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Vancouver to Banff Road Trip Itinerary: 3 Epic Routes

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Dreaming of an epic Canadian Rockies road trip? You will LOVE this post. We are sharing a detailed Vancouver to Banff road trip itinerary for 7 to 14 days. This drive covers 3 national parks, 2-4 cities, and many small towns in British Columbia and Alberta.

Beautiful Canadian Rockies Road trip

We have been exploring the Rockies for a decade now, and have visited in different seasons. You will get a glimpse of how the landscape looks throughout the year, with useful travel tips to help plan your trip! (You will also see me grow over the past 10 years through this post – haha!)

So let’s get started!

Vancouver to Banff Road Trip Itinerary: Distance, national park fees, driving conditions

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

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Vancouver to Banff National Park distance is 847 km or 526.3 miles, one way. If you drive non-stop, it takes about 9.50 to 10 hours to complete. 

There are quite a few national and provincial parks along the way, with beautiful small towns, waterfalls, trails, and pristine lakes that you can explore. 

Vancouver is located in the Canadian province of British Columbia, and Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper National Parks are in Alberta.

An ideal road trip to cover all the national parks in this part of the Rockies should be for 10 days. 14 days is better for returning the vehicle (car rental) to Calgary and flying from Alberta. Or if you are a BC resident, you can set aside one day to drive back.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Kamloops is sort of like the midpoint of this itinerary – whichever way you are starting in Calgary/Banff, Edmonton/Jasper, or from Vancouver/Whistler. 

We live in Edmonton and have embarked on a lot of road trips with various permutations and combinations, and we will share the BEST route possible to maximize your time at the Canadian Rockies!

Vancouver to Banff Drive in a nutshell

Vancouver to Banff Road Trip Itinerary 14 days 

  • Day 1-2 : Vancouver (2 nights)
  • Day 3 : Squamish
  • Day 4 : Whistler
  • Day 5 : Kamloops (1 night)
  • Day 6-7 : Jasper National Park (2 nights)
  • Day 8 : Jasper National Park to Lake Louise via Icefields Parkway
  • Day 9 : Lake Louise (1-2 nights)
  • Day 10 : Lake Louise to Yoho National Park day trip, return to Lake Louise or Banff
  • Day 11-13 : Banff National Park (2- 3 nights)
  • Day 14 : Calgary, car drop off and fly

Alternate 14 day Vancouver to Calgary Road Trip itinerary

  • Day 1 – 2 : Arrive in Vancouver, explore for the next 2 days
  • Day 3: Day tour of Squamish
  • Day 4 – 5 : Explore Whistler (2 nights)
  • Day 6 : Spend a day in Kamloops (1 night)
  • Day 7 : Visit Revelstoke from Kamloops (2.50 hours drive). Explore Revelstoke, especially ski jumping in the winter at the Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Stay overnight
  • Day 8 : Drive to Glacier National Park in British Columbia (day trip). Explore. Stay overnight in Golden (45 minutes from the national park)
  • Day 9: Drive from Golden BC to Yoho National Park BC. In the evening, head to Lake Louise, and stay overnight
  • Day 10 : Explore Lake Louise
  • Day 11-13: Head to Banff National Park. Spend 3 days. 
  • Day 14: Calgary, car drop off and fly

Vancouver to Banff Drive 7 day itinerary

  • Day 1 : Arrive in Vancouver, explore or head to Whistler 
  • Day 2 : Whistler 
  • Day 3 : Kamloops
  • Day 4 : Lake Louise (you can also do a half-day in Yoho National Park, and another half in Lake Louise as well)
  • Day 5-6 : Banff National Park
  • Day 7 : Calgary, car drop off and fly

A shortened version of this road trip itinerary can be done by skipping Jasper National Park, and Squamish, and focusing on the goodies at the Canadian Rockies cradle – Banff and Lake Louise. 

Note that Yoho, Banff, and Jasper parks are all National Parks of Canada, and you must pay entry fees to enter and stay overnight. Here is the fees chart,

  • Adult – Person 18 to 64 years of age – $10 CAD per day or 24 hours*
  • Family/Car – $20 CAD – per day or 24 hours
  • Senior – $8.30
  • Youth (up to 17 years) – Free
  • Commercial group (per person) – $8.30

The daily or 24-hour pass means that you pay $10 CAD per adult for one day inside the National Park. If you are a frequent visitor to National Parks in Canada, get The Discovery Pass .

This pass is valid for one full year from the date of purchase and it allows you to access over 80 historical, and nature parks in Canada for a set price of $69+ CAD (for adults).

Read : Planning a trip to Banff & Canadian Rockies Travel Tips

Tips for preparing for the Road Trip

  • Summer – Summer is a great time to embark on this road trip. This is the time when you can see the pristine turquoise blue waters of the lakes, go hiking, camping, etc. This is also the peak season in the national parks, so expect accommodation to be expensive, and towns and trails to be crowded. We recommend starting early to beat the traffic rush when you start from Vancouver or Calgary. If camping, remember to book campsites ahead of time.
  • Spring and fall – Spring and fall are our favorite times to explore the national parks. It is off-season in Canada, so finding accommodation is a breeze. Spring can be a little tricky for visiting Parks, as many of the sightseeing spots may not be open. The sweet spot is the late spring, and early fall weeks, when the majority of the attractions will be open. Trans Canada highway and sister driving routes are always open, all year round. 
  • Winter – Winter is a wonderful time to visit the Rockies, but driving in winter can be tricky. Winter is not a peak season, some of the destinations (that are popular winter vacation spots in Canada ) can be filled up really quickly by international visitors. 
  • Wondering when is the best time to visit Banff National Park? Read this guide

Vancouver to Banff road trips

Driving in Canada in winter can be challenging due to slippery road surfaces, unpaved lanes, and blowing snow. Sometimes road accidents and avalanches may also add extra time to your itinerary. 

If you are planning to do this Vancouver to Banff road trip itinerary in winter, then follow these tips, 

  • Winter tires – Ensure your vehicle or rental car has tires on (not all-seasonal ones)
  • Fluid – Don’t forget car fluid (buy something up to – 15 degrees Celsius or lower)!
  • Slow down – While driving in the winter, drive slowly and maintain a good distance. 
  • Packing for a road trip  – Keep warm clothing in your car to stay warm, including some snacks. Tips on what to pack for Canada in winter
  • Check local news before you start – Check the weather and local news to ensure it is safe to embark on this trip, and that the route/road is clear. This will also help you to determine if additional travel time is required

For all road trips, remember

  • You must carry a valid driver’s license (Canadian, US, or International)
  • You can rent a vehicle in all major international airports, in this case, Vancouver 
  • You must be at least 21 years of age to rent a vehicle.
  • Canada uses kilometers and meters to measure distance, and wherever wildlife crossings exist, the signs will show up
  • Oh, and don’t forget to fuel up with Tim Hortons Coffee and doughnut – that’s a MUST – you are on a road trip, eh!

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Day 1: Arrive and explore Vancouver Downtown, Stanley Park, Granville Island, Gastown

Vancouver is served by the Vancouver International Airport, which is located in Richmond, British Columbia, about 12 km (7.4 miles) away from Downtown. 

If arriving via aircraft from the eastern part of Canada, or the USA (or Seattle), you will arrive at this airport. Car rentals are available from the YVR/Vancouver airport. We book our rental cars via Expedia.

You can also reserve it online, and then pick it up from one of the rental agencies like Alamo, Budget, Avis, and Enterprise to name a few. We like using Avis and Enterprise Rent-A-Car for mileage offerings, and vehicle variety. 

Alternatively, if you are planning to explore Vancouver via day tours, you can skip the car rental in the first few days, and then pick it up when ready to start the road trip to Banff Alberta. 

Exploring Vancouver without a car: 

Vancouver’s rapid transit rail connects YVR airport to downtown Vancouver in under 30 minutes. You can access trains from both the International and Domestic Terminals. Fare starts at $4.25 CAD, plus the $5.00 CAD Canada Line. 

The perfect 2 days in Vancouver Itinerary (or weekend) is here. Visit the Canada Place, Stanley Park, Granville Island, Capilano Suspension Bridge & more

Where to stay in Vancouver? We recommend staying in the downtown area. From downtown, you can walk to various sightseeing attractions, and take a free shuttle to North Vancouver, or guided tours. 

Our pick: GEC Granville Suites are located in the downtown neighborhood. The rooms were decent and clean. You can check out the hotel and book here

If you prefer a luxury hotel, we recommend the Fairmont Vancouver Waterfront Hotel. This hotel is pet-friendly and offers amazing views of the city, waterfront, and mountains. Book your stay here

Note : After 2 days in Vancouver sightseeing, pick up a car rental, and start the drive towards Alberta. You can skip to Day 3 if you do not wish to explore Vancouver in this itinerary. 

After arriving in downtown Vancouver, embark on a walking tour of the city center. Head to the waterfront area to visit Canada Place. 

The sails of Canada Place are iconic to the city of Vancouver, and the downtown area. It is home to the Vancouver Convention Center, the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel, Vancouver’s World Trade Center, and FlyOver Canada. 

The perfect 2 days in Vancouver Itinerary (or weekend) is here. Visit the Canada Place, Stanley Park, Granville Island, Capilano Suspension Bridge & more

Canada Place is a nice place to hang out, stop for a coffee, soak in the water views, and relax in the wonderful city. FlyOver Canada is a popular attraction in Canada Place. 

FlyOver Canada uses state-of-the-art technology to give you the feeling of flight. You can ‘fly’ or hang over Niagara Falls, and various other cool places in Canada! 

Many Vancouver sightseeing tours start at Canada Place (for tourists’ pick-ups and drop-offs). 

Wandering in downtown in 2 days in Vancouver itinerary

To make the most of your trip to Vancouver, you can join a Hop-on and Hop-off sightseeing tour to check off all the city attractions from Stanley Park, Granville Island, Chinatown, and more. Book Vancouver hop on and off tour here

Stanley Park is a popular attraction and an urban park in Vancouver. The park is beautiful with a lot of green spaces, views of Vancouver Harbor and the English Bay, and various artifacts (from statues to totem poles). Do check out statues at the Park, like that of Henry Jerome or, the Girl in a Wetsuit (my favorite).

If you have time on your hands, we recommend walking the Vancouver Seawall (10 km or 6.2 miles loop). Walking the seawall will take about 2-3 hours, and biking takes about an hour. 

While driving (or on the sightseeing bus), you will see a green bridge, known as the Lion Gate Bridge . This bridge connects the city of Vancouver to north and west Vancouver.

Lions Gate Bridge Entrance in Vancouver BC Canada

The best place to check out and photograph the bridge (when not driving) is to head to Prospect Point. Prospect Point is important as it allows you to get an uninterrupted view of the city of Vancouver. The drive to the Point goes through a woody/forested area.

The Prospect Point falls on the northernmost tip of Stanley Park – also a wonderful spot to spend summers. 

The Granville bridge and granville island surroundings, looking north at the Vancouver skyline.

Another must add attraction to your 2 day Vancouver itinerary is to visit Granville Island. Granville Island is a peninsula and shopping district, located across False Creek from Downtown Vancouver.

The perfect 2 days in Vancouver Itinerary (or weekend) is here. Visit the Canada Place, Stanley Park, Granville Island, Capilano Suspension Bridge & more

It is nice to spend an afternoon here, looking at the shops or eating Fish and Chips. There is also a large Granville Island public market that sells fresh local produce, seafood, baked goods, and gourmet food. Book a 2 hour walking tour of Granville Tour here

Chinatown is another spot to visit during your trip. We enjoyed our time at the Sun yat Sen Gardens located in Chinatown. 

The gardens provide a very tranquil atmosphere, with greenery and symbols of Chinese heritage. The gardens were inspired and modeled after the private gardens in Suzhou, China.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

After exploring the Sun yat Sen gardens, you can stop for an early dinner or meal in Chinatown.

To finish sightseeing on day one, we recommend heading to Gastown for drinks. Gastown neighborhood is filled with pretty Victorian homes and is sprinkled with restaurants, bars, and cafes. 

The perfect 2 days in Vancouver Itinerary (or weekend) is here. Visit the Canada Place, Stanley Park, Granville Island, Capilano Suspension Bridge & more

Do take time to check out the 40-year-old clock, called the Gastown Steam Clock. Steam comes out of the clock till today, and it looks so pretty with the buildings in the backdrop. 

Day 2: Sightseeing: North Vancouver, Robson Street & Vancouver Art Gallery

For day 2 in Vancouver, we planned to visit the beautiful Capilano Suspension Bridge . It is located in North Vancouver, and you can take a free shuttle (or drive if you have access to car rental) from Canada Place.

There are free shuttles available from Canada Place to take you to Capilano Suspension Bridge and they operate every 30 minutes. Take a look at their website here.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Set aside 2-4 hours to explore the Park, cross the Suspension Bridge, and have fun at the Cliff Walk or TreeTops Adventure. You can also stop for lunch at a cafe inside the park. 

The Capilano Suspension bridge was built in the late 1800s by a Scottish civil engineer named George Grant Mackay. You can learn about the bridge’s early history from a guide when you reach the park entrance. The current bridge is 140 metres long and 70 metres above the river.

There is an entry fee at Capilano Suspension Bridge. For adults, the fee starts at $54.95 CAD, to get access to the bridge, totem poles, guide walk, cliff walk, etc. More details about fees can be found here

Also, located in North Vancouver is the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge . Lynn Canyon Park is completely free, and it also has a ton of hiking trails that you can enjoy!

In the late afternoon, head back to the heart of the city to explore Robson Street . Robson Street is a popular place for shoppers. This street is very far-stretched, as it starts at the BC Place Stadium and runs past the Vancouver Library square and goes up to the Lost Lagoon, in Stanley Park.

You can go shopping, or visit the Vancouver Art Gallery . It is easy to get lost in this street and spend the entire evening here at a nice restaurant or pub.

Day 3: Drive to Whistler with a stop in Squamish

Squamish is a town located further north of Vancouver. The views from the Sea to Sky Gondola with waterfalls and mountains make this drive to the town all worth it.

You can explore Squamish on a day trip, and then drive to Whistler, where you can spend the night (to check out the highlights the following day).

  • Vancouver to Squamish takes 1 hour. Distance is about 64.1 km (39.8 miles) via BC-99 N
  • Squamish to Whistler takes 45 minutes. Distance is about 58.8 km (36.5 miles) via Sea-to-Sky Highway/BC-99 S
  • Vancouver to Whistler takes 1 hour and 40 minutes. Distance is about 121 km (74.5 miles) via BC-99 N

Squamish is at the northern tip of the island-dotted Howe Sound and surrounded by Stawamus Chief Mountain views . We recommend adding 2-3 attractions for a one day itinerary in Squamish. 

If you wish to go on a short hike, stop at the Shannon Falls Provincial Park first before arriving in the town. Shannon Falls is home to the third largest waterfalls in British Columbia. 

Highly recommend the Sea to Sky Gondola . It has all the epic views and showcases the stunning Shannon Falls from up there, as it cascades down a series of cliffs. Entry to the sightseeing gondola is $53.95 CAD for adults ( when purchased online ). 

The Britannia Mine Museum is another must visit stop on this route to Whistler.  The museum preserves the history and showcases artifacts related to British Columbia’s mining industry. In order to explore it all, you will need about 1.5 to 2 hours. 

The entry fee at the Britannia Mine Museum is $30 CAD, and includes a 45 minute tour. 

Beautiful View of Chief Mountain, Sea to Sky Highway and Howe Sound. Cloudy Overcast Sky. Dark Art Render. Located in Squamish, North of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

After all the sightseeing, take a stroll in the downtown Squamish area , and stop for lunch, before continuing the trip to Whistler.

The drive from Squamish to Whistler will take you about 45 minutes. You can plan to arrive by evening so that you can settle in, check in to your hotel, and head out for dinner in Whistler downtown.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Where to stay in Whistler?   Hilton Resort & Spa. The Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa is located in the heart of Whistler Village. You can book rooms with mountain or pool views. The resort is just steps away from Whistler & Blackcomb Mountain. Private paid parking is available. 

Another alternative is Tantalus Resort Lodge , which is a 3 star property for your stay. There is a pool, and free parking is offered here. 

Read : 2 day Whistler itinerary

Day 4: Explore Whistler Village

Wake up to a wonderful breakfast and views in Whistler Village . The downtown area of Whistler is nothing short of an alpine village. Here you can shop for goodies, or hang out in a cafe.

Whistler Ski Resort Canada

After breakfast, head to the Whistler Blackcomb . Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America and also has the greatest uphill lift capacity. 

You can use a jeep tour too, if interested (especially in the winter!). And don’t forget to hop on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola for moving between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains at the top. 

During winters, the resort abounds in skiing activities. You can also opt for ski lessons here. Ski season starts in November here, and Blackcomb is also known for spring skiing. In April, Whistler hosts the World Ski & Snowboard Festival in the mountains!

Whistler in winter

It is important to note that regardless of when you visit, at Whistler Blackcomb you can see snow and ice even in the summer months. We do recommend bringing in a warm jacket , and comfortable boots to enjoy the mountains. And don’t forget your sunscreen and sunglasses!

In the summer months, after visiting the Blackcomb, head to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre . This is a great place to learn about Indigenous cultures – of Squamish & Lil’wat Nations. You can also join a unique tour, ‘What We Treasure tour’, to learn more about the cultures. The entry fee is $20 CAD for adults. 

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Finally, in the evening head to the Scandinave Spa (they close at 09:00 pm). Enjoy one of their spa and relaxation packages!

Day 5: Drive to Kamloops British Columbia

Kamloops is another city in the province of British Columbia. When we drive from Alberta, or back, Kamloops or Revelstoke is a good option for a stop. Drive from Whistler to Kamloops takes a little over 4 hours. 

  • Whistler to Kamloops takes 4 hours 14 minutes . Distance is 299.4 km (185 miles) via BC-99 N or
  • It is longer via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 E and BC-5 N – about 5 hours 37 minutes. Distance via this route is 473.5 km (293 miles)

We recommend starting early from Whistler so that you can stop for lunch, and break the drive. This way you will be in Kamloops in the afternoon, check-in, and then explore a bit in the evening. 

For lunch, you can stop in a small town, named Lillooet . Depending on your interests, you can check out a few things here (or continue the drive to Kamloops): 

  • Lillooet Museum and Visitor Centre
  • Old Suspension Bridge
  • There is a winery, called the Fort Berens Winery, which is a nice stop. Travelers love to lunch here and go wine tasting! Probably a good idea if you are staying here overnight. 

You could also visit Nairn Falls Provincial Park near Pemberton.

In Kamloops, you can check out a few of the attractions, depending on your arrival time, 

  • Secwepemc Museum & Heritage Park: The museum showcases the cultural and traditional lives of the Secwepemc People.
  • Kamloops Museum & Archives: Another museum to stop by, in downtown Kamloops
  • Kamloops is home to Sun Peaks Resort. It is a lovely ski area, where you go skiing in the winter, and biking or hiking in the summer
  • Where to eat in Kamloops? Brownstone Restaurant (Canadian) | Mittz Kitchen | Maurya’s Restaurant Bar & Banquet (Indian)

Where to stay in Kamloops?  We booked a stay at the Holiday Inn Express Kamloops . It is a 3 star property with free breakfast, and a pool on-site. Free parking is also provided. 

Kamloops doesn’t have a lot to explore. So we usually start late to the city of Kamloops (spending more time in Whistler or Jasper, whichever direction we are driving) and arrive just in time to check-in, eat dinner and sleep!

Dutch Lake on an Autumn Morning, Clearwater, British Columbia Canada. , canoe in calm water with mountain reflections in the lake

An alternate option is to drive one hour north of Kamloops to Clearwater . In doing so, you can visit Wells Grey Provincial Park. 

Clearwater is a little over 3 and a half hours’ drive from Jasper, so it is closer to Jasper than Kamloops (saving an hour the next day). Find hotels in Clearwater British Columbia .

Day 6: Drive to Jasper from Kamloops or Clearwater British Columbia

On day 6 start for Jasper National Park. Jasper National Park is the largest park in the Canadian Rockies. (And we are lucky to be living only 4 hours away from both Jasper and Banff town! Yay! Here is an Edmonton to Jasper Road trip itinerary )

So driving from BC here is the distance and duration,

  • Kamloops to Jasper is 4 hours 50 minutes. Distance is 440.7 km (273 miles) via BC-5 N
  • Clearwater to Jasper is 3 hours and 20 minutes . Distance is 317.5 km (197 miles) via BC-5 N

As Jasper is a national park, you have to pay park fees at the west entrance gate. 

Upon entering the park gates, soak in those views of the Canadian Rockies, and head to Jasper town for brunch (or coffee and cake). 

From Jasper townsite, head to explore the following attractions,

Pyramid Lake - Get the ultimate Edmonton to Jasper Itinerary and guide, with a comprehensive list of things to do in Jasper and places to visit in Jasper National Park.

Start at the Patricia and Pyramid Lakes . Both lakes are located only about a 10 minute drive away. From downtown Jasper, take Hwy 16A (Connaught Road) north, turn left on Pyramid Lake Road, and follow it to the lake. 

You can access both lakes all year round. In the summer, you can go kayaking/boating and enjoy hikes and strolls around the lakeside.

In the winter, you can go snowshoeing on Patricia and Pyramid Lakes. We loved our time at Pyramid Island which is located a short drive/walk (about 1.5 km or 1 mile) from the Pyramid Lake Resort. 

Parking is located on the left side of the road and is limited. So if visiting in the summer plan to visit early. In the winter months, we were able to score parking at noon (with no one to be seen in the area). 

Pyramid Lake Island in Jasper

After the lakes, make your way to Athabasca Falls. Accessible all year round, Athabasca Falls is a waterfall located about 40 minutes from Pyramid Lake.

If visiting in the winter, ensure you are wearing cleats or solid winter boots as the boardwalk and steps could be slippery. 

If you fancy an ice walk in the winter, visit the Maligne Canyon. It is located about 20 minutes from Pyramid Lake, and it looks amazing in the winter with the ice formations. You can also go on this walk on your own. Ensure you are wearing cleats as the ground could be very slippery.  

Where to stay in Jasper?  

  • Marmot Lodge : Located in Jasper town, Marmot Lodge is a good accommodation option inside the national park, and close to restaurants and attractions. Book a stay at Marmot Lodge
  • Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is a nice and luxurious option, with a spa, planetarium, and 2 stunning restaurants on-site.  Book a stay here
  • Pocahontas Cabins: We enjoy staying in cabins in the winter. And on one snowy December, we stayed at the Pocahontas Cabins (located close to the east gate entrance). Pocahontas is a 2 star accommodation with free parking, a kitchen, a bedroom, and a living room in each cabin. Note that Pocahontas Cabins are located 40 minutes away from Jasper townsite. Book a stay at Pocahontas Cabins

Pocahontas Cabins in Jasper (east)

Day 7: Explore more of Jasper National Park, Alberta

On day 7 explore more of Jasper National Park. Regardless of where you stay in Jasper, you must head to the downtown area for a nice breakfast at a local cafe. We personally love the Bear’s Paw Bakery!

Pyramid Lake - Get the ultimate Edmonton to Jasper Itinerary and guide, with a comprehensive list of things to do in Jasper and places to visit in Jasper National Park.

Your second day in Jasper is all about short hikes, and nature/old fort walks near downtown. Whistler’s Peak Trail is a popular spot for hikes. Maligne Canyon is also a great spot for hiking and outdoor activities.

Old Fort Point Summit is located close to the downtown area, and it offers amazing views of Jasper town!

If you are not into hikes, visit the Jasper SkyTram (summer), which is a sightseeing gondola. Jasper SkyTram is only open from late March to early October, and it welcomes you to Whistlers Mountain views. When the gondola rides are open, you can also visit the restaurant/bistro up there!

In the summer months, you can also visit the Miette Hot Springs . They are located near the Pocahontas Cabins. (Note that it is closed in the winter.) The pool is located outdoors and it offers amazing views of the surrounding Fiddle River Valley. 

Jasper - Marmot Ski Resort

For those visiting in winter, or early spring visit Jasper’s Marmot Ski Basin for skiing (from November to April). Jasper Town to Marmot Ski Basin is about 20 minute drive away. You can also hop on a shuttle bus (from the downtown area near Tim Hortons) to reach the ski area.

Marmot Basin has about 90 runs on four mountain faces with 3,000 vertical feet of drop. There are options for ski lessons, and ski gear rentals onsite.

The area has a lift capacity of close to 12,000 skiers per hour on seven lifts. You will also love the amazing restaurant up there (if not skiing)!

Beer sampling at the Jasper Brewing Co

After all the sightseeing, finish the night at the Jasper Brewing Co . in downtown Jasper. We love their beer samplers – they are amazing! Try them next time you are in town!

Read: 3 days in Jasper itinerary

Day 8: Drive to Lake Louise from Jasper via Icefields Parkway

We are halfway through the Vancouver to Banff road trip itinerary, and it’s now time to head to Banff from Jasper via the Icefields Parkway . 

The Icefields Parkway stretches for about 233 km (144.7 miles) from Jasper to Lake Lousie (and vice versa). This is one of the most scenic drives that you can take in the Canadian Rockies. 

Aerial view of vehicles on scenic Icefields Parkway highway between Banff and Jasper National Parks during summer in Alberta, Canada.

If you drive non-stop, it will take about 3 hours to arrive in Lake Louise . The entire route is done via Highway AB-93S.

It is important to note that the Icefields Parkway road is open all year round. However, not all attractions will be open in the winter. 

Icefields Parkway in winter

We do recommend stopping at a few sights before arriving at Lake Louise in the evening (overnight stay in Lake Louise). 

Your first stop along the Icefields Parkway is the stunning Sunwapta Falls (45 minutes from Jasper town). The route is accessible all year, we suggest checking seasonal road conditions in the winter, before heading to the access area for the Falls.

We loved exploring the Sunwapta Falls in the winter. It was not crowded, and we loved the white snow dust on the landscape and waters. It was just so beautiful. 

Sunwapta Falls in winter

Next, visit the Glacier Skywalk and Columbia Icefields . Columbia Icefields are home to the largest non-polar ice fields in the world. To embark on glacier tours, you have to head there in the summer, particularly from May to October.

If you are pressed for time, you can visit the Glacier Discovery Centre, and admire the views from a distance. 

Columbia Icefield Adventure tour is weather dependent, and includes an Ice Explorer Tour on the Athabasca Glacier, plus admission to the Skywalk, and return transportation from the Glacier Discovery Centre.

Peyto Lake Views

Lastly, before settling into Lake Louise, stop by Peyto Lake. It is a stunning glacial-fed lake located an hour from the Columbia Icefields. If you are up for a hike, lace up for an easy 6.11 km or 3.8 mile round trip hike. This spot welcomes you to one of the best views in the Canadian Rockies. 

From Peyto Lake, drive for another 30 minutes to arrive at Lake Louise. 

Where to stay in Lake Louise? Stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise . Or at any of the mid-budget accommodations like Lake Louise Inn .

You can find more hotels here for Lake Louise . 

Day 9: Explore Lake Louise

On day 9, spend a full day in and around Lake Louise. Go on hikes, or canoeing in the summer. You can rent canoes at the lakeside. 

Lake Louise in Banff national park with mountains and forest in Canada.

Hiking the Agnes Tea House trail will welcome you to amazing views, and a historic tea house. If not into hiking, you can enjoy a romantic stroll by the lake and the Fairmont Hotel property!

If visiting in the winter, you can go skiing at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, and ice skating at the frozen lake. In the late winter months, there are ice festivals that you can enjoy too. 

Banff Winter Activities - Lake Louise covered in snow

There is a small town centre area inside of the hamlet of Lake Louise, this is where you can grab food, and buy essentials. You can also walk/hike from the lake to the centre.

We had the yummiest of Chicken curries and candies here, at the Laggan’s Mountain Bakery & Delicatessen (101 Village Road, Lake Louise).

Day 10: Take a day trip to Yoho National Park from Lake Louise

From Lake Louise explore the Yoho National Park, on a day trip. This national park is one of the parks in the Canadian Rockies (others being Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Waterton National Park).

Lake Louise to Yoho National Park is only 15 minutes away (one way). Park entry fees are the same ($20 CAD per vehicle entry for 24 hours). 

Yoho National Park is located in British Columbia and is bordered by Kootenay National Park (south side), and Banff National Park (east side). The visitor office for the park is located in the town of Field, by the Trans Canada Highway. 

En route from Lake Lousie, your first stop is at the Natural Bridge . This attraction is a wonderful phenomenon of natural rock formation, that looks like a bridge, wherein the Kicking Horse River flows from the Field Valley. 

Natural Bridge Yoho National Park

There is a free car parking area right outside the lookout/viewing platform. You can access the scenic lookout without any strenuous hikes. 

Yoho National Park in October

Up next on the road trip are the Spiral Tunnels. These tunnels were created when British Columbia joined the Canadian Confederation and a railway network was constructed. Every day, 25 to 30 trains pass through the Spiral Tunnels making it super picturesque. 

If you are patient, we recommend getting down at the lower Spiral Tunnels and waiting for the trains to pass by (if not just read through the informative displays in the area).

One of the must visit attractions at the Yoho National Park (after the Emerald Lake) is Takakkaw Falls. You can easily access Takakkaw Falls via Trans-Canada Highway and on the Yoho Valley Road. 

The scenic drive to the Falls takes about 30 minutes. The roads leading to the falls are steep and narrow, so exercise caution as you drive. Maneuvering larger vehicles might be challenging in these lanes.

A short trail takes to the full view of Takakkaw Falls from the parking lot. Spend some time here before making your way to the townsite of Field for lunch.

Our favorite place for lunch: Truffle Pigs Bistro. 

After lunch, proceed to the Upper Spiral Tunnel Viewpoint in Cathedral Mountain . From here you can also view the meeting point of the Kicking Horse River and the Yoho River. 

Last but not the least, visit the beautiful Emerald Lake . This lake is enclosed by mountains—President Range, Mount Burgess, and Wapta, and oozes a lovely ‘emerald color’ (in the summertime). 

Emerald Lake Yoho National Park

The lake is accessible all year round. In the winter, it is prone to heavy snowfall, making it a paradise for cross country skiing. Rain is frequent in the summer. June and July are the perfect months to capture images of wild flora and fauna.

During the summer months, you can rent a canoe, take walks or visit the Emerald Lake Lodge. In addition, this is the perfect time to capture the color of the lake (especially in the month of July).

Near the lake is a hiking trail that is accessible for differently abled and strollers. 

After a fun-filled day of sightseeing at Yoho National Park, drive back to Lake Louise, and stay there overnight. 

Day 11: Drive to Banff from Lake Louise 

On day 11, start for Banff. Lake Louise is located inside Banff National Park and is only a 50-minute drive away. When you start early, you can enjoy breakfast in the heart of Banff Avenue.

Our favorites : White Bark Cafe, Evelyn’s Cafe, and Touloulou’s. Find more of the best places to eat in Banff National Park

Heading to Banff? Get the guide to BEST places to eat in Banff for every meal, occasion and budget. This is your one stop where to eat in Banff planner!

There are tons of things to do in and around Banff from visiting more lakes (Two Jack Lake, Minnewanka Lake, Moraine Lake, and Vermillion Lake), hiking and biking trails, campgrounds in the summer, gardens, and stunning mountain views.

As this is your first day in Banff, we recommend checking off attractions near the townsite. Explore the beautiful shops, buy souvenirs, eat Beaver Tails, and if you are not bored of gondolas already – then hit the Sulphur Mountain Sightseeing Gondola.  

Sulphur Mountain Sightseeing Gondola is located a 5-minute drive away from Banff town. They are open all year round (and trust us, it is even better in the winter in Banff , with Christmas On Top celebrations and stargazing events).

Do remember to wear warm clothing, as it gets super windy up there!

What to pack for Canada in Winter

The entry fee at the gondola starts at $64 CAD for adults. They have separate operating hours for different seasons. 

You can stay at the gondola sightseeing platform as long as you want, and take in views of the Bow Valley. There is a nice Sky Bistro at the viewing platform, as well as a Cosmic Ray Station. 

Many hikers head to the top of Sulphur Mountain through a woody forest, and it takes about 1.50 to 2 hours (one way) to reach the summit. If interested, you can hike one way, and then use the gondola to come down.

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel pictures

After a gondola ride, proceed to the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel . This is a vintage 5-star property located in Banff – it is housed in a castle-like building. From the suites and hotel grounds, you can soak in views of the mountains and Banff Valley.

Another 5-minute drive will bring you to Bow Falls . Bow Falls is a major waterfall on the Bow River. You can easily park your car by the falls, and go on a quick stroll to explore the area.

When we visited it on a summer afternoon, we were blessed with rainbow views! 

Bow Falls with rainbow

If interested, you can add a visit to the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies from here, it is a 4 minute drive from the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.

Next on the list is the historic site of Cave and Basin. Cave and Basin National Historic Site is home to natural thermal mineral springs around which Banff was founded and established, as Canada’s first national park. 

In order to get to Cave and Basin, you can walk/hike a distance of 1.5 kilometres (with no elevation gain) from the intersection at the south end of the Bow River bridge. It will take you about 20 to 25 minutes.

Inside you will find sulphur pools (and the smell could be very strong for some). There are also permanent exhibits highlighting the history of the Banff site, and the flora and fauna. The entrance fee is $6 CAD.

From the Cave and Basin Historic Site, you can embark on 2 trails – Marsh Loop and Sundance Canyon Trail (both great for hiking and biking).

In the evening, visit Cascade of Time Gardens. Go on a nice evening stroll here, admiring the Edwardian building (which is an administrative office), Cascade mountain views, and various gazebos and manicured gardens.

Banff Cascade of time gardens

It is completely free to enter the complex. From the Cave and Basin Site, Cascade Gardens are a 4 minute drive away via Cave Ave. 

If coming from downtown Banff follow Banff Avenue to the south end and cross over the bridge on the Bow River. You will see the stone Parks Building ahead of you.

Parking is available near the gardens, and located close by is a Chinese Restaurant named Silver Dinner, where you can go for dinner. ( Banff International Hostel is a 6-minute drive from here)

Read: Where to stay in Banff National Park

We have stayed in many properties in Banff over the past 10 years. We will pick three favorites here (mid-budget range),

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

  • Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa: Located in downtown Banff/Banff Avenue, this hotel is a nice option to stay close to town, with quick access (walkable distance) to shops and restaurants. They offer free parking, and there is a spa on site. Book your stay here
  • Juniper Hotel & Bistro: Juniper Hotel & Bistro is well known for stunning restaurant with views of Mount Norquay and the Trans Canada Highway. They have a variety of room options (from cabins, and penthouses to standard rooms). It is a fuss-free 3 star property with nice views. Book your stay here
  • Elk + Avenue: Another Banff downtown property, Elk + Avenue offers mountain views from many of its suites. There is a jacuzzi and a sauna on-site, along with a nice (rustic and cabin style) restaurant. The hotel is pet-friendly ($25 CAD per night). Book your stay here

Day 12: Exploring Banff National Park 

The second day in Banff is all about road tripping and exploring various lakes inside the National Park.

We will start with Vermillion Lakes (close to Banff downtown), then proceed to Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka, and finally, arrive at the stunning Moraine Lake (by late afternoon or early evening to beat the crowds).

Vermillion Lakes is located about 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) from Banff downtown. To get to the lakeside, from Banff or the Trans-Canada highway, access Mt Norquay Road.

From Mt Norquay road, leaving the town of Banff, turn left onto Vermilion Lakes Road, which will take you alongside all three lakes.

Lake Vermillion Banff photography

The three lakes are formed in the Bow River valley at the foot of Mount Norquay. They are located between the Trans-Canada Highway and the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks.

You can access the lake all year round. We particularly enjoyed the views of the Vermillion Lake with Mt Norquay, in the fall season (it is possible to sight the Northern Lights at the Vermillion Lakes in the late fall, and winter months in Banff).

You can hike, walk or go kayaking at the lake in the summer months.

From Vermillion Lake, start for Two Jack Lake (this is where Salil and I got married, see our pictures from the Banff wedding here ). 

It will take about 14 minutes to get to Two Jack Lake (12.3 km/7 miles) via Trans-Canada Hwy/AB-1 E and Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr. There is a campsite near the lake.

We enjoy walking the 2-mile loop trail near the lake. It is a great spot for photos, and also to just relax and enjoy scenic views of Two Jack Lake, and Mount Rundle. You can access the lake in the winter as well – they are perfect for ice skating when the lakes are frozen!

Lake Minnewanka Banff Photography

Drive further to Lake Minnewanka next. Minnewanka is a large glacial lake – popular for picnicking, mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, diving, and snowshoeing in the winters. 

The name ‘Minnewanka’ was given by the indigenous Stoney Nakoda First Nations people who called it Minn-waki (or the Lake of the Spirits). In the summer, you can join a scenic boat cruise on Lake Minnewanka. 

Lake cruises last approximately 1 hour and are led by a guide who shares stories of Spirit Island and the Rockies. The cruise begins at the western end of Lake Minnewanka, you can purchase tickets there or online . Cruises operate from May to mid-October. 

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

You can break for lunch here at Minnewanka lakeside, before starting for Moraine Lake. If you are packing some food, you can rest by the lake (Minnewanka).

Or head back to Banff Avenue for lunch. 

Pro tip : We usually keep non-perishable food items (coconut water, health bars in our car), and just continue on the road trip. It also helps if you opt for a good breakfast 🙂 There are bathrooms in the parking lot of Lake Minnewanka, in case you need one!

After lunch, you can start your drive to Moraine Lake. If starting from Lake Minnewanka, it will take you about an hour to reach Lake Moraine. Depending on the peak season, you could also expect delays, and issues in finding parking.

We recommend planning the road trip in a way that you arrive there closer to 5:00 pm. The days are longer in the Canadian Rocky Mountains in the summer months, so you can expect light until 6:30 or 07:00 pm. 

Moraine Lake and colorful kayaks

This picture here was taken in the evening, on Canada Day – July 1st (on Canada’s 150th year!)

Moraine Lake is one of the most picturesque sights in Banff National Park. It is a glacially fed lake situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of approximately 1,884 metres. 

There are many easy hikes that you can embark on, in and around Moraine Lake. The Larch Valley hike is one of the nicest places to go on a quick hike (45 minutes to 1 hour). This hike starts at the base of Moraine Lake. To see fall colors, visit for 2 or 3 weeks in mid/late September. 

Read : Things to do in Banff in the fall

Other hikes include –

  • Consolation Lakes (6 km/3.7 miles round trip, takes about 1-2 hours)
  • Sentinel Pass (this trail continues from the Larch Valley hike with views of the Valley of the Ten peaks. It is a 12 km/7.4 miles hike round trip)

Return to Banff town, after this ‘day of lakes’ road trip. 

Read: Our 5 days in Banff Itinerary

Day 13: More of Banff and Canmore or Johnston Canyon

We have a couple of options for your third day in Banff. You can either keep it easy, and relaxing – go shopping at Banff Avenue, and visit the nearby town of Canmore. Banff to Canmore is about 20 minutes drive away.

Canmore - Policemen's Creek

In Canmore, you can explore their downtown area. It is less commercialized than Banff Avenue but is still sprinkled with art galleries, cute cafes, and international restaurants. 

You will love the views of Three Sisters in Canmore. For those who want to take it slow, we recommend walking the downtown area, and then strolling the Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk or Old Engine Bridge, while enjoying lovely mountain views.

Views of Old Engine Bridge Canmore

There are indoor rock climbing areas (Elevation Place), Yoga studios, and skiing at the Canmore Nordic Centre (site of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games). 

There are a ton of hiking options in the Kananaskis Country as well. Grassi Lakes is a popular option, followed by Ha Ling Peak. These hikes can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day. 

Ha Ling Peak Canmore in winter

You can also drive to Spray Lakes Provincial Park near Canmore, and soak in the views of the mountain (Ha Ling) and Spray Lakes (without a hike). 

Our recent trip to Canmore was in the winter. We drove to the Spray Lakes, enjoyed the provincial park, and returned in the evening. We went dining in Canmore town and then drove back to Banff. Find more things to do in Canmore

An alternate option is to skip Canmore and drive to Johnston Canyon instead. Johnston Canyon is located about a 45-minute drive (one way) away from Banff town.

You can take AB-93N, then exit on TransCanada Highway/AB-1. Turn right onto Bow valley parkway and travel for 6.2 km (3.2 miles) to reach Johnston Canyon.

You can choose from 1 to 4 hour hiking trails (round trip).

  • Starting from Johnston Canyon to Lower Falls – 1-hour hike round trip
  • Johnston Canyon to Upper Falls – 2 hours hike round trip
  • Ink Pots – 4 hours round trip 

Johnston Canyon is amazing in the winter as well. You can participate in ice walks to see the stunning ice creations, trails, and more, like a winter wonderland of sorts. There is easy access to both the upper and lower falls. 

If you are new to ice walks, we recommend joining a group tour!

Day 14: Drive to Calgary, drop off car rental and fly

Today is the last day in Banff. Depending on your departure time from Calgary, you can set aside this day’s itinerary to explore Canmore (if you missed it on day 13) or visit some of the downtown Calgary attractions. 

Banff to Calgary is an hour’s drive away. In downtown Calgary, you can check off the Stephen Avenue Walk, which is a charming pedestrian walkway lined with cafes, shopping, and entertainment venues. Spend some time exploring art galleries or walk the glass floor of the Calgary Tower. 

Canadian Rockies Tour from Calgary

Fort Calgary is located close to the downtown area. Fort Calgary is a historic landmark – a fort that was built in 1875 by the Northwest Mounted Police.

The fort is a good spot to learn about the history of the city of Calgary and the province. You can embark on a self-guided tour of the complex (45 minutes to an hour). 

Calgary downtown to the airport is about 20 minutes drive away. You can drop off the car here, before flying off.

Read: How to get from Calgary airport to Banff National Park

Vancouver to Calgary Road Trip Itinerary: Drive with Glacier National Park, Revelstoke, and Golden BC 

  • Day 6 : Spend a day in Clearwater, and stay in Kamloops (1 night)
  • Day 8: Drive to Glacier National Park in British Columbia (day trip). Explore. Stay overnight in Golden (45 minutes from the national park)
  • Day 11-13: Head to Banff National Park. Spend 3 days – visit Banff Gondola, Cave and Basin, Vermilion Lakes, Two Jack Lake

Here is an alternate itinerary option for a 14 days road trip from Vancouver to Banff to Calgary. This sightseeing itinerary skips Jasper National Park and instead covers Revelstoke, Glacier National Park, and Golden in British Columbia. 

By following this route, you can explore more of British Columbia’s natural gems and mountain towns. You can also expect a variety of outdoorsy activities, and more ski resorts to choose from.

From day 1 to 6, stays the same (Vancouver > Whistler > Kamloops). 

On day 7, start for Revelstoke. Revelstoke from Kamloops is 2.50 hours drive away. It is well-known for a ski resort on Mount Mackenzie called the Revelstoke Ski Resort.

Pro tip: You can also break your trip at Salmon Arm, BC, also known for skiing in the winter, and for its lush greenery in the summer months. It is one hour and 15 minutes drive each from Kamloops and Revelstoke. 

Mount Revelstoke National Park in British Columbia is an extraordinary destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. Located in the Selkirk Mountains, this park offers a variety of trails, stunning alpine views, and plenty of opportunities to explore nature. 

Revelstoke National Park, BC, Canada

In the summer months, you can enjoy music festivals in Revelstoke.

If you are looking for a more active outdoor experience, there is no shortage of amazing hiking trails in the park. With about 59 marked trails ranging from easy strolls to strenuous hikes, it’s easy to find something that suits your skill level and time frame.

The trails in Mount Revelstoke National Park are accessed via the Meadows in the Sky Parkway.  You can also go paddling, and mountain biking here as well. 

For those who love wildlife viewing, Mount Revelstoke National Park provides excellent opportunities to observe animals in their natural habitat. 

Mountain goats and bighorn sheep are commonly seen in the park along with grizzly bears, black bears, and other smaller mammals. Bird watchers will also be delighted to spot a variety of species throughout the park.

Revelstoke is home to 2 breweries, and there are distillery tours that you can participate in. 

You can easily find a ton of options to stay in Revelstoke for the night.

On day 8, drive to Glacier National Park in British Columbia on a day trip. (Revelstoke to Glacier National Park is 30 minutes drive away).

Long Exposure of Illecillewaet river with Mount Sir Donald Glacier National Park Canada. Photo taken in Canada.

Glacier National Park is home to Mount Sir Donald, a 3,284-metre mountain summit, known for mountain climbing and hiking trails. Other notable attractions include the Illecillewaet Glacier, which is located in the Selkirk Mountains. 

We loved driving through the Rogers Pass, admiring all the mountains (Selkirk). There is a historic landmark here – Rogers Pass National Historic Site, where you can visit the museum and learn about the history of the park. 

If you are looking for an easy hike, lace up for Bear Creek Falls. It is a 1.1 kilometer (or .68 miles) out and back trail located near Columbia-Shuswap A. This trail is only accessible if you are heading east on the Trans Canada Highway from the summit of Rogers Pass.

At the end of the trail, you are welcomed to a nice waterfall. This stop is great to stretch your legs and enjoy a break (the best time to visit is June to September). 

Stay overnight in Golden (located about 45 minutes from the national park). Golden is a wonderful destination for outdoor enthusiasts. As you drive into this gorgeous historic town you’ll be impressed by the views and tons of outdoorsy activities that it has to offer.

Kicking horse mountain resort Golden

One of the most exciting warm-weather activities for adventure-seekers is whitewater rafting. The Kicking Horse River is one of the best whitewater rafting rivers in British Columbia and Western Canada. It has something for everybody, from beginners to advanced levels. 

From skydiving and gliding, hiking and mountain biking, to history and sightseeing, Golden will not disappoint you.

