5-Day Banff & Jasper Itinerary

Itinerary
Written By Samantha Liu

The Most Scenic Guide!

06 February 2023

This is the most scenic guide to 5 days in Banff and Jasper National Parks, stopping at places like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Agnes Teahouse, Emerald Lake, Peyto Lake, Spirit Island, and more! Whether you’re solo traveling or going with a group, this is a great guide for what to do in this beautiful area as well as recommendations for food, accomodations, and more.

Banff National Park

Moraine Lake

Overview

  • Day 1: Flight to YYC, Lake Louise

  • Day 2: Moraine Lake, Lake Agnes Teahouse, Emerald Lake

  • Day 3: Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Banff → Jasper

  • Day 4: Maligne Lake, Spirit Island

  • Day 5: Jasper → Banff, Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake

Pre-Travel Guide

Where to Get The Best Flight Deals: Some Tips & Tricks

Google flights and Skyscanner are definitely my top choices for finding amazing deals on flights since you can track flight prices and compare deals from different airlines.

Where to Stay: Recommended Hotels & Hostels

I wanted to keep things simple, so I decided to just stay in 2 accomodations: one for the time at Banff National Park, and one for Jasper National Park. I strongly suggest booking accommodations and tours as soon as you decide to go because these are very popular travel destinations, especially in the summer! The most convenient option is to stay at Banff National Park — you won’t have to drive as much, and the views are great, but the hotels will probably be more expensive.

Banff National Park

The town of Banff is another option if you want access to restaurants and other nightlife, and it’s only 40 minutes away from the park.

Town of Banff

A great, affordable alternative is to stay in Canmore which is about one hour away from the park. You’ll be able to get much better deals!

Canmore

Jasper

Best Times to Visit

Overall, the best times to visit are in May, June, and September — the weather will be warm, and there won’t be as many tourists compared to if you go during the peak summer season (July-August) or winter season (Dec-March).

Summer

Most people choose to go in summer because it is the best time to see the bright blue waters of Lake Louise! Note that sometimes the lake will not completely thaw until late May or early June. If you want to see wildlife such as grizzly bears, deer, and moose, you will have the highest chances in June.

Autumn

Autumn is also a great time to go as the peak season for fall foliage is mid-September to mid-October. The weather can be quite chilly though depending on when you go.

Winter

If you’re a fan of snow and snow sports, winter is a great option! The snow-capped mountains make for a picturesque winter holiday, and you’ll be able to do activities like ice skating, dog sledding, skiing, snow-shoeing, and snowboarding. Lake Louise usually completely freezes over by end of December, so you might be able to ice skate on it! Note that Moraine Lake is closed from early-November to March or April for safety reasons.

Spring

Spring is one of the shoulder seasons for visiting this area, so you’ll be able to get great deals on hotels and activities. The only thing is some trails or areas may not be open, and depending on the timing, it could range from sunny to snowy in the same day.

How to Get Around Banff & Jasper: Rent a Car

The best option is to rent a car at the airport for the duration of your trip. You’ll need a car for this itinerary, and that way, you’ll have a lot more flexibility to go to different areas! Here is an option:

If you would prefer to not drive as much, there are also many tour packages that offer transportation and activities!

Travel Insurance

You should consider buying travel insurance in case of illness, baggage delays, flight delays or cancellations. Check with your credit card company to see if they offer any insurance. Some recommended companies are World Nomads and Allianz Travel Insurance.

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

5-Day Banff & Jasper Itinerary!

Day 1: Flight to YYC, Lake Louise

You’ll want to fly into YYC (Calgary International Airport), and it’s about 1.5 hours from there to the entrance of Banff National Park by driving. You may be tired from traveling to Banff, so this day is more relaxed.

Stop 1: Lake Louise

Go to Lake Louise to see the iconic bright blue waters! The lake is framed perfectly by the v-shaped mountains in the background, and it is truly a serene sight. Kayaking on the lake is an incredible experience and definitely a must-do.

Stop 2: Fairmont Château Lake Louise

Lake Louise is a great spot to stop for lunch or dinner as there are many restaurants and shops around it. The restaurant at the Fairmont Château Lake Louise has an amazing panoramic view of the lake and mountains behind it. They offer reservations for lunch and dinner for guests as well as afternoon tea for those not staying at the hotel. If you’re feeling fancy, this hotel is also a luxurious place to stay for a night. Click here to see more details!

Stop 3: Banff Gondola

Soak up the the spectacular alpine scenery of Banff National Park from a new vantage point on the Banff Gondola! On this round-trip experience, you’ll get to see six different mountain ranges as you ride to the top of Sulfur Mountain. This is a great family activity!

