Things to do in Banff National Park: 4-Day Itinerary

Banff National Park is Canada’s first National Park and is on many travelers’ wish list. It was everything I expected and so much more during our visit. Our limited vacation time only allowed us about four days to explore but we took advantage of every opportunity. These were our favorite things to do in Banff National Park.

DAY 1 – Walk around the town of Banff

This was our flight day and unfortunately, our plane got in at almost 5PM in Calgary Airport. Canada immigration was pretty quick and the rental cars were right across the terminals.

The drive was fairly easy from Calgary to Banff. It was so green and the Canadian Rockies lining the highway were so majestic. This was one of the most scenic drives we’ve done.

Stroll through Banff Avenue

We spent our first night strolling through the town of Banff. The charming Banff Avenue was lined with many galleries, restaurants and stores.

It helped a lot that sunset was at almost 10 PM everyday. Don’t miss strolling through this resort town surrounded by rugged mountain peaks.

We loved walking around here and yes, the shopping and dining were great. If you have time, there were also some trails around the town.

It was hard to miss the beautiful stone building at the end of Banff Avenue occupied by Parks Canada. The Cascades of Time Gardens is behind the building and was a great place for a stroll through its gardens and flower beds.

DAY 2 – The Two Lakes and Johnston Canyon

We quickly learned that weather plays a major factor during a visit to Banff National Park. We set out at 8 AM to go the Lake Louise area and Moraine Lake. Driving Time from the Banff National Park entrance was about an hour.

We were quite disappointed when it started to rain during our drive. Despite the rain, it was still easy to admire the incredible mountains lining the Trans Canada #1 highway.

Tour Lake Louise

Our first destination was the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Plenty of photos of this fairy tale looking hotel have helped inspire this trip. Those rooms have an enviable view!

It was a short and easy walk to the banks of Lake Louise. We’ve seen plenty of photos of people canoeing on Lake Louise on a bright sunny day.

This was our view of the lake and the mountains. It was raining a bit and was very cloudy. So, it wasn’t the postcard view we hoped for.

There are several trails around Lake Louise including one up to the Agnes Tea House and the Fairview Lookout point. Get here early since the parking lot wasn’t very big. Though, there were shuttle buses from offsite locations to take visitors here.

Most of the tourists congregated in the middle area. We walked off to the left by the canoe rentals for some solitude.

Canoe rentals were about $155 CAD ($117 US) per hour for three adults or two adults and two small kids (under 55 lbs) which I thought was a bit pricey.

On a sunny day, this turquoise lake may have a few canoes gliding on it. It just wasn’t our day. Canoes are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Visit Moraine Lake

For years, photos of picturesque Moraine Lake are what came to mind when I thought of Banff National Park. The lake was about a 25-minute drive from the Lake Louise shores. It was a winding road amidst the forest to Moraine Lake.

As of 2023, personal cars are not allowed on Moraine Lake Road. Visitors with valid handicap placards or Moraine Lake Lodge guests are the exceptions.

Though, Parks Canada shuttles, Roam Public Transit, and commercial buses are allowed from June to mid-October. Reservations are required and must be booked in advance.

There was a lodge here with a gift shop and café overlooking the lake. This was our first glimpse of Moraine Lake with log piles along its shores.

To get the best views of Moraine Lake, visitors must climb a rock pile with a well-maintained trail. It does have some stairs.

Once we got to the top we took the first right and went all the way to the edge. This was the view that greeted us.

So, it wasn’t the postcard perfect Moraine Lake I envisioned. We could barely see halfway up the Valley of Ten Peaks that usually serve as the backdrop of this beautiful lake. But, most of the glacial fed lake was still turquoise which was amazing to see.

Hike Johnston Canyon

We were so excited to finally get a break from the light rain and headed to Johnston Canyon in the afternoon. It was easy to understand why Johnston Canyon was a very popular day hike.

We saw plenty of families here including grandparents and babies. There were even a few who took their strollers/prams on the trails.

A gold prospector, Johnston, discovered this canyon in the 1880s while following the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks. We loved walking along the well-maintained trails along the roaring Johnston Creek and pools. There were many signs along the way that told us about the plants and animals that reside here.

They constructed these trail overhangs with ideal views of the canyons and rivers while surrounded by the lush forest. The metal walkways along the river were paved and had hand rails.

