We aren’t the first people who’ve put Banff National Park high on their list of travel destinations and there are a lot of blogs and guides out there to help, but instead of getting bogged down in all of that we’re going to try to provide some suggestions on hikes and things to do so you can plan your Banff vacay quickly because campground reservations open at the end of January for this coming summer. Let’s nail this trip down with key things to do and some reservations tips as well.
Planning Your Time in Banff
RESERVATION TIP: I could write an entire post on this alone, but suffice it to say there are some key things to pay attention to:
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- Different parks within Alberta (Jasper, Banff, Kananaskis, etc) open their reservation windows at different times so whether you’re planning on just Banff or on stringing together a longer trip in the area, plan ahead so that you know which campgrounds you want to stay in on which dates, before the reservation system even open ups. Use the link in #2 below to see key dates for this year.
- Get logged into the reservations system (Parks Canada Reservations at https://parks.canada.ca/voyage-travel/reserve) ahead of time and poke around the website so that you’re familiar with how it works. When reservations open up and can be made, you don’t want to be starting with creating a login.
- To have the best chance of booking campgrounds you want (like one nearest Lake Louise), you’ll want to log onto the reservations system with as many devices as possible as they randomly supply everyone with a queue number at the opening bell and whichever device is first in the queue will be the one you’ll use to book.
- Don’t wait to book your shuttle tickets to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Do it within a few days of booking your campgrounds. A lot of people were disappointed when they showed up and could not get shuttle tickets to visit these gems!
- Instead of paying daily admissions fees, if you plan to visit ANY Canada National Park for more than 6 days, it’s worth the money to buy a Discovery Pass.
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Getting There
If you’re planning an RV adventure and have a few extra days, we highly recommend starting your trip in Kananaskis (see post here). From Kananaskis, you’ll be driving north west towards Banff. Take dirt road Hwy 742 past Spray Lakes Reservoir and through the town of Canmore.
RESERVATION TIP – If you’re following our circuitous route from Kananaskis, reserve your first night in the Johnston Canyon Campground and your second and third at the Marble Canyon Campground.
The closest airport to Banff National Park is the Calgary International Airport. It’s then a 90 minute drive from there to downtown Banff.
The easiest way to visit Banff is with an RV or car but there are some alternatives – the Banff Airporter and the Brewster Express Shuttle both offer transportation from the Calgary International Airport to any hotel in Banff or the Canmore Coast Hotel. Discover Banff Tours will provide door-to-door service to Canmore hotels and they also shuttle to Jasper if you’re headed there after Banff.
What to See and Do
**Starred activities below should make your “do-not-miss” itinerary.
**DAY 1 – Johnston Canyon Hike
Johnston Canyon may be the most popular hike in the area as not only is it beautiful, but it’s also fully paved, making it great for all ages and levels of physical fitness. It will still be busy on a summer weekday but not as busy as on a summer weekend.
he lower falls in Johnston Canyon was busy and we had to wait in line for a picture at the upper falls, but if you’re willing to hike beyond it towards the Ink Pots, the crowd will thin out. Despite the crowds, make sure this hike makes it into your Banff itinerary.
DAY 2 – Marble Canyon and Paint Pots Hikes
While less popular than Johnston Canyon, Marble Canyon has a beauty all its own. This short walk along the edge of the canyon zigzags across it via wooden bridges, providing great views of the often more than 40 meter deep limestone canyon carved out by the glacier blue waters that rush through Tokumm Creek.
Near Marble Canyon is the Paint Pots Trail (not to be confused with Ink Pots near Johnston Canyon). This one was pretty muddy and not as interesting as we’d hoped. If you have limited time in the area, skip this one.
