A Summer Adventure in Banff National Park

Banff is a very popular summer destination and therefore gets booked very early in the year. I recommend reserving your flights, accommodations, rental car, park passes, and bus shuttle tickets by February (at the latest) so you don’t get shut out of an epic destination.

Upon arrival at Calgary International Airport, grab your rental car and head 90 minutes west on a scenic drive to Banff. Depending on the time of day, you can always stop for lunch and a walk around town before getting checked into your accommodations. Afterwards, make your way to an easy nearby trail to get acclimated to the altitude and stretch your legs after a morning of travel; I’ve noted a few below. (I suggest downloading the AllTrails app before your trip to “favorite” some hikes and/or walks you would like to check out on your trip.)

• Two Jack Lake

• Johnson Lake Loop

• Marsh Loop Trail

• Vermillion Lakes

Insider Tip: The town of Banff sits at 4,500 ft. above sea level, while many of the surrounding hiking trails and lakes sit well above that. If you have issues with acclimating to altitude, I would recommend taking the first 2 days easy and saving your planned/ticketed activities for later in the trip. Remedies such as anti-nausea meds, alka seltzer, and ginger gum, paired with extra sleep and hydration, are key to a successful adjustment.

We started each day of the trip with a coffee and breakfast at Whitebark (try the Lavender Latte) or Good Earth. Both of these cafes have expansive outdoor seating with fire pits for chilly mornings, and offer beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.

There is so much to do within/nearby downtown Banff. Below are some awesome local activities to choose from:

Hike - Tunnel Mountain, Sulphur Mountain

Bike - Before renting from a vendor in town, check to see if your hotel offers complimentary bikes

Swim/Lounge - Johnson Lake, Cascade Ponds, Vermillion Lakes

Water Activities - Get out on the water with a rental canoe, kayak, or paddleboard

Walk - Stroll along the Lakeshore Walk and/or enjoy plenty of great shopping in town featuring handmade, local goods. One of my favorite shops was Rocky Mountain Soap Co. for amazing body butter and lotions.

In the early evening, you have to visit the Banff Upper Hot Springs. The geothermal-heated water (coming up from 3km below the Earth’s crust) has many natural healing properties due to its rich mineral content. Enjoy a relaxing soak and stunning views as the air temperatures cool down towards sunset. You can shower at the on-site facilities and head straight to dinner in town afterwards. Below, I’ve included recommendations that you can use throughout the week depending on what you’re in the mood for. Don’t forget to stop for dessert at Cows', a Banff crowd favorite sure to satisfy your sweet tooth with their handmade ice cream.

Park Distillery - restaurant and bar serving up handmade spirits and campfire cuisine

Una - darling sidewalk Italian eatery with salads and pizza

Magpie - expansive Mexican restaurant with a lively rooftop patio

Farm & Fire - farm-to-table eatery featuring local ingredients

Bluebird - wood-fired steakhouse also offering brunch

Hankki - traditional and authentic Korean street food

Banff Ave Brewing Co - large brewpub with TVs and an enjoyable food menu

Due to very limited lake parking and access point construction, I recommend using the easy and inexpensive Banff Transit System (Roam) to get to Lake Louise. The 8X Lake Louise Express route picks up at Banff High School and drops right at the lake in under 1 hour. You can purchase e-tickets online in advance (I booked 2 months early) and it couldn’t have been more convenient.

Lake Louise was the highlight of the trip for me. The water and landscape are breathtaking, and photos truly don’t do it justice. We opted for a moderately challenging hike (*) however there are trails of all levels to explore. I’ve noted a few below that were recommended to us by the Visitor Centre staff in town (worth a stop on your arrival day!)

Six Glaciers Hike (and Tea House) - a moderately challenging 9.1m out & back hike w/ 1700ft. elevation gain; after admiring the views from the top, be sure to stop at the Tea House on the way down. This super cute, family-owned tree house was built in 1927 and is only reachable by foot. They serve vegetarian light-fare, desserts, and coffee & tea.

Lakeshore - an easy 2.5m out & back walking trail along the eastern edge of the lake

Fairview Lookout - a moderate 1.4m out & back hike w/ 500ft. elevation gain

Little Beehive (via Lake Agnes) - a hard 5.7m out & back hike w/ 1700 ft. elevation gain

Big Beehive - a hard 6.7m out & back hike w/ 2400 ft. elevation gain

In the morning, take a quick, moderate hike up Tunnel Mountain just outside town. Once at the top, you will be treated to sweeping views of downtown Banff, turquoise waters, and lush mountains of the Bow River Valley.

Afterwards, enjoy a leisure lunch in town and then hop in the car for a beautiful scenic loop drive around Lake Minnewanka.

Around 5:00, make your way to the base of Sulphur Mountain for an incredible gondola ride up 2,300 ft in under 10 minutes. (I recommend reserving tickets online at least a few weeks before your trip to be sure you get a spot). At the top, you will experience sweeping views of mountain ranges, Bow Valley, and downtown Banff. Since sunset is at about 9:30pm in the middle of the summer, you will have plenty of time to wander around, marvel at the landscape, and grab a bite to eat.

Cosmic Ray Station & Sanson’s Peak - A National Historic Site to study cosmic rays in the 1950s

Discovery Centre & Theatre - Learn more about the Canadian Rockies through a cinematic journey and family-friendly experience

Peak Patio - Live music, drinks & epic views; nightly 5-8pm (don’t miss this!)

Northern Lights - A buffet-style restaurant offering comfort & alpine food

Sky Bistro - A fine-dining establishment featuring fresh seafood, meat & produce

The Icefields Parkway is one of the most famous scenic drives in the world, connecting the Banff and Jasper National Parks. It is a 230km stretch of road offering truly breathtaking views of glaciers, mountains, valleys, and lakes. I recommend getting an early start at sunrise, driving to the Northernmost point you’d like to explore, and working your way back to Banff with many photo-worthy pit stops along the way. You can visit the Icefields Parkway official info site for detailed information and maps, and below I listed some of my favorite sites.

Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Center & Skywalk - Learn about the history of the Athabasca Glacier before boarding an Ice Explorer vehicle; walking on the ancient sheet of ice and drinking straight from the glacier water was an unforgettable experience. A short 20-minute shuttle ride away will bring you to the skywalk, a true engineering feat. This 1km walkway leads to a platform of glass hovering nearly 1,000 ft. in the air, providing unmatched views of the Sunwapta Valley.

Bow Lake - The Bow Glacier forms the headwaters that flow down Bow River into Banff. Enjoy a good book and relax lakeside or walk around the lakeside trail.

Peyto Lake - Fed by the Peyto Glacier, this beautiful blue lake is accessible by a walking path or hiking trails such as Bow Summit.

Insider Tips: Be sure to fill up your gas tank the night before you leave as there’s not anywhere to refill between Banff and Jasper. Pack a picnic lunch and snacks, or stop for some food at the Glacier Discovery Center.

Moraine Lake is closed to all vehicles except for Parks Canada and private tours, so be sure to schedule your transportation well in advance accordingly. Once there, you can enjoy walking/hiking trails for all levels. A few are listed below:

• Lake Shore - an easy 1.8m out & back walking trail

• Consolation Lakes - an easy 3.6m out & back hike w/ 1700ft. elevation gain

• Sentinel Pass via Larch Valley - a challenging 6.9m hike w/ 2,600ft. elevation gain

• Wenkchemna Pass - a challenging 11.4m hike w/ 2,900ft. elevation gain

If you have a late afternoon/evening flight home, you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast and explore more of the Banff area in the morning (see Day 2 activity ideas).