A 7 Day Example Itinerary for Banff and Jasper

Seven days is not nearly enough time to experience all that Banff and Jasper have to offer, but we find it’s the average amount of time people spend on their vacation in the Rockies. Thankfully, you can see quite a lot in a week, and spend time in two of the most beautiful national parks in the world.

We have done the hard work for you if you are planning a visit and haven’t put together your Banff and Jasper itinerary yet. This example seven-day itinerary packs a lot in but also ensures you’re not wasting any time in the area.

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Banff and Jasper Itinerary

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Day 1

Stroll Banff Avenue

Hooray! You have made it to Banff, which means you can officially start your vacation. Whether you checked into your hotel late last night or today, it’s time to tackle the day.

First, we recommend all first-time visitors to Banff get acquainted with Banff Avenue. Strolling down Banff Avenue is well worth a few hours of your time in the morning. Grab a coffee at our favorite coffee shop in Banff – Whitebark. Then, take a bit of time to stroll into all the stores on Banff Avenue. There are plenty of cheap souvenir type shops, but there are also some really unique places too. Don’t miss Rocky Mountain Soap Company or the many art galleries.

Walk to Cascade Gardens

Continue your walk all the way to the end of Banff Avenue. This is where you will see a beautiful brick building. Built in 1937, it is the first administration building of Parks Canada and the largest structure of its type within Canada’s national parks. It symbolizes the development and progress of Canada’s first national park.

You can get a great photo off Banff Avenue from the Administration Building with Cascade Mountain looming above it. If it’s summer, you’ll also notice beautiful well cared for flowers everywhere. That’s because this stop is the Cascade of Time Garden, so make sure to take some time and smell the roses, enjoy the gazebo, and admire the flora and fauna. Please do not pick the flowers.

Continue Walking to Bow Falls

From Cascade Gardens, continue your walk to Bow Falls via the Bow Falls Trail. In just 20 minutes, you will reach one of the most stunning waterfalls in Banff. At 9 meters, it’s not a huge waterfall in Alberta by any means, but it is still one of the best attractions that’s walkable from Downtown Banff. We do not recommend driving here as parking is very limited. Read more about visiting Bow Falls.

Lunch

Either try your luck at getting a table at Waldhaus Pub & Biergarten at the Banff Springs Hotel or walk back to Downtown Banff via the Bow Falls Trail for lunch. There are plenty of places to grab lunch in Downtown Banff, and if you’re visiting in the summer, you have so many great patios to choose from! We recommend sitting out on a patio if it’s a nice day. Some of the best Banff patios are at Three Bears Brewery, Coyotes, and Anejo! If you’re looking for cheap food, we love Ramen Arashi and Hankki!

Drive Lake Minnewanka Scenic Road

After lunch, we recommend hopping in the car for one of the most scenic drives in the Rockies! Along this 24 km route, you’ll hit four lakes. The first is Cascade Ponds, sitting right under Cascade Mountain. After continue on to Johnson Lake, where you can enjoy a nice, gentle walk around the lake if you want more walking.

The next point of interest is the famous Two Jack Lake, where you’ll get a different view of Mount Rundle. It’s a great place to get out on the water if you happen to have a paddleboard or kayak. Note that there are no rentals here. After Two Jack, continue to Lake Minnewanka, which is a man-made lake that is 21 km long and 142 meters deep and helps power Banff with hydroelectric power.

Short Hike to Stewart Canyon

If you want a beautiful hike around Lake Minnewanka, the short hike to Stewart Canyon is a good one. This is a short 6km round trip hike to and down Stewart Canyon. Most of the trail follows along Lake Minnewanka for epic views the entire time. Eventually, the trail reaches a wood bridge over Stewart Canyon and the Cascade River for a beautiful view down the canyon. The trail is well-graded and has almost no elevation gain, making it great to get the legs moving but not the heart pumping. It’s a great area to spot some wildlife, but carry bear spray and check for trail closures.

Evening Cruise on Lake Minnewanka

If you’ve followed this itinerary so far, your first day has already been long, so this is totally optional. However, it’s a fun evening out on the water that breaks up a day of walking.

