Banff National Park is an incredible place to explore, and that’s why I put together this 4 day Banff itinerary. 4 Days in Banff is the absolute minimum of what you need to really explore this amazing place. Every summer I return and there is still so much for me to see!
Some of the highlights of Banff include the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Lake Minnewanka, Peyto Lake, and sooo much more.
This itinerary is focused on exploring Banff in the summertime. If you’re visiting in the winter, check out the best things to do in Banff this winter.
Keep reading if you’re visiting Banff in 4 Days, and looking for the ultimate Banff itinerary!
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Quick Background on Banff National Park –
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At a Glance:
- Currency: Canadian Dollar
- Most common language: English
- Closest major city/airport: Calgary
- Province: Alberta
Where is Banff?
Banff National Park is located in Alberta, Canada, and is mostly known for the incredible Canadian Rocky Mountains, amazing lakes, and incredible views, no matter where you look.
The Town of Banff is located within the National Park and is the main place to buy gas, food, snacks, and souvenirs, before exploring the surrounding nature.
How to Get to Banff
If you’re planning a trip to Banff, you are most likely flying into Calgary International Airport, which is the closest airport in Alberta (around 1 hour away). From Calgary, I highly recommend renting a car, as it will provide you with the most freedom and is the BEST way to explore Banff.
If you cannot rent a car, organize a spot on a shuttle before arriving. Pursuit runs a shuttle from Calgary International Airport to the Town of Banff.
If you’re flying into Edmonton International Airport, it’s around a 4 hour drive to Banff. From Edmonton, you have two options:
- You will have to rent a car and drive from Edmonton, through Calgary, and onwards to Banff. (It’s probably cheaper to just book the flight into Calgary).
- From Edmonton, drive to Jasper National Park, spend some time exploring this equally amazing place. From there, drive the Icefields Parkway (one of the most beautiful drives in the world), and finish your trip in Banff. You will then have to either drive the 4 hours back to Edmonton or organize a flight out of Calgary (more ideal).
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How to Get Around Banff
Because Banff is such a popular destination, there are a lot of options for travellers to get around Banff!
1. Rent a Car and Drive Yourself
In my opinion, this is hands down the BEST way to get around Banff. There is so much to see, so many viewpoints to stop at, and having the freedom to stop wherever, whenever you want is worth the cost in my opinion. Especially if you think this is your only chance to explore Banff.
You will have to rent your car in the main city you’re starting in, such as Calgary or Edmonton.
Keep in mind you’ll have to factor gas into your budget, and it can get expensive in the mountains (but it’s worth it for the freedom!)
2. Public Transportation
Because Banff is so popular, the public transportation is quite good, but you will still be limited in where you can actually go. Banff’s bus system is called Roam Transit and has routes connecting the Town of Banff to popular destinations, such as Lake Louise, the Banff Gondola, Johnston Canyon, the Hot Springs, and Canmore.
Read More: Exploring the Canadian Rockies Without a Car
3. Hire a Shuttle
Parks Canada has shuttles that you can book in advance to take you to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake as well.
Brewster Adventures has shuttles that will transport you directly to new locations, such as Jasper, however shuttles stops are very limited so do your research before booking. You will definitely want to stop while exploring Banff, so only book this if it’s your last resort!
4. Hire a Taxi or Book a Tour
Taxis are great for short distances, but prices can add up I don’t recommend hiring a taxi for long distances (out of the town). Plus, service can be limited in spots, and you don’t want to be stranded with no cell service!
Another great way to get around Banff without a car is to book a tour. You can book multi day tours, day tours, or even half day tours, to get to the places on your Banff Bucketlist!
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When to Visit Banff
The best time to visit Banff just depends on what you’re hoping to see and do.
Banff in Winter:
- November – Mid April
- Great for skiing, snowboarding, and dogsledding
- Mountains are snowy and at their best for pictures
- Roads can be icy and can be harder to drive
- A lot of roads are closed (Moraine Lake road closes in winter due to avalanche risk)
- A lot of high elevation hikes are covered in snow (sometimes up to your knees)
Banff in Spring:
- Mid April – June
- Hiking trails can be muddy or snowy at high elevation
- Waterfalls are at their best as all the winter snow melts
- Lakes are still thawing and could still be frozen
- Weather is still quite chilly
Banff in Summer:
- June – August
- Hiking trails are open and ready to be hiked
- All wildlife is awake – more chance to see wildlife, but also take caution when hiking in less popular areas. Respect the wildlife!!!
