The Ultimate 7 Day Banff Itinerary for a Bucket List Trip
Banff had been on my travel bucket list for a long time, and after finally visiting, it’s easy to see why it is so popular. The scenery is seriously unreal, the hiking is incredible, and there is no shortage of things to do.
In this post, I’m sharing my exact 7-day Banff Itinerary, along with practical tips to help you plan your own trip. This itinerary covers what we did each day, where we stayed, what to pack, and a few things I wish I had known before going.
If you’re planning a trip to Banff and want a realistic itinerary that makes the most of your time in the Canadian Rockies, this guide will walk you through it step by step.
7-Day Banff Itinerary
This itinerary outlines how we spent a week in Banff, visiting from late May through early June.
I recommend using it as a starting point when planning your own trip and adjusting it based on what you’re interested in, your travel style (whether that’s hiking or something more casual), and the time of year you visit.
Day 1: Tunnel Mountain & Bow River
We arrived in Banff late the night before, so we took this morning to sleep in.
We decided to keep our activities for the day within the town of Banff to give us the opportunity to explore the area without having to drive our car.
Grab Breakfast at White Bark Coffee
We frequented White Bark Cafe often during our trip, and it was a great spot for a quick breakfast and coffee without taking too much time out of the day, which made it easy to hit the road early.
It opens at 6:30 AM, and it was a short walk from our hotel in downtown Banff. It was the perfect way to start our mornings!
I ordered a honey vanilla latte, and it was delicious. For breakfast, I tried their breakfast turkey sausage wrap and their bacon & egg breakfast cup. Both were great!
Rent Bear Spray for Your Trip
Before starting our first hike in Banff, we headed to Snowtips Bactrax to rent bear spray for the week. They open at 8:00 AM, so it was perfect timing after finishing breakfast.
If you’re looking for a place that opens earlier, I have heard some people having luck finding bear spray at 24/7 gas stations or at their hotel.
The rental starts at $10 per day, but they give you a discount if you’re renting it for multiple days.
For a six-day rental, it came out to $39 CAD per can of bear spray, which was much cheaper than buying a can (which is usually around $60 CAD), especially since you can not fly with bear spray anyway.
They also give you a demonstration on how to use the bear spray, which is super helpful if you are not familiar with it, like I was.
I highly recommend renting bear spray if you’re going on any hikes in Banff or the surrounding areas, as there are grizzly and black bears in the area.
We never saw a bear while hiking (or even driving, which I was slightly bummed about lol), but you should always be prepared just in case.
I found this blog post helpful in educating myself on bear awareness and what to do if you encounter a bear.
Hike to Tunnel Mountain Summit
Tunnel Mountain Summit is a great hiking trail that you can walk to from downtown Banff, no need to drive!
We headed this way after getting our bear spray rental, and it’s the perfect hike to do on your first day in Banff. It provides amazing views of the town from above and the surrounding area.
Despite its shorter length (2.7 miles), don’t be fooled. It’s a moderately challenging hike with some steep inclines that got my heart rate up quite a bit. If you aren’t an experienced hiker, this one could be pretty difficult because of the steepness. Just take frequent breaks, which isn’t hard since there are so many beautiful stops with stunning views, and don’t push yourself too hard.
It took us about two hours, including time spent enjoying the view at the top of Tunnel Mountain Summit.
Lunch at Eddie Burger + Bar
Eddie Burger + Bar is a fantastic spot for lunch in Banff if you’re craving a delicious burger!
As a big burger fan myself, Eddie’s hit the spot! I got the Eddie Double Mac, and it was great.
During our trip, I noticed that Canada is big on its sauces, which I love! There are multiple sauces to choose from for your fries. I got the Chipotle Mayo.
➡️ Be sure to check out my blog post all about the best lakes in Banff to add to your itinerary!
Walk to Bow Falls Viewpoint
Bow Falls Viewpoint is another short hike/walk that you can walk to from downtown Banff. This is a great one to do before or after dinner due to its proximity to downtown.
The trail is mostly flat and brings you through a forested area while you walk along the Bow River.
At the end, there is a platform where you can view Bow Falls, which is a pretty impressive waterfall!
Dinner at Three Bears Brewery
We finished our day with dinner at Three Bears Brewery.
I got the Margherita Pizza, and it was pretty good! My husband got the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, and he really liked it.
Day 2: Yoho National Park
Today was the day we explored Yoho National Park, which is definitely not to be missed. While it isn’t technically in Banff, it’s close by and offers equally stunning views with fewer crowds.
The Canada Discovery National Parks Pass and Day Pass both cover Yoho National Park, so there is no need to purchase a separate park pass to visit.
➡️ Check out my detailed one day in Yoho National Park itinerary if you want more information on how we spent our time in there!
