest icefields in North America.
• Visitors can take guided tours onto the glacier to explore its unique landscape of ice formations and learn about glaciology.
• The Glacier Skywalk is another attraction in the area, offering a glass-floored observation platform with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Maligne Lake:

• Maligne Lake is known for its crystal-clear waters and picturesque setting within Jasper National Park.
• Boat tours to Spirit Island are a popular activity, providing access to one of the most photographed locations in the Canadian Rockies.
• Hiking trails around Maligne Lake offer opportunities for exploration, such as the Maligne Lake Lakeshore Trail and Bald Hills Trail.
• Wildlife viewing is also common in the area, with chances to spot moose, bears, and various bird species.

Outdoor Activities:

• Hiking: There are numerous hiking trails available throughout the Banff to Jasper route, ranging from easy walks to challenging mountain hikes. Make sure to check trail conditions, bring appropriate gear, and be prepared for changing weather conditions.
• Biking: Cycling is a popular activity along the Icefields Parkway, with designated bike lanes and stunning scenery. Bicycles can be rented in Banff or Jasper.
• Wildlife Watching: The Canadian Rockies are home to diverse wildlife. Keep a safe distance and be respectful of the animals. Wildlife can often be spotted along the roadside or during hikes.
• Canoeing and Kayaking: Lake Louise, Maligne Lake, and other nearby lakes offer opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. Rentals are available at these locations.
• Photography: The entire route provides exceptional opportunities for photography. Capture the beauty of the landscapes, lakes, glaciers, and wildlife. Be prepared with the right equipment and take advantage of golden hour lighting for stunning shots. However do be aware that you are not allowed to use drones in Canada’s national parks.

It’s important to check park regulations, obtain any required permits, and be prepared for outdoor activities by carrying essential gear, water, and snacks. Stay informed about wildlife safety guidelines and practice Leave No Trace principles to preserve the natural beauty of these areas.

More Questions about Banff and Jasper, Answered

Is it worth driving to jasper from banff.

YES! When they said ‘life is about the journey, not the destination’ I’m certain they were talking about driving from Banff to Jasper. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should not be missed. Here are a few reasons why driving the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper is worth it:

• Stunning Natural Landscapes The route between Banff and Jasper is a visual feast for nature lovers. You’ll be treated to majestic mountain peaks, pristine turquoise lakes, cascading waterfalls, and vast glaciers. The panoramic vistas along the Icefields Parkway are simply awe-inspiring, offering endless photo opportunities and moments of pure wonder.
• Wildlife Encounters The Canadian Rockies are home to a diverse array of wildlife, and driving along this route increases your chances of spotting them. Keep your eyes peeled for elk, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and even the elusive black bears or grizzly bears. Just remember to observe them from a safe distance and respect their natural habitat.
• Must-see Attractions and Viewpoints Along the way, you’ll encounter several must-visit attractions that are unique to this region. Stops such as beautiful Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake, Athabasca Glacier, and Maligne Lake offer unforgettable experiences and showcase the natural beauty that has made the Canadian Rockies famous worldwide.
• Scenic Viewpoints and Hiking Trails The Icefields Parkway is dotted with numerous scenic viewpoints and hiking trails. These stops allow you to immerse yourself in the pristine wilderness, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and appreciate the grandeur of the surrounding landscapes up close. From short walks to longer hikes, there are options available for all fitness levels and time limitations.
• Flexibility and Freedom Driving from Banff to Jasper gives you the freedom to set your own pace and explore the route at your leisure. You can stop whenever you want to take photos, stretch your legs, or simply soak in the beauty of the surroundings. It allows you to fully appreciate the journey and create your own unforgettable memories.

What is the best parking lot at Lake Louise?

The best parking lot at Lake Louise depends on what you plan to do and the time of year you’re visiting. Here are a few options:

• Park & Ride: If you prefer to avoid the congestion near the lake, you can park at the Park & Ride area across the Trans Canada Highway from the Lake Louise Village. This lot has free parking. From there, you can take the shuttle bus to the both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. The shuttle operates throughout the day. This option allows you to avoid the stress of finding parking and provides flexibility for your visit. Read more for further details about Park & Ride parking and reservations . 
• Lake Louise Lakeshore Parking Lot: I do not recommend this parking option during high season (June to September). While this parking lot is closest to the lake itself and is the most convenient if you want to take a leisurely stroll along the lakeshore or enjoy the iconic views of Lake Louise, it fills up quickly (by 7 am) during peak tourist season.

Keep in mind that during high season, parking at Lake Louise can be challenging, and the lots can fill up quickly. It’s best to arrive early in the day or consider visiting during less busy times, such as October to May, to increase your chances of finding parking.

Are there any fees or permits required for visiting the national parks?

When visiting Banff and Jasper National Parks , you will need to pay an entrance fee, which grants you access to the parks. The fees vary depending on the season and are charged per vehicle. Additionally, if you plan to visit multiple national parks and sites in Canada within a year, purchasing a Discovery Pass can offer cost savings.

For specific activities, such as backcountry camping, fishing, or guided tours, additional permits or licenses may be required. Backcountry camping permits are necessary if you plan to camp in the backcountry, and fishing licenses are required for anglers. Guided tours and activities may have separate fees and reservations, so it’s best to check with authorized operators or visit the Parks Canada website for detailed information.

Is it better to drive from Banff to Jasper or Jasper to Banff?

Driving from Banff to Jasper or from Jasper to Banff both offer unforgettable road trip experiences through the stunning Canadian Rockies. Choosing the direction depends on personal preference, timing, and itinerary. And of course which airports you are arriving into and flying out of. Driving from Banff to Jasper allows for a gradual build-up of awe-inspiring scenery, passing through attractions like Lake Louise and the Columbia Icefield. On the other hand, driving from Jasper to Banff creates anticipation as you approach the grandeur of Banff National Park and offers breathtaking views along the Icefields Parkway. Consider a circular route if possible to enjoy the best of both directions. Whichever way you choose, prepare for incredible natural beauty, wildlife sightings, and a memorable journey through the Rockies.

How many days do you need to see Banff and Jasper?

To fully experience the highlights of Banff and Jasper, I recommend a minimum of 5 to 7 days. Spend 2 to 3 days in Banff National Park, exploring attractions like Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon, and engaging in outdoor activities. Allocate a full day for the scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway, making stops at Peyto Lake and the Columbia Icefield. Reserve another 2 to 3 days in Jasper National Park to visit Maligne Lake and Athabasca Falls, and enjoy hiking and wildlife viewing. If you have more time, extend your stay to delve deeper into the natural wonders and take advantage of additional outdoor activities.

What is the weather like in Banff and Jasper?

The weather in Banff and Jasper National Parks varies depending on the season and elevation. Summers are mild to warm, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F) in lower elevations. Fall brings cooler temperatures and changing foliage colors, while winters are cold with temperatures often below freezing, making it ideal for winter sports. Spring has milder temperatures, but it can still be chilly, with rapidly changing weather patterns. It’s important to check the local forecast and dress in layers to accommodate the variable conditions that can occur in the mountainous regions.

What are the safety tips and precautions for the road trip?

When embarking on a road trip through Banff and Jasper, it’s essential to prioritize safety. Here are some safety tips and precautions to consider:

• Plan and Prepare Before your trip, plan your itinerary, research road conditions, and check for any closures or advisories. Ensure your vehicle is in good working condition, including checking tires, brakes, and fluids. Pack emergency supplies, including a first aid kit, extra food and water, warm clothing, a flashlight, and a roadside emergency kit.
• Follow Traffic Rules and Speed Limits Observe and obey all traffic rules and regulations, including speed limits. Be aware of wildlife crossing areas and reduce your speed accordingly. Keep a safe distance from other vehicles and use turnouts when necessary to allow faster traffic to pass.
• Wildlife Safety Wildlife, such as elk, deer, and bears, are commonly seen in Banff and Jasper National Parks. Admire them from a safe distance and never feed or approach them. Be cautious when driving at dawn or dusk when animals are more active and may be crossing roads. Use wildlife underpasses or overpasses where available.
• Stay on Designated Roads and Trails Stick to designated roads and trails and avoid venturing into restricted or closed areas. Off-road driving is strictly prohibited and can cause irreparable damage to the environment.
• Weather Awareness Mountain weather can change rapidly, so stay informed about weather conditions and be prepared for sudden changes. Check weather forecasts, road conditions, and avalanche bulletins if traveling during winter. Adjust your plans if necessary for safety.
• Rest and Fatigue Management Take regular breaks during long drives to combat driver fatigue. Fatigue can impair reaction times and increase the risk of accidents. If feeling tired, find a safe place to pull over, rest, and rejuvenate before continuing.
• Cell Phone Coverage Be aware that cell phone coverage may be limited in certain areas, especially in remote parts of the parks. Inform someone of your travel plans and check-in with them regularly.
• Leave No Trace Respect and preserve the natural environment by practicing Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all garbage, dispose of waste properly, and avoid littering. Respect wildlife and their habitats.

Remember, safety is paramount, so exercise caution, use common sense, and be prepared for unexpected situations. Stay alert, enjoy the breathtaking scenery, and have a memorable and safe road trip through Banff and Jasper.

Banff to Jasper Itinerary

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Banff to Jasper – A 5-Day Canadian Rockies Road Trip

The majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains are a bucket list destination for many travellers.  Banff and Jasper National Parks offer easy access to this stunning natural beauty and striking mountain range.  These Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks are collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Explore these beautiful parks, the Athabasca Glacier and the two small towns of Banff and Jasper on this 5-Day Road Trip.

Table of Contents

Banff to Jasper Itinerary

• Banff National Park: 3 Days Banff Townsite – Explore the top of Sulphur Mountain and relax in the famous hot springs. Hike Banff – Enjoy one or more of the Easy Hikes in Banff. Lake Louise – See the iconic lake and hike to the Six Glaciers Teahouse.
• Columbia Icefield : 1 Day Take an ice explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier.
• Jasper National Park : 1 Day See the area from the top of Whistlers Peak.

Banff to Jasper Map

Banff National Park

In 1883 workers, building Canada’s transcontinental railroad through the Bow Valley, discovered a series of hot springs . The competition to make them a tourist attraction prompted the government to step in to protect them. Canada’s first national park was created in 1885.

This nature reserve encompassed the springs and the surrounding mountains, lakes and valleys which eventually became Banff National Park .

Banff Itinerary

• Take the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain.
• Check out the Banff Springs Hotel.
• Discover the history of the town and park at the Whyte Museum.
• Relax in the Banff Upper Hot Springs.
• Explore the area, hiking some of its easy trails, including:  Bow Falls, walk along the Bow River, see Sunshine Meadows.
• In town, enjoy Banff Avenue’s shopping and dinner spots.
• Hike the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail from Chateau Lake Louise.
• Visit a Banff Museum.
• Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Minnewanka OR
• Hike to the icefield at C-Level Cirque.

Banff Gondola

One of the Banff must-do’s, is to ride the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain .  Enjoy a panoramic view of town and the whole Bow Valley at the summit, 2088 metres above the valley floor.  Hike the 1-kilometre boardwalk trail along the mountain ridge to Sanson’s Peak.  Inside the chalet there are restaurants, an interpretive museum and a multi-sensory theatre.  For those wanting a challenge, hike the 5.5-kilometre Sulphur Mountain Trail either up or down avoiding the gondola charge.

Banff Townsite

There are many attractions in the town of Banff. It also makes a great base for the many hikes and outdoor activities nearby.

Banff Springs Hotel opened in 1888 to cater to the wealthy tourists who arrived by rail to enjoy the hot springs.  Its revivalist architecture, fine dining, and the rumours of ghosts continue to make this luxury hotel a popular spot. Enjoy a visit, even for just a brief glimpse if the budget doesn’t allow a night’s stay. 

The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies is a must-see museum in Banff. It features rotating art exhibitions that depict the landscapes of the Rocky Mountains. There are exhibits showing the history and struggles of the early pioneers that came to Banff.

Cave and Basin National Historic tells the story of the beginning of Canada’s National Park system.  This is where three railway workers discovered the original hot springs.  Due to the popularity of thermal treatments with well-heeled tourists, the government quickly protected the springs.

Guided tours are available to the original cave and the outdoor springs.  The museum has interactive exhibits about the Parks Canada story.  Even though swimming in the Cave and Basin Springs are not allowed anymore, there is an option nearby.

At the Banff Upper Hot Springs , soak and relax with stunning views of nearby Mount Rundle.  The water temperature varies between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius.  This is the perfect way to end your day.

To fill an hour or two on a rainy day or an extra day, there are several museums in Banff which provide information about the history and culture of the area, including: Banff Park Museum, Buffalo Nations Museum and the Historic Luxton Home Museum.

A stroll of Banff Avenue provides lots of shopping and dining options.

Banff to Lake Louise

The Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) is the fastest route from Banff to Lake Louise.

With more time, take the slower, meandering, Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A).  Enjoy its viewpoints: Backswamp Viewpoint , Castle Cliff Viewpoint and the famous Morant’s Curve .

Johnston Canyon is a great stop for a hike.  The 1-hour hike traverses the canyon over bridges, to both the Lower and Upper Falls.

Where can I Park in Lake Louise?

Lake Louise is one of the busiest and most popular places in Banff National Park.  Finding parking is often an issue.  Our recommendation is to park at the Park and Ride Connector lot located south of town.

From this location, the Parks Canada Shuttle takes passengers to: Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Lakeshore and a Lake Connector Stop between the two.

New in 2023 – Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles.

See the Parks Canada’s Getting around the Lake Louise area webpage for shuttle schedules and pricing.

Lake Louise

The village of Lake Louise is named after its famous turquoise beauty, Lake Louise .  This iconic lake is one of the most photographed places in all of Canada.

Start your visit at Chateau Lake Louise .  The first chateau, built in 1890, was a one-story log building with huge windows and a verandah overlooking the lovely turquoise lake.  With an increasing number tourists arriving, the hotel was expanded into today’s stunning, internationally-renowned hotel.

Be sure to get a picture with the backdrop of the Lake Louise and the high peaks of Rocky Mountains.

Canoeing on the lake is popular in the summer and skating in the winter. 

Enjoy a short hike beside the lake or, better yet, we recommend making a day of it on the Plain of Six Glaciers Day Hike .

Moraine Lake

On an extra day, take the shuttle to Moraine Lake.  This is another spectacular blue lake. Set in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, this area has more rugged hiking opportunities.

Banff National Park Hikes

There is an abundance of hiking trails in Banff of all lengths and degrees of difficulty.

If travelling with kids, one of the easiest hikes is a walk along the Bow River in the Banff Townsite .   On the north side of the river, hike to the Surprise Corner Viewpoint .  Walkers can continue on the Hoodoos Trail for a longer and more difficult hike.   On the south side of the Bow River, walk to the Bow Falls Viewpoint , stopping by the Cascade of Time Garden on the way.

Take a short drive to Lake Minnewanka .   The Steward Canyon trail is an easy 1.5-kilometre trail that follows the shoreline.  A 1-hour cruise of this beautiful lake and landscape is also available. 

For a more challenging hike, drive to Bankhead.   The trailhead for the C-Level Cirque Hiking Trail is located at the Upper Bankhead Day-Use Area.  On this 3.9-kilometre, 3-hour hike, see the foundations of the former mining operation.  The trail continues to great views of the massive glacier on Cascade Mountain.

Easy Hikes in Banff

The following table shows our suggested hikes.  Most of these trails are within walking distance of town, or a short bus or car ride away.

For more moderate and longer hikes, there are several options just outside of town.

For a complete list see the Parks Canada Day Hikes in the Banff Area .

Plain of Six Glaciers Day Hike

The Plain of Six Glaciers hike is one of the best in Banff National Park. The hike from the trailhead behind Chateau Lake Louise to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse is 5.3 kilometres long.  In total, the elevation gain is 385 metres and it takes about 4 hours to complete the round-trip hike.

From the Chateau, walk to the other end of Lake Louise on the flat Lakeshore Trail and begin to climb. Mountain goats are often seen on the steep sides of the valley. At the rustic Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse , enjoy a bite to eat. The wrap-around-deck allows time to rest awhile and enjoy the mountain views. The Abbot Pass Viewpoint is a further 1.5-kilometre hike west, but the views of Victoria Glacier are worth the additional time.  We spent about an hour here walking the ridge, enjoying the views of the glacier.

For more details on how to tackle this amazing hike, check out our full article, Plain of Six Glaciers – The Best Lake Louise Hike .

Icefields Parkway

The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) runs from Lake Louise in Banff National Park to the town of Jasper in Jasper National Park.

Lake Louise to Columbia Icefield

Leaving Lake Louise, the journey continues north towards the Columbia Icefield.  There are many great opportunities to pull over for photos along the way.

The first stop is at Bow Lake .  Pull over at the highway viewpoint, or better yet, drive to the car lot beside Bow Lake Lodge for some great photos.

Drive on to Peyto Lake ’s Upper Viewpoint.  The viewpoint, at 100 metres over the water, is picture perfect.  The unbelievable blue colour of Peyto Lake is jaw-dropping.

Mistaya Canyon is further up the highway.  The trailhead is located right at the highway pull off.  Stretch your legs for a short hike to see the canyon and the waterfalls.

Just off the highway is Weeping Wall , a water cascade that looks like tears flowing down the side of the mountain.

The largest icefield in the Rockies, the Columbia Icefield are a must-see attraction. 

Columbia Icefield

Stop at the Glacier Discovery Centre .  Learn about the icefield through its interpretive exhibits. The Ice Explorer Tour begins here.  From the large patio, enjoy a break with views of the Athabasca Glacier or grab some food from the restaurants inside the centre. 

The Ice Explorer is a bus-like, all-terrain vehicle which carries up to 56 passengers.  A fleet of these vehicles travel to and on top of the Athabasca Glacier , the most visited glacier in North America.  Passengers get up close views of the ice and crevasses as their vehicle crawls over this 400-year-old ice sheet.  Better yet, exit the vehicle and experience the thrill of walking on the glacier itself and drinking pure glacial meltwater .

Upon returning to the Glacier Discovery Centre, board another bus for the next adventure, the Skyway.

The Columbia Icefield Skyway is 5 minutes further north on the parkway. It is a 1-kilometre cliff-edge walkway leading to a glass-floored observation platform over the Sunwapta Valley, 280 metres below.  The Skyway is a unique way to view the glacier-carved valleys and mountains.

Be sure to make reservations in advance to get your Columbia Icefield Adventure Tickets .

While the Skyway can be done separately, we recommend doing the full Columbia Icefield Adventure.

Columbia Icefield to Jasper

There are many places to pull over and see the stunning region between the Columbia Icefield and the town of Jasper. 

Be sure to make stops at Stutfield Glacier Viewpoint , Sunwapta Falls , and Athabasca Falls for more stunning photos.

Jasper National Park

Jasper is not swamped with tourists like Banff, which makes visiting this area even more enjoyable.  There are plenty of outdoor options.

Jasper, a beautiful mountain town, is the heart of Jasper National Park.  Start your day by taking the Jasper SkyTram up to Whistlers Peak.  On a clear day, there are great views of the town and the surrounding mountains.  In town, visit the Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives. Learn about the railway and the early development of the park.

South of town, visit the Cavell area to hike the Path of the Glacier Trail , an easy 1-hour 1.6-kilometre return hike.  At Cavell Pond, a short hike from the parking lot, see the layered ice of the Cavell Glacier.  Look up at the amazing Angel Glacier coming down the face of Mount Edith Cavell.

North of Jasper, visit any of the small lakes, called Patricia, Pyramid, Annette and Edith Lakes, for hiking, kayaking, and if you dare, swimming.

At the Miette Hot Springs , enjoy a relaxing soak, as the water temperature is always kept between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius. 

Jasper to Maligne Lake – Additional Day

On an extra day in Jasper National Park, we recommend the 46-kilometre scenic drive between Jasper and Maligne Lake. 

Stop at Maligne Canyon .  The trail crosses bridges over this 50-metre-deep limestone gorge with several views of waterfalls.

After passing Medicine Lake, the scenic drive ends at Maligne Lake .

The Mary Schäffer Loop , an easy 3.2-kilometre loop trail, has interpretive panels about Schäffer, one of the earliest explorers to this area.  Walk by the historic boathouse and enjoy several great views of the lake before looping back to the parking lot.

Enjoy the Maligne Lake Cruise . This 1.5-hour cruise crosses the emerald lake to picturesque Spirit Island , a spiritual place for the Stoney Nakoda First Nation’s people.

Options to Return to the City

After completing this Road Trip, there are a few options to return to the city.

Drive from Jasper to Banff, reversing this route. Enjoy different stops and hikes.  From Banff, return to Calgary .

Alternatively, from Jasper, continue eastward to Edmonton .

For more great Alberta destinations, be sure to check out our article Best Alberta Road Trips .

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Andy is the co-founder of Avrex Travel, where he shares his many travel experiences. Andy enjoys videography and creating great Road Trips for his readers.

7 day Canadian Rockies Itinerary: A Canada Road Trip

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Planning a trip to Banff and Jasper? We have an epic 7 day Canadian Rockies itinerary that you must follow to explore some of the finest places in the Great White North!

Banff and its nearby areas are like a monthly retreat for us. We live four hours away from both Banff and Jasper National Parks, and have visited them under different conditions, seasons and occasions! 

In this Canadian Rockies road trip guide, you will find information on spending a week in Banff and beyond, and we will also share sample itineraries for extending your trip to 14 days as well! 

So let’s get started!

7 day Canadian Rockies itinerary with 3 samples + tips to extend your trip!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The Canadian Rockies are one of North America’s most beautiful and varied mountain systems. Banff is just one of the many national parks located in the Canadian Rockies that spread across the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. 

There are five national parks in the Canadian Rockies. They are 

• Banff National Park (most popular. It is the first National Park established in 1885), 
• Jasper National Park (largest in the Canadian Rockies), 
• Kootenay National Park , 
• Yoho National Park (located in British Columbia),
• The fifth national park, Waterton Lakes National Park , lies farther south, straddling the Canada–U.S. border as the Canadian half of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. This is a popular visit when exploring Glacier National Park in the US.

Planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies

Just before we share our Canadian Rockies itineraries, here are some quick travel tips to help you plan your Canada trip, 

To enter Canada, non-visa-exempt passport holders must apply for tourist visas prior to travel. To receive a Canadian tourist visa, you must submit an application from your home country and allow for a processing period of 2 weeks to 1 month. 

Check with the visa office in your nation regarding processing times and delays.

Residents of visa-exempt countries, including passport holders from the USA, are required to get an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before entering Canada. 

The eTA is not a visa and may be obtained the day before you arrive in Canada. The procedure takes only a few minutes to process. 

Currency: We use the Canadian dollar, which is the only mode of exchange in Banff and Canada in general. In Banff and other national parks, the use of credit cards and debit cards is common. 

Where to stay in Banff and the Canadian Rockies:

We will share the hotel recommendation for each destination within the Canadian Rockies itinerary, including campsite information. But if you need a quick list of top hotels in Banff, then you can click here

Read : Where to stay in Banff National Park

National Parks Entry Fees

There are entry fees at all the National Parks in Canada. For the Canadian Rockies,

• You can purchase a day pass or an annual pass for an individual or family/group. 
• Pay for a daily/weekly pass at the gate. Make sure to tape the gate pass on your vehicle’s windshield.
• Per day pass: The entry fee for individual parks (car pass or family) is $19.60 CAD/day.
• Discovery Pass : The Discovery Pass provides unlimited admission for a full year at over 80 Parks Canada places that charge a daily entrance fee, valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Prices start at $136.40 CAD. You can buy a pass online at the Parks Canada website.
• Parks Canada offers free entry for youth – 17 years and under. 

Pro tip : If you are staying in Banff for 1 to 24 hours, regardless of your accommodation, you will pay a 1-day entry fee. Similarly, if you stay for additional nights, you pay per day for park entry fees.

All the national parks have the same entry fee and the same rules. You don’t have to pay for a second national park on the same day, so long as the time/day/date is covered. 

If you are not entering the national parks but are traveling via the Trans Canada Highway, you do not need to pay any park fees.

Read : Planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies

Arriving in Canada

To kick start your Canadian Rockies itinerary, plan to arrive in Calgary or Edmonton in Alberta to begin your trip. 

We will cover Calgary in detail below, as it is one of the most popular options to touch down in Canada for Banff National Park. 

• Nearest Airport to Banff – YYC – Calgary International Airport (1.50 hours)
• Next closest airport – Edmonton (to Banff is 4 hours+. Same for Jasper)

Calgary is about 145 km (90 miles) from Banff. The next-closest airport is in Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, which is about 415 km (257 miles) away. 

If you are flying to Banff, you will arrive in Calgary. The drive from Calgary to Banff National Park is about 1.50 hours.

Calgary is one of our favorite cities in Canada. We highly recommend staying here at least a day to explore Calgary downtown . 

Arriving late? Book a hotel in Calgary. We recommend staying near the airport area for quick access to Banff, free parking, and also because there are tons of mid-range hotels to choose from! Find hotels in Calgary Alberta

Read: Where to stay in Calgary

Options to get to Banff from Calgary,

• Car rental: You can rent a car from Calgary International Airport or from anywhere in the city. Purchase insurance and track the kms or miles that you travel. Many rental companies operate in Calgary, Alberta, including at the airport. Here is a detailed guide to getting from Calgary Airport to Banff
• Bus: Buses are available to take you from the Calgary airport or major hotels to Banff town (Banff Avenue). Shuttle buses operate between Banff and Calgary and tickets range from about $69 to $169 CAD. Tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket counter at the airport. Check options here
• Guided tour: Guided multi-day tours are also available. Check the top guided tours for the Canadian Rockies here.  
• Here is a 7 day Canadian Rockies tour from the US

7 days in Canadian Rockies Itinerary: Start in Calgary, end in Edmonton. Explore Banff, Lake Louise, Yoho, and Jasper National Parks (sample 1) 

• Day 1 : Arrive in Calgary. Pick up a rental car and drive to Banff National Park with a stop in Canmore
• Day 2 : Explore Banff town – Banff welcome sign, Banff Gondola, Bow Falls, walk downtown Banff for lunch, Cascade of Time Gardens, Cave and Basin Historic Site 
• Day 3 : Day trip to explore lakes –  Vermillion Lakes, Two Jack Lake, short hike Minnewanka trail, Minnewanka Lake and cruise
• Day 4: Head to the prettiest Moraine Lake (early hours). From there drive to Yoho National Park (30 min drive from Moraine Lake), explore the Natural Bridge over the Kicking Horse River, Emerald Lake, and Takakkaw Falls 
• Day 5 : Explore Lake Louise. Read: Perfect 5 days in Banff itinerary
• Day 6 : Drive the Icefields Parkway towards Jasper National Park to the Athabasca Glacier
• Day 7: Explore Jasper in the first half of the day, return to Edmonton to fly out

Day 1 of 7 days in Canadian Rockies Itinerary: Arrive in Calgary, drive to Banff with a stop in Canmore

Welcome to Calgary, Canada. On the first day of your Canadian Rockies itinerary, pick up your car rental, and then drive towards Banff. 

Calgary to Banff is 1.50 hours by road. 

We recommend stopping at Canmore, located about 20 minutes from Banff National Park. Here you can explore the town centre and enjoy a walk at the Policemen’s Creek. 

Quick stops in Canmore,  

• Main Street: Wander the Main Street in Canmore. Stop for food and drinks, enjoy mountain vistas, live music in the summer, and go shopping!
• The Three Sisters : Soak in the views of “Three Sisters”, a mountain range that has 3 peaks, individually marked as Faith (Big Sister), Charity (Middle Sister), and Hope (Little Sister). 
• Policeman’s Creek: One of my favorite spots in the city – the Policeman’s Creek is a short hiking trail located very close to the main street of Canmore. It is accessible from the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) Barracks museum site.
• Big Head Sculpture : Located on 8th Street, on the northeast side of the bridge over Policeman’s Creek, you will find a sculpture of a human head, which is half-buried in the ground. This sculpture is called “Big Head.” Do check it out!
• Read : Things to do in Canmore: Detailed Guide

From Canmore, make your way to Banff National Park. Keep in mind, you will have to pay park fees when you enter Banff boundaries. 

Alternatively, you can stay in Canmore for the night. Here are hotel recommendations for Banff and Canmore

• Falcon Crest Lodge : Falcon Crest Lodge by CLIQUE is our favorite in Canmore. It has spacious suites and many come with views of Three Sisters. There is free parking and a hot tub onsite. Check room availability and book it here
• Elk + Avenue : Elk + Avenue is a beautiful hotel, located in the heart of Banff town. This is a great couple’s option. The property has a ticket service, tour, and hot tub on site. Click to book a room today !  
• Banff Caribou Lodge and Spa : With an onsite spa, restaurant, and hot tub, Banff Caribou makes for a delightful stay close to Banff Avenue. The property has rustic decor and comfortable rooms with mountain views. Free parking. Check out prices and availability
• Fairmont Banff Springs : Fairmont Banff Springs need no introduction. This is the ICONIC hotel in Banff with stunning views, restaurants, and an epic stay. View suite photos and booking information here

Once you have checked in to your centrally located hotel in Banff. Wear your comfortable walking shoes to explore Banff town and its beautiful streets. 

You will find free and paid parking spots in the downtown area and you can pretty much walk around the town, soaking in the mountain views and relishing sweet treats before settling down for a nice meal. 

Banff Avenue has souvenir stores, local cafes, distillery bars, and restaurants.

If there is some daylight when you arrive in Banff, you can stop by the “Banff Welcome Sign” for an Instagram photo! 

The sign is located right outside Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. This center is home to many public programs and community classes, perfect for families traveling with kids.

Day 2 of 7 days in Canadian Rockies Itinerary: Explore Banff town, Sulphur Mountains, Sightseeing gondola, Bow Falls, Cave, and Basin Historic Site, Cascade of Time Gardens 

Start bright and early on day 2 of the Canadian Rockies road trip. 

If you are into photography and wish to capture the ‘famous red hydrant’ or strike a pose by the ‘Banff Welcome Sign’, then start early 🙂 to beat the crowds. 

The famed red hydrant, as seen in Instagram photos, is located on Main Street. 

After a photo, head to Touloulous for breakfast. This place is rated number 1 for breakfast in Banff, so do check it out and set aside some time to enjoy it!

Banff Sightseeing Gondola

After breakfast, head to the Banff Sightseeing Gondola site. Here you can soak in the amazing views of the Sulphur Mountains, by embarking on an 8-minute Banff Gondola ride to the top. 

The gondola ride is wonderful both in the summer and winter seasons. We have taken both trips and have enjoyed the experience every time. 

The ride makes photography easy, and you can take amazing photos of the town, the summit, and pretty much everything that Banff is known for!

If you are feeling adventurous, you can also hike/walk the Sulphur Mountains in about 2 hours. And then get down via the gondola.

We recommend spending 1-2 hours at the Banff Gondola – with the ride, walk at the summit. Add additional time if you are hiking, one way. 

Gondola rides are open all year round, and seasonal hours apply. 

Click here to book admission tickets and check availability

Bow Falls and Fairmont Banff Springs

From the Banff Sightseeing Gondola, make your way to Bow Falls, located right by the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel parking. This spot is completely accessible without hiking, and offers photography and walk opportunities during summertime.

We have seen rainbows here often – so don’t miss it!

For lunch, head to Fairmont Banff Springs, and join a Castle Experience tour which includes food sampling with over 25 local brands. 

This tour has limited availability, and if you don’t find a suitable spot, you can head back to Banff Avenue for lunch!

Cave and Basin National Historic Site

After lunch, spend some time at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. This attraction is located on natural thermal mineral springs, at an elevation of 4610 ft. 

The historic site consists of an artificial tunnel to a natural grotto, a replica of a boathouse, a restored 1916 swimming pool, interpretive displays, and hiking and snowshoe trails.

Plan to spend 1-2 hours at the Cave and check out the interactive displays. 

You do have to pay an entry fee to get there,

• Adult: $15.24 CAD*
• Family: $ 37. 98 CAD 
• 17* years & under: Free*
• *Includes entrance to Cave & Basin Historic Site as well as Banff Upper Hot Springs. Free with the Discovery Pass*

From the Cave and Basin Historic Basin, there are 2 boardwalk trails that you can explore – the Marsh Loop and the Sundance Canyon Trail. 

• Marsh Loop follows the Bow River and offers stunning views of Mount Norquay and the Bourgeau Range (takes 45 minutes to complete the entire loop). 
• The Sundance Canyon Loop has paved walking/cycling paths and biking options. It has a picnic area as well (and it takes 1.50 hours to complete the entire loop).

If you have additional time, you can surely take a stroll here, particularly on the Marsh Loop (45 minutes to complete the return trip). 

Prefer to soak in thermal waters? Head to Banff Upper Hot Springs instead, as entry fees for both sites are included in the price of the ticket. 

Cascade of Time Gardens

In the evening, enjoy a lovely walk at the Cascade of Time Gardens. This is a lovely green space with gorgeous mountains and a Tudor Gothic Revival-style administrative building in Banff!

Hungry? Walk to the Silver Dragon – a Chinese restaurant situated near the gardens! Read : Best places to eat in Banff

The Cascade Gardens are located not too far from downtown Banff, so you can easily walk/ drive back to your hotel in no time! 

Day 3 of 7 days in Canadian Rockies Itinerary: Discover the 3 lakes Vermillion Lake, Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka

Day three of the Canadian Rockies itinerary is all about lake views, picnics, and relaxed sightseeing! 

Vermilion Lakes

Start with the Vermilion Lakes first, which is located pretty close to downtown Banff. It is only a 5-minute drive away (from downtown, take Mount Norquay Rd north towards the Trans-Canada Hwy 1). 

This area is made up of a series of lakes, and it welcomes you to a gorgeous view of Mount Rundle as its backdrop. 

Early morning hours are great for photos (so are evenings for sunset and northern lights in the winter). 

Drive along the Vermilion Lakes drive route, pull up at the Lakes to capture the amazing scenery with Mount Rundle.

You can also hike the 2.5 km Fenland Trail (1.55 miles). In the summer, kayaking at the lakes is a popular activity (at 40 Mile Creek and to the Bow River). 

Vermillion Lakes is open in the winters too. You can go ice skating, or chase the northern lights. 

From Vermillion Lakes, make your way to Two Jack Lake for a picnic and an easy hike. 

Two Jack Lake

Two Jack Lake is located on the Lake Minnewanka Loop, in Banff National Park. This lake is perfect for swimming and kayaking. 

We got married here in the summer of 2016, and often re-visit the spot 🙂 It’s a beautiful place to sit back and relax with a nice book. Or enjoy a lovely picnic.

You will find picnic tables and parking areas near the lakeside. There are walking areas and greenery where you can sit down and soak in the sun. 

If you wish to camp in Banff, note that Two Jack Lake campground is located nearby. It has about 74 campsites for both RVs and tents. 

Popular amenities include picnic tables, fire pits, camp kitchens, hot showers, flush toilets, disability access, and interpretive programs.

Two Jack Lake is accessible all year round, and it is near-frozen in winters. 

Lake Minnewanka

Another must-visit lake is Minnewanka. It is located 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from Banff town. And it is a next-door neighbor to Two Jack Lake.

This lake is accessible in the warmer months only, and in the winter, road access is usually closed. I love this lake so much – the stunning mountains and beautiful waters make for picture-perfect moments. (We got our Banff wedding photos taken here!)

Not only is it one of the best photo spots in Banff but it is also a great place to kayak or take a cruise to Spirit River, tasting some wine and cheese on the go. Sightseeing cruises are available from June to September, more information here

Prefer to hike? Go on a 40 minute Stewart Canyon Trail (easy to moderate level hiking). 

For advanced hiking, embark on Aylmer Pass (23.4 km or 14.5 miles round trip). The trail includes a climb to 560 meters, to reveal a stunning panoramic view of “The Lake of The Spirits.”

For non-hikers, you can enjoy the cruise, or stroll the beautiful lake Minnewanka boardwalk and sightseeing areas. If you are lucky, you might see some bighorn sheep along the way. 

You can hang out in these areas as long as you like, watch the sun go down, and then return to Banff town. 

For dinner, head over to Park Distillery Restaurant and Bar for a night of drinks and good food!

Day 4 of 7 days in Canadian Rockies Itinerary: Moraine Lake, Yoho National Park attractions

Tons to explore on day four of the Canadian Rockies road trip. 

Start with one of the most picturesque lakes in Banff National Park – Lake Moraine. This lake gets very busy during the day, and parking will be difficult, so we recommend starting early. 

Consider visiting before 09:00 am for a better experience at the lake. 

Moraine Lake is a glacier-fed lake in the Canadian Rockies. It is best explored in the summer when you can go kayaking and hike in the nearby areas. 

Road access is closed in the winter, starting from Canadian Thanksgiving day in October. Moraine Lake Road is open mid-June through mid-October.

For a 7 day Canadian Rockies trip, we recommend just checking out the site, and then continuing driving to Yoho National Park. (You can easily spend a day at the Moraine Lake with hikes and water activities, but that will leave you with no time for Yoho). 

There are popular hiking trails near Moraine lake (if you wish to skip Yoho),

• Larch Valley: The Larch Valley hike is an easy hike in the Moraine Lake area. This is even better in the autumn months, and it lasts for 1-2 hours.
• Consolation Lakes: Another easy hike at 60 meters’ elevation and a duration of 1-2 hours.
• Sentinel Pass : Sentinel Pass is a continuation of the Larch Valley hike and it will take you to a higher elevation with incredible views of the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of 732 meters. It’s a 12-km hike or 7.4 miles (round-trip).

Yoho National Park

Yoho National Park is a part of the Canadian Rockies mountain range, and it is located in the province of British Columbia. As Moraine Lake is located on the west end of Banff National Park, you can easily check out a few highlights in Yoho, and return back.  

Banff to Yoho National Park : 1.25 hours | Lake Moraine or Lake Louise to Yoho : 40 minutes 

Yoho National Park is a phenomenal place and is known for the serene Emerald Lake and the powerful waterfalls—Takakkaw and Wapta Falls. But there are also beautiful stops along the way that you must explore!

When you are driving from Banff or Lake Louise, the Lower Spiral Tunnels viewpoint will be your first stop. At this viewpoint, you can see trains entering the Spiral Tunnels on Kicking Horse Pass.

These tunnels were created when British Columbia joined the Canadian Confederation and a railway network was constructed. Today, 25 to 30 trains pass through the Spiral Tunnels every day.

There are two Spiral Tunnel viewpoints – lower and upper tunnel viewpoints. Access to the viewpoints is closed during the winter months, from October to April. But you can drive by the Trans-Canada Highway, in winter.

The next stop is my favorite – the Natural Bridge. Natural Bridge is a beautiful and convenient spot to capture the nature-scape of the Canadian Rockies. 

Natural Bridge is the name given to this bridge-like structure created by 2 rocks, with the stunning turquoise blue water that passes through it, making it very unique!  

Now, you don’t have to hike or spend hours to get to this beautiful spot. The bridge is easily accessible via the Trans-Canada Highway and parking is available right in front of it. 

From here, continue driving to reach the stunning Emerald Lake. 

Emerald Lake is enclosed by President Range, Mount Burgess, and Wapta mountains, making it one of the picturesque locations in the Canadian Rockies. 

The best time to visit Emerald Lake is in the summer months of June and July. Keep in mind, it is rainy during this time. 

In the summertime, you can rent a canoe or take walks. In addition to that, this is the perfect time to capture the turquoise color of the lake (especially in the month of July).

This area is prone to heavy snowfall in the winter, making it a paradise for cross-country skiing. The lake is accessible in the winter, and it freezes from November to early June.

Hungry? Make a stop at Field . Field is a historic hamlet that was established in 1885 with the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. 

This is where you will find local restaurants and cafés for lunch or dinner. Our favorite: Truffle Pigs Bistro & Lodge.

About 4 km (2.48 miles) from the town of Field is the Yoho Valley Road, located off the Trans-Canada Highway. This road leads to one of the most powerful falls – Takkakaw – in the Canadian Rockies. 

At about 3 km (1.86 miles), you can stop to access the Upper Spiral Tunnel Viewpoint in Cathedral Mountain. You can also view the meeting point of the Kicking Horse River and the Yoho River. This access is open from mid-June to mid-October. 

The Yoho Valley road is steep and narrow, with a set of switchbacks that makes driving both challenging and interesting. If you have a longer or bigger vehicle, you might have trouble doing a reverse maneuver to navigate tight turns.

The scenic drive to the Falls takes about 30 minutes. On your way, keep an eye out for wildlife. However, don’t stop for pictures here. The roads are steep and narrow, which means you can easily cause traffic congestion. 

Once you are at the parking lot, a short trail will take you to a wooden bridge from where you can enjoy the Takakkaw Falls. 

The water rushing down to the edge of the barren cliffs and the surrounding sea of coniferous forest make Takakkaw Falls one of the most picturesque scenic points in the Canadian Rockies.

You can end the sightseeing for the day here, and then return to Banff or Lake Louise Hotel. 

Where to stay in Lake Louise?

• Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: This is the ICONIC hotel in Lake Louise. It is a luxury property perfect for couples, or families alike. It has special packages for retreats and meals! Check availability at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
• HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre: Located within an 8-minute drive to Lake Louise, this affordable accommodation makes for a great stay! The property has shared bathrooms and showers, with a sauna option. Click to view photos and availability 
• Here are more accommodation options for Lake Louise

Note: If you stay in Lake Louise, you can easily explore the area on day 5. 

