The Best 4-Day Banff Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Banff is one of the most beautiful places in Canada, with its glaciated mountains and bright blue lakes. It is also home to Canada’s first and most visited national park, Banff National Park. The 2,500 square miles of Banff National Park hold some of the most beautiful areas in all of Canada, and some consider it one of the most beautiful national parks in the world!
When we visited Banff, we spend four amazing days exploring the area and quickly fell in love with the area. Although we could have spent an entire week exploring the area, four days was the perfect amount of time to see the must-see attractions and hike a few trails. We spent our days seeing everything Banff had to offer, and I can say it is truly one of the most beautiful places!
Although you could spend weeks exploring everything Banff offers, you can see its beautiful attractions in just a few days. This guide has everything you need to know to create the perfect 4-day Banff itinerary!
Note: We visited during wildfires, unfortunately, so many of our photos have smoke in them.
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Essential Tips for Visiting Banff
While planning a trip to Banff, I recommend keeping these few tips in mind because they can impact your itinerary.
Avoiding Crowds
Over four million people visit Banff yearly, and the area can become busy, especially during peak season. Starting your day early in the morning allows you to beat the crowds to many must-see attractions and avoid congestion getting into Banff National Park. It also gives you the most time to spend exploring everything Banff has to offer, allowing you to fit more into your Banff itinerary.
Banff Park Pass
Most must-see attractions near Banff are in national parks, so I recommend buying a pass for the total number of days you will be exploring the area. It will allow you to go in and out of Banff National Park without spending time waiting in line to buy passes each day.
If you want to visit Banff National Park or the surrounding parks multiple times a year, you can buy the Discovery Pass.
Moraine Lake Shuttle
Because Moraine Lake is one of the most popular places to visit in Banff, the national park closed the road to private vehicles to help alleviate traffic and congestion at the spot. Banff offers a few different shuttles to get to it from either downtown or nearby Park and Ride lots.
If you stay in Banff during your trip, you can take the Roam Public Transit from downtown. If you want to park closer, you can take the Parks Canada Shuttle from the Lake Louise Park and Ride.
Pack Layers and Hiking Gear
The mountain weather in Banff is unpredictable, so I recommend packing layers just in case the weather changes.
You should have supportive shoes with good traction, like hiking boots, layers for the time of year you are hiking, and a backpack with water, snacks, and layers.
And last but not least, make sure to pack the Ten Essentials.
Stay Aware of Bears
Banff has many grizzly bears, so it’s crucial to keep an eye out for them. I recommend packing bear spray, making noise when you hike, and hiking in groups. If you have questions, I recommend speaking with a local park ranger!
Best Time to Visit Banff
One of the best things about Banff is it is a year-round destination, allowing you to spend four days in any season. Which season you choose to visit will depend on how you want to experience Banff and what activities you want to do.
Hiking Season
If hiking is your main priority, I recommend visiting between June through October because the weather and trails are in great condition. July and August also have stunning wildflowers along the trails! Sometimes winter conditions can last on some trails through June or arrive early in October, but other than that, it is a great time to hike in Banff!
Skiing in Banff
If you want to ski in Banff, your best bet is to visit Banff between late November and early May. Banff receives a lot of snow and has some of the best ski conditions. You can enjoy fresh powder and beautiful views in the winter in Banff!
Larch Madness
If you want to see the golden larches, the best months to visit Banff are September and October. The leaves change at different times each year, but you are likely to see the larches in their prime during early fall.
Where to Stay Near Banff for a 4-Day Getaway
Downtown Banff has everything you need for your visit, including lodging options and food, and is close to the must-see attractions. Hotels in Banff can be expensive, so if you want to save money, you can stay in Canmore, just 20 minutes south. Canmore also has everything you need, including lodging options and food.
We are staying in Cranmore to save money on our accommodations, but both towns make great basecamps for your four days in Banff!
Banff Accommodations
Crammore Accommodations
Blackstone Mountain Lodge (We stayed at this hotel and loved it!)
Campgrounds Near Banff
4-Day Banff Itinerary
Although you could spend weeks exploring everything Banff offers, you can see the popular attractions within four days. We spent about four days exploring Banff and thought it was the perfect amount of time.
This 4-day Banff itinerary is a great place to start when planning your trip because it is flexible. You can move the days around, depending on the weather and what you want to do.
If you are flying into Banff, the closest airport is Calgary International Airport, about a 1.5-hour drive to Banff. I highly recommend renting a car because the shuttle options do not go to all the must-see attractions near Banff. Renting a car will also allow you to have a more flexible schedule!
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some pots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can take your trash with you and dispose of it properly when you find a trash bin.*
Banff Itinerary Overview
Banff is a relatively easy place to plan an itinerary for because most of the must-see attractions are easily accessible and near each other. That also makes it easy to spend four days in the park, exploring everything it offers!
