A Travel Guide to the Canadian Rockies: Banff, Yoho, and Jasper National Parks
- Carol Lam
- Sep 26
- 11 min read
Updated: Sep 27
Stretching across British Columbia and Alberta, the Canadian Rockies are home to glaciated mountains, alpine lakes, dense forests, dramatic waterfalls, diverse wildlife, and more. Banff, Yoho, and Jasper National Parks are designated as part of the Canadian Rockies' UNESCO World Heritage Site. These three neighboring parks together are incredibly vast—offering abundant activities and sights for those seeking to enjoy the outdoors.
In August 2025, Kevin and I visited the three parks. What stood out to me the most was the unbelievable vastness of the area with landscapes that seemed to go on endlessly, and the mind-boggling amount of glaciers and lakes. The parks were also brimming with wildlife—we had such a blast trying to spot them every day!
To help plan your own visit to Banff, Yoho, and Jasper National Parks, keep reading for our detailed guide and itinerary—and watch my YouTube video! If you're interested in exploring more of British Columbia, check out my blog post for a travel guide to provincial parks near Whistler.
Table of Contents
Skip ahead to specific sections in this guide!
When to Visit the Canadian Rockies
Below you’ll find a breakdown of what weather to generally expect during each season in the Canadian Rockies. However, weather in the mountains can be unpredictable—pack layers and be prepared for microclimates as the weather can vary depending on location and elevation.
• Summer (June—August): Expect mild to warm weather during the day and cool weather at night. Summer is considered peak season in the Rockies with access to roads, services, and recreational activities that were previously closed due to snow. Not only is the weather at its warmest, but the area also sees longer daylight hours. Summer is the busiest time of year, so expect crowds at popular spots like Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. When we visited, Banff in particular felt busier than any national park I’ve ever been to.
• Fall (September—November): Expect cool days and chilly nights. Fall is considered shoulder season in the Rockies. Early autumn is often recommended as one of the best times to visit with cooler weather, fewer crowds, and the chance to spot fall foliage throughout the area. However, keep in mind that the transition to winter can begin as early as October.
• Winter (December—March): Expect snowy and cold weather. Winter is another busy season in the Rockies—particularly in areas that offer access to winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, and more. Be sure to check road conditions for British Columbia or Alberta prior to your visit, as some roads may be closed due to snow.
• Spring (April—May): Expect chilly to cold weather. Spring is considered another shoulder season in the Rockies. This is one of the quietest seasons as winter activities begin to wrap up, and some roads and services remain inaccessible due to snow—even into late spring.
Where to Stay in the Canadian Rockies
Below you'll find types of accommodations to expect in Banff, Yoho, and Jasper National Parks. If you plan to visit during summer, be sure to book your accommodations well in advance as they will be in very high demand.
• Campgrounds: Options for camping in the parks include established campgrounds and backcountry camping. Camping is permitted in designated areas only with a national park camping permit and a national park entry pass—you can find details for camping in Banff here, Yoho here, and Jasper here.
• Airbnbs: There are Airbnbs and vacation rentals in the parks' towns as well as in nearby towns, such as Canmore or Golden for Banff and Yoho National Parks, and Hinton for Jasper National Park. We stayed at this Airbnb in Golden while visiting Banff and Yoho, which was more affordable than hotels and had a kitchen which allowed us to cook some of our own meals.
• Hotels: Similarly, there are hostels, lodges, and hotels in the parks' towns as well as in their neighboring towns. There is a wide range of lodging options, from budget-friendly to luxury stays.
Getting Around in the Canadian Rockies
Below you'll find recommendations on how to get to, from, and around Banff, Yoho, and Jasper National Parks.
The most common way to get to, from, and around the parks is by car as they are not easily accessible by public transit. As you plan your visit, keep in mind that:
• The closest major airport to Banff and Yoho National Parks is Calgary International Airport (YYC), and to Jasper National Park is Edmonton International Airport (YEG). YYC is located roughly 1.5 hours away from Banff and 2 hours away from Yoho by car, and YEG is located roughly 3.5 hours away from Jasper by car.
• If you plan to fly into YYC or YEG, there is a wide selection of rental car options available. However, note that rental car costs can be very high in summer. During our visit, we rented through Turo which cost significantly less than a traditional rental.
• If you’re a United States citizen, you do not need an international driving permit for a rental car—just your driver's license. However, confirm with your rental car provider in case their policy differs.