Looking for an adventure? Considering swapping any of the days above for a full day of hike on the Iceline Trail. This is one of the popular hikes in Yoho National Park, starting at the end of the Yoho Valley Road. It requires a full-day hike of 7-8 hours.

Day 5 of 7 days in Canadian Rockies Itinerary: Spend a day at Lake Louise

Day 5 is all about the stunning Lake Louise. This turquoise lake is one of the most recognizable images of the Canadian Rockies. 

If you are staying in Banff, note that Lake Louise is about a 90-minute drive away. 

Lake Louise is the perfect place to take things slow and enjoy the wonderful mountain and lake views. The most popular activities in Lake Louise include horseback riding day trips during the summer season and sleigh rides in the winter. 

It is a popular tourist spot, but the good news is that parking is free and we never had any issues finding a spot even in the peak seasons. 

In the summer months, you can enjoy a hike up to Lake Agnes Teahouse (6.8-km or 4.2 miles, return). Or rent a canoe from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise’s Boathouse to go deeper and closer to the scenic mountains. Rentals start at $85 CAD per hour. 

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is a thing of beauty in itself. Book one of the deluxe spa treatments whilst enjoying amazing views, or afternoon tea! We are sure you will love it!

The hamlet of Lake Louise also has gift shops, public washrooms, and restaurants. You can also enjoy views from the Lake Louise gondola in the summer!

In the middle of winter, the lake is completely frozen. You can skate on a natural ice rink or admire the sparkly white weather of Lake Louise. The tourism board also organizes many ice-craving activities in Lake Louise during the winter. 

The Lake Louise Ski Resort is open year-round and features a wildlife interpretive center, accessible by the gondola.

During crossover months, the lake is partially frozen and you may not see its turquoise colors. It is also not apt for skating or canoeing, subject to temperature and weather conditions. 

Always pay attention to avalanches and ‘thin ice’ warnings posted near the Lake Louise entrance. 

Day 6 of 7 days in Canadian Rockies Itinerary: Drive Icefields Parkway, arrive and explore Jasper

On day 6 of the Canadian Rockies itinerary, drive the Icefields Parkway towards Jasper National Park to the Athabasca Glacier. 

Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. The nearest airport to Jasper is Edmonton. We recommend flying out from Edmonton to make the most of your visit (day 7 or 8)!

• Banff to Jasper Town drive is 3 hours, 29 minutes (287.9 km or 179.8 miles)
• Lake Louise to Jasper Town is 2 hours, 57 minutes (233.0 km or 144.7 miles)

It is probably BEST to reserve a FULL day for enjoying Athabasca Glacier. The glacier is best explored as a day-long tour to the Columbia Icefields Parkway, located in the Canadian Rockies. 

When driving from Banff or Lake Louise towards Jasper, make a stop at the Icefield Discovery Centre. There are guided tours, with glacier walks and skywalk services to the Athabasca Glacier which you can enjoy. 

Entry to the Discovery Centre is included in the park admission fees, but tours are priced separately. 

The Banff Jasper Collection tour collective offers Athabasca Glacier tours which include a trip to the Glacier and Skywalk. Tours start at $80 CAD.

You will be taken to the glacier in a special vehicle and will be allowed time on the glacial surface. 

Take pictures, walk the surface, and live the experience.

Part of your Athabasca Glacier tour includes the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, which is a glass floor, a cliff-edge walkway of 1 km (.62 mile) in length. 

Below the Skywalk glass, you can see the stunning Sunwapta Valley and experience waterfalls, wildlife, fossils, and valleys.

If you are not keen on the Glacier tour (or visiting in the off-season), don’t worry there are plenty of natural sites that you can check out. 

First off, the Icefield Parkway is a scenic drive in itself, and the road is accessible all year round. This drive connects Banff and Jasper National Parks. 

Other than the drive, you can visit places like Peyto Lake and Sunwapta Falls (closer to Jasper) along the way. 

Plus there are TONS of things to do in Jasper National Park. 

If you are arriving in the afternoon or in broad daylight, rest assured that you will encounter some wildlife along the way. The road to Jasper National Park is lined with wildlife corridors and a delight for every outdoor lover!

On arriving in Jasper, head over to Patricia Lake. Named after Princess Patricia of Connaught, granddaughter of Queen Victoria, this lake is a beautiful spot to catch a sunset.

If arriving during the day, you can swim, canoe, or picnic here in the summer months. The lake has a resort with boating facilities (Patricia Lake Bungalows).

Or go snowshoeing in the winter.

From here, drive to Downtown Jasper, to check in to your hotel. This mountain town is filled with street-side cafes, bars, and restaurants. 

You will also see amazing mountain views from the lanes of downtown Jasper and your hotel room! 

We recommend staying at Connaught Drive so that you are close to restaurants and sightseeing areas. 

Where to stay in Jasper?

• The Crimson Jasper: The Crimson Jasper is a lovely hotel in the heart of Jasper. Restaurants and shops are located near the property, and you can also book a room with views. Check out availability here 
• Marmot Lodge Jasper: This is a decent 3-star property in Jasper town, with hot tubs and a restaurant on site. Free parking is provided and rooms are spacious. Book your stay here
• Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge: A little further away from Connaught Drive is the gorgeous Fairmont Jasper. You can choose from a variety of accommodations here, including spa treatments and restaurants. We enjoyed this property in the winter months, particularly around November and Christmas time. Book your stay here
• Jasper House Bungalows: A 3 star property, close to nature and the centre, Jasper House Bungalows are a perfect abode away from home. These chalet style accommodation offers a panoramic view of the neighboring mountains and the Athabasca River valley. Check out photos here and book a stay
• Pocahontas (or now Miette Mountain Cabins): This is a 2-star property, located about 40 minutes away from Jasper town, near Miette hot springs. We stay on the east and west end of the national park when we visit, but it surely does add a lot of driving time! Check out rooms here
• Jasper East Cabins: Check availability here

Day 7 of 7 days in Canadian Rockies Itinerary: Jasper attractions and drive to Edmonton

Start your morning with warm waffles and coffee in downtown Jasper, and then head straight to Pyramid Lake.

Pyramid Lake

Pyramid Lake is a kidney-shaped lake in Jasper, Alberta. It is located less than a 10-minute drive away from the downtown area. 

The lake lies at the foothills of the Pyramid Mountain, which overlooks the town. 

Within a short distance of the lake, the popular Pyramid Lake Resort can be found. You can join a canoe tour or go kayaking at Pyramid Lake. Or hike in the summer. 

The Pyramid Lake Hike is an easy hike (5.2 km or 3.2 miles one way). It begins near the Jasper Activity Centre parking lot and ends at the end of Pyramid Lake Road. 

Parking, picnic table, accessible washrooms are located at the Pyramid Lake resort nearby .

Pyramid Island also makes for a nice stroll/light hike. During winters, this place is great for snowshoeing, dog sledding rides, and ice skating.

Jasper Skytram

The Jasper Skytram is the highest and longest tramway in Canada. On a short trip to Jasper (especially in the summer), it is a good idea to ride (7.5 minutes) the SkyTram and take in the views of the Canadian Rockies at 2,277 metres above sea level. 

You can also grab a meal at the Summit Mountain Restaurant, to celebrate your stay in the mountains, before starting for Edmonton to fly out.

There is so much to do and learn in the Skytram area that it is recommended that you allow 2-3 hours for your visit.

During the peak summer months, the Skytram opens at 8:00 a.m. 

During the fall, the Jasper Skytram opens its doors at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. It is closed in winter. You must pay an entry fee to access the Jasper Skytram. 

After one or two nights’ stay in Jasper, you have 2 options for completing your exploration of the Canadian Rockies (and Alberta),

• Return to Calgary from Jasper : Total driving time is 4 hours, 50 minutes.
• Drive to Edmonton and fly out from YEG airport: Total driving time is 3 hours, 50 minutes.

Heading to Edmonton will make for a shorter ride (1 hour), and along the way, you can also cross small prairie towns of Hinton, Edson, and Entwistle (in that order)—one every hour. 

If you need to stay overnight in Alberta’s capital city, you can find hotels in Edmonton Alberta .

Read : Edmonton to Jasper road trip itinerary

Canadian Rockies Itinerary 7 days: Start and end Calgary. Explore Banff, Lake Louise, and Yoho National Park (sample 2) 

Here is a second sample of the Canadian Rockies itinerary 7 days, without driving to Edmonton, or Jasper National Park. 

• Day 1: Spend 1-3 days in Banff – Arrive in Calgary. Pick up a rental car and drive to Banff National Park
• Day 2 : Explore downtown Banff Avenue, Banff Gondola, Sulphur caves (Cave and Basin National Historic Site), Banff Upper Hot Springs, Bow Valley, Banff Park Museum National Historic Site
• Day 3 : Vermillion Lakes, Two Jack Lake, Minnewanka Lake, Canoe on Lake Minnewanka, go on short hikes, Moraine Lake
• Day 4 : 1 day in Canmore 
• Day 5 : 1 day in Lake Louise – Explore the beautiful Lake Louise, go canoeing. Hike to Agnes Tea House. Skate during winters or attend the ice festivals at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel
• Day 6 : 1 day at Yoho National Park
• Day 7: Head to Johnston Canyon in the morning for hiking. Late afternoon/evening, head back to Calgary

The first 3 days will be similar, to the itinerary above. You will arrive in Calgary, pick up a car rental and then head to Banff. 

Explore the lakes, sightseeing gondola, and other attractions in Banff town.

On day 4 spend a whole day in Canmore and nearby areas. You can also set aside time for a hike on this itinerary.  As mentioned, Canmore is a resort town located about 20 minutes outside Banff. 

Here is what you can explore in a day, 

• Main Street
• Enjoy the views of the Three Sisters 
• Policeman’s Creek: Enjoy an easy walk on the Policeman’s Creek wooden boardwalk that runs through the creek. Stop by North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) Barracks, if you have time
• Big Head Sculpture: Check out the sculpture of a human head, half-buried and deep in thought, located on 8th Street, on the northeast side of the bridge over Policeman’s Creek
• Grassy Lakes Hike : This is a 3.2-km (1.98 miles) trail and is great for hikers of all levels. During summers, the waters reveal a stunning turquoise blue color. During winters, certain areas of the trail are still accessible and can be used for hiking.
• Grotto Mountain Winter Hike: If you are visiting Canmore in the winter, you can join a 4-5 hour guided tour of the Grotto Mountains. 

Canmore has over 70 km (43.5 miles) of trails. It is a paradise for trail lovers, offering easy to difficult route levels, all of which are accessible within the town’s boundaries.

For meals, there are a ton of options in Canmore, from Mexican, Indian restaurants, coffee shops to breweries! 

On day 5 , head to Lake Louise from Banff. Spend a day there and then return to Banff (your accommodation will be in Banff all throughout).

Same drill for day 6, where you will drive to Yoho National Park, and explore its highlights. 

Final day in Banff, go on a guided adventure to Johnston Canyon in the morning. Set aside 4-5 hours, and then in the later afternoon/evening start your drive back to Calgary (to fly out).

7 days in Canadian Rockies Itinerary: Banff to Jasper road trip  Explore Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper National Park (sample 3) 

Here is a third sample of the Canadian Rockies itinerary 7 days, which includes Banff and Jasper National Park, with more hiking time in both. 

• Day 1: Arrive in Calgary. Pick up a rental car and drive to Banff National Park. Explore downtown Banff Avenue, Banff Gondola 
• Day 2 : Two Jack Lake, Minnewanka Lake, Canoe on Lake Minnewanka, go on short hikes, Moraine Lake
• Day 3 : 1 day in Lake Louise – Explore the beautiful Lake Louise, go canoeing. Hike to Agnes Tea House. 
• Day 4 : Icefield Parkway drive, arrive in Jasper National Park
• Day 5 : Explore Jasper National Park
• Day 6 : Jasper National Park
• Day 7: Drive back to Calgary in the afternoon

In this 7 day Canadian Rockies itinerary, arrive in Calgary and after picking up car rental head to Banff town. Explore Banff downtown, grab any hiking or road trip essentials on the first day.

The next day (day 2) , drive to explore the 3 lakes – Two Jack Lake, Minnewanka, and Moraine lake. Hikes in and around Moraine Lake are amazing, so spend the majority of the time there. 

Spend a day in Lake Louise (day 3) . You can stay overnight in Lake Louise, to make it easier for a drive the next day. 

Day four is full of scenic drives and roadside attractions. Drive on the Icefield Parkway, and plan to stop at the following spots,

• Athabasca Glacier/Icefield Discovery Center
• Sunwapta Falls
• Arrive in Jasper by evening. Check in to your hotel

On day 5 , enjoy hiking at one (or two) of the following areas in Jasper National Park,

• Pyramid Lake/Island: Enjoy easy hikes in and around Pyramid Lake
• Pyramid Trail: Moderate hike of 1-2 hours, part of the Jasper Connector Trails
• Wapiti Trail : Easy hike of 2-4 hours, pet friendly and bikes are also allowed. 9.4 km or 5.4 miles trail length 
• Edith Cavell Meadows Trail: Mount Edith Cavell is probably the MOST prominent peak within Jasper National Park. There is an Edith Cavell Meadows Trail – a 6.1 km or 3.7-mile loop trail, which is perfect for hiking and bird and nature watching
• The Sulphur Skyline Trail: This trail offers some of the most stunning views of Jasper National Park. (Note this road is closed in the winters, and usually opens in May) 

When visiting in the winter, you can surely swap this day, for time at the Marmot Ski Basin. 

On day 6 of the Rockies itinerary, venture on a mini road trip to check out some of the pretty spots located away from the Jasper town centre. 

Start with the Athabasca Falls. It is located about 15-20 minutes from downtown Jasper. The waterfalls cutting through quartzite and limestone mountains create a beautiful canyon and potholes with a misty glow.

Athabasca Falls is located on the west side of the Icefields Parkway—Columbia Icefield. It receives water from the glaciers of the Icefields Parkway, making it the largest river system in Jasper National Park.

You can also enjoy hikes in and around the Falls area. 

But you don’t need to hike to check out the falls from the viewing area. A short walk along the trail to the boardwalk will take you to these majestic falls. 

Next drive to the Maligne Canyon , located about 12-15 minutes away from downtown Jasper. The canyon area contains waterfalls, underground stream outlets, birds, flora, and fauna. Hiking trails are available for all levels.

There is a beautiful Maligne Canyon Loop Trail, which is a 3.4 km or 2.11-mile trail along which you can see waterfalls and do some bird watching. It is great for walking and hiking and is rated at a moderate level. 

In the winter, you can enjoy an ice walk at the Maligne Canyon. 

Maligne Lake is next. This is a beautiful lake with rare turquoise waters and a small islet called Spirit Island. It is surrounded by stunning mountain peaks. 

The drive to Maligne Lake is also one of the most scenic routes in the Canadian Rockies. 

The drive starts near the town of Jasper and ends at Maligne Lake. This route is built along the glacier valley that runs between the Maligne and Elizabeth mountain ranges. 

This is why you will see stunning mountain peaks, glacier lakes, and tons of wildlife on your way.

Along the way, you can stop at Maligne Canyon and the popular Hanging Valley viewpoint.

The Hanging Valley viewpoint offers a stunning view of the Athabasca Valley, with Pyramid Mountain in the background. You can locate the lookout point at 6 kilometers along Maligne Lake Road from Highway 16.

Note : Maligne Lake accessibility is limited in the winter. The frozen lake can be viewed from Moose Lake Loop – an easy 2.60 km or 1.6-mile trail open for winter activities. Maligne Lake cruises are closed in winter, and they reopen in spring. 

The last stop for the day is Medicine Lake . It is located within Jasper National Park, about 20 km or 12 miles, southeast of the downtown area. 

Medicine Lake is shallow and forms part of the Maligne Valley watershed. It is glacier-fed.

On day 7 of the Canadian Rockies itinerary, head to the Jasper SkyTram to ride the gondola and check out exhibits and displays on the mountaintop. 

From here, you can drive to Calgary or Edmonton to fly out!

14 days in Canadian Rockies: A bonus 2 week Canadian Rockies road trip itinerary 

As promised, here is an extended highly recommended 14 day Canadian Rockies itinerary for you. This guide starts in Edmonton (where we live), and finishes in Calgary – from where you can drop off the car rental and fly out! 

• Day 1 : Arrive in Edmonton, the capital city of Alberta. Pick up a rental car, explore downtown Edmonton (Legislature Grounds, Royal Alberta Museum, etc). Stay overnight in Edmonton (2 nights)
• Day 2: Explore more of Edmonton culinary scene, shopping, or museum visit (Strathcona, West Edmonton Mall, Muttart Conservatory, etc.)
• Day 3: Start bright and early to explore the towns of Entwistle, Edson, and Hinton. Arrive at Jasper National Park in the evening. Stay overnight in Jasper or Hinton (5 nights)
• Day 4: Breakfast in Jasper downtown. Head to Pyramid and Patricia lakes, canoe or snowshoe (depending on the season), Jasper SkyTram
• Day 5: Explore Athabasca Falls, Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lakes, Edith Cavell Meadows Trail 
• Day 6: Sulphur Skyline Trail hike – 6 hours, and relax at the Miette Hot Springs (evening)
• Day 7: Athabasca Glacier / Columbia Icefield exploration, Sunwapta Falls
• Day 8: Drive to Lake Louise via Icefields Parkway and explore. Stay overnight in Lake Louise (2 nights)
• Day 9: Head to Yoho National Park from Lake Louise, explore 
• Day 10: Leave Lake Louise for Banff. Explore Banff town. Stay overnight in Banff (4-5 nights)
• Day 11: Explore the lakes of Banff National Park – Two Jack Lake, Minnewanka Lake, and Moraine Lake
• Day 12: Banff Gondola, Bow Falls, Cave and Basin Historic Site, and Cascade of Time Gardens in the evening
• Day 13: Half or full-day exploration in Canmore. Go on day hikes in Canmore and the nearby Bow Valley or Spray Valley Provincial Park
• Day 14: Head to the Johnston Canyon in the morning. Drive to Calgary, for your flight by evening

Other Canadian Rockies itineraries

A road trip to the Canadian Rockies is ideal to explore the gems of Banff National Park and nearby areas. As a first-time visitor to this part of Canada, you will be in awe of the natural beauty that exists here. 

But there are various permutations and combinations of the Canadian Rockies road trips and itineraries that you can create. Here are a few that we have enjoyed over the years,

1. Vancouver to Banff

Many travelers from the US, fly into Vancouver and then start their Canadian Rockies road trip from Jasper, making their way to Banff and Calgary (to fly out). If you are planning such a trip, here is our detailed Vancouver to Banff road trip itinerary

2. Vancouver to Jasper

This Canadian Rockies road trip itinerary starts in Vancouver and heads north to the town of Jasper. 

The drive from Vancouver to Jasper takes around nine hours, so it’s a good idea to break up the journey with a few stops along the way. There are plenty of things to see and do in Jasper, including hiking, rafting, and skiing.

3. Jasper to Banff

The drive from Jasper to Banff takes around three and a half hours. But there are many highlights along the way. So it’s a good idea to stop along and spend 2-3 days here and explore the area. 

4. Banff to Lake Louise

The drive from Banff to Lake Louise takes around an hour and a half, and this is one of the most scenic sections of the Canadian Rockies road trip. It can very well form a one-day Rockies itinerary where you explore Lake Louise, relax and enjoy the views. 

There are plenty of things to do in Lake Louise, including hiking, canoeing, and horseback riding.

5. Lake Louise to Kananaskis Country

Kananaskis Country is a beautiful area of the Canadian Rockies that offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. 

The drive from Lake Louise to Kananaskis Country takes around two hours, and there are plenty of lakes, falls, and provincial parks with hiking trails and picnic areas in the area.

Additional Travel Tips for your Banff, Jasper, and Canadian Rockies trip!

Here are some additional tips to help plan your trip!

Car rental tips: Canada road trip

Here are some quick car rental tips for the Canadian Rockies, 

• We drive on the right side of the road. And cars are left-hand drive vehicles. So the steering wheel is on the left side of the vehicle 
• Posted Speed Limit in Banff: 90 km/hr max. on major routes and 60 km/hr max. on secondary routes
• Do bring in your valid driver’s license (Canadian, US, or International)
• In order to rent a vehicle, you must be at least 21 years of age
• We recommend getting car rental insurance

Hotel booking tips

Here are some of our TOP tips for choosing the right accommodation in Banff and nearby areas, 

• Accommodation in Banff town can get quite expensive and fill up very quickly during the summer months, which are from mid-May to mid-August. We recommend booking early if planning to visit in the peak months
• If Banff or Jasper are fully booked for the summer, or if they are expensive, try looking at sister towns like – Canmore, Kananaskis, Cochrane, Calgary, and hotels near Bow Valley Parkway (for Banff) or Hinton (for Jasper)
• You can book/reserve a campsite in the summer months. Reservations start as early as April for bookings. Most campsites take requests on a first-come, first-served basis.

When is the best time to visit the Canadian Rockies?  

You must be wondering when you should visit the Canadian Rockies. We can help,

Summer is considered the BEST time to visit Banff and other national parks in Western Canada. During the summer months (mid-May to August), the weather is warm and the lakes are clear blue. 

Because the days are longer, visitors can explore the national parks late into the evening, stay outdoors, and go rafting, hiking, camping, etc. 

Keep in mind that this is also a busy season, so expect crowds, and expensive accommodation. Do reserve campsites, flights, and hotels ahead of time!

The next popular season is winter, which runs from November to February. If you wish to attend winter and ice festivals or go snowboarding, skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and skating, then this is the time for you! 

We personally love the fall season in the Canadian Rockies. Right after the civic holiday in September, Banff and other national parks in the Canadian Rockies slow down in terms of tourists and so you can expect fewer crowds and better hotel prices! 

Read : Detailed guide to the best time to go to Banff National Park

We hope you found our Canadian Rockies itinerary useful in planning your trip! Canada is home, and the Rockies are our loving retreat – we head there to celebrate our birthdays, anniversaries, work successes, or just to rejuvenate. 

We love the mountains, and we are sure you will too! 

If you’re interested in exploring more of our Canada guides , check some of the popular posts below

• Best places to visit in Canada in winter
• Winter clothes Canada: What to wear in Canada in winter
• Toronto Itinerary: 7 days

Pin: Canadian Rockies Road Trip Itinerary: 7 to 14 days guide

Mayuri is the founder & editor of ToSomePlaceNew. An Indian-Canadian globetrotter, she has traveled to over 100 cities and 35+ countries. Mayuri has a graduate degree in History and is an MBA. She loves traveling the world, capturing historical nuances, and discussing that over a cup of coffee with her husband, Salil. She currently resides in Edmonton, Canada, and plots travel plans to Europe, the Americas, and beyond. 

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Planning A Summer Road Trip in the Canadian Rockies

“Hey Guys! We just finished a road trip in Country X and it was the best drive of our travels so far”

I’m sure you’ve read this line umpteen times in our posts over the past couple of years. It’s no secret that we love road trips, but it so happens that every once in a while, we go on a gorgeous road trip that knocks our socks off. Amongst the dozens of road trips we’ve been on, our most scenic experiences have included our  road trip through Bavaria , our drive through  Iceland , and the few weeks spent driving though New Zealand . Our epic road trip to Leh Ladakh  was definitely THE most scenic of the lot.

That is till we found ourselves in the Canadian Rockies! You’ve probably guessed by now what’s coming next. Yes, you’re right! Our road trip in Canada has been the impressive drive of our life. YET. That’s sure to change in the future as we discover more of this crazy world 🙂

This road trip wasn’t even part of our grand North and Central America plan to begin with! It so happened that our Alaska cruise ended in Vancouver, and some of our friends showed us a picture of a turquoise lake nestled in the mountains. Water so turquoise that it prompted me to say “definitely photoshopped”. We were so intrigued by this image that we read more and more about Banff and Jasper national parks and decided, on a whim, to take a week long detour to the gorgeous province of Alberta. Well, it turns out, the photo of the lake wasn’t photoshopped. This is what we saw a few days ago:

Now after looking at these photos, can you blame us for getting tempted to plan this short road trip to the Canadian Rockies? And you know what, we must have seen hundreds of such picturesque sights throughout our week long sojourn in the Rockies! Now that we are all set to say goodbye to the pristine beauty of this region, we thought we’d take you on a visual treat through Banff and Jasper national parks, and truth be told, relive our magical week there too 🙂

Planning a Road Trip in the Canadian Rockies

Winter affords a variety of magical activities including snowshoeing, skiing, sleigh rides but summer is when the bears wake up and elks come out to play. There are a number of activities – hiking, canoeing, fishing, and boating on offer. Roads, alleys, even highways are laden with flowers – pristine daisies, colourful flowers, and Alberta’s characteristic wild roses. Moreover the lakes, being glacially fed, acquire their distinctive blue colour only in June when they are full. Soaring cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and azure blue skies all melt to make perfect frames. Trust us, you can’t make this up. Don’t believe us? Here you go:

Here’s our suggested 1 week itinerary (easily customisable to 10 days) for a road trip in Alberta Canada. Of course you could spend weeks exploring this gorgeous corner of our planet, but a week offers a perfect introduction to the area without breaking the bank 😉

Quick Top tips for a road trip in the Canadian Rockies

• Stock up on non-perishable snacks in Calgary. Supermarkets can get quite expensive in Banff and Jasper and are hard to find
• You will want to stop every 10 minutes because the scenery wows. Factor that into driving times
• If your nationality is allowed to, apply for ETA Canada online. If your nationality is not applied to online, make sure you get your visa stamped in your passport.
• Buy passes online to prevent wasting time at the entry gates
• There are lots of cable car rides in the area. If you want to go on one gondola ride, make it the Jasper Sky Tram
• If you want to choose just one hike, make it Peyto Lake
• Don’t pay for a wildlife tour – bear sightings are common in both national parks. We spotted plenty of bears on the day we drove the Icefields Parkway.
• Day 5, Day 5, Day 5 🙂

Day 1 Fly to Calgary and pick your rental car

The most logical place to start a road trip to Banff and Jasper is Calgary. It’s well connected domestically and internationally and is only a short 2 hour drive from the fairytale town of Banff.

We picked up our rental car at Calgary airport. We can’t stress enough on the need for a car when exploring this region. There are plenty of tour agencies who ferry tourists to majors attractions, but trust us when we say, you’ll be missing out on a WHOLE lot if you don’t drive yourself through the Canadian Rockies. We rented our car with Hertz – make sure you book in advance if travelling during the summers!

The night was spent at a hotel nearby, all set for an early morning start. I stayed put at the hotel but Vid did nip out for a sunset shot or two under the ruse of “wanting to get comfortable behind the wheel of a new car” (these photographers, I tell you :-)):

Stay : We stayed overnight at Clique Airport Hotel when we got to Calgary. Just like with Banff and Jasper, hotels were booked out in Calgary. On comparing the prices and availability with other sites, we found a decent deal on  Clique hotel , which is a great option close to the airport – it’s affordable, modern and clean. It also offers free parking for guests – perfect if you’re renting a car.

Days 2-4 Explore Banff National Park

We started early to drive to Banff National Park. The drive is gorgeous but the real fun begins on getting to Banff. 3 nights are enough to explore Banff National Park. You need to purchase a park pass (CAD 9.8/day) to enter the national parks. Once that’s done, many of the attractions, public toilets, and parking are free.

Here are some of our favourite and not-so-favourite things to do in the area:

• Lake Moraine : Let this be the first thing you see in the area. Lake moraine’s sparkling turquoise waters will seduce you within seconds
• Lake Louise and Gondola Ride : It’s easy to combine your visit to Lake Moraine with a gondola ride at Lake Louise. The experience is said to afford incredible views of the area- we are sure it’s stunning in winter but it’s a bit underwhelming in summer. The gondola ride costs CAD35, so we’d suggest skipping it!
• Short cruise on Lake Minnewaka : It’s impossible to be all laked out in this area – there are dozens of lakes in the national park, each one better than the last. Minnewaka is the largest lake in Banff. Expect incredible mountain scenery, rocky cliffs,  and emerald green waters. If you’re lucky you might spot grizzly bears and bald eagles too! An hour long cruise costs CAD 60 but there are longer wine and cheese cruises if you have an evening to spend in the area. If you’re short on time, you could skip this cruise and opt for one in Jasper instead.
• Bow Valley Parkway : When driving from Banff to Lake Louise, venture onto Highway 1A, also known as Bow Valley Parkway . It’s a very scenic drive and affords great views of Bow river that meanders through the valley alongside the parkway. There are plenty of gorgeous hikes and trails here.
• Johnston Canyon : Situated half an hour away from Banff on Bow Valley Parkway, this is a really nice, albeit crowded, hike through a gorge. It’s an easy trail to the Lower Falls, and if you want moderate exercise, make your way to the Upper Falls. We did, and it was fun!
• Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake scenic loop drive : This stunning drive starts very close to Banff town and loops through Two Jack Lake, Jackson Lake, and Minnewanka Lake. We were told that it’s a great little drive to spot wildlife and it didn’t disappoint! While we didn’t spot any grizzlies, we did spot elks, deer, and lots of birds.
• Banff Town : Walk through the picturesque town of Banff and soak in the hustle bustle of the area. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to grab lunch here.
• Take a tour : If you’re in Banff for a longer time, take a tour that suits your interests. You could opt for a helihike to a nearby glacier, go canoeing on Bow River, or go for a horse ride in the area.

Stay :  Try to find accommodation in Banff. Fairmont is a great option if you enjoy luxury hotels. But do beware accommodation in Banff is extremely limited and runs out months in advance. We couldn’t get a single hotel room in Banff during the month of August. So we chose the neighbouring town of Canmore as a base and stayed at Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge . Double rooms will set you back by CAD 170/night (not including breakfast). The rooms were spacious and comfortable but not particularly luxurious. However the location was great to get on to the highway to Banff quickly.

Day 5 – Drive the Icefields Parkway and explore glaciers

For the two of us, this day was definitely the highlight of the entire road trip. If you, like us, are exploring Banff and Jasper on your road trip of the Canadian Rockies, then spend day 5 driving from Banff to Jasper. The route is home to the uber-scenic Mountain roadway called Icefields Parkway . This 230 km road is one of the most scenic roads in the world. You could cover it in 4 hours or so, but that would be criminal as you’d be missing out on so much! Take your time (and LOTS of it) driving this stretch.  Here are a few pit stops you must  make along the way:

Now there are dozens of lakes in the area and you’ll cross a few as soon as you start driving the ice fields Parkway but resist the temptation to stop- instead save that time for bow lake, which is truly as gorgeous as they come. The glistening waters of the lake are truly spectacular on a sunny day. There are loads of picnic benches next to the lake, so it’s a perfect spot for brunch.

2.Peyto Lake

Travelling extensively has spoilt us rotten – these days we seldom find panoramas that knock our socks off but Peyto lake is definitely one of them. A short 10 minute hike takes visitors to a vantage point but don’t stop there. Carry on for another 10 minutes on the main trail and then for another 5 minutes on a small alpine trail that leads to another, much more scenic, view of the lake. It’s so gorgeous, we were transfixed to the spot for the good part of an hour!

3.Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre

For stunning views of the glacier and surrounding valley and some gorgeous photos hop on the Glacier Skywalk (CAD32, 15 minutes) or the Glacier Adventure (CAD65, 80 minutes).Here you can actually walk on the Athabasca Glacier after a short drive in a specially designed monster truck.

You can actually drive quite close to the glacier for free. There’s a parking lot which offers decent views of the glacier. However you need to take one of these tours in order to get ON the glacier itself . It’s worth booking tickets in advance as the tours are quite popular during summer months. You could definitely skip the Glacier Skywalk but do try and go on the Glacier Adventure where a monster truck will transport you to the middle of Athabasca Glacier!

And don’t forget that this stretch of the park is home to lots of animals and birds, so drive carefully and be attentive. You never know when a bear or mountain goats spring onto the highway from nowhere. Always keep your eyes on the road as it’s easy to get distracted. We spotted tons of beautiful wildlife on this day.

Stay : You’ll undoubtedly be tired at the end of this day, what with all that driving. Make sure you book your accommodation in Jasper at least 6 months in advance as accommodation as Jasper runs out quickly during peak summer months. Fairmont  offers great rooms with views to boot. Try to find a hotel in Jasper but if you can’t, we suggest accommodation in nearby Hinton – it offers easy access to the Jasper National Park.

Day 6:  Explore downtown Jasper and drive to Maligne Lake

Jasper National Park is the largest park in the Canadian Rockies. Banff is prettier while Jasper is more rugged and handsome. Jasper is a charming lil town with a few restaurants, supermarkets, and panoramic views of the Rockies. Spend a lazy morning walking around town after the long drive on Day 5.

If you’re up for a bit of a drive then head to Maligne Lake. The sparkling lake is home to a tiny “island” called Spirit island (technically a peninsula but turns into an island when the lake’s water level rises) and it’s easy to spend a couple of hours there. We took a lake cruise at Maligne – it’s a fun tour that lasts 1.5 hours and offers an opportunity to acquaint oneself with little corners of the lake and the spellbinding scenery all around.

Rest in the afternoon and set off on an aimless drive to experience some gorgeous panoramas during sunset. Trust us when we say this, you could drive to any part of the park and find yourself in paradise. We went on an aimless drive to Athabasca falls and loved watching the sun set over the gushing walls.

Day 7: Jasper’s Skytram and Athabasca Falls

You have a long drive back to Calgary the next day, so it’s best to take it easy. We enjoyed a well-deserved lie-in and lazed around till noon on Day 7 🙂 We boarded the Jasper Skytram in the afternoon, and were pleasantly surprised on getting to the top. The sun was shining bright and there was a nip in the air – perfect weather to relax and enjoy the spectacular view of Jasper town below. An afternoon well spent!

Day 8- Drive back to Calgary

We started early in order to catch sunrise at Sunwapta Falls , an hour’s drive from Jasper. Seeing the ochre sun rising up form the mountains right behind the falls was the perfect start to the day!

We were so glad we started early from Jasper on this day. The first 2-3 hours of the drive were breathtaking. Scenes appeared in front of us as if right out of a painting – empty roads winding through the valley as the rising sun lit the valley in orange hues and clouds hung around low as if hugging the trees. Vid must have taken at least 50 photos in a span of 30 minutes.

Brunch spot for the day was at Waterfowl Lake that offered perfect reflections of the peaks that rose across from us – could not have asked for a better spot to munch on our sandwiches 🙂

There’s so much to see and soak in when driving the Icefields Parkway that one day is just not enough.A lot of people start at Calgary, drive to Banff and Jasper, and then continue on to Edmonton before flying out from there. That’s why we recommend flying in and out of Calgary so that you get to drive this scenic road twice!

Stay : We reached Calgary by brunch and spent our last night at Clique Hotel, before flying out of Calgary

Budgeting for this road trip

Expect to spend CAD 2500-2700 for 2 people on a week long road trip in the Canadian Rockies. You will spend approximately CAD200 on fuel, CAD700 on car rental, CAD900 on good mid-range accommodation, CAD500 on food & drink, CAD 150 on national park fees, and CAD200+ on activities and tours. Of course this cost is heavily dependent on the season you travel in, the kind of tours and hotels you choose, and the number of people in your group. It will increase if you dine out a lot or opt for luxury accommodation. It will decrease significantly if you travel in a group and share car rental and accommodation costs. These prices are for a trip taken during peak season in August 2016. Prices in the low season will be significantly lower.

There you have it – our itinerary for one of our most favourite road trips so far. Have you driven in the Canadian rockies? We’re sure you loved it as much as we did, yes? 😀

*All costs true of August 2016.

Want to see where all we have driven? Read about all our road trips

Are you crazy about road trips too? Here are some of our favourites:

Carnivals and Beaches: A Road Trip Through Spain

Lions and Wineries: A Road Trip Through South Africa

The Land of Game of Thrones: A Road Trip Through Croatia

Picture Postcards Everywhere: A Road Trip Through New Zealand

Glaciers and Icebergs:   A Road Trip Through Iceland

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209 thoughts on “ planning a summer road trip in the canadian rockies ”.

Nice post.All these spots are beautiful & gorgeous. Truly picturesque….

Thanks a million Anant 🙂

We want to take a trip next year and was trying to decide on a planned tour or doing a drive. We have just retired and a little nervous because we only speak English. Will there be a language problem for us. We had thought about the middle of June. Do we still have to worry about snow ? You have really got me interested in doing our own thing.

You’ll be just fine with English in Canada 🙂 There won’t be snow in mid-June, at least not on the majority of the roads that you’ll be driving 🙂

Trust us, you’ll have a great trip 🙂

Could you tell what passes you are referring to that we should buy online?

These are passes for the national parks – Banff and Jasper – you need to buy passes if you’re spending time in these national parks 🙂

I’d LOVE to do a road trip, this is awesome you really made the trip with this one. Road trips can be awesome, I need one asap! x

Thanks – you should definitely plan a road trip, especially to Banff National Park if and when you get a chance 🙂

Your pictures are absolutely breathtaking!!! I love road trips so much 🙂

Thanks Lubka – Banff and Jasper National Parks are stunning they made our job of capturing them on camera easy 🙂

Fantastic landscapes! Lots of amazing photos, but the deer with the rainbow is extra special.

Thanks Galina – I think spotting wildlife made our road trip in the Canadian Rockies uber special 🙂

WOW your pics are SO amazing, super pretty. I’ve never thought of doing a road trip in Canada but I am super in love with these pics! xx

Thanks Olivia – we always head to a warm place for a holiday, so Canada wasn’t on our radar till recently. But we’re so glad we went! I hope our post persuades you to make a trip to that corner of the world 🙂

Wow what an absolutely amazing trip – I love the colour of the water and that pic of you on the glacier in the red chair is just awesome. I’m off to follow you on insta now x

Thanks a ton Sam – so happy to hear that 🙂 Fun fact – The water of the lakes in the area is THAT blue because of glacial silt and rock flour that accompanies glacial water to the lakes every summer 🙂

OMG Those waterfalls look absolutely INCREDIBLE. Definitely a breath taking trip to pop on my bucket list! xxx

Thanks Laura – the waterfalls were amazing but it was the lakes at Banff National Park that stole our hearts 🙂

Oh my goodness those photos are so amazing!!! Some of them don’t even look real they are so crisp and perfect!!

Thanks Francesca – being married to a professional travel photographer helps eh 😉

Being Canadian, I actually laughed out loud at this comment!

Lol Susan – then you’d know those panoramas lend themselves very well to stunning photos 🙂

Yes, they do but it was your add “eh” at the end of the sentence – a true giveaway of being in Canada 🙂

I would love a road trip like this. Looks so beautiful . Fantastic photos

Thanks a ton Beth – so happy to hear you enjoyed going through the photos 🙂

My friend’s went to Canada for their honeymoon! They said it was the BEST! H x

It’s the perfect place for a honeymoon – picture-postcard panoramas at every turn 🙂

I just turned to the screen round to my hubby and went ‘wow’… seriously amazing photos and scenery which is out of this world x

Yay – so happy to hear that Rachel – driving around Banff National Park and Jasper National Park was dreamy – we did not want to leave 🙂

Wow I can’t even believe that these images are real, Canada looks out of this world beautiful. I would love to capture the landscapes.

Thanks Ana – I’m sure you’d do an amazing job at capturing the landscapes 🙂

Oh my god those views are insane, your photos are incredible. I’d love to go to the Canadian Rockies x

Thanks Rhian – we weren’t expecting the Canadian Rockies to be this special because no one ever talks about them, but they’re well and truly special 🙂

Your trip sounded so nice. I love those views of the landscapes. It would be so cool to check out the national parks.

Thanks a ton Liz – I’m sure you’ll love driving through the Canadian Rockies 🙂

Now you have confused me to choose between south africa, new zealand or Canada next year ?

Hehe that’s a really tough choice Kamakshi – New Zealand and Canada are both STUNNING. Choose NZ if you have 2 weeks or more and Canada if you have a week. South Africa, on the other hand, offers experiences like safaris and sun-hazed beaches which are missing from Canada. If that’s the kind of thing you like, South Africa it is 🙂

We did the same trip 2 months ago and like you mentioned this is by far the best place we’ve been to! The locals say Lake Louise freezes in winter and people go ice skating on the lake! Can’t wait to go back!

So glad we aren’t the only ones to feel that way Priyanka 🙂 We’re currently talking about re-visiting the area during winter months

Savi and Vid thanks so much for this amazing guideline to travel. Seems you guys are living the dream life and making the world so jealous but at the same time helping them a lot too :). We just took the Bavarian Alps trip following your basic guidelines for the trip and adding a few more points for ourselves and it was amazing ! I would reallly want to know which camera and lenses is Vid using for these spectacular photos. They blow my mind away !

Hey Neha – thanks a million. You must send us photos from your roadtrip to Bavaria at bruisedpassports at gmail dot com. We use a Nikon D610 for all our photos. I use the camera with 4 different lenses – all details in our article on Travel and Photography Essentials https://www.bruisedpassports.com/featured/travel-photography-essentials

We were thinking of making a trip to Banff and Jasper this summer.. But now its confirmed.. We Have To Go..!! Thanks for the super helpful itinerary..I hope mid September is still not too late. I heard the night skies in Jasper are amazing, just cannot wait to see all that beauty ?

Hey Sravani – we hear it’s great in September too 🙂 The night skies are truly amazing. Send us photos from your trip to the Canadian Rockies in September

Wow, breathtaking landscapes! Banff has been on my list for a while now, you guys put it right on the top after this post 🙂 Btw, do you guys have an international driver’s permit? Could you briefly describe the procedure to get the same? Thanks a lot!

