Episode 13: How to Create Your Banff Itinerary

You’ve saved the photos, made a list of hikes and marked all the places you want to see. Now comes the tricky part: turning that wish list into a day-by-day Banff itinerary that actually works.

When I build itineraries for travellers, I don’t start by filling every hour. I start with their travel style, group activities by area, work out the time needed and then build in space for the unexpected. You can use that same approach for your own trip.

Listen to Episode 13 of The Banff Travel Podcast

3 Key Takeaways

1. Group your itinerary by area. Plan separate days for the Town of Banff, Lake Louise area, the Icefields Parkway and other areas.
2. Be realistic about driving and hiking time. A scenic drive with stops can take most of a day, and long hikes are often best given their own day.
3. Book essentials but leave flexibility. Book the popular attractions in advance, then keep room for weather, trail closures and rest.

Start With the Kind of Trip You Want

Some people want to pack every day with hiking, tours and sightseeing. Others would rather do one big activity, have a long lunch and enjoy the scenery. Neither approach is wrong. The right Banff itinerary is the one you’ll enjoy rather than one that simply ticks off every attraction.

This is particularly important for families. When our kids were younger, one big hike or activity was often enough in a day, and we made room for playgrounds or downtime. My kids are early risers, so easier afternoons have worked well for us. Trails like Johnson Lake or Fenland Trail can be good shorter outings, although many children are perfectly capable of more ambitious hikes too.

If hiking isn’t your priority or doesn’t suit your group, focus on scenic drives, gondolas, short walks and hotels within walking distance of shops and restaurants. Boat cruises, river floats, afternoon tea and museums give you plenty to do without climbing a mountain.

Step 1: Group Your Activities by Area

Banff National Park and its neighbouring parks cover a huge area. Repeatedly travelling between Lake Louise and the Town of Banff in the same day wastes time. Instead, I sort activities into geographic groups.

Look for natural stops along your route too. The turnoff to Highway 93 South and Marble Canyon is on the drive toward Lake Louise from Banff. You could also take the scenic Bow Valley Parkway toward Lake Louise when you have time for a slower drive.

Town of Banff and Nearby Attractions

This group might include Vermilion Lakes, Bow Falls, Cave and Basin, Banff Gondola, Tunnel Mountain and the Lake Minnewanka area. You can often fit Johnston Canyon or some of the Bow Valley Parkway into a day based here as well.

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

These lakes fit naturally together when you’re using a shuttle that can get you to both lakes in the same day. If you want a long hike at each lake, consider giving them separate days instead. I explain the trade-offs in Episode 10: How Much Time Do You Need at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake?.

Icefields Parkway and Jasper

The Icefields Parkway deserves a full day if you want to stop at Bow Lake, Peyto Lake and Columbia Icefield rather than simply drive through. Jasper needs at least another full day, and I’d prefer two or more when possible. Between a Maligne Lake cruise, Jasper SkyTram and Miette Hot Springs, you can spend a lot of time driving if you try to cram everything together.

Yoho and Kootenay National Parks

Yoho sits close to Lake Louise. Emerald Lake and other Yoho stops can sometimes combine with a Lake Louise day, but that depends on how much hiking and sightseeing you have planned at the lakes.

In Kootenay National Park, Marble Canyon and hikes along Highway 93 South make a worthwhile outing. You could also combine Marble Canyon with an early visit to Johnston Canyon and part of the Bow Valley Parkway.

Canmore and Kananaskis

These areas are wonderful for scenery and often less crowded trails, but having a vehicle makes it much easier to get around. I’d make a proper day of Kananaskis rather than squeezing it in.

Step 2: Work Out How Many Days You Need

Once you’ve grouped your wish list, give each main area enough time. If you want to see every major region, you may need roughly a day for each, with more time for hikes or tours. You can shorten the trip, but that means either dropping activities or accepting fuller days and earlier starts.

Our days are long in the summer. Sunrise is often around 5:30–6:30 a.m. and sunset around 9–10 p.m., so you can fit an evening viewpoint or shorter walk after dinner.

For example, you might visit Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls early, then head to your pre-booked Lake Louise or Moraine Lake shuttle later. Or, if your priority is a long hike at Lake Louise, spend most of the day at the lakes and stop at Emerald Lake in the evening once the crowds ease. Those choices need to make sense with your actual shuttle booking, but that’s how I think about combining areas.

Step 3: Balance Big Days With Easier Days

If you’re hiking Larch Valley or Plain of Six Glaciers, I’d plan something easier the following day, especially if you’re not hiking regularly at home. That might be exploring the Town of Banff, a Lake Minnewanka boat cruise or a scenic drive.

I also like to mix in experiences that aren’t hikes: a river float, horseback ride, canyoning or the Via Ferrata at Mt. Norquay. They can make a day memorable while giving your legs a break. And don’t forget that two long driving days in a row can be tiring too.

Step 4: Book the Things That Need Reservations

Moraine Lake shuttles and some Lake Louise transportation options should be planned early. I’d also consider reserving afternoon tea at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise or Fairmont Banff Springs, gondola tickets if you want a particular time, and popular activities such as the Columbia Icefield adventure, rafting, guided outings or photography sessions.

You don’t need a reservation simply to hike from Lake Louise to Lake Agnes Teahouse or Plain of Six Glaciers, but you do need a way to get to the lakeshore. I prefer to have only one major scheduled booking in a day when possible, so there’s time to enjoy unexpected stops or stay longer somewhere you love.

Step 5: Make Room for Plan B and Plan C

Mountain weather can change quickly, parking lots can be full and wildlife closures can affect hiking trails. When I prepare a custom itinerary, I like to include two or three hiking choices or a non-hiking alternative for a day. Then travellers can see how they feel and decide what works.

I don’t expect an itinerary to be followed minute by minute. If you discover a viewpoint you love or need an afternoon off, you should be able to adapt without feeling that the whole trip is falling apart.

How I’d Plan a One-Day, Four-Day or Week-Long Banff Trip

One Day

Choose one area and enjoy it. You might combine the Town of Banff with the Banff Gondola and a local hike, or spend your day at Lake Louise with a canoe rental and a teahouse hike. Don’t spend most of a short visit driving, just choose an area and enjoy it.

Three or Four Days

You could spend one day around Banff, one at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, and another on a major drive such as the Icefields Parkway or a visit to Yoho. Give yourself some flexibility without too many booked activities.

Five to Seven Days

Now you can cover the highlights and add a few hikes, rafting, Via Ferrata or a rest day in Canmore. You also have enough time with 7 days to comfortably add in Jasper. See our Banff and Jasper itinerary here.

Common Banff Itinerary Mistakes

Trying to do everything: Driving from Banff to Jasper and back in one day is technically possible, but it’s exhausting and leaves little time to enjoy the stops.

Too much driving: Make time for experiences like cycling, a float on the Bow River or a guided adventure rather than only checking off viewpoints.

No backup options: Give yourself choices when a trail is closed or the group isn’t up for that big hike.

The best itinerary isn’t necessarily the busiest. I want you to leave Banff feeling like you enjoyed the mountains, not like you spent your entire holiday racing the clock.

Helpful Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Icefields Parkway
• Banff and Jasper itinerary

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