And if you have extra time, you can even explore other national parks nearby like we did, including Yoho National Park and Jasper National Park. But if you only have four days, this itinerary is a great place to start planning your trip!
Day 1: Explore Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka, Cascade Ponds, and downtown Banff
Day 2: Visit Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Bow Valley Parkway, and Johnston Canyon
Day 3: Drive the Icefields Parkway and explore Peyto Lake and Athabasca Glacier
Day 4: Explore Yoho National Park, including Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls
Day 1: Lake Minnewanka and Downtown Banff
The first day in this Banff itinerary explores beautiful lakes and mountain views! Since you only have four days in Banff, you are jumping right into exploring everything Banff offers.
Two Jack Lake
It is time to begin your incredible Banff itinerary with a beautiful sunrise over Two Jack Lake. Although Two Jack Lake is smaller than its neighbor Lake Minnewanka, it does not lack beauty!
This beautiful blue lake covers 52 acres with a stunning view of Mount Rundle in the background. Many people often overlook Two Jack Lake and only explore Lake Minniwanka, but it should not be missed! It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sunrise.
If you want to hike, there is an easy 2-mile trail that follows along the shores of Two Jack Lake and provides incredible views! You will not be disappointed starting your day at this stunning lake.
Lake Minnewanka
Two Jack Lake flows into its much larger neighbor, Lake Minnewanka. Lake Minniwanka is 13 miles long, making it the second-longest lake in the national parks in the Canadian Rockies. It has stunning views of the surrounding mountains and will quickly become one of your favorite lakes in Banff!
And the best part? There are many things to do! If you want to hike, you can hike the 10-mile roundtrip Lake Minnewanka Lakeside Trail that follows along the shores of the lake and provides incredible views. If you want to explore the lake from the water, you can explore it by boat!
The Lake Minnewanka Cruise has a one-hour scenic boat ride that allows you to take in the beautiful views from the deck while cruising around the lake. You can also rent a boat, kayak, or canoe if you want to explore the lake by yourself. No matter how you experience Lake Minnewanka, it will quickly become one of your favorite lakes near Banff.
Cascade Ponds
On your drive out from Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka, you should stop by Cascade Ponds because it is an underrated area in Banff. This small picnic area offers beautiful views of Cascade Mountain and a peaceful area to have a snack!
You can also walk along the side of Cascade Ponds if you want to enjoy an easy hike, and there is a beautiful and picturesque bridge that crosses the pond. You will not be disappointed with Cascade Ponds, even if it is just for a snack stop!
Downtown Banff
Banff is considered one of the most beautiful mountain towns in the WORLD! The stunning town has mountain views no matter which way you look. You can spend your time walking through the streets enjoying the views or visiting museums. It also has so many delicious restaurants for lunch or dinner.
If you are looking for mountain views and waterfalls, downtown Banff does not disappoint. Although there are mountain views everywhere, Surprise Corner Lookout has a scenic viewpoint overlooking Sulphur Mountain and Banff Springs Hotel. It is easy to get to and will take your breath away with its views!
Bow Falls is right around the corner and is a beautiful 30-foot waterfall. The easy 1.8-mile trail follows along the Bow River before crossing the Banff Pedestrian Bridge and bringing you to the Bow Falls Viewpoint.
If you love history, the Cave and Basin National Historic Site is perfect for you. In 1883, a few railway workers found the thermal springs you can see in the historic site, which led to creating the first national park in Canada, Banff National Park! It is a special place to Indigenous peoples and is an incredible place to learn about history.
Norquay Lookout
It is time to enjoy a beautiful sunset at an easy to get to lookout area. Norquay Lookout is on the side of the Norquay Ski Area and has stunning views overlooking Banff. The parking area is on the side of the winding road leading to the ski area and is an easy walk to the lookout. It is the perfect spot to end the first day!
Day 2: Moraine Lake and Bow Valley Parkway
Your second day in Banff explores some of the most famous attractions in the area! It is crucial to start your day early, so you can see these attractions with fewer crowds and find parking.
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is easily the most iconic lake in Banff National Park, and it is one of the most beautiful sunrise spots. The stunning glacier-fed lake has blue-green waters and views of the Valley of Ten Peaks.
You can enjoy the sunrise from the lake shores near the parking lot or an easy three-mile roundtrip hike around the lake! No matter how you choose to experience Moraine Lake, you will be in awe of its beauty.
Note: Moraine Lake is closed to personal vehicles to help alleviate traffic and congestion at the spot. Instead, you have to take a shuttle.
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is another iconic lake in Banff National Park and is a great sunrise alternative if you arrive too late to Moraine Lake. The beautiful glacier-fed lake has stunning turquoise waters and views of Victoria Glacier and the surrounding mountains.
