The Canadian Rockies is one of the most beautiful areas in Canada, with stunning mountain views, bright blue lakes, and huge waterfalls. Trust me, you will fall in love with the area as soon as you arrive!

We spent an entire week exploring the Canadian Rockies, and it was nothing short of amazing. We unfortunately visited during the wildfire season, which meant most areas were pretty smoky, but the views were still gorgeous.

Although you could spend months exploring everything the Canadian Rockies offer, you can visit the popular areas in just a week. This guide has everything you need to know about creating the ultimate 7-day Canadian Rockies road trip itinerary through Banff National Park, Yoho National Park, and Jasper National Park. Get your cameras and hiking boots ready!

NOTE: Jasper was impacted by wildfires in July 2024. To stay updated, please visit here.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, my blog may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

Tips for Visiting the Canadian Rockies

Start your days early. Over four million people visit Banff and Jasper every year, and the area is busy, especially during peak season. I recommend starting your day early to beat the crowds at the must-see attractions and avoid congestion getting into the park. Some popular attractions had full parking lots before 8:00 AM when we visited! We decided after our first day to wake up earlier to explore the most popular areas first and avoid having to skip some of the things on our itinerary because we could not find parking.
Buy your park pass in advance. Most must-see attractions in this itinerary are in national parks, so I recommend buying a park pass for the total number of days you will be exploring the area. It will allow you to go in and out of each national park without spending time waiting in line to buy passes each day.
Research road closures. 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 shuttles from downtown or nearby Park and Ride lots. You can take the Roam Public Transit from downtown, or you can take the Parks Canada Shuttle from the Lake Louise Park and Ride.
Stay aware of bears and other wildlife. The Canadian Rockies have grizzly bears, and we saw many while driving around the park. I recommend packing bear spray, making noise while hiking, and hiking in groups. If you have questions, I recommend speaking with a local park ranger.
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some of these spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

Closest Airports to the Canadian Rockies

The Calgary International Airport is the closest airport to the Canadian Rockies with the best flight options, especially if you are flying internationally. Calgary is about 1.5 hours from Banff and 4.5 hours from Jasper.

We flew into Calgary because there were better flight options, and it took us about 5 hours to drive to Jasper National Park. If you fly into Edmonton International Airport, the drive to Jasper is 4 hours.

I also recommend renting a car when you arrive at the airport because it is the easiest way to explore the Canadian Rockies. Banff and Jasper have shuttle services, but I prefer renting a car to be on my own schedule.

Where to Stay in the Canadian Rockies

The two best areas to stay in the Canadian Rockies are Banff and Jasper. I recommend spending half your road trip in Jasper, then moving to a Banff accommodation so you can be closer to the attractions in this itinerary. Banff and Jasper have everything you need for your trip, including shops, restaurants, and accommodations for every budget. We loved staying in both towns because they were stunning! The views of the surrounding mountains from downtown are gorgeous, and you will love walking around Banff and Jasper.

Jasper Hotels

Jasper Campgrounds

Wapiti Campground

Whistlers Campground

Banff Hotels

Banff Campgrounds

Tunnel Mountain Village I Campground

Two Jack Lakeside Campground

What to Pack for the Canadian Rockies

Even though most hikes on this itinerary are easy, it is important to remember to wear proper footwear and pack layers. The weather in the mountains is unpredictable!

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go-to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!

Canadian Rockies Road Trip Map

Canadian Rockies Road Trip Itinerary

One of the best things about this itinerary is its flexibility. You can switch around days or start in Banff and end in Jasper. I created it so you can rearrange it to best fit what you want to do during your road trip.

I learned a lot when we visited and made mistakes, so you do not have to! I used everything I learned to create the best itinerary for visiting the Canadian Rockies.

Days 1-2: Jasper National Park

Your first two days in the Canadian Rockies are in Jasper National Park. The day is packed with fun hikes, beautiful lakes, and mountain views!