The Lake Minnewanka Cruise is an hour-long panoramic that cruises the lake. These cruises head to Devil’s Gap at the end of Lake Minnewanka and then make a return. It’s a stunning new way to take in the surroundings. If you’re on an adult adventure and love beer, then you can only enjoy the Lake Minnewanka Beer Voyage Cruise in the summer. This 90-minute cruise runs daily at 5pm and allows guests to enjoy local craft brews while enjoying the views.

Dinner at Three Bears Brewery

When we’re on vacation, we like to have some nice dinners and then some very laid-back dinners. If you’re after a delicious meal in a laid-back environment, you can’t go wrong at Three Bears Brewery. This is a beautifully decorated restaurant with crafty cocktails and even craftier pizzas!

Recommended Hotel Stay: The Moose on Banff Avenue

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Day 2

Morning on the Banff Gondola

The Banff Gondola is this region’s most renowned gondola and takes visitors 2,292 ft up Sulphur Mountain in just 8 minutes. On your journey up, you will experience breathtaking views of the Spray and Bow Valley. Once at the top, you can admire the Town of Banff and Cascade Mountain differently. We recommend trying to book the first time slot on the Banff Gondola as it gets busy at 10am in the summer. So 8am is ideal for the most crowd-free experience. Plus, you can get absolutely amazing light over Cascade Mountain and the Town of Banff below early in the morning.

At the top is an elevated boardwalk where you can walk to Sanson’s Peak and take in many different views. Bring a jacket, as the temps are always lower at elevation. If you’re feeling chilly, nice interactive displays inside are ideal for entertaining the kids.

Optional Lunch at Northern Lights Kitchen

At the top of the gondola, there are a few restaurants to dine at. The Northern Lights Kitchen is a buffet-style restaurant. I know what you might be thinking – a buffet – really? But this isn’t Ponderosa Steakhouse, the Northern Lights Kitchen buffet is exceptional. The buffet costs $45 a person ($22/Child). There’s a carving station, pizza station, soup station, salad station, and various other hot selections.

The best news is that all the tables are next to big bright windows that provide similar views to the famous Sky Bistro at a fraction of the price. You can book the Northern Lights Kitchen on Open Table.

Surprise Corner Viewpoint

 Surprise Corner is one of the quickest free things to do in Banff. You can walk here, but driving to the viewpoint is easiest. Here, you will find amazing views of the Bow and Spray Valley, including the best vantage point of the Banff Springs Hotel, one of the best hotels in Banff. If you want an easy Banff hike, you can also go on a 7.7km hike through the Hoodoos from Surprise Corner.

Afternoon Hike

This is a great time to get out on an afternoon hike. There are plenty around Downtown Banff that are easily accessible. A few of our favorites are:

• Tunnel Mountain: If you want to summit a small mountain in Banff, Tunnel is a great place to start. You can reach the top in an hour and get mesmerizing views over Mount Rundle and the Bow Valley.
• Fenland Trail: Fenland is an easy loop through the forest just outside of town. It’s also a great way to connect the town with a walk to the docks of Vermilion Lakes for a beautiful morning or evening hike. The trail is scenic and loops through the forest along Echo Creek, a tributary that connects Vermilion Lakes and the Bow River.
• Surprise Corner To Hoodoos: Mentioned above, This is an excellent hike that’s just outside of town. The trail follows along the Bow River and moves around Tunnel Mountain. As you hike along the river, you’ll come across a few unique hoodoos.

Dinner at Brazen

If you are looking for a nice night out in Banff, consider reserving a table at Brazen. We always take friends and family who are in town, and everyone raves about it. When we are seeking a romantic night out, we head to Brazen. Make sure to make reservations, especially during the summer months and busy periods.

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Day 3

Nearly every first-time visitor to Banff has Moraine Lake and Lake Louise on their itinerary, and rightfully so! They are some of the most beautiful lakes in the world and today is the day to go and see them.

It’s important to note that because they are so beautiful, they are very busy and popular, and accessing them requires some advance planning. If you’re reading this Banff & Jasper itinerary well before your Banff trip, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll get to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. You cannot park at Moraine Lake anymore, and parking is extremely limited at Lake Louise to the point where we don’t even recommend trying to drive there during the summer months.

