How to Plan a Canadian Rockies Itinerary: 1, 2, 3 or 5 Days

Trying to figure out how to plan a Canadian Rockies trip with limited time? I’ve been there. Whether you’ve got just a day or up to 5 days, it can be overwhelming to decide what’s worth seeing. This guide breaks down a realistic Canadian Rockies itinerary based on how many days you have.

In this article, I share an overview of the Canadian Rockies, along with everything you need to know before you go. You’ll also find itinerary ideas for spending 1, 2, 3 or 5 days in Banff and the surrounding Rockies.

Canadian Rockies Itinerary: A Quick Guide

Canadian Rockies Overview

If you’re visiting Canada for the first time, this Canadian Rockies travel guide will help you plan your dream trip! When you’re new to an area, planning a trip can soon become overwhelming.

This is what this Canadian Rockies trip planner is here for! In this section, I introduce you to the main towns, national parks and other practical information for the Canadian Rockies.

Main Towns in the Canadian Rockies

When planning your Canadian Rockies itinerary, the key towns to visit and stay at are Banff, Canmore and Jasper in the Alberta Rockies, as well as Field in Yoho National Park.

These towns are the main gateways to the nearby attractions and the perfect base for accommodations as well as dining.

Which National Parks to Visit

The four main national parks in the Canadian Rockies you’ll want to explore are:

1. Banff National Park is the oldest and most famous national park in Canada. It is famous for its striking mountain peaks, wildlife and vivid alpine lakes, such as Moraine Lake and Lake Louise.
2. Jasper National Park is located north of Banff and can be reached by following the Icefields Parkway Highway. It is larger and less crowded than Banff, with incredible scenic spots, such as Maligne Lake.
3. Yoho National Park is minutes away from Banff and is considered a bit of a hidden gem. Located in British Columbia, it is famous for its emerald lakes and cascading waterfalls, as well as popular alpine lakes, such as Lake O’Hara.
4. Kootenay National Park is lesser-known and is perfect for anyone wanting to escape the crowds of Banff. It stands out for its deep valleys, alpine meadows and hot springs, such as Radium Hot Springs.

You can visit all of these national parks on one trip or you can focus on a selected few for a more relaxed experience.

Best Time to Visit the Canadian Rockies

In my opinion, every season offers something magical in the Canadian Rockies. But if you want to hike in the Alberta Rockies or access some of the vibrant alpine lakes, summer (June to September) is the best time.

I personally find the shoulder seasons, especially fall, particularly beautiful. That’s when the valleys and mountain slopes are covered in golden larches and alpine meadows.

Alternatively, if you’re into skiing, winter is a magical time to discover the Canadian Rockies.

How to Get There

If you’re visiting from abroad, the best way to get into the Canadian Rockies is by flying to Calgary. Flying into Edmonton is also an option, but keep in mind it’ll add some extra driving time before you reach the main attractions.

Alternatively, if you’re traveling from Vancouver or Kelowna, you could opt for a scenic Western Canada road trip to touch multiple attractions on the way.

How to Get Around the Canadian Rockies

The best way to explore the Canadian Rockies is by car. So, I recommend renting a car to visit the area in complete freedom.

There are also multiple shuttle buses and guided tours that allow you to visit the main attractions. But I personally prefer visiting a place at my own pace. If you decide to visit Banff without a car, you can easily make your way to most of the attractions by using the Roam Transit.

What You Need to Know Before You Go

The Canadian Rockies span over two provinces (Alberta and British Columbia) and require some preparation before arriving. Below I highlight the main items you should be aware of before you visit the Canadian Rockies.

National Park Pass

• 2025 Discovery Pass Prices: $151 for up to 7 people in one vehicle or $75 per adult
• 2025 Daily Admission Prices: $22 for up to 7 people per vehicle or $11 per adult

If you’re visiting the Canadian Rockies, you’ll most certainly require a national park pass for entry. This park pass is required for all Canadian national parks, including Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay.

You can decide if to purchase the park pass in advance online or at the park entrance gates and visitor centers. Usually a park pass is purchased per vehicle and can cover up to 7 people.

Generally, if you’re visiting more than one national park on your holiday, I’d recommend getting the Discovery Pass. This is the cheapest option that provides unlimited access to all national parks and national historic sites in Canada for one year.

But if you’re only visiting one national park in the Canadian Rockies, you can also get a daily pass.

Transportation

The most popular way to explore the Canadian Rockies is by car. If you’re traveling from abroad, the main car rentals are available at the Calgary and Edmonton airports.