Arrive Early at Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake was approximately an hour and 15 minute drive from Banff, and we arrived at the parking lot around 8:30 am.
To my surprise, the parking lot was practically empty! We were there on a Wednesday (May 29th), which is outside of the peak tourist season, but I was still shocked.
I still recommend getting here early to avoid the crowds and have more of the place to yourself, especially if you’re visiting during the summer months (June through August), which is peak tourist season in Banff.
Yoho National Park did seem to be less crowded than Banff which made for a nice escape from the crowds.
Emerald Lake tends to be the first lake to thaw (at least this year – 2024), and it already had that beautiful emerald green color that I couldn’t believe I was seeing with my own eyes! It is truly as picturesque as it looks in photos.
Hike the Emerald Lake Loop
We hiked the Emerald Lake Loop which is a 3.2 mile loop that takes you around Emerald Lake.
We did the hike counterclockwise (taking the right side first over the bridge), and I would recommend going this way to avoid the crowds.
If you go this way, you will start at the end of the trail first which also happens to be the “hardest” (really just more rugged – not hard). It involves rougher terrain and more mud, while the latter half is a smoother gravel path.
We took frequent stops to admire the views and even feel the chilly water (yes, it’s as cold as you’d expect!). The hike took us around 2 hours to complete.
Lunch at Truffle Pigs
We decided to grab some lunch at Truffle Pigs before heading to the Wapta Falls hike. It was nice to take a break to rest and refuel.
It is located in the charming small town of Field, which is just a 15-minute drive from Emerald Lake. It is a super cute small town with amazing views!
When we went, their soup of the day was Tomato Soup, and it was really good!
Hike to Wapta Falls
After lunch, we hiked to the iconic Wapta Falls in Yoho National Park, which is a must-do in my opinion.
It is a 3-mile hike and is mostly easy, although it does get slightly more challenging towards the end as you go down steep trails to get closer to Wapta Falls.
I recommend going to the end of the trail because you get a breathtaking eye-level view of the powerful waterfall.
Once we got down to the bottom, we stayed to the left side along the wall and walked along rocks to get as close to Wapta Falls as possible!
If you do this, I recommend bringing a rain jacket as you will get wet being so close to the falls.
There is a small parking lot at the Wapta Falls trailhead, but once it fills up, people just start to park along the side of the road, which is what we did.
Please note that to get to the trailhead parking you have to drive down a slightly rugged road that has numerous potholes. If you drive slowly and carefully, you will be fine. We did so with an automatic rental car (not a SUV).
To get directions to the trailhead parking, I recommend using the All Trails Map and hitting “Directions” and that will bring you to the trailhead.
Visit the Natural Bridge
If you have some extra time in your itinerary, I recommend making the drive to Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park while you’re in the area.
The Natural Bridge is a naturally formed stone bridge where the Kicking Horse River flows through. It is a beautiful sight with its blue colored water!
It is a quick walk from the parking lot, making it a quick and easy stop worth adding to your 7-ady Banff itinerary!
Dinner at Parks Distillery
Parks Distillery was one of our favorite places for dinner in Banff!
I recommend the Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad, the Warm Spinach & Four Cheese Dip, and the Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich. They were all delicious!
➡️ Don’t forget to check out my blog post about Banff hikes you need to add to your itinerary!
Day 3: Johnston Canyon & Banff Gondola
Johnston Canyon – Lower & Upper Falls
After a 30-minute drive from the town of Banff, we arrived at Johnston Canyon around 8:00 AM, and much to my surprise, the parking lot was practically empty!
Since we visited on Thursday, May 30th, we were technically still visiting during the shoulder season, as the peak crowds in Banff don’t usually start appearing till the end of June through August. This was definitely an advantage of visiting during the shoulder season!
I recommend arriving at Johnston Canyon early (probably around 7:00 AM during the summer) to beat the crowds as this is a very popular hike in Banff.
The walkways on the hike are pretty narrow, so when it gets crowded, it can be a tight squeeze to get by other hikers.
This also makes it more challenging to stop and take photos or appreciate the views, as you will be holding people up behind you.
We didn’t have to deal with this at all since we arrived early, but we noticed it on our way back.
The biggest reason I recommend arriving early is so that you can potentially get the Lower Falls viewpoint all to yourself!
Once you reach the Lower Falls, you can walk through a narrow cave-like opening to a small platform allowing you to get super close to the Lower Falls (bring a rain jacket as you will get wet!).
Once the crowds start to grow, a line often forms to get to this spot, taking some of the magic out of it.
If you’re short on time, the Lower Falls is definitely the standout compared to the Upper Falls, but I still highly recommend making the journey to the Upper Falls if you’re able to.
