Since we moved to Vancouver last summer I’ve been desperate to take a road trip to Banff and Jasper in the Rocky Mountains. How could you not be when you see how beautiful they are?
We’ve been to Banff several times over the years and have always had fun!
If you live in Vancouver or are visiting Canada and are planning a road trip to Banff and Jasper starting and/or ending in Vancouver then here is an itinerary for a 7-day road trip to the Canadian Rockies.
This Vancouver to Banff and Jasper road trip itinerary is exactly what we did in a week, so you can trust it’s totally doable.
See my road trip packing list essentials!
7 Day road trip to Banff & Jasper from Vancouver
This Banff and Jasper itinerary for a road trip from Vancouver to the Rocky Mountains can be done as a one-way trip or two ways. One of the more popular routes is to go from Vancouver to Banff to Jasper and then Jasper National Park to Vancouver, only we went from Vancouver to Jasper National Park and then on to Banff and Lake Louise.
Our trip from Vancouver to Banff, Jasper & Yoho and back in 8 days. However, if you’re just visiting Canada and are road-tripping from Vancouver to Calgary or Calgary to Vancouver.
This would also work as a 7-day road trip Calgary to Vancouver.
You can definitely make this road trip longer, but I wouldn’t recommend making it shorter. There are some suggestions towards the end of this post on ways to make the road trip longer to 2 or 3 weeks.
Canadian Rockies road trip map to Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Park from Vancouver
Below is a map with the places, hikes and attractions I recommend on this 7-day road trip from Vancouver to the Rocky Mountains. This is far from everything there is to do, but it’s what we did on our road trip to Banff, Jasper and Yoho from Vancouver.
You can skip Jasper and just make it a Vancouver to Banff road trip itinerary instead, but I loved Jasper so I recommend trying to make time for it!
Jasper vs Banff
The great thing about this Canada Rockies road trip itinerary is that you don’t have to make the choice between Banff or Jasper. But, if you’re wondering which one I’d pick then it’d be Jasper hands down.
To be fair to Banff I didn’t get to see it at its best since the whole town was shrouded in forest fire smoke. I mean, I’m sure there are mountains around Banff I just couldn’t see them.
But even without the smoke, Jasper wins as it felt a lot wild and remote and there were fewer people there.
We didn’t have to wake up at 5 am to find a parking spot as we did in Banff and we saw more bears, elk and mountain goats too.
But explore both and decide for yourself!
Best time to visit Canadian Rockies?
This mostly depends on your interests and reasons for visiting the Canadian Rockies in the first place. If you’re there to ski then you’ll want to visit between December – March.
However, if you’re there for hiking and seeing the gorgeous colours of the lakes in the area then you’ll want to plan your Canadian Rockies trip for the summer months (June-August) when the snow is pretty much all gone.
However, summer is often very, very busy. During our trip in August Banff and Lake Louise were pretty much swarming with people.
This makes parking difficult and can take away from the beauty of the top attractions in the Rockies when you’re sharing it with hundreds of people at the same time.
Whilst September is a bit quieter, it snows early in the Rockies sometimes. Some of our friends experienced a lot of snow during their trip in the middle of September so that’s something to bear in mind. Your driving conditions might be more tricky and the weather a lot colder.
Best way to see the Canadian Rockies
The easiest way to travel the Canadian Rockies is by camper van. Not only does this mean you can save a tonne of your accommodation (since you can camp in this and not have to stay in hotels), but it’s just a fun way to travel. I love being able to pull up anywhere in our van, Elvis, and make a cup of tea or enjoy lunch with a view.
If you’re looking to rent a campervan for your Canadian Rockies itinerary then take a look at Escape Campervans. People list their campervans on here and you can rent them for your trip. You can find everything from self-converted homes like our Elvis, to much bigger RVs too!
If you’d prefer to go from Vancouver to Banff by car and stay in hotels or are happy to tent camp then you can hire a smaller car.
I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!
You can usually pick up and drop off your rental car in different cities. So, if you’re only doing this Canadian Rockies vacation in one direction then make sure to look for that option.
Alternatively, you can get the Via Rail Vancouver to Jasper. This scenic train ride takes you past beautiful scenery and into the Rocky Mountains.
The train from Vancouver to Jasper is not the cheapest and doesn’t always run on time, but it’s a great option if you don’t want to drive.
You can also get the Jasper to Vancouver train if you’ve flown to Calgary and then travelled on to Jasper.
National Park entrance fee
You need to pay for every day you spend in a National Park. You’ll pass a booth upon entering Jasper if you follow this itinerary. If you enter from a different way you can purchase a pass at a visitors’ centre. You must display this on your dashboard at all times.
