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Home » North America » Banff

BANFF Itinerary • MUST READ! (2024)

Nestled high in the Canadian Rockies, tucked away in a cozy bowl amid the mountains, lies a picturesque alpine town full of beauty and wonder: Banff.

Set to the backdrop of stunning mountain peaks, glacial lakes, and frosted evergreens, Banff is an exceptionally beautiful town! It’s located deep within Banff National Park, surrounded by some of the most exceptional natural landscapes and wildlife on Earth, and provides easy access to three world-renowned ski resorts (which we’ll discuss later on in this Banff itinerary).

If you’re planning a trip to Banff or looking for a full-fledged Banff itinerary, you’ve come to the right place! This Banff Itinerary will help you decide exactly what to do in Banff during your stay, as well as provide a rundown on the area and a host of insider tips!

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Best Time to Visit Banff

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Banff’s gorgeous landscape varies dramatically throughout the year. From the frosty white blanket of winter to the rich life-filled green of summer. Banff is beautiful all year round, but the most popular seasons lie at these extremes.

Summer is a beautiful time to explore this Canadian national park’s exceptional nature and wildlife, while, in Winter, the park transforms into a snow sports paradise and a winter wonderland. If you’re wondering when to visit Banff, it depends entirely on the experience you wish to have!

While the ski slopes are generally open between mid-November and as late as May, snow conditions are at their prime between December and March.

Between late June and the end of August is the best time for warmer weather activities such as hiking, canoeing, fishing, and rafting. The weather is at its warmest and Banff is at its busiest!

You may choose to visit Banff in the shoulder season (April – May, and September – November) when flight and accommodation prices are lower than peak season and tourist crowds are sparse! During these months, some activities are available, but the conditions are unpredictable and generally aren’t ideal for either winter or summer activities.

We’ve done our best to make this Banff itinerary applicable to both summer and winter vacations in Banff!

The town of Banff is small, so there aren’t many areas to consider when booking your accommodation. Choosing where to stay in Banff is therefore easy as no matter where you stay in town, you won’t be more than a short drive or bus ride from the center!

That being said, it’s best to book something as close to the center of town as possible. There’s a multitude of bars and restaurants in the center, and having accommodation close by makes it easier to get home after evening out!

There are also other places to stay within Banff National Park, although in our opinion, the center of town is the best place to stay. It’s probably worth booking accommodation in Lake Louise  instead, if you’re planning on skiing or snowboarding there on multiple days

Sunshine Village ski resort is just a short journey from Banff, but it also offers great ski-in-ski-out accommodation if you prefer not having to commute. If you’re skiing at Mt. Norquay, the town of Banff is your best bet! The best hostels in Banff are all within reasonable distance of the ski sites.

Best Hostel in Banff – Samesun Banff

Samesun Banff offers affordable accommodation right near the center of Banff. The dorms boast clean, comfortable beds, and most also offer incredible views of the mountains! The onsite Beaver Bar is a great place to enjoy your evenings is Banff, with nightly events and frequent live music! The hostel staff is happy to help organize ski passes and transport for your Banff itinerary and activities!

Best Airbnb in Banff – Private Room in the heart of Banff

Enjoy having this cabin all to yourself! It includes a sweet BBQ grill, picnic tables, a kitchen, and a gazebo.Theres a quirky moose blanket that might remind you of your grandmas house but ya cant complain because its SUPER soft. Just a block away and will end up on the main street shopping and trying all the local restaurants.

Best Budget Hotel in Banff – Holiday Lodge Bed and Breakfast

This affordable bed and breakfast is located right in the heart of Banff, just a few hundred feet from the town center. It offers shared kitchen facilities and a comfortable common area, as well as a communal BBQ for outdoor cooking! The rooms are simple and comfortable, with great amenities, including a private bathroom. Of course, a delicious daily breakfast is included in the price!

Best Luxury Hotel in Banff –  Moose Hotel and Suites

Located just about as central as can be, this luxury hotel is the best Banff has to offer. A wide range of deluxe rooms is on offer, each with exceptional mountain views! With a classic Canadian atmosphere and design, the highlight of this hotel is the rooftop area, equipped with steamy outdoor hot tubs overlooking the Canadian Rockies. Guests also have access to a spa area, with a sauna and indoor pool.

As a resort town, Banff is well equipped for visitors, and getting around is pretty straightforward.

If at all possible, we would recommend making use of a car for this Banff itinerary. While the public transit system is well connected and pretty efficient, having a car will grant you unparalleled freedom, and allow you to see and experience things that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to!

That being said, you’ll rarely need to use a car within the town of Banff itself. It’s a fantastic town for walking and cycling, thanks to its small size and wonderful atmosphere. You can rent bikes in town, or bring your own! Most journeys within the town can be made on foot or with a bike.

If the weather is unpleasant, you can always make use of the town’s ‘Roam’ bus. It travels frequently to and from all important parts of town and is well equipped to handle ski gear and bikes! Taxis are also available and they run 24 hours a day.

Buses and shuttle buses also run regularly between Banff points of interest outside of the town, including Lake Louise and the major ski resorts.

Downtown | Highway 1A | Lake Louise | Active at Lake Louise | Moraine Lake | Icefields Parkway | Upper Hot Springs

Day 1 Banff Itinerary will be all about experiencing Banff National Park’s unparalleled natural beauty. If we only had one day in Banff, this is how we’d spend it!

Day 1 / Stop 1 – Downtown Banff

• Why it’s awesome: The town center is beautiful, and a perfect place to start your Banff itinerary
• Cost: Pay only for what you buy
• Food nearby: Check out the acclaimed Block Kitchen and Bar on Banff Avenue

In order to get settled and comfortable in Banff, it’s worth exploring the town and gathering your bearings. Downtown Banff is quaint, picturesque, and utterly charming. It’s a beautiful spot, that is quintessentially alpine and well worth exploring in and of itself!

Banff Avenue is the high street and main artery of the town. It’s lined with a myriad of establishments from cafes and restaurants to stores and bars! A stroll down Banff Avenue is the perfect way to get acquainted with this gorgeous little town. You could also pop into the visitor’s center and organize a Banff walking tour!

This is a great time to do a bit of shopping to set you up for your visit. There are plenty of great stores on Banff Avenue. You’ll find designer brands, casual clothes, thrift shops, and a plethora of items weird and wonderful. Whether you’re after clothes, outdoor accessories, ski-apparel, or souvenirs, this is the place to get them.

Wander around Banff Avenue for a while and enjoy the enchanting atmosphere, before popping into one of the cozy cafes for a morning brew!

Day 1 / Stop 2 – Highway 1A

• Why it’s awesome: A scenic drive with good chances of wildlife sightings
• Cost: Free!
• Food nearby: Bring a picnic and stop at Muleshoe picnic spot!

Also known as the Bow Valley Parkway, Highway 1A is the slower, but more scenic route between Banff and Lake Louise.

A drive along Highway 1A is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some of the park’s outstanding natural scenery and wildlife. It cuts through areas of the park rich with wildlife, allowing for roadside viewings of some incredible animals, including bears, deer, and wolves to name a few!

You’ll need a car to take the Bow Valley Parkway, as public transport to Lake Louise runs on the parallel Trans Canada Highway.

Insider Tip : Stop at Storm Mountain Lookout en route for some amazing views and informative interpretive signs!

Day 1 / Stop 3 – Lake Louise (a must-visit on any Banff Itinerary)

• Why it’s awesome: A beautiful turquoise lake set to the backdrop of the towering Rocky Mountains
• Food nearby: Grab a bite at Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House

Lake Louise is one of Banff National Park’s most treasured attractions, and one of Canada’s most beautiful places . It’s a quaint hamlet set on one of the most visually striking lakes you’ll ever see, in an impossibly scenic setting.

The lake is world-renowned for its jaw-dropping shade of turquoise. You may have come across pictures of it and smirked in disbelief, chalking it up to the age of photoshop and Instagram filters. But we assure you, the color of Lake Louise is real, and entirely natural.

Once you arrive, spend a bit of time taking in the vistas; trust us when we say you’ll want to absorb these views and keep them tucked away in your memory bank! The crisp turquoise lake is backed by the magnificent Canadian Rockies, creating a scene so picturesque and idyllic, that it has to be seen to be believed.

You may, by now, be wondering what causes the incredible color of this picturesque pair of lakes. Well, wonder no more! The color is imparted by what is known as ‘rock flour’, which is effectively a finely ground stone powder, created through glacial erosion.

The immense glaciers that sit atop the lakes slowly grind against the mountains as they creep along, crushing all that they touch to dust. Turquoise lakes, therefore, are particularly common in this glacier rich area! You’ll find some of the best lodges and cabins in Banff in this area.

Day 1 / Stop 4 – Get Active at Lake Louise

• Why it’s awesome: Lake Louise offers a range of activities Mountains
• Cost: The recommended activities are free, pay only for what you buy!
• Food nearby: Enjoy fondue at The Walliser Stube

Depending on the type of experience you wish to have, there are a number of ways to spend your time at the lake. Choose between relaxing at the stately Chateau Lake Louise, or enjoying a scenic hike or activity amid the splendor of the lake’s surrounds!

If you’re looking for an easy-going hike with nice views, we recommend walking the trail up to Fairview Lookout. There are numerous other hiking options near the lake, so be sure to visit the Lake Louise Visitors’ Center when you arrive for more information! Many of the trails can be hiked in winter, too, but they generally require snowshoes and/or crampons.

Although the crisp winter hikes may come with complications, the cold season conjures its own a prized attraction: one of the most scenic ice skating rinks on Earth. Set in front of the grand Chateau Lake Louise hotel, the rink is completely free to use!

You may prefer to take it easy and explore the vast Chateau Lake Louise. This grand and impressive hotel looms over the lake in magnificent fashion and offers its own points of interest. Stop by the chateau for some lunch overlooking the lake, take in its opulent architecture, and browse the stores that it houses.

Day 1 / Stop 5 – Moraine Lake

• Why it’s awesome: A stunning, isolated turquoise lake with smaller crowds than Lake Louise
• Food nearby: There are no restaurants at Moraine Lake – fuel up in Lake Louise or bring a picnic

A left turn at Lake Louise, followed by an easy 20-minute drive, will take you to a different mountain lake, wedged in a picturesque glacial gorge.

Perhaps even more enchanting than Louise Lake, Moraine Lake shares the vibrant turquoise color of its well-known neighbor. At Moraine Lake, the tourist crowds are replaced with empty Canadian landscape, which makes for a more peaceful and personal experience.

Much like at Lake Louise, the scenery at Moraine Lake varies greatly between the seasons. In the summer, the water is liquid and turquoise, wrapped in a forest of green. In winter it hardens to ice, bordered by snow-capped evergreens and a blanketed white terrain.

The area is certainly more suited to a summer visit, but it does offer spectacular cross-country skiing in the winter. If your trip to Banff is in the warmer months, we recommend you canoe or kayak across the glassy water of the Lake! Short of a swim in the icy glacial waters, nothing immerses you in the lake’s beauty quite as much as paddling across its surface.

If you have the energy for a hike, head up the Rockpile Trail. It’s a fairly short and easygoing trail that culminates at a large pile of rocks. Clamber up on the rocks and rejoice as the vista opens out in front of you! The Valley of the Ten Peaks in all of its glory, and the landscape reflecting off of turquoise water!

Moraine Lake is certainly one of our favorite places to visit in Banff, and a must-add to any Banff trip itinerary. Either way, it’s one of the best hiking destinations in North America for summer .

Day 1 / Stop 6 – Icefields Parkway

• Why it’s awesome: Considered one of the most beautiful drives on Earth, and a popular Banff road trip
• Food nearby: Stop for a picnic with a view en route

Once you’ve enjoyed your lake explorations, it’ll be time to head towards Icefields Parkway. Strung between Lake Louise and the town of Jasper, this scenic stretch of road is considered amongst the most beautiful drives on the planet! The road boasts extraordinary mountain views and scenic surroundings, as well as a host of natural attractions and a pair of mountain passes.

If you’re only spending a weekend in Banff or 3 days in Banff, you won’t have time to drive the full length of the parkway, as it’s a few hours drive in either direction. But capturing a piece of the beauty is highly recommended!

A common way to experience a piece of the parkway from Lake Louise is to drive 40 minutes along it to Peyto Lake. Here, you can stop for a picnic with a view before turning around and heading back to Banff!

Insider Tip : If you’re spending one week in Banff, you may choose to enjoy Icefields Parkway in its entirety! You can make a day out of it, or even stay overnight in Jasper when you get to the other side.

Day 1 / Stop 7 – Banff Upper Hot Springs

• Why it’s awesome : A natural hot spring that’s perfect for a steamy soak with a view
• Cost : ± $6.50 USD
• Food nearby : Enjoy a fine dining experience at Eden

After a long day in the vast Canadian Wilderness, nothing brings peace and relaxation quite like a soothing bath in a natural hot spring! Banff Upper Hot Springs offers just that, along with a wonderful mountain view as the day turns to dusk! The temperature of the pool usually hovers between 98°F and 104°F (37°C and 40°C).

While the pool is man-made, the thermal waters are heated entirely naturally. From the depths of the Earth’s crust, the water is pushed vertically over 6,500 feet through a crack in the layers of rock. This journey imparts the water with a unique blend of minerals, which is said to have restorative properties! Relaxing in the pool is a vital addition to any itinerary for Banff!

