How to Explore the Rockies
Travel Guides
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Banff National Park
The town of Banff is a quick 25-minute drive from Canmore. There’s something for everyone here, and plenty to do in town or within the National Park. Lake Louise is a town 35-minute drive past Banff, but still within the Banff National Park boundary.
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Yoho National Park
Yoho is a short drive outside of Banff, and borders the town of Lake Louise. Yoho is not like Banff as there isn’t a big town nearby, so we would recommend staying in Lake Louise or another nearby area if you want to explore Yoho for more than a day.
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Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway is a scenic drive that has incredible views, and can be done as a day trip, or a longer road trip all the way up to Jasper National Park. There’s plenty of mountains and glaciers to explore on the way, whatever you choose your adventure to be.
National Parks Pass
Apparently this summer, from June 19th to September 7th, National Park access is free, and a parks pass will not be necessary unless you are visiting Provincial Parks (similar to State parks in the US). More information found here, and here. This means entering Banff, Yoho, or Jasper National Park will be free!
Helpful Links
Be aware, this is grizzly territory. Most front-country hikes/locations will be crowded enough that running into a grizzly bear is highly unlikely (we’ve never seen one). However, it’s good to carry bear spray with you, and know how to use it. You can rent bear spray in Canmore at Gear Up, or Banff at businesses like Bear Street Outfitters, Snowtips-Bactrax, and Ultimate Sports Banff. Renting is a good option since bear spray cannot be taken home with you if you’re flying.
If you are planning on hiking in the back-country, it’s good to hike in groups, and be loud and make noise on the trail (you want to make your presence known). Otherwise, just be aware of your surroundings, and have fun!
Canmore Area
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Check out the shops and boutiques downtown. Our favorite is Stonewaters!
There are two Nordic Spas in the nearby area, Kananaskis Nordic Spa, and Everwild Canmore. Kanasaskis is a bit farther away, but in a beautiful location, and the spa is less expensive than Everwild. This could be a great, relaxing day activity!
Walk/hike around Quarry Lake Park
Walk around the town boardwalk, alongside the Bow River
There are plenty of golf courses in the area, but we’d recommend the Silvertip Resort.
Take a scenic drive behind Canmore, entering into Kananaskis Provincial Park. There are plenty of lake and mountain views, even just from the car.
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Walk along the boardwalk on the Bow River Loop Trail (pictured to the left).
Grassi Lakes trail is an easy to moderate hike that brings you to a beautiful crystal clear blue lake.
Lady Macdonald Tea House is a favorite amongst locals. (5.4 miles RT, 3,408 ft elevation gain).
For an extreme option, the EEOR trail will bring you to the top of the Rundle Range, and provide incredible views of Canmore and beyond (3 miles RT, 2700 ft of elevation gain). This is very steep and technical, so don’t attempt unless you’re familiar with these types of hikes.
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Bridgette Bar has great food, and a cozy ambiance, right in the Spring Creek area of Canmore. They have a great happy hour 2-5pm daily. Highly recommend getting a reservation if you’re interested, as this can get very busy.
Definitely check out JK Bakery Cafe, not only do they have delicious food, but J & K are our initials, and it was established in 1994, our birth year!
The Wood has a beautiful view from their patio. We’d recommend coming here for a drink (their food isn’t the best, but the views are great)!
Tank 310 has a panoramic view from their restaurant, a good option for lunch or dinner.
Blake Distillery serves Asian fusion cuisine, along with house made beer and craft liquor.
The Iron Goat has been recommended to us, and looks like a good dinner option!
For a more formal option, we’ve heard good things about Ankor.
Banff National Park
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Visit Moraine Lake to see the stunning bright blue hues of the water. You can also rent a canoe and go out on the lakes, but be sure to book a shuttle bus reservation, as this area is highly trafficked in the summer months, and closed to private vehicles. Reservations typically open for the summer in mid-April. You can also book through a private shuttle company, but it would be more expensive.
For a less busy way to get on the water, you can rent kayaks or canoes and go out on the Vermillion Lakes, nearby town.
Take the Banff gondola up Sulphur Mountain (view shown to the right). Your adventure here could be to just go up and take in the views, or stay a bit longer and enjoy lunch or dinner at the top.
Stroll around Banff Avenue and check out the shops and restaurants.
Take a rafting trip on the Bow River with Rocky Mountain Raft Tours.
Explore the historic Fairmont Banff Springs, or even take a ghost tour of the hotel. Be sure to stop off at Banff falls on your way!
Soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs, which has been in operation since 1886.