In the winter, hit the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort on your Vancouver road trip itinerary. Kicking Horse Resort Village is located 6.4 km (4 miles) away from Golden, and is a premier ski destination for outdoor lovers and adventurers alike. 

With over 3400 acres of skiable terrain, it boasts some of the best skiing and snowboarding in North America. Kicking Horse also offers an award-winning mountain village complete with shops, lodges, and restaurants. Plus the resort is home to Canada’s Highest Elevated Dining! 

The resort’s terrain offers a wide variety of terrain for all levels, from groomed beginner runs to challenging off-piste options, and the heli-skiing terrain is breathtaking.

You can continue driving from Golden to Yoho National Park and then arrive in Lake Louise to finish the rest of the items on the road trip itinerary (Day 9 through 14 ).

Vancouver to Banff Drive Itinerary 7 days 

  • Day 5-6 : Banff National Park sightseeing for 2 days. Ride the Banff gondola to soak in the views of the mountain ranges, and enjoy the lakes nearby

As mentioned above, a shortened version of this Canadian road trip can be done in 7 days, where you can explore Banff National Park attractions along with Lake Lousie, and fly out from Calgary.

This itinerary begins in Vancouver . You can spend the day in Vancouver, and then in the evening drive to Whistler. The next morning, explore Whistler. 

On day 3, start for Kamloops (4.25 hour drive), stop for lunch, and then continue driving to Lake Lousie. Stay overnight here.

Lake Louise Resort in Winter

Day 4, check off the iconic turquoise lake in the first half of the day. In the second half, go on the popular Agnes Tea House hike. 

If not into hiking, you can squeeze in a drive to Yoho National Park and hit the following stops – Natural Bridge, Lower Spiral Tunnels, Takakkaw Falls, and Emerald Lake Lodge. 

You will be touching Yoho National Park borders in 15 minutes from Lake Lousie. After exploring Yoho, return and stay overnight in Lake Louise.

On day 5, head to the heart of Banff National Park , and pick 2-5 attractions to explore for the next 2 days. 

Finally, on day 7, drive to Calgary and drop off the car rental. Depending on how much you have on your hands, you can spend a few hours in downtown Calgary before returning home!

Find where to stay in Calgary

We hope you found this itinerary for Vancouver to Banff road trips useful in planning yours! 

Have more questions? Let us know in the comments below.

Need an extensive guide? Consider getting our Canadian Rockies Road trip ebook

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Additional Tips: Vancouver to Banff Road Trip and driving options

10 hours 30 minutes.  It takes about 10 hours and 30 minutes to drive from Vancouver to Banff, via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 E. Distance is 846.9 km (526 miles).

The drive from Vancouver to Banff is extremely scenic!  With so many small towns, cities, and Canadian National Parks, you are also exploring 2 provinces in the western part of the country! So we highly recommend it.  It is worth noting that you can easily find cheaper flights into Vancouver (as compared to Calgary or Edmonton from the USA). From Vancouver, you can drive to Alberta. If you have additional time on your hands, visit the wine region of Okanagan Valley in BC. (I love Kelowna wine tastings!)  

Yes. The Rocky Mountaineer runs a train service from Vancouver and Banff National Park. Tickets start at $1600 CAD+ and are a 2 day tour. You can also book the service from Banff to Vancouver.

Yes. Here is a 7 day Canadian Rockies Tour, starting from Seattle Airport

Pin: 2 Week Road Trip from Vancouver to Banff Drive

Pin for Vancouver to Banff itinerary

Mayuri is the founder & editor of ToSomePlaceNew. An Indian-Canadian globetrotter, she has traveled to over 100 cities and 35+ countries. Mayuri has a graduate degree in History and is an MBA. She loves traveling the world, capturing historical nuances, and discussing that over a cup of coffee with her husband, Salil. She currently resides in Edmonton, Canada, and plots travel plans to Europe, the Americas, and beyond. 

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12 Comments

Thank you for this Wonderful information! Planning something with limited driving preferably a bus route, also one night with the rail. Saved your post for a more detailed look.

Thank you! Glad you found it useful!

Very useful information! If someone plans to return to Vancouver and have about 7-8 days, what travel itinerary would you recommend (so something like Vancouver->Jasper->Banff->Vancouver)? Thanks in advance!

Thank you Vips! In one week, you can do 2 days in Banff and 2 days in Jasper with one day along the Icefields Parkway attractions. Leave the first and last day for travels and quick stops in small towns or provincial parks, if you like.

Thank you! This was really useful!

Glad you liked the post!

thank you for your very informative blog, I’ll bear a lot of it in mind. We’re doing a very similar trip this summer, so I was wondering is it feasible to leave Jasper visit Lake Louise without staying overnight and then heading to Banff after on the same day?

Thank you, Mike! Yes, you can certainly travel to Lake Louise from Jasper town, spend the day and then stay overnight in Banff.

We are heading back to Banff this summer! Have a wonderful trip! 🙂

Thank you so much for your detailed blog and itinerary, it really helped me in planning out our family road trip from Vancouver to Banff this summer. I had booked the hotels along the way. However, I got a bad ankle sprain from volleyball which is not recovering as fast as I have wanted to. I definitely can’t hike especially on uneven surfaces. I was wondering if many of the lakes or sightseeing spots are pretty accessible with car and require fairly limited walking? I am debating to cancel my trip over all but I know the family may be disappointed. Perhaps there are places where I can go if it’s easily accessible by car and for places which requires some hiking I will wait around for them. I don’t know how strenuous the hiking is along the way. For now I am planning for two nights Whistler, one night Kamloops, one night Golden, three nights Banff area. Any tips or suggestions are truly appreciated and welcome! Thank you!

So sorry to hear that! Hope you feel better soon xoxo

There are a few lakes and sightseeing areas where you don’t have to hike (some walking is required to the viewing area),

In Banff, you can visit Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka, Lake Louise without any strenuous hike. It is a short walk from the parking lot. There are picnic areas at the Two Jack Lake, and Lake Minnewanka.

You can also stop by the Vermillion Lakes from Banff Ave

For Whistler, you can sightsee in the village (its very pretty), ride the gondola but skip the hike

In Golden, you can visit the SkyBridge – it has fair bit of walking though on the suspension bridges (they opened the mountain coaster this year which is amazing)

I hope you are able to visit!

Hello, thank you for all the information. We are planning to do the 8 day itinerary, but have a couple of driving questions. Our trip is scheduled to start October 5 and we are a bit concerned how to fin out if the roads are going to be a concern? Also, my spouse has a terrible fear of heights. Is the Sea to Sky road scary? Are there other parts of the journey that might be of concern? Regular mountain roads are fine, but steep drop-offs or cliffs and hair pin turns are a bit of another matter. We drive in Colorado without issues, but we also avoid some of the crazy mountain passes there. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

So excited for your upcoming trip! The Sea to Sky highway has a few steep parts, certain portions are on an incline with about 10 hairpins. You will have to exercise caution when driving in the mountains.

I usually have my husband do the driving (while I take photos) – he does a better job behind the wheel 🙂

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That Adventurer

7 Day road trip to Banff and Jasper from Vancouver

Since we moved to Vancouver last summer I’ve been desperate to take a road trip to Banff and Jasper in the Rocky Mountains. How could you not be when you see how beautiful they are?

We’ve been to Banff several times over the years and have always had fun!

If you live in Vancouver or are visiting Canada and are planning a road trip to Banff and Jasper starting and/or ending in Vancouver then here is an itinerary for a 7-day road trip to the Canadian Rockies.

This Vancouver to Banff and Jasper road trip itinerary is exactly what we did in a week, so you can trust it’s totally doable.

See my road trip packing list essentials! 

7 Day road trip to Banff & Jasper from Vancouver

This Banff and Jasper itinerary for a road trip from Vancouver to the Rocky Mountains can be done as a one-way trip or two ways. One of the more popular routes is to go from Vancouver to Banff to Jasper and then Jasper National Park to Vancouver, only we went from Vancouver to Jasper National Park and then on to Banff and Lake Louise.

Our trip from Vancouver to Banff, Jasper & Yoho and back in 8 days. However, if you’re just visiting Canada and are road-tripping from Vancouver to Calgary or Calgary to Vancouver.

This would also work as a 7-day road trip Calgary to Vancouver.

You can definitely make this road trip longer, but I wouldn’t recommend making it shorter. There are some suggestions towards the end of this post on ways to make the road trip longer to 2 or 3 weeks.

Canadian Rockies road trip map to Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Park from Vancouver

Below is a map with the places, hikes and attractions I recommend on this 7-day road trip from Vancouver to the Rocky Mountains. This is far from everything there is to do, but it’s what we did on our road trip to Banff, Jasper and Yoho from Vancouver.

You can skip Jasper and just make it a Vancouver to Banff road trip itinerary instead, but I loved Jasper so I recommend trying to make time for it!

jasper banff road trip from vancouver map road trip to banff and jasper

Jasper vs Banff

The great thing about this Canada Rockies road trip itinerary is that you don’t have to make the choice between Banff or Jasper. But, if you’re wondering which one I’d pick then it’d be Jasper hands down.

To be fair to Banff I didn’t get to see it at its best since the whole town was shrouded in forest fire smoke. I mean, I’m sure there are  mountains around Banff I just couldn’t see them.

But even without the smoke, Jasper wins as it felt a lot wild and remote and there were fewer people there.

We didn’t have to wake up at 5 am to find a parking spot as we did in Banff and we saw more bears, elk and mountain goats too.

But explore both and decide for yourself!

Best time to visit Canadian Rockies?

This mostly depends on your interests and reasons for visiting the Canadian Rockies in the first place. If you’re there to ski then you’ll want to visit between December – March.

However, if you’re there for hiking and seeing the gorgeous colours of the lakes in the area then you’ll want to plan your Canadian Rockies trip for the summer months (June-August) when the snow is pretty much all gone.

However, summer is often very, very busy. During our trip in August Banff and Lake Louise were pretty much swarming with people.

This makes parking difficult and can take away from the beauty of the top attractions in the Rockies when you’re sharing it with hundreds of people at the same time.

Whilst September is a bit quieter, it snows early in the Rockies sometimes. Some of our friends experienced a lot of snow during their trip in the middle of September so that’s something to bear in mind. Your driving conditions might be more tricky and the weather a lot colder.

Best way to see the Canadian Rockies

elvis the van in banff national park

The easiest way to travel the Canadian Rockies is by camper van. Not only does this mean you can save a tonne of your accommodation (since you can camp in this and not have to stay in hotels), but it’s just a fun way to travel. I love being able to pull up anywhere in our van, Elvis, and make a cup of tea or enjoy lunch with a view.

If you’re looking to rent a campervan for your Canadian Rockies itinerary then take a look at Escape Campervans . People list their campervans on here and you can rent them for your trip. You can find everything from self-converted homes like our Elvis, to much bigger RVs too!

If you’d prefer to go from Vancouver to Banff by car and stay in hotels or are happy to tent camp then you can hire a smaller car.

I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!

You can usually pick up and drop off your rental car in different cities. So, if you’re only doing this Canadian Rockies vacation in one direction then make sure to look for that option.

Alternatively, you can get the Via Rail Vancouver to Jasper . This scenic train ride takes you past beautiful scenery and into the Rocky Mountains.

The train from Vancouver to Jasper is not the cheapest and doesn’t always run on time, but it’s a great option if you don’t want to drive.

You can also get the Jasper to Vancouver train if you’ve flown to Calgary and then travelled on to Jasper.

National Park entrance fee

You need to pay for every day you spend in a National Park. You’ll pass a booth upon entering Jasper if you follow this itinerary. If you enter from a different way you can purchase a pass at a visitors’ centre. You must display this on your dashboard at all times.

If you’re spending 7 days in the National Parks and there are 2 or more of you then the best deal is to get the Group Parks Pass for $136.40.

Where to stay in Banff and Jasper

Hotels in Banff and Jasper are EXPENSIVE. Especially during the summer months when let’s face it, is probably when you’re going to want to go since the beautiful aqua lakes are covered under snow in winter and it’s bloody freezing.

I’ve listed a few suggestions for each stage of the journey below for camping, budget, mid-range and luxury options.

Hotels & Hostels in Banff & Jasper

Hostels are your best bet if you’re planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies on a budget.

Even then they’re not the cheapest and I don’t know about you but I don’t really fancy staying in a 28-person dormitory… I guess you’re not going to be spending too much time inside though!

If you do want to stay in hotels while you’re road-tripping through Banff and Jasper then check out Booking.com . They’re my go-to site whenever I’m beginning my hotel search for an upcoming trip.

To find cheaper hostels or hotels in Jasper and Banff, I’d recommend widening your search to include towns outside of the National Parks. This will mean you’re driving more in the morning and evenings but it might help you cut costs a little!

Some suggestions are Golden in BC and Canmore just outside of Banff.

Read more: Banff vs Canmore? Should you stay in Banff or Canmore ?

Camping in Banff and Jasper

Campsites in Banff and Jasper fill up super, super quick. Canadians love to camp and so do many people visiting these National Parks.

If you’re visiting in the summer months (June – August) then make sure you plan your trip about 3 months in advance to secure a camping spot.

You may get lucky and find a camping place at some campsites but usually, everything will be booked already, especially over weekends.

  • To book a campsite in BC use the BC Parks Reservation site
  • For campsite bookings in National Parks use the  Parks Canada Reservation Website
  • All bookings in Alberta (outside of national parks boundaries) can be made on the  Alberta Parks Reservation Website

Overflow camping in Banff and Jasper

Fortunately, there are other camping options in Banff and Jasper when the campsites are fully booked.

Banff, Jasper and the Ice Fields Parkway have overflow campsites.

They open only when the other campsites are full. At these, you are permitted to sleep inside your vehicle.

These are usually just car parks and so tents are not allowed with the exception of the Snaring Overflow in Jasper.

Take a look at this post for all the camping options in Banff and Jasper National Parks.

Please note: It is illegal to sleep overnight in your vehicle or camp outside of a designated camping spot. You will be asked to move and/or fined if found doing this.

This is for your own safety, the safety of the wildlife and the protection of the parks. You might be responsible and follow Leave No Trace Principles but that doesn’t mean everyone does. 

Itinerary for a 7-day road trip to Banff & Jasper from Vancouver

Use this itinerary for your Vancouver to Jasper, Banff to Vancouver road trip. It’s full of the best hikes and things to see so use it to put together your own Vancouver to Banff itinerary. There are posts about each place we visited which include more detail too.

This road trip from Vancouver to Banff and Jasper is a Canadian bucket list item and I’d highly recommend it!

Vancouver to Wells Gray Provincial Park

wells gray provincial park road trip

Whilst you could just go straight from Vancouver to Jasper (or Jasper to Vancouver if you’re coming from Calgary), it’s well worth making a stop at Wells Gray Provincial Park.

Wells Gray Provincial Park has been on my radar for quite a while. It’s known for its waterfalls or which there are 39 named (and plenty that aren’t!). It’s 5,250 square kilometres of alpine wilderness created by volcanoes and carved by glaciers.

We stopped by for just a few hours to check out two of the most well-known waterfalls; Helmecken and Spahats. These are both easy to drive to and require just a short walk from the parking lots.

Directions: From Vancouver take Hwy 1/Trans Canada to Hope and then switch to Route 5 North to Clearwater via Kamloops.

If you’re looking for a Vancouver and Banff itinerary scroll on down!

Where to stay in Wells Gray Provincial Park

  • Mid-range;  Highly recommended B&B inside Wells Gray

Wells Gray to Jasper

road trip to jasper and banff from vancouver

It wouldn’t be a Vancouver to Jasper road trip without this next stop. It’s time to hit your first National Park of the trip: Jasper!

On the journey from Wells Gray to Jasper, you’ll pass the border BC and Alberta and you’ll also need to remember to put your clocks one hour forward.

On the way to Jasper, you’ll also pass through Mt Robson Provincial Park.

We ended up driving through here in the dark so missed out on seeing Mt Robson (BC’s highest peak) but if you’re spending a little longer doing your road trip you might want to spend a day or two here.

Jasper Highlights

There are plenty of hikes and things to see and do in Jasper. I have a full post about everything we did in Jasper National Park and a few more additional suggestions here.

However, these are my top three suggestions for things to do on a road trip to Jasper.

Read about more of the best things to do in Jasper National Park

Pyramid Lake

pyramid lake jasper road trip

We loved Pyramid Lake and the backdrop of Pyramid Mountain. Go here early in the morning and take a stroll, hire a canoe or kayak if you plan to stay longer.

The Miette Hot Springs

The Miette Hot Springs are a little bit more like a swimming pool than these hot springs in BC but they’re a great place to relax after a busy day of exploring.

I’d recommend getting there mid-afternoon as by late afternoon/early evening there was a queue outside to get in.

There are two hot pools and then a couple of cold pools too. Towels and swimsuits can be rented there.

Canoeing/Kayaking on Maligne Lake

kayaking maligne lake jasper

Maligne Lake is pretty famous. There’s plenty of hiking to be done around the lake or you can hire a canoe or kayak and explore from the water.

If you’re really keen then plan a multi-day kayaking trip down to Spirit Island and back. Just bear in mind you’ll have to book this campsite about 3 months in advance.

Where to stay in Jasper

Check out my full guide to the best places to stay in Jasper.

  • Best budget accommodation in Jasper: HI Hostel Downtown Jasper
  • Best hotel in Jasper: Whistler’s Inn
  • Best luxury accommodations in Jasper National Park: Pyramid Lake Resort
  • Best place for camping in Jasper: Snaring Campground, Jasper
  • Best cabins in Jasper: Miette Mountain Cabin

Jasper to Icefields Parkway

road trip icefields parkway jasper and banff

Getting from Jasper to Banff means driving the incredible Icefields Parkway. The Jasper to Banff drive along the Icefields Parkway has to be one of the most scenic drives in the world.

Honestly, it’s so, so beautiful. You’re flanked by mountains on either side, lakes, glaciers and forests. Take your time and don’t rush this drive.

The distance from Banff to Jasper is 288km. The Jasper to Banff driving time is around 3.5 hours if you do it in one go, but you’ll want to stop and take in the sights so I recommend taking at least two days to explore the Icefields Parkway.

It’s slightly shorter from Jasper to Lake Louise (232km)  which is the next town you’ll come to. Take your time and enjoy the stretch of road between Jasper and Lake Louise.

There are a lot of places to stop along the way but here are my three highlights for your Icefields Parkway road trip.

Top things to do on the Icefields Parkway

There’s more to do than you first realise along the Icefields Parkway. From hiking to beautiful sites and learning about the glaciers, below are a few highlights!

Get the low-down on the best places to stop on the Icefields Parkway

The Athabasca Glacier

The Athabasca Glacier is probably something you’ve heard about before your road trip to Banff and Jasper . This massive glacier is still easy to see although it’s receded a lot over the years. Thom visited around 10 years ago and says there’s a noticeable difference.

Book a trip to get up close with the glacier here.

peyto lake jasper banff

Chances are you’ve seen plenty of photos of this lake. And yes, it really is that blue! The car park is always super busy here but you should be able to find a space somewhere.

From there is just a quick 10-minute walk on a gentle incline until you get to the viewing point for the lake.

Athabasca Falls

There are many waterfalls in Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Parks but the Athabasca Falls are up there with the most impressive.

Where to stay along the Icefields Parkway

There isn’t a whole lot of accommodation choice along the Icefields Parkway which is why camping, or hiring a camper van is such a good idea. However, I’ve picked out some of the best hotels between Banff and Jasper below that should help if you’re looking for where to stay between Banff and Jasper.

  • Camping: The overflow car park at the Icefields Centre. It’s just a car park but you’re allowed to overnight here in your vehicle and there are incredible views!
  • Hotels: Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge  | Glacier View Inn | The Crossing Resort

Lake Louise

lake louise banff

The Icefields Parkway finishes up in Lake Louise which was incredibly busy when we visited in early August. As the woman at the tourism office said it’s the place that’s on all the brochures for The Rockies and it’s a popular entrance point to Banff. It’s also an easy, though long, drive from both Vancouver to Lake Louise, and Calgary to Lake Louise.

If you’re visiting in the summer there are a few things you’ll need to know to make sure you have an enjoyable experience despite the insane amount of people and traffic. Take a look at this post to find out.

Despite how busy it is, the surrounding areas and the lake of Lake Louise can’t be missed.

Lake Louise to Banff then Yoho or Lake Louise and Yoho to Banff?

You’ll notice that Yoho National Park and Lake Louise are super close to each other (about 10-minute drive). Yoho National Park is in British Columbia and Lake Louise forms part of Banff in Alberta.

It’s up to you whether you decide to spend longer in Lake Louise and combine the below suggestions with those later on in this post with Yoho.

We crossed the border during our first day in Lake Louise to do a hike in Yoho. Then we spent a day exploring Yoho on our way back to Vancouver  after we’d been to Banff. The choice is yours!

Best things to do in Lake Louise

I’ve picked out the top few things you absolutely  can’t miss in Lake Louise.

For more things to do in Lake Louise & Banff take a look here. 

Visit Moraine Lake

moraine lake lakeshore hike trail

Despite the fact we had to wake up at 5.30am in order to get a parking space at Moraine Lake (and before they close the road to all traffic other than the shuttle bus), Moraine Lake was totally worth it. These days, you’ll have to get there even earlier!

The light at sunrise catches the top of the mountains and reflects in the water which is very pretty.

But perhaps the best thing about this was watching some guy try and cross the log pile too fast and fall splat on his face several times. He was fine but it was funny.

Take your time and realise that the reason there is a queue to cross over is that there are definitely easier logs to cross than others!

As of 2023, you can no longer drive to Moraine Lake . The only way to get to Moraine Lake for sunrise is to either take an expensive taxi, cycle the 25km round trip OR ride with the Moraine Lake Bus Company .

The Moraine Lake Bus Company is the only company offering sunrise shuttles to Moraine Lake. Prices start at $35 per adult and $25 per child and the shuttles run from 4 am (arriving at Moraine Lake at 4.35 am) to 6.20 pm.

If you want to see Moraine Lake at sunrise, this is definitely the most affordable way!

Book your tickets to Moraine Lake here.

Parks Canada also offer shuttle buses to Moraine Lake, but these don’t start until 6.30 am and so miss the sunrise.

See Lake Louise

Lake Louise is another gorgeous Lake that is flanked by the Fairmont Hotel and mountains. You can take a canoe out on the lake or just admire it from the shorelines.

If you’re visiting in summer be aware that the parking lot is usually full by 8 am.

Do some hikes around Lake Louise

Personally, I think the best way to see Lake Louise is to get up high! There are many popular hikes in this area with the busiest being the hike to the Agnes Lake Tea House.

If you do this hike then do it early! Not only will you avoid all the crowds on the trail but you’re also more likely to get a seat at the Tea House.

From here there are ways to extend your hike. You could take the Plain of the 6 Glaciers, climb up to Little and Big Beehive, or do a scramble to the top of Devil’s Thumb which is what we opted for.

Here are 14 of the best hikes to do in and around Lake Louise

Where to stay in Lake Louise

  • Camping: There’s an overflow car park where you can camp in your vehicle just outside of Lake Louise. It’s also the overflow car park for during the day when the lakes and town are full. If you’re organised, then book in advance here.

Lake Louise to Banff

black bear in jasper

Continue your Canadian Rockies tour from Vancouver by making the shortish drive from Lake Louise to Banff. There are two drives you can take down to Banff, there’s the TransCanada highway, or the more picturesque Bow Valley Parkway.

I’d recommend doing the Bow Valley Parkway at least one way. Even though it was super smokey in Banff when we visited and we pretty much couldn’t see anything, it’s just a nicer, calmer road to drive.

The Bow Valley Parkway is closed from March 1st to June 25th between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m . This is to ensure the area remains a safe and good environment for the wildlife there.

Top 3 for your Banff itinerary

Here are the top three things to do in Banff during your Banff and Vancouver trip. We didn’t end up doing the cable car ride due to the smoke, but the lakes and Johnston Canyon were beautiful despite the smoke and crowds!

You’ll see you’ll have a great holiday even if only doing the road trip from Vancouver to Banff and back.

Read this post for more things to do in Banff National Park! 

Visit Johnston Canyon

This canyon was absolutely packed when we visited. I’ve never had to queue up for 20 minutes to get a glimpse of a waterfall (and I hope I never have to again).

If you want to visit the canyon then be prepared for it to be super busy, or go early or late to get fewer crowds.

Having said that the canyon is a pretty area and the lower Banff falls , in particular, were a great colour.

Visit the lakes

two jack lake banff alberta

There are plenty of lakes in Banff. They might not be the same aqua blue as Lake Louise or Peyto Lake, but they’re pretty nonetheless. We spent a relaxing few hours on the shores of Lake Minnewanka and took the kayaks out on Two Jack Lake.

Take the Banff Gondola

4 day banff itinerary

This is something we didn’t do on our first visit to Banff since the mountains were covered in smoke and there wouldn’t have been a view.

However, when we did return, we rode up the gondola and got to enjoy the beautiful views up on Sulphur Mountain. I highly recommend adding the gondola, and these Banff activities , to your list of things to do in Banff!

You can book Banff sightseeing tickets incl. the gondola here.

Where to stay in Banff

  • Camping: Banff has some massive campsites. We got lucky and got a spot at Tunnel Mountain Village I just a week before our trip. I’m assuming this was because someone else had cancelled. The campsite is huge but your spot will still feel relatively private which is nice. Book all Banff campsites here .

Banff National Park to Yoho National Park

paget peak yoho national park

While you could go straight back from Banff to Vancouver, doing so means you miss out on the beautiful Yoho National Park.

For me, Yoho National Park was up there with Jasper for my favourite part of our week road trip in the Canadian Rockies. It’s definitely somewhere I’m planning to visit again.

It’s not a huge park but it’s full of peaks to tackle (we managed to tick off one!); 28 of them are over 3,000 metres in height!

Best things to do in Yoho National Park

Check out this longer list of the best things to do in Yoho National Park.

Takakkaw Falls

takakkaw falls yoho national park

Takakkaw Falls is about 15km off the main road in Yoho National Park. Its highest point is 380 metres which makes it the 2nd tallest waterfall in Canada. You can follow the path near the base of the waterfall and enjoy a cooling spray too.

Climb Paget Peak

This was the hike we did after we arrived in Lake Louise and found out there wasn’t hope in hell of getting a parking spot for the rest of the day.

So off we drove to Yoho (about 15 minutes) and took on Paget Peak!

There’s a fire lookout about 1 hour into this hike but the real fun comes from when you tackle scramble to the peak. Don’t be fooled by the false peak, you’ll be climbing for at least 1.5 hours more from the fire outlook!

Emerald Lake

emerald lake yoho national park british columbia

Another insta-famous spot in the Canadian Rockies is Emerald Lake. Again, this is a super busy spot but if you go for a walk around the lake then you’ll escape most of the crowds.

Where to stay in Yoho

Accommodation in Yoho is pretty scarce. Given that it’s so close to Lake Louise you might want to base yourself there or in Golden.

Yoho National Park to Vancouver

Upon leaving Yoho National Park it’s a pretty long drive back to Vancouver (about 8 hours). You just take the BC-5 S and Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 W all the way back!

If you’re looking for a way to break up the journey take a look below. This also works if you’re doing a Vancouver to Banff drive, or Banff to Vancouver and skipping Yoho (which I don’t think you should do!).

Where to stop between Yoho National Park and Vancouver

three valley gap bc

Golden is one of my favourite BC Mountain Towns . It’s got such a chilled-out vibe, great places to eat and it’s surrounded by such beautiful scenery.

It’s a great place to stay too if you’re looking for somewhere cheaper to stay near Banff or Yoho.

Glacier National Park

You’ll pass through Glacier National Park on the drive home. Again, we couldn’t see much on our first visit due to smoke but having returned, I can confirm it’s beautiful!

It has deep valleys, ancient forests and alpine meadows to explore.

Check out the Giant Cedars Boardwalk and Rogers Pass!

Mt. Revelstoke National Park

We’ve been through Revelstoke many a time now both in the winter and the summer. Nearby is Mt Revelstoke National Park which is incredible!

Mount Revelstoke is the only mountain in the national park system that you can summit just a short walk from your car! That’s an easy peak to bag!

Kamloops is great for outdoor lovers. There are trails for every level and the same goes for mountain biking.

If you fancy some lake time then head to one of the lakes nearby and enjoy swimming, kayaking, SUP boarding, waterskiing, or wakeboarding and some of the pretty Kamloops waterfalls.

For more details on the Vancouver to Kamloops drive, I’ve got a full road trip itinerary.

Hope, Chilliwack & The Fraser Valley

The Fraser Valley is a great place to stop either on the way to the Canadian Rockies or the way back. I’ve visited various places there over the year and a bit we’ve lived in Vancouver. I’d recommend checking out Chilliwack Lake and some of the breweries in Chilliwack, Jones Lake if you have a 4×4, and Bridal Veil Falls just east of Chilliwack.

Final thoughts on the drive from Vancouver to Banff

This Banff Vancouver road trip guide includes everything you need to know to plan a road trip Vancouver to Banff or the other way around.

This is one of the quintessential BC road trips with others being BC Hot Springs Circle Route in the east of the province, the Vancouver to Whistler drive on the Sea to Sky, and the Kamloops to Whistler stops via hwy 99.

Last Updated on June 21, 2023 by Hannah

hannah author bio

Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe , a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada , you’ll find posts on all of this.

Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.

Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.

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BanffandBeyond

The Canadian Rockies Through A Local Perspective

Driving Routes Between Vancouver And Banff And Jasper

The Vancouver Airport is the entry point for many international visitors arriving in Canada. If you have the time you can self drive from the west coast to the Rocky Mountains or vice versa. The best time to do the drive is in the summer or early fall. All the roads are paved and well maintained, but driving 850 kilometers and up and over several mountain passes is certainly not for everyone.

There are many different routes to take. The amount of time you have will likely determine which one you choose. There’s opportunities to visit interesting towns and scenic spots along the way. After doing some research you can decide what appeals to you and start planning your trip.

The drive between Vancouver and Banff or Jasper can technically be accomplished in one day, but it would be pointless to do it all in one stretch. At 8 to 10 hours of driving time it makes for a long and tiring day. This doesn’t allow for any time to enjoy the sights or spots of interest along the way. We recommend breaking up the drive with at least one overnight stop or more if you have time. Kamloops is not the most interesting town, but it’s a popular halfway point to find accommodation. For something a bit more scenic you can try the areas of Salmon Arm, Sicamous or Sorrento. Kelowna or Vernon are options if you are traveling through the Okanagan Valley.

Whatever driving route you choose between Vancouver and the Rockies it’s inevitable that you are going to pass through natural beauty. The main route to Banff along the Trans Canada Highway is incredibly scenic, it follows along several rivers and cuts through National Parks. In some places where it passes through small towns or rural areas it narrows down to only two lanes. At times you may question that you’re actually on the Trans Canada Highway.

If you have extra time you can go into the Okanagan Valley with its beautiful lakes and many wineries. There’s small and charming towns in the West Kootenays like Nelson, or tranquil areas like the Arrow lakes and Nakusp. Further south you can go through Osoyoos and Cranbrook, coming up through Radium Hot Springs and Kootenay National Park along the Banff-Windermere Parkway (Hwy 93S).

For all the routes listed below the time given is the average driving time, it doesn’t account for any stops for fuel, eating, sightseeing or rests. There can be delays due to heavy traffic, accidents and road construction. Keep in mind that when you drive west to east you lose an hour when the time changes near Golden, B.C. from Pacific Time (GMT+8) to Mountain Time (GMT+7). When traveling east to west you gain an hour.

Vancouver-Hope-Kamloops-Revelstoke-Golden-Banff, Using the Coquihalla Or Via The Fraser Canyon (9 to 10 hours)

This is the most common route between Vancouver and Banff or Calgary. You can do this drive by going entirely along the Trans Canada Highway #1. At Hope you continue northwards through the Fraser Canyon. This is a winding and slower traveled but scenic section of the highway. The other option is to take advantage of the Coquihalla Highway (BC-5N) to connect from Hope to Kamloops. It’s a faster freeway that goes straight over the mountains cutting off over an hour of driving time. With either choice the route goes through the scenic mountains at Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park, Revelstoke, Golden and Yoho National Park and then into Banff National Park.

Sights of Interests Along These Routes:

  • Othello Tunnels
  • Hells Gate Airtram, Spences Bridge, Cache Creek (along the Fraser Canyon route)
  • Shuswap Lake
  • Sicamous – stop at the famous Dutchman Dairy for icecream
  • Craigellachie – historic spot of the last spike driven for the Canadian Pacific Railway
  • Three Valley Gap – historic ghost town
  • Mount Revelstoke National Park – Meadows in the Sky Parkway and the Giant Cedars Interpretative Trail
  • Glacier National Park
  • Yoho Natonal Park – Emerald Lake , The Natural Bridge and Takkakaw Falls
  • Moraine Lake and Lake Louise

Alternative Driving Routes Between Vancouver and Banff

There are so many variations to get between the west coast and the mountains. If you are doing a return trip take a separate route for each direction to experience different scenery and towns.

Check out the Hello BC website for a 7 to 10 day long return driving route between Vancouver and the Rocky Mountains. It allows you to take in a bit of everything that areas have to offer. The Fraser Canyon, Kamloops and SunPeaks Resort, Clearwater and Wells Gray Park, Mount Robson, Jasper and the Icefields Parkway, Yoho National Park, Golden and Revelstoke.

Vancouver-Hope-Merrit-Kelowna-Vernon-Sicamous-Revelstoke-Banff (9.5 hours)

Instead of going through Kamloops this route takes you through the Okanagan Valley passing by beautiful large lakes and through areas dotted with fruit orchards and wineries. At Merrit you cut across to Kelowna and go through the Okanagan and Lake Country. Eventually you meet up with the Trans Canada Hwy at Sicamous and then continue east onto Banff. If you have time to do some exploring south of Kelowna you can check out places like Peachland, Summerland and Penticton.

Vancouver-Hope-Merrit-Kelowna-Vernon-Sicamous-Revelstoke-Banff 9.5 hours

Vancouver-Hope-Princeton-Osoyoos-Grand Forks-Castlegar-Cranbrook-Invermere-Radium Hot Springs-Banff (13.5 hours)

After traveling from Vancouver to Hope you can keep south following the Hope-Princeton Hwy #3 and continue through Manning Provincial Park and onward to Osoyoos. Osoyoos is an area of fruit orchards and wineries. From Osoyoos continue to Grand Forks and Castlegar and to the charming town of Invermere. Then head north on the Banff-Windermere Parkway (Hwy 93S) that cuts through Kootenay National Park. Make a stop at Radium Hot Springs to soak in the mineral pools or enjoy one of the many scenic hikes in places such as the Marble Canyon or to the Paint Pots. The route along Hwy 93 ends where it intersects with the Trans Canada Hwy near Castle Junction, halfway between Lake Louise and Banff.

Vancouver-Hope-Princeton-Osoyoos-Cranbrook-Invermere-Radium Hot Springs-Banff (13.5 hours)

Vancouver-Hope-Princeton-Osoyoos-Penticton-Kelowna-Sicamous-Revelstoke-Banff (12 hours)

This route take you along the Hope-Princeton Highway #3 through Manning Provincial Park and gives you a great taste of the Okanagan Valley going through a fertile area with hundreds of wineries and fruit farms. Osoyoos boasts the warmest fresh water lake in Canada, the sandy beaches make it perfect for swimming. It’s also Canada’s only arid desert with rare plants and animals not found anywhere else in the country. The towns of Peachland and Summerland are beautiful areas for hiking and biking.

Vancouver-Hope-Osoyoos-Castlegar-Nakusp-Revelstoke-Banff (15 hours)

At Castlegar another option is to head north through the West Kootenays to the beautiful and tranquil area of Arrow Lakes and Nakusp. Take a small side trip to the charming and artsy town of Nelson.

Vancouver To Jasper Route Options

Vancouver-hope-kamloops-clearwater-valemont-jasper (8.5 to 9.5).

You have the option of driving from Vancouver to Jasper reaching Kamloops by either the shorter Coquihalla route or by staying on Hwy 1 and going through the Fraser Canyon. From Kamloops head north on Highway 5 and then east on Highway 16 to Jasper. From Jasper take the scenic Icefields Parkway Hwy 95N to Lake Louise and onto Banff. Driving from Vancouver to Jasper on this route will be approximately 8.5 to 9.5 hours via the Fraser Canyon. From Jasper to Banff along the Icefields Parkway is another 3.5 to 4 hours depending on the traffic. Between Kamloops and Jasper a popular stop is Wells Grey Provincial Park and Helmcken Falls with an overnight in Clearwater. Stop at Mount Robson Park to see the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies before heading into Jasper.

Vancouver-Hope-Kamloops-Clearwater-Valemont-Jasper 8.5 to 9.5 hours

Vancouver-Hope-Cache Creek-Clinton-Lone Bute-Little Fort-Clearwater-Jasper (10 hours)

Instead of heading to Kamloops from Cache Creek this route continues north to Clinton and Lone Bute and then cuts across Hwy 24 to Little Fort where you continue on to Clearwater and Jasper.

Vancovuer-Whistler-Pemberton-Lillooet (Hwy 99) to interior that connects to Hwy 97 at Hat Creek north of Cache Creek-Jasper (10.5 hours)

If you have time you can add Whistler to your itinerary. Many visitors coming from places such as the U.K. and Australia want to go to Whistler because it’s been very effectively marketed to them. We don’t suggest making a special trip to the west coast just to see Whistler. If you are heading to the coast anyways and have lots of time then by all means add it to your plans. We think time would be better spent on beautiful Vancouver Island in the charming city of Victoria or the beautiful and the rugged and beautiful west coast of the island near Tofino. Make a stop to see the towering trees of the old growth forest of Catherdral Grove along the way.

If you’re short on time we don’t recommend giving up days in the Rocky Mountains for Whistler. Whistler is a pretty area but it just can’t compare to the Rockies.

Vancouver-Whistler-Pemberton-Lillooet (Hwy 99) to the interior that connects to Hwy 97 at Hat Creek north of Cache Creek, then Hwy 1 to Kamloops, Hwy 5 and then Hwy 16 to Jasper.

Which Route Is Best?

With so many choices how can you figure out which route to take? There’s not really a best route. If time is short just follow the Trans Canada Highway. You don’t have to worry about losing out on beautiful scenery and it’s the most convenient option. We’ve only taken the route branching off from Kamloops to go to Jasper once. It’s scenic, but we found it to be somewhat anti-climatic compared to taking the Trans Canada Highway. The one exception would be the view of Mount Robson when traveling east between Kamloops and Jasper as seen below.

However, if traveling on the route from Kamloops to Jasper or vice versa is going to be the only way you have time to travel along the Icefields Parkway that runs between Jasper and Lake Louise then do it. Missing out on the stunning scenery and attractions along the Icefields Parkway would be a shame.

Our usual route is the Vancouver-Hope-Merrit-Kelowna-Vernon-Sicamous-Revelstoke-Banff.  We have driven this numerous times in both directions. We love the scenery along the large lakes in the Okanagan Valley (Kelowna, Vernon, etc.)

Another route we have enjoyed is Vancouver-Hope-Osoyoos-Castlegar-Nakusp-Revelstoke-Banff. You need to have enough time as it takes up to 15 hours of driving. We like spending time in the town of Osoyoos (a wine lovers dream) and around the beautiful area of Nakusp. It’s worth adding more time on to do a bit of a side trip to the artsy town of Nelson. There’s just too much to see!

Which Direction Is Best, East To West Or West To East?

We feel traveling from Vancouver heading east along the Trans Canada Highway #1 is the most exciting way to drive. This is especially true if you have never seen the Rocky Mountains or large mountains in general. The drive is full of anticipation as you gain elevation along the route and start to get closer to the Rockies.

If you start in Calgary or Banff and drive westward you still see the spectacular mountain scenery but the drive becomes subdued after you are through the bulk of the mountains and head down in elevation towards sea level and Vancouver. The exception to driving west from Calgary as you approach Canmore and Banff is the awe inspiring moment when the flatness suddenly gives way to a magnificent backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. We’ve lived around mountains are entire life and it takes our breath away. As you get closer to Canmore it gets more intense as the mountains are right in front of you and then you realize the highway is about to go right through them!

Tools For Planning Your Route

Here’s a list of great resources for planning your trip. On many of the sites you can drag different highlighted routes along the map to get distances and average driving times. There’s also web cams that will give you an idea of what the roads look like and their current conditions.

  • AMA Road Reports
  • TransCanada Highway
  • Google Maps

Winter Options

It’s not advisable to go through the mountains from November through March unless you are experienced and skilled in winter driving. Snowstorms can occur through April and even into the month of May on high elevation roads and mountain passes. October is also a transitional month where the weather can range from sunny and beautiful to extremely poor.

The best option in the winter is to fly directly into Calgary or take a short flight from Vancouver to Calgary. It’s easy to visit the Rocky Mountains from there, Banff is just 1.5 hours west.

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The Ultimate Vancouver to Banff Road Trip: An Epic Drive through Alberta and BC

last Updated: March 7, 2024 banff canada road trip vancouver whistler

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Planning a Canadian road trip and heading from Vancouver to Banff? Smart choice – it’s an absolutely stunning drive! But don’t even think about making the long trek without stopping, there’s just too much to see (cue all the waterfalls, mountain ranges, and waterfront parks).

Continue reading for recommended stops on any Vancouver to Banff road trip, as well as what to do (plenty), what to eat (lots), and where to stay (tons of options).

Psst – you may wanna grab a pen and take some notes: this is a long post we’re about to dive into!

Ohhh, Canada, and the Rockies in general (no, I won’t start singing the national anthem). I’ve been to this part of the country quite a few times now in the last 2 years (4 to be exact), and I have to say, British Columbia and Alberta are places I can see myself heading back to for years to come.

I’m usually all about that “new-place, new-experience” mindset, but Canada keeps calling me back. And I’m a-okay with that.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

I took a 2 week road trip throughout the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta not too long ago, and whoa. WHOA. I had seen a few photos of this area on Insta and Pinterest before (okay, who am I kidding, I’ve basically stalked Explore Canada’s feeds for ages), but was not expecting what I saw firsthand.

So much raw beauty it was un-f***king-believable. I swear, every day was better than the last, and I left with a newfound appreciation (and unsatiated lust) for my neighbor up north. 

Planning other travels in Canada? Check out my top recs in Montreal ( summer and winter ), Fernie (summer), Vancouver , Toronto (winter), and Niagara Falls .

If you follow this Vancouver to Banff road trip itinerary, I can promise that you’ll discover more rugged natural beauty, towering trees, glistening glacial lakes, and tasty treats (hellooooo Nanaimo bars) than you thought possible along the way.

This trip to the Canadian Rockies will have you wondering why you haven’t explored the region before, and you’ll quickly see why! 

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Over the course of the road trip, expect to drive approximately 12 hours (one way) and around 600 miles (or 950 km – and yes, they use km in Canada!).

In order to drive from Vancouver to Banff in a reasonable amount of time and still do all the things (besides just drive), you’ll want to allocate at least a week for this trip, preferably a bit longer (10 days would be absolutely ideal so you don’t have to rush around like a madman).

If you have any long hikes on your wish-list, you may want to plan a few extra days into your itinerary so you don’t miss the top tourist sites as well. And thankfully, there’s only a few bouts of driving longer than a few hours, as many of the stops are relatively close to each other. 

→ Check out my road trip packing guide for must-have items and other handy tips and tricks (helpful even if you’re an experienced road tripper, promise!)

Overview of this Vancouver to Banff Drive

Estimated Driving Time (scenic route): 12 hours

* Note that you can drive directly from Vancouver to Banff in a mere 9 ½ hours (okay, so it’s actually not much shorter time wise), but what’s the fun in that?! May as well spend a few extra days exploring on the road. 

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

  • Stop 1: Vancouver
  • Stop 2: Squamish 
  • Stop 3: Whistler 

Stop 4: Kamloops 

  • Stop 5: Glacier National Park of Canada 
  • Stop 6: Golden 
  • Stop 7: Emerald Lake
  • Stop 8: Lake Louise 
  • Stop 9: Banff 

Getting to Vancouver

First things first, if you’re not a resident of Vancouver, you’ll of course need to get yourself there! Since Vancouver International Airport (airport code VYR) is a major international airport, (it’s actually the second busiest airport in Canada), you can easily find cheap airfare within the states, especially from the West Coast.

Coming from SFO, I can typically find flights for as little as $250 (roundtrip), dependent on the time of year and how much flexibility I’ve got of course. 

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

I swear by Skyscanner and Google Flights whenever searching for airline tickets, and more often times than not, find the cheapest prices on one of them. The ability to track prices (and get email notifications whenever there’s a price drop) is top notch and one of my favorite features. Take advantage of Skyscanner , you guys!

If you’ll be following this Vancouver to Banff itinerary and heading east (without driving the direct 9+ hours back to Vancouver), you’ll want to book two one-way tickets. 1) HOME → YVR (Vancouver), 2) YYC (Calgary) → HOME.

Make sure to search for one-way flights when booking tickets. ? They’re not always more expensive compared to roundtrip as many think, and I frequently choose this option when it saves me a great deal of time (especially helpful for us folks who have full-time jobs and all).

Renting a Car

Since this is in fact a road trip , you’ll need a vehicle to get you from place to place! Worth mentioning so you don’t forget to account for the cost of a rental car when following this Vancouver to Banff drive! I like to search via this site in order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price. 

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Note that many rental car shops charge extra for returning their cars at different pick up/drop off locations – just something to keep in mind (worth the extra cost to me – I would rather pay an extra fee than drive an extra 9+ hours (with gas!), plus the cost of a possible hotel on the way back depending how you time your trip).