If you’re spending 7 days in the National Parks and there are 2 or more of you then the best deal is to get the Group Parks Pass for $136.40.
Where to stay in Banff and Jasper
Hotels in Banff and Jasper are EXPENSIVE. Especially during the summer months when let’s face it, is probably when you’re going to want to go since the beautiful aqua lakes are covered under snow in winter and it’s bloody freezing.
I’ve listed a few suggestions for each stage of the journey below for camping, budget, mid-range and luxury options.
Hotels & Hostels in Banff & Jasper
Hostels are your best bet if you’re planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies on a budget.
Even then they’re not the cheapest and I don’t know about you but I don’t really fancy staying in a 28-person dormitory… I guess you’re not going to be spending too much time inside though!
If you do want to stay in hotels while you’re road-tripping through Banff and Jasper then check out Booking.com. They’re my go-to site whenever I’m beginning my hotel search for an upcoming trip.
To find cheaper hostels or hotels in Jasper and Banff, I’d recommend widening your search to include towns outside of the National Parks. This will mean you’re driving more in the morning and evenings but it might help you cut costs a little!
Some suggestions are Golden in BC and Canmore just outside of Banff.
Read more: Banff vs Canmore? Should you stay in Banff or Canmore?
Camping in Banff and Jasper
Campsites in Banff and Jasper fill up super, super quick. Canadians love to camp and so do many people visiting these National Parks.
If you’re visiting in the summer months (June – August) then make sure you plan your trip about 3 months in advance to secure a camping spot.
You may get lucky and find a camping place at some campsites but usually, everything will be booked already, especially over weekends.
- To book a campsite in BC use the BC Parks Reservation site
- For campsite bookings in National Parks use the Parks Canada Reservation Website
- All bookings in Alberta (outside of national parks boundaries) can be made on the Alberta Parks Reservation Website
Overflow camping in Banff and Jasper
Fortunately, there are other camping options in Banff and Jasper when the campsites are fully booked.
Banff, Jasper and the Ice Fields Parkway have overflow campsites.
They open only when the other campsites are full. At these, you are permitted to sleep inside your vehicle.
These are usually just car parks and so tents are not allowed with the exception of the Snaring Overflow in Jasper.
Take a look at this post for all the camping options in Banff and Jasper National Parks.
Please note: It is illegal to sleep overnight in your vehicle or camp outside of a designated camping spot. You will be asked to move and/or fined if found doing this.
This is for your own safety, the safety of the wildlife and the protection of the parks. You might be responsible and follow Leave No Trace Principles but that doesn’t mean everyone does.
Itinerary for a 7-day road trip to Banff & Jasper from Vancouver
Use this itinerary for your Vancouver to Jasper, Banff to Vancouver road trip. It’s full of the best hikes and things to see so use it to put together your own Vancouver to Banff itinerary. There are posts about each place we visited which include more detail too.
This road trip from Vancouver to Banff and Jasper is a Canadian bucket list item and I’d highly recommend it!
Vancouver to Wells Gray Provincial Park
Whilst you could just go straight from Vancouver to Jasper (or Jasper to Vancouver if you’re coming from Calgary), it’s well worth making a stop at Wells Gray Provincial Park.
Wells Gray Provincial Park has been on my radar for quite a while. It’s known for its waterfalls or which there are 39 named (and plenty that aren’t!). It’s 5,250 square kilometres of alpine wilderness created by volcanoes and carved by glaciers.
We stopped by for just a few hours to check out two of the most well-known waterfalls; Helmecken and Spahats. These are both easy to drive to and require just a short walk from the parking lots.
Directions: From Vancouver take Hwy 1/Trans Canada to Hope and then switch to Route 5 North to Clearwater via Kamloops.
If you’re looking for a Vancouver and Banff itinerary scroll on down!
Where to stay in Wells Gray Provincial Park
- Camping
- Budget
- Mid-range; Highly recommended B&B inside Wells Gray
Wells Gray to Jasper
It wouldn’t be a Vancouver to Jasper road trip without this next stop. It’s time to hit your first National Park of the trip: Jasper!
On the journey from Wells Gray to Jasper, you’ll pass the border BC and Alberta and you’ll also need to remember to put your clocks one hour forward.
On the way to Jasper, you’ll also pass through Mt Robson Provincial Park.
We ended up driving through here in the dark so missed out on seeing Mt Robson (BC’s highest peak) but if you’re spending a little longer doing your road trip you might want to spend a day or two here.