Drive the “back way” to Lake Louise via the Bow Valley Parkway. There’s stunning sites to see along the way, as well as a higher chance to see wildlife.
Take a tour of Banff’s local Park Distillery. You can even create your own gin!
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Hike to Johnston Canyon (3.4 miles RT), which takes you into the depths of the canyon on wide paths and narrow bridges with railings that lead to the Lower Falls and to the spectacular 30 meter-high Upper Falls
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Bluebird Steakhouse & Fondue is great for dinner.
Hello Sunshine - be sure to try their Maui Wowie roll (Kirsta’s favorite), and their ramen.
St. James's Gate Irish Pub - an Irish pub in town with classic Irish cuisine and occasional live music. Josh’s favorite.
Juniper Bistro - located at the Juniper hotel. Delicious food, great for dinner.
A great option for lunch is the Sky Bistro, at the top of Sulphur Mountain (view shown in the photo to the right). You can take the gondola up, and enjoy lunch or dinner at the top. Definitely the best dining view in town!
Lupo Italian has great food and a nice ambiance.
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Lake Louise
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Visit Lake Louise to see the beautiful milky-blue hues of the water. You can also rent a canoe and go out on the lake, but be sure to book a parking reservation, as this area is highly trafficked in the summer months. Reservations typically open for the summer in mid-April. You can also book through a private shuttle company, but it would be more expensive.
Walk around the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and get afternoon tea at the hotel.
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Hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House at Lake Louise (2.3 miles RT), or extend your hike to the Big Beehive to see Lake Louise from above (6.7 miles RT)
For a more challenging option, starting from Lake Louise hike the Plain of Six Glaciers trail (9.1 miles RT) to get up close to the stunning glaciers that feed into the lake.
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Yoho National Park
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Stroll around on the lake walk at Emerald Lake (less crowded than Moraine & Louise), or rent a canoe.
Visit Takkakaw falls, one of Canada’s largest waterfalls. This view is easily accessible from the parking lot.
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Paget Peak (5.9 miles RT) is a trail right off the highway that offers gorgeous views of nearby glaciers and blue lakes. This trail takes you to a fire lookout.
A less traveled to bright blue lake is Sherbrook Lake (5.8 miles RT), which has equally stunning views, but much less crowded than other lakes in the area.
Wapta Falls (3 miles RT) is an easy walk through the woods with only a small amount of elevation gain.
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Icefields Parkway
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The Peyto Lake overlook (pictured to the left) is 0.8 miles RT from the parking lot to an incredible viewpoint overlooking yet another bright blue lake.
Bow Lake the headwaters of the Bow River (seen in Banff and Canmore), and is right off the parkway, and is right next to the Crowfoot Glacier overlook.
Saskatchewan River Crossing is where three rivers meet; the North Saskatchewan, the Howse and the Mistaya.
Columbia Icefield is another stop along the Icefields Parkway. These glaciers straddle Banff National Park and Jasper National Park and are the largest south of the Arctic Circle.
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Chephren Lake (5.1 miles RT) brings you to an emerald-green colored lake with tall peaks and surrounding glaciers.
Cirque Lake (5.6 miles RT) starts at the same trailhead as Chephren Lake, but is another great option in the area that brings you to a blue lake with mountains and glacier views.
Bow Glacier Falls (5.5 miles RT) brings you up to waterfalls fed from the Wapta Icefield, which feeds Bow Lake.
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If you are planning to travel up to Jasper National Park, below are some recommended stops to make along the way. It takes 3hrs to drive from Lake Louise to Jasper, but if you want to take stops, we’d recommend 6-8hrs to do it all.
Bow Lake
Peyto Lake
Waterfowl Lake
Mistaya Canyon
Saskatchewan River Crossing
Bridal Veil Falls
Athabasca Glacier
Columbia Icefield Skywalk
Sunwapta Falls
Athabasca Falls
Horseshoe Lake
What should I pack?
If you do plan on extending your stay, and exploring the Rocky Mountains, below are some items we’d recommend packing:
Hiking backpack (or any backpack to hold items on your adventure)
Sturdy shoes (hiking boots, sneakers, etc.)
Water bottle or water bladder (you typically want around 1-2 liters depending on how long your hike is)
Hiking socks (moisture wicking, wool)
Hiking poles (not necessary, but helpful)
Waterproof/windproof rain coat
Light jacket (the weather can be unpredictable in the mountains)
Layers (sweatshirt, fleece, quarter zip, etc.)
Sunscreen
Bear spray (can be rented from town)
Snacks
Camera!