How to Take a Day Trip to Banff National Park

Visiting Banff has been on my bucket list ever since I saw a photo of the incredible Lake Louise a few years ago.

While I love hiking and exploring US National Parks, I still haven’t made it to this gorgeous Canadian park yet.

So I asked Deirdre, from Build & Board Travel for help. Deirdre is a Canadian blogger who loves the Canadian Rockies, and she has put together the perfect Banff Itinerary for us!

Banff National Park

Banff is Canada’s most well-known national park. From biking, water activities, hiking, and sightseeing, there are endless possibilities on which to spend your time.

With as many options as there are, it’s hard to narrow down the best, especially if you only have 1 day to explore this great national park.

Here is an ultimate day trip to Banff itinerary for maximizing your limited time in this beautiful national park.

➡️ Before your trip-Download the GyPSy guide for Banff! This audio tour will help you hit all the best places and learn facts, even when you don’t have cell service!

Best Places to Visit in Banff National Park

Lake Louise

The iconic Fairmont Château Hotel and neighboring Lake Louise are the single most postcard-worthy destination within Banff.

With snowcapped mountains in the background, turquoise glacier waters, and surrounding forested hiking trails, it’s not surprising this is one of the more popular destinations in Banff.

Distance from Town Center: 50-minute drive

Things To Do at Lake Louise:

• Have afternoon tea at the Fairmont Chateau. Prices start at $70 CAD, you can try over 35 select teas, pastries, scones, and finger sandwiches.

➡️ Click Here To Book A Tasting Tour at Fairmont Chateau

• Canoe on Lake Louise. The price is $135 CAD for 30 minutes or $145 CAD per hour. Alternatively, you can bring your own watercraft for free, although keep in mind there is no boat launch. Those bringing their own equipment will also have to fill out a form. This form helps prevent AIS (aquatic invasive species from entering delicate aquatic ecosystems within the national park.

• Horseback Riding. Starting at $167 CAD, Brewster Adventures offers horseback riding adventures from lasting 1.5 hours to full-day adventures.

➡️ Click Here To Book A Horse Back Riding Tour in Banff

• If you have extra time: Hike to either Six Plains Glacier Tea House or Lake Agnes Tea House

· Note: There is an additional parking fee at Lake Louise of $12.25 CAD.

Moraine Lake

Another popular area in Banff to visit is Moraine Lake.

It’s often a topic of discussion, which lake is better? Lake Louise or Moraine Lake? The short answer is both and neither.

Each lake has its own set of unique features and nearby hikes. Both lakes are glacier fed and have picturesque Instagram-worthy turquoise waters.

Lake Moraine is significantly smaller than Lake Louise but just as beautiful. The main difference between the two is the ability to visit Lake Moraine.

Situated high on an alpine road, this area is prone to avalanches and road closures. Limited parking availability causes traffic to back up along a particularly narrow winding road along the edge of the mountain.

It’s highly recommended to get there super early (before 5 am) or late in the evening. Alternatively, one of the shuttles or buses can get you up the long mountain road to visit the lake.:

Distance from Banff Town Center: 1-hour drive

What to Do at Lake Moraine:

• Canoe on Lake Moraine. $130 CAD for 1 hour. Like Lake Louise, you can bring your own watercraft but must follow the ASI rules.

• Walk the Lakeshore Trail. This 1.5km (0.9 miles) trail along the perimeter of Lake Moraine will grant you beautiful views of the lake and surrounding areas

• If you have extra time: Hike Larch Valley Trail (11km roundtrip) and Eiffel Lake Trail (12km roundtrip)

Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon is a beautiful area to explore if you are particularly short on time in Banff. This canyon boasts teal-colored water, and cascading waterfalls and is set between a limestone canyon.

Most people visit Johnston Canyon to get a glimpse of the Lower and Upper Falls. To access the area, a short trail through the woods is necessary.

Most of the trail to the Lower Falls is along boardwalks, making it an easy family-friendly experience.

While the Upper Falls isn’t challenging, access is not designed for those with mobility issues.

Distance from Town Center: 32-minute drive

What to do at Johnson Canyon:

• Walk to the Lower Falls: 2.3km (1.4 miles)roundtrip

• Walk to the Upper Falls: 5.1km (3.1 miles) roundtrip

• If you have extra time: Hike to the Ink Pots, an 11.7km roundtrip (7.2 miles). Set in a beautiful, exposed meadow, the pots can range from a deep blue to a milky green hue.

✅ Click Here To Book An E-Bike and Hike Tour of Johnson Canyon

Tunnel Mountain/Hoodoos Viewpoint

This viewpoint is a great addition to add to your Banff itinerary.