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Cave and Basin | Johnston Canyon | Banff Gondola | Bow Falls | Vermillion Lakes | Banff Nightlife

Day 2 will be more focused on the attraction in Banff town and it’s immediate surroundings. Read on if you’re planning a 2 day itinerary in Banff, or an even longer trip.

Day 2 / Stop 1 – Cave and Basin

• Why it’s awesome : Cave and Basin is the birthplace of Banff National Park, and offers a beautiful and informative experience!
• Cost: ± $3 USD
• Food nearby : Find some baked goodies at Wild Flour artisan bakery

Cave and Basin is the birthplace of Banff National Park. Originally discovered by pioneer railway workers, this magical hot spring is what first brought visitors to the area, and is now a small but popular museum!

Through a series of film presentations and interactive exhibits, you’ll learn the extensive history of the site, and how it acted as the seed from which Banff National Park grew. The waters of the hot spring are heated geothermally 1.8 miles below the surface, bubbling up warm and rich in minerals!

A short man-made tunnel opens out into the hot springs cave, which, along with the brightly colored basin of mineral water at its core, gives the site its name. A small hole in the roof of the cave scatters dappled sunlight throughout the cavern, creating a soft mood-lighting that couldn’t be more fitting for the scene!

The sound of the water dripping, bubbling, and splashing reflects off the jagged stone walls, filling the cave with tranquil echoes. This creates a multi-sensory experience, wrapping you in a sonic world that matches the beauty of the entrancing visuals! After the cave, it’s worth heading to the upper deck that offers great views of the surrounding mountains.

Day 2 / Stop 2 – Johnston Canyon

• Why it’s awesome: Beautiful waterfalls and scenic canyon surroundings, a perfect addition to your 2 day itinerary in Banff
• Food nearby: Enjoy lunch with a view at Storm Mountain Lodge

Johnston Canyon is one of the most popular hiking spots in Banff National Park! The trails are all incredibly well maintained, and most are fairly easy, making this a great spot for travelers of all ages and fitness levels.

The Johnston Canyon trail takes you along winding paths and metal catwalks, through some of the most stunning natural landscapes we’ve ever seen!

While the hiking trails at Johnston Canyon are a year-round attraction, particularly busy in Summer, we think that the canyon is at its most beautiful in the colder months. The paths follow dramatic canyon walls, weaving between frosted spruces, icy streams, and magnificent frozen waterfalls. Summertime in the canyon has its own wonderful charm, bringing lush greenery and the hum of rich Canadian wildlife!

Following the trail upwards takes you past two waterfalls: Lower Johnston Falls, and Upper Johnston Falls. The Lower Falls hike is short and easy, with the falls located just over half a mile from the trailhead. It’s around a 1-hour round trip and is really easygoing on the whole!

From the Lower Falls, you can continue walking for an additional ½ hour in order to reach the Upper Falls, located around 1.6 miles (2.6 km) from the trailhead. Visiting both waterfalls is one of the most popular routes, and we highly recommend it – they’re both stunning and well worth the walk.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can continue on from the Upper Falls for another hour or so to reach Ink Pots. Here, you’ll find beautiful turquoise ponds of mineral water that bubble up through the earth!

Insider Tip : Unless you’re hiking Johnston Canyon during the Summer, we strongly recommend that you make use of crampons or ice cleats. The cool shaded paths and catwalks tend to stay iced over for much of the year.

Day 2 / Stop 3 – Banff Gondola

• Why it’s awesome : Amazing views, a scenic walk, and a world-class interpretive center
• Cost: ± $49 USD
• Food nearby : Dine in the sky at Sky Bistro atop Sulphur Mountain

One of the most popular tourist activities in Banff, the Banff Gondola soars you to the top of Sulphur Mountain! The cozy 4-person pods are modern and made of glass, allowing you to enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery as you ascend.

The stunning gondola ride lasts around 6 minutes, terminating at the top of the mountain, where you’ll find a world-class interpretive center, packed with activities and information!

Your first stop atop Sulphur Mountain should be the large rooftop observation deck. From here, the panoramic views are unparalleled; swooping downwards to the town of Banff and Bow Valley , and outward to six mountain ranges! The summer and winter views are starkly different, but both equally captivating.

Next, enjoy an easy-going stroll along the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk. It’s a half-mile (1km) self-guided, interpretive trail, meaning there are several informational stops along the way! The placards you pass will provide interesting facts and information on the area’s rich wildlife and history.

After the walk, grab some lunch at one of the two restaurants, or sip on a cup of coffee (with a view) from the mountaintop cafe, before heading to the interpretive center.

The Above Banff Interpretive Center offers a range of immersive, hands-on experiences that are both informative and entertaining! One of the top attractions is the Above Banff Theatre, which takes you on a multi-sensory journey, where you’ll soar above The Rockies like an Eagle.

Day 2 / Stop 4 – Bow Falls

• Why it’s awesome : Scenic waterfall with picnic spots just a short walk from town
• Cost : Viewing and trails are free, while rafting can cost around $60 USD pp
• Food nearby : Fine dine at Grapes restaurant

While bow falls may not be quite as spectacular as the falls in Johnston Canyon, it’s still a popular tourist site and well worth a visit. The thunderous gush of the water pairs well with the scenic surroundings!

It’s also located right next to the town of Banff, behind the Banff Springs Hotel, so it’s really easy to pop down for a quick visit. Walking from town will take around 20 minutes while driving will take just 7 minutes.

The water that flows down Bow River and over the falls originates at Bow Glacier, and is one of the cleanest water sources on Earth! You won’t need long to see the falls, but there is a trail that runs from the falls along the river, passing several spots where you can enjoy a scenic picnic or just admire the surroundings!

Several local tour companies also offer chilled out raft trips down Bow River from just below the falls. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to enjoy some more spectacular scenery, it’s well worth hopping on a raft tour and heading downriver! There aren’t any rapids or rough waters, so it’s suitable for all kinds of travelers! Just be sure to stop by the Banff Visitor Center and book in advance.

Day 2 / Stop 5 – Vermillion Lakes

• Why it’s awesome: Beautiful lakes with spectacular scenery, right outside Banff
• Food nearby: The Juniper Bistro serves up delicious dishes

While Vermilion Lakes may not share the vibrant turquoise of the lakes explored on Day 1, they offer beautiful views and an idyllic atmosphere right on Banff’s doorstep. The lakes are an easy 20-minute walk from the town center! Sunset and sunrise are particularly beautiful times to visit the lakes, so head over when the sun is hanging low in the sky.

Take some time to walk along the paths that wind through marshlands around the lakes, before finding a comfortable viewpoint on the water’s edge. Get comfy, and watch the water slip into soft shades of yellow, orange, and pink as it reflects the evening sky and surrounding mountains.

Before the darkness is full, make your way back to the town center for some dinner!

Insider Tip : Banff can get chilly in the evenings at any time of year, so be sure to wrap up warm and bring a blanket for a sunset snuggle with loved ones!

Day 2 / Stop 6 – Experience the Banff Nightlife

• Why it’s awesome : Banff has an eclectic mix of locals and travelers, who love to have a good time!
• Food nearby: Try Balkan Restaurant’s delectable Mediterranean food

Banff is hardly a large town, and it may not have an extensive range of bars and clubs, but it certainly knows how to party!

Banff is a multinational melting pot, with a plethora of travelers from around the world visiting and staying in town. Ski instructor schools in the area ensure a steady stream of youthful students, who are all looking to have a good time!

Most of the bars and clubs in town are concentrated in a fairly small area, so it’s easy to hop between them and experience the full range of Banff’s nightlife.

There are a range of nightlife options, catering to all kinds of nights on the town. If you’re after a chilled out drink with a game of pool and some live music, Rose & Crown is a great option. Alternatively, check out Wild Bill’s saloon for line dancing, live music, and karaoke! Tommy’s Neighborhood Pub is another laid back option.

For those who wish to dance the night away, the nightclub options are limited to two: Hoodoo, and Dancing Sasquatch. But don’t be dismayed, both of them are fun and friendly, with great DJs playing deep into the night! Head over to Dancing Sasquatch if you’re keen to party in true Banff spirit; it’s a cabin-themed club, with a sauna styled chillout room!

Samesun Banff

Samesun Banff offers affordable accommodation right near the center of Banff. The dorms boast clean, comfortable beds, and most also offer incredible views of the mountains!

• Free Breakfast

Hit the Slopes | Farmont Banff Spring Hotel | Lake Minnewanka | White Museum | Banff Park Museum

For those planning a 3 day itinerary in Banff, we’ve got you covered! If you’re only spending two days in Banff, the above itinerary will serve you well. But if you plan on spending 3 days in Banff, 4 days in Banff, or even longer, there are plenty more Banff attractions and activities!

Hit the Slopes

• Banff is famed for amazing skiing
• Three ski resorts nearby
• Suitable options for all ages and skill levels

A Banff itinerary really wouldn’t be complete without mention of the world-renowned ski slopes that surround the town. We’ve tried to keep this guide predominantly season neutral, but we couldn’t forgo one of the park’s most iconic and popular attractions!

We assume that, if you want to travel to Banff in Winter, you’re planning on doing some skiing or snowboarding. But where to start? Well, Banff National Park is home to three world-class ski resorts: Sunshine Village, Mt. Norquay, and Lake Louise Ski Resort. Each of these resorts has its own benefits and charm!

Lake Louise is one of the largest ski resorts in Canada, with plenty of slopes, a gondola, and 10 chair lifts! It has been named the best places to ski in the country multiple times and is a fantastic choice. Lake Louise is the farthest of the three, around 35 miles (57km) from Banff town center, so it’s not ideal if you’re planning on commuting each day. That being said, there is accommodation available in Lake Louise, if you want to stay closer to its slopes!

Sunshine Village, on the other hand, is just a 20-minute drive from Banff, and easily accessible by shuttle bus! It’s the highest ski resort in the country, which means exceptionally great snow conditions and an extended ski season. Pristine powder is plentiful here, and there’s even a top-notch terrain park with boxes, rails, tubes, and jumps!

The closest ski resort to Banff is Mt. Norquay, just 3 ½ miles (6km) from town. It’s the smallest and most accessible of the three, ideal for easy-going family holidays! It’s also pretty affordable. There’s a resort for every kind of traveler in the park!

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

• Grand hotel with beautiful interiors
• Great restaurants on-site with amazing views
• One of the most iconic Banff landmarks

Sometimes referred to as the Castle of the Rockies, Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is a popular attraction and worth visiting for its grand design and classic, opulent interiors!

The hotel was built in 1885 in the Canadian chateau style, which fuses French chateau detailings with Scottish Baronial design. It sits boldly on the mountainside, enormous in stature, but still dominated by the mountains!

The interior of the hotel is spacious, grand, and luxurious in a way that’s reminiscent of old-world opulence. Soaring ceilings with dark wooden beams ark between tall brick walls, and over floors of marble! Not to mention the sweeping staircases and grand arches.

Wander through the hotel admiring its design and cozy Rocky Mountain atmosphere, then head over to the inhouse shopping arcade! Here you’ll find everything from art galleries and luxury goods, to outdoor gear and tourist shops.

If you’re hungry, you’re in luck. There are several great restaurants in the hotel, most with exceptional views of the stunning surroundings!

Lake Minnewanka

• Large narrow lake with beautiful natural scenery
• Just a 15-minute drive from the center of Banff
• Offers awesome activities for a 3 day itinerary in Banff

Meaning ‘Water of the Spirits’ in the Nakoda language, Lake Minnewanka is a long, narrow lake, that snakes between mountains to the northeast of Banff. The enormous lake is right on the town’s doorstep, just a 15-minute drive from the center!

A popular way to experience the lake is to embark on the loop drive that passes Lake Minnewanka as well as Two Jack Lake. The entire drive is around a half-hour round trip from Banff town center, and the views of each lake are incredible!

Lake Minnewanka is famed for its beautiful natural scenery and range of activities. If you’d prefer to experience the lake more deeply than a mere drive-by viewing, there are a few awesome options available!

Take a boat tour of the lake, or rent a kayak and glide across its glassy surface. A cruise or paddle on the lake is an awesome way to immerse yourself in the towering peaks, forested banks, and incredible range of Canadian wildlife.

Alternatively, you could plunge down into the lake for some scuba diving. We know – you probably weren’t headed to the Canadian Rockies in search of scuba spots, but we assure you, there’s good reason to give it a try; Lake Minewanka is home to an underwater ghost town!

Minnewanka Landing has been submerged for nearly a century, flooded due to the construction of a dam wall. The eerie remnants of this once thriving resort village can still be seen lurking in the depths of the lake!

Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies

• An arts and culture museum dedicated to the Canadian Rockies
• Explores the cultural history and Banff and it’s surroundings
• A good way to get acquainted with the area and its history

Founded by Peter and Catherine Whyte in the 1960s, the Whyte museum explores the cultural history of the Canadian Rockies. The Whytes were enthusiastic artists and avid collectors. They shared a passion for the magnificent natural landscape of the Canadian Rockies, as well as the areas rich cultural history!

Across its exhibits, the museum houses a vast collection of art, artifacts, photographs, and archival material, all paying tribute to the Canadian Rockies in one way or another!

The art ranges from the abstract to realism, with creative portrayals and recreations of the surrounding landscape being a popular point of focus. Historic artifacts are plentiful, with relics from the native Nakoda people and objects exploring how the area shaped its cultures.

A visit to the Whyte Museum is a great way to get acquainted with the area and its rich history. You’ll learn a lot, and come away with a newfound respect for the Canadian Rockies, their people, and their vibrant culture!

