Banff National Park is one of the top bucket-list destinations in Canada’s Rocky Mountains and one of our favorite trips we’ve ever taken together! Located in the province of Alberta, the Park features mesmerizing blue lakes, incredible mountain peaks, and thrilling adventure all around. Banff is the perfect destination for anyone and everyone, with plenty of activities that appeal to all types of travelers. Adventure-seekers can get their fill of canoeing, hiking, and chasing wildlife, while also enjoying top-of-the-line spas, dining, and sightseeing.
We’ve put together this five-day itinerary that will take you to all the top sights across Banff, including the famous Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. Visitors can expect to do a fair amount of hiking during their stay, but there are many trails available for all skill levels. The picturesque Town of Banff is the perfect base to explore all the national park has to offer, but be sure to rent a car as this park is over 1.6 million acres wide. Come see for yourself why Canada’s first national park should be at the top of your bucket list!
Disclaimer: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we urge you to check the official website for any attractions, activities, restaurants, etc. that you wish to visit as regulations can change rapidly.
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Trip Description
When to Visit
Know Before You Go
Itinerary Overview
The Details
Trip Description
Type: Small Group
Style: Adventure, Hiking
Pace: Fast – you’re covering a lot of ground
Flexibility: Medium
Scope: Best of the Best
For more information on our descriptors, visit our FAQ page!
When to Visit
Banff’s peak season is from June to August when all of the roads are open, the weather is perfect for outdoor activities, and the lakes are accessible. March through December are optimal for those looking for ski vacations. We visited towards the end of August and thought it was perfect!
For the scope of this article, we will focus on summertime activities.
Know Before You Go
The easiest way to get to Banff National Park is by flying into Calgary International Airport, which is about a 90-minute drive to the park. We recommend renting a car at the airport as it will allow you the most flexibility as you work your way through your itinerary! Another option is to take the Banff Airporter shuttle into the center of town. Check out their website as COVID-19 may have impacted the shuttle’s hours of service.
While driving through the park or hiking the trails you may not have any cell phone service. We recommend downloading the full park map on Google Maps so that it can be available regardless of internet service. Additionally, you can also download the All Trails App to help keep you on the right track during your hikes!
Lastly, Banff is home to many wild animals – elk, moose, coyotes, bears, and so on. Use caution while you are hiking, especially during feeding hours (dawn and dusk). As exciting as it is to spot an animal out in the wild, you must remember to keep a safe distance! It is recommended that you carry bear spray and hike in groups of 3-4 people! The Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A) is a great location for viewing wild animals from a safe distance!
Be sure to check out our article on what to pack for a hiking trip for other suggestions on what you might need!
Itinerary Overview
| *Day | Date | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Friday | Arrive, Town of Banff |
| 2 | Saturday | Moraine Lake, Lake Minnewanka |
| 3 | Sunday | Johnston Canyon, Town of Banff |
| 4 | Monday | Lake Louise, Peyto Lake |
| 5 | Tuesday | Town of Banff, Calgary, Depart |
The Details
Day 1 – Town of Banff
Upon your morning arrival at Calgary International Airport, grab your rental car or head to the shuttle bus to begin your 90-minute drive into Banff National Park. It is a fairly simple drive along the Trans Canada Highway.
Once you arrive, check into your hotel and head into town to do some exploring! Banff is a cute, small town that is easily walkable. There are plenty of restaurants, shops, art galleries, and walking trails to check out with breathtaking views of the mountain peaks.
For dinner, make your way over to The Maple Leaf Grill and Lounge located right in town. If you eat meat, take this chance to order some delicious Alberta game such as elk/bison or fresh salmon!
Head back to your hotel and try to get a good night’s sleep, as you’ll have to be up early for sunrise the next day!
Day 2 – Moraine Lake / Lake Minnewanka
Rise and shine! Set your alarms for 3:00 AM to prepare for your jam-packed day at Moraine Lake, starting with the sunrise. The drive to Moraine is about 2 hours from the Town of Banff, so make sure to grab some coffee and snacks for the road! The parking lot at Moraine is pretty small and tends to fill up very early (by 5:30 AM/5:45 AM) so try to get there as early as possible!
You’ll also want to snag a prime viewing spot to see the sunrise. Make sure to pack layers and even a blanket since the weather is very chilly in the early morning hours. We visited in August and it was 30 degrees Fahrenheit!
Once you park, follow signs to the Rock Pile Trail. It is an easy 0.5-mile trail that leads you to an amazing lookout of the lake. Bring a flashlight or a headlamp, since you will likely be doing this hike in the dark. We used the flashlights on our phones and were ok!
Find a spot at the top of the trail and watch the magic happen right before your eyes as the sun begins to rise. While you won’t have a direct view of the actual sun, the light reflects off the mountain peaks and creates a stunning array of colors. This was one of our favorite experiences during our trip and truly awe-inspiring. Spend as long as you like at this spot and try to rest up a bit since you will be tired from the early wake-up.
You’ll likely be hungry, so head over to the café at the Moraine Lake Lodge and grab a bite to eat and explore some of the grounds surrounding the lake via the Shoreline Trail. We recommend this hike for beginners!
After you’ve eaten, rested, and explored, you’ll be ready for a bit of a more challenging hike! Begin on the eastern side of the lake and follow signs for the Larch Valley Trail. Set aside around 3 hours for this hike so that you can truly enjoy its beauty. You will begin by hiking up a bit of a more woodsy area, but eventually you will reach the valley with beautiful sights of the mountains.
Once you’ve hiked back down (yay!), you can choose to rent a canoe to further explore the lake from up close! We were tired so decided to canoe Lake Louise instead (on Day 3 of our itinerary!).
