How to Visit Banff, Jasper, Waterton, and Glacier: Epic 11-14 Day Itinerary

Mountain landscapes don’t get any better: Banff, Jasper, Waterton and Glacier National Parks (aka- the Canadian Rockies) make for one epic road trip! Most people know they want to visit these parks but aren’t sure how many days to plan for their trip, how many days to spend in each park, where to stay, or the best driving route to piece this whole trip together.

It takes a minimum of 11 days to see the Canadian Rockies, but 14 days is ideal. This allows visitors to spend 4 days in both Banff and Glacier and 1-2 days in both Jasper and Waterton, with some travel days included. An extra day or two can be added to visit other parks in the area like Yoho and Kootenay or to visit worthwhile cities like Calgary or Edmonton. Driving the Icefields Parkway to connect Banff to Jasper is both efficient and one of the most scenic drives in the world. Travelers should switch lodging locations when transitioning to each national park to minimize driving time and backtracking. People who do not hike can see Glacier and Jasper in less time.

I’m Cheryl, and my husband, Matt, and I have spent over 4 weeks exploring the Canadian Rockies doing as many hikes and activities as we can. Plus, we try out lots of restaurants and check out the places there are to stay. We always pay our own way and don’t take comped trips or sponsorships, so we can give you our honest opinion on what is worth it. Read on for the exact plan we give our friends and family who are exploring these parks for the first time.

Understanding the Canadian Rockies

The Canadian Rockies are absolutely stunning- gorgeous grey mountains, turquoise lakes and rivers, and insane scenic drives. Each park offers something different, and the variety will continue to surprise you as you work your way from park to park. 

Banff. Home to beautiful Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, Icefields Parkway, Johnston Canyon Hike (beautiful waterfalls!), and Banff townsite. You can spend days here and still not see everything.

Jasper. Maligne Canyon is one of our favorite places to see wildlife, plus it has some amazing hikes; Maligne Lake has our favorite boat cruise in the Canadian Rockies. This is a quiet park filled with nature and beauty.

Waterton. This often forgotten Canadian national park has a lake-town feel to it with lots of good restaurants and families riding surreys around town or paddling on the lake. Cameron Falls is beautiful and easy to get to.

Glacier. Driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road should be on everyone’s bucket list. Plus, Glacier is full of waterfalls, wildflowers, and amazing hikes. Many Glacier is our favorite area of the park. 

Yoho and Kootenay. These two parks can be visited as a day trip from Banff if time allows. Big highlights include Marble Canyon (easy and beautiful hike along a river), Takkakaw Falls (2nd tallest waterfall in Canada), and Emerald Lake.

Calgary & Edmonton. Calgary is a beautiful city. Highlights include the downhill karting at the Olympic Park and Prince’s Island Park. Edmonton has a cool capitol building as well as the huge and fun West Edmonton Mall that is so big it contains an amusement park, waterpark, and ice-skating rink!

TRAVEL TIP: Mixing in a city on a big national park road trip adds great variety, and we highly recommend it.

About This Itinerary

This itinerary is written for the first-time visitor who wants to see each of the Canadian Rockies parks properly and enjoys a bit of variety as well. We’ll also share where we like to eat and stay, and give you a few insider tips that only regulars know.

We’ll start in Banff (fly into Calgary) and then work our way south, ending in Glacier or Waterton. However, it works just as well to fly into Kalispell, MT, and visit Glacier first.

11-14 Day Canadian Rockies Itinerary

Because this area is so big, you must see the top sites in the most efficient order. Each of these parks is hours apart. You will need to switch where you stay for each park (don’t shoot the messenger-you’ll thank me later!)

If you choose to visit Glacier, you will be crossing the US/Canadian Border. We’ve never found it to be too big of a hassle, but you’ll need your passport and should double-check the hours of the border crossing station you’ll be using.

