Did you know: Banff National Park is Canada’s first National Park? It is located on the Canadian west coast in Alberta. Not to be mistaken with the Town of Banff (which is located within the national park), Banff National Park is: part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Rocky Mountain Parks; boasts over 3 million visitors a year for hiking, biking, skiing, camping and more; and has the Rocky Mountains, turquoise glacial lakes, picturesque towns, Canadian wildlife and some of the most scenic drives in the world. You definitely want to do a Banff road trip once in your lifetime!
This is truly one of the most beautiful parts of Canada and worth a visit for every traveller. You can visit in as little as a weekend or stay for over a week. In any case, you’ll get to enjoy plenty of what the national park has to offer.
As with any trip, don’t expect to see it all. Banff National Park is over 6,600 km² with 18 iconic mountains, 47 “easy” hiking trails, and a variety of outdoorsy activities and indoor fun, you can spend a lifetime exploring this park. However, 4 days is enough time to see the park’s main attractions and enjoy the mountains. Be aware that the weather can change in a moment! Most of the time the iconic photos you’ve seen were taken after hours spent in one location or in multiple visits. Enjoy the time you spend here: once you visit, you’ll want to come back to explore more!
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When to visit Banff National Park?
You can visit year round so when you decide to go will be dependent on your preferred activities. The busiest months are June to August. The weather is warmer and it’s perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, biking and camping. However, there are also a plethora of winter activities including skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. You can also visit the Banff Hot Springs year round, experience different wildlife each month, and more. Photography is absolutely gorgeous in every season. Winter photos will yield wildly different results than summer photos.
So, pick your preferred activity and weather conditions and plan to visit then!
How many days to spend in Banff National Park?
There is so much to see and do in Banff National Park, you could easily visit for weeks! However, time and cost are always a factor. I would say a minimum 3 day visit is needed to scratch the surface of what the park has to offer. A one week road trip would give you lots of time to see attractions and spend time relaxing. For a really thorough visit, I’d recommend visiting for 10 days and plan to go camping to save money on resorts or hotels.
There are hostels in the Town of Banff that would be excellent for solo travellers or people on a budget. Having a car really helps with mobility. If you’re visiting for a short period of time, you can stay in the Town of Banff and take advantage of the Roam Transit system to take you to all the major attractions, without having to worry about parking!
How to get to Banff National Park?
The easiest way to get to Banff National Park is to drive from Calgary (minimum 1 hour drive to the eastern limit of the park). However, there are plenty of options for people without access to a car.
Mid-range options from the AIRPORT include: Brewster Express (from the airport to Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, Kananaskis and Jasper, start at $71 one way), Airport Shuttle Express (to any hotel or residence in Banff), Banff Airporter (fares start at $66.99 and offer service between Calgary and Banff)
Cheap options from CALGARY: On-it Transit is the cheapest or RTB Tours and Shuttles (must be booked in advance if departing from airport and start at $42.80 one-way per person), or carpool.
National and Provincial Park Passes
A National Park Pass for Banff National Park and a Provincial Park Pass for Kananaskis and Canmore are required. You can purchase a National Day Pass (entry Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho, Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Waterton Lakes and Elk Island national parks) or a Discovery Pass (valid for all national parks in Canada). You don’t need these passes if you’re passing through on Highway 1/Trans Canada Highway. But, you DO need them on the scenic parkways and if you’re staying in or visiting the park.
Where to stay in Banff National Park?
There are three towns to stay in when visiting Banff National Park: the Town of Banff, the Town of Canmore and the Village of Lake Louise. All three are great for this Banff road trip. Canmore is the closest to Calgary, followed by Banff and then Lake Louise. It’s about an hour drive from Canmore to Lake Louise. I personally recommend staying in Canmore. Canmore is smaller and less touristy than Banff, but bigger than Lake Louise. That being said, Banff is central for everything on this itinerary. In addition, Roam Transit in the Town of Banff is free for people staying in hotels in the town. Transit is free to limit the number of cars in the park and offers service to a ton of tourist attractions you’re likely to want to see anyways.
Canmore, Banff or Lake Louise?
Canmore: Technically Canmore is just outside the Banff National Park limit but I’ve included it nonetheless. The Town of Canmore is the closest town to Calgary but at the southern end of Banff National Park. It is the quirky little sibling to the Town of Banff and easy to get to. It is a charming town with fantastic local shops, galleries and restaurants.