On the way back to the Town of Banff, make a pit stop at Lake Minnewanka. This lake is the largest body of water in Banff National Park and features plenty of activities! You can spend your time taking in the views of the lake with Mount Inglismaldie and Fairholme in the background, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, or taking a boat ride.
After a long day, head back to your hotel to relax and freshen up for dinner!
Dinner tonight will be at Sky Bistro which sits at the summit of Sulphur Mountain. To get there, you’ll need to take a 10-minute gondola ride up the mountain! Be sure to reserve the sky experience ahead of time as it sells out quickly.
If you can, make your reservation around sunset and arrive about 30 minutes early to experience the phenomenal views from the rooftop observation deck.
After dinner, head back to the hotel and get some well-deserved rest. Congrats you made it through your first day!
Day 3 – Johnston Canyon / Town of Banff
After yesterday’s marathon of events, you’ll have a bit of a slower day today.
Wake up at your leisure and drive about 40 minutes to Johnston Canyon for a little morning hike. The 3ish mile trail is pretty easy and has rewarding waterfall views that you don’t want to miss! Spend as little or as long as you like exploring the area!
After your hike, head back into town for some Sunday Funday activities! Make reservations for brunch (ahead of time) at The Bison Restaurant. The restaurant features delicious food, great vibes, an outdoor terrace, and live music! We highly recommend their Bloody Mary that is to-die-for (no exaggeration).
Once you are done enjoying your brunch, take some time to walk around the town! You can do some shopping on Banff Avenue, check out the beautiful flowers outside of the Administrative Building, or walk along the Bow River Trail.
Before you head back to your hotel to relax, stop at COWs for some delicious ice cream. The parlor features cow-themed ice cream flavors, such as ‘Messie Bessie’, ‘Wowie Cowie’, and ‘Cownadian Maple’! All were delicious.
Afterwards, head to your hotel to relax or even take a little afternoon nap.
For dinner, make reservations at Eden, which is inside of the Rimrock Resort Hotel, for a fine dining experience and spectacular mountain views.
After dinner, take a short drive to Vermillion Lakes to watch a beautiful sunset! You might even get lucky and spot an elk or even a moose.
If you are feeling up to it, you can head to a bar in the town or just go back to the hotel to get some shut eye before another long day!
Day 4 – Lake Louise / Peyto Lake
Another day, another early morning! Today you’ll be heading over to Lake Louise for a fun-filled day. The drive to Lake Louise is about 50 minutes so you’ll want to be on the road by 5:30 AM so that you can arrive before 7:00 AM (parking lots tend to fill up by 7:00 AM or so).
Take some pics, stretch, and make sure you’re ready for your hike! We recommend the Little Beehive via Lake Agnes Trail. The hike is about 5.6 miles long and considered to be moderate. There are quite a few switchbacks as you make your way upwards, however, the views consistently breathtaking views are well worth it.
As you ascend, your first stop will be at Mirror Lake. Take some time to catch your breath, drink water, and enjoy the view.
Continue on the trail until you reach Lake Agnes. While at Lake Agnes, stop at the Tea House for a break and some breakfast! Built in 1901, the family-owned Tea House serves homemade soups, freshly baked bread, and over 100 varieties of tea! It is a great way to break up your hike while also having a unique dining experience.
After fueling up, you’ll want to complete your hike up to the summit (about 15-20 minutes away from Lake Agnes). Trust us, the view is quite rewarding!
Be careful which path you take on your way down. We recommend hiking down the way you came up as some of the other trails down can be a bit challenging and rocky.
Now is the real fun part – canoeing! You can rent a canoe on the docks for around $95.00 (plus tax) per canoe and spend some time admiring the beauty of the turquoise waters and surrounding mountains.
Tip: The weather can change rapidly and the boathouse will close if the lake becomes too windy. If you can, wait it out as they will re-open once the wind subdues.
Once you are done canoeing, make your way over to Peyto Lake, another gorgeous, glacier-fed, vibrant blue lake. A 1.5 mile walk will lead you to the Peyto Lake Panorama Overlook for some phenomenal views of the picturesque lake. If you’re feeling up to it, there are many other trails around the perimeter that you can explore.
Drive back to your hotel to relax and get ready for dinner at The Three Ravens Restaurant and Wine Bar. The food, the wine, the staff, and the views were all impeccable! The restaurant can be a bit pricey, but the meal and ambiance are worth every single penny.
Head back to your hotel after a long day for some rest and relaxation! If you aren’t tired (amazingly so), you can always head into the town to a bar for some drinks! Otherwise, goodnight!
Day 5 – Calgary / Head Home
Congratulations – You have made it through our full itinerary! Today is your last day in Banff National Park. Wake up, pack your bags, check out of your room, and head to Juniper Bistro for a healthy breakfast.
After breakfast, begin your 90-minute drive back to Calgary. Depending on your flight time, you can choose to explore some of downtown Calgary or head to the airport.
We hope you enjoy your trip! Banff is truly a magical place with beauty everywhere that you turn! Let us know in the comments below what you thought or if you have any other Banff suggestions!
xx,
Carla & Kristen
- Calgary International Airport (YYC)
- Rimrock Resort Hotel
- Sky Bistro
- Moraine Lake
- Lake Minnewanka
- Vermillion Lakes
- Lake Agnes Tea House
- Little Beehive Lookout
- Larch Valley Trail
- Improvement District No. 9
- Lake Louise
- The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
- Three Ravens
- The Bison Restaurant & Lounge
- The Juniper Hotel & Bistro
- Maple Leaf Grille
- COWS Banff