Jasper Highlights
There are plenty of hikes and things to see and do in Jasper. I have a full post about everything we did in Jasper National Park and a few more additional suggestions here.
However, these are my top three suggestions for things to do on a road trip to Jasper.
Read about more of the best things to do in Jasper National Park
Pyramid Lake
We loved Pyramid Lake and the backdrop of Pyramid Mountain. Go here early in the morning and take a stroll, hire a canoe or kayak if you plan to stay longer.
The Miette Hot Springs
The Miette Hot Springs are a little bit more like a swimming pool than these hot springs in BC but they’re a great place to relax after a busy day of exploring.
I’d recommend getting there mid-afternoon as by late afternoon/early evening there was a queue outside to get in.
There are two hot pools and then a couple of cold pools too. Towels and swimsuits can be rented there.
Canoeing/Kayaking on Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake is pretty famous. There’s plenty of hiking to be done around the lake or you can hire a canoe or kayak and explore from the water.
If you’re really keen then plan a multi-day kayaking trip down to Spirit Island and back. Just bear in mind you’ll have to book this campsite about 3 months in advance.
Where to stay in Jasper
Check out my full guide to the best places to stay in Jasper.
- Best budget accommodation in Jasper: HI Hostel Downtown Jasper
- Best hotel in Jasper: Whistler’s Inn
- Best luxury accommodations in Jasper National Park: Pyramid Lake Resort
- Best place for camping in Jasper: Snaring Campground, Jasper
- Best cabins in Jasper: Miette Mountain Cabin
Jasper to Icefields Parkway
Getting from Jasper to Banff means driving the incredible Icefields Parkway. The Jasper to Banff drive along the Icefields Parkway has to be one of the most scenic drives in the world.
Honestly, it’s so, so beautiful. You’re flanked by mountains on either side, lakes, glaciers and forests. Take your time and don’t rush this drive.
The distance from Banff to Jasper is 288km. The Jasper to Banff driving time is around 3.5 hours if you do it in one go, but you’ll want to stop and take in the sights so I recommend taking at least two days to explore the Icefields Parkway.
It’s slightly shorter from Jasper to Lake Louise (232km) which is the next town you’ll come to. Take your time and enjoy the stretch of road between Jasper and Lake Louise.
There are a lot of places to stop along the way but here are my three highlights for your Icefields Parkway road trip.
Top things to do on the Icefields Parkway
There’s more to do than you first realise along the Icefields Parkway. From hiking to beautiful sites and learning about the glaciers, below are a few highlights!
Get the low-down on the best places to stop on the Icefields Parkway
The Athabasca Glacier
The Athabasca Glacier is probably something you’ve heard about before your road trip to Banff and Jasper. This massive glacier is still easy to see although it’s receded a lot over the years. Thom visited around 10 years ago and says there’s a noticeable difference.
Book a trip to get up close with the glacier here.
Peyto Lake
Chances are you’ve seen plenty of photos of this lake. And yes, it really is that blue! The car park is always super busy here but you should be able to find a space somewhere.
From there is just a quick 10-minute walk on a gentle incline until you get to the viewing point for the lake.
Athabasca Falls
There are many waterfalls in Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Parks but the Athabasca Falls are up there with the most impressive.
Where to stay along the Icefields Parkway
There isn’t a whole lot of accommodation choice along the Icefields Parkway which is why camping, or hiring a camper van is such a good idea. However, I’ve picked out some of the best hotels between Banff and Jasper below that should help if you’re looking for where to stay between Banff and Jasper.
- Camping: The overflow car park at the Icefields Centre. It’s just a car park but you’re allowed to overnight here in your vehicle and there are incredible views!
- Hotels: Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge | Glacier View Inn | The Crossing Resort
Lake Louise
The Icefields Parkway finishes up in Lake Louise which was incredibly busy when we visited in early August. As the woman at the tourism office said it’s the place that’s on all the brochures for The Rockies and it’s a popular entrance point to Banff. It’s also an easy, though long, drive from both Vancouver to Lake Louise, and Calgary to Lake Louise.
If you’re visiting in the summer there are a few things you’ll need to know to make sure you have an enjoyable experience despite the insane amount of people and traffic. Take a look at this post to find out.
Despite how busy it is, the surrounding areas and the lake of Lake Louise can’t be missed.
Lake Louise to Banff then Yoho or Lake Louise and Yoho to Banff?
You’ll notice that Yoho National Park and Lake Louise are super close to each other (about 10-minute drive). Yoho National Park is in British Columbia and Lake Louise forms part of Banff in Alberta.