Pyramid Lake and Patricia Lake will be your go-to spots for sunrise or sunset. We watched the most beautiful sunrise at Pyramid Lake. There is a small island in the middle of the lake that is the perfect location to watch the sunrise. There is a small bridge a short distance from the parking lot leading to the island.
Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake are some of the most iconic lakes in Jasper National Park. Besides offering picture-perfect photography spots, Maligne Lake is a great spot to rent a canoe, kayak, or rowboat. There is also a cruise into the 14-mile-long glacier lake, which brings you near Spirit Island, one of the most photographed spots in the Canadian Rockies! If you would rather view the lake from land, there is an easy 1.7-mile roundtrip hike that brings you along the shores of Maligne Lake and Moose Lake.
Lake Annette and Edith Lake are two more beautiful lakes in Jasper National Park. These two lakes offer some of the best and most beautiful swimming spots! If you aren’t willing to jump into glacier waters (I feel you, I didn’t want to either), you can view Lake Annette from a 1.7-mile paved trail. Kayaking and paddleboarding are also big activities here.
Valley of Five Lakes is one of the most iconic hikes in Jasper National Park. There are two hikes: 6 miles and 3 miles roundtrip that bring you around five blue/green lakes. The third and fourth are the most beautiful lakes, in my opinion, and make perfect picnic locations! Because this is a very popular hike, I recommend arriving at the trailhead early. The parking lot can be full by 9:00 AM!

how to spend 3 days in jasper

the best easy hikes in jasper

Pyramid Lake - Photo by Alex Iby - Canadian rockies road trip - canadian rockies itinerary

Day 3: Icefields Parkway

It is time to pack up and start the drive on one of the most beautiful roads on the planet. The Icefields Parkway is a breathtaking road connecting Jasper National Park and Banff National Park, and most of your Canadian Rockies road trip itinerary on this day will be spent on it!

There is so much to see on the Icefields Parkway, so I recommend stopping at every overlook. It is well worth it, I promise!

Once you arrive in Banff, you can check into your accommodation, grab some food, and rest up for more adventures to come!

Want to start your day exploring a beautiful waterfall? Athabasca Falls is not a tall waterfall, but it has a gorgeous backdrop of Mt. Kerkeslin. There is a short hike that brings you into the canyon where the falls flow, offering beautiful views of the blue waters.
Athabasca Glacier is the most-visited glacier in North America, and it is part of the Columbia Icefield, the only remaining part of what used to be a huge ice mass covering most of Western Canada. Many of the tallest mountains in the Canadian Rockies are situated here, so the views are AMAZING! There is a 1-mile hike called Toe of the Athabasca Glacier that brings you near the glacier. If you want to get up close and personal with Athabasca Glacier, there are many tours available! There is also a glass-floored Skywalk that offers beautiful views.
Peyto Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in the WORLD. It is unworldly. And yes, the waters are THAT blue. A 2-mile paved trail leads you to the iconic spot where you will be one of a million people taking in the view. If you are looking to get away from the crowds, you can follow the trail to Bow Valley Summit, which offers more beautiful views of the lake from the south, looking north. Even with crowds, it was one of my favorite spots in the Canadian Rockies!
Bow Lake is another beautiful but lesser-known lake. You don’t hear much about this lake, but it is well worth a visit! It is one of the largest lakes in Banff National Park, sitting at an elevation of over 6,000 feet. If you are looking for a reflection shot, this is the lake for you! Clear skies and calm waters allow for a beautiful reflection of its neighbor, Bow Summit. This is also a great place for sunrise or sunset.

Day 4: Yoho National Park

I hope you are not over beautiful lakes because you have so many more to see on your Canadian Rockies road trip!

Yoho National Park is the neighbor of Banff National Park, but it is less well-known. It is a perfect day trip to get beautiful views with fewer crowds!

We absolutely loved visiting Yoho National Park, so I know you will enjoy it. The views are just as beautiful as those in Banff and Jasper, but for some reason, it is less visited. You could spend a few days exploring it, but you can see most of the must-see attractions within a day.

