How To Spend The Perfect 3, 5 or 7 Days In Banff: Summer Canadian Rockies Itinerary

How To Spend The Perfect 3,5 or 7 Days In Banff

About Banff

Banff is one of the most incredible places on earth. It is one of those places that no matter what season you visit it will still charm you. Summer is famous for blue lakes and some of the best hiking in the world. Banff can be an expensive destination so I have added options for every budget below!

To jump straight to the itinerary itinerary go here!

Spring The lakes start to melt bears wake up and low elevation trail start to open.

Summer although busy has magnificent views, brilliant blue lakes and magnificent hiking access. This is the Canada that people travel the world to see!

Fall is full of amazing colours and draws thousands to see the larches.

Winter everything is dusted with snow and it looks like fairytale Canada. To see how the itinerary changes for winter go here!

Banff Know Before You Go

If you are visiting from the US or Europe Canada is a particularly good deal right now at $1 USD = $1.38 CAD (2025).

The weather can be mild to hot with lows of 7 to high of 24 (44-75f). The days are usually warm and pleasant but being at 1400m (4600 ft) it does cool down at night.

If planning to do attractions out of town Banff is best visited by car. Despite this there are some great shuttle services and bussing routes.

Banff is in western Canada so everyone will speak english no french language needed. Most government workers and park officials will be able to speak french if that is your language.

Banff National Park Need To Know

Banff National park is over 6600 sq Km, and the town of Banff is inside that park. Because of this you need to buy park pass in order to enter. The park passes can be purchased online in advance here or at the entrance gates heading into town at the parks Canada facilities. If you are driving to town all traffic from the highway in either direction is funneled into the Parks Canada booths you can’t miss it.

Banff National Park Pass Prices

You have two options for park passed you can pay the day rate or buy the Discovery pass. The Discovery pass is an annual pass that allows access to all of Canada federal Parks. The discovery passes are hung on your mirror and are way better deal if there are several of you or you plan on visiting multiple parks. If you are going to visit Yoho National park or Glacier as well you want to get the Discovery pass.

Day Passes $11 Adult – $9.50 Senior grants access for a single day youths 17 and under are free

Discovery Pass $151.25 Family pass (7 people 1 vehicle) – $75.25 Adult – $64.50 Senior

Where To Stay In Banff

The Banff Fairmont Springs Luxury Heritage Hotel

Banff has some incredible accommodation you should definitely take advantage of on your visit. We chose the Banff Buffalo Mountain Lodge and could not have been happier. It was beautiful with wood beams and a magical chalet style feel. The hot tub also had incredible views and was a fabulous way to spend the evenings. We spent a lot of time in there !

How To Spend The Perfect 3,5 or 7 Days In Banff: Summer Itinerary

If you get super lucky and spots are available on the Lake Ohara shuttle just book them and change your plans accordingly. We hiked the 11km up and down the road anyway but it was a long day.

Day 1 Banff, Johnston Canyon The Lakes & Town

Start your day off with one of our favourite attractions in the park, Johnston Canyon. After your hike grab lunch in town and then drive to Two jack Lake. You can swim and paddleboard with the mountains in the background here and its a very Canadian experience. Take some picture of the iconic red Adirondack chairs and the famous Mt Rundle. After your explorations head back to your lodge for a soak in the hot tub and drinks and dinner.

Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon is an incredible natural canyon with ice blue water that completely freezes over in winter. In summer its an easy blue water canyon hike. The drive also offers great chances to spot wildlife!

Two Jack Lake / Lake Minnewanka

Head to Two jack Lake to relax, swim and take pictures of the iconic red Adirondack chairs and the famous Mt Rundle. This famous view is a 5 minute walk from the parking lot and a great spot to hangout. Sometimes if you are lucky you can see elk in the field on the way.

Day 2 Lake Louise And The Beehives

Lake Louise is its own municipality but you would be crazy to come all the way to Banff and not see Louise. Get up early and head to Lake louise to make sure you get a parking spot. It is crazy busy in summer here and parking is $36.75 per day so make the most of it. Hike the Iconic Beehives according to your energy level then come down and canoe on the lake. Canoeing here is a magical experience and worth the price tag.

