4-5 Day Banff Itinerary (+Maps, Food, and Where to Stay)

Banff is the most beautiful (and crowded) national park I have ever been to. It’s one of the few places that is actually as beautiful as it is in the pictures. Banff is both a national park and a townsite. It’s filled with plenty of free things to do like hiking, viewpoints, and window shopping, to some pretty expensive meals and activities.

4–5 days is the ideal amount of time to visit Banff National Park. This gives you time to explore the Banff townsite, Lake Minnewanka, Johnston Canyon, the Banff Gondola, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the Icefields Parkway. With a 5th day, you can add on the nearby national parks of Yoho and Kootenay.

I’m Cheryl, and my husband, Matt, and I have spent more than four weeks exploring the Canadian Rockies. We pay our own way and try the hikes, tours, restaurants, and lodging ourselves so our travel guides and articles can tell you what is actually worth your time and money. This is the plan I would give a friend who wants a first trip to Banff to feel beautiful and memorable, but still manageable.

Understanding Banff

Banff is both a national park and a busy town inside the park. The park stretches far beyond downtown Banff, and its best-known places are spread among several different areas. Lake Minnewanka is just outside the townsite, Johnston Canyon is west along the Bow Valley Parkway, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are farther north, and the Icefields Parkway begins near Lake Louise.

Banff is also connected to Yoho, Kootenay, and Jasper National Parks. Yoho and Kootenay work well as a day trip from Banff, while Jasper is too far away for a casual side trip. If you continue to Jasper, plan to drive the full Icefields Parkway and stay at least two nights.

Here are some popular sites in Banff

Lake Louise. The crown jewel of the park, this turquoise lake that sits in a mountain amphitheater is really something to behold. 

Moraine Lake. Located near Lake Louise, this lake tends to be more bluish in color and sits in the Valley of Ten Peaks. It’s equal to Lake Louise in beauty. 

Johnston Canyon. A wonderful hike through a canyon with several cascades and waterfalls along the way. 

Sulphur Mountain. This is Banff’s easiest mountain to summit, thanks to the famous Banff Gondola. The panoramic views up here are really something! The museum and restaurants are a nice bonus. 

Columbia Icefield Adventure.This unique adventure will take you to a glacier in an ice explorer (like a big monster truck bus). It’s memorable! 

Icefields Parkway. This scenic road connects Banff to Jasper and travels through glacier-filled mountain valleys with incredible views.  

Lake Minnewanka. Often overshadowed by the other fine lakes in the park, this lake is located between two mountain peaks and offers a wonderful boat tour and other options to get on the water. 

Bow River. This turquoise river flows from the Bow Glacier, located on the Icefields Parkway, through the park and the town of Banff, and is a dreamy river for a river float.

Downtown Banff. Banff is both a national park and a city within the park. The bustling city is the heartbeat of the park. You might like the energy and food options, or dislike the traffic and crowds – or both.

LODGING: You can visit all of the above sites by staying in either Banff or Canmore.

About This Itinerary

This itinerary is designed for first-time visitors who want a mix of famous scenery, short walks, an optional longer hike, and a few special activities. You will stay in Banff or Canmore for the whole trip, so you do not need to change hotels. Day 4 reaches into Yoho and Kootenay National Parks, but both are easy additions from Banff and give you wonderful scenery with less crowds (usually).

If you have only four days and would rather see more of Banff itself, you can replace Day 4 with the Icefields Parkway day. I would choose Yoho and Kootenay if you love lakes, waterfalls, and easier walks. I would choose the Icefields Parkway if you love scenic drives, glaciers, and big mountain viewpoints.

You can also use this itinerary as the Banff portion of a longer Canadian Rockies trip. If Jasper is part of your plan, drive the full Icefields Parkway on the day you move to Jasper instead of treating it as a round trip from Banff. Jasper deserves at least two nights, so do not try to add it to this itinerary as a quick side trip.

