How to Spend 2 Days in Banff and the Canadian Rockies
If you don’t have time to spend 5 days in the Canadian Rockies or go on a longer Western Coast road trip, a weekend in Banff is the perfect compromise. Before I jump into the details, I want to be upfront with you… 48 hours in Banff won’t allow you to see everything. But, if you follow this itinerary, you’ll get to experience the sunrise at Moraine Lake, a Lake Louise hike and the old town of Banff.
If you have an extra day or are planning a long weekend in Banff, read my 3 days in Banff itinerary. This will give you more time to drive along the Icefields Parkway or visit another national park, such as Yoho National Park.
How to Spend 2 Days in Banff in Summer
Although I live in Vancouver, I always try to plan a trip to Banff in summer. I’ve done scenic road trips in the Canadian Rockies as well as shorter visits of just one day in Banff.
- Day 1 in Banff: Downtown Banff and Johnston Canyon (read my one day in Banff itinerary)
- Day 2 in Banff: Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
Day 1: Downtown Banff & Johnston Canyon
One of the first things to do in Banff is visit the downtown area. I know, I know… many travel to Banff to visit the alpine lakes but after a long day of traveling, starting in town is a nice way to ease into the trip before diving into the lakes and scenery.
👉 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 for free at the Banff train station.
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, Banff Social and Nourish.
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 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. But be advised, the hike is extremely busy in summer. We went around 5 pm and found the trail quite crowded.
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 in one 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 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 or even in Yoho National Park, 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 visit these lakes and there is a good reason why that’s the case. They’re both easily accessible with the Parks Canada shuttle and have some of the most vibrant colours in the Canadian Rockies.
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. 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)
Go Hiking 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 at Lake Louise are breathtaking!
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 see 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 mountain scenery that make this area so unforgettable.
If You Have More Than 2 Days in Banff
If you have more than 2 days in Banff in summer, 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 between Banff and Jasper along one of the most scenic roads in Canada. 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 Takakkaw falls. It’s absolutely worth the drive with amazing viewpoints along the way!
Final Thoughts
I hope this itinerary has given you a good overview of what you can do in Banff in 2 days. Whether you have 1, 2, 3, 5 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.
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