If you just go to the Lower Falls, it is 1.4 miles and will take you around 1 hour round trip.
Adding on the Upper Falls makes it a total of 3.4 miles and about 2 hours round trip.
The hike is pretty easy since it is on a paved trail, but there are some steeper sections and stairs after the Lower Falls leading to the Upper Falls.
If you’re looking for a longer day hike, I recommend making the journey to the Ink Pots, which is a 7 mile out & back trail and takes around 4 hours to complete.
The Ink Pots are small mineral springs that are different shades of blue and green.
This trail is significantly less busy, as most people turn around after going to the Upper Falls.
I do recommend avoiding the Ink Pots trail in the spring and winter, as it can be very muddy and snowbound.
You can check trail conditions closer to your visit here on the Parks Canada website,
Lunch at Alberta Wing Shack
We decided to grab lunch at Alberta Wing Shack, a great find slightly off the beaten path.
It is a quick drive from downtown Banff, located next to a car wash. You can park on the opposite side along the road for free.
We got honey garlic boneless wings, and they were great!
Ride the Banff Gondola
After some relaxing in the afternoon, we headed to the Banff Gondola.
We booked our tickets ahead of time online. I recommend doing this instead of buying tickets onsite in case they happen to be sold out (especially during the summer), and it just makes the whole process quicker.
You can book your tickets online on their website here, or I did find that you can purchase them through Viator at a slightly cheaper price.
If you book your tickets ahead of time, they are cheaper as well. We booked ours the day before so they were slightly more expensive at $70 CAD per person.
My only concern with booking too far out is if your plans change or if the weather conditions are not good that day.
You might be wondering, like I was, if it is worth the money, since it is a pretty steep price. But, in my opinion, it was 100% worth it!
I really enjoyed the gondola ride up to the top as it provided amazing views of the town of Banff and the surrounding mountains. It was also quite a long ride up, maybe around 8 minutes, so it definitely wasn’t too short.
However, if you’re afraid of heights, it might not be the best choice for you.
Once you get to the top, you are greeted with arguably the best views in Banff National Park since you’re so high up!
I highly recommend walking along the boardwalks and stairs to reach the viewpoint at Sanson Peak, providing you with the best views of all of the mountain peaks. It was seriously amazing. Pictures don’t do it justice!
There is a coffee shop and a few places to eat at the top as well if you’re wanting to grab a bite to eat or drink to enjoy while taking in the views.
The Sky Bistro definitely comes with a price tag due to its unique location, but it is a great option if you’re looking for a unique dining experience! It is recommended to make reservations which you can do so here. They become available 90 days in advance.
The parking at Banff Gondola is limited and can fill up during the day, especially during the summer months. So, I recommend taking the ROAM bus to get there which is the public transit system in the town of Banff.
You are actually able to ride the ROAM bus for free to get to the Banff Gondola if you show the bus driver your gondola tickets (this is what we did)!
We took the Route 1 Bus to the Sulphur Mountain/Banff Gondola stop, and it was super easy. It took about 20-25 minutes coming from the Rotary Park bus stop near our hotel.
If you’re wanting to be more adventurous, you could hike to the top of Sulphur Mountain (where the top of the Banff Gondola is located) and then take the gondola back down!
I have heard you can usually take the gondola down for free if you hike up as they did not check for tickets on the way back down when we went.
I personally have not hiked the Sulphur Mountain Trail, but per the All Trails map, it takes around 2 hours to get to the top and 2 hours back down (if you choose to not take the gondola down).
From what we could see from the gondola, it did not seem to be too busy of a hike, and it did still have snow on the trail in some parts during late May. So it might be best to do it during the summer months in late June through August when the snow has melted.
➡️Read my detailed blog post where I go over my Banff Gondola review and more about my experience!
Dinner at Lupo
Lupo was my favorite restaurant in Banff!
They served up delicious Italian food. It was slightly more expensive than our other meals but well worth it for the quality of the food.
If you’re able to, try to time your visit with their daily happy hour from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM when they offer $17 pizza & pasta to save some money!
If you’re a truffle lover like I am, you must get the Agnolotti. It was amazing!
Looking for a Hotel?
Explore Booking.com for your hotel needs – they offer budget-friendly prices and a variety of room types!
Need a Rental Car?
For all your rental car needs, head over to Expedia! It’s user-friendly and offers plenty of affordable options!
Guided Tours/Activities
When it comes to booking guided tours and excursions, my top pick is Get Your Guide!
Day 4: Moraine Lake
Breakfast at The Trailhead Cafe
The Trailhead Cafe was conveniently located in the same strip mall as the store we were renting our bikes from to ride to Moraine Lake.