Day	Plan	Main Highlights
Day 1	Banff Townsite and Lake Minnewanka	Cascade of Time Garden, Fairmont Banff Springs, Bow River, Lake Minnewanka
Day 2	Johnston Canyon and Banff Gondola	Lower or Upper Falls, Sulphur Mountain, optional Cave and Basin
Day 3	Lake Louise and Moraine Lake	Two famous turquoise lakes, Rockpile viewpoint, optional Lake Agnes hike or canoe
Day 4	Yoho and Kootenay National Parks	Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, Marble Canyon
Day 5	Icefields Parkway	Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, glaciers, waterfalls, optional Columbia Icefield Adventure

Banff & Jasper: The Perfect 7-Day Itinerary (Without Rushing or Missing the Best Stops)

DAY 0: GETTING TO BANFF FROM CALGARY

Many people start their trip by flying into Calgary. It’s only about 1 hour and 30 minutes to Banff. You can choose to drive straight there or spend a day exploring the beautiful and clean city of Calgary.

A couple of years ago, we spent an entire day in Calgary and loved it. Here’s what we did.

• Prince’s Island Park. This is a must-do walk along the Bow River and through a beautiful
  green space. We walked over the Bow River Pathway Bridge and the Peace Bridge (also called the finger
  trap). We also rented scooters and cruised around the city a bit.
• Downhill Karting. One of our favorite activities ever, especially for our kids. Located at the Olympic Park, you’ll ride up a chair lift, then hop on a cart powered by gravity, and race for 5 minutes down the hill. We did the multi-ride package and showed up right as they opened because we heard the lines can get long.
• Calgary Tower. This is taller than the Space Needle in Seattle, and though it’s kind of dated and
  no longer the tallest building in the city, we still enjoyed it. We liked the views and the see-through
  floor, though some in our group felt it wasn’t worth the price.
• Food Bike Tour. We actually did this in Edmonton, but Vanessa offers tours in Banff, Canmore, and
  Calgary as well. She’ll take you for an eBike ride, showing you the best of the city, as well as 3
  stops at local restaurants for food, where you can hear the stories of the restaurant owners. It’s
  pricey, but has very high reviews for a reason – it’s fun, it’s yummy, and it’s unique.
  

Sleep: You can stay in Calgary that night or make your way to Banff.

DAY 1: BANFF TOWN SITE, AND LAKE MINNEWANKA

You just made it to the main site in the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park. Banff was Canada’s first national park and is still its most visited! It is one of four connected National Parks in the Canadian Rocky Mountains: Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay. Banff is both a national park and a bustling town within the park.

Lake Minnewanka is just outside of town and is the largest lake in the Canadian Rockies. Today you’ll get familiar with Banff townsite and explore Lake Minnewanka too.

Stop #1 Viewpoints

As you enter Banff, there are a few viewpoints you should check out.

• Hoodoos Viewpoint. It’s accessible, optional 1.5km (1 mile) walk, easy. There are a few unusual hoodoos
  (pointy formations) to see here, but the main draw is the spectacular view of the Bow River flowing through the valley. There are also red Adirondack chairs at this viewpoint. Parks Canada has put several of these chairs around the park at the most special viewpoints. We treat these as a little scavenger hunt!
• Surprise Corner Viewpoint. To get here, continue on Tunnel Mountain Road and turn left on Tunnel Mountain Drive. The view is “surprisingly” beautiful. From this viewpoint, you will see the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, built in the 1800s by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). It is called “The Castle of the Rockies,” and you will see why.

After you’ve seen the viewpoints, it’s time to put on your walking shoes and check out the town.

Banff Townsite is crowded, and parking is at a premium, so it’s best to park your car for the day and get around on foot. Some good bets to park are Bear Street Parkade, Bow Ave, or the big Train Station Parking lot.

PARK FEES: Banff requires an entrance fee and there are a few different options. You can learn which is best for your travel group on the Parks Canada website. One option is the Discovery Pass, which will get you into the park and some museums and historic sites.

Stop #2: Banff Park Museum

This is an older facility, but we love it because of all the taxidermy. Seriously, there are so many animals. Our kids and we find it fascinating. I especially loved all the bird eggs on display. Some of them were so tiny! You can use your Discovery Pass to enter or pay the small admission fee, ~$5.

