How to Spend 2 Days in Banff and the Canadian Rockies
If you’re planning a trip to Canada, there’s a good chance that Banff is high on your bucket list. And for good reason! Located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff is part of the iconic Banff National Park, the country’s first and arguably most beautiful national park. Whether you’re spending 2 days in Banff or have just a quick stopover, this mountain town offers unforgettable landscapes.
While it’s easy to spend 3 days in Banff — or even an entire week — sometimes all you have is a weekend. That’s why this itinerary is designed to help you make the most of 48 hours in Banff.
Planning a trip with limited time can feel overwhelming, but this guide will walk you through the must-see highlights and help you experience the best of Banff in just two days.
Overview of 2 Days in Banff Itinerary
Although you can visit Downtown Banff in one day, the Banff National Park and surrounding areas have so much more to offer. You could easily spend a week here! But since you only have 2 days, this itinerary highlights the best things to do in Banff in 48 hours.
- Where to Stay: the most budget-friendly option in Banff is camping, but if you prefer more comfort, consider staying at one of the hotels on Banff Avenue
- When to Visit: to experience the stunning turquoise hues of the alpine lakes in the Canadian Rockies, plan your trip for summer or early fall. This guide is mainly a summer-focused itinerary.
- National Parks Passes Required: Discovery Pass (annual)
- Day 1 in Banff: Downtown Banff and Johnston Canyon
- Day 2 in Banff: Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
💡Travel Tip: You might not be an early riser, but I highly recommend getting up early when visiting Banff. In summer especially, the lakes and trails get crowded quickly.
Day 1: Downtown Banff & Johnston Canyon
One of the first things to do in Banff is get to know the town, its history as well as its charming past. The best place to do this is by heading to Downtown Banff and exploring its alleys and local sites.
👉 Read more: The Ultimate 1 Day Itinerary to Banff
Banff Sign and Downtown Banff
Start your day by stopping for a picture with the Banff sign, before heading into Downtown Banff. I recommend parking your car outside the downtown area, especially if you’re visiting during the busy summer months.
Next, it’s time to explore Banff Avenue. Here is where you’ll find the best shops and restaurants in Banff. If you’re looking for a souvenir or just a coffee you should head out this way.
If you’re hungry, stop for lunch at one of the local restaurants. When visiting Banff in summer, the weather is usually warm enough to sit outside or enjoy a meal on a patio. We’ve personally tried Three Bears Brewery and loved it! Other great options include Banff Ave Brewing and Nourish, all perfect for a tasty meal.
Walk to Cascade Gardens
If you’ve finished exploring Downtown Banff, it’s time for you to walk across the bridge to Cascade Gardens. Not only was this site once the first administration building of Parks Canada, but its beautiful gardens are now home to stunning roses, water ponds and waterfalls.
Explore Cave and Basin National Historic Site
Just a short drive away from the Cascade Gardens, you’ll reach the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. If you want to learn more about Banff’s origins, this is the perfect place to start. You can stroll along wooden walkways outside the cave and even explore inside the cave itself. Plus, the interactive exhibits offer fascinating insights into the natural hot springs.
Hike Through Johnston Canyon
If you’re into a short and easy hike, I recommend visiting Johnston Canyon. It’s just 30 minutes drive from Downtown Banff and offers a refreshing walk to some nice viewpoints. But be advised, the hike is extremely busy in summer. We went around 5 pm and still encountered plenty of other hikers on the trail.
Many visitors will only walk up to the Lower Falls and line up for a picture. But personally I’d recommend walking up to the Upper Falls to enjoy less crowds and an incredible view of the waterfall.
*More Options*
Head up to Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola
If you have some extra time or don’t feel like hiking much, there are other activities you can do on your day in Banff. One of the best attractions is the Banff Gondola, which takes you up to Sulphur Mountain in just 8 minutes. At the top, you can walk along the boardwalk and enjoy the vast views of Bow Valley, Banff and Cascade Mountain.
To book you Banff Gondola tickets go here. If you’re looking for less crowds, aim to book the 8 am upload gondola.
Head out to Bow Falls
Bow Falls is just a 20 minutes walk from Downtown Banff. This waterfall is not as high as those at Johnston Canyon, but it’s equally worth a visit. Because parking is limited in the area, the best way to reach the waterfall is on foot.
Day 2: Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are definitely the most popular lakes in Banff National Park. Every year, thousands of tourists are drawn to these lakes and there is a good reason why that’s the case. Not only these two alpine lakes have some of the most breathtaking colors in the Canadian Rockies but they’re also easily accessible.