Day	Park	Activities	Stay
Day 1 (optional)	Calgary	Prince’s Island, Downhill Karting	Calgary or Banff
Day 2	Banff	Banff townsite & Lake Minnewanka	Banff or Canmore
Day 3	Banff	Johnston Canyon & Banff Gondola	Banff or Canmore
Day 4	Banff	Lake Louise and Moraine Lake	Banff or Canmore
Day 5 (optional)	Yoho and Kootenay	Emerald Lake, Marble Canyon	Banff or Canmore
Day 6	Banff/Jasper	Icefields Parkway & Columbia Icefield Adventure	Jasper
Day 7	Jasper	Maligne Canyon and Miette Hot Springs	Jasper
Day 8	Jasper to Glacier	Valley of 5 Lakes, Icefields Parkway stops	Jasper/Glacier
Day 9	Glacier	Lake McDonald & Avalanche Lake	West Glacier, MT
Day 10	Glacier	Going-to-the-Sun Road & St Mary	West Glacier, MT or St Mary
Day 11 (optional)	Glacier	Two Medicine/East Glacier	St Mary, East Glacier, Many Glacier or Babb
Day 12	Glacier	Many Glacier and Grinnell Glacier Hike	Babb or Many Glacier
Day 13	Waterton	Waterton townsite, Red Rock Parkway	Waterton
Day 14		Drive home

Epic 10-Day Road Trip: Glacier & the Canadian Rockies (Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay)

DAY 1: 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 2: BANFF, BANFF TOWNSITE, 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 3: BANFF, 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 4: BANFF, 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 5: (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 6: BANFF, 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: Complete your drive to Jasper and sleep there that night.

DAY 7: JASPER, MALIGNE CANYON & MIETTE HOT SPRINGS

This day is a pure delight, including the first thing you do: driving to Maligne Lake. We always see wildlife along the way, including bears, moose, elk, and bald eagles.

Stop #1: Maligne Lake Cruise

This cruise is special because it gets you to Spirit Island and Hall of Gods, two places you can’t get to in your car. The Classic tour is 1.5 hours and costs ~$90 per person, but we believe it is worth it. The views are breathtaking and we learned a lot from the narration. You can reserve your cruise on their website.

Stop #2: Maligne Canyon Trail

This is a wonderful hike where you can hike on 6 bridges that cross over a gorge that is 50 m (164 ft) deep in some places. It’s meant to be a loop where you cross all 6 bridges, but you can shorten it if 2.8 miles round trip is too long. We recommend trying to make it to the 3rd bridge; it’s a 0.8-mile loop. Note: Maligne Canyon Trail has not reopened since the 2024 wildfire. Hopefully it will open in 2027.

Jasper Wildfire of 2024: A horrible fire burned much of Jasper National Park and Jasper townsite in 2024. The area will show scars of this for years. However, I visited in 2025 and was surprised by how resilient the area has been. The forests are starting to regrow, and the town is ready to welcome visitors. Plus, most of the best sites are open again or will open again soon. It’s still worth visiting.

Stop #3: Miette Hot Springs

These hot springs are not only great for a soak but also for the nice drive to get there. Entry is first come, first served, and we recommend arriving earlier in the morning or late afternoon to avoid a long wait to get in.

It costs ~$18 CAD, and swimsuit and towel rentals are available. The swimsuits are old school and 100% polyester! If you want a blast from the past, rent one. It’s a hoot!

Next door is the Miette Bungalows Restaurant, which is a great spot to stop for lunch. They serve burgers, sandwiches, Greek food, and are famous for their ice cream.

Stop #4: Pyramid Lake

Located about 6 km (3.8 miles) above town is pretty Pyramid Lake. It feels calmer than the rest of Jasper. You can swim, rent watercraft, or just walk around the lake. A highlight is a bridge that takes you out to a little island. It’s a great place to watch a sunset.

That night, try one of the many great restaurants in town. We like Jasper Brewing Company (burgers and drinks), Kimchi House (Korean BBQ), and Olive Bistro and Lounge (steak, pasta, burgers- with outdoor seating and live music).