And if you’re thinking of driving roundtrip, consider stopping at a few places en route to Banff, and save the rest for the way back to Vancouver. Basically, break it up so you’re not seeing all the things on the way to Banff, and then nothing on the boring ride home.

Do note that many car rentals in Canada require proof of insurance. My credit card includes car rental insurance, so I book with that and it’s automatically covered. Be prepared to show proof, or pay up for the over priced insurance through the car rental agency once you get there.

→ Search for the best car rental prices here . I bet you’ll find a great deal! We saved over $100 on our last rental just by quickly using this site.

When to Take this Vancouver to Banff road trip: 

This post assumes you’ll be driving during the warm summer months of June-September, although anytime between April and October will do. 

Summer (June-September) in the Rockies and this part of Canada in general is absolutely glorious. It doesn’t get ridiculously sweltering like it does in parts of the states, with a good amount of cool nights and fresh mornings. I took this trip in July (and then re-visited Banff/Jasper again the following year in mid-August), and the temps were just right. 

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Do note that the summer months of June-August are the most popular, and therefore the most crowded, but well worth it to have the greatest chance of picture-perfect weather.

There will still be snow on the ground in some parts (especially in the mountains of Whistler), and as you veer away from July/August it’ll be cooler. Plan to take a jacket or two during summer as it gets quite chilly at night and in the early morning.

October through March will be cold and rainy/snowy throughout much of both BC and Alberta. While Banff in winter is absolutely gorgeous, unless you’re a super experienced driver or absolutely die-hard love the snow, I wouldn’t suggest driving from Vancouver to Banff in the dead of winter.

If you’re set on visiting the area then, I highly recommend just flying from Vancouver to Calgary and making the 1.5 hour drive to Banff. Alternatively, there are 2-day sleeper trains that go directly from Vancouver to Banff, if you’d rather stare out the window admiring the snowy flakes instead of missing out on them from above. 

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

However, do note that the drive is possible as long as you use caution (the Trans-Canada highway is as good as it’s gonna get), but you can never predict the winter weather (which may cause driving to be difficult/unsafe).

Always use caution when planning to drive in the winter months, and stock up on necessities (water, extra tire, etc) just in case you somehow get stranded on the road (highways shut down/flat tire/etc).

Where to Stay Along the Drive from Vancouver to Banff:

If you’re following all the stops on this Vancouver to Banff road trip itinerary, you’ll want to make hotel reservations in advance, especially if you’re visiting from May to October.

We 99.99% book accommodations beforehand (minus that one time we booked day of during our cross-country road trip ), and this is one of those trips where I feel it’s necessary to get everything squared away early on during planning.

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

It should be noted that hotels book up exceptionally fast in the Lake Louise/Banff/Jasper area, so if you’re planning on spending the night over in those parts, plan to book at least a few months out.

When we were finally ready to finalize accommodation in Banff and Jasper, a lot had already been sold out and we didn’t have much to choose from. Plan (and book) early to get the greatest flexibility when it comes to accommodation, in terms of budget and location.

For a 10-day road trip, I recommend staying in the following areas with preferable number of nights: 

  • Vancouver (2 nights)
  • Squamish (1 night)
  • Whistler (2 nights)
  • Kamloops or Golden (1 night)
  • Lake Louise (2 nights)
  • Banff (2 nights)

And if you’ve got an extra two days or so, head up north via the Icefields Parkway en route to Jasper! I mean, if you’re already all the way over here, it’d just be plain silly to miss out on these two stunning additions.

If you have your heart set on visiting Jasper as well, it may make sense to book a flight home out of Edmonton, just FYI, as it’s closer to Jasper than driving back to Calgary or Vancouver.

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

Enough jibber jabber! Now let’s get this Vancouver to Banff road trip under way!

The Complete Vancouver to Banff Road Trip Itinerary

*Note that distances are approximate only. If you’re visiting in the busy summer months, expect some traffic. And if you’re visiting in the winter, you’ll need to account for unfavorable weather and possible road closures.

It’s wise to start your mornings early to not only beat some traffic, but to arrive at destinations before the intense crowds start to take over the place. Plan to begin any long hikes early on in the day as it gets extremely hot once the summer sun gets high in the sky!

Stop #1: Start in Vancouver

Vancouver to Banff trip officially begins! | Stay 2-3 days

Get ready, because this west coast seaport city is your starting point for your entire Vancouver to Banff road trip! And depending on whether you live in Vancouver or not (which I’m most likely guessing not), you’ll want to make sure to spend a few days in the area before setting off for Banff! 

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

First things first – Vancouver is absolutely gorgeous (as you’ll see with the bulk of the stops on this itinerary). Let’s just say, despite Vancouver being a city and all, you’ll never feel deprived of nature – it’s got snow-capped mountains to the north and that deep blue Pacific Ocean to its left.

It’s beauty has even made it on multiple “Most Beautiful Cities of the World” – including Forbes and Buzzfeed. And all that nature just gives way for tons of outdoor recreational activities – from skiing and snow sports in the winter to kayaking, hiking, camping, and biking most months outta the year. 

Besides getting into nature (green space within the city included), Vancouver’s got a thriving art, theatre, and music scene, some of the freshest seafood you’ll find around (salmon lovers won’t leave hungry), and a local fave – BC Bud (yup, apparently marijuana is a big thing here). 

With two days in Vancouver, you can easily fit in these activities:

Stanley Park: Now here’s a public park you shouldn’t miss (along with it’s 8 million annual visitors). Since the park covers a great deal of land (I mean, it is over 1,000 acres), plan to rent a bike so you can really see all it has to offer. Lovely beaches, miles of trails, ever-blooming gardens, and even a pool and an aquarium.

Many bike the Stanley Park Seawalls, a 10km seawall loop around the park, which passes by Coal Harbour, Siwash Rock, Brockton Point, Lumberman’s Arch, the Totem Poles (don’t miss these), and much more.

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

Hit up the Beach : Betcha didn’t realize that Vancouver is actually a city full of beaches. There’s swimming at English Bay within Stanley Park, volleyball and a heated outdoor pool at Kitsilano Beach (known as Kits Beach to locals), and tennis, volleyball, and fishing at Jericho Beach.

Locarno’s quite quiet, Second Beach boasts an outdoor pool (like Kits), while Third Beach is great for sunset barbecues. Do note that the ocean water stays rather chilly around 60F (yes, even in summer), so don’t count on swimming for long. Steer clear of Wreck Beach if nudes aren’t your thing – it’s Canada’s first (legal) clothing-optional beach!

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

Check out the Waterfront/Canada Place : Sure, Canada Place is technically a convention center, but one visit will prove way more than a hotel and ferry terminal. Built to look like a ship, you’ll find sweeping views of the Vancouver Harbour as well as tons of restaurants, shops, and bars.

Stop by the Digital Orca, a lego-ized sculpture of a killer whale located right next to the Vancouver Convention Centre for some fun photos.

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

Grouse Mountain : Grab your hiking boots, because we’re going hiking! This vast alpine playground is just 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver, and is the perfect place to get in your steps (it ain’t called “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster” for nothing)!

The Grouse Grind has a steep grade and tons of elevation gain (2,800 feet!!!), making for an intense 90-minute morning trek.

But once at the top, be prepared for stunning panoramic views of the area below – including the Pacific Ocean, Gulf Islands, the city of Vancouver, neighboring mountain peaks, and nearby inlets and bays. Thankfully, if you don’t want your thighs to hate you, there’s a gondola which takes visitors up the mountain wilderness, offering the same views as the grueling hike.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park : Get high above the treetops, and you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the rainforest and canyon below. Included in the price of admission is three, heart-wrenching activities: the world-famous Capilano Suspension Bridge (spanning over the Capilano River), 7 bridges of Treetops Adventure, and the thrilling Cliffwalk (sitting 700ft above the granite cliffside).

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

P.S. If the descriptions didn’t give it away, this may not be the best place for those with a fear of heights. Despite being one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vancouver, I honestly found it a bit underwhelming and theme-park like.

The gals I were with loved it; pretty sure it has something to do with having redwoods and other larger-than-life trees right near me in The Bay Area of California .

Do note that it gets rather crowded, which may unfortunately distract from enjoying the nature and grounds.

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

Granville Island: This old industrial district has been transformed into a little oasis of unique shops (think brooms and artisanal chocolate) and restaurants. There’s also the Granville Island Brewing Company (cold beer, anyone?), a distillery, a sake house, and a fabulous indoor market filled with treats for lunch or for later on in the trip.

You’ll find a tour through Granville Market to be one of the most authentic ways to experience Vancouver.  Plus, who doesn’t love fresh, local, seasonal produce? I visited the market but was completely overwhelmed and really wish I had hopped on a quick tour to actually learn about the area.

And no, Granville’s not technically an island, but a little patch of land poking out into the inlet (which makes it, in fact, a peninsula). 

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

Gastown: This lively neighborhood in Vancouver, full of cobblestoned streets, beautiful Victorian buildings, and dramatic ocean views would be worth the visit even without the myriad of fantastic coffee bars, indie art galleries, and hip eateries.

Besides checking out the whistling Steam Clock (yup, don’t miss this quirky attraction right on the street), spend an afternoon walking along Water Street.

You’ll want to loop around and walk back up Cordova Street, stopping off at Blood Alley for some tacos or L’Abattoir for a fancy feed. If you’re in the mood for some food, hop on a Gastown food walking tour for some of the best delights in the area! 

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

→ Read Next: Top Things to do in Vancouver

A few other things Vancouver’s got going for it: 

  • That sweet, sweet fresh mountain (and ocean, and forest, and beach) air. Vancouver’s surrounded by mountains and located practically next to the sea. You definitely won’t be missing nature, that’s for sure!
  • You can walk almost everywhere in Vancouver! There’s no freeways, which must mean it’s quite compact, right? Psst – no need to rent a car just yet! Biking is the way to go around these parts. However, do note if you wanna get to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, you’ll need to catch a bus or taxi (Uber’s banned in Vancouver, just FYI), as it’s not within walking distance in the least bit. 
  • Vancouver as a whole is regarded as a very safe city. Just be aware of petty crime – it’s unfortunately quite the problem in Vancouver (surprisingly, since this is Canada we’re talking about).
  • Vancouver’s actually one of Canada’s most ethnically diverse cities, which I love considering the fact that I grew up right outside of New York City and worked in Harlem for a bunch of years. 

So basically, yeah, Vancouver is kinda awesome. You just might not wanna leave (but then you’ll miss out on all the beauty in Banff – and that’s my absolute favorite place in all of Canada – so keep moving!).

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

Where to Stay in Vancouver: There are quite a few neighborhoods in Vancouver and it can get overwhelming to say the least. I recommend staying in Downtown Vancouver (in either Gastown/Chinatown, Yaletown, or along the Waterfront) at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver , Rosewood Hotel Georgia , L’Hermitage Hotel , or Wedgewood Hotel and Spa .

Stop #2: Squamish 

TOTAL DRIVE TIME: 1 hour from Vancouver | Stay 1-2 full days, dependent on desired hikes

*As you make your way from Vancouver to Whistler, you’ll be driving on the awe-inspiring Sea-to-Sky Highway (officially known as BC Highway 99). “Sea” for Vancouver’s location next to the ocean, and “Sky” for the grandiose height of the Pemberton mountains a bit north of Whistler.

The route through Squamish I’m suggesting is just this, so you won’t miss any of the sites! And while the stops I’m suggesting are the most popular, feel free to explore further if you just can’t part with the views (although the whole trip will be filled with ‘em, you’ll see).

Be sure to make a few stops, favorites being Porteau Cove Provincial Park for it’s stunning blue views, Shannon Falls Provincial Park (to witness this 335 meter waterfall), and the ever-so-popular Sea to Sky Gondola.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

You’ve gotta head north anyways, so you may as well make a stop at Squamish, better known as Canada’s outdoor adventure capital! It’s an absolute mecca for rock climbers, mountain bikers, and kite surfers, with white water rafting, paddle boarding, kayaking, and windsurfing available as well.

Hikers will find tons of famous, awe-inspiring trails, leading to turquoise-colored, glacier-fed lakes and through flower-filled meadows. But if you’re not a professional athlete (I sure ain’t one), don’t fret – there’s still a bunch to do for us not-as-physically-gifted common folks.

This authentic West Coast mountain town, built around mining and forestry, features farm to table dining, sidewalk cafes, and even driftwood beaches.

Sea to Sky Gondola : If there’s just one thing you do on your drive from Vancouver to Whistler, make it be this one. This dramatic gondola over the Howe Sound is as stunning as it sounds – views from both the gondola and lookout platforms are incredible.

Over the course of the 12-minute ride, the spectacular views gradually unfold, and don’t stop once you arrive at the summit! Besides the snow-capped mountains and ocean inlets to photograph, you’ll also find some great walks starting at the summit, a rocky (yet perfectly safe) suspension bridge, and a cafe/restaurant.

Shannon Falls Provincial Park: As the 3rd largest waterfall in British Columbia, and towering above Howe Sound at 335m, Shannon Falls is one of the most popular sights on the Sea-to-Sky Highway.

And since it’s only a 15-20 minute walk to reach the falls (along the Shannon Falls trails) from the parking lot, this provincial park is well worth the short stop on your Vancouver to Banff drive.

Please, oh please, if you’re heading near/in the water, be extra careful over there – a few vloggers were swept to their deaths not too long ago. We only hiked to to the viewpoint and didn’t make it in the water, but I heard the slick rocks closer to the falls make this pretty dangerous. Use your judgement and never risk your life for a photo/video. Just please.

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

Mount Garibaldi and Garibaldi Lake: Seen from so many vantage points in the area, this massive (still-active) volcano is monstrously huge (with peaks up to 8786 feet high), with Garibaldi Lake below.

If you wanna get in a long hike, check out Panorama Ridge, a 28.3km (18 mile) heavily trafficked loop trail, complete with a stunning turquoise lake, deep forests, idyllic streams, and flower-filled meadows.

You’ll definitely need to account an entire day (or longer) for this trek, as many choose to camp out along the way since it takes between 9-12 hours (making for an exceptionally long day hike). But those pristine views of Garibaldi Lake are well-worth the exhausting effort.

But thankfully, if you’re not up for a super-strenuous day, you can still get great views of Mount Garibaldi from elsewhere, such as Brandywine Meadows high up in the mountains.

Hike The Chief: Not up for a multi-day hike, but still wanna get your legs moving? The Stawamus Chief hiking route, a classic hike in the Squamish area, may be just what you’re looking for.

It’s still considered an intermediate hike (just wait for those challenging uphill sections), taking roughly 90 minutes or so to reach Peak 1 (with an elevation gain of 500m), and slightly longer/higher to reach the other two peaks. And you can even begin this trek right off the Sea to Sky Highway.

Breweries : Beer lovers, you’re in luck – Squamish is full of local craft beer, with its trio of local breweries (affectionately dubbed the Squamish Ale Trail): Howe Sound Brewing, A-Frame Brewing, and Backcountry Brewing. You’ll find brewpubs, rustic tasting rooms, and a large range of beers, and on-site pizza, in addition to two cideries and a spirit distillery in town as well. 

Where to Stay in Squamish: You’ll find accommodation of all shapes and sizes in Squamish, from charming riverside cabins and budget-friendly motels to fully equipped suites and luxurious hotels.

My top picks include:

  • Sea to Sky Hotel (with a great view of Mount Garibaldi)
  • Sandman Hotel & Suites (conveniently located right off the highway)
  • Mountain Retreat (for a bit of log-cabin romance alongside the picturesque Howe Sound).

Stop #3: Whistler

TOTAL DRIVE TIME: 45 minutes from Squamish | Stay 2-3 Days

Whistler is mostly known to be a winter destination, having one of the largest ski resorts in all of North America (and that my friends, is the famous Whistler Blackcomb). And although it’s claim to fame is it’s freezing winter months, I ended up visiting Whistler during the summer, and still found enough activities to fill two entire days.

If you’ve only allotted one day in this mountain town when driving from Vancouver to Banff, do the following: head up the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, go for a short trek (the Train Wreck Hike or Snow Walls have my vote), and go for a little stroll around Whistler Village (ice cream from COWS in hand).

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

However, with two-three days in Whistler, you can easily do all the activities below if you plan properly. Pick and choose your favorites if you’ve got less time.

Wander around Whistler Village : Nestled at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, Whistler Village has a sort of European charm that you’ll instantly feel after only spending a few hours in the area. It’s compact, super pedestrian friendly, and full of cute chalets.

And trust me, it’s one of the most authentic alpine villages you’ll ever visit with stone walkways, little bridges, lots of nature, and tons of shops, restaurants, bars, and activities.

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

Peak 2 Peak Gondola : The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola (which links the side-by-side mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb) provides an awe-inspiring scenic experience in Canada’s coastal mountains. We’re talking views for days ( and days and days and days ).

It was one of my favorite activities during my few days in Whistler (although, surprise, surprise – I kinda enjoyed everything we did).  And if you’re really feeling it (and don’t mind shelling out a few more bucks), you can ride the special silver glass-bottom gondola ( hello tree tops and valleys and glaciers and mountains). 

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

Note that a ticket on the PEAK 2 PEAK gondola not only gives you a birds eye view of all that impressive nature stuff below you, but provides access to all the mountain attractions in one day (snow walls, dining on the rooftop, numerous hikes, etc).

You may even see (or hear) a marmot, a stocky creature commonly found sunning themselves on nearby rocks (sounds like my kinda afternoon).

Whistler ziplining : If (literally) flying through the forest sounds like your idea of fun, you’ve gotta book yourself on a zipline tour in Whistler.

Be one with nature and soar over ancient, lush rainforests, spectacular creeks and through majestic old-growth trees on plenty of lines (including The Sasquatch, which just so happens to be North America’s longest zipline #truestory).

I’ve ziplined in Belize and Croatia as well, and always love the adrenaline rush of zipping above the trees (while being strapped in the harness of course).

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

Go Inukshuk hunting : Inuk what?! That was exactly my question when I first heard of them. I quickly learned that inukshuk are structures of rough stones stacked in the form of human figures, used traditionally by the Inuit people. Today, they are known as symbols of hope and friendship.

Psst – they won’t be hard to find (we found inukshuks almost everywhere we went in Whistler).

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

Train Wreck Hike : Ever thought you’d be trekking to old derailed train cars scattered next to the Cheakamus River? Yeah, neither did I, until a few friends coaxed me into getting my fitness on one morning (good thing, because I was throwing back a few too many nanaimo bars).

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

And being only 3 miles roundtrip on mostly flat terrain with only a handful of hilly sections, there’s a reason this trek is a long-time favorite among hikers and mountain bikers.

Once we got there, we couldn’t stop taking photos of the cars, climbing on the cars, exploring the graffitied cars, and walking around/under/over the seven train cars.

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

Hike the snow walls on Pika’s Traverse: Imagine walking between two giant walls of piled-high snow over 10 feet high. Yup, it’s possible on Whistler Peak. Do note that a walk between the snow walls is only possible select months of the year, particularly in early summer, once the previous winter snow has started to melt.

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

I honestly didn’t know what to expect, and wow, it’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Psst – this short(ish) trek is relatively easy on flat land, and will take roughly 60-90 minutes. You’ll need to take the gondola up Whistler Mountain to find Pika’s Traverse and the labyrinth of snow walls. A must stop on any Vancouver to Banff drive!

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

Brandywine Falls Provincial Park: One last thing not to miss – another waterfall (I mean, this is the place for it). And thankfully, this one’s as easy as it gets – you can reach the viewing platform (which overlooks those spectacular 70meter high falls) in a mere 15 minutes from the parking lot. On flat terrain I might add – aka no climbing!

Where to Stay in Whistler : While there’s lots of choice in the area, I recommend staying directly in Whistler Village, the main hub with access to lifts, a great variety of restaurants, shopping, and oh so excellent people watching along the Village pathway (pedestrian only). 

Check out Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside (with a prime location at the base of Whistler mountain), Summit Lodge Boutique (who can say no to a hot tub for a great value!?), and the Pinnacle Hotel Whistler (affordable luxury).

TOTAL DRIVE TIME: 4 hours from Whistler | Stay: 1 day (including morning drive from Whistler)

Today’s a bit of a longer drive, so either get out early and start making your way to Kamloops, or spend some extra time in Whistler and choose to spend the second half of the day on the road.

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

I mean, you could technically skip Kamloops and drive the 7 hours straight to Glacier, but if you’ve got time, might as well stop, at least to stretch your legs and throw back a glass of wine (or two).

And hey, the locals of Kamloops are known as “The friendliest in BC”, so you’re bound to run into a good time or two.

Speaking of vino, Kamloops boasts BC’s newest wine region, with a handful of vineyards and wineries along the Kamloops Wine Trail. It’s nowhere near as large as Napa, but its emerging –  so expect new tours among the grapes to be popping up every year. Lots of tastings available in this little city, so be sure to come thirsty.  

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

Kamloops is not as well known as it’s neighboring cities of Whistler and Glacier National Park of Canada, but it’s worth a stop as it’s surroundings aren’t any less stunning. As you’ll see on this Vancouver to Banff road trip that basically all of Canada is just as impressive as your last stop, even the places you’ve never heard of.

*I don’t recommend spending the night in Kamloops, unless there’s a dire need for it. Not to say that it’s unsafe or anything, but you won’t find too much to do in terms of nightlife. I suggest making your way over to Glacier, stopping for a quick bit, then spending the night in Golden.

Stop #5: Glacier National Park of Canada

TOTAL DRIVE TIME: 3 hours from Kamloops | Stay for afternoon at Rogers Pass, longer for hiking

Don’t let its name confuse you; Glacier National Park has no affiliation with its name twin over in Montana. But yes, it’s still rich in natural wonders and steeped in history like you’d expect.

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

Although Glacier National Park of Canada doesn’t have the same fame of Banff or Jasper, it’s still worthy of a quick visit (and less crowded to boot)!

Don’t miss Rogers Pass (a mountain pass with history exhibits), hiking to the toe of Illecillewaet Glacier (you’ll need more than a quick visit for this), checking out 360 degree views from Glacier Circle, and taking a 1-hour stroll on the short yet streep trail down to Bear Creek Falls.

For full transparency, we just made a super quick stop here, getting out to stretch our legs and learn a bit of history at Rogers Pass.

Vancouver to Banff Drive: scenic stops along the way

Stop #6: Golden

TOTAL DRIVE TIME: 40 minutes from Glacier NP | Stay 1 night and 1 day

The friendly mountain town of Golden, surrounded by mountain ranges and historic rivers, is a great place to break up the drive from Kamloops and Yoho National Park. You won’t find many accommodation options in Glacier National Park, so may as well sleep in Golden (for a lot less money than in Lake Louise or Banff for that matter). 

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Golden is known as the “Heart of the Parks” (makes sense since it’s surrounded by six of Canada’s national parks), so you’re well connected and not terribly far from anything in the area.

But before you rush outta town, check out the Northern Lights Wolf Centre (a wildlife preserve dedicated solely to wolves), Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge (Canada’s longest freestanding timber frame bridge), the Art Gallery of Golden, and possibly even go on an alpine rafting adventure.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Golden’s claim to fame is Kicking Horse Mountain Resort , with tons of ski runs (perfect right after some fresh powder), in addition to an on-site grizzly bear named Boo (who was rescued as a baby when his mother was hit by a car).

And if you’re into white water rafting, Golden is the perfect spot for some intense Class 3/4 rapids on the Kicking Horse River. Be aware that the water is never warm, so you’ll need to get all bundled up in dry and wet suits (which companies thankfully provide – no one keeps a spare wetsuit in their trunk, right?).

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

We chose to sleep in and get some much needed rest, so we skipped out on the rafting and decided to walk along the Columbia River instead. Plus, I know for a fact I would have fallen riiiight into the water, oars and all. Some of my friends went rafting and loved it, so know that if you’re less clumsy than me, you’ll probably have a grand old time.

Visiting during winter? There’s skiing (downhill and cross-country), snowmobiling, apres ski, and snowshoeing, just to name a few of its namesakes.

Where to Stay in Golden: If your funds don’t allow you to stay at the iconic Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (or it’s all booked up), plan to stay at either Mount 7 Lodges (with private hot tubs and mountain views), Winston Lodge (luxurious and intimate), or Glacier Mountaineer Lodge (more great views!)

Stop #7: Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park 

TOTAL DRIVE TIME: 50 minutes from Golden | Stay ½ – 1 day

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Ohhhh, Emerald Lake. Possibly my favorite of all the alpine lakes in all of Canada, even more so than the stunning Lake Louise (bold statement, yes I know). A few hours will be sufficient, but make sure to get an early start to the day to reach the lake before the masses arrive (and they do so in bus loads)!

If you plan to sleep in Golden the night before, you’ll be under an hour from Yoho National Park, and Emerald Lake in particular.

Trust me, after seeing the glistening, emerald waters with the greenest pine trees reflecting in the water, you’ll never want to leave. Happened to us! My friends had to literally drag me to the car, that’s how much I loved it.

Be sure to take a walk around the perimeter, as you’ll find yourself away from the crowds with the place almost to yourselves. 

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

And plus, despite the high price tag, renting a canoe and paddling the lake is high on my bucket list. We hadn’t accounted for the time we’d need to do so, so unfortunately missed out on this (there’s always a next time for us)! 

You can also make a short stop at Takakkaw Falls in Yoho, although we did not have time for this (we spent too much time gawking over the water at Emerald Lake – figures).

Some plan to spend a few nights at Emerald Lake Lodge , a peaceful resort overlooking the lake, but I think one night is more than enough (although entirely not necessary). However, I can’t even begin to imagine how peaceful it must be waking up to those emerald green lake views below.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Stop #8: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake 

TOTAL DRIVE TIME: 30 minutes from Emerald Lake | STAY 1-2 days, dependent upon hikes you choose

Get ready, because today is full of striking turquoise-colored lakes, snow-covered mountain tops, those famous red canoes, and loads and loads of people (face it, this is a sought after part of the world). You’d be downright silly to skip out on either of these during your Vancouver to Banff drive.

MORAINE LAKE

Moraine Lake is by far the most picturesque of all the hotspots in the area (and many even call it more spectacular than Lake Louise, myself included). BUT it’s kinda a b*tch to visit (you heard that right).

You need to plan your timing right if you actually wanna see the lake in all its glory, since you need to visit very early in the morning (and I mean early).

The parking lot gets filled up by 6-7am at the absolute latest (and, yes, I’m dead serious), meaning in order to ensure a spot, you’ll want to arrive no later than 5am. Yupppp, insane, right?!

worth the early AM wake-up call? I think so...

There’s another way to visit without all the crowds, although it’ll still be a very early morning wake up call. Not many take advantage of this, but there are early bird buses departing from the overflow parking lot of Lake Louise right off the main road.

These buses will take you directly to Moraine Lake for just a few bucks (departing from 6-7:30ish, be sure to check the schedule in advance). This way, you don’t need to get there at 5am, and can easily park in a lot.

Really have a thing against early mornings? You can plan to take the shuttle bus from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake, but be sure to get your ticket as soon as you arrive (tickets were sold out once we finished exploring Lake Louise and wanted to head to Moraine Lake).

We thought we could casually walk up to the shuttle line and snag a ticket – no siree! 

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Once you arrive to Moraine Lake, plan to climb up the large rock pile, as that’s where the famous lookout spot is located (and where these photos were taken). This view, the lake surrounded by the Valley of the Ten Peaks, is actually one of the most photographed images of nature in the world. The world . Aka don’t snooze your alarm!

The hike only takes a few minutes (15 minutes tops), and despite what others say, the path is pretty well-marked and clear. I climbed up in Converse and was just fine.

You can also rent a kayak over here, but in my honest opinion, the most rewarding views are from up above. From up here, you’ll get to witness the snowy peaks of the mountains mirrored in the still turquoise waters below; it’s an absolutely mesmerizing sight. Promise me you won’t forget your camera.

LAKE LOUISE

Psst – If I had all the time in the world, I’d choose to visit Lake Louise twice. Once right after Emerald Lake in Yoho, and then again so the following day after Moraine. One day will suffice if you aren’t planning on tackling too many hikes in the area.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Ohhhh Lake Louise. The crown jewel of the Canadian Rockies. I promise you, a stop over here will be one of your favorites on this Vancouver to Banff road trip.

She’s an absolute stunner, known for her chilly, turquoise waters with Victoria Glacier and soaring mountains overlooking the lake (with the beautiful Fairmont Lake Louise on her shoreline).

You’ll want to plan at least a few hours here, if not a whole day, as you’ll find yourself in awe at every corner and with enough activities to last quite a while. 

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

However (yes, of course there’s a however), the time of year you visit Lake Louise makes a hell of a difference. Note that the waters of Lake Louise do not fully thaw until late May or early June, so if you’re hoping to witness the lake in all her stunning glory, wait until mid-late summer for a visit to the Rockies.

April and May will bring more tranquility and solitude, but no one can promise those striking turquoise waters until July. And, as expected, the lake will be iced over in the freezing winter months.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Don’t fret though, each season comes with an abundance of activities. There’s a canoe dock in the summer (with those famous red kayaks for rent), along with numerous hiking/sunbathing opportunities, while a skating rink on the frozen lake and an ice bar await in the winter.

I’ve visited Lake Louise in both summer and winter , and have to say, choosing between seasons is no easy task (they’re both downright stunning in their own way).

Once you arrive, you’ll see that everyone and their mother (and grandmother, sister, uncle, nephew, etc) wants to take photos on the boulders at the shoreline, and people actually line up to do so. All for the same rock!

Little do they know, there’s large rocks bordering the entire shore, so if you just walk 2 minutes, you’re bound to find another worthy boulder to stand on for your insta-photo. TL;DR: there’s no reason to wait in line for photos here.

And on that note, yup, it’s crowded beyond disbelief. However, if you stray from the area near the hotel, you’ll find much more peace and quiet. Plan to walk around the lake on the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail (at least part-way), and you’ll encounter tons of milky-blue creeks and picturesque meltwater along this easy and super-scenic trail.

Look back and you’ll even get great views of the grand Fairmont Lake Louise, which is a stunner in it’s own way.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Wanna see Lake Louise from above? What about burning off some of those BeaverTail-induced calories? There are numerous hikes to quaint mountain top tea houses above Lake Louise, including Lake Agnes Tea House (4.4miles/6.2km) with the additional extensions of Little/Big Beehive (+2/3 km), and the Plain of Six Glaciers (8miles/13km).

These have quite the view to effort ratio (meaning phenomenal views for only moderate activity). You’ll want to set aside a few hours for each of these hikes, and expect the tea houses to be fairly crowded in the summer months.

Where to Stay in Lake Louise:

Many opt to spend the night at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise , and after checking it out a few times, I can honestly say I’ll be booking a night (or two) here with my husband on my next visit (it was all sold out last time – we planned our trip kinda late).

Thankfully, non-guests are allowed inside the resort, so we can all just swoon with jealousy (hahaha, but no, really, the resort is just gorgeous and I get why it’s high on everyone’s bucket lists).

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

If handing over your first born child isn’t your idea of fun (but in all honesty, now’s a great time to visit since the US dollar is oh so strong – you’ll essentially save ~25% if you go now when the conversion rate is to our advantage), check out other hotels in the area, including Lake Louise Inn , Deer Lodge , and HI Lake Louise Alpine Center (great hostel for those of us on a more budget option).

Do note that there isn’t really much “budget” accommodation around here – hotels know they’ve got prime real estate and aren’t afraid to make you pay for it.

Stop #9: Town of Banff and Beyond

TOTAL DRIVE TIME: 40 minutes from Lake Louise | STAY 2-3 days

We made it to Banff! Phew! It seems like a whole lotta driving, but in reality, it’s not terribly long. This town is the epitome of a true mountain town – with peaks dominating its skyline, chateau-style hotels, lots of souvenir shopping options, and tons of wildlife (yes, bear spray is much-needed over in these parts).

Technicallllyyy , Banff National Park includes Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, but we’ve already visited those on our drive from Vancouver to Banff. You can choose to spend these nights in Banff Town and visit the lakes from here, as the accommodation options are sparse and/or more expensive the closer you get to Lake Louise.

With two days in Banff proper, you can easily fit in these activities:

Johnston Canyon Hike : If rushing waterfalls, limestone cliffs, and turquoise pools get you going, plan a morning at Johnston Canyon. Note that the farther you venture, the more you’ll see. You can easily hike to the lower falls in 1 mile (roundtrip), upper falls in 3 miles (roundtrip), and the ink pots in 6.5 miles (roundtrip).

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

We managed to trek to the lower and upper falls in roughly 2 hours or so, and most definitely recommend this! The hike to the falls is relatively easy, partially on wooden/steel catwalks and paved roads.

In winter, it’s covered in snow and a whole different spectacle. Think ice crystals and icicles at every turn; it’s like stepping into Narnia. You’ll want to get here early if visiting in summer (yes, we already established it’s busy, busy, busy this time of year), as the parking lot gets filled up quite early.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Banff Gondola : One of the most popular things to do around here is the Banff Gondola, a scenic cableway heading to the summit of Sulphur Mountain to reach its 360 degree rooftop observation deck. From up here you’ll get panoramic views of the town of Banff, stunning Bow River, and the surrounding mountains.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

We were in such awe the entire time; pictures do not do this place justice (take my word for it). We found the best views by walking a bit more, along the Banff SkyWalk Vista Trail, where thankfully the crowd dispersed quite a bit. We even saw a few bighorn mountain sheep up here, casually strolling around and posing for photos.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Do note that it’s kinda expensive to take the Banff Gondola, with prices currently around $55CAD. If you wanna slash the cost of that admission ticket, plan a 2 hour hike up the summit of Sulphur Mountain, and get the same views fo’ free!

This moderately-strenuous hike (6.8miles of a series of switchbacks) provides stunning views of Bow Valley almost the entire way.

Sunshine Village Gondola at Banff Sunshine Meadows: This place is pretty packed come winter, but you’ll find it relatively quiet in the hot, summer months. Banff Sunshine Meadows is a ski resort on the outskirts of town, known for its intense ski trails come winter and moderate hikes once ski season is over.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

We took the gondola up, and loved walking throughout the wildflowers. We almost decided to take a short hike to one of the lakes for closer views, but quickly decided against it once we heard there’d been a grizzly sighting near the path just the day before (and we had no bear spray with us!).

The view from the lookout point was satisfying enough – just check out that photo! And be sure to bring along some bear spray if you’re planning a hike!

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Walk along Banff Avenue and in town : Banff has got to be one of the cutest mountain towns I’ve encountered in a very long time, and this bustling main street can’t be beat. You’ll find dramatic mountain views while walking down the popular street, in addition to tons of shops, restaurants, art galleries, and more.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Just walk up and down the side streets – you’ll find BeaverTails (don’t miss this iconic greasy treat), homemade fudge, ice cream, and possibly even a few deer! Just be aware you won’t be the only one going for a stroll – summer sees a swarm of visitors, so be prepared to dodge some crowds along the way.

Banff Upper Hot Spring: I mean, what could be better than soaking in a warm bath with 63,537 of your closest friends? Nothing, as long as said bath is nestled in the Canadian Rocky Mountains with views of Mt. Rundle across the valley.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

I visited twice (once in winter and the other in the heat of the summer), and have to say that the Upper Hot Springs are even more spectacular when the temps are below zero (and yes, your hair will freeze and turn gray – it happens to everyone, and returns back to its normal state quickly after leaving).

Be prepared to wait in line, as the hot springs are a popular attraction no matter the weather. 

Surprise Corner Viewpoint: You’re driving and driving along Tunnel Mountain Road, and BAM! There’s the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (and Sulphur Mountain) in the distance. You’ll only need a few minutes over here to check out the view, but boy, is the short drive worth it. There’s no sign here, so just follow your Google Maps and you’ll see it straight away.

What/Where to eat in Banff:

  • Indulge in some fondue: Creamy, cheesy, deliciously-indulgent fondue. No matter the season, make sure you spend a night stuffing your face with some of the good stuff. I’ve had the fondue at both Waldhaus at the Fairmont ($$$) and Ticino ($), and can honestly say I left wishing for more (although my stomach definitely couldn’t handle another bite). Don’t miss the chocolate fondue – great at both spots as well!

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

  • Grab yourself a BeaverTail (or two): Craving a sweet, sweet, sugary midday snack? Stop by and pick up one of these greasy goodnesses – they’re kinda like a Canadian institution around these parts. Five parts fried dough, two parts toppings of your choice (I opted for the nutella and reese’s pieces), and 6,371 calories (kidding of course, but you’ll see what I mean after you stuff it down your throat).
  • Poutine : Fries with cheese curds and gravy; enough said. 
  • Breakfast spots : A hearty breakfast is extra important if you’ll be out exploring all day. I particularly enjoy Whitebark Cafe, Wild Flour, and Good Earth Coffeehouse.

Where to Stay in Banff: I recommend staying as close to Banff Ave as possible, as there are numerous hotels directly on this long road. By doing so, you’ll be within walking distance to a wide array of restaurants, so they’ll be no need to park your car over here (many hotels have at least some parking).

Be sure to book your stay WAY in advance should you be visiting during the prime tourist season of summer.

A few recommended options: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (it’s literally a castle and absolutely breathtaking, so of course I have to suggest it), Elk + Avenue Hotel (hip and trendy with mountain views), Moose Hotel & Suites (super stylish), and Samesun Banff (centrally located hostel).

After quite a bit of a drive, the road trip is officially over! Unless you want to continue on up north via the Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park (plan an additional 2-3 days for this). More info on these spots coming up shortly – be on the lookout for those!

Are you planning an upcoming road trip from Vancouver to Banff?! Bring me home a few BeaverTails, please and thank you! 🙂

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April 10, 2020 at 9:00 pm

I enjoyed your post and found it very helpful, thanks

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July 1, 2020 at 9:21 pm

Just loved it…so helpful thankyou

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July 25, 2021 at 10:49 am

thank you! it sounds amazing and very helpful!

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June 16, 2023 at 11:38 am

Really enjoyed your descriptions and recommendations, but when I hit your Skyscanner link it says “Oops, Your Offer Not Found”. You may want to check that. We’re planning on a 9-10 day trip during first week of September and are organizing now. Thanks for a great site!

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June 20, 2023 at 5:57 pm

wow! The itinerary looks pretty solid, We are going to follow your itinerary. I hope these places are not jam packed at the end of August.

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June 22, 2023 at 4:14 pm

End of August is definitely high season. I’d recommend starting your days early and hitting up the most popular spots before noon. Have a great trip! The Canadian rockies are unbelievable! Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the town of Banff will be the most crowded.

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27 BEST Stops On A Vancouver to Banff Road Trip

Unlike many drives in the world, the drive from Vancouver to Banff (or Banff to Vancouver drive) is a beautiful one. There are plenty of stunning stops to make between the drive that can turn the journey into one of the best mountain road trips of your life!

Vancouver to Banff Drive FAQ

things-to-do-in-revelstoke

How Far is the Vancouver to Banff Drive?

How long a Banff road trip from Vancouver takes all depends on which route you take, but in general, expect the drive to be about 850 km and take anywhere from 9.5 (very fast/few stops) to 14 hours, or even longer if you really take your time!

Can You Do the Vancouver to Banff Drive in One Day?

Yes, you can drive from Vancouver to Banff in one very long day, though to make it in one day, you won’t be stopping at any of these locations mentioned unless it is just for lunch or a coffee. The drive from Vancouver to Banff is a long one and we recommend breaking it up into multiple days so you can really make the most out of it.

Can You Drive from Vancouver to Banff in the Winter?

When driving in Western Canada during winter, it’s important to exercise extra caution, especially on treacherous routes like Highway 99 over Duffy Lake Road and Rogers Pass (Revelstoke to Golden). Even with winter tires, driving in a winter storm can be extremely challenging, so if caught in one, it’s best to pull over and seek accommodation for the night.

It’s worth noting we have done the Vancouver to Banff drive multiple times in the winter, and every single time, the drive takes longer than expected because there are frequent road closures, delays, and accidents in the mountains.

From October 1 to April 30, winter tires or chains are mandatory on most British Columbia routes, as well as a few in Alberta. It’s essential to stay updated on driving conditions in Alberta via 5.11 Alberta and British Columbia via Drive BC.

Renting a Car in Canada

Renting a Car in Canada

If you don’t have your own car, it’s best to rent a car in Vancouver or Calgary. You can rent one at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Calgary International Airport (YYC), or Downtown Vancouver and Downtown Calgary. You can either rent a one-way or book a return trip. One-way rentals often cost more. There are a few locations to rent a car in Downtown Banff, but they are usually more expensive than in the cities.

Rates tend to get a bit cheaper once you get away from the airport and into the city. We like to use Discover Car Hire and RentalCars.com to find the best deals. See our best rental car tips before renting!

The Best Ways to Travel Between Vancouver and Calgary

  • By Car: The best way to travel between Vancouver and Banff is by car. This will allow you to take as much time as you need between the route, and stop when you feel like it. You can rent a car in Vancouver and drop it off in Calgary, often for a fee. This can also be done vice versa.
  • By Bus: Rider Express will take visitors between Vancouver and Banff by bus. The trip takes 15 hours and costs $161 one way.
  • By Train: There is no direct train between Vancouver and Banff, however the Rocky Mountaineer runs scenic rail journeys between Vancouver and Jasper and Vancouver and Lake Louise. Not a cheap journey, but the views make it worth it. You can also look at Via Rail, which has two trains weekly running from Vancouver to Jasper.
  • By Air: Of course the easiest and quickest option between Banff and Vancouver is by air. The closest airport to Banff is YYC. WestJet and AirCanada both run frequent routes between Calgary and Vancouver. I’m talking like one flight every 1-2 hours frequent. You can often find tickets for $100-200.

Vancouver to Banff Drive Routes

Fastest route.

The fastest route is to take the Trans Canada (Highway 1) from Vancouver, get on the 5 at Hope and go up through Merritt before getting back on Highway 1 in Kamloops. This is not only the quickest way, but also the easiest with the best roads. However I do find this route to be one of the most uneventful.

Most Scenic Route

In our opinion, the most scenic route is to head up to Whistler from Vancouver, and take Highway 99 through Pemberton and Cache Creek. This will take you over the Duffy Lake Road, which is a scenic route, but beware, it is subject to avalanches, and landslides, and is overall not the easiest road to drive, especially at night in the winter. We’ve been caught a few times on it in a snowstorm and can tell you it is a scary experience. Since this is the most scenic route, this is going to be the route we focus on in this article.

Alternative Scenic Route

Another scenic route is to travel Highway 1 out of Vancouver and get on Highway 3 in Hope, BC. This route will take you through the Okanagan and towns like Vernon and Kelowna, before eventually connecting you with Revelstoke.

Jasper Route

It takes 9 hours to get to Jasper from Vancouver on Highway 5 via Tête Jaune Cache, so if you have Jasper and Banff on your Banff itinerary , this is a great option. Head to Jasper first, and then when you are ready to go to Banff, take the Icefields Parkway south to Banff.

Kootenay Route

Once you get to Golden, it’s possible to stay off the Trans Canada and continue on to Radium Hot Springs , where you can hop on the Banff Windermere Highway (HWY93) and drive to Banff through Kootenay National Park. There are plenty of beautiful stops in Kootenay to enjoy.

Longest Route (Adventure option)

If you have time on your hands and want to explore some really cool towns you can take Highway 1 from Vancouver, hop on Highway 3 near Hope, and essentially drive along the border passing towns like Rossland, detour to Nelson , Fernie , and Waterton National Park . This route will take over 16 hours of driving straight through, so it’s the less traveled option but a great one if you want to pass some of Canada’s best mountain towns. (We take this route in the winter when we are looking to ski at Canada’s best ski resorts like Red Mountain, Whitewater, and Fernie).

We recommend studying a map to determine which route is best for you!

Important Things to Note

Driving in Yoho National Park

  • If you plan to stop for any sightseeing or hiking in Glacier National Park, Kootenay National Park , Yoho, Banff National Park, or Jasper National Park, you will need a Parks Canada Pass. Read all about the details on how to get one here.
  • Watch out for wildlife on the roads when driving from Vancouver to Banff. This includes bears, deer, elk, and moose. They are present, especially during the summer months. If you see wildlife on the road, please respect its space.
  • Cell Service is intermittent on much of this drive. Notably, it is spotty to non-existent between Pemberton to Lillooet, Salmon Arm to Revelstoke, Revelstoke to Golden, and Golden to Lake Louise.
  • Stay up to date with road conditions on DriveBC and 5.11 Alberta .
  • Many routes will get you from Banff to Vancouver. We recommend you study a map to see which would be best for you to take and which detours may be worth your time. We are going to focus on our recommended scenic route (Whistler, Pemberton, and the Duffy Route) for this article.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Although you can reverse the stops when driving from Banff to Vancouver, we’ll begin this journey in Vancouver. This city is an ideal starting point for an exciting adventure in Western Canada, and its international airport, YVR, offers numerous domestic and international flight options.

If you choose to arrive at YVR, we strongly suggest taking a day to explore Vancouver. Despite being a bustling metropolis, Vancouver boasts an array of one-of-a-kind attractions and experiences.

Our favorite things to do in Vancouver are enjoy Capilano Suspension Bridge, Bike Around Stanley Park, stroll Lynn Canyon Park, and of course eat sushi (in our opinion Vancouver has the best sushi outside of Japan!)

Shannon Falls

shannon-falls

Shannon Falls Provincial Park is just 58 kilometers north of Vancouver and 2 kilometers south of Squamish along the Sea to Sky Highway. It is home to the third largest waterfall in BC , Shannon Falls, and you can stop and see it at just a quick stop off the highway.

The Shannon Falls viewpoint is a favorite activity among visitors, offering a glimpse of the magnificent waterfall, just a brief hike away from the parking area. If you have time, you can also opt for a quick one-hour (round trip) walk to the base of the falls.