Budget Stay: Canmore Downtown Hostel. Mid-range Stay: Canmore Rocky Mountain Inn. Luxury Stay: The Malcolm Hotel.
Banff: The Town of Banff is fairly central to a LOT of the activities on this itinerary. With free transit offered to people staying in Banff (and shuttle options to Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Johnston Canyon), Banff is an excellent option for people without access to a car or who don’t want to drive. You can take the On-It Transit from Calgary to Banff and not need a car for your entire visit to Banff National Park. The Town is the most central location for this Banff road trip. However, because it is a very touristy town, it is busy so be prepared for crowds.
Budget Stay: Canmore Hotel Hostel (party hostel) or HI Banff Alpine Centre. Mid-range Stay: Irwin’s Mountain Inn. Luxury Stay: Fairmont Banff Springs.
Lake Louise: The benefit to staying in the Village of Lake Louise is the proximity to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake: the two busiest destinations in Banff National Park. It’s over an hour walk from the Village of Lake Louise to Lake Louise. The Village of Lake Louise is very small and stores have limited opening hours. If you do stay here without a car you’re limited to either eating at your hotel or buying snacks at the grocery store during the day.
Budget Stay: HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre. Mid-range Stay: Deer Lodge (8 minute walk to the lake). Luxury Stay: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
What to pack for Banff National Park?
You want to pack layers and bring what you can to save some cash. (There is always a premium for buying items like hiking shoes at convenience). Bring your reusable water bottle and drink the tap water. You absolutely need bear spray if you plan on hiking. You can often ask the front desk of your hotel for some that someone else left behind.
Your outfits can be very casual and comfortable. Bring hats, mitts and scarves for cooler months (September to June). Pack warm sweat wicking layers, especially if you’re planning on doing any hikes. You can dress up for an occasion but you won’t be out of place in something casual.
It’s also a really great idea to bring snacks for this road trip. There are restaurants in hotels but hours are limited (shorter in off season). You are bound to be hungry with all the activities you can do! I like to pack nuts and dried mango for road trip snacks. Don’t forget to pack out what you take in (Leave No Trace).
Read more: Ultimate Packing List for Fall in Banff National Park
Banff Road Trip 4-day Itinerary
This Banff/Rockies road trip itinerary is fast paced and packed with adventures. If you’re looking for a more relaxed trip to Banff, absolutely feel free to spread it out over 5 or more days or remove some activities! You could easily spend way more, or way less time in Banff. You could do a hike every day to see a different vantage point of attractions in Banff National Park, or you could do no hikes and still see a ton of what the park has to offer. I do recommend having a reusable water bottle and pack snacks for the road. You can fill up your water bottle at any hotel and pick up snacks along the way.
You will quickly stop in Yoho National Park on this itinerary. If you want to add Jasper National Park to your Canadian Rockies road trip, I recommend adding at least 3 more days. There’s so much to do in each National Park, you’ll want a good amount of time in each location. See the map below for the ultimate Banff Road Trip itinerary.
If you jumped to the itinerary, you can book accommodations in the Town of Canmore, Town of Banff (with free Roam Transit rides) or Village of Lake Louise. There are shuttle and transit options to get from Calgary to Banff and shuttles within Banff National Park as well.
Itinerary
First day: Lake Louise, Lake Agnes Teahouse Hike/Little Beehive, Dinner
Second day: Moraine Lake Sunrise, Morant’s Curve, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Emerald Lake Lodge
Third day: Johnston Canyon, Sulphur Mountain/Banff Gondola/Sky Dinner
Fourth day: Vermillion Lakes, Lake Minnewanka Tour, Two Jack Lake, Explore Towns of Banff and Canmore
One thing to note for every trip: embrace the weather. When you’re visiting a new place for a short period of time, it’s unlikely you’ll get blue sunny days at every stop, or that it will be the most magical sunrise/sunset you’ve ever seen. So, embrace the weather and the moodier days. You’ll still be able to take some wicked photos!
Banff Road Trip Day One
Canmore, Lake Louise, Afternoon Tea, Teahouse Hike, Dinner
Canmore: Canmore is a Town in the Rockies and technically just outside the limits of Banff National Park. This stop can be first on your list, somewhere to stay or last on your list. It is on the way from Calgary to the rest of the stops in this itinerary.