It’s up to you whether you decide to spend longer in Lake Louise and combine the below suggestions with those later on in this post with Yoho.
We crossed the border during our first day in Lake Louise to do a hike in Yoho. Then we spent a day exploring Yoho on our way back to Vancouver after we’d been to Banff. The choice is yours!
Best things to do in Lake Louise
I’ve picked out the top few things you absolutely can’t miss in Lake Louise.
For more things to do in Lake Louise & Banff take a look here.
Visit Moraine Lake
Despite the fact we had to wake up at 5.30am in order to get a parking space at Moraine Lake (and before they close the road to all traffic other than the shuttle bus), Moraine Lake was totally worth it. These days, you’ll have to get there even earlier!
The light at sunrise catches the top of the mountains and reflects in the water which is very pretty.
But perhaps the best thing about this was watching some guy try and cross the log pile too fast and fall splat on his face several times. He was fine but it was funny.
Take your time and realise that the reason there is a queue to cross over is that there are definitely easier logs to cross than others!
As of 2023, you can no longer drive to Moraine Lake. The only way to get to Moraine Lake for sunrise is to either take an expensive taxi, cycle the 25km round trip OR ride with the Moraine Lake Bus Company.
The Moraine Lake Bus Company is the only company offering sunrise shuttles to Moraine Lake. Prices start at $35 per adult and $25 per child and the shuttles run from 4 am (arriving at Moraine Lake at 4.35 am) to 6.20 pm.
If you want to see Moraine Lake at sunrise, this is definitely the most affordable way!
Book your tickets to Moraine Lake here.
Parks Canada also offer shuttle buses to Moraine Lake, but these don’t start until 6.30 am and so miss the sunrise.
See Lake Louise
Lake Louise is another gorgeous Lake that is flanked by the Fairmont Hotel and mountains. You can take a canoe out on the lake or just admire it from the shorelines.
If you’re visiting in summer be aware that the parking lot is usually full by 8 am.
Do some hikes around Lake Louise
Personally, I think the best way to see Lake Louise is to get up high! There are many popular hikes in this area with the busiest being the hike to the Agnes Lake Tea House.
If you do this hike then do it early! Not only will you avoid all the crowds on the trail but you’re also more likely to get a seat at the Tea House.
From here there are ways to extend your hike. You could take the Plain of the 6 Glaciers, climb up to Little and Big Beehive, or do a scramble to the top of Devil’s Thumb which is what we opted for.
Here are 14 of the best hikes to do in and around Lake Louise
Where to stay in Lake Louise
- Camping: There’s an overflow car park where you can camp in your vehicle just outside of Lake Louise. It’s also the overflow car park for during the day when the lakes and town are full. If you’re organised, then book in advance here.
- Budget
- Mid-Range
- Luxury
Lake Louise to Banff
Continue your Canadian Rockies tour from Vancouver by making the shortish drive from Lake Louise to Banff. There are two drives you can take down to Banff, there’s the TransCanada highway, or the more picturesque Bow Valley Parkway.
I’d recommend doing the Bow Valley Parkway at least one way. Even though it was super smokey in Banff when we visited and we pretty much couldn’t see anything, it’s just a nicer, calmer road to drive.
The Bow Valley Parkway is closed from March 1st to June 25th between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. This is to ensure the area remains a safe and good environment for the wildlife there.
Top 3 for your Banff itinerary
Here are the top three things to do in Banff during your Banff and Vancouver trip. We didn’t end up doing the cable car ride due to the smoke, but the lakes and Johnston Canyon were beautiful despite the smoke and crowds!
You’ll see you’ll have a great holiday even if only doing the road trip from Vancouver to Banff and back.
Read this post for more things to do in Banff National Park!
Visit Johnston Canyon
This canyon was absolutely packed when we visited. I’ve never had to queue up for 20 minutes to get a glimpse of a waterfall (and I hope I never have to again).
If you want to visit the canyon then be prepared for it to be super busy, or go early or late to get fewer crowds.
Having said that the canyon is a pretty area and the lower Banff falls, in particular, were a great colour.
Visit the lakes
There are plenty of lakes in Banff. They might not be the same aqua blue as Lake Louise or Peyto Lake, but they’re pretty nonetheless. We spent a relaxing few hours on the shores of Lake Minnewanka and took the kayaks out on Two Jack Lake.
Take the Banff Gondola
This is something we didn’t do on our first visit to Banff since the mountains were covered in smoke and there wouldn’t have been a view.