For that reason, we recommend people start looking into all the ways to get to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. The most popular option is the Parks Canada shuttle buses, which must be booked in advance. Plenty of private tour operators will also take you to the iconic lakes. We cover how to get to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise extensively on the blog, so please check out these articles for further reading.

• How to Get to Moraine Lake
• How to Get to Lake Louise
• All About the Parking at Lake Louise
• All About the Moraine Lake Shuttle

Moraine Lake

Many visitors have seeing Moraine Lake at sunrise high on their list. To do this, you can either book the Parks Canada Alpine Start Shuttle in advance, look into a private full-day tour, like this one offered by Radventures, take a shuttle from Banff or Canmore like Via Via, or book the private Moraine Lake Bus Company Shuttle Bus.

Whether or not you catch Moraine Lake at sunrise, there are many things to do in the area. Keep in mind that Moraine Lake is a natural area, and there is no town or village here. At Moraine Lake, it’s all about hiking or canoeing on the lake. One of our favorite easy hikes is to Consolation Lakes, or for a more difficult experience, you can check out Sentinel Pass.

If you don’t plan on canoeing or hiking at the lake, we recommend visitors allocate 1.5 hours to spend at Moraine Lake.

Lake Louise

You should take the day to see Moraine Lake and Lake Louise since they are in the same area. You can easily connect the two via the Parks Canada Lake Connector Bus (you must have a shuttle reservation). If you have booked a tour, nearly all private tours include both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise on their schedules.

Many visitors to Lake Louise simply walk the lakeshore, but you can enjoy plenty of hiking in the area. The most popular is the Lake Agnes Teahouse Trail. If you decide to hike to Lake Agnes you can continue and get great views from the Beehives, as well as Mount Saint Piran, as well as the Plain of Six Glaciers.

If you’re not up for a hike, the other popular activity is renting a canoe from the Boathouse and enjoying the lake from the water.

Optional Hike to Marble Canyon

If you didn’t opt to stay in Lake Louise, you’d have to travel back to Banff after your epic Lake Louise and Moraine Lake day. This option is only for those who have energy, as it involves detouring on the Banff Windermere Highway and driving into Kootenay National Park. Far from the madding crowds of the popular Johnston Canyon, it’s here you can find Marble Canyon. This is an excellent alternative for those wanting a quieter yet accessible canyon hike that can be completed quickly.

Note: This day could be made easier if you choose to stay one night in Lake Louise. There are many reasons to stay in Lake Louise over Banff. But for today, it’s great for having better access to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake and for easier access to the Icefields Parkway. For a luxury stay, we recommend The Fairmont, and for a cabin stay we recommend Paradise Lodge.

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Day 4

Drive to Jasper Via the Icefields Parkway

Rise and shine! we recommend waking up early again today. Today is the day you’re going to drive one of the most beautiful drives in the world. If you’re staying in Lake Louise, you’ll be able to get an earlier start to your day, as the start of the Parkway is just a few km from Lake Louise. If you’re staying in Banff, you’ll have about an hour extra of driving.

The Icefields Parkway, or Hwy 93 North, is a scenic drive between Banff and Jasper that attracts visitors from around the world. One can enjoy drive-in nature, surrounded by waterfalls, rock spires, ancient glaciers, and turquoise lakes on this entire drive.

This 232 km double-lane highway runs along the Continental Divide. It will take the entire day to drive the entire thing, and you definitely won’t see everything. We’ve driven this route many times and still always see new things along the drive. We cover the Icefields Parkway extensively on this blog, and we recommend you check out our massive guide of places to stop at along the way. Some of our favorites are:

• Herbert Lake
• Bow Lake
• Peyto Lake
• Mistaya Canyon
• Sunwapta Falls
• Athabasca Falls

Optional Hike to Parker Ridge

Parker Ridge is my favorite hike along the Parkway, and I recommend that most people try it if they have a few hours to spare and want to hike. The Trailhead is located near the Columbia Icefields Center, about half way between Banff and Jasper. Hikers can reach the ridge after a gradual 2.5 km climb on an easy and well-marked trail, with no technical or scrambling involved.