Hey Anu – any driving license works fine, as long as it’s in English. If it’s not in English, you will need to get an international driver’s permit 🙂

The pictures are breathtaking. You guys define Travel goals! Couple goals! GOALS! 🙂

PS – Canada. 2017. Same time. Thanks to you guys!

Damn, thanks a ton for all the love Aaditya. You MUST send us photos from Canada next year – we’d love to share them with our readers 🙂

You give us goals!! So picturesque!

Thanks a million Nisha 😀

Breathtaking pictures …Canada is such a beauty

Thanks guys -we really enjoyed our time there 🙂

Absolutly breathtaking beautiful photos – wow this look amazing! I would love to do this one day. xx

Thanks Anna – we won’t forget this road trip in the Canadian Rockies for a long long time to come 🙂

Wow absolutely stunning pictures! My sister in law has been to Canda many times but only ever in the winter as they go skiing but she always raves about what a beautiful country it is and says she would love to go in the summer one of these days. That lake is stunning, need to add this to my list of things to see

The lakes of Banff and Jasper National Parks are definitely the highlight of a visit to the Canadian Rockies 🙂

No I haven’t but your photos are making me want to. What an adventure.

You must go if you like nature (and LOTS of it) on your holidays 🙂

Hey guys, thanks for sharing the extremely gorgeous pictures of your trip. It is so surreal to see these pictures on the fone, I can hardly imagine the feel of experiencing it. Your post brought a constant smile on my face throughout. I wish you two many more, happy and enchanting trips for life.

P.S. I absolutely loved the Bavarian road trip post too.

P.P.S. sorry for a long comment. Couldnt contain the excitememt.

Thanks a million for your comment Surya- we love long comments from our readers, so there’s absolutely no need to apologise. This was a magical roadtrip – aah! 🙂

Sounds like a trio of a life time! We love to visit the Canadian Rockies as a family. It’s so scenic!

Thanks a ton – it’s very family-friendly and kids are catered for everywhere. You should definitely visit 🙂

Love the pictures! Husband and I are Canadians and live in Toronto – and Canadian Rockies are definitely on our list but you know how it is when it’s your homeland – you keep pushing it down the list in favour of more exotic, further destinations. After 4 years of traveling to different continents, I think it’s time we see our country :). Maybe next summer….thanks for this post! Definitely reminded me how beautiful Canada is.

That’s so true Naima – you should definitely make a trip to see the Canadian Rockies. Do send us photos when you go 🙂

Great recap of your trip to the Canadian Rockies! You’ve covered the best of the attractions. I can never get enough of these lakes and mountains, be it in summer or winter! I’m fortunate to live in Calgary and enjoy these natural wonders. Glad you made it to this side of the world! Safe travels!

Thanks Smitha – what a gorgeous place to call home 🙂 Aah

I would love to visit Canada one day, it looks seriously awesome!

It’s a gorgeous country Tara – we can’t wait to go back and explore more 🙂

OMG! The views are just amazing! What a place to visit! Stunning, simply stunning!

Thanks a ton Agata 🙂

This road trip is on my bucket list. It looks so beautiful.

Thanks Dannii 🙂 Hope you make it there soon

This place seems magical and the credit goes to vid’s expertise with the camera !!!! The beauty definitely leaves me spell bound and so are the posts .. They are so well written and put up !!!! Kudos !!!

Thanks for appreciating the hard work that goes into maintaining the blog Kushagr. The Canadian Rockies are magical and I had an amazing time capturing them 🙂

Wow I would so love to do this road trip! Hopefully one day x

Hey Hannah – hope you make it to the Canadian Rockies soon. I know you’ll love them 🙂

Savi and vid , I have been following you guys for a year now and could not resist my first comment now . Truly you guys are amazing . We are travel junkies and love to travel and this blog has been a fantastic resource in planning our trips . The funny thing is you guys posted the Peru itinerary when we had just booked our flights to Lima , and now I see the Canadian Rockies and we plan to visit end of this month 🙂 I see NZ and Aussie on your blog and we have plans of visiting end of this year ! Its been very close timelines , we missed bumping into you guys . Definitely would love to catch up with you guys if you are anywhere around California .

Hey Shruthi – it’s lovely to hear from you. So happy to hear Bruised Passports has helped you plan your trips easily. Yay. You MUST send us photos from the Canadian Rockies with your full name(s), we’d love to share them with our readers 🙂 Hope our paths cross somewhere around the globe super soon

Oh my goodness, your pictures are incredible.. I really REALLY want to visit now!

Thanks a ton 🙂 So happy to hear that

OMG wow, seriously the photos are simply amazing, I think you have sold it to everyone that sees this post!

Thanks Melanie – so chuffed to see everyone enjoying these photos so so much 🙂

Your photos are incredible! I have to go now!

Thanks Jemma – it’s the location working its magic 🙂

These photos are magical and so colorful. I love the mountains and the waterfall. I love this blog because it always takes me on a joinery!

xoxo, Candice http://www.candicenikeia.com

Thanks a ton Candice – so happy to hear we’ve been successful in taking you on a journey through the Canadian Rockies with us 🙂

Very Inspiring!

Thanks Lalitha 🙂

OMG, Canada looks out-of-the-world stunning! I’ve always wanted to visit Alaska, but never considered a trip to Canada so far. Now I think I should. I can imagine how a road trip here would be. Would also love to know about the Alaskan cruise! I love all your cruise posts! 🙂

Thanks a million Ramya – yes Canada was stunning 🙂 Alaska posts coming up soon – will publish them this week or next

As always beautiful pictures and well written details:)Savi as always u make all loactions even more special with your boho outfits.Amazing road photos.Moraine and peyto both look so unreal,but it’s amazing that you guys explored so many other beautiful spots even on an unplanned trip . can’t wait to explore all these places.

Thanks a ton Ramya 🙂 You’re very generous – we’re a tad compulsive about researching and visiting the prettiest places in the area, so we just had to hit up all these spots 😉

Paradigm shift 😀

I always thought Canada as a cold and gloomy Place.This is one of your best posts and my favorite ! <3 <3

Thanks Shilpa – so happy to hear that. Canada is stunning and I’m glad we changed your mindset about it 🙂

superb click guys:)))) all poster perfect….

Thanks Komal 🙂 So happy to hear you enjoyed our photos

Exotic vacation spot

Thanks Jaspreet 🙂

Banff is a fairy tale-ish winter wonderland around New Years. Chateau Lake Louise and Fairmont Banff Springs offer the best specials(as best as they can be). the incredible summers move on to be magical winters, hope you can visit it sometime in winters and add this to you winter holiday bucket list 🙂 Love your posts!

We’d love to re-visit during winter months Finla- we love cold-weather holidays, so I know we’d like it tons 🙂

I love your blog! The Canadian Rockies is definitely on my list for summer 2017. Is it safe enough to do this road trip solo?

Of course Bonita – this route is super safe for a solo traveller, no problem 🙂

Hi lovely pictures. can you tell me what lens you guys are using or what camera lens will be best for landscape photography 🙂

Hey Ishani,

You can read about our photography gear here: https://www.bruisedpassports.com/everything/travel-photography-essentials

In general, for landscape photography, you should buy an ultra-wide or wide angle lens – e.g. 15-30 or 18-35

Do you recommend getting insurance when renting a car? Love your blog,40% of my bookmark is filled with your posts.

Hey Shaila – that’s awesome. Glad you enjoy Bruised Passports so much 🙂 We ALWAYS recommend getting insurance while renting a car. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially while travelling in a foreign country

Stunning shots. When I am a little down, I go through the pictures on your blog and I am all perky <3

Aww that’s the sweetest thing we’ve heard all week – thanks a ton for all the love Deepika 🙂

Stunning pictures. The spirit island is surreal! Can’t wait to do a trip there soon.

Hope you make it to Canada super soon Aditi 🙂

You guys are such an inspiration! I am planning a trip there this September and this post just confirmed some of the agenda! What car did you rent while on this roadtrip? Do the roads in early September require an SUV? Can hardly wait to get there after seeing your amazing photos!

We had rented a normal Sedan but got upgraded to an SUV. Yayy! No, you definitely don’t need an SUV in September.

Have a great trip and share photos with us 🙂

Wow. So beautifully captured. Thanks a million as we are planning our summer road trip to Canadian Rockies in August. Will follow your adventures in future

Thank you so much dear Sharad for liking our post on the Canadian Rockies.You are sure to enjoy it while you are there. Have fun and happy travels to you:)

It seems like you had the perfect weather for the road trip! Maligne lake in Jasper NP is one of my favourites of all time. I have done a canoe trip there last year and am repeating the experience this year! I am based in the Canadian Rockies and can only confirm the beauty of this place! Did you guys do any exploring around Canmore and Kananaskis Country? A lot of people miss out on this place without realizing how beautiful it is. Banff and Jasper steal all the visitors! haha

No we didn’t but planning to visit Canada soon and will definitely look into exploring Canmore and Kananaskis Country – thanks for the suggestion 🙂

Hi… Stunning Adventure Trip! I just want to ask if did you bopk any tour a long the way of your travel? How many hotels did you book for the whole trip. Me and my bf are planning to do the trip in canadian rockies this coming august for a week. Thanks.

Hey Charlene,

If you’re going in the first half of August, it’s better you book all hotels in advance. We really struggled to get accommodation even when we started booking a couple of months in advance. We booked one hotel in Calgiri, one in Banff, and one in Jasper.

We did not book any tour along the way 🙂

I traveled to Banff and Jasper a week ago and followed your itinerary. You have done a fantastic job with planning your trip. I intend to do more of the road trips you have beautifully planned.

Vid’s pictures are so beautifully captured. It is the main thing which made me undertake this trip 🙂

So happy to hear that Janice – do share your photos with us too 🙂

We have a road trip planned to Banff & Jasper at the end of July, can you give suggestions on what type of clothes to pack? Or what kind of weather we’ll expect? Thanks, awesome pictures too!

Hey Rae – would suggest packing summer clothes with one light jumper/cardigan and one winter jacket. The weather is warm most days but it turns pretty quickly in the Rockies 🙂

Can you give an estimate of cost for a road trip like the one you took? I know depending on hotels/car rental and etc but a rough idea? We are from midwest America and will have to fly out there.

Hey Glenda,

If you visit in July/August, things will be more expensive. Including car rental, hotels, meals, and activities, expect to spend around 150-200 CAD per person per day in those months 🙂

Have a great trip!

Amazing post. All of your shots are incredible and have really helped me plan my trip! Myself and a few friends are doing a road trip starting in Calgary and going to Banff and Jasper, and then down to Vancouver. A quick question – your shot of Calgary from Nose Hill Park is amazing. Where did you park your car? I imagine the park is pretty big so wondered if you could help me with your location in the park for that view? Thanks in advance 🙂

Happy to hear our posts were helpful 🙂 I parked the car at the 14th Street parking lot – here is a map of the place – https://goo.gl/Cd5NTG

Have a great trip and do share photos with us when you’re back

Hi! I’m planning to do a similar trip in the summer of 2018 but thought of reversing the route, Jasper first, then ending in Banff so that we would get a long drive out of the way early when we had the most energy and then tracking back. Can you see of any reason why this wouldn’t work as well? I just hate the thought of driving on my last day there.

Hey Mariel – reversing the route shouldn’t pose any problem at all. Have fun in the Canadian Rockies 🙂

The pictures look so unreal like desktop wallpapers. The views are so pretty. Absolutely wow…

So happy you enjoyed these photos Loreta – Canada is a pleasure to photograph 🙂

Hey guys, this is a brill post! Thanks for sharing these awesome pics and providing all this helpful advice! We are planning to do a road trip soon. Can you please me where you guys stayed in Jasper? Thanks so much!

Jasper was somewhat a last minute addition to our trip so all accommodation was booked already (we went in the super peak season i.e. first half of August). In the end, we managed to get a private room in Jasper Downtown Hostel – the room was fine albeit a bit small but the location is pretty good. If we were to go again, we’d book a hotel much in advance 🙂

Hey, was looking for just such a trip. Booked tickets to Calgary last week of June 2018. Care to give us a detailed break up of your itinerary? just the days and places pl.

All the information is in this article 🙂 Hope you have a great trip in the Rockies – they’re gorgeous

My husband and I went to Germany, Austria and Switzerland for our honeymoon this past May and used your blog post as a guide for the Bavarian portion of our trip! It was incredible!! We are starting to plan an anniversary trip in May 2018 and the Canadian Rockies seem like the perfect place. Do you think that would be too early in the season for a road trip?

I should clarify… Late May-early June

Hey Shannon – absolutely not. The area is stunning all year round. Sure the lakes might not be exactly this blue but there’ll be lesser tourists and accommodation will be easier to find 🙂

hi, i am from india (mumbai) want the above mention itinerary which ends vancouver in 12 days i might be travelling with wife and daughter in may 2018 can we three can go on our own with proper advance booking of hotels, i want to drive the complete route vegetarian foods available ? please guide me thanks your above itinerary was class apart with picture.

Hey you can stop at supermarkets to stock up on vegetarian foods. And yes, you can easily plan the above trip yourself 🙂

Awesome factual itinerary but I can’t believe you didn’t spend any time in Kananaskis Country. It’s just south of Banff National Park mainly accessible from Canmore. In the 14 months I lived in the Canadian Rockies, I found that “K Country” was much more picturesque than Banff NP or even Jasper NP! Well I guess now you have an excuse to go back again….. like you needed one anyway haha. Safe Travels.

Hey Marta – glad you enjoyed reading our article on A Summer Road Trip in the Canadian Rockies. Definitely jotting down Kananaskis Country for our next roadtrip in the area – thanks a ton for the suggestion 🙂

Hey, awesome blog post, loved reading it. Wonderful pictures and very informative! We are thinking about renting a RV, I see that you have rented a car. So what would be your recommendation?

We can’t comment on the bit about RV as we don’t have personal experience in Canada for driving an RV. That said, we saw plenty of RVs on the road. Personally, we prefer a car most of the times.

Hi, We are planning a trip to the Rockies this Aug and found your itinerary perfect. Thank you for such a detailed trip report.Your pictures are absolutely stunning and inspiring to anyone wanting to visit the area. Did you visit Lake Moraine before Louise? I’ve read a lot about parking issues there and how its better to get there as early as 7 am to get a good picture. We are planning 3 nights in Banff, 3 in Jasper and a night in Calgary before flying out. Should we stay a night in Lake Louise instead? Any inputs on this would be appreciated.

Hi Savitha,

Yes, make sure you get to Lake Moraine super early – parking can be an issue there for sure. No need to spend the night at Lake Louise .

Guys awesome post , looking forward to visit Banff this July.

Thanks for the detailed post.. It helped us plan our trip for July. Would it be possible if we were to plan Day 4 for Lake Louise, Lake Moraine and then drive to Columbian Icefields for Overnight. Day 5 go the Glacier Adventure and head to Jasper.

We are planning to do the Bow & Peyto lake on our way back from jasper on Day 8. Even, do you have any suggestions for Hotels or B&B in Jasper?

Is there anything you can suggest for Calgary.

Hey Nikita,

You’re welcome. Yes you can do Lake Louise, Lake Moraine on Day 4 and then to Icefields (not sure about overnight accommodation in that area).

In Jasper you can stay at Fairmont – when we went it was peak tourist season and we couldn’t get any decent accommodation

Hi you guys, my family and I (kids included) are planning to travel and stay in Banff for 3 nights, jasper 3 nights, and whistler 3 nights. Where do you suggest we stay in all 3 places? We’re thinking both fairmont properties in Banff and jasper, if you have any other suggestions do tell!

Hey you can’t go wrong with Fairmont in Banff and Jasper National Parks but would suggest you book in advance as it gets really busy 🙂

My boyfriend and I are planning to take a trip up to Banff National Park and I was wondering if you found it necessary to have a car with four wheel drive or do you think a compact car would do the trick?

Hey Danielle,

A compact car is just fine for Banff 🙂

We are planning for visit to Canada on 30th Sept.2018. Planning for Alaska Cruise from Seattle to Seattle (only available and last sailing) on 30/9 and from 7th oct, planning Canada road tour.

Can you suggest good route (Seattle to Seattle) by road, places to visit, good decent accommodations (not too expensive, but decent with good location and view), things to keep in mind, entrance fees bookings, etc. Our tour shall end on 14/10/18 and shall be flying back.

hey Minesh,

Sorry could not understand your question mate – what do you mean by Seattle to Seattle by road? If you’re asking for a good drive starting from Seattle and coming back to Seattle, well, can;t help you there as this article is all about our drive in Canadian Rockies!

Loved your blog, we are heading there in August also a very far trip for us to get there, we are also like you doing Alaska first and then heading to Calgary for our week in the Rockies.

How did you manage to get your photos with almost no other people in it? as I have heard it can get crowded.

Did you use a tripod with a Automatic setting to capture the photos of the both of you together? we also have that problem normally as its just the two of us travelling by ourselves 🙂

Hey Annika,

You will love this road trip in Canada 🙂 Well at places where we know crowds can be a problem, we go either the first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening to avoid the crowds. Yes we usually use a tripod for our own photographs 🙂

Hey guys! Great details! Anything to watch out for regarding the drive particularly?

Just enjoy the gorgeous views and make sure you stop at the beautiful lakes that you’ll pass 🙂

Hey guys, I’m from Calgary and there’s nothing I love more than travellers praising the natural beauty of my province 🙂 Even though it’s beautiful in the summer, it’s even more amazing in the winter time. During November – February is when you really get to see the true beauty of the Rocky Mountains all snow capped ❤️ Do try to come out again during the winter if it still interests you!

Also I recommend going to Quebec City if you’re ever back in Canada ??

Hi Raveena,

Thank you 🙂 Yes, absolutely LOVE Canada and it’s equally beautiful (if not more) in Winters 🙂 can’t wait to go back and drive through Alberta in winters 🙂

Hey ! Just what I was looking for past three week , trying to figure a road trip through the rockies. It’s so well put and easy to adapt My only concern is we have a two year old toddler on board with us , would you suggest for us to go ahead with the trip or postpone it for later ? Also we were the trip around mid August , hoping to catch the northern lights. Is it a possibility ?

Hey no need to postpone it – your kid will have a great time ☺️

Northern Lights might not be possible ?

Hi if we don’t want to drive or take train what are the options ? U know anyone where I can get car & driver for 12days Planning a trip in 1 st week June 2 adults & 2children How many days do u suggest in Calgary ? Planning to start in Calgary , Banff , lake Louis , Jasper , Kamloops & vancover

Hey Jesal – Unfortunately I don’t know where one can rent a car with a driver in Canada. Self drive cars or public transport are the most convenient options 🙂

Canadian rockies are so beautiful. Thanks for the itinerary. Was planning to go next year and this will be extremely helpful. Want to do the Leh road trip too but situation in Srinagar makes me hesitant.

I’m actually beyond impressed with not only the quality of this post with its insane details and incredibly gorgeous images, but honestly this whole website and how well it’s all set up. This all is incredibly inspiring and I appreciate all the work you put into this!

Thanks for your kind words, Austin!

hi, what car do you suggest as we are travelling with 5 bags and after 11 night in canadian rockies we are planning cruise from vancouver for 7 nights than way back to india suv is ok or any other you suggest , also suggest good car rental company Thanks

Hey our car rental option for Canadian Rockies is linked above. An SUV is a great option 🙂

Hello! This looks amazing. We are going in June this year, but we are camping in a wee Jeep/tent. Any recommendations? I guess this brings our price down quite a lot! 🙂 We are coming from Scotland. Any advice on weather etc would be great.. obviously we can see general averages but be great to hear from someone who’s actually experienced it.

Hey you will be quite comfortable in a Jeep/tent during June. Of course you have to allow room for vagaries of weather, so would suggest carrying a really warm down jacket (or equivalent) and some woollies 🙂

How could you click such awesome shots. Hats off

hey guys, did you travel in the month of august? we are planning to travel around august end- sept start. are the waters always so blue- i mean all throughout summer months?

Hey yes we travelled in August. If the sun is out, the water is blue 🙂

Hi, you say Vid is the photographer, can you tell me what equipment he used to take such stunning photos? Was there any photoshop or touching up of his photos or are they au natural?

Hey Linda – most of these photos are shot with a Nikon D610. They didn’t need to be touched up coz Alberta is stunning during summer months (and all year round actually!)

That’s exactly the camera I have too !!! 😀

Hi Savi and Vid,

What pass is suggested to visit national park banff and jasper for 8 days?

I believe it’d be cheaper to buy the annual pass than buying daily pass for 8 days. The same pass will give you entry to Banff, Jasper, and many other national parks 🙂

Heading there in September just read about your trip thanks so much for great ideas, was thinking of taking a escorted bus tour but think it will be better if just the two of us hit the open roads of the Canadian Rockies.

Hey Jacquie – yes you would have so much more fun and flexibility if it’s the two of you by yourselves. We’d definitely recommend that 🙂

Hi Savi and Vid, Banff and Lake Louise have always been on our bucket list. Your pictures and itinerary just confirmed that it is a must do for us. If we do a 10 or 12 day itinerary, which areas would you recommend to spend more time? Thank you so much. Jan

We’d spend more time in Banff for sure. The area around Banff is just so spectacular that you could be out exploring all day and still not get tired.

Can we travel with a 7 months old baby? Also us July/August good time?

Yes that should be fine and July/August is the best time for this road trip 🙂

My family and I just followed your itinerary and we had a wonderful 7 day trip. Thank you so much…

so happy to hear that 🙂 please share some photos with us when you get the chance 🙂

My husband and I would love to do this trip. We are both retired and a little nervous. Could you tell us what time of year is best? Is September too late. To go?

Thank you so very much.

September should be absolutely fine – please don’t be nervous, you’ll have an amazing time 🙂

Wow ! Thank you very much for such a wonderful and highly detailed post… and the incredible pictures. We are planning a trip in July 2020 and this post is of great help. And you two seem to be such a loving beautiful couple.

You’re welcome Ram. Have a great time driving in the Canadian Rockies. It’s a treat to the eyes 🙂

Hi Can you please tell me the location from where the road as shown in following image link was taken. https://www.bruisedpassports.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Canada-road-trip-rockies-banff-jasper-itinerary-85.jpg Thanking you in advance

This is somewhere between Jasper and Banff. To be honest, you’ll see such views pretty much the entire way between Jasper and Banff.

such nice travel content, thank you for sharing with us.

Hi Savi and Vid.. How are you? Hope your parents are recovering. I am planning a trip to Alberta with my friends and will be using the itinerary for our travel with little changes. I wanted to know do u have any additions to be made? Also I am checking the same accommodation which you have opted because I know you guys are the best!!

Thank you 🙂

Hey Avanti,

Apologies for the delay in replying to you. We don’t have any additions to make – hope you have a great trip in Alberta and do share photos with us when you’re back 🙂

We’ve just booked our honeymoon for August 2022 and this site has made me feel so excited. So many ideas and tips when I felt completely over-faced by the thought of planning it all at the same time as planning the wedding. Thank you a million times!

So happy to hear this Hannah 🙂 Have the best honeymoon ever

What photography trick do you use for waterfalls ?

How does water look that hazy in all the pics ?

I am planning a trip in first week of september and will be following this itinerary . But do not knwo how to click such gorgeous pics .

Hey Shipra – thank you. If you shoot with a DSLR, try using long exposure & an ND filter (Neutral Density Filter) for that effect 🙂

Woww!! Awesome details in the itinerary. Will be missing out in this summer, looks like we need bookings in advanced. But definitely planning this trip for summer 2023.

Thank you! 🙂

Very informative and impressive post you have written, this is quite interesting and I have gone through it completely, an upgraded information is shared, and keep sharing such valuable information.

Hi Savi, Where did you stay in Jasper ? I cannot seem to find the hotel you booked 🙁

Hey if you book in advance Fairmont Jasper is a great option. We stayed in Hinton as all accommodation in Jasper was sold out!

Great content.. started reading reading out your blogs.. too good..

Nice Article!! Very informative. Thanks for sharing the details..

Really nice content.. loving it…

Lot of fun to read. Thanks

Wow, your road trip through the Canadian Rockies sounds absolutely breathtaking! ???? It’s amazing how a spontaneous detour led to such unforgettable experiences. The turquoise lakes and majestic mountains look like something out of a dream. Thanks for sharing your journey and these stunning photos with us. Can’t wait to see where your next adventure takes you! ????️????✨

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How to plan an Amazing Canadian Rockies Road Trip Itinerary

The Canadian Rockies are nothing short of spectacular. In many ways, it was our first trip to the Canadian Rockies years ago that set us (mostly Matt, who wasn’t into hiking and the outdoors until relatively recently) onto this path to running this site full time. It seemed like around every bend in the road or trail, there was a somehow more spectacular view awaiting us. 

How can one relatively compact place (relatively is doing a lot of work here) contain so much sheer natural beauty? Glacier-fed alpine lakes with that trademark shade of turquoise. Neverending ranges of rocky peaks. Abundant wildlife, including moose and Grizzly bears.  

It’s no wonder that so many people – including us – flock to this slice of alpine paradise. And, to be clear, there will be A LOT of people, but we’re going to do our best in this guide to give you specific tips based on our own trips to the Canadian Rockies to help you avoid the worst of the crowds.  

In this guide, we’re going to go through ALL the information we think you need to plan an incredible 10 day Canadian Rockies itinerary.

We’ll start with some important logistics – like where to fly in and out of, how to structure your trip to maximize your time, etc. – and then move on to a day-by-day itinerary that you can copy and paste for your own trip (in this case, we’re okay with plagiarism!). 

The intention is to put all the information you need to plan your once-in-a-lifetime Canadian Rockies road trip all in one place.

Plus, it’s all based on our own personal experience over multiple trips to the Canadian Rockies, and we’ll give you the lowdown on what’s worth it, what’s not, and what we wish we’d done differently. 

Sound good to you? Let’s get into it. 

P.S. Strap in with a cup of coffee (or wine, no judgement here), because this guide is LONG and DETAILED. We really tried to shave it down, but a lot of the details we’ve included are essential for planning your trip, so we’re leaving them in!

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

How Many Days Do You Need for a Canadian Rockies Road Trip?

To see the best of Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise (including Moraine Lake), you really need a MINIMUM of 7 days. It’s a lot of driving, and trying to pack it all in just 7 days is going to mean you’re missing key highlights and hikes. 

Plus, with only 7 days, you basically have no flexibility when it comes to the weather (I’m currently writing this on a rainy July morning in Jasper). 

We’ve written this Canadian Rockies itinerary for 10 days . Those extra few days allow you to get a little off the beaten path (to the extent that even exists in Banff and Jasper) to see some of Yoho National Park, a less-heralded park just west of Banff National Park, and have some flexibility to spend a rainy morning waiting for a break in the weather, if needed. 

Plus, it gives you more time to dive deeper into the Icefields Parkway, the incredibly scenic road trip from Banff to Jasper, which deserves more than a couple of hours on your itinerary. We’ve got two half days dedicated to that drive, which is packed with raging waterfalls, epic vistas, and great hikes. 

If you have more time (11-14 days) or less time (7-9 days), we have some ideas on how to alter this itinerary at the end. 

If you have 7 days, you should also read our guide to planning a 7 day Banff and Jasper itinerary (coming soon-ish!), which packs the highlights into a week. 

Where to Start and End Your Canadian Rockies Road Trip 

This one is easy! If you’re coming from somewhere out of the area, the answer is going to be Calgary, which is about an hour and a half away from the town of Banff. 

You’ll want to fly into Calgary International Airport (YYC) , which has some direct flights, but is likely going to require a connection if you’re not coming from one of the airline’s hubs. Still, it’s by far the most convenient airport to fly into. 

If you’re coming from the Pacific Northwest like us, driving to the Canadian Rockies is doable, but you should keep in mind that it’s a long drive. We drove from Portland up to Vancouver, where we spent a couple of days before embarking on a Vancouver to Banff road trip . 

Because it adds a significant amount of drive time (9 hours from Vancouver to Banff, one way), we’d only recommend this option for people with 14 days or more . 

Do You Need to Rent a Car for This Canadian Rockies Itinerary?

The short answer is yes, we think you definitely need to rent a car to make the most of your trip to the Canadian Rockies .

And you should rent it on arrival at Calgary International Airport , and drop it off at the same location when you’re heading home. 

However, I will say that, unlike our trip more than five years ago, Banff has come a long way in terms of public transportation, and it is now possible to piece together an itinerary using a combination of public transportation and guided tours. 

There are public buses (via ROAM Transit ) between Banff and Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Sunshine Meadows, and Johnston Canyon.

However, the thing to know here is that you’re going to be sacrificing A LOT of flexibility. While they exist, the routes don’t always come terribly often, and the first bus of the day is often later than we’d recommend getting the day started. 

The other major downside is that you’ll end up missing a bunch of the stops along the Icefields Parkway, which would be a shame. There are tours that tackle it, but they’re not going to make as many stops as we think you should. 

So, the long answer is that yes, you should definitely plan on renting a car, but it’s possible to put together an itinerary without driving. 

How to Structure Your Canadian Rockies Itinerary

We’re adding this as a separate section up top because we think it’s pretty important to consider how you structure your itinerary to maximize your time. 

At a high level, we’d break up your trip into three distinct parts, staying in a different place for each of them to use as a home base for the region. 

Those three parts are Banff (and around), Jasper, and Lake Louise. 

Here are a few reasons why we strongly believe that’s the best way to structure your itinerary. 

The first thing to know is that it’s a 45-60 minute drive from Banff to Lake Louise. To make the most of your time and be able to see the lake multiple times without commiting to 90 minutes of driving each time, we’d strongly recommend trying to stay near the lake for two nights . 

It’s worth seeing the lake at both sunrise and sunset, we think, and this will allow for an early start on the very busy trails. There aren’t that many options and they’re kind of pricey, but we think it’s worth it to avoid driving back and forth a bunch of times.   

For the record, we did that on our first trip (but not on our second) and wish we had done it on that second trip. 

The second thing to consider is that it will take you nearly four and half hours to drive from Jasper National Park to Calgary. For that reason, we’d recommend ordering your trip to start in Banff, head up to Jasper, and then return to Lake Louise at the end so that you’re set up for a more manageable drive back to the airport (2 hours, ish). 

This is also true if you’re driving back home, unless you live in Edmonton, which is up near Jasper. 

This is what the resulting 10 day trip looks like, at a high level: 

• Day 1: Arrive in Calgary (Sleep in Banff)
• Day 2: Banff
• Day 3: Banff
• Day 4: Drive Banff to Jasper (Sleep in Jasper)
• Day 5: Jasper
• Day 6: Jasper
• Day 7: Drive Jasper to Lake Louise (Sleep in Lake Louise) 
• Day 8: Lake Louise
• Day 9: Lake Louise / Moraine Lake
• Day 10: Drive Back to Calgary (Yoho in AM if you have time)

Where to Stay for This Itinerary

Now that we’ve covered some of the important logistics and laid out our thoughts on how to structure your Canadian Rockies itinerary, let’s talk about where to stay.

As we’ve covered already, we think you should break up your trip into three chunks – Around Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise – and choose a home base near each place to use to explore.

This will cut down on driving back and forth, and allow you to get an earlier start on hikes and viewpoints, which is important in the summer when crowds are intense.  

In this section, we’ll go through an overview where to stay for each of those regions. For more detail, including more options, you should go read our guides to where to stay in Banff (which includes Lake Louise) and where to stay in Jasper . 

Staying Around Banff

This is your first decision point, because you have two distinct options when it comes to choosing a home base for exploring around the town of Banff.

The two options are staying in the town of Banff, which is right in the middle of all the action, or staying in Canmore, a suburb (ish?) of Banff that is just outside the national park boundary. 

In general, Banff is going to be a little more convenient in terms of location because it’s further west, closer to key trailheads like Johnston Canyon. 

While Canmore is an extra 15 minutes away from things, it’s far more charming, with a better food and drink scene (we think) and a more laid back vibe.

Plus, it’s more affordable, and the accommodation options are more modern and updated (while some places in Banff feel a little dated because they’ve been constantly full for decades). 

For what it’s worth, we’ve stayed in both places and, after this latest trip when we stayed in Banff, we decided we will always stay in Canmore on future trips because we like it better as a town, and it’s generally a better value. 

In Banff, we stayed at Tunnel Mountain Resort , which is just up the hill from town on – you guessed it! – Tunnel Mountain. It’s a good location, with free parking and a bus line that runs right into town from right in front of the resort. 

Our room was kind of a dim cave situation (which might be because we needed a dog-friendly room), and it probably needed a fresh coat of paint and some new fixtures to justify the price we paid for it. But, it’s Banff, so you’re never REALLY going to get a great value, are you?

We’d cautiously recommend it, especially if you need a dog-friendly place to stay with a kitchen, which is how we ended up there. 

If you don’t need those things and you want to be based in Banff itself, look at Basecamp Suites Banff . We stayed at their location in Revelstoke and absolutely loved it – wish we’d stayed at their location in Canmore on this trip! 

They have locations all through the Canadian Rockies, and this particular location is a suite hotel, where you have the amenities of a hotel like housekeeping and a front desk, while the units are all apartments. 

Basecamp also happens to have multiple locations in Canmore , which is where we’d recommend staying if you’d rather stay in a less hectic town (and, also, is where we’ll be staying on our next trip). 

Staying in Jasper

Jasper is a little more straightforward than Banff because you really only have two options here. 

Your first option is staying at one of the many hotels right in town, which puts you within walking distance of all the amenities like grocery stores, restaurants and bars, and shopping in downtown Jasper. 

Your second option is staying somewhere outside of town, which is going to be a more rustic experience, but is less convenient when it comes to accessing those aforementioned amenities. 

For what it’s worth, we stayed at Bear Hill Lodge on our last trip, and absolutely loved both the cabins themselves, and the proximity to downtown Jasper (it’s a 10-15 minute walk). 

Our other recommendations here would be either Pine Bungalows Resort , which is right across the river from downtown (though it’s not walkable), or the Pyramid Lake Lodge , which (as you might guess) is right on the shores of Pyramid Lake just outside of downtown Jasper. 

Staying Near Lake Louise

As we’ve already covered, we really think the best way to experience Lake Louise is to stay nearby, which is what we’ve done on our trips, and we haven’t regretted it one bit. 

There are very, very few options near Lake Louise when it comes to hotels, and there are two that stand out to us as a good value (we’re not counting the Fairmont Lake Louise here, which is far out of our budget). 

The two options we’d recommend are Paradise Lodge and Bungalows , which is where we stayed on our first trip and it has since been renovated and expanded, and Basecamp Baker Creek , which is a little further out, but looks like a lovely place to stay operated by our favorite hotel company in the Canadian Rockies. 

The other great option is Lake Louise Campground , which you’ll need to reserve basically when the window opens in the spring (that’s what we did).

You can read more about the reservation procedures here , which are far more structured and relaxed than the US National Park processes. Obviously, that only works if you have camping gear with you. 

The Best Time to Do This Canadian Rockies Road Trip

Summer and early fall, between July and mid-October, is going to be the best time to do the road trip we’re going through in this guide .

You’ll have the best weather, snow-free trails and roads, and longgggg days (we’re here in July, and sunrise is at 5:30am, sunset is at 10pm) to explore. 

The big downsides of summer are crowds and prices , and they’re somewhat related. Summer is, by far, the most popular time to visit, which means trails are packed, and prices in Banff and Jasper are at an all-time high. 

If you’re visiting in the summer, you’re going to want to book your accommodations as early as possible, too. Same with campsites – book them on the day they go on sale (which you can find here ). 

Banff is a good winter destination, too, but that trip is going to look very, very different, with more skiing and snowshoeing, and less driving around and hiking. Keep in mind that winter driving is serious business in the mountains, and many roads require winter tires from October/November to April. 

This is particularly important for the Icefields Parkway, which closes intermittently in the winter due to storms. Once you drive it yourself, you’ll understand why it wouldn’t be ideal to drive it during a winter storm. 

Things to Know Before Your Canadian Rockies Road Trip

We’re going to use this section to cover important logistics – like shuttles, permits, and safety tips – that you should know before you hit the road. 

Park entry fees and passes . You’ll need to pay a fee when you’re in any of the national parks on this itinerary. You have two options – buying a pass for the number of days you need it for, or buying a Discovery Pass, which gives you access to all national parks in Canada for a full year. At a high level, the math on the Discovery Pass works out if you’re spending 7 days or more in the parks ($10.50 per day, $72.25 for an annual pass) though there are some permutations around family passes that might make the math change in your particular instance. You can buy both versions at the park entrance stations, or online in advance . 

Remember that you’re at elevation . The town of Banff sits at 4,500 feet above sea level, and Lake Louise is at 5,250 feet above sea level (Jasper is slightly lower). Two things to know here – stay hydrated, and give yourself a day or two to acclimate if, like us, you’re coming from around sea level. This is the reason we have you starting off with a lower intensity hike on the first day of the itinerary below. 

Expect it to be busy busy busy . If you’re in the Canadian Rockies in the summer, don’t expect to find a whole lot of solitude unless you head into the backcountry (and even then…). The best way to avoid crowds is to get a very, very early start. We arrived before 8am to trailheads (before 7am at Lake Louise), and found that we were often one of the first few groups on the trail, with far more people coming up the trail as we headed down. 

Book your Lake Louise and Moraine Lake shuttles ASAP . Especially if you want to get on one of the early morning departures, which you should. We’ll cover getting to Lake Louise below (if you choose to drive, get there before 7am to secure parking and be ready to pay $21 for the day), but Moraine Lake is only accessible via shuttle, and it’s SUPER competitive. You need to book it in advance, which means you’re unfortunately going to have less flexibility when it comes to weather. More information on the shuttles here . 

Know where to find gas stations . You’ll want to have a full tank of gas as you start your drive on the Icefields Parkway, because there’s exactly one gas station between Lake Louise and Jasper at the Saskatchewan River Crossing, and it’s more expensive than getting gas elsewhere. There are plenty of gas options in Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. 

Wildlife is…wild . Banff and Jasper are amazing places to see wildlife. On this last trip, we saw Grizzly bears, black bears, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, tons of marmots, among other things. However, it is very very important that you remember that these are wild animals we’re talking about, and your actions impact their lives. Give them plenty of space, and avoid stopping in the middle of the road to gawk at them (though this inevitably happens – make sure to pull off the road and stay in your vehicle). Read this Parks Canada guide to responsible wildlife viewing before your trip. 

Planning a Picture Perfect 10 Day Canadian Rockies Road Trip Itinerary: A Complete Guide

And now, on to the actual itinerary!

We’ve written this as a day-by-day itinerary, with suggestions on exactly how to spend each day.

Obviously, as you’re planning your own trip, things are going to come up like shuttle availability and weather.

So, while you could just copy and paste this itinerary, you’re probably going to have to shift some things around. 

That being said, we’d strongly recommend keeping the Banff-Jasper-Lake Louise structure intact, if you can. 

Remember that structure as you’re reading through the itinerary, because it means that the highlights of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are at the end of this itinerary (days 8-10), where you’ll find some useful tips on accessing the lakes, hiking, and more.  

Day 1: Arrive in Calgary, Drive to Banff, Two Jack Lake for Sunset

Your first day is going to be at least half travel time, depending on when your flight lands in Calgary. We’d strongly recommend booking the earliest possible flight in (and the latest one on the way out) to maximize your time in the Canadian Rockies.  

You’ll land in Calgary (assuming you’re flying in) and head over to the rental car agency to pick up your car.

It takes about two hours to go from the airport to Banff, depending on traffic and where exactly you’re going. Head to your accommodations, check in, drop your bags, and set out for an afternoon of exploring nearby. 

If you’re not flying into Calgary to start your trip, you’ll want to make your way to Banff (and you’ll likely have an extra half day or so in and around Banff to hang out). 

Lake Minnewanka & Scenic Drive

Your first stop is going to be Lake Minnewanka, which is a massive lake out to the east of Banff. It’s only about 15 minutes away, but by the time you’re on the lake, you might as well be in the middle of nowhere. 

The drive out to the lake (and between this lake and Two Jack Lake, which is SPOILER ALERT your next stop) are particularly good places to see wildlife like bighorn sheep and elk. We’ve seen both, multiple times, along this road. 

There are a couple of things to do at Lake Minnewanka, and the first is definitely the boat cruise (which we skipped because of the dog, but we absolutely would have done it if we were sans Lupine).

The cruise takes you out to Devil’s Gap at the far end of the lake, and brings you back. More information here . 

The second thing we want to call out is renting a canoe or kayak . The lake is huge – it’s 13 miles long! – and it’s impossible to get very far on foot (more on that in a second). Getting out on the water in your own watercraft will allow you to get out to different parts of the lake that most people never make it to. 

The third and final thing is hiking around Lake Minnewanka . There are two trails in particular that we’d consider. 

The first is the simple lakeshore trail , which isn’t totally flat, but also isn’t a huge climb and would make a good first hike as your body gets acclimated to the elevation in the Rockies. This is a nice option because you can easily customize it to how you’re feeling, going for a mile or two and then turning around, or going the entire way to the end of the maintained trail. 

The second is C-Level Cirque , which is a short but intense hike up to a rocky bowl with great views back towards the lake. It does involve some scrambling near the top, but it’s relatively easy compared to some of the other scramble trails in the area. 

Two Jack Lake at Sunset

Spend your first sunset in Banff at nearby Two Jack Lake, which is a smaller (but arguably equally picturesque) lake near Lake Minnewanka. 

Park in the lower parking lot and grab one of the picnic benches, either on the beach right there, or on the little spit out to the right, and watch the golden glow of the setting sun over the silhouette of Mount Rundle in the distance. 

