The ultimate 7 day Canadian Rockies road trip: Banff, Icefields Parkway & Jasper

The easiest option to start would be to fly into Calgary (YCC). We spent a few days exploring the city before picking up our camper van and heading towards the mountains. It’s also great for stocking up on supplies including plenty of food and fuel for the trip (fuel gets more expensive from here on).

We opted for a compact rv from Cruise Canada which was slap bang in between the airport and route 1 (the route you’ll be taking out to Banff). The rv was small (max 3 people but the third person had better be small as that bed was not very long!) but had everything you needed – toilet, shower, fridge, gas hob, microwave, heating etc. We actually loved it and felt it worked fine in terms of space. However if you’re used to American rvs then perhaps opt for the standard size for 2+ people.

Once you’ve picked up your camper, fuelled up and stocked the fridge, begin your Canadian Rockies road trip by heading out of the city on route 1. The drive from Calgary to Banff is about 130km and will take an hour and a half, depending on if you make a stop off at Canmore on route.

Upon entering Banff you’ll need to purchase a pass to the national park. We actually found it was cheaper to buy a 12 month ‘Discovery pass’ than it was to buy single day passes for our 7 day trip. This was also down to the fact that there were 3 of us in the vehicle and the Discovery pass is $139.40 CAD for a vehicle with up to 7 passengers. The pass covers you for an entire year and gives you access to every national park in Canada.

Once you’ve made it to Banff, head to your campground to get settled. We opted for Tunnel Mountain trailer court campground just 5km outside of Banff town. We would highly recommend it for its location, views, amenities and cleanliness. Plus, it’s a fair price at $38.20 CAD per night with access to electricity, water and sewer, toilets, showers and sani dump.

Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening exploring the town of Banff. It is full to the brim of souvenir shops and has great places to eat and drink. Check out Parks Distillery, a great restaurant, bar and distillery that creates their own spirits such as gin and espresso vodka. We had a fantastic meal here, sampled all 6 of their own spirits and had the most incredible poutine. The town is also a great spot to pick up some souvenirs, get some info from the visitor centre and generally just enjoy this picturesque mountain town.

If you’ve got more time on your hands then check out Cave & Basin historical site or even hike up to the top of the Banff cable car area for unrivalled views across the town and beyond.

Leave the campsite as early as you can stomach and head north towards Lake Louise. There’s a great hike to do on route at Johnston Canyon (only a 30 minute drive from Banff) but it does get quite busy – hence the early get up. Getting up early also means you may be able to avoid queuing for viewpoints and shimmying past people on the narrow track.

As with all of the hikes in the area, it is very well signposted, the route is clear and there is a map and information point at the car park (in addition to restrooms which are always handy) so there isn’t much preparation required. You can make the hike as short or as long as you’d like by either hiking there and back to lower falls (2.2 km), upper falls (5.2 km) or further to Ink pots (11.6 km).

If you find yourself in need of a snack or drink then there is a restaurant at the start of the trail but the prices are fairly steep.

From Johnston Canyon, continue heading north to the Lake Louise campground. This campground, much like our recommendation for Banff, has everything you’ll need including access to electricity, water and sewer, toilets, showers and sani dump and will set you back $32.30 CAD per night.

Full disclosure, whilst the location is perfect (4km from Lake Louise) and the facilities are great, it is very close to a major train line that for some ungodly reason has trains flying by every few hours throughout the night making the loudest sound you could imagine….maybe bring some ear plugs with you or even some noise cancelling headphones!

From the campground you can follow a trail all the way to Lake Louise (approx 4km). The trail is signposted and clearly laid out and has some truly beautiful views throughout.

The trail will bring you all the way up to the car park at Lake Louise. Head to the lake for those incredible views you’ve been dreaming of. The stunning blue lake is one of the most popular stops in Banff and rightly so. The glacier fed lake is famous for its stunning blue colour, surrounded by hiking trails, mountain peaks and a stately chateau.

In the summer there is a kayak rental station to hire those famous red kayaks and paddle out onto the water for the rather steep price of $115 CAD (plus tax) per half an hour. In the winter you can ice skate on the lake and even ski their very own ski area.

Waking up super early to catch the sunrise on the shore of Lake Louise is an absolute must do. It is fairly busy but we found a spot to set up for a while and generally everyone was fairly respectful, quiet and didn’t jump in front of your camera. The experience is truly wonderful and is well worth getting up before dawn to see.