This cafe opened at 7:00 AM which was perfect timing for us to enjoy breakfast and coffee before the bike shop (Wilson Mountain Sports) opened at 8:00 AM.
Keep in mind that they don’t have much seating in here, maybe around four two-seater tables, but since we got there when they opened, this wasn’t an issue.
I really enjoyed their bagels and an iced maple latte (SO good!). My husband got the Trailhead Breakfast Wrap and loved it.
They also have an AMAZING selection of baked goods, including carrot & pineapple bread, brownies, berry crumble bars (a must try), and so many other baked goods.
If you come here for lunch, promise me you will get the Cajun Chicken Caesar Wrap. It was so delicious, and the Caesar dressing is homemade.
➡️ If you are debating between visiting Moraine Lake or Lake Louise, I break down the pros, cons, and biggest differences in my full Moraine Lake vs Lake Louise guide.
Park at Free Lot Behind the Shell Gas Station
Since the parking area at the Samson Mall (where the Trailhead Cafe & Wilson Mountain Sports are located) does not offer all day-parking, you will need to park somewhere else if you are biking to Moraine Lake.
Luckily there is free parking across the street in a big lot behind the Shell gas station which is where we parked.
Getting to Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake road no longer allows personal vehicles to drive on it, so the only way to access it is via shuttle buses (or hiking & biking).
Moraine Lake road is NOT open year-round. It usually opens to shuttles on June 1st, depending on the conditions of the road & surrounding area and stays open until around mid October.
Personal vehicles are not allowed to be driven up Moraine Lake road, UNLESS you have a disabled parking tag. If you do, you are able to park at one of the accessible parking spots from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm.
You are also allowed to drive your personal vehicle there if you’re staying at Moraine Lake Lodge which is located right next to the lake, talk about a beautiful place to stay!
There are multiple different shuttles you can take to Moraine Lake so here are a few to check out below:
Since we were there at the end of May, we decided to bike up the road the day before it opened for the shuttle buses.
This allowed for way less crowds, and since we biked it just the day before it opened, the road had already been cleared of snow!
I highly recommend doing this if you’re able to because it allowed us to be at Moraine Lake with almost no crowds besides others who also biked there.
We rented bikes from Wilson Mountain Sports and rode them up the road until we reached the start of Moraine Lake road.
The bike ride just to get to the start of Moraine Lake road was on a public road and very steep at times.
There was a decent amount of traffic on this road but cars were cautious and moved over when they were able to.
The road did not have a designated shoulder for us to ride on, but if you needed to take a break or walk your bike, you could walk in the dirt on the side of the road. That is what we did most of the time.
It was the toughest part for me since I’m not a regular biker and hadn’t ridden in years, therefore I walked my bike most of the way until we reached Moraine Lake road.
Once we reached Moraine Lake road, it was easier, but there were still several steep parts where I had to walk my bike up lol (no shame!).
It took us about two hours to get to Moraine Lake and then it only took about 45 minutes to get all the way down since the ride down is almost all downhill or flat which was amazing!! It was such a thrill.
I recommend making reservations online if you’re wanting to rent bikes from Wilson Mountain Sports as they do fill up a few days in advance due to popularity!
Their website says they do not start reservations for summer bike rentals until June 1st, but they did open up reservations as early as May 29th this year (2024).
It will depend on the winter they had and current weather conditions so I am assuming this date will change each year.
If you’re nervous about doing the bike ride on a normal mountain bike, then you can reserve ebikes at Wilson Mountain Sports which will make your ride significantly easier.
You are still able to bike to Moraine Lake after June 1st when the shuttles start to run on the road, but you will just need to keep aware of when shuttles are coming by so you can move to the side.
But, I wouldn’t anticipate it being too much of an issue, and it is a great alternative if you’re not able to secure shuttle reservations.
When we went on May 31st, Moraine Lake was still partially frozen, but it was still breathtaking! It was my favorite lake we visited on this entire 7-day Banff itinerary.
We hiked the short Rockpile trail which I highly recommend to get the best views of Moraine Lake.
I personally do not recommend attempting to bike to Moraine Lake when it is closed from October to mid-May, except for the few days right before it opens and closes.
The road is likely to be snow-covered, and it is in avalanche territory, making it unsafe.
This is the route we took to bike to Moraine Lake which starts at the beginning of Moraine Lake road.
So, this does not factor in the bike ride from Wilson Mountain Sports up to the Moraine Lake road.
In total, it is almost a 30km bike ride round trip – wow!! Be prepared as you will cover a lot of distance, but if I did it, I think anyone with a reasonable fitness level could also do it!
I have heard of some more adventurous people choosing to hike the entire way to Moraine Lake, using that same route as above, but I wouldn’t recommend it as it is a very long way.