Sleep: Sleep in Jasper. Everything is expensive because there aren’t that many places to stay.

DAY 8: JASPER, EXTRA ACTIVITIES

Jasper National Park is actually bigger than Banff National Park, but most people only see a small part of it. Whenever we visit, I always wish we had planned another day here. If you have an extra day, here are some things worth checking out.

Extra Stops on the Icefields Parkway. We skipped a couple of great stops on the Icefields Parkway between the Columbia Icefield Adventure and Jasper Townsite. You may want to make a special trip or hit them if you will be driving the Icefields Parkway again on your trip.

• Sunwapta Falls. This is a viewpoint of the upper falls with an optional 2.6 km (1.6 mile) hike down to the lower falls.
• Athabasca Falls. This isn’t a tall waterfall, but it is powerful and you can get close to it from different angles. It’s a 1 km (.6 mile) walk. The parking lot can fill up, but there is so much coming and going that a spot should open up pretty quickly.

Valley of the 5 Lakes Trail. 4.8 km (3 mile) loop, moderate to strenuous. It features five crystal-clear lakes with stunning jade and turquoise blue colors. We haven’t done this hike yet because it was closed due to fire damage, but it reopened in 2026. It’s on our list to do when we return. This is also on the Icefield Parkway but just 10 minutes outside of Jasper.

From Jasper With Love. This is a family-friendly small-town play and only has seats for 30 people. It’s a two-man show with short comedy acts. What we really liked about it is that the performers, Peter and Joost, have so much love and passion for Jasper. It got us really excited to visit the park. Tickets are ~$40 CAD and include a drink.

DAY 9: GLACIER, WEST GLACIER

Welcome to Glacier National Park! This is one of the prettiest parks in the United States. You’ll see waterfalls, wildflowers, cool lodges, and drive the amazing Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Stop #1: Avalanche Lake/Trail of the Cedars

Let’s get this trip started right with one of our favorite hikes in the park! Avalanche Lake has green forests, turquoise blue water running through a reddish gorge, and a magnificent mountain lake that compares to those in Switzerland. Depending on the time of year you visit, you can see several waterfalls pouring into the lake. It’s a 5-mile loop that has 730 feet of elevation gain and takes about 3 hours.

If that sounds too intense, the first mile of the Avalanche Lake Hike is called Trail of the Cedars. It’s a 1-mile loop on a wheelchair accessible boardwalk that goes through a tall cedar forest with views of Avalanche Creek and an interesting gorge. This was our go-to when we had small children. We felt like we were on the Moons of Endor from Star Wars.

GOOD TO KNOW: Glacier is a hiker’s park filled with dozens of amazing trails. If hiking isn’t your thing, you can see the park in 1-2 days doing a boat ride or two and doing the amazing scenic drives.

Stop #2: Apgar Village/Lake McDonald

Now it’s time to have some fun on the water. Lake McDonald and Apgar Village are right next to each other, but it takes 20 minutes to drive between the two because Lake McDonald is so big – 9 miles long!

Apgar Village has a really fun vibe and is family-friendly. You can rent watercraft like paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, and rowboats to play on the lake. There are also places to eat and shop.

Lake McDonald is a tad fancier and offers motorboat rentals and even boat tours. It’s also home to the Lake McDonald Lodge, which is beautiful and worth checking out.

If you are going to be in Glacier for a few days, we recommend doing a boat tour on a different lake (Many Glacier is our favorite, but we’ll get to that later). Our favorite thing to do here is to rent the motorboat. It’s fairly inexpensive, and you can see a lot in an hour.

CAN YOU SWIM IN GLACIER: Yes, but the water usually doesn’t get above 50 degrees! Read our article, Can You Swim in Glacier, for more.