- Lakes are thawed and ready to swim
- Weather is warm (but still unpredictable – I’ve seen snow in July!)
- High season (busier and can be more expensive)
- Wildfire season – campfires may be banned and the air may be smoky depending on any wildfires in the area (views from hikes can be limited by smoke too)
- Camping season 🙂
Banff in Fall:
- September – October
- Incredible larch hikes and fall colours
- Higher risk of snow, but also a chance for hot weather
- Smaller crowds than summer
- Mostly everything is still open
My favourite season to visit Banff is in the summertime because it is absolutely beautiful. You have the best chance for great weather, you can swim in the ice cold glacial lakes, and the hiking trails are green and amazing. But, no matter what season you visit, the views are amazing and you can’t go wrong!
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Extra Costs When Visiting
There are costs to factor into your budget when planning a trip to Banff:
Parks Canada Park Pass – If you’re driving a car, you need to have a Parks Pass displayed on your dash at all times. You can pay per day or for an entire year (and have access to all Canadian National Parks).
You can buy the year pass online in advance from MEC, or when you arrive you can purchase your pass at the toll booths at the entrance of the National Park, or at the Visitor Centre in downtown Banff. If you’re purchasing your pass in person, the cashier will help you determine the pass you need depending on the number of days you’re staying.
Parking at Lake Louise – Parks Canada has recently started charging for parking at the Lake Louise parking lot. You can pay after you’ve found a parking spot at one of the machines on the outskirt of the lot.
In 2024, the cost of parking at Lake Louise is $36.75 per day
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Where to Stay
You’ll need a home base to explore Banff over the span of 4 days. There are a couple of options depending on your budget and the type of trip you want:
1. Camping
I love camping in Banff. It is so much fun and an awesome way to really enjoy all of the nature and beauty that Banff has to offer. Campsite reservations open up the January before summer and usually fill up in advance, so book as early as possible!
*You cannot park just anywhere overnight in Banff National Park and you cannot wild camp here, you must have campsite to park/stay at
My favourite campground in Banff is Two Jack Lakeside Campground!
2. Hotels/Hostels
There are some hotels in Downtown Banff and a couple of hostels around the National Park. Prices can vary from cheap to super expensive, I like using booking.com to find places to stay in Banff.
For those on a budget, Canmore is a town that is close by to Banff and is a great option to save money on hotels.
I like the Mountain View Inn (more budget friendly) or Base Camp Resorts if you have a bigger budget.
3. Air BNB
There are a couple of Air BNBs around Banff and even Canmore, so look into this option if you’d prefer to book an Air BNB!
![female hiker in front of Moraine Lake in July](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/moraine-lake-rockpile-hike.jpg?resize=580%2C870&ssl=1)
4 Day Banff Itinerary at a Glance
So, now that we’ve covered all of the background knowledge you’ll need for your trip to Banff, let’s get into the itinerary 🙂
This Banff itinerary is quite jam-packed to try to fit in as much as possible, but still in a reasonable amount of time. To use your time in the best way possible, I would recommend waking up as early as you can (especially to beat the crowds at more popular spots).
Day 1
- Lake Louise and Moraine Lake (morning)
- Lake Agnes Tea House Hike (trailhead at Lake Louise)
- Downtown Banff (afternoon)
- Banff Gardens or shopping
- Cave Basin National Historic Site
Day 2
- Day Hike or ride the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain (depending on interests)
- Depending on the hike and how much time you spend at the gondola:
- Lake Minnewanka
- Two Jack Lake
- Johnson Lake
- Banff Hotsprings (evening)
Day 3
- Bow Valley Parkway
- Multiple Viewpoints
- Johnston Canyon Trail (as early as possible – it gets so busy!)