Banff Park Museum

• A museum dedicated to the wildlife of Banf National Park
• Housed in a beautiful 1903 log building
• Over 5,000 park specimens

Housed in a historic log building, the Banff Park Museum is the oldest natural history museum in Western Canada. It explores the parks natural wildlife and history through its collection of over 5,000 botanical and zoological specimens, including a vast collection of taxidermied animals. The museum is a great place to get acquainted with the park’s history and to learn all about the wildlife that call it home!

Built over 100 years ago, the museum still primarily houses the original specimens that were collected in the park during the early 1900s. It, therefore, offers a fascinating window into Victorian-era Banff and shows how natural history was interpreted all those years ago!

One of Banff’s finest attributes is also its most prominent danger: the stunning untamed wildlife of Banff National Park. Banff is home to a number of potentially dangerous animals, including bears, wolves, cougars, and elks. While dangerous encounters between humans and wild animals are rare, certain precautions should still be taken in order to ensure your safety.

The general advice for encounters with dangerous animals is to make yourself appear as large as possible and back away slowly while facing the animal. You generally shouldn’t run, as predators are hardwired to chase animals that run from them. However, it’s important that you learn how to deal with different animal encounters, as the best approach can vary between types of animals.

Best practice within the park is to hike and travel in groups. Don’t let kids play alone outside in the park, and just be mindful of your surroundings!

Another danger comes from venturing into the wilderness unprepared or getting lost in its vastness. Always stay on marked paths and slopes, and try to keep your bearings in order to avoid getting lost. Make sure you’ve got the right safety gear for outdoor activities and always be sure to stay warm, no matter what you’re doing. Banff gets extremely cold, so warm gear is an absolute necessity.

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Banff

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

If you’re looking for something extra to add to your Banff National Park itinerary, we recommend trying one of these amazing day trips from Banff!

Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure

Columbia Icefield is a large area of interconnected glaciers, spread between the national parks of Banff and Jasper. This tour immerses you in one of the icefield’s famous toes: Athabasca Glacier!

You’ll begin the tour by learning all about the glaciers at the Columbia Icefields discovery center, before boarding an Ice Explorer bus. The bus ventures out onto Athabasca Glacier, where you’ll get to walk on, touch, and drink water from, the 25,000-year-old glacier. Athabasca Glacier is the most-visited glacier in North America.

Along the way, your experienced guide will provide fascinating commentary about the glacial surroundings!

Kananaskis River Whitewater Rafting Tour

This whitewater rafting tour is fun and exciting, while still being family-friendly. It offers beautiful scenery as well as thrilling entertainment!

Start the tour with a scenic 45-minute drive that winds through the beautiful Canadian countryside. You’ll be kitted up and briefed on safety before hopping in a raft and heading down the stunning Kananaskis river!

The surrounding landscapes are gorgeous, and you may even spot some of the area’s thriving wildlife! Enjoy the views on the calm sections of the river and get ready for an awesome ride as you hit the rapids!

Banff National Park Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Day Pass

This hop-on-hop-off bus tour is an awesome system for touring Banff and a great way to explore the park if you don’t have a car. It also removes the stress of parking, and helps keep your explorations streamlined!

The bus stops at several of the key Banff attractions on this itinerary. Starting in the town of Banff, it travels to Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, Lake Louise Gondola, and Morraine Lake. With three departure times a day, you’ll be able to explore Banff national park’s best attractions at your own pace.

Grizzly Bear Refuge Tour with Lunch

After a pickup in Banff, you’ll be shuttled toward the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. En route, the tour makes a stop at Takakkaw Falls, Canada’s second-highest waterfall!

The next stop is the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, where you’ll take to the skies in a sightseeing gondola with spectacular views. Once you reach the top you’ll have time to enjoy the panoramic vistas before enjoying a delicious lunch at the highest restaurant in Canada!

Catch a scenic chairlift up to the Grizzly Bear Refuge, an enclosed grizzly bear habitat which is the largest of its kind on Earth. You’ll meet a friendly grizzly bear and learn all about these beautiful animals! This tour is one of our favorite day trips from Banff.

Overnight Backcountry Lodge Trip by Horseback

We don’t think there is any way to explore the Canadian Rockies more fitting than on horseback. Thrust into the vast Canadian wilderness, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported back to the days of cowboys and explorers!

This tour takes you on horseback along a trail that was pioneered by explorers in the early 1900s. With your trusty horse, you’ll trek along glacier-fed rivers, winding between mountains, trees, and spectacular wildlife. Stop for a cowboy style lunch and spend the night in a cozy and comfortable lodge, tucked away in the depths of nature!

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Find out what people want to know when planning their Banff itinerary.

How many days do you need in Banff?

Exploring Banff within 3 days is definitely possible, but you will have to plan ahead so you can use your time efficiently. Having an extra day to chill or change plans spontaneoulsy will make your itinerary a lot more relaxed.

What should you add to your Banff itinerary in summer?

You can’t miss out on these cool places in Banff: – Downtown Banff – Moraine Lake Banff – Upper Hot Springs

Can Banff be a day trip?

Banff can be a day trip, but you’ll most likely only see one attraction. We’d recommend planning well ahead if you’re only staying for a very short time and maybe getting a guide or join a tour.

What can you do in Banff today?

To find out what’s on the activity menu in Banff today, check out GetYourGuide for awesome tours, attractions and tickets. If you want to have a more local vibe, go with Airbnb experiences instead.

Closing Thoughts

Banff was quite literally built for visitors, thanks to the hot springs that first brought tourists to the area. It’s the highest town in Canada, with a picturesque town center, a quintessential alpine vibe, and access to amazing attractions and ski resorts! Our itinerary for Banff is packed with the best of the best when it comes to exploring this mountainous paradise.

While a few of the activities in this Banff Itinerary are only suitable for a summertime trip to Banff, most of them are wonderful all year round! If you’re visiting Banff in winter, it’s worth fitting in at least some of these activities around your winter sports for a well rounded Banff experience.

We hope that this Banff Itinerary has set you up for an amazing vacation in Banff!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Sheridan Cahoon

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Hi, One correction – Parks Canada announced it would be restricting parking for most visitors at Moraine Lake come summer. Those who wish to see the iconic blue lake can instead use the shuttle service, Roam Transit, or other commercial transportation to access the area, yet that comes with a fee.

Thank you so much for the beautiful review of Banff. It would supposedly be an amazing travel in coming months but here down under, New South Wales , is in lockdown. Nevertheless, I’m travelling quite well with your reviews. As if I’m there at the moment! Thanks to you!

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Tiny Footsteps Travel

The Perfect Banff Itinerary: 3 and 5 Days (2024)

Having a Banff itinerary is a big help to time visitors, because there is so much incredible beauty and things to do in the park.

There are over 600 km (over 1,000 miles) of hiking trails in Banff National Park, hundreds of glaciers, over 100 mountain peaks, and dozens of turquoise-blue lakes.

It’s no wonder that Banff National Park is a UNSECO World Heritage Site, and easily one of the most visited places in Canada.

Being Canadian and having made several trips to Banff over the years- I’ve crafted a Banff Itinerary with 3 and 5 day options that can be done with or without a car.

Having a car is helpful in Banff, but you don’t need one. In fact, these days, it’s become increasingly hard to park at attractions in Banff because of the volume of tourists during the warm months.

So, you’ll be able to choose which of these itinerary options suits your preferences best. Whether you’ll be in Banff for 3 days or 5, with a car or without, this itinerary will allow you to experience the best of Banff.

What You Need to Know About this Banff Itinerary

✅   It can be done with or without a car (I will provide options for getting to the attractions via public transit or driving.)

✅   It can be used year-round, but it is more focused on the months between spring and fall.

✅   It’s suitable for all ages. I specialize in family travel, and my husband and I have brought both seniors and children in Banff. There will be options for add-ons for those that are looking for a little extra adventure.

Pro Tip: If you don’t have a car in Banff, I recommend grabbing a 3-day pass for the ROAM Transit.

Banff 3 Day Itinerary

I recommend staying over the night before and waking up in Banff for the ‘first day’ of the itinerary

Day 1 in Banff

Day 1 will be spent exploring the activities in downtown Banff.

1. Head to the Banff Gondola

The Banff Gondola should be at the top of your priority list near the town of Banff. It takes you to the top of Sulphur mountain, which is right in the heart of the rockies and gives you incredible panoramic views of other mountain peaks.

Your options for getting to the Banff Gondola from downtown Banff are:

• Drive, if you have a vehicle with you. (Its a 10 minute drive from downtown Banff.)
• Take the ROAM Public Transit Route 1 . (It costs $2 per person to get to the gondola one way. Free for kids under 12 or if you have a pass).

You can buy your ticket for the Banff gondola upon arrival, but I recommend grabbing tickets in advance just to save time.

At the top of the Sulphur Mountain, there’s a viewing platform, restaurant called Sky Bistro that looks out onto the rockies, and gift shop. Give yourself 1-2 hours for the whole Banff Gondola experience. (More, if you want to eat at the Sky Bistro.)

If you decide to eat at the Sky Bistro, reservations would be needed in advance since its very popular. Reservations can be made on their website.

If you prefer, you could save the Banff Gondola until the end of the day (as its open until 9pm.) This would allow you to see the views at sunset, and eat dinner at Sky Bistro during the dinner hour.

2. Walk down the main street of Banff

The main street of Banff is called Banff Avenue .

There are a lot of great stores, as well as art galleries and museums. It’s a great place to look for a Canadian souvenir or gift, or simply window-shop.

One of my favourites art galleries in Banff is the All in the Wild Photography Studio . I’d recommend popping in to look at amazing photographs of Canadian photography.

Restaurants in Banff tend to be open until 9-10pm. Be sure to make reservations if you’re eating at popular times around the dinner hour, especially if you’re visiting in July or August.

Some of the restaurants in Banff I’d recommend (for tonight, or during your whole stay) are The Bison Restaurant , Pacini Banff, Farm and Fire or Coyotes Southwestern Grill if you appreciate fresh ingredients.

There’s fast-food options like A&W, and chains like The Keg. Most of the restaurants are on Banff Avenue, and the majority are on the south end of the street.

Just be sure to make reservations if you’re staying at any of the popular, sit-down places.

3. (Optional) walk along the Bow River Trail

Depending on how early your first day in Banff starts, then you may have time for a third activity on the first day.

If this is the case, I recommend walking along the Bow River Trail, which is within walking distance of downtown. There is a small waterfall along the trail called Bow River Falls.

From downtown Banff, it’s about 1.6 km (0.9 miles) to where the Bow River Falls are. The path is mostly flat, but there are some stairs at the end as you get closer to the falls.

To make the walk to the falls shorter, you could drive to Cascade of Time Garden and park near there. From there, its only a 15 minute walk to the falls. Here is a map of the walk to the falls from downtown.

At the end of your first day in Banff, grab dinner (if you haven’t had it yet) and head back to your accommodation to rest up for tomorrow.

Day 2 in Banff

On day 2, we’re going to hit two of the most iconic, famous sights in Banff – Moraine Lake and Lake Louise.

I recommend using public transit or taking a tour for today, because the parking situation at both of these famous attractions has become near impossible.

If you’re visiting Banff in summer , the parking lot at Lake Louise will fill up before sunrise, and parking at Moraine Lake has been completely closed to personal vehicles since 2023.

Visiting via public transit options or tours (I’ll provide two different options) is the more relaxing way to visit these two lakes, but you can modify the plans for today to drive to Lake Louise if you prefer.

1. Moraine Lake and Lake Louise

Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are both glacier fed lakes with tall snow-tipped mountain peaks, and turquoise waters. They are two of the most beautiful sights in Canada.

The two lakes are located about 11.5 km (7.1 miles) from each other – about a 10 minute drive. But, they are a 30-40 minute drive from downtown Banff.

I would recommend using the shuttle service or booking this private tour to see these two famous lakes today.

If the tour isn’t available or if you’re in Banff with kids under the age of 12, then I recommend booking the shuttle service.

Here are your options for the shuttle service:

• Option 1: Shuttles to Moraine Lake with a 1-hour stop at Lake Louise Lakeshore en route to Moraine Lake. These are great for most visitors who just want to see the lake.
• Option 2: Make two separate shuttle bookings; one ‘Direct to Moraine Lake’ and another ‘Direct to Lake Louise’ on the same day. These are best for visitors who wants to hike or otherwise spend more than an hour at each lake.

If you book the shuttle service, select the “Moraine Lake with 1 hour stop at Lake Louise” option. I recommend selecting one of the early morning times.

Important note: Travellers must be 12 years old for the tour I recommended above, but the Moraine Lake and Lake Louise shuttle bus accommodates all ages. If you’re in Banff with a toddler or baby, then you must bring a child safety seat for them on the shuttle.

Visits at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours.

If you simply want to take in the views and get photos, then you only need up to 30 minutes.

You need more time than that if you want to do activities like canoeing, and walk on some of the trails.

2. Back to Banff

Regardless of which Moraine Lake and Lake Louise tour you took, you will probably arrive back in Banff by late afternoon or early evening.

After dinner, I recommend heading to the “Banff” sign to get the mandatory tourist photo. It’s about a 10 minute walk, or a 3-minute drive from downtown Banff.