Stop #3: Cascades of Time Garden

This is a wonderful FREE activity and only takes about an hour. It’s a beautiful flower garden with all sorts of variety and is beautifully landscaped. It’s also perched a bit higher than the rest of the town, so it’s a great opportunity to take a family picture with the town of Banff in the background.

Although there are no picnic tables, there is a gazebo, and we have enjoyed a picnic here.

Stop #4: Meal at the Rundle Bar or Waldhaus Restaurant and Pub and Biergarten

Now you are going to make it over to the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (book here). It’s seriously one of the most impressive buildings I’ve ever seen. It’s a high-end establishment, built for the very rich. It costs ~$1500 a night to stay there.

From my experience, the staff who work there are not welcoming to people who are not staying there. This is unlike national park hotel lobbies in the United States, where everyone can enjoy them.

However, you don’t need to be staying at the Fairmont Banff Springs to enjoy a meal there. They have two restaurants that we highly recommend.

The Rundle Patio has outdoor seating and has one of the prettiest views of Banff. They serve lunch and dinner and prices are no higher than regular restaurants in the area, ~$20-$30 per entree.

There are fancier restaurants inside. Matt surprised me with afternoon tea for my birthday on our last visit. It was the nicest meal I’ve ever had.

We sat in a fancy dining room with huge windows and formal upholstered seats. There were gorgeous views of the Bow Valley and I enjoyed the live piano music. Our tea included sparkling wine (or juice), scones, a variety of tea (caffeinated + non-caffeinated), and a 3-tier platter of sandwiches and desserts.

It was a taste of luxury and I did enjoy it, though it is probably something I will only do once. Reservations are required and you can learn more on their website.

Lastly, we love the Waldhaus Restaurant and Pub and Biergarten. It’s not in the main hotel building and has a less formal atmosphere. It’s German-themed and is the original clubhouse for Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.

We lucked out and visited during Oktoberfest, so they were giving away free pretzels + streusel (best streusel ever). Matt also ordered the schnitzel (breaded fried pork) and really, really liked it.

They had a German band playing the accordion, and it was such a fun atmosphere. The outdoor seating is amazing and requires no reservations.

Inside has a pool table and some TVs with sports playing. Reservations are required for indoor seating.

Stop #5: Bow Falls Viewpoint

Close to the Waldhaus is the Bow Falls Viewpoint. It’s a relaxed place to sit on the stone wall and watch the pretty falls flow into the river. It’s not a tall waterfall, more of a cascade, but it’s a very nice way to end the day.

Stop # 6: (Optional) Raft Tour or Bow River Trail

There should be some spare time in the middle of the day today. If you want, you could book a Bow River Rafting Tour or just take a nice walk along the Bow River Trail.

We took our family on the rafting tour once; it was a wonderful introduction to Banff. It’s just one hour and is a very calm float. It offers great views of Mount Rundle and it’s great to learn about the nature of Banff from one of the knowledgeable guides. It’s ~$75 per person.

Walking along the Bow River is a great alternative. It’s just a 20-minute walk on an easy, mostly paved trail. We like that there is usually some art by local artists along the trail as well.

Stop #7: Lake Minnewanka

Lake Minnewanka is the largest lake in the Canadian Rockies. It’s a 15-minute drive from Banff
Townsite, and you can spend most of the afternoon at the lake and on the scenic drive, or just an
hour doing the boat cruise. We enjoy doing both. We always learn so much from the guides on the boat cruises.

Lake Minnewanka vs Maligne Lake Boat Tour: Jasper also offers boat tours of Maligne Lake. We’ve done both tours and have thoroughly enjoyed them. If you can only do one, we recommend the Maligne Lake Boat Tour in Jasper. It’s prettier and will take you places that a car can’t reach. Book tours here.

Stop #8: Shop at Banff Townsite

There are all sorts of charming local shops and yummy places to have dinner in Banff Townsite. Check out our article Shopping in Downtown Banff: 8 Iconic Stores You Can’t Miss! for some fun places to put on your list.

Sleep: You can sleep at the same spot for all your days in Banff. Lodging here is expensive, but the nearby mountain town of Canmore can be a better deal, and it’s only 20 minutes away. Learn more in our article,
Should You Stay in Banff or Canmore? A Local’s Advice.