Here are some other bike rental shops in Banff if there are no open reservations at Wilson Mountain Sports:
- Lake Louise Ski Resort
- Banff Cycle + Sport
Dinner at The Grizzly House
Since the bike to Moraine Lake took up a large part of our day, we relaxed the rest of the afternoon in the town of Banff.
For dinner, I recommend trying out The Grizzly House if you’re a fan of fondue!
Day 5: Lake Louise & Peyto Lake
Drive or Take the Shuttle to Lake Louise
Today is probably the earliest wake up-call on this itinerary if you’re planning on driving and parking at Lake Louise.
As one of the most popular and crowded sights in Banff National Park, parking can be quite a challenge.
We went on a Saturday (June 1st) and arrived at the parking lot around 6:30 AM.
To my surprise, there were still plenty of open spots and even when we left around 8:30 AM there were still a decent amount of spots open.
I imagine the parking lot gets full much quicker in July and August.
They did increase the price to park at Lake Louise ($42 CAD) which has probably detoured people from parking there and choosing to take the ROAM bus there instead.
You must pay for parking when visiting from mid May through mid October during the hours of 3:00 am to 7:00 pm for 2024.
We did the Lake Louise Lakeshore trail, an easy 2.8 mile out & back route that takes you along one half of the length of the lake.
Since we visited Banff at the end of May, we were still outside of the peak hiking season which usually does not start until the end of June into July depending on how the winter and spring was that year.
In 2024, they got less snow than normal over the winter but temperatures weren’t as warm in the spring, causing snow to stay longer on the trails and as a result pushing back the hiking season.
Therefore, the big hikes we wanted to do were not in the best condition and were listed as “not recommended” by Parks Canada due to the large amounts of snow still on the trail and avalanche risk.
If you are visiting during the summer and fall months, I highly recommend trying out one of the bigger hikes in Lake Louise if you are up for it!
The Plain of Six Glaciers and the Little Beehive & Big Beehive trails are longer day hikes with more difficult terrain, but the breathtaking views they offer make them worth it.
Both hikes also have tea houses along the way (they usually open in early June), providing a fun stop on your hike to grab a tea and small bite to eat.
I definitely want to try out one of these hikes on my next trip to Banff!
Breakfast/Lunch at Bill Peyto’s Cafe
After our time at Lake Louise, we headed to the nearby Bill Peyto’s Cafe for breakfast.
It is located inside of a hostel, and they have a free parking lot behind it next to the train tracks.
Their French toast was super good, especially with the Canadian maple syrup!
Peyto Lake Viewpoint
Next, we drove on the Icefields Parkway which is the scenic road you drive to get to Jasper that has multiple beautiful stops along the way.
We drove about 45 minutes from Lake Louise to reach Peyto Lake. Trust me, it is 100% worth the extra drive!
The parking lot at Peyto Lake is pretty big. We got there around 10:00 AM, and there were still open parking spaces.
The hike to the Peyto Lake viewpoint is pretty short so people tend to come and go quickly, so I doubt you would have to wait too long to get a parking spot.
The walk to the Peyto Lake Viewpoint is about 0.8 miles out & back.
We visited on June 1st, 2024 (Saturday), and the trail surprisingly was almost all covered with snow and ice.
It was still doable with hiking boots and no crampons but definitely use caution and go slower so you don’t slip.
You end at an amazing viewpoint from above looking down at Peyto Lake. The lake was completely thawed on June 1st and was a gorgeous blue color!
It was one of our favorite stops on the Icefields Parkway so definitely worth a visit!
If you visit when the trail conditions are better in the summer and fall, consider going a little farther to the Panorama Viewpoint.
Day 6: Canmore & Lake Minnewanka
Breakfast at Tooloulou’s
We slept in a little more this morning and hit up Tooloulou’s for some yummy breakfast in Banff.
Afterward, we drove to the nearby town of Canmore to explore that area.
There are multiple areas to park in Canmore, some paid and some free. Here is a parking map of the town I used. We parked along the road on 7th Avenue before Mallard Alley which was free parking.
Head to the Town of Canmore
The town of Canmore is a short 20 minute drive from the town of Banff and has its own unique charm!
It definitely feels more residential here, and I loved looking at the homes in the area.
In my opinion, Canmore has a more small town charm and less touristy feel than Banff.
Depending on how long you will be here, here is a list of things to do in Canmore:
- Grab breakfast or lunch at Rocky Mountain Bagel Co (I loved The Original with Smoked Turkey and the Iced Caramel Macchiato)
- Walk over the Canmore Engine Bridge
- Get coffee from Beamers or Eclipse Coffee Roasters
- Walk along the Three Sisters Pathway
- Hike around Grassi Lakes (short but very steep at times!)