If you still have some energy left after dinner and the Banff sign, then you have a few options:

• Walk along the Bow River Trail if you didn’t have a chance to yesterday. I recommend taking the trail east along the riverfront to the Bow River Falls (approximately 1.6 km or 0.9 miles), which is about a 20 minute walk from downtown Banff
• Head to the Cascade of Time Garden , which is on the other side of the river from the town (about a 3 minute drive or 10 minute walk from downtown.) It’s a beautiful, blooming garden in the summer months and a lit up winter wonderland in the cold months.
• Head to the Banff Upper Hot Springs , which makes a great way to unwind after a busy day. It’s popular, so I wouldn’t expect total tranquility but it’s a thermal hot tub overlooking the rockies. Tickets can be bought on-site.

Afterwards, head back to your accommodation and rest up for a busy 3rd day in Banff tomorrow.

Day 3 in Banff

Today will be a busy day. You will need:

• Good walking shoes
• Dress for the weather (be sure to include layers that you can put on or take off)
• Bug spray (spring through fall)

1. Head to Johnston Canyon

Right after breakfast, you’re going to head to the Johnston Canyon which is 20 minute drive from the town of Banff. It’s the most popular scenic trail in Banff, so I recommend getting there as early as possible.

You have two options for getting there:

• Drive , which takes 20 minutes. If you’re visiting in high season, leave as early as possible. The parking lot is large, but it does fill up in the morning.
• Take the Roam Transit route 9 , which runs daily from mid-May until October and during weekends only the rest of the year.

The Johnston Canyon is a winding trail through a canyon ridge. There are two trail options (one is very easy, and the other is moderate.)

They both lead to a different waterfall – the Upper Falls, or the Lower Falls.

You have two different trails to choose from, depending on how long you want to hike for. They are:

• Upper Falls Trail – 5 km (3.8 mile) takes 2-3 hours roundtrip
• Lower Falls Trail – 2.2 km (1.36 miles) takes about 1 hour roundtrip

Since your time in Banff is short, you may want to choose Lower Falls (pictured below) so that you have more flexibility for your last afternoon in Banff.

Both waterfalls are beautiful; the Upper Falls are taller but further way from the viewing platform. The Lower Falls allow you to get closer which some visitors appreciate more.

2. Do your chosen hike

Whatever hike you choose at the Johnston Canyon will not disappoint. The views are incredibly rare-looking, and unusual on both trails.

Since the canyon ridges are quite tall, its a shaded hike, but you should still plan to be ‘outside’ the whole time as there isn’t really any shelter.

3. Back to Banff and/or Lunch

If you took the Roam Bus to Johnston Canyon, then you’ll have to make your way back to Banff. I recommend doing that as soon as possible and grabbing lunch in Banff.

If you drove to the Johnston Canyon, then there’s no need to return to Banff. You can head straight to the next activity from the Johnston Canyon, but you’ll probably want to have something to eat first.

If you drive from Johnston Canyon to Lake Minnewanka, you’ll be passing through Banff, so you could grab something there.

Another option is to eat near the Johnston Canyon.

Lunch near the Johnston Canyon

Near the Johnston Canyon is the Blackswift Lodge, which is said to have the “Best coffee in Banff National Park”. It’s open during the summer only.

They have three different options for getting food:

• The Blackswift Bistro (the sit-down meal option)
• The Market Café
• The Shack, which is an outdoor wooden snack shack that sells grab and go items in the summer

4. Your choice between three options

After your hike at the Johnson Canyon, you’re going to head to one of the three activities.

• Lake Minnewanka -a gorgeous glacier-fed lake among mountains
• Back to Banff village -to see some things you had not seen before.
• Yoho National Park -another national park in the rockies, located in British Columbia, 45 minutes from Banff

Your choice between these three will depend on the weather, your energy levels, and whether or not you have a car.

I would recommend choosing one of the first two options, since they are apart of Banff. You should only choose Yoho National Park if:

• You have a car (there are no public transit options to Yoho National Park, and personal vehicle is the only way to get there from Banff)
• You already saw Lake Minnewanka (if you did the Moraine Lake + Lake Louise tour yesterday, then you will have already seen it.)

If you choose Lake Minnewanka

Lake Minnewanka is a gorgeous glacier-fed lake just 20 minute drive from the town of Banff.

It’s very popular, and the parking lot is often full in summer. If you’re visiting in summer, I would time your visit so that you arrive later in the afternoon as that is when a lot of people are leaving.

If you’re visiting during other seasons (winter, spring or fall) then it shouldn’t be too difficult to find parking.

Ultimately, you have three options for getting to Lake Minnewanka (besides driving directly from Johnston Canyon which you’d do if you have a car with you):

• Bike (you can rent a bike from downtown Banff, and it would take about an hour and a half
• Take Roam Route 6 from downtown Banff (about a 25 minute ride)

If you’re visiting sometime between May and October, then I highly recommend doing a Lake Minnewanka boat cruise , which is 1 hour. Cruises can be booked through Viator or through the company website.

They recommend showing up 2 hours before your cruise time in order to guarantee a parking spot and have time to explore the area before your cruise. This is especially true if you’re visiting during high season.

Other things to do at Lake Minnewanka, besides a cruise:

• Rent your own equipment such as a kayak, paddleboard or motorboat. Rentals are first-come first-served. See prices here .
• Cross country skiing or snowshoeing (winter only)

We spent some time just walking along the trails, taking in views of the lake and we found it so beautiful and relaxing.

If you choose Yoho National Park

Yoho National Park is about a 45 minute drive from the Johnston Canyon. You can leave from Johnston Canyon directly after your hike and/or lunch.

If you’re not driving, you can also book a day tour to see the highlights of Yoho National Park. This tour is 8 hours and shows you all the best sights – Emerald Lake (pictured below), Takakkaw Falls and more.

If you choose to head back to Banff

There’s a lot to do in the town of Banff, which you may not have had time to cover on the first few days.

To sum it up, here are some options of things to do in Banff after the Johnston Canyon hike:

• Cave and Basin National Historic Sight – an underground cave with thermal springs that formed over 10,000 years ago. See visiting info here .
• Museums: Buffalo Nationals Museum, or Banff Park Museum National Historic Sight
• Bow River Falls Trail, or spending time walking up the main street (if you didn’t already)

Banff 5 Day Itinerary

5 days in Banff is enough time to see all the gems in the rockies, and to have time in each place to do some activities. I would recommend 5 days over 3 days in Banff, because 3 days is the bare minimum time you need just to see the highlights.

Days 1 & 2

5 day Banff Itinerary

Days 1 and 2 of your 5-day Banff itinerary can be followed exactly the same as the first two days as the 3-day itinerary above.

Here is a snap shot of how the first two days will go (and feel free to scroll up for more information:)

• Visiting the town of Banff (walk up the main street for window shopping, pop into art galleries and museums, do the Bow River Trail and see the Bow River Falls)
• Visiting Moraine Lake, and Lake Louise
• Take a photo of the “Banff” sign

Even though you have a car in Banff, I recommend using the shuttle service to see Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, especially during high season.

Day 3 is where the 5 day itinerary to Banff looks different from the 3 day, because you have more time to enjoy the attractions rather than having to squeeze two of them into the 3rd day.

Your 3rd day of the 5 day Banff itinerary will be spent at Johnston Canyon. Be sure to wear good walking shoes, bring layers and dress for the weather.

1. Head straight to Johnson Canyon.

The beginning of day 3 will be the same as the beginning of day 3 on the 3-day Banff Itinerary – the difference is going to be the amount of time you have, and what you do after the hike.

Choose between your two Johnston Canyon hikes: Upper Falls Trail (5 km/3.8 miles and takes 2-3 hours) or the Lower Falls Trail (2.2 km/1.36 miles and takes 1 hour roundtrip.)

I did the Upper Falls trail while carrying a 1-year old on my back, and my fitness level was only average. So the Upper Falls is doable as long as you have some fitness ability.

2. Lunch + Afternoon in Banff

After your hike, head back to Banff. Whether you did the 1 hour or 3 hour hike, you’ll have enough time to spend the afternoon in Banff

Head to the Cave Basin National Historic Sight, which is open until 5pm. It’s an x minute drive from Banff, or you can take ROAM transit route 4.

You have two options:

• Visit the cave only
• Get a thermal pass , which also allows you to visit the Banff Upper Hot Springs (which I highly recommend) and is open until 10pm

Visiting the Banff springs is a great way to relax after your hike. The springs have a great view of the rockies.

Pro Tip: You can even time your visit so that you’re in the thermal hot tub overlooking the mountains at sunset.

To buy the thermal pass, head to the Cave and Basin site first and buy the pass in person there (they don’t sell them online.)

Most people spend a couple hours exploring the cave, and then another 30-45 minutes at the Banff Upper Hot Springs. There is a bistro on site and a gift shop at the hot springs, or you could head back to Banff for dinner.

The two locations are a 10 minute drive from each other, but they’re both also on ROAM transit.

After your afternoon at the cave and spa, rest up for your 4th day in Banff.

Day 4 in Banff

5 Day Banff Itinerary

1. Head to Lake Minnewanka

Lake Minnewanka is about X from Banff, and there are three ways to get to there from Banff:

• Drive (about 20 minutes)
• Bike – you can rent a bike from Banff Cycle & Sport in downtown Banff, and it would take about an hour and a half to get there

If your visit falls between May and October, then I highly recommend doing a Lake Minnewanka boat cruise , which are 1 hour long. They take you around the lake, and there is live commentary teaching you interesting facts about the area.

Cruises can be booked through Viator or through the company website.

You should arrive at Lake Minnewanka at least 2 hours before your cruise time in order to guarantee a parking spot and have time to explore the area before your cruise. (Especially if you’re visiting during the summer, because the parking lot does fill up.)

Besides doing a boat cruise at Lake Minnewanka, other things to do are:

• Simply walk along the lake, exploring the pristine views. This was my favourite part about visiting Lake Minnewanka
• Go kayaking, paddle-boarding or rent a motorboat. Rentals are arranged on-site at Lake Minnewanka (you cannot reserve in advance.) More info here .
• If you’re visiting in winter, you could do cross country skiing or snowshoeing

Head back to Banff after spending some time in Lake Minnewanka, and grab lunch.

After lunch, head over to the Cascade of Time Garden which is just over the bridge from Banff. (The bridge is pedestrian friendly, but you can drive too.)

I’d recommend walking to the Cascade of Time Garden because it’s only a 10 minute walk from downtown Banff.

The Cascade of Time Garden is beautiful year-round, with flowers blooming in the summer, and lights that illuminate the area in the winter. There are picturesque views of surrounding mountains.

Entrance is free, and you don’t need a lot of time at the garden. In the summer, you may be here for an hour. I would say less time if its a chilly day during other seasons of the year.

Pro Tip: If the weather isn’t great or you don’t fancy the garden for any reason, then there are some great museums in Banff instead. (I recommend Banff National Historic Site, or Buffalo Nations Museum.)

Day 5 in Banff

1. head to yoho national park.

The final day of your 5 days in Banff will be spent exploring a different national park in the Canadian rockies, which is about 82.5 km (51.2 miles) from Banff – Yoho National Park.

Yoho in actually in the province of British Columbia, and like Banff, is pristinely, breathtakingly beautiful.

We drove around, enjoying the various sites. We didn’t really plan ahead, and you don’t need to – it will be self explanatory and well-marked with signs when you arrive.

The key things to get a look at are:

• Emerald Lake (the busiest area in the park, possibly the only place where you may see some crowding, mostly in July and August)
• Kicking Horse River
• Lake O’Hara
• Takakkaw Falls

Another option (whether or not you have a car in Banff) is to book this full day tour in Yoho which brings you to see all the key things that there are to see – Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls and more.

If you do the tour, your Yoho park pass fees are included, but otherwise you can buy them at the gate upon arrival. It’s $11 for adults, and under 17s are free of charge.

2. Evening in Banff

Visiting Yoho National Park will take most of the day, especially when you factor in the time it takes to head there and back from Banff.

Pro Tip: Most restaurants in Banff take online reservations, and I recommend making them especially if you’re visiting in July or August.

Where to Stay in Banff

Here are some of the best places to stay in the town of Banff and the surrounding areas

If you have a car, you have more options on where to stay in the area. Your main options are:

• stay right in the town of Banff
• stay in the town of Canmore which is 15 minutes away.

I chose to stay in Canmore my first time in Banff because it’s a lot cheaper, and a cute town in itself. Since you have a car, this is a viable option.

Overall, here are places I recommend in both Banff and Canmore:

• Budget:   Canmore Inn & Suites  -15 minute drive from Banff, has a swimming pool with waterslide and an on-site restaurant (I stayed here once with kids and we really enjoyed it.)
• Mid-Range:  Brewster Mountain Lodge   Right downtown Banff, has beautiful rooms and offers a hearty breakfast
• Luxury: The Fairmont Banff Springs  is honeymoon-level luxury and just 25 minutes from downtown Banff, surrounded by rockies

Banff Itinerary FAQ

Here are the most commonly asked questions about the amount of time to spend in Banff, and how to get around Banff

How many days in Banff is enough?

To visit Banff, you need a minimum of 3 days and 4 nights. However, I would recommend more time if you want to do activities like canoeing, hiking, skiing, museums, and other outdoor adventure activities. I believe 5 days is optimal in Banff, but 3 days is certainly doable.

Can you do Banff in 3 days?

Yes, it’s possible to do Banff in 3 days. You may not have time for extensive leisurely activities, but 3 days is enough time to see all the highlights in Banff.

Do you need a car in Banff?