- Silverton Falls hike
- Castle Mountain
- Morant’s Curve
Day 4
- As much of the Icefields Parkway as possible
- Hector Lake Viewpoint
- Bow Lake
- Peyto Lake
- Waterfowl Lakes
- Mistaya Canyon
- Columbia Icefield
Other ideas for your Banff itinerary:
- Swimming in Banff or Canmore
- Kananaskis suspension bridge
- Explore Numa Creek
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4 Days in Banff National Park
This Banff itinerary is for 4 FULL days in Banff. If you have to factor in travel time from the airport, you will have to cut down on some of the experiences listed in this itinerary.
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Day 1 in Banff
On day 1 in Banff you will be super excited to get out and explore, why not head to one of the most popular places to see that you won’t want to miss while here, complete an awesome hike, and then explore downtown Banff in the late afternoon before stopping somewhere to eat.
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
New in 2023, Moraine Lake is only accessible by shuttle bus or commercial tour. This means you can no longer drive your personal vehicle to Moraine Lake, and this is continuing into 2024. You can still drive it to Lake Louise though!
I highly recommend still trying to visit Moraine Lake, if you can. It’s my favourite lake in the Rockies and I’m so sad I can’t make spontaneous trips to see it anymore.
Note: In 2024, Moraine Lake is planned to open on June 1. It closes during the winter due to avalanche risk.
If you’re only going to visit Lake Louise and you have a car, you can drive to the parking lot and pay to park at Lake Louise. The parking lot is minutes away from the lakefront.
If you’re going to visit both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, you’ll have to book transportation in advance.
Options for getting to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise in 2024:
Book a spot on the Parks Canada shuttle:
- 40% of Parks Canada shuttle reservations for summer 2024 open on April 18th on the Parks Canada reservations website.
- The rest of the bookings will be released in a “roll out” throughout the summer, 2 days in advance of the departure day. So, if you were hoping to go on June 8th, log on at 7:50am on June 6th to try to reserve your seats.
- The shuttle will take you from the Banff Park and Ride at Mount Norquay, and you will have a spot on the shuttle from the Park and Ride to Lake Louise, the Lake Connector shuttle from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake, and the shuttle back from Moraine Lake or Lake Louise to the Park and Ride.
Book a private tour or commercial bus:
- Private/commercial busses are allowed to go to Moraine Lake, and may be less of a hassle to book than the Parks Canada Shuttle bus.
- Open Top Shuttle to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
- Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Sightseeing Tour
- Sunrise at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus around Banff National Park
Take ROAM Transit:
- ROAM transit is the public bus system in Banff National Park.
- I’ve heard stories of visitors having difficulties because the bus to Lake Louise has been very full. I can’t deny or confirm, but just beware this seems to be a popular option!
- To get to Moraine Lake, you will have to upgrade your bus ticket to the Roam Super Pass to access the Lake Connector shuttle bus to Moraine Lake, from Lake Louise.
- Find out more information about routes on the Roam Transit website, because it goes to more places around Banff than just Lake Louise and Moraine Lake!
Make sure to check where your chosen option leaves from, as a lot of them have different meeting points!
In the morning, grab breakfast and then head to your meeting point for your shuttle bus or tour, or head to the Lake Louise Lakeshore if you’re planning to park at the lake.
Tips:
- Pack a lunch/picnic to eat at the lakeside, have lunch at the Chateau Fairmont Lake Louise Hotel, or hike to the Lake Agnes Teahouse and buy lunch there (cash only).
- Climb the Rockpile Trail at Moraine Lake for great views and photo opportunities (relatively easy, short hike), and then walk the shoreline trail around the lake.
- There is a $36.75 fee for parking at Lake Louise. You cannot park at Moraine Lake in 2024.
- You can rent canoes at both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, however it is one of the most expensive places in Banff to rent canoes – plan for this in your budget if this is something you really want to do!
- For a cheaper canoeing alternative, head to the Banff Canoe Club in town
Visiting Banff in May? Bike to Moraine Lake and avoid the crowds, before the road opens to cars!
Lake Agnes Teahouse Hike
While at Lake Louise, you can budget more time to hike to the Lake Agnes Teahouse – a teahouse on the side of a lake in the mountains! The hike leaves from the Lake Louise shoreline, is rated as moderate, and has around a 400m elevation gain. If you would like to spend more time hiking and exploring, continue your circuit to Little Beehive and Big Beehive (this will give you amazing views of Lake Louise from above).
