Looking for the best way to spend 5 days in Banff? Look no further! In this itinerary you will find the best spots to stay, restaurants to go to, and easy hikes to take while enjoying the wonders of the Canadian Rockies! 
Included is also a check list of what to bring so you can be fully prepared for your trip. 

5 Summer Days in Banff National Park

There are so many options when it comes to staying in Banff. Here you will find a few different options. I laid these out for you based off of the kind of experience you are looking for! When camping, their is a check-in time of 3:00pm and a check-out time of 11:00am. Make sure you plan accordingly when you are traveling!

Let's prep a day to see Lake Louise and head up the mountain to get some tea! Lake Louise is the spot to see! It is beautiful and incredible, but it definitely is a busy busy spot! Getting to the top can be tricky with limited parking and there being a need to purchase tickets before hand to take the bus, this will take some extra planning. There are a few different options you can take! 

First off I am so excited for you to be traveling to Banff National Park! In this itinerary you will find the best way to go about your days in Banff as well as options on places to stay, eat, and things to do so you can enjoy your time in the way that fits you! Remember there is no bad or wrong way to see Banff! I am here to help you make the most out of your time there.

With this guide you also get access to me! If you need help or are looking for more information reach out to me through email at jessievtravel@gmail.com or send me a message on my instagram @jessievtravel. 

If you are looking to camp during you time in Banff there are several different options you have with oTENTik options. I highly suggest that you reserve spots well in advance as things fill up fast during the busy season (May - October). 

If you are looking to be close to downtown and have access to shuttles or want to be able to walk into town while camping, I suggest staying at Tunnel Mountain Village 1 or 2. These sites have great bathrooms and showers as well as most have fire pits. 

If you are looking for different options this guide below can help direct you to the different spots as well as a map with the locations of each.  

There are tons and tons of options when it comes to different lodging in the town of Banff, around the campgrounds, or even near Lake Louise. Be sure to look at the type of room you are bookings so it matches what you need! Some spots may have amenities you need. If you are traveling without a vehicle, staying in Downtown Banff will be your best option for traveling on foot or taking shuttles to spots you want to go. 

Before you start. your trip, you have a few decision to make when it comes to how your trip will go. Do you want to camp? Stay in a hotel? Will you have a car? or is public transportation more your style? Take a look at the map and the locations below! When going to Banff there are no bad options, just some that might suit you better than others! Make sure when booking locations to do it well in advance. Spots fill up quickly during the peak season!

How you are going to get to Banff is the very first thing we will look at. There are a couple different options you have. 

If hotels, lodges, or bungalows are more your style...

1. You can drive there from where you are! People drive from all over the U.S and Canada to spend time and Summer is a great time for a road trip!

2. Fly to Calgary then rent a car! Calgary has an international airport that is about 68 miles from Banff. Depending on the time you buy your flight prices can vary, but I have found prices to travel into Calgary are very reasonable and best is bought 2-6 months in advance. 

3. Fly to Calgary then take a shuttle to Banff. If renting a car isn't an option or not your style you can book to take you there. With Banff having great options for using public transportation, this can be easier for some people. 

shuttle service from calgary airport to banff fairmont hotel | abestx | calgary

Calgary Airport Shuttle Bus to Banff and Canmore

Calgary

https://www.carrentals.com/Banff-Car-Rentals-g-cty.d10550.Car-Rental-Deals

Discover Banff Tours | Banff, Alberta Tours & Activities

Luxury Sedans® Calgary, Banff and Lake Louise

4. Take the Train to Banff! The train makes a stop in Banff National Park during the months of April to October. If you are looking to take the scenic route without having to drive, this is a great options! 

https://www.rockymountaineer.com/

- Bear Spray! If you are crossing a border, then you won't be able to bring that across. This is something you will need while in Banff, but you will want to maybe purchase when you get there! But defiantly have it on your list of thins you need!

-Rain jacket. The weather can be unpredictable when in the mountains and you will want something to protect you from the elements. 

-Hiking boots. The terrain is rocky and you will want good footwear to keep you safe while climbing the mountains. While the hikes I am recommending are easy to moderate with good paths, having hiking boots will make your time on the mountain more enjoyable. 

-Socks and maybe extra. Wool socks are a great options for keeping you feet dry and warm. Temperatures can change in the mountains and fast so having something that can keep you warm or even keep you from getting too hot are nice to have.

-Hike pack/backpack. Somewhere to keep extra layers, jacket, socks, and plenty of water and snacks will be wanted when heading up the mountain.

-First aid-kit. Things can happen when you are out in the wild and this is something you'll want on hand and in your pack. 

-Sunblock. Remember that you may be in the mountains, but you are also getting closer to the sun! 

-Jacket, hoodie or pullover. Whatever is best for you to throw on if temperatures drop as you head up the mountain.

-Long sleeve shirts. Layers are always good to have if you can! Brining a nice long sleeve to throw on when the weather doesn't match the heat of the summer is always a good option. 

-T-shirts. It is still the summer and if the temperatures rise or the sun is out with no wind, having a t-shirt to throw on will be a must!

This is your chance to make some choices and mix and match your plans to fit your needs! This is YOUR trip so make it yours with this outlines itinerary! 

Here you will find the best ways to plan out the days, but feel free to move them around and change the hikes/activities so they match your abilities and interests. There are also tons of recommendations that I hope you enjoy. 

Getting to Banff will be an adventure in its self so today will be taking in your surroundings and getting settled. 

Depending on where you are staying your plans could change slightly, but getting to head into Downtown Banff and enjoy a meal. If you have enough time and are feeling up for it there will also be some chance to go for a stroll along the Bow River or head into some shops. 

Let's head for a stroll! The Bow River is a beautiful place to stop and relax or head across the bridge to the garden to see some beautiful flowers! Stick around for sunset and watch the sun go down over the mountains and river. 

Starting off the trip, let's head to do a little light hike to warm you up to being in Banff! There are a few great hikes to get a great view and enjoy Banff. Depending on the hike you choose to take there are get things to do all over Banff. Hikes can get busy in Banff and especially during peak months! So getting an early start is best if you are looking to get parking spots, have less traffic on trails, or maybe beat a rush of people. 

Johnston Canyon is a beautiful hike that takes you through the forest on a concrete path, along the river, and with sights of water falls along the way. You can also choose how far you hike with this having a lower falls, go further to the upper falls, and even further to reach the ink pots. 

Don't forget to stop and get a coffee to sip on while on the hike! There is a great little spot at the beginning of the hike! 

1. Head to the top early early! Getting to the top before the sunrises is a great option. Parking will fill up by 7am. 

2. Get a ticket on one of the transportation buses. 

Visiting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

Banff | Moraine Lake Shuttle | Open Top Double Decker Explorer

If you are looking for pet friendly shuttles for large dogs, there are a few different options below!

Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Shuttles Private Sightseeing

There are several different places to hike around Lake Louise with some being easier than others, but all of them being absolutely beautiful. The hike to the tea house on lake Agnus is one of the easier to moderate hikes. It is definitely recommended and you can make it longer by going up to the bee hive or shorter by heading back to Lake Louise after. If you are looking for something more moderate to difficult with a tea house then head up the Plain of Six Glaciers hike. 

If you are looking to camp in the Canadian Rockies and want to find the spot that fits your needs best, you can find information about campsite in Banff National Park below!

5 Summer Days in Banff National Park

Buy to unlock full guide