If you decide to visit Alberta without a car, then you can opt for guided tours. But if you’re looking into using public transit only, the main attractions can be reached by Roam Transit from Banff.

If you choose to get around by public transit, keep in mind that there’s no service connecting to the Icefields Parkway. In that case, it’s worth looking into guided tours.

Also, if you’re planning to catch the sunrise at Moraine Lake, Roam Transit doesn’t offer an early enough connection. The Parks Canada “alpine start” shuttle leaves from the Lake Louise lakeshore, so you’ll need to arrange transportation to get there first (most likely by taxi) or book a shuttle directly from Banff.

Accommodation Options

If you’re wondering where to stay in the Canadian Rockies, you have a variety of accommodation options. Depending on the type of trip you’re doing, here are a few places to consider:

• Campgrounds: the cheapest option if you’re renting a camper van, a car or want to sleep in a tent. This is also the most popular way of exploring the Canadian backcountry, so the campgrounds book out fast for the peak summer season. The booking window opens around January every year, based on location, and spots go out fast.
• Hostels: if you’re traveling on a budget, look into hostels in Banff, Canmore or Jasper. Some of them also offer private rooms.
• Hotels and resorts: the main towns in Banff, Canmore and Jasper offer a large range of luxury hotels and resorts. Some popular hotels are the Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
• Cabins and Lodges: this option is ideal for families or small group wanting to be surrounded by nature. Some great cabins can be found at Lake O’Hara or Emerald Lake.

Cell Service and Wi-Fi

If you’re visiting from abroad, consider getting an e-SIM before you get into Canada. Although most towns in the Canadian Rockies offer cell service and Wi-Fi, keep in mind that coverage in remote locations can be spotty.

So if you’re hiking in the backcountry, make sure you download offline maps and have necessary travel apps.

Also, I always like to tell friends and family about my travel plans before heading into remote parts of the Rockies, just in case.

Wildlife Safety and Leave No Trace

Weather you’re hiking or just going on a road trip in the Canadian Rockies, be aware of wildlife. You can easily encounter bears, elk, moose and sometimes even wolves. So, always carry bear spray and know how to use it.

If you end up coming across a bear or other large animals, stay calm and slowly back away. Please don’t approach wildfire for the perfect picture. And never feed wildlife: A fed bear is a dead bear.

In addition to wildlife safety, pack out all trash (including banana and orange peels etc.) and stick to established trails to minimize your impact on the environment.

Canadian Rockies Travel Guide: 1, 2, 3 or 5 Days

This Canadian Rockies itinerary will guide you through the highlights of Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise and beyond to experience the best things to do in the Canadian Rockies.

1 Day in Banff and the Canadian Rockies

• Morning: Banff Sign, Banff Avenue, Cascade Gardens and lunch in Downtown Banff
• Afternoon: Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Johnston Canyon
  👉Full 1 day itinerary to Banff!

If you only have one day in Banff, you’ll still manage to get some highlights of the Canadian Rockies. If it’s your first time in Banff, I would recommend spending the day around the Downtown Area.

Start the day with a stop at the Banff Sign, continue along Banff Avenue for some shopping and head to Cascade Gardens next. In the afternoon, explore Cave and Basin National Historic Site and head to Johnston Canyon for an easy hike.

If you’re interested to swap or skip some of the activities above, you can choose to visit Sulphur Mountain instead.

2 Days Canadian Rockies Itinerary

• Day 1: Downtown Banff & Johnston Canyon
• Day 2: Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
  👉Full 2 days itinerary to Banff and the Canadian Rockies!

If you have two days in Banff, this Canadian Rockies itinerary allows you to experience both the town of Banff, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

For the first day follow the itinerary mentioned above. The second day, wake up early to catch the sunrise at Moraine Lake and in the afternoon visit Lake Louise. Among the best things to do at Lake Louise there is hiking. In fact, Big Beehive and the Beehive Circuit is one of the best hikes in Banff area.

One thing to highlight here is that you can only reach Moraine Lake by shuttle bus. Personal vehicles are not allowed! So you have a total of 3 options to get to Moraine Lake, especially if that’s at 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)

3 Days Canadian Rockies Itinerary

• Day 1: Explore Downtown Banff & Hike through Johnston Canyon
• Day 2: Sunrise at Moraine Lake and Hike above Lake Louise
• Day 3: Visit Yoho National Park or drive the Icefields Parkway
  👉Full 3 days Canadian Rockies itinerary!