See Lake Minnewanka
Depending on how much time you spent in Canmore, consider driving the 30 minutes to Lake Minnewanka, which is another stunning lake in Banff. There seems to be no shortage of amazing lakes in Banff!
If you’re up for a hike, consider walking along the Lake Minnewanka Lakeside Trail.
It is a total of 9.7 miles out & back, but it isn’t too difficult and you can turn around whenever to make it shorter.
Dinner at the Bear Street Tavern
Bear Street Tavern serves up some delicious pizza in Banff.
If you can time it right, I recommend going here on a Sunday after 5:00 pm, because they have a great happy hour deal for 50% off select pizzas during that time. A budget-friendly dinner is hard to come by in Banff haha!
Day 7: Explore the Town of Banff
For your last day, sleep in and spend the day exploring the town of Banff!
Speaking from experience, we were pretty exhausted from the long week, so it was nice to have a relaxed day exploring the town.
Explore the Town of Banff
Banff is such a charming town, with mountains surrounding it in every direction and views everywhere you look. I definitely miss walking around here, it was magical!
Here is a roundup of some of the best things to do in Banff that I recommend:
- Grab a Beavertail for a sweet treat (a mix between an elephant ear & funnel cake – but even better!)
- Shop for souvenirs and clothing at the multiple gift shops along the main street
- Visit the Fairmont Banff Springs for afternoon tea
- Drive to the nearby Vermilion Lakes for great views
Dinner at Bluebird
If you’re looking to treat yourself to a more pricey dinner to end your trip, look no further than Bluebird!
They serve up some delicious steaks and prime rib.
Extra Things to Do in Banff to Add to Your Itinerary
If you’re looking for even more things to do in Banff to add to your itinerary, here is a list of some other fun activities in Banff and the surrounding area:
- Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk – if you’re driving further down the Icefields Parkway, consider adding this popular activity to your itinerary!
- Banff Wildlife Tour – a good way to increase your chances of seeing wildlife! We got kind of unlucky in this category. During our trip, we saw three deer and that was it so we could have benefited from going on a wildlife tour!
- Hike to Silverton Falls – short 1.1 mile hike near Lake Louise
- Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour – a fun way to enjoy the views in Banff!
- Hike Bow Glacier Falls – Bow Lake was still partially frozen when we drove by on June 1st
- Visit Cave & Basin National Historic Site
- Covered Wagon Ride with Western Cookout – a unique way to enjoy the views in Banff
- See Waterfowl Lakes – short hike
- Banff Sunshine Village Gondola
- Mount Norquay Guided Via Ferrata Climb – I so wish we could have done this during our trip, but it doesn’t open until mid June!
Best Places to Stay in Banff
For your first trip to Banff, I highly recommend staying in the town of Banff so you can experience the full charm of this town and its proximity to the main sights and hikes.
Unfortunately, staying in the town of Banff does come with a price tag, especially if you’re visiting during the peak summer months (late June through August).
A great way to try and secure lower hotel prices is to book well in advance.
We booked our stay at the Banff Inn about 9 months out, and the total price was around $170/night, but closer to our trip, the price per night increased into the $300 range.
Here are a few places to stay in Banff that I recommend:
- Banff Inn – where we stayed and I 100% recommend it! It was clean, spacious, and comfortable. They offer free parking which is a covered garage under the hotel.
- Canalta Lodge – outside hot tubs & free breakfast
- Fairmont Banff Springs – the most iconic hotel in Banff with its gorgeous exterior! It is the most expensive hotel by far in Banff, but if you’re looking to splurge, this is where you should do it!
- Moose Hotel & Suites – rooftop hot tubs & nice spacious rooms
Check out this interactive map below for more places to stay in Banff!
➡️If you’re interested in finding more places to stay in Banff, check out my blog post where I discuss in detail where to stay in Banff based on your budget and preferences.
Best Places to Stay in Canmore
If you’re not able to find a place to stay in Banff that fits in your budget, I highly recommend staying in the nearby town of Canmore (about a 20 minute drive from Banff).
It is still relatively close to all of the major Banff National Park sights and the accommodations are usually at a much lower price.
They have quite a large downtown area too full of restaurants and shops just like the town of Banff.
Here are some recommendations on places to stay in Canmore:
- Blackstone Mountain Lodge – outdoor heated pool open all year & spacious rooms
- The Malcolm Hotel – quick walk to downtown Canmore
- Falcon Crest Lodge – choice of condo style units if you want more space & outdoor hot tubs
- Pocaterra Inn & Waterslide – daily free breakfast buffet, pets allowed (additional cost), there is a pool with a waterslide so a great place to stay with kids!
Check out this interactive map below for more options on places to stay in Canmore!