Squamish

As you drive along the breathtaking Sea to Sky Highway, just after Shannon Falls, you’ll arrive in the large town of Squamish. Nestled at the northern edge of the Howe Sound, surrounded by mountains and coastline, this is an excellent place to stop for hiking, biking, and climbing adventures. The famous Stawamus Chief granite monolith looms over the city, impossible to miss and cherished by locals.

For adventure enthusiasts, Squamish is a veritable outdoor paradise, boasting world-class climbing, mountain biking, and numerous hiking trails. It’s likely that if you stop for lunch here, there’s a pro athlete nearby.

If you’re looking for great places to eat and drink, check out the Howe Sound Brewing Company – our favorite.

Garibaldi Lake

Garibaldi Lake

Continuing on the Sea to Sky Highway, you’ll quickly come across Garibaldi Provincial Park . The park is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and turquoise glacial waters. If you are basing yourself nearby and have a day to spare, the hike up the steep nine-kilometer trail (one way) can be challenging, but the stunning scenery is well worth the effort.

If you plan to visit Garibaldi Lake, obtain a day-use pass from BC Parks to help manage foot traffic and prevent overcrowding. This is one of the most popular hiking spots in the area, and as a result, BC Parks implements day-use passes.

Campsites are available near the lake if you are up for a backcountry adventure. Remember that the water is frigidly cold, so swimming may not be for everyone.

Whistler 

mountain biking in Whistler

Considered one of Canada’s must-visit ski destinations, Whistler is a charming ski town located in British Columbia, less than two hours drive from Vancouver via the scenic Sea to Sky Highway. Whistler is renowned worldwide for being one of the top ski destinations and boasts the largest ski area in North America.

While it’s a popular winter destination for domestic and international travelers, it’s also a premier adventure spot in the summer. Whistler is a favorite among Canadian road trippers exploring Western Canada, especially those who love mountain biking and hiking.

We consider a Whistler a must-stop on any Vancouver to Banff road trip.

Pemberton

A mere 45 minutes beyond Whistler lies the quaint mountain town of Pemberton. Positioned at the base of Mt. Currie, the town’s primary village boasts breathtaking views that will captivate any visitor.

Despite its size, Pemberton still offers a range of shops, dining establishments, and walking trails to explore. Popular activities include visiting North Arm Farm or riding a horseback ride through the valley with Copper Cayuse Outfitters.

If accommodation and prices are too high in Whistler, Pemberton is a great alternative, as plenty of BC cabins offer lower rates than their southern neighbor.

Joffre Lakes

joffre-lakes

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, located just past Pemberton on Duffey Lake Road, is undoubtedly one of the most gorgeous lakes in British Columbia . Trust me when I say that the hike to Joffre Lakes is absolutely worth it, and your road trip time should be carved out to experience the beauty here.

The 10km hike to Lower, Middle, and Upper Joffre Lakes has a minimal elevation gain of fewer than 400 meters, which is minimal for the area !

The reward for completing this hike is a dazzling blue lake that shimmers under the surrounding glaciers. The best time to visit Joffre Lakes is June to October, which is best for summer road trips.

Duffy Lake

As you venture beyond Joffre Lakes Provincial Park and proceed down Duffy Lake Road to the Canadian Rockies, you will arrive at Duffy Lake. At this destination, an awe-inspiring viewpoint awaits, offering breathtaking views that are simply unforgettable.

Take advantage of the picturesque setting and enjoy a picnic before embarking on the journey to Lillooet.

kamloops

Kamloops is one of the larger cities in BC. It is the meeting point of the North and South Thompson rivers. Towards the city’s east, one can find the British Columbia Wildlife Park, where cougars and bears can be spotted.

To the northeast lies Sun Peaks Resort, which boasts hiking trails, a bike park, and multiple ski runs. If you are driving in the winter, it’s certainly worth a stop for skiing in a beautiful resort town.

I particularly wouldn’t say Kamloops is a must-visit on your Vancouver to Banff trip, but it’s a great place to regroup and enjoy a good restaurant or rest your head for the night.

snowboarding at Sun Peaks - vancouver to banff

This is a destination to head to if you are driving from Vancouver to Calgary or Calgary to Vancouver in the winter. Sun Peaks is an alpine ski resort located 56 km northeast of Kamloops.

Unlike many ski resorts in Canada , where the mountain is a bit in the middle of nowhere with few amenities, Sun Peaks is a fully serviced ski resort that is great for families looking for an entire ski vacation with restaurants and plenty of things to do. They have multiple peaks with terrain for everyone. My favorite aspect of Sun Peaks is tree skiing!

Vancouver to Banff – Hwy 97 Option

hope slide

Just outside of Hope, BC is the site of Canada’s second-largest recorded landslide. In 1965 a landslide occurred near Hope; it is estimated that 47 million cubic meters of rock fell. Now the area is known as Hope Slide and can be viewed easily by visitors.

Kelowna  

Kelowna  

Kelowna is a popular destination in the summer for those wanting to explore the Okanagan Valley. This is Canada’s famed wine region, and people will travel from around the country to sit in the sun and sip up the local Kelowna wine on the shores of Lake Okanagan.

You can also find some of the best produce in Canada here, and farmers’ markets are full in the summer and fall. We recommend the Myra Canyon Trestles if you’re up for a little hiking adventure!

If you are driving during the winter and skiing or snowboarding, plan a day or two to enjoy the slopes at Big White Ski Resort.

Vernon

Less than an hour from Kelowna is the city of Vernon. Here you can enjoy more of the fresh BC goodness. In the summer, some of the best things to do are bask in the sun at Kalamalka Beach, stroll the historic main street, or buy fresh local fruit at Davidson Orchards .

Vancouver to Banff (Back on Highway 1)

Revelstoke

Let me introduce you to Revelstoke, one of the best stops when driving between Vancouver and Banff. This charming town, nestled near the Selkirk Mountains and Glacier National Park, is among our top picks for must-visit destinations in all of Canada, particularly if you road tripping in the winter and love skiing and snowboarding.

Despite being a relatively unknown mountain town in the past, Revelstoke Mountain Resort has gained global recognition for its outstanding powder, which attracts winter sports enthusiasts year after year. Because it is situated off Trans Canada and near Rogers Pass, it is not as bustling as other Canadian mountain towns such as Whistler. Still, it has plenty to offer visitors in both summer and winter.

For those traveling from Vancouver to Banff in the summer, some of the best activities include paddling on Arrow Lakes, mountain biking, or riding on The Pipe Mountain Coaster. In the winter, skiing and sledding are the primary draws, as the resort receives quite a bit of snow without the crowds of Whistler. Revelstoke is one of our favorite towns in Canada and a must-stop on this road trip.

Glacier National Park

Asulkan Valley Trail

Glacier National Park is a stunning national park that Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Park often overlook.

During the summer, this park offers fantastic hiking opportunities, while in the winter, it provides thrilling backcountry skiing opportunities for those experienced in avalanche territory.

The Great Glacier Trail, Asulkan Valley Trail, and Abbott Ridge Trail are among my favorite hikes, with the latter being perfect for those who want to spend a whole day on the trail.

Golden 

On the Golden Skybridge

As you continue on the Trans Canada highway, you will reach the town of Golden – one of the best mountain towns for accessing Glacier National Park, Yoho National Park, and even Banff.

Nestled between the Purcell and the Rocky Mountains and built around the Columbia and Kicking Horse rivers, Golden offers numerous hiking opportunities in the summer. Some of our favorite summer activities include the hike to Gorman Lake, walk the Golden Skybridge , horseback riding in the Blaeberry, or white water rafting on the Kicking Horse River. Unlike Banff, you can enjoy many things here that you can’t get inside a National Park.

Things like snowmobiling or riding quads are things you can want here. On top of that, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort offers downhill mountain biking in the summer, while in the winter, it becomes a great place to ski.

Unlike Banff and Canmore , Golden has a laid-back mountain town vibe without the overwhelming crowds of tourists and offers a more budget option to those Alberta mountain towns.

Wapta Falls

wapta falls

Wapta Falls, located in Yoho National Park, is a spectacular natural wonder and a must-see waterfall in the Canadian Rockies. Standing at 18 meters, its actual size is genuinely revealed as it spans a significant width of 107 meters.

While the summer months draw many hikers to Wapta Falls, I find it even more mesmerizing during the winter season. The scenery becomes awe-inspiring as the water freezes and transforms into a magnificent ice-covered masterpiece, and the surrounding peaks are draped in snow.

To reach Wapta Falls, drive 34.0 km down the Trans-Canada Hwy. Once parked, you can enjoy a short 5km round-trip hike to see this magnificent sight.

Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake

When traveling between Vancouver and Banff, visiting Emerald Lake is a must. This stunning body of water is considered one of the most breathtaking lakes in the Canadian Rockies. It holds a special place in our hearts as it’s where we got engaged, though I believe anyone will have their breath taken away the first time they see its Emerald color.

Upon arrival at Emerald Lake, the first thing that captures your attention is its color. As its name suggests, the lake sparkles in a brilliant emerald shade, resulting from the glacial waters refracting light.

The lake is encircled by towering peaks on all sides, making for a truly awe-inspiring sight. While there are many activities to partake in at Emerald Lake, taking a leisurely stroll around its perimeter, paddling on its glassy surface, or savoring a cup of coffee at the Cilantro restaurant while taking in the panoramic views are among the best options.

Tak Falls

Located near Emerald Lake near the quaint town of Field, Takakkaw Falls is an easily accessible attraction. It’s less than an hour’s drive from Golden and less than 30 minutes away from Lake Louise, making it one of the top things to see while visiting Yoho National Park.

Towering at the height of 373 meters, Takakkaw Falls is Canada’s second-tallest waterfall. It features two drops, with the main drop standing 254 meters high. One of the unique features of this waterfall is that it’s easily accessible and doesn’t require any hiking, a rare find in the Rockies.

Lake Louise

Lake Louise

For more than a century, Lake Louise has been a magnet for tourists in the Canadian Rockies, and chances are, if you are coming to Banff, you already have Lake Louise on your bucket list.

This alpine lake boasts a striking turquoise hue derived from glacier melt and is framed by the imposing Mount Victoria and a hanging glacier.

Finding a place more magnificent and breathtaking than Lake Louise worldwide is challenging. Once you’ve taken in the stunning scenery, you can embark on hiking, climbing, skiing, or canoeing adventures in the vicinity. The image of Lake Louise will stay with you for a lifetime.

There is plenty to do in the Lake Louise area, and you can even jump on the Icefields Parkway from here for another epic road trip. If you want to stay in Lake Louise over Banff , this may be a good option. While Lake Louise doesn’t have as many accommodation options as Banff, there are some incredibly scenic cabins and hotels to enjoy here.

Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake

Chances are, if you’re in Banff, Moraine Lake is also on your Banff wishlist. The alpine lake boasts a vibrant turquoise blue hue that originates from glacier melt and is backed by the stunning Ten Peaks. This unspoiled natural wonder attracts millions of visitors annually and was once featured on the twenty-dollar bill of Canada.

Getting to Moraine Lake is now simple by booking the Park and Ride Shuttle. Once there, there are plenty of hikes to enjoy. Or you can take a paddle on the bright blue lake . Those with a heftier budget can stay at Moraine Lake Lodge, the only place to stay on Moraine Lake and one of the most iconic cabins in all of Banff.

Hop on the Bow Valley Parkway

Hop on the Bow Valley Parkway

Every visitor to Banff National Park should experience driving on the Bow Valley Parkway (also known as the 1A) at least once. Before Trans Canada, this was the original road linking Banff and Lake Louise in the early 1900s.

Today, it is primarily a road for sightseeing and outdoor activities, offering a slower and more scenic alternative to the Trans-Canada. Although it’s slower than the highway, the Bow Valley Parkway affords visitors ample time to step out of their vehicles and admire the stunning views.

Apart from being one of the most scenic drives in Alberta (second only to the Icefields Parkway), the Bow Valley Parkway is also one of the best spots for biking in Banff National Park, and during certain times every summer, the road shuts down to vehicles, allowing cyclists to take over. There are plenty of stops to enjoy on the Bow Valley Parkway, so grab some picnic food at the Lake Louise village and prepare for an incredible drive.

Morant’s Curve

Morant's Curve

Located just off the Bow Valley Parkway, this famed photography spot presents awe-inspiring vistas of the encompassing mountains. While Mount Fairview dominates the background, numerous other peaks, including Mount St. Piran, Niblock, Whyte, Saddle, Sheol, and Haddo Peak, are also visible.

Photographers frequently schedule their visits at Morant’s Curve to capture the perfect moment of a westbound train passing through the region during the morning light. Though there is no train schedule, trying to time this right is all luck of the draw!

Nonetheless, the stunning scenery is not limited to photography enthusiasts and is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling along the parkway.

Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon , without a doubt, is the most prominent and recognizable stop along the Bow Valley Parkway. For many, it’s a must-visit highlight of their Banff trip. The trail is well-maintained, making it an easy hike for the entire family to enjoy. Moreover, it’s a great place to visit in both winter and summer.

During winter, the falls freeze, creating an enchanting sight. Conversely, early summer is the perfect time to witness the falls in their full glory, with snow melting off the nearby mountains and causing them to roar.

Being a popular destination, Johnston Canyon can get crowded at times. However, facilities are available to cater to visitors, including a gift shop, restaurant, cafe, and Johnston Canyon Cabins & Bungalows for those looking to stay overnight. To learn more about hiking Johnston Canyon, check out the link provided.

Vermilion Lakes

Vermilion Lakes Sunset Couple

You have almost made it to Banff Avenue, the heart and soul of Downtown Banff. Once you hop off the Bow Valley Parkway, you’ll be close to Vermilion Lakes , one of the best photography spots in Banff.

During the golden hours, photographers flock to the Banff lakes to capture the sublime landscape and sun hitting Mount Rundle just right.

Downtown Banff

Banff Downtown in October

You have made it to Downtown Banff. This is where most of the Banff restaurants , accommodations , and attractions are located. Downtown Banff is a fabulous place to base yourself for the remainder of your trip.

There are plenty of things to do in Banff , including taking the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain , hiking Tunnel Mountain , enjoy Bow Falls – oh the list never ends – so we created a whole blog post for you.

Nearby you can also enjoy Two Jack Lake , have a bbq at Cascade Ponds, or take a Lake Minnewanka Scenic Cruise.

Calgary

Although this article is about stops from Vancouver to Banff, I’m mentioning Calgary as you will likely have to fly out somewhere. Unless you are planning to drive back to Vancouver, flying out of Calgary International Airport is your best option. There is no airport in Banff.

From enjoying the Calgary restaurants , the Calgary Stampede in the summer, or taking in the views at the Calgary Tower, there are plenty of things to do in Calgary.

Hopefully, this helped you determine the best sights to see between Vancouver and Banff.

If you have any other questions leave a comment or see our Canadian Rockies travel guide for more articles about photography spots, lakes, hikes, and everything else.

↓ Join the community ↓

The  Banff Blog Facebook Group  is your headquarters for the Canadian Rockies’ travel advice and information. Including hike info and off-season travel information. You can also meet new adventure buddies.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies

  • Hiking in the Rockies: Purchase an AllTrails subscription to have a mobile map on you as you hike.
  • Tours (New in 2024): The Banff Blog is partnering with one of the leading tour companies in Western Canada so readers can experience the magic of the Rockies with other travelers – without having to think about a thing. See all our 2024 tour offerings here!
  • Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
  • Get to Banff or Canmore Without a Car : The Banff Airporter provides fantastic service that will connect you right from YYC to the town of Banff or Canmore.
  • Get Around : We suggest renting a car to get around. You can search for rental cars on Rentalcars.com. Or embark on an epic campervan trip. We like to compare prices on Motorhome Republic and Outdoorsy .
  • Fly For Free: Turn your spending into airline miles and points with travel credit cards (that’s what we do!). See our favorite travel credit cards. We also use Going to watch for cheap airfare deals!
  • Hop On, Hop Off : This tour is taking Banff by storm. It’s exactly what it sounds like, hop on and off a bus bound for all the best attractions at your own pace!
  • Travel Insurance: We don’t recommend traveling without travel insurance. We recommend checking out HeyMondo, which offers competitive rates for all travelers.  

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About Natasha

Natasha calls Canmore, Alberta home. After traveling across seven continents and 90 countries with Cameron, she settled down in the stunning Canadian Rockies. She loves to help others travel and make their planning easier. She is a winter enthusiast and loves to snowboard, ice skate, and snowshoe and enjoy all the fantastic summer opportunities in Banff like hiking, scrambling, and biking. You can find her in the mountains or enjoying a coffee by the river. Learn more on the about us page! If you have found the content on this site helpful to your trip planning please consider supporting The Banff Blog. You can say thanks directly by buying us a coffee . All support is much appreciated!

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A City Girl Outside

Vancouver To Banff Road Trip Itinerary – 3 Epic Routes!

If you’re looking for an epic way to experience the Rocky Mountains, a road trip from Vancouver to Banff is definitely it. But where do you start and what are the best stops along the way? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with this ultimate guide.

The first time I did this trip (yes, I’ve experienced it on several occasions) It was an unforgettable road trip that left me with memories for a lifetime and an insatiable desire to go back again (and again). The drive itself is approximately 10 hours, but you’ll want to take your time and make frequent stops along the way.

There are a ton of scenic stops along the way, so don’t be afraid to take detours and explore the hidden gems that British Columbia and Alberta have to offer. In fact, I highly recommend it! Some of my best experiences on this road trip were from spontaneous stops and adventures.

This road trip is definitely one for the bucket list – don’t even think about skipping it. Plus, it’s the perfect opportunity to bust out your favourite road trip playlist and belt out your best rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin'”. This trip through Western Canada will make you wonder why you haven’t explored the region before, and you’ll see why in no time!

So without further ado, let’s jump into the details of this epic road trip from Vancouver to Banff! In this post I’ll cover everything you need to know – from the top recommended places to stop, to what to do in each location, and even what local delicacies you have to try.

(By the way, this is gonna be a long post, so you might wanna grab a pen and take some notes!)

Photo of a street lined with European style buildings and a snow capped mountain towering over the town.

A City Girl Outside contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for reading!

Vancouver to Banff Road Trip Overview

There are several routes you can take on the drive from Vancouver to Banff, depending on your starting and ending points. But one thing’s for sure – you won’t be disappointed with any of them!

The most direct route from Vancouver to Banff is actually through the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) – this route is 847km long and takes approximately 9 hours 15 minutes without stops. But this route is also the least scenic, and what fun would that be?

In this guide, I’ll take you through the classic Vancouver to Banff route via the Sea to Sky Highway and the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), which takes about 10 hours without stops. There will be plenty of places that’ll make you want to hit the brakes and soak in the beauty.

But I’ve also listed two alternative routes at the end of this post too, which will explore other incredible places such as the Okanagan Valley, Mount Robson, Jasper and the Icefields Parkway.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – “It’s gonna be a long drive, isn’t it?” Well, yes and no. Yes, because there’s just so much to see that you’ll want to stop every few minutes for pictures. And no, because this drive is actually pretty manageable and can be completed in a week (more if possible!) if you plan it out properly. Plus, with the numerous stops along the way, you won’t even feel like you’re driving long distances.

Note: The driving time from Vancouver to Banff may vary depending on road conditions, traffic, and your own pace. I recommend taking at least 7-10 days for this road trip so that you can explore each stop at a leisurely pace. But you can amend it to 3-5 days and just leave out some places.

If you are returning to Vancouver by car, you could even spread out these stops and do some on the journey back. There’s also the option to choose one of the other two routes listed to take on the way back.

Before hitting the road, make sure your car is in good condition for a long drive. Check the fluids, tires, and brakes to ensure a safe journey. Also, remember to pack some snacks and drinks for the road – you’ll thank me later!

Okay, let’s get down to business. You’ve got a long drive ahead of you, but trust me, these stops will make it totally worth it. Here are my top picks for must-see places on your Vancouver to Banff road trip!

→ Check out my Canada packing list for all seasons for all the essential items you’ll need when visiting Canada year-round, from hot to cold! (Don’t come unprepared like I did!)

Route #1: Vancouver to Banff Via Whistler & Duffey Lake Road

You’ll kick off your road trip in the bustling city of Vancouver. This awesome west coast seaport city is where your Vancouver to Banff drive begins!

Vancouver is absolutely stunning (as you’ll see with most of the stops on this itinerary) with a mix of urban and natural beauty. Even though Vancouver is a city, you’ll never feel like you’re missing out on nature – it’s got snow-capped mountains up north and the beautiful Pacific Ocean to the west.

Stanley Park: Stanley Park is a true gem of Vancouver and a must-visit on your way to Banff. This 400-hectare natural wonder is one of the largest urban parks in North America – it’s actually bigger than New York’s Central Park! (Which is incredible because Central Park is massive)

Stanley Park is like the city’s own backyard, but you won’t find just any old swing sets here. Instead, you can expect lush forests, beautiful gardens, historic landmarks, and even a beach or two. Biking the famous seawall is a great way to experience the park to its fullest. It’s a 9 km (5.6 miles) path that wraps around the park’s outer edge and promises some seriously breathtaking views.

My favourite part of Stanley Park however, is the famous Totem Poles at Brockton Point. These spectacular monuments are one of the most visited attractions in British Columbia, telling the stories of First Nations history in the area.

The Vancouver Aquarium is located right in the middle of the park and is home to over 50,000 animals including dolphins, seals, penguins, and so much more. And don’t miss the park’s miniature train—it’s a hit with both the little ones and the young at heart.

A woman sitting at a table and looking down towards a flight of four different beers. Granville Island is a top place to visit while exploring this Vancouver to Banff road trip.

Granville Island: Granville Island is an urban oasis right in the heart of the city. It’s more of a peninsula than an actual island, but don’t let that fool you. This vibrant spot is packed with a myriad of unique attractions that are sure to make it a highlight of your road trip.

Start off by meandering through the bustling Granville Island Public Market. This place is a foodie’s paradise, with an array of fresh produce, locally-sourced meats, artisan cheeses, delicious bakery items, and more. And if you’re a seafood lover, you’re in for a treat! You’ll find some of the freshest catches here, from Pacific Northwest salmon to succulent oysters. It’s the perfect spot to grab a picnic lunch to enjoy by the waterfront.

But Granville Island isn’t just about the food. It’s also a hub of arts and culture. Take a stroll around the Railspur District, where you’ll find a collection of artist studios. Whether you’re into pottery, jewellery, painting, or glassblowing, you’ll find it all here. It’s fascinating to watch the artisans at work, and maybe even pick up a piece or two to remember your trip.

For the beer lovers out there, don’t forget to stop by the Granville Island Brewing Co. This is Vancouver’s first microbrewery, and these guys know their beer! Take a tour of the brewery, learn about the crafting process, and of course, sample a pint or two. Their English Bay Pale Ale is a must-try!

Photo of a woman walking along a suspension bridge in a dense green forest.

Capilano Suspension Bridge: The Capilano Suspension Bridge isn’t just any ordinary bridge, my friends. Nope, it’s a heart-racing, adrenaline-pumping, 137-metre long bridge strung high above the Capilano River. It’s one of Vancouver’s oldest and most thrilling attractions – and with good reason!

As you sway 70 metres above the river (that’s about the same height as a 20-story building, by the way), you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of the lush rainforest below. Seriously, the views from up here are downright mesmerizing. But it’s not just about the bridge – there’s a whole park to explore here.

If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, check out the Cliffwalk. This cantilevered walkway (read: hangs off the edge of a cliff) takes you on a thrilling journey through the rainforest via a series of suspended walkways with glass floors. Yup, you read that right – glass floors!

For a more serene experience, wander through the Treetops Adventure, a series of seven suspension bridges connected by platforms attached to eight massive Douglas fir trees. You’ll be able to explore the forest at your own pace, from a unique, elevated perspective.

If you have some time before starting your journey, I highly recommend spending at least 2 days in Vancouver .

Where To Stay In Vancouver

  • Fairmont Pacific Rim: Offering stunning views of the city and harbour, the Fairmont Pacific Rim is a luxurious and modern hotel located at the heart of Vancouver. It features a rooftop pool and extensive spa facilities.
  • The Listel: This eco-friendly hotel is located near the shopping district of Robson Street and offers contemporary rooms with art and modern amenities. The hotel also features an on-site restaurant and bar.

Shannon Falls

Close-up of a roaring waterfall on the side of a mountain surrounded by green fir trees.

Your Vancouver to Banff road trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Shannon Falls, British Columbia’s third-highest waterfall. It’s located just off Highway 99, and towers 335 metres high which means you can often see it right from the highway.

The park surrounding the falls offers a network of well-marked trails, so take some time to explore the area. To reach the falls is an easy, short trail that leads right to the base of the falls where you can feel the cool mist on your face. It’s just about a kilometre long, and when you finally get to the falls, you’ll be amazed.

The best time to visit is in late spring and early summer when the winter snow on the nearby mountains has melted, making the falls even more powerful. There is no entry fee for Shannon Falls which makes it a great rest stop and one of the best free things to do in Squamish .

Sea to Sky Gondola

woman standing on a boardwalk lookout with a panoramic view of a fjord and snow-capped mountains in the background.

After visiting Shannon Falls, hop back onto Highway 99 and make your way to the Sea to Sky Gondola . This is definitely a must-do on any Vancouver to Banff road trip itinerary. The gondola takes you up more than 885 metres above sea level, where you’ll experience the most breathtaking views of Howe Sound.

Once you reach the top there is plenty to do! Make sure you walk across the suspension bridge and check out one of the main hikes. There are easy and challenging hikes depending on what you’re in the mood for. So don’t worry, if hiking isn’t your thing there are lots of easy walks with amazing views.

Once you’re done exploring, grab a drink or some food while enjoying the sights. The gondola costs $69.95 CAD per adult for a day admission. You can also hike to the top of the Chief for similar views, but the gondola is great for saving time – plus the suspension bridge and lookouts are so cool!

Woman in a hat walking past a large blue and orange mural thats says "Welcome To Squamish"

Located just an hour outside of Vancouver, Squamish is a coastal town known as the “Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada”. It’s the perfect place to stretch your legs and take a break from driving. You can go for a hike, mountain bike ride, or even try rock climbing!

To get to Squamish you’ll be driving on the breathtaking Sea-to-Sky Highway (officially known as BC Highway 99). There is much to see along this highway, so be prepared to make many stops.

While many of the main attractions in Squamish can be done in a day, I do recommend an overnight stay so you can spend a full day here. There are so many hidden gems, and the sunsets here are insane!

Downtown Squamish is the heart of this vibrant mountain town, with a unique blend of outdoor adventure meets small-town charm. Lined with a variety of locally-owned boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. For coffee head to Sunflower Bakery where you’ll the best donuts in town! Don’t forget to appreciate the intricate murals and public art pieces that add a splash of colour and creativity to the town (my personal favourite is the Squamish Wings mural)

The Stawamus Chief is one of the top hikes in Squamish and is considered moderate to hard. There are 3 peaks that you can choose to hike to, the most popular being the first and second peaks. It’s a 3.7-mile loop trail that requires a decent amount of effort, especially towards the end when the scrambling begins. You’ll gain a total of 654 meters (2,145 feet) in elevation, but the views of Howe Sound are absolutely mind-blowing!

If you want to experience the the outdoors but not big on difficult hikes, walking the Squamish Estuary is really beautiful around sunset and the trailhead is in the middle of Downtown. For something a bit more magical, my favourite easy hike in Squamish is Mamquam Falls , a hidden gem that leads to a bright glacial blue waterfall in a dense forest. To get here will require a 20-30 minute drive along a forest service road.

If you’re into awesome water adventures, you gotta give whitewater rafting in Squamish a shot! Don’t worry if you’ve never rafted before – there are trips for all levels of experience, and Squamish has got some of the best spots for it.

The Cheakamus and Elaho rivers are the most popular spots for rafting, and they offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Plus, it’s a great way to cool off on a hot summer day. This tour includes return transportation and provides all the necessary equipment.

The best way to end an eventful and adventurous day in Squamish is by visiting one of it’s craft breweries. My personal favourite is Backcountry Brewing. They have a unique selection of brews, plus an outdoor patio with stunning views. You can also check out A Frame Brewing and Howe Sound Brewing.

Where to stay in Squamish

  • Sandman Hotel & Suites Squamish: This comfortable hotel provides a great base for your adventures in the Squamish region, offering cozy room, a well-equipped fitness centre, hot tub and waterslide! Plus they even include a delicious breakfast.
  • Squamish Adventure Inn: Ideally situated for outdoor enthusiasts, this inn offers a variety of room types and a communal kitchen, making it great for budget travellers and groups. This is a great way to meet others, especially if travelling solo!
  • Executive Suites Hotel & Resort: If you’re after something a little fancier, check out Executive Suites Hotel & Resort. They’ve got a range of room styles, from standard queens to one-bedroom family suites. Plus, they’ve got a pool, fitness centre, and an on-site restaurant.

Garibaldi Provincial Park

Next up on this Vancouver to Banff itinerary is Garibaldi Lake, one of the most breathtaking alpine lakes in Canada. You absolutely can’t miss this place on your itinerary! It’s one of the most visually stunning spots you’ll ever see.

Situated with Garibaldi Provincial Park, Garibaldi Lake is a stunning bright turquoise lake surrounded by towering mountains, making it a popular spot for hiking and camping.

Getting to Garibaldi Lake however does require some effort, as a result it’s not as crowded as other Canadian lakes (ahem, Lake Louise…). To reach it you’ll need to hike a 9-kilometre trail (one way) with a 900-metre elevation gain. It’s quite a challenge, but totally worth it. I mean the photos just don’t do it justice!

Woman standing on a rock looking out towards a turquoise blue lake with green trees in the background. Garibaldi Lake is a great hike to do during your Vancouver to Banff trip.

Panorama Ridge Hike:

If you’re up for an epic hike, you gotta check out Panorama Ridge. It’s a 28.3km (18 mile) loop trail that’s pretty popular (so expect some traffic). Panorama Ridge is undoubtedly one of the best hikes in Whistler and as a result it does get pretty busy. The viewpoint features a panorama of the Coast Mountains and Garibaldi Lake below. It is one of the most stunning views near Whistler!

While you can hike Panorama Ridge in a day, it does makes for a really long day of hiking, taking approximately 12 hours (I did it in 8.5 and regretted it). I have done this as a day hike and it’s intense. I personally recommend making it an overnight night hike, this way you get to really soak in the views. But I think those stunning views of Garibaldi Lake make every bit of effort totally worth it.

Black Tusk:

Black Tusk is another must-see in Garibaldi Provincial Park. This distinctive, volcanic rock formation is a sight to behold and can be seen from various points within the park. If you’re up for a challenge, take on the Black Tusk hike, which offers stunning views of this unique landmark at the top.

The hike is steep but relatively moderate until you get to the base of Black Tusk, this is where you’ll encounter a steep section of shale, which is loose volcanic rock. This short section was challenging but showcases some incredible views of Garibaldi Lake.

The last part of the Black Tusk hike is called the chimney – this is for experienced climbers only and requires a fair bit of scrambling. I chose not to complete this last part as it can be dangerous.

It’s important to note that this trail is entirely exposed with little shelter from the sun so be prepared with water and sunscreen.

As you make your way towards Banff, you’ll pass through Whistler – home to one of North America’s top ski resorts. But don’t let that fool you, there’s plenty to do in Whistler in the summer months as well. You should spend a night or two here before continuing your Vancouver to Banff trip, as there are countless activities to choose from.

If visiting Whistler in winter , skiing or snowboarding is a must. There are over 200 runs and over 8,000 acres of terrain to explore. And if you prefer a slower pace, there’s also and abundance of Whistler snowshoeing trails . If visiting Whistler as a non-skier , there is still plenty of exciting activities, including dog sledding tours , iceskating and snowmobile tours .

Woman sitting inside of a gondola cable car and looking out the window towards a snow-covered landscape.

If there’s one thing you need to do when visiting Whistler on this Vancouver to Banff drive, it’s the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. I’ve experienced this gondola in different seasons and it never fails to take my breath away.

The gondola showcases fantastic vistas of the Coast Mountain range. It runs between the mountains of Blackcomb and Whistler, and is the longest and highest gondola of its kind in the world. If you have the patience to wait, the glass-bottom gondolas allow you to get a unique perspective of the valley below.

After your ride on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola , make sure to take advantage of all the activities available at both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. The High Note trail is one my favourites in the area, where you can see beautiful views of Cheakamus Lake from above. In the early summer season you can also hike Pika’s Traverse, where you’ll walk between two HUGE walls of snow.

Woman driving a snowmobile through a snow covered landscape.

The Whistler Train Wreck is an intriguing and unconventional attraction tucked away in the forest near the Cheakamus River. It’s a favourite activity of mine since it can be accessed year-round.

This unique trail leads you to a cluster of colourful, graffiti-adorned train cars scattered haphazardly about the landscape, a result of a derailment that occurred back in 1956. The 5km round-trip hike is fairly easy, making it a suitable trail for all ages.

There are many beautiful waterfalls in Whistler , and most only require a short walk. Brandywine Falls is located a short 15-minute drive outside of Whistler along the Sea to Sky Highway . It’s a great option if you’re short on time or not up for a long hike. Alexander Falls is another stunning waterfall located just 20 minutes north of Whistler in the Callaghan Valley, the viewing platform is located at the parking lot.

Nairn Falls Provincial Park is about a 25-minute drive from Whistler, and there is a 1.5 km hike to the falls. While all 3 can be accessed year-round, the parking lot for Brandywine Falls does close in winter, and if you park on the highway you may get towed.

You can also experience the valley between these two mountains on a zipline tour. The Sasquatch is a must-try for adrenaline junkies, as it’s the longest zipline in North America.

Photo of an abandoned train car sitting in a dense forest covered in graffiti.

But if you’re looking for more adrenaline-fuelled activities, try ATVing in Whistler . This tour lasts three hours and you’ll experience the backcountry on a side-by-side which is similar to an ATV but you get to sit next to each other!

And when you’re exploring Whistler’s outdoor playground, don’t forget to stop at one of Whistler’s many lakes for a refreshing swim or paddle boarding session. Green Lake is a popular spot with crystal clear water and gorgeous mountain views but it’s also the coldest. I recommend Lost Lake, which is closest to Whistler Village, or Alta Lake which has 3 main beaches.

Lastly, you can’t leave Whistler without trying its delectable cuisine. The town is famous for its fine-dining scene, but also has some hidden cheap eats. If you want to know what the best restaurant in Whistler is, it’s the Rim Rock Café (but that’s our secret!) My other favourites include Araxi, Il Caminetto and the Wildflower.

Also don’t forget to try some of the local specialties, such as Poutine, a dish made with French fries, cheese curds, and gravy. Don’t forget to grab a famous Beaver Tail before hitting the road again (The Beavertails Whistler location finally opened as of 2023!)

Where to stay in Whistler

  • Fairmont Chateau Whistler: I have yet to stay at this Fairmont property but I do visit often to go to the Mallard Lounge and the Wildflower and this hotel is so beautiful. Offering luxurious rooms and superb service, the Fairmont boasts ski-in, ski-out access, a golf course, and a spa.
  • Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside: With stunning mountain views, this hotel offers well-equipped suites with kitchens, an outdoor heated pool, and two hot tubs. It’s also one of the best location in Whistler being within walking distance to the Whistler Gondola.
  • Nita Lake Lodge: Nita Lake Lodge is one of the most beautiful places to stay in Whistler, and the only lakefront hotel in town. I stayed here to celebrate my husbands birthday one year. The suite we booked looked out onto the lake and was so clean and spacious. This hotel also features a full-service spa, and complimentary shuttle service to the ski lifts.

Joffre Lakes

Woman is a purple long sleeve top and purple design leggings standing on a log in a bright turquoise lake with mountain peaks and green trees in the background

Next on this Vancouver to Banff road trip, we’re heading to the spellbinding Joffre Lakes. Joffre Lakes is made up of three spectacular glacial lakes, each more impressive than the last. And oh boy, their vibrant turquoise colour will leave you astounded!

Now, here’s the skinny about the hike to Joffre Lakes. It’s a 10-kilometre round trip, and there’s about a 400-meter elevation gain. I’m not going to sugar-coat it – the trail is a bit of a workout, especially the challenging climb to the second lake. But trust me when I say, every drop of sweat will be worth it!

Along the trail you’ll pass by breathtaking views of massive glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and majestic mountains. And, if you’ve got the stamina, we recommend pushing on to the third lake. Why, you ask? Well, the view of Matier Glacier that feeds the lake is simply… jaw-dropping!

Don’t forget to pack a picnic – the third lake is a perfect spot to relax, munch on some snacks, and maybe even take a refreshing (albeit chilly!) dip. Just remember to pack out whatever you bring in as this is a protected area.

Next up on the drive is Lillooet, a small town that’s often referred to as the “land of the gold rush”. Known as “Mile 0” on the Gold Rush Trail, this historical town offers stunning views of rugged mountains and winding Fraser river.

Right before you arrive in the town of Lillooet, you’ll pass by the bright blue waters of Seton Lake. On a hot day this lake is pure bliss. There is also a small hike just before you reach the lake called the Seton Lake Lookout which features a stunning view of a bend in the road with the lake and mountains – it’s definitely one of the best views I’ve ever seen!

Take a stroll through its historic downtown area and learn about its rich history. And make sure to stop by Fort Berens Estate Winery for a taste of their award winning wines. You can order a glass of vino and wander the beautiful grapevines. The Vineyard is conveniently located along the highway you’ll be taking to reach your next stop!

But don’t let the town’s historical charm fool you. For the thrill-seekers, Lillooet has a lot to offer. Get your adrenaline pumping with some river rafting or go mountain biking in the rugged terrains.

Woman wearing a white top and brown skirt with black spots while standing in front of a vineyard. Lillooet is worth stopping in at on your to Banff from Vancouver.

The drive from Whistler to Kamloops takes around 4 hours without stopping, but as mentioned above there is quite a bit to do in between so expect it to take a bit longer.

(You also have the option of staying in Pemberton or Lillooet to venture to Joffre Lakes and Seton Lake, which would mean driving directly to Kamloops the following day.)

One of the things I love about this part of the drive between Joffre Lakes and Kamloops is how the landscape quickly transforms from a dense evergreen forest to a more dry desert – proving BC is seriously wild!

This drier climate actually makes Kamloops the perfect spot for wine making, and is home to some of the province’s newest vineyards. And trust me, there are plenty of tastings to satisfy your thirst in this charming little city. So wine lovers take note!

If you’re more into outdoor activities, there are plenty of options in Kamloops as well. You can spend the day hiking or mountain biking through Kenna Cartwright Park, or take part in water activities like fishing, boating and swimming in the many lakes and rivers.

Before you hit the road again, make a quick stop at the BC Wildlife Park. This is not just any zoo – it’s a rescue and rehabilitation facility for animals! Get up close and personal with Canadian wildlife including bears, cougars, bison and more.

Kamloops is a great one-night stop to break up the drive, but you can skip it and continue on since there is SO much ahead of you.

You can’t drive from Vancouver to Banff without stopping in Revelstoke. This town is like Whistler’s little sister – a ski town that still has that local small town charm.

In the summer it gets HOT here, like I mean REALLY hot. When I was last here in July temperatures were hitting 45c degrees plus (on this particular day I spent a lot of time enjoying the AC) so be prepared to head out early before things start heating up.

The main attraction in Revelstoke is the world-class ski resort, with over 3000 acres of skiable terrain and an average snowfall of 40 feet per year. But don’t worry if you’re visiting in the summer as there’s still plenty to do! You can take a ride on the Revelation Gondola for some stunning views, hike or bike on the various trails, or go white water rafting on the Columbia River.

But no matter what season you visit, make sure to take a stroll through the charming downtown area and check out some of the local shops and restaurants. And if you’re a fan of craft beer, don’t miss out on a visit to Mt. Begbie Brewing Co.

One thing I definitely suggest when you visit Revelstoke in the summer is driving the Meadows in the Sky Parkway in Mount Revelstoke National Park. As the name implies, this road takes you to the top of Mount Revelstoke and is surrounded by the most amazing alpine meadows.The wildflowers up here are absolutely stunning, with beautiful shades of purple, red, and yellow.

I highly recommend taking your time and making stops at some of the scenic viewpoints along the way, including Revelstoke viewpoint, Monashee viewpoint and Panorama Point.

When you reach the very top of Mount Revelstoke, there are a multitude of hikes you can do. Many of them are relatively easy which means you can do several within a few hours. While others are more advanced. If you only have time for one, I’d suggest checking out the Fire Tower Trail. It takes you to a fire lookout built way back in 1927, offering an epic 360° view of the Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges. It’s definitely worth it!

And if you’re visiting on a hot day, a whitewater rafting tour on the Illecillewaet River is a great way to cool off and get an adrenaline rush. Or you can simply relax by one of the many lakes or rivers in the area.

Revelstoke is also home to some amazing hot springs, including Halcyon Hot Springs and Canyon Hot Springs. Both are great to take a break from driving and spend a day soaking in the mineral-rich water while enjoying stunning mountain views.

If you do decide to stay a night or two in Revelstoke, I promise you won’t regret it. This town is often overlooked by tourists, making it the perfect place to get a taste of local life and escape the crowds.

Where To Stay In Revelstoke

  • Coast Hillcrest Hotel: This comfortable hotel offers spacious rooms, a wellness area, and two on-site restaurants. It’s located just a short drive from downtown Revelstoke and local ski lifts.
  • Stoke Hotel: Offering stylish and modern rooms, the Stoke Hotel is located along the Columbia River, offering guests beautiful views and easy access to outdoor activities.

Glacier National Park Of Canada

After leaving Revelstoke, you’ll be heading straight into Glacier National Park of Canada, it’s on the Highway 1 so you really can’t miss it!

The road through Glacier National Park, known as “Rogers Pass,” is hard to miss. This mountain pass always catches me off guard with it’s out-of-this-world beauty. The mountains soar so high I can’t help but continuously say “wow!”. Trust me when I say, you will know Roger’s Pass when you get there!

You don’t have to hike to enjoy these views either. If you want a quick pit stop to stretch your legs you can stop at the Roger’s Pass Discovery Centre. This centre has some great information on the park’s history, environment and wildlife. Plus, there is a short trail that leads to an old train snow shed.

But if you are feeling adventurous, one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park is the Great Glacier Trail. It’s a 10 km (round trip) hike with about 300 meters of elevation gain. The trail takes you through beautiful forests and eventually opens up to a stunning view of the Great Glacier. Definitely worth the effort!

For an easier hike, check out the Hemlock Grove boardwalk trail. It’s a short and easy 1 km loop through an old-growth hemlock forest, perfect for all ages and abilities. You can also spot some amazing waterfalls along this hike.

And if you’re lucky, you may spot some wildlife in the park. Bears, moose, mountain goats and more call this park home, so keep an eye out while driving or hiking through the area.

After you’ve taken in the amazing scenery and hiked to your heart’s content, it’s time to continue on your journey towards Banff. But don’t worry, there are still plenty of stops along the way!

Golden Skybridge BC A City Girl Outside

Golden is a small town that is often just considered a pit stop to get gas – well I can tell you it is so much more than that! Golden is often considered the “Heart of the Parks” because it borders 6 of Canada’s most spectacular National Parks (Banff, Kootenay, Glacier, Mount Revelstoke, Yoho & Jasper)

One of Golden’s highlights is the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. It’s perfect if you’re into skiing and snowboarding, especially right after some fresh powder. In the summer it transforms into a world-class bike park with some opportunities for hiking in the alpine.

If you’re up for some adrenaline-pumping fun, you can try white water rafting tour on the Kicking Horse River. With grade 3-4 rapids, it’s one of the best rivers in Canada for rafting. You can join a full-day tour that includes all the equipment, and an expert guide.

I opted instead to cool off at one of Golden’s local lakes, Cedar Lake. This hidden gem is surrounded by lush forest and offers a beach area to sit with a picnic. There is also a campground attached to the lake a boat launch.

The newest and most unique attraction in Golden is the Golden Skybridge which opened in 2021. At 426 feet high, it’s the highest suspension bridge in Canada and crosses over a rugged canyon in the Columbia Valley. There are other activities in the park for an additional charge, including the zipline across the canyon and the Railrider Mountain Coaster. They also have live bands play on select evenings.

I would not recommend this activity if you have a fear of heights – I held up a long line of people because I had to “shuffle” along along slowly. If you have experienced other suspension bridges you may be okay, but this was by far the scariest I’ve walked on.

Golden has surprisingly some of the best restaurants for a small town. I recommend both Reposados for great Mexican food, or Turning Point Restaurant (which had the freshest food and amazing service!)

And after you’re done, walk off your food by wandering around Golden Town. The Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge (Canada’s longest freestanding timber frame bridge) is a beautiful spot to explore on foot, starting from 8th Avenue North in Golden and stretching 46 meters (151 feet) across the Kicking Horse River.

Before you leave town, don’t miss out on visiting the Whitetooth Brewing Company for some delicious Belgian-inspired craft beer. My favourites were the Whitetooth Session Ale and Backyard Bivouac Pilsner.

Yoho National Park

Just when you thought this road trip couldn’t get any better, you’ll reach Yoho National Park. This park is known for its stunning waterfalls, turquoise lakes and incredible hiking trails. Yoho National Park is one of the most underrated in my opinion, you could explore this place for days and not even step foot in Lake Louise.

On the drive from Golden to Yoho, you’ll pass one of the most iconic railroads in Canada, the Spiral Tunnels. These tunnels were built back in 1909 to help trains climb up and down the steep mountain slopes. It’s definitely worth stopping for a photo-op and to witness the engineering marvel.

If you want to experience what I would consider the most beautiful part of Yoho National Park, consider a visit to Lake O’Hara, a hidden gem that is only accessible by shuttle bus.