A car is helpful in Banff, but you don’t need one to get around Banff. In fact, the parking situation at some of the Banff attractions is so challenging that it’s almost easier to get around Banff using the number of public transit options that are available.

Final Thoughts on this Banff Itinerary

Whether you’re interested in outdoor activities, or simply want to take in the gorgeous views, you’ll find no shortage of things to do in Banff, year-round.

If you have any flexibility in your schedule, I recommend adding on a 4th or 6th day to your Banff itinerary to explore the Icefields parkway. You can do this by car or there are tours that take you there as well. Take a look at our 7 day itinerary of Banff and Jasper.

You could take the Icefields Parkway all the way to Jasper, or simply drive up for a while before heading back to Banff. I missed the Icefields Parkway during my first trip in Banff and deeply regretted it.

Regardless of whether you have 3 days, 5, or more, I am certain that you’ll be in awe of the beauty of Banff and the Canadian rockies, and most definitely will want to visit again.

The PERFECT Banff Itinerary You Can’t Miss (2024 Guide)

• Last Updated: April 2, 2024

If you’re looking for the best 3 days in Banff itinerary you’ve come to the right place!

This dreamy mountain town set in the heart of the Canadian Rockies is a place high on a lot of people’s bucket lists, and for good reasons.

This mountain resort town is home to some of Canada’s most beautiful scenery, wildlife and amazing activities. With iconic sights like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and various national parks, nature lovers and photographers have to book a trip to Banff!

The town itself is surrounded by nearly 7000 square kilometres of the spectacular Banff National Park just waiting to be explored. And for a first-time visitor, 3 perfect days in Banff will give you just the taste you need to be hooked.

While the town is easy enough to get around on foot or by bike, in order to reach some of the trailheads and attractions it is best to have a vehicle.

However, if that isn’t in your budget you will still be able to see tons of what Banff has to offer but utilizing the public transit system and shuttles, especially for the ski hills.

Most of the hotels and restaurants are located in the main downtown area, which is also one of the prettiest in the Rockies.

READ MORE: Click here for a more detailed guide on what to do in Banff!

Stroll through the parks, indulge in some afternoon drinks on a patio and just soak in the views. They are everywhere you look after all so it’s hard to miss them.

Millions of visitors flock to Banff every year for skiing, hiking, or just exploring the great outdoors of Banff National Park.

No matter what your travel style or budget, you’ll be able to find something to do here for everyone.

My 3-day Banff itinerary includes all these epic spots:

The Icefields Parkway

• Banff National Park
• Lake Louise and Lake Moraine
• Cave and Basin National Historic Site
• Cycling around downtown
• Johnston Canyon
• Two Jack Lake
• Vermillion Lakes
• Lake Minnewanka

Banff Gondola

• And plenty more…

Table of Contents

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

Explore banff town, exploring the lakes & johnston canyon, banff upper hot springs, banff hiking trails, when to visit banff, getting around banff, where to stay in banff, the best hostel in banff – samesun hostel, best budget accommodation for couples – banff rocky mountain resort, best mid-range hotel in banff – fox hotel & suites, best luxury hotel in banff – fairmont banff springs, budget – bear street tavern, mid-range – the grizzly house, high-end – the bison restaurant, my ultimate 3 days in banff itinerary.

From Banff National Park and the famous Lake Louise to the museums, spas, and ski resorts, there are so many attractions to keep you busy during a 3 day Banff itinerary.

You’ll be surprised how much you can do here in 3 days. So hopefully this Banff itinerary will help you make the most of your trip.

Day 1 – The Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise and Lake Moraine in Banff National Park

With no commercial airport, it’s likely that after your flight you’ll have a car journey ahead of you to kick start your itinerary for 3 days in Banff.

If not you’ll want to rent a car and start driving through Banff National Park along one of Canada’s most beautiful stretches of highway.

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

The first thing you need to do on any 3 day Banff itinerary after renting a car is go for a spectacular drive to Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and along the Icefields Parkway.

About an hour up the road you’ll come to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, two of the crown jewels in the Banff National Park.

We recommend heading up early to watch the sunrise over Moraine Lake, where you’ll be absolutely amazed at the perfect reflections of the 10 peaks on the still body of water.

If you’re up for a fun activity, rent a canoe and paddle out on Moraine Lake.

After Moraine Lake, drive back towards Lake Louise and spend an hour or two wandering around the lake.

If it’s winter, definitely grab some ice skates and go for a carve on the frozen Lake Louise. The views from Lake Louise are seriously next level.

An alternative driving route if you’re coming to Lake Louise from Banff is the Bow Valley Parkway. This scenic winding route from Banff to Lake Louise is quiet and peaceful. The Bow Valley Parkway is 48km one way.

Next, hit the Icefields Parkway after enjoying Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

This is known as one of the world’s best road trips, and you can’t visit Banff National Park without checking it out.

The road stretches from Lake Louise all the way to Jasper National Park, and along the way you’ll find some of the most beautiful spots in all of Canada.

From Athabasca Falls, to Sunwapto Falls, to the Columbia Icefield, you’re going to be stopping the car a lot for photos, we can guarantee that.

If you make it all the way to another highlight of the Canadian Rockies near Banff, Jasper National Park, check out Maligne Lake and Canyon and Pyramid Lake.

Bow Lake is one of the best things to see in Banff National Park, located about 37 km north of Lake Louise. Take a dip in Bow Lake if you dare! It’s beautiful for a swim but the water is freezing so it’s best on a hot summer day.

Peyto Lake is another stunning spot.

Once you’ve seen everything you can on the Icefields Parkway and Banff National Park, and you’ve snapped lots of photos of Lake Louise, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, and Moraine Lake, make your way back to Banff.

Read next: The Best Things To Do In Jasper, Canada

Once you arrive in Banff town, you’ll want to get right into exploring. While the town of Banff is not massive it does have tons to be explored, and one of the best ways to do that is by renting a bike and touring Banff town.

A list of trails surrounding the town can also be found here but the downtown area has well-marked cycle paths for those visiting Banff.

If you’re on foot stop into Wildflower Bakery for a coffee to wake you up and head down to the Bow River Trail for your first bit of exploring.

The paved trail runs parallel to the Bow River and is really just the perfect place for a stroll,  to sit out and enjoy the view, or go for a run.

Wander through the beautiful parks and eventually, you’ll come to the Banff Park Museum.

This lovely little museum is housed in a historic log manor from 1903 and you’ll be able to find out all sorts of fun facts about the town of Banff and what it has seen over the years.

It’s also a really cool place to see some incredible artifacts and a massive collection of wildlife specimens from the Rockies.

Not too far off from here, you’ll also find the Whyte Museum of the Candian Rockies.

This museum offers visitors a chance to dive deep into the culture of the Rockies as well as gain a better understanding of the first people who settled here.

Exhibits here change often but the permanent collection includes items from Banff’s history with sports, skiing and the great outdoors.

 To keep with the museum theme the Buffalo Nations Museum is a great opportunity to learn more about the indigenous peoples of Canada and what they have brought to not only the town but the surrounding provinces.

One of the best ways to spend 3 days in Banff is heading out to Cave and Basin National Historic Site .

The thermal waters that surround this area have been quite a significant aspect of Banff history since 1883 when they were discovered by railway workers.

There are daily tours offered which allow visitors to experience the area and get up close and personal with the incredible bubbling waters.

There are also lantern tours offered from May-August to see the caves by a lantern which is really special. 

To cap off the first day of your itinerary for 3 days in Banff you’ll be hoping for a clear night. Why you might ask? Well, a clear night is the best way to experience a dark sky preserve.

Bundle up and head out to Stargaze in Banff on any bench downtown. But if you want the perfect spot it needs to be free from any lights from cars or lampposts.

Driving a little way out of town can help with this, or heading to the Bow Valley parking lot even. You’ll likely never have seen stars so bright until you see them in Banff.

READ MORE: Plan your trip to Canada with our comprehensive Travel Guide .

Day 2 – Canyons, Lakes & Hot Springs

As you kick off your 2nd day in Banff, you’re hopefully waking up to a gorgeous sunrise over the mountains.

Pack your bags, grab your camera, and don’t forget your bathing suit, yes even in winter. You’ll be off for one awesome day in Banff.

No matter what time of year you’ll always be able to find something amazing to do in Banff. It may just be a matter of whether or not you prefer skating on the lakes to swimming in them.

One of the most visited locations is also one of the most beautiful in summer or winter.

Johnston Canyon is less than a 30-minute drive and will have you feeling as if you’ve stepped into another world.

In the wintertime, Johnston Canyon full of waterfalls freezes over and becomes an incredible place to walk.

This activity can be done on your own but if you don’t have your own gear you can join in on a day trip where you’ll be able to experience these 30 m high frozen falls and see the canyon in a whole new way.

Visiting in the warmer months means you’ll be able to hike through Johnston Canyon, experience the rope bridges and get right up close to the waterfalls.

A truly breathtaking spot, and one you could spend all day. But with only 3 days in Banff you’ll be keen to check out more.

While the mountains are what draw visitors to this part of Canada, the Lakes are equally as spectacular and there are a few not to be missed while staying in Banff.

Along the TransCanada Highway is where you’ll find Two Jack Lake, the perfect spot for an afternoon picnic and a hike.

The 3.2 km loop trail is well marked and will give you access to the beautiful lake and also connects to a campground.

Vermillion Lakes is located just west of Banff and is the perfect place for a paddle.

At the base of the incredible Mount Rundle , Vermillion Lakes is great for renting canoes and soaking in the views from the boat.

READ MORE: Check out this guide to the best hikes in Banff

Or make your way out here in the depths of winter as it’s a great spot to catch the Northern Lights.

One of the most famous lakes in the area lies just to the East and you’ve probably seen it on any number of postcards.

Lake Minnewanka is glacially fed which gives it that stunning turquoise colour.

At 21km long, this lake is one of the largest in the Rockies and perfect for any number of activities.

An amazing way to enjoy the lake is by booking a guided wildlife tour . Not only can you check out the scenery, but your local guide will help you spot some wildlife like elk, deer, and bighorn sheep.

In the winter there are cross country ski and snowshoe trails set up across Lake Minnewanka.

The hiking trails in the area are also worth checking out. Specifically, the Devils Gap trail which takes you up above Lake Minnewanka for some stunning views.

After a day of exploring the best way to end, it is with a dip at the Banff Upper Hot Springs.

Soak in the gorgeous thermal pools while looking out over the mountains, and don’t let a little cold weather or snow scare you off either.

Banff Upper Hot Springs is the perfect spot to watch the snowfall. For more information and rates visit the website .

For a perfect cap to the second of your 3 Days in Banff itinerary head to the Fairmont Banff Springs for a meal in one of their many restaurants or a drink in the car.

Looking like a castle and with some of the best views of the mountains it’s a must-visit location even if staying there is out of your budget. 

Day 3 – The Banff Gondola and Hiking

The last of your 3 Days in Banff itinerary has arrived, but never fear you’ll be in for an incredible day in the mountains to finish things off. 

We’ve dedicated the last of this 3 day Banff itinerary to the amazing hiking trails. If you’re visiting in winter and prefer to hit the slopes, Lake Louise Ski Resort is one of the best places to ski or snowboard in the Canadian Rockies.

You can choose to spend a day visiting Lake Louise and the ski slopes, or do the hiking and sightseeing listed below!

So before a day of hiking, grab a hearty breakfast in Banff town at Coyotes Southwestern Grill before kicking off a magical mountain adventure in the national park.

For some great views and fun hikes, you don’t need to embark on a 7-hour journey to see it.

One of the best ways to spend 3 days in Banff is by searching out the best views and the best hikes.

But you really don’t need to go far to find those things.

Bow Valley Falls is located fairly close to the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs and can be accessed from town on foot fairly easily.

While these falls are not the highest in the area they produce a huge volume of water which is so cool to see.

There is a trail here that takes you up above the falls, however, this is closed in the winter but the viewpoint is still open.

No itinerary for 3 days in Banff could be complete without seeing one of the best views of the town so be sure to head up Tunnel Mountain.

Easily reached from town you can access the trailhead from Tunnel Mountain road and up you go, 2.5 km to the summit.

You’ll be able to see all of Banff from above and the turquoise lakes and rivers running through the center.

On your way back through town grab some lunch to go from Laggan’s Deli and head out for a hike.

North of Banff between Norquay and Banks head is Cascade Mountain, one of the most visited trails in the area.

Alternating scrambles and switchbacks will definitely make you sweat but the views along the way will be more than worth the effort. This trail is not ideal for winter visitors, so if your trip takes you out in the winter months opt for Rawson Lake .

Surrounded by incredible peaks you can hike this trail with or without snowshoes and you’ll find the most stunning panoramic views from the top.

As you head back from your afternoon of hiking make sure you stop in at the Banff Gondola which travels up Sulphur Mountain.

At the summit of Sulphur Mountain, the entire Rocky Mountain range will be on display for you to admire.

Enjoy the cable car ride up through the trees and snap dozens or hundreds of shots from the observation deck as the sun sets over the mountains.

Enjoy a drink at the onsite Sky Bistro or stay and have dinner. For more details click here .

To cap off your amazing 3 days in Banff, head to Park Distillery.

Using the freshest and purest waters in Canada, taste your way through their selection of whiskeys, gins and vodkas to find your favourite for a nightcap.

READ MORE: Be sure to add these other great things to do in Banff to your itinerary.