Takakkaw Falls is the second-tallest waterfall in Canada and is only a short walk from the parking lot. I LOVED this spot. We had the entire place to ourselves, and the views were beyond beautiful. If you are looking to hike, this is a great area for it! One of the best hikes is a 6-mile hike to Yoho Lake!
Emerald Lake is the largest lake in Yoho National Park and is one of the most iconic in the area. There is so much to do at Emerald Lake, so make sure to allocate some time to be here! There is an easy 3.5-mile hike that brings you around the shores of the lake. You can also rent rowboats and canoes to explore this beautiful lake, which I highly recommend doing! If you are looking to catch the sunset in Yoho National Park, this is the spot for it.
In the western parts of Yoho National Park lies Wapta Falls. Although not tall like Takakkaw Falls, Wapta Falls will impress you with its power. In terms of water volume, it is the largest waterfall in Yoho National Park, at 59 feet tall and 330 feet wide. An easy 3-mile roundtrip hike gets you up close and personal with Wapta Falls.
Now, it is time to talk about the mystical land of Lake O’Hara. If you want to visit this beautiful place, you will have to book your bus spot 3 months in advance. These tickets sell out as soon as they go on sale, so I highly recommend being on your A-game if you want to be one of the lucky individuals who get a reservation. Lake O’Hara is home to some of the most beautiful photography spots and awesome hikes. The Lake Oesa Trail is one of the easier hikes in the area with AMAZING views. The 4-mile roundtrip trail is well worth it.
- Crazy fact: About 17,000 people enter the park each year, and only 1,000 of them get to venture to Lake O’Hara.

best hikes in yoho national park

Days 5-7: Banff National Park

It is finally time to explore the iconic Banff National Park. The 4,000 square miles of Banff National Park hold some of the most beautiful sights, from majestic mountains to amazing wildlife.

If you have extra time, I highly recommend spending at least 4 days exploring everything Banff has to offer!

There are many spots to visit in Banff, so make sure to pull over everywhere you can because every spot is worth the time! You can also add many easy hikes in Banff to your itinerary.

Fun Fact: Banff National Park is Canada’s first national park.

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake will be your go-to spots for sunrise. There are easy trails that bring you around each shoreline, but I think the best views are at the first viewpoint area. It will be packed, but you will be able to find a great spot to take pictures and watch the sunrise.
- Note: Moraine Lake is closed to personal vehicles to help alleviate traffic and congestion. Instead, you have to use the public shuttle bus system.
Johnston Canyon is one of my favorite spots in Banff National Park. The 3-mile roundtrip hike brings you through a beautiful canyon along Johnston Creek, with multiple waterfalls along the way! If you want to hike more once you are at Upper Falls (the last waterfall), don’t fret! An additional 2-mile hike leads to the Ink Pots. These are green mineral springs that sit in a beautiful meadow.
Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka are two of the most beautiful lakes that Banff National Park offers! You can walk along each lake or take a cruise on Lake Minnewanka.
Norquay Lookout is a beautiful spot at the top of a winding road on the side of the Norquay Ski Area. There is an open field at the top offering breathtaking views of Bow Valley and the town of Banff. This is a perfect spot to have a picnic!
Bow Valley Parkway is a must-see scenic drive that runs parallel to the Trans-Canada Highway for 30 miles. It is a great alternative drive between Banff and Lake Louise once you have already explored the Icefields Parkway. This is an awesome spot to see wildlife, especially if you drive on it in the morning. We saw moose, deer, and bears on this road! There are many beautiful pull-off areas on the road, too!
- Although there are many mountains in Alberta, Castle Mountain stood out to me. There is a pull-off area offering an awesome view of the mountain, or you can hike 4.5 miles on the Castle Mountain Lookout Trail to get a better view!
- Storm Mountain Lookout and Morant’s Curve are two pull-off spots that do not require hiking to enjoy the views. Morant’s Curve is one of the most photographed spots in Banff National Park! If you plan it right, you can capture the classic picture of a train driving along the blue river.

If you want to visit Banff and Jasper, this guide is the perfect place to start planning! It has everything you need to know to create the ultimate 7-day Canadian Rockies road trip itinerary. And trust me, you will fall in love quickly!