On a practical note, the car park gets full quick so plan on getting there as early as possible. As soon as the sun is up, you more than likely won’t be able to get a spot. From the car park you can catch a shuttle bus to Moraine Lake ($6 CAD each) which is a great option considering the car park there is small and gets filled up very early.

Just a short 20 minute drive from Lake Louise is Moraine Lake. This beautiful glacier fed lake is one of the most photographed lakes in the world and rightly so. With its green-blue hues and epic backdrop it’s easy to see why so many people flock there to see it. Head up to the viewpoints for some great photo ops or jump in a canoe to get out on to the lake itself. If you’re in the mood for something a little more active then try one of the many hiking trails around Moraine Lake. They vary in difficulty and length but if you’re up for it, make sure to do the Larch Valley – Minnestimma Lakes – Sentinel Pass trail.

We of course opted for the Larch Valley to Minnestimma Lakes hike which is considered a moderate hike to Larch Valley (4.3km round trip) and an advanced hike to Sentinel Pass (9.3km total round trip). Despite the fact that it will take it out of you, it is the most incredible hike we did during our Canadian Rockies road trip and we could not recommend it highly enough.

It is accessible during 3 out of the 4 seasons (closed in Winter), many recommend visiting in Autumn to see the Larch Valley and its golden hues. Gaining in elevation throughout the hike you will pass through Larch Valley, get unrivalled views of the 10 peaks and if you make it all the way to the top – well, those views are pretty out of this world.

This day is jam packed full of driving and sightseeing so be sure to start as early as you can as you’ll want as long as possible on the road. The 232km stretch of highway between Banff and Jasper National Parks, known as the Icefields Parkway is rated as one of the world’s best drives and will absolutely be a highlight of this Canadian Rockies road trip. This scenic stretch of road has over 100 glaciers, waterfalls, emerald lakes and thick larch forests.

This drive from Lake Louise campground to your next campground in Jasper would take just under 3 hours without any stops. However, there is so much to see and do between the two that you’ll easily spend an entire day getting there. Also, make sure you’ve got a full tank of gas and plenty of food as you won’t be passing any towns or petrol stations for a while. If you are caught short, you can get fuel and food at Saskatchewan River Crossing but it will cost you.

One of your first stops on the Icefield Parkway is Bow Lake, one of the smaller lakes in Banff that offers more incredible hiking, viewpoints and photo ops. The backdrop of Crowfoot glacier just adds to the already incredible setting.

If you’re up for a hike then try the Bow glacier falls hike, a fairly easy 9km round trip to Bow glacier falls with incredible views of Mount Jimmy Simpson in the background. Alternatively, head to Simpson’s Num-Ti-Jah Lodge on the north end of the lake to enjoy a coffee by the with incredible views.

Famous for its shape, Peyto Lake is an absolute must see when in Banff. Head to Bow summit for incredible views over the dog-shaped blue lake and more hiking trails.

Driving north on the Icefields Parkway you won’t be able to miss Athabasca Glacier, one of the most accessible glaciers in Canada. Retreating at a rate of around 5 metres per year due to climate change, this is something you’ll want to see soon, before it’s too late. Here you’ll find the Columbia Icefields centre where you can book and arrange tours to actually get out onto the glacier itself.

The tour takes you onto the glacier via their ‘ice explorer’ which doesn’t look that dissimilar to a coach-turned-monster truck with snow tires. Bear in mind that these tours can be busy and if you’re against paying a lot of money to be hoarded around then maybe think twice before signing up. That being said, it is a truly unique experience that is well worth doing if you’re going all out.

As part of the package you’ll also get access to the skywalk, the glass floored viewing deck that protrudes out over the edge with a 280m drop down below. As a guide, 2019 prices were $114 CAD (adult) for the ice explorer glacier tour and skywalk admission, or $37 CAD for the skywalk only. See their website for current prices and information. Alternatively, you can cross the road and hike up to the glacier by yourself, without a guide.

Just one of the many incredible waterfalls in the area, Sunwapta Falls is easily accessible from the Icefields Parkway. The pair of waterfalls have an 18m drop and as expected, a stunningly beautiful backdrop of the mountains. There are a few different viewing areas and it’s easy to get around, plus there are all of the usual facilities such as picnic benches and bathrooms.