Located just a short distance from the town center, this area is a great place to catch a few pictures, admire the beautiful scenery and get a glimpse of the Banff Fairmont Hotel.

Also in this area are the Hoodoos. Hoodoos are spiral rocks formed by erosion and resemble a chimney.

Several hiking trails suitable for all ages and fitness levels begin at this viewpoint as well,

Distance from Town Center: Less than a 5-minute drive

What is there to Do at Tunnel Mountain/Hoodoos Viewpoint:

• Beautiful views of the Bow River, Hoodoos, a Golf Course, and mountains

• If you have extra time: Hike Tunnel Mountain Hoodoos Trail, 5.6km roundtrip (3.4 miles), or the Surprise Corner to Banff Hoodoos, 9.6km roundtrip (6 miles)

Banff Town Centre

This quaint little resort town sees over 3 million visitors a year, making it an essential stop on your 1-day adventure.

This walkable town center makes it easy for visitors to explore the surrounding areas.

The town has many shops, restaurants, and entertainment to keep you busy for an entire day if need be.

But spending an hour or so taking in the breathtaking views of the mountains, buying souvenirs from local artisan shops, and grabbing a bite to eat is a great way to end your day.

What to do in Banff Town Centre?

• End the day relaxing in the Banff Upper Hot Springs. The adult price is $9.25 CAD per single entry. It’s 100% natural spring water with a temperature of around 40 degrees Celsius.

• Banff Avenue and Bear Street houses, all the restaurants, artisan crafts, galleries, and other souvenir shops.

• If you have extra time: Hike Tunnel Mountain, a short 4.5km roundtrip (2.7 miles) trail located in the heart of the Banff town center.

The Best Time of the Year to Visit Banff

Banff National Park is a year-round destination and the best time of the year to visit is going to depend entirely upon the activities you want to experience.

Winter is a fabulous time to experience dog sledding, skating, snowshoeing and of course skiing/snowboarding.

On average temperatures can range from 0 to -20 degrees Celsius.

Summer in Banff to early Autumn is the ideal time to visit if you want to enjoy all the beauty the mountains can offer.

Glacier lakes have thawed, allowing for water activities to begin again.

Hiking trails at higher elevations are free of snow (most of the time) and the tea houses are fully operational.

Temperatures in the summer can range from 15-25 degrees, and the sun usually doesn’t set until almost 10 pm, giving you extra time to cram in more adventures on your day trip to Banff.

How to Get to Banff

Banff is in the western mountain ranges of the province of Alberta. Calgary, the closest major city, is a 1.5-hour drive or 143km journey.

The easiest and quickest way to Banff from the international airport is to take the Trans-Canada Highway west.

This highway will lead past other incredible areas, including the mountain town of Canmore, which should also not be missed.

How to Get Around Banff

There are several ways of getting around Banff National Park.

The most efficient way is using your own vehicle. This will allow for total flexibility when it comes to planning and logistics. The roads are easy to navigate, and most parking areas are free of charge (Lake Louise being the exception).

Shuttle buses and local transit are other convenient ways of getting through Banff. Roam Transit offers daily services to popular spots like The Hot Springs, Johnston Canyon, and Lake Louise.

Depending on the route, fares start at $2-$10 single way/adult. Most children under 12 can ride for free.

Check out the shuttles/bus schedules here.

Where to Stay

If you only have one day to spend in Banff, ideally you will want to be as close as possible to the national park, to get the most out of your time.

While there are some options in the Banff town center, Canmore is slightly more affordable for staying overnight. It’s located 20 mins from Banff.

Canmore also does not require any park fees to visit or stay. Should you want to extend your time in the Rocky Mountains, Canmore is a perfect place to base yourself in.

Alternatively, Calgary is also a great choice, as most Calgarians make the journey to Banff on a regular basis.

➡️ Click Here to Book Hotels in Banff
➡️ Click Here to Book Hotels in Canmore
➡️ Click Here to Book Hotels in Calgary

Helpful Tips/Tricks for Visiting Banff

In the summer, parking lots tend to fill up quickly, usually before 8 am. Either take the provided shuttles, or plan for an early start to your day (6 am arrival).

Regarding wildlife: DO NOT attempt to feed any wild animals.

While bears are unlikely to be seen around Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon, the threat is still there.

Mountain goats, big-horn sheep, and elk are very common and can still pose a threat. Keep your distance.

Stick to visiting during the weekday if you want to avoid the crowds.

Day Trip to Banff Wrap Up

With this itinerary, you are sure to have a packed but fun day in Banff National Park! Be sure to bring your camera to capture all of the stunning views. Have a great trip!