Best Places to Stay Near Banff & Surrounding Area
If you’re looking to switch up your accommodations for a night or two, check out some of these amazing places to stay right near some of the most popular sights in Banff!
They are located a little farther from the town of Banff so I would not recommend staying at these accommodations for your entire stay.
- Moraine Lake Lodge – get to stay right outside of Moraine Lake, talk about a view!
- Cathedral Mountain Lodge – close to Yoho National Park, sister property of Moraine Lake Lodge
- Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – wake up to views of Lake Louise!
- Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows – walking distance to the Johnston Canyon trails
- Emerald Lake Lodge – beautiful views of Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park
Banff Packing List
We visited Banff during late May and early June (May 27th – June 3rd 2024).
We were told by locals that it was unseasonably cold for this time of year too.
In the mornings it was in the mid 30°F and got up to the high 40°F and low 50°F during the day.
Therefore, layers were essential to keep warm in the morning, but once we got started on our hikes for the day, we warmed up rather quickly, making the layers easy to take off and put in our backpack. I brought this backpack since it is water resistant, lightweight, and folds down into small bag, making it easy to fit in my suitcase.
Even though those temperatures sound cold, it did not feel super cold to me. I didn’t wear a winter jacket and felt fine without it.
In the mornings, I usually wore a long sleeve, light rain jacket, and then a fuzzy jacket over top.
Here are some of my packing recommendations for Banff that I brought with me:
- Rain Jacket – If visiting Wapta Falls or Lower Johnston Canyon Falls, you will get wet if you get close enough to the waterfall so a rain jacket comes in handy.
- Layers – Layers are necessary for the chilly mornings and evenings until it warms up during the day (we visited at the end of May). Merino wool layers are a great choice, and they are good to wear multiple times since they don’t hold onto smell.
- Hiking Boots– Hands down my favorite hiking boots! I wore these on all of our hikes in Banff.
- Tennis Shoes – I wore my Hoka tennis shoes to walk around downtown Banff.
- Warm Wool Socks – perfect for chilly mornings
- Travel Backpack – this is the perfect personal item to bring on your flight since it holds so much stuff but still fits under your airplane seat! Part of it opens up like a suitcase allowing you to fit quite a lot of stuff in it. I got the XL size.
- Collapsible Day Backpack – great to use during hikes to hold your snacks, water, layers of clothing, and other things.
➡️Check out my post about my Banff Summer Packing List to get more information on everything I packed for my trip!
Tips to Prep for Your Trip to Banff
Download Offline Google Maps
This is a must before you arrive to Banff as you will lose service many times when driving to different destinations in Banff National Park and the surrounding areas.
If you download the Google Maps app on your phone, you can search the town of Banff, zoom out to the entire area you want to be downloaded, and then download the offline map.
Here are additional instructions on how to do so.
Then, if you don’t have service but need directions, you can open this offline map and get directions to your next destination.
Get Your Parks Canada Discovery Pass Online in Advance or in Person
There are two types of passes you can get (1) Daily Passes and (2) Discovery Passes.
Depending on how long you will be in Banff, it might be cheaper to get the Discovery Pass which is valid for one whole year.
Since we were staying in Banff for 8 days (Monday through Monday), it made financial sense to get the Discovery Pass instead of 8 daily passes.
If you need help determining which pass would make more sense for your situation, check out this website which will help you determine the pass that would give you the best value.
If you’re staying in the towns of Banff and Canmore, you need a parks pass if you’re visiting or staying there.
The pass covers entrance into Banff, Yoho National Park, Jasper, and more places.
Download the All Trails App
The All Trails app is a must if you are going to do any hikes in Banff National Park and the surrounding area.
I just have the free version and save the hikes I want to do in advance on a list in my phone.
Then, once I get to the hiking trail, I can open up the hiking trail map and hit “Navigate” and it will let me know if I am staying on the hiking trail.
You can also hit “Directions” and it will help you drive to the beginning trailhead.
Once they are saved to a list on the All Trails App, then you are able to navigate the trail map without having cell service so be sure to save them in advance before the hike.
➡️ Make sure to check out my blog post where I cover the 20 best hikes in Banff!
Check if Your Phone Plan Covers Canada
I have my phone plan from Verizon, and since I have the unlimited plan, it covers my phone fully while in Canada since I am from the U.S.
This was also the case with my husband who has is unlimited phone plan with AT&T.
If this is not the case for you, I would contact your phone plan provider to see your options.
💡P.S. If you’re traveling internationally, I highly recommend purchasing the Airalo eSIM. It’s a great way to avoid those excessive roaming charges and eliminates the need for plastic eSIMs!
What Airport Do You Fly into for Banff?
We flew into Calgary International Airport which is about an hour and 30 minute drive to the town of Banff. It is the closest airport to Banff.
