Banff National Park is the oldest and most visited national park in Canada. Visitors come to the Canadian Rockies to enjoy mountain views, hike to mountain peaks, observe wildlife, camp in nature, admire the turquoise lakes and enjoy the solitude.
I have been living near Banff National Park for more than a decade and every time I visit, it takes my breath away. Many hiking trails offer views of glaciers or a beautiful lake. There are endless options for canoeing or stand-up paddleboarding, and the combination of mountain views and wildlife watching is what every visitor likes most.
As there are an overwhelming amount of activities in Banff, I will detail the best options to spend four days in Banff. This is the ideal itinerary if you are visiting the Rocky Mountains for the first time: spend four days in Banff, 1-2 days driving the Icefields Parkway (with an optional detour to Yoho National Park) and three days in Jasper National Park.
Below, see a more detailed 4-day itinerary in Banff. Ideal for the summer.
Day 1 – City of Banff & Canoeing on the Bow River
The City of Banff
The famous small mountain town of Banff is in the heart of Banff National Park, offering stunning mountain views and many activities.
After checking in at your accommodation, stroll along the main Banff Avenue. There are mostly restaurants and gift shops. I recommend lunch at Grizzly House and have ice cream at Cows. Banff now declared Banff Avenue a pedestrian zone, making it much more enjoyable without traffic and a great place for a photo with the iconic Cascade Mountain.
Continue walking along the Bow River and take the trail towards Bow Falls. A slightly more challenging trail leads to Tunnel Mountain and the nearby Hoodos. For a panoramic location, drive Mount Norquay Scenic Drive for a unique view of Banff from above.
To learn about the history of the mountains around Banff, visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, the birthplace of Banff National Park. You can enter a small cave with a natural hot spring and a museum. Other options are visiting the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies or the Banff Park Museum National Historic Site.
Canoeing on the Bow River
In the afternoon, canoe, one of the most popular activities in the Rocky Mountains. Going north along the Bow River, you arrive at Banff Canoe Club. They offer canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard rental. For a group experience, join the Big Canoe Tour that runs three times a day or the Wildlife on the Bow Tour at night, which gives you a great introduction to the amazing wildlife you can see in the Rocky Mountains.
Day 2 – Vermilion Lake & Sulphur Mountain
Vermilion Lake
There is no better way to start the day than to watch the sunrise with a cup of hot tea in hand. If you pick up one from your hotel or a coffee on the way, walk or drive towards the Vermilion Lakes. The best options for sunrises are Vermilion Lakes or Two Jack Lakes (a little further away from Banff). In Vermilion Lakes, there is a wooden dock that is a perfect place to see the mountains wake up.
Sulphur Mountain of gondola
Picking up a gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain is one of the most popular attractions in Banff. There are two options on how to get to the top of the mountain: gondola or hiking. Climbing gondola takes about 8 minutes and costs about $55 Canadian, depending on the day, as they use flexible prices.
You will see the amazing views of the Spray Valley, Banff, Bow Valley and Minnewanka Lake in one day.
If you opt for this option, buy tickets online to avoid queues, but only a few days before the desired date. The mountain weather changes frequently, and if there is fog or smoke, you will not see much. And they don’t offer refunds due to the weather.
Walk on Sulphur Mountain
The other option – and little known – to get to Sulphur Mountain is to go for a walk. Whether you drive up the gondola from Banff or take the Roam public bus, head to the Upper Hot Springs parking lot where the trail begins.
The trail is well done and climbs through the forest in many zigzags. It is 4.5 km to the top, with occasional views of Rundle Mountain, Banff and Bow Valley. Once at the top, you can continue another 1 km by a boardwalk to the old weather station and then visit the interpretive center, the gift shop or the restaurant inside the gondolas terminal.
If you are tired and do not want to go down the mountain, you can buy a gondola ticket for your downhill tour. The best thing about a walk on Sulphur Mountain is that it is accessible all year round. They have a bonfire in the upper terminal to keep warm and delicious meals in restaurants.
Day 3 – Minnewanka Lake & Johnson Lake
Minnewanka Lake
Lake Minnewanka is the largest lake in Banff, located about 15 km from the city (and next to Two Jack Lakes). You can take a boat cruise by the lake and see some of the wildlife on the coast. Or you can rent a kayak and paddle on your own. It is better to arrive in the morning so as not to face crowds.
Water is the calmest before the wind blows.
If you would like to spend more time at Minnewanka Lake, I recommend walking to Aylmer Lookout or do a combination of bike/walk/bike. You can rent a mountain bike at an outdoor shop in Banff and go to Minnewanka Lake by car or take the public bus.
The first 8.5 km of the trip by Aylmer Lookout is along the lake, which you can walk or bike, then walk 4 km hill up to the viewpoint. The panoramic view of Minnewanka Lake is one of the most rewarding in Banff National Park, and you will probably guard it forever.