DAY 2: JOHNSTON CANYON HIKE & BANFF GONDOLA

Today you will see some of the natural beauty of Banff National Park! You’ll get to do a hike, see the valley from above, visit historic sites, and then do an activity or two that is interesting to you.

Stop #1: Johnston Canyon Hike

Johnston Canyon is an incredibly beautiful limestone canyon carved out by Johnston Creek. There
are several cascades and waterfalls along the beautiful trail. It’s the most popular hike in the park for good reason. You will be surrounded by towering rock walls and lush forest.

It can take between 1.5-3 hours to do this hike, depending on where you choose to end it. There are three stages: 1) Lower Falls (2.4 km/1.5 mi round trip) has a slight elevation gain and provides a little walk through a cave to see the falls up close with some misting. 2) Upper Falls (5 km/3 mi round trip) because the 130-foot waterfall is great, and you’ll want to enjoy the canyon longer anyway. We haven’t gone to 3) the Ink Pots (10.4 km/7 mi) yet – it’s quite a bit longer and has more elevation gain – but if you’re a hiker, you may want to consider this to see the five blue and green springs.

Find out more in our article, Johnston Canyon: Ultimate Guide (Hike, When to Visit, Where to Stay).

GOOD TO KNOW: Even though Johnston Canyon has a huge parking lot, it’s best to arrive by 7 am or hike it in the evening because the trail gets crowded.

Stop #2: (Optional) Vermilion Lakes

This is a pretty drive with some nice viewpoints. You can read all about this in our article, Vermilion Lakes: Quick and Easy Guide, but below are some highlights.

• Vermilion Lakes Viewpoint. This is one of our favorite photos -you’ll see the Vermilion Lakes with jagged Mount Rundle in the background.

• Vermilion Lakes. To explore the Vermilion Lakes, you can access them via the short frontage road right after turning off the Highway. The road is only 4.3 km (2.6 mi) long and has a few viewpoints next to the lakes, which are unusual in that it’s rare to find wetlands like this in the mountains. You can also rent canoes from The Banff Canoe Club located in town along the Bow River, and paddle up the river into the lakes. We haven’t done this yet, but it sounds great.

Stop #3: Banff Gondola

Riding the Banff Gondola is kind of one of those “must-dos” in Banff. It takes you to the top of Sulphur Mountain on an 8-minute enclosed gondola ride. Over half a million people ride it each year. Once you get up top, there are several things to do. The Summit Building is the first thing you’ll encounter. There are four levels in this building. The first level has a gift shop and cafe; the second level has a great museum; the third level has two indoor restaurants. There are more restaurant options on the top floor.

The Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk is a 1 km/0.6 mi round-trip walk to the end and back. It’s an awesome walk with spectacular views in every direction, but there are plenty of stairs, and it feels longer than it is. There are a
lot of great photo ops, and red chairs at the end. You’ll see some of the most dramatic views of six mountain ranges and the gorgeous Bow Valley. We love this.

Advance reservations are usually required. You can make those and check prices on their website, Banff Gondola. We think this is the best gondola in Banff, but there are others to choose from. Explore more in our article, Which Banff Gondola is Best?

CLOUDY DAY?: You won’t be able to see a thing from the top if it’s cloudy- we know- it happened to us on our first trip. You have the option to reschedule for free, and we highly recommend it.

Stop #4: (Optional) Banff Upper Hot Springs

Banff became a national park because of the hot springs. Today, you have a chance to soak in them, just like guests did years ago. We still haven’t done this, though we have enjoyed Miette Hot Springs in Jasper. Our Banff writer, Cindy, is a local, and she wrote all about it in her article, Is Banff Hot Springs Worth It?

Stop #5: Cave and Basin National Historic Site

If you want to learn about the hot springs without getting in them, visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. It’s a combination of fascinating geography, science, and history, which makes it a unique and cool place to visit. It’s also home to an endangered species, the Banff Springs Snail, found nowhere else in the world, which makes this place even more special.

We usually spend about an hour here checking out the historic sites. Sometimes we walk the surrounding trails as well. We go into this a lot more in our article, How to Visit the Cave and Basin Historical Site in Banff.