However, when we did return, we rode up the gondola and got to enjoy the beautiful views up on Sulphur Mountain. I highly recommend adding the gondola, and these Banff activities, to your list of things to do in Banff!
You can book Banff sightseeing tickets incl. the gondola here.
Where to stay in Banff
- Camping: Banff has some massive campsites. We got lucky and got a spot at Tunnel Mountain Village I just a week before our trip. I’m assuming this was because someone else had cancelled. The campsite is huge but your spot will still feel relatively private which is nice. Book all Banff campsites here.
- Budget
- Mid-range
- Luxury
Banff National Park to Yoho National Park
While you could go straight back from Banff to Vancouver, doing so means you miss out on the beautiful Yoho National Park.
For me, Yoho National Park was up there with Jasper for my favourite part of our week road trip in the Canadian Rockies. It’s definitely somewhere I’m planning to visit again.
It’s not a huge park but it’s full of peaks to tackle (we managed to tick off one!); 28 of them are over 3,000 metres in height!
Best things to do in Yoho National Park
Check out this longer list of the best things to do in Yoho National Park.
Takakkaw Falls
Takakkaw Falls is about 15km off the main road in Yoho National Park. Its highest point is 380 metres which makes it the 2nd tallest waterfall in Canada. You can follow the path near the base of the waterfall and enjoy a cooling spray too.
Climb Paget Peak
This was the hike we did after we arrived in Lake Louise and found out there wasn’t hope in hell of getting a parking spot for the rest of the day.
So off we drove to Yoho (about 15 minutes) and took on Paget Peak!
There’s a fire lookout about 1 hour into this hike but the real fun comes from when you tackle scramble to the peak. Don’t be fooled by the false peak, you’ll be climbing for at least 1.5 hours more from the fire outlook!
Emerald Lake
Another insta-famous spot in the Canadian Rockies is Emerald Lake. Again, this is a super busy spot but if you go for a walk around the lake then you’ll escape most of the crowds.
Where to stay in Yoho
Accommodation in Yoho is pretty scarce. Given that it’s so close to Lake Louise you might want to base yourself there or in Golden.
Yoho National Park to Vancouver
Upon leaving Yoho National Park it’s a pretty long drive back to Vancouver (about 8 hours). You just take the BC-5 S and Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 W all the way back!
If you’re looking for a way to break up the journey take a look below. This also works if you’re doing a Vancouver to Banff drive, or Banff to Vancouver and skipping Yoho (which I don’t think you should do!).
Where to stop between Yoho National Park and Vancouver
Golden
Golden is one of my favourite BC Mountain Towns. It’s got such a chilled-out vibe, great places to eat and it’s surrounded by such beautiful scenery.
It’s a great place to stay too if you’re looking for somewhere cheaper to stay near Banff or Yoho.
Glacier National Park
You’ll pass through Glacier National Park on the drive home. Again, we couldn’t see much on our first visit due to smoke but having returned, I can confirm it’s beautiful!
It has deep valleys, ancient forests and alpine meadows to explore.
Check out the Giant Cedars Boardwalk and Rogers Pass!
Mt. Revelstoke National Park
We’ve been through Revelstoke many a time now both in the winter and the summer. Nearby is Mt Revelstoke National Park which is incredible!
Mount Revelstoke is the only mountain in the national park system that you can summit just a short walk from your car! That’s an easy peak to bag!
Kamloops
Kamloops is great for outdoor lovers. There are trails for every level and the same goes for mountain biking.
If you fancy some lake time then head to one of the lakes nearby and enjoy swimming, kayaking, SUP boarding, waterskiing, or wakeboarding and some of the pretty Kamloops waterfalls.
For more details on the Vancouver to Kamloops drive, I’ve got a full road trip itinerary.
Hope, Chilliwack & The Fraser Valley
The Fraser Valley is a great place to stop either on the way to the Canadian Rockies or the way back. I’ve visited various places there over the year and a bit we’ve lived in Vancouver. I’d recommend checking out Chilliwack Lake and some of the breweries in Chilliwack, Jones Lake if you have a 4×4, and Bridal Veil Falls just east of Chilliwack.
Final thoughts on the drive from Vancouver to Banff
This Banff Vancouver road trip guide includes everything you need to know to plan a road trip Vancouver to Banff or the other way around.
This is one of the quintessential BC road trips with others being BC Hot Springs Circle Route in the east of the province, the Vancouver to Whistler drive on the Sea to Sky, and the Kamloops to Whistler stops via hwy 99.
Last Updated on June 21, 2023 by Hannah
Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe, a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada, you’ll find posts on all of this.
Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.
Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.
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