If you are a budget traveller a SUP enthusiast or simply thrifty you can rent paddleboards here and drive them up!

Visit Lake Louise

If you are in the area you have to check out Lake Louise. Louise is one of the most famous lakes in the entire world for good reason, It is absolutely stunning. The Fairmont hotel on the lake was built in 1893 and is a luxury experience in itself.

Hike The Big Or Little Beehive

The best bang for view hike in the Rockies. The Big Beehive is 10km 700m return and the Little Beehive is 8km 650m. Both trail bring you to the scenic Lake Agnes Teahouse on the way which is a great spot to grab a snack!

Canoe On Lake Louise

Look how sad Meghan looks Canoeing on the worlds prettiest lake.

Day 3 In Banff Moraine Lake & Helicopter

Sunrise At Moraine Lake

Moraine lake is without a doubt one of the most magnificent places in the world. I know its an early start but the 4:30 wake up for the Moraine Lake sunrise tour is a magical experience. The photos speak for themselves. If you bring a head lamp and walk a little bit past the lookout there are lots of spot to have the view to yourself. Bring a blanket and an extra jacket. Make sure those camera batteries are charged!

Helicopter Tour Over The Rockies or Gondola

We did the tour that flew through Kananaskis and Mt Assiniboine and it was one of the prettiest experiences I have ever done. We have travelled and hiked all through the world including the Himalayas and the Alps; the Mountains around Banff really are world class and truly mind blowing. We can not recommend these guys enough!

The tours leave from nearby Canmore and fly through the Banff and Kananaskis parks. The views here literally blew my mind. We have been to mountains all over the world and they really are special here. .

Helicopter Alternative – Banff Gondola

If the chopper tour is out of your budget you can still get amazing views from the Banff Sulphur mountain gondola. You can book your tickets in advance here. The views in summer are fabulous. They also have a Sky Bistro and coffee shop here which is a great lunch or dinner spot with a view.

Day 4 Icefield Parkway Drive

The Icefields Parkway drive from Lake Louise to Jasper is one of the most scenic roads in the world. You don’t have to do the full stretch to Jasper but make sure you at least go far enough to see Peyto Lake and its lookout.

Hector lake Viewpoint

Bow Lake

Peyto Lake Lookout

Waterfowl Lake

The whole drive is incredible and you will find yourself stopping constantly to take photos.

Day 5 Canmore + Epic Hikes

Canmore is a lovely town to visit in the area. Far less busy that Banff it is more local but still cute. Head into town for a coffee then head up to hike either Ha Ling or EEOR (east end of Rundle Trail). They are both magnificent but different views. If you still have energy after lunch Grassi lakes are lovely easier walk. To see some other hike options close to Canmore go here.

EEOR

5km return hike with 480m elevation gain. The trail is steep but has incredible views most of the way. You do not have to get to the top for amazing views there are lots of great lookouts on the way up. This photo is 3/4 of the way up!

Ha Ling hike

One of our favourite hikes in Kananaskis the iconic peak looks out over the Bow valley and Canmore. At 7.5km return and 750m elevation gain its no walk in the park but worth every step.

Grassi Lakes

A beautiful 4km loop that takes you around stunningly clear, blue green lakes.

Day 6 Visit Yoho National Park

If you have extra days I highly recommend making it to Yoho National park and visiting the incredible Emerald Lake. In summer the lake is famous for it’s bright emerald green colour caused by glacial silt. The drive from Banff to Emerald lake is about 90 km (55 miles) and takes about 1 hour.

Takkakaw falls the second highest waterfall in Canada 373 meters (1,224 feet) is also in Yoho. The falls are spectacular, a short hike from the parking lot and 100% worth the detour.

The world famous Iceline trail is also here if you are prepared for a big day out.

The Natural Bridge in Yoho just before Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake

If your budget allows a stay at the Emerald Lake Lodge is worth every penny. They have phenomenal food and the ability to wander around at sunset when all the other people have left is really special.