This itinerary covers what to see in the Canadian Rockies in 3 day. If you followed the itinerary for day one and day two in Banff, then you can skip here to day three.

On day 3, I recommend visiting Yoho National Park, just a short drive from Banff. If you want less crowds but equally beautiful landscapes, this is the right place for you. Some of the main activities in Yoho include hiking to Lake O’Hara, canoeing on Emerald lake, visiting Takakkaw Falls and hiking to Wapta Falls.

If you don’t want to visit Yoho, an alternative option is visiting some of the stops along the Icefields Parkway, such as Bow Lake and Peyto Lake.

5 Days Canadian Rockies Itinerary

• Day 1: Explore Downtown Banff & Hike through Johnston Canyon
• Day 2: Sunrise at Moraine Lake and Hike above Lake Louise
• Day 3: Visit Yoho National Park
• Day 4: Drive along the Icefields Parkway
• Day 5: Visit Maligne Lake in Jasper
  👉Full 5 days Canadian Rockies itinerary!

A 5 day Canadian Rockies road trip covers the main highlights of this area.

On your first day, stop in Banff and explore the Downtown. In the afternoon then head for an easy hike to Johnston Canyon.

Start your second day early and catch the sunrise at Moraine Lake. Follow up with hiking at Lake Louise or canoeing on the lake.

Spend the third day on your Canadian Rockies itinerary by visiting Yoho National Park and its stunning emerald lakes and powerful waterfalls.

Hit the road on day 4 and follow the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper. Don’t rush it and stop at the many attraction along the way, such as Parker Ridge. This is one of the most scenic road trips in Canada. So make sure you take in the stunning scenery!

On day 5 drive to Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park and take a boat tour to Spirit Island. This is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Canadian Rockies and with a bit of luck you might even spot a moose by the lakeshore.

Canadian Rockies Travel Tips

If you’re in the middle of planning a Canadian Rockies itinerary, here are some travel tips for you.

Plan ahead if you’re visiting during the summer months. In particular, accommodation can be very expensive during these months and availability is limited. Even camping is very popular and gets booked out already in the first months of the year.

Buy the Parks Canada Pass to visit multiple national parks. If you’re visiting Banff, Jasper and Yoho a Discovery Pass is your best bet for money. This way you can visit as many national parks as you want for a full year. So, if you’re visiting also some other parts of Canada, such as Pacific Rim near Tofino, this pass will feel like a good investment.

Start early for popular attractions. If you can, catch the sunrise at Moraine Lake and visit Lake Louise next before the crowds arrive. Another very popular spot in Banff in Johnston Canyon. Plan to either visit early in the morning or late in the evening when there are fewer crowds.

Explore less crowded areas. While Banff and Lake Louise are a must on a Canadian Rockies itinerary, there are many other areas that are less crowded and equally beautiful. Some examples are Yoho and Kooteney National Park, as well as the road to Maligne Lake.

Canadian Rockies weather is unpredictable. Summers in the Canadian Rockies are definitely not comparable to the sizzling sun of Sicily. So you always need to be ready for weather changes. Make sure you pack a wind- and waterproof jacket, a light down jacket, a hat and sturdy shoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do I need in the Canadian Rockies?

The answer is the longer the better. But if you are short on time 3-5 days in the Canadian Rockies are enough to visit the main highlights and explore some of the hiking trails, small towns and alpine lakes.

Is it better to stay in Banff or Jasper?

If you want to limit the time spent driving, I would recommend staying in both Banff and Jasper. You can split your Canadian Rockies itinerary in such a way that you spend the first three days in Banff and the next two days in Jasper.

Can you do Banff and Jasper without a car?

Yes, but logistics can be a bit more complicated especially if you want to visit areas, such as Icefields Parkway and Yoho National Park. In these cases you can also look into guided tours.

But Banff has public transit and you can take Roam Transit to the main attractions, such as Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Johnston Canyon.

What are the must-see spots for a short trip?

If you only have 3 days or less, focus on the main attractions, such as Banff Town, Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon and a few of the initial stops along the Icefields Parkway (Bow Lake, Peyto Lake etc).

What is the best month to visit?

If you expect warm weather, the best months to visit are July and August. But September and October, when leaves start changing colors, are breathtaking as well.

How early do I need to book hotels or tours?

I would recommend starting booking hotels and accommodation as early as January if visiting in summer. For tours, you have some more time but I would not leave it to the last minute.

Can I visit Lake Louise without staying overnight?

You don’t have to spend the night at Lake Louise. In fact, you can stay in Banff or nearby locations when doing a day trip to Lake Louise.