Stop #3: Logan Pass

Logan Pass sits at the top of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It has a couple of great hikes: Hidden Lake Overlook and the Highline Trail. It is also just beautiful to walk around. It’s common to see wildlife like mountain goats and sheep here. On our last visit, we even saw a grizzly bear!

The problem is that it’s really hard to find parking here, so we try to visit later in the day or early evening when the park starts clearing out.

If you are interested in doing any hiking up there, check out our article 11 Great Hikes in Glacier.

Sleep: Stay somewhere on the West side of the park like West Glacier or Kalispell.

IMPORTANT: Logan Pass has a 3-hour parking limit (2026 season). A hikers shuttle is available for those who want to spend longer. You can learn more and check the current status on the Glacier NP website.

DAY 10: GLACIER, GOING-TO-THE-SUN ROAD and ST MARY

You may have driven the Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass in the evening yesterday, but today, it’s the star of the show. This awe-inspiring road cut into the side of the mountains carries you around 50 miles into forests, up through cliffs, past waterfalls, over a mountain pass on the Continental Divide, and down toward shimmering lakes and rivers with impressive scenery around every turn. It takes about 2 hours to drive without stops.

Stop #1: Going-to-the-Sun Road

There are steep drop-offs which can be intimidating to some, but no special permit is required, and a regular vehicle can make the climb. If you want to see the road like early park visitors did, you can schedule a Red Bus Tour. You can read all about our experience, but the bottom line is that we loved the breeze and views that came with the open top and the narration by our driver. We would do it again.

If you drive yourself, you can stop at Logan Pass again as well as some other great viewpoints. Our favorites are Bird Woman Falls and Oberlin Bend.

Stop #2: St Mary Falls Hikes

After Logan Pass, you’ll enter the St Mary area. There are lots of waterfalls here. The hike to
St Mary Falls & Virginia Falls is one of our favorites. The tiered St Mary Falls is beautiful, and people like to
jump in the water from the bridge. The section to Virginia Falls, though it has 300 ft of elevation gain, is
our favorite part of the hike. How long the hike is actually depends on where you are able to get parking.

Grab some lunch at Two Dog Flats while you are in the area. It’s a grill that is actually pretty good. We liked our pulled pork sandwich and REALLY LIKED their huckleberry pie. There are also picnic spots along the way if you prefer to avoid lines and enjoy the outdoors.

Stop #3: Rising Sun Boat Ride

This boat tour is our second favorite because it’s located in our second favorite valley. St Mary Lake is often choppy, so they do not have water rentals here – a boat tour is the only way to explore the lake. There are several boat tours throughout the day.

On each tour, there is an optional, easy hike to Baring Falls. The boat will wait 15 minutes while you walk to the falls and back. The narration is good, the views are great, and wildlife sightings are common (we’ve seen a moose). This boat tour is the least busy of the boat locations, so you’re more likely to get a walk-up tour, although you can still reserve a tour in advance if you know you want to do it.

Glacier Park Boat Company has been running boat tours since 1938 and is the only company licensed in the park. They offer 4 boat tours: Lake McDonald, St Mary, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier. Tours last between 45 minutes and an hour and a half and cost ~$21-$42. You can learn more about their tours on their website. We’ve done all of them. They all have great views and narration.

Sleep: St Mary is an expensive but great place to stay. In fact, it’s the only “home base” in Glacier that you can stay the whole trip and not have to drive too much. East Glacier is another option for tonight.

DAY 11 (Optional): Two Medicine Valley

This is a lesser-visited area of the park. It’s similar to Glacier’s other valleys of Lake McDonald and St Mary (boat tours, hiking, and watercraft rentals), but it is famous for wildlife.

It doesn’t take all day to see it, and we certainly recommend a stop at the Kiyoyo Bakery (amazing sandwiches and baked goods!) and the Museum of the Plains Indians.

If you are planning on spending a day in this area, make sure to read our article, 12 Things To Do in Two Medicine and East Glacier.

