How to Plan 4 Remarkable Days in Banff National Park

In Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, you will get truly breathtaking views of the Canadian Rockies. My husband and I couldn’t get over how humbling it was to be surrounded by so many beautiful mountain views. We decided on a 4-day Banff itinerary and felt like we saw most of the iconic sights, of course, Banff has so much to offer for various travelers so we did not see everything.

August was the perfect summer adventure with temperatures ranging from 16C-24C (61F-75F). We would love to come back in the winter for the snowy activities, but summer offers a lot of flexible options for outdoor activities like hiking and sightseeing. My tips and recommendations are broken into a 4-day itinerary, with an additional option to spend the night in Jasper, located in Yoho National Park.

Getting To Banff

Calgary Airport

To get to Banff National Park, we flew into Calgary and rented a car. From Calgary to Banff the drive is 152 km (94.4 miles), roughly 1.5 hours without stops. Flying into Calgary is the most direct option, but another possibility is to fly into Vancouver and take a scenic train ride.

Is Renting a Car Necessary?

For 4 days in Banff, renting a car is dependent on the kind of trip you are planning. If you follow an itinerary similar to what I have created, you will need a rental car. If you are only interested in attractions around downtown Banff and are traveling with a group, then I don’t think it is necessary.

The process for renting the car was very easy, we opted for a small sedan since we knew we would not be experiencing snow and there wouldn’t be a need for a 4-wheel drive. I will say, we put a ton of miles on the rental because there are so many scenic drives. Keep that in mind if rental companies put a cap on your miles.

Public Transport

If you have opted out of renting a car or if you are utilizing public transport to avoid the headache of finding parking in popular areas, then I suggest using ROAM transit. ROAM transit offers stops at several popular attractions and also goes into Canmore. Schedules and maps for ROAM transit can be found here.

Where to Stay When Visiting Banff National Park

When deciding where to stay, the area has two main towns: Canmore and Banff. Of course, Banff town has several accommodation options and is great for easy accessibility to the majority of the attractions.

For a more economical option, I would choose Canmore. We decided to stay in Canmore and loved it! Banff can get very crowded during tourist season and we found Canmore to be a relaxed mountain town with fewer tourists. If you are deciding between the two and don’t mind the extra 20 minute drive, then I highly suggest Canmore. We stayed at The Lodges at Canmore and thoroughly enjoyed it! This was a great budget-friendly option for us.

4-day Banff National Park Itinerary

Day 1: The Infamous Banff National Park lakes

Parking and Shuttles

Start your first full day in Banff National Park with a bang by visiting two of the most popular sights in the area, Moraine and Louise Lakes. Deciding which lake to stop at first depends on the parking situation and whether you want to see both lakes.

As of 2024, private vehicles at Moraine Lake are now prohibited, so the only option to ensure you see both lakes is to utilize public transport. The parking situation at Lake Louise is promising, as long as you arrive early. To ensure you will get to visit both lakes in 1 day, I suggest the park-and-ride option. By reserving this pass, you will be guaranteed a parking spot at the Lake Louise Ski Resort and will take a shuttle to the lakes from there. The lake connector shuttle will be available for you to ride between the two sites.

IMPORTANT: you must park and check in at the ski resort in order to take the shuttle. I made this mistake with my husband, as we found a spot early at Lake Louise, thinking we could still take the connector, but were not able to because we had not checked in prior. Once you have your parking and transportation squared away, you can finally enjoy the beauty of the area!

Lake Louise: Hiking and Activities

Lake Louise is where you’ll do most of your hiking between the two lakes. The Lake Agnes, Big Beehive, and Plain of Six Glaciers hikes are connected so you can opt for a distance you feel the most comfortable. We decided on the Big Beehive Hike and the views were stunning. It was moderately difficult because of the steep climb to the top, but seeing the bright blue hue of Lake Louise from the top of the mountain made it all worth it. This is where my husband proposed to me (Lake Louise- so fitting), so this hike has a special place in our hearts.

Here are the hikes with the AllTrails listed, so you can better understand the terrain and difficulty of the various hikes.

• Lake Agnes Trail 4.6 miles (7.4km)

• Lake Louise Lakeshore trail 2.8 miles (4.5km)

Canoeing

The canoe pictures are iconic to Banff National Park as the blue hues and mountainous terrain make for beautiful backdrops. Canoes cost $155/30 minutes and $165/hour which is pricey, but a cool option if you don’t mind spending the money. You can also rent canoes on Moraine Lake for a similar price of $140/hour.

Tip: you can bring your own canoe, kayak, and even paddle board to both sites, so get there early and enjoy cost-free.