Day 2: Vermillion Lakes, Johnston Canyon, & the Town of Banff

On your first full day in Banff, start with an early morning (ideally, sunrise) trip out to Vermillion Lakes to admire the reflection of the curved peak of Mount Rundle in the still water of the lake (and look for elk and moose along the shoreline). 

Then, tackle your first hike of the trip into Johnston Canyon (with an optional extension to the colorful ink pots) before spending the afternoon and evening in the town of Banff. 

Vermillion Lakes 

We love Vermillion Lakes at any time of day, but it’s particularly special in the early morning and late evening hours when the water of the lake is calm and you have the chance to get a perfect reflection of Mount Rundle in the still water. 

This is a very popular spot for photographers for obvious reasons, and our favorite photo spots are along the stretch of shore just outside of town ( here on Google Maps). 

This also happens to be a great place to see wildlife – we have seen elk along the road, and a variety of birds out on the lake (plus, muskrats). 

Johnston Canyon (and the Ink Pots?)

From Vermillion Lakes, head over to the Bow Valley Parkway to start the drive to your hike for the day, Johnston Canyon (with an optional extension for the Ink Pots). 

Johnston Canyon is a unique experience, but it’s one that you really need to have before the crowds show up. We would arrive NO LATER than 8am or so for this hike, but the earlier the better . 

At about 10am, the narrow boardwalk is packed with people. We know, because we came back down the trail and spent two miles trying to keep Lupine on one side of the narrow boardwalk when there were just SO MANY PEOPLE to get pets from. 

The hike is worth it, though. You’ll follow a boardwalk through a canyon with high walls and a river running through it, and the crown jewels of the hike are the upper and lower falls.

Looking for another reason to get an early start? The lineup to see the falls at 11am or so was wild. 

Here’s a picture. 

Looking to escape the crowds? We have some good news. The vast majority of people only go to one or both of the falls, which means you’ll have the continuation of this hike out to the Ink Pots – colorful pools in a beautiful valley – largely to yourself. 

To get to the Ink Pots, it’s about a 2 mile hike in the woods, climbing the entire way. It’s a bit of a slog – there are no views or redeeming features of that stretch of trail to speak of – but the end point is worth it, we thought. 

The Ink Pots are cool because they’re formed by thermal activity, but they’re not hot like thermal pools in Yellowstone, for example.

If you look closely at the bottom of the pools, which is made easy by the fact that they’re completely clear, you’ll see little swirls at the bottom which is where the water is coming up from below. 

They’re particularly stunning on a sunny day, when the rays of the sun make them vibrant and bright, but we were there on a cloudy day and still thought it was worth the journey. 

Exploring the Town of Banff

Spend your afternoon in and around the town of Banff, which is on the one hand very “touristy” in the sense that nearly everyone you’ll encounter outside of service workers is a tourist, but also has some pretty cool spots to check out. 

The main drag in town is (unsurprisingly) called Banff Avenue, and it’s where you’ll find the vast majority of restaurants, shops, and other places of interest in that vein. However, there are also a couple of walkable/driveable places with nice views that are worth seeking out. 

Here are a few of our favorites.

• Surprise Viewpoint: This is the classic view of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel backed by the mountains. You can walk there from town, but it is uphill along a busy road. However, that’s probably preferable to navigating the parking situation, which is usually full of tour buses. 
• Bow Falls: Probably not the most impressive waterfall you’ll see on this trip (especially if you make it over to Yoho National Park), but definitely the most accessible from downtown Banff thanks to the short flat riverside trail. Arguably the best views are actually not of the falls, but of the mountains towering over town (Norquay and Rundle). 
• Cascade of Time Garden: This was Alysha’s discovery, and it’s worth walking through on your way back to town. It’s a little oasis with nice views of downtown Banff and some fun landscaping. 

If you’re up for a little more walking, you can do all three of them as a fun little loop from town. Here’s a map of what that looks like. 

There are also plenty of bars and restaurants in town for dinner and drinks.

Here’s the Eater guide for the Canadian Rockies for some inspiration. Special shout outs for the Balkan (where we’ve eaten and enjoyed) and to the Bistro at the Juniper Hotel for the views (we haven’t eaten there, but have admired the views and considered it). 

Day 3: Choose Your Own Hiking Adventure & Canmore

On your second full day in and around the town of Banff, enjoy a morning hike before heading down the road to Canmore, a charming little mountain town that quickly became our favorite place to go to eat, drink, and shop. 

Choose Your Own Hiking Adventure

While we like to hike a bunch of miles a day when we’re in the Canadian Rockies (less so as we get older and recovery becomes harder!), we also recognize that not everyone is up for 10 miles a day.

For your hike today, you have a few options depending on what you’re up for. 

If you are up for some mileage, we highly recommend Healy Pass . It’s a long hike, but it’s relatively easy in terms of elevation gain and intensity.

And the views from the pass are downright magical, especially in the early summer when the meadows are blanketed in wildflowers and fall when the larches are golden. 

• Healy Pass (11.1 miles / 2,814 feet elevation gain): We loved this hike. It’s a must-do if you’re in the Rockies in early summer (call it mid-July?) for the stunning wildflowers or mid-October when the larches are lighting up. From the pass, you have a nice view of the Ramparts and the Monarch in one direction, and the peaks backing Egypt Lake in the other. It also leaves from the Sunshine Meadows parking lot, which is giant, which means there’s no parking nightmare. 
• C-Level Cirque (5.8 miles / 2,490 feet elevation gain): We mentioned this earlier as an option around Lake Minnewanka, and we’re mentioning it here again as a moderate option that’s an easy drive from Banff. You climb up through the forest for the first few miles before emerging into a rocky bowl, at which point it’s a quick scramble up to a viewpoint back towards the lake. 
• Tunnel Mountain (2.7 miles / 879 feet elevation gain): If you’re looking to take it easy for the day, we really enjoyed Tunnel Mountain. It’s a quick drive (or walk, depending on where you’re staying) from Banff, and the trail is the kind that gets you sweating a little bit, but not so much that you can’t wear those same clothes later. There are some nice views out in both directions from along the trail, with the final view looking out over Banff and the valley beyond. 

Exploring Canmore

For the afternoon, head 15 minutes east from Banff over to what turned out (again) to be our favorite town in the Rockies, Canmore.

We liked Canmore so much that, while we will definitely be back to the Canadian Rockies and Banff National Park, we will likely never ever stay in the town of Banff again. It’s all Canmore for our future selves!

Canmore is our ideal version of a small-ish mountain town, because while it is very clearly on the tourist track (it’s 15 minutes from Banff, though it is technically outside of Banff National Park), it also feels like people actually live there. Which is not something we’d ever say about Banff. 

The fact that people actually live in Canmore (the population has been increasing, especially since the events of 2020 and the rise of remote work) means that, unlike Banff where, for example, there is not one single good coffee shop, there are a bunch of businesses catering to both tourists and locals. 

And it’s truly just as beautiful as Banff, with downtown Canmore sitting along the Bow River, backed by the Three Sisters – which you’ll see and hear a lot about in the brief time you spend in Canmore. 

Similar to Banff, there’s one main drag in Canmore – 8 Street – and that’s where we’d recommend you start with your explorations.

Here are a few of our favorite spots in Canmore. 

• Eclipse Coffee : This was a recommendation from the barista at Prototype Coffee , one of the best coffee shops in Vancouver , and I’m so glad I mentioned that the Banff area doesn’t have any good coffee because I was SO wrong. They have two locations – one right on the main drag, and one over near the Safeway in a strip mall – and they roast their own beans. If you’re looking for good coffee in Canmore, head straight to Eclipse – do not pass go, do not collect $200. 
• Mixed Culture : For the best selection of craft beer, cider, and wine in Canmore, go here. This is another one we stumbled upon, and the owner was extremely helpful in helping us choose some ciders AND gave us a great tip on finding wineries in the Okanagan Valley by connecting us with his natural wine distributor’s online guide. Highly recommend if you’re looking for some cans or bottles to enjoy at camp, or at a lake, or basically anywhere. 
• Core Values Cider : On the recommendation of the owner at Mixed Culture, we moseyed over here to find them working hard on their new taproom, which should be open now (late summer 2023). I was definitely not expecting to find a cidery in Canmore, but here it is! They specialize in dry, wild-fermented cider too, which is very much in our wheelhouse. 
• Communitea : We’ve now eaten here four or five times over a few trips, and are deeply in love with this little corner cafe in Canmore with a great food and tea menu. We like the Pad Thai (even though it’s not REALLY pad thai, if we’re being honest) and basically all of the salads and bowls. Good gluten free options, too).
• Stonewaters : We stumbled upon this cool store, which is a fun place to pop into for locally made (mostly, anyway) gifts, cards, and other fun stuff.  
• Lovely Ice Cream : Right outside of Stonewaters is a little cart slinging cups of ice cream and ice cream sandwiches, all gluten free! We went here multiple times, and would recommend it for a nice sweet treat.  

Aside from the food and drink (and shopping) scene, there are a few other spots in Canmore that are worth your time. 

• Bow River Trail: We don’t have a specific route, but we do think you should walk along the river out to the Canmore Engine Bridge ( here on Google Maps), which is a cool view with the bridge in the foreground over the river, with the Three Sisters in the background. 
• Three Sisters Viewpoint: This is a drive from downtown, but it’s the best view of the Three Sisters. It requires some navigation (park here and walk under the railroad tracks), but there’s a little pond with a nice reflection of the peaks. If you’re into photography, it’s worth coming back at sunrise, when the alpenglow lights up the Sisters just before the sun crests the horizon. 
• Grassi Lakes & Quarry Lake: Some short hikes near Canmore, also with nice views of the Three Sisters. Quarry Lake is in a nice park with an easy, flat trail along the lakeshore. Grassi Lakes is a little more involved, and takes you out to a couple of bright greenish-blue lakes. 

Mount Norquay for Sunset

End your day up at Mount Norquay, which is across the Trans-Canada Highway from the town of Banff.

This was, perhaps, our favorite discovery of our time in Banff itself, because it’s hard to beat the view of Rundle towering over the city from the grassy slopes just below the parking area for the ski resort (which is what Mount Norquay is really famous for in the winter). 

The lookout is almost the entire way up the mountain ( here on Google Maps), and this would be an excellent place to watch the sunset with one of those beers, ciders, or wines that you got at Mixed Cultures in Canmore earlier in the day. 

Plus, this is one of the better places in Banff to see Bighorn Sheep – we saw a family (including babies) on the road on the way up, and got out the telephoto lens to watch them frolic a little bit.  

Day 4: Driving the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper

Today, the star of the show is the Icefields Parkway, which is the incredibly scenic drive from Banff to Jasper that will leave your jaw on the floor of the car at every bend in the road. 

The first time we ever did this drive, it was so smoky that you could not see 50 feet in front of you, so we truly had no idea what we were missing until we came back down from Jasper on a clear day, and were flabbergasted at the sheer natural beauty on display along this two and a half hour drive. 

We’ve allocated basically a day and a half of this itinerary to this drive, and we’d definitely plan on taking your time here, stopping often for short walks out to viewpoints. 

We have an entire guide to driving the Icefields Parkway , which you should read for a full list of all the stops we’d recommend along the way. Here is a selection of our favorites, including a great hike to do along the way. 

If you miss a stop on the way up, you have to make the drive back down in a couple of days anyway, so you can hit it then!

The Helen Lake Trail

The trailhead for Helen Lake is just across the Icefields Parkway from the first Bow Lake viewpoint, and it fills up in the morning on most summer days. 

The trail climbs through the forest for the first mile and a half or so, oscillating between mostly flat sections and sections that are surprisingly steep and rocky, making it seem harder than it is.

As you climb, you’ll start to get some nice views of Bow Lake behind you, so make sure to turn around and admire it when gaps in the trees appear. 

The real show starts when you get above the treeline into a vast alpine meadow, full of flowers and marmots galore (at least in the early summer).

This stretch of trail is excellent, and it’s a slight uphill grade all the way up to the lake. 

From the lake, you can continue on to the top of Cirque Peak, the mountain you see on the far side of Helen Lake. It’s another few miles (round trip), and double the elevation gain (including scrambling and route finding), so it’s not for the faint of heart.

We skipped it, but we did go around the lake and climbed the switchbacks on the far side to get a view back over the lake, which we’d recommend. 

Bow Lake is one of the many majestic glacial lakes on the Icefields Parkway that features that brilliant turquoise water thanks to the glacial sediment in the water. It’s backed by Crowfoot Mountain (and the glacier of the same name). 

There are two things to do at Bow Lake. 

The first is to stop at the Bow Lake viewpoint , which is basically right across the road from the Helen Lake trailhead ( here on Google Maps). From there, if you get down to the water level, you have a great view of Crowfoot Mountain across the cloudy blue water of the lake. 

The second is to park at the historic Num-Ti-Jah Lodge on the northern shore of the lake and explore that area. 

The cafe at the lodge, which has a nice little outdoor patio, is a good place to grab a snack and a cup of tea or coffee (or in our case, a well-earned cider from Core Values in Canmore).

Just a few steps from the cafe is the lakeshore, which has some pretty spectacular views. 

We definitely think you should leave the crowds behind and walk out along the northern shore of the lake for a bit, where you’ll get a nice view of Crowfoot and a distant view of Bow Glacier falls in the distance.

If you’re up for it, there’s also a hike around the lake up to Bow Glacier Falls .

We skipped it, opting to do Helen Lake, Wilcox Pass, and Parker Ridge instead. However, all three of those hikes are fairly intense, while Bow Glacier Falls is in the easy/moderate category. It’s a good option if you’re looking for something a little more low-key. 

If you’ve seen pictures of Banff, you’ve probably seen at least one picture of Peyto Lake.

It’s that vibrant turquoise glacier-fed lake. Oh, there are tons of those in the Canadian Rockies? Right. Peyto Lake is special because you view it from above, and have the mountains backing it. 

The timing here is a little unfortunate – if you follow this itinerary, you’ll be hitting the lake in the afternoon sometime, and that happens to be the busiest time to be there.

But there’s no real way to fix that (unless you skip the hike to Helen Lake, in which case we’d probably go here first then double back to the other stops), so it is what it is!

It’s a short half mile walk to the upper viewpoint, which you’ll certainly be sharing with hundreds of your new closest friends. 

The Columbia Icefields Discovery Center

After another hour or so of driving (there are a couple of stops along the way that are worth making, like Waterfowl Lakes and Mistaya Canyon), you’ll cross over the border into Jasper National Park (saving our favorite hike, Wilcox Pass , for the trip back down to Banff) and arrive at one of the most impressive parts of the drive: the Columbia Icefield. 

Which, by the way, is the largest icefield in North America (though it is shrinking at an alarming rate). There is 125 square miles of ice here, and from the roadside pullouts and Discovery Center, you’re only seeing an impossibly miniscule fraction. 

If your vision for your trip includes walking on a glacier, this is the place to do it. You can’t go by yourself, though. You can book an Ice Walk to get out with a guide and all the equipment you need. 

It’s worth stepping inside the Discovery Center and going to the lower level, where there is a cool interactive display that talks all about the ecosystems here. 

Athabasca & Sunwapta Falls

This pair of waterfalls will be among your last stops as you roll into Jasper at the end of the day. They’re fifteen minutes apart, and they are both worth stopping for. 

Athabasca is the first one you’ll encounter as you’re driving north. To be honest, it’s hard to take a picture of this waterfall that really does it justice because it comes through a little gorge, which obstructs the view of the falls from straight on.

From the side, you can see the top of the falls, but you don’t get the view of the 80 foot drop. 

Follow the trail from the parking lot to see the falls from multiple views, including the two we just mentioned. 

Aside from, you know, the beautiful waterfall, the best part about Athabasca Falls is the short hike down into the canyon, which a tiny fraction of the people at the falls actually do. From there, you get a more bottoms-up view of the canyons formed by this impressively powerful waterfall. 

Sunwapta Falls is a little further up the road, and is arguably more impressive, with the island of trees in the middle of the river just before it tumbles over the falls.

The drop here is shorter than Athabasca at just 61 feet, but we prefer the views of Sunwapta. 

From Sunwapta Falls, it’s a nice short drive into the town of Jasper, which will be your home base for the next few days. 

Day 5: Wildlife Drive, Maligne Lake, & Maligne Canyon

Jasper is more “wild”, for lack of a better word, than Banff, which probably has to do with its more remote location.

While Banff is an easy two hour drive along the Trans-Canada Highway from Calgary, Jasper takes around four hours to get to from nearby big cities like Calgary or Edmonton. 

For that reason, along with the fact that many people who visit Banff just never make it up to Jasper because they have limited time, it feels more rugged and out there than most places in Banff.

However, with 7-10 days, we definitely think it’s worth visiting, and two days is a good amount of time to spend in and around Jasper.

One thing we will say about Jasper is that it just doesn’t have the amenities that Banff has. We found Nesters to be the best grocery store in town, and loved both Sunhouse Cafe (coffee and tea) and Neighborhood (wine and small plates), but that’s about all we got excited about. 

On your first full day in Jasper, you’ll tackle what we think is the main attraction – Maligne Lake – and the surrounding area. It’s an hour-long drive from the town of Jasper out to Maligne Lake, but there are two nice stops along the way in Medicine Lake and Maligne Canyon that are worth your time. 

We’re organizing the day as Medicine, Maligne Lake, Maligne Canyon to optimize for wildlife viewing in the early morning at both Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake, which does mean you won’t have Maligne Canyon all to yourself. But that’s the order we’d recommend.  

Medicine Lake

While this entire stretch of land is a great place to see some wildlife – we saw a mama moose and her baby completely by accident in the parking lot of the Bald Mountain trailhead before sunrise – Medicine Lake is renowned as a hotspot for seeing moose, elk, bighorn sheep, and more. 

As we’ve already mentioned in some of the Banff sections, the best time to see wildlife is going to be dawn and dusk, so if you’re serious about it, you’ll want to be out at Medicine Lake around sunrise (an early wake up call, we know). 

For what it’s worth, we’ve always had our best luck seeing wildlife within an hour of sunrise or sunset. 

Aside from the wildlife, there’s not much to do at Medicine Lake. It’s worth noting that the lake is actually seasonal, and disappears when the water runs out (which is unusual in the Rockies, which is full of glacier-fed lakes). 

You’re about halfway to your destination here, so you’ll continue your drive onwards to Maligne Lake once you feel like you’ve seen enough. 

Maligne Lake (+optional boat cruise)

Maligne Lake is the crown jewel of this corner of the world. You’ve undoubtedly seen at least one picture of it on Instagram (probably of Spirit Island, a little tree-covered island miles and miles south from the parking area that’s only accessible by boat). 

There are ample opportunities for hiking and other outdoor recreation at Maligne Lake. We’ll give you three ideas in terms of how to spend a half day at the lake. 

First is the boat cruise out to Spirit Island , which is one of the only ways to get that far out into the lake and see pieces of wilderness that only a tiny fraction of visitors get to see.

However, you will likely be crammed into a motorized boat (which, honestly, isn’t great for the lake) with other visitors, so don’t expect to find solitude out there. It’s a 90 minute cruise. 

Second is a self-guided tour out to Spirit Island which, if you’re up for it, is the best way to do it from both an environmental and experiential perspective.

You can either rent a canoe or kayak from Maligne Lake Boathouse ($160 a day for a canoe), which is both the most convenient and also the most expensive option (funny how that works), or you can rent from Wild Current Outfitters in Jasper ($125 a day for a 1-2 person canoe). 

With Wild Current, you book in advance and then pick up the canoe at Maligne Lake, so you don’t need to worry about transporting the boat to and from the lake.

From the boat dock out to Spirit Island is a hair under nine miles, which is no joke.

We’d suggest booking either an early morning or late afternoon rental (the latter would change your itinerary a bit) so that you avoid the bulk of the crowds and boat cruises heading out there. Bring lots of water, snacks, and sun protection!

Third is hiking near Maligne Lake . There are several trail options nearby, from easy flat loops to tough climbs. 

Here are a couple of hiking options near Maligne Lake, some of which we’ve done personally (Bald Hills is great, but be prepared for wind at the top) and others that were on our list for our latest trip, but either got smoked out or didn’t allow dogs. 

• Moose Lake (1.7 miles / 472 feet elevation gain): Super easy hike that takes you southwest from the boat house and parking lot to a nice lake. There’s a reason they call it Moose Lake, and if you can get to the lake early in the morning (or around dusk) there’s a nonzero chance you’ll get to see a moose frolicking in the lake. 
• Mary Schaeffer Trail (2 miles / 275 feet elevation gain): Another easy loop, this time along the lakeshore and then back through the forest. Less about the moose and more about the views of Maligne Lake. 
• Opal Hills (5 miles / 1,696 feet elevation gain): This one is more in the moderate category, and it’s a good way to get a sense for how the landscape changes as you gain elevation. As you climb, there’s an abrupt shift from green, lush forests to a barren rocky landscape. It’s a distinct line that you can see from afar, which is odd. If you’re feeling spicy, continue on to Opal Peak . 
• Bald Hills (9.3 miles / 2,559 feet elevation gain): This is the hike we’ve done, and while we enjoyed it and the view from the top is spectacular, the wind and cold up there made it so miserable that I legitimately have only one or two pictures of the entire hike (rather than the hundreds I have from other hikes).

Maligne Canyon

On your way back to Jasper, it’s worth stopping at Maligne Canyon for a short hike down into the canyon, where you’ll have a bottom-up (sometimes top-down) view of the tall limestone walls and the rushing river. 

This is another popular spot, but it’s a big parking lot, so parking isn’t as much of an issue as it is at some of the other stops on this itinerary. 

One tip here : we’d strongly recommend this version of the hike , which is an out-and-back that follows the river the entire way, rather than doing a loop that takes you away from the canyon. We did the loop, and the part of the hike that’s not in the canyon is pretty “meh.”

Day 6: Valley of Five Lakes OR Edith Cavell Meadows & Pyramid Lake

On your second full day in Jasper, pick from three of Jasper’s most iconic trails for your morning hike, and then head up to Pyramid Lake for the afternoon before ending in downtown Jasper. 

A Morning Hike: Choose Your Own Adventure

Can you tell we’re big fans of giving you a few hike options to choose from based on how you happen to be feeling that particular day?

That theme continues here, where we have a couple of good hikes within an hour of Jasper that offer different experiences and intensities. 

Edith Cavell Meadows (5.1 miles / 1,879 feet elevation gain): We did this one on our first trip, and we’re glad we did because it’s not dog-friendly and wouldn’t have been nearly as pleasant with the smoke we encountered on our second trip. It starts with a short hike to the base of the Angel Glacier (and the glacial pond at its base) before continuing up into the alpine meadows beyond. Then, it quickly turns into a barren, rocky alpine landscape, and the views open up to include the rocky ridge that towers over the parking lot and first section of trail. 

Valley of the Five Lakes (3 miles / 534 feet elevation gain): We did this hike on our latest trip, and it’s a lovely, mostly easy stroll that takes you past – you guessed it! – five lakes. It’s a good hike, though we’d caution you that the longer loop takes you through a very poorly maintained stretch of trail on the northwestern end of First Lake. If you want a longer hike, we’d go along the north shore of First Lake, then come back along that same route to head back to the parking lot (rather than going around the lake, which doesn’t actually follow the lakeshore).   

Sulphur Skyline (4.9 miles / 2,142 feet elevation gain): One of the premier hikes in Jasper National Park, this is a tough hike that starts about an hour away from the town of Jasper (to the northeast). The climb isn’t going to be easy, but the views from the top are equal parts expansive, with 360 degree views, and spectacular, with rocky mountain spines and winding rivers.

Pyramid Lake

After a break for lunch and a little siesta, head up to Pyramid Lake, which is about 15 minutes north of Jasper. 

For what it’s worth, we saw TONS of elk on this stretch of road, and got a kick out of the fact that Lupine saw them out the back window of our car and, after driving for another 10 minutes or so up to the lake, immediately leaped out of the car and scoured behind it for said elk. Guess dogs don’t necessarily comprehend distance traveled in a car. 

You’ll pass Patricia Lake on the way up, and aside from the nice Patricia Lake Bungalows along the lakeshore, there’s not much to do or see there (though it is, unsurprisingly, beautiful). 

There are three destinations up at Pyramid Lake that are worth your time, and the first is the dock outside of the Pyramid Lake Lodge, which is THE place to rent a boat of some kind to paddle the lake. 

The second destination, and the arguably most famous of the three, is Pyramid Island. Accessed by a picturesque wooden footbridge, this little island is worth walking out on, especially for the views across to the other shore with Pyramid Mountain’s hulk looming over the lake. 

The last destination is the beaches on the the south end of the lake, which you’d access by heading left when the road forks as you approach the lake. We were here on a very drizzly morning, and despite the drizzle loved the view of the lake and surrounding mountains from here. 

Downtown Jasper

We don’t have too much to say about exploring Downtown Jasper since we spent most of our time cooking at home while we were in town (the Jasper farmers market is fun, and we found it interesting that most of the produce seems to come from British Columbia). 

However, there were a few places that stood out to us in Jasper. 

First is the duo, owned by the same group, of Neighbourhood Food and Drink (for wine and small bites) and Sunhouse (for coffee and brunch with an Australian flair).

We got great coffee at Sunhouse on a smoky morning, and had a blast chatting with the barista. We then had a similar experience at Neighbourhood a few nights later, which is a natural wine focused bar where we discovered Daydreamer wines , a favorite stop of ours in the Okanagan Valley. 

Jasper Brewing Company and the Raven Bistro were also recommended to us by various people we encountered. 

Day 7: Icefields Parkway (Round 2) & Lake Louise at Sunset

This day is about hitting the stops along the Icefields Parkway – including our favorite hike along the Icefields Parkway – that you missed on the way up a few days ago en route to Lake Louise, where you’ll head for sunset. 

Your first stop is the border of Jasper National Park and Banff National Park, which is a little over an hour from Jasper.

If you skipped any of the Icefields Parkway stops that we recommended on the way up to Jasper, like Athabasca Falls or Sunwapta Falls, now is the time to do them!

Wilcox Pass

We’ve saved the best for last, we think, because Wilcox Pass is our favorite hike along the Icefields Parkway.

It’s a 5.8 mile hike with 1,700 feet of elevation gain, and the only hard part is the last mile or so, which is a steep rocky ascent to the Wilcox viewpoint. 

After the first mile or so, the views on this hike are bangers all the way through, starting with the red Parks Canada chairs, morphing into stunning views of the valley you’re hiking through, and ending with a nice view out over the Icefields Parkway and the glaciers beyond. 

The name is a bit of a misnomer, because you’re going to reach the sign for Wilcox Pass, look around, and feel underwhelmed. Fear not! Follow the trail left for another mile or so as it climbs to the final viewpoint, which is well worth the effort it takes to get there. 

Not only are the views excellent, we also saw multiple groups of bighorn sheep on this trail, along with a huge family of mountain goats (with a bunch of babies) along the way.

Remember to give them plenty of space – just because they’re herbivores doesn’t mean they’re not dangerous, especially when their babies are involved. 

There is a pit toilet at the trailhead, which is just off of the Icefields Parkway. 

Parker Ridge is another good hike that is about 10 minutes further south on the Icefields Parkway. It’s slightly easier (but slightly less spectacular), and would be a good option if 6 miles seems too aggressive for your tastes. 

Lake Louise

Finish your day with a sunset at Lake Louise. 

Now, we think Lake Louise is worth seeing twice – in the early morning (before a hike), and in the late evening. The light does different things at each time of day, and it’s well worth seeing both. 

Check into your hotel or campground, drop your stuff, and head out to the lake. Make sure to arrive after 7pm. Why after 7pm? Parking at Lake Louise, which normally costs $21 (no matter how long you’re parked there), is free after 7pm. 

Day 8: Lake Louise & Hiking Nearby

For the two days you’ll spend near Lake Louise, split your time between Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

This is going to be, by far, the most complicated piece of your trip because of the logistics involved in getting to the two most popular spots in Banff National Park, but it’s 100% worth it. 

While some people opt to do both lakes on the same day, we’d strongly recommend that, if you’re interested in hiking, you do them on separate days because some of our favorite hikes leave from both lakes, and it would be impossible to do them on the same day. 

This does mean you’ll need two days of shuttle reservations (more on that in a second), but we think it’s more than worth it. 

On your first full day in the area, tackle Lake Louise, which is one of the most popular places in all of Canada and is home to some of our favorite hikes in Banff .  

Getting to Lake Louise

Of the two lakes here, Lake Louise is slightly easier to get to. But only slightly.

As of 2023, you can still drive to the parking lot at Lake Louise , while the parking lot at Moraine Lake is only accessible via shuttle or bus (more on that in the section on Moraine Lake). 

You have three options when it comes to getting to Lake Louise: drive yourself and arrive super early, or take the shuttle or bus to the lake. 

Each of the three options has its own pros and cons, which we’ll go through here. 

Option 1: Driving Yourself to Lake Louise

The first option is to drive yourself , which gives you more flexibility and allows for an earlier start on the trail (unless you’re on the first shuttle). However, the cons arguably outweigh the pros here. 

The first con is that you need to arrive super early, which is partially why we recommend staying nearby so that it’s a 10 minute drive, not an hour. There are two big lots at Lake Louise, and by 7am or so on summer days, they are both full. You need to arrive by 7am at the latest to get a spot. From our own personal experience, we were there at 6:15ish, and they were almost full by the time we had strapped on our hiking boots and headed to the trail. 

The second con is that it costs $21 to park for the day , between 7am and 7pm. However, this might actually work out to be cheaper than the shuttle if you have a full car of people, so this is probably less of a con and more something to know going in. 

Option 2: Taking the Parks Canada Shuttle 

Your second option is taking the Parks Canada Shuttle , which starts and ends at Lake Louise Ski Resort, just across the highway from Lake Louise ( here on Google Maps). 

This is a good option if you don’t want to get up super early to deal with the nightmarish parking situation at the lake, or if you want to do both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in the same day using the Connector shuttle that runs between Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. 

However, there are two downsides to this option. First is less flexibility – you’re beholden to shuttles on the way there and back, and the tickets are very competitive, so you might not be able to snag an early morning seat unless you book months in advance…when you won’t know what the weather is going to look like that day. 

The second is that it’s not super convenient if you’re staying in Banff or Canmore. Keep in mind that this option does mean that you have to drive out to Lake Louise, which is 45-60 minutes from the town of Banff. If you’re staying in Banff, we have a better option next.

Shuttles run every 20 minutes from 6:30am to 7:30pm, and you should make advance reservations as soon as possible. More information here .

Roam Transit Bus 8x from Banff  

The third option is to take Roam Transit bus 8x – the Lake Louise Express – from Banff High School in downtown Banff out to Lake Louise.

This is the best option if you’re coming from Banff because it means you don’t have to drive 45-60 minutes just to catch the Parks Canada shuttles. 

There is an option here to connect with the Parks Canada Moraine Lake Shuttle, and you’ll need to buy the “Superpass” to do that (for the record, we recommend doing the two lakes on separate days). 

This is the most convenient option if you’re coming from Banff, but it’s also the most expensive, costing $10 each way per adult (seniors are $8 each way, kids 17 and under are free). 

Reservations should, again, be made as far in advance as you can. More information here . 

Hiking Options Around Lake Louise

There are two main hiking routes from Lake Louise, and both are excellent, and both feature backcountry tea houses that this part of the world is famous for. 

They are the Plain of Six Glaciers , which takes you out into the glacial valley at the far end of Lake Louise, and Lake Agnes and the Beehives, which takes you up to a ridge high above the lake.

We slightly prefer the Plain of Six Glaciers because it’s a more unique landscape, but that’s just us. 

Here’s a brief description of each of those hikes (including two versions of the Beehives), along with a route that combines them into one long all-day affair, which is what we did on our latest trip. 

The Plain of Six Glaciers (9.1 miles, 1,929 feet elevation gain): Of the hikes at Lake Louise, this is our favorite (we’ve done it twice now, and it was breathtaking boh times). It takes you out and back to a magnificent view of Abbot Pass and the glaciers up there, with a fun teahouse stop along the way. Great views all the way through! Read our trail guide: Hiking the Plain of Six Glaciers . 

The Big Beehive Loop (6.7 miles, 2,552 feet elevation gain): A close second, this hike takes you up past picturesque Lake Agnes (and the teahouse of the same name) to the top of the Big Beehive, which has a commanding view out over Lake Louise and the Bow River Valley. It’s a great hike, especially in the fall when the Larches along Lake Agnes turn bright gold. 

The Little Beehive and Lake Agnes (5.7miles, 1,955 feet elevation gain): A stripped back version of the Big Beehive hike, this takes you up to the Little Beehive (which has a slightly worse view) and then ends at Lake Agnes Teahouse before returning back to the shore of Lake Louise. It’s slightly easier, but we’d really urge you to try for the Big Beehive if you can because it really is much better. 

Now, if you’re an experienced hiker, you’re mentally and physically prepared, and you absolutely MUST experience both, you can combine the two hikes into one big loop, which is what we did. Here is the Alltrails guide for that hike. 

For what it’s worth, we use Alltrails+ to download maps and track distance and elevation and we clocked 12 miles and 3,500 feet of elevation gain. 

It’s a tough hike, but it’s doable if you’re prepared with plenty of snacks, water, and a reasonable fitness level. It will take you all day, especially if (like us) you linger for a bit at each of the two teahouses to catch your breath. 

If you are going to do the full loop, we’d advocate for two things.

First is skipping Little Beehive, because it’s not worth the effort given you’ve already done the Big Beehive.

Second is going clockwise, out to the Plain of Six Glaciers first (which is very exposed and is tough in the beating sun) then looping back to Lake Agnes and the Big Beehive. 

Basically all of these hikes are going to take the better part of a day, and you’re going to want to spend the rest of it recovering and replenishing, because there’s another big day coming tomorrow!

Day 9: Moraine Lake & Hiking Nearby

Moraine Lake might just be the most popular lake on Instagram. And we’re not saying that’s necessarily a bad thing.

It’s pretty clear why that is, with the spectacular blue water of the lake with the Valley of the Ten Peaks rising above it. 

To this day, out of the tens of thousands of photos I’ve captured around the world, the picture above is one of my favorite pictures that I’ve ever taken. 

Experiencing the beauty of Moraine Lake is absolutely one of the quintessential Canadian Rockies experiences that you definitely shouldn’t miss, but over the past few years it has become more complicated as the park has done its best to grapple with overwhelming visitor numbers. 

As of 20233, they’ve completely closed the road to Moraine Lake to passenger vehicles year round, and introduced a reservation-based shuttle system in an effort to mitigate some of the negative impacts of thousands of visitors per day. 

Don’t worry, we have a whole section on how to navigate those systems to get your tickets in this section. 

You might be tempted to visit Moraine Lake on the same day that you visit Lake Louise, but if you’re an avid hiker, we’d recommend doing them on separate days, because each lake has a couple of the best hikes in Banff that leave from its shore. 

For us, a perfect day at Moraine Lake starts with the famous rockpile viewpoint, followed by a stroll along the lakeshore, and ending with one of the many hikes nearby. Including the shuttle rides to and from the lake, it’s really an all-day affair. 

Getting to Moraine Lake

The first thing we need to cover here is getting to Moraine Lake, which has changed over the past few years as record traffic numbers overwhelmed the infrastructure at the most popular lake on Instagram and necessitated some limitations on visitation. 

As of 2023, Moraine Lake Road – the only road into the lake – is closed to private vehicles . 

That means that the only way to access Moraine Lake is by shuttle or bus, and there are both public transportation options and private options. It’s also worth noting that the lake is only accessible by vehicle from May to October. 

We’ll talk about both public and private offerings, but we’re going to focus more on the public transportation options. 

The first option is the Parks Canada Shuttle . This option leaves from Lake Louise Ski Resort, which is just across the highway from Lake Louise Village.

That does mean that, if you’re coming from Banff or Canmore, you will need to drive about an hour to catch the shuttle (the next option might be better, depending on what you’re looking for).

This option connects you to the Lake Louise Lakeshore, Moraine Lake (via a connector shuttle that leaves from Lake Louise lakeshore), and the Lake Louise Campground. It runs frequently – every 20 minutes between 6:30am and 7:30pm – but it still fills up in the summer.

Book well in advance. More information here . 

The second option is combining the Roam Transit Lake Louise route (route 8x) with the Moraine Lake Connector shuttle (operated by Parks Canada) .

This is a great option if you’re staying in Banff, because it means you don’t have to make the 45-60 minute drive out to Lake Louise Ski Resort to connect with the Parks Canada Shuttle.

Instead, you take the 8x from downtown Banff to the shore of Lake Louise, and then hop on the Parks Canada connector that takes you to Moraine Lake.

This requires you to purchase the “Roam Superpass” when you book your ticket, which gives you access to the connector shuttle. More information here . 

The third option is the Moraine Lake Express through Roam Transit (route 10 ).

The most important thing to know is that this option is only available in the fall , September through mid-October.

This route leaves from the town of Banff (in front of Banff High School) and makes a beeline to Moraine Lake, which makes it a really nice option if you’re staying in Banff and don’t want to drive out to Lake Louise. More information here . 

All three options are very competitive, and you should book your tickets well in advance, especially if you want the coveted early morning slots. 

Keep in mind that even if you want to just use the connector to Moraine Lake, you need to check in at Lake Louise Ski Resort and take the shuttle from there to Lake Louise. 

There are two private transportation options we want to highlight for different reasons.

• The first is the Sunrise Shuttle , which is the only option for photographers who want to see Moraine Lake at sunrise (aside from spending $$$ to stay at Moraine Lake Lodge). It takes you from Banff to the lake, arriving around 45 minutes before sunrise, where you’ll stay for two hours before being whisked back to Banff. It’s pricey, and we wish there was an option to stay at the lake to get an early start on a hike, but it’s the only way to have the lake to yourself at sunrise.
• The second is the open top buses operated by Wow Banff , because it’s the only way to bring a dog to Moraine Lake (their route goes from Lake Louise Ski Resort, to Lake Louise, to Moraine Lake). Dogs are only allowed on the upper deck, and we seriously considered doing this to get to Moraine Lake with our dog, Lupine. 

The Rockpile Viewpoint and Lakeshore

Your first stop off of the shuttle should be the famous rockpile viewpoint, which is a short walk off to your left. From here, you’ll have an excellent view of the lake, backed by the mesmerizing Valley of the Ten Peaks. 

Early in the morning, the water is a bright shade of blue, and as the sun rises and interacts with the fine rock particles in the water, it becomes a unique shade of turquoise.

Both are beautiful in their own right, and if you’re on an early shuttle you might have the opportunity to see both versions. 

After the rockpile, we would also recommend strolling the lakeshore for some more excellent views.

Head back to the parking lot and walk the other way, passing the Moraine Lake Lodge and canoe rentals. You could walk all the way to the end of the lake, but we’d probably go half way or so and turn back, because you’ve got a hike ahead of you!

Choose Your Moraine Lake Hiking Adventure

After poking around the lakeshore and taking some photos, it’s time to embark on your daily hike. As usual, we have a few options for you to choose from based on your own comfort and fitness levels. 

However, we should say that we highly recommend the hike to Sentinel Pass. It is our favorite hike in the park, though it’s not an easy one. The views out over Larch Valley and back towards the Valley of Ten Peaks are nothing short of spectacular. 

Here are the three hikes, in order of difficulty (easier to harder). 

• Consolation Lakes (4.6 miles, 1,000 feet elevation gain): This hike continues past the rockpile to a string of two lakes. It’s the easiest of the three, and is a very gradual grade.
• Eiffel Lake (7.6 miles, 2,000 feet elevation gain): Another alpine lake, surprise! This hike is longer with more elevation gain, but it’s still in the moderate category. The first mile and a half climb the same switchbacks as Sentinel Pass, which aren’t easy, but then it’s a mostly level walk out to Eiffel Lake, another turquoise lake with a tiny fraction of the crowds at Moraine. 
• Sentinel Pass and Larch Valley (7 miles, 2,600 feet elevation gain): The switchbacks at the beginning and end of this hike are the hardest parts, with a nice stroll through beautiful Larch Valley in the middle as a break. The views from Sentinel Pass back over Larch Valley and Minnestimma Lake are breathtaking, as is the final ascent to the pass. 

Day 10: Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, & Drive Back to Calgary

On your last day, spend the morning skimming the surface of Yoho National Park, which is immediately west of Lake Louise, and then finish your trip by driving back to Calgary, tears streaming down your face because you can’t believe that every day isn’t filled with rocky peaks, alpine lakes, and 10+ mile hikes (what, just us?). 

For logistical purposes, we’d go out to Emerald Lake – the furthest point from Calgary – and stop at Takakkaw Falls as you head back towards Calgary. 

Emerald Lake

Moraine Lake is the Instagram darling, but Emerald Lake isn’t far behind. And, again, it’s easy to see why. Emerald Lake, as you might imagine based on the name, skews more green than blue when the sun hits the water and interacts with all that glacier dust floating in it. 

It’s a very popular spot, and tour buses start rolling in at 9am or so. We’d recommend getting out there as early as you can (we were there at sunrise, which was magical). 

If you have the time, there are two things worth considering here. 

First is a walk along the lakeshore, particularly on the left side of the lake (if you’re coming from the parking lot). There’s a loop all the way to the other side of the lake, and the views from the far side back towards Emerald Lake Lodge are stunning. 

Second is renting a canoe and exploring the lake from a different vantage point. They’re not particularly cheap, but they ARE cheaper than Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. 

There are also some hikes here, but if you want a good hike, we’d save it for your next stop. 

Takakkaw Falls

Your second stop in Yoho National Park is Takakkaw Falls, which is one of the tallest waterfalls in Canada and is well worth the drive on the narrow road to reach. It’s a short one mile round trip walk from the parking lot to the base of the falls. 

