Reusable water bottle & filter – We always bring our trusty reusable water bottle (Rafael and I both have Hydro Flask bottles that we LOVE) on our adventures to cut down on plastic waste and keep our water cold. Most of the time you should have plenty of access to clean, filtered tap water, but on long hikes you may need to refill at a stream or cascade. In this case, you’ll also want a water filter or purification system to ensure your water is always potable. We recommend the rechargeable SteriPen, which purifies your water using a portable UV light. If there is one thing you should not leave without, it is certainly bear spray, which is essential, especially during the berry season. During this time, bears are active, have cubs, and bear spray is essential for hikers to stay safe. Once you arrive in Banff, head to Tooloulou’s, arguably the best traditional breakfast place in town. It’s a Louisiana-style Cajun restaurant with a Canadian flair. Here, you can get french toast, omelettes, and hashbrowns in HUGE (shareable) portions. It’s delicious, especially since I know you’ll be hungry by the time you arrive in Banff. Late Morning/Afternoon: Explore Banff Town & Surrounding Areas Grab an early breakfast to go at Trailhead Cafe in Lake Louise. I’d also recommend grabbing some extra sandwiches to go for lunch later, as you may not want to stop for food during your road trip. Take pictures of Upper Sunwapta Falls:This is a comfortable stop with views of Sunwapta Waterfall. You have the option to also hike to Lower Sunwapta Falls from here. It is a 2.8 km return with an elevation gain/loss of 87m.

The park has multiple viewpoints where you can stop for photographs and refreshments. The best part is, you can walk as much as you like and withdraw from the trail when you’re done for the day. Eat dinner at Jasper Curry Place: After hiking all day, this place hit the spot. We slept very well after the delicious meal. By the evening, you’ll probably be REALLY hungry and ready for a hearty, delicious meal in a relaxed place. I’ve got the perfect place to you: Park Distillery. Their mission is “campfire-inspired meals” and they really do play the part well, from char-grilled meats and steaks to the amazing smell of campfire inside and around the restaurant. Mid-Range Hotel: Truffle Pigs Lodge– This 12-room inn is a small, comfortable, mid-range hotel option. With private rooms and bathrooms and an attached restaurant, it’s the perfect full-service accommodation option for Yoho. It’s also located in the heart of the tiny town of Field, perfect for access to all of the main park attractions. Lady MacDonald Tea House– (9 kilometers, 4-6 hours) This hike, named after a tea house that was never actually built, is a gorgeous trail that has beautiful views start to finish. One of the more popular hikes in Canmore, this moderately difficult hike is a perfect half-day adventure for hikers looking for a bit of a challenge and the reward of stunning photogenic viewpoints. Full-Day Hikes in Canmore Mount Yamnuska

Canadian Rockies Road Trip Itinerary Pin For Later:

Traveling in a motorhome? Here is what you should know about the campgrounds Maligne Lake Road in Jasper National Park Connect the days spent in Canmore with the days spent in Banff. They are only a 20-minute drive apart. That way you can save yourself a couple of days. Chephren Lake – Stop off at the trailhead for Chephren Lake, one of my favorite lakes on the Icefields Parkway. You have to hike in ~3 hours round trip to get there, but I promise the views are totally worth it. By the time you finish up with Chephren Lake, it should be early afternoon and you’ll be ready to continue on to the rest of the Icefields Parkway. The actual ascent of Assiniboine is a demanding mountaineering route that should not be undertaken by inexperienced climbers - but you can take in the beauty of the famous peak on this route, which starts from the popular Assiniboine Lodge (which itself is reachable only by a substantial hike or short helicopter trip). This route takes you to the summit of Nub Peak at 2,746m via a scenic ridge. Chronic, Halka (1980). Roadside Geology of Colorado. Mountain Press Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-87842-105-3.

You’ll see the iconic Lake Louise a bit later in the morning, but you’ll first want to drive up to nearby Moraine Lake to catch that epic sunrise view that EVERYONE AND THEIR MOTHER wants to see. The towns such as Lake Louise or Jasper are connected by regular buses, so it is definitely an option, but the downside is that only a tiny number of things to do are within walking distance to these towns, and you need later figure out, for example, how to get from Lake Louise village to Lake Louise, or from Jasper to Maligne Lake.

Lesser-known highlights of the Canadian Rockies

It’s actually in British Columbia, so it’s often not listed on “places to visit in Alberta” lists. But it’s equally, if not more, beautiful than its neighbors. In a nutshell, July and August are the busiest months because of long days, the highest temperatures, and most likely stable weather, although it can rain (or even snow) any time. Hiking trails should be open and snow melted. If you opt for a direct morning flight from anywhere in the USA or Canada, chances are you’ll most likely be arriving in Calgary Airport in the late morning or early afternoon. Once you’ve arrived, proceed through customs (if necessary) and grab your bags. The most challenging part of this climb is the final ascent to Fairview, which can verge on scrambling, but your reward is an outstanding view in every angle from the top, out over the Bow Valley, to the spear of Haddo Peak and Lake Louise.

Pillows: Pillows can take a lot of room, so I recommend buying an inflatable one. The one I have linked, is super comfy. >Buy The Comfy Inflatable Pillow

a b English, Joseph M.; Johnston, Stephen T. (2004). "The Laramide Orogeny: What Were the Driving Forces?" (PDF). International Geology Review. 46 (9): 833 838. Bibcode: 2004IGRv...46..833E. doi: 10.2747/0020-6814.46.9.833. S2CID 129901811. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 7, 2011. When you’re not hiking and need some food/refreshments, I recommend heading to Good Earth Coffeehouse in Banff’s town center. It’s a cute, cozy coffee shop that serves warm drinks and food all morning and afternoon. Evening: Soak in the Upper Hot Springs & Grab Dinner at Banff Ave Brewing Co Known for its ranching industry, Calgary is known around Canada for its meats. For some of the most delicious steaks in the city, Vintage Chophouse is a fantastic place to try. Since I’m not actually a steak person myself, my favorite dish there is the lobster mac and cheese, which is exactly the heavenly deliciousness it sounds like: large lobster chunks mixed in with a perfect blend of pasta and melted cheeses. Camping: Lake Louise– This tent camping spot is located right near Lake Louise and is the perfect place to spend a night in the area. Staff (December 9, 2015). "Officials rule Wind River Range climbing deaths accidental". Casper Star-Tribune. Archived from the original on July 26, 2021 . Retrieved May 31, 2022.