Moraine Lake: Hiking and Activities

While at Moraine Lake, my husband and I took this opportunity to decompress and admire the beautiful views after the big beehive and eat lunch. The area has nice facilities and restrooms, which is something to think about when planning meals and stops. If the hikes at Lake Louise didn’t satisfy your adventure mindset or if you are just now starting your day, then there are two popular options: Moraine Lake Shoreline Trail, and the Rockpile. Another activity would be to watch the sunrise, you will have to get up super early and reserve a bus pass, but the views are breathtaking.

• Lake Shoreline 2.3 miles (3.7km)
• Rockpile .5 miles (.8km)

As mentioned before, there are canoes available to rent for $140/hour, we decided not to splurge on this activity, but it looks so picturesque and could be something to plan for. Technically you can bring your own canoe, kayak, or paddle board, but since private vehicles are prohibited, there is no easy way to transport them.

Explore Banff Town

If you still have time after a day at the lakes, then I suggest walking around the charming town of Banff. Banff National Park is unique as the town was the first municipality in Canada to be incorporated into the park. Lining the streets are several shops, restaurants, and parks within walking distance from downtown.

If you are lucky, there is also a farmers market on Wednesday from 10 am – 6 pm that truly feels like a community when walking around. We actually met someone who went to the same university as us (Go APP State!) working one of the tents.

Day 2: Bow Valley Parkway

Start your day by visiting Johnston Canyon and driving along the Bow Valley Parkway for scenic views and wildlife spotting. Johnston Canyon is a well-kept trail to view the upper and lower falls. Unfortunately, the trail to Upper Falls and Ink Pots were closed when we went. This is an attraction I would suggest arriving early to as the parking lot can fill up fast. After finishing your hike in Johnston Canyon, continue along the Bow Valley parkway to stop at some amazing viewpoints. There are several stops along the parkway so I have narrowed down some of highlights:

Viewpoints

• Castle Lookout
• Morant’s Curve
• Backswamp
• Rockbound Lake

Hikes

Hiking is the best way to immerse yourself in the nature of Banff National Park and to potentially spot wildlife! I highly suggest brining bear spray with you on every hike. An encounter with a bear may be rare, but it is always better to have it, than to not. Here is a list of hikes along the Bow Valley Parkway:

• Rockbound Lake – Moderate 11.2 miles (18km)
• Cory Pass– Difficult 7.9 miles (12.7km)
• Castle Mountain– Moderate/Difficult 4.5 miles (7.2km)

Banff National Park Attractions

If you are hiked out or decided on less time-consuming hikes, you could also explore attractions closer to Banff town. Remember that Banff is a SUPER busy town so expect crowds and long wait times. Here is a breakdown of the attractions close to the town.

Banff Town to Sulphur Mountain

There are two options to reach Sulphur Mountain, the gondola and a hike. No matter the journey, you will see amazing views of Sulphur Mountain and other Banff National Park views once you reach the top. When you reach the top, there are several family-friendly amenities, including a restaurant, restrooms, exhibits, and a boardwalk for the different viewing points!

The gondola prices vary by day, but ranges from $60-$70 and kids under 5 ride free. This is a great option if traveling with family and also need a more accessibility options.

Sulphur Mountain Hike to Gondola– 6.7 miles (10.8km)

Another option to reach the top, without paying the price to ride the gondola is to hike! You can also ride the gondola down at half the price once you reach the top. Linked is the AllTrails for more hike information

Banff Upper Hot Springs

The only hot springs within Banff National Park costs $17.50 for adults. Parking is very limited, and ROAM transit is the best option for transportation. This area gets very crowded so I would plan accordingly.

There are other hot springs in the area if you want a similar experience, but do not care about being in town. We opted to go to Radium Hot Springs, 136km (84.5 miles) from Banff, to get away from the crowds and enjoy Kootenay National Park. Of course, when we got to the springs, the pool was being drained because someone threw glass in the water. If you plan to stay in Jasper, you could also go to Miette Hot Springs.

Cave and Basin

Cave and Basin costs $9 for adults and is a great activity for visitors wanting to learn more about Banff National Park’s history. The museum and exhibits are centered around the geothermal waters that were first discovered by indigenous people of the area, then later in 1883 by three Canadian Pacific Railway workers. Later in 1886 the area was turned into a swimming pool and bathhouse, which permanently closed in 1992.

Days 3 & 4: Icefields Parkway & Jasper

I decided to break out the last couple of days by how you want to spend your time on the Icefields Parkway. The whole parkway is 142 miles (228.5km), and your time depends on stops and hikes. This is another great road for wildlife viewing. Option 1 will be based on staying the night in Jasper. Option 2 is for the traveler who will continue their stay in Banff and wishes to see highlights of the parkway and would rather add a hike to the trip. I think both are great options, just dependent on how you wish to travel.