Canmore is the quirky little sibling to the Town of Banff and easy to get to. It is a charming town with fantastic local shops, galleries and restaurants. Park at the Canmore Public Parking and walk along 8th Street and pop in to local shops and restaurants. My favourite stop is Alberta’s Own: all local artisans and local Albertan crafters. See the Three Sisters Mountain from the lookout. Rent a stand-up paddle board or canoe/kayak to explore the Canmore Reservoir or Goat Pond.
Budget Stay: Canmore Downtown Hostel. Mid-range Stay: Canmore Rocky Mountain Inn. Luxury Stay: The Malcolm Hotel.
Lake Louise: When you read “Lake Louise” the first things to come to mind are likely a canoe ride on the lake and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. There is SO much more to do than that! Yes, it is the most visited lake in Banff National Park (and for good reason) but there’s more to do that just look at the lake. Take an iconic photo in front of the lake, rent a canoe, walk along the shoreline or book Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. NOTE: renting a canoe on Lake Louise is the most expensive in the park. Read this post to find out more about renting a canoe in Banff. There are other opportunities for canoeing on a lake in this itinerary.
Getting to Lake Louise: Drive (take Highway 1 to Lake Louise Drive), book a Parks Canada shuttle in advance ($8, May to October), or take Roam Transit from Banff or the Village of Lake Louise. If you stay at Deer Lodge or the Chateau Lake Louise, you can park at the hotel and walk to the lake. More info on the Parks Canada website.
How much time to spend at Lake Louise: 1-1.5 hours for each activity (Afternoon Tea, Canoe or walk along the shoreline)
Parking at Lake Louise: The lot is small and fills quickly during the day and costs $11.70/day. You can pre-book a shuttle from Banff or the Village, more information here.
Teahouse Hike: The Lake Agnes Teahouse trail takes about 1 to 2 hours to hike. The Lake Agnes Teahouse is open from 8-5 pm. On the way, you’ll pass by Mirror Lake and can detour to the Little Beehive Lookout or Big Beehive Lookout. You can order tea, coffee and food at the teahouse so it makes an excellent destination for lunch or, if you decided to do Afternoon Tea, to enjoy a tea before heading back down the mountain. The Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse is less-travelled because it takes about 4 to 6 hours roundtrip and also offers refreshments and food.
Getting to the Teahouse: The Lake Agnes Teahouse is about 1-2 hours to hike and moderate to difficult. The longer you’ve been in Alberta before hiking, the better, as your body gets used to the elevation.
Things to know: Many people hike in running shoes. If you forgot your running shoes at home like I did, you can buy a pair of hiking shoes at Chateau Mountain Sports. Wear layers and bring a small day pack, water and bear spray (you can ask for it at your hotel, someone might have left some at the front desk).
Parking: Same as visiting Lake Louise, parking is limited so you can pre-book a shuttle or take local public transit (Roam Transit).
Dinner: Have dinner at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, in the Village of Lake Louise or head to the Town of Banff for more options! Try an Alberta steak at Chuck’s Stakehouse, Mount Fairview at Deer Lodge, or Hello Sunshine Sushi in Banff.
Banff Road Trip Day Two
Moraine Lake Sunrise, Morant’s Curve, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Emerald Lake Lodge/Takakkaw Falls
Moraine Lake Sunrise: Moraine Lake is open to cars from June to October and closed for cross country skiing in the winter. It is an iconic location for sunrise and the parking lot opens at 5:30 AM and closes between 6:30 and 7:00 AM because it’s already full. If you want to visit for sunrise, you must go early! However, if early mornings or sunrises aren’t your thing, it’s a quick stop for most people during the day so even though the parking may be full it has a quick turnaround.
Getting to Moraine Lake: Drive (take Highway 1 to Lake Louise Drive, turn left on Moraine Lake Road), book a Parks Canada shuttle in advance ($8, May to October), or take Roam Transit from Banff or the Village of Lake Louise. More info on the Parks Canada website.
How much time to spend at Moraine Lake: 30 minutes to 3 hours. You can visit the iconic lake in as little as 30 minutes to see the beautiful lake and 10 peaks, or spend more time renting a canoe, walking the shoreline, visiting the gift shop or picking a hike.
Hiking trails at Moraine Lake: Moraine Lake Shore Trail (45-60 minute return trip), Rockpile trail (30 minutes, see below for views), Consolation Lakes Trail (1.5-2 hours) or Sentinel Pass via Larch Valley (must do during larch season, 2-4 hours).
Parking at Lake Louise: The lot is small, fills quickly during the day and costs $11.70/day. So you can pre-book a shuttle, more information here.