Visiting Lake O’Hara however isn’t as easy as pulling up and walking to the lake shore, like you can do in Lake Louise. It does require a reservation for access, and these are like golden tickets. Of course, you always have the option of hiking the 2km access road also (which I don’t recommend if low on time!)

Bus and camping reservations are highly sought after. I spent 3 wonderful nights in this area to celebrate becoming a Canadian citizen and I already can’t wait to go back. Check out my full guide to visiting Lake O’Hara to find out everything you need to know.

If you weren’t able to get a reservation to Lake O’Hara, don’t fret, there are many other things to do in Yoho National Park that do not require pre-booking.

Woman sitting on a rocky ledge smiling at the camera, below is a vast wide valley with 3 blue turquoise lakes and mountains in the background.

Emerald Lake is probably the most famous landmark in Yoho National Park . This vibrant lake is surrounded by beautiful mountains and its easy access makes it a popular spot for visitors (expect crowds!).

Emerald Lake gets busy, in fact it’s getting busier every year now that Moraine Lake is closed to personal vehicles. I would recommend getting here as early as possible, it’s also stunning first thing in the morning. You can also rent canoes here and it’s much cheaper than Lake Louise. If you want to splurge, you can’t beat a night at the Emerald Lake Lodge – check out my full review here .

If you want to explore Yoho National Park away of Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls is another must-see. This is BC’s second tallest waterfall at 373 metres (1,224 feet) tall. It’s important to note that the road up is steep with narrow roads and dramatic cliffs so come prepared (it’s paved the whole way) Don’t forget to grab a photo with the iconic Parks Canada red chairs before you leave!

If you’re up for a challenging but rewarding hike, check out the Iceline Trail. This 20 km trek takes you through stunning alpine scenery and offers incredible views of glaciers and mountains along the way. It’s definitely one of the best hikes in the Canadian Rockies.

After a full day of exploring Yoho National Park, you can spend the night at one of the campgrounds or head to the town of Field just outside the park for some cozy accommodations and delicious food – I highly recommend the Truffle Pig! (it’s located in a super cute alpine chalet)

As you continue towards Banff, keep an eye out for wildlife along the way. Yoho National Park is home to grizzly bears, black bears, elk and moose, so make sure to drive carefully.

Lake Louise & Moraine Lake

After exploring Yoho National Park, it’s time to continue on your journey towards Banff. The drive from Field to Banff is approximately an hour and a half, but I highly recommend taking your time and making some stops along the way – such as Lake Louise! My favourite place in the Canadian Rockies.

Lake Louise is possibly the most famous landmark in Banff, and one of the famous in all of Canada, but there is good reason for this. I have visited many places where the hype does not live up to the place – Lake Louise is not one of them.

This place really does take your breath away, and seeing it in person is the only way to really believe. But until then, please enjoy my photos from my many trips here!

As you may have guessed already, Lake Louise is busy. But there are some tricks to enjoying this place even with the crowds. One of them is coming for sunrise. Sunrise at Lake Louise is really special, it’s so quiet and you can relax and watch the mountain peaks turn pink in such a serene setting – truly bucket list-worthy.

Now depending on the time of year you are visiting will naturally depend on the amount of people. Sunrise in July and August will bring a lot of people – but substantially less than say… 12pm when it is bonkers! And my biggest tip, no matter the season or time of day, is to keep walking the lakeshore to your right. For some reason everyone congregates at the small boardwalk right in front of the parking lot when there is in fact – a HUGE lake to explore. You’ll get the same view but with less people around you.

Woman sitting on a rock looking out towards a vast landscape of trees and mountains with a long turquoise lake in the valley below.

After watching the sunrise, take off hiking on one of the many stunning trails in the area. My personal favourites are the Big Beehive and Little Beehive – both give similar panoramic views of Lake Louise from above, but the Little Beehive is ever so slightly easier. For something more challenging, try the Devil’s Thumb, and when you’re on your way back down stop for tea and cakes at the famous Lake Agnes Tea House .

If you want to try out canoeing on Lake Louise (which you’ve most likely seen photos of on Instagram) the best time to do so is in the morning when the Boathouse opens (there is a long line for the rest of the day). The Boathouse typically opens at 8am but can vary depending on the time of year.

A woman wearing a red flannel shirt sitting in a canoe with a multi-coloured blanket, on a blue turquoise lake.

After experiencing the beauty of Lake Louise, it’s time to go to the other “famous Canadian lake” – Moraine Lake! I love Lake Louise because I find it can handle crowds well, but if it were purely based on beauty – Moraine would top my list of favourite lakes in Banff .

Visiting Moraine Lake as of 2023 is quite the ordeal however – but certainly not impossible! (and on a better note, easier to visit than Lake O’Hara) Parks Canada has now restricted access to all personal vehicles visiting Moraine Lake.

The good news however, is that it may come with less crowds (which is always a good thing in my book) You will now have to book the park n ride shuttle through Parks Canada and park at the Lake Louise Ski Resort (see? really not that bad!)

Or you can opt to take a tour – the Hop On Hop Off bus still stops here, as do the Roam Transit busses, which are great if visiting Banff without a car . If you hoped to catch a sunrise at Moraine Lake, you’ll also need to book a tour. At present there is only one tour company operating sunrise tours to Moraine Lake which is Moraine Lake Sunrise Shuttle (does what it says on the tin…)

The perks of doing so means less crowds. When I visited Moraine Lake at sunrise back in 2021, the crowds were bigger than I’d seen at Lake Louise, so I personally would say the price is worth it.

It’s important to note that due to its high elevation (1,883 metres/6,178 feet) Moraine Lake is only accessible during the summer months.

A woman standing on a rocky ledge looking at the camera smiling with a bright turquoise lake behind with rocky snow-capped mountains. Moraine Lake cannot be missed on your Vancouver to Banff itinerary.

Where to stay in Lake Louise

  • Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: I stayed at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in a lake view room in 2022, and this hotel absolutely blew me away. Getting to wake up to the breathtaking views of Lake Louise every morning was an experience like no other. Besides the amazing view, the rooms were spectacular and the Fairmont offers a world-class service throughout. You can check out my full review of the Fairmont Lake Louise for more information.
  • Deer Lodge: On my most recent stay in Lake Louise I booked the Deer Lodge. This hotel is a historical lodge so while it is full of character it does come with some old-time amenities (the showers are outdated and there’s no A/C). The hotel does come with a rooftop hot tub for soaking in the stunning surroundings however! And if you want cheaper accommodation walking distance to Lake Louise, this hotel is a 10-minute walk.
  • Mountaineer Lodge: I absolutely loved my stay at the Mountaineer Lodge, the rooms are sooo comfortable and really spacious. This hotel is conveniently located within a short drive to the lake, and offers a free continental breakfast, and an indoor heated pool with a hot tub.

Bow Valley Parkway

After taking in the stunning views at Moraine Lake, it’s time to hit the road again and head towards Banff. There are two ways to get to Banff from Lake Louise. You can either continue on the Trans-Canada Highway 1, or take my recommendation and drive the Bow Valley Parkway.

There is quite a bit to see along the Bow Valley Parkway, the first stop you will come to is Morant’s Curve – a popular viewpoint of a bend in the railway with a stunning mountain backdrop made famous by Nicholas Morant. If you’re there are the right time you may even spot a train driving through.

A little further down you’ll start to see the view of Castle Mountain appearing above the tree line. Castle Mountain is my favourite mountain in the area and one of the best photography spots in Banff . If you want in a little secret, you can access a secret spot on the shores of the Bow River at Castle Junction that showcases this mountain in all its glory.

Woman in a yellow raincoat walking along a pebbly shore by the river with a tall jagged mountain in the background.

The last must-see spot on the Bow Valley Parkway is Johnston Canyon, one of the best hikes in Banff . This popular hiking trail takes you through a series of catwalks and tunnels, leading you to two beautiful waterfalls, the Lower and Upper Falls (add an extra hour or two for this stop). If low on time you can just hike to the Lower Falls which are the most popular.

Keep in mind there are seasonal closures on the Bow Valley Parkway from May to June and September – check ahead to see current closures.

In winter, the trail is usually packed snow and ice so make sure to bring crampons or rent them out in Banff. You can even explore an ice cave!

And finally, you’ve made it to your final destination – Banff! Although you would have entered Banff National Park back in Lake Louise, the town of Banff is the heart of it all. There is a lot to do in Banff, and I highly recommend spending around 3 to 4 days in Banff , but if you are low on time, you can still do a lot in Banff in just one day .

Woman in a yellow rain coat walking along a boardwalk towards the camera smiling with a rocky mountain peak in the background. The Banff Gondola is a must see attraction when you complete your Vancouver to Banff drive.

There are so many things to do in Banff in summer, below are just some of my favourite activities:

Banff Avenue: Banff Avenue is famous for its breathtaking view of Cascade Mountain that towers over the town. You’ve no doubt seen photos of this on social media. But besides these fantastic views, you need to experience the liveliness of Banff Avenue for yourself. Take a stroll to browse the many shops, restaurants, and galleries. You can also stop by the historic Banff Park Museum or visit the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies to learn more about the area’s history and culture. Grab a bite to eat at one of the many delicious restaurants. My personal favourites are Tooloulou’s for brunch and The Grizzly House for a unique fondue experience.

Banff Gondola: One of the biggest attractions in Banff is the famed Banff (or Sulphur Mountain) Gondola. Although the price tag isn’t the cheapest, I think you need to experience it at least once! The ride up the gondola is pretty special, featuring panoramic views of the Bow Valley. But the real treat is when you reach the top and can take in the 360-degree views of Banff and 6 different mountain ranges. The best part is the boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak which takes you up to the Cosmic Ray Station.

Lake Minnewanka: Just a short drive from Banff is Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in Banff National Park. You can take a boat tour or rent a canoe to explore this beautiful lake while taking in the stunning mountain scenery. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can also hike along the shoreline and discover hidden spots along the way.

Banff Upper Hot Springs: After a long day of exploring, relax and unwind at the Banff Upper Hot Springs. These natural hot springs are located just outside of town and offer a relaxing soak with breathtaking views. It’s the perfect way to end your trip to Banff.

Surprise Corner Viewpoint: There are many viewpoints in Banff, but one of the most scenic is the Surprise Corner viewpoint. This is a quick 20-minute spot that offers a stunning view of the Banff Springs Hotel and the Bow River. It’s a popular spot for photos, so make sure to bring your camera!

Where to stay in Banff

  • Fairmont Banff Springs: If you want to really splurge, the Fairmont Banff Springs is in my opinion the best hotel in Banff. Known as Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies”, this world-class resort offers luxury accommodations, a championship golf course, and a world-renowned spa.
  • Banff Park Lodge: I stayed at Banff Park Lodge recently and scored probably the best hotel deal I’ve ever had in Canada ($350cad for 3 nights!) and the hotel was one of the best I’ve stayed at in Banff. The hotel has one of the best locations in Banff, it’s super close to the main area of Banff Avenue and the free Banff Gondola shuttle picks up from outside. The rooms themselves are really spacious and very clean – I definitely recommend staying here!
  • Samesun Banff: For budget travellers, Samesun Banff offers affordable dorm-style accommodations with communal kitchens and social areas, perfect for meeting other travellers.

Route #2: Vancouver to Banff Via Kelowna & Highway 5

  • Stop 1: Vancouver (same as route 1)
  • Stop 2: Chilliwack
  • Stop 3: Hope
  • Stop 4: Peachland
  • Stop 5: Kelowna
  • Stop 6: Revelstoke (same as route 1)
  • Stop 7: Glacier National Park (same as route 1)
  • Stop 8: Golden (same as route 1)
  • Stop 9: Yoho National Park (same as route 1)
  • Stop 10: Lake Louise (same as roite 1)
  • Stop 11: Banff (same as route 1)

Although the most scenic drive from Vancouver to Banff is through the Duffey Lake Road and up through Cache Creek, there are other options you can choose from.

The route through Kelowna also starts in Vancouver and heads east towards Hope along the Trans Canada Highway 1. You can then take Highway 5 before driving the 97C through to Peachland and Kelowna. This route takes around 9-10 hours and is a great option if you want to explore more of the Okanagan region in British Columbia. But before you get to Kelowna, there are (naturally) an abundance of places to stop!

Chilliwack is a great place to stop for some delicious farm-fresh produce or locally sourced honey. Bridal Veil Falls is a beautiful cascading waterfall that’s an easy stop just off the highway, with a short walk to the base of the falls.

After Chilliwack, you can stop in the town of Hope for a bite to eat or check out some local shops. The Othello Tunnels are a series of old railway tunnels that have since been turned into a scenic hiking trail through the mountain. This is a great spot to check out on this itinerary as they are located along this very route so no detour required!

As you continue towards Kelowna, make sure to stop in Peachland for some stunning lake views and maybe even a dip in the water. You can also take a scenic drive along Okanagan Lake and stop at wineries or orchards for some local treats.

Keep heading east towards Kelowna, but don’t miss out on stopping at Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park for some breathtaking views of the turquoise lake.

Once you reach Kelowna, there are plenty of wineries to explore in the Okanagan region, including Mission Hill Winery which offers tours and tastings. You can also take a stroll along the waterfront or enjoy some delicious food at one of Kelowna’s many restaurants.

After spending time in Kelowna, continue your journey to Banff by continuing north on the Highway 97 before joining Highway 1 again. From here the route from Revelstoke to Banff is the same.

Route #3: Vancouver to Banff Via Jasper & Icefields Parkway

A woman wearing a white hat and white cardigan standing at the shore of a blue glacial lake while looking out towards a mountain peak.

  • Stop1: Vancouver (same as route 1)
  • Stop2: Squamish (same as route 1)
  • Stop 3: Whistler (same as route 1)
  • Stop 4: Lillooet ( same as route 1)
  • Stop 5: Kamloops (same as route 1)
  • Stop 6: Wells Grey Provincial Park
  • Stop 7: Clearwater
  • Stop 8: Mount Robson Provincial Park
  • Stop 9: Jasper National Park
  • Stop 10: Icefields Parkway
  • Stop 11: Lake Louise (same as route 1)
  • Stop 12: Banff (same as route 1)

The third itinerary option is to go north of Kamloops via Highway 5 and then onto Jasper before heading south to Banff through the Icefields Parkway. The route starts in Vancouver and follows the first itinerary through Squamish, Whistler and then to Kamloops.

From Kamloops you’ll drive north along Highway 5. This is a popular route as it takes you through the beautiful Wells Gray Provincial Park where you’ll find stunning waterfalls such as Helmcken Falls and Spahats Creek Falls.

You can also stop in Clearwater for some delicious local food. From here, continue your journey north towards Jasper National Park. Before you arrive in Jasper however, make sure to stop at Mount Robson Provincial Park to catch a glimpse of the iconic Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

Once you reach Jasper, take some time to explore this charming mountain town. Jasper is an incredible place that really deserves more than a day. I recommend spending 3 to 4 days in Jasper so you can really soak in the atmosphere and explore all it has to offer.

If you only have time for a few things in Jasper, I highly recommend the Maligne Lake boat tour to Spirit Island , a visit to Pyramid Lake and the Valley of the Five Lakes hike .

When you’re ready, make your way down the Icefields Parkway towards Banff. This scenic drive is often referred to as one of the most beautiful drives in the world, and for good reason! You’ll pass by glaciers, turquoise lakes, and towering mountains on your way to Banff.

Some absolute must-do stops on the Icefields Parkway include Athabasca Falls, Sunwapta Falls, the Columbia Icefields, Peyto Lake and Bow Lake.

When you finally reach Banff, congratulations! You’ve completed one of the most stunning road trips in North America.

All three of these routes will require a Parks Pass as they all pass through several National Parks. To really appreciate all three routes you’ll most likely need at least 10 days to two weeks to do everything, so I recommend purchasing a Discovery Pass as it will work out cheaper.

Parks Canada National Parks Pass Info

If you are visiting or planning a trip to any of Canada’s National Parks, you will need to purchase a parks pass. There are a number of options available. 

Single Day Admission:

This option is great if you only plan to spend a day or two in a National Park. Valid for one person per day. See the Parks Canada website for current rates. Children 17 or younger are free. 

Group Daily Admission:

This is a great option if you have up to 7 people per one vehicle. It is cheaper than purchasing a pass for each person. See the Parks Canada website for current rates. 

Parks Canada Discovery Pass: 

A discovery Pass is, in my opinion, the best option for people visiting in groups for a week or more. This is an annual pass and is valid from the day you buy it. It will give you 365 days of entry to all of Canada’s National Parks. I purchased this for my 12 day trip to the Banff and Jasper in 2021 and used it 3 more times in Banff in 2022 and another for Pacific Rim in Tofino. If you are planning on traveling around Canada for an extended period of time, this is worth the money! 

The Discovery Pass will cover up to 7 people per vehicle. You can purchase the Discovery pass online or in person when you arrive. See the Parks Canada website for current rates. 

When To Take This Vancouver to Banff Road Trip

The beauty of the Vancouver to Banff drive is that it’s stunning year-round. However, each season offers unique experiences and views. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect during each season.

Spring in Canada, which spans from March to May, brings blooming wildflowers and a refreshing green landscape, making it a great time for your Vancouver to Banff road trip. Wildlife spotting is particularly exciting during this season as animals emerge after a long winter. However, be prepared for unpredictable weather; pack clothing suitable for both warm and chilly weather, and expect rain.

Summer, from June to August, is the busiest season for tourism in Canada. The weather is typically warm, and all the attractions are open. This is the best time for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. Be aware that popular spots might be crowded, so plan to start your days early.

The fall season, from September to November, is arguably the most beautiful time for the Vancouver to Banff drive. The foliage turns radiant shades of orange, red, and gold, creating a dramatic backdrop for your road trip. It’s also a more peaceful time to travel as the summer crowds have dissipated.

Winter in Canada, from December to February, is a magical time. The route from Vancouver to Banff is transformed into a winter wonderland, with snow-capped mountains and frozen lakes. It’s the perfect season for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. However, driving in winter requires preparation and caution, as road conditions can be challenging due to snow and ice. Ensure your vehicle is equipped for winter driving, and check the weather forecast regularly.

Regardless of when you decide to embark on your Vancouver to Banff itinerary, you’re bound to have an unforgettable experience. Just remember to pack accordingly and always drive to the road conditions.

Renting A Car

Now that you have a solid itinerary planned, let’s talk about transportation. While there are many ways to get from Vancouver to Banff, I highly recommend renting a car. Not only does it give you the freedom and flexibility to stop at all these amazing spots along the way, but it also allows you to explore the beautiful Canadian landscape at your own pace.

Consider renting from a company that you can drop the car off at your final destination in Banff, this way you won’t have to backtrack and drive back to Vancouver after completing the road trip.

Some popular rental car companies in Vancouver include Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis. Be sure to compare prices and read reviews before booking to ensure the best deal.

Before you start with the car rental process, keep the following tips in mind to ensure a smooth ride:

  • Compare several companies: Rates can vary significantly from one company to another. Take some time to compare prices and offerings. Check if any promotions or discounts are available during your travel period.
  • Insurance: Most car rental agencies offer their own insurance, though it can be quite expensive. As an alternative, check if your credit card includes car rental insurance coverage. Remember, you’ll need to provide proof of insurance when renting a vehicle.
  • Roadside Assistance: This can be a lifesaver in the event of a breakdown or emergency. Ensure your rental company provides this service.
  • Pick-up and Drop-off: Consider the location and timings of your pick-up and drop-off. Since you’re planning a one-way trip from Vancouver to Banff, there might be additional charges for dropping off at a different location.
  • Check the car thoroughly: Before you head off, inspect the rental car for any existing damage and make sure all the features are working correctly.

And if you’re not comfortable driving or don’t want to worry about navigating unfamiliar roads, there are also organized tours available that take you from Vancouver to Banff. These tours often include stops at popular attractions and provide the added convenience of transportation, making it a stress-free option for those not wanting to drive.

Thanks For Reading!

So, have you picked which route you want to take on your Vancouver to Banff road trip? Whichever one you choose, I guarantee you’ll be in for a breathtaking journey through some of the most stunning landscapes in the world. And don’t forget to make stops along the way – there’s so much to see and do in this beautiful region of Canada.

I hope this itinerary helps you plan your Vancouver to Banff drive and discover the beauty of Western Canada. Although I have experienced so much of this region, there is always more to see!

Explore More Of The Canadian Rockies

  • 4 Days in Jasper Itinerary
  • Valley of the Five Lakes Hike, Jasper
  • 4 Days in Banff Itinerary
  • Best Banff Photography Spots
  • Free Things to do in Banff

Click A Pin Below To Save For Later!

Lake Louise at Sunrise Banff Alberta Canada A City Girl Outside

About Rachael

Rachael is an avid adventurer and writer, originally hailing from London, England. She embarked on a life-changing journey by moving to Canada in 2016. Settling in the picturesque town of Whistler, British Columbia, Rachael found solace in the majestic beauty of the Canadian wilderness.

A City Girl Outside invites readers to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery and encourages them to embrace the transformative power of exploration.

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Vancouver to Banff Road Trip – 8 Unmissable Stops

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Are you ready to enjoy the full experience of the Canadian Rockies? This Vancouver to Banff itinerary will provide you with the best views of the Rocky Mountains, with stops along the way at Banff National Park, Lake Louise, and many other beautiful national parks.  

The road trip from Vancouver to Banff needs a minimum of 7 days to explore this beautiful part of the country entirely. It can easily be extended to 14 days to see British Columbia and Alberta truly.

An ideal road trip to cover all three national parks requires between 10-14 days, depending on your end destination or if you are returning round trip to Vancouver. If you are renting an RV or car, you will likely want 14 days to account for travel time to and from your destinations.

Keep reading to learn more about the best stops on our Vancouver to Banff Scenic Route trip itinerary. We have covered the best times to view the landscape and what attractions and activities you want to visit.

Our guide will be helpful in planning your Canadian road trip if you are driving by car or RV. 

Canada Family Road Trip planning tips

Drive From Vancouver To Banff: How Long Do I Need To Drive?

CA Vancouver to Banff Road Trip Map

How Far Is Vancouver From Banff?

The distance from Vancouver to Banff is 850 km (approx. 530 miles), and takes 10 hours to drive if you are going to drive straight from one location to the next. The majority of the trip is driven on the Trans Canada Highway 1.

There are multiple routes you can take depending on how much time you have to explore!

The route We will be explaining in detail is a 14-day road trip stopping in Squamish, Whistler, Kamloops, Revelstoke, Jasper National Park, Yoho National Park, Lake Louise, and Banff National Park.

An alternate route option is that you can shorten the road trip down to seven days and focus on just visiting Whistler in British Columbia and spending the rest of your time in Alberta exploring the Canadian Rockies: Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, and Banff National Park.

Best Time Of Year To Drive From Vancouver To Banff

There is no wrong time of the year to embark on this road trip, as every season offers something different in the Canadian Rockies. This scenic drive is also home to many different types of wildlife, so you need to be aware of wildlife crossing signs. 

Summer is the best weather on this route and is the best time of year to take this road trip and enjoy the views of the Rocky Mountain peaks, pristine blue lakes for paddling, and unique hiking trails.

If you choose summer, you need to be prepared that trails will be busy and accommodations fill early, so you will need to pre-plan and make reservations for campsites or hotels. A tip for beating the traffic is to start your drive early in the morning and plan for on-the-go breakfast options.

Spring and Fall are still beautiful times of the year to explore these scenic National Parks. However, the weather can be cooler, and some attractions only run seasonally and may not be open.

The bonus to traveling in the Spring and Fall is if you take the road trip in either June or September, all attractions will be open, but they won’t be as busy with tourists.

Winter can be a beautiful time to explore the Canadian Rockies if you enjoy winter activities like skiing/snowboarding, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.

Driving between Vancouver and Banff on the Trans Canada Highway can be very difficult and dangerous in the winter due to rapidly changing conditions and slippery roads.

If you choose to drive from Vancouver to Banff in winter, you will need to have a vehicle with snow tires and be prepared to slow down and take longer to complete the trip.

Best Stops on a Vancouver to Banff Trip

This is one of the most scenic drives in North America, and there are so many family-friendly activities to enjoy, including hiking, swimming, fishing, paddling, exploring national parks, visiting hot springs, and so much more as you explore the Canadian Rockies.

Before leaving Vancouver, make sure you check out some of our favorite spots for families in Vancouver , including:

  • The Vancouver Science Centre
  • Stanley Park
  • Vancouver Sea Wall
  • Downtown Vancouver
  • Canada Place
  • Granville Island.

There are so many fun things to do in Vancouver, so be sure to check out How to Spend 48 Hours in Vancouver with Kids if you want to explore more of Vancouver before heading to Banff.

Depending on the length of the journey, you can pick and choose attractions that best suit your family’s interests. For this guide, we will focus on summer activities as this is the most popular season to take this drive.

  • If you are starting your Canadian Rockies road trip from Alberta, be sure to follow along with our Calgary to Vancouver itinerary instead; we give 2 route options for exploring east to west.

Attractions To Explore Between Vancouver to Banff

The shortest route from Vancouver takes you over the Sea to Sky (Highway 99), which takes you along the water of the Howe Sound, which is a fjord to the snowy mountain tops of Whistler.

However, before arriving in Whistler, you will want to stop in Squamish, one of the best Canadian cities for outdoor adventures and the halfway point between Vancouver and Whistler. 

CA Vancouver to Banff Road Trip – Shannon Falls

Squamish is a great location for a half-day adventure, and the Sea to Sky Gondola is a must-do activity with kids. The gondola is about a 10-minute ride, and the views become more and more impressive as you get higher.

Once at the top, you will enjoy a short walk to a suspension bridge that leads to another amazing viewpoint of the mountains and gorgeous waters below, including Shannon Falls, the third-largest waterfall in British Columbia.

If you plan to enjoy a hike or stay for lunch, you will need at least 3 hours for this stop.

The alpine village of Whistler is located just 45 minutes from Squamish. We would start exploring the Downtown area and checking out the unique shops, and cafes. You may choose to explore the Peak to Peak Gondola at Whistler, which is similar to the Sky to Sky in Squamish. 

CA Vancouver to Banff Road Trip – Peak to Peak Gondola

If you are looking for an active adventure with the kids before continuing the road trip, we recommend the ZipTrek Whistler. They offer a Tree Trek Canopy walk for younger children and a variety of treetop zip lines for older children, including the Sasquatch, which is the longest zipline in Canada and the U.S.A (for children aged 10 and older).

If you are looking for a more relaxing stop, you will want to check out Lakeside Park for a beach day and enjoy some swimming, kayaking, jumping off a dock, playground play, or simply just a picnic from the nearby concession stand.

Another unique option is checking out the suspension bridge and graffiti box cars along the Sea to Sky trail, which is about a 2 km round trip and easy for families.

Depending on the age of your children, Kamloops may be a great place to stop for the night as it is 4 hours from Vancouver and about 5.5 hours from Banff. Kamloops is a great stop for a quick visit  with kids as they have multiple great playgrounds and parks that offer cheap entertainment including:

CA Vancouver to Banff Road Trip – Thompson River

Riverside Park -> Riverside park is home to two amazing playgrounds, a walking trail with a lookout to the Thompson River, a concession stand and picnic tables, as well as a splash pad. Don’t forget to stop at Scoopz Ice Cream shop across the street, which has many ice cream treats.

Westsyde Centennial Park and Petting Zoo -> Home to the Little Farmers Petting Zoo that is open year-round and fun for the whole family. Bring some coins to purchase food for the ducks, chickens, and goats. The park also has a basketball court, bike pump track, splash pad, and playground. 

BC Wildlife Park -> Another family-friendly stop is at BC Wildlife Park, which rescues animals from the wild. The park has over 60 species of animals and 200 animals including grizzly bears, cougars, wolves, and birds of prey. The whole park can be explored in about 2-3 hours, so it is a perfect pit stop.

Big Little Science Centre -> This is a small educational center dedicated to science that offers hands-on exploration activities and offers a variety of short science shows. This is a very affordable excursion as the entrance for a family costs under $20.

If you want to push your drive a little further, then you can continue onto Revelstoke, which is about 6.5 hours from Vancouver but puts you closer to Jasper the next day as your drive would be about 5 hours to Jasper National Park.

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The mountain scenery in Revelstoke offers a glimpse of the spectacular views you will continue to see as you head toward Banff. Revelstoke is home to jagged mountain peaks, cascading waterfalls, beautiful lakes, and dense cedar forests. Revelstoke is home to some great adventure activities for families to explore and enjoy.

CA Vancouver to Banff Road Trip – Revelstoke

If you brought bikes along with you on this road trip, you would definitely want to stop at Mount Macpherson Park, which offers excellent mountain biking trails that even kids can enjoy. There are lots of biking trails. However, the best ones for the kids are Miller Time and Dusty Beaver, which can be accessed from parking lot 5.

If you left the bike at home but want to enjoy the wilderness, then there are a variety of kid-friendly hikes in Revelstoke including: Meadows in the Sky Parkway, Mount Revelstoke, Arrow Lake, and the Columbia River.

Mount Revelstoke Mountain Coaster features two different mountain coaster tracks that are sure to thrill kids of all ages as it twists and turns up to 40km an hour down the mountain. However, families can control their own speed, making it great for even the littlest rider.

The 1.4km track is powered by the downhill gravity of the mountain as it glides along the track. Kids under age 8 will require a parent to ride with them.

Want to enjoy the water? We highly recommend becoming a River Pirate and experiencing a pirate adventure on the Columbia River with Wild Blue Yonder Rafting Adventures where you will experience pirate stories, and sing-along-song, all while floating down the river and taking in views of the wildlife. Kids will love the opportunity to play with foam swords. One last amazing stop is the Enchanted Forest, where you can visit British Columbia’s tallest treehouse or explore a large cedar stump house.

Jasper National Park

One of the most popular attractions is the Columbia Icefields SkyWalk which is a glass floor walkway that comes out from the cliff’s edge. This 1km walkway allows you to view waterfalls, and wildlife while listening to a guided tour.

CA Vancouver to Banff Road Trip – Sunwapta Falls

Make sure you check out both the upper and low Sunwapta Falls that are fed by the Athabasca Glacier and thus have clean, clear super blue water rushing over the falls. The upper falls are accessible by a short walk from the parking lot while the lower falls are quieter but require a 1.3km hike to reach the falls.

Jasper National Park offers hiking trails for all skill levels of hikers, including kids. Jasper is a magnificent park to explore, and the best trail for families is the Valley of 5 Lakes, which takes you along five different magnificent lakes. This trail is about 4.5 km and can be done with kids in 2-3 hours.

Make sure you take the Icefields Parkway, which is a 230 km mountain road that connects Jasper National Park and Banff National Park and is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.

Pro Tip : Switch Drivers halfway if you can to allow each driver to truly experience and view the landscape. 

Yoho National Park

Yoho offers beauty and solitude and is slightly quieter than some of the other national parks that are easier to access and closer to Calgary. Canoeing in the park offers views of the mountains that look picture-perfect like a postcard.

If you have older kids and like a little bit more adventure, then you might want to try Kicking Horse River Rafting with a trained guide as you overcome the challenges of the river. Local Rafting Companies offer half-day and full-day tour options.

CA Vancouver to Banff Road Trip – Takakkaw Falls

Find one of the most common symbols of Canada (red Adirondack chairs) located in two different locations within Yoho National Park, offering a place to rest and enjoy the views.

The chairs in Yoho National Park are located at Takakkaw Falls and Yoho Lake and are only 4 of the over 200 chairs that have been located across Canada to encourage tourists to explore our country and take in the magnificent landscape that Canada has from the West to East Coast.

Pro Tip : If you are planning on spending more than 7 days in Canadian National Parks , then we highly suggest purchasing a yearly pass as it works out to be more cost-effective. 

Lake Louise

Enjoy the beauty of water at Lake Louise as you enjoy a family paddle with a mountain backdrop.

The Lake Louise Boathouse rents canoes for an hourly rate of $ 145 CAD an hour, and they can hold a maximum of 3 adults of 2 adults and 2 children that weigh less than 55 pounds. Otherwise, you will need to divide them into 2 canoes. Kayaks are also available for rental.

CA Vancouver to Banff Road Trip – Lake Louise

Take a hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House, which offers spectacular food and views of the Rockies. The trailhead starts at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This trail can be slightly steep and is about a 6.5km return trip that takes 2-3 hours of hiking. Enjoy a cup of tea and check out the cascading waterfall just below the tea house.

If you are not into hiking, then you can take the Lake Louise Gondola, which gives you the best chance of spotting wildlife, including bears, as the fresh patches of meadow underneath the gondola offer plenty of delicious snacks for bears. The gondola ride takes about 15 minutes from top to bottom and offers spectacular views of the surroundings.

Pro Tip : Arrive early, as parking can be a nightmare, and if you arrive too late, you will need to rely on the shuttle to overflow parking which can take a long time and add hours to your total visit time. We suggest arriving around 7 am to guarantee a parking spot. 

Banff National Park

You have reached your final destination of Banff National Park – an outdoor adventurer’s dream location, as the landscape features the natural beauty of mountains, wildlife, historical sites, and clear turquoise lakes.

Dating back to 1885, Banff National Park was discovered and created after railway workers found multiple natural springs, although the history of the park dates back even further as Indigenous communities took care of the land for centuries.

CA Vancouver to Banff Road Trip – Moraine Lake

Be sure to start your day off early by visiting the bucket list destination of Moraine Lake first, as the parking can be full by as early as 7 AM during peak season.

Moraine Lake is a glacial-fed lake in the Valley of Ten Peaks and has an elevation of almost 1900 meters. Take the Lakeshore Trail, which is flat and kid-friendly, and weave you through the forested shoreline to the Lake, where you can sit on the rocky edge and simply take in the magnificent view.

If you are looking for some quieter lakes to visit, then check out Peyto Lake and Lake Minnewanka.

Exploring More Of Canada By Road

The Canadian road trip fun doesn’t end in Banff; we also have these detailed guides:

  • Continue your journey through the Rockies into the northern United States with this Banff to Glacier National Park itinerary
  • In the east? Take on a Toronto To New York Road Trip or try these interesting stops on the drive from Toronto to Boston
  • Discover the Best Day Trips and Weekenders From Toronto
  • You won’t want to miss these 5 Incredible Scenic Drives in Nova Scotia
  • Ready for the most epic cross country adventure? Drive from Toronto to Vancouver

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road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

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Our Vancouver to Banff road trip itinerary took on some of the most jaw dropping scenery throughout the Canadian Rockies I have ever witnessed. The mammoth mountainous peaks and turquoise lakes, particulalry from Jasper to Banff dominated the landscape and cannot be missed. It is visually stunning and wonderfully spectacular. The best part , you get a front row seat, all from the comfort of your vehicle. Pack your bags for this incredible road trip Vancouver to Banff.

  • Road Trip Vancouver to Banff

road trip vancouver to banff

Our drive from Vancouver to Banff National Park was taken in the first week of September. We just missed the busiest months of July and August  and the weather was generally perfect. You could also use this itinerary in reverse as a Banff to Vancouver drive.

Our Canadian Rockies itinerary was also based on our need to make it as affordable as possible.  So if you are hoping to keep your own costs down, I have focused on all the great free things  to see, as well as some of my favourite optional activities.  

We had just finished a road trip to Alaska as well as an Inside Passage cruise . Our Canadian Rocky Mountains trip was next, and then it was onto the US, taking in another road trip from Calgary to Las Vegas. Doing the Candian Rockies on a budget was crucial so Vancouver to Banff by car is perfect independent way to see it all.

We covered some 12 National Parks over 6 weeks. It was epic all round to say the least, but this portion of the trip was highly anticipated. Of course, it delivered ten fold. 

Don’t wait a lifetime to do a Canadian Rockies Road Trip! 

  • Don't wait a lifetime to do a Canadian Rockies Road Trip! 

Driving from Vancouver to Banff. Canadian Rockies itinerary 

Top tips to save, capilano suspension bridge,  affordable places to stay -vancouver, distance 585 km/ drive time 6.30 hrs.

  • Hell's Gate: (fee)

River Safari – Blue River (fee)

Affordable place to stay – blue river, park pass costs, athabasca falls: (free), maligne lake cruise. (fee), maligne canyon (free), affordable places to stay in jasper, distance jasper to banff-  288 km / drive time no stops 3.40 hrs., which direction , glacier skywalk (fee), columbia icefields. (free or fee), peyto lake (free), bow lake (free), lake louise (free), moraine lake. (free), the kananaskis wildlife trail. (free), affordable places to stay in banff.

  • Distance: Banff to Calgary 128 km / 1.30 hrs. 

USA road trip articles

road trip vancouver to banff

Trip Itinerary:  6 nights/ 7 days + 2 pre-trip nights in Vancouver

Driving from Vancouver to Banff : distance covered 1,084 KM

Accommodation stops : Vancouver 2 nights/  Blue River x 1 night / Jasper x 2 nights

Banff X 3 nights.

You may be asking, is this Canadian Rockies road trip long enough?

 No, because you could spend a month here and still never want to go home. But if 7 to 9 nights is all you can manage, you’ll have ample time to see all the Canadian Rockies highlights and just enough down time to choose some of your own adventure. 

vancouver to banff road trip

Self drive – rent a car and do it YOUR way. It’s an easy drive, no need to jump on a train or on a tour. You can save hundreds if not thousands by doing it yourself. 

You can see car rental prices with Hertz here.

Book accommodation in advance so you have plenty of choice at the cheaper options. 

Jasper: Places sell out ridiculously quick here, as it’s much smaller than Banff.  Accommodation prices may be more than you are expecting and many of the cheaper places go quick. We booked 3 months out and it was still quite limited. 

Banff: You’ll find Banff has a much bigger range of accommodations to choose from. Canmore is another option as its only a further 24 km away.

Hotels,com has the huge range of affordable options

Book hotels/resorts with kitchenettes for cooking . We all know how much eating out can really burst the budget. Buy a small cooler to pack lunches and drinks for the road.

Stay out of the Park . Though i don’t recommend the hassle of driving in & out especially after dark, some instances make sense. You’ll read more below on this.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Pre trip stay in Vancouver

Are you staying in Vancouver as a visitor? 

I suggest taking 2 days at least to see some of the highlights. And if you do have an extra day, Vancouver Island and the famous Butchart Gardens are simply magical. They have daily tours that you can access here.

Va ncouver to Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour

Vancouver is a very pretty city and there is so much you can see on foot. Take a stroll along the bay-side precinct all the way up to Canada Place , then onto Gastown , an  historic and trendy area. Head down Robson Street , Vancvouer’s shopping district before catching the ferry over to Granville Island. The 15 minute ferry will only set you back $6 return ticket. 

Best things to do in Vancouver

Stanley Park is a must do for any visitor to Vancouver. The extensive grounds wrap around the bay, offering a staggering amount of open space. We hired bikes from Spokes Bike Rentals near the entrance of the park and rode all the way around Stanley Park. 

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

The other must do activity is Capilano Suspension Bridge.  The famous swing bridge rises high above the Capilano River, and you will certainly enjoy the overview from the bridge itself. Once you reach the other side, there is a fantastic tree top walk. 

To get to Capilano Suspension Bridge, you can take the FREE SHUTTLE bus which leaves from a variety of  locations from within Vancouver. 

For a more detailed article on what you can do in Vancouver, see my post for this below.

Vancouver 2 to 3 day itinerary

road trip vancouver to banff suspension bridge with people on it

Vancouver is an expensive place to stay with average prices well above $200 per night. But there a few more cost effective hotels to call home for a night or two.   Affordable options in the Banff region

  • Samesun Vancouver
  • Barclay Hotel
  • Victorian Hotel
  • The Burrard

Day One – Vancouver to Blue River

car 4x4

Get on the road early. The drive from Vancouver could turn out to be a longer day than expected because it’s so darn pretty. You’ll want extra time to stop along the way when something incredible comes up, and that happens a lot.

We took the Trans Canada Highway all the way to Kamloops, which is not the fastest route, but it’s definitely the most scenic route. We also wanted to check out Hell’s Gate along the way.

The route north of Hope follows the Fraser River. You will possibly catch glimpses of The Rocky Mountaineer train along the way. I have previously done the train journey which is simply stunning but not for the budget seeking traveller .

At least by driving yourself, you get to do the trip at YOUR pace and on YOUR terms.

We stopped in Kamloops for lunch but had no reason to stay any longer, time to push on.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Things to do Blue River (& on the way)

Hell’s gate: (fee).

A really scenic and interesting stop on your Vancouver to Banff road trip is Hell’s Gate . It is located an hour north of Hope. 

Jump on the air-tram  and cross over Fraser Canyon to reach the other side.Then head out on the suspension bridge for an opportunity to soak up the ruggedness of the canyon.

The canyon gets its name due to the treachery of this section of the Fraser River. The history behind it is fascinating..

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

“We saw bears”

I love an unexpected jewel in the crown. River Safari delivered ten fold.  It was a chance encounter the next morning just down the road that halted our departure from Blue River. 

This last minute decision to pull over gave us our first and only bear sightings in the Canadian Rockies with Blue  River Safari Tour.   

Grab your complimentary gear to put on and jump on the next available boat. ( every 30-60 minutes ) Head out on the river in search of bears and have your camera ready.

It wasn’t long before we spotted our first black bear, and a total of four within the next hour.What I loved about this tour was seeing the bears along the water’s edge, drinking peacefully. We quietly drifted toward the banks of the river for a closer look.

I think many people believe seeing a bear in inevitable in the Rockies, but this is not always the case. The first time I came I only saw one, and it was eating from a trash can. So jumping on a tour like this gives you much better odds.

I highly recommend the River Safari Tour.

Arriving early evening into Blue River, we stayed at Sandman Inn right on the main road. This budget style accommodation was all we needed to rest up for the night There is a restaurant here that serves up cheap satisfying meals and very welcoming owners.

Money Saving Tip: by staying in Blue River  you’ll pay much less than inside Jasper National Park.  It’s late anyway by the time you arrive and Blue River is only a couple of hours from Jasper.

You’ll wake up fresher , well rested and ready to go!

Affordable options in Blue River

  • Sandman Inn Blue River
  • Glacier Mountain Lodge
  • Blue River Cabins & Campground

Day Two & Three – Jasper National Park

Distance blue river to jasper: 212 km / drive time 2.20 hrs. .

It’s only a short drive from Blue River to Jasper. Stop along the way at Mount Robson Provincial Park for a photo opportunity at the visitor centre before moving on to Jasper. 

Jasper is a popular spot in the Rockies. It’s much smaller than Banff and doesn’t offer as many places to stay, so book well in advance.

As you’ll be entering a National Park from here, you’ll need to have a Parks Pass . You can pre- purchase or pay on entry.

You can either pay a daily rate or purchase the Annual Parks Pass which may be more economical. 

ADULT (18-64 )  $10

SENIOR (65+)   $8.40  

YOUTH (6-17)   free

FAMILY / GROUP $20

CANADA PARKS DISCOVERY PASS

ADULT $69.19

SENIOR  $59.17

FAMILY / GROUP  $139.40

You can order your passes here.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Things to do – Jasper 

Located south of Jasper heading along the Columbia Ice fields Parkway, this is a really cool place to stop. 

The walk in is busy with other tourists due to its popularity. You will get a chance to see the Falls from different vantage points . Even at the end of summer,  it was really pushing hard. Be sure to take the staircase down to the bottom of the canyon and marvel at the scenery. It’s not difficult nor too steep for most.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Rated as one of the ‘MUST DO” activities in the area, the Maligne Lake Cruise is hard to say no to. 

The lake is glacial fed and it’s as pretty as a picture. The cruise is breathtaking in every way and you’ll get a chance to stop and stretch your legs along the way. As you head out to Spirit Island, you’ll discover this is one of the most photographed spots in all of the Rockies. Hard to argue with that right!

For pricing and bookings – click here. 

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Located on your way to Maligne Lake, don’t miss this interesting stop.

The canyon is well accessed via a series of 6 bridges. Each has their own view point of the canyon. It is a MUST SEE if you are doing Maligne Lake but I recommend going after the lake cruise so you are not rushed. I really enjoyed the walk around the area and took plenty of good shots. 

I think many people miss this stop which is a pity considering how beautiful it is in it’s own right. 

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Conveniently located in Jasper we stayed at Malign Lodge . Staying in a Junior Suite with kitchen facilities, we were able to cook all our meals which saved us a tonne of money.

Don’t you hate using  the bed as a couch in hotel rooms? It can get a little tiring travelling this way every night. You may pay more up front, but you’ll save in the long run.

Affordable options in Jasper.

  • Maligne Lodge (family suite) 
  •   Sleep Inn & Suites (Queen Studio with kitchenette)
  • Overlander Mountain Lodge (Queen room with kitchenette)

Days Four – Icefields Parkway (Jasper to Banff)

This is it. This is why you came!

If you want to see the Canadian Rockies in all its glory, you MUST drive the Icefields Parkway . Located between Jasper & Lake Louise, you’ll be utterly blown away by the spectacular scenes that await.

The road only takes around 3 hours BUT you’ll be hard pressed to do it in even double that time.

Jaw dropping around every corner, the landscape is simply “full on.”

The mountain peaks, the glacial fed turquoise lakes, the wide expansive valleys just have to seen to be believed. You’ll be raving about it for weeks.

The road is in great condition and there is no way you’ll want to take a short nap in the passenger seat. There is too much feasting for the eyes to get sleepy. 

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Many people want to know which way to travel the Icefields Parkway for the best views.

I did some research on this and found more people recommended Jasper to Banff route. I have to agree BUT both ways are outstanding.

We drove the road from Jasper to Banff ,then 2 days later drove back toward Jasper and back to Banff again. This was particularly due to the wild fires that were in the region and causing substantial haze on the first day. 

It was lucky we had some spare time, plus it was a chance to see both directions. It took the whole day but a packed lunch and a tank of fuel was all we needed.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Things to do – Icefileds Parkway

This latest attraction is perched above the Sunwapta Valley in the Rockies.

