Banff, Canada Trip Itinerary - 2025 - Favorite Travel Blog | Discover Hidden Gems, Foodie Adventures & Cultural Travel

Banff Itinerary During Canadian Rockies Adventures 🍁

Explore the stunning Canadian Rockies with a scenic itinerary through Canmore, Banff, Golden, and Jasper—full of adventure, wildlife, and mountain views.

Note: Be sure to click the italic blue linked words for more information about each destination.

Travel Resources To Consider:
1. GuideAlong App, – Location based audio tours 1-866-477-1791
2. Parks Canada App – Exclusive access to self-guided tours on your mobile device.
3. AllTrails App – You can discover, save, and navigate trails without paying, but there’s also a paid subscription called AllTrails+ that offers additional features.
4. Tripadvisor App – Things to do
5. FindPenguins App – Automatically and effortlessly track your travels, simply with your phone in the pocket.

Weather:
No such thing as BAD WEATHER … just BAD CLOTHES Note: Check Your Weather!
Have Layers & Rain Gear
Windy.com | AccuWeather.com | Environment Canada (Temperature in Banff – C or F)

🍁Calgary – Fly into, 1.5 hours to Banff, Stay in Canmore (20 mins from downtown Banff)

🍁Canmore – June 9 to June 13, Airbnb
Splendid Getaway HOTEL ROOM in 5 star resort
Solara Resort & Spa is one of the best hotels in Canmore (Great Hot Tub!)
Canmore Alberta

Canmore & Kananaskis | Official Visitor Information
Three Sisters Mountains Canmore
Grassi Lake – next trip
The Canmore (“Big Head” Sculpture)
Canmore Engine Bridge
Canmore Eats: something sweet, a “Beaver Tail”, a donut-style sweet treat.
Wagashi Tea House – Inside of garden centre | 60 Lincoln Park Canmore AB – next trip
Canmore Tea Company – over 180 of the finest teas from around the world | 108 – 737 7th Ave.

🍁Banff Alberta
Visiting Banff National Park
Banff Gondola, The top of Sulphur Mountain in downtown Banff, Lunch at Sky Bistro was amazing!

Cascades Of Time Gardens – at the southern end of Banff Avenue. Just past the bridge over Bow River.
Fairmont Banff Springs:
***June 11 – Additionally, Afternoon Tea / Fairmont – Rundle Bar @2:30pm
***Behind the bookcase! The wildflower gin drink
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – welcoming guests since 1888
Fairmont Banff Springs has hosted royalty, celebrities, and dignitaries from around the world.
Enjoying breathtaking views and drinks from the outside terrace.

Panther Falls – next trip
Mistaya Canyon – next trip

Johnston Canyon, Hiking in Banff – Lower Falls is .5 miles, Upper Falls is 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate | Family-friendly hike

Peyto Lake, walk a short distance to experience the bluest water! There is a short trail leading up to the viewpoint. Awesome! visited twice Peyto Lake is about 90 meters (295 feet) deep at its deepest point, and its unique wolf-head shape makes it stand out even more from the Bow Summit viewing platform. The best time to see the lake at its brightest is late spring to summer, when glacier melt is at its peak.

Lake Louise, The Crown Jewel of the trip! (30-40 min from downtown Banff)
It sits in the Canadian Rockies, about 57 km (35 miles) northwest of the town of Banff and roughly 180 km (112 miles) west of Calgary. The lake is famous for its bright turquoise water, which comes from rock flour (fine glacial sediment) carried into the lake by meltwater from the Victoria Glacier.

Surprise Corner – Photo point for capturing the Fairmont

Rockpile Hike – Explore this 0.5-mile out-and-back trail near Lake Louise.

Moraine Lake – book a shuttle? Personal vehicle access to Moraine Lake is available with a handicap placard. Take a shuttle, transit or a tour to visit the lake. Moraine Lake sits at an elevation of 1,884 meters (6,181 feet) and reaches a depth of about 14 meters (46 feet). . Today, it’s a must-visit stop along the road from Lake Louise, attracting visitors from around the globe.