A small fee or Discovery Pass is required to enter and you can learn more on their website, Cave and Basin National Historic Site.

Optional Activities

Banff has a lot of fun experiences. If one of these looks interesting to you, try to fit it in today or some other time on your trip.

• Hike up Tunnel Mountain. It’s close to 3 miles round trip and is moderately difficult (800 ft elevation gain). It has great views and red chairs. We enjoyed it but found it challenging.
• Rent bikes or e-bikes. We rented e-bikes to cruise around town and… didn’t love it. However, my parents rented e-bikes and took the paved Legacy Trail from Canmore to Cave and Basin National Historic Site and loved it.
• Wagon Ride and Cowboy BBQ Cookout. We really enjoyed this. The wagon ride takes you right along the Bow River and it’s so pretty. Plus, the food is AMAZING! It’s pricey (starting at ~$110 CAD per person) but memorable.
• Open Top Touring. These 90-minute tours take you around the town in a vintage, 1930s, open-top automobile. Both sets of our parents enjoyed their tour.

Sleep: Stay in Banff or Canmore that night.

BANFF ACTIVITY PACKAGES: There are a lot of paid activities in Banff, and many of them are run by the company Pursuit. The Banff Gondola, boat rides, Open Top Touring, Columbia Icefield Adventure, and more are available. You can save a lot of money by purchasing the Pursuit Pass, which bundles several popular activities together.

GOOD TO KNOW: We do not accept freebies, sponsorships, or compensation for our recommendations. If we suggest something, it’s because we paid for it ourselves and felt it was worth it. More details about our experiences are in our travel guides.

DAY 3: LAKE LOUISE AND MORAINE LAKE

Today is the most iconic day of the entire trip… Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. These two beautiful turquoise lakes, just 14 km (8.7 miles) apart, are the main reason many people choose to visit Banff National Park. Each lake has a viewpoint, lakeshore trail, and canoe rentals.

However, getting to these lakes requires advanced planning. Here’s what you need to know.

• You aren’t allowed to drive your personal vehicle to Moraine Lake. You can drive to Lake Louise, but the parking is so limited that I consider it a non-option.
• There are 3 options to get to these lakes: 1) Parks Canada Shuttle 2) Roam Bus 3) Private Tours. It’s best to secure any of these options in advance, though there are sometimes tickets available for the Roam bus and private tours the day of. The Lake Connector Shuttle transports visitors between the lakes and comes with the Parks Canada Shuttle and the Roam Bus Superpass.
• We think 8 hours is enough time to do both lakes if you want to do hikes and activities around them. 4 hours works if all you want to do is see them.
• I made a free printable, How to Get to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake: Shuttles, Buses and Tours, to explain all the options side by side that will help you be prepared for your big day visiting these lakes. We also have a full article explaining it.

Stop #1: Moraine Lake

I like to start with Moraine Lake because it seems like buses to Lake Louise run a little later into the evening. Things we like to do at Moraine Lake are:

• Rock Pile. This is 0.5 miles round trip and moderately strenuous. You climb to the top of a big pile of rocks and it gives you a great view of Moraine Lake and the 10 mountain peaks in the background. This is the best spot to snap a picture.
• Moraine Lake Shoreline Trail. This is 2 miles round trip and DOES NOT go around the entire lake. It takes you to the river at the back that is filling the lake. It’s really nice and peaceful. The trail is easy but not handicap accessible.
• Canoe Rentals. You can rent the famous red canoes here for ~$160 CAD an hour. Ouch! They are FC/FS and it may be worth it to you.
• Food. There is food available at the Moraine Lake Lodge Cafe, but we haven’t ever eaten here because 1) it is always packed and 2) it’s overpriced. A dining room is available for hotel guests only. We recommend packing some sack lunches in a backpack.

GOOD TO KNOW! Moraine Lake has pit toilets. Lake Louise has flushing ones. Plan accordingly.

Stop #2: Lake Louise

Catch the Lake Connector Shuttle over to Lake Louise. It’s about a 15-minute ride. Here are the things we like to do at Lake Louise.

