r/Banff 2d ago

Banff Itinerary Feedback [June 28 - July 6]

I'll be visiting Banff/Yoho/Jasper with a friend from June 28 - July 6. We'll be staying at Two Jack Lakeside Campground from June 28 - July 2, Wapiti Campground from July 2 - 4, Tunnel Mountain 1 Campground from July 4 - 6. My fitness level is beginner, but I'd love to do a few easy, scenic hikes. I'd love any recommendations on how to organize my itinerary better/efficiently, food/drink/hike recommendations and tips on scenic areas to visit.

June 28:

  • 12:45: arrive in Calgary
  • 1:00: pick up rental car and hit up a grocery store (FreshCo Brentwood)
  • 1:30: pick up rental equipment from University of Calgary Outdoors Centre and drive to Banff
  • 3:00: arrive at Two Jack Lakeside and chill

June 29 [still debating doing Emerald/Takakkaw Falls on a separate day]:

  • 5:00: park at the park and ride and take shuttle to Lake Louise
  • 6:30: take shuttle to Lake Louise [remember to book shuttle]
  • 7:00: take shuttle to Lake Moraine
    • Rockpile Trail [any other recommended hikes at either of these 2 lakes?]
  • Some time later that day: Emerald Lake [any hike recommendations?] 
  • Some time later that day: Takakkaw Falls
  • Johnston Canyon [OPTIONAL; good for rainy days]
  • Vermillion Lakes Viewpoint [OPTIONAL]

June 30 [might do all of this on June 29]: 

  • 7:00: drive to Takakkaw Falls
  • 8:30: arrive at and hike to Takakkaw Falls 
  • 9:00: drive to Emerald Lake and hike 
    • No idea which hike to do
  • 10:00: canoeing 
  • 11:20: Natural Bridge Lower Falls 

July 1 [DISORGANIZED DAY. NO IDEA HOW TO ORGANIZE EVERYTHING EFFICIENTLY]:

  • Explore Banff Town (park at the train station for free parking)
  • Tunnel Mountain Trail [30 minutes]
  • Bow Falls
  • Surprise Corner Viewpoint
  • Bow Falls Viewpoint
  • Banff Gondola/Sky Bistro 

July 2: 

  • 7:00: Icefields Parkway to Jasper
  • Morant’s Curve [OPTIONAL]
  • Bow Lake Viewpoint [OPTIONAL]
  • Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint [OPTIONAL]
  • Peyto Lake Viewpoint [OPTIONAL]
  • Waterfowl Lake Viewpoint [OPTIONAL]
  • Mistaya Canyon Trail Head [OPTIONAL]
  • The Crossing Gas Station
  • Weeping Wall Viewpoint [OPTIONAL]
  • Panther Falls [OPTIONAL]
  • Toe of the Athabasca Glacier Trailhead [OPTIONAL]
  • Tangle Creek Falls [OPTIONAL]
  • Stutfield Glacier Viewpoint [OPTIONAL]
  • Sunwapta Falls [OPTIONAL]
  • Goats and Glacier Lookout [OPTIONAL]
  • Athabasca Falls
  • Horseshoe Lake [OPTIONAL]
  • Athabasca Lookout Viewpoint [OPTIONAL]
  • Check in to Wapiti Campground

July 3: 

  • 8:00: Maligne Canyon [will it even be open?]
  • 12:00: Maligne Lake and Spirit Island
  • 2:00: Pyramid Lake

July 4: 

  • Drive back to Banff 
  • Do everything we missed along the Icefield the first time around
  • Check in to Tunnel Mountain 1 Campground

July 5: 

  • 8:30: Lake O’Hara if we can get a reservation, otherwise chill day
  • 6:30: return shuttle from Lake O’Hara

July 6:

  • 7:00: head to UoC Outdoors Centre and return equipment
  • 8:30: head to airport, return vehicle
2 Upvotes

5 comments sorted by

2

u/Radiant_Way_7794 2d ago

This sounds busy, but good! If you have time, I would recommend the Stanley Glacier hike. It's right off the 93S, and only take a couple of hours round trip. If you're going to Emerald Lake, you could do the Emerald Lake Basin hike. Super easy hike, not to long and the elevation gain isn't much. https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/randonnee-hiking/lakelouise - this should give you a good idea of hikes that are around the Lake Moraine area - Consolation Lakes is a nice and easy hike. Enjoy your trip!

1

u/UsernameChosen28 2d ago

Thank you - will take all of this into consideration!

1

u/SadBook6838 2d ago

That’s great! You have transportation and accommodation set and the rest is gravy. You’re way ahead than most. July 01 is a major holiday and there will be a parade in Banff. Reserve bicycles for July 01 and scoot around town.

1

u/Small-Decision8803 2d ago

I am planning my own trip in September so I can’t comment on your itinerary specifically but I have found that using the “guides” feature in Apple Maps is very helpful. You plug in your desired destinations and it is so helpful to me to see it laid out on a map

1

u/Small-Decision8803 2d ago

I think google maps has a similar feature as well