Tips:
- The teahouse only accepts cash.
- Eat lunch in the mountain at the teahouse, or just stop for a drink – find their menu here.
- Hiking to Lake Agnes, Little Beehive, and Big Beehive took me 5.5 hours to complete as a moderate level hiker. Hiking to just Lake Agnes will take most people 2-3 hours (round trip).
- If hiking, make sure to pack water and snacks to take with you!
Downtown Banff
After spending a majority of the day exploring Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, head back to Banff and spend the rest of day 1 exploring the town, hitting the shops, and other attractions located close to town.
Downtown Banff Highlights:
- Beavertails (dessert pastries shaped like a beavertail with toppings like nutella, icing and oreos, etc.)
- Cows Ice cream (specialty icecream flavours and super popular in Banff)
- Banff Candy Store
- Cascade of Time Gardens
- Bow Falls Viewpoint
- Cave and Basin National Historic Site
Have dinner in Banff. A few of my favourites are:
- The Grizzly House
- Bear Street Tavern
- Three Bears Brewery and Restaurant
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Day 2 in Banff
Your second day in Banff will be another packed full day, but it’s worth it cause there are soo many awesome things to do here.
Day Hike Or the Banff Gondola
The first activity of the day depends on your skill level, budget and interest. You can either choose to spend the day doing one of Banff’s many day hikes, or you can opt for a ride up Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola (or choose to hike up if you want!). Either way, you will get amazing views!
Pack a lunch and eat at one of the many picnic spots around the National Park (there are a ton of scenic spots along the side of the road), eat lunch at the summit of your hike, or eat at the restaurant at the top of the Banff Gondola.
BANFF GONDOLA
- Purchase your ticket on the Banff Gondola in advance to ensure your spot. Or, opt for a Pursuit Pass and get a ride on the Banff Gondola and access to other attractions around the National Park.
- There is a boardwalk at the top of the gondola to explore, and sometimes events running at the top
- There is a restaurant at the top as well, which is a super cool place to eat or grab a coffee!
DAY HIKE
- If you’d rather spend the day hiking, set out early to be one of the first to hit the trail and enjoy a not-so-crowded summit.
- Banff/Canmore day hikes with amazing views:
- East End of Rundle
- Ha Ling Peak
- Mount Lady Macdonald
- Cascade Mountain
Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake (if time permits)
If you chose to do a dayhike, depending on the hike you choose, the time you started, and the trailhead location, you may or may not have time to explore Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake in the afternoon! If you’re short on time, you can still visit Two Jack and Lake Minnewanka, or you can grab dinner and head straight to the Banff Hotsprings.
If you chose to take the Banff Gondola in the morning, you should have time.
TWO JACK LAKE
It is incredibly picturesque at Two Jack Lake, making it a great spot to stop for a snack or even just to take some awesome photos with Mount Rundle. Another great activity to do here is to rent a Stand Up Paddle Board from the Banff Canoe Club in advance, and bring it to the lake to spend some time paddling around!
Two Jack Lake is incredibly cold, so you can try to swim, but don’t expect to stay in for too long 🙂
LAKE MINNEWANKA
Another stunning lake in Banff National Park, Lake Minnewanka is a great place to finish off the afternoon and is only a 5 minute drive from Two Jack Lake. Here, you can go on a Lake Minnewanka Cruise (prices vary, but are around $60) or rent a canoe, kayak, or motor boat from the Lake Minnewanka docks.
There are great hikes in this area as well, for an easier hike you can walk the Lake Minnewanka Lakeshore Trail, or if you have a lot of time, hike up to the Mt. Alymer Lookout.
Tip: If you’d rather going swimming, skip these lakes, buy floaties from the dollar store and check out Quarry Lake in Canmore instead (the water is a little more tolerable for swimming there!)
Banff Hotsprings
Relaxing in the Banff Hotsprings is one of the best ways to finish off your evening. Depending on how much time you have, stop for dinner before or after heading to the hot springs. Soak your muscles and get ready for another full day tomorrow!