Banff Travel Guide

Now that you know what to do in Banff, here is some information that will help you know the best time to visit, how to get around, where to stay and what to eat when you visit.

When it comes to planning your 3 days in Banff itinerary one thing you’ll want to know is when the best time to visit will be.

The answer to this really depends on what sort of activities you are hoping to do here.

If you’re after a winter wonderland trip full of skating, skiing, hot tubs and snowy views you’ll want to visit Banff in the winter.

From December until March you’ll find Banff National Park covered in a blanket of pristine sparkly snow, but also may experience extremely cold temperatures.

If you’re hoping for sunny skies and warm afternoons for hiking, canoeing and swimming May through September are the perfect months for your adventure.

The weather in the Rockies can be slightly temperamental so don’t rely on the forecast for your trip, it likely will change.

If over breakfast the snow is dumping down, you could experience sunny blue skies by lunchtime.

Or if you’re out hiking in the warm weather, by the time you summit, the temperatures could drop drastically.

So it is always best to be prepared by layering up.

Downtown Banff is perfect for walking or cycling. If you base yourself within the town center you’ll never be more than a few minutes from the shops, restaurants and beautiful parks.

If you are looking to get out a bit further or have limited mobility there is a public transit system called Roam. You can find all the details on routes and schedules here .

 If you are arriving into the Rockies on a flight, you’ll likely fly into Calgary, and from there you’ll be able to get a coach or private transfer from the airport right to Banff town center.

However, the easiest option on how to tour Banff in 3 days will definitely be by car.

If you are arriving into Banff by train there are several car rental companies in town to check out.

Additionally, there are dozens of car rental opportunities from the airport.

If you are visiting in the winter be sure to choose a rental vehicle that is equipped with winter tires especially if you plan to do any backcountry hiking where the roads may not be cleared. 

For exploring Banff National Park and other nearby national parks on your own schedule, a rental car is the way to go.

Exploring Banff in 3 days you’ll surely be spending every day on your feet. This means when it comes to choosing somewhere to rest up for the next day you’ll want to make sure you’ve made the right choice.

From cabins tucked away in the woods, to central hotels with beautiful mountain views, to lodges in Banff National Park, there are many options.

You’ll find beautiful resorts with incredible amenities like spas and heated outdoor pools, and budget-friendly social hostels perfect for meeting new adventure buddies.

The town of Banff may not be huge but it definitely does not lack accommodation options for every budget on any style of trip.

Accommodations In Banff

If you’re looking for the best hostel that’s central to town, while having an epic party atmosphere, this is the spot for you .

The Samesun Hostel is part of the great chain found all over the country, and you need to do yourself a favour and stay in at least one during your trip here.

In Banff they have a great social area both indoors and outdoors, a kitchen, cozy rooms and storage for skis and snowboard gear.

If you’re on a romantic getaway Banff Rocky Mountain Resort is the perfect place for relaxation.

With a cozy laid back cabin vibe, there is also a lovely restaurant on-site and outdoor hot tubs to watch the stars with your partner after a day of exploring.

Less than a 10-minute walk from the town centre, The Fox Hotel is in the best location.

Keeping with the mountain vibe with the decor in every room and the common areas, this hotel will keep your mountain-loving holiday going strong even as you sleep.

If you want to experience staying in a Canadian Castle, look no further than the Fairmont Banff Springs . Upscale rooms with personal jacuzzis,  incredible dining options and the most beautiful mountain views from everywhere.

This is the quintessential fairytale location for your 3 day Banff itinerary.

Best Restaurants In Banff

While the town of Banff might be small, there is nothing small about the food and drink choices here. A melting pot of cultures and cuisines for every visitor with any budget.

In the center of town, you’ll find Bear Street Tavern.  Amazing pizzas, salads and quality pub food with a great beer menu to match.

Plus they have an awesome patio, perfect for summer.

The Grizzly House is a landmark in Banff and the best fondue restaurant in the Rockies. Plus they keep things interesting with things like alligator and rattlesnake on the menu.

Be brave or enjoy a classic, it’s all fantastic!

Whether you’re visiting The Bison Restaurant in the summer for their patio or winter for a cozy post-ski meal, the whole menu is delicious.

A farm to table approach with locally sourced and seasonal creations perfect for any meal.

Another high end restaurant option is the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise fine dining restaurant. This is a luxury resort on Lake Louise, so even if you can’t afford staying at this magnificent hotel, you can still enjoy an incredible meal there with views of Lake Louise.

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Laura Oxley

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Banff Itinerary: A 3-Day Travel Guide for 2024

If there’s anything Canada is famous for – after absurdly friendly people and maple syrup – it’s got to be its stunning nature and landscapes. Banff National Park is perhaps the most famous showcase of the country’s natural beauty, considering it hosts more than 4 million visitors every year.

And let me tell you, when you visit Banff in the high season – it shows! If you’re planning to visit Banff, but only have a couple of days, you can use this comprehensive Banff itinerary for 3 days to plan your trip!

Read on for a guide to visiting Banff National Park in 3 days including maps, points of interest, tips for beating the crowds, a short packing list, things to do in Banff, the best time to visit Banff, and as always – tons of excellent photography locations in Banff National Park!

All of my favorite places are denoted in the headline with a ★ so you know which places you absolutely should not miss on your Banff road trip itinerary!

Before you go to Banff National Park

You don’t need to overplan your trip, but there are a couple of things you’ll want to make sure are all squared away before you go to Banff National Park:

Duration – 3 days Dates visited – August 27-29

Where to stay in Banff

Depending on where you stay in and around Banff, you can spend wildly different amounts on accommodation. The most important thing to do, is to BOOK IN ADVANCE , especially if you are planning to visit during Summer!

One of my colleagues booked more than seven months in advance and found most of Banff was already booked out. If you haven’t booked accommodation yet, head over to my post dedicated to where to stay in Banff for details on how to pick accommodation in Banff.

Otherwise, here are a couple of options to consider:

• Banff town – Right in the thick of things, staying in Banff will save you about 40 minutes of travel each day compared to Canmore. Tons of excellent dining, though on the pricier side both for food and accommodation. Check out Banff Ptarmigan Inn , which strikes a good balance between having those mountain lodge vibes and being affordable by Banff standards. Click here to check hotel availability in Banff for the dates of your visit.
• Canmore, Alberta – This is where we stayed! Located less than 20 minutes from Banff, but has a bigger selection (being a slightly bigger town). It’s less expensive, has less competitive parking, and more selection. Specifically, we stayed at this resort in Canmore , and enjoyed having a suite with a full kitchen. It’s also really family-friendly with an indoor swimming pool with a slide for the kids, and several nice restaurants within walking distance. Click here to check availability in Canmore for hotels during the dates of your visit.
• Lake Louise – Easily the most stunning place to stay, if you’ve got the budget for it! Wake up every morning with lake views (and enjoy that sweet priority parking). Without a doubt, the Fairmont Chataeu Lake Louise is easily the most coveted place to stay near Banff . Definitely the place I would stay if I were loaded with money (or just enjoying a special occassion like a birthday or anniversary!). Click here to see other hotels in Lake Louise for the dates of your visit.

Looking for hotels in Banff is not for the faint of heart. Learn where to stay in Banff, the pros and cons of different locations, what to look for in accommodation in Banff, tips for doing it on a budget.

Should you rent a car in Banff?

If possible, I recommend renting a car with 4-wheel drive . It will give you an unparalleled amount of flexibility to customize this itinerary to your own needs and interests! The roads are very well-paved but depending on what you plan to do, you might want to add gravel protection to your insurance. That said, there are loads of tours running in and around Banff in case renting a car isn’t feasible for you.

Our favorite place to rent cars is DiscoverCars.com . We’ve used them in almost every country we’ve visited with no issues.

Fun and affordable Banff activities

There are three main activities mentioned in this itinerary : two right near Banff and one along the Icefields Parkway. Here’s a handy list with my own reviews in case you are currently on the hunt for activities in and around Banff!

And without further ado…here is the full 3-day Banff itinerary .

You can take the Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain at sunset for these amazing views 😄

Banff Itinerary for 3 days

Day 1: banff and surroundings, day 2: icefields parkway, day 3: lake louise, moraine lake, bow valley parkway.

Today is all about getting to know the area directly around the town of Banff and the town itself. We’ll start early in the morning on the Lake Minnewanka Loop and pop by ultra-reflective Two Jack Lake before continuing on to our Minnewanka Lake Cruise on the largest lake in Banff National Park. After that we’ll go for an early lunch in Banff before taking a look at Bow River on our way to the Mount Norquay Viewpoint and then the Vermillion Lakes . Our last stop before dinner is Johnston Canyon , and after dinner we’ll take the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain to watch sunset.

Two Jack Lake ★

Arrive at Two Jack Lake early in the morning for the stillest water and the best reflections. Two Jack is connected to Lake Minnewanka, yet has its own small-lake vibes. If you’re keen to have breakfast outdoors, Two Jack Lake has a number of picnic spots for you to enjoy the early hours with a coffee in your hand.

Two Jack gets a lot less attention than its big sister Minnewanka, so in the morning you’ll have the place mostly to yourself. So long as you take the longer branch of the Lake Minnewanka Loop you’ll have an easy time stopping here on your way to your boat cruise.

Lake Minnewanka ★

I originally booked a cruise on Lake Minnewanka after reading an itinerary where the author considered it the highlight of her trip! Especially since I was traveling with my parents and my boyfriend, we thought it would be a good way to kick off the trip. We learned about the history of the lake, both in terms of the original inhabitants and the explorers of Europe, got to taste some pine tea and locally-made sourdough bread. Our guide was ultra friendly and took time to answer questions in addition to telling lots of stories about the lake.

I even saw a bald eagle fly over the boat! It’s also possible to see other animals like wolves or bears, but of course when it comes to nature, it’s all about getting lucky 😄

My own takeaway from the trip was that it’s a great way to experience Banff’s largest lake and get some context about the park before starting our 3-day experience.

Note: There is only one company that offers cruises on Lake Minnewanka, called Brewster with the parent company Pursuit. You’ll see that they offer lots of different tours throughout Banff, and also operate the Banff Gondola. In general our experiences with them were positive!

We chose the 1.5 hour extended cruise. It was something like $10 more per person but 50% longer so we thought it seemed like a great deal. Furthermore, our cruise had just a few people on it whereas the classic cruise was totally packed, even when we arrived 15 minutes early.

Here are the different types of Lake Minnewanka cruises:

• 10AM – 1.5 hour extended cruise
• 12PM – Childrens cruise
• 5PM – Beer cruise

If you have the time, you can also do a hike to Stuart Canyon from Lake Minnewanka. Ultimately we opted against it because we wanted to go for an early lunch in Banff so we’d have plenty of time to do things afterwards before our dinner reservation at Park Distillery .

Banff town ★

The town of Banff is the epicenter of this part of the national park. It’s become famous on instagram for its mountain views right from the main street, Banff Avenue. The main challenge we faced when visiting Banff was parking our massive truck, but we eventually got lucky with the row of parking right on Bow River .

Besides being the home of plenty of great restaurants (with high prices to match), you can buy all the Banff sweaters and leaf-shaped maple syrup bottles your heart desires in Banff. It’s also the starting point for a lot of day tours, and therefore a convenient place to stay if you aren’t self-driving Banff National Park.

Bow River and Bow Falls

You can take the scenic route around Banff and you’ll find both the river and the waterfall right in the heart of town. One of the common things you’ll be thinking about on this trip is how incredible the color of the water is. That’s because the Bow River is fed by the Bow Glacier, which imparts its amazing color.

Mount Norquay Viewpoint

After lunch, you can do a short drive up Mount Norquay, a popular spot for skiing around Banff. There’s an obvious turnout and viewpoint that’ll give you a view over Banff and across to Tunnel Mountain, Mount Rundle, and Sulphur Mountain. We also got lucky enough to spot a whole herd of mountain sheep!

This lookout point has a large plain of grass in case you prefer to prepare yourself a picnic and eat in the grass and enjoy the view.

Vermillion Lakes

Next are the Vermillion Lakes, which we found surprisingly unpopulated despite the close proximity to the town of Banff. There are two main ways you can see the Vermillion Lakes: either from the lookout point connected to the highway or by driving along a road that winds along parallel to the lakes and the highway at the lake level. Ideally you take the time for both!

What makes the Vermillion Lakes special is the view of Mount Rundle, the distinctive jagged mountain in the distance. In the morning or winter when the water is still, you can see a clear reflection of the mountain in the lakes.

Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon is probably one of the most popular sites on today’s itinerary, given that the “hiking trail” is totally paved and easy to access for families. That means the first part of the trail through the canyon is going to have quite a lot of people, especially in the Summer.

There are three points of interest at different distances: the lower falls, the upper falls, and the ink pots. We only made it to the lower falls and honestly found it a little bit underwhelming – there was a queue to see the waterfall from inside a cave and the view was not much different than seeing it from the outside.

That said, the upper falls are where you’ll find the instagram-famous version of Johnston Canyon, so if you’re on the hunt for photos definitely do the extra trek to get there! It’s not that much longer in total.

Banff Gondola / Sulphur Mountain

After dinner, you can head up the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain to watch the sunset over Banff town and its surroundings. If the clouds behave you can end up with a really spectacular sunset, and what’s better – if you buy gondola tickets after 5PM you get a small discount!

When we went there was a “Sunset Festival” happening at the top of Sulphur Mountain, though the performer was not that great so I wouldn’t necessarily recommend spending your whole evening up here. And indeed, after the sun had thoroughly set, most people were queueing up to head back down to town.