• Lakeshore Trail. This easy, 1-mile round trail is partially accessible. What we love about it is that you only have to walk down the trail a little ways to escape the HUGE crowds that gather at the main viewpoint. The trail only goes to the back of the lake, not around the entire lake, but it gives you access to other trails in the area.
• Lake Agnes Tea Trail. This 7.4 km (4.6mi) round trip, strenuous, 500m (1650 ft) elevation gain is popular because it leads you to two awesome things. First is Lake Agnes, which is like a mini Moraine Lake but with green water instead of turquoise. It’s really pretty. Second is the Lake Agnes Tea House. It has tea, yummy baked goods, and even soup and sandwiches, all with an amazing view. It’s crazy that something like this exists in such a remote area. Even though this is a challenging hike (with very few views of Lake Louise), it’s surprising how many people will take the 3-4 hours needed to complete this hike. You can extend the hike by adding the Beehive Trails if you want.
• Canoe Rentals. Lake Louise also rents the red canoes for $170 CAD per hour. The line to do this can be long, too. I used to make fun of people who did this… until I tried it myself. I loved every minute of it! Being out in the quiet of that beautiful turquoise lake is just as wonderful as it looks. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us.
• Fairmont Lake Louise Chateau. This is the fancy hotel that sits on the banks of Lake Louise. It costs ~$1500 CAD a night to stay there, and it’s not open to visitors if you aren’t a guest, but they do have a couple of restaurants you can eat at. You can learn more about those on their website. I do think the hotel is very pretty to look at from the outside and adds to the beauty of Lake Louise.

SHOULD I VISIT BOTH LAKES?: Yes! The lakes are similar, but they are both wonderful experiences and different enough to make it worth it. I think Moraine Lake is the prettier of the two, but there is more to do at Lake Louise. If you do a private tour, they may only take you to one of the lakes. Make sure it’s the lake you want.

Sleep: Stay in Banff or Canmore that night.

DAY 4: (OPTIONAL) YOHO AND KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARKS

If you have an extra day on your Canadian Rockies road trip, spending some time in Yoho and Kootenay National Parks is really nice. You lose the most of the crowds of Banff and get to see some beautiful natural scenery.

Here are our favorite spots in Yoho National Park

• Spiral Tunnels. As the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) was building a transcontinental rail line, these mountains were too steep. The solution was to carve tunnels into the mountain, causing the trains to wrap around like a snake. This stop is a pull-off on Highway 1 and looks down to the Lower Tunnels. There are interpretive displays at this stop to teach about the tunnels and history of the CPR. The viewpoint itself isn’t interesting unless the trains are running, in which case you can see them twice -going into and out of the tunnel.
• Takakkaw Falls. This is the 2nd tallest waterfall in Canada! These falls are about 373 m (1224 ft) tall, and while they can be seen from the parking lot, it’s best to walk to them on the easy path, where you will find some red chairs.
• Natural Bridge. This is the first stop on Emerald Lake Rd. Take a short walk to see the river carving a gorge through the rock, and a bridge over the gorge. You can get right by the river and take some beautiful photos with the mountains in the background.
• Emerald Lake. This is yet another gorgeous teal lake in the Canadian Rockies, though not as beautiful as Lake Louise & Moraine Lake (in our opinion). It might be a little less crowded, but not much. One thing that makes this lake charming is the small peninsula, accessed by the pedestrian bridge.

Here are our favorite spots in Kootenay National Park

• Marble Canyon. This wonderful canyon provides a short 1.4 km (0.9 mi) round-trip walk with multiple bridges over a gorge and river. It’s rated easy due to the length, but there is some elevation gain that makes it moderate. There are some red chairs as well. Make sure to go to the end for the waterfall. This is a really beautiful trail that you should try to fit into your schedule at some point.
• Numa Falls. This is a nice and easy-to-reach waterfall. It is located right on Hwy 93. A bridge crosses over the gorge and falls and provides some cool photos of the straight and long gorge.

Sleep: Stay in Banff or Canmore that night.

DAY 5: ICEFIELDS PARKWAY

Be prepared for one of the prettiest drives of your life! The Icefields Parkway takes about 4 hours to connect Banff townsite to Jasper townsite with no stops, but it is so beautiful that we like to spend an entire day driving it. Here are our favorite stops.