Day 2: Moraine Lake, Lake Agnes Teahouse Hike, Emerald Lake

Stop 1: Sunrise at Moraine Lake

Wake up early to see the sunrise over Moraine Lake! Make sure to get there early as the parking lot fills up quickly, and the tour buses arrive around 8am. The lot is usually full by 5:30am. This area will always be busy, but there are plenty of spots to take photos, especially on the rocks along the way to the lake. The lake is closed during the winter season, so make sure to take that into account in your planning.

Stop 2: Lake Agnes Teahouse Hike

Lake Louise is only 15 minutes away by driving, and hopefully you can snag a parking spot since you’re up early. Head over to the shore of the lake to start the 3.5km Lake Agnes Teahouse Hike. The trail is mostly uphill, but it’s not too difficult, and you’ll pass by Mirror Lake which is a beautiful view. Once you reach the teahouse, you can stop for some breakfast and tea! The teahouse has been running since 1905, and they are open seasonally. Make sure to bring cash as they do not take credit card.

Lake Agnes Teahouse

You can keep going about 1km to Little Beehive (right image) for a great view, and it’s not that difficult of a hike. Big Beehive (left image) is about 1.6km away and a little tougher, but it’s also an amazing view!

Stop 3: Emerald Lake

Hike back to the shore of Lake Louise, rest up, grab some snacks, and then head to Emerald Lake for another incredible view and bright turquoise waters! There are also kayaks and canoes here available for rental if you want to go out on the water.

Emerald Lake

Day 3: Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Banff → Jasper

Stop 1: Bow Lake

Make sure to get some coffee and eat a good breakfast because you’ll be driving to Jasper National Park. The first stop is Bow Lake where you’ll find crystal-clear water and a small bridge near the lodge. It’s not as magnificent as the other lakes in Banff, but it’s still a nice place to check out.

Bow Lake

Stop 2: Peyto Lake

It’s about a 90 minute drive from Bow Lake to Peyto Lake, and you shouldn’t have a problem finding parking here. There’s no hiking involved to get to this viewpoint, just a short 10 minute walk. Note that the sign from the freeway says Bow Valley instead of Peyto Lake. When you see signs for Bow Valley, turn in for the actual Peyto Parking lot.

Stop 3: Jasper National Park Via Icefields Parkway

Now, begin the drive to Jasper National Park! I really recommend going here even if it’s just for one or two nights because you’ll get to see another set of amazing sights, and the drive to Jasper on the Icefields Parkway is a sight in itself. You’ll pass by beautiful mountains on the winding roads, so make sure to look out the window and stop along the way! After you arrive at Jasper, check into your hotel, grab dinner, and then get a good night’s sleep.

Day 4: Maligne Lake, Spirit Island

Make sure to eat a good breakfast, and then head to Maligne Lake!

Stop 1: Maligne Lake & Spirit Island

This lake is famous for its bright blue waters that are fed from the glaciers in Jasper. It is a long, thin lake that stretches for 22.5 kilometers (14 miles), and it is the home to Spirit Island, one of the most well-photographed destinations and a very sacred place to the indigenous people of this area. Most people take the Maligne Lake Cruise which stops at Spirit Island: make sure to book tickets soon because this is a very popular place!

Stop 2: Continue Exploring or Back to Banff

You can decide if you want to stay in Jasper for two nights so that you can continue exploring after going to Spirit Island or you can start making your way back to Banff. A popular activity in the warmer seasons is to go white-water rafting on the Athabasca River, a Canadian Heritage river! There are many popular stops along the Icefields Parkway, so there are also sights to see on the drive back. Click here for some ideas!

Day 5: Jasper → Banff, Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake

It’s your last day! You’ll probably be flying out of YYC Airport, so use this day to see any last sights you missed before leaving.

Stop 1: Lake Minnewanka

Lake Minnewanka is a great stop because it’s between Banff and YYC Airport. Like Maligne Lake at Jasper, this lake is also a glacial lake, and it’s known to the indigenous people as the “Lake of the Spirits.” It’s a nice place to hike, walk around, have a picnic, and more.

Stop 2: Two Jack Lake

Two Jack Lake is another incredible view, and it’s only a 5 minute drive from Lake Minnewanka!

And that’s all for this itinerary! If you found this helpful, feel free to share it with a friend. I get a small commission if you book an activity or accommodation through my links, and you pay the same price — I really appreciate the support, and hope you have an amazing trip!

Samantha Liu