Icefields Parkway is considered one of the most scenic road trips you can do in the entire world . The whole time you’ve got mountains on either side, glaciers cropping up in the distance, and even wildlife easily spotted from the road. This epic stretch of road connects Banff National Park with Jasper National Park to the north. While you’d ideally spend at least two days driving the Icefields Parkway, it’s doable in a single day.

Our strategy was to focus on stops on the side of the road with the best sunlight during that time of day in order to snap the best photos. For the most part we focused on driving up north quickly, and only start to make stops after hitting the half-way point.

That means on the way up we stopped at Bow Lake , Big Bend Lookout , Panther Falls , Athabasca Glacier , Sunwapta Falls , Athabasca Falls , and fueling up in Jasper .

On the way back to Canmore, we stopped at Saskatchewan River Crossing , Tangle Falls , Peyto Lake , and Herbert Lake .

We woke up around 6AM in order to leave by 7:30AM for a long day of driving. If you want to take more sunrise photos, you’ll probably need to get up earlier in the Summer. Make sure you have plenty of gas in your car , the only place to gas up before you get to Jasper is the Saskatchewan River Crossing which is more expensive than getting gas beforehand. You should also be aware that these services are not available in the Winter, so be prepared!

Our first stop in the morning is Bow Lake , which is probably the most famous for its ultra-reflective water. It also has a fabulous color in the sunlight thanks to the adjoining glacier. This lake is pretty massive and it’s very easy to walk down to the shore for some up-close photos.

Big Bend / Cirrus Mountain Lookout

After Bow Lake we’ll drive for a while and try to make some progress along the Icefields Parkway. Make sure that once you transfer from the Trans Canada Highway that you change onto the 93, which is the Icefields Parkway that leads to Jasper. There’ll be a checkpoint for your park pass, and you can also get a map with some points of interest along the parkway.

The next stop we’ll make is at a big curve in the road, called Big Bend (named after a nearby mountain). If you stop at the lookout point on top, there’s a great view over the road and you can even see a waterfall trickling down the side of the mountain.

This is where Banff and Jasper National Parks meet, so be prepared that you’ll soon be entering a new national park (and that you have your park pass in order 😉).

Panther Falls

Shortly after the Big Bend lookout point, you’ll see another turnout where you can stop. From here it’s possible to do a short (but slightly trecherous) hike to Panther Falls . This spot isn’t on any of the maps, probably because there isn’t much infrastructure around it and you can walk right up to the cliffs. Obviously – don’t do that, the drop is steep and leads directly to the bottom of the waterfall. If you’re careful you can catch a glimpse of a very special and hidden waterfall.

Note: Access to these falls is a little dangerous so please be careful!

Athabasca Glacier ★

Icefields Parkway gets its name for the enormous Columbia Icefield that rests on top of the mountain range. It’s the largest accumulation of ice south of the Arctic Circle! The glaciers we see are just “toes” of that larger icefield, and the Athabasca Glacier is one of the largest. You can get close to a certain point, enough for some really nice pictures!

But if you want to actually get onto the glacier and see it up close, you can take a tour by the same company that runs the Minnewanka Lake Cruise and the Banff Gondola:

• Athabasca Glacier Tour and Glacier Skywalk – This tour lets you drive right up on the glacier in a special vehicle! Taking a tour like this is the only way to safely get on the glacier yourself. It lasts for 3 hours, and has really flexible times: you just show up at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discover Center and you can join any of the tours that depart every 15-30 minutes.
• Columbia Icefields, Glacier Skywalk, and Lake Louise tour – If you’re open for a full-day tour, this one combines a number of highlights from the Icefields Parkway into a single trip: Lake Louise (easily Banff’s most famous lake), Peyto Lake, and two glaciers – one of which you’ll explore on foot the same way as the other tour, on an Ice Explorer! This tour has overwhelmingly positive reviews on TripAdvisor.

Sunwapta Falls ★

You can choose to visit Sunwapta Falls either on your way up the Parkway or back down, but we opted to do it on the way up in order to get the falls in good lighting. Here you can see that a good part of the falls was already in shade when we arrived a little after noon.

After shooting some photos, we stopped at a picnic spot for lunch. There are really not a lot of places to eat out here, though you could theoretically eat lunch at the Saskatchewan River Crossing on the way up if you’re running a bit late or a bit early. Otherwise, we made it up to Jasper and there are plenty of options there.

Athabasca Falls

Athabasca Falls are the highest volume waterfalls in Jasper National Park, and super powerful! While I didn’t find them as picturesque as Sunwapta Falls, they were still worth the stop. There’s a lot of infrastructure that allows you to see the falls from different angles.

Jasper pitstop

After reaching Athabasca Falls, you’re only about 20 kilometers away from Jasper. You don’t need to come all the way up if you’d rather save time, but it’s a useful place to get gas and stock up on snacks. Probably the most famous sight in Jasper is Maligne Lake , which can only be reached through a road from Jasper that doesn’t connect back directly to the Icefields Parkway. We didn’t have time for this stop, but you might if you start reaaaaaaally early 😉

Saskatchewan River Crossing

You can get out here and see the spot where trappers and fur traders used to cross on their way into British Columbia. Again you’ll spot some more glaciers, and this is an opportune stop partway back to your home base along the Icefields Parkway.

Tangle Falls

Tangle Falls is right along the road, and if you drive too fast you’re likely to miss it. Unlike a lot of waterfalls, Tangle Falls is a place where you’re allowed to climb on the rocks around the waterfall. The map we got at the beginning of the parkway warned us to be on the lookout for sheep!

Peyto Lake ★

This lake is the highlight of the day, and we were lucky we got to visit it because the maps we received from the park service said it was closed for rennovation! Luckily we decided to check it out anyways, and after a short 15-20m hike for 2km on a paved path, you emerge with a high-level view of Peyto Lake! Peyto Lake is probably most famous for being shaped like the head of a wolf.

This lake is like a less frequented sister to the two lakes we’re visiting tomorrow: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. It has the same famous turquoise water. You can take a 2.8km hike to a higher viewpoint to get away from the crowds. We visited during Golden Hour and the crowds were certainly managable.

Herbert Lake

The last place we stopped on the way back from our Icefields Parkway drive was Herbert Lake, which is best known for its reflections in the water. On a day without wind, the lake acts like a perfect mirror for the trees and mountains above. Herbert Lake also has a number of spots for day camping if you want a spot to chill out and picnic.

This itinerary is all about saving the best for last. And today we’re going to two of the most famous lakes in the entire Banff region: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake . Read on for lots of tips on exactly how to reach these lakes, which are typically the most popular with tourists. After our lake adventures we’ll also stop by Castle Junction where you can get a great view of Castle Mountain before you continue along Bow Valley Parkway during Golden Hour. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife in the numerous meadows and forests along the way!

Lake Louise ★

When I was reading up on TripAdvisor exactly how I could reach Lake Louise, there were a number of people who said Lake Louise is the most beautiful places they’ve ever been. While I’ll admit it was gorgeous, I’m not sure I’d rank it that high – but you have to think, when you’re on the shores of Lake Louise, that it is a very, very special place.

And this special place attracts crowds. That said, I found the reviews on TripAdvisor to be completely overdramatic with the number of crowds (I was not, however, visiting Lake Louise on a weekend!). There are crowds but I thought that Parks Canada did a good job managing them and that the bus system was pretty well organized.

Read on for tips on how to reach Lake Louise and how it works.

How to reach Lake Louise

In essence you have five main options:

• Wake up before dawn and try to get a spot in the Lake Louise parking lot. Usually full of cars by 6:30AM.
• Take the free bus from the “overflow parking” to Lake Louise town and hike ~1h to the lake. Departs every 45 minutes.
• Pay $2 per person for a round trip directly to Lake Louise from the “overflow parking” lot. Departs every 15 minutes starting at 9am and has variable waiting times for the bus.
• Stay at the Fairmont Chataeu Lake Louise and wake up to a view of Lake Louise
• Take a tour to Lake Louise directly (this tour also includes many other beautiful stops).

We eventually took Option 3 as were traveling with my parents who weren’t so keen on waking up at 3AM to go to the lake. I can’t blame them 😂 In total our wait for the bus was probably around 45 minutes and the whole system seemed pretty organized. They send busses every 15 minutes and it helps control how many people are at the lake. We also found the lake a bit crowded but still totally mangable around 11AM on a Thursday in August.

At Lake Louise you can directly buy a ticket for the bus to Moraine Lake. That one costs $6 per person and you need to pick a time in advance when you want to go to the lake. We opted to spend 3 hours at Lake Louise for photos and eating lunch. One thing we missed in the area was a 3-hour round-trip hike to Lake Agnes , which we’d love to do on a return trip.

Moraine Lake ★

Moraine Lake, like Lake Louise, has limited parking that tends to fill up fast. When it’s full that means they close the parking lot altogether as people tend to spend a lot of time here. If you want to snag the famous photo of Moraine Lake with the sun on the tips of the mountains, you’re going to need to wake up damn early to get it!

Be sure to climb the Rockpile for the best photos of Moraine Lake at any time of day. When the sun is out, the lake becomes the most unbelievable turquoise color. Yes, it is a good or better than the photos! But you can really tell a difference between when the sun is out or when it’s cloudy.

Get this photo by climbing to the top of the Rockpile. There are quite a lot of stairs and you’ll be climbing over some rocks so wear sturdy shoes!

From Moraine Lake you can take the bus back to your car at the overflow parking. The return trip is included in the $6 ticket you bought at Lake Louise.

Castle Mountain ★

From Lake Louise, you’ll want to connect at Castle Junction. You might need to go slightly north to make sure you don’t miss this exact junction. As you cross at Castle Junction on your way to Bow Valley Parkway, stop before the bridge over Bow River and go through the wildlife gate (be sure to close it behind you) up to the river. From there you can take photos of Castle Mountain surrounded by water!

Castle Mountain looks best at sunset when it’s illuminated by the setting sun. This photo was taken in the morning.

Bow Valley Parkway

Bow Valley Parkway is a small highway that runs parallel to the Trans Canada Highway. You can take it at a slower pace – if you want to return to Johnston Canyon, you can do that along this stretch. Otherwise, be on the lookout for animals! This is a popular spot for animals to walk through, whether they are wolves or moose or other critters 😉

More beautiful places in Banff beyond this itinerary

It’s obviously impossible to see every bit of Banff and Jasper National Parks in just three days. I wanted to be sure to mention some of the places that we wanted to visit but didn’t find the time, either because it was a longer hike, we ran out of time, or we passed it on the road.

• Lake Agnes – A 6.8km hike from Lake Louise.
• Emerald Lake (Yoho) – Another popular turquoise color lake with a picturesque lakehouse on its shores.
• Takakkaw Falls (Yoho) – The second tallest waterfall in Canada!
• Morant’s Curve – Famous spot to catch a photo of the Candian railway in action, located on the northern part of the Bow Valley Parkway.
• Maligne Lake and Spirit Island (Jasper) – Only accessible from Jasper from a road that doesn’t connect back directly to the Icefields Parkway. On my list to return to!
• Mistata Canyon – An easy stop on the Icefields Parkway, which we passed.
• Parker’s Ridge – This is a longer hike.
• Wilcox Pass – This is a longer hike.

Banff Packing List

What exactly you need to pack for Banff is going to depend on what kind of trip you’re planning to have. Obviously if you’ll be doing a lot of hiking, you’ll need appropriate clothing for that. But here are some of the main things I wouldn’t leave at home for this trip:

• Buy your park pass – Be sure to check whether a Parks Canada annual pass is more cost-effective for you. It gives you 12-months of unlimited entrance to over 80 different parks. Realize you will probably go to several parks during your stay in Banff, such as Banff itself, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, and potentially others.
• Carry bear spray – In Banff and the surrounding national parks, you’re expected to hike in groups of at least 4 people and always be carrying bear spray . If you’re driving to Canada, you ARE allowed to bring bear spray over the border (which is what we did). Otherwise, you should buy it once you’re in Canada because bear spray is not allowed to be in checked luggage.
• Bring hiking boots – Even some sights are close to the road yet require some hiking on unpaved paths. I stupidly only brought tennis shoes and I regretted it!
• Pack warm layers (even in Summer!) – The temperature variation in Banff can be pretty extreme, with cold mornings and evenings as well as hot mid-day sun suitable for shorts. Wear layers you can remove as the day warms up and put back on as it cools down. A wind layer will also come in handy for those mountain tops!
• Get an offline-friendly travel guide – Much of Banff National Park does NOT have cellular reception at all! You won’t be able to reliably use your data plan in the national park. If you want to check on-the-fly whether a stop or a hike is worthwhile, you are going to need an offline-friendly travel guide. See my recommendation below.

Recommended travel guide – I found this awesome Banff National Park guidebook extremely useful for planning our trip. It has great sample itineraries, color photos, hiking guides, tips for where to see wildlife, as well as information on Jasper and Glacier National Parks in addition to Banff itself. Again, this is really helpful when traveling somewhere without any cell reception.