• A 4WD is not necessary in the parks (for the most part). Unless you plan to visit when it snows or plan to visit remote areas, you likely will not need a 4WD as roads in the parks are paved and well-maintained. If you're traveling to the parks from late fall to early spring, be sure to check road conditions for British Columbia or Alberta depending on which parks you plan to visit.
Travel Tips for the Canadian Rockies
Below you'll find extra bits of information that you might want to know before your visit to the Canadian Rockies.
Are there international entry requirements that I should be aware of?
As of September 2025, United States citizens only need a valid passport to enter Canada. However, entry requirements can change or vary depending on where you're traveling from—be sure to check the most up-to-date requirements here before your visit.
Do I need a reservation to visit Banff, Yoho, and Jasper National Parks?
All three parks require a park pass, which you can find details and fees for here. As of September 2025, Parks Canada offers two options: a daily pass or an annual Discovery Pass. The daily pass is recommended if you only plan to spend a few days in the parks, while the Discovery Pass is a better value if you plan to visit for a week or more. Both passes are valid across all three parks—for example, you can visit Banff and Yoho on the same day without needing separate passes.
Separately, certain locations in each park might require their own reservations—especially during peak season. For example, visiting Moraine Lake requires a shuttle reservation with Parks Canada as personal vehicles are not allowed on the road to the lake. Be sure to check locations on your itinerary for reservation requirements in advance. You can refer to our itinerary here for some locations that require reservations.
Check park alerts prior to your visit.
We had initially planned to visit the parks in summer 2024, but there was a wildfire in Jasper during that time. While wildfires are a natural part of the Rockies' ecosystem, they have become more frequent—especially from late summer to early fall. Be sure to check for any alerts or closures prior to your visit on Parks Canada's website for Banff here, Yoho here, and Jasper here.
Download offline apps prior to your visit.
As you might expect, cell service can be minimal to nonexistent once you're within park boundaries so be sure to download offline apps like navigation maps and trail maps ahead of time.
What currency should I bring?
While you should plan to bring Canadian dollars, credit cards were widely accepted throughout our visit—even at small, local stores.
Our 6-Day Itinerary in the Canadian Rockies
Below you'll find our 6-day itinerary for Banff, Yoho, and Jasper National Parks. This itinerary is what worked best for our schedule and is not meant to cover all the sights in the parks.
Day 1 (Banff):
Johnston Canyon to Lower Falls Trail: After driving from Calgary, our first stop in Banff was the Johnston Canyon to Lower Falls Trail. This is a popular, 1.5-mile out-and-back trail that winds past a creek through a narrow canyon, and follows a walkway built along the cliffs before reaching Lower Falls.
Morant's Curve: Morant’s Curve is a viewpoint overlooking surrounding mountains, with a dense forest stretching beneath and railway tracks curving through the landscape. If your timing’s right, you might be able to catch a train passing by!
Day 2 (Banff):
Lake Louise: We began our second day early as the parking lot at Lake Louise can fill up by 7 a.m. (or even earlier) in the summer. This is one of Banff's most popular lakes and for good reason. This emerald lake sits beneath glaciated mountains, and is dotted with bright red canoes during the summer. A scenic walking path wraps along the shoreline, offering several viewpoints to see the lake.
Parking at Lake Louise doesn’t require a reservation, but spaces can fill up quickly during peak season and payment will be required via a machine in the lot. Another option is to take a Parks Canada shuttle, which does require a reservation. Click here for more details.
Lake Agnes Trail: The 4.6-mile out-and-back trail to Lake Agnes begins at Lake Louise and passes through a forest, offering glimpses of glaciers along the way before reaching the lake—nestled in the mountains. Be sure to stop inside the cozy tea house by the lake. Their scones were so good!
Moraine Lake: Moraine Lake is one of the most iconic and recognizable places in the Canadian Rockies. This glacial lake is known for its vibrant turquoise water, and sits beneath the Valley of the Ten Peaks—a row of ten towering mountain peaks. Similar to Lake Louise, you'll often find Moraine Lake dotted with bright canoes during the summer.
Parking at Moraine Lake is not possible as personal vehicles are not allowed on the road to the lake. You'll need to take a Parks Canada shuttle, which requires a reservation. Click here for more details.
Day 3 (Yoho):
Natural Bridge: Natural Bridge is an arch rock formation that was carved by the rushing waters of the Kicking Horse River. There are multiple viewpoints to see the bridge and river, as well as the surrounding forest and mountains.
