This Ultimate Banff/Jasper/Yoho Guide is from hours and hours of research from my first visit back in the fall of 2021. We learned a lot and I tweaked some things on this itinerary versus our original one. The best part is I am going back this September again so I should have a lot more to add after that trip! This guide is best for the summer and fall months in the Banff area. We camped almost our whole first trip, but this guide has options for camping and hotels. 

Let me know if you have any questions about this guide, my trip, or anything else at my Instagram @adventurewithanna_ 

Banff, AB, Canada

Yoho National Park, Field, BC, Canada

Banff National Park, Improvement District No. 9, AB, Canada

Jasper, AB, Canada

The Ultimate Banff Road Trip Itinerary 

Assuming you have flown into Calgary Airport, this is where the road trip will start. Pick up your rental car and let's get started!

Start the morning off by making the quick 1-hour drive from Calgary to Canmore.

Arethusa Cirque is a moderate 4.5-km hike with gorgeous autumnal views located in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. On this trail, you can look forward to vibrant larches, a picturesque alpine meadow and sweeping vistas with dramatic peaks.

As there are so many hiking trails in Canmore, it’s hard to choose just one (lucky you if you have more time in the area!). The most popular ones include the Grassi Lakes Hike (a 4.3km hike full of stunning pristine mountain lake views), Quarry Lake Loop (a super short 1.2km walk around the lake), and the East End of Rundle Hike (a much more strenuous uphill 5.6km trek – a great leg burner)! Or Chester Lake hike for fall colors. 

You can also continue on to Banff and spend some time exploring the town before heading to your campground/hotel to check in.

Surprise Corner: You’re driving and driving along Tunnel Mountain Road, and then, BAM! There’s the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (and Sulphur Mountain) in the distance. You’ll only need a few minutes over here to check out the view, but boy, is the short drive worth it. There’s no sign here, so just follow your Google Maps and you’ll see it straight away.

Bow Falls Viewpoint: This scenic spot is so close to the town of Banff it’d be just plain old silly to skip it (a quick 5 minute drive or a lovely 20 minute walk if the weather’s nice). And get this – the waterfall has even been featured in several 1950’s films; remember Marilyn Monroe in River of No Return (yup, that’s Bow Falls!). 

Open Top Touring experiences are a unique way to explore all the highlights around Banff in style. You can see landmarks views and photo ops on a 90-minute tour with fun and engaging guides. The vintage-inspired automobiles were custom-made and are definitely "Insta-worthy!"

Walk downtown, shop, eat and enjoy the view. 

Then check into your campground at Lake Louise Campground (or your hotel if camping isn't for you).

No matter where you stay I highly recommend visiting Lake Louise or Moraine Lake for sunset. *See the top of the guide for how to arrange a shuttle/parking situation for both lakes if you are not staying at the campground or one of the hotels on the lakes*

Edith Cavell Meadows hike (might be closed depending on snow so make sure to check)

far less crowded, light is still good, no hideously early start necessary

the water is likely to be less still, the light whilst still great is not quite as special as at sunrise, if you get unlucky the car park could be full, it’s harder to judge an arrival time than it is for sunrise, you can’t explore the area afterward

Day 2: TURQUOISE LAKES AND MOUNTAIN VIEWS

Head to Moraine Lake at sunrise for photos and then hike Larch Valley right after. Get there by 4:30 am. Again, make sure you read the tip section about how to visit Moraine Lake with the new Shuttle system in place. VERY IMPORTANT to plan ahead if you want to go for sunrise. 

the lake is at its stillest, best for photography, the light is best, if you arrive early enough you are guaranteed a parking spot, you can go hiking afterwards

it is incredibly crowded which does spoil the experience. hideously early start required

After visiting Moraine Lake and completing the hike it will probably be early afternoon. You are staying at the same place as last night, tonight, so you have more time to explore! 

Sunrise photos at Lake Louise then continue on to Lake Agnes Tea House (4.4miles/6.2km) with the additional extensions of Little/Big Beehive (+2/3 km), and the Plain of Six Glaciers (8miles/13km). 

Lake Agnes is a beautiful lake which sits in a picture perfect spot 3.5km up a hiking trail from Lake Louise. The surrounding mountains are dramatic and if you visit early morning the water will be at its stillest for photography.It is also the base for three of the photography spots on this list (Lake Agnes Shoreline, Little Beehive and Big Beehive). As with so many of these spots, early morning is the best time to take photos. Alternatively if you visit on a cloudy day you can get some decent shots in the middle of the day as you won’t get the glare from the sun.

It’s easiest to describe this spot as Little Beehive, but it’s actually just before you reach the main lookout. To get here you hike for roughly 3.5km along the Lake Agnes Teahouse Trail and then turn onto the Little Beehive Trail and start looking for openings on your right. 

These have quite the view to effort ratio (meaning phenomenal views for only moderate activity). You’ll want to set aside a few hours for each of these hikes, and expect the tea houses to be fairly crowded in the summer months.

Plan to walk around the lake on the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail (at least part-way), and you’ll encounter tons of milky-blue creeks and picturesque meltwater along this easy and super-scenic trail. Look back and you’ll even get great views of the grand Fairmont Lake Louise, which is a stunner in it’s own way.

Rent a famous red canoe: Many visitors want that iconic Canadian experience of paddling around the stunningly scenic turquoise lake. However, do note that renting a canoe is quite pricey, and will set you back around $125CAD per hour. *there are other lakes in the area you can rent canoes and ride on for much less with a great view as well.

Today you are also switching accommodations. If you are camping, you will now move to the Tunnel Mountain 1 Campground. Make sure you check out of your first camp ground in time and set up your new one before it gets dark. (You could stay at the same campground/hotel if its available and you would rather not move a lot, this is just the literary we followed).

Sunrise or early morning at Emerald Lake. Emerald Lake is actually located within Yoho National Park in nearby British Columbia. Trust me, after seeing the glistening, emerald waters with the greenest pine trees reflecting in the water, you’ll never want to leave. It’s just that gorgeous. Be sure to take a walk around the perimeter of the lake, as you’ll find yourself away from the crowds with the place almost to yourself. This is another spot where you can rent a canoe, and thankfully it’s a tad bit cheaper than over at Lake Louise, although will still cost you a pretty penny (worth it, yes!).

You can also make a short stop at Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park. Highly recommended!

If you are in a hotel I recommend switching to one of the options below, or stay where you are if you don't mind the extra driving. 

Canmore

Banff

Lake Louise

Lake Louise Inn

Moraine Lake Lodge

Fairmont Château Lake Louise

Post Hotel & Spa

Deer Lodge

Mountaineer Lodge

Fairmont Banff Springs

Moose Hotel & Suites

HI Banff Alpine Centre

The Sensory Restaurant

Crazyweed Kitchen

The Wood Restaurant & Lounge

Mumbai Local Modern Indian Cuisine

Ramen Arashi

Sky Bistro

The Juniper Bistro

Lakeview Lounge

Whitehorn Bistro

La Terrazza

Wild Flour Bakery

The Ultimate Banff Road Trip Itinerary

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