This was one of the prettiest hikes we’ve ever done. We passed small waterfalls, moss-covered trees, impressive canyon walls and interesting rock formations along the way. Despite the many people we encountered, there was such a serenity to being in this beautiful canyon.

There are about seven waterfalls in Johnston Canyon. The most popular one was the Lower Falls. It was about 3/4 mile (1.2 km) from the parking lot but on an easy trail.

Go through the little tunnel rock and see the falls up close. It was a wonderful feeling to almost be touching the water and hear its power. You will get wet a bit with the mist but definitely worth it.

Visitors can choose to continue the trail for another mile (1.5 km) to the 100-foot-tall Upper Falls. We recommend continuing the trail for a special treat. The Upper Falls was taller than the lower and so much more powerful.

There was a small viewing platform where not many people could stand on that faced the base of the waterfall. We preferred the viewpoint on top of the waterfall. There were benches up here too for resting and enjoying the scenery.

Soak in the Hot Springs

Banff Upper Hot Springs was the national park’s only hot springs and was fairly close to Banff town. This was also Canada’s highest operating hot spring at 5,200 ft. (1,585 m). It was about a five-minute drive to the hot springs from the town center.

We thought this was the best way to unwind after the hikes. This was our first glimpse of the hot springs which looked a lot like a large pool. The hot spring’s 100% natural water contains various minerals.

Visitors can rent towels for less than 2 CAD or even rent bathing suits (including old fashioned types). Bring your own shampoo if you’re particular about brands. Soaps, shampoo, hair dryers are provided.

Bring flip flops/slippers to use when walking around the shower and changing area. Unlike some of the bathing areas we visited in Iceland, there were several privacy areas or stalls here for changing.

The pool looked a lot smaller as soon as we stepped into it. It was still pretty crowded around 7 PM. One can only imagine the crowds here during the day. But, it felt really good to dip in the hot mineral water with the cold night air.

The sulfur wasn’t as strong and it wasn’t very steamy. The water temperature is usually between 98 and 104° F (37-40° C).

There were actually lifeguards posted around the pool. We stayed here for about 40 minutes in the water which we felt was about right for a soak.

Admission (as of June 2018): $8.30CAD ($6.24 US) for adults; Kids (ages 3-17) $6.30 CAD ($4.73 US); Family (2 Adults/2 Youth) $24.50 CAD ($18.41 US). Locker tokens were included with tickets. No reservations necessary.

DAY 3 – Gondola Ride and Lake Cruise

Go up the Gondola

The Banff Gondola offered the best panoramic views of the town and the Canadian Rockies. Located by the Banff Upper Hot Springs, it was a quick 8-minute ride (about a mile long) to the top. The gondolas were small and could fit four adults.

Kids (ages 17 and under) have free admission with each paying adult if families visit between 10 AM everyday between May and October. This also came with an activity book and free cookie for each child. Visiting earlier in the day also avoided some of the larger tour bus crowds.

It was also a few degrees cooler up there with wind gusts and something we weren’t prepared for. The Sulphur Mountain summit offered beautiful panoramic views of the mountain ranges and the town below. It was a bit cloudy and there were snow flurries but well worth braving the cold especially in the 360-degree rooftop observation deck.

Though, we spent a lot of time indoors in the interpretive center. They also had great views from inside.

My kids enjoyed participating in the many hands-on interactive displays. Kids can participate in the Junior Explorer Program for self-guided activities including collecting stamps in their activity books.

Don’t miss watching the mini movie in the small multi-sensory theater. It’s seeing Banff from above and was breathtaking and inspiring. There was also a gift shop and restaurants inside the center.

My husband and son walked the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak. My daughter and I were too cold!

This led to many more breathtaking views. There were also trails surrounding the gondola station for the more adventurous travelers.

Explore Cave and Basin National Historic Site

This small yet important site was worth a visit. Cave and Basin National Historic Site was the birthplace of Canada’s national parks. In 1883, three railway workers discovered the natural hot springs here.

The government established a reserve around the hot springs two years later. This became a protected area and was established as Banff National Park, along with thousands of surrounding acres, in 1887.

We did the self-guided tour. Though, there are free, hour-long guided Discovery Tours scheduled throughout the day.