This makes it an excellent walk for people of all ages and skill levels, from young couples to families with children and dogs. Once at the ridge, you’ll get the most impressive views of the Saskatchewan Glacier and a beautiful blue glacier lake.

Athabasca Glacier Tours

Right on the Banff/Jasper border is the Athabasca Glacier. Here, there are many tour offerings to enjoy on the glacier. Stopping here is a great way to break up the drive, have lunch, and get your feet moving. Tour offerings here include:

• The Icefields Explorer experience is where you can take massive vehicles out on the Athabasca Glacier. This is a hit with families!
• The Columbia Icefield Skywalk: Included in the Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure Tour package with the Icefield Explorer vehicles is the Skywalk. This is where you walk on a glass-bottomed platform over the Sunwapta Valley.
• Icewalk: You don’t have to take the massive Ice Explorer vehicles to walk on the Glacier. Instead, you can book an Ice walk tour if you are fit and able. An Ice Walk tour is a much more personal experience, with a certified guide that will safely take you on the glacier and provide insights and explanations of what you are looking at. We highly recommend booking an Ice Walk tour and not trying to walk on the glacier yourself, which can be very unsafe.

Dinner at Jasper Brewing

You have made it to Jasper after a long day on the road. Time to chill out and have dinner somewhere down to earth. Our favorite laid-back place to eat in Jasper is the Jasper Brewing Company, which is the first National Park Brewery in Canada. Its three founders were born and raised by Jasper locals and created the space as a great community hub. It’s one of the best breweries in the Canadian Rockies, and while their beers are delicious, I love their food! I highly recommend trying their Halloumi Bowl!

Recommended hotel stay in Jasper: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge if looking for luxury and the Mount Robson Inn for a mid range stay.

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Day 5

Enjoy the Morning in Downtown Jasper

It’s been a long way to get to Jasper so the first thing we recommend to do is chill out and get acquainted with the town. Compared to Banff, you’ll likely notice that the town has a much more laid-back, less touristy, and less commercial vibe.

There’s no picturesque street that looks up to a goliath mountain like in Banff; however, in Jasper, you get a much more down-to-earth community small Alberta mountain town feel, so do your best to soak it all up!

One of the best things to do in Downtown Jasper is visit the historic Train Station. It has plenty of history inside, with some interesting photos from the early days in Jasper. The Canadian National Railway constructed the station in 1926 and declared it a heritage railway station in 1992.

Just outside the station is the Two Brothers Totem Pole, which replaced the famous Raven Totem Pole in 2011 and tells a very captivating story. You can’t miss these landmarks; both are quick sights to see in town. For breakfast, head to Sunhouse Cafe and try to get a seat upstairs.

Athabasca River Raft

One of the best things you can do in Jasper in the summer is hop on a raft and enjoy a thrilling trip down the Athabasca River. These guided multi-rapid run tours seat 8 people and are perfect for all visitors and ages. They have different trips for everyone, and we find it’s a great way to take in the Rockies. Last time we rafted the Athabasca, we even saw a black bear hanging out on the shoreline – a magical sight!

Lunch Downtown

Head back to town and look for the tiny Patricia Street Deli on Patricia Street. It’s unassuming, but we promise they make the best sandwiches and wraps in Jasper. The owners have been running this shop for years, and you might even meet them. Every time we pop in, we are greeted by the same owners who opened the shop 18 years ago. Bonus that it’s one of the most affordable places to eat in Jasper!

Valley of Five Lakes Hike

The Valley of Five Lakes is a classic Jasper hike that’s one of the most popular in the park. It takes visitors to FIVE stunning Jasper lakes. The trail is pretty flat, well-developed, and easy to follow, so it’s easy for everyone to enjoy the lakes and their varying colors of blue and green.

