Looking for a short and sweet guide to the best of the best in Banff and Jasper? We've got it! This itinerary is for seven days in Banff and Jasper National Parks. We flew in and out of Calgary and rented a car for the entirety of our trip. We have taken all of the information from our numerous posts on the Canadian Rockies and summarized it here to help you plan your trip. Whenever you want more details, just click through the links for more information! Our detailed posts for Banff (here) and Jasper (here) are LIVE and ready to give you all the juicy deets.

Moose Meadows accessible via Johnston Canyon hike

Accommodations in Banff, Jasper and Canmore

The Juniper Hotel: This is a great hotel right off the highway on the outskirts of town with plenty of parking and quiet spaces. We found that being outside of downtown Banff was a perk to avoiding most of the crowds and our room was very comfy and clean. The Juniper Hotel has a very beautiful bistro on sight, a hot tub with a nice view, and firepits. We sadly did not make use of most of these amenities because our schedule was jam packed from 5am to 10pm, but relaxation can easily be found here!
Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge: This cabin-style lodge right off the Icefields Parkway and 30 minutes south of Jasper was perfect for us. We had a lovely fireplace that the staff lit for us on demand and a restaurant and to-go cafe that we made use of. There are not many amenities in this area, so a lot of people do stop here throughout the day for food and trinkets. We never ran into the tour groups because we were out during the day and felt that the grounds were very quiet and peaceful in the early morning and evenings. You can also walk to Sunwapta Falls from here and view them in total solitude when most visitors are gone!
Rocking Mountain Ski Lodge: This is a no-frills motel in Canmore that we stayed in during our last night. It was safe, comfortable, and very affordable. We were here less than 18 hours so I can’t complain! The rooms do have kitchenettes and living rooms if you are looking to stay awhile in the Canmore area, but I can’t comment on their functionality. Definitely a great choice on a budget!

Activities in Banff National Park (3.5 Days)

Visit Downtown Banff: Spend at least a few hours to explore downtown Banff and enjoy some of the many restaurants and shops. Our favorites include Park Distillery for cocktails and campfire inspired food, Whitebark Cafe for coffee and baked goods, Banff Ave Brewing for local beer, and Magpie and Stump for casual Mexican food. Shopping is plentiful and we found a great mix of outdoor gear, souvenirs, and high-end options.

Johnston Canyon & The Ink Pots Hike: This is one of the most popular hikes in Banff, so plan to get there EARLY. Check out our trail guide for more information. If you go, plan to use the Bow Valley Parkway for the best opportunity to see wildlife!

Mt. Norquay Chairlift: Mt. Norquay is our replacement to the Banff Gondola. This local ski lift is less crowded and offers equally amazing views at the summit with lots of mountain goats wandering around. Bonus: grab some cocktails and cheese plates with local ingredients at the bistro up top!

Walk or Drive Around Vermilion Lakes: We drove around Vermilion Lakes one evening after dinner downtown and although it was a bit buggy, the views of Mt. Rundle are worth your time. This is a quick and easily accessible option for folks who want great vistas without a lot of exertion or time!

Sunrise at Moraine Lake: Highlight of our trip, no contest. We woke up at 3am to get to the parking lot before it filled up and were one of the last cars to make it through. Plan to get here no later than 5am if you want to catch sunrise, which you absolutely should plan to do. Hike around the lake after as you wait for the canoe rentals to open at 10am.

Yoho Lake and Takakkaw Falls (technically Yoho National Park): Looking to escape the crowds and sneak into British Columbia for a bit? The hike to Yoho Lake is void of people and you can have an entire alpine lake to yourself. Check out our trail guide for more information about the trail and Takakkaw Falls.

Lake Louise: Everyone knows about Lake Louise. As one of the most popular attractions in Banff, it is also one of the most crowded. Arrive early in the morning or late afternoon to have a bit more space. If you are interested in grand hotels, feel free to check out the gorgeous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Peyto Lake: This pull-off on the Icefields Parkway is worth facing the crowds. The lake is an incredible shade of blue and green from the glacial run-off and you get a birds eye view of the lake in its entirety. Stop here on your way towards Jasper as you explore the Icefields Parkway!