If you’ve got the time for a hike (we have this in the “more time” section below), there are two here that are worth your time. 

The first is the hike to Laughing Falls , which involves two more waterfalls and a mostly flat hike out into the Little Yoho Valley.

If you have the energy, you can continue on to Twin Falls , which is a full day excursion, but takes you deep into the Little Yoho Valley out to the Twin Falls Chalet and the waterfall of the same name. 

The second hike to consider is the Iceline Trail loop , which is the one we’d choose with unlimited time (we’ve done it, and it’s amazing). This one aggressively climbs to get above the treeline up on the ridge, where you’ll have great views out over the valley and, in our opinion, one of the best views of Takakkaw Falls from across the valley. 

Instead of doing the out and back, loop down past Celeste Lake and Laughing Falls to vary the terrain. It’s a long hike, and spends a big chunk of time above the treeline, so watch for thunderstorms and get an early start. 

Drive Back to Calgary

The drive from Yoho back to Calgary will take you about 2.5 hours, and we’d suggest giving yourself plenty of time to get back to the airport to catch your flight. 

What to Add With More Time (11-14 Days)?

If you have more time in the Canadian Rockies, congratulations! There is PLENTY to do and see to fill two weeks (a lifetime, really), so you will never feel like you’re running out of things to do if you have two weeks or more. 

Here are some things we love, and think are worth adding to your Canadian Rockies itinerary with extra time. 

More Hikes! (1-2 Days) 

There are plenty of other hikes in Banff and Jasper to add to your itinerary, and we’d recommend adding an extra day for each long hike that you’re interested in. 

One option is to add another of the “choose your own adventure” hikes in the itinerary above. For example, if you only did the Big Beehive at Lake Louise, you could add a day and do the Plain of Six Glaciers too. 

The other option is to refer to our guide to the best hikes in Banff and choose from there. Here are a few that aren’t included in the main itinerary above, but that we think are worth your time. 

• Bald Hills (Jasper): This hike leaves from the shores of Maligne Lake and takes you up to the top of a ridge with great views. Lots of wildlife possibilities, too – we saw a mama and baby moose in the parking lot early in the morning before our hike. It was incredibly windy at the top of the mountain and, as the name suggests, there’s not a whole lot of tree cover up there to protect you. 
• Paradise Valley and Lake Annette (Lake Louise): We actually didn’t get to do this hike because it’s on Moraine Lake Road and requires the shuttle (no dogs allowed!), but it was high on our list. You can do it as a shorter out and back hike, or you can do it as a through hike to Moraine Lake up and over Sentinel Pass, which would be one (long) epic day. 
• Healy Pass (Banff): Of all the hikes we did that were not at Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, this was our favorite. It’s also the least crowded, and the gigantic parking lot means that parking isn’t really an issue either. It’s relatively long, but the elevation gain is very gradual, and we would put this in the moderate category (bring plenty of snacks and water though, because it’s a long walk). The first three miles or so are in the trees, but once you burst out of the treeline and are met with sweeping views from Healy Pass, you’ll understand why we enjoyed this hike so much. We will say that this is a must-do in the early summer (early to mid-July) for wildflowers, and in the fall (mid-October, but it depends on the year) for the golden larches. 

Yoho National Park (1 Day)

Yoho National Park sits on the eastern border of Banff National Park, just a few minutes west of Lake Louise.

However, despite its proximity, relatively few people make it to Yoho, and we think that’s a shame. It’s not like it’s a hidden gem – it’s very much on the beaten path these days with Emerald Lake’s popularity on Instagram – but it’s far less hectic than its neighbor, Banff National Park. 

Now, we’ve included a half day or so in Yoho in the itinerary above before driving back to Calgary, but it definitely deserves a full day to itself, if not more.

There are several world class hikes – namely, the Iceline Trail (we’d do it as a loop – more on that in a second) – and plenty of other attractions to occupy an extra day.  

• The Iceline Trail : If you’re up for a big hike, this is the one you should do. It has two things going for it. One, you get up above the treeline into the rocky alpine landscape high above Takakkaw Falls. Two, you get what is probably the best view of Takakkaw from the ridgeline looking across the valley. The best way to do this – and we wish we had known this before our hike – is as a loop that goes up the Iceline Trail switchbacks and comes back down via Laughing Falls.
• Twin Falls & Laughing Falls: This is an easier hike, heading out from Takakkaw Falls to the Little Yoho Valley, passing three waterfalls along the way. The full lollipop hike is nearly 10 miles and 2,500 feet of elevation gain, but the shorter out-and-back hike to Laughing Falls gets you two of the waterfalls at a much lower effort. More information on the longer hike here. 
• Wapta Falls : This is in a different part of the park, a few miles west along the Trans-Canada Highway from the turn offs to Takkakaw and Emerald Lake. It’s an impressive waterfall, though the hike isn’t particularly beautiful. It’s worth a stop if you’re heading west to Glacier (or you’re driving back to Vancouver to finish a Vancouver to Banff road trip ), but probably not worth the detour for most people. 

Lake O’Hara (1-2 Days) 

You caught us! Technically, Lake O’Hara is in Yoho National Park, but we think it deserves its own line item here because it is both spectacular and hard to access. It’s a paradise of alpine lakes and hanging valleys. 

We didn’t get to do it this last trip because the shuttle doesn’t allow dogs (which we totally understand), and Matt is currently contemplating going back on his own JUST to go to Lake O’Hara for a few nights (don’t tell Alysha or Lupine). 

Basically, the only ways to access Lake O’Hara – which is a hub for some great hikes and also a gorgeous lake itself – are by shuttle or by walking a long forest road (11km each way).

You can learn about how to secure a shuttle spot here , including when the reservations open, how to get one, and everything else you might want to know. 

In terms of staying overnight, there is a campground at the lake, along with a couple of lodges. All of the options are very, very competitive, and if you want to stay overnight out there you’ll have to book early. More information here . 

Glacier National Park of Canada (2 Days) 

Though it is a little far from Banff and Jasper, we think Glacier National Park (of Canada) is worth the slight detour. If you’re a mountain lover like us, it offers some of the best high alpine hiking in Canada with a TINY fraction of the crowds that you’ll find in Banff and Jasper. 

The hiking is the main draw here, and two days and two nights is enough to get in a couple of great hikes.

We’d do Abbott Ridge (we met a search and rescue person at Glacier who said this is her favorite hike in the park, but we had to skip it) and either the Great Glacier Trail (shorter and easier) or Asulkan Valley (longer trek with more Grizzly bears) on your second day. 

As you might expect, the best way to experience Glacier National Park is to camp, because there just aren’t very many places to stay near the park.

Stay at Illecillewaet Campground , if you can, which is also the trailhead for most of the best hikes in the park. 

However, we originally booked a room at Heather Mountain Lodge , which is the closest lodging option to the park, before we realized they didn’t have a kitchen (which does not work for Matt, who has Celiac Disease and needs to be able to cook) and we had to cancel. 

It’s pricey, but the proximity to the park and the sheer beauty of the cabins are worth it, we think. 

What to Do With Less Time (7-9 Days)

With less time in the Canadian Rockies, there are a few changes you can make to the itinerary above to maximize your time. 

The first thing we’d say is that you should not cut any time in Lake Louise. Don’t try to do Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in a single day – keep those two days as written above. 

The two places you can and should cut time are going to be around Banff, which we think you can limit to two days (including the day you arrive) and the Icefields Parkway, which you can spend less time on than the 1.5 days we recommend above. 

To make it work in eight days, we’d drive back to Lake Louise from Jasper on the second full day, so you’re only spending two nights in Jasper. 

Oh, and you won’t be able to fit in Yoho, we think, so save it for next time. 

Here’s what an eight day trip might look like. 

• Day 3: Drive Banff to Jasper (Sleep in Jasper)
• Day 4: Jasper National Park
• Day 5: Jasper & Drive to Lake Louise
• Day 6: Lake Louise
• Day 7: Moraine Lake
• Day 8: Drive Back to Calgary

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

Hi Matt and Alysha thank you so very much for publishing this Canadian Rockies Tour Guide it is so far the most informative article I’ve ever read . It is very detailed and will surely guide us if ever we will be given a chance to travel . More power to you and GOD be less

You’re so welcome! Hopefully you’ll get to explore the Canadian Rockies at some point soon – it’s an incredible place and we can’t wait to go back! Cheers!

You’re so welcome! Hope you get to make it to the Canadian Rockies at some point in the future 🙂

Hi there, thanks for this brilliant itinerary. I am looking to do something like this but with adding Vancouver on. How much time do you think I would need for this and is there a way you would recommend doing this sort of trip where you fly in/out of Vancouver/Calgary and leave from the other? Thanks

Hey Emma! I’d probably say that you need 10 days or more for that trip, and it’ll probably be pretty rushed. 14+ days would be better. And I would DEFINITELY fly in/out of Vancouver and Calgary to avoid having a long drive to get back to the airport. One way is the way to do it!

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Epic 10 day Canadian Rockies Itinerary & Road Trip

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Canada’s showstopper mountains await you in Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Park. In this post, we will share an EPIC 10 day Canadian Rockies Itinerary in a road trip format. 

At these national parks located primarily in Alberta, you will see the Canadian Rockies in all their glory. Living in Edmonton, the Canadian Rockies have been our weekend getaway for years, and we really enjoyed all of our road trips here, and continue to do so!

Table of Contents

Canadian Rockies Itinerary: An epic 10 day Canadian Rockies Road Trip Itinerary

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Banff National Park was recognized as a national park in 1885. In Banff, you will be mesmerized by stunning mountain views, pristine lakes and rivers, outdoor activities, slow traveling, good food, and great hospitality. 

There are five national parks located within the Canadian Rockies. Four of them are adjacent to each other and make up the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks. 

These four parks are 

• Banff National Park, 
• Jasper Banff National Park, 
• Kootenay Banff National Park, 
• Yoho Banff National Park,
• Waterton National Park 

We will explore the 3 national parks (and at least five lakes or more) in 10 days. Here are quick planning tips for your Yoho, Banff, and Jasper itinerary 

Entry fees:

There are entry fees required at all the National Parks in Canada including at Banff, Jasper, and Yoho. You can purchase a day pass or an annual pass for an individual or family/group. It’s payable at the gate. Make sure to tape the entry pass on your vehicle’s windshield.

The fee is calculated based on the number of days you spend at the park. If you are staying in Banff for 1 to 24 hours, regardless of your accommodation, you will pay for a 1-day entry fee. Similarly, if you stay for additional nights, you pay per day for park entry fees.

All the national parks have the same entry fee and the same rules. For example, let’s say you are driving from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park, and you have paid for your park entry in Banff; so long as the time/day/date are covered, you will not need to pay again. 

Just show your pass at the gate. If you are not entering the national parks but are traveling via the Trans-Canada Highway, you do not need to pay any park fees.

• Entry fee for individual parks is $19.60 CAD/day for a vehicle. Parks Canada offers free entry for youth – 17 years and under for National Parks only.
• You can also purchase The Discovery Pass, for unlimited admission for a full year at over 80 Parks Canada, valid for 12 months from date of purchase.

Day 1: Arrive in Calgary Canada and drive to Banff

If you are traveling or flying from the United States or the east coast of Canada, you will most likely arrive in Calgary. Calgary is one of the largest cities in Alberta and is also the nearest airport to Banff National Park.

On day 1 of your Canadian Rockies Itinerary, arrive in Calgary . 

To drive to Banff, you can rent a car from Calgary International Airport or from anywhere in the city. Purchase insurance and track the kms that you travel. Many rental companies operate in Calgary, Alberta, including at the airport.

Note you can also hop on a bus to reach Banff town from Calgary. Buses are available to take you from the Calgary airport or major hotels to Banff. Shuttle bus tickets range from about $69 to $169 CAD. Tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket counter at the airport.

Driving time from Calgary to Banff is 1 hour 30 minutes. And you can travel via Trans-Canada Hwy/AB-1 W. 

Top Hotels/Airbnbs to stay in Banff : 

• Rimrock Resort Hotel: Located in Banff town, Rimrock Hotel is a nice 4-star property, with beautiful suites, restaurants on site. For breathtaking views, opt for a room with mountain views. Check out reviews and photos here
• Juniper Hotel : Based a little further away from Banff town, but Juniper Hotel has a gorgeous bistro to die for. We love staying here for amazing morning breakfast views. Click to check prices and availability
• Find Airbnbs in Banff

Restaurants to try out in Banff:

• Magpie and Stump
• Park Distillery and Bar
• Nourish Bistro Banff
• Other eats: Boston Pizza, Good Earth Cafe, Balkan Restaurant

Day 2: Explore Banff town  

Next morning, wake up to a warm breakfast in the downtown area . Our pick is Touloulou’s. Today’s itinerary will be an easy one, and will revolve in and around Banff Avenue. So it is a good idea to hang out at a breakfast cafe and enjoy a mountain staycation. 

Wander Banff town and explore its beautiful streets. At Banff Avenue you will find tons of photo opportunities as well as souvenir stores to buy goodies back home. 

There are tons of free parking lots available in the downtown area. We recommend that you park your car and walk around the downtown area, before driving to the Banff Gondola.

After breakfast and time at Banff Avenue, drive to the Sulphur Mountains Sightseeing area. The Sulphur Mountains are a mountain range in the Canadian Rockies. They are best-known for the 8-minute Banff Gondola ride to the top. 

There is free parking available at the Sulphur Mountain Gondola. Washrooms, gift shops and Starbucks Cafe are also located in the complex. Gondola rides start at $59 CAD, and includes a trip to the mountain top and back. 

You can easily spend a couple of hours here checking out the valley and soaking in mountain views. There are various levels to explore the scenic views from an 360 degree observation deck to stunning boardwalks and a Sky Bistro! 

Our favorite is the boardwalk, where you can enjoy a lovely stroll (2 km) to Sanson’s Peak and the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station—a National Historic Site of Canada.

Sulphur Mountain Gondola is open all year round. During winters, they also organize special events like ‘Christmas on Mountaintop’, Stargazing and festive dining at the Sky Bistro (restaurant). 

If you do not wish to pay for a Gondola ride, you can also hike/walk the Sulphur Mountains in about 2 hours. 

From Banff Gondola, head to the Bow Falls . The falls are located right by the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (which has parking and is completely accessible without hiking).

Spend 30 minutes or so at the Bow Falls. And then opt for a Castle Food Tour at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. It is a perfect way to relish culinary delights from a master chef, and also learn about the history of this heritage hotel and food in Alberta. 

In the evening, it’s time for a walk at the Cascade of Time Gardens. This place is super stunning and it looks like a fairy tale, with the gorgeous mountains and a Tudor Gothic Revival-style administrative building. 

The Cascade Gardens are my absolute favorite best photo spots in Banff. They are located not too far from downtown Banff, so you can easily walk to this photo spot. 

During summers the daylight hours will be longer, so you can even have a nice stroll as late as 08:00 pm. Gardens are open every day from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm. Access is free.  

Day 3: Explore Lakes and Banff Hot Springs

On day 3, drive inside Banff National Park and stop by beautiful lakes. Start the day early to make the most of this drive to 3 lakes – Minnewanka Lake, Two Jack Lake, and Moraine Lake.

Lake Minnewanka is located 11 kilometers from Banff town. The lake is easily accessible by road, with parking spaces available. Not only is it one of the best photo spots in Banff but it is also a great place to kayak or take a cruise to Spirit River, tasting some wine and cheese on the go. The stunning mountains and beautiful lake make for more picture-perfect moments.

At the Lake Minnewanka Loop, you might be lucky and see bighorn sheep. You can also take a leisurely cruise on the lake. 

Activities in and around Lake Minnewanka

• Walk or stroll the beautiful lake Minnewanka boardwalk and sightseeing areas. 
• A variety of Lake Minnewanka Cruises are available from June to September. More information on cruises, schedules and current prices  
• If you wish to hike in Banff , you can go on a 40 minute Stewart Canyon Trail (easy to moderate level hiking). 
• If you have additional time on your hands, embark on Aylmer Pass (23.4 km round trip). The trail includes a climb to 560 meters, to reveal a stunning panoramic view of “The Lake of The Spirits.”

Up next is the Two Jack Lake – a pristine lake located on the Lake Minnewanka Loop. Two Jack Lake is perfect for swimming and kayaking. During the summer, it’s a great place to sit back, picnic, or read a book. 

Two Jack Lake is where Salil and I got married. It is definitely one of the most beautiful spots in the Canadian Rockies (and one that is not overly crowded)!

Speaking of crowds, Moraine Lake is notorious for that! The stunning site of the mountains, lake, and colorful kayaks at the dock is one of the most iconic images of Banff National Park. It is just so pretty! 

It is not difficult to take this shot; the problem lies in finding parking and making your way to the lake. 

During the summer months, especially in the afternoons, you might find yourself stuck in traffic (i.e., lining up to find a parking spot). To avoid this, head to the lake in the morning before 09:00 am or after 05:00 pm. 

In 2020, even with restrictions on international travel the parking lot at Moraine Lake was filled as early as 5:00 am. We have been lucky to find parking in the evenings (with a 5 to 10 minute wait). 

Note that access is closed in the winters, starting from Canadian Thanksgiving day in October.

You can opt for a full day at Moraine Lake too if you like. Come early at 4:30 am or 5 am, find a parking spot and take your sunrise Instagram shots taken, and then spend the entire day outdoors.

Hiking Trails in and around Moraine Lake 

• Larch Valley: The Larch Valley hike is one of the easiest hikes in the Moraine Lake area. It lasts for 1-2 hours.
• Sentinel Pass: Sentinel Pass is a continuation of the Larch Valley hike and will take you higher above for incredible views of the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of 732 meters. It’s a 12-km hike (round-trip).
• Consolation Lakes: Another easy hike at 60 meters’ elevation and a duration of 1-2 hours

After a day of hiking (or lake sightseeing) soak in hot thermal waters, while sipping a drink and taking in those gorgeous mountains views. 

The Upper Banff Hot Springs are a delight after a long day of hike, or sightseeing. These thermal waters were discovered in 1883, and have been pulling tourists since then. Imagine soaking into warm waters and looking over at the Mount Rundle. 

Banff Upper Hot Springs admission fees are $8.30 (adult), $6.30 (youth), and children under the age of 3 are free. Don’t forget to carry your swimwear! If not, you can rent one at the Hot Springs Complex . 

Day 4: Day trip to Lake Louise

Lake Louise is THE most recognizable image of the Canadian Rockies. It is located about 90 minutes outside Banff town, in the hamlet of Lake Louise, Alberta. 

You can embark on the Trans Canada Hwy and reach Lake Louise (quickest way). There are parking areas, washroom close to Lake Louise. 

A glacial-fed lake, Lake Louise sparkles a pristine blue turquoise hue in the summertime, making it perfect for memorable holiday shots, nature photography, and outdoor activities. 

The iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is located near the lake, and the town centre of Lake Louise is an excellent area to have a meal, buy souvenirs and candy! 

• The most popular activities in Lake Louise include horseback riding day trips during the summer season and sleigh rides in the winter. Read our entire guide to visiting Lake Louise in winter 
• Lake Louise Ski Resort is also a popular spot for winter activities in the mountains
• You can rent a canoe from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise’s Boathouse to go deeper and closer to the scenic mountains. Rentals start at $85 CAD per hour. 
• For a romantic staycation and celebrations, stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise . Book one of the deluxe spa treatments whilst enjoying amazing views.

We recommend starting early and staying here for a day. During summers, you can hike the 2.2 mile to the Tea House, which starts on the shores of Lake Louise near the Fairmont Chateau Hotel. It is a moderate trail and takes about 1.50 to 2 hours. You can relax at the tea house, and then embark on a return trip. Keep in mind it is seasonal, and is only open during summer months. 

NOTE: Finding accommodation in Lake Louise in the summer is difficult. But if you are lucky we recommend staying here for a few days and continuing to Yoho National Park as a day trip, and then head to Jasper National Park. 

If accommodation is an issue, you can still keep your Banff hotel as base, and drive to Lake Louise and back (Day 4), and do the same on day 5 for Yoho National Park.

Day 5: Head to Yoho National Park British Columbia

Yoho National Park is located in the province of British Columbia and forms a part of the Canadian Rockies mountain range. It is a phenomenal place—a protected alpine paradise—and it deserves at least one day on your road trip itinerary.

Driving Distance

• Banff to Yoho National Park : 1.25 hours 
• Lake Louise to Yoho : 40 minute

You don’t have to pay any entry fees at Yoho National Park, if you have already pre-paid for 10 days at the Banff entrance. 

There are tons of things to see in Yoho National Park, but we will stick to a few for a day trip itinerary. We highly recommend stopping by the Takakkaw Falls, the Kicking Horse River, and the ever-so-beautiful turquoise-colored Emerald Lake. You can certainly cover the highlights in a day, as well as fit in a short hike or leisurely canoe ride.

While road tripping from Banff/Lake Louise to Yoho National Park, you will arrive at Lower Spiral Tunnel. This viewpoint is located 7.4 km east of Field on the Trans-Canada Highway (your first stop for the day).

There are informative displays on the Spiral Tunnels and the Kicking Horse Pass National Historic Site of Canada . These tunnels were created when British Columbia joined the Canadian Confederation and a railway network was constructed. A quick stop is all you need, but if you wish to capture the trains pass through you will have to wait for a while. (About 25 to 30 trains pass through the Spiral Tunnels every day).

Next on the Canadian Rockies road trip itinerary is the Natural Bridge – a convenient spot to capture the nature-scape of the Canadian Rockies. This is a unique phenomenon in which 2 rocks create a bridge-like structure. 

The turquoise blue water that passes through it makes this bridge quite unique. You don’t have to hike or spend hours to get to this beautiful spot. The bridge is easily accessible via the Trans-Canada Highway and parking is available right in front of it. 

When heading west, you will come to the turn off for Yoho Valley Road (to Takakkaw Falls). Instead of heading to the falls, continue west on the highway (past the town of Field) and make a turn at Emerald Lake Road. Near the start of the road is the spot from which you can admire Natural Bridge. 

From Natural Bridge, continue on to the end of the road to reach the Emerald Lake . The Emerald Lake is enclosed by mountains—President Range, Mount Burgess, and Wapta, and is one of the prettiest places in the Canadian Rockies. 

Although accessible in winters too, the lake looks different and has different activities for each season. The area is great for cross country skiing in the winter. Rain is frequent in the summertime, and in June and July you can canoe and hike in and around the lake shore.

There are accessible hiking trails near the lake (first half of 5.5-km circuit). Parking is available nearby and you can also find a gift shop, cafe and restaurant, and the beautiful Emerald lodge for overnight stay. 

For lunch, head to the town of Field. It is a small town in British Columbia and is home to only 300 residents. This is an excellent spot for lunch. Eat at the Truffle Pigs Bistro – our favorite!

After lunch, drive to one of the most powerful falls in the Canadian Rockies. About 4 km from the town of Field is the Yoho Valley Road, located off the Trans-Canada Highway are the Takakkaw Falls. 

Note that the access to the falls are open from mid-June to mid-October. Also when you are driving it is important to know that the Yoho Valley road is steep and narrow, with a set of switchbacks that makes driving both challenging and interesting. 

Once there the Takakkaw Falls will take your breath away! It is one of the highest waterfalls in North America, and it creates a powerful cascade that tumbles 830 feet into the river below.

The scenic drive to the Falls takes about 30 minutes. You can also see wildlife along the way. We recommend not stopping for pictures here; as the roads are steep and narrow, you can easily cause traffic congestion here.

After parking your car, you have to walk a short trail and a wooden bridge to see the Takakkaw Falls. The water rushing down to the edge of the barren cliffs and the surrounding sea of coniferous forest make Takakkaw Falls one of the most picturesque scenic points in the Canadian Rockies.

After a fun-filled day at the Yoho National Park, return to Banff or Lake Louise Hotel.

Day 6: Jasper National Park for 2 days   

Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. You can arrive in Jasper town via Banff or Lake Louise, either way, get ready to be mesmerized as you drive the ever stunning Icefields Parkway!

Driving Time

• Banff to Jasper Town: 3 hours, 29 minutes (287.9 km) 
• Lake Louise to Jasper Town: 2 hours, 57 minutes (233.0 km)

Use day 6 to drive to Jasper town and really take your time to enjoy the scenic view. We have taken the routes in summer as well as in winter – great views each time! But if you have never driven on winter roads, we recommend that you visit in the summer or early fall months. 

If you drive while stopping at a few lookout points, you can easily spend 5 to 6 hours on the road. Always find a safe place to stop by and take in views. Please do not go slow while driving as it could lead to traffic congestion. 

For the purposes of his itinerary, we recommend exploring the 2 highlights 

Johnston Canyon – Johnston Canyon is located 25 km from Banff and it takes about 2-3 hours to explore, so ensure you add that to your itinerary. 

Bow Summit/Peyto Lake – Peyto Lake is one of the most stunning and photograph lakes in Canada. It is located about 100 km from Banff and 188km from Jasper. To enjoy some scenic views, embark on the 2.9-km hike to capture the stunning turquoise-coloured lake. 

You will arrive in Jasper town in the evening. So pack some snacks for your (almost) day long road trip. The good thing is that the road to Jasper National Park from Banff is lined with wildlife corridors along with scenic views and watching them is a real treat.

Stay in Jasper National Park for the next 2 nights.  Book your stay at Jasper Inn & Suites

Day 7: Jasper Sightseeing 

Start your day with breakfast at the heart of Jasper town. You will find cute local cafes to kick start your day! 

After breakfast, it’s time to start exploring. Jasper is home to a couple of lakes that are located pretty close to the downtown area. First off, let’s start with Pyramid Lake. This is a kidney-shaped lake located about 5 to 7-minute drive from Jasper town. 

This is the prettiest area in Jasper for unwinding and admiring the natural beauty of the Rockies. Pyramid Lake lies at the foothills of Pyramid Mountain—hence, the name. The lake is located at an elevation of 1,180 meters.

During the summer, you can join a canoe tour or go kayaking at the Pyramid Lake.Or hike – the Pyramid Lake Hike is an easy hike (5.2 km one way). It begins near the Jasper Activity Centre parking lot and ends at the end of the Pyramid Lake road, near the wooden foot bridge. 

Patricia Lake is another lake, located very close to Pyramid Mountain and lake. During the summer months, you can also swim, canoe, or picnic here and be mesmerized by the stunning mountain backdrops. The lake has a resort with boating facilities (Patricia Lake Bungalows).

Activities at Patricia Lake are similar to its next door neighbour Pyramid Lake. It is a great spot to view wildlife in Jasper National Park. 

During summers, you must visit the Jasper Skytram . It is the highest and longest tramway in Canada and located at a height of 2,277 meters above sea level. You can take the Jasper Skytram to the summit lookout area, to enjoy stunning views of the Canadian Rockies.

During the peak summer months, the Skytram opens at 8:00 a.m. During the fall, the Jasper Skytram opens its doors at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. It is closed in winter. Fees are $52 CAD for adult entry. Feel free to skip the Skytram, if you have already taken the Banff Gondola (and save some cash).

From the Skytram, drive to the Athabasca Falls . The Falls are located about 15-20 minutes from downtown Jasper. These stunning falls are about 23 meters high and are on the west side of the Icefields Parkway—Columbia Icefield. It receives water from the glaciers of the Icefields Parkway, making it the largest river system in Jasper National Park. (We will be heading to the Icefield on day 8)

Athabasca Falls is a great place to hike and capture some of the stunning mountains and waterfalls. While hiking in and around Athabasca Falls, be mindful of slippery surfaces such as the boardwalk, rocks, and the trail in general. During the winter, trail access is closed for safety reasons.

To see the waterfalls up close, you do not need to hike. A short walk along the trail to the boardwalk will take you to these majestic falls. 

Close to the falls is the Maligne Canyon . (located about 12-15 minutes away from downtown Jasper). Maligne Canyon is stunning. So over the years, the lake’s waves have beat against the rocks and walls of the hills to create beautiful craters. 

The canyon area contains waterfalls, underground stream outlets, birds, and flora and fauna and has hiking trails for all levels. Maligne Canyon Loop Trail is a 3.4-km trail along which you can see waterfalls and go bird watching. 

Other things to add to your itinerary 

Maligne Lake – One of the most picturesque locations in Jasper National Park is Maligne Lake. The lake is beautiful, with rare turquoise waters and a small islet called Spirit Island.

The drive to Maligne Lake is also one of the most scenic routes in the Canadian Rockies. The drive starts near the town of Jasper and ends at Maligne Lake. Along the way, you can stop at Maligne Canyon and the popular Hanging Valley viewpoint.

The scenic road to Maligne Lake is built along the glacier valley that runs between the Maligne and Elizabeth mountain ranges. This is why you will see stunning mountain peaks, glacier lakes, and tons of wildlife on your way.

Medicine Lake – This is a 7-km picturesque lake located approximately 20 km southeast of downtown Jasper. Medicine Lake is shallow and forms part of the Maligne Valley watershed. 

Day 8: Athabasca Glacier & Columbia Icefield Discovery Center 

We highly recommend reserving a FULL day to enjoy and explore the Athabasca Glacier. The glacier is best explored as a day-long tour to the Columbia Icefields Parkway, located in the Canadian Rockies. 

As you might already know, the Columbia Icefields are the largest glaciers in Canada. Athabasca Glacier is one of the distributions of the Columbia Icefields.

Guided tours, with glacier walks and skywalk services to the Athabasca Glacier, are offered to visitors which commences at the Icefield Discovery Centre. Entry to the Discovery Centre is included in the park admission fees, but tours are priced separately. 

The Banff Jasper Collection tour collective offers Athabasca Glacier tours. These guided tours include a trip to Athabasca Glacier and Skywalk. You will be taken to the glacier in a special vehicle and will be allowed time on the glacier surface. Take pictures, walk the surface, and live the experience.

The Sunwapta River is a tributary of the Athabasca River. The Sunwapta Falls is a pair of waterfalls in the same river. The falls are accessible via the Icefields Parkway, which connects Jasper and Banff National Parks. Note that the Icefields are far from Banff (185km from Banff), than Jasper (103km). 

Day 9 Hiking in Jasper National Park

Spend your final day in Jasper National Park hiking. Here are a few popular trails

• Edith Cavell Meadows Trail –  This is a 6.1-km loop trail in Jasper, of moderate intensity. This trail offers a number of activities, such as hiking and bird and nature watching. Mount Edith Cavell is one of the most prominent peaks within Jasper National Park. 
• Sulphur Skyline Trail – The Sulphur Skyline Trail offers some of the most stunning views of Jasper National Park. The Sulphur Skyline trail road is closed for the winter and usually opens in May as the temperatures rise. 

After an eventful day at the Sulphur Skyline trail ride, head to Miette Hot Springs . The springs are located right at the trailhead of the Sulphur Skyline hike, which is about 61 kilometers northeast of Jasper.

Whether or not you hike, you must head there to soak in the amazing views and the warm waters of the Rockies. Miette Hot Springs is an outdoor pool, offering a great view of the Fiddle River Valley. 

Day 10: Jasper to Calgary via Canmore for lunch

Today’s the day to drive back to Calgary and fly out. We recommend that you start early and make a stop at Canmore before reaching Calgary Airport. 

Jasper to Canmore is about 3.50 hours drive. Canmore is a small town located 20 minutes outside of Banff town. If you start at 8:00 am ish, you will be in Canmore by lunch time. There are tons of cafes and restaurants here to relax and have a delicious meal (we actually prefer walking in Canmore town more than Banff, as it’s less commercialised). 

• Top Restaurant Picks : Spice Hut, J Bakery, Mexican Aroma Restaurant
• Activities: Canmore Nordic Centre, Grassi Lakes Hike, Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk,  Big Head Sculpture, Yoga and recreational centres

From Canmore, you will arrive in Calgary in about an hour. For an overnight stay in Calgary near the airport, stay at our favorite Hampton Inn Suites. 

We hope you enjoyed our 10 day Canadian Rockies Itinerary. You can easily adjust this itinerary and make it longer or shorter than 10 days. 

Have questions about Canadian Rockies, ask us? 

Pin: Canadian Rockies Road Trip Itinerary

Mayuri Kashyap is an Indian Canadian traveler, writer and photographer based in Alberta. She moved to Toronto as a student in 2009, and has been calling Canada home ever since. She started the blog - Canada Crossroads - to share her travel and living experiences in the Great White North!

A History graduate and an MBA, Mayuri is a destinations marketing expert. She loves traveling with her husband, Salil and soaking in experiences across Canada, India and Europe.

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10 Comments

This looks like a magical trip! Lake Louise has been on my list for a while, but I would love to turn it into a 10 day adventure and visit all of these other amazing spots that you’ve shared!

The views from the gondola look amazing! I love anywhere with that turquoise, glacial water.

Absolutely beautiful. Canadian Rockies have been on my wish list for a very long time, especially a visit to Banff. This gives me motivation and ideas.

Love this itinerary! I really want to go on a road trip here so I’m saving this for when I plan it so I can refer back to these stops and tips.

I would love to return to Canada and explore the Rockies, especially Banff. Yoho National Park looks pretty spectacular as well.

I hope you visit us soon!

Your photos are amazing – that pic of the Banff Gondola was just

You are very kind! Thank you so much 🙂

We followed this intinerary in July 2022 and had a fantastic trip, thanks for all of the suggestions. The scenery was spectacular. For our first trip to Canada it was one of our best vacations and we felt this allowed us to see the majority of attractions and sights. I would highly recommend using this itinerary.

YAY! I am so glad Dave! Thank you for sharing 🙂

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The Ultimate 6 Day Banff & Jasper Road Trip

By: Author Jessica Lam

Posted on Published: August 20, 2021  - Last updated: September 20, 2023

Categories Banff

If you’re planning your Canadian Rockies itinerary , you’ll definitely want to see both Banff and Jasper National Parks, and 6 days is the perfect amount of time to explore both!

I’ve been to Banff and Jasper three times now: once during the spring , once during the winter , and now once during the summer.

While our winter trip was technically during fall (late October to early November), it was quite snowy and a lot of things were closed because of it.

Next on my list is visiting Banff and Jasper during the actual fall, when we can see all the beautiful fall foliage!

We actually intended on making this a 7 day trip, though the wildfires made it pretty smoky outside on our last day, so it ended up just being a driving day from Jasper to Calgary (about 6.5 hours).

If it’s clear outside, I’d definitely recommend making stops on the way back to Calgary, even if it’s just scenic viewpoints on the side of the highway!

Keep on readin’ for my 6 day Banff & Jasper road trip itinerary .

If you’re visiting Banff and Jasper without a car, you can also get a hop-on and hop-off bus ticket that takes you to a bunch of hotspots in Banff.

Be sure to also follow me on Instagram and TikTok – I share a lot more content on those platforms that don’t make it to the blog!

Plan your Banff trip

If you’re looking for more fun things to do in Banff , you might enjoy these posts:

• Planning your itinerary? Peep out my 4-day itinerary or the best stops from Banff to Jasper .
• Searching for places to eat? Stop by the best restaurants or cafés in Banff .
• Visiting during winter? Here are the best winter activities in Banff or the perfect Banff winter itinerary .

Disclaimer : Pursuit Collection was kind enough to hook us up with complimentary media experiences to the Banff Gondola and Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure. As always, all opinions are my own, and I would never recommend anything to you guys that I wouldn’t pay for myself.

6 day Banff & Jasper itinerary

Day 1: banff gondola, johnston canyon & ink pots, morant’s curve, banff gondola.

The Banff Gondola is one of the coolest activities you can do in Banff, and it takes you to the summit of Sulphur Mountain.

The gondola cars are pretty small and fit around 4 people, and Adam and I had ours all to ourselves!

You get gorgeous scenic views of Banff while you’re riding up the gondola, then you get to explore all the viewpoints along the boardwalk.

There are quite a few stairs along the boardwalk, so get ready to get your leg workout on and bring along a water bottle as well!

We spent around an hour here – it was plenty of time to explore, take photos, and take a peek at the gift shop.

I visited the Banff Gondola several years ago, and since we visited close to when they were closing, we pretty much had it to ourselves.

This time we visited pretty much right when they opened, and while it was a little busy, we managed to take plenty of photos without people in the background.

You can also hike up Sulphur Mountain yourself (which takes around 2 hours) and hike back down or buy a ticket for a one-way gondola ride down.

Tickets are around $40-$50 per person, depending on what time you visit!

LOCATION: 100 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB

Lunch at Wild Flour Bakery

We ate at mostly cafés during our Banff & Jasper trip, and Wild Flour Bakery was one of our favourites.

It’s a friendly and adorable café, and they’ve got all kinds of delicious sandwiches, pastries, and drinks.

The Meat Sandwich is probably one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had in my life, and their Caramel Slice is to die for.

If you have time to explore the town of Banff afterwards, it’s super cute and there are plenty of nice gift shops and stores to shop at!

LOCATION: 211 Bear St #101, Banff, AB

Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon is an extremely popular hike in Banff, and you’ll see plenty of families and kids on the trail.

It’s relatively easy (with lots of inclines) and very safe, with plenty of fencing along the trail.

You’ll get to see both the Lower Falls and Upper Falls, with plenty of gorgeous views along the canyon.

Some parts of the trail are extremely narrow though, which makes it kinda difficult to social distance if you’re nervous about that!

Once you get to the Upper Falls, you have the option of turning back, or making your way over to the Ink Pots.

Please remember to exercise caution and keep yourself safe on any hikes you do – any accidents can happen!

LOCATION: Bow Valley Pkwy, AB

It’s a tough uphill ride from the Upper Falls to the Ink Pots, and since it was our first hike of the entire trip, we had a pretty difficult time.

It takes about 2.5 to 4 hours roundtrip for the average person to do both Johnston Canyon and Ink Pots, and it took us around 3.5 hours, including stopping for photos.

We actually had no idea what we were in for when we reached the end of the Ink Pots trail, and it was well worth the hike.

There are 5 cold water mineral spring pools here, each coloured in different shades of blue and green (I believe due to the algae)!

After a long and treacherous hike, we spent quite a bit of time here enjoying the views and dipping our toes in the river next door.

I would highly recommend investing in a good-quality hiking daypack and hiking shoes or boots, as well as packing plenty of water bottles (we brought 4-6).

Adam and I both bought Osprey backpacks for this trip (known as one of the best daypack brands), and it’s one of the best investments we’ve made.

We were able to carry plenty on our backs without any back pain at all, and the webbed nylon and foam back helped air our backs out and kept them from getting too sweaty.

I have the Tempest 20L and Adam has the Talon 22L , which are the female and male versions of the same backpack, and even come in different sizes depending on your height.

I’ve had the Columbia Newton Hiking Boots since my Arizona/Utah trip in 2018, and they’re amazing for hiking in.

I personally prefer hiking boots over shoes – they provide more support, especially if you tend to twist your ankle a lot like I do!

Morant’s Curve

Morant’s Curve is just a nice and quick photo spot right off the Bow Valley Parkway.

You get a gorgeous view of the Bow River, the mountains, and the train (if it’s passing).

It’s lovely during the summer, though I do think it would look more magical during the winter with snow all around!

You also have to cross the road from the parking lot, so be super careful as cars drive really fast by here.

Stay overnight in Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore, Field, or Golden

If you have the means to, I would highly recommend staying in Banff or Lake Louise during your trip to make your life a lot easier.

Hotels in Banff, AB

Hotels are a bit pricier in Banff and Lake Louise and can set you back $200-$400 CAD a night, especially during the summer months.

If it’s within your budget, the ease of getting around without having to drive too far is worth it!

• Lake Louise Inn is a cozy 3-star hotel located right around the corner from the incredible Lake Louise.
• The Moose Hotel and Suites is a beautiful 3-star hotel right in the heart of Banff that serves up all of the cottage feels.
• Fairmont Banff Springs is a historic and luxury 4-star hotel located right in Banff, and it’s perfect for honeymoons.

Hotels in Canmore

The hotels in Canmore are slightly cheaper, and it’s less than a 30 minute drive to Banff.

• Basecamp Resorts Canmore is an amazing and modern 3-star condo building right in the heart of Canmore. It’s got a rooftop spa tub and laundry facilities, and there’s even free parking.
• Basecamp Lodge Canmore is another nice property by Basecamp Resorts that serves up all the lodge feels.

If you’re staying overnight in Banff or Canmore, you’ll probably want to save Morant’s Curve for the next day, as it’s just a couple minutes away from Lake Louise.

And if you’re really looking to save on your accommodations, you’ll find more affordable options on Airbnb in Field (1 hour from Banff) or Golden (1.5 hours from Banff).

Field is a really cute tiny town, and Golden is a cozy mountain town.

We paid around $600 CAD for 4 nights in a Golden Airbnb, which averaged out to about $150 a night.

There are also hotels in Golden , which are more affordable than staying in Banff and Canmore.

Honestly, it was not a fun time driving all the way to and from Golden, and we definitely plan on spending a bit more for closer accommodations in the future.

The main highway out of town from Golden also does not open until 7 AM (due to construction), which spoils any early morning plans you might have.

If you do stay in Golden, I’d highly recommend grabbing takeout from Red Tomato Pies – they have all kinds of amazing pizzas, and it’s an affordable dinner for two people!

We grabbed takeout here almost every night in Golden, and the 12″ pizza was perfect for us to share.

Day 2: Lake Louise, Plain of the Six Glaciers, Takkakaw Falls

Lake louise.

Since Adam and I had both been to Lake Louise before, we didn’t spend too much time walking around.

It’s definitely still one of my absolute favourite spots to visit around Banff – the turquoise waters and picturesque mountain backdrop are absolutely stunning to see in person!

