The Canadian Rockies in Alberta will forever be a bucket list destination for many travelers…and for good reason! The astonishing mountain landscapes, thriving wildlife, and endless hiking trails bring in millions of visitors each year. With so much to do and see, it can be overwhelming planning a trip, especially since you could spend months there and still not see everything. I have put together the perfect 10 DAY ITINERARY for traveling Banff and Jasper National Parks. The drive from Banff to Jasper is only 3 hours but there are SO MANY amazing stops along the way that it will take a full day in itself.
Detailed Itinerary
- Day 1 – Fly into Calgary
- Day 2 – Lake Louise
- Day 3 – Moraine Lake & Johnston Canyon
- Day 4 – Drive the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper
- Day 5 – Maligne Lake and Maligne Canyon
- Day 6 – Sulphur Skyline Trail
- Day 7 – Drive the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Banff (the city)
- Day 8 – Moraine Lake and Sulphur Mountain Gondola
- Day 9 – Lake Louise
- Day 10 – Fly home from Calgary
DAY 1 – Fly into Calgary and Drive to Banff
Once you have arrived in Calgary and rented a car, make sure to stop at a grocery store for any supplies. Most grocery items in Banff will be expensive. The drive from Calgary to Banff is a little under 2 hours. For the first 3 nights we stayed at the Lake Louise Inn which is only a 5 minute drive from the iconic Lake Louise! I would recommend staying in this area when visiting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake because both are almost 1 hour away from the city of Banff. This will make it much more convenient as well as give you an advantage for finding parking.
Day 2 – Lake Louise to Hike Little Beehive Trail and Visit Lake Agnes Teahouse
You have traveled all this way to see the iconic Lake Louise, so why not the first day?! Lake Louise is absolutely incredible and there are over 30 hikes that start here. The best times to arrive are before 9:00AM or after 3:00PM if you want to find parking, otherwise you may have to take the shuttle. I highly recommend the Little Beehive Hike via Lake Agnes Teahouse. This hike will bring you to an amazing view overlooking Lake Louise. Make sure you stop at Lake Agnes Teahouse for soup and sandwich on the way up, its a pretty strenuous hike! Don’t forget to bring cash. They do not accept credit cards due to no electricity.
Before heading back to the hotel after a long day of hiking, make sure to stop at the Fairmont Hotel Lake Louise for a drink. It is a perfect way to end the day and the hotel is a must see (very expensive to stay there).
Day 3 – Moraine Lake & Johnston Canyon
Moraine Lake was our favorite place to visit on the trip. It is about a 15 minute drive from Lake Louise Village but parking is very limited. I would recommend getting there early in the morning or late afternoon, unless you are taking the shuttle. There is an easy trail that goes around the lake as well as the famous rocks where people take photos. Since Emily and I made this trip in June, the water was still very low which was nice for walking on the rocks along the shore.
After spending a couple hours at Moraine Lake, we headed out to Johnston Canyon (30 minute drive). Johnston Canyon is carved from thousands of years of water erosion on limestone bedrock. There are several waterfalls and a strong river current going through the canyon. It is a must see! The hike around the canyon takes about an hour and most of it is on a bridge along the canyon. After you finish the hike there is an ice cream stand at the end to reward yourself.
Day 4 – Drive to Jasper National Park via the Icefields Parkway
The drive between Banff National Park and Jasper National Park is regarded by many as one of the most scenic drives in the entire world. You take Highway 93, also known as the Icefields Parkway, the entire way. Around every turn you will see dramatic mountains, waterfalls and rivers, and even ancient glaciers. The drive takes 3 hours straight through but you are going to want to plan an entire day for this drive. There are endless landmarks to stop at and you will probably see a ton of wildlife along the way. For a more detailed list please see Best 5 Stops Along the Icefields Parkway.
- Athabasca River (follows the Icefields Parkway most of the way)
In Jasper, we stayed at Alpine Village Cabin Resort. Located right on the Athabasca River and very close to the Jasper restaurants and brewery, Alpine Village is a perfect place to stay for your few days in Jasper. They often have Elk walk right through the camp.
Day 5 – Maligne Lake and Maligne Canyon
Maligne Lake and the famous Spirit Island are must sees when in Jasper National Park. It is about a 45 minute drive from downtown Jasper through slow mountain roads. The best way to see Maligne Lake is by boat. Maligne Lake Boat Tours are seasonal between late May-October and run several times a day. We chose to do the 90 minute tour which ended up being the perfect amount of time to see boat around the lake as well as hike around Spirit Island. The weather wasn’t the best when we went, but even in the snow it was an incredible experience.
After the boat ride, head on over to Maligne Canyon. It is on the way back to Jasper and is a cool place to stop for an hour or two and hike around. The trails are fairly easy and have several different vantage points of the canyon. We hiked the Maligne Canyon Loop Trail.
Day 6 – Sulphur Skyline Trail
The Sulphur Skyline Trail is a must if you are in Jasper. Keep in mind that the hike is challenging and long but the views at the end are worth it. At the end, you are on the top of a mountain with 360 degree views as far as the eye can see. The entire hike took us about 5 hours out and back, and the very end is the most challenging as it gets very steep. Once you reach the top you will forget how tired you are, the views are AMAZING!
After the long hike, make sure to reward yourself with a beer or three at the Jasper Brewing Company.
Day 7 – Drive the Icefields Parkway from Jasper back to Banff (the city)
On day 7 get a full breakfast in downtown Jasper and then drive back down the Icefields Parkway. Take this opportunity to stop at any locations you missed on the way there. The views are also different on the way back so it will be like you are driving it for the first time!
Once you arrive in the city of Banff you will have unlimited dinner options so take the evening to explore the city.
Day 8 – Moraine Lake and Sulphur Mountain Gondola
Since we loved Moraine Lake so much we went back for a couple hours to explore. From the city it is about a 40 minute drive.
After returning to Banff, get dressed up for a fancy dinner at the Sky Bistro on Sulphur Mountain. Take the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain. You can purchase tickets online to save yourself a long wait. There is a visitor center, two restaurants, coffee shop, and a huge boardwalk with 360 degree views overlooking Banff. The views are incredible!
I highly recommend making reservations in advance for the Sky Bistro as they are usually fully booked.
Day 9 – Lake Louise to Canoe and Hike the Plain of the Six Glaciers Trail
On our last full day we completed a bucket list item by Canoeing on Lake Louise! The blue water is even more dramatic when you are right on top of it. You can rent canoes at an hourly rate. It is $125 per hour, which is expensive, but it is completely worth it.
After canoeing, make sure to get some lunch to fuel up for the Plain of Six Glaciers Hike. Otherwise known as the “P6”, this trail is one of the most famous in Banff National Park. It is a 9 mile hike out and back and its difficulty is moderate. The P6 starts just beyond the valley at Lake Louise and continues back through the valley. The views are amazing and you will probably see a lot of wildlife. We had a little encounter with a PORCUPINE! At just under 4 miles, you will reach the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse where you can grab some soup and a sandwich to refuel. Keep in mind that there is no electricity so they only take CASH.
This hike is the perfect way to spend the last day of your trip. After the long day, make sure to get a nice dinner in downtown Banff to cap off your amazing trip.
Day 10 – Fly Home from Calgary
I would say that there were no regrets on this trip and nothing we would have changed. If you are looking for the perfect 10 day itinerary for visiting the Canadian Rockies then this is it!