It’s a great trail for those who visit the park but don’t want the big challenge of climbing a mountain or steep pass. You’ll be hard-pressed to find many trails that cover the distance and don’t require large amounts of elevation gain. Since it’s a busy and easy trail, we recommend heading here later in the day to avoid any crowds in the summer. You can spend as long or short on this trail as you would like, but if you want to see all the lakes, plan for at least two hours of hiking.

Evening on Pyramid Lake

We hope you are not too laked-out yet on your Canadian Rockies trip. After hiking the Valley of the Five Lakes Trail, head to Pyramid Lake and spend an evening there. Here, you can enjoy the views or rent a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard and get out on the water. Or you can even take a dip! We find Pyramid Lake warmer than the other alpine lakes in the area. Don’t forget to take a walk out to Pyramid Island.

Dinner at Aalto

While at Pyramid Lake, you will likely notice a beautiful wooden building. This is Pyramid Lake Lodge, and although it’s a hotel and one of the best places to stay in Jasper, there is also a fantastic restaurant here called Aalto. In the summertime, you’ll need to make reservations. Enjoy the delicious cocktails and a meal here while watching the day end over Pyramid Lake.

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Day 6

Drive Maligne Lake Road

Get in the car and get ready to tackle the most beautiful drive in Jasper. Maligne Lake Road is a scenic drive that starts near Jasper and ends 46 kilometers at Maligne Lake. Along the way, you’ll stop at some of the most beautiful sights in the park. You’ll want to allocate at least 6 hours for this entire drive with all the stops and time at Maligne Lake, but honestly, you could spend the whole day on this road.

Maligne Canyon

Maligne Canyon is the first major site you’ll come across when driving Maligne Lake Road. Carved slowly out of limestone over the years by the rushing waters within, the deep canyon walls reach nearly 200 feet in places, making it one of the most dramatic sights in the Rockies.

The canyon area is a hot hiking spot when the ice thaws in late spring and summer due to its natural beauty and the sheer number of amazing and unique geological features you’ll find. In the winter guided tours are available here, but you can also easily visit and hike around Maligne Canyon yourself in the summer, taking in all the views from the bridges.

Medicine Lake

Medicine Lake is the next major stop after Maligne Canyon and it’s an easy pull-off to enjoy the views for 10-15 minutes. Though technically part of the Maligne River, it looks like a lake to the untrained eye, especially when it swells with water from the big thaw, which occurs in late spring and summer.

Many don’t know that Medicine Lake is also called the “disappearing lake” as the water drains out through sinkholes at the bottom, travels through a cave system, and resurfaces downstream in the winter.

Lunch at Maligne Lake

Eventually, you’ll come to a dead end on Maligne Lake Road, which is Maligne Lake. When you get to Maligne Lake, carve out some in your schedule for lunch here. There are a few different food options. The Lake House Café has both grab-and-go food as well as hot food service. There’s also the Waffle Hut, which is pretty self-explanatory for the type of food they serve, and The View Restaurant is a sit-down restaurant right on the lake.

Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island

Maligne Lake is renowned worldwide for its scenic natural beauty. It’s the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies and a must for any visitor to Jasper National Park.

The lake’s grandeur, as countless glaciers run off into the lake below from the Hall of Gods, is beyond compare. On a sunny day, the waters of Maligne Lake sparkle a dazzling cerulean blue. You can enjoy the lake from the lakeshore, but it’s best to book a cruise to Spirit Island to take in the area’s beauty.

The Maligne Lake Cruise is one of the most popular things to do in the Rockies, so booking in advance is essential. There are two options to book. The Classic Cruise is standard and lasts 1.5 hours. It will take visitors to Spirit Island, where you can get out on the shore and enjoy the famous view for 15 minutes. Along the way, a knowledgeable guide will share information about the area’s past, including its importance to the Stoney Nakoda people, all while you take in the glacial views.

Some people want more time at Spirit Island, if this is you make sure to book the Premium Cruise ahead of time. This costs about $30 more and gives you an extra 15 minutes (30 minutes total) at the Spirit Island viewpoint.

Evening on Lac Beauvert

If you don’t mind a bit more lake time, head to one of the most beautiful lakes in Jasper. Edith, Annette, and Beauvert Lakes are all very close together, and you can easily enjoy all three in one day. My absolute favorite lake in Jasper is Lake Beauvert, which has some of the most transparent water I’ve ever seen and is insanely blue.