Besides lot and street parking in downtown Banff, Lake Louise is the only place I know of in Banff with paid parking, and it’s $11.70 CAD for the day.

Initially we’d planned on stand up paddle boarding at Lake Louise after hiking the Plain of the Six Glaciers, but we were super tired by the end of our hike.

LOCATION: 111 Lake Louise Dr, Lake Louise, AB

Plain of the Six Glaciers

The Plain of the Six Glaciers actually starts at Lake Louise, so you can stay in the same parking lot (and make use of dat $11.70 parking fee).

The trail connects to the path that lines Lake Louise, so you get to enjoy walking along it before starting your adventure.

I’ve got a blog post all about the Plain of the Six Glaciers hike , including what to bring and tips for hiking the trail!

It took us about 2 hours to get just to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse , where we had lunch and where most people turn back from.

Be sure to bring cash, as they charge $4 extra if you use credit card (because they don’t have electricity).

You can hike another hour to get to the glacier viewpoint, which is very windy and somewhat dangerous (think climbing along the side of a narrow mountain trail while people are trying to pass from the opposite direction).

It’s definitely something I never plan on doing again in my life, but it was pretty epic to see in person.

While the Plain of the Six Glaciers was a tough hike, we definitely found the Ink Pots hike more difficult due to the inclines.

It takes people 4-6 hours on average, and it took us 4.5 hours with just hiking and 5.5 hours with our stop at the teahouse.

When you’re hiking in the Canadian Rockies, you absolutely need bear spray, and possibly a bear bell .

There are plenty of bears in Banff, and you’ll want to have bear spray on you in case you run into an aggressive one on a trail.

You’ll have to buy them while in Alberta as you can’t bring them onto planes, and they cost around $40-$50 each.

We bought a 2-for-1 pack at Canadian Tire for $83.99, which you can order for in-store pickup.

If you just want one, you can get the same brand in a one-pack at Canadian Tire for $54.99.

Oh, and make sure the safety is always clipped on, because I may or may not have accidentally sprayed Adam by accident…

It’s argued that bear bells aren’t actually useful, but I’m happy to have them if they do anything at all, and they only cost a couple of bucks.

Takakkaw Falls

Takakkaw Falls was a lovely way to end off a long day, and it was about a 10 minute walk up to it with plenty of nice viewpoints along the way.

You can walk right up beside the falls, though it looked quite slippery and dangerous, so we didn’t do it.

The closer you get to the falls, the more soaked you’ll get!

It’s actually also the second tallest waterfall in Canada, next to Della Falls in British Columbia.

Oh, and it’s also located in Yoho National Park, which is in BC!

You’ll likely cross provinces once or twice during your Canadian Rockies trip between Alberta and BC.

The road to get to Takakkaw Falls was long and had a few switchbacks, so definitely take care while driving up to it.

Fun fact: “takkakaw” means “wonderful” in Cree!

LOCATION: Yoho National Park, BC

Day 3: Moraine Lake & Consolation Lakes, Emerald Lake

Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake is another one of my most favourite spots in Banff.

It’s absolutely marvellous to see in person, and it’s only open during the summer months.

It’s super easy to get to the top of the rocks and enjoy the view – just walk up all the stairs and get your leg workout on!

Many people arrive at Moraine Lake for 5 AM to catch the sunrise over the mountain peaks, so it’ll be pretty difficult to get any early morning parking.

We planned to arrive for 7:30 AM so we’d take the parking spots of early risers who would’ve left, though the highway closure in Golden foiled our plans (since it opens at 7 AM).

We ended up arriving for 8:30 AM, and managed to get parking from one of the many cars who were leaving!

When we left at 12 PM, there were plenty of parking spaces (probably people leaving for lunch), so I don’t think it’s difficult to get parking at anytime if you’re patient enough to wait for someone to leave.

It’s a gorgeous spot, though not somewhere people spend a crazy amount of time in unless they’re canoeing, hiking the Consolation Lakes trail, or taking their wedding photos.

LOCATION: 622 Moraine Lake Rd, Field, AB

Consolation Lakes

The Consolation Lakes trail actually starts at Moraine Lake, which makes it super easy in terms of parking.

While it’s not the most epic hike on this itinerary, it was a very nice and relaxing hike, and we really enjoyed it.

The end of the trail leads you to a clear lake surrounded by large rocks, so you can plop yourself down and enjoy a post-hike treat with some views.

Be super careful while walking on the rocks, because I actually twisted my ankle here!

Expect to spend around 2-3 hours on the trail.

Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake is a super popular spot to visit during the summer months, and it’s also located in Yoho National Park in BC!

The water is an incredible turquoise colour, and the Emerald Lake Lodge sitting at the edge of the lake makes for a super nice photo subject.

You can swim, rent canoes, or bring your own canoe/kayak/SUP board.

The water is extremely cold though (like most lakes around the area), so I definitely think it’d be more fun to canoe or SUP board than swim 😛

We brought our own SUP boards from my brother-in-law’s company, EVT Bikes , which is based out of Calgary!

It was definitely very nice to do water activities here during the summer, but I think it’s a lot prettier during the winter with all the snow.

LOCATION: 1 Emerald Lake Rd, Field, BC

Day 4: Wapta Falls, Bow Lake, Mistaya Canyon, Bridal Veil Falls & Panther Falls

We made our way to Jasper on this day, and we checked out some attractions along the way.

If you’re looking for even more fun activities and tours in Banff , you might enjoy these ones:

• Horseback riding adventure : Explore the Rocky Mountains by horseback on this 2-hour guided tour.
• Full-day Banff tour : Experience the best of Banff with travel from Calgary or Banff.

Wapta Falls

We arrived at Wapta Falls around 8 AM to a completely empty parking lot.

As we were about to leave, two cars pulled in, and we decided it would be safe to do the hike after all.

Only one car ended up doing the hike, and the couple did it so quick, they were on their way back by the time we were almost at the very end.

They informed us that they’d seen a bear about halfway through the hike, sooo we decided to follow them back and not go to the very end of the trail.

At least we did manage to make it to Wapta Falls!

Anyway, lesson learnt was to never be the first on the trail, which we were very glad that we weren’t.

On our way back, we did come across quite a few people on the trail which was a relief!

It was a pretty simple hike and took us about an hour and a half roundtrip.

LOCATION: Unnamed Road, Parson, BC

We picked up some takeout at Trailhead Café in Lake Louise and brought it over to Bow Lake for a little picnic.

They make fantastic sandwiches and specialty coffee drinks (brewed with coffee from local Calgary-based roaster Caffè Monte !)

I got a bug bite above my lip that heavily swelled the next day, so definitely keep on the lookout for any nasty little buggers (and wear plenty of bug spray).

Bow Lake is a stunning lake that’s also perfect for canoeing or stand up paddle boarding if you have your own equipment!

Otherwise, it’s a lovely area to walk around and take photos at.

LOCATION: Banff, AB

Mistaya Canyon

Mistaya Canyon is a really cool canyon that you can walk along – be super careful though, because you can easily fall over the edge if you’re not careful!

It’s not a far walk from the parking lot, and you can expect to spend around 30 minutes to an hour exploring there.

LOCATION: Saskatchewan River Crossing, AB

Bridal Veil Falls & Panther Falls

This is sort of just a stop right off the highway, and it didn’t seem super popular when we arrived.

You can actually see Bridal Veil Falls from the parking lot, while you’ll have to go on the trail to see Panther Falls.

You can walk right up to Panther Falls, which we really enjoyed, especially since it was so hot out that day.

We even caught a rainbow at the base of it!

I’m not sure if you can walk close to Bridal Veil Falls, but we decided to just enjoy it from afar.

We noticed many people driving up to the car park and leaving after snapping photos – they probably didn’t even realize they could hike down to see the waterfalls!

I think it took us about 30 to 45 minutes roundtrip to hike over to Panther Falls.

The trail is kind of narrow and goes downhill for a lot of the way, so I probably wouldn’t do this on a rainy day!

Stay overnight in Jasper or Hinton

If you’ve got the budget, I’d definitely recommend staying in Jasper to enjoy the town (and minimal driving) as much as possible.

You can check out all of the gift shops and hit up some amazing food spots in Jasper!

Hotels in Jasper

• Pyramid Lake Resort is an adorable 3-star chalet-style hotel located right on Pyramid Lake, with beautiful and modern rooms.
• Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is a posh 4-star lodge that was built in the early 1900s, and you can stay in one of the cozy log cabins.

We noticed the food was actually pretty expensive in Jasper – it could be because ingredients cost more to ship here, or just because it’s a tourist hotspot.

I’d say Banff is more of a hotspot than Jasper is, and it definitely wasn’t as expensive as the food spots in Jasper.

We spent $30 on two sandwiches at The Spice Joint that still left us hungry, and they refused to give us tap water (to wash down the spicy food) – we were only allowed to purchase bottled water, and we weren’t allowed to bring in our own water.

The food was fantastic and the service was very nice, but I don’t think we’d ever go back because of the prices and strange water restrictions.

A double scoop cone at Grandma’s Place was $9, and $1 extra for every house-made (vs. store-bought) ice cream flavour, so we ended up paying $11.

If Jasper is out of your price range, you’ll find budget-friendly Airbnb options in Hinton, which is where we stayed.

While you’re there, definitely grab dinner at Rojo Marrón – they serve up amazing Mexican food!

I believe we paid around $30 for our meal, and it was definitely a lot more filling than the sandwiches at The Spice Joint.

Day 5: Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure, Sunwapta Falls, Athabasca Falls

Columbia icefield glacier adventure.

I really wanted to do the Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure when I was in Jasper several years ago, but it was sold out when we arrived.

We had the opportunity to do it this time around, and it was definitely one of the coolest experiences we had during our Banff and Jasper itinerary!

It starts off at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, where you get transported via bus to the base of the mountain.

You then hop onto an epic Ice Explorer, which takes you up the Athabasca Glacier.

We snapped some cool photos, drank some fresh glacier water, and soaked in the incredible glacier views!

I’d highly recommend packing a jacket and tuque for this experience – there were quite a few people freezing in t-shirts and shorts.

I decided to not wear my tuque (which was in my bag), and I ended up with a headache from the cold 🙃

After about 20-30 minutes of free time exploring the glacier, you get taken back down to the base and transported via bus to the SkyWalk.

The SkyWalk is an exhilarating experience that takes you along the side of a cliff while walking along a glass floor.

Once you’re done at the SkyWalk, you can take any of the shuttles back to the visitor centre, and they come every 15 minutes.

The whole experience takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on how long you choose to spend at the SkyWalk.

You can also do a full-service tour that includes roundtrip travel from Banff, a picnic lunch, the Glacier SkyWalk, and riding on the Ice Explorer!

If you don’t want to do the whole experience, you can also just get tickets to the Glacier SkyWalk on its own.

LOCATION: AB-93, Jasper, AB

Sunwapta Falls

Upper Sunwapta Falls is an incredible waterfall and one of my favourite spots in Jasper.

It’s a short walk from the parking lot, and you can peep it out from the bridge.

If you’re up for a little hike, you can also hike over to Lower Sunwapta Falls, which I think took us about an hour roundtrip.

There are plenty of viewpoints along the trail where you can see the rushing river.

You can also do a guided 4-hour rafting experience on the Sunwapta River if you really want to get your feet wet!

LOCATION: Alberta 93A, Jasper, AB

Athabasca Falls

Athabasca Falls is another cool spot in Jasper, and it sits on top of the Upper Athabasca River.

It’s much more of a touristy area with lots of viewpoints than an actual hike, and there are plenty of nice viewpoints along the way.

You can even walk down to the water (which is super clear), but we didn’t because it was too busy for us.

It gets super busy as it’s a popular spot to visit in Jasper, but you probably won’t spend more than an hour exploring here!

If you want to really experience Athabasca River in all its glory, you can do a family-friendly 3.5 hour rafting excursion through Athabasca Canyon , and you can choose between the morning or afternoon.

Day 6: Pyramid Lake, Maligne Canyon, Valley of Five Lakes

We saw quite a bit of wildlife during our Banff & Jasper itinerary, including these caribou we were able to get pretty close to on the highway.

It was really nice seeing all the cars slowing down and also enjoying the view of the wildlife.

Pyramid Island

Pyramid Island is a small forested island with plenty of nice picnic spots.

The bridge to get to the island is one of the most Instagrammable photo opps in Jasper.

There are only 5 parking spots there, so I’d highly recommend going as early as possible to ensure you get a spot!

We arrived around 8:30 AM and were one of 3 cars parked, and it was very easy for us to get photos without people in them.

LOCATION: Jasper, AB

Maligne Canyon

Maligne Canyon is a pretty easy and family-friendly hike, and it’s mostly fenced around to make it a lot safer.

There are 6 different bridges you can see along the hike, but we decided to just see 5 of them.

The first 5 bridges are somewhat close to one another, but the 6th takes an extra hour or two to hike.

It takes about 2 to 3 hours to hike the whole thing!

If you’re visiting during winter, you can also do an epic Maligne Canyon Icewalk Tour , where you can see frozen waterfalls and ice caves.

Lunch at WickedCup

We stopped in Jasper for lunch, and had amazing flatbreads at WickedCup.

Adam had one with a lot of meat and I had one with chicken, apple, and arugula, and mine was definitely more unique.

It was around $30 for our food, but it was delicious and super filling.

We also shared a tasty banana peanut butter smoothie!

LOCATION: 912 Connaught Drive, Jasper, AB

Valley of the Five Lakes

The beginning of the Valley of the Five Lakes is a tough uphill hike, but it’s definitely worth it.

There are 5 lakes (duh) you can see along the trail, and they’re all pretty much right next to each other.

We actually saw many families and young kids also hiking on the trail, and many people without actual hiking attire.

While you’ll be totally fine with just running shoes, hiking shoes always give you better traction, especially going uphill or downhill!

You can swim in all of the lakes, though the 5th lake has a dock and is the most popular to swim in.

I really wish I’d brought my swimsuit, but I at least wore Nike Dri-Fit shorts that dry super quickly.

You can really bring your swimsuit (or swim in whatever) to any lakes in the Canadian Rockies, but Valley of Five Lakes is the one I’d say you must bring it to completely enjoy it.

We also visited on an extremely hot day, so it was nice to cool off in the freezing cold water!

Oh, and there are no change rooms, so you’ll either have to wear a swimsuit under your clothes or change in the woods like we did.

If you’re in need of a new bather, check out my posts on the best swimsuits on Amazon or the best Canadian swimwear brands (support local!)

Drive back to Calgary

The drive back from Jasper to Calgary is about 6.5 hours, so it’s quite a long one.

You can either drive back after your day full of activities, or stay a night in Jasper and drive back the next day.

Another fun thing you can do in Jasper if you have time is taking the Jasper SkyTram , which takes you up Whistlers Mountain and is the longest and highest guided aerial tramway in Canada.

We drove back to Calgary the next day with plans to make stops along the way, though the smoke from the BC and Canmore wildfires made it impossible for us.

At least we got to see some bighorn sheep, which was really cool!

There were actually quite a few on this little stretch of the drive, and we had to slow down and drive around them as they were crossing.

If you’re driving back on a clear day, I’d highly recommend making stops at different viewpoints, visiting stops you didn’t get to spend enough time in, or even just grabbing a nice meal at a restaurant in Banff !

We went back to Wild Flour Bakery in Banff for their amazing sandwiches and coffee.

I think 6 days is the perfect amount of time to spend exploring Banff and Jasper National Parks – there’s so much to see and do on your itinerary during the summer months!

However, if you also want to explore Canmore and the Kananaskis, you’ll definitely want to add more days to your Banff and Jasper road trip itinerary.

I’ll be doing separate posts on Canmore and the Kananaskis, so keep a lookout for that if you’re planning a visit!

Hopefully this 6 day Banff & Jasper itinerary helped you in planning your own road trip through the Canadian Rockies!

Have you been to Banff or Jasper National Park? Is there anything else you’d add to this 6 day itinerary? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram !

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An Epic Canadian Rockies Itinerary: From Calgary to Jasper and Beyond

last Updated: December 17, 2023 banff canada jasper road trip

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Headed to Canada and stoked to make the adventurous trek from Calgary to Jasper? Trust me – there’s a reason I keep heading back! Read on for practical travel planning tips, how to structure your itinerary, and the best spots to see along the way! This is the only Canadian Rockies road trip itinerary you’ll need to read! 

If you’re planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies, you’re in for a real treat. The whole area is full of jewel-toned glacial lakes, cascading waterfalls, majestic mountainous terrain, and jagged snow-covered peaks. Picture perfect postcard views everywhere you look.

And that includes wildlife on the side of the road, such as bighorn sheep, moose, elk, mountain goats, and the occasional bear (yes, I just said bear)!

pin for later:

This road trip through the Canadian Rockies was one of the most impressive drives of my life, and I’ve been on my fair share of road trips over the years ( Iceland , Norway , California , Hawaii , etc, I’m looking at you). I found the gorgeous Canadian province of Alberta to be just so special that I did this trip, not once, not twice, but three times (twice in summer and once in winter ). 

Read Next: The Best 3 Days in Banff Itinerary (all my favorite activities and lakes to see!)

When to take this Canadian Rockies road trip:

The scenery’s stunning year round, but frigid winter conditions mean some activities are closed. As noted above, I’ve visited in both seasons and loved both just as equally (for different reasons of course).

Summer: While the most crowded (and therefore expensive), if this is your first time to the area, I highly suggest you plan your Canadian Rockies itinerary during the pleasant summer months.

Not only will the lakes show off their distinctive gleaming turquoise colors, but you’ll be greeted with very, very long days! The sun doesn’t set until almost 10pm in the peak of summer over here, meaning lots of time for explorations!

Do note that the weather in the Canadian Rockies is quite temperamental, so you’ll want to pack along a light jacket for the cool mornings and chilly evenings.

Spring/Fall: The Canadian Rockies see over 4 million visitors a year, and I bet at least 75% visit from June-August. With that being said, a visit in late Spring or the fall may be your best bet if you’re not a fan of the masses.

Do note that many lakes don’t fully thaw until late June, so expect icy bits in the spring, with possible snowfall as early as late September/October! Bring a bunch of different clothes, check the weather forecasts before your trip, and you’ll be fine!

Winter : If you’re planning to visit the Candian Rockies in the frigid winter months, head on over to THIS POST for lots of pre-planning info. I visited Banff and the surrounding areas in February, and most definitely learned a lot!

Let’s just say I was way colder than expected, despite packing layers upon layers for the snow and below 0 temps. But frolicking in a permanent snow globe is one of my favorite things, so can’t be mad about that!

How long should this Canadian Rockies itinerary take?

I’ve driven from Calgary to Jasper and then back to Calgary in as little as 5 days, and lemme tell you, we felt ridiculously rushed. Thankfully I had already been to the area numerous times before, so I didn’t feel upset missing out on a few things.

If this is your first time to the area (and you have no clue when you’ll be back), I’d highly suggest carving out at least a week to drive from Calgary to Jasper, if not even a few days longer. The Banff itinerary I have provided here covers 9 full days, which you can shorten to 7 if need be. 

If you have way less time, don’t fret — you can still see tons with only 3 days in Banff (I’d stick to Banff and the surrounding areas, save Jasper for another time).

Do note that I don’t typically include long day (or multi-day) hikes into my travel plans. They just aren’t my thing (while I’d love to say I’m an avid hiker, my legs give out after a few miles). If you’re planning to spend a few days hiking and want to see the bulk of activities on this Canadian Rockies itinerary as well, I’d add a few extra days to this pre-planned week-long itinerary.

Calgary to Jasper Itinerary Overview

Rough Route: Calgary (1 night) → Banff (2 nights) → Lake Louise (2 nights) → Icefields Parkway → Jasper (2 nights) → Calgary/Edmonton (1-2 nights)

Do note that you can choose to drive roundtrip (essentially backtracking back to Banff and Calgary once you’re done exploring Jasper), or you can end in Edmonton which is a tad closer than driving back to Calgary. 

In addition, I’ve planned this Canadian Rockies itinerary from Calgary to Jasper (as that’s likely where most people will start from), but do know that you can actually start in Edmonton and do the entire route in reverse.

I typically find cheaper airfare going to/from Calgary, but depending on where you’re home airport is, you might as well check both (Calgary as well as Edmonton).

Reverse Route: EDMONTON → JASPER → LAKE LOUISE → BANFF → CALGARY

How to Get to the Canadian Rockies?

If you’re coming from the US, getting to the Canadian Rockies is quite simple. You can easily hop on a flight to Calgary (YYC), then make the short drive to your first stop of either Canmore or Banff in roughly an hour and a bit.

For reference, from my home airport of San Francisco (SFO), the flight takes roughly 3 hours, while flights from other parts of the country will obviously be longer due to longer distances traveled.

Check out my post on Banff in winter for lots of driving tips should you be planning your visit during the icy snowy months.

Renting a Car:

Renting a car in Calgary is pretty straight forward, as there are numerous car rental agencies both at the airport and right outside. We typically book here and find great deals → for this particular trip, we saved over $100!

For the lowest price, make sure to only input the times you actually need the car, and consider renting from a company not within the airport itself (we took a free shuttle to an outside company to get our car).

Do note that many (if not all) car rental agencies in Calgary will ask for proof of insurance upon pick up. Be prepared to show your own, or pay up at the counter for over priced insurance through the rental company. If you’ve got a travel rewards credit card (like my favorite, the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve), it most likely includes car rental insurance – but of course confirm beforehand.

→ Find the cheapest car rentals over here.

Accommodation Options in the Canadian Rockies:

Ohhh, if you’re traveling during the popular summer months of June through September, you’ll NEED to book accommodation at least 2-3 months in advance. You may have some luck with last-minute bookings in May or October, but don’t count on it. And thankfully, there are lots of hotel options along the way from Calgary to Jasper, with all different budgets in mind.

When we were finally ready to finalize accommodation in Banff and Jasper, a lot had already been sold out and we didn’t have many hotels to choose from. Plan (and book) early to get the greatest flexibility when it comes to accommodation, in terms of budget and location.

Here’s where I’ve stayed on my numerous trips, and where I wish I could have stayed:

Calgary : 

Hyatt Place Calgary Airport

We wanted some place close to the airport since our flight was leaving early the next morning. It was your typical Hyatt – very clean, staff very friendly, and free breakfast buffet, at an affordable rate. Would recommend if your travel plans see a relatively early flight like ours did! We ubered into town and I don’t remember it costing much.

Find more hotel options in Calgary here.

Banff : 

Samesun Backpackers Banff 

I’ve stayed here twice so far, and have to say, it’s not terrible at all. If you’re looking for cheapie-won’t-break-the-bank accommodation options, Samesun is it. Located a few minutes from the center of town, with a fun bar environment, daily local activities, and helpful staff.

Irwin’s Mountain Inn

Honestly, nothing too special about this place, but it was one of the lower cost options in Banff Town and had free parking. Once we were ready to book hotels, most were either sold out or waaaaay outta our price range ($300+/night). Irwin’s was affordable and in a good location. Check out their sister property, The Rundlestone Lodge as well.

Fairmont Banff Springs

My dream finally came true and I stayed at the Fairmont Banff Springs during my visit to Banff in November . I mean, it’s a castle, y’all! What’s not to love?! During my first winter visit to Banff (in February) I had the pleasure of taking a dip at the Willow Stream Spa (located within the hotel), and if that’s any indication of the level of class of the hotel, you know I’m there.

Find more hotel options in Banff here.

Lake Louise: 

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Soooo, I’ve never technically stayed in Lake Louise (I always base myself out of Banff), but next time I visit, I’m making it a top priority to stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. I mean, it is technically a castle afterall.  And it’s located directly on the lake… what’s not to love?! Hold me to it!

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

If you haven’t figured it out by now, the Fairmont wins in Jasper as well, being the most popular place to stay in the National Park. It’s an upscale, rustic retreat, with not only a spa and suites, but golf courses as well. 

Tonquin Inn Jasper

Since we booked unfathomably late (and by that I mean a month ahead of time), the only accommodation I could find available was at the Tonquin Inn, which ended up being a perfectly fine place for a few nights.

Other options include The Astoria Hotel (lodging with lots of character and charm), Whistler’s Inn (surrounded by mountains), and HI Jasper (hostel just a short walk from downtown). 

Find more hotel options in Jasper here.

Getting a National Parks Pass:

Yes, Banff is a National Park (I don’t know if everyone realizes that), and yes, you need to pay to get in (even if you’re staying in the nearby town of Canmore). 

When visiting the Rocky Mountain National Parks, (which you’ll do quite often on this road trip from Calgary to Jasper), you’ll need a valid parks pass to enter any of them, including Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, or Yoho National Park.

The cost of entry into the National Parks is determined by how many days you’ll be in the parks, as well as how many people are in the car. For example, the cost of a day pass is $9.80CAD, meaning if you’re in the parks for 4 days, it’ll be $39.20CAD per person.

However, if you’ve got more than 2 people in your vehicle, there are savings to be made (a pass for 2 people vs 7 people is the same price). So gather up all your travel besties and maybe rent a van? :p

Depending on how long you’re visiting the parks for, how many people you’re traveling with, and if you’re pretty sure you’ll be returning within the year, it may make sense to purchase an annual Discovery Pass for $136CAD. This website will recommend the best value option for your group. 

In addition, be sure to purchase passes ahead of time so you don’t waste precious minutes waiting for them upon arrival, as the lines can get mighty long (especially in the popular summer months).

An important note on wildlife:

You’re in the wilderness out here → expect to see some wildlife. Always carry bear spray with you and always go hiking in groups (at least 2 people). Always be alert for wildlife, as they may surprise you, especially while hiking (always stay on the trails) and even while driving around the parks. 

Be sure to educate yourself before you do run into wildlife, and always keep a safe distance. NEVER attempt to pet/feed/chase/touch any animal, no matter how harmless or cute or docile they may look. And never step out of your car when bears are present, promise me that. Photos are great – but never at the expense of your life.

Remember, bears are living creatures, and can/will attack when threatened. Keep your distance and if you feel the need for better photos, bring along a zoom lens and crack open the window (when safe).

On my few visits to the Canadian Rockies I’ve seen bighorn sheep, a bunch of black bears, elk, and even a few grizzlys. With just a few days in the area, you’re bound to see some wildlife. Be on the lookout and stay safe. And don’t go out of your vehicle when bears are present – just don’t do it! I can’t stress that last point enough!

What to Pack

When you visit really determines what you’ll need to bring, but you’ll always need: bug spray, bear spray (yes, bear spray), binoculars, a raincoat (yes, even in summer), sunscreen (yes, even in winter), hiking layers, a camera, and reusable water bottle.

→ Psst – check out this (very) in-depth road trip packing guide to ensure you don’t forget anything!

Driving times from Calgary to Jasper:

The entire drive from Calgary → Canmore → Banff → Lake Louise → Jasper is roughly 5 hours. Just remember you’ll need to drive back to Calgary if you’re flying home outta there (another ~5 hours), or to Edmonton if you choose two, one way flights (~3 hours, 45 minutes).

While the drives aren’t necessarily super long, you’ll probably wanna stop every 15 minutes or so to take photos along the way. Be sure to factor that into driving times if you’ve got pre-planned activities to get to. There are so many pull offs and lookout points along the highway, it’s hard to decide which ones to stop at. And if you unfortunately miss one, just keep going: they’ll be more soon.

Tips for a successful road trip from Calgary to Jasper and beyond:

1. Stock up on road trip snacks : Before making the drive, stop at a grocery store upon arrival in Calgary to pick up some non-perishables. Snacks will be significantly cheaper over here than in the nearby National Parks. We headed to a Walmart right near the airport for some honey wheat pretzels, kettle corn, chips, and even some goods for lunches – a loaf of olive bread and some salami.

You may want to bring along a packable cooler for some perishable stuff if you’ve got a family to feed. We didn’t feel the need to, but if you’ve got a big family/bunch of friends in your car, it may be worth it to keep some food items in there to reduce the cost of food in the National Parks.

2. Be aware of gas stations: Although there are plenty of gas stations in Calgary, there’s not as many along the road once you leave the city. There are a few in Banff, one in Lake Louise, one at the Saskatchewan Crossing, and a few in Jasper.

I’d suggest always having at least half a tank of gas while on the road traveling between Banff and Jasper, and plan to avoid using the Saskatchewan Crossing petrol station as it’s much more expensive. I like using the GasBuddy app to find stations and their prices, although Google Maps now has this function as well.

3. Be on the lookout for wildlife : As noted above, the Canadian Rockies are filled to the brim with wildlife, especially along the Bow Valley Parkway (highly recommended) and in the more rugged Jasper National Park. Stay safe and never exit your vehicle to get closer to animals. They’re called WILD animals for a reason!

And now, let’s get this Canadian Rockies road trip from Calgary to Jasper started!

Day 1: CALGARY

Let’s face it, this Canadian Rockies trip will most likely be starting in Calgary , so if you’ve got the time, may as well explore (at least for a little while!). We chose to get a move on it and started off driving directly to Banff, so you could totally leave Calgary towards the end of your trip (like we did) if you’re planning on driving round trip.

OR you can totally skip out on Calgary altogether (if you’d like the extra time in the mountains), but it’s such a vibrant little city it’d be a shame to miss it!

However, in order to save time (or if you just wanna tack on another city to your Canadian Rockies itinerary), you may want to fly back home out of Edmonton, which is slightly closer to Jasper than Calgary is. With that being said, choose to see Calgary before making your way to Banff if you’ve decided not to back track to Calgary after your week in the Canadian Rockies is over.

If you’ve only allotted one day in Calgary, pick and choose from the following attractions: Calgary Tower (for city vistas with a revolving restaurant), Calgary Zoo, Glenbow Museum (artworks and local history on display), Heritage Park Historical Village, Prince’s Island Park, Canada Olympic Park, RiverWalk (go for a stroll or bike ride), and walk over the Peace Bridge.

We only had time for a quick stroll and some food, and chose to eat at Native Tongues (my cucumber pineapple agua fresca was perfect on a warm, sunny day), and of course grab some cones at Village Ice Cream (wildly popular).

On our walk we checked out the Central Library (really interesting architecture) and saw the Calgary Tower from afar. I obviously need to get back to Canada and spend more time in Calgary.

Read Next: The Complete Guide to Calgary (my friend living in Calgary wrote this for me, so this guide is from a local and include lots of secret tips!)

Where to Stay in Calgary: As noted earlier, we opted to stay at the Hyatt Place Calgary Airport , but if you’re spending time in Calgary at the beginning of your trip, stay downtown! The Hotel Arts Kensington , Hotel Fairmont Palliser , and Aloft Hote l all look like great options!

Day 2: CANMORE

Depending on how much time you’ve got, I highly recommend making a short stop in Canmore Town, whether it be for a few quick hours or for the night. This picturesque mountain town is often overlooked by tourists, meaning it’s usually not as crowded as Banff (although it’s been getting more popular in recent years).

Canmore’s got much more of a local vibe, tons of craggy mountain views (it’s known for summits like the Three Sisters and Ha Ling Peak), and a bunch of turquoise blue lakes. 

P.S. If you’re hoping to take a helicopter tour of the Canadian Rockies (highly recommended, FYI), it’ll likely take off in Canmore (as did our dog sledding tour when we visited Banff in the winter ). 

Early Morning : Start the morning off by making the quick 1-hour drive from Calgary to Canmore. Sure, you could drive all the way to Banff today (it’s just another 30 minutes or so), but why not make a pit stop in another cute mountain town along the way?

At first, the drive from Calgary to Canmore will seem boring and lackluster, but once you get a bit closer to the Rockies, BAM, those mountains will be all you see. The scenery will drastically change the closer and closer you get to Canmore/Banff; you’ll quickly see what I mean after your first mountain peak view.

Mid-Morning/Afternoon: Start off your time in the Rockies with a BeaverTail in Canmore (essentially fried dough with a whole lotta sugar), and then pick and choose a few of these highlights of Canmore. 

Main Highlights of Canmore:

1. Helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies: I loved this oh so much, I did it twice – once in the lush summer months, and once in the frigid winter temps. We flew over the Three Sisters mountain range, the Goat Mountain range, Spray Lakes, and oh so much more.

You may need to keep your itinerary quite flexible if you’re planning to head up in the skies during winter time, as difficult weather can unfortunately cancel many heli rides.

Visiting during the summer? There’s a much better chance you’ll encounter optimal helicopter ride weather! It’s from up there in the skies that you realize just how massive, awe-inspiring, and unbelievable the Rocky Mountains actually are. Super scenic, undeniably smooth, and somewhat thrilling. If you’re looking for a bucket list check, I highly recommend a heli ride over the mountains. 

2. Walk around the mountain town of Canmore: Sure, you’ll most likely be walking around Banff Town as well, but the town of Canmore has a slightly different vibe. Here in Canmore you’ll find more trendy boutique shops (instead of the tacky tourist shops in Banff), and more local dining options (instead of the chain restaurants found in Banff).

I like to grab a beaver tail and indulge while admiring the mountain views all around town. 

3. Meal at Communitea: If you happen to be hanging out in Canmore when hunger strikes, I highly recommend grabbing some food at Communitea (my favorite!). The second we stepped inside this vibrant cafe I totally understood all the hype – this place has a huuuge variety of hot teas (because tea’s always a good idea) and a great selection of health-related eats.

Note that they close around 6/7ish, so plan to eat an early dinner if you’re coming in on the later side of the day. Psst – not sure what to order? Get any of the buddha bowls or the pad thai – allll phenomenal choices.

4. Go for a hike: As there are so many hiking trails in Canmore, it’s hard to choose just one (lucky you if you have more time in the area!). The most popular ones include the Grassi Lakes Hike (a 4.3km hike full of stunning pristine mountain lake views), Quarry Lake Loop (a super short 1.2km walk around the lake), and the East End of Rundle Hike (a much more strenuous uphill 5.6km trek – a great leg burner)!

Where to Stay: Tonight, either finish the drive to Banff (roughly 30 minutes or so), and sleep/eat in Banff, or book a hotel in Canmore (for either just tonight or for the duration of your stay in Banff*).

*You can opt to stay in Canmore in order to save a bit on accommodation when touring Banff, but do note that it’s roughly 30 minutes away, and with summer traffic, you’re likely looking at longer drives. Decide for yourself if the cost savings are worth the potential extra driving.

Highly rated accommodation options in Canmore include: Malcolm Hotel , Basecamp Resorts Canmore , and the Solara Resort & Spa .

Days 3-4: BANFF NATIONAL PARK

Next up, Banff National Park; the real reason for this drive from Calgary to Jasper, am I right? Rocky mountain peaks, a picturesque (albeit crowded) mountain town, glistening glacial lakes, and abundant wildlife. Banff is quite possibly one of my favorite places in the entire world. And I’ve been lucky to visit some pretty epic destinations.

With two full days in Banff , you can easily see all the area’s highlights. If you’re planning on doing a longer hike or two, plan an extra day or so in the park. And remember to bring along some bear spray, sold at numerous shops in town (better to be safe than sorry!).

Technically , Banff National Park includes Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, but as they’re located a bit north, we’ll cover them in the next few days. No need to rush as long as you’ve got the time!

Grab a digital map of Banff National Park here .

Honestly, you can do the activities listed below on either day in any order, but the plan I wrote out below just makes sense geographically and crowd-wise (although expect crowds in summer regardless of when you visit). Best to start the day as early as possible!

Day 1 in Banff:

1. Sunshine Village Gondola at Banff Sunshine Meadows: Start the day at Banff Sunshine Meadows, a ski resort on the outskirts of town, known for its intense ski trails come winter and moderate hikes once ski season is over. This place is pretty jam-packed come winter, but you’ll find it relatively quiet in the hot, summer months.

We took the gondola up, and loved walking throughout the wildflowers. We almost decided to take a short hike to one of the lakes for closer views, but quickly decided against it once we heard there’d been a grizzly sighting near the path just the day before (and we had no bear spray with us!).

The view from the lookout point was satisfying enough – just check out that photo! And don’t be like us- be sure to bring along some bear spray if you’re planning a hike!

2. Banff Town Center: This town is the epitome of a true mountain town – with peaks dominating its skyline, chateau-style hotels, lots of souvenir shopping options, and tons of wildlife (yes, bear spray is much-needed over in these parts).

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Just walk up and down the side streets – you’ll find BeaverTails (don’t miss this iconic greasy treat), homemade fudge, ice cream, and possibly even a few deer! Just be aware you won’t be the only one going for a stroll – summer sees a swarm of visitors, so be prepared to dodge some crowds along the way.

Don’t miss out on the poutine, cheese (and chocolate) fondue, and my favorite breakfast/coffee spots – Whitebark Cafe, Wild Flour, and Good Earth Coffeehouse.

3. Banff Gondola: One of the most popular things to do around here is the Banff Gondola, a scenic cableway heading to the summit of Sulphur Mountain to reach its 360 degree rooftop observation deck.

From up here you’ll get panoramic views of the town of Banff, stunning Bow River, and the surrounding mountains. We were in such awe the entire time; pictures do not do this place justice (take my word for it).

We found the best views by walking a bit further along the path, on the Banff SkyWalk Vista Trail, where thankfully the crowd dispersed quite a bit. We even saw a few bighorn mountain sheep up here, casually strolling around and posing for photos. 

Do note that it’s kinda expensive to take the Banff Gondola, with prices currently around $55CAD. If you wanna slash the cost of that admission ticket, plan a 2 hour hike up the summit of Sulphur Mountain, and get the same views fo’ free!

This moderately-strenuous hike (6.8miles of a series of switchbacks) provides stunning views of Bow Valley almost the entire way, but it’s not for the faint of heart. On my first visit to Banff, I hiked up (wanting to save the cash for things like poutine and beaver tails), while I took the gondola the last two times.

Depending on what month you visit, the gondola and parking lot may be exceptionally crowded (especially in prime summer months). We had to park a bit aways away, but trust me- no matter the season, the gondola is one activity you don’t wanna miss (if you like nice views and all…).

We stayed for sunset and the golden hues on the mountains and surrounding trees left me speechless. 

Psst- it gets chilly up here! Expect the temps to drop quite a few degrees once you reach the top of the gondola (yes, in both winter and summer). Had I known that, I may not have worn a dress, as I got goosebumps quite quickly!

4. Banff Upper Hot Springs: Finish off the day with a relaxing soak in the hot springs (about 2 minutes away from the Banff gondola). I mean, what could be better than soaking in a warm bath with 63,537 of your closest friends? Nothing, as long as said bath is nestled in the Canadian Rocky Mountains with views of Mt. Rundle across the valley. 

I visited twice ( once in winter and the other in the heat of the summer), and have to say that the Upper Hot Springs are even more spectacular when the temps are below zero (and yes, your hair will freeze and turn gray – it happens to everyone, and returns back to its normal state quickly after leaving).

Be prepared to wait in line, as the hot springs are a popular attraction no matter the weather. Bring your own bathing suit if you aren’t keen on donning one of their 1950’s vibes bathing costumes (but do know this is an option if you decide you spontaneously need a dip).

Day 2 in Banff: 

1. Johnston Canyon Hike/Bow Valley Parkway: If rushing waterfalls, limestone cliffs, and turquoise pools get you going, plan a morning at Johnston Canyon. Note that the farther you venture, the more you’ll see. You can hike to the lower falls in 1 easy mile (roundtrip), upper falls in 3 miles (roundtrip and a bit more strenuous), and the ink pots in 6.5 miles (plan at least 3 hours for this roundtrip trek).

We managed to trek to the lower and upper falls in roughly 2 hours or so, and most definitely recommend this! The hike to the falls is relatively easy, partially on wooden/steel catwalks and paved roads. In winter, it’s covered in snow and a whole different spectacle. Think ice crystals and icicles at every turn; it’s like stepping into Narnia. 

You’ll want to get here early if visiting in summer (yes, we already established it’s busy, busy, busy this time of year), as the parking lot gets filled up quite early, as in we arrived at 9am and it was full (there’s extra parking down the road, don’tchu worry).

In order to get to Johnston Canyon you’ll be taking the Bow Valley Parkway (1A), which is known to be filled with wildlife – be sure to keep a close eye out for any animals on the road! 

2. Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake: Our first set of lakes in Banff – I mean, that’s a huge reason you’re coming to this region, right?! And PS – some even prefer these two lakes to Lake Louise (although I’m semi-obsessed with the latter).

The way the mountain reflects in the glacial water is absolutely mesmerizing, and luckily, there’s boats that can take you out on the lake! Be sure to book online in order to bypass the (possibly very-long) cue. It’s a favorite activity during the warm, summer months!

If you don’t have time for a boat ride, just stroll along the shore (minimal physical effort required). Wanna stretch your legs? There’s a great trail – be sure to watch out for the mountain goats and chipmunks! 

Visiting in the popular summer months? Consider taking the bus straight from Banff Town, as it can be exceptionally easy (and parking can get quite difficult due to crowds). Do note the lake will be frozen over if you’re visiting in the (beyond)-chilly winter months – still beautiful nonetheless.

3. Surprise Corner: You’re driving and driving along Tunnel Mountain Road, and then, BAM! There’s the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (and Sulphur Mountain) in the distance. You’ll only need a few minutes over here to check out the view, but boy, is the short drive worth it. There’s no sign here, so just follow your Google Maps and you’ll see it straight away.

4. Bow Falls Viewpoint: This scenic spot is so close to the town of Banff it’d be just plain old silly to skip it (a quick 5 minute drive or a lovely 20 minute walk if the weather’s nice). And get this – the waterfall has even been featured in several 1950’s films; remember Marilyn Monroe in River of No Return (yup, that’s Bow Falls!).