Similar to Moraine Lake, you can enjoy the views from the lake shores near the parking lot or hike an easy 2.5-mile roundtrip trail around the lake. If you want to visit an iconic tea house, you can take the 4.6-mile roundtrip trail to the Lake Agnes Tea House.
The original tea house was built in 1901 as a refuge for hikers, and the new one now sells tea, sandwiches, and desserts! It is a great spot to enjoy the views while sipping on a hot cup of tea. No matter how you choose to explore Lake Louise, you will fall in love with its beauty!
Bow Valley Parkway
Bow Valley Parkway connects the Moraine Lake and Lake Louise area with downtown Banff and is an incredibly scenic road. It runs along the Trans-Canada Highway for 30 miles and has stunning overlooks and fun trails. It is also a great place to see wildlife! When we visited, we saw moose, deer, and bears. It was incredible!
Two of the most beautiful overlooks are Morant’s Curve and Storm Mountain Lookout. Morant’s Curve is one of the most photographed spots near Banff! Many photographers stop here to take a photo of the train passing along the river with the mountain backdrop.
If you want to hike, there are many opportunities along Bow Valley Parkway. You can hike 4.5-miles roundtrip on the Castle Mountain Lookout Trail, which has views of the stunning Castle Mountain. If you are looking for something longer or more strenuous, you can hike the 11-mile roundtrip Rockbound Lake Trail, which brings you to beautiful blue lakes on top of mountains. You could even combine Castle Mountain and Rockbound Lake for one epic and strenuous 16.5-mile loop.
Are you craving some waterfalls? You are in luck! Silvertone Falls and Johnston Canyon on the Bow Valley Parkway have beautiful waterfalls. We will review those attractions next!
Silverton Falls
Silverton Falls is a stunning 164-foot waterfall along the Bow Valley Parkway. If you hike to Rockbound Lake, you can easily add the short deter to Silverton Falls to the hike. Or you can hike Silverton Falls alone by a 1.1-mile roundtrip trail. The trail follows along a wide path before turning right to follow Silverton Creek. Before you know it, you will hear the rushing waters of Silverton Falls and have beautiful views across from it.
Johnston Canyon
So you want more waterfalls? You are in luck! Johnston Canyon is one of the most popular attractions near Banff because it is stunning and has multiple waterfalls. The 3.2-mile roundtrip trail features two main waterfalls and multiple small ones in between.
The entire trail follows along Johnston Creek through a beautiful canyon. The first waterfall is Lower Falls, which you can view from a viewpoint across from it. Upper Falls is at the end of the trail and has two viewpoints. The lower viewpoint brings you across from the falls, while the upper viewpoint gives you a view from above. Both are worth seeing!
If you want to hike longer, you can add the Ink Pots, which add about four miles roundtrip. The Ink Pots are green-colored mineral springs that sit in a beautiful meadow. Many people turn around at Upper Falls, so the trail to the Ink Pots is much more peaceful.
Banff Gondola
Are you ready to end your second day in Banff with a bang? The Banff Gondola brings you over 7,400 feet and offers some of the best views in Banff!
Once you arrive at the top, there are many things to do! You can hike the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak and enjoy stunning views along the way.
If you want to enjoy dinner with a view, you can dine at the Sky Bistro. If you are looking for a unique thing to do, you can enjoy the new experience, Nightrise. Nightrise allows you to explore the summit under the stars with soundscapes, projections, and more. No matter how you experience the Banff Gondola, you will love ending your day with the views!
Day 3: Peyto Lake and Icefields Parkway
Now it is time to explore one of the most beautiful scenic drives and hike to one of the bluest lakes you have ever seen. Get your cameras ready!
Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake is unworldly! It is one of the most popular lakes in Banff National Park because of its bright turquoise waters. And yes, the water is THAT blue! Peyto Lake is glacier-fed, and the sediments from the glacier give the lake its iconic color.
Because this is one of the most beautiful lakes near Banff, it is always busy. To avoid the crowds, you should enjoy Peyto Lake during sunrise! The easy 1.5-mile roundtrip trail brings you to multiple overlooks where you can watch the golden light shine over the lake and surrounding mountains. Most of the trail is paved and easy to follow, so it is great for everyone!
Icefields Parkway
Icefields Parkway is a 145-mile road that links Lake Louise to Jasper and is one of the most beautiful mountain drives in the world. No matter where you look, you have stunning mountain views! I recommend taking your time driving the Icefields Parkway to your next destination because there are so many beautiful overlooks you do not want to miss. We stopped at every single pull-off area, and each one was worth it. Make sure to get your cameras ready because you will be taking photos nonstop!
