The Ultimate Travel Guide To The Canadian Rockies
If you are planning on visiting the Canadian Rockies, you are in for a real treat. It is one of the most breathtaking destinations I have ever visited – and I have visited quite a few! In this guide, I cover everything you need to know to plan the best possible trip to Banff and Jasper National Parks.
Before my recent trip to the Canadian Rockies, I did a TON research on a TON of things including: the best time to visit; how to get to Banff; how much time you need to explore the Canadian Rockies, and the list goes on. So I thought: Why not make it easy for you and gather all of my information in a full guide for Banff and Jasper National Parks, so you don’t have to spend hours researching yourself? Hopefully you can learn from my experiences and have the best possible trip to Banff and Jasper!
In This Post You Will Find:
- The Best Time Of Year To Visit The Canadian Rockies
- How To Get To Banff And Jasper National Parks
- The Best Things To See And Do In Banff And Jasper
- How Many Days Do You Need In The Canadian Rockies?
- Is Visiting The Banff And Jasper Expensive?
- What To Pack For A Summer Trip To Banff And Jasper National Parks
- Important Things To Note Before Visiting The Canadian Rockies
The Best Time Of Year To Visit The Canadian Rockies
Summer (June-August)
Summer is by far the most popular season to visit the Canadian Rockies, as you will experience pleasant, summerly temperatures and less likelihood of weatherly obstacles affecting your trip. It is also the best season for hiking and kayaking, as all trails and lakes will be accessible and safe to explore.
Note: Even in the summer months, the temperature can vary from 30 degrees (C) during the day to 5 degrees (C) at night, so be prepared to layer up! It should also be noted that trips during these months should be booked far in advance, if you want to secure your place on activities and avoid paying thousands of dollars for accommodation.
Shoulder Season (May-June And September-October)
The shoulder season is a great time to visit Banff and Jasper National Parks, if you want to avoid large tourist crowds and peaking costs of accommodation. Visiting during these months can also bless you with either the bloom of the alpine meadows in spring or the changing foliage in autumn.
Note: You should be prepared for lower temperatures (10-15 degrees during the day) and shorter days, as the sun sets earlier and rises later. It is also important to research the hiking trails and experiences you want to have, as these might be closed due to snow at higher altitudes.
Winter
It is also possible to visit the Canadian Rockies during the winter months, where you can enjoy snow-based activities. However, it should be noted that roads can get closed due to frequent snowstorms and blizzards, and many hiking trails are inaccessible. Generally, it is only adviced to venture out on Icefields Parkway and sights on your own, if you are used to and prepared for these conditions. However, you can still enjoy skiing, ice-skating and more at a resort like Lake Louise without having to venture out!
How To Get To Banff And Jasper National Parks
How To Get To Banff From Calgary
The closest airport to Banff is Calgary International Airport. From Calgary, you can easily rent a car and drive 1,5-2 hours to reach Banff town. This is by far the easiest and quickest way to get to the Canadian Rockies, if you are visiting from another country or another area of Canada.
How To Get To Banff From Vancouver
If you want to drive to Banff from Vancouver, you can do so in 9-10 hours without any breaks. This means that you will likely need to stop overnight (unless you plan on doing a really hard-core, uncomfortable drive). But why not make it into a longer roadtrip and explore some amazing sights along the way? My favourites on my latest roadtrip were the wine-region of Kelowna and Revelstoke town and National Park!
The Best Things To See And Do In Banff And Jasper
How Many Days Do You Need In The Canadian Rockies?
From my research and personal experience in the area, I would recommend spending around 2-3 days in Banff and 2-3 in Jasper using the two towns as your base for exploration. This will allow a good amount of time to see the popular sights, embark on a couple of day hikes and enjoy what the towns has to offer too. However, you can definitely also spend weeks in the area without seeing everything, so it all depends on your preferences!
I managed to see the most popular and accessible sights with only two full days in Banff and Jasper National Parks with this itinerary. However, I am definitely planning on heading back to the area another time to explore the less accessible but just as stunning sights, as two days is not enough time to embark on much hiking!
Is Visiting The Banff And Jasper Expensive?
Visiting the Canadian Rockies (and Banff and Jasper in particular) can be VERY expensive. This is especially true, if you visit during high season, as most places raise their prices to a mindblowing degree during these times.
However, there are definitely ways to make your trip to Banff cheaper in the summer! I recently visiting Banff and Jasper National Parks on a budget and managed to save a ton of money by following these simple precautions and tips.
What To Pack For A Summer Trip To Banff And Jasper National Parks
If you are worrying about what to pack for a trip to Banff and Jasper National Parks during the summer, I have made a full packing list for you! The list is based on my own personal experience and the lessons I learned along the way. And, it includes everything you need for camping, hiking and roadtripping your way through these wonderful landscapes!
Important Things To Note Before Visiting The Canadian Rockies
Besides the commonly asked questions above, I have some very important tips for you, that I only learned along the way.
Accommodation And Activities Sell Out Far In Advance
One of the biggest tips I can give you is: book everything FAR in advance. This is especially true if you plan to visit during the summer months! Banff and Jasper National Parks have gained so much popularity, that activities, busses and accommodation sell out far in advance – and the accommodation that remains will come with a high price tag!
Campsites
If you plan to stay at campsites during your time in the Canadian Rockies, you may also need to book these MUCH further in advance, than you think. The campsite reservation for the summer season in Banff and Jasper open on a specific day in spring, and let me tell you… It can be compared to the release of popular concert tickets! When I entered, the virtual queue was over an hour long! And when I finally got through, much of the campsite was already reserved for my specific dates. So let this be your warning: note down the opening day, so you can reserve your campsite as soon as possible.
Food Options Are Limited Within The Park
Another thing to note before entering the Canadian Rockies is that food options are definitely limited along the Icefields Parkway. You can easily find both restaurants, cafés and regular shops in Banff town and Jasper Town… But once you enter that looong road between them, there is really only one stop along the way (at Saskatchewan River Crossing) which offers any type of food. So stock up on your food for the day before you start driving!
Gas In Banff And Jasper National Parks Is Expensive
As with the food, there is only one gas stop between Jasper and Banff – at Saskatchewan River Crossing. The gas at this station is particularly expensive, so do yourself a favor and fill up your tank before you enter the national parks!
Lake Morraine Is Only Possible To Visit Via Shuttlebus
As of 2023, the Morraine Lake Road has been closed for all private cars. So the only way you can see this iconic lake is by going on a shuttle bus from Lake Louise Ski Resort! As with the campsites, the tickets for this bus sells out quickly, and especially so if you plan to visit during peak season and hours. You can find the release dates for the tickets for season 2024 here.
Cell Reception And Internet In The National Parks Are Limited Or Non-existent
If you plan on driving the famous Icefields Parkway, you HAVE to download an offline map before you go. During my recent trip, my phone only had service in Jasper town and Banff town themselves. This means that you need to have everything downloaded on to your phone, including maps, hiking trails, booking confirmations and itineraries. For convenience, this would also be playlists and podcasts for the road!
You Are Entering Bear Country
The last thing I want to mention to prepare you for your trip to the Canadian Rockies is this: You are entering bear country (and the land of many other fantastic but wild and potentially dangerous animals). For this reason, it is important that you buy a bear spray to bring with you on any hikes or whilst camping.
If you see a bear (or another animal) from the comfort of your car, be sure to stay within your car at all times… I know it is tempting to get out to get the perfect photo, but it is not worth the risk. And if you pull over to get a glimpse of a bear, make sure that you are not blocking the road for regular traffic in the area.
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