Morant’s Curve: be prepared to wait for the trains! There is no train schedule so you could be waiting for 30 minutes or 3+ hours. Visit during the week (more trains are scheduled compared to the weekend) and if you’re making the stop for photography, commit to staying! Parking is available in a small parking lot, with a cross walk to a lookout area.
Bow Lake: Approximately 30 minutes north of Lake Louise, Bow Lake lies south of the Bow Summit. It’s an absolutely stunning location with plenty of photo opportunities. Give yourself at least 30 minutes to take photos. Opening in 2022, you can book a room at the historic Num Ti Jah Lodge. The photos below were taken from the side of the road and from the Num Ti Jah Lodge parking lot/walking trails.
Getting to Bow Lake: Drive (take Highway 1 to the Icefields Parkway) about 1 hour north of Banff and stop at the parking lot just off Highway 1 or head to the Num Ti Joh Lodge and walk the foot trails.
How much time to spend at Bow Lake: If you give yourself time, you can hike any number of trails from 30 minutes to 8 hours.
Hiking trails at Bow Lake: The Bow Lakeshore trail is the easiest and approximately 30 minutes (3.5 km). A moderate 2-4 hour hike is the Bow Glacier Falls or try to Bow Hut trail for a 4-8 hour difficult trail.
Parking at Bow Louise: Although it can get busy, there’s plenty of parking at the Highway 1 parking lot and Num Ti Joh Lodge.
Peyto Lake: Unfortunately Peyto was closed off and on for construction and repairs from 2019 to late 2021 but it is now officially reopened. It is the third most visited lake in Banff: it’s an absolutely beautiful lake and looks like a dog! To minimize visiting with crowds, visit early morning or late evening for the least amount of people.
Getting to Peyto Lake: Drive north on the Icefields Parkway for about 5 minutes from Bow lake to the Peyto Lake Lookout parking lot.
How much time to spend at Peyto Lake: The first lookout is at the end of the parking lot to the west, and about 10 minutes uphill. You can visit the Peyto Lake Overlook from the lower parking lot which adds another 45-60 minutes.
Hiking trails at Peyto Lake: The Bow Summit hike takes about 2 hours.
Emerald Lake Lodge: Although technically in Yoho National Park, the Emerald Lake Lodge is another iconic Rocky Mountain location. You can rent a canoe to paddle on Emerald Lake, cross country ski/snowshoe in the winter, or hike around the lake in the summer. If you make it as far as Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls is a fantastic short (30 minute) detour, open May to October. The hike to the base of the falls is short.
Getting to the Emerald Lake Lodge: From Peyto Lake, you’ll back track towards Lake Louise and turn right on to Highway 1/Trans Canada Highway. A total driving time of about 1 hour from Peyto Lake and 30 minutes from Lake Louise.
How much time to spend at the lodge: To take an iconic photo of the lodge, you only need to spend about 5-10 minutes to walk from the parking lot. However, you can spend about an hour along the lakeside hiking trail and another 30-45 minutes in a canoe on the lake.
Getting to Takakkaw Falls: From the lodge, you’ll drive about 30 minutes to the parking lot (free). The falls are a short hike (about 10 minutes) from the parking lot.
How much time to spend at Takakkaw Falls: About 30-45 minutes should be plenty of time to walk to the base of the falls, take some photos, and enjoy the second tallest waterfall in Canada!
Dinner in Field, British Columbia: If you’ve made it to the Emerald Lake Lodge and Takakkaw Falls, stop in Field, BC at Truffle Pigs for dinner.
Banff Road Trip Day Three
Johnston Canyon, Sulphur Mountain/Banff Gondola/Sky Bistro Dinner
Johnston Canyon: One of the most popular destinations in Banff National Park, I recommend getting there first thing in the morning. The canyon was formed as Johnston Creek eroded the canyon over thousands of years. The first part is a narrow walkway that’s been anchored to the side of the canyon. The later you arrive, the more likely it is you’ll be stuck in a line of people walking along the trail. You can discover the Lower Falls, the Upper Falls and the Ink Pots.
Getting to Johnston Canyon: Drive along the Bow Valley Parkway and stop at the parking lot at the trailhead. You can also take Roam Transit Route 8 from Banff (free if you are staying at a hotel in Banff).
How much time to spend at Johnston Canyon: 2+ hours. The Lower Falls take about 1 hour round trip and adding the Upper Falls takes about 2 hours total. Add some time to enjoy yourself and, if it’s busy, to wait to cross the bridge to see the lower falls up close.