We enjoyed the interactive programs and exhibits learning about this area’s history and wildlife. Kids can also complete an Xplorers activity booklet.

My kids liked the underground cave with a hot springs pool. It wasn’t very big and had a very strong sulfur smell. Visitors aren’t allowed to swim or even dip their hands in the water to protect the endangered Banff Springs snails only found here.

Don’t miss walking around outside. There was another small pool out here where the snails lived.

We tried really hard but couldn’t find them. There were also about four miles of walking and boardwalk trails including one along the hot springs.

Stop at Cascade Pond

Sometimes, it pays to spontaneously turn at a sign and wonder where it takes you. We were so glad to stumble on Cascade Pond.

This was one of the most scenic spots for a picnic. We also saw a few people biking on the trail. It was a beautiful place for an afternoon stroll.

Cruise Lake Minnewanka

Cruising on the park’s largest lake is one of the most highly recommended attractions in Banff National Park. The one-hour cruise with a guide took us to some of the best views of the Canadian Rockies from the water. It was a small boat with plenty of panoramic windows and luckily, heated interior.

Get there about an hour before your cruise time. It was a beautiful place to walk around.

We loved that Parks Canada had these red chairs around Banff National Park for “taking the time to connect with nature and with each other”. These two chairs were right on the dock looking at some spectacular lake and mountain vistas.

Our guide told us about the history of the lake which actually meant Lake of the Water Spirits. There have been boat tours on this lake for over a century. But, its most unique attraction was one most tourists would never see – the submerged former resort village.

Minnewanka Landing resort was part of a small town in the late 19^th century on the banks of the lake. A new dam was built in 1941 as part of a hydroelectric plant. This raised the lake’s waters by almost 100 feet and submerged the town.

Due to the lake’s glacier-fed waters, many of the town’s structures remained intact and frozen in time. The submerged ghost town lies 60 feet underneath. It has become a popular place for scuba divers to explore. Our guide passed out some materials showing the village as well as local wildlife that lived around the area.

There were some spectacular views of the forest and snow-capped mountain peaks here. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any wildlife during our cruise.

But, our guide told us that on some occasions they have spotted bald eagles, deer, big horn sheep and sometimes and bears. Overall, the cruise went by quickly and was very informative.

Be sure to take the lake Minnewanka Loop road when going on this cruise. Don’t miss a stop at Two Jack Lake. This was another picnic area with stunning views. It was also a popular campground.

And look, here’s another set of the red chairs with a space for some drinks in the middle. My husband and I didn’t come prepared though.

DAY 4 – Icefields Parkway and Moraine Lake

We planned to spend our last day exploring part of the Icefields Parkway. This 144-mile (232 km) road that links Banff and Jasper National Parks has consistently been rated as one of the world’s most scenic drives.

The drive was spectacular. We hope to return someday soon to finally make it further than the 25 miles (40 km) we traveled.

Hike to Peyto Lake Lookout

Peyto Lake is one of the park’s iconic and most beautiful lakes. The best way to see its beauty and surrounding areas is by going to Bow Summit which is a turn along parkway.

It was about a 45-minute drive from Lake Louise. There was a parking lot and a restroom shed. Tour buses and handicap parking were also available at the upper level.

We followed the paved trail (with a bit of a climb) for about 15 minutes into a forest of pine trees. There were still remnants of fresh snow on the ground.

The wooden viewing platform wasn’t as crowded as we expected. There was also a small trail to get to a set of rocks but with no fence.

The views of the lake and alpine backdrop from the platform were incredible. Yes, it really was that color.

Glaciers feed Peyto Lake giving its vivid bluish color. If you look close enough, the top part of the lake looks like the torso of a fox. Can you see it?

Have a Picnic at Bow Lake

Bow Lake lined the Icefields Parkway at some point with towering snow-covered mountains. We parked on one of the overlooks and along the shores for our picnic lunch. It was hard to beat the views even if we spent most of it inside the car since it was too cold for us.

See Crowfoot Glacier

There were signs for Crowfoot Glacier along the highway. Don’t miss this stop and there were parking spaces to look across the lake and the mountains.

Look for a big patch of ice shaped like a crow’s foot. It’s not often you pass by a glacier during a drive.