Stop #1: Bow Lake/Bow Glacier

This is another turquoise lake. The Bow Glacier is perched in the valley above the lake. Its meltwater feeds the lake, which is the origin of the Bow River that flows through Banff. Look closely to see Bow Glacier Falls.

Stop #2: Peyto Lake Upper Viewpoint.

This is a spectacular viewpoint where you can see a glacier, a teal-colored lake, and the valley you’re about to drive through. It requires an uphill 0.6 km (0.3 mi) one-way walk that will get your heart going a bit.

Stop #3: Mistaya Canyon Trail

This is a 5-minute downhill walk to an interesting gorge with a bridge over it and the river roaring through it. Scramble around the area a bit to get some views and photos. The walk out is all uphill.

Stop #4: Parker Ridge Hike

This is a popular hike and provides some really wonderful views into a glacier-filled valley on the other side of the mountains. It is a 5.1 km (3.1 mi) round-trip, moderate hike with 300 m (984 ft) elevation gain.

Stop #5: Columbia Icefield Adventure Centre

This major tourist attraction is fun, unique, and memorable. We thought it was going to be a ripoff, but everyone in our party thoroughly enjoyed it. The feature attraction is a snow coach that looks like a big monster truck that drives you to a real glacier that you can walk on! We think it’s worth the cost because the experience is unique – this is the only place in the world you can do an adventure like this. This takes about 3 hours to do, and you can add on the Skywalk, where you get to overlook a canyon on a glass bridge.

Sleep: Head back to Banff/Canmore for the night or continue on to Jasper.

GOING ON A ROAD TRIP?: Check out our article, How to Visit Banff, Jasper, Waterton, and Glacier: Epic 11-14 Day Itinerary to see how to piece these 4 awesome national parks together in one epic road trip.

When to Visit

We think the best times to visit are July through September. The main reason for this is that some of the top sites in Banff don’t thaw out until later in the summer. The shuttle transportation to Moraine Lake starts running June 1st most years.

The crowds will be at their peak this time of year, but we still think it is worth it so that you can access all the sites the park have to offer.

If you travel in September, you will experience fewer crowds, but it does come with its drawbacks. Mostly, Banff can get quite cold the later into September you visit. When we visited later in September, many mornings I was wearing a sweater, coat, beanie, and gloves.

ABOUT CROWDS: Honestly, the crowds in Banff can feel “Disneyland-level.” Set your expectations for that, but also know that these parks are arguably some of the most beautiful places on the planet and worth it. Our Banff Itinerary will get you to top sites at the least crowded times, plus will take you to some spots that most people don’t know about.

Where to Eat During This Banff Itinerary

Banff may be the best foodie national park we have visited. Instead of being limited to a lodge dining room and a snack bar, you have a real mountain town filled with casual restaurants, breweries, bakeries, fine dining, and meals with spectacular views. Lake Louise, the Banff Gondola, and other major attractions also have places to eat, and Canmore has enough restaurants to make choosing one feel overwhelming.

The catch is that food can be expensive and summer evenings are busy. Make reservations anywhere popular, especially on weekends. Prices are listed in Canadian dollars, which helps American visitors once the currency is converted, but remember to add Canadian sales tax and a tip.

Where to Eat in Downtown Banff

Day 1 is the easiest day to eat in downtown Banff. For a casual dinner, try Block Kitchen & Bar for Asian-inspired dishes, The Balkan for Greek food, Bear Street Tavern for wood-fired pizza, or Banff Ave Brewing Co. and Three Bears Brewery for pub food. The Eddie Burger + Bar and Tommy’s Neighbourhood Pub are good places to look when budget matters.

For a meal with a view, head to the Fairmont Banff Springs. Rundle Bar serves drinks and small plates with some of the best views in Banff, while the Waldhaus has German food in a secluded, chalet-style building. Matt took me to Afternoon Tea for my birthday, and I loved the beautifully presented food, live piano music, and Bow Valley views, although it is definitely a splurge.

Wild Flour Bakery is a local favorite for coffee, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches. For treats, BeaverTails is a Canadian classic, and you will also find ice cream, maple popcorn, fudge, and candy shops around downtown.