It’s peaceful with sounds of the soothing water (with the roar of the water over the falls as well); a great place to enjoy nature! Yes, most of Banff is just that, as the entire area’s full of scenic beauty. There’s benches and tables around the park, making it the perfect spot for a late afternoon picnic. Visiting in winter? → expect the falls to be frozen (only making them even more spectacular)!

Where to Stay in Banff: Thankfully, there are a great deal of hotels/motels/lodges in Banff Town to choose from – at all price points (ranging from a few bucks a night all the way to hundreds and hundreds). I’ve stayed in a few different spots in Banff, namely Irwin’s Mountain Inn (typical mountain lodge), Samesun Banff (hostel in a great location), and the Moose Hotel & Suites . 

Everyone raves and raves about the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel , and in all reality, what’s not to love? It’s a castle , after all. Next time I visit Banff, I’m staying here (even if I have to convince my travel partner it’s worth it). Do note that hotels in Banff get booked up waaaay in advance for the high summer season, so if you have a particular hotel in mind, be sure to plan ahead (like 5-6 months).

Days 5-6: TURQUOISE LAKES AND MOUNTAIN VIEWS 

When people think of Banff, the activities on today’s agenda are what they typically think of! Prepare your eyes for some of the bluest glacial water you’ve ever seen – I’ve been a few times and I’m still just as blown away as during my first visit.

FYI – you can switch around Days 5 and 6 if you’d like.

Just remember, if you’re visiting during the busy summer season, all three lakes will be exceptionally crowded. Plan to arrive as early as you possibly can, not only to dodge some crowds, but to ensure parking as well (the lots fill up fast).

You can easily visit all 3 lakes in 2 days, just understand with only 2 mornings for 2 lakes, you’ll definitely find lots of crowds at the 3rd.

My recommendation: do Moraine Lake first thing one morning (like, super early), and Emerald Lake the other. Plan to hang around Lake Louise both days, possibly kayaking around the lake one day, and going for a hike on the other. Plus, 2 afternoons at Lake Louise gives you better chances for that picture-perfect postcard weather. 

And if you’re suuuuper short on time, you can squeeze all three in during just one day! Plan to arrive at Moraine Lake around 5am, visit Lake Louise for the rest of the morning/early-afternoon, then spend the remainder of the day at Emerald Lake. It’ll be a long and crowded day, but worth it to see all three. 

Keep in mind that if you’re visiting Banff in the snowy winter months , these lakes will be frozen over. I enjoyed Lake Louise in the winter just as much as during the summer, although did not make it to Moraine Lake or Emerald Lake.

The road to Moraine Lake (Moraine Lake Road) actually closes from mid-October to mid-May (dates change slightly every year) due to avalanche risk, although snowshoeing and cross country skiing is available at Emerald Lake during the winter.

Find additional and up-to-date restrictions and road closures on the official Parks Canada website.  

Lake Louise

Get ready, because today is full of striking turquoise-colored lakes, snow-covered mountain tops, those famous red canoes, and loads and loads of people (face it, this is a sought after part of the world). You’d be downright silly to skip out on Lake Louise during your Canadian Rockies road trip.

Ohhhh Lake Louise. The crown jewel of the Canadian Rockies. I promise you, a stop over here will be one of your favorites on this Calgary to Jasper itinerary. She’s an absolute stunner, known for her chilly, turquoise waters with Victoria Glacier and soaring mountains overlooking the lake (with the beautiful Fairmont Lake Louise on her shoreline).

You’ll want to plan at least a few hours here, if not a whole day, as you’ll find yourself in awe at every corner and with enough activities to last quite a while. 

However (yes, of course there’s a however), the time of year you visit Lake Louise makes a hell of a difference. Note that the waters of Lake Louise do not fully thaw until late May or early June, so if you’re hoping to witness the lake in all her stunning turquoise glory, wait until mid-late summer for a visit to the Rockies.

April and May will bring more tranquility and solitude, but no one can promise those striking turquoise waters until July. And, as expected, the lake will be iced over in the freezing winter months, with part of the snow cleared for ice skating! 

You could easily spend multiple days at Lake Louise, taking in it’s sheer beauty and just admiring the Victoria Glacier in the distance. With two half days, you can most definitely get in the highlights below:

Main Highlights of Lake Louise:

Walk around the lake: Yes, Lake Louise is crowded beyond disbelief. However, if you stray from the area near the hotel, you’ll find much more peace and quiet.

Plan to walk around the lake on the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail (at least part-way), and you’ll encounter tons of milky-blue creeks and picturesque meltwater along this easy and super-scenic trail. Look back and you’ll even get great views of the grand Fairmont Lake Louise, which is a stunner in it’s own way.

Rent a famous red canoe : Many visitors want that iconic Canadian experience of paddling around the stunningly scenic turquoise lake (and yes, I was one of them). However, do note that renting a canoe is quite pricey, and will set you back around $125CAD per hour.

If you’re a guest of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise , you are eligible for a decent discount which definitely helps (cost would be $85CAD per hour).

It can get quite crowded, so if you have your heart set on paddling around, head to the boathouse first thing upon arrival – the other activities can wait. I rented a canoe with 2 friends (max 3 adults or 2 adults/2 small kids), which helped decrease cost per person quite a bit).

Wander around the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise : Even if you’re not staying at the stunning chateau, plan to spend a bit of time in and around the hotel. Elegance and sheer beauty at it’s best!

Admire the architecture. Make sure to stop by the terrace, as you’ll get fantastic views of the lake from here. And if you can’t bare to take your eyes off the lake, plan for lunch at the Lakeview Lounge (and ask for a window seat!). Afterwards, browse through the stores and grab some dessert at the cafe.

Go for a hike : Wanna see Lake Louise from above? What about burning off some of those BeaverTail-induced calories? There are numerous hikes to quaint mountain top tea houses above Lake Louise, including Lake Agnes Tea House (4.4miles/6.2km) with the additional extensions of Little/Big Beehive (+2/3 km), and the Plain of Six Glaciers (8miles/13km).

These have quite the view to effort ratio (meaning phenomenal views for only moderate activity). You’ll want to set aside a few hours for each of these hikes, and expect the tea houses to be fairly crowded in the summer months.

Moraine Lake 

Moraine Lake is by far the most picturesque of all the hotspots in the area (and many even call it more spectacular than Lake Louise, myself included). BUT it’s kinda a b*tch to visit (you heard that right).

You need to plan your timing right if you actually wanna see the lake in all its glory, since you need to visit very early in the morning (and I mean early). The parking lot gets filled up by 6-7am at the absolute latest (and, yes, I’m dead serious), meaning in order to ensure a spot, you’ll want to arrive no later than 5am. Yupppp, insane, right?!

There’s another way to visit without all the crowds, although it’ll still be a very early morning wake up call. Not many take advantage of this, but there are early bird buses departing from the overflow parking lot of Lake Louise right off the main road.

These buses will take you directly to Moraine Lake for just a few bucks (departing from 6-7:30ish, be sure to check the schedule in advance). This way, you don’t need to get there at 5am, and can easily park in a lot.

Really have a thing against early mornings (I hear ya). You can plan to take the shuttle bus from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake a bit later in the morning, but be sure to get your ticket as soon as you arrive (tickets were sold out once we finished exploring Lake Louise and wanted to head to Moraine Lake).

We thought we could casually walk up to the shuttle line and snag a ticket – no siree! For this option, plan to drive directly to Lake Louise, and you’ll see buses for Moraine Lake in the parking lot. Just remember, get your timed ticket as soon as you arrive!

Once you get to Moraine Lake, plan to climb up the large rock pile, as that’s where the famous lookout spot is located (and where these photos were taken). This view, the lake surrounded by the Valley of the Ten Peaks, is actually one of the most photographed images of nature in the world. The world. Aka don’t snooze your alarm!

The hike only takes a few minutes (15 minutes tops), and despite what others say, the path is pretty well-marked and clear. I climbed up in Converse and was just fine.

You can also rent a kayak over here, but in my honest opinion, the most rewarding views are from up above. From up here, you’ll get to witness the snowy peaks of the mountains mirrored in the still turquoise waters below; it’s an absolutely mesmerizing sight. Promise me you won’t forget your camera.

Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake is actually located within Yoho National Park in nearby British Columbia, and is unfortunately overlooked by so many tourist s . Don’t be one of them! Make sure you include Emerald Lake into your Banff itinerary (once you see the photos you’ll see why).

Trust me, after seeing the glistening, emerald waters with the greenest pine trees reflecting in the water, you’ll never want to leave. It’s just that gorgeous. Be sure to take a walk around the perimeter of the lake, as you’ll find yourself away from the crowds with the place almost to yourselves.

This is another spot where you can rent a canoe, and thankfully it’s a tad bit cheaper than over at Lake Louise, although will still cost you a pretty penny (worth it, yes!).

You can also make a short stop at Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park, although we did not have time for this (we spent too much time gawking over the water of Emerald Lake – figures).

Where to Stay near Lake Louise: There are a few accommodation options in the Lake Louise area, although you could choose to spend an additional night in Banff instead. My top choice – stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise . Yes, it’s pricey, and yes, it can be crowded mid-day, but one look at it and you’ll be wishing you were staying there.

If you still wanna be right near the lake but not shell out crazy money, the Deer Lodge is a great option as well. In addition, Emerald Lake Lodge, a peaceful resort overlooking, you guessed it, Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, is a great choice as well if you wanna stay away from all the hustle and bustle (finally checked this off my bucket list when we visited Banff in November !).

Day 7: ICEFIELDS PARKWAY

Say goodbye to those stunning glacial lakes, because we’re continuing on with this Canadian Rockies road trip on the Icefields Parkway!

Head on up to Jasper National Park via the impressive Icefields Parkway (this wouldn’t be a very thorough Banff travel blog without mentioning this)! Whatever you do, you absolutely cannot miss this stunning drive.

It’s full of lush pine forests, jagged snow-covered peaks, and tons of wildlife spotting opportunities (bighorn sheep, mountain goats, moose, and bears are known to frequent the highway – watch out!), making it one of the world’s most spectacular driving routes.

This will be a very full, action packed drive, so plan to start early and be thankful for that extra light if you’re visiting in the summer. The entire drive should take roughly 3 hours from Lake Louise to Jasper (without stopping), so dedicate the whole day so you don’t feel super rushed.

Plan for some traffic in the busy summer months, and note that in some spots along the highway the speed reduces to a slow 50km/hr.

You’ll want to pack a picnic lunch (we had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a few snacks like pretzels, granola bars, etc) since there’s not many options for decent food along the road. Also – make sure to fill up your gas tank in Banff/Lake Louise, as there’s really only one gas station along the way, and the prices are exorbitant.

We did the following in one day and found it a great use of time:

Stop 1: Bow Lake

Driving northbound (coming from Banff/Lake Louise), Bow Lake will be the first stop you want to make along the Icefields Parkway. Known for its delicate glacial blues and fantastic reflections (and fewer crowds), it’s not one to miss. 

However, reflections and water color is highly dependent on the weather. The first time I visited the water was especially calm and serene, and I got the most gorgeous mountain reflections, but during the next visit there was some wind, resulting in small ripples forming in the water, with zero reflections. You’ll probably have the best luck with reflections in the early morning.

No matter the weather, look out for Bow Falls and Bow Glacier in the distance. Take some time to go for a walk along the shoreline, and check out the historical Num-Ti-Jah Lodge!

Psst – the lake is very easy to access as it’s right off the road, and parking is very convenient.

Stop 2: Peyto Lake

I’m sure you’ve seen photo after photo of this stunning glacial lake, as Peyto Lake is alllll over social media. You won’t wanna miss this lake, I can promise you that! It’s by far one of the best views in all of the Canadian Rockies in my opinion (with the water glistening against snow capped mountains and deep, green trees), and a wonderful way to spend a mid-morning. 

And no, it’s not filled with electric blue Gatorade, although it sure looks like it! The distinctive blue color is oh so real, and is due to rock flour particles from nearby glacial melt. Make sure to notice the shape of the lake – it actually looks like a wolf head! And ohhh, it’ll be crowded.

When inputting a location into your GPS, be sure to put in “Bow Summit”, as this is where the Peyto Lake overlook is. Do note that unlike Bow Lake which can be accessed right from the parking lot, you’ll need to take a short, 15 minute uphill hike from the lower parking lot to reach the Peyto Lake viewpoint. 

There is another parking lot (the upper parking lot), but this is reserved for tour buses and those with handicapped stickers, which is about a 2 minute walk to the overlook.

Be extra careful taking pictures here if you venture off the path (do so at your own discretion). I’ve read that there are additional (albeit unmarked) trails leading to a spot slightly lower than Bow Summit, where you can find some peace and quiet and even more stunning views. 

Stop 3: Athabasca Glacier/Columbia Icefield Adventure

Ever step foot on a 10,000 year-old sheet of ice before? Well, today’s your chance to get up close and personal with Athabasca Glacier and do just that! In order to get directly on the ice, you’ll need to take a tour organized by the Columbia Icefield Discovery tourist center. 

On the tour we traveled a few minutes to the Athabasca Glacier via snow-coach (an all-terrain vehicle with tires bigger than me!),  drank the pure glacial melt water (bring a water bottle for this), learned all about the history of glaciers in the area, and walked on the crunchy ice.

Do note that it’s practically freezing on the glacier (yes, even in the middle of summer), so be sure to bundle up! You’ll have roughly 20 minutes on the ice, which doesn’t sound like long, but we froze in a matter of minutes!

Is the Ice Explorer Tour worth it? I say yes, but it is quite expensive (at $87CAD at the time of this writing – January 2020). The only way you’ll really be able to experience the ice is by getting bussed directly onto the glacier. Do note that you are able to observe the glacier from afar and even walk on it’s edges, but it’s NOTHING like stepping foot in the middle of it.

Prebook your SnoCoach tickets ahead of time to bypass the (usually-very-long) line at the Icefield Discovery Centre. The Skywalk, a jaw-dropping walk along a glass floor 918 feet above Sunwapta Valley with breathtaking vistas every which way you look, is included in the ticket price as well. The real star of the show is the Ice Explorer though.

If walking on a glacier is on your bucket list, don’t miss out. Unfortunately, the glacier is receding at an alarming rate, which is a clear indication of global warming. 🙁

Thankfully, the folks at Columbia Icefield take as much precaution as they can to slow the melting of the glacier as best they can (I.e using special snow-coaches which are careful not to crack the ice, limiting the # of visitors per day, etc).

Other spots along the Icefields Parkway you may want to stop at include Herbert Lake, Mistaya Canyon, Weeping Wall (Cirrus Mountain), Parker Ridge Trail for a bit of hiking (~5km round trip), and Wilcox Pass Trail for a longer trek (~10km).

G rab a digital map of the Icefields Parkway here .

Where to Stay the night: I highly recommend that you continue the drive on the Icefields Parkway until you reach your hotel in Jasper (another hour or so north, depending where you’re staying obviously).

This way, you can start your first day in Jasper bright and early the next morning. And honestly, there’s really no reason to stay anywhere along the Icefields Parkway, as 8-10 hours will give you sufficient time to enjoy all the must-see sights. 

*And plus, if you’re planning to drive back to Banff after visiting Jasper, you’ll have another day (or partial day) to see the scenic stops on the Icefields Parkway. Jasper hotel recommendations below.

Days 8-9: JASPER NATIONAL PARK

Jasper is like Banff’s more rugged, less-crowded little sister, despite being larger in size and offering if not even more scenic beauty. The area is full of glaciers, lakes, and more peaks than you ever thought imaginable, with Mt. Edith Cavell towering over the town at 11k+ feet.

And due to its more remote area (5+ hours from Calgary instead of a mere 1.5 to Banff), you’ll find less visitors to Jasper (although the prime summer months still see an influx of out of towners).

You could easily spend weeks exploring all that Jasper National Park has to offer, but if you’re tight on time like I was, 2 days will suffice.

And if you haven’t seen much wildlife on your Canadian rockies road trip just yet, don’t fret – you’re bound to see lots in Jasper. 

Fewer crowds to Jasper mean a higher bear population, so be sure to take along your binoculars and bear spray and always practice bear safety (never get out of the car with a bear present, no matter how far away and when hiking, make noise and never go alone).

Native wildlife to the area include elk, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, white-tail deer, and, as mentioned, lots (and lots) of bears (grizzly and black) in the vast wilderness that is Jasper National Park. 

Really wanna ensure you see some wildlife?! → sign up for an organized evening or morning wildlife search (when the animals are most active)! Your guide will select the route based on seasonal wildlife movements, ultimately giving you the best chance of seeing the animals. Read reviews and  Sign up here.

Grab a free digital map of Jasper National Park here ahead of time to get your bearings!

First day in Jasper: 

Stop #1: Maligne Lake and Spirit Island

You cannot drive all the way to Jasper National Park and not visit Maligne Lake. It’s by far one of the most photographed locations in Jasper, (well, in all of Canada, actually), thanks to Spirit Island (only accessible by boat tours), it’s stunning azure colors, and views of the three glaciers.

And plus, it’s the largest natural lake in all of the Canadian Rockies (and we know how many of them there are!).

I recommend heading to Maligne Lake first thing in the morning, as this large lake is popular for a reason. It’s the furthest spot on the list for today (~1 hour), but you’ll be backtracking the rest of the day towards the town of Jasper, so it’s not so bad!

You’ll want to set aside some time for the ever-so-popular scenic boat cruise around the lake, which makes a quick (20 minute) stop at Spirit Island. And once you get off at Spirit Island, the time goes extra fast, so be sure to take all your photos right away!

I’ve done the boat tour twice, and it’s probably an activity I’ll be doing on all my trips to Jasper. Yes, it’s on the expensive side ($75CAD for 90 minutes and $110CAD for 120minutes), but well worth it in my opinion.

Canoes and kayaks are available from the boat house if you don’t want to take a scenic cruise around the lake and to Spirit Island.

Note that you CAN paddle to Spirit Island yourself, but it’s quite far at 14km from the Curly Phillips boat house (anyone up for an epic, yet tiresome paddle?). And just FYI, the water is quite chilly (like all other lakes in the Canadian Rockies), so you probably won’t wanna swim (or fall) in it.

You’ll also find a visitor center, the pier where the boat tours launch from, and a cafeteria-style restaurant at Maligne Lake (although I recommend making your own sandwiches).

Stop #2: Medicine Lake (The disappearing lake)

A relatively short stop, but may as well park for a few minutes since it’s kinda on the way to Maligne Canyon (our next stop)! Medicine Lake, known as the Disappearing Lake to some, does just that – the water vanishes (and then reappears) each year, making it a quite unique body of water. And how does this happen? By continuous draining through a network of underground caves. How cool is that?!

If you want to actually see the water, be sure to visit before late Fall, as by then the lake is gone, leaving behind a giant mudflat (where you’ll sometimes see moose grazing). The water refills in the spring when the snow melts from the surrounding mountains (I think…).

Look around, you may even see mountain goats, a bunch of Pika (a small furry animal), and/or a bald eagle or two (we saw one in a nearby nest!).

Stop #3: Maligne Canyon

I stopped to hike Maligne Canyon both times I was in the area (this past summer and a few summers ago), and highly recommend it! Being the deepest slot canyon (a whopping 50 meters!) in Jasper National Park, Maligne Canyon is not to be missed!

And get this – it’s narrow enough in some places that squirrels can safely jump across (brave little guys if you ask me – it’s a looooong way down).

If you want to do the entire hike across all six bridges it’ll take you a few hours, but many (including myself) opt to take in the views from the first few bridges. We started the hike from the First Bridge, which is where most people begin as well. There are fantastic viewpoints along the trail (did someone say waterfalls), pleasant strolls through the forest, and oh so many photo opps of the narrow canyon.

It’s downright fascinating to think how the gushing water has eroded the rocks and carved the gorge over thousands and thousands of years. Oh, Mother Nature, you’re pretty wild.

Don’t feel like getting around yourself on stops #1-#3? Neither did we (exploring in the Canadian Rockies is hard work :p). We actually chose to sign up for this full-day Jasper Wildlife and Waterfall tour , which stopped at Medicine Lake and Maligne Canyon, and included a 90-minute boat ride at Maligne Lake to Spirit Island.

The tour also included plenty of wildlife searching, and we saw quite a few bears right alongside the coach and plenty of curious pika! Sign up here for the exact tour we did!

If you prefer to get your hiking on instead of cruise along on a boat tour of Maligne Lake, opt for this tour instead (psst – it’s cheaper but doesn’t include that highly coveted stop at Spirit Island).

Stop #4: Pyramid and Patricia Lakes

If you have more time and haven’t had enough of the lakes just yet, Pyramid and Patricia are your answer. Go on a walk around this pair of lakes (complete with beautiful reflections) – but don’t forget your bear spray! Both are much quieter than all the previous lakes on this Canadian rockies itinerary, so be sure to talk loudly or even sing every few minutes to alert the bears to stay away. 

Not up for a long walk? Go kayaking instead! Don’t expect the same wow factor of Emerald Lake or Lake Louise, but you’ll be surrounded by mountains – what more do you need?!

Although we didn’t make it here ourselves, I heard it’s a great place to watch the sunset! Which I will be doing on my next trip to Jasper (hopefully sooner than later). And technicallyyyy you could walk here from town since the paths are clearly marked, but it’d likely take you the better portion of the day (your choice!).

Second day in Jasper:

The activities on today’s list are technically along the Icefields Parkway, but are waaaaay closer to Jasper than Banff. We chose to check out of our hotel early after our second night in Jasper, threw our luggage in the trunk, and hit the ground running for Calgary (via Banff), making the following stops along the way.

And just FYI, we arrived back in Calgary in late-afternoon, just in time to head into town for some dinner and a short walk around town. As noted earlier, you can opt to head to Edmonton (a 4 hour drive from Jasper) if you’d like to explore a new area the next few days instead!

Morning: Edith Cavell Meadows hike

The Edith Cavell Meadows hike was recommended to us by a shop owner in the town of Jasper (while shopping for binoculars), and we cannot thank him enough. It’s apparently the #1 hike in Jasper – how had we not even heard of it before?!

The hike takes visitors to a lake full of frosty icebergs and the mindblowing Angel Glacier, and only takes about 30 minutes to reach (via the Path of the Glacier Trail; an easy 1.6km walk).

If you want to see the glacier from above, you can continue on to Cavell Meadows Summit via the Cavell Meadows Trail (about 7km with some steep inclines). You’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view of Mt. Edith Cavell, Angel Glacier, Cavell Glacier, and Cavell Lake below.

Due to our time constraints and wanting to see other attractions in the area, we walked to Cavell Pond via the Path of the Glacier Trail. It was misty and a tad rainy on the morning we went, meaning we had the trail mostly to ourselves (we saw just one other couple on our way down).

I suspect there’d be a much larger crowd in better weather, so be sure to arrive early since the parking lot is pretty small. I definitely want to do this short hike again in clear weather!

Horseshoe Lake: Despite being a relatively small lake (compared to some of the much larger ones we’ve already seen), it’s quite scenic and offers a short trail around the perimeter. Apparently it’s a top cliff-jumping spot, so if that’s your thing, be sure to bring your bathing suit!

Full disclosure: the trail was pretty muddy and a bit flooded (with patches of knee deep water) when we were there, so we opted to head straight back to the car since we weren’t wearing appropriate clothing. 

Athabasca Falls:   Thankfully I got to witness the force of the water of Athabasca Falls on my first visit, as it was unfortunately pouring on my latest visit! A picturesque and powerful waterfall with mountain views behind – what can be better?! It’ll undoubtedly be crowded with tourists, but still worth it in my opinion.  

A super easy and quick spot to visit, even with only a short amount of time. There are self-guided trails and bridges, and a large parking lot, making for easy access! You can even get close enough to feel the spray of the water, providing some nice relief in the hot summer months.

Next time I treat myself to another Canadian Rockies road trip, I wanna visit in winter (it looks downright magical with the frozen falls against the turquoise waters).

Sunwapta Falls:  Yeah, yeah, yeah, I hear you – another waterfall? This twin pair of waterfalls (one upper and one lower) are fed by the Athabasca Glacier – yup, that ice we stood on along the Icefields Parkway!

The upper falls are super easy to get to (literally a few steps from the parking lot), but you’ll need to head down 1.3km to reach the lower falls. And if you’re feeling brave – walk across the footbridge for a better view!

And if you’ve got extra time (or would rather skip out the Mt. Edith Cavell hike in the AM), there’s loads of additional hikes in the area to choose from. Some of the most popular ones include: the Wilcox Pass Trail, Valley of the Five Lakes, and the Sulphur Skyline Trail. I’ll be packing my hiking boots for those next time.

Where to Stay in Jasper:

By far the most popular place to stay in Jasper National Park is the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge . It’s an upscale, rustic retreat, with not only a spa and suites, but golf courses as well. Not looking to live a life of luxury in the mountains (nor pay a pretty penny for it)? 

Other options include The Astoria Hotel (lodging with lots of character and charm), Whistler’s Inn (surrounded by mountains), and HI Jasper (hostel just a short walk from downtown). Since we booked unfathomably late (and by that I mean a month ahead of time), the only accommodation I could find available was at the Tonquin Inn , which ended up being a perfectly fine place for a few nights.

I hope this (massive) guide to a Calgary to Jasper Canadian Rockies itinerary was helpful! Is a Canadian Rockies road trip on your bucket list?! If not, add it ASAP!

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December 9, 2020 at 5:58 am

thank you for sharing such nice content with us.

January 18, 2021 at 10:49 am

Oh, the memories. It has been nearly 30 years since I last went to Lake Louise and Jasper. I loved it so much I'm planning on going again, this time with my family. Great guide…I guess you skipped the tea houses?

January 18, 2021 at 11:21 am

I'm hoping to go again too! Yes – unfortunately we didn't have time, although I'd LOVE to make the hikes up there next time!

August 3, 2021 at 3:35 pm

Great write up ! Thanks for all the tips

August 20, 2021 at 9:48 am

Heading to Banff and Jasper next week for my second visit and your places to visit were all on my list of adventures that I absolutely must see ! I was so happy to find your individual day trip planning itinerary, which we will follow on our road tripping adventure. Thankyou for sharing this. I am so excited to hike this beautiful part of our country and can't wait for my adventure to begin.

September 9, 2023 at 9:47 am

Thanks for sharing this amazing itinerary.

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6 The Dempster Highway, Yukon And Northwest Territories

Route: dawson city to inuvik.

A drive along the Dempster Highway , which begins in the Yukon and ends in the Northwest Territories, offers an experience of unadulterated splendor. Despite encountering some of the most picturesque vistas in Canada, the road is not always smooth. However, this minor inconvenience becomes inconsequential in light of the breathtaking sights.

Surrounding the nearly 450-mile road are breathtaking views of cloud-covered mountain summits, dense forests, and barren tundra. As road trippers navigate the twists and turns of the Dempster Highway, you'll feel a sense of exhilaration and awe at the raw beauty of the surrounding wilderness.

5 The Viking Trail, Newfoundland And Labrador

Route: deer lake to st. anthony.

Along the Viking Trail , road trippers will delve into the pristine landscapes of Labrador and Newfoundland. You'll traverse the UNESCO World Heritage Site Gros Morne National Park , where ancient geological marvels await their exploration. Then, wander through the remnants of history at L'Anse aux Meadows , North America's sole known Viking settlement, before setting sail to behold the breathtaking fjords of Western Brook Pond .

Each stop on this jaw-droppingly scenic road trip will reveal Canada's easternmost province, weaving together the past with the unparalleled beauty of its natural wonders. Road trippers will be enchanted by the rich history and awe-inspiring views that await at every twist and turn of this unforgettable adventure.

7 Amazing One Day Road Trips Across The Canada/U.S. Border

4 cabot trail, nova scotia, route: around cape breton island.

It makes sense that the 185-mile Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia is considered one of the most picturesque roads in the world. The walk encircles Cape Breton Island 's beachfront cliffs, providing stunning views of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean. Although road trippers may spend 5 or 6 hours driving around the island, you should allow at least 2 or 3 days to really enjoy the area's natural splendor.

Take your time exploring the area; stroll a few trails, see the finest lookouts, and consider joining a whale-watching excursion. Between Chéticamp and Ingonish, via the Cape Breton Highlands National Park , is the most breathtaking section of this scenic Canadian road trip. Visit the Chéticamp Visitor Center first to get helpful information on hiking opportunities and the highlights of the Cabot Trail, like Still Brook Falls and Black Brook Cove Beach .

3 The Icefields Parkway, Alberta

Route: jasper to banff national park.

The 141-mile Icefields Parkway passes through more than 100 glaciers and the stunning Columbia Icefield, among other genuinely jaw-dropping landscapes . Book a tour in a powerful all-terrain vehicle that will transport you to the 2.3 square mile, 980-foot thick Athabasca Glacier .

The route passes through two national parks, Banff and Jasper , as well as the center of the towering Rockies. Beautiful waterfalls, turquoise-blue lakes, and sightings of bighorn sheep, bears, elk, and mountain goats are among the other wildlife attractions. You'll see why the Icefields Parkway has been dubbed "the most beautiful road in the world" when you drive it.

Calgary Road Trip Guide to Five Incredible UNESCO Sites (& What To Know About Each)

2 the sea-to-sky highway, british columbia, route: vancouver to whistler.

Undoubtedly, one of the most breathtaking drives in Canada is the Sea to Sky Highway . The 101-mile route follows the Howe Sound shoreline from West Vancouver past Whistler. Along the trip, tourists will be treated to breathtaking vistas of the Cascade Mountains, granite monoliths, and islands covered with pine trees that rise out of the Pacific.

Any time of year is a good time to visit this part of British Columbia because of its consistently mild weather. Summer or early fall are ideal seasons to visit for easy access to outdoor activities. Consider making a stop at Squamish and take the Sea to Sky Gondola for breathtaking views of Howe Sound.

Also make time to visit Whistler, the town known for hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics . Though it's sometimes mistakenly thought of as a ski town, there are a ton of summer outdoor activities, from family-friendly white water rafting to the amazing climb to Wedgemount Lake.

1 The Pacific Rim Highway, British Columbia

Route: nanaimo to tofino.

Picture-perfect views await travelers journeying along the Pacific Rim Highway on Vancouver Island. Stretching about 100 miles from Qualicum Beach to Canada's surfing capital, Tofino, this route traverses breathtaking mountainous scenery adorned with stunning lakes and old-growth forests.

Along the drive lies MacMillan Provincial Park , where a stop for a leg stretch is highly recommended. Here, road trippers can wander amidst massive Douglas fir trees, some dating back 800 years, with circumferences reaching up to 20 feet.

As travelers wind along the Pacific Rim Highway, you're treated to a symphony of natural wonders, from the rugged coastline to the towering peaks of the surrounding mountains. Each bend in the road reveals a new panorama of misty forests, serene lakes, and ancient groves, inviting adventurers to immerse themselves fully in the untamed beauty of Vancouver Island's wilderness.

40 Best Things To Do In Jasper and Banff National Parks

The Canadian Rockies are a natural wonder that effortlessly attracts visitors from all over the world.

Have you ever seen those pictures on Instagram or Facebook of those extremely blue lakes surrounded by majestic mountain peaks? I’m sure you have! Chances are, those were taken at Banff or Jasper National Parks.

These parks are home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in North America, including the most regal-looking mountain peaks that’ll tower over you like it’s nothing, turquoise lakes as blue as they come, and cascading waterfalls that are so powerful you’ll feel the mist spraying all over your body!

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast looking to explore glaciers on foot, someone who loves to get out onto the water, or a vacationer simply looking for a peaceful outdoor escape from the city, these national parks will easily steal your heart away and leave you breathless!

Seriously, there’s so much to see and do within the two most popular national parks in the province of Alberta!

In this blog post, I’ll share 40+ best things to do in Jasper and Banff National Park (as well as a few within nearby Yoho National Park), from hiking to hot springs and everything in between!

This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!

Looking for a road trip itinerary that hits the best of the Canadian Rockies? Check out our 6-day Canadian Rockies road trip itinerary or our even more epic 7-day Banff/Jasper road trip itinerary if you’ve got more time!

Where Are Jasper and Banff National Parks?

Banff National Park and Jasper National Park are located in the province of Alberta , Canada.

Banff National Park is located in the southern part of the province, approximately 75 miles (120 km) west of Calgary (totaling a 1.5-hour drive).

Jasper National Park is located in the northern part of the province, approximately 175 miles (or 280 km) northwest of Calgary (a 3 hr 15 min drive). Jasper is also 230 miles (370 km) west of Edmonton (a 3 hr 50 min drive).

Both parks are part of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and are known for their stunning natural beauty, including mountains, green forests, glaciers, lakes, and wildlife.

Not to be confused with The Rockies in the USA, the Canadian Rockies are a mountain range stretching from the province of British Columbia to the province of Alberta .

This area is a total haven for outdoor lovers! Visitors can explore the parks on foot, by bike, or by car. No matter the method of getting around, taking in the breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys is effortless — the beauty literally surrounds you at all times!

The Canadian Rockies are also home to several charming mountain towns, such as Banff, Canmore, Golden, and Jasper , which offer a range of accommodations, restaurants, and shops for visitors to enjoy.

Best Time To Visit Jasper and Banff National Parks

The best time to take a road trip through the Canadian Rockies and visit the likes of Banff National Park and Jasper National Park is during the summer months, from June to September .

During this time, the weather is generally warm and sunny , and the roads are clear of snow and ice. This makes it easier to access the parks and enjoy the many outdoor activities that they offer, such as hiking, canoeing on turquoise lakes, ogling at turquoise lakes, camping, and just being outside in general.

In addition to the pleasant weather conditions, the summer months also offer longer daylight hours , which means more time to explore the parks and take in the stunning scenery. Many of the park’s attractions and activities are also open during this time, including the summertime gondolas, hot spring pools, and boat tours.

However, it’s important to note that the summer months are also the busiest time of year in the parks, which means that there will be more crowds and higher prices for accommodations and activities.

If you prefer a quieter and/or a more budget-friendly experience, consider visiting in the shoulder seasons of May or October. The weather may be slightly cooler, but the parks are still beautiful and offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure.

NOTE : Wildfires in the late summer/fall are something to be aware of. During my own visit to the area last mid-September, there was a large wildfire that ended up closing off most of the Jasper National Park area. Be aware that this may impact your visit — you’ll want to be adaptable with your travel plans if you encounter fire closures.

Where To Fly To Get to Jasper and Banff

The closest international airport to Banff National Park is Calgary International Airport (YYC).

If you are flying into Canada , this is where you’ll likely be catching a flight into and renting a car from.

If you’re starting in Banff and ending in Jasper, for your return flight, you can choose between either Edmonton or Calgary international airports.

Jasper is approximately a 4-hour drive from Edmonton International Airport (YEG) and a 4 hr 40 min drive from Calgary International Airport (YYC). These are going to be the closest international airports from the town of Jasper.

Where To Stay In Jasper and Banff

Where to stay for banff national park.

When deciding where to stay for Banff National Park, the two main areas visitors like to stay are in the town of Banff or in the town of Canmore.

Banff is the mountain town that’s closest to the major attractions in Banff National Park. In fact, the town itself is actually located inside the national park. Banff has lots of vacation rentals, restaurants, bars, and gift shops.

But while Banff is closer to the national park, accommodations here are a lot pricier than in other mountain towns like Canmore.

Canmore is just a 20-minute drive away from the town of Banff, so it’s a great alternative for those on a budget! Despite being more affordable, there’s no shortage of food, drinks, and fun shopping there. In fact, this is where we stayed during our last Banff and Jasper National Park road trip!

Where To Stay In Banff

• Canalta Lodge – free breakfast for guests
• Peaks Hotel and Suites
• Fairmont Château Lake Louise – the ultimate splurge ($$$$), but soooo perfectly located

Where To Stay in Canmore:

• Tamarack Lodge by Spring Creek Vacations – gorgeous condos perfect for larger groups!
• Rundle Cliffs Lodge by Spring Creek Vacations – apartment-style rentals also great for group s
• Falcon Crest Lodge by CLIQUE – lodge rooms with full kitchenettes

Where To Stay For Jasper National Park

• Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge – another Fairmont, another splurge if you’re celebrating a special occasion!
• Pyramid Lake Resort – technically located within town, but you’ll feel like you’re in a remote lodge away from it all!
• The Crimson Jasper

Things To Do In Banff National Park

Most likely if you’ve started your road trip to the national parks from Calgary, you’ll be hitting Banff National Park first along the way. Let’s dive into the best things to do in Banff first!

Want to visit the top highlights of Banff National Park? Book the Hop-On and Hop-off Banff Bus and discover the park at your own pace — without having to worry about Banff’s many parking issues!

Located in the Alberta province, Banff is known for its stunning mountain scenery and abundance of outdoor activities. Aside from hiking and soaking in gem-colored lake views, you can actually paddle IN the lake. It’s one of the most magical things you could do at the park!

Take some time to explore the park by canoe, by hiking one of the many epic trails, or by taking a scenic drive through the park. Or all of the above!

Sunshine Meadows Sightseeing Lift

If you’re looking for the highest lift-accessed sightseeing elevation in the Banff and Lake Louise area, then you’re going to want to ride the Banff Sunshine Gondola and Standish Chairlift up to just about 8,000 feet (2,400 m)!

The high elevation isn’t the only draw of this chairlift. It is also the only chairlift with sightseeing access to three pristine alpine Lakes !

The alpine meadows straddle the Continental Divide and the boundary between Alberta and British Columbia, and are surrounded by some of the Rockies’ highest peaks! Explore this unique area on your own, or take a guided tour to learn about the stunning alpine environment and see the beautiful wildflowers while you’re at it.

Lake Louise

First up: Lake Louise . No trip to Banff National Park is complete without a visit to Lake Louise, one of the most iconic destinations in the Canadian Rockies.

This beautiful lake is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and is a popular spot for hiking, fishing, and canoeing. It’s also a really popular spot for visitors to just relax, picnic, or even stay overnight (at the iconic Fairmont Château Lake Louise , the ultimate splurge hotel).

You’ll probably come across other sites telling you to go canoeing here, but I’d recommend skipping it due to the extremely high prices. Really, you’ll probably get sticker shock when you see that a 1-hour canoe rental is $110+ per hour!

But if getting out onto the turquoise waters is on your bucket list, don’t worry, we’ll go canoeing in another nearby lake with much better prices! I recommend taking a hike here instead.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE LAKE LOUISE AREA

Parking Info : Lake Louise has paid parking from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. between May to October. You’ll be required to pay $12.25 per vehicle per day to park here. At the pay station, you’ll need to input your license plate number. The machines take credit card.

Shuttle Info : If you don’t want to deal with the hecticness of finding parking (especially if you’re visiting later in the day), one of the best options is the Park and Ride shuttle service operated by Parks Canada. These shuttles run from May to October.

IMPORTANT : To use the shuttle, you MUST make reservations in advance.  You will need to reserve your shuttle ticket online  and park your vehicle at the Park and Ride, located at the Lake Louise Ski Resort. 

If you book the Park and Ride to get to Lake Louise, you will be able to ride the Lake Connector Shuttle for free! This shuttle is a great way to get to Moraine Lake from Lake Louise at no extra cost.

Hop-On Hop-Off Info : If the Park and Ride is fully booked on the day you plan on visiting, another option is this Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour from Banff . This is one of the best bus tours near Banff since it hits the most popular places (aka the hardest places to find parking) including Lake Louise Lakefront, Moraine Lake, and Johnston Canyon!

Take a hike to Lake Agnes Tea House

While you’re already at Lake Louise, I highly recommend you get a nice hike in so that you can see Lake Louise from a bird’s eye view. The one I really enjoyed was the Lake Agnes Tea House hike .

This hike basically features Lake Agnes, Mirror Lake, and a functioning tea house near the top where you can get drinks and pastries, followed by aerial views of Lake Louise which are some of the best in the entire park.

On this hike, you’ll start with parking your car at the Lake Louise Parking Lot. After enjoying some morning views of Lake Louise, hop onto the Lake Agnes Tea House Trailhead .

Along the way, you’ll encounter two lakes–Mirror Lake and Lake Agnes. Lake Agnes is the star of the show here! Framed by magnificent jagged mountains, Lake Agnes is one of the most scenic lakes in all of Banff National Park .

This trail is wildly popular, so if you don’t get an early start, you can forget about enjoying a warm drink at the tea house. The line gets crazy long by late morning.

Most people end their hike once they reach the tea house, and you can too if you’re good with the distance that you’ve gone. But if you’re itching for those sweet views of Lake Louise, you’re going to want to keep going … (onto the next point)!

Hike Details:

• Hike distance : 4.6-mile out-and-back
• Elevation gain : 1,427 ft
• Hike duration : 2-3 hours

Lake Agnes Tea House To Big Beehive Hike

Still have energy after getting to the tea house? The fun doesn’t have to stop here! If you have the time and energy, continue from the tea house onto the Big Beehive Trail .

By hiking the short yet steep Big Beehive Trail, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views of Lake Louise found in the entire park . I’m serious, just look at the views! This continuation hike is a must-do!

To get back to your car, just come back the way you came, being sure to soak in the afternoon views of Lake Louise! We found the afternoon views to be much better than the morning views (due to the extra sunlight beaming onto the turquoise waters).

• Hike distance : 6.7-mile out-and-back
• Elevation gain : 2,552 ft
• Hike duration : 3-4 hours

Alternative Hike Option : If the Lake Agnes Tea House hike is too short (4.6-miles), but Big Beehive is too long (6.7-miles), then there’s another option that might be just right for you — the Little Beehive via Lake Agnes Trail (5.7-mile out-and-back).