Bow Glacier Falls Hike: A great stop on the Icefields Parkway as you head north towards Jasper. This 4-hour hike will get your blood pumping as you hug the shoreline of Bow Lake straight to the source - Bow Glacier Falls. We loved the wide open feel of this hike and the constant sounds of trickling or rushing water. Check out our trail guide for more!

Mistaya Canyon: We stopped here on our reverse journey back down the Icefields Parkway from Jasper on a rainy day and were impressed (and slightly terrified) by the power of the river running through this canyon. This is a short walk from the parking lot, but be very careful out on the rocks as they can be slippery when wet!

Activities in Jasper National Park (3.5 Days)

Visit Downtown Jasper: While the town of Jasper is a bit smaller than Banff, it is a great place to catch some local beer and do some shopping with a gorgeous view. We highly recommend a trip (or two) to Jasper Brewing Company for food and a flight of their local beers.

Ramen and a flight of a beer are a perfect escape on a rainy day in Jasper

Athabasca Glacier: We made this our last stop on our drive up the Icefields Parkway towards our hotel. There are a variety of ticketed activities you can participate in here, but we just parked right up near the glacier and walked to the toe for free. The signs are powerfully informative and it's a great lesson on how climate change is impacting this beautiful place!

You can park right on the road towards the toe of the glacier

Sunwapta Falls: Our hotel was within walking distance so we were able to experience this impressive place all to ourselves at sundown. When you stand on the bridge over the falls, you can really feel the immense power of the water. You can find plenty of parking here and if you need a snack, stop into the lodge for a quick bite and bathroom break.

If you come in the evening, the lighting is beautiful

Honeymoon Lake: We accidentally stumbled onto this lake off the parkway and inside a campground. The reflection of the mountains in the still lake is quite a sight. This is a quick stop that you can make on your way to Jasper and we highly recommend it! PS: bring some bug spray.

View looking to the right side of Honeymoon Lake

Miette Hot Springs: The hot springs are about an hour from downtown Jasper and a great rainy day activity. You can rent bathing suits and towels if needed, and general entry is only $7 per person with a locker included. We enjoyed this relaxing getaway on a cold, rainy day, but would probably skip it if we had abundant sunshine.

Athabasca Falls: Another must-see stop on the Icefields Parkway. There are a few different viewing areas to check out and you can follow the falls from top to bottom. We enjoyed walking through all of the smooth rocks and even saw a group getting ready to go rafting from the base of the falls. Get here early to avoid the tour buses as they do stop here as well.

Valley of the Five Lakes Hike: This is a family friendly hike that can be as short or long as you wish. You can access all of the emerald green lakes with a short 20min walk through the forest and can then spend as much time as you desire on the trails. Be sure to check out the Parks Canada adirondack chairs!

Emerald waters at the Valley of Five Lakes

Jasper Skytram: Save this for a clear day and you will be rewarded with fantastic views towards Jasper and back down the Icefields Parkway. We did not purchase tickets in advance so we could monitor the weather and this worked well for us. The ride up is smooth and the tour guides are very knowledgeable! If you have a super clear day, bring your hiking boots and do some walking towards the summit.

Maligne Lake Boat Cruise to Spirit Island: This was one of our favorite days of the trip. We purchased tickets for the last boat of the day, the Through the Lens Tour, and were rewarded with a quiet group of fellow photographers. The boat ride was smooth and the tour guides were awesome. We got some extra time at Spirit Island and saw LOTS of wildlife on our drive back towards Maligne Canyon arouund dusk. Definitely make this drive part of your trip, even if you don't take the boat trip towards Spirit Island, although I highly recommend you do!

View from the boat, heading back to the dock

Maligne Canyon: After you check out Maligne Lake, save some time to walk through the canyon as you drive back towards Jasper. We arrived around dusk so didn't have much time here, but it is on my list when we someday return! The narrow slots are a bit terrifying and the water is swift. There are many trails here and you can make a day out of hiking if you wish.

Well that's it folks! Our jam packed itinerary for a week in the Canadian Rockies. We hope this guide helps you plan your road trip and please let us know what your favorites are! If you are in need of a packing guide, check ours out here. Happy travels.

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