From Sunwapta Falls it’s only a 20 minute drive further north to Athabasca Falls, the most powerful waterfall in the Canadian Rockies. Whilst it’s not the highest or widest waterfall in the national park, the power of the water flowing from the Athabasca river is undeniable. There are a series of small trails and bridges to guide you around the waterfall and offer numerous viewing points.

There are 2 main options of campsites near Jasper town: Wapiti ($33-40 CAD per night) and a little further south, Wabasso ($30-37 CAD). We ended up staying at Wabasso as everything else was fully booked at the time. Whilst Wapiti has all the amenities you’d need (and then some!), Wabasso is a bit more basic. It has some electrical sites for small rv’s but no showers so that’s something to consider. Check out the official parks Canada site here for more information on finding the right campsite for you and your vehicle size.

There is so much to see just a short drive from your campsite in Jasper (even if you are a little further south at Wabasso). For your first full day, explore the beautiful lakes on the doorstep of Jasper town. It’s a great way to explore whilst keeping the driving to a minimum after covering over 200km the previous day.

Less than a 10 minute drive from either of the campsites above is The valley of the 5 lakes. Here you’ll find trail is a popular 4.5km loop around you guessed it – 5 lakes. It is a moderate hike with some elevation gain and loss and rocky trails. The loop guides you to and around the beautiful blue/green lakes, offering stunning views that will force you to stop often to get those precious shots.

Pyramid lake is only a short 10 minute drive from the main town of Jasper along Pyramid Lake road. The 1.2km squared lake makes for a fantastic place to spend an afternoon with plenty of activities on offer from kayaking to mountain biking and hiking. Be sure to head out onto Pyramid Island, the tiny little island that can be reached by a footbridge. The views from here are truly incredible.

Of all the hikes we did during our Canadian Rockies road trip, this one was the easiest and perhaps the least rugged. The 4km trail around Lac Beauvert is almost completely flat and offers incredible views from every point of the hike. It’s quite different to many of the other hikes we did in the sense that it is based around the luxurious hotel that sits on the lake, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. At one point in the hike you even pass through their golf course! From the base of the hotel you can also hire all of the usual suspects from mountain bikes to kayaks and paddleboards to enjoy the breathtaking lake.

On your second (and last) full day in Jasper, take a drive down Maligne lake road. The 48km route to Maligne Lake is a treat in itself and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife – this road is known as a great place to spot everything from elk and mountain goats to bears.

The first stop on Maligne lake road is Maligne canyon, the deepest canyon in the Canadian Rockies, with a depth of up to 50m at some points. Explore the area by hiking along the marked trails and bridges for incredible views across and down into the canyon.

If you happen to be there in the winter then an ice walk on the canyon floor may be a great option to explore this beautiful area. You’ll also find the Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen at the top of the car park, a restaurant and bar serving everything from coffee and cake to burgers and sharing platters.

Before you reach Maligne lake you’ll find yourself at Medicine Lake, the 7km long shallow lake that is visible from the road.

At the end of the road you’ll reach Maligne lake, the glacier-fed lake which is a fantastic spot for hiking and kayaking. You can even take a tour to the famous and frequently photographed Spirit island. There are a number of well-signposted hikes to do here from the flat Mary Schaffer loop (3.2km loop, easy) to the more challenging Bald Hills (10.4km return, difficult). It’s a great way to see the area and stretch the legs from all of the driving.

The long drive back to Banff from Jasper will take around 3 and a half hours as a straight run (288km). However, it’s the perfect opportunity to make any stops you may have missed or didn’t have time for on the way up a couple days prior.

Arriving back in Banff, make sure to check out Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack lake. Only a few kms outside of Banff town, these two very picturesque lakes are actually joined at one end. There is a small scenic drive that takes you along one side of Lake Minnewanka down to Two Jack Lake. The route is very short but well worth doing all the same. As with many lakes in the area there are some great activities such as kayaking, swimming and even hiking and biking around the shore.

For the last night in town, we’d recommend staying again at tunnel mountain trailer court and heading into town for that last meal. It’s a great chance to pick up any last minute souvenirs, have a few drinks and look back at the most amazing 7 days on this Canadian Rockies road trip.

After an incredible week of exploring it’s time to head home. Make sure to fill the tank up and return the camper in one piece (hopefully!) before heading to the airport. Alternatively, you could extend your trip and take the drive west to Vancouver to continue exploring this truly incredible area of the world.