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Day 3 in Banff
On Day 3 of your 4 Days in Banff, explore the Bow Valley Parkway – a super scenic road with a lot to do! This is actually a different road that you can take from downtown Banff all the way to Lake Louise, but deserves a full day to explore. If you find you have extra time at the end of the day, you can head back to a nice place for sunset (Vermillion Lakes or Two Jack Lake are nice) 🙂 .
For Day 3, either pack a lunch to enjoy at a picnic spot along the Bow Valley Parkway, or plan to stop at the Baker Creek Bistro for lunch.
Bow Valley Parkway
Wake up as early as you can in the morning (the earlier you wake up, the more time you have to explore), grab some breakfast (and possibly lunch to pack, depending on your plans), and head straight to Johnston Canyon. If you come across any viewpoints you want to stop at, either be super quick, or stop at them on your way back!
Johnston Canyon HIKE
The reason you want to head to Johnston Canyon as early as possible is because it gets busy fast. This is an extremely popular place to explore in Banff, it can be stressful to even find parking if you don’t show up early. The Johnston Canyon hike is a beautiful and fairly easy hike, taking you to stunning waterfalls to admire.
If you want to go farther and escape some of the crowds, continue the hike to the Ink Pots. The trail is less maintained, but it is still pretty popular and you most likely won’t be alone on the trail. The Ink Pots are beautiful natural pools that are green toned and a pretty place to explore.
The full hike to the Ink Pots takes most people around 4 hours to complete, with an elevation gain of 608m. Remember to carry bearspray while hiking.
SILVERTON FALLS
For another waterfall adventure, park at the Rockbound trailhead and take the short hike out to Silverton Falls. This hike is rated as easy, with a 112m elevation. It takes around 45 minutes to complete this hike roundtrip, which isn’t too bad to be rewarded with a beautiful waterfall at the end!
CASTLE MOUNTAIN
Right by the Rockbound Trailhead is the Castle Mountain Viewpoint (type this into google maps). It’s a lovely spot on the Bow River, with an incredible view of Castle Mountain. Spend some time taking photos or just soaking up the incredible nature and views of Banff National Park.
Depending on the time, feel free to stop for lunch whenever and wherever you’d like if you packed something to eat. If you were planning to head to the Baker Creek Bistro, it is located in the Baker Creek Mountain Resort. You can drive straight there when you’re ready for lunch, and turn around to hit the stops you may have passed on the way.
VIEWPOINTS ALONG THE PARKWAY
Now is your chance to head back to any viewpoints you may have wanted to stop at before. You will see them as you drive the Parkway back to Banff, but I’ll list them out just in case:
- Castle Cliff Viewpoint
- Hillsdale Meadow Viewpoint
- Backswamp Viewpoint
If you don’t want to turn back or you’ve already stopped at all of the viewpoints, you can either continue to drive the rest of the parkway and head to Lake Louise if you wanted to return for some reason, head to Vermillion Lakes, or head out on a late afternoon hike.
Note: Part of the Bow Valley Parkway is closed to vehicles in May/June and September/October. You can still access Johnston Canyon, Silverton Falls, and Castle Mountain. If visiting when the road is closed to cars, try biking the Bow Valley Parkway!!
After your day of exploring, head back to Banff for dinner and relax before Day 4!
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Day 4 in Banff
The last day of your 4 days in Banff is another super scenic drive – it’s known as one of the most beautiful drives in the world, the Icefields Parkway. The Parkway is the highway that connects Lake Louise to the Town of Jasper. It is a 3.5 hour drive from Banff to Jasper without stopping, in one direction. You probably won’t be able to drive the whole length of the Parkway to Jasper and back in one day, but I think it’s worth it to drive at least half – it is so so so beautiful!
Tips:
- Gas up before leaving the town of Banff, there is only one gas station on the Icefields Parkway and the price is usually way higher
- Download anything you may need, I never have service or data while on the Parkway
- Respect the speed limit, there are a lot more animals on the Parkway that could pop out at any time
Drive the Icefields Parkway
There are so many incredible places and viewpoints to stop at on the Parkway, I would recommend stopping at any of the turnouts whenever you want!
Here, I have highlighted some of the main spots to stop at along the way:
HERBERT LAKE
This lake is often skipped over by travellers, but this just means that it is usually a quiet and calm place to spend some time. This is a great lake to canoe at, paddle board, or even swim if it’s nice out (the water is still super cold though!). Stop here first for some nice scenery, or plan to stop on the way back to Banff.