Visit Moraine Lake (Part 2)

We were quite disappointed with our Moraine Lake photos two days before, not seeing the Valley of Ten Peaks in the back drop and our cloudy background. Since it was a sunny day, we were determined to return to Moraine Lake. What a major difference to be here on a sunny and clear day.

I absolutely love this perfect postcard image of Moraine Lake. Seeing this particular image that has inspired this whole trip for years was such a fantastic feeling. What a way to end our sightseeing in Banff National Park.

Banff National Park is also known for its diverse wildlife. Unfortunately, other than some birds and squirrels, those were the extent of our wildlife sighting. We can verify that the squirrels around Moraine Lake are quite friendly and like to pose for tourists.

We hope this itinerary and things to do in Banff can help with your travel plans. It was surprising to find that some attractions weren’t near each other and much more spread out than we expected.

We loved our short and sweet visit and know we barely scratched its surface. We highly recommend visiting and exploring this beautiful area.

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Tips for Visiting Banff National Park

• Entrance Park fees: Family/Group Day Pass (up to 7 people) $21 CAD ($16 US). Tickets were good until the following day at 4 PM; Children ages 17 and under are free. Parks Canada Discovery passes were also available. Park Passes can be purchased online, at the park gates if driving to Banff National Park, or at the Banff and Lake Louise Visitor Centers.
• Where to Stay in Banff:

There are many lodging options in Canmore, Lake Louise and the town of Banff. Most of the properties were quite expensive. We found Banff Boundary Lodge which was less than a minute from the national park gates.

We liked that these were self-service units. Ours was a two-bedroom, 1 bathroom with a fully-equipped kitchen and living room with free parking and Wi-Fi. If you’re staying in lodging with a kitchen, we loaded up on groceries and snacks in the town of Canmore.

*Find other places to stay in Banff and Canmore.

• Where to Eat: These were some of the places we ate at. We used our lodging’s kitchen for breakfast and some dinners. Packing picnics is a great money saver for families. There were also so many scenic picnic spots along the way to use.

Laggan’s Mountain Bakery and Delicatessen, Lake Louise – Located in the shopping center at the town center, this bakery had plenty of entrees and sandwiches for great value. We loved the meat pie, chili, pizza and their cookies.

Banff Avenue Brewing Company – My husband is a beer lover and likes to try local breweries. Most of the time, the kids and I just tag along. If you’re into craft and exclusive house-made beer, this is the place to go, apparently.

But, we enjoyed all the delicious food (large portions) we had here including the bison burgers, hot wings and pasta. My daughter loved the poutine here.

Chaya Ramen, Banff – This was a very small Japanese restaurant but offered a variety of ramen and other Japanese dishes. It was always crowded but we took our ramen to go. The ramen were all delicious and hit the spot during a cold day.

Grizzly Paw Pub & Brewing Company, Canmore – Since it was his birthday week, we indulged my husband again for another brewery choice. He enjoyed his sampler of beer and my kids loved their soda samplers.

Great kids’ menu and we enjoyed their food especially the smoked brisket poutine and elk/swine burger. Brewery tours are available.

Num-ti-jah Lodge, Bow Lake – Stop by this lodge along the Icefields Parkway on Bow Lake for a delightful surprise. The location is great along the lakeshore. We came to visit the small trading post gift store and coffee shop for coffee and hot cocoa and left with delicious desserts and bison chili.

Cows Ice Cream, Banff Avenue – Touted as Canada’s best ice cream, we agree that they have the best flavors. We’ve frequented the Whistler location (even in winter) and we had their ice cream here at least once a day.

• Wear Layers. We experienced snow, rain and sun in a span of two hours. Check the weather before your trip and dress accordingly.
• Reserve Cruise. Book the Lake Minnewanka cruise online before traveling there to get the best dates and times. There was a sailing every hour on top of the hour. Look into the Family Cruise for kids 12 and under with a treasure hunt, activity booklet and ice cream.
• Come really early in the morning or later in the evening. This seemed to be the best way to avoid crowds in many of the attractions. We experienced crowds on weekdays before the summer rush in early June. Please choose when you visit each attraction to avoid disappointments of being turned away from full parking lots especially if you’re here during July and August.

*Check out this Lake Louise and Banff Tours!

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