The glass floor observation deck gives you a view like no other. Glaciers and mountains encompass the scenery.

Unfortunately our day was wet and wild and visibility was low. I imagine on a clear day this attraction would be simply stunning. 

road trip vancouver to banff standing on bridge with glass botom

This is one activity I’d book in advance. 

I could see the wait times for this tour and the people who thought they could just show up and get on a bus.

If you haven’t stepped foot on a glacier then do it. The tour is well organised as you are escorted by bus up to the ice.

You can opt out, save your money and simply walk up toward the glacier, though you won’t actually be able to touch it. The view is still pretty awesome.

Be sure to bring a jacket, the closer you get, the colder it gets.

I’ve done both and enjoyed both versions.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Day Five & Six – Banff National Park

Whilst Jasper was quieter and more relaxed, Banff is anything but. The city is bustling and full of energy yet still retains it’s charm. You can really tell why it’s so darn popular.

There is a great range of restaurants and shopping here. The main street is a great place to explore for an hour or two.

road trip vancouver to banff

Things to do – Banff

Once you arrive at Lake Louise, you are now in Banff National Park .

The famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is an absolute hot spot. Though you may not be able to afford to stay here, you can still dream of it while you watch the view.

There is a 4 km walking track around the lake. Allow 1 hr.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Further down the road is one of the prettiest of lakes in all of the Rockies.

The car park is crazy, not nearly enough spaces to cater for everyone so be patient. You can opt to take the shuttle bus which leaves every 15 minutes from the Park and Ride on Trans Canada Highway.

You can walk around the Lake Shore Trail and hire a canoe during those summer months. 

I must say this was my most favourite photo stop.  What do you think?

road trip vancouver to banff blue lake mountain in background and canoes in front

This scenic 153 km loop takes you out the back of Banff starting in Canmore. This high grade partial gravel road feels quite remote in comparison to the parkway.

The road is far less travelled so it was good to get out and explore a region that many miss. 

A stop at Mount Engadine Lodge for a quiet drink was really nice. We had time to relax and take in the scenery before moving on. 

Wildlife sightings are common here such as elk, bears, moose and deer.

Thanks to the Canmore Visitor Center for recommending this to us.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

While Banff has a wide range of places to stay, I couldn’t stop looking at the town of Canmore. So much cheaper, and close by to Banff. The more I caught eye of some more luxurious hotels and resorts, the more I wanted a decent place to stay. Which brings me to the Copperstone Resort.

Located in Dead Mans Flat, Copperstone Resort  by Clinique is a 15 minute drive south of Banff and 5 minutes out of Canmore, this resort is gorgeous. I chose Copperstone due to it’s irresistible price and luxury suites.

It is out of the park (approx 12 km) which is why the cost is so reasonable. 

This really is your home away from home. It has everything for a comfortable stay. Full kitchen, lounge, a TV in the living area & bedroom, washer & dryer, Free WiFi and an outdoor setting.

Affordable options in the Banff region

  • Copperstone Resort (Dead mans Flat)
  • Canmore Inn & Suites (Canmore)
  • Holiday Inn (Canmore)
  • Samesun (Banff )
  • Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets (Banff)

road trip vancouver to banff

Day Seven- Calgary

Distance: banff to calgary 128 km / 1 .30 hrs.  .

  • The Canadian Rockies have so much in the way of natural beauty, you really don’t need to spend much money.

I do believe that the paid attractions on offer are quite reasonable in price. Maybe because it’s in a National Park and not some greedy tourist trap.

So for this reason  I think you should spend the money on the things that really matter to you.

Remember, you may never be back in this part of the world. 

You can read about our epic US road trip which starts in Calgary, heading south to  Glacier National Park and beyond.

  • USA road trip- best of National Parks
  • Best of Alaska including Denali
  •   3 day Glacier National Park
  • Visiting Yellowstone – 3 day itinerary
  • Grand Teton & Jacksons Hole in a day
  • Antelope Canyon  – know before you go
  • Bryce Canyon in a day
  • One amazing day in Zion National Park Utah

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Road Trip Alberta

The ICEFIELDS PARKWAY: Getting from Banff to Jasper (for 2024)

Disclaimer: this page may contain affiliate links. please review our full terms and conditions for more information and our privacy policy. note that any pricing, operating hours, or other such information provided below may have changed since initial publication..

Compiled by the Road Trip Alberta team

Last updated on January 25, 2024

Alberta is a province that possesses immeasurable beauty seen while cruising the highways. The stretch from Banff to Jasper (or in the reverse, from Jasper to Banff!) might just be the corridor that tops it all. Otherwise known as the Icefields Parkway , it ranks as one of the most beautiful drives in the world and it makes for an ultimate Canadian Rockies road trip. It’s no wonder we include it on our list of the best things to do in Alberta !

A view of Peyto Lake in Banff National Park

The Icefields Parkway is 288 km long and driving should take no more than 4 hours in good weather. But we would never recommend driving it in a straight shot. There are so many things to see along the way and a whole day should be set aside for this drive. Don’t want to drive? You can also get a one-way (or return) tour so that you can just kick back and enjoy the views. (Make sure to check into their scheduled stops though, so that you’ll get to see exactly what you want.) Don’t miss a thing on this once-in-a-lifetime drive!

Be forewarned though, that because this road is smack dab in the mountains, and it is susceptible to inhospitable weather. There are even frequent closures during the winter months due to avalanches and dangerous conditions. If driving, it is important to be properly equipped. In the winter months, your vehicle will require mandatory winter tires, and be sure to keep your eye on road reports before you set out. If you’re taking a tour or are riding with someone else, build some flexibility into your plans just in case.

Getting from Banff to Jasper

About the route.

Taking the AB-93 North, the total distance from Banff to Jasper is 288 km. Breaking that up – the distance from Banff to Lake Louise (a MUST stop along the way) is 57 km and the distance from Lake Louise to Jasper is 233 km. Overall, the trip should take close to 4 hours if driving with minimal stops.

Note that you will need a National Park Pass for the Icefields Parkway! You can buy the pass at the park gates or order it in advance online.

Effective January 1, 2024 daily fees are:

  • Adult: $10.50
  • Senior: $9.00
  • Youth (up to 17 yo): FREE
  • Family/group (up to 7 people): $21.00
  • Commercial group (per person): $9.00

The daily passes expire at 4 pm the following day. If you’re looking to enter multiple times or staying longer, consider the Parks Canada Discovery Pass . It gives you unlimited admission for a year to all the national parks in Canada.

Discovery Pass fees are as follows:

  • Adult: $72.25
  • Senior: $61.75
  • Family/group: $145.25

For more information, visit the Parks Canada website .

Fun fact: it used to take three weeks to make the trip by horse!

The iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Take the guesswork out of planning your Alberta trip!

We now offer two ways to help ease the burden of travel planning:

  • We've developed ebook itineraries and travel guides for hot Alberta destinations and for a variety of 7-day trips. For one low price, you'll get local travel advice that you WON'T find elsewhere!
  • Want a custom trip tailored exactly to your needs? We are pleased to also offer a custom service for planning your Alberta vacation .

Banff to Jasper by Car

Take your Banff to Jasper experience into your own hands by driving yourself on this scenic route! Before departing from either Jasper or Banff, make sure to check the Icefields Parkway road conditions before getting in the car. Curate your road trip ahead of time so that you know exactly what you want to see and do along the way.

Tip: If you are driving the Icefields Parkway in winter (between November 1 and March 31) or any other period during which the highways are snow-covered, winter tires or chains are mandatory and required by law .

While driving, be sure to pay close attention to the stretch between Lake Louise to Jasper as the potential wildlife sightings are plentiful. If you do see wildlife and want to take a picture, we recommend finding a safe place to pull over to do so. No need to cause unnecessary accidents due to a sudden stop on the highway!

Mountain Sheep on the highway in Jasper National Park

Note that there is only one gas station along the Icefields Parkway – at the Saskatchewan Crossing (almost exactly halfway between Banff and Jasper) – so make sure you top up your tank before the drive. Plan for food because the only food stops are in Saskatchewan Crossing, the Icefields Visitor Center, and the Sunwapta Falls Resort. Packing your own meals and snacks is recommended.

The most common direction is to leave from Banff and drive to Jasper. If you took a shuttle from Calgary to Banff and require a rental car , there are a few car rental companies in Banff to choose from:

  • We recommend booking via  RentalCars.com , to select the cheapest rate or to book with whichever company you prefer.

Banff to Jasper by Tour

We’d hate for you to spend all that time behind the wheel without really appreciating the scenery around you! If you are in Banff without your own wheels and need to get to Jasper, consider this one-way tour that lets you enjoy the sights but will also stop for the Columbia Icefields along the way (you won’t get that with a regular transfer).

Viator offers to you pick up from any hotel in Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Calgary or Kananaskis and customers can expect a worry-free ride to their next stop, with drop-off at most major hotels and resorts in the region.

SunDog Tours

In the summer months, SunDog Tours has a one-way Banff to Jasper tour running from May thru October. It makes stops in Lake Louise and includes a four-hour stop at the Columbia Icefield. There is also a stop at the iconic Athabasca Falls. This tour lasts for approximately 12 hours and is an incredible way to sit back and enjoy seeing the Icefields Parkway. The cost for the tour is approximately $280 for adults and $140 for children.

Sundog Tours

In the winter months, SunDog also has a direct route between Banff and Jasper that is part of their Calgary Connector which is a daily winter service between Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, and Calgary. This service operates from October to April.

Banff to Jasper by Shuttle

Sit back and relax in the comfort of a private vehicle with an experienced driver at the wheel, and enjoy one of the most scenic drives of your life.

Banff to Jasper by private transfer ensures the most leisurely and relaxed way to get between the two National Parks. The perk of this option as well is that you have a built-in guide to explain points of interest during your journey. The options mentioned below also work in reverse from Jasper to Banff.

Icefields Parkway from above

  • SunDog Tours offers a private journey option for a sedan, SUV, and shuttle rates between Banff and Jasper depending on the size of your group.
  • Banff Tours has different options of vehicles based on group size with a capacity of up to 24 people and you can customize your itinerary as much as you please.

Banff to Jasper by Bus

By far the best way to experience the Banff to Jasper drive would be as a passenger! Taking a bus from Banff to Jasper (or vice versa!) is highly recommended to really soak in the sights. Here are some options:

Brewster Express

Brewster Express offers a more direct route with a shuttle service right from Banff to Jasper. Bus departure and drop-off locations can be conveniently customized to your hotel stays, and keep in mind that you can save more if you book a return trip instead of just one way.

Brewster Bus on the Icefields Parkway

Banff Tours

Banff Tours also provides a coach shuttle service between Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies. Pick-up points are at select hotels within each destination.

Banff to Jasper by Train

Unfortunately, there is no direct train that goes just between Banff and Jasper. However, there are many train options that include the Icefields Parkway in their itinerary but are part of a bigger multi-day route. Some examples are:

  • Canada By Design Icefield Discovery – Tour leaves from either Vancouver or Calgary and explores the landscapes of western Canada, including time in Jasper National Park and Banff National Park.
  • Rocky Mountaineer has multiple options of routes that include Jasper National Park and Banff National Park.

Rocky Mountaineer train in Alberta

Banff to Jasper by Rideshare

With the number of rideshare options nowadays, finding a ride from Banff to Jasper can be as simple as searching for a ride on Kijiji. However, with the complexity of the roads, it may be useful to use a rideshare option that allows you to read reviews on the drivers to ensure that their skill level is adequate to comfortably travel between Banff and Jasper. With Uber not currently available in the parks at this time, there is one option that allows you to see driver reviews before booking:

  • Poparide.com – There are options to select your driver based on your luggage and equipment requirements if you are travelling with skis, bikes, etc. Poparide charges per seat so you have an opportunity to meet other visitors if you are travelling solo between the parks. Prices vary depending on the day but the average is between $25-44 CAD.

Fun Things to Do Along the Way

Taking the Icefields Parkway is all about the beautiful stops and sights. Here are some of the many fun things to do along the way, told in order from Banff to Jasper (just reverse the list if starting the other way!)

Vermillion Lakes (2 km from Banff, 286 km from Jasper)

Just five minutes west of the Banff townsite are the stunning Vermilion Lakes. Enjoy views of Mount Rundle as it towers over. The area also has a short 2 km boardwalk loop – a great way to stretch your legs before a long drive. Hit it at sunrise for some spectacular shots of the sun breaking over the ridgeline.

Vermillion Lakes

(**Be sure to read our guide to the best photo spots in Banff National Park. You will get equipment tips and more to ensure you take the best photos on this drive!)

Johnston Canyon (25 km from Banff, 263 km from Jasper)

The spectacular Johnston Canyon provides a popular day hike from Banff for good reason. Well-maintained trails and catwalks take you right into the canyon and to two impressive waterfalls. The return trip is up to 2.5 hours, so note that this will eat up a good chunk of your driving day (but is well worth it).

The view inside Johnston Canyon Banff National Park

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake ( (57 km from Banff, 231 km from Jasper)

This just might be your most memorable stop along the way. Admire the beautiful, impossibly blue lake and the mountains towering above. Go up the Lake Louise Gondola or go on a guided Lake Louise hike for prime mountain views. There are opportunities for dining, hiking, easy walks, and good ol’ sightseeing! It is one of the best places to spot wild grizzly bears, too. At the top of the gondola, the Wildlife Interpretive Centre offers interactive presentations, guided hikes and more for guests.

A woman paddling a canoe on Lake Louise

If you’re in Lake Louise, you are very near to Moraine Lake, and that is a CANNOT miss spot (just look at the image on any Canadian $20 bill and you’ll see why)! However, note that starting in 2023, Moraine Lake will be closed to personal vehicles. We recommend booking a shuttle from Banff or the Lake Louise Summer Gondola with the Moraine Lake Bus Company – not only are they the only company to offer sunrise shuttles (gotta get those epic shots for the ‘Gram!) but they are also the only company that lets you pre-book your return journey (so that you don’t have to wait). It may seem a bit of a hassle to make this stop, but we promise you, it’s worth it (and easier than you think if you plan it right).

Tip: If you’ve got the time, we highly recommend at least one overnight stay at the historic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise as well. It is another once-in-a-lifetime experience that will also allow you to fully appreciate all there is to do in the area.

Bow Glacier Falls / The Lodge at Bow Lake (95 km from Banff, 193 km from Jasper)

This picturesque lodge on the shores of Bow Lake is a center for storytelling in the Rockies. It is a hub for hiking and sightseeing with Bow Lake, Bow Glacier Falls and Peyto Lake nearby. The lodge has a restaurant with hearty food to enjoy too.

Bow Summit and Peyto Lake (100 km from Banff, 188 km from Jasper)

This is a perfect day hike to take while touring the Icefields Parkway! The return time on the Summit Lookout is only 2.5 hours. This easy hike is 40km North of Lake Louise and offers a gorgeous view of Peyto Lake.

Canoeing on Bow Lake

Mistaya Canyon (130 km from Banff, 158 km from Jasper)

Mistaya Canyon is a scenic gem that is definitely worth stopping for. Often overlooked, this canyon is a short hike in to see the sculpted canyon and rushing water.

Mistaya Canyon Banff National Park

Big Bend Viewpoint (171 km from Banff, 118 km from Jasper)

This is a stop that is a DO NOT MISS ( click here to find the exact spot ). Pullover atop the pass, and from the viewing platform you will have your eyes set on some of the most beautiful scenery along the Icefields Parkway. We don’t even want to put a photograph in here so you will be surprised at the stunning scenery once you have arrived. You’re welcome.

Columbia Icefields (185 km from Banff, 103 km from Jasper)

This is one of Canada’s most impressive sights as it is the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies. If you’re looking to get up close and personal – take a tour to walk right on the Athabasca glacier, and/or visit the Icefield Skywalk .

The glass-floored lookout and interpretive walk takes you through the story of the Icefields and gives you a unique perspective on the Sunwapta Valley. (Note that you will save money if you book in advance, and book both experiences together!) There are two dining options at this stop – one casual and one fancier, local-dining experience.

Glacier Walk Jasper National Park

Sunwapta Falls (234 km from Banff, 54 km from Jasper)

Fed by the Athabasca Glacier, the Sunwapta Falls is a stunning place to stop. This site is good for a quick stop – the upper falls can be viewed from the viewpoint parking lot – or a long one! There are opportunities for white-water rafting, hiking and staying overnight .

Sunwapta Falls in Jasper National Park

Athabasca Falls (257 km from Banff, 32 km from Jasper)

This waterfall stemming from the Athabasca River drops 23 metres to where it is known as Athabasca Falls. There are a number of lookout points where you can see the power of the falls. The falls themselves are not very high compared to others in the Canadian Rockies, but the size of the river makes these falls one of the most powerful in the Canadian mountain national parks.

The powerful Athabasca Falls in Jasper National Park

Upon Arrival to Jasper

You made it!

If you would like more information useful on local attractions, check out our Banff destination guide and Jasper destination guide (we also have an itinerary for three days in Jasper , and a list of great Jasper tours to take, which should help you plan your stay). Be sure to pay a visit to the visitor centres in each town:

  • Jasper Visitor Center at 500 Connaught Drive.
  • Banff Visitor Centre at 224 Banff Ave.
  • Banff Visitor Information Kiosk at the Banff Railway Station

Tourism Jasper

Where to Stay in Jasper

We’ve published an entire guide for accommodations in Jasper . If you just want to peruse a few quick options, we have our top picks below:

Luxury – Although not quite as jaw-dropping and impressive as its Banff neighbour, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is notable in its own right. With impressive lakefront views of Beauvert Lake, 8 on-site restaurants, a spa, and an award-winning golf course, this resort is worth the splurge.

Dining at Osso Trattoria at Jasper Park Lodge

Mid-Range – For a unique accommodation experience in Jasper National Park, we recommend renting a cabin at Jasper East Cabins . They are more budget-friendly than Jasper Park and you get to stay in your very own wood cabin that has all the amenities like a fireplace and kitchenette.

Budget – Jasper is a year-round camping destination with campground options for every level of camper from rugged backcountry to family-friendly with easy access to amenities. Parks Canada allows you to book a site online to reserve your spot ahead of time for camping in Banff and Jasper. And if camping is not your cup of tea, Maligne Lodge is a Jasper hotel that won’t break the bank.

Home away from home. There are plenty of B&Bs in town and many Jasper Airbnbs to choose from.

Where to Stay in Banff

Luxury – We cannot mention hotels in Banff National Park without presenting the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs . This is a once-in-a-lifetime type of stay that is totally worth the experience. This stunning and historic hotel is full of shops, a world-class spa, and amazing restaurants that offer breathtaking views of notable peaks. The Bow Falls are also right on site.

Mid-Range – As the Fairmont can run many hundreds of dollars a night, a more budget-friendly option is the Canalta Lodge . Recently renovated, we really enjoyed our stay amid its eclectic design. With a hot tub, free breakfast, and underground parking, this property has been recognized as the best value in Banff.

Canalta Lodge Banff

Budget – If your budget is better spent exploring all that Banff has to offer and you don’t want to splurge on accommodations, then look no further than the Banff International Hostel . The hostel is located on the beautiful property of the Banff Centre. It’s easily walkable to downtown Banff, has a fully equipped kitchen for all to use, free breakfast, and is highly rated.

To see all the recommended places to stay in Banff, see our Where to stay in Banff guide , plus this smaller guide to Banff cabins .

Home away from home – There are options to find a Banff Airbnb . Be aware that the town does not allow Airbnbs to operate in the townsite, but there are options just outside to accommodate.

Don’t Forget!

Need some help planning your itinerary? Check out our guides for all the things to do while visiting Banff or Jasper .

ALSO, don’t forget that while you’re on the road, you can download our FREE Road Trip Alberta bingo cards , to make it just that much more fun!

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Mountain views in downtown Banff

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road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

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road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Vancouver to Jasper Road Trip

September 30, 2019 josy a comments 35 comments.

Jasper Road Trip - One of the prettiest drives ever

I would love to take the train the whole way to Jasper, but as tickets on the Rocky Mountaineer start at $1579 (they can be as much as $2700!) it is not quite in our price range. Especially when you multiply that price by four! Driving ourselves meant we managed to do the whole adventure, but without those crazy costs! This trip cost us around $200 in gas.

Gorgeous Canyon view as the sun rose over Athabasca Falls canyon

Vancouver to Jasper Road Trip Itinerary:

If you do the whole drive from Vancouver to Jasper in one go, it will take over 8 hours to go via Clearwater, or 11.5 hours via Banff. But, driving that much in a single day would take half the fun out of this epic journey as there is sooo much to see along the way! We did enjoy driving the whole way to Banff previously, but this time we decided to break the journey up more, so we stayed the night in Clearwater on the way, and in Revelstoke on our return journey.

Day 1: Drive to Clearwater 475km (about 5 hours driving) Explore Waterfalls in Wells Gray Provincial Park Day 2: Drive from Clearwater to Jasper 318km (3.5 hours driving) Day 3: Explore Jasper and go skiing Day 4: Drive along the Icefields Parkway to Banff 287km (3.5 hours driving) Day 5: Explore Banff with as many hikes as possible! Day 6: Drive from Banff to Revelstoke 382km (3.5 hours driving) Day 7: Explore Revelstoke, then drive back to Vancouver 565km (6.5 hours driving)

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Vancouver to Jasper Road Trip Map:

Hopefully this map will give you some idea about our route. I have included all of the stop offs we made along the way (although there were a few others for food or gas.) There is sooo much to see that I could easily double the time, number of walks and viewpoints.

Vancouver to Jasper Road Trip Essentials:

  • Winter Tires – The first time we visited Banff it snowed in September, so we kept our snowtires on for this trip in April. It snowed 2 days before we arrived in Jasper.
  • Bring Snacks  – We bought a cooler and filled it up with bread, cheese, fruits, carrots, nuts and spreads. Plus a little milk for tea once we arrived. We’re so English.
  • Map  – Because you never know when you might lose phone signal
  • Sunglasses  – There are always moments when you’ll be driving towards the sun!
  • Camera  – Because you will take a zillion photos out the window, even if you know photos from car windows never come out well!

Vancouver to Clearwater

We did this part of the drive very early in the morning (we started at 5am.) This was mostly so we’d have some time to explore Wells Gray Provincial Park in the day light. This turned out to be a fantastic decision. We stayed in a cheap hotel in Clearwater, and spent several hours walking and looking at the waterfalls. We had so much fun, that we went back for more waterfalls the following morning before driving on.

The photos below are Spahats Creek Falls and Helmcken Falls – but take a look at my post about all the waterfalls , as there are so many impressive ones in the area.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Clearwater to Jasper

We started the day with a quick hike to Moul Falls , then visited the supermarket in Clearwater so we’d have a picnic for the road trip. Most of the journey was under clouds and rain, but the scenery is always interesting. We noticed some massive sections of burned forests, and other large sections that look like they have been hit by pine beetle infestations.

On a whim, we made a quick stop off at Rearguard Falls , which turned out to be an incredibly beautiful place to stretch your legs.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

This is the view just passing through Mount Robson Provincial Park. We couldn’t see above the clouds, but it was spectacular anyway!

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Once we’d made it to Jasper, we walked around the town to explore, and found a whole herd of deer relaxing and eating the grass right outside out hotel! It was a fantastic welcome.

Exploring Jasper

We split up on our day in Jasper. Marc and I spent a truly awesome day skiing at Marmot Basin . George and Cerys took the car to explore Jasper and take the Jasper SkyTram up Whistler Peak.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

We met up later for tasty food at to watch the sunset by Pyramid Lake.

Jasper to Banff – Icefields Parkway

This was the most epic day of our entire trip! The Icefields Parkway has to be the most beautiful highway in the world! We basically started early and spend the entire day stopping off to see ridiculously pretty viewpoints, taking mini hikes to waterfalls and exclaiming at how awesome it is to see Glaciers up close! If you did not see it already, please take a look at my post about Hikes and Highlights of the Icefields Parkway . It’s hard to describe just how epic that part of the road trip can be!

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Exploring Banff

Marc and I had previously only seen Banff in the snow (and clouds) , so it was a bit of a revelation to arrive to see how picturesque it can be in the springtime! Our group split up again so George and Cerys could explore the town, while Marc and I went hiking. We climbed up the amazing C-level Cirque trail , and then up to Castle Mountain Lookout .

I also have a bunch of ideas about what you can do in Banff in the springtime .

Hoodoos view in springtime

Banff to Revelstoke

We had another pretty epic day. We started by visiting the Banff Hoodoos. Then we showed off Johnston Canon and Lake Louise. They were both covered in ice, but great fun to explore.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

After that, we drove on to one of my favourite places, Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park. Although Lake Louise and Emerald Lake were both still frozen, the natural bridge (which you’ll pass right before Emerald lake), was all thawed out and looking pretty.

Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park

Revelstoke to Vancouver

As we got closer to Revelstoke, we noticed two fun-sounding spots to explore, the Giant Cedar Boardwalk and Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk . So, before we continued on our drive, we popped back to take a peek. They are both really fun places to explore on route from Banff.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

This involves a little extra driving, but we made a quick stop off at the Sicamous Lookout.

Sicamous Lookout - you can drive up to this viewpoint

We also stopped for a picnic and a mini hike to Gibraltar Rock in Paul Lake Provincial Park near Kamloops, which seemed like a fantastic area to return to and explore more!

Paul Lake from the top of Gibraltar Rock - George and Cerys

Final Tips for Vancouver to Jasper Road Trip:

Be prepared for all kinds of weather, especially in the winter and shoulder season. When we have driven these routes in April and September, there was plenty of snow and ice, so we were glad we had our winter tires.

It is very likely that you’ll be able to spot some Canadian wildlife on your drive to Jasper. You might see big horned sheep, caribou, elks, mountain goats and bears. We have never seen a moose, but we were told in winter you can often see them near Clearwater. If you do see animals close to the road, (and it is safe to park and watch them) please do not stay for more than a couple of minutes.

  • Whatever you do, do not feed the bears (or any of the wildlife.) It may change their behaviour to associate humans with food. This can lead to the bears having to be slaughtered because you fed it to get your photo.
  • Don’t stop in the middle of the road or get in the way on oncoming traffic. (Duh!?)
  • Do NOT get out of your car!
  • Never drop litter (I mean you shouldn’t be throwing litter out from your car anyway…)

My friend Susan has a fantastic post about how to survive when hiking in Bear Country if you’d like to read more.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Avalanche areas

We had a few delays for road works, but friends have told me sometimes you need to wait much longer for highway closures for avalanche control. Actual avalanches can also occur at any time, so if there is a road sign that says you’re in an avalanche area, don’t stop there.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

I hope you like the look of this fantastically fun road trip. If you are travelling to Canada, or if you live in Vancouver, it is a great way to explore and see the Rockies.

This is us in from of the Stutfield Glacier a few minutes before we got to the Athabasca Glacier

Other posts you might find useful:

  • Icefields Parkway
  • Vancouver to Banff road trip
  • Vancouver to Waterton Lakes road trip
  • Things to do in Banff in the Spring

Or, if you’d like to see links to all my hikes and awesome sightseeing spots, you can find them all below. Click on the icons to find links to each blogpost.

If you found this helpful, please click on the pins below to save them.

Vancouver to Jasper Road Trip - Even beautiful in the clouds

I would LOVE it if you could share this post!

35 thoughts on “ vancouver to jasper road trip ”.

Wow Josy your post inspired me to take walking trails n hikes.Canada in my bucket list big time now

Yay! Well, you’re on the right continent at the moment! Come North and say hello! 😀

You should open your own tour company or travel agency because you have such amazing experiences and provide such detailed information. You could write off all of your travel expenses and hiking and skiing adventures as “research” for your business. (Hey, I’m here to help.)

Thanks again for the beautiful photos.

Patricia Rickrode w/a Jansen Schmidt

You are the sweetest Patricia! Thank you for the lovely comment. I would loooove that…although I am not sure I’d find enough people willing to pay for it!

What a fantastic road trip through the most incredible countryside. I was only talking about returning to BC and Alberta the other day and your post has just brought all of those memories flooding back. The Icefields Parkway has to be the worlds most amazing drive surely? Wonderful photos.

It really is an epic drive! I would really like to go back in the summertime. I know it will be far more busy, but I would love to see the Rockies looking even more rocky!

I’d totally want to take my time with that road trip. Those views are epic!

Yeeees! It is way better to take extra time over it. If we had double the numbers of days, I could easily have filled them!

Still on my list: Wells Gray and Mount Robson!! Ugh, I need to plan another trip to Canada hahaha. There are a ton of hikes I still want to do!

P.S. love your maps!! 😉

Yay! I am so glad I finally worked out how to embed maps. I just need to work out to add hiking maps now.

+1 for needing to see more of Mount Robson. It’s my friend Lisa’s favorite mountain and she has good mountain taste, so I need to see more of it!

Totally bookmarking this post to plan my trip to Canada. Thank you so much for the Inspo!

You’re welcome Diana! Give me a shout if you need advice when you start planning.

such a stellar guide! Will definitely be using this map if I take this road trip!

Yay! Thanks Laura!

Wow Josy! I’m so full of wanderlust thanks to your amazing photos! I’m in New Brunswick right now and we are heading to Vancouver in the next 3 weeks in our van. The idea is to beat the freezing cold and snow before it gets too bad. I’m so sad we won’t be able to explore the parks like this since it’ll probably be too cold or closed!

I bet you’ll still be able to explore a bit on your journey! We went to Banff in October last year, and although it snowed, we had an amaaazing time. I really love it in early winter when the mountains are covered in snow, but the waters have not yet frozen, so you can see their gorgeous blue colour!

Fall is *just* starting here in Vancouver, so you might catch the end of it on this side of Canada.

Your drive is going to be amaaaazing! Let me know if you’d like to meet up for ramen or something once you get here.

I am ashamed to admit, I’m a Canadian who hasn’t done this road trip yet. It’s such an iconic one, I don’t know what I’m waiting for!? Thank you so much for the helpful map with the pit stops and the travel tips like making sure the car has winter tires, I would have never thought to ask that! Beautiful photos, I have to get there soon!

Oooh you always have SUCH good photos – when you do get around to it, I am going to want to follow along!! 😀

Such an incredible adventure! I really want to do the cross-Canada train journey but like you said, tickets are pricey. This post just makes me want to do it even more though as your photos of Banff are stunning! <3

Some of my favourite places. It would be a great drive. I’ve driven a lot of BC when I went up to Barkerville through Quesnel but didn’t get all the way to jasper on that trip. Even going all the way out there I still never saw a moose either. The waterfall pictures though, love it!

I have to be honest, I had never heard of Jasper until I read this post. Wow, I can’t believe I didn’t know about this winter wonderland. You’ve captured it beautifully and made me want to visit.

Lovely post! Definitely making me miss Canada haha! There’s just so many beautiful places to explore in this part of the country. We did Vancouver to Banff to Jasper, beautiful views anywhere you looked!

This has to be one of the most epic road trip in the world. I love seeing all the waterfalls, mountains and lakes but it’s the wildlife that pulls me in. Seeing bears and other animals in the wild like that is such a privilege. As always amazing photos!

Looks gorgeous! I love Vancouver and Jasper has been on my list for ages. This road trip looks soooo awesome!

Love your road trip. And you provided great tips..very nice and cool. Thanks for a great content!

The road trip from Vancouver to Jasper really looks to be one of the most gorgeous long drives in Canada and not of Canada but it looks the most wonderful road trip in whole world. This drive is high on my wishlist and I would surely refer all your nature trips from Vancouver when I plan this road trip in future. Pinning it for my reference.

Wow, what a great road trip and amazing landscapes! While I might not be a skier I appreciate the beauty of the nature. Your photos are awe-inspiring! Thanks for providing a detailed guide and marking all the places on the map.

What an amazing road trip! I’d love to do this! A visit to the NP on its own would be amazing (and it’s on my bucket list!), but the whole trip looks beautiful, and like so much fun! Your photos are also gorgeous! Did you take the one with the bear? I’d be the happiest of campers if I could take that pic 🙂

This is a gorgeous road trip! So much beauty is western Canada and I have yet to fully experience it. One day!!! Thanks for the inspiration.

I LOVE road tripping around Alberta and BC (I live in Ontario, where we don’t have such majestic mountains). I have yet to make it out to Jasper though. Thanks for this inspo, and love the pictures, so gorgeous.

sounds epic! this area of Canada is definitely on my bucketlist!

What an incredible trip. Hiking in Canada sounds goergous. The spots in the Rearguard Falls and at Emerald Lake seem awesome. Is the picture from the bear is really from you ;)?

Thank you so much! That bear was right next to the road. We were the first people to see it, so we could park near him and take that photo. I stood up (so was out of the sun roof) and used my big lens with a zoom, so he looks closer than he really was!

Hi. We would like to take our motor home to Jasper from Ontario and then onward to Victoria. Could you tell me what the roads are like from Jasper to Vancouver.

Thanks Dena

It depends which route you decide to take, but you should be fine. You can take highways the entire way. The roads are in great condition. 🙂

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Girl With The Passport

The Ultimate Vancouver to Banff Road Trip in 2024

By: Author Girl with the Passport

Posted on Last updated: November 8, 2023

Categories North America

Looking to embark on a mega epic Canadian road trip and not sure where to start? Then why not do this Vancouver to Banff road trip ?

Not only is this Vancouver to Banff drive next-level gorgeous, but you’ll travel through an astounding, 526 miles (or 847 km) of rugged wilderness.

Therefore, this route will take you at least 10 hours to complete – but probably more if you actually use this Banff to Vancouver road trip itinerary as outlined.

And you really should since there are tons of scenic spots with drool-worthy views for you to admire along the way. I mean, seriously. The Canadian Rockies are unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.

However, if you’re new to British Columbia and Alberta in general, it can be difficult to know when to stop, what to eat, and where to stay.

Therefore, you’ll need the help of a super-savvy traveler like me, your friendly Girl with the Passport. to help you plan the best ever Vancouver to Banff road trip.

After all, I’ve been to this beyond beautiful country more times than I can count. Yup, talk about the perks of living just below the border.

And now I want to share with you all my most secret tips so that you can plan the perfect Vancouver to Banff drive.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

The Ultimate Vancouver to Banff Road Trip

1. vancouver.

View of downtown Vancouver and one of the best provinces to live in Canada

The best place to start your road trip to Banff is Vancouver. This vibrant city on the western edge of British Columbia is the most densely populated and diverse city in Canada.

With a backdrop of mountains, rainforests, and endless waters, Vancouver is a must-visit for anyone planning a Vancouver to Banff road trip!

But, beyond the wealth of outdoor adventures that are to be found here, this city is also home to a thriving art scene and some of the best restaurants in the province.

Best Things to do in Vancouver

  • Stanley Park – A must-add to any Vancouver itinerary is Stanley Park. Located in the northwestern part of downtown, the park covers 1000 acres and has so much to offer visitors! There are beaches, trails, and gardens aplenty. Also be sure to hike over 15 miles of forested trails and the boardwalk too. Or you can rent a bike and cycle along the scenic Seawall. The park also has a variety of tours on offer by way of carriage, bus, or trolley. Plus, it’s a great spot for families since it’s home to a miniature railway, the Vancouver Aquarium, a waterpark, and tons of playgrounds.

Pro Tip: While in Stanley Park, don’t forget to visit Brockton Point to see the totem poles and learn about the First Nations people who called this area home.

  • Capilano Suspension Bridge Park – A bucket list item for every Vancouver road trip is a visit to this awesome suspension bridge ! Hanging 230 feet above the Capilano River, the bridge is 450 feet across. It’s also located on Vancouver’s north shore and takes you through a spectacular rainforest, complete with stunning views. The park also has a treetop adventure, Living Forest exhibit, and a cliff walk for you to enjoy too.
  • Whale Watching – Off the shores of Vancouver the waters are home to a wealth of marine life. You can spot everything from humpback whales to dolphins. Therefore, there are a variety of whale-watching tours available . However, do be aware that the best time to see whales here is between April and October. Another highlight of these tours is the incredible views of the city from the water!
  • Explore Gastown – One of the trendiest neighborhoods in Vancouver is Gastown! In fact, this area is filled with art galleries, unique shops, and delicious restaurants, making this Vancouver’s original downtown core. So, stroll the cobblestone streets and take in the historic buildings before starting your Vancouver to Banff road trip. Plus, one of the most famous sights in the area is the Gastown Steam Clock. It’s one of only a few found around the world! The coolest part, on the hour it gives a toot from each whistle!

What to Eat in Vancouver

  • La Taqueria Pinche Taco Shop – With various locations across the city, they have the best tacos. For something different, opt for their popular Al Pastor Tacos.
  • Kingyo – A Fun and fabulous Japanese restaurant with delicious small plates and bento.
  • Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar – For all the best seafood in Vancouver, you’ll want to indulge in their Seafood Tower.

Where to Stay in Vancouver

  • Cambie Hostel Gastown (budget) – This adults-only hostel has dorm rooms that are for women or men only. They also have a great gastropub that’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • The Burrard (mid-range) – Located downtown, this hip hotel is close to many sights, and there’s a coffee shop as well as bicycles for guests.
  • Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (luxury) – This castle-like luxury hotel has a spa, restaurants, and pool. Plus, it’s within walking distance of many of the city’s top attractions.

Pro Tip: Make a pitstop in Squamish for the Sea to Sky Gondola on your way to Whistler. The gondola offers epic views of Howe Sound, plus there’s a suspension bridge, café, and more!

Distance and Travel Time from Vancouver to Whistler : Almost 2 hours and 75 miles north of Vancouver

2. Whistler

View of Whistler village during your Vancouver to Banff road trip itinerary.

One of the most scenic drives in British Columbia is from Vancouver to Whistler!

Driving along the Sea to Sky Highway, also known as BC Highway 99, you’ll wind your way along the coast and find a number of epic lookouts to enjoy.

Whistler Village is also known for being home to one of the largest ski resorts in North America. However, there’s plenty to do in this charming little village throughout the year even if you don’t ski, including hiking, museums, and spas.

Best Things to do in Whistler

  • Hit the Slopes – No Banff to Vancouver road trip is complete without hitting the slopes in Whistler! In fact, two peaks, Whistler and Blackcomb, tower over the village here. So, head to Whistler Blackcomb Resort where you’ll find over 200 runs, nearly 40 lifts, and over 8000 acres of skiable terrain. If you’re visiting in the summer, skiing is still available since the resort offers Canada’s longest ski season, which can run until July! For adventurers, heli-skiing is also an option too!
  • Garibaldi Provincial Park – A stunning park in BC, Garibaldi is home to dense coastal rainforests, glaciers, mountains, and lakes. It’s also full of long-distance hiking trails and a few of which are doable in either a full or half-day. One is the High Note Trail. It can be accessed via the Whistler Gondola and Peak Chairlift and is considered intermediate in terms of difficulty. Plus, along the way, you’ll be rewarded with views of Cheakamus Lake – complete with dozens of stunning viewpoints!
  • Peak 2 Peak Gondola Whistler – For sweeping views of snow-capped mountains, forests, and lakes, hop aboard the Peak 2 Peak Gondola ! The lift at Whistler Blackcomb Resort takes you between the two mountains and hangs over 1600 feet above the valley below. Then, upon reaching the summit, you’ll find plenty of hiking trails and the Cloudraker Skywalk. The Skywalk takes you from Whistler Peak to the West Ridge, where you’ll find a viewing platform with 360-degree views!
  • Visit the Train Wreck – A fun and easy hike to add to your Vancouver to Banff road trip itinerary is the Train Wreck. This trail is 10 minutes south of the village, is roughly one mile, and takes about an hour to complete. Just follow the Sea to Sky Trail, across a suspension bridge, and you’ll find seven box cars hidden in the forest. The colorful boxcars are covered in graffiti and have called the forest home since 1956.

What to Eat in Whistler

  • Stonesedge Kitchen – One of the best brunch spots in Whistler! Try their breakfast poutine or mac and cheese.
  • Pizzeria Antico – Order their most popular pizza, the Margherita Pizza Napolitana, and a craft beer.
  • Araxi Restaurant & Oyster Bar – This swanky restaurant serves up locally-sourced Pacific Northwest dishes. Go for the seafood tower and stay for the cocktails!

Where to Stay in Whistler

  • Pangea Pod Hotel (budget) – Enjoy affordable accommodation at this quirky hotel with dorms, ski storage, and a rooftop patio bar.
  • Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel (mid-range) – A short walk from downtown, this hotel offers balconies, kitchenettes, a spa, a pool, and a restaurant.
  • Fairmont Chateau Whistler (luxury) – Stay in a castle in the mountains with all the amenities! There’s a spa, restaurant, pools, golf course, and rooms with stellar views!

Distance and Travel Time from Whistler to Kamloops: 4 hours and 186 miles east of Whistler

Pro Tip: Stops along Sea to Sky Highway to Kamloops include Nairn Falls (a short hike to a waterfall) and Duffey Lake Viewpoint.

3. Kamloops

View of the sunrise at Kamloops during your Vancouver to Banff drive.

At the split of the Thompson River, the city of Kamloops is a great stop along the Trans-Canada Highway on your way from Vancouver to Banff.

You’ll find it full of things to do, including outdoor activities and museums. Even if you need some time to relax during your Vancouver to Banff road trip, this is a great place to unwind as you stroll through riverside parks, enjoy wine tasting, or wander downtown.

Best Things to do in Kamloops

  • Enjoy some Wine – Sit back and relax and indulge in BC’s newest wine region. Kamloops is within the Thompson Valley and is home to four award-winning wineries. There’s even a Kamloops Wine Trail that you can indulge in on your own or as part of a guided tour. With distinct wineries, stunning views, and 125 acres of vineyards to explore, you’ll want to add a wine tasting to your Vancouver to Banff drive
  • Go Skiing – One of the top things to do in the Canadian Rockies is ski! While Kamloops has a few places to hit the slopes, the best is Sun Peaks Resort! Just a 45-minute drive north of town, Sun Peaks is the second biggest ski area in Canada. It has three mountains, a European-inspired village, and plenty to do during all four seasons. If you’re visiting in the summer, try hiking, golf, mountain biking, and more!
  • Kenna Cartwright Park – This park is one of the best places to hike in Kamloops. Situated close to town, it’s home to a trail network that has something for everyone, from easy to difficult. If you’re looking for a great easy hike, take the Tower Trail. It’s a gradual incline that takes you up to a sweeping lookout over Kamloops.

What to Eat in Kamloops

  • The Art We Are – With a menu serving up a variety of vegan items, this eclectic café has the best daily soups!
  • Jacob’s Noodle & Cutlet – This Japanese restaurant has a cozy vibe and tasty meals! A crowd favorite is the Beef Bibimbap.
  • Brownstone Restaurant – For a classy night out, try this restaurant with its seasonal menu. One of the top dishes is the bacon-wrapped elk meatloaf.

Where to Stay in Kamloops

  • Delta Hotels by Marriott Kamloops (mid-range) – Located in the city center, this hotel has rooms and suites with views, as well as a restaurant and rooftop pool.
  • The Plaza Hotel (luxury) – Set in a landmark building right downtown, this hotel offers free breakfast and even has its very own steakhouse.
  • Sandman Signature Kamloops Hotel (luxury) – This trendy hotel is close to the river and has spacious rooms, a sports bar, and an indoor pool.

Pro Tip: Thirty minutes before Revelstoke you’ll find one of the must-stops on any Banff to Vancouver road trip – The Enchanted Forest! Hidden in the forest are whimsical buildings that will delight kids and adults alike!

Distance and Travel Time from Kamloops to Revelstoke: 2.5 hours and 132 miles east

4. Revelstoke

Aerial view of Revelstoke during your Vancouver to Banff drive.

Best known for its winter activities, Revelstoke is the perfect British Columbia road trip stop in the summer too!

In fact, this small town sits on the edge of The Trans-Canada Highway (aka Highway 1) and is almost the halfway point between Vancouver and Calgary.

Surrounded by mountains and on the edge of the Columbia River, it’s ideal for skiing, hiking, paddling, and more during your Vancouver to Banff road trip itinerary.

Best Things to do in Revelstoke

  • Glacier National Park – The second oldest national park in Canada is home to over a dozen hiking trails. Many of which will reward you with incredible panoramic views! The park, not to be confused with the one in the US, is about a 30-minute drive from town. Two trails with awesome views are the Abbott Ridge Trail and Hermitt Trail. However, if you don’t have time to hike then stop at Rogers Pass Discovery Centre. This scenic drive is worth it alone but the Centre is an interesting place to learn about what goes into keeping the highway safe during the winter.
  • Revelstoke Mountain Resort – With over 3000 acres of terrain to ski, this resort is one of the best places to ski in Canada! But if you’re taking a Vancouver to Banff road trip in the summer then don’t fret! There are a variety of fun things to do in the summer, including mountain biking, hiking, and an aerial adventure park. But one of the top Revelstoke attractions is their Pipe Mountain Coaster! One of only three in Canada, this coaster whips you through the trees, around bends, and is operated by you!
  • Revelstoke Dam Visitor Centre – For a unique experience, add a visit to one of Canada’s largest and most powerful hydroelectric dams to your Vancouver to Banff drive! The Visitor Centre has exhibits that showcase the dam from idea to construction. And the highlight is the awesome lookout point at the top of the dam. At 35 stories up, you’ll get an idea of the massive size of this place!

What to Eat in Revelstoke

  • Old School Eatery – Set in a historic building, you’ll find elevated comfort food that caters to everyone from vegans to carnivores. Favorite menu items include the Pork Belly Tacos and the Beet Quinoa Burger.
  • Bierhaus – For a fun time and great food, this pub has game nights, craft beer, and the best Mac and Cheese!
  • Kawakubo – If you’re looking for the best sushi in town, Kawakubo is the place! They also have incredible soups and sake!