If you have your own, I highly recommend bringing your canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard to Jasper! If you don’t have a watercraft, you can rent one onsite.

Dinner at Jasper Park Lodge

Orso Trattoria is set inside the Jasper Park Lodge, which sits on Lake Beauvert and is one of the best Jasper restaurants. If you want a nice meal out in Jasper set another lake, we recommend making reservations here.

This is an Italian fine-dining restaurant with an extensive wine menu to pair with dinner. Menu items include burrata, duck leg, ravioli, braised leeks, ragu, and a selection of grilled meats. The menu can be ordered ala carte or as a prix fixe 3-course menu. In the summer, you can sit outside and enjoy the atmosphere with a delicious tapas-inspired menu.

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Day 7

Drive Back to Banff via the Icefields Parkway

Sadly, it’s time to leave Jasper and head back to Banff unless you have plans to fly out of Edmonton. Drive back to Banff the same way you came – the Icefields Parkway! Get ready for more views as you make your way back, and make sure to hit any spots on the way back that you missed the first time.

Hop on the Bow Valley Parkway

If you are making good time and don’t mind extra driving, hop on the Bow Valley Parkway once you get off the Icefields Parkway in Lake Louise. The Bow Valley Parkway, also called the 1A, is a road that every visitor should drive. Before the Trans Canada Highway in the early 1900s, the Bow Valley Parkway was the original road linking Banff and Lake Louise. Now, it’s a scenic road primarily used for sightseeing and outdoor recreation. Some of the best stops along the route are Morant’s Curve Viewpoint and Johnston Canyon, which you can hike if you have the time and want to stretch your legs.

Overnight in Banff or Calgary, depending on flight time in the morning

Sadly, your Canadian Rockies trip has come to an end. If you have an early flight out of Calgary, we recommend staying overnight in the city so you are close to the airport. Our recommended hotels are Delta Hotels by Marriott Calgary Downtown and Hotel Clique Calgary Airport, close to the airport. If your flight is later in the day, you can stop in Banff for one more night on the town!

During the summer months, and especially if traveling to the US we recommend getting to the airport at least 2.5+ hours before your flight as the US customs is in Calgary and sometimes it can take quite awhile to get through immigration.

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Things to Keep in Mind

You Need a Parks Pass

You need a National Park Pass to visit Banff and Jasper National Park. You can read more about getting one here.

A Car is Ideal for This Itinerary

Although you can easily get around Downtown Banff (Day 1 and 2) without a vehicle, you’ll be best served by renting a car for most a majority of this itinerary, especially in Jasper where there is no public transport. That being said, it’s possible to get to many hot spots using Roam Transit, though you will be subject to their bus schedule and times, meaning you may not be able to make the most of your time here.

Book Hotels in Advance

In the summer, booking hotels in advance is imperative. It’s extremely busy here between June and September, and hotels do book out. The sooner you book, the better, and the better rates you will get! We have a great article if you’re curious where to stay in Banff.

This is a Summer Focused Itinerary

This itinerary is focused on visiting Banff in the summer, between May and October. This is when attractions like the Athabasca Glacier Tour and Columbia Icefield Skywalk are running, as well as when you’ll find unfrozen blue lakes, sunny days, and patios to enjoy. That being said you can still complete this itinerary in the winter, just manage your expectations regarding the weather and know that you cannot get to Moraine Lake and do obvious summer activities like cruising on Maligne Lake.

This is Just an Example

This 7-day Banff and Jasper itinerary isn’t the most jam-packed I could have made it, but it’s far from a relaxing day at the resort too. It’s best to plan an itinerary and realize that you probably won’t make it to everything on your list. You’ll stay longer at certain sites than you have anticipated, and at the end of each day you’ll be tired. You might not want to wake up early every day and get after it – and that’s okay! Remember, you can always return and the mountains will always be here. We have been exploring these mountains for years, and have realized that it’s better to enjoy things one at a time than try to absolutely exhaust ourselves.

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