Sleep: Either spend the night in St Mary again or move on to Babb, MT or Many Glacier.

DAY 12: GLACIER, MANY GLACIER

You’ve made it to our very favorite area in Glacier National Park, Many Glacier. This part of the park sees far fewer visitors than the busy west side. We enjoy the trails, lakes, and classy Many Glacier Hotel. We like this area so much, we’ll often spend two days here.

Stop #1: Grinnell Glacier or Grinnell Lake Hike 

Normally, we don’t suggest an 8-mile, round-trip hike, but… Grinnell Glacier is our second favorite hike of all time and is worth your consideration if you think you can do it. You see waterfalls, wildflowers, amazing valley views, and end with a glacier and glacial lake. It really is magical! It will take most of the day to do it and you can learn everything you need to know to do this incredible hike in our article, How to Do the Grinnell Glacier Hike and Many Glacier Boat Tour (By a Former Guide).

If that sounds too difficult, there is a great back-up option, Grinnell Lake. This is a two-mile round-trip hike. It’s mostly a forested and shady path with a small bridge crossing. It leads to the shore of Grinnell Lake, which is a great lake to get in the water. The views of the mountain amphitheater surrounding the lake are wonderful, and you’ll see Grinnell Falls flowing 1,000 ft down the mountain wall in the distance.

If you are super ambitious, you could do both hikes. We once did this for a total mileage of 9.8 miles.

It’s important to know that you need to get tickets for the Many Glacier Boat Ride. If you don’t, you can still do the hikes, but you’ll have to add an extra 5 total miles.

Stop #2: Many Glacier Hotel

Did you know that Glacier National Park has some amazing Swiss-style hotels and lodges? The Many Glacier Hotel is the best lodge in the entire NPS (in my humble opinion). It actually enhances the beauty of the surrounding area.

Although staying here is wonderful (read my article, Many Glacier Hotel: Should You Stay Here? An Honest Review), you don’t need to be a hotel guest to enjoy it!

The lobby is filled with huge windows that offer views of Grinnell Peak and Swiftcurrent Lake. There is also outdoor seating on the deck out back. We’ve often seen animals along the lakeshore, including moose. It’s a wonderful spot to watch a sunset.

Stop #3: Ranger Program or Shorter Hikes

We’ve caught ranger programs in the Many Glacier area as well. We’ve never seen one we didn’t like, and they often cover a species of wildlife.

There are other, shorter hikes too.

Red Rock Falls is one of our favorites. It’s 2 hrs, 4.2 miles round trip, moderate, and has 285 ft of elevation gain. It ends with a waterfall with red rocks that are actually red- not the orange color that is often called red rocks.

Swift Current Nature Trail is another great one. It goes around Swiftcurrent Lake and the Many Glacier area and is 2.6 miles round trip and easy. It only has about 100 feet of elevation gain.

Stop #4: Dinner/Drinks at Ptarmigans

If you want to reward yourself with a nice meal, Ptarmigan Dining Room is very popular because many of the tables offer views of Swiftcurrent Lake and Grinnell Peak. I personally find dinner a bit too fancy and overpriced, but…I do love their breakfast buffet. Same great views and half the price.

Sleep: You can stay at St Mary, Many Glacier, Babb, or drive to Waterton, Canada (if you have the time).

DAY 13: WATERTON

Waterton is a perfect addition to your Canadian Rockies road trip. It’s less crowded than Glacier and Banff and has a laketown feel, which is a welcome break from the grandeur of the national parks.

Stop #1: Cross the border

It’s a 45-minute drive from Many Glacier to Waterton International Peace Park. Have your passport ready. Weapons have to be declared and may be taken away, along with certain types of produce. If you are traveling with your dog, you will need to show a current rabies certificate. Learn more here.

Stop #2: Waterton Townsite

National parks in Canada are different than the national parks in the United States. Many national parks include real towns within them that have privately run hotels, restaurants, and shops.