Where to Stay in Revelstoke

  • Alpine Inn & Suites (budget) – This relaxed mote l has traditional rooms, some of which have kitchens.
  • Boulder Mountain Resort (mid-range) – Located just outside of town, this resort has adorable cabins and comfy beds.
  • The Explorers Society Hotel (luxury) – A boutique hotel with rustic-chic rooms is located right in the heart of town, within a restored century-old building. It has a bar, restaurant, and more!

Distance and Travel Time from Revelstoke to Golden: Just over 1.5 hours and 92 miles east

Pro Tip: This area is smack in the middle of bear country! Be aware of bears when hiking and make sure to bring bear spray.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Another great small town along the Trans-Canada Highway is Golden!

Surrounded by the Canadian Rockies and six of the most incredible national parks in Canada, Golden is a fabulous stop on any Western Canada road trip!

And thanks to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, it’s also becoming one of the top ski destinations in the world – even if you’re not planning a Vancouver to Banff road trip.

Best Things to do in Golden

  • Yoho National Park – This bucket list park is full of all sorts of magic. You’ll find waterfalls, lookouts, awesome hiking trails, and crystal-clear alpine lakes. So, be sure to add the Emerald Lake Trail to your BC itinerary! The trail circles the turquoise lake and makes for a very scenic hike. Or, you can choose to paddle the Instagram-worthy Lake instead! Another must-visit in the park is Wapta Falls. Towering nearly 60 feet high, the waterfall can be accessed via a short 3-mile hike.
  • Golden Skybridge – This new attraction should be added to any adventurer’s Banff to Vancouver road trip! Cross the highest suspension bridge in Canada in the heart of Columbia Valley. In fact, it towers 400 feet above the canyon below and its signature thundering waterfall, along with a second bridge! Beyond the bridges, there are trails, a zipline, a restaurant, and a rope course to enjoy. Plus, coming soon is a giant Canyon Swing!
  • Kicking Horse Mountain – As with many places in the Canadian Rockies, visitors travel here for epic skiing and snowboarding. And Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is perfect for both of those activities and a must-add to your Vancouver to Banff road trip! However, in the summer you can tackle one of the area’s amazing climbing routes or visit a local grizzly bear refuge.

What to Eat in Golden

  • Jita’s Café – For affordable dishes that you can eat in or take out try, this vegan-friendly restaurant. A café favorite is the chickpea curry.
  • The Wolf’s Den – A cozy cabin restaurant with a true Canadian menu and live music. Ask for their famous Elk Burger!
  • Eleven22 – This modern upscale restaurant serves Canadian cuisine and regional wines and beers. Two popular dishes include the Cannelloni and their Duck’s Shepherd’s Pie.

Where to Stay in Golden

  • Swiss Village Inn (budget) – Located just outside downtown Golden, this budget inn offers comfortable rooms.
  • Glacier Mountaineer Lodge (mid-range) – This ski lodge is close to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. It has a fitness center, sauna, ski storage, and hot tub.
  • Rooms at Riveredge (Luxury) – Enjoy mountain views in the city center with large modern rooms, seating, and free parking.

Distance and Travel Time from Golden to Radium Hot Springs: 1 hour and 64 miles south

6. Radium Hot Springs

View of Radium Hot Springs in Canada, a great stop on your Vancouver to Banff drive.

Sitting at the crossroads of the Banff-Windermere and 95 Highways, the village of Radium Hot Springs is the perfect pit stop before crossing over into Alberta.

Commonly called Radium, it’s the gateway to Kootenay National Park. Therefore, there are a ton of hiking trails in the area, making it a hotspot for outdoor enthusiasts.

But, your first stop should be to the Bighorns Art Sculpture that can be found smack dab in the middle of town. Trust me, it’s awesome and a perfect place to stop during your Vancouver to Banff road trip.

Things to do in Radium Hot Springs

  • Kootenay National Park – One of the best parks to add to your Vancouver to Banff road trip is Kootenay! The park is home to numerous hiking trails, waterfalls, and a wealth of wildlife. There are diverse landscapes within, from towering peaks to wildflower meadows. A few amazing trails include Cobb Lake, Stanley Glacier, Marble Canyon to Paint Pots, and Juniper – Sinclair Canyon
  • Radium Hot Springs Pools – Between hikes enjoy a soak in the hot spring pools in Radium! Listed as one of Canada’s Historic Places, these springs are open all year long. The springs are also located in Kootenay National Park and offer pure relaxation, complete with epic views. And the best part is there is no smelly egg odor!
  • Old Coach Trail – With a trailhead located at the southern end of Main Street West, this is one of the top and most accessible hiking trails in Radium. The trail travels between Radium and Dry Gulch Provincial Park and is ideal for cycling, birding, and spotting big horned sheep. This 9.5-mile out and back trail takes an average of four hours to complete.

What to Eat in Radium Hot Springs

  • Big Horn Café – This cute coffee shop is ideal for breakfast or baked goods to go! For hearty eats try their breakfast burrito or their veggie pot pie!
  • Horsethief Creek Pub & Eatery – Enjoy traditional pub grub along with an assortment of fine dishes like their Jambalaya.
  • Helna’s Stube – For European cuisine, head to this Austrian restaurant with the best mushroom schnitzel!

Where to Stay in Radium Hot Springs

  • Motel Tyrol (budget) – This mountain motel is affordable but also includes amenities like a pool and is close to Kootenay National Park.
  • Inn on Canyon (mid-range) – Enjoy a hearty breakfast, cozy rooms, and a tea shop at this charming bed and breakfast .
  • Headwaters at Eagle Ranch Resort (luxury) – Located 10 minutes south of Radium, this resort offers mountain views, a fine-dining restaurant, and superior rooms.

Distance and Travel Time from Radium Hot Springs to Banff: 1.5 hours and 84 miles northeast

Banff at sunset after your Vancouver to Banff road trip.

Nestled in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, Banff is a charming resort town in Alberta. The town sits within Banff National Park and is just across the border from British Columbia.

Surrounded by majestic mountain peaks, it’s popular throughout the year, with plenty of attractions that should be added to your Canadian west coast road trip itinerary! You can easily spend a week here but try and plan for at least 2 days after your epic Vancouver to Banff drive.

Things to do in Banff

  • Banff National Park – As the first national park in Canada, this is a must-add to every west coast Canada road trip! The park is massive and filled with pristine lakes, towering mountains, and boundless outdoor activities. Within the Banff area itself there are over a dozen hiking trails. One thing to note, prime hiking season usually runs from July to September, with Johnston Canyon being a top hikr! This stunning canyon trail also features a waterfall and is popular all year long.
  • Visit Lake Louise – Take the scenic Bow Valley Parkway up to Lake Louise for one of the top day trips from Banff. Less than 40 minutes from Banff, this stunning turquoise glacier lake is a popular road trip stop in Alberta in both summer and winter. In the summer you can hike around the lake or enjoy a paddle on it. Just be aware that the lake will be frozen from late October to early June. So, during the winter you can ice skate on the lake or enjoy a sleigh ride. If you don’t want to drive, you can even take the shuttle or take a day tour from Banff .
  • Take the Gondola – For epic views hop aboard the Banff Gondola ! As the top attraction in Banff, your ride will take you up Sulphur Mountain. At the top, you’ll find a boardwalk, restaurants, and a visitor’s center. Plus, it’s open year-round!
  • Banff Upper Hot Springs – If you’re looking for a relaxing spot to add to your Banff itinerary then indulge in the hot springs. This is Canada’s highest operating hot springs and the facility has everything you’ll need to enjoy your time here, including towels, lockers, and a café.
  • Hit the Slopes – Snowboarding and skiing are some of the top things to do in Banff in the winter! In fact, ski season in Banff goes from November through to May. There are also three ski resorts in Banff National Park and they include Sunshine Village, Mount Norquay, and Lake Louise. You can even access all three with one lift ticket.

What to Eat in Banff

  • Magpie & Stump Restaurant – This Mexican restaurant is a local favorite. Their Baja Shrimp Tacos are a must!
  • The Bison Restaurant – With mountain views, an open kitchen, and farm-to-table fare, this is one of the top places to eat in Banff! Guest favorites include their brunch as well as the Bison Platter!
  • The Grizzly House – This iconic restaurant has a lodge-type atmosphere and serves a range of exotic dishes like kangaroo and rattlesnake, as well as fondues. Try their 4-course fondue dinner for the ultimate feast after your Vancouver to Banff road trip.

Where to Stay in Banff

  • HI Banff Alpine Centre (budget) – This popular hostel has dorms, private rooms, and cabins. There’s also a restaurant.
  • Mount Royal Hotel (mid-range) – With a central location, this hotel offers ski shuttles, a rooftop terrace, and even a bar/lounge.
  • Fairmont Banff Springs (luxury) – On the edge of town, this iconic, grand 4-star hotel has seven restaurants, pools, a spa, and stunning views.

Sample 14 Day Vancouver to Banff Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – 3 Vancouver Day 4 – 5 Whistler Day 6 Kamloops Day 7 – 8 Revelstoke Day 9 – 10 Golden Day 11 Radium Hot Springs Day 12 – 14 Banff

Alternative 7 Day Vancouver to Banff Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – 2 Vancouver Day 3 Whistler Day 4 Kamloops & Revelstoke Day 5 Golden & Radium Hot Springs Day 6 – 7 Banff

Map of the Best Vancouver to Banff Road Trip

Map of the best Vancouver to Banff Road Trip Itinerary.

Additional Canada Resources You’ll Love

  • Best Places to Live in Canada
  • Best Hikes in Vancouver
  • Best Brunch in Vancouver

There you have it! That wraps up this guide to the best Vancouver to Banff road trip itinerary!

Tell me, did your favorite vancouver to banff drive stops make the list if not then let me know in the comments below., and if you found this post useful, join our email list before pinning this now so you can read it again later.

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Privacy Overview

The Best Banff Itinerary: A 1 Week Road Trip from Banff to Jasper National Park

Post summary: A  complete  travel guide for Banff National Park and the perfect Banff itinerary for a 1 week Banff to Jasper road trip 

This post contains affiliate links, which means that I will make a small commission of the purchase you make using my links – at absolutely no cost to you! 

Maybe you’re planning your trip to Banff or you’re already there and trying to find the best things to do. Either way – you’re in the right place!

Banff is a truly jaw dropping travel destination with so many things to do that it can be hard to decide what to include in your itinerary. To help you narrow it down, we put together the best things to do in Banff National Park and the best itinerary for a Banff to Jasper National Park road trip. While 1 week is hardly enough time to scratch the surface of all the incredible things to see here, this 1 week Banff itinerary does the best job at squeezing in all the highlights – and then some!

This 1 week Banff to Jasper road trip has it all: towering ice-capped peaks, icy-blue glacial lakes, castles, hot springs, glacier hikes and more.

In this post, we’re covering the best way to spend a week in Banff National Park and Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada on an epic 7 day Banff to Jasper road trip.

Here’s what  you’ll find in this post:

  • A day-by-day road trip itinerary from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park
  • Tips for how to save money
  • A full budget breakdown for this Banff itinerary
  • What to pack for a Banff road trip

Table of Contents

Posts to help you prepare for your Banff to Jasper road trip!

How to Travel Banff on a Budget

How to Use Google Maps to Plan Your Next Road Trip (Step-By-Step Tutorial With Examples)

15 Useful Apps to Download Before Your Next Road Trip (for Free!)

What to Pack for a Day Hike: Essential Gear and Complete Packing List

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

Banff to Jasper: The 1 Week Road Trip Overview

The Canadian Rockies are mesmerizing and encompassed within the westward provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. Much of the range is protected within National and Provincial parks, which just so happen to make the perfect escape for anyone in need of some inspiration, soul searching, or just a serious reset.

This itinerary gives you a total of 3 days in Banff, 1 day exploring the Icefields Parkway and 2 days in Jasper National Park. It’s based on several of my own road trips through Banff and Jasper National Parks over the years, places I know you’ll love, and things I wish I would have done differently.

This itinerary starts and ends at Calgary International Airport (YYC) in Calgary, Alberta Canada. From Calgary, head north to explore Banff National Park and then drive the Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park, before heading back for one more day in Banff.

The best way to get around on this Banff to Jasper itinerary is with a rental car or a camper van. You can rent a car when you land at the Calgary airport. If you prefer to live the #vanlife , you can browse a huge selection of camper vans for rent through RVezy .

Here’s a quick overview: Click here to view the interactive map in Google Maps.

Banff to Jasper 1 Week Road Trip Route

Day 1: Arrive in Canmore near Banff National Park

Day 2-3: Banff National Park

Day 4: Drive the Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park

Day 5: Jasper National Park

Day 6: Athabasca Glacier and drive back to Banff National Park

Day 7: Johnston Canyon via Bow Valley Parkway

Estimated total drive time:  17 hours

Estimated total miles for this route:  569 miles (915 km)

Banff Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Canmore

This 1 week Banff itinerary starts in Canmore, a small town about 20 minutes south of Banff National Park.

Some people prefer to be close to the action and stay directly inside Banff National Park. However, Canmore is actually the perfect home base to explore Banff on this Banff itinerary because it’s a lot more affordable and much less touristy than downtown Banff. By staying in Canmore, you will have a much more authentic experience without the hustle and bustle of staying in Banff.

Another thing that’s super convenient is that you can leave your car parked at your hotel in Canmore while you explore Banff. Simply take the  Canmore-Banff Regional Service , which provides quick and convenient transport between Canmore and Banff town. That way you don’t have to worry about finding parking in Banff town, which can be a serious nightmare sometimes.

If you arrive early and want to stretch your legs, pick from this list of the best things to do in Canmore:

  • Stop by Lake Minnewanka
  • Hike the Grassi Lakes Trail
  • Drive the Smmith Dorrien Trail
  • Walk Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk
  • Drive the Three Sisters Parkway for amazing views of the Three Sisters

Where to stay in Canmore

There are tons of hotels, lodges, and Airbnb’s clustered around the town. A night at a hotel in Canmore during the high season typically costs around $200 – $300 per night and goes up from there. If you book ahead of time, you shouldn’t have any problem finding a place to stay in and around Canmore.

Lodging prices skyrocket the closer you get to Banff National Park. If you do prefer to stay in the town of Banff instead, book your accommodation well in advance. I’m talking like 6-8 months out. Even for hostels, like Samesun Banff and Banff International Hostel !

View all stays in Canmore here.

Basecamp Resorts in Canmore

  • Splurge ($$$): The Malcom Hotel ; Fairmont Banff Springs
  • Moderate ($$): Basecamp Resorts Canmore ; Tamarack Lodge ; Stoneridge Mountain Resort
  • Budget ($): HI Canmore Hostel

Budget travel tip: For ultra-budget travel, check out Airbnbs in the town of Cochrane, Alberta. It’s about an hour south of Banff, which adds a bit of a drive. But if you are on a really tight budget, it might be worth it because you can find cozy Airbnbs for about $100 per night in the high season.

Camping in Banff National Park

Camping is the most affordable option for lodging in Banff National Park. If you don’t mind roughing it, camping is the best way to save money, surround yourself with nature, and enjoy incredible views of the Canadian Rockies.

There are 13 campgrounds in Banff National Park. Most of them are first-come-first-serve but it’s possible to reserve some sites online on the Parks Canada website .

Most of the campgrounds are only open mid-June to October. The campgrounds fill up incredibly fast, especially between June – September, so make any reservations well in advance. If you don’t have a reservation, make sure to show up early to find a spot as people are leaving.

View all Banff campsites here.

Day 2: Lake Louise in Banff National Park

Banff National Park was established in 1885, making it Canada’s oldest national park. Its home to almost 3000 square miles of breathtaking, pristine mountainous wilderness, teeming with wildlife.

Day 2 of your Banff itinerary brings you to Lake Louise.

If you’ve ever seen pictures of Lake Louise, you’ve probably seen the view looking out from shore. The water rippling over white rocks, fading seamlessly from the palest blue to a deep turquoise at the foot of the surrounding mountains.

What you probably didn’t see were the crowds of tourists and the massive luxury hotel situated on the shore. It’s the textbook example of Instagram vs. Reality – so be prepared! But the lake is breathtaking and an absolute must-see, nonetheless.

Parking for Lake Louise is available in the lot by the resort. While the lot is large, it usually completely fills up by 7:30AM, so get there as early as you possibly can.

Stop 1: Little Beehive via the Lake Agnes Tea House

No Banff itinerary is complete without a hike up Little Beehive. Little Beehive is one of the best hikes in Banff and leads to jaw dropping views of Lake Louise.

Little Beehive Hike details:

  • Distance: 5.7 miles RT (out and back)
  • Elevation gain:   1,955 ft
  • Difficulty: moderate
  • Time to hike:  3.5-4 hours
  • This hike is recommended between mid-October and mid-June due to risk of avalanches. Tea house is closed from October – June.

Little Beehive summit over Lake Louise in Banff National Park

The trail to Little Beehive is well maintained through dense coniferous forest. It’s a pretty steady climb the entire way up, but there are several scenic stops where you can take a break, like Mirror Lake and Lake Agnes.

Frequent breaks in the treeline give you small glimpses of the lake below as you climb in altitude.

At the summit, you’re rewarded with unspoiled views of Lake Louise and the surrounding peaks in Banff National Park. From above, the color of the lake turns a brilliant opaque turquoise, appearing as though someone colored it with a crayon.

On the way back down, stop for a light lunch at the Lake Agnes Teahouse. The line to the teahouse starts getting long around 11AM, so if you get there around lunch time, prepare to wait.

Hiking in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada

Here are some other amazing hikes around Lake Louise:

  • Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail
  • Big Beehive
  • The Plain of Six Glaciers Trail
  • Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass

Tip:  Up for a challenge? Combine Lake Agnes Tea House, Big Beehive, The Plain of Six Glaciers (via the Highline trail), and the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail for one epic full day hike that has a little bit of everything! This route clocks in at roughly 22km with 1,030m (ft) elevation gain.

Stop 2: Canoeing on Lake Louise

A visit to Banff National Park is hardly complete without a paddle across Lake Louise!

When you’re done exploring Lake Louise from above, head down to the dock at the lake shore to explore it from down below. The view from the water is absolutely magnificent as you paddle across the turquoise water with views of Victoria Peak and the Victoria Glacier out in front of you.

The dock is run by Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and is open daily (in-season) from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. The price to rent a canoe on Lake Louise in 2023 is $145 per hour / $135 per half hour (+tax).

Budget Tip: While Lake Louise is the quintessential place to rent a canoe in Banff. But there’s no denying that its super pricey. If you’re on a budget, rent a canoe or kayak at Vermillion Lakes or Lake Minnewanka for about $50 per hour.

Day 3: Moraine Lake and Downtown Banff in Banff National Park

There are new restrictions for getting to Moraine Lake in 2023. Read below for more details.

Stop 1: Breakfast at Trailhead Cafe

Grab breakfast and lunch-to-go at the Trailhead Cafe .

It opens at 7am, which is the earliest you’ll find in the area. It’s a place we just so happened to stumble in on, and we ended up loving it so much that we stopped two days in a row!

I highly recommend their breakfast sandwiches and wraps, which are hearty and perfect for fueling up for a full day of hiking.

Stop 2: Moraine Lake in Banff National Park

Moraine Lake is one of the most photographed lakes in the world and one of the best stops on your Banff itinerary. The water is a brilliant blue and surrounded by the mountains of the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Its rocky shoreline is bordered with dense stands of conifers and colorful canoes.

There are several hiking trails that start right from Moraine Lake and lead to jaw dropping views of glaciers, turquoise lakes and dramatic mountains.

First, an elevated view of the scenery from atop the Moraine Lake Rock Pile and then take your pick from this list of the best hikes at Moraine Lake:

  • Moraine Lake Shore Trail
  • Consolation Lakes Trail
  • Larch Valley
  • Eiffel Lake Trail
  • Paradise Valley Trail (connects moraine Lake to Lake Louise)

Moraine Lake is one of the most photographed lakes in the world. The water is a brilliant blue and surrounded by the mountains of the Valley of the Ten Peaks.

How to get to Moraine Lake in 2023

Although half the size of neighboring Lake Louise, Moraine Lake is arguably even more beautiful (if you can believe it!). For this reason, tourism has gotten out of control in recent years. And, as of 2023, you can no longer drive yourself to Moraine Lake. In 2023, Parks Canada decided to close the road to Moraine Lake to personal vehicles in an attempt to protect the environment amid the growing number of visitors.

Here’s how you can visit Moraine Lake in 2023:

  • The easiest way to get to Moraine Lake is by taking the Parks Canada shuttle bus. Moraine Lake Shuttle Tickets must be booked online in advance. Reservations open on April 14 for June 1 – October 9, 2023 or you can book 48 hours before you visit. 40% of tickets for the entire season will be released at 8AM Mountain Time on April 14, and 60% will be released on a rolling 48 hour window so that you can book 2 days ahead of time. Tickets cost $8/adult, $4/senior, $2/children 7-17 years old, and free for kids 6 & under. . The Moraine Lake Shuttle leaves from the Park & Ride at the  Lake Louise Ski Resort every 20 minutes between 6:30AM – 6PM. However, your outbound shuttle ticket assigns you a 1 hour departure window, so you can only take the shuttle between the times assigned to you. You don’t need to schedule your return trip. Return shuttles run every 20 minutes on a first-come-first-serve basis until 7:30PM. . The Lake Connector Shuttle from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake is also included with your Moraine Lake Shuttle ticket. So you can hop off the Moraine Lake Shuttle to visit Lake Louise on your way to Moraine Lake if you want to and then take the Lake Connector Shuttle Fromm Lake Louise to Moraine Lake. .
  • Use Roam Transit’s Super Pass to go from Banff to Lake Louise via Lake Louise Express Route 8X and then transfer to the Lake Connector Shuttle to Moraine Lake. Book your pass online or visit Roam Transit for more information. .
  • Book a guided tour, take a taxi from Banff, or book a shuttle via Mountain Park Transportation . This is also the only way you’ll be able to get to Moraine Lake for sunrise or sunset. .
  • Bikes and e-bikes are allowed on Moraine Lake Road, but the trip is 25km round trip with 385m elevation gain. .
  • The most expensive option is to shell out upwards of $1000 per night to stay at Moraine Lake Lodge , which is right on the shore of Moraine Lake.
Visit Parks Canada for the latest information on visiting Moraine Lake

Sunrise over Moraine Lake in June in Banff National Park

Stop 3: Downtown Banff

The town of Banff is a charming little tourist town right at the foot of the mountains in Banff National Park. It’s essentially a very small collection of quaint little shops, lodges, and rustic restaurants. The town is alive with people window shopping, admiring the scenery, meeting for coffee, and browsing the farmers market, which attracts local artisans and live music.

While you’re there, I recommend taking a stroll down Banff Avenue around and grab something to eat.

If you worked up a big appetite after your hike at Moraine Lake, check out The Eddie Burger + Bar, Farm & Fire or The Bison Restaurant for hearty fare like steaks, seafood, burgers, and pizza. Make your reservations online.

For smaller plates and an eclectic Asian-inspired menu, head straight for Block Kitchen + Bar. They don’t take reservations, so try to get here before the dinner rush.

Day 4 of the best Banff itinerary: Drive the Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park

Day 4 of your Banff itinerary takes you for a drive down the Icefields Parkway. The Icefields Parkway is the only highway that connects Banff to Jasper National Park, 230km to the north.

This highway twists and turns along the Continental Divide, through valleys of dramatic rocky peaks, thick coniferous forest, aspen stands, expansive ice fields, and lakes the color of blue Gatorade. It’s also been rated one of the Most Beautiful Drives in the World and one of the Top 20 Drives of a Lifetime (you’ll quickly see why!).

The drive from Banff to Jasper via the Icefields Parkway takes about 3.5 hours. But it’s undoubtedly an all day affair because you’ll make several tops to take pictures, explore roadside lakes, and pick your jaw up off the ground.

Budget travel tip:  Gas stations are few and far between once you leave Banff, so make sure you fill up in Lake Louise. Halfway between Banff and Jasper, you’ll find gas at the Saskatchewan River Crossing. Stop here if you need to fill up and grab coffee or a snack, but be warned that the gas station is full-service only and everything inside is very expensive.

Golden trees on the Icefields Parkway on a Banff National Park road trip in October

Stop 1: Peyto Lake

If you thought Moraine Lake and Lake Louise were breathtaking…just wait until you see Peyto Lake.

Peyto Lake is a brilliantly blue, fox-shaped lake that’s fed by the Peyto Glacier. Peyto Lake is best viewed from one of the popular viewpoints, where you can get a birds-eye view of Peyto Lake and part of the Wapta Icefield. The view of Peyto Lake is quite possibly the most magnificent in all of Banff National Park.

To get there, follow the Icefields Parkway about 44km northeast of Lake Louise to the Bow Summit and Peyto Lake Lookout parking lot.

The hike to the Peyto Lake Lookout starts at the parking lot. It’s a short but steady uphill walk that takes about 10-15 minutes. The trail leads to a wooden viewing platform overlooking the lake. This is the most popular lookout and gets CROWDED during the day, especially in peak season. To avoid the crowds, try to get here as early as possible or continue past the platform into the rocky clearing.

Find alternate views of Peyto Lake by hiking the Bow Lookout Trail, Observation Point, Caldron Peak and the Peyto Glacier.

Peyto Lake is one of the best hikes in Banff

Stop 2: Athabasca Falls

Athabasca Falls is a powerful waterfall that’s formed by an enormous volume of strikingly blue water rushing through a narrow limestone canyon. The canyon was carved out by the mighty Athabasca River, which begins at the Columbia Glacier in Jasper National Park.

It’s definitely one of my all time favorite stops along the Icefields Parkway. It’s also a great addition to any packed Banff National Park itinerary (like this one) because it doesn’t take too long to see. Allow yourself about 30 minutes to explore the different viewpoints and take photos of the gorge.

Athabasca Falls is one of the best places on the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper

Stop 3: Sunwapta Falls

Sunwapta Falls is a series of several waterfalls that are fed by the Athabasca Glacier. They are easily accessed and make a great quick stop along the Icefields Parkway.

You can see the upper falls from a viewpoint that is only a short distance from the parking lot. The upper falls are most recognized because they encircle a small island in the Sunwapta River before crashing 18m (59 ft) into the water below.

You can stop here or follow the path 0.8 miles (1.3km) through the pine forest to reach the lower falls.

Where to stay in Jasper National Park

The biggest thing to consider when choosing a place to stay in Jasper is how much driving you’re willing to do to get to the shops and restaurants in downtown Jasper.

There are hotels right in the heart of town if you like the convenience of being able to walk to the shops, bars, and local restaurants. There are also some serene lodges and rustic hostels further out if you prefer to be surrounded by nature. Some hotels are just on the outskirts of town, while more secluded wilderness lodges are located up to an hour away.  Keep in mind that if you choose a more secluded lodge, you’ll have to do a bit of driving if you want to check out a restaurant or head to the bars in town.

View all stays in Jasper National Park here.

Jasper Downtown Hostel is the best budget friendly place to stay in Jasper National Park

  • Splurge ($$$): Pyramid Lake Resort ; Glacier View Lodge
  • Moderate ($$): The Crimson Jasper ; Mount Robson Inn
  • Budget ($): HI Jasper Hostel ; Jasper Downtown Hostel ; HI Athabasca Falls

Last time we were in Banff, we stayed at Jasper Downtown Hostel and it was honestly one of the nicest hostel experiences I’ve had so far. If you’re just looking for somewhere cheap and close to town, I definitely recommend checking it out.

Camping in Jasper National Park

Camping is permitted at designated campsites in Jasper National Park.

There are 14 campsites in Jasper National Park and 9 of them are on a first-come-first-serve basis. Most sites are only open May or June through September.

The majority of campsites in Jasper National Park are unserviced, so if you need electric hookups for an RV, you will want to reserve a spot well ahead of time because they fill up fast.

View all campgrounds in Jasper here.

Driving on the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Banff at sunset on a 7 day Banff itinerary

At the northern end of the Icefields Parkway lies Jasper National Park. More wild, isolated, much less populated than Banff, Jasper is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the “wildest” and largest of the Rocky Mountain parks.

Jasper National Park park is filled with expansive glaciers, tons of wildlife, and impressive waterfalls. Its also home to the world-famous Columbia Icefields, one of the world’s only Icefields accessible by road. Grizzly bears, moose, caribou, elk, and wolves roam freely. Its truly a backcountry paradise.

A marmot in Jasper National Park

Stop 1: Half day hike in Jasper National Park

You only have one full day in Jasper National Park on your Banff to Jasper road trip – and you’ll want to make the most of it! So wake up for sunrise and lace up your hiking boots.

Before you hit the trails, fuel up at WickedCup in downtown Jasper. They open at 7:30AM, which is the earliest you’ll find in the area.

Choose one of these scenic hikes in Jasper National Park (open July – early Oct): 

Lake Annette Loop : Easy, 1.7 mile loop, 285ft elevation gain

Mt Edith Cavell Meadows Trail : Moderate, 5.1 mile loop, 1870 ft elevation gain

Sulfur Skyline Trail : Difficult, 4.9 miles RT, 2142 ft elevation gain

Hiking in Jasper National Park in June

Stop 2: Lunch in downtown Jasper

If you got an early start on your morning hike, you should be done by lunch time – and likely starving!

Head into downtown Jasper for a wood fired pizza at Jasper Pizza Place. I love this place because most of their ingredients are locally sourced and they have a roof-top patio with great views of Jasper. If you’re in the mood for something a bit fancier than pizza, the Fiddle River Restaurant never disappoints.

I highly recommend walking down the street after to grab a local craft brew at Jasper Brewing Co.

After lunch, continue to Maligne Lake, which is about a 45 minute drive southeast of downtown Jasper.

The road to the lake is long and winding, guiding you past Medicine Lake and through thick forests that showcase the scars of previous prescribed burnings. Sections of forest in the park are selected year-round to be set ablaze, with the goal of restoring and improving the park’s biodiversity and keeping mountain pine beetles at bay.

Stop 3: Spirit Island, Maligne Lake (accessible June – October)

You’ve probably seen this iconic spot somewhere before, thanks to Kodak and Apple skyrocketing it to international fame. Spirit Island is now the most photographed island in all of Canada and one of the most photographed islands in the world.

But, if you can even believe it, all of those photos don’t even do this place justice. It’s even MORE magical in person, which is why taking a Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island is one of the best things to do in Jasper National Park.

Boat cruises to Spirit Island depart from the dock at Maligne Lake, which is about a 1 hour drive north of Jasper town. 

There are two options for a Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island :

  • 1.5 hour Classic Cruise; 15 minutes at Spirit Island
  • 2 hour Premium Cruise; 30 minutes at Spirit Island and a stop at Pincushion Bay

If you want to take a sunset walk around Maligne Lake after your cruise, book a tour that leaves about 3-4 hours before sunset .

If you’re ultra adventurous, a strong paddler, and have two days to spare, it’s possible to canoe or kayak out to Spirit Island. Visit this post for more information.

Spirit Island in Jasper National Park in June

No one is certain where the name “Spirit Island” came from, but one theory is that it’s so named because it embodies the spirit of the Canadian Rockies. I’d say that’s pretty accurate, would you?

Stop 4: Sunset at Maligne Lake 

After your visit to Spirit Island, I suggest meandering along the shore of Maligne lake for sunset.

Follow the Mary Shäffer Loop Trail through moss-covered forest and along pebble beaches to an open viewpoint of Mt. Edith Cavell.

Our visit there was one of my favorites. The setting sun cast a pink glow on the mountains surrounding us while the moon rose overhead. I took a deep breath and couldn’t help but feel so lucky to be there. We sat on the shore in silence for awhile while we admired our surroundings, but I could have easily sat there all night.

Here’s an overview of all the hiking trails at Maligne Lake .

Kayaker in Jasper National Park, Alberta Canada

DAY 6 of 1 Week Banff to Jasper Road Trip: Drive back to Banff National Park

It’s Day 6 of your Banff to Jasper road trip and its time to head back down the Icefields Parkway toward Banff National Park.

On your way out of Jasper, take a few hours to explore the Columbia Icefield and the Athabasca Glacier.

The Athabasca Glacier is one of the best things to do in Jasper National Park. It’s definitely a must-see on your Banff to Jasper road trip because it won’t be around for much longer. Due to global warming, the Athabasca Glacier has shrunk by almost 50% in the last 125 years and continues to shrink by another 16 feet every year.

Stop 1: Athabasca Glacier

The Athabasca Glacier is one of the six main ‘toes’ of the Columbia Icefield, which sits on the border of British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. This enormous Icefield was formed over 240,000 years ago and was only discovered in the 1800’s.

The Athabasca Glacier is just one of six major glaciers in the Columbia Icefield and is flanked by two mountains: Mount Columbia to the west and Mount Athabasca on the east. This glacier is unique because it’s the most accessible glacier in North America. In fact, you can almost drive right up to the base of it!

Athabasca Glacier as seen from Wilcox Pass summit in Jasper National Park

Located at the southern end of Jasper National Park, there are two ways to see the glacier on you own:

  • Toe of the Athabasca Glacier Trail: Easy 0.8 mile walk to the base of the Athabasca Glacier on a well marked trail
  • Wilcox Pass Hike: Moderate 5.8 mile hike; 1712 ft elevation gain

You can’t actually walk on the glacier without a guide. The best way to explore the Icefield and see the glacier up close is to plan well ahead of time and book a tour.

The Athabasca Glacier tours only operate from May until October and start at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre. Some tours also include the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, which is a glass walkway that hangs out over the Sunwapta Valley.

Stop 2: Banff Upper Hot Springs

Relax at the end of the day by treating yourself to a relaxing soak in Banff Upper Hot Springs . The hot springs are the only springs in Banff National Park and are a favorite among both locals and visitors. Click here for all the details.

One of the most iconic places to visit on a Banff National Park itinerary is Johnston Canyon and the Bow Valley Parkway.

The Bow Valley Parkway (Route 1A) is another scenic route to add to your Banff itinerary. The parkway is 50km long and connects the town of Banff and Lake Louise. The drive takes you by meadows of wildflowers, meandering streams, dramatic cliff faces, and scenic views of the Bow River.

Best roadside viewpoints (from Banff town to Lake Louise):

  • Backswamp pull off
  • Hillsdale Meadows
  • Castle Mountain Lookout
  • Storm Mountain Lookout
  • Morant’s Curve
In 2022, Parks Canada approved a 3 year pilot project that closes off the eastern 17km section of the Bow Valley Parkway to vehicle traffic every day between May 1 – June 25 and again from September 1 – 30 each year. The road is closed between the Fireside Day Use Area and Johnston Canyon to allow for vehicle free cycling. If you want to go to Johnston Canyon during this time, you can cycle in or drive to Johnston Canyon via the Castle Junction exit.

Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon is one of the most famous stops on the Bow Valley Parkway and one of the best easy hikes on this Banff itinerary.

The views through the canyon are magnificent – emerald green pools, roaring waterfalls and the peaceful sound of the creek running through it all make it an incredible experience. What’s more, the hike is shorter than many other hikes in Banff while still offering plenty of stunning scenery along the way. Because it’s so accessible, Johnston Canyon tends to be pretty touristy. Parking is limited, so get here before 8AM to avoid the crowds or take the public shuttle.

The hike through Johnston Canyon is short, easy, and one of the most beautiful places to explore in Banff. The trail is well-maintained and leads you through lush forest and over catwalks suspended along the side of the river canyon.

The walk from the parking lot to Johnston Canyon Lower Falls is about 1.2km. The hike to Johnston Canyon Upper Falls is an additional 1.3km, one way. It takes most people about 1-2 hours to complete the Johnston Canyon hike.

Large rock in the river in Johnston Canyon

Extend your Banff itinerary

Extend your Banff itinerary to include Yoho National Park.

Yoho is a small national park located about 2 hours west of Banff in the neighboring province of British Columbia. This place is truly a hidden treasure. Far less crowded than Banff, and even Jasper, but equally as beautiful.

You only need 1 day to see the highlights in Yoho. I put together this guide on exactly how to spend 1 day in Yoho National Park .

Have even more time? Tack on an extra week to explore the beautiful pacific coast of British Columbia with a   5-day Vancouver to Whistler road trip.

Getting to Banff National Park

The closest international airport to Banff National Park is Calgary International Airport (YYC), which is about a two-hour drive from the park.

To save money on your flight, you should try to book at least three months in advance – and avoid the peak season and any major holidays.

Flights are generally most expensive around Christmas and New Years, as well as between June and August due to summer vacation.

Here are the best ways to get to Banff National Park if you don’t have a car:

  • From Calgary International Airport: There are a few different shuttle options, but The Banff Airporter offers cheap and flexible service from Calgary International Airport to the town of Banff.
  • From Canmore: If you’re already in Canmore, you can just park there and take Route 3 on Roam Transit for a few dollars.

A foggy morning at Moraine Lake

Parks Canada Entrance Fees

A National Park Pass is required to enter national parks in Canada, including Banff and Jasper National Park. It’s good for entry into all of Canada’s national parks.

You can purchase a Day Pass or an annual Discovery Pass. Here’s the price for adults:

  • Day Pass: $10.50 per day
  • Discovery Pass: $72.25 per year

You can buy a park pass online , at the park gate when you enter Banff National Park, or at the visitor Centers in Banff and Lake Louise.

The Park Pass doesn’t cover camping fees, backcountry permits, Banff shuttle fees, or day parking fees at Lake Louise.

The Best Time for a Banff to Jasper National Park Road Trip

The best time to take a Banff to Jasper road trip is June – September. These months have the nicest weather, longest days, and the most sunshine.

But be warned: this is the ultra-high season. Everything is super expensive and crowds around Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are absolutely insane after about 8AM. However, this is my favorite time to visit Banff and we never really have a problem with the crowds on longer hikes or at lesser known spots.

Shoulder season in September and October is a great alternative with lower prices, fewer crowds, but still a fair chance of decent weather. Late September – early October is the best time to see the larches turn gold. However, many places in Jasper National Park are inaccessible between October – June, so do your research ahead of time.

The best time for winter activities is December – February.

Just be aware that many facilities close October – May, so double check before you go if there’s something specific on your to-do list.

The worst time for a Banff to Jasper road trip is early spring because attractions are mostly closed and the weather is still cold and unpredictable.

Tips for avoiding the crowds in Banff National Park

Be warned that with pretty views and striking alpine lakes come the crowds. Lots and lots of them.

So, mentally prepare yourself to share popular the most popular spots on this Banff itinerary – like Peyto Lake, Moraine Lake and Lake Louise – with literal hordes of tourists flooding off tour buses, wielding selfie sticks. Sometimes the crowds get so bad that it can be hard to enjoy the views.

The best advice I can give is to arrive early in the morning or wait until around sunset to visit these attractions.

If you’re more of an early riser, arriving before 8AM will definitely give you a head start on crowds and tour buses. Don’t forget that even in midsummer, the sun sets at 10PM so that’s also a good time to go explore the park without as many people.

Another great option is to visit in the shoulder season (late September – November), when there are far fewer crowds.

If all else fails, try venturing off the beaten path and opt for longer hikes instead – this will definitely help you escape the worst of the crowds.

You might like:  How to Find Secret Spots and Hidden Gems (9 Resources to Help You Find Adventure Off The Beaten Path)

What makes the water in Banff so blue?

One of the biggest draws to the Canadian Rockies is the unique color of the lakes and rivers. In Banff, Jasper, and Yoho National Park, many of the lakes turn a brilliant opaque turquoise, appearing as though someone colored it with a crayon.

The color of the lake is surreal, but the explanation lies in the geology of the Rockies. Long ago, the Rockies were shaped by glacial activity. As they moved, the glaciers eroded rock underneath them, creating fine rock silt, which remains suspended in the water column. And it’s the sunlight reflecting off the rock silt in the water that creates the iconic water of the alpine lakes.

The water is at its bluest in the summer months, as the snow melting off the glaciers carries the glacial sediment into the lakes.

The summit of Big Beehive overlooking Lake Louise is a must-do on any Banff National Park itinerary

How much does a 1-week trip to Banff cost?

Banff National Park tops the list as Canada’s most expensive vacation destination. So, how much money will you need for 1 week in Banff?

On average, you should plan to spend about $170 per day in Banff National Park, which totals $1190 per person for a 7 Banff National Park itinerary. This does not include the price of flights and travel insurance.

The most expensive part of your Banff itinerary is going to be lodging and your rental car.

If you want the convenience of staying at a hotel in the middle of Banff, expect to pay for it. Hotels in Banff cost between $200 – 500 per night in the low season, while hostels run a little bit cheaper at about $100 per night. However, those same hotels skyrocket in price to $350-$800+ per night in the high season.

You can save a ton of money on lodging if you stay outside of Banff, even if it’s for a few days during your Banff itinerary. Check for lodging in Canmore for a mix of affordability and convenience.

The price of rental cars average roughly $80 per day in the low season and $160 per day in the high season. Save money by booking your car about 6 months in advance.

You can expect to spend about $20-$50 on a typical meal in Banff, with food prices being the highest in Banff town.

How much I spent on a 1 week Banff to Jasper road trip in early October

  • Round trip flights to YYC: $262.44
  • Travel insurance: $94
  • Rental car: $57.32*
  • Airbnb and hostels: $113.50*
  • 1 night of car camping: $0
  • Activities: $0
  • Parks Canada Discovery Pass: $72.25
  • Food: $187.89

GRAND TOTAL: $887.40 USD

*This total was for one person . It’s worth noting that the price of the rental car, gas, and Airbnb was split in half because there were two of us on the trip.

I’ve been to Banff several times and we chose to do this particular trip on an ultra shoe-string budget. To save as much money as possible, we didn’t treat ourselves to any splurge stays, fancy meals, or paid tours.

To keep the cost of lodging down, we stayed in hostel dorms and booked a very small Airbnb in Cochrane, which was about an hour from Banff. We also spent 1 night car camping for free at the Saskatchewan Border Crossing on the Icefields Parkway.

For food, we stocked up on groceries at Save-On-Foods before we got to Banff, which included everything we needed to make lunch almost every day – plus snacks, fruit, and protein bars. We signed up for the grocery story club card which gave us a pretty good discount.

Did you find this 1 Week Banff Itinerary and Travel Guide helpful? Let me know in the comments!

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Banff to Jasper – A 5-Day Canadian Rockies Road Trip

The majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains are a bucket list destination for many travellers.  Banff and Jasper National Parks offer easy access to this stunning natural beauty and striking mountain range.  These Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks are collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Explore these beautiful parks, the Athabasca Glacier and the two small towns of Banff and Jasper on this 5-Day Road Trip.

Table of Contents

Banff to Jasper Itinerary

  • Banff National Park: 3 Days Banff Townsite – Explore the top of Sulphur Mountain and relax in the famous hot springs. Hike Banff – Enjoy one or more of the Easy Hikes in Banff. Lake Louise – See the iconic lake and hike to the Six Glaciers Teahouse.
  • Columbia Icefield : 1 Day Take an ice explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier.
  • Jasper National Park : 1 Day See the area from the top of Whistlers Peak.

Banff to Jasper Map

Map showing area Banff to Jasper

Banff National Park

In 1883 workers, building Canada’s transcontinental railroad through the Bow Valley, discovered a series of hot springs . The competition to make them a tourist attraction prompted the government to step in to protect them. Canada’s first national park was created in 1885.

This nature reserve encompassed the springs and the surrounding mountains, lakes and valleys which eventually became Banff National Park .

Banff Itinerary

  • Take the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain.
  • Check out the Banff Springs Hotel.
  • Discover the history of the town and park at the Whyte Museum.
  • Relax in the Banff Upper Hot Springs.
  • Explore the area, hiking some of its easy trails, including:  Bow Falls, walk along the Bow River, see Sunshine Meadows.
  • In town, enjoy Banff Avenue’s shopping and dinner spots.
  • Hike the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail from Chateau Lake Louise.
  • Visit a Banff Museum.
  • Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Minnewanka OR
  • Hike to the icefield at C-Level Cirque.

Banff Gondola

One of the Banff must-do’s, is to ride the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain .  Enjoy a panoramic view of town and the whole Bow Valley at the summit, 2088 metres above the valley floor.  Hike the 1-kilometre boardwalk trail along the mountain ridge to Sanson’s Peak.  Inside the chalet there are restaurants, an interpretive museum and a multi-sensory theatre.  For those wanting a challenge, hike the 5.5-kilometre Sulphur Mountain Trail either up or down avoiding the gondola charge.

Man gondola tower background

Banff Townsite

There are many attractions in the town of Banff. It also makes a great base for the many hikes and outdoor activities nearby.

Banff Springs Hotel opened in 1888 to cater to the wealthy tourists who arrived by rail to enjoy the hot springs.  Its revivalist architecture, fine dining, and the rumours of ghosts continue to make this luxury hotel a popular spot. Enjoy a visit, even for just a brief glimpse if the budget doesn’t allow a night’s stay. 

Looking down on Banff Springs Hotel Bow River

The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies is a must-see museum in Banff. It features rotating art exhibitions that depict the landscapes of the Rocky Mountains. There are exhibits showing the history and struggles of the early pioneers that came to Banff.

Cave and Basin National Historic tells the story of the beginning of Canada’s National Park system.  This is where three railway workers discovered the original hot springs.  Due to the popularity of thermal treatments with well-heeled tourists, the government quickly protected the springs.

Guided tours are available to the original cave and the outdoor springs.  The museum has interactive exhibits about the Parks Canada story.  Even though swimming in the Cave and Basin Springs are not allowed anymore, there is an option nearby.

At the Banff Upper Hot Springs , soak and relax with stunning views of nearby Mount Rundle.  The water temperature varies between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius.  This is the perfect way to end your day.

To fill an hour or two on a rainy day or an extra day, there are several museums in Banff which provide information about the history and culture of the area, including: Banff Park Museum, Buffalo Nations Museum and the Historic Luxton Home Museum.