DAY 3 – Stanley Glacier Hike
If you went to Marble Canyon and are in the Kootenay National Park, consider hiking to Stanley Glacier. This 7.5 mile round trip hike includes 2100 feet of elevation gain. The majority of the uphill portion occurs via switchbacks at the start of the trail. It then flattens out with hanging valley views and steep slopes on either side. the waterfall on this hike was the second largest we saw in the Banff area. Doug ventured off trail to get a closer look at the glacier. This was rough going as there are a lot of loose rocks and slick areas. When you hike here you may see people looking for fossils. Rare Burgess Shale fossils have been found here. If you’re’ up for a steep climb and/or fossil hunting, this hike is a good one.
RESERVATION TIP – Consider two nights at the Two Jack Lake Campground.
DAY 4 – Stewart Canyon Hike
From the Two Jack Lake Campground, we biked to the Stewart Canyon trailhead. A ranger stood at the entrance of one of the trails to make sure people hiked in groups of four as there were bears in the area. We also saw several big horn sheep on this hike so in our experience, it was a good spot for seeing some animals. The trail is well marked and the hike was not very difficult. This was not the prettiest canyon in the area, but the animals were worth it.
**DAY 5 – Paddle Two Jack Lake
Get out the SUP, raft, canoe or whatever watercraft you have and spend some time paddling Two Jack Lake. Don’t forget your camera to try and catch the reflection of Mount Rundle in the water.
RESERVATION TIP – Consider at least one night’s stay at the Tunnel Mountain Village Campground.
**DAY 6 – Visit Downtown Banff and Consider Biking There Via the HooDoo Trail
With all of the hiking, biking, and paddling available in the area, if you’re RVing in particular, it would be easy to overlook downtown Banff, but we recommend you don’t. It’s quaint, has plenty of tourist shops and lot of good places to eat with beautiful scenery. Even getting there can be fun. If you stay at the Tunnel Mountain Village Campground you can bike into town. We rode the HooDoo Trail towards Banff. This is a multi-use trail and admittedly we ran into a few sections (including some stairs) that required us (and by that I mean Doug) to carry the bikes a few times, but along the route there are pretty overlooks of the Bow River, Tunnel Mountain, the Rundle Mountains and Surprise Corner, which offers some of the most impressive views the fairytale hotel Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Biking will assure you’ve earned that burger, fries and maple rye whiskey from Park Distillery before looping back on Tunnel Mountain Road.
As an aside, we did see a lot of references to the Banff Gondola, but we decided to do the Lake Louise Gondola instead. More on that below.
Doug found that taking the HooDoo Trail in the opposite direction is very scenic as well.
**DAY 7 – Visit Lake Louise and Do a Day Hike
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are among the most visited destinations in Canada and for good reason – majestic mountains provide the gorgeous backdrop for these glacier fed lakes!
The crowds near the Lake Louise lodge are dense, but walk even a few 100 feet from it and you’ll get great views with fewer people.
Even better, consider a hike in this area. We hiked from Lake Louise to Lake Agnes and its infamous Tea House. A lot of hikers wait in the long lines to get food and drinks at the Tea House here before hiking back. Instead, we packed our lunch, but did enjoy the Lake Agnes view while eating it. If you take your time, I promise you’ll make it up intimidating, but so worth it, switchbacks at Big Bee Hive. From the top of the bee hive shaped mountain, you’ll get amazing views of the turquoise waters below and the white sediment water from the glaciers that feed into Lake Louise. It’s absolutely stunning from this high angle. From here, loop down to Highland Trail for striking mountain views and pretty wild flowers as you loop back to the lake’s lodge and shuttle. This 7.5 mile loop climbs nearly 1800 feet but it might just be the best hike you’ll do in Banff!
RESERVATION TIP –
1) Getting to both lakes requires shuttle reservations and they do sell out so book within a few days of booking your campground. We saw a lot of disappointed tourists hoping for tickets the day of.
2) Consider booking 2-3 overnight stays at the Lake Louise Hard Sided Campground as there’s a free shuttle that takes you to the the Lake Louise Park and Ride, which is where the lake shuttles depart.