Athabasca Glacier
Athabasca Glacier is the most-visited glacier in North America and a popular attraction to visit when you are in Banff. It is a part of the Columbia Icefield, which is the only remaining part of what used to be a large ice mass covering most of Western Canada. Many of the tallest mountains in the Canadian Rockies are near Athabasca Glacier, so the views are amazing.
There are many things to do near Athabasca Glacier, so you can choose how you want to experience it! You can hike the easy Toe of the Athabasca Glacier Trail, which brings you close to the glacier.
You cannot go onto the glacier from here because it is dangerous without a guide. But if you want to explore the glacier, there are many tours, where you can get an up-close and personal experience with Athabasca Glacier and the nearby mountains, waterfalls, and lakes.
If you want a unique experience, you can walk along a glass-bottomed platform above the Sunwapta Valley called the Columbia Icefield Skywalk.
Bow Lake
On your way back to Banff, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset from Bow Lake. Bow Lake is a stunning lake that is often overshadowed by other lakes near Banff, like Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, and Peyto Lake.
It is glacier-fed, so the waters are bright blue and gorgeous! It also has beautiful views of Bow Summit, so you will not be disappointed with this sunset spot!
Day 4: Yoho National Park
The last day of your trip to Banff explores Yoho National Park. Yoho National Park is about a one-drive from Banff, and you will not want to skip it. It offers stunning views, waterfalls, and lakes that will take your breath away!
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake is an iconic lake in Yoho National Park because of its turquoise-colored waters. If you are up for it, you can enjoy the sunrise over the 225-acre lake and miss most of the crowds!
You can either enjoy the views near Emerald Lake Lodge or hike the easy 3.5-mile roundtrip trail around the entire lake if you want to escape the crowds. The trail is a great place to see Burgess Shale and wildlife, including moose. Burgess Shale is one of the only locations in the world that contains both fossilized soft tissues and hard body parts. It is pretty cool!
If you don’t want to hike, you can rent rowboats and canoes from the boathouse and explore the lake! Either way, you will fall in love with Emerald Lake.
Natural Bridge
On your way out of Emerald Lake, you can stop at the Natural Bridge! The Natural Bridge spans over the Kicking Horse River and allows you to view the incredible rock formation from various viewpoints. It also has a small but beautiful waterfall underneath.
The Natural Bridge is easily accessible off the side of the road, making it a great place to explore while in Yoho National Park!
Takakkaw Falls
Most of the waterfalls near Banff are tiny compared to Takakkaw Falls. Takakkaw Falls is an 833-foot waterfall, making it the second tallest waterfall in Canada! “Takakkaw” means magnificent, and let me tell you, this waterfall lives up to its name.
The road leading to Takakkaw Falls takes about 30 minutes to drive because it has steep switchbacks. Once you reach the parking lot, it is an easy 1.6 miles roundtrip hike to the bottom of the falls. Takakkaw Falls is so impressive standing near the bottom as you hear it roar! It also has stunning views looking away from it, so it’s an incredible spot.
If you want to add another hike, you can hike to Yoho Lake! The 7-mile roundtrip trail brings you higher than Takakkaw Falls and has views of the Daly Glacier. It’s a beautiful hike if you are up for it!
Sunset at your favorite lake
You can either end your day in Yoho National Park or enjoy the sunset at one of your favorite lakes! You really can’t go wrong with choosing a lake because they are all stunning.
Banff Itinerary FAQs
Is 4 days enough time to visit Banff?
If you are looking to see the popular attractions and hike a few trails, four days is perfect. It gives you plenty of time to see the beautiful lakes, scenic drives, and waterfalls near Banff.
If you have more time, you can add another day to your itinerary to explore more attractions in Banff or create the ultimate week-long road trip through the Canadian Rockies.
Do I need to rent a car for Banff?
You technically do not need a car since Banff has shuttles around downtown and to the popular attractions. But I always recommend renting a car because it gives you flexibility during your trip, and I find it easier to have one.
We rented a car when we visited Banff and were glad we did. It allowed us to be on our own schedule and not have to worry about shuttles being full. We had to use some shuttles, including to get to Moraine Lake, but otherwise, we used our car for our itinerary trip.
What is the best time to visit Banff?
Banff is a year-round destination, allowing you to visit in any season! The best time to visit depends on what you want to do.
If you want to ski, late November to early May is great to enjoy fresh powder. If you want to hike during your trip, June through early October has great hiking weather and trail conditions. If your priority is to see the foliage, September and October are great months to visit to see the golden leaves.
Can I drive to Moraine Lake?
No, the road to Moraine Lake is closed to private vehicles to help with congestion. Since Moraine Lake is one of the most popular attractions in Banff, the park decided to close the road, requiring you to take a shuttle.
If you want to spend four days in Banff, this guide is a great place to start! It has everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable 4-day Banff itinerary, including the most beautiful lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, and mountains you must see.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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