Keep in mind that while you’re allowed to drive to Lake Louise, the road to Moraine Lake is closed for personal vehicles. So, the only way to get to the lake is by using a shuttle bus, hike or bike there.
Once you’ve settled on your means of transportation, the difficult choice is deciding which lake to visit first. If you ask me, the best time to visit Moraine Lake is at sunrise. But, I understand that many don’t want to get up early on their holiday. If that’s you, I’d still encourage you to try getting up before 7 am to beat the crowds. Trust me, it’ll be worth it.
👉 Read more: How to Spend 1 Day at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
Sunrise at Moraine Lake
Since the road to Moraine Lake is closed to personal vehicles, the only way to get there for sunrise is by using a shuttle bus. The best and cheapest one is the Parks Canada Shuttle, which leaves from Lake Louise Lakeshore at either 4 am or 5 am during the summer months. But keep in mind that it’s also very competitive to secure a ticket.
The sunrise at Moraine Lake is absolutely stunning. Just imagine — on that day, you’ll be one of the lucky few to witness the sun rising over the Canadian Rockies. I don’t know about you, but I think that’s something truly special.
If you want to spend the entire morning at Moraine Lake, you can be one of the first to canoe on the calm waters, take a peaceful walk along the lakeshore, or grab a coffee from the on-site café.
How to get to Moraine Lake for sunrise
- Option 1: Parks Canada Shuttle (the cheapest and most convenient option)
- Option 2: Moraine Lake Bus Company (privately owned local company)
- Option 3: Fairview Limo (privately operated shuttle bus)
Spend the Afternoon at Lake Louise
My best advice here is: don’t just stop at the Lake Louise lakeshore. I’ve seen so many tourists snap a quick photo and leave without really exploring the area.
If you’re patient and it fits your budget, one of the main attractions at Lake Louise is canoeing. I personally chose to skip it, since there are plenty of other beautiful (and free) lakes in the Canadian Rockies where you can canoe. But if paddling on Lake Louise is on your bucket list, go for it!
Alternatively, consider taking a hike at Lake Louise! We decided to hike to the Big Beehive, which crosses path with the Lake Agnes Tea House hike. The views from the Big Beehive are the best you’ll have of Lake Louise and the entire valley.
If you don’t want to head up to the Big Beehive, you can decide to do the Little Beehive instead. This is not exactly easier compared to the later, but is a bit shorter. In any case, you can change your mind at a later point as well. In fact, Lake Agnes Tea House, Big Beehive and Little Beehive share the same trailhead and only take separate routes at the top of Lake Agnes.
Are 2 Days in Banff Enough?
I won’t lie — two days in Banff is just enough to scratch the surface. But if that’s all the time you have, you can still catch the major highlights of the Canadian Rockies and get a solid feel for what you might want to explore on your next visit.
Personally, I think two days is plenty if you’re not into hiking or backcountry adventures. But if you love the outdoors and enjoy getting off the beaten path, two days will likely leave you wanting more — and already planning your return.
Either way, 2 days in Banff are the perfect introduction to the stunning alpine lakes and majestic mountain scenery that make this area so unforgettable.
Do you have more than 2 Days in Banff?
If you have more than 2 days in Banff, then you can explore beyond the town of Banff and Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. There are two main options I would recommend in this case:
- Icefields Parkway: drive along one of the most scenic roads in Canada between Banff and Jasper. There are multiple stops on the Icefields Parkway worth a break, such as Parker Ridge trail, that offer breathtaking views of the Canadian Rockies. If you don’t want to drive up to Jasper, you can do a few stops closer to Banff, such as Bow Lake or Peyto Lake. But in my opinion Maligne Lake in Jasper is definitely worth a visit!
- Yoho National Park: with so many people visiting Banff National Park, Yoho National Park often gets overlooked — even though it’s just a short drive away. Here, you can hike to Lake O’Hara, canoe on Emerald Lake or check out one of the many waterfalls. It’s absolutely worth the drive with amazing viewpoints along the way!
Final Thoughts
I hope this itinerary of how to spend 2 days in Banff has given you a good overview of what you can do in Banff in just 2 days. Whether you have 1 day, 2 days, 3 days or even a full week in Banff, a trip here won’t disappoint!
It took me far too long to finally visit this part of Canada, but I’m so glad I did. Although the Huayhuash Trek in Peru still tops my list as the most breathtaking trek I’ve ever done, the Canadian Rockies are a very close second. I already can’t wait to return.