Banff Tea Company – 208 Caribou Street | Facebook – next trip
Lunch & blend your own gin at park distillery, – next trip
Dinner at the fat ox, – next trip

Insider tip: Parks Canada has a super helpful website that shows live parking lot status around Banff. Seriously, it’s a game-changer.

BANFF – FREE PARKING

How to Find FREE Parking in Banff (Yes, It Exists!)

Tired of circling the streets or paying steep parking fees in Banff? Discover the best spots to park for FREE

🍁Yoho National Park – June 13 to Jun 17, Airbnb | British Columbia along the western slope of the Continental Divide of the Americas
The Alpine Glow Guesthouse | Field, Canada

**Note: No grocery store, get groceries in Calgary (Best prices), Canmore or Banff. Emerald Lake
Truffle Pigs Bistro or Emerald Lake Lodge (15 min away)

Bear Spray – Hiking? Our Airbnb host thought of everthing!

Takakkaw Falls – It’s among the highest waterfalls in all of Canada and easily one of the most dramatic. Near Field.

Wapta Falls – located in Yoho National Park in British Columbia, Canada – next trip
Natural Bridge – Awesome! Just a short drive from Field, B.C., it’s an easy stop with a huge wow factor

Emerald Lake – Canoeing in BC! Breakfast at the lodge twice! (Go Early)
Here, mornings start with outstanding breakfasts overlooking one of the most stunning turquoise lakes in the world. From hearty eggs and fresh pastries to steaming coffee with a view, every bite tastes better surrounded by the Canadian Rockies.

PRO TIP: Go early! – Enjoy a great breakfast at the lodge and you will find parking before the crowds

🍁Golden British Columbia
Kicking Horse Lodge, Gondola – Down for repairs
Eagle’s Eye Restaurant – Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (800) 258-7669
In addition, gaze over 5 National Parks at once! *Note: To access Eagle’s Eye Restaurant for lunch or après you must have purchased a lift ticket
Chairlift to see Boo the bear!
Golden Sky Bridge from $35 per adult – Canada’s Highest Suspension Bridge!

Wandering Fern Cafe – Have you tried the coffee? – next trip

Boo the grizzly bear –

🍁Jasper National Park – June 17 to June 21, Airbnb | Alberta
Tri-Fell House Mountain Escape west of Hinton
The largest National Park in the Canadian Rockies.

Eats: Mad Grizzly bistro bar, The Raven Bistro – Try the coconut and almond crusted halibut, paired with a lavender gin sour – next trip
Andromeda Coffee – next trip
Jasper Skytram, – next trip

Maligne Lake – – (about a 50 minute drive from Jasper) Well worth a visit! It’s the longest and deepest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. Famous for Spirit Island, you can only reach Spirit Island by boat! Maligne Lake Cruise – next trip (Buy a ticket online!)

Sunwapta Falls – located in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. – next trip

Pyramid Lake – a 10 minute drive from Jasper. Make sure to check out Pyramid Island, a small island connected to the mainland by an iconic wooden bridge. – next trip

Numa Falls – A Hidden Gem in the Canadian Rockies
Just off Highway 93 in Kootenay National Park, this roadside cascade on the Vermilion River is the perfect quick stop that packs a punch — a short walk from the parking lot brings you to a dramatic footbridge and the powerful rush of water carving through rock.

🍁Canmore – Snow enhanced our breathtaking mountain views as we traveled from Hinton to Jasper National Park, the Icefield Parkway, Banff National Park, and onward to Canmore for a fireside lunch. Our final destination today was downtown Calgary.

🍁Calgary –
Calgary’s downtown transit system is more than just a way to get from point A to point B One of the most unique features is the Downtown Free Fare Zone on the Red and Blue CTrain lines, allowing passengers to hop on and off between City Hall and Downtown West/Kerby stations without paying a fare.

@dontyellatme.ab-winter melon chrysanthemum tea, unique and beautiful layered drinks at DYAM Cafe. @queensyyc-brunch – Must stop!

Calgary’s Central Library – Must see! Where Architecture Meets Inspiration!