Emerald Lake: Emerald Lake is incredibly picturesque, and was easily one of my favorite lakes we visited on our trip. This vibrant emerald lake is surrounded by mountains and forests. Be sure to walk along the trail that circles the lake for views of the surrounding scenery, including a glacier tucked away in the mountains and a cliffside waterfall cascading into the lake.
Takakkaw Falls: Takakkaw Falls took us completely by surprise. We learned afterward that it’s the second tallest waterfall in all of Canada—at 1,224 feet, it's even taller than the Eiffel Tower! The force of the falls was so strong that we could feel its spray long before we reached its base.
Day 4 (Banff and Jasper):
Bow Lake: The first stop on our drive to Jasper (along the unbelievably scenic Icefields Parkway) was Bow Lake. This glacial lake is surrounded by mountains, with the prominent Crowfoot Glacier visible in the distance.
From the road by the lake here, you can get a view of the Bow Glacier. Its glacial meltwater forms a waterfall that cascades down the mountainside—and it's stunning!
Peyto Lake: There is no place like Peyto Lake. A short, uphill walk will take you to a viewpoint that overlooks the vibrant and milky turquoise lake surrounded by a dense forest. From the viewpoint, you can also spot a glacier tucked away in the mountains as well as waterfalls cascading off the cliffs.
Toe of the Athabasca Glacier: The Athabasca Glacier was easily one of the most memorable places we visited on our trip. This place was otherworldly—it truly felt like we stepped onto another planet. The glacier itself sprawls dramatically across a mountain, feeding into a glacial lake at the base. And waterfalls formed from the glacier’s meltwater cascade down the mountainside.
Along the walking path to the glacier, there were timeline markers that showed where the glacier had reached in decades past. While glaciers naturally recede, seeing how significantly this glacier had shrunk in just recent decades really put the impact of climate change into perspective.
Goats and Glacier Lookout: The Goats and Glacier Lookout is a scenic overlook that offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains with the Athabasca River ribboning below. If you get lucky, you might spot mountain goats here!
Day 5 (Jasper):
Highway 16: Because our accommodation was in Hinton, we drove on Highway 16 every day during our time in Jasper. This stretch of road is known for bighorn sheep sightings—and sure enough, we spotted them all three days we were on this highway. Most of our sightings were near the Roche Miette Viewpoint.
A gentle reminder to not approach wildlife—please observe them from a distance or in your car. On our last day, we saw a woman walk right up to a pair of bighorn sheep. While unsafe for her, it could have also been both stressful and harmful for them.
Pyramid Lake: Sitting beneath Pyramid Mountain, Pyramid Lake is surrounded by forests and mountains—and is only a short drive from the town of Jasper. The highlight of this lake is Pyramid Island, a small forested island that can be reached by a wooden footbridge.
Medicine Lake: Jagged mountain peaks rise dramatically behind Medicine Lake. But this lake isn’t like most others—its size fluctuates significantly with the seasons due to natural drainage through sinkholes at the bottom. So while the lake may be full from spring to early summer, its water level may become extremely low from late summer to winter.
Maligne Lake: Maligne Lake is massive. It's the largest natural lake in all of the Canadian Rockies, stretching for miles through a valley surrounded by mountains. If you get lucky, you might spot wildlife here—during our visit, we spotted a moose in the lake!
If you plan to visit Maligne Lake, I cannot recommend the Maligne Lake Cruise enough. The boat passes by imposing, glaciated mountains before reaching one of Jasper’s most iconic places, Spirit Island. The boat crew was also fantastic—our guide brought the landscape to life with facts we wouldn't have known otherwise.
Day 6 (Jasper):
Athabasca Falls: Athabasca Falls is one of the strongest waterfalls we have ever seen. The Athabasca River roars through a narrow canyon, sending the falls crashing over rocks with powerful force. A short walking path winds around the area, offering different views of the falls.
Stutfield Glacier Viewpoint: Stutfield Glacier is striking. This glacier stretches across a mountain, with waterfalls formed by its meltwater cascading down the cliff. A forest and valley sit beneath it—putting the glacier's massive scale into perspective.
Tangle Creek Falls: Tangle Creek Falls is a multi-tiered waterfall that can be seen from a roadside pullout, making it accessible to everyone. It's the perfect place to take a short break on your drive along the Icefields Parkway.
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