Waterton’s townsite is delightful. There are great restaurants, including the Pizza of Waterton (great nachos- weird but true). You can also go to Beaver Tails where they serve Beaver Tails, a Canadian treat that is like a huge flat donut with frosting and toppings on it. They are super yummy, and our kids love them.

You can rent surreys and bikes at Pats of Waterton to cruise around the town to check out the shops and restaurants. Make sure to visit the Waterton Lakes National Park Visitor Centre. It’s free and is so nicely done with modern exhibits and lots to explore for the kids.

Visit Cameron Falls as well. It’s a nice fall, 75 feet tall, and requires the same effort to get to as walking from your car to the grocery store from the parking lot. Really easy.

Stop #3: Prince of Wales Hotel

From the townsite, you’ll notice a charming building that looks like a castle perched on the hill overlooking the town. That is the Prince of Wales Hotel. You don’t need to be a guest to enjoy its stunning lobby, but they do charge to park there sometimes. See their website for the current rules.

The lobby is fancy and has incredible views of Waterton Lake and the townsite below. My favorite indulgence here is having afternoon tea in the Royal Stewart Dining Room. It is fancy and delicious. There’s live piano music and wonderful views. It was wonderful to have a little break from the hiking boots and get dressed up for a nice meal.

There is also a great store inside the hotel that sells Canadian souvenirs and fancy tea sets.

Stop #4: Red Rock Parkway

This is a 9-mile road that begins in grasslands and then makes its way through a dramatic valley. This is a narrow, winding road filled with wildlife, so drive slowly. Bears or other wildlife could pop out suddenly. There’s a parking lot at the end of the road, with a few attractions including a bison paddock, Red Rock Canyon (a little gorge where you can play in the water), and Blakiston Falls.

You can learn more about Waterton in our article, One Day in Waterton Lakes: Things to Do, Restaurants & Tips.

Sleep: You can spend the night in Waterton or make the drive to Banff or Calgary and sleep there

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 the Canadian Rockies don’t thaw out until later in the summer. Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Road is usually open the first week of July and the shuttles for Banff’s Moraine Lake start 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 parks have to offer.

If you travel in September, you will experience fewer crowds in these parks, but it does come with its drawback. First, Banff and Jasper can get quite cold the later into September you visit. We visited later in September and many mornings I was wearing a sweater, coat, beanie, and gloves. Second, Glacier is not nearly as pretty in fall. The wildflowers are gone, the waterfalls are dried up or are barely a trickle, and there aren’t many trees that offer colorful fall leaves.

ABOUT CROWDS: Honestly, the crowds in the Canadian Rockies 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 Canadian Rockies Bundle 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.

How to Get to the Canadian Rockies

The two most common airports for this road trip are Calgary in Alberta, Canada and Kalispell in Montana, USA. It can save a lot of driving time to fly into one and out the other, but it can be really expensive when you factor in rental car drop fees. We just recommend using whichever option has the cheapest flight plus a rental car combined.

Visiting the Canadian Rockies is truly incredible. We hope that this article has been a good resource to help you start planning your trip.

If you want to make planning your trip to the Canadian Rockies a breeze, check out our easy-to-follow, step-by-step Canadian Rockies Bundle.

Itinerary includes:

• 7-12 Day Itinerary including  maps, charts, and images to keep you on course
• See the BEST of the Canadian Rockies: Banff, Jasper, Waterton, and Glacier National Parks. Plus, Yoho and Kootenay!
• Includes: Things to do in Calgary, Canmore, and Edmonton too!
• Lodging and Dining Recommendations by area to minimize driving and suit any budget
• Best for Travel June through September
• Must-know booking timelines and checkboxes to help you secure reservations and stay ahead in your trip planning
• BONUS: Canadian Rockies Road Trip Overview Guide – Multiple road trip plans: Begin in Banff or Glacier; we have plans for both. Features detailed maps and recommendations for where to stay each night to make your trip planning easy.