HECTOR LAKE VIEWPOINT
If you’re up for starting your day off with a short, easy hike to a viewpoint, then make the stop at Hector Lake! The Hector Lake Trail usually takes about an hour and a half to complete, with only a 107 m elevation gain. If you’re not up for a hike, you can skip this one, as there is still so much to see on the Parkway!
BOW LAKE
This lake is a very popular stop on the Icefields Parkway, and for a good reason! It is so stunning, with amazing mountain views and a large lake backdrop. Park at the Bow Lake Parking Lot and explore the lake for yourself.
Tip: If you’re wanting to see another waterfall, plan some time to hike to Bow Glacier Falls. The trailhead starts at the Bow Lake Parking Lot (near Num Ti-Jah Lodge). It typically takes just under 3 hours to complete the hike (roundtrip), with a 298m elevation gain. Completing this hike may take time from other stops though, so keep this in mind when you are planning your day.
PEYTO LAKE
This is one stop that you cannot miss! Peyto Lake is probably one of the most famous viewpoints in Banff National Park. From the parking lot you take small hike to the Peyto Lake viewpoint, which will give you a birds eye view of the lake and the surrounding mountain landscapes. The lake is in the shape of a wolf, and the area itself is beautiful!
WATERFOWL LAKES
The Waterfowl Lakes are one of my favourite lakes in Banff. They are a beautiful icy-blue-green colour that Banff lakes are known for. There is a small hiking trail at Upper Waterfowl Lake that typically only takes about 30 min to complete with a 34m elevation gain. This is a great option for those who want to get out in nature, but not do too much hiking.
MISTAYA CANYON
Another awesome little hike, the Mistaya Canyon is a beautiful area to stop and explore! The hike here is a loop, taking around 40 minutes to complete and a 79m elevation gain. If you’re not wanting to hike, this is still a great stop to make, as the canyon itself is a short walk from the parking lot. You will get amazing views of the waterfall and mountains in the background.
COLUMBIA ICEFIELDS
The Columbia Icefields are a pretty cool place to explore. It can be a little windy here, so make sure to pack some sort of sweater or light jacket.
- The main thing to do at the Icefields is to hike to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier.
- Another option is to embark on a tour in an Ice Explorer, which is a huge vehicle that can drive on the terrain around the glacier.
- Stop in for a snack or even dinner at the Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre
- Head to the Columbia Icefield skywalk, which is right nearby and a really cool experience! It is essentially a glass floored skywalk looking over the landscape below.
*You may or may not have time to stop at the Columbia Icefields, depending on how much time you spent at the other stops. From the Icefield back to Banff, it’s a 2 hour and 15 minute drive. Keep this in mind when deciding if you have time to visit.
You may or may not have time to keep driving up the Parkway. If you want to keep going and have the time, check out The Best Spots to Stop at Along the Icefields Parkway, otherwise, turn around and start your drive back to Banff!
If you don’t have access to a car, check out this day tour on the Icefields Parkway to some popular spots!
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Banff Tours You Could Add into Your Itinerary:
- Scenic Helicopter Tour of the Rockies
- Afternoon Kananaskis River White Water Rafting Tour
- Bow River Horseback Ride (1 hour)
- Big Canoe River Explorer Tour
- Mount Norquay Guided Via Ferrata Climb (2.5 or 4 hours)
- Spray River Horseback Ride (1 hour)
Have more time to explore Alberta? Here are your options –
- Drive the full distance of one of the most scenic drives in the world, the Icefields Parkway, and continue to Jasper, another mountain town in Alberta.
- From Jasper, head to Alberta’s capital city, Edmonton. Keep driving 30 more minutes and try to spot some bison at Elk Island National Park.
- Head back to Calgary and explore this awesome city.
- From Calgary, head to Alberta’s Badlands and explore Drumheller.
- Drive south for another mountain adventure and hike Waterton National Park.
- Head into BC and explore Yoho National Park, famous for Emerald Lake and Lake O’Hara.
That is your Banff 4 Day Itinerary! If you have any questions please leave them below, or send me a message on Instagram.