It is a super scenic drive, offering views of the Canadian Rockies along the way.
Do You Need a Rental Car in Banff?
We rented a car from Calgary International Airport which I highly recommend doing as it makes the trip significantly easier!
Without a rental car, it would be hard to get to some of the places on this itinerary such as Yoho National Park and Peyto lake.
You could do this trip without a rental car though if you wish, but it could end up being more expensive than just renting a car.
We booked our rental car far in advance, around 6 months out through Expedia. We got an amazing deal on a sedan with Budget located at the airport rental car center.
For Monday through Monday (8 days), it cost around $397 CAD which I thought was a pretty good deal as I know rental car prices can be outrageous!
I have also seen some pretty good deals on rentalcars.com too!
If you choose to not rent a car for your trip to Banff, here are some ways you can get around Banff without a rental car:
- Airport to Banff: I have seen many people use the Brewster Express which will pick you up from the Calgary International Airport and drop you off in the town of Banff outside of your hotel.
- Public Transit: The ROAM bus is the public transit in Banff and the surrounding areas, including the town of Canmore and parts of Banff National Park. It brings you to many of the iconic destinations such as Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Lake Minnewanka, the Banff Gondola, and others. It does not take you to the Icefields Parkway (which is where Peyto Lake is) or Yoho National Park (where Emerald Lake, Wapta Falls, and Natural Bridge are). It is still a fabulous way to get to many of the sights on this itinerary with no rental car!
- Moraine Lake: You can no longer park personal vehicles at Moraine Lake unless you have a handicap tag. You can get there by the Moraine Lake Bus Company, ROAM Transit Reservable Super Pass includes the Lake Connector Shuttle which will take you to Lake Louise & Moraine Lake in the same day, and Parks Canada Shuttle (access to both Lake Louise & Moraine Lake). Keep in mind that the road to Moraine Lake is only open for part of the year (early June through early October) due to it being at higher elevation and in an avalanche risk area.
- Lake Louise: Here are the various transportation options to get to Lake Louise.
- Personal Driver: You could always hire a personal drive to take you to sights in Banff that you can not reach with ROAM transit. Rick has glowing reviews on the Calgary/Banff Visitors Facebook page. Here is his information to book with him.
Conclusion
Banff is one of those places that genuinely lives up to the hype. A full week gives you enough time to see a lot, get out on some incredible hikes, and still enjoy exploring the town without feeling rushed.
I hope this 7-day Banff itinerary helps you plan your own trip and gives you a solid starting point to work from. Feel free to adjust it based on your interests and the time of year you visit.
If you’re planning a trip to Banff and have questions along the way, feel free to leave them in the comments. It’s a destination I would happily go back to again, especially between July and September when hiking conditions are at their best.
Check out my other Banff blog posts to help plan your trip!
- The Perfect One Day in Canmore Itinerary: Top Things to Do in This Charming Mountain Town
- How to Plan the Ideal One Day in Banff Itinerary
- Is Visiting Banff in May Worth It? – All You Need to Know
- How to Visit Moraine Lake at Sunrise – All You Need to Know
- 20 of the Best Hikes in Banff National Park You Need to Experience
- 18 of the Best Lakes in Banff You Need to See On Your Trip
- Must-Know Guide About Johnston Canyon: One of Banff’s Most Popular Hikes
- Where to Stay in Banff: Best Hotels for Every Budget
- Yoho National Park Itinerary: Unforgettable Day Trip from Banff
- Banff Summer Packing List: Must-Have Items for Your Trip
- Banff Gondola Review: My Honest Experience + Is It Worth It?
- Moraine Lake vs Lake Louise: Which One Is Better to Visit in Banff?
Helpful Tips For Planning Your Trip to Banff
- Recommended Activities: I highly recommend checking out the Banff Gondola, Via Ferrata, White Water Rafting, and Lake Minnewanka Cruise.
- Best Hikes in Banff: Plain of Six Glaciers, Little Beehive & Big Beehive, Johnston Canyon, Peyto Lake, Tunnel Mountain – read more on my best hikes in Banff blog post!
- Where to Stay in Banff: I loved our stay at the Banff Inn and would 100% recommend! The Canalta Lodge and Moose Hotel & Suites are great options too.
- Rental Car: If you’re wanting to get a rental car in Banff, I recommend using Expedia or Rentalcars.com for the best deals!
- Flights: Look for the best flight deals using Aviasales.
- Airport Transfer: Use the Banff Airporter to get you from the Calgary Airport to your hotel in Banff if you don’t have a rental car.
- No Rental Car: If you don’t have a rental car, consider using the Hop-On and Hop-Off Bus or joining a guided tour of the most popular sights.
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