Wow, what a trip! We just got back from a 3-day adventure in Banff National Park, and I’m still buzzing. The Canadian Rockies are every bit as stunning as people say, and we managed to pack so much into our short time there. If you’re planning a trip, I hope our little itinerary gives you some inspiration!
Day 1: Bears, Canyons, and Bighorn Sheep
We hit the road from Calgary bright and early, the excitement building with every kilometer. The mountains started as a faint outline on the horizon and just got bigger and bigger until we were completely surrounded by them. Our first official stop was the beautiful Lake Minnewanka. The water is this incredible deep blue-green, and we were immediately greeted by a herd of bighorn sheep just casually strolling on a roadside hill. What a welcome!
We rolled into the town of Banff around noon, just in time for lunch. We decided to try Nourish Bistro, a vegan spot, and oh my goodness, it was amazing! The food was so creative and delicious; you definitely don’t need to be vegan to appreciate it.
With our bellies full, we headed to Johnston Canyon. This was one of the highlights for me. The boardwalk trail is built into the side of the canyon wall, right above the rushing water.
And, as if that wasn’t cool enough, on our way there, we spotted a black bear foraging on the side of the road! We kept a safe distance, of course, but it was a truly wild moment.
The hike to the Lower Falls isn’t too long and the payoff is huge. The waterfall is powerful and absolutely gorgeous. Standing in the little cave and feeling the mist on your face is just magical.
After a huge day, we were starving again. We ended our night with a fantastic Greek dinner at The Balkan Restaurant right in town. It was the perfect way to refuel for another day of exploring.
Day 2: Glaciers, Goats, and Gorgeous Lakes
Day two was all about the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in the world. We started our morning in Lake Louise with a quick stop at the Trailhead Cafe for some much-needed coffee and delicious sandwiches. We also grabbed some extra veggie sandwiches from the nearby Laggan’s Mountain Bakery to pack for lunch – pro tip!
Our first photo stop was Bow Lake, with its mirror-like reflections of the surrounding peaks. Just stunning.
The main event for the day was the Columbia Icefield. We boarded the giant Ice Explorer bus and drove right out onto the Athabasca Glacier. It feels like you’re on another planet. Being surrounded by that ancient ice, seeing the deep blue crevasses, and drinking pure glacier water is an unforgettable experience.
I even filled a bottle of fresh glacier water as you can see below 🙂
We had our packed lunch with an unbeatable view before starting the drive back. The wildlife sightings weren’t over yet! We saw another black bear and a family of mountain goats clinging to the side of a cliff. The drive itself is just one jaw-dropping view after another. We had to make a stop at Peyto Lake, which is famous for its almost unnaturally bright turquoise water (and yes, it really is that blue!).
We ended the day with a delicious and spicy meal at Zyka Indian Cuisine back in town. It was the perfect comfort food after a long, amazing day.
Day 3: Lake Louise, Gondolas, and Goodbyes
We saved the best for last! We got to the iconic Lake Louise by 9 a.m. to try and beat the crowds. A quick heads-up: the parking is pricey (it was $36.35 for us!), but honestly, the view is worth every penny. It’s breathtaking. The turquoise lake, the Victoria Glacier, the grand hotel… it’s a picture postcard come to life. We spent couple hours just taking it all in and snapping way too many photos.
We were back at our hotel by 11 a.m. for a quick checkout before heading to our final activity: the Banff Gondola. Unfortunately, the very top of Sulphur Mountain was closed for maintenance, but the views from the main observation deck were still incredible. It was windy and a bit chilly up there, so definitely bring a jacket!
For our last afternoon, we drove to the charming town of Canmore. It has a more local, laid-back vibe than Banff. We had a wonderful lunch at The Communitea Cafe and then spent some time wandering through the shops and enjoying the famous view of the Three Sisters peaks.
And just like that, our trip was over. We drove back to Calgary to catch our flight the next morning, feeling so full of gratitude for the incredible beauty we got to witness. Banff, you are gorgeous!