Where to Eat Near the Banff Gondola

Day 2 gives you several memorable choices. At the top of the Banff Gondola, Sky Bistro is the fine-dining option and requires reservations. Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen is a more casual cafeteria-style choice, while Peak Patio has sandwiches, snacks, firepits, and excellent views. Peak Patio is our best-value pick for dining with a view, and many visitors miss it because it is tucked around the back.

If you want dinner to be an activity, book the Wagon Ride and BBQ Cookout with Banff Trail Riders. The horse-drawn wagon follows the Bow River and ends with a steak dinner. We have done it, our parents have done it, and it is a fun way to finish the Johnston Canyon and gondola day.

What to Eat at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

Food at the lakes is limited and expensive, so we pack a picnic almost every time. Moraine Lake has a small cafe, but it is crowded and not a place I would build the day around. Pick up sandwiches early at Wild Flour Bakery in Banff or Trailhead Café in Lake Louise Village.

If you hike to Lake Agnes, the tea house is part of the experience. It serves tea, hot chocolate, sandwiches, and treats beside the lake and is open seasonally. At the Lake Louise lakeshore, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise has several restaurants, including the Lakeview Lounge and Afternoon Tea with lake and glacier views. Both are splurges, so reserve ahead if one matters to you.

Where to Eat in Canmore

Canmore has just as much variety as Banff and is often a little cheaper and less hectic. Our family loved the Grizzly Paw Pub, especially the pulled-pork sandwich and tater tots. Crazyweed is the local favorite for a more polished dinner, Rocky Mountain Flatbread is a reliable family choice, and Chez François is known for Eggs Benedict, crepes, and all-day breakfast.

For a quick breakfast or trail lunch, try Rocky Mountain Bagel Company, Harvest Cafe, or JK Bakery. If a mountain view matters as much as the food, look at Iron Goat, Murrieta’s, the Malcolm Hotel, or Tank310. Our complete article, Where to Eat in Canmore: For Every Type of Traveller, has options for pizza, coffee, brunch, breweries, upscale dining, desserts, and different budgets.

Where to Stay

There are tons of great places to stay when visiting Banff National Park… and they are all expensive!

We usually like to stay in Canmore because it’s a little cheaper. Plus, it’s only 20 minutes away from Banff and is equally as pretty.

It’s also good to know that you can easily visit Yoho and Kootenay in a day trip from Banff or Canmore, no need to switch lodging.

If you want to get really fancy, Banff has two very high-end places to stay. The Fairmont Banff Springs and the Fairmont Château Lake Louise. Both of these can cost over $1,000 a night!

If you are traveling on a budget, there are campgrounds within and around Banff. They are very popular and book within minutes of reservations opening up. You can book your campground on Parks Canada.

How to Get to Banff

Most visitors fly into Calgary International Airport and rent a car. The drive from Calgary to the Banff townsite takes about 1.5 hours under normal conditions. A car gives you the most flexibility for Yoho, Kootenay, and the Icefields Parkway, although transit and shuttles can cover many of the major Banff sights.

If your flight arrives early, Calgary is worth part of a day. Prince’s Island Park and the Bow River make a pleasant walk, and our family loved the downhill karting at WinSport. We were surprised by how much we enjoyed Calgary, but I would treat it as an arrival-day bonus rather than taking time away from the four core Banff days.

What Do I Need to Know

Banff is absolutely outstanding and should be on everyone’s bucket list (in my humble opinion!) It’s crowded, complicated to plan, and can be expensive. It’s totally worth it because it really is as beautiful as the pictures make it look- but it’s really nice to know the ins and outs before you go like which hikes are worth your time, how to get your tickets to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, and how to save money on the expensive activities offered and which ones are worth it. Plus, it’s nice to know the best hotels and restaurants that are nice and within your budget.

That is why we wrote our Banff Itinerary. We have taken what we have learned over multiple trips and put it into one guide so that you can have an incredible trip without spending hours behind the computer or making the same mistakes we did on our first trip.

We have sold over 34,000 travel guides and offer a money back guarentee. Plus we update this guide every year and lifetime updates are included it. Check it out!