Best time to visit Banff

Banff is a popular destination to visit year round, with the Summer months popular for the great weather and the winter months popular for winter sports such as skiing. Since Banff receives heavy snowfall, there are a lot of roads or hikes that are not accessible in Winter. That said, you can capture some really amazing photos in the wintertime that you can’t capture for the rest of the year. August begins so-called “Berry season” where the buffalo berry is ripe and the bears eat a quarter million berries daily to start fattening up for winter. Obviously in the Winter you probably wouldn’t see bears, since they are hibernating 😉

We went in late August and found that the weather was great and the days were still long, with sunset around 8:45PM. The crowds were apparent but still managable in the week before the school holiday. September starts to see crowds tapering off, and October is the month where many services start to close for winter. May and June mark the beginning of the tourism season.

Do you want to visit Banff National Park?

Let me know in the comments which of these beautiful locations you’d love to see the most, or if I missed your favorit spot!

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About the author

Hi there! I'm Monica, an American expat living in Germany for over six years and using every opportunity to explore the world from my homebase in Berlin. My goal is to capture my memories in photos and posts that show how easy it is to start from scratch and travel the world by working abroad.

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The Ultimate 3, 4 or 5 Days in Banff National Park Itinerary

Last Updated on March 7, 2024

by Audrey Webster

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

One of the most famous areas of the Canadian Rockies, planning the ideal 3, 4 or 5 days in Banff itinerary can take you through turquoise alpine lakes, snow-capped peaks, glaciers, historic towns, and much more. This incredible national park is popular for a reason – it is absolutely, jaw-droppingly gorgeous.

If you’ve been charmed by images of pristine lakes and imposing mountains, then it’s time to start planning a trip to Banff. This guide will outline how to map out your time regardless of whether you’re short on time or have several days to fill with active exploration!

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Banff National Park?

For those prepared to spend their days hiking and heading into the backcountry, there really is no limit on how many days to spend in Banff. However, most of us are limited on time.

If you have 3 days in Banff, plan to stick to the more populated parts of the park like Lake Louise and the town of Banff. Many of the park’s highlights land in and between these two areas.

With 4 days, you can spend a day driving further into the park to get away from the crowds and enjoy some scenic hikes.

Should you find yourself with 5 days, you’re in luck. This is the perfect amount of time to explore the highlights of Banff and get off the beaten path. You can even head over into nearby Yoho National Park one day.

If you have more time than that, you can also head north to visit Jasper National Park for a few days and make more of a road trip out of it. 

Getting To & Around Banff

You will want a car during your visit to Banff. Without one, it’s challenging to get around. The closest airport to Banff is Calgary’s International Airport, located about 80 miles east of the park. If you rent a car at the airport, it’s a straight shot along Trans-Canada 1 to reach the national park.

You can browse Rentalcars.com to compare prices across rental companies if you don’t have your own vehicle. Alternatively, browse Outdoorsy for RVs and campervans if you’re planning a longer trip.

Once in the park, you’ll lean on your car to get around. For some sites like Lake Louise and Lake Moraine, shuttles are available from the town of Lake Louise as parking at both lakes is limited. You’ll largely drive up and down the Bow Valley Parkway to reach landmarks throughout the park.

It’s a beautiful route with several opportunities to hop out and snap a photo. We recommend that you take your time as you drive. 

For people without their own vehicle, there is a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus from Banff or you can take some organised day trips such as this full-day tour from Banff town or Calgary, though it will be a long day!

3, 4 or 5-Day Banff National Park Itinerary

Your trip should be full of landmarks that are of the most interest to you. Below, we’ve outlined the best parts of the park to consider adding to your itinerary. Each day is composed of stops you can reasonably make in one day without feeling rushed. 

Day 1 – Lake Louise, Lake Agnes & Fairmont Chateau

Lake louise .

Without a doubt, Lake Louise is the most famous sight in Banff National Park. Photos of this turquoise mountain lake with towering peaks on either side have made their way across social media, transforming the lake into one of the most visited spots in the park.

That said, it’s very busy. The parking lot is small and usually fills up before eight in the morning. Most visitors hop the shuttle from the town of Lake Louise to reach the lake, so they avoid the headache of parking. If you want to drive yourself, plan to have an early morning. 

Once at the lake, you’ll quickly see why it’s so popular. It’s easily accessible for everyone and beautiful. You can rent a canoe to take out on the water or hike around it. It’s the jumping-off point for other hikes in Banff as well. 

Lake Agnes & the Beehive

The trail from Lake Louise to Lake Agnes is easy to spot. Looking at Lake Louise, head right, past the chateau (you’ll stop there later) and around the side of the lake. Eventually, the path will split, with one path heading up and the other going around Lake Louise. Lake Agnes is up.

The hike is about 3.5 kilometers with several nice lakes and vantage points to stop at along the way. Lake Agnes is less busy than Lake Louise, though not by much. Many people stop by the Lake Agnes Tea House, a tiny cafe right next to the lake. 

If you keep going beyond Lake Agnes, the trail will take you to Little Beehive and Big Beehive. You have the option of viewing these bizarre rock structures from below or climbing to the top for incredible views of Lake Louise. It’s about another three kilometers from Lake Agnes to Big Beehive.

Fairmont Chateau

After spending the better part of the exploring Lake Louise, Lake Agnes, and the beehives, pay a visit to the Fairmont Chateau. You couldn’t have missed it when you arrived as it is an iconic building on Lake Louise. This stunning chateau operates as a destination for big events and a 5-star hotel.

It has a restaurant and bar for a nice afternoon break after spending hours on the trail. It originally opened in 1890 and has over 500 rooms with 7 restaurants. It’s worth walking around the hotel and grabbing a bite to eat before heading back to your hotel in the town of Banff or campground. 

Day 2 – Moraine Lake & Larch Valley Hike or Paradise Valley Hike

Moraine lake.

Kick off your second day with a visit to Moraine Lake. If you thought Lake Louise was competitive, Moraine is even more so, especially in the autumn when the Larch trees begin to turn orange. No doubt visiting here is one of the best things to do in Banff.

You are not allowed to drive to Moraine Lake, you must take the shuttle or take an organised sunrise tour . Once you arrive, you’ll be impressed by the towering mountain that circles a deep blue lake.

Moraine Lake is famous for its Larches in autumn, bears during some months of the year, and the many hikes that use the lake as their trailhead. If you want to see Banff’s wildlife, consider taking this small group tour .

Minnestimma Lake

You’ll reach Minnestimma Lake by walking through Larch Valley from Moraine Lake. The trail is around six miles with just under 2,000 feet of elevation gain. The trail is stunning year-round, but especially during the fall. It begins on the main trail to Moraine Lake.

Follow this path until it splits—left goes to the path around Moraine while the right heads into Larch Valley. As you climb, you’ll be rewarded with views of Moraine Lake while surrounded by beautiful pine trees. Soon, you’ll come to Larch Valley. 

The Larch Valley hike to Minnestimma Lake is a favorite by many because it breaks hikers away from the crowds that flock to Moraine Lake. If you’re looking for a place to see a highlight of the park, but get away from the crowds, consider this hike. 

Giant Steps Waterfall

Seated directly between Moraine Lake and Lake Louise is the Giant Steps Waterfall. There are backcountry trails that take you to the waterfall and Moraine Lake, but most people visit the waterfall via Paradise Valley.

Compared to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, the Giant Steps waterfall is not very busy. It’s a nice relief from the crowds of these two places, while still keeping you centrally located in the park.

Now, this isn’t a short hike: it’s a 12-mile out-and-back trail that is a moderately challenging route. It’s best to choose either this hike or Larch Valley. 

Day 3 – Johnston Canyon, Vermillion Lakes & Lake Minnewanka

Johnston canyon.

Stray from the vibrant blue lakes and towering mountains, and head into Johnston Canyon. Hiking through this slot canyon is not for the faint of heart. The trail begins paved, taking hikers along the river and through trees until they reach the canyon.

Now, the trail shifts from pavement to a metal suspension path bolted to the canyon wall. Overall, it’s an easy trail. From the trailhead to the Upper Canyon Falls is just under six kilometers with little-to-no elevation gain.

There are two stops to make along the way: Lower Canyon Falls and Upper Canyon Falls. Be mindful while walking on this trail as it does sometimes get busy. 

If you’re not up for this hike, you could opt to spend your morning in Banff town itself, taking in the scenery and maybe even going for a ride on the Banff Gondola for incredible views.

Vermillion Lakes

Just outside the town of Banff sits a chain of lakes: Vermillion Lakes. It’s not uncommon to see people kayaking through these waters. Here, it’s completely silent. There are hiking and biking trails, as well as several places to pull off the road to picnic and enjoy the views.

Vermillion Lakes is a popular sunset spot, so plan accordingly if you want to visit this time of day. Aside from that, these lakes are usually quiet and serene without many people around. Take your time to drive and walk around, taking in the views. 

Lake Minnewanka

Lake Minnewanka sits right next to the town of Banff just past the smaller Two Jack Lake and the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. It’s a massive lake, the largest in Banff, tucked between mountains that provides space for boat rides, picnics, and swimming. You can hike near the lake or just take the time to relax.

Enjoy the view and sunshine along this beautiful lakeshore. During your visit, you should also consider taking a boat ride. Most lake cruises are one hour and provide visitors with a wealth of information about the history of Banff and the lake. 

Day 4 – Mistaya Canyon, Peyto Lake & Bow Lake

Mistaya canyon.

Mistaya Canyon is unlike anywhere you’ve visited before. Over hundreds of years, water carved its ways through the limestone to create a deep, twisty canyon that visitors marvel at.

The canyon is a stop along the Icefields Parkway route about 73 kilometers north of Lake Louise. Upon arrival, you’ll park in a small lot and follow the marked trail down to the canyon.

You first cross a bridge where you can look straight down into the rushing water pushing through the canyon. Continue on and take a left to walk out on the rock or take an alternative trail to explore the area further. 

So far during your time in Banff, you’ve seen several beautiful lakes, but you haven’t seen anything like Peyto Lake. This one is famous for being one of the most vibrantly colored lakes in the park. Peyto can be visited at its shore, but the most impressive view is the overlook.

From here, you can see the lake in its entirety and take in its impressive blue hues. It’s a short walk from the parking lot to the lookout where you’ll walk out on a viewing deck that protrudes from the cliff. 

During your 4 days in Banff, you should absolutely make a stop at Bow Lake. You’ll drive directly by it while on the Icefields Parkway—it’s about 37 kilometers north of Lake Louise. Due to its elevation at 1,920 meters, Bow Lake spends most of the year covered in ice. It’s a popular spot for winter activities.

During the months when the lake is thawed, it’s a jumping-off point for several great hikes. Like many of the lakes in Banff, Bow Lake is a vibrant turquoise color as a result of being fed by chilly glacial water. 

Day 5 – Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge & Takakkaw Falls

Emerald lake.

If you have 5 days in Banff National Park, head west toward Yoho National Park. Banff is located in a cluster of national parks that includes Yoho and Jasper. From downtown Banff, the drive is only about an hour.

Parking can be a challenge, so you’ll probably end up parallel parking along the road. Emerald Lake gets its name from its color. It’s one of the most vibrant lakes in the park, with trails all around it so you can explore the area in its entirety.

Emerald Lake gained its fame by being the largest body of water of Yoho’s 61 lakes and ponds. It’s well worth a visit if you have five days to spend in Banff.

Natural Bridge

Continue your exploration of this pocket of Yoho by visiting Natural Bridge. Located along the Kicking Horse River, this natural wonder appears as a bridge carved by rushing water. It’s an impressive sight that doesn’t usually get crowded.

While visiting, be careful as you walk around. The stone near the water can become slippery as water from the rapids below sprays up. Swimming here is not allowed.

It’s a quick stop after visiting Emerald Lake, located just about 3 kilometers away from the lake.

Takakkaw Falls

Takakkaw Falls is famous for being one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies. It’s located in Yoho near Emerald Lake, and you have a couple of options for how you visit the waterfall.

If you’re up for a big hike, you can take the 8-mile trail between Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls. Alternatively, you can drive about 40 minutes from Emerald Lake to the parking lot for the falls.

The main drop of the waterfall is 833 feet, coming in as the second-highest waterfall in Canada. The trail from the parking lot to the base of the waterfall is accessible to most everyone.

Where to Stay in Banff

High Country Inn – This 3-star hotel in Banff town makes for the perfect base when exploring the national park. They have a range of lovely rooms to choose from and a great location for exploring all this incredible natural area has to offer.

Canalta Lodge – If you’re looking for something a bit more high-end while visiting the park, then this hotel in the town of Banff makes for a great choice. There are a range of lovely rooms to choose from and plenty of plush amenities for guests to enjoy.

Private Rental – Those after their own cabin or apartment while on their trip to Banff should opt for a private vacation rental. There are countless options available – like this secluded studio – that can suit all kinds of visitors.

Samesun Banff – This highly-rated hostel is a great option for those looking to visit Banff on a budget. They offer both dorms and private rooms on offer along with good common areas and self-catering facilities.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Banff hotels!

Banff National Park is famous for a reason—it’s filled with beautiful landscapes and impressive natural wonders that will fill your trip no matter how much time you have. Take our suggestions here and create the perfect Banff itinerary. 

Are you planning to visit Banff National Park? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

Banff vs Jasper: Which National Park to Visit?

12 Best Stops on the Seattle to Vancouver Drive

The Perfect 2 to 3 Days in Jasper National Park Itinerary

About Audrey Webster

Audrey Webster is a writer for The World Was Here First. She is an Oregon native who has visited countries across the globe and currently spends her weekends exploring the Pacific Northwest and surrounding states. Her approach to traveling combines exploring famous tourist sites and wandering off the beaten path to discover new destinations.

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