The Best 5-Day Banff Itinerary

Banff is one of the most beautiful places in Canada because the scenery and landscape are unmatched! Banff is home to glaciated mountains, bright blue lakes, and Canada’s first and most visited national park, Banff National Park.

Although you could spend weeks exploring everything Banff offers, you can create an incredible 5-day Banff itinerary to explore all of its beautiful attractions. This guide has everything you need to know to create the perfect 5-day Banff itinerary!

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Tips for Planning a 5-Day Banff Itinerary

Start your day early. Over four million people visit Banff every year, and the area is 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 explore and make the most of your 5 days in Banff.
Buy your park pass ahead of time. Most must-see attractions near Banff 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 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 a couple of times a year, you can buy the Discovery Pass.
Be prepared with the appropriate layers and gear. The weather in Banff is unpredictable, so I recommend packing layers just in case the weather changes. If you are hiking, you need to have the appropriate gear, depending on the time of year you visit Banff.
Be careful 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!
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.

What to Pack For a 5-Day Banff itinerary

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!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

Where to Stay in Banff

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. Both towns make great basecamps for your 5 days in Banff.

If you have or can rent camping gear or a campervan, I highly recommend it because there are campgrounds close to Banff National Park. If you are interested in renting a campervan, I highly recommend renting from Escape Campervans!

Banff Hotels

Fairmont Banff Springs (Banff)
Moose Hotel & Suites (Banff)
Blackstone Mountain Lodge (Canmore) - We stayed at this hotel and loved our time there!
Solara Resort & Spa (Canmore)

Banff Campgrounds

If you are flying into Banff, Calgary International Airport is the best airport option since it is 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 on this Banff 5-day itinerary. Renting a car will also allow you to have a more flexible schedule!

This 5-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.

Day 1 in Banff

The first day of your 5-day Banff itinerary is a relaxed day where you can explore downtown Banff and get into the groove of traveling.

Downtown Banff is one of the most beautiful mountain towns in the WORLD! You can spend time shopping, eating delicious food, enjoying the views, and visiting museums.
Bow Falls is a beautiful 30-foot waterfall in downtown Banff. 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 in the historic site, which led to the first national park in Canada, Banff National Park! It is a special place for Indigenous peoples and is a great place to learn about history.
If you are looking to hike, Tunnel Mountain is perfect for you! The 2.8-mile roundtrip trail offers some of the best views near downtown Banff! Although the hike is under 3 miles, it is steep in some sections, but I promise it is worth it for the beautiful views!
Although there are mountain views everywhere, Surprise Corner Lookout is one of the best scenic lookouts in Banff, overlooking Sulphur Mountain and Banff Springs Hotel. Surprise Corner Lookout is also the perfect spot to watch the sunset in Banff!

Day 2 in Banff

Day 2 of your 5 days in Banff has beautiful lakes and mountain views! Get your cameras ready!

Two Jack Lake is a beautiful blue lake covering over 52 acres with stunning views of Mount Rundle. I highly recommend watching the sunrise over Two Jack Lake. 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!
Lake Minniwanka is 13 miles long, making it the second-longest lake in the national parks in the Canadian Rockies. 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, which 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.

Cascade Ponds is often overlooked by visitors, even though it is near Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka. The 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 to 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!
Vermilion Lakes is a stunning lake near downtown Banff, offering views of Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain. It is the perfect place to relax, enjoy a picnic, and see wildlife!
Norquay Lookout is on the side of the Norquay Ski Area and has stunning views overlooking Banff, making it the perfect place to watch the sunset. 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 second day of your 5-day Banff itinerary!

Day 3 in Banff

Day 3 of your itinerary has some of the most famous attractions in Banff, and you will have to wake up early. I promise they are worth the early wake-up call!

Moraine Lake is easily the most iconic lake in Banff National Park and 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. Note: Moraine Lake is closed to personal vehicles for the 2023 season to help alleviate traffic and congestion at the spot. Instead, you have to use the public shuttle bus system.
- 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 experience Moraine Lake, you will be in awe of its beauty.
Lake Louise 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. You can enjoy the views from the lake shores near the parking lot or various trails.
- The easiest trail is the Lake Louise Lakefront Trail. The easy 2.5-mile roundtrip trail takes you around the lake, offering stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains!
- If you want to visit an iconic tea house, you can hike the 4.6-mile roundtrip trail to the Lake Agnes Tea House. It was built in 1901 as a refuge for hikers and now sells tea! It is a great spot to enjoy the views while sipping on a hot cup of tea.
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!
- Morant’s Curve and Storm Mountain Lookout are two of the most beautiful overlooks along Bow Valley Parkway. 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 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 also can combine Castle Mountain and Rockbound Lake for one epic and strenuous 16.5-mile loop.
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 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 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 along Johnston Creek in 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.
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. You can also enjoy dinner with a view at the Sky Bistro. If you want 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 the third day of your 5 days in Banff with the views!

beautiful easy hikes in banff

Day 4 in Banff

Day 4 of your 5-day Banff itinerary has one of the most beautiful lakes in the world and a glacier tour! This day could become one of your favorites in the itinerary.

Peyto Lake is unworldly and one of the most beautiful lakes in the WORLD! 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.
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.
Athabasca Glacier is the most-visited glacier in North America and a popular attraction to visit off of the Icefields Parkway. It is a part of the Columbia Icefield, 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 Tow 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 it gives you a great view of it!
- 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 is on the way as you drive back to Banff and is the perfect place to watch the sunset! 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!

the best 4-day Banff Itinerary

Day 5 in Banff

The final day of your 5-day Banff itinerary explores Yoho National Park. Yoho National Park is about a one-hour drive from Banff and has many fun things to do!

Emerald Lake is the most 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. You can enjoy the views near Emerald Lake Lodge, along its trails, or on the water.
- Emerald Lake Loop is an easy 3.5-mile roundtrip trail that brings you around the entire lake and is a great way to escape the crowds. The hike is also 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!
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 when you stand near the bottom and 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!
Lake O’Hara is easily the most beautiful area in Yoho National Park. You HAVE to make a reservation in advance to visit this beautiful place! The more in advance you can book your bus spot, the better. You can book up to three months in advance. You could also walk down the road to Lake O’Hara, but I would not recommend it because it is about 14 miles one way. If you are lucky enough to get a reservation, you will fall in love with the area!
- Some of the best hikes are the 7-mile roundtrip Lake Oesa Trail and the 4.5-mile roundtrip trail to Wiwaxy Gap and Huber Ledges. Both have stunning overs of the area!
- You can also hike the easy 1.8-mile Lake O’Hara Shoreline Trail that brings you around Lake O’Hara to enjoy the views from its shoreline.
If you have time, I recommend watching the sunset from Lake O’Hara or one of your favorite lakes! You really can’t go wrong with choosing a lake because they are all stunning. It’ll be the perfect way to end an incredible 4-day Banff itinerary!

best hikes in yoho national park

views near Takakkaw Falls in yoho national park near banff

This guide has everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable 5-day Banff itinerary, including the most beautiful lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, trails, and mountain views. If you have more time, you can explore three national parks in the Canadian Rockies on an incredible week-long road trip!