3) They say you can book the shuttle to Lake Louise and after visiting the lake, grab a second shuttle the same day to Moraine Lake, but if you plan to do any walking, hiking or paddling, we recommend going to each lake on a separate day. If you have time in the area, book 2 shuttle tickets – one to Lake Louise and on a separate day, one to Moraine Lake.
**DAY 8 – Take a Side Trip to Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake
Looking to rest your legs a bit from hiking? Take a day trip into Yoho National Park to see the Takakkaw Falls. It’s the second tallest falls (over 1200 feet tall) in Canada and it’s extremely accessible via paved path that’s short and has little elevation gain. It’s kid, pet and wheelchair, and stroller friendly. The water spray and sound produced by this massive waterfall are impressive and getting there is scenic as well!
Nearby is the hidden gem of Emerald Lake. The color alone is enough to make your jaw drop, but the surrounding President Range Mountains that tower above will leave you speechless.
There’s a bridge that leads from the parking lot to Emerald Lake Lodge and at several spots along this side of the lake, people who didn’t seem to mind cold water were jumping in. Canoe rentals are available at Emerald Lake and there’s a walk along the lake shore. Even if you don’t do any of these activities, the lake is worth a visit for the scenery alone.
**DAY 9 – Visit Moraine Lake and Hike Larch Valley / Sentinel Pass
There’s no doubt that Lake Louise is the crown jewel of Banff, but Moraine Lake, while less popular, is just as beautiful! Someone once described the waters of Moraine Lake as having been “poured straight from the Heavens into the Valley of the Ten Peaks” and that description is spot on! Its crystal-clear waters, majestic mountains, and vibrant colors are a photographer’s dream.
Either before or after the hike we’re recommending in this area, be sure to climb The Rock Pile at the end of the lake to grab some wonderful photos! If you’re a very serious photographer, arrive before sunrise for the perfect shot.
If you need a rest day from hiking, you can rent a canoe to paddle the lake, but it’s not inexpensive. We’re recommending a hike instead. From Moraine Lake the Larch Valley / Sentinel Pass hike requires 10 pretty big, but well trodden, switchbacks with limited views of the lake. Once the trail flattens out the the mountain views on the way to Minnestimma Lake will make those switchbacks worth it. I stopped when we reached the lake and ate a leisurely lunch, taking in the views – not so much of the lake, but of the surrounding mountains. Even at 1900 feet, I was dwarfed by the them. Doug climbed another 450ft for a look down on the lake and out over some incredible hanging valleys.
DAY 10 – Ride the Lake Louise Gondola
There are two different gondola / chairlift rides in the Banff area – the Banff Gondola and the Lake Louise Gondola. The Lake Louise Gondola does not leave from Lake Louise. Instead, it departs from the Lake Louise Park and Ride / Ski Resort (which if you’ve visited Lake Louise and/or Moraine Lake you’re very familiar with by now). The Park and Ride is about a 45-minute drive from the town of Banff and a 10-minute drive from Lake Louise.
The 15-20 minute ride to the top of Whitehorn Mountain provides a unique perspective on Lake Louise and Mount Victoria behind her. At the top of the mountain, there is a free and informative nature center filled with fun animal facts and taxidermy. There is also a restaurant, but it was closed for a special event the day that we were there.
Additionally, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll spot bears as you ride the gondola up and back down. We saw two on the way up and one directly below us on the way back down so definitely bring your camera and maybe some binoculars.
If you haven’t seen any bears and want to, this is a good option, but the ride itself was a bit boring and it is not an inexpensive ticket so we’re on the fence about putting it on the must-do list.
Armed now with some reservation information and several must-do items plus some other possible activities, we hope this blog will assist you in making this the year you head to Banff!
If liked the post or you’ve been to Banff or have other helpful hints for those planning to go, kindly leave a comment below.
Next stop (and next blog post)…Icefield Parkway, the road between Banff and Jasper, another must-do in Alberta!