Banff Upper Hot Springs

For a little dose of relaxation, one thing you could add to your itinerary is the Banff Upper Hot Springs .

The hot springs are surrounded by stunning scenery, including the surrounding mountains and forests, making it the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring the park. As you soak in the warm waters (preferably after a tiring hike), you won’t be able to stop yourself from also soaking in the amazing views around you!

The water in the Banff Upper Hot Springs is heated geothermally, meaning it bubbles up to the surface from 1.8 miles (3 kilometers) into the earth’s crust. During the winter, the water temperature can be as hot as 116°F (47°C). In the spring, the flow increases and the temperature cools off to a minimum of 81°F (27°C).

The bathhouse is also a federal heritage building, so if you’re into history, take a moment to look at the interpretive exhibits that celebrate the history of this iconic hot spring haven.

You can find more info about day-use rates here .

Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake is another iconic destination within Banff National Park. While Lake Louise is a lighter, brighter hue of blue, Moraine Lake is a deeper, richer shade of turquoise.

While the lake itself is great to look at, the stunning mountain backdrop of the glaciated Valley of the Ten Peaks makes it so much better! And while half the size of Lake Louise, the beauty of Moraine Lake is toe-to-toe with its larger sister.

In fact, a famous photo of the lake was on the back of Canada’s $20 bill for many years!

By far one of the most bang-for-your-buck things to do here is to take a “hike” to the top of the Rockpile for a panoramic view of the lake and surrounding mountains. While it looks like it’ll take some effort to get up, the hike up the rock pile will take you no more than 5 minutes. Easy peasy!

Suggested Hikes:

• Moraine Lake Shoreline Trail – easy
• Rockpile – easy
• Consolation Lakes Trail – still easy, but is a longer option

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MORAINE LAKE

Being one of the most picturesque lakes in the entire park, this one is POPULAR.

Finding parking at Moraine Lake is even more challenging than parking at Lake Louise. Almost tenfold! Apparently, spots fill up by 6:30 to 7 am? Hard to believe, but unless you show up EARLY, the “lot full” sign will be up and the parking lot will be completely closed off to visitors coming by car.

If you want to visit Moraine Lake, you will need to take the Parks Canada shuttles, Roam Public Transit, or a commercial bus as part of a guided tour that goes there .

As of 2023, these are the only vehicles permitted from June to mid-October. Find out more here to plan your visit.

Pro Tip : If you opt for the shuttle, you’ll want to do Lake Louise and Moraine Lake on the same day! One shuttle ticket includes access to both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake (via the Lake Connector shuttle that’s included with your ticket), as well as your return trip to the Park and Ride.

If you’re open to driving about 30 minutes to your next destination, you’re in for a treat. Peyto Lake is another stunning glacial lake located in Banff National Park, known for its vibrant turquoise color. And by vibrant, I really mean vibrant!

In fact, the view of the lake from the nearby Bow Summit is one of the most photographed views in the Canadian Rockies. I loved spending time at this viewpoint due to the fact that the tourists are few and far between.

It’s a lot calmer than the other more popular lakes (Louise and Moraine), so if you’re looking for a more quiet experience, this is a great little stop.

Suggested Hike: Peyto Lake Panorama View

Take a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain

The iconic Banff Gondola is a must-do if you’re a sucker for mountain views. This gondola, often referred to as Banff’s #1 attraction, takes visitors on a scenic 8-minute ride up the Sulphur Mountain summit complex, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

At the top, you’ll find a large interpretive center, theater, and some excellent dining options too! Walk the boardwalk that leads to a panoramic viewpoint, where you’ll be able to make out some of Canada’s most iconic peaks, including Mount Rundle and the Cascade Mountain Range.

You’ll also have the opportunity to explore the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station , a National Historic Site that was once used for research on cosmic rays.

Explore the town of Banff

The town of Banff is a charming mountain town with plenty of shops, restaurants, and galleries to explore. Take a stroll down Banff Avenue and check out the local boutiques and souvenir shops.

Stop for a coffee or a bite to eat at one of the many cafes and restaurants in town. This town is buzzing with good eateries and bars! For pointers on where to eat, we really liked Block Kitchen + Bar and Farm & Fire during our last visit.

You can also visit the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies to learn more about the history and culture of the area.

And if you’re looking to bring home some goodies for friends/family members, be sure to allocate at least an hour or two for shopping!

Where To Stay in Banff:

Explore the town of Canmore

Canmore is another alpine town that visitors like to stay in while visiting Banff National Park. Like the town of Banff, the town is filled with cute gift shops, restaurants, and bars.

If you aren’t staying in Canmore, do spend an hour or two strolling around aimlessly. Grab dinner at one of the many restaurants here, then follow up your meal with a cinnamon sugar-laden beaver tail at BeaverTails Canmore ! Yum!

What I like about Canmore is the fact that the accommodations here can be quite a bit cheaper than those in Banff. In fact, this is where we stayed during our last Banff and Jasper National Park road trip!

If you’re still in the mood for lakes, the next one on your list should be Bow Lake! Bow Lake is a glacier-fed lake located along the Icefields Parkway. Since Highway 93 runs right along the shore of this turquoise-colored glacial lake, that means your chances of coming across it naturally as you move around Banff NP are quite high!

Bow Lake is known for its stunning mountain views (you can see Bow Glacier) and massive waters, which can be enjoyed right at the shore from the parking lot.

Visitors looking to get more of a workout can take a moderate hike to the Bow Glacier Falls for an even more picturesque view of the glacier and surrounding area. The hike is a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) out-and-back trail, which means you’ll need about 2-3 hours for this one.

Suggested Hike: Bow Glacier Falls – moderate difficulty

Learn something at the Banff Park Museum National Historic Site

Craving a dose of history, science, and wildlife in an indoor environment? This unique museum is housed in a beautiful heritage building and showcases the natural history of the park through a collection of over 5,000 specimens of plants, animals, and minerals.

What sets the Banff Park Museum National Historic Site apart from other museums is its historic building. The museum is housed in a beautiful log cabin that was built in 1903 and served as the park’s first administration building. The building itself is a piece of history and has been carefully restored to its original condition, making it a fascinating destination for history buffs as well as nature lovers.

Visitors to the museum can explore exhibits that showcase the diverse wildlife and ecosystems of Banff National Park, including displays of local birds, mammals, and insects. The museum also features exhibits on the geology of the park, including a collection of rocks and minerals from the area.

Take a cruise on Lake Minnewanka

Lake Minnewanka is the largest lake in Banff National Park. Once again, you can expect a gorgeous tint of blue waters and stunning mountain views.

In the summer, Lake Minnewanka is a buzzing hub of activity. It’s a super popular spot for picnics, hiking, boating, fishing, biking and even scuba diving.

It’s actually the only lake in Banff National Park where power boats are welcome! Boating around on a blue, blue lake? Yes please! And if you don’t own one, the have rentals here.

The lakeside amenities don’t just stop there. Along with motorized boat rentals, you can also rent canoes and kayaks. And from the parking lot on the western tip of the lake, you can find 1-hour boat cruise tours departing for Devil’s Gap (taking you to the eastern end of the lake).

There’s also a small snack shop at the start of the trailheads — the perfect way to fuel up before/after your boat cruise.

Hike around Lake Minnewanka

For people who like exploring on foot more, Lake Minnewanka is where you can also find the start of the Lake Minnewanka Lakeside Trail . Because of the lake’s size, it’s a long one, a 9.7-mile (15.6 km) out-and-back trail.

Another awesome, shorter option is the C Level Cirque Trail , a 5.8-mile (9.3 km) hike that brings you up over 2,000 ft of elevation so you can be rewarded with awesome panoramic views of Lake Minnewanka below you.

In the winter, this lake is one of the best spots in Banff for seeing frozen methane ice bubbles!

Bike the Banff Legacy Trail

The Banff Legacy Trail is a world-class cycling destination that should not be missed by anyone who loves to ride bicycles. This scenic trail stretches for 29 kilometers (13.7 miles) between Canmore to the Bow Valley Parkway and offers breathtaking views of the Canadian Rockies and the Bow River Valley.

The trail is paved and relatively flat, with a few gentle hills and plenty of rest stops along the way. This makes it perfect for bikers of all skill levels, including families with kids, recreational riders, and serious cyclists alike.

By far the best part about this trail is the stunning scenery you’ll see along the way. The trail winds through the heart of Banff National Park, offering views of snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and dense forests. Along the way, cyclists can stop at scenic viewpoints and picnic areas to take in the views and enjoy a snack.

The trail is easily accessible from both Banff and Canmore, and there are several bike rental shops and tour operators in the area that can provide bikes and equipment for riders who don’t have their own.

Relax with a massage in Banff

Time in the mountains can be harsh on your body, and your skin pays the price the longer you’re out there. When it’s time to recover after a day outside, visiting one of the Canadian Rockies’ exceptional spas can be just the thing you need to feel rejuvenated.

I recommend choosing one of these spas to relax in and give your skin the love it deserves!

• Willow Stream Spa – award-winning luxury resort spa with waterfalls, whirlpools, fireplace lounges, saunas, steam rooms, and more! Located within Fairmont Banff Springs .
• Meadow Spa and Pools – indulgent spa experiences in a tranquil environment, with a relaxation lounge and private outdoor hot pool. You can find all types of spa treatments here.
• Red Earth Spa – full spa services including relaxation, hot stone, therapeutic massages, facials, waxing, manicures and pedicures.

Lake Louise Summer Gondola

Yes, this is yet another chance to see expansive mountain views of the Canadian Rockies!

On the gondola, you can access stunning alpine scenery with ease on a 14-minute gondola or chairlift ride that rises over grizzly bear habitat to 6850 feet (2088 m) on Mount Whitehorn. At the top is a panoramic view of Lake Louise and the surrounding peaks, as well as a viewing platform, Whitehorn Bistro , and a patio at the top.

Interested in animals? You can learn about the natural inhabitants of the area at the Wildlife Interpretation Centre . Want to get the heart pumping? Alpine meadow hikes demonstrate the beauty of this environment as well! You can expect frequent wildlife sightings here as well!

Explore Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Banff National Park, especially for first-timers. This stunning canyon is located just a short 25-minute drive from Banff and offers a unique and unforgettable hiking experience.

The highlight of Johnston Canyon is its series of waterfalls, which cascade down the canyon walls and create a stunning display of natural beauty. The canyon is accessible via a well-maintained trail that winds through the canyon and offers out-of-this-world views of the waterfalls and the surrounding landscape.

One of the highlights of the Johnston Canyon trail is the Lower Falls , which is easily accessible via a short hike from the trailhead. The Lower Falls is a stunning waterfall that drops 30 meters (98 feet) into a crystal-clear pool below it. Photographers love snapping up all the pictures of this one!

For more adventurous hikers, the trail continues on to the Upper Falls , which is a bit more challenging but offers even more stunning views of the canyon and its waterfalls. The Upper Falls is a 1.1-kilometer (0.7-mile) hike from the Lower Falls and is well worth the effort so I say do it if you can!

Visit Cave and Basin National Historic Site

Cave and Basin has been a special place for Indigenous Peoples for over ten thousand years and continues to be so to this day.

Located in the outskirts of Banff town, this unique site is the birthplace of Canada’s national park system and offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of Banff National Park.

The Cave and Basin is actually a natural hot spring that was discovered by railway workers in the late 1800s. The site quickly became a popular destination for tourists and was eventually designated as Canada’s first national park in 1885.

Visitors to the Cave and Basin can explore the historic site and learn about the history of Banff National Park through a variety of exhibits and displays. You’ll find a museum that showcases the natural and cultural history of the park, as well as a restored bathhouse that offers a glimpse into the early days of tourism in Banff!

Things To Do In Yoho National Park

Surprise! A new park has been introduced. You might think — wait a second, this isn’t Jasper! But because of how close Yoho National Park is (and how much goodness there is to see there), I had to drop it in here for you to discover!

Yoho National Park is located approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of Banff National Park. The two parks are connected by the Trans-Canada Highway, which runs through both parks. They’re literally right across the road from each other!

The drive from Banff to Yoho takes just 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic and road conditions. While the two parks are super close to each other, they offer different landscapes and experiences.

Yoho National Park is known for its stunning waterfalls, including the famous Takakkaw Falls, as well as its beautiful lakes and hiking trails.

I personally love Yoho NP and I do think it’s worth stopping by and visiting while you’re in the Banff/Jasper area!

Spiral Tunnels

It’s time to cross back over to the British Columbia side for the day. Your next stop will be the Spiral Tunnels , a series of railway tunnels located in Yoho National Park .

Spiral Tunnels , a series of railway tunnels, were built in the early 1900s to help trains navigate the steep terrain of the Kicking Horse Pass. People often make a stop here because of its unique shape.

If you time it right, you can see a train exiting from the top of the tunnel while its final cars are still entering at the bottom! Watch from the main viewing area on the north side of the highway.

Another way to experience the Spiral Tunnels is to take a scenic train ride through the tunnels and surrounding area, which offers a unique perspective on the landscape that you can’t get from the ground.

Takakkaw Falls

After you’ve marveled at the Spiral Tunnels, it’s time to head to Takakkaw Falls , one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies area. Located in Yoho National Park, these falls are fed by the Daly Glacier and drop a staggering 804 feet (245 meters) into the valley below.

The best way to experience Takakkaw Falls is to take a short hike to the base of the falls, where you can get up close and personal with the cascading water. The trail is approximately 0.6 miles (1 km) long and is suitable for all ages and skill levels. You and the whole family will reach it in no time at all!

If you’re feeling more adventurous, there is also a longer trail option that forms a 5-mile loop hike called Laughing Falls from Tekakkaw Falls . This one is more challenging than the trail to the base of the falls, but you’ll get some really unique perspectives of the falls in exchange for the effort! Plus, it’s so nice to feel the mist from the Laughing Falls on your face/body at the end of the hike!

If you choose the latter, be mindful that it can be a bit muddy and slippery in some parts (depending on when you go) so waterproof shoes with good grip are recommended. It’s also best practice to carry bear spray with you as well.

Regardless of which trail you choose, a visit to Takakkaw Falls is a must-do activity in Yoho National Park!

Wapta Falls

Wapta Falls is another stunning waterfall located in Yoho National Park, and a true hidden gem of British Columbia! The falls are approximately 100 feet (30 meters) high, but more impressively, they are almost 500 feet (150 meters) wide!

As you approach the falls, you’ll be struck by the sound of the rushing water and the mist that rises from the base of the falls.

To best see Wapta Falls, you can follow a short trail from the parking lot to the falls. The trail is approximately 3 miles long (1.5 miles each way) and is suitable for all skill levels, though there are going to be some ups and downs along the way. The trail can be buggy depending on when you go, so bring some bug spray with you on this one.

When you reach the falls, you’ll be treated to the breathtaking view and roar of the waterfall!

Natural Bridge Lower Falls

Visiting Natural Bridge Lower Falls is a must-do activity for anyone taking a road trip through Yoho National Park of Canada! It’s such an easy stop to make from the main road.

The waterfall is created by the Kicking Horse River, which flows through a narrow canyon and over a series of cascades before plunging into a deep pool at the base of the falls. The water then flows under a natural rock bridge, a unique geological formation that has been carved out by the river over thousands of years.

The falls are easily accessible from the Trans-Canada Highway and are located just a short walk from the parking lot. Once you reach the falls, you can walk out onto the natural rock bridge and feel the spray of the waterfall on your face!

The sound of the rushing water and the beauty of the surrounding scenery make for an unforgettable experience. Plus the fact that there aren’t that many railings will make you feel like you’re living on the edge!

Go canoeing on Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake is a stunning glacial lake located in Yoho National Park. The lake is known for its vibrant turquoise color, which is caused by light reflecting off the fine glacial silt in the water.

This was one of my favorite lakes in the entire Canadian Rockies, partially because it wasn’t overrun by tourists! Unlike what you’ll experience at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake is actually tranquil and calm.

One of the best ways to experience Emerald Lake is by canoeing on its calm waters. Of all the lakes that offer canoeing, this is where I recommend you rent canoes and take off for the waters! At the time of writing, rental rates were around $90 per hour per canoe, with each canoe fitting 3 people max.

Not the cheapest, but also not as bad as the rates over at nearby Lake Louise / Moraine Lake!

The lake is very calm, making it a great place for beginners to try their hand at canoeing. You don’t even have to be good to begin moving — that’s how still and serene this lake is!

Highly recommend getting out on the water for a bit — it’s fun, and a great little arm workout!

Things To Do In Jasper National Park

Drive along the icefields parkway.

On the way from Banff and Yoho NP, you’ll be driving on the Icefields Parkway , one of the most scenic drives in the world. The 230-km (143-mile) highway connects Jasper and Banff National Parks and offers stunning views of glaciers, waterfalls, and mountain peaks.

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled! During our drive, we came across families of goats roaming along the roads. Too cute.

Along this road, you’re going to come across a few must-see landmarks and attractions. This is where the Jasper National Park fun begins!

Columbia Icefield Skywalk

The Columbia Icefield Skywalk is a glass-bottomed walkway that extends 30 meters out from the cliff’s edge and provides stunning views of the Sunwapta Valley below.

Visitors can expect to feel a rush of adrenaline as they walk along the 1,312-foot long (400-meter) walkway, perched 1,000 feet (304 meters) above the valley floor!

Take a hike on Athabasca Glacier

In addition to the Skywalk, one of the most popular things to do at this stop is to take a guided glacier hiking tour on the Athabasca Glacier , one of the largest glaciers in North America. The sheer size of this thing, even in the warmer summer and fall months, was unbelievable!

The tour takes visitors onto the glacier in a specially designed Ice Explorer vehicle, allowing them to explore the glacier’s crevasses and learn about its history and formation.

If you’d like to get closer to the glacier but don’t want to dedicate a whole tour to doing so, you can hop along the Toe of the Athabasca Glacier Trailhead and walk towards the glacier until you’ve gotten your fill of glacier views.

Pro Tip : Bring a warm jacket with you even if it happens to be a warm day — the closer you get to the glacier, the colder it gets!

After you soak in the incredible glacier views in whatever way you choose, you can head back into the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre and enjoy a cup of coffee at the world’s highest Starbucks. The visitor’s center also features a gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs, jewelry, handmade soaps, and other Jasper National Park gifts to remember your experience.

See Athabasca Falls

Continue driving north towards Jasper at this point. Be sure to stop at Athabasca Falls , one of the most impressive waterfalls in the park!

From the nearby parking lot, you’ll want to take a short walk to the viewing platform. Depending on when in the season you visit, you may encounter torrential, truly-gushing water flow! In the later summer months, the flow may be less intense.

Either way, I recommend you wear sturdy shoes as the paths and stairs can often get slippery with all the spray from the falls!

Miette Hot Springs

Miette Hot Springs is one of Alberta’s best-kept secrets. Located in Alberta’s Jasper National Park, this hot springs area features the hottest hot springs in the Canadian Rockies.

The hot springs are fed by natural mineral water that is heated deep beneath the earth’s surface. The water is rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, and sulfate, which have been healing and refreshing mountain visitors for generations.

Water from hot springs is believed to have therapeutic benefits for the skin and muscles. All the things you’d want after a long day of hiking and walking!

The natural hot springs water flows from the mountain at 54°C (129°F), and then the water is cooled to a comfortable 40°C (104°F) for guests to enjoy. There are several pools of varying sizes, including a large outdoor pool and smaller indoor pools, as well as a cold plunge pool for those who want to cool off.

In addition to the hot pools, Miette Hot Springs also offers a variety of amenities, including a restaurant, gift shop, and even hiking trails nearby. If you’ve got the energy for a small hike, you can take a short hike to the nearby Sulphur Skyline Trail , which offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys!

The Hot Springs are open from May to October. More details about admission fees and rentals can be found here . Youth under the age of 17 are free!

Maligne Canyon Loop Hike

For an easy hike, head to Maligne Canyon (35 minutes north of Athabasca Falls). The Maligne Canyon Loop trail follows a series of bridges and walkways that lead you through the canyon, past waterfalls, and deep into the heart of the park. The hike is only about 2.5 miles (4 km) round-trip and is suitable for all ages and skill levels.

You’ll only need about 1 hour here as you explore the different viewpoints along the viewing platforms. The best views are between bridges 1 and 4. While you can certainly keep going, I will say that bridges 5 and 6 have just okay views where the canyon is much wider (which means the flow there is a bit less impressive.

Valley Of The Five Lakes Hike

For a hike that’s a teensy bit longer but still easy enough to handle in the late afternoon, head to the Valley of the Five Lakes (16 minutes north of Athabasca Falls). The hike is easy, relatively flat, and offers pretty sweet views of the surrounding mountains.

The trail is a 2.8-mile (4.5 km) loop trail that takes you past five of Jasper’s alpine lakes, each with its own unique color and charm! Each lake has a different depth and a different shade of blue/green depending on the light and the time of year you visit.

This is also one of the hikes where you can find the famous Muskoka red chairs that are spread around in some of the most scenic locations in Jasper National Park!

Kayak or canoe on Maligne Lake

Maligne Lake is known for its bright blue waters and stunning mountain scenery, making it a perfect destination for a relaxing paddle.

Being glacier-fed, the blue lake gets its bright hue from glacial melt water, which carries along a very fine glacial silt or rock flour. And it’s the sunlight reflecting off the fine particles suspended in the lake water that gives it an intense blue color!

As you kayak or canoe on Maligne Lake, you’ll be surrounded by a sea of blue, awesome views, as well as the famous Spirit Island.

At Maligne Lake, canoes, single kayaks, tandem kayaks and pedal boats are available to rent by the hour or for the entire day. Head to the historic boathouse to pick up your rental and set sail. Advanced reservations are recommended to guarantee your rental.

In fact, you may even get a discount for booking your rental online !

Explore the town of Jasper

Much like the towns of Banff and Canmore, the town of Jasper deserves a couple of hours to itself. This cute little town has a variety of unique shops that are worth exploring. Check out Rocky Bear Gifts , which offers a range of souvenirs and gifts, or Mountain Air Clothing , which specializes in outdoor clothing and gear.

Honestly, if you love shopping for souvenirs, you could spend hours exploring Connaught Drive and Patricia Street !

From there, visit the Jasper Brewing Company , a must-visit destination for beer lovers. The brewery offers a range of craft beers, as well as delicious pub food. Try the Jasper the Bear Ale, which is brewed with glacier-fed water from the nearby mountains.

If you’ve come here during the late morning or lunch hour, I recommend grabbing yummy brunch foods at Sunhouse Cafe . For dinner, opt for either Andaaz Indian Cuisine (Indian) or the fancier option, Syrahs of Jasper (seafood and steaks).

For a healthy dose of local history and culture, head right over to the Jasper Yellowhead Museum . The museum offers exhibits such as the First Nations peoples, the fur trade, and the development of the town of Jasper.

Where To Stay In Jasper :

• Pyramid Lake Resort

Explore the dark skies at Jasper Planetarium

In addition to being the world’s largest, easily-accessible dark sky preserve, Jasper is also one of the smallest towns in North America with its own planetarium.

Astronomy lovers will enjoy ending the night at the Jasper Planetarium ! This is a unique attraction that offers a range of stargazing experiences for anyone interested in the night skies.

Take a casual tour of the night sky or attend a special event, such as a meteor shower viewing. For a jam-packed evening of cosmic discovery, I recommend the full program that includes both a Planetarium Experience and Telescope Experience.

I’m personally a huge fan of planetarium dome theatres, so if you want to experience a 40-minute show with cutting-edge technology featuring stories about local Canadian Indigenous constellations, views of recent Northern Lights from Jasper, and experience what it’s like to be in space, don’t sleep on this experience!

After the planetarium, you’ll do the telescope experience, allowing you to look through the largest, most powerful telescopes in the North American Rockies!

Catch the sunset at Pyramid Lake

End a day of Jasper NP exploration by catching a sunset at Pyramid Lake , one of the most beautiful lakes in the Jasper area located right at the foot of the iconic Pyramid Mountain.

Pyramid Lake is well-connected to town via several bike trails and walking paths. If you enjoy morning or even strolls/runs, a great workout is running to Pyramid Lake and back from your hotel.

Not only is it a very convenient lake located close to the town of Jasper, but it’s also perfect for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, or stand-up paddleboarding. On those hotter summer days, the water is even warm enough to swim in (unlike many other glacier-fed lakes in the area that are too cold to stomach)!

If you decide to snag a room at Pyramid Lake Resort , you can walk right back to your hotel after soaking in the epic lake views! These chalet-style rooms all come with a cozy fireplace so you can truly relax after a long day of exploring.

Ride the Jasper SkyTram

Jasper SkyTram is the longest and highest guided aerial tramway in Canada!

If you love aerial views, then Jasper SkyTram is probably a must-see for you, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. While the tickets are quite pricey, you can actually save a good chunk of change if you visit from 8am – 10am or 7pm – 9pm during the high season (June to September).

Once you get up there, you can choose to dine, wander the interpretive boardwalks outside, hike to the summit of Whistlers Mountain, or even snowshoe (during certain months). From late March to early May, you can rent snowshoes at the top for a truly Canadian experience.

There are two cafés where you can recharge and refuel — The Basecamp Café at the lower station serves light snacks, drinks and ice creams, whereas the Summit Café is a full-service dining experience located on the second floor at the upper station.

Before you leave, visit the gift shop at the upper station for a souvenir to take home!

Whitewater Rafting on Athabasca River

Looking for an adrenaline-pumping activity that’s just right for the whole family? Might I suggest opting for a rafting excursion on the popular Mile 5 section of the glacier-fed river?

This section of the river is a great introduction to river rafting as it begins with an approximately 10-minute float before the class II rapids start! You can experience the gentle thrill of some bumps and splashes on your roughly two-hour excursion.

This one’s nice because the pickup point is conveniently located within the town of Jasper.

Swim or stroll around Annette Lake

Ah, Annette Lake, another chance to lay your eyes on turquoise waters once again! Spending a couple of hours here is a great option for those looking to enjoy a slower-paced morning or afternoon.

Don’t miss the area’s main hiking trail, the Annette Loop , which is paved and an excellent option for novice hikers or just those looking to fit in a morning stroll before embarking on the drive back to the airport.

Canoeing and kayaking are also fun activities you can get into while at the lake! You can rent equipment in town or from the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Boathouse, located south of the lakes.

On warmer days, you can even go for a swim or soak up the sun from one of the lakes’ beaches. Don’t forget to pack yourself a picnic when you visit!

Pro Tip: Two of the warmest lakes perfect for swimming in are Lake Edith and Lake Annette, a few miles away from Jasper’s town center.

Do the epic Bald Hills Hike

The Bald Hills Loop Hike is a longer, moderate to difficult day hike perfect for people who are looking for a bit more elevation gain in their outings. Plus, the views cannot be beaten! I have to admit, this is a top 3 hike for me — it’s legendary!

The trail is approximately 9 miles (14.5 km) and gains 2,500 feet (760 meters) in elevation, making it a challenging hike that’s the perfect half-day outing for experienced hikers. Depending on your hiking speed, you’ll need about 4 – 6 hours for this one.

The trailhead is located near Maligne Lake, and the hike begins with a gradual ascent through a forested area. As you climb higher, the trees begin to thin, and the views of the surrounding mountains become more prominent.

After about 2 miles (3 km), you’ll reach the treeline, and the trail becomes steeper and more challenging. But get ready for epic views to come shortly!

Once you reach the top of Bald Hills, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, including Mount Edith Cavell and the Athabasca River Valley. The view is truly spectacular and provides a unique perspective of the park’s natural beauty.

Hike to Angel Glacier and Edith Cavell Meadows

Hiking to Angel Glacier and Cavell Meadows is a must-do activity for anyone visiting Jasper National Park and wants to get up close and personal with some glaciers, blooming wildflowers, and mountain peaks!

As the name suggests, the trail offers awesome up-close glacier views. Angel Glacier lives on Mount Edith Cavell, and Edith Cavell Glacier sits above the mint-green Cavell Pond that it melts into below.

And while the trail to the Cavell Glacier itself is only 1ish km long with minimal elevation gain, you have two options for how you want your visit here to go.

If you don’t want to walk too far, opt for the short and easy trail, just over 1 mile (1.8 km) out and back, which takes you right up to the face of the two glaciers. It will take about half an hour for the hiking part, while you take your additional time for viewing.

For a longer route, go with the Edith Cavell Meadows Trail , clocking in at about 5 miles (8 km) total. This moderate hike is not too difficult and has fantastic views in every direction.

On this hike, you’ll work your way up through a boulder field and continue through the forest until you reach the picturesque alpine meadows and ridgeline at the top!

At the end of the trail, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Angel Glacier and the surrounding wilderness. Listen close enough and you might even hear the glacier crack!

Got More Time? Other Nearby Destinations To Visit

If you have a few extra days to spare on you Jasper/Banff trip, here are a few other destinations I recommend you make time for:

• Glacier National Park of Canada – Located approximately 2 hours west of Golden, Glacier National Park of Canada is known for its rugged mountains, glaciers, and abundance of wildlife. It offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and wildlife watching.
• Kootenay National Park – Located just 30 minutes away from the town of Banff, this national park is famous for its hot springs, glaciers, and mountain landscapes (including Paint Pots, Marble Canyon, and Stanley Glacier).
• Radium Hot Springs – This small town, set in a valley inside the southern border of Kootenay National Park, is known for its natural hot springs, which are a perfect way to relax and unwind either before or after a visit to Banff/Jasper!
• Elk Island National Park – Located 30 minutes from Edmonton, this is a national park in Alberta that played an important part in the conservation of the Plains bison. In fact, it’s home to the densest population of hoofed mammals in anywhere in Canada! A must-visit for wildlife lovers.
• Revelstoke – Located approximately 1.5 hours west of Golden, Revelstoke is a charming mountain town that offers a range of outdoor activities, including skiing, snowboarding, and hiking. It is also home to the Revelstoke Mountain Resort, which is known for its world-class skiing and snowboarding.
• Vancouver and Richmond – Located approximately 8 hours west of Calgary (or a short plane ride away), Vancouver and Richmond are bustling cities that offer a range of attractions and activities. Vancouver is known for its stunning natural beauty, multicultural neighborhoods, and world-class dining and shopping. Richmond is known for its vibrant Asian community, delicious food, and historic sites.

Essential Tips For Your Jasper And Banff National Park Visit

• Plan your route in advance : Make sure you have a clear idea of where you want to go and what you want to see in that day. Cell phone service is spotty and even non-existent in some parts of the National Parks lands.
• Parks passes are required at all Canadian national parks. If you don’t get the yearly pass ($145 for a family or group for one year), it will cost ~$10 per person per day (depending on if you’re an adult or senior). Youth (up to age 17) are FREE! You can find more info about NP rates here .
• Traveling with a larger group? The family/group rate ($21 per day) is going to be the best deal. Family/Group = up to seven people arriving in a single vehicle in a national park.
• Be aware that since Banff the town is located within Banff National Park, you will have to pay the national park entrance fee to enter the town if you don’t have the yearly pass. You’ll want to make sure you only visit Banff town on a day when you also plan to do national park things!
• If visiting Lake Louise, get an early start in order to get parking. Parking is such a hassle within Banff National Park, so it really does take some planning. As long as you arrive early (I recommend no later than 8 am), you won’t have too many issues with finding a spot.
• Lake Moraine is a pain in the butt to visit. Taking public transportation is likely the only viable option going forward. As of 2023, the Parks Canada shuttles, Roam Public Transit, and commercial buses are the only vehicles permitted in the parking lot from June to mid-October. Find out more here to plan your visit.
• A great alternative to avoid all the parking issues at Banff is to opt for the Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour from Banff OR this Banff National Park Tour . Both include visits to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake — without all the parking headache .
• Grizzly bears and black bears can be found in BC/Alberta’s national parks. If you see a bear, be sure not to approach it – and stay far away from it. Learn more about the bears of Canada and about wildlife safety here .
• Check the weather every morning before your day begins : The weather in the Canadian Rockies can be really unpredictable, so it’s important to check the forecast before you set out. Pack accordingly, including warm clothing and rain gear. Better yet, just keep a rain jacket or travel umbrella in the trunk of your car in the case of random rain showers.
• Bring a map with you in the car : It’s always a good idea to have a physical map on hand, especially if you’re going to be exploring some of the more remote areas of the Rockies. At the entrance of the national parks, be sure to grab one from the park ranger. Make sure you also have a GPS device or smartphone with a reliable map app. We like to have Google Maps downloaded for offline use!
• Pack plenty of supplies : This is a road trip! Expect hours of driving. Make sure you have enough food, water, snacks, and other supplies to last the duration of your trip. It’s also a good idea to pack a first aid kit, a flashlight, and a spare tire.
• Be prepared for wildlife encounters : The Canadian Rockies are home to a wide variety of wildlife, including bears, moose, and elk. Be prepared for encounters by making noise when hiking, keeping a safe distance from wildlife, and storing food properly.
• Respect the environment : The Canadian Rockies and the national parks are a beautiful and fragile ecosystem, so make sure to leave no trace and follow Leave No Trace principles when you’re out exploring.
• Stay safe : Always drive defensively and be aware of your surroundings. Follow the speed limits and be mindful of other drivers on the road.

I hope these tips are helpful as you plan your road trip through Banff and Jasper National Parks!

Looking for more Canada travel tips? You may also like:

• The Perfect 7-Day Banff And Jasper National Park Itinerary
• 6-Day Banff Canadian Rockies Road Trip: 20 Best Stops To Make
• 9 Beautiful Lakes in Banff National Park To Add To Your Itinerary
• 5 Amazing National Parks Near Vancouver, British Columbia
• 45 Must-Have Road Trip Essentials For Your Next Road Trip
• 20 Beautiful Places To Visit In Washington

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Tuesday 28/05/2024 Vancouver

Wednesday 29/05/2024 Vancouver to Kamloops (stay @ Kamloops 1 night)

Thursday 30/05/2024 Kamloops to Banff

Friday 31/05/2024 Banff (stay @ Banff 2 nights)

Saturday 1/06/2024 Banff to Calgary NOTE: Is Calgary worth including?

Sunday 2/06/2024 Calgary (stay @ Calgary 2 nights) OPTIONAL

Monday 3/06/2024 Calgary to Lake Louise (stay @ Lake Louise 1 night)

Tuesday 4/06/2024 Lake Louise to Jasper

Wednesday 5/06/2024 Jasper (stay @ Jasper 2 nights)

Thursday 6/06/2024 Jasper to Sun Peaks (stay at Sun Peaks 1 night)

Friday 7/06/2024 Sun Peaks to Whistler (stay @ Whistler 1 night)

Saturday 8/06/2024 Whistler to Vancouver

We are not sure if it is worth travelling out to Calgary as it appears we may be doubling up? Further which is the best road to travel to (and rturn)?

Thank you in advance for assiting with making a trip a memoerable one.

6 replies to this topic

No time in Vancouver? Or do you have days in Vancouver in addition? Its find if you don't plan to spend any time in Vancouver, but I did want to check.

Have you considered a one way trip so you can slow down a little? Its like...doing a trip to Brisbane and the Gold Coast and Stradbroke Island...starting and ending in Sydney. Maybe just fly to Brisbane so you can tour those sights and have a bit more time for sights on the way back to Sydney?

If we stick with this as presented:

1. Kamloops is a lunch stop. Revelstoke is a better choice. Puts you closer to the mountains you have come to see, and is a better town for your stop. You'll be in Kamloops in about 4 hours, Revelstoke is 7, so a decent days driving.

2. People who live in Calgary will advise you to skip Calgary. Not that Calgary doesn't have things to offer tourists if you are there, but you don't have time, so skip it.

3. Three nights Banff or Canmore, one night Lake Louise (and if you are going, stay at the lake, not down in the village. If you have to drive up to the lake anyway, you might as well drive from Banff) Note you do need to prebook shuttles for this area, so do some research on that.

4. 3 nights Jasper.

5. Sun Peaks is not really a good choice here, especially after the Rockies. Most people enjoy going into Wells Grey from Clearwater.

However, you're coming early in the season and some sites in the Rockies are not yet accessible, and while there is plenty of low elevation hiking you can do, the prime higher elevation hikes will still be snowbound. So I'm guessing that hiking is not a priority.

In Jasper National Park, the Cavell Road won't be open yet, and in Yoho National Park, the Yoho Valley Road to Takakkaw Falls won't be open. The Moraine Lake Road doesn't open until June 1st (shuttle required - 40% of the seats will be available tomorrow, April 18th at 8 am MDT), so you will have a chance to go there but there's a good chance both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise will still be covered in ice. Lake Louise can thaw as late as June 9th (or as early as May 25), but Moraine Lake is higher so usually a bit later.

Neither Sun Peaks or Clearwater/Wells Gray are much worthwhile as stops unless you have a day to enjoy the area. Sun Peaks is a detour from your route and offers golf and lift-assisted hiking; Clearwater has Wells Gray Provincial Park (but Helmcken Falls is closed in May and June while they rebuild the viewing platform, although there are plenty of other waterfalls to see in the park). But in either case, you need at least two

nights there to have a day available for sightseeing or activities. If you pushed through to Revelstoke on your eastbound journey, staying in Kamloops on your way to Whistler is about halfway from Jasper (about five hours of driving each day, from Jasper to Whistler). The Duffey Lake Road (#99) is a very scenic drive.

I'd skip Calgary. If you want some city time, I'd choose Vancouver.

Re: staying AT the lake at Lake Louise - it would be great if you can afford it but it is a VERY expensive option; the Chateau Lake Louise is over $1100 per night at the end of May and by the time you add in the resort fee, parking, and taxes, it's going to be up around $1300, and that's the cheapest room. The only other accommodation within walking distance (1.6 km away), Paradise Lodge, is over $600 per night. Those are rates for May 31st. I also had a quick peek at the Mountaineer Lodge in the village - $260 May 31, almost $500 June 1st (pre-tax). I'm not sure if the other hotels mentioned also raise their rates with similar timing, but this will give you some idea at least.

The vast majority of visitors to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake go there from a base in Canmore or Banff townsite; they're only 1 hour or 45 minutes' drive away, respectively, perfectly doable and both towns offer far more in the way of amenities compared to Lake Louise. Taking out one accommodation transfer would be my preference, and would give that part of your itinerary a less hectic pace.

Awesome advice, thank you so much. :-)

Have you considered a one way trip so you can slow down a little? Thank you for the analogy, I had no idea of the distance and appreciate you putting into context. I'll check out the flights between Vancouver and Calgary .

Will shuffle the itinerary. May I ask what the "must sees" are? Both i Vancouver and the Rockies :-)

Since I'm not from Canada, I can only give tips as tourist. Which might give a different perspective (either better or worse).

As mentioned, taking the plane from Calgary is probably a better choice than going back to Vancouver. This way you can spend more time at other places. Calgary isn't really a city you must see, but depending on the time your plane leaves, it's probably a good idea to spend a night here. And do some sightseeing as well.

I found Clearwater/Wells Gray a very nice location. It isn't very spectacular, but I found it different than other sights. I have some good memories of spending a night at Dutch lake, with some canoeing and visiting Wells Gray with the falls and the meadows.

Whistler and the mountains around it are underwhelming compared to the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

There are many many places across BC that are why more scenic with way less tourists and that will cost way less for accommodations etc…than you will find in places like Whistler.

How about this Route.

One way car rental Vancouver to Calgary for rental car drop off and fly home from there.

Vancouver to Osoyoos via hwy 1 / Hwy 3 west. ( 5 hr drive depending on traffic and where you start driving from in Vancouver) you will drive past Hope BC, Princeton, Hedley, Keremeos.

Over night Osoyoos

Osoyoos to Nelson BC via Hwy 3/ 3-A you will travel through the small communities and towns of Rock Creek, Midway, Greenwood, Christina Lake and Castlegar. ( 3 hrs ish drive time)

Over night Nelson.

Nelson to Revelstoke via Hwy 3-A, Hwy 31, Hwy 31-A, Hwy 6 and Hwy 23. On this route you will flow the shore line of Kootenay a lake, past the more small communities of Balfour, Ainsworth ( which have Ainsworth Hot Springs, Kaslo, which has the dry docked Paddle wheeler the SS Moyie built in 1898. Then up Hwy 31-A passing the road that leads to the mining ghost town of Sandon, and down to New Denver on the shores of Slocan Lake. Then up to Nakusp located on the shores of the Upper Arrow Lakes ( Columbia River) and there is another Hot Springs at Nakusp. From Nakusp travel north up the Arrow Lakes passing Halcyon Hot Springs and onto the Galena Bay ferry landing. Here you will catch the Upper Arrow Lakes Ferry across the Lake, then continue on to Revelstoke. Drive time wheels turning is 4.5hrs ish depending on ferry wait time. Also this ferry like all inland ferries in BC is free.

Over Night Revelstoke.

Revelstoke to Golden to Lake Louise via Hwy 1. Drive time 2.5 hrs.

I would suggest travel up to Jasper first, and then double back to LL and onto Banff.

This way your closer to Calgary to catch your return flight (s) home

As well you want to travel the Icefeild Parkway ( Hwy 93) both directions or doubling back as the views are different going in the opposite direction and if there is low cloud cover etc..blocking the view of the mountains you will have a second chance of seeing the mountains on your return trip back down. Plus if there are traffic issues on the Icefeild parkways which is a 2 lane hwy, it could effect your return drive time to Calgary to catch your flights . And you don’t want to fly out of Edmonton as you will miss the return trip down the Icefield Parkway.

Google and use Google earth street views for some of the areas / towns I mentioned

That’s my 2bits.

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