How to Spend One FULL Day in Banff: 1 Day Itinerary

Of course, you’ll always want to spend more time in the Canadian Rockies, but if you find yourself with just one day to spare in Banff, we have the ultimate one-day Banff itinerary for you.

Don’t think you can get that much done in a day? Think again! If you’re visiting Banff in the summer, remember that days start as early as 5 a.m. and last until nearly 11 p.m. in late June and July! That’s a whole lot of time to see some amazing sights.

Yes, you’ll be tired, but it will be more than worth it after seeing lakes like Lake Minnewanka, Vermilion Lakes, and even the iconic Moraine Lake.

We’re sharing a very realistic version of what you can enjoy in a full day in Banff. This article caters to a self-driving individual, and we have tried to limit hours in the car and instead have focused on the quantity of sights. Yes, there are a lot of hours in the day during the summer season, but enjoying all that Banff has to offer, plus driving to popular sights like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, is too much for just one day. If you are planning a longer visit, check out our 2-day itinerary or 5-day itinerary.

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How to Spend One Day in Banff

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Pick Up Breakfast

Any full day in Banff means you definitely need some fuel first thing. Our favorite thing to do in Banff early in the morning is to grab a coffee and breakfast at Sudden Sally. Eat it in-house or take it away so you can have your breakfast somewhere extra scenic.

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Have Your Breakfast at Cascade Ponds

Hop in the car and drive to Cascade Ponds. Cascade Ponds is about 10 minutes from Downtown Banff and is just off the Trans Canada. Once at Cascade Ponds, you’ll notice plenty of picnic tables, making it the perfect place to enjoy breakfast under Cascade Mountain.

In the early morning, the area is very quiet and peaceful, and you may get lucky and see some ducks or geese passing by in the water. Always remember to pack out what you brought in and do not litter—there are plenty of bear-proof trash cans around to dispose of your waste.

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Catch Early Morning Light on Two Jack Lake

Two Jack Lake is your next stop after Cascade Ponds. Continue along Lake Minnewanka Scenic Road and follow the signs for Two Jack Lake. Here you’ll get great views of Mount Rundle, and if it’s still early morning, you can nab some fantastic photos of the calm waters without the crowds. If you have any water devices like a paddleboard or kayak, Two Jack Lake is a fantastic place for a paddle.

(Psst – have any extra time? Johnson Lake is also nearby!)

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Enjoy a Lake Minnewanka Cruise

Once you are done at Two Jack Lake, continue on Lake Minnewanka Scenic Road, and you’ll make it to beautiful Lake Minnewanka in under five minutes. Lake Minnewanka, stretching 21 kilometers in length and plunging to a depth of 142 meters, not only serves as a crucial source of hydroelectric power for Banff, but it’s one of the best lakes to head in Banff for recreation.

During the summer, the lake is a bustling place for activities such as hiking, picnicking, and canoeing. Mount Inglismaldie looms over the lake and offers awe-inspiring views throughout the year. One of the best things to do here is enjoy a scenic cruise which takes you back to Devil’s Gap and provides a different perspective of the area. During the cruise, the captain will provide interesting history tidbits as well as tell about Lake Minnewanka’s significance to the indigenous people of the area.

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Stroll Downtown Banff

After your morning enjoying the Lake Minnewanka Loop Road, head back to the Town of Banff. We are guessing you will want to spend some time there, especially if it’s your first time in Alberta’s most beautiful town. Enjoy all the shops on Banff Avenue, take your photo in front of Cascade Mountain, hop into Jolenes Tea House on Bear Street, grab a poutine snack at Banff Poutine, or enjoy a drink on a lovely Banff patio.

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Smell the Roses at Cascade Gardens

If your stomach isn’t growling too much wait for a little bit longer for lunch and walk from Banff Avenue to Cascade Gardens. These are free gardens that offer an ideal destination for a leisurely stroll from the town center. Whether you possess a passion for nature or botanical knowledge or just want to see the first administration building of Parks Canada, it’s well worth heading here for at least 30 minutes for your daily dose of plant goodness.

As you wander through the gardens, you’ll encounter various plant groupings and plenty of COLORS. In addition to the captivating flora and fauna showcased, the gardens boast ponds, a waterfall, and meandering paths leading to picturesque vistas.

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Walk to Bow Falls

From the gardens, you can continue your walk along the Bow River to Bow Falls. There’s a nice walking path that runs parallel to the river, ending at a scenic viewpoint out to one of the most iconic waterfalls in Banff.

Snap your photos of the nine-meter waterfall. No, it’s not a huge waterfall in Alberta by any means, but it is still one of the best sights to see near the townsite and is completely surrounded by natural scenery and rocky cliffs.

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Have Lunch in Downtown Banff

After Bow Falls, walk back to Downtown Banff. You’ve walked a lot by this point, so hopefully, you’re counting your steps! You’ve likely worked up a big appetite with all that walking! Thankfully, there are plenty of restaurants in Banff that will satisfy any craving.

Craving something cheap and quick? Hankki will have you some Korean street food in under five minutes and under $12. Want something healthy? We recommend Nourish on Bear Street. Or you can’t go wrong with a delicious pizza and beer at Three Bears Brewery. If you just want to soak up the sun and vibes, Tooloulous has one of the best patios in Banff!

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Head Up the Banff Gondola

Don’t spend too long eating – the day is getting away from you, and you’ll want plenty of time to head up the Banff Gondola, which is one of the best attractions in Banff.

There are multiple gondolas in Banff, but the Banff Gondola offers absolutely incredible panoramic views over the Town of Banff and the Bow and Spray Valley. The gondola takes visitors to the top of Sulphur Mountain in eight minutes, and no matter age or ability, it allows everyone to see what being on top of a mountain feels like.

We’ve now been up the Banff Gondola nearly 10 times, as it’s a popular thing to do when our family or friends visit. Everyone that we bring up the gondola says it’s their favorite thing to do on their entire trip! You’ll want 1.5 to 2 hours to spare up here as you can walk the boardwalk to the historic Sulphur Mountain Weather Station and see Cascade Mountain from a different perspective.

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Head to Vermilion Lakes

No visit to Banff would be complete without catching evening light somewhere spectacular. For us, that special place is always Vermilion Lakes. If you drive to Johnston Canyon (our next suggestion), you’ll see Vermilion Lakes on your way out of Banff. Vermilion Lakes (or Lake Vermilion) reflect the iconic Mount Rundle that looms over the town of Banff, and there are even a few docks here to enjoy the view.

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*Optional* (if you have time) hike through Johnston Canyon

As mentioned, summer days in the Canadian Rockies are long. So, if you have the time and energy, we’re including a hike through Johnston Canyon on this one-day itinerary.

Johnston Canyon is a highlight for many on their trip to Banff. It’s an easy hike that’s great for all, including families with young children. The hike takes between 2 and 3 hours to complete, and along the way, you’ll be in awe of the canyon’s beauty and even come across a few surprising waterfalls as well.

Considering its ease and beauty, Johnston Canyon is one of the most popular hikes in Banff National Park. Because of this, the trail can become very crowded, but if you head here in the evening, it becomes much quieter as most other visitors are back in Banff enjoying their dinners.

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Have Dinner in Banff

There are plenty of great restaurants in Banff to have dinner and end your day at. A few of our favorite dinner restaurants are Bluebird and The Bison for steak, and Brazen and Fat Ox for a little bit of everything!

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Where to Stay in Banff