Banff National Park is the ideal getaway for adventurers alike. The experiences, the picturesque landscape of cascading mountains, the quaint villages to take a stroll, cozy cottages, hot springs for couples; Banff offers many options for everyone to enjoy. The town of Banff is located within the National Park and has become Canada’s most popular destination to travelers.
When is the best time to travel to Banff National Park?
- The peak seasons that bring many travelers to the area are summers and winters.
- Summer to enjoy the beautiful lakes, outdoor adventures, and hiking.
- Winter for the ski resorts and winter activities. However, if you prefer exploring with fewer crowds, try visiting during their shoulder seasons.
- Fall & Spring are the shoulder seasons in that area. Crowds will be less due to seasonal activities being closed and the weather not being the most favorable conditions for hiking experiences.
My husband and I fit in the category of wanting fewer crowds. We love to be able to allow for more room to explore without dealing with populated areas. Below is our 4-day itinerary when we visited this beautiful area in early October. Personally, this was the best time to hike those top-rated points of interest. Just keep in mind to pack hiking poles, crampons or micro-spikes for your hiking boots.
Day 1
Early travel day for us but with the time change, we arrived in Calgary with plenty of time left in the day. The walk from the baggage area to the car rentals was a pretty long distance, but my legs welcomed the exercise after a long flight. After grabbing the rental, we were off to our destination! Before heading into the town of Banff, we purchased a 7-day pass for the National Park. Depending on where you’re from and what you plan to do, there are many options for park entry fees. Walking the streets of this picturesque town was breathtaking. After the flight and driving, we took advantage of all the diverse restaurants they offer in the area. Unfortunately, we chose a resort in British Columbia, so we were about 2 hours away from this area. However, I would highly suggest staying near the Banff area. You will be in a great location to most driving attractions by staying in Banff. When we visit again, we will be doing that!
Day 2
We took a road trip to the Columbia Icefield Parkway. Since we stayed in British Columbia, we had an early wakeup, but you would think that driving for 4-hours would become boring, but it was the complete opposite. Every turn we made was more awe-inspiring than the last. Some highlights of the day were: Bow Lake, Athabasca Falls, Sunwapta Falls, Columbia Icefields Glacier, and Peyto Lake. We chose driving to the furthest point of interest and working back, so the drive home wasn’t as long. Bow Lake is the exception since it took on a magical feel in the morning hours. From seeing peaceful reflections in the lakes to cascading waterfalls, and observing an immense glacier, this day was worth the long drive.
Day 3
Taking advantage of staying in British Columbia, allowed us to visit the Kootenay National Park. Since yesterday was a full day in the car, we decided to use this day to hike various trails throughout Kootenay. This trip was our first hiking experience ever, and I have got to say I became hooked. We used the All Trails app to find easy beginner trails since this was new to us. The ones we chose were Marble Canyon, Paint Pots, and Numa Falls. Our first hike of the day was at Marble Canyon.
The beautiful marbling rocks with the multiple bridges and platforms to view the waterfalls were just the thing to start our day. My husband and I decided to hike to Paint Pots from Marble Canyon. The hike itself was peaceful, but I would have to say it was slightly underwhelming with Paint Pots.
However, I see why people are fascinated with the hike due to the diverse colors of the mineral-rich springs, but it wasn’t my cup of tea. If you do this easy skilled hike, beware that it’s very muddy, and bring old hiking boots. There is a lovely water stream that we used to clean off our hiking boots somewhat, but the mud still lingered for days later. Following this hike, we did a quick stop at Numa Falls, but unfortunately, at the time, the bridge was out.
Due to the amount of time we would have spent at Numa Falls, we decided to try the trail at Dog Lake. This hike was not what I expected at all. Completely isolated from crowds, suspension bridge to cross beautiful water streams, uphill climb over a mountain to a final destination of a lake completely void of anyone but my husband and I with a few ducks swimming. We had to sit in silence, listen to the sounds of mother nature, and take it all in.
Day 4
We decided to head to the iconic Lake Louise area to do some hiking. My husband and I first ventured to Johnston Canyon, hoping to avoid crowds. The goal was to hike both the lower and upper falls. Since both of us were new to hiking, we didn’t realize we should be using micro spikes on our hiking boots. Knowing that would have significantly helped. It was an adventure slipping and sliding up to the upper falls, but we did it! Thank goodness for the handrails to help us up and down the trail. Sometimes it was just as easy sitting on my butt and going down the hill. Regardless, we accomplished what we set out to do, and we now understand why using micro spikes when there are icy surfaces present is helpful.
Working up an appetite, we headed over to the Lake Louise area and had lunch at Bill Peyto’s Cafe. We spent our afternoon at Lake Louise hiking up to the Fairview Lookout. Again, we had to take our time since it was snow-packed and a tad icy in spots. The view was incredible once we reached the top. The beautiful aqua color that the water takes on from the glacial waters to the stunning Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in the background. I would love to visit this place in one of the peak seasons when either it’s nice enough to take out a canoe or to ice skate on a frozen lake.
Day 5
Changed things up and experienced something different. In between Calgary and Banff, I found Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, where they give guided tours. I purchased an Intro Tour pass for both my husband and me. It was indeed an incredible experience to get up close and personal with wolf dogs ranging from high content to low content. To feed these beautiful animals was a memorable moment that I will continue to cherish. The staff was very educated and experienced with these wolves. The wolves seemed to be well cared for in an enriching and natural habitat. I recommend checking this experience out. To read more visit my Experience the Wolfdogs in Alberta Blog.
The remaining afternoon was spent in the town of Banff, taking the gondola ride up to Sulphur Mountain and taking in all the views was surreal. It was at this point I realized how small I was to the world around me. After coming down off Sulphur Mountain, we took an early evening soak at the Banff Hot Springs. For dinner, we dined at the Bison Restaurant in downtown Banff.
Day 6
Our last day hike was by far my all-time favorite. We headed to Yoho National Park and visited Emerald Lake. By far one of the most beautiful scenic spots we had seen throughout our trip. Nature showed its true colors of a pure masterpiece when the sun was shining.
The hike around the lake had unique qualities for the different looks each side provided. One side was paved and opened, and the middle provided more of a wetland look, while the other side had more of a greener Pacific Northwest vibe. If you have a chance to stay at Emerald Lodge, I say do it! I have heard nothing but great things about the lodge and allows plenty of time to take everything in and experience the surrounding trails.
Day 7
We, unfortunately, had to say goodbye to our amazing time in British Columbia/ Alberta. We packed up pretty early for a 3.5-hour drive back to Calgary for our flight home. This trip changed the way I viewed nature and hiking. I believe this beautiful area of the world should be on everyone’s bucket list to visit!