Incredible views from the foot bridge at Emerald lake

There is a convenient rental hut on the lake where you can get canoes in summer. If you time your trip for end of June or early May and you are lucky you might get to see the candle ice. Candle ice is a phenomenon when ice melts unevenly and form little columns.

The trail around the lake is beautiful in both season and very much worth doing! They have great weekend escape deals sometimes, you can check the prices and book here.

Visit Takkakaw Falls

Takkakaw falls are the second highest waterfall in Canada at 373 meters (1,224 feet). These falls are set in the beutiful Yoho valley and the views are incredible. You can walks as close as you dare to the falls without getting wet. The down spray and mist here is substantial so a rain jacket isn’t a bad idea.

The Iceline Trail

We haven’t personally done this one yet but we may have a blog up by the end of the summer! stay posted. 21km loop trail with +900m of elevation.

Day 7 White Water Rafting Or Horseback Riding and Banff Springs

For your last day why not enjoy a little adrenalin rush and go rafting. If you are looking for something calmer there are great horseback tours in the area. After your morning adventure head back into town and visit the Banff Hot Springs to relax before you head out the next morning.

Rafting

The Kananaskis river just outside of town is a great class 2-3 rapid great for families and beginners.

If you are looking for something a little more extreme the Horseshoe Canyon rafting gets up to class 4 rapids!

Horseback Riding

If rafting isn’t your vibe there are very reasonable Horseback tours around the Spray Valley. There is nothing more Canadian than going for a horseback ride in the mountains.

Banff Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs

If you are feeling up for it why not go for a soak with a view at the Banff Upper Hot Springs.

What To Bring For Summer In Banff

Weather is no joke in Canada so you want to make sure you are prepared. We always recommend good worn in hiking boots and micro spikes for hiking in the early season.

When heading out of town we recommend: a good jacket or shell layer (merino base layers), good boots, a warm fleece, toque hat or beanie. Remember you can always take layers off, things cool down quickly in the mountains.

Don’t forget a bathing suit cause you are going to love your hotels hot tub. We also recently got some fleeces from Siroko that were crazy warm and we loved, (10% off here).

Banff Without A Car

Banff is absolutely fine to visit without a car it just requires a bit of planning. You can use the Roam bus system to get around. The Roam service can take you to to all attractions within the Town of Banff, as well as all major attractions in the Park such as: Town of Canmore, Banff Gondola and Upper Hot Springs, Bow Falls and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Lake Minnewanka, Cave & Basin National Historic Site, Lake Louise and even Johnston Canyon.

There is also this Hop on Hop off service that loops Banff, Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise ski hill and Lake louise itself. you can buy tickets here.

Banff Tours

If you are not driving and would rather not brave the busses there are some fabulous tours in the area that will take care of everything for you.

This Banff full day tour picks you up takes you to Johnston Canyon and all the pretty lakes including Lake Louise and Minnewanka. This could be a great way to see a ton if you have limited time. To get seats on the hop and hop off bus go here.

Glacier Driving and Epic Lakes

If you are looking for a little bit of wintery Canada the Columbia icefield stays frozen all year. This is a great way to get a legitimate glacier trekking experience no matter what the seasons is. If you have never been to a glacier before we highly recommend! The tour also includes the incredible Bow and Peyto lake.

Getting to Banff From Calgary Airport

There is also a great shuttle service form calgary airport you can check out here that is very reasonably priced at $45 CAD per person.

If you do end up renting a car I would recommend picking up and dropping off at the Calgary airport YYC. I always compare both Booking.com car rates as well as Expedia’s rates to make sure I am getting the best deal. If you elect to bus and change your mind there are also rentals available in Banff itself.

I would highly recommend paying that little bit extra and getting a car with All Wheel Drive or 4×4. The roads are well maintained but there are a lot of rock kickups and its nice to escape the windshield dings. This is particularly important if you plan on driving the Icefields parkway towards Jasper. Stay safe and drive according to the conditions!