Devonian Gardens – Botanical garden in Calgary, Alberta
Free to enter! CORE Shopping Centre, 317 & Ave SW 4 floor

Wonderland Sculpture – Photos are popular in front of this 12-meter, bent-wire girl’s head in front of a landmark building. 110 6 Ave SE, Calgary – next trip

Peace Bridge – Must visit! This striking red-and-white tubular pedestrian bridge has become one of the city’s most photographed spots.

Saturday, June 21 – TBD
Sunday, June 22 – Homewood Suites By Hilton Calgary-Airport, Alberta, Canada
Monday, June 23 – Fly Home | WestJet

Webcams:

BANFF: Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff Gondola

CANMORE: Main Street

JASPER: Jasper Skytram

ICEFIELDS PARKWAY: Columbia Icefields

Places To Consider During Your Travels:

Icefields Parkway – Columbia Icefield, Walk on a glacier Athabasca Glacier and Falls
There are road trips—and then there’s the Icefields Parkway. Stretching for 230 km (143 miles) between Lake Louise and Jasper, this legendary route winds through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, offering some of the most jaw-dropping scenery on the planet. It’s not just a drive; it’s a journey into an untouched wilderness of towering peaks, turquoise lakes, and ancient glaciers.

Athabasca Falls in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada! Easy walking trails and viewing platforms make this a must-stop for travelers exploring the Icefields Parkway.

Tangle Creek Falls – don’t miss the roadside magic of Tangle Creek Falls just off the Icefield Parkway. You can literally park across the road and be standing in front of it within seconds.

Morants Curve – next trip

Horseback Riding – Trail Riders | Brewster Adventures | Banff Trail Riders – river crossing, see roaring Bow Falls – next trip

“Some paths can’t be walked—they must be ridden.”

Helicopter Rides – next trip

Calgary Zoo – Penguins Walk – next trip

EATS:

Calgary – River Cafe in Prince’s Island Park, Nupo – Japanese inspired,(Eight, High on the recommended List!) Eight, Dopo, Lusi italian kitchen, Bastion Burger – next trip
Canmore – Bridgette Bar Canmore, Ankor – Canada’s 100 Best restaurant 2024, Blondies
Four Two Nine Six – 3-626 Main St (A MUST!)
Banff – Whitebark Cafe, Fergus and Bix, Summit Cafe, The Vermillion Room, Sky Bistro @ Banff Gondola, Lupo – Ranked 6th in Canada’s 100 Best Top 10 New Restaurants in Canada, Italian Food & happy Hour 4-5pm, Farm + Fire, @fairmontbanff – wildflower drink, Pizzeria Sophia

ROADS TO TRAVEL:

Bow Valley Parkway, Banff
1. Maligne Lake Road, Jasper
2. Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive, Banff
3. Highway 40, Kananaskis
4. Yoho Valley Road, Yoho – Open mid June

🍁RED CHAIRS – Last, Find the Iconic Canadian Red Chairs Using Coordinates!

Ever stumbled upon a pair of red Adirondack chairs in the middle of a jaw-dropping view and wondered how they got there? That’s Parks Canada’s way of helping you pause and take in the moment. Scattered throughout Jasper, Banff, and Yoho National Parks, these iconic red chairs are tucked into some of the most scenic spots in the Rockies.

Want to find them? You can wander and hope for the best… or use GPS coordinates to lead you straight to the views. One example:

52°23’48”N 117°26’41”W — red chairs with a pristine lake and towering peaks in Jasper National Park.

It’s like a scenic scavenger hunt through Canada’s wild heart.

Pro tip: bring a thermos of tea, sit back, and soak it in.

See the list of red chair locations across Canada

Parks Canada has placed over 200 red Adirondack chairs! Snap a photo – #ShareTheChair

BEARS!

BEARS – Are you planning to go Hiking? Please consider your safety! Ask about Bear Spray

Bear spray is available for purchase when you arrive at the Banff Visitor Centre from Parks Canada as well as at most sporting goods stores such as Atmosphere, Unlimited Skate & Snow, and Monod Sports. It can also be rented from Bactrax in Banff or Wilson Mountain Sports in Lake Louise.