Hiking trails at Johnston Canyon: You can add on the Ink Pots trail, which will take a total of about 4 hours to hike round trip.
Parking at Johnston Canyon: Two free parking lots are at the trailhead of the Johnston Canyon trail and fill up quickly! The earlier you arrive, the better your chances for finding parking.
Sulphur Mountain/Banff Gondola/Sky Bistro Dinner: Sulphur Mountain overlooks the Town of Banff. Easy to get to from Banff, there’s a lot to discover and see here. You can either hike up the mountain or take the Banff Gondola to the top. I really enjoyed the gondola and dinner at Sky Bistro, and often don’t go for experiences like this!
Getting to Sulphur Mountain: Drive and park at the lot at the bottom of the mountain, or hop on the Roam Transit from downtown Banff.
What to do at Sulphur Mountain: Take the Banff Gondola to the top, explore the Observation Deck, visit the Cosmic Ray Station and Sanson’s Peak, visit the Banff Upper Hot Springs (at the bottom of the mountain), eat at Sky Bistro, and more!
How much time to spend at Sulphur Mountain: 2-6 hours. It takes about 2 hours to hike up Sulphur Mountain, and once your there you can easily spend another 4 hours exploring and eating. Visit in the afternoon and eat at the Sky Bistro before watching the sun set over the Town of Banff.
Cost: The Banff Gondola starts at $55+tax for a roundtrip. You can hike up for free and either hike down for free or book a one-way trip down the gondola. There are packages that include dinner at the Sky Bistro, the Lake Minnewanka Boat Tour or the Skywalk. If you plan on doing multiple adventures, it’s worth it to buy the package!
Banff Road Trip Day Four
Vermillion Lakes, Lake Minnewanka Boat Tour, Two Jack Lake, Explore Town of Banff
Vermillion Lakes: If the weather cooperates, Vermillion Lakes is a perfect spot to watch the sunrise. Sunrises in the mountains aren’t always colourful but the golden mountain peaks is a sight to see. Vermillion Lakes is about 2.5 km from Banff so you can drive, walk, or bike there. Driving is accessible with a few parking lots along Vermillion Lakes Road. You can spot Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain, walk along the marshlands and expansive lakes or explore the leisurely hiking trail.
Getting to Vermillion Lakes: It takes about 5 minutes to drive from Town of Banff to Vermillion Lakes. Alternatively, you can walk about 30 minutes or rent a bike from Banff Cycle (open at 9 AM, takes less than 10 minutes to bike to Vermillion Lakes).
What to do at Vermillion Lakes: Take epic photos of sunrise or even on a moody day, like below. Rent a bike, stand-up paddle board, kakak or canoe in the Town and set out to explore the lakes. Hike along the Fenland Trail (2 km loop) or along the Legacy Trail. In the winter, the lake freezes over and bubbles form in the ice.
How much time to spend at Vermillion Lakes: 1-2+ hours.
Cost: Free to visit.
Lake Minnewanka Boat Tour: Lake Minnewanka is 21 km long. Minnewanka Landing was a village in the Late 1800’s to early 1900’s. Over the years, three dams were constructed and Minnewanka Landing was flooded and currently sits at the bottom of Lake Minnewanka. Now, around 8,000 scuba divers per year visit Lake Minnewanka to see the underwater ghost town for themselves. You can wander around the shoreline of Lake Minnewanka or take a boat cruise out on the lake.
I recommend the Boat Tour. As a budget traveller, I like to find free to cheaper activities but this tour was worth the price tag. It is a fantastic experience and a local guide is on the cruise to teach you the history of the lake, sea monster stories and more! You’ll get a history lesson on the way out and have time to take photos on the way back.
Getting to Lake Minnewanka: Only 20 minutes from the Town, you can drive or take the Roam Transit Route 6 bus. Transit is recommended because of limited parking in Banff National Park. The Banff website recommends getting to Lake Minnewanka 2+ hours before your cruise departure to make sure you can find a parking spot.
What to do at Lake Minnewanka: Take epic photos, walk along the Lake Minnewanka Trail or take a boat cruise.
How much time to spend at Lake Minnewanka: 1-2+ hours.
Cost: Free to visit.
Lake Minnewanka Lookout: Along the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Driveway, you’ll find this beautiful lookout over the lake. Pin Location: 51.235942, -115.488240