A stroll of Banff Avenue provides lots of shopping and dining options.

Water flowers street to mountain background

Banff to Lake Louise

The Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) is the fastest route from Banff to Lake Louise.

With more time, take the slower, meandering, Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A).  Enjoy its viewpoints: Backswamp Viewpoint , Castle Cliff Viewpoint and the famous Morant’s Curve .

Johnston Canyon is a great stop for a hike.  The 1-hour hike traverses the canyon over bridges, to both the Lower and Upper Falls.

Where can I Park in Lake Louise?

Lake Louise is one of the busiest and most popular places in Banff National Park.  Finding parking is often an issue.  Our recommendation is to park at the Park and Ride Connector lot located south of town.

From this location, the Parks Canada Shuttle takes passengers to: Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Lakeshore and a Lake Connector Stop between the two.

New in 2023 – Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles.

See the Parks Canada’s Getting around the Lake Louise area webpage for shuttle schedules and pricing.

Lake Louise with mountains, glaciers background

Lake Louise

The village of Lake Louise is named after its famous turquoise beauty, Lake Louise .  This iconic lake is one of the most photographed places in all of Canada.

Start your visit at Chateau Lake Louise .  The first chateau, built in 1890, was a one-story log building with huge windows and a verandah overlooking the lovely turquoise lake.  With an increasing number tourists arriving, the hotel was expanded into today’s stunning, internationally-renowned hotel.

Be sure to get a picture with the backdrop of the Lake Louise and the high peaks of Rocky Mountains.

Canoeing on the lake is popular in the summer and skating in the winter. 

Enjoy a short hike beside the lake or, better yet, we recommend making a day of it on the Plain of Six Glaciers Day Hike .

Trees front gravel valley snowy mountain peak background

Moraine Lake

On an extra day, take the shuttle to Moraine Lake.  This is another spectacular blue lake. Set in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, this area has more rugged hiking opportunities.

Banff National Park Hikes

There is an abundance of hiking trails in Banff of all lengths and degrees of difficulty.

If travelling with kids, one of the easiest hikes is a walk along the Bow River in the Banff Townsite .   On the north side of the river, hike to the Surprise Corner Viewpoint .  Walkers can continue on the Hoodoos Trail for a longer and more difficult hike.   On the south side of the Bow River, walk to the Bow Falls Viewpoint , stopping by the Cascade of Time Garden on the way.

Aerial view town in valley mountains background

Take a short drive to Lake Minnewanka .   The Steward Canyon trail is an easy 1.5-kilometre trail that follows the shoreline.  A 1-hour cruise of this beautiful lake and landscape is also available. 

For a more challenging hike, drive to Bankhead.   The trailhead for the C-Level Cirque Hiking Trail is located at the Upper Bankhead Day-Use Area.  On this 3.9-kilometre, 3-hour hike, see the foundations of the former mining operation.  The trail continues to great views of the massive glacier on Cascade Mountain.

Easy Hikes in Banff

The following table shows our suggested hikes.  Most of these trails are within walking distance of town, or a short bus or car ride away.

For more moderate and longer hikes, there are several options just outside of town.

For a complete list see the Parks Canada Day Hikes in the Banff Area .

Gravel path down hill valley mountains background

Plain of Six Glaciers Day Hike

The Plain of Six Glaciers hike is one of the best in Banff National Park. The hike from the trailhead behind Chateau Lake Louise to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse is 5.3 kilometres long.  In total, the elevation gain is 385 metres and it takes about 4 hours to complete the round-trip hike.

From the Chateau, walk to the other end of Lake Louise on the flat Lakeshore Trail and begin to climb. Mountain goats are often seen on the steep sides of the valley. At the rustic Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse , enjoy a bite to eat. The wrap-around-deck allows time to rest awhile and enjoy the mountain views. The Abbot Pass Viewpoint is a further 1.5-kilometre hike west, but the views of Victoria Glacier are worth the additional time.  We spent about an hour here walking the ridge, enjoying the views of the glacier.

For more details on how to tackle this amazing hike, check out our full article, Plain of Six Glaciers – The Best Lake Louise Hike .

Gravel-sided valley lake mountains distance

Icefields Parkway

The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) runs from Lake Louise in Banff National Park to the town of Jasper in Jasper National Park.

Lake Louise to Columbia Icefield

Leaving Lake Louise, the journey continues north towards the Columbia Icefield.  There are many great opportunities to pull over for photos along the way.

The first stop is at Bow Lake .  Pull over at the highway viewpoint, or better yet, drive to the car lot beside Bow Lake Lodge for some great photos.

Drive on to Peyto Lake ’s Upper Viewpoint.  The viewpoint, at 100 metres over the water, is picture perfect.  The unbelievable blue colour of Peyto Lake is jaw-dropping.

Arctic blue lake base mountain above

Mistaya Canyon is further up the highway.  The trailhead is located right at the highway pull off.  Stretch your legs for a short hike to see the canyon and the waterfalls.

Just off the highway is Weeping Wall , a water cascade that looks like tears flowing down the side of the mountain.

The largest icefield in the Rockies, the Columbia Icefield are a must-see attraction. 

Columbia Icefield

Stop at the Glacier Discovery Centre .  Learn about the icefield through its interpretive exhibits. The Ice Explorer Tour begins here.  From the large patio, enjoy a break with views of the Athabasca Glacier or grab some food from the restaurants inside the centre. 

The Ice Explorer is a bus-like, all-terrain vehicle which carries up to 56 passengers.  A fleet of these vehicles travel to and on top of the Athabasca Glacier , the most visited glacier in North America.  Passengers get up close views of the ice and crevasses as their vehicle crawls over this 400-year-old ice sheet.  Better yet, exit the vehicle and experience the thrill of walking on the glacier itself and drinking pure glacial meltwater .

Stream top glacier big vehicle mountain background

Upon returning to the Glacier Discovery Centre, board another bus for the next adventure, the Skyway.

The Columbia Icefield Skyway is 5 minutes further north on the parkway. It is a 1-kilometre cliff-edge walkway leading to a glass-floored observation platform over the Sunwapta Valley, 280 metres below.  The Skyway is a unique way to view the glacier-carved valleys and mountains.

Be sure to make reservations in advance to get your Columbia Icefield Adventure Tickets .

While the Skyway can be done separately, we recommend doing the full Columbia Icefield Adventure.

Road Athabasca Glacier mountain background

Columbia Icefield to Jasper

There are many places to pull over and see the stunning region between the Columbia Icefield and the town of Jasper. 

Be sure to make stops at Stutfield Glacier Viewpoint , Sunwapta Falls , and Athabasca Falls for more stunning photos.

White waterfall through rocky crevace

Jasper National Park

Jasper is not swamped with tourists like Banff, which makes visiting this area even more enjoyable.  There are plenty of outdoor options.

Jasper, a beautiful mountain town, is the heart of Jasper National Park.  Start your day by taking the Jasper SkyTram up to Whistlers Peak.  On a clear day, there are great views of the town and the surrounding mountains.  In town, visit the Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives. Learn about the railway and the early development of the park.

South of town, visit the Cavell area to hike the Path of the Glacier Trail , an easy 1-hour 1.6-kilometre return hike.  At Cavell Pond, a short hike from the parking lot, see the layered ice of the Cavell Glacier.  Look up at the amazing Angel Glacier coming down the face of Mount Edith Cavell.

Glacier 2 arms main flow down mountainside

North of Jasper, visit any of the small lakes, called Patricia, Pyramid, Annette and Edith Lakes, for hiking, kayaking, and if you dare, swimming.

At the Miette Hot Springs , enjoy a relaxing soak, as the water temperature is always kept between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius. 

Jasper to Maligne Lake – Additional Day

On an extra day in Jasper National Park, we recommend the 46-kilometre scenic drive between Jasper and Maligne Lake. 

Stop at Maligne Canyon .  The trail crosses bridges over this 50-metre-deep limestone gorge with several views of waterfalls.

After passing Medicine Lake, the scenic drive ends at Maligne Lake .

The Mary Schäffer Loop , an easy 3.2-kilometre loop trail, has interpretive panels about Schäffer, one of the earliest explorers to this area.  Walk by the historic boathouse and enjoy several great views of the lake before looping back to the parking lot.

Enjoy the Maligne Lake Cruise . This 1.5-hour cruise crosses the emerald lake to picturesque Spirit Island , a spiritual place for the Stoney Nakoda First Nation’s people.

Couple by boat dock mountain lake

Options to Return to the City

After completing this Road Trip, there are a few options to return to the city.

Drive from Jasper to Banff, reversing this route. Enjoy different stops and hikes.  From Banff, return to Calgary .

Alternatively, from Jasper, continue eastward to Edmonton .

For more great Alberta destinations, be sure to check out our article Best Alberta Road Trips .

Rocky path surrounded by forested hills mountain peaks

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Andy is the co-founder of Avrex Travel, where he shares his many travel experiences. Andy enjoys videography and creating great Road Trips for his readers.

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Take the ultimate alberta road trip on the trans-canada highway.

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Bow Lake in Alberta's Banff National Park.

Looking for a cool way to vacation in Canada this summer? How about a road trip hitting all the highlights of Alberta , the big Western province where the prairie meets the Rocky Mountains.

Calgary, the province’s largest city, is well connected with the rest of Canada and many U.S. destinations by air. Alternatively, you can take the train from Vancouver or all the way from eastern Canada. Either way, Calgary offers plenty of rental car options for launching your road trip.

If self-drive is more your thing, the Trans-Canada Highway is the best route from elsewhere in Canada and there are several routes from south of the border including US 89/Canada 2 from Montana or US 95/Canada 3 from Spokane and northern Idaho.

Downtown Calgary and the Peace Bridge across the Bow River.

Stampeding Through Calgary

Founded as a remote frontier fort in 1875 by the North-West Mounted Police (Mounties), Calgary first boomed as a railroad town and ranching hub before the discovery of oil in 1914 made it one of the richest cities in Canada (and by extension, the British Empire).

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What’s the origin of its unusual name? The city is named after a tiny hamlet on the Isle of Mull in Scotland.

While the annual Calgary Stampede rodeo and horse show in July recalls to the city’s frontier days, the forest of steel-and-glass skyscrapers reflected in the Bow River are very much a product of the 20 th -century energy boom.

Downtown offers numerous overnight options including a new-style Marriott Residence Inn in the Beltline neighborhood, a place that feels and acts much more like an upscale urban boutique hotel than its older incarnation.

The Calgary Tower, National Music Centre at Studio Bell, the indoor botanical garden at +15 Skywalk, and the Glenbow Museum of art and history (largest of its kind in western Canada) are the prime downtown attractions. You can also hire a two-wheeler at Joe’s Garage or Bow Cycle E-Bikes and cruise the riverside bike paths on either side of Rainbow Bridge.

Yet the city’s biggest treat is the eclectic culinary scene, restaurants like the Monki Breakfast Club to get the day started; Asian-Mediterranean fusion dishes at Orchard or Una Pizza + Wine for lunch; and the sublime farm and forage to table cuisine of Rouge or Latin-flavored Fortuna’s Row for dinner.

Getting the lowdown on the resident wild canines at the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary between Calgary ... [+] and Banff.

High And Wild In Banff

It’s a straight shot on the Trans-Canada Highway from Calgary to Banff. But don’t rush. There are several worthwhile detours including the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary and photogenic Canmore, a holy grail of global rock climbing.

Banff and its namesake national park are the crown jewel of the Canadian Rockies, a vast expanse of wilderness to hike, bike, paddle or climb in summer or ski, skate, snowshoe or fat bike when it starts to snow.

Ride the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for a bird’s-eye-view of the valley, a visit to the historic Cosmic Ray Station, and lunch at the Sky Bistro. Browse the excellent Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. And explore Downtown Banff and its entourage of one-off shops and restaurants.

As one of Canada’s premier resorts, there are plenty of accommodation choices. The most renowned is the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, a castle-like built 1888 by the Canadian Pacific Railway.

The hotel’s warm and cozy 1888 Chop House is world renowned for steak (try the signature wagyu filet mignon). Or catch early morning over the Rockies at a window table in Juniper Bistro (the huevos rancheros is to die for). Tea lovers should make a beeline for Jolene’s and her wide selection of hand-blended organic teas, many of them made with local ingredients.

The Columbia Icefield Skywalk hovers more than 900 feet above the Sunwapta River with Athabasca ... [+] Glacier and the Columbia Icefield in the distance.

The Icefield Parkway to Jasper

West of Banff, the Trans-Canada Highway continues its journey through the Rockies to another historic railway hotel, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (opened in 1890). Even if you’re not staying overnight, take a walk along the shore of the turquoise-colored lake or hike up to the Plain of Glaciers Tea House for a light snack and hot beverage.

From Lake Louise, slide onto the Icefield Parkway heading north through the heart of Banff National Park. Flanked by spectacular snow-capped peaks, the highway is considered one of the world’s most incredible drives.

There are numerous spots to stop along the way for short hikes, photo ops or wildlife sightings. All the iconic Rocky Mountains animals are present in the park — moose, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, wolves, cougars, and grizzly bears. Plus more than 260 bird species.

Just after the parkway crosses into Jasper National Park, Athabasca Glacier appears on the left, a giant frozen tongue tumbling down from the Columbia Icefield. Custom-designed snow coaches take visitors onto the glacier. Or you can test your mettle on the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, a see-through bridge that hovers 918 feet (280 meters) above the valley.

Jasper Village is an ideal spot to spend the night or even a couple of days hiking the trails of Maligne Canyon, paddling one of the many lakes, soaking at Miette Hot Springs or chilling in one of the famous red chairs.

Jasper’s overnight choices range from log cabin and bungalow resorts to the upscale Forest Park Hotel and Jasper Park Lodge. The eating scene ranges from pub grub at the Jasper Brewing Company and yummy sandwiches and hot pot pies at Patricia Street Deli to the lakeside Orso Trattoria and Andaaz for Indian cuisine.

The funky Fu’s Repair Shop Asian fusion restaurant in Edmonton.

Onward to Edmonton

It’s a four-hour drive along Canada Highway 16 from Jasper to Edmonton, a journey that makes a gradual transition from the Rockies back to the seemingly endless Alberta prairies.

Alberta’s provincial capital also traces its roots to Canada’s wild west frontier days, born as a Hudson Bay Company trading post in 1795 along a stretch of the North Saskatchewan River that had already been home to First Nations people for thousands of years.

Much like long-time rival Calgary, the energy industry stoked Edmonton’s 20 th -century boom and a downtown area that glistens with modern high-rise office buildings and condo towers. But the city also has its bygone side.

Across the river from downtown is a Strathcona neighborhood renowned for its vintage buildings and the popular Old Strathcona Farmers' Market, where a mind-blowing variety of foods produced in the city’s hinterland take the stage every Saturday.

A great way to experience Strathcona on a Saturday is riding the historic High Level Bridge Streetcar back and forth from the north side of the river. Or if you’re hungry, join one of Vanessa De Oliveira’s culinary e-bike tours, a casual journey through the local food scene that also takes in many of the city’s top sights.

Edmonton dining scene runs a broad gamut from local culinary superstar RGE Road, which specializes in Alberta beef, bison, pork and fish dishes, to the quirky Fu’s Repair Shop, an Asian fusion restaurant with a dark speakeasy ambience and offbeat dishes like truffle dumplings, peachy shrimp, spicy duck tacos and white kimchi stew.

Another local specialty is craft beer, with the southside Ritchie district renowned for artisanal breweries like Biera (which also serves contemporary Canadian food) and Blind Enthusiasm Brewing at The Monolith (famous for its barrel fermented beers).

Edmonton’s equivalent of a grand railway abode is the majestic Hotel Macdonald, which overlooks the river. But there are plenty of modern options, including the swish JW Marriott Edmonton Ice District, opposite the Rogers Place arena home of the Edmonton Oilers ice hockey team.

Joe Yogerst

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Vancouver skyline at dusk reflected in a lake surface

Road Trip from Banff to Vancouver

A road trip from Banff to Vancouver takes you back to nature, with natural hot springs, beautiful landscapes, and an abundance of opportunities to hike, cycle and swim along the way. You can also get your metropolitan fix, with bustling tourist attractions and vibrant entertainment filling your senses after the calmer start of your journey.

A 960 km road trip from Banff to Vancouver can be driven in 11 hours. You'll get to visit Banff National Park, Kootenay National Park, Kaniksu National Forest, Radium Hot Springs, Harrison Hot Springs, Kamloops, Revelstoke, Spokane, and Seattle.

There are two excellent options for completing this road trip. Keep reading to find a detailed guide for each including directions, the best stopover locations, amazing things to see and when to visit.

How far is Vancouver from Banff, and how long will the road trip take?

The Kamloops Route clocks in nearly 11 hours of driving time, and covers 960 kilometers if you don't make any detours or stops.

If you fancy a route that's a little longer, and one that offers some city sights, The Seattle Route should take you about 13 hours and 20 minutes to drive the 1,260 kilometers.

You can easily stretch out both of these routes and you'll find plenty along the way to keep you occupied! We suggest taking 3-4 days to make the best of this amazing adventure.

Best road trip route from Banff to Vancouver

Taking The Kamloops Route only adds a couple of hours to the most direct road trip possible. It is a good few hours shorter than the longer scenic route via Seattle (see below).

This route takes in the Radium Hot Springs on the way, which you can relax and play in at your leisure. Abbotsford en route provides an excellent stop-off for some outdoor activities, just before you get to Vancouver.

Crystal blue lake in the foreground with a sun kissed mountain range in the distance

You pass through Kamloops itself with stunning scenery to admire while you stretch your legs. This route is a tad more rural and relaxed so you will miss the vibrancy and attractions that Seattle has to offer.

As an alternative, The Seattle Route provides you with the opportunity to cross the border to the US and visit some prominent landmarks such as Mount Vernon and the metropolitan sights of Seattle.

The end of this route provides a real difference in pace compared to the scenic landscapes and nature trails at the beginning. You really get the best of both; the hustle and bustle of city life, as well as enjoying the majestic natural sights in more rural areas.

The Kamloops Route

From Banff, get onto the Trans-Canada Highway. The first part of your road trip follows this route until you reach Kamloops, so it is very easy to follow.

You'll start off by zig-zagging your way through Banff National Park and Kootenay National Park with their stunning woodland scenery, turquoise blue alpine lakes and snow-capped peaks. It's a picture-perfect start to this road trip.

Radium Springs marks the spot where you turn northwest on BC-1. This is also a great spot to stop and have a dip! The highway will take you northwest for a short time before turning west into Revelstoke.

Continue west, winding your way through the mountains and lakes. Follow the shores of Shuswap Lake around towards Little Shuswap Lake. The lake will then turn into the South Thompson River, which will guide you to Monte Creek and Kamloops.

Mountain range of Kootenay National Park reflected in a body of water alongside a sun drenched, lush forest

Shortly after you leave Kamloops on the BC-1, turn left, taking BC-5 south. Not long after this turn, you have the option to take a short detour to Logan Lake, where you can enjoy one of their all-season hiking or biking trails.

The final part of your road trip takes you south, where you'll rejoin the BC-1 and pass by Harrison Hot Springs on your right. You'll then drive through Abbotsford, which is a great stop if you want to do some outdoor activities. Continuing west, you'll pass through Surrey, cross the Fraser River and finally arrive in Vancouver.

The Seattle Route

Take the Trans-Canada Highway out of Banff, before turning onto BC-93 and wind your way through Kootenay National Park. When you get to Radium Hot Springs, turn left, heading south to Fairmont Hot Springs where you can enjoy a soak in their natural mineral hot springs.

Keep driving south, crossing the border into the US and passing over the Kootenay River at Bonners Ferry. You'll then arrive at Spokane, also known as Lilac City, which is a good place to stop for some retail therapy.

Next up is Seattle, which you'll get to by going west on I-90. Why not take a trip up the Space Needle while you're there?

Then, take Interstate 5 north along the coast, to Mount Vernon, where you can see the tulip fields when they are in bloom. Continue north, crossing the border back into Canada and head towards Richmond on BC-99.

Seattle skyline with a large mountain in the background

From here, you'll pass Sea Island and Vancouver International Airport on your left before arriving at your destination in Vancouver.

Best places to stop between Banff and Vancouver

With at least 10 hours of driving, an overnight stop or two is needed to really enjoy this road trip. We've picked one on each route and made sure to choose a location that showcases the best that each route has to offer.

Kickin' back in Kamloops

About two-thirds of the way along The Kamloops Route is Kamloops. With a good mix of activities and beautiful scenery, it's a great stopover to break up your driving journey. It has plenty of beautiful golf courses, ski slopes and relaxing getaways – something for all tastes.

After a long drive, Riverside Park offers an excellent opportunity to stretch your legs. Located in downtown Kamloops, the start point at the Japanese Gardens leads to an enjoyable walk through Riverside Park and onto the beach.

In summer months live music is free, so grab a picnic and get ready for an evening of dancing. For all budding sommeliers, a trip to Monte Creek Winery is a must. Set across a huge 1,200 acres, this beautiful ranch hosts tours and wine tasting.

Delta Hotels by Marriott Kamloops is a chic hotel with stunning mountain views to admire while sipping an aperitif. Its outdoor pool, jacuzzi and hot tub are ideal for relaxing after a busy day. For those who want to stay active, they also have a 24 hour fitness room.

Situated close to the city center, the bars and restaurants are close by and Riverside Park is only a 10 minute stroll from the hotel. For train enthusiasts, Kamloops Heritage Railway is only a short walk away.

Scenic outlook onto Kamloops, Canada from a distance, with a river running through it

Fancy a flora and fauna-filled experience? Kamloops Wildlife Park will give you just that. Founded in 1965, this wildlife park looks after over 200 animals, with an ethos that not only supports those animals it looks after but also supports the natural wildlife habitats across Kamloops.

Admire the lilacs in Spokane

Halfway along The Seattle Route is Spokane. At midway, it offers a nice chance to break up the journey. Locally known as "Lilac City” due to the beautiful abundance of lilac bushes that bloom throughout the city.

In Downtown Spokane, you'll find Riverfront Park set across 100 acres of land and water. Only 50 years ago it was an old railyard, but it now houses one of the largest urban waterfalls in the country.

If you want to spend time on two wheels rather than four, biking the Centennial Trail is popular for visitors, particularly the Wilber Trailhead, where over 50 kilometers can be covered.

If you'd like something more sedate but just as rewarding, spend some of your trip stepping back in time at the Northwest Museum of Arts. Over 100,000 visitors come here annually to discover more about Spokane's culture and history.

Mirabeau Park Hotel boasts a stellar location and is our top choice for lodging in Spokane. An onsite all-year heated pool and hot tub can soothe your tired muscles after a day of driving or adventuring. Why not book a room with a terrace, so you can sit back and enjoy the view?

Beautiful autumn foliage of orange, yellow and red, reflected in a lake in one of the waterfront parks in Spokane, Washington

After a long day, you'll want an easy yet delicious meal. The excellent Max at Mirabeau Restaurant is onsite and serves American and international dishes. If you'd prefer to venture out, Spokane Valley Mall is nearby and for sports fans, the HUB Sports Center is only a short drive away.

Where to stay when you reach Vancouver

Guests are continually impressed at how well-located the Auberge Vancouver Hotel is. It can be found right at the heart of Vancouver city and at the center of all the action.

A large indoor pool, hot tub and unique Turkish bath are available to relax in after a busy day exploring, before heading to the on-site Lion's Pub for delicious English-inspired dishes to delight all senses.

Parking is available at the hotel and with this excellent location there is no need to worry about your vehicle, and instead take to the streets on foot to explore everything Vancouver has to offer.

Things to see on a road trip from Banff to Vancouver

How does a combination of hiking, biking, spectacular natural landscapes and a dip in a natural spring sound? Great? We think so too. Luckily for you, you can find all of these, and more, on both of our road trip routes!

  • Glacier National Park Canada - Situated in southeastern British Columbia, it is about a 3 hour drive from Banff and serves as a great first stop-off. There are numerous hikes such as a 9.5km trail to Avalanche Lake, that is sure to take your breath away as you take in the stunning natural beauty.
  • Revelstoke - Revelstoke is a prominent mountain resort, which provides the opportunity for some winter sports. The home of ski jumping, those searching for a thrill descend on Revelstoke for its stunning downhill slopes and party atmosphere.
  • Revelstoke Railway Museum - For those with an interest in trains, this attraction is a must. You could spend a couple of hours here learning about the Canadian railway and even drive a diesel engine simulator.
  • Monte Creek Winery - While away an afternoon sampling world-class wines in the Thompson Valley, and learn more about the winery's mission to become as sustainable as possible.
  • Kamloops - There are many reasons to visit Kamloops and fall is the perfect time to witness the salmon run at Adams River. With many trails to walk through, stop and view the wonder of thousands of salmon spawning.
  • Logan Lake - A visit to Logan Lake may take longer than you expect given the variety of activities on offer. A great venue for fishing, golfing, and in winter months snowmobiling and skiing, it really does have something for everyone.
  • Harrison Hot Springs - Around two hours from Vancouver, these hot springs are one of the most popular destinations to get close to nature and relax. At any time of the year there is a large range of activities happening lakeside, with a backdrop of stunning parklands and mountains that you can also explore.
  • Abbotsford Castle Fun Park - A lively rural city, Abbotsford has over 130,000 residents and is one of the fastest growing regions, with the nickname ‘City in the Country' a common reference. The Castle Fun Park is a real draw for visitors, which is an exciting amusement park for all ages.

A wooden jetty leading out onto a tranquil lake at dusk

  • Fairmont Hot Springs - Natural mineral hot springs are a key draw to Fairmont, where visitors are able to relax in the clear waters and have a well-deserved rest. These are the largest natural springs in Canada and Fairmont is a real destination resort.
  • Bonners Ferry - Surrounded by the Selkirk Mountains, this natural beauty spot is home to a variety of outdoor recreation activities. It is also home to many shops and places to eat, with its downtown charm providing a unique place to stop for a while. Why not try out the steak and beers at Kootenai River Brewing Company when you visit?
  • Kaniksu National Forest - There are so many wonderful forests in this region, and Kaniksu is one of the best to explore. Hire a mountain bike and make the most of the hilly terrain to race through, taking in the sights across some of the million acres along the way.
  • Manito Park and Botanical Gardens - These public botanical formal gardens house an impressive conservatory and arboretum, and as they are free they are a great place to stop-off for a leg stretch. Desert plants and tropical plants can be seen year-round and bird watching is popular with tourists.
  • Colville Reservation - This huge Indian reservation spans over 1.4 million acres, with communities of both Colville tribe members and non-members living within. The Colville Tribal Museum can be found at Coulee Dam where the reservation's history is explained in more detail.
  • Seattle - This vibrant city has a huge amount of attractions to enjoy. The Space Needle is a 605-ft tall building which provides unrivaled views across the city. Plus a revolving restaurant on site gives the perfect place to have refreshments while you enjoy the view.
  • Steveston Harbour - Nestled in Richmond, this old fishing village is the main visitor destination with its unusual houses and bustling bars. This community in Richmond is diverse and lively and a stop-off here will provide you with great food and entertainment around the harbor edges.

Ornate stone bridge crossing a small body of water with autumn foliage reflected in a calm lake

Both Routes

  • Banff National Park - Canada's first National Park, this is a real destination and gives you a stunning view of the Rocky Mountains and beautiful lakes.
  • Kootenay National Park – This National Park really does have it all, from hot springs to the snow-capped mountains that circle the park. A huge range of different trails take you through some incredible sights such as Marble Canyon. But watch out, grizzly bears are a common sight!
  • Radium Hot Springs - Commonly known as ‘Radium' this stop-off allows you to rest or play at your leisure in the cool turquoise waters.

Best time to go on a road trip from Banff to Vancouver

Vancouver is a great year-round destination, with much to do throughout each season. Summer months are the best time to visit for the warmer weather, however, as expected it's usually busier during this time with accommodation at a premium.

Summer temperatures reach around 80 degrees Fahrenheit in Vancouver, so it's lovely and warm but not oppressively hot for exploring the city. Moderate levels of rain during the summer also means you can take better advantage of all the outdoor activities on offer.

The Celebration of Light at the end of July sees crowds gather to watch huge firework displays around the English Bay waterfront, where three countries aim to impress the Vancouver audience with their displays.

Pink cherry blossom in the foreground with a snow covered mountain range in the distance

Vancouver remains lovely and mild in the winter so you can take advantage of both indoor and outdoor activities more easily than in some other cities where conditions can be harsher come winter.

Visiting in the later months such as December, gives a whole new Vancouver experience, where you can marvel at the beautiful snowy landscapes and scenery among fewer crowds.

Towards the end of the year the Capilano Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park kick off the holiday season, with beautiful illuminations spanning the bridge and surrounding parks.

The weather remains pleasant in the spring and fall, however, the rainy season does run from October to June, so take wet weather gear during that time to keep yourself nice and dry. We would also recommend an extra layer of clothing during the evening for the cooler spring months.

Running from March to mid-April is the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, where 40,000 trees bloom and create a magical pathway across the city. This beautiful sight can be admired on many organized tours, bike rides and different activities.

The Vancouver International Film Festival in late September is world-renowned and screens the best films from Canada. Film lovers and critics flock to the city to take part.

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Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada with a scenic view of mountains in the distance, wildflowers in the foreground and trees and a lake between on a sunny and clear day.

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Train From Vancouver To Banff: How To Take This Scenic, Bucket-List Journey

  • Vancouver is a laid-back, environmentally conscious city on the coast of British Columbia, while Banff is a renowned resort town famous for its mountains and outdoor activities.
  • The Rocky Mountaineer train offers a luxurious and scenic journey from Vancouver to Banff, with comfortable accommodations and breathtaking views of Canada's wilderness.
  • The best time to travel on the Rocky Mountaineer depends on personal preferences, with different months offering unique experiences and potential savings on rates.

Vancouver is heavily populated by laid-back and environmentally conscious people and is situated directly on the coast of British Columbia. The legendary resort town of Banff , located in the adjacent province of Alberta, is renowned for its mountainous landscape, turquoise waterways, and some of the nation's greatest skiing and other outdoor activities .

With a height of 4,537 feet (1382.8 meters) , it also happens to be Canada's highest town. The 560 miles (900 kilometers) that separate these two Canadian locations traverse three mesmerizing mountain ranges: the Coast, Columbia, and Rocky Mountains.

From Vancouver, visitors may choose to fly, brave the Canadian motorways, or even board a train that passes through some of the country's most breathtaking scenery on its journey to Banff. Visitors can see the Canadian wilderness up close and personal by taking the train from Vancouver to Banff.

Related: Scenic Views: 10 Mountain Vacations In The U.S. That Are Worth Every Penny

Rocky Mountaineer: A Journey From Vancouver To Banff

The renowned Rocky Mountaineer is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This opulent sightseeing train only passes through the Canadian Rockies during the day, stopping to emphasize the region's natural wonders.

Passengers will savor hand-crafted, regional fare, top-shelf drinks, and an unending supply of snacks and sweets while listening to knowledgeable guides who will highlight Western Canada's stunning natural beauty and tell the region's illustrious history. The Rocky Mountaineer makes an overnight stop at Kamloops, a lakeside community, so travelers can rest comfortably and prepare for the remainder of their voyage from Vancouver to Banff.

Every level of service on the Rocky Mountaineer train from Vancouver to Banff has unique windows that provide scenic panoramas. Passengers can contemplate the wildlife, mountains, and vibrant flowers. They can even see some of Canada's renowned greenery if they go during the fall. Rocky Mountaineer trains from Vancouver to Banff are renowned for providing an upgraded experience, regardless of the level of service they select.

Oversized windows, excellent food, and plush reclining chairs are all available for their enjoyment during the trip.

The Scenic, Bucket-List Train Itinerary From Vancouver To Banff

A breathtaking two-day trip on the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff includes Kamloops hotel accommodations.

Day 1: Vancouver To Kamloops

Passengers will travel from the coast to central British Columbia aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train, which departs from Vancouver. They will enjoy traveling through the Fraser Valley, the province of British Columbia's agricultural heartland.

The Fraser River, which is home to many salmon, winds through this ancient valley, which is surrounded by beautiful green mountainsides.

The scenic train passes distinctive geographical features like the roaring waves of Hell's Gate as it goes through marvelous river valleys cut into the lofty Coast and Cascade Mountains.

As the train ascends onto the parched interior plateau and makes its overnight stop in Kamloops, the atmosphere progressively changes. On board the train, breakfast, and lunch are complimentary.

  • Hotels: Fairmont Waterfront, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Pan Pacific, Sutton Place Hotel, and Sheraton Wall Centre

Related: Vancouver To Kamloops: Why This Scenic Train Is The Best Way To See Canada's Fall Foliage

Day 2: Kamloops To Banff

As it draws closer to the breathtakingly beautiful snow-capped Rocky Mountains, the train progressively departs the ranchlands of south-central British Columbia. Passengers will traverse three national parks of Canada on the route from Vancouver to Banff: Glacier, Yoho, and Banff.

They will travel across the Kicking Horse Canyon and Spiral Tunnels Rogers Pass and beyond Craigellachie, the historic location where the Canadian Pacific's last spike was driven rail was installed.

On the way to gorgeous vacation spots in Banff , pass by the Continental Divide. On board the train, meals are served for breakfast and lunch.

  • Hotels: Banff Caribou Lodge, Rimrock Resort, Moose Hotel & Suites, Fairmont Banff Springs, and Elk & Avenue
  • Cost: Price varies according to the month, starting at CAD 2049 (USD 1505) in April and October

Best Time To Travel On Rocky Mountaineer

There is no best time to travel from Vancouver to Banff. It all depends on the passenger’s preferences. A snowy mountain background and significant financial savings may both be experienced in April.

If passengers want to take home a camera roll full of images that look like postcards and yet save money compared to the peak season pricing, which typically goes into effect in the latter week of May/early June, May is a terrific month to take a Rocky Mountaineer train trip from Vancouver to Banff.

If passengers want to experience some of the warm summer weather, beautiful scenery, and animal-watching chances, but avoid the full summer rush of tourists traveling to the well-known mountain towns of Lake Louise, Jasper, and Banff, June is a perfect time to take the Rocky Mountaineer train.

Warm weather and beautiful landscapes make July and August a top choice for those who wish to go trekking and enjoy the outdoors. The Rocky Mountaineer's most popular month for travel is September since it is such a wonderful time of year.

The golden hues of the larch and poplar trees provide a lovely setting to the low light of the sun glistening off the blue lakes as the leaves begin to change color. Finally, the last of the fall colors may be seen in October while avoiding the heavy tourist traffic. As the Rocky Mountaineer rail travel season ends in October, rates decrease once again.

Train From Vancouver To Banff: How To Take This Scenic, Bucket-List Journey

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No evidence to suggest Banff cougar attack on Calgary man ever happened: reports

road trip vancouver to jasper and banff

By Logan Stein

Posted March 8, 2024 8:18 am.

Last Updated March 8, 2024 1:10 pm.

Nearly a month after Parks Canada launched an investigation into a possible cougar attack in Banff, questions are circulating about whether or not the incident ever happened.

On Feb. 12, a Calgary man reported he was hiking in Rockbound Lake Trailhead when the animal pounced on him, hurting him in the process.

At the time, Covenant Health reported to CityNews that it took one person to hospital, treating them for minor injuries.

After this reported attack, Parks Canada began its investigation, closing Castle Mountain Lookout and Silverton Falls while looking for the cougar in question.

While officials were searching for a big cat, 23-year-old Spencer Weilermann spoke with numerous media outlets, recounting a harrowing story in which a younger cougar jumped on him, knocking him down a hill, as he struggled.

Now, reports indicate it was all a lie.

Parks Canada says in a statement to CityNews it followed standard protocol following a visitor reported incident back in February. It says the area was thoroughly searched and no signs of cougar activity were found.

The government agency says it also undertook forensic testing to corroborate initial findings.

CityNews spoke with a wildlife expert who was in the area the morning of the suspected attack.

John. E Marriott, the co-founder of Exposed Wildlife Conservancy and a full-time professional wildlife photographer, says he initially felt shock after hearing the news.

Then, he got curious.

“Right away I immediately started digging in — where did this happen? What were the details? I’d actually been out on the Bow Valley Parkway that morning and hadn’t seen a thing,” Marriott recalled. “I had left at about 10:30 a.m. and this had happened at 11 a.m. — a) a weird time of the day for a cougar to be wandering around hunting, and b) a very odd location for a cougar to be at this time of year — there’s not a lot of deer or elk around there, not a lot of prey.”

He eventually became suspicious.

“There were some details that immediately stood out to me, and later that evening when the first media reports starting coming out — hearing some of the details I thought, ‘This doesn’t make any sense,'” Marriott said.

Park officials say no cougar DNA was found on anything in the area, and there was no evidence of tracks anywhere near where the attack supposedly happened.

The case is now closed and the closure for the Rockbound Lake area including Castle Mountain Lookout and Silverton Falls has been lifted.

Marriott previously worked for Parks Canada and claims the agency knew no attack had taken place shortly after it was reported.

“[I] fairly quickly learned that it was not a cougar attack — from people that I know within Parks Canada — and that they were being gagged, they were not being allowed to speak out by upper management,” he said. “So, they literally knew that day that it was not a cougar attack.”

Parks Canada didn’t respond to questions about whether the agency knew there was no attack and investigated anyway.

Marriott thinks there was a lot of unnecessary fear created.

“This kind of news getting out there and then being false information is really unfortunate, it’s fueled this sort-of fear, this unnatural fear of some of our big predators out there,” he said. “I think it’s very natural and healthy to have some fear and respect for these animals. But, you can go hiking all over the place, Kananaskis, Banff, Jasper, wherever you want — take some bear spray, take a little horn if you want to — you’re just as likely to have something happen to you driving to the trailhead.

“You’re still more likely to die from a vending machine falling on you than you are from a cougar attack,” Marriott said. “So, that’s how ridiculous, that’s how rare a cougar attack is.”

CityNews has reached out to Weilermann for comment.

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IMAGES

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VIDEO

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COMMENTS

  1. 15 BEST Stops On a Vancouver to Jasper Road Trip ...

    Scenic Route (13 hours - Highway 99 Route, including Icefields Parkway): This scenic route from Vancouver travels through Whistler and on to Pemberton and Cache Creek along Highway 99. This will take you along Duffy Lake Road, a scenic but sometimes tricky road to drive in adverse conditions.

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    Our trip from Vancouver to Banff, Jasper & Yoho and back in 8 days. However, if you're just visiting Canada and are road-tripping from Vancouver to Calgary or Calgary to Vancouver. This would also work as a 7-day road trip Calgary to Vancouver. You can definitely make this road trip longer, but I wouldn't recommend making it shorter.

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    The 790 km road trip from Vancouver to Jasper will take 8 hours and 20 minutes to drive. On the way you can visit Bridal Veil Falls, Kamloops, Clearwater, Abbotsford, Kelowna, Revelstoke, Golden, as well as Kootenay, Glacier and Banff National Parks. This is the ultimate Western Canada road trip for anyone who wants to explore the best sights ...

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    From Kamloops head north on Highway 5 and then east on Highway 16 to Jasper. From Jasper take the scenic Icefields Parkway Hwy 95N to Lake Louise and onto Banff. Driving from Vancouver to Jasper on this route will be approximately 8.5 to 9.5 hours via the Fraser Canyon.

  6. The Ultimate Vancouver to Banff Drive: Not to Miss Scenic Stops

    the colors of Canada <3. Over the course of the road trip, expect to drive approximately 12 hours (one way) and around 600 miles (or 950 km - and yes, they use km in Canada!). In order to drive from Vancouver to Banff in a reasonable amount of time and still do all the things (besides just drive), you'll want to allocate at least a week for ...

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    By Bus: Rider Express will take visitors between Vancouver and Banff by bus. The trip takes 15 hours and costs $161 one way. By Train: There is no direct train between Vancouver and Banff, however the Rocky Mountaineer runs scenic rail journeys between Vancouver and Jasper and Vancouver and Lake Louise.

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    Located a 20-minute drive from Valemount and is without a doubt one of the most interesting places to visit on your road trip from Vancouver to Jasper. Rearguard Falls Provincial Park was set up to protect the furthest salmon spawning area up the Fraser River around 1,260 kilometers (783 miles) from the east coast of Canada.

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    Related Read: Another popular road trip is the drive from Vancouver to Jasper - check it out! 25 BEST Stops on the Drive from Vancouver to Banff 1. Vancouver City. ... Whatever season you choose for your road trip from Vancouver to Banff, there will be plenty to see and do - hikes, lakes, grand restaurants, and unique activities! It has ...

  10. The ultimate Vancouver to Banff Road Trip Itinerary

    Vancouver to Banff Road Trip Itinerary: Day 1. It's a long drive from Vancouver to Banff so it's a good idea to split the drive across two days. A lot of people choose to stay in Kamloops which is just under 4 hours' drive (354 km) from Vancouver. You could also stay at Salmon Arm (461 km) or Revelstoke (565 km).

  11. Vancouver To Banff Road Trip Itinerary

    Stop 8: Golden (same as route 1) Stop 9: Yoho National Park (same as route 1) Stop 10: Lake Louise (same as roite 1) Stop 11: Banff (same as route 1) Although the most scenic drive from Vancouver to Banff is through the Duffey Lake Road and up through Cache Creek, there are other options you can choose from.

  12. Vancouver to Banff Road Trip

    The distance from Vancouver to Banff is 850 km (approx. 530 miles), and takes 10 hours to drive if you are going to drive straight from one location to the next. The majority of the trip is driven on the Trans Canada Highway 1. There are multiple routes you can take depending on how much time you have to explore!

  13. Ultimate Vancouver to Banff Road Trip Itinerary (2024)

    Day 6 - 7. Whether you're on Day 3 or Day 7, the last stretch of your Vancouver road trip to Banff is all about national parks. If you've read the 2-Day Vancouver to Banff road trip itinerary above, you'll know that these are quite a few worthwhile stops. Dedicate an entire day to exploring one of these national parks in depth.

  14. Road Trip Vancouver to Banff

    USA road trip articles. Driving from Vancouver to Banff. Canadian Rockies itinerary. Trip Itinerary: 6 nights/ 7 days + 2 pre-trip nights in Vancouver. Driving from Vancouver to Banff : distance covered 1,084 KM. Accommodation stops: Vancouver 2 nights/ Blue River x 1 night / Jasper x 2 nights. Banff X 3 nights.

  15. The ICEFIELDS PARKWAY: Getting from Banff to Jasper (for 2024)

    About the Route. Taking the AB-93 North, the total distance from Banff to Jasper is 288 km. Breaking that up - the distance from Banff to Lake Louise (a MUST stop along the way) is 57 km and the distance from Lake Louise to Jasper is 233 km. Overall, the trip should take close to 4 hours if driving with minimal stops.

  16. Vancouver to Jasper Road Trip

    Day 1: Drive to Clearwater 475km (about 5 hours driving) Explore Waterfalls in Wells Gray Provincial Park. Day 2: Drive from Clearwater to Jasper 318km (3.5 hours driving) Day 3: Explore Jasper and go skiing. Day 4: Drive along the Icefields Parkway to Banff 287km (3.5 hours driving) Day 5: Explore Banff with as many hikes as possible!

  17. Amazing Vancouver to Banff Road Trip for 2024 + Secret Tips

    Visit Lake Louise - Take the scenic Bow Valley Parkway up to Lake Louise for one of the top day trips from Banff. Less than 40 minutes from Banff, this stunning turquoise glacier lake is a popular road trip stop in Alberta in both summer and winter. In the summer you can hike around the lake or enjoy a paddle on it.

  18. The Best Banff Itinerary: A 1 Week Road Trip from Banff to Jasper

    This 1 week Banff to Jasper road trip has it all: towering ice-capped peaks, icy-blue glacial lakes, castles, hot springs, glacier hikes and more. ... Tack on an extra week to explore the beautiful pacific coast of British Columbia with a 5-day Vancouver to Whistler road trip. Getting to Banff National Park.

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    This Banff to Jasper Road Trip Itinerary takes you to all the best spots in these epic Canadian National Parks. Here is the best Canadian Rockies road trip. The Ultimate Banff To Jasper Road Trip: 7 Day Itinerary For Alberta's Top National Parks - National Park Obsessed

  20. How to Get from Jasper to Banff +21 Fun Road Trip Stops

    Type of attraction: Short walk to the viewpoint of the falls. Time needed: 20 minutes. Distance from Jasper: 32.4 km/20.1 miles. Google Maps location link: Athabasca Falls location - click here. Leaving Jasper on the Icefields Parkway towards Banff, your second stop is the epic Athabasca Falls.

  21. Banff to Jasper

    Banff to Jasper Itinerary. Banff National Park: 3 Days. Banff Townsite - Explore the top of Sulphur Mountain and relax in the famous hot springs. Hike Banff - Enjoy one or more of the Easy Hikes in Banff. Lake Louise - See the iconic lake and hike to the Six Glaciers Teahouse. Columbia Icefield: 1 Day.

  22. 7 day road trip to Jasper and Banff from Vancouver

    A 7 day road trip itinerary for people travelling to Jasper and Banff from Vancouver (or to Vancouver).

  23. Take The Ultimate Alberta Road Trip On The Trans-Canada Highway

    The Icefield Parkway to Jasper West of Banff, the Trans-Canada Highway continues its journey through the Rockies to another historic railway hotel, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (opened in 1890).

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    Early in the morning, your journey continues eastward to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Once again, you will experience ever-changing scenery as you travel across ranchlands, along rocky lakeshores, over high mountain passes and through the remarkable tunnels that form part of the rich rail history of the Canadian Rockies.

  29. Travel Solutions on Instagram: "Take to the open road on a Western

    18 likes, 3 comments - travelsolutionsbelfast on February 2, 2024: "Take to the open road on a Western Canada self drive 23rd September 2024 11 n ...

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