Keep Reading:
- Your Guide When Planning a Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- How to Wild Ice Skate in Banff
- 12 Things to do in Canmore this Winter
Have you visited Banff? What was your favourite part?
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Save This 4 Day Itinerary in Banff for Later:
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Hey! I’m Kat. Based in Alberta, Canada I love to travel to the Rockies and explore new places around the world. Follow along on my adventures and find inspiration and tips for your own travels.
Jami Kruse says
We will be coming up in September 2024. We are staying over in Radium Hot Springs and then Canmore. Do you suggest the tour for the Glacier or just hike in? I am terrified of heights so I am not sure on the skywalk. We will be driving our own vehicle. I have an ATV ride, dog sledding, eat at the castle, drive the parkway, do the glacier all planned but any other ideas would be helpful. Also which lakes are a must see if you have never been there before?
Kat says
Hi Jami! That is so exciting, you’ll have the best time! For the Glacier, it depends what you’re looking for. I thought it was cool just hiking to the toe of the glacier and that’s free, so it’s great if you’re on a budget as you still see basically the same thing! From the toe, you can see the tour groups walking further down on the glacier itself. By joining the tour, you will learn more about the glacier from your guide and have the chance to walk on the actual glacier, and ride in an Ice Buggy truck which is a cool experience. Personally I think there is so much to see on the Icefields Parkway and the tour takes up valuable time, but if you’re really interested in it then the tour is still a great choice! If you’re terrified of heights, I would probably skip the skywalk! It’s a neat experience, but you will still get amazing views from other roadside turn outs (that are free) and just while driving too. Sounds like you have some great things planned!!! Just a heads up, depending on snowfall, dogsledding may not be open in September! Snowy Owl Dogsled in Canmore offer dog karting tours in September though, and kennel tours as well. My favourite lake is Moraine Lake (you would need to book a shuttle or tour in advance since you can no longer drive up on your own). Personally, I think it’s worth the hype! Otherwise, I think they Peyto Lake viewpoint on the Icefields Parkway is super pretty, Bow Lake, and Two Jack Lake. Johnson Lake also has a nice little hiking loop around it. No matter which lakes you stop at though, they are all beautiful! You really can’t go wrong. Lake Louise is nice but incredibly crowded and costs quite a bit to park at. But some visitors want to see it for themselves since it’s so iconic. It is beautiful but the cost and the crowds tend to dull it’s beauty in my opinion! If you arrive quite early or quite late in the day, it might be more enjoyable (although you pay to park for the day so it’s the same price either way). If the larches are out when you visit, the Mt Lorette Ponds is Kananaskis is a great place to see the fall colours, and just driving the Kananaskis Trail in general is great for colours if the trees have turned when you arrive. Or you could do a hike as well if you like to hike! I hope that was all helpful!
Francesca says
Oh wow! Such a complete guide for this amazing spot! I had no idea there where so many things to do and see in Banff but is definitely something I will put in my bucket list for future trips! Also, your pictures are AMAZING! Thanks for sharing!
Kat says
Thank you so much Francesca!! There are so many amazing things to do in Banff – thanks for your kind words 🙂
Sarah Borg Barthet says
Banff looks so so beautiful, the lakes are beyond dreamy. Thanks for the level of detail you put into this article! Super helpful!
Kat says
Thanks so much Sarah!
Jami says
My husband has been wanting to go to Banff for years! I’ve always been okay with it but hadn’t looked enough to really understand why he wanted to go until today.
Banff looks incredible! Thanks for all of the hike and photo recos. I’m excited to finally try to get out and see Banff (and Jasper!)
Kat says
It is sooo stunning! You won’t be disappointed – it’s almost impossible to take a bad picture. I love Jasper too, I would highly recommend checking out both! 🙂
Lita says
We almost did this exact same itinerary when we went to Banff! Except we also fit in a visit to Yoho National Park, which was lovely! Great tips all around!
Kat says
Oh wow that is perfect!! Ahh Yoho National Park is so beautiful! I’m hoping to explore it more this summer!
Jennifer Record says
I love this itinerary! Banff is on my 2023 list and I am saving this post for out visit!
Kat says
Thanks so much Jennifer! You won’t be dissapointed! 🙂