It is important to note that the area around Minnewanka Lake is a privileged habitat for grizzly bears. Parks Canada recommends making noise during hiking or biking and carrying a bear spray (can be bought or rented in outdoor shops).
If you visit in the high summer from July 10 to September 15, no bike is allowed along Minnewanka Lake and hiking only in groups of 4 or more.
Johnson Lake
To cool off after the walk or end a hot day, head to Johnson Lake nearby. While most of the lakes in Banff National Park are fed by cold and cold all year round, Johnson Lake is much warmer.
You see families enjoying their day on the shores, picnics, swimming, doing stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking or walking around the lake. The nearby forest offers enough shade to rest and admire the mountain view.
Day 4 – Moraine Lake and Louise Lake
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is the most famous lake in Banff National Park, and used to stamp the $20 bill. It has a stunning turquoise color and is surrounded by Ten Peaks.
When you visit, walk the short trail to Rockpile for the best views of Moraine Lake. Afterwards, you can rent a canoe, grab a snack at the accommodation, walk along the coast or try one of the many walks in the area, such as the Consolação Lakes.
Moraine Lake has become so popular that visiting with his vehicle is no longer allowed. All visitors must book a circular bus. The most economical option is the Parks Canada transfer, which you can book months in advance or when they release the rest of the tickets 48 hours before the date you would like to visit.
Another option is a transportation of private companies. And there are many options: Sunrise Shuttle, Hop-on Banff Shuttle or open double-decker bus.
The best thing is that all buses also visit Louise Lake so you can see the two iconic lakes on the same day.
If you would like to walk on one or both lakes, I recommend spreading your visit for two days so that you have enough time to enjoy them. Anyway, Moraine Lake and Louise Lake are Canada’s most popular lakes, so definitely visit both of them.
Louise Lake
Louise Lake is another scenic lake with Victoria Glacier in the background.
The historic Chateau Lake Louise has lake views and offers luxurious accommodation and dining options. A popular activity on the lake is to walk along the shore to the end and canoe to see the Victoria Glacier more closely.
I recommend walking to see Louise Lake from a panoramic view. You can walk to Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse, Agnes Teahouse, Big Beehive, Devil’s Thumb and Fairview Lookout.
My favorite is Mount St. Piran Hike. It passes the Agnes Lake tea house, and the trail leads away from the crowds to the well-deserved view of Lake Louise from above. The walk is 14 km long (round trip) with 960 meters of altitude, but it is worth it!
Travel Tips for Banff
Observation of the wildlife
Many visitors come to observe wildlife. You can see elk, deer, mountain goats, wild sheep, black bears, grizzly bears and more. Due to the increased dangerous behavior of tourists, Parks Canada strongly imposes the rules of wildlife observation, such as never feeding any wildlife, not approaching or stacking any wildlife and not turning its back on any animal to take a selfie.
Parks Canada recommends carrying a bear spray and learning how to use it if you go hiking. Go to the Visitor Center for information on bears or visit the Parks Canada website.
Park Pass, Park Pass
To visit any national park in Canada, you must purchase a Park Pass, either at the booth when entering the park or online in advance. I recommend getting one in advance as the queues can be huge when entering the national park.
You have the option to buy a daily pass or an annual pass. Buying the annual pass makes more sense if you visit for a week or more. Then you can use it the next year because you will definitely want to visit again!
Accommodation
Hotels in Banff National Park are very expensive in the summer and are often booked months in advance. I recommend that you book your accommodation as soon as you book your flights. If you want to make your trip more economical, there are 14 campsites in Banff National Park.
You can rent a motorhome and camp in Banff in bookable campsites or top-notch camps. And if you are extending your trip to Yoho or Jasper National Park, there is no shortage of campsites.
What about now?
I recommend coming to the Rocky Mountains for at least seven days, ideally 10-14 days. After four days in Banff, stop at Yoho National Park for a few days and continue at Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park.
Icefields Parkway is one of the highlights of the Canadian Rockies due to its many hiking trails, glacial lakes, waterfalls, endless glacier views and wildlife viewing opportunities.
The scenic 232 km journey from Louise Lale in Banff National Park to Jasper National Park was named among the most beautiful car trips in the world. You can drive it in a few hours or take your time and go slower. I recommend a whole day or two days.
Icefields Parkway has limited amenities, so filling the tank in Banff, Lake Louise or Jasper before your road trip is best. There are also some dining and snack options, but it is very limited, are overpriced and not worth it. There is no cell phone or Wi-Fi service on Icefields Parkway, so plan your trip before you go.
Once you arrive in Jasper, you will immediately see why I recommend including it on your itinerary. Highlights of Jasper National Park are walking on Mount Edith Cavell, taking the SkyTram to Whistlers Peak, take a boat cruise through Maligne Lake, visit Maligne Canyon, picnic on Pyramid Island, walk through the Valley of the Five Lakes and swim in Horseshoe Lake or Edith Lake.
I hope this travel guide has been useful and made your trip to Banff easier!
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