Day 3- Option 1

Icefields Parkway to Jasper

Begin your journey to Jasper on the parkway. Be prepared for a longer drive as the distance from Banff to Jasper is 178 miles (288 km). Listed below are the stops that are worth pulling off for. This is a super hard list to narrow down, but since you will have to return back to Banff after Jasper, you can also split up the stops or make note of any you missed.

• Herbert Lake
• Crowfoot Glacier
• Bow Lake
• Bow Glacier
• Peyto Lake
  • I would stop here for a quick hike before getting back on the parkway. Walking to get to some amazing views of Peyto lake will blow you away.
• Waterfowl Lakes
• Mistaya Canyon
• Saskatchewan River Crossing
  • this is a great picnic stop with some cool history as well!
• Weeping Wall
• Bridal Veil Falls
• Icefield Center
  • There are several activities at the Icefield Center for you to explore the Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefields. Linked here are the various excursions: Columbia Icefield Adventure, Columbia Skywalk, and the Ice Odyssey.
• Sunwapta Falls
• Athabasca Falls
• Valley of Five Lakes

After several stops along the way, you have finally arrived in Jasper for the night! Some sights to see in Jasper include, Maligne Lake canyon and, explore jasper town (much smaller and more quaint than Banff)

Day 3- Option 2

Icefields parkway and hiking options

Hiking

There are several options for hiking in the area. Plan this day by what you want to spend your day doing and by how much you want to see on the parkway. You could spend the whole day on one hike or several. Pick your own adventure! I’ve added various hikes along the parkway with different lengths and difficulty.

• Wilcox Pass– 7.2 miles (11.6km)
  • This hike is the furthest I would go if you return to Banff. The drive from Banff is 113.1 miles (182km) and is roughly 2 hours away. When you start your journey, I recommend driving straight to the trail and seeing some of the sights after.
• Parker Ridge– 4.0 miles (6.4km)
  • This trail is very close to Wilcox Pass, so I will recommend arriving early here as well. The trail isn’t as long so you will have time for more sightseeing afterwards.
• Bow Glacier Falls– 5.5 miles (8.8km)
• Bow Summit– 4.2 miles (6.8km)
  • This trail actually is connected to Peyto Lake Panoramic Viewpoint, so you will get to check two hikes off your list!
• Peyto Lake Panoramic Viewpoint– 1.5 miles (2.4km)
  • No matter what other hike you do, I suggest still doing this hike because it is an easy terrain, fully paved, and well-managed trail that provides amazing views of Peyto Lake.

Just a reminder: It’s easy to get caught up in all the sights and the breathtaking beauty of Banff National Park, but don’t forget that if you go too far, you’ll have a long drive back to Banff. My husband and I decided to turn around after reaching Saskatchewan River Crossing because we did not stay in Jasper.

Day 4– Option 1

Explore Jasper

Before you head back to Banff, take the time to explore Jasper and its natural beauty. Similar to Banff National Park, there are beautiful lakes and idyllic mountain views. Because you have a long drive back, I would choose only a couple of these sights, but here are a few to choose from while in town.

• Maligne Canyon
• Maligne Lake
• Spirit Island
• Pyramid Lake

Day 4- Option 2

Spend your last day exploring any attractions and views you’ve missed. One of the best things about traveling is the ability to learn about popular viewpoints and attractions from others. For the last day, I suggest visiting any hiking trails or attractions that you haven’t had a chance to see yet. I will also provide additional options that would be a great addition to your itinerary.

Other Banff National Park attractions

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

The Banff Springs Hotel is such an iconic and picturesque hotel. Non-hotel guests are welcome to explore various parts of the hotel interior to admire the architecture and history. If you are into this, you could have a drink or dine at one of their restaurants.

If you’re interested in seeing the architecture and design of the hotel but don’t necessarily want to explore inside, then I suggest viewing the hotel from Surprise Corner. This viewpoint is a short drive from downtown Banff and has a small parking lot. Another cool time to go is in the evening when the hotel is lit up!

Spa Day

After a few days of hiking, nothing is better than a relaxing spa day. There are so many options in both Banff and Canmore, I don’t think you could go wrong.

More Lakes

Want to add a couple more lakes to your list? The last two lakes I believe are worth seeing are Lake Minnewanka and the Vermillion Lakes. Lake Minnewanka is about 15 minutes from downtown Banff, and the Vermillion Lakes are around 6 minutes away. There are several adventure options on Lake Minnewanka, including a boat cruise. The Vermillion Lakes is a perfect spot to watch wildlife or go on a short walk.

THANK YOU

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this article by Squeeze with Louise. I’m very passionate about sharing my travel tips and recommendations with you. I would love to know your thoughts on how I can enhance my blog. Please feel free to comment below with any questions regarding this itinerary or general questions about Squeeze with Louise.