Are you planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies and looking for the best 7-day Calgary-Banff-Jasper itinerary?
Over these past years, our family has enjoyed exploring Alberta and the Canadian Rockies. As such, we’ve been to Banff or Jasper at least once a month (when it wasn’t -30 outside).
To help other traveling families, I’ve created the ultimate 7-day Calgary to Jasper road trip itinerary for families traveling with kids. In this guide, you’ll get a daily playbook for exploring 3 of western Canada’s prettiest cities. You’ll have an epic, detailed Banff and Jasper itinerary for 7 days.
So, if you’re planning a road trip from Calgary to Jasper this year, we have the perfect 7-day itinerary for you. Let’s dive straight into the detailed itinerary.
TABLE OF CONTENT
- Calgary, Banff, Jasper Itinerary (7 Days) RECAP
- Day 1: Arrive in Calgary
- Day 2: Drive from Calgary to Banff to Jasper
- Day 3: Jasper National Park
- Day 4: Jasper National Park
- Day 5: Drive from Jasper to Banff
- Day 6: Banff National Park
- Day 7: Last Day in Banff and Drive Back from Banff to Calgary
- Don't Forget for your Calgary, Banff, Jasper Itinerary
- F.A.Q Calgary to Jasper Itinerary
- Final Thoughts: Calgary to Jasper Itinerary
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Calgary, Banff, Jasper Itinerary (7 Days) RECAP
- Day 1: Enjoy Calgary
- Day 2: Drive to Jasper
- Day 3: Jasper
- Day 4: Jasper
- Day 5: Jasper to Banff
- Day 6: Banff
- Day 7: Banff and drive back to Calgary
Day 1: Arrive in Calgary
The first day you reach Calgary, you’ll probably want to relax and check into your hotel.
If you were flying, you’d arrive at Calgary International Airport, a 20-minute drive from downtown Calgary. You can rent a car or a campervan directly from the Calgary airport. Or you can wait downtown. Make sure to reserve your car in advance by comparing options on DiscoverCars.com.
🛏️ Where to stay in Calgary
There are many hotel options near the airport. We love the Element Calgary Airport Hotel. It offers hotel rooms with a full kitchen. There is a pool and the breakfast is delicious. But you can try to find a family-friendly hotel directly downtown, such as the Westin Calgary. Then, you can park your car and explore the city by foot.
It will all depend on where you’re coming from, but we always recommend easing into a city rather than trying to cram everything into the first day. This is especially true if you’re traveling with kids, making things even more exhausting for everyone.
There are three activities that we highly suggest for your first day in Calgary with kids if you only have a few hours(depending on the weather):
- Take the C-Train Downtown: One of the things that Emilie and I did in Calgary was take the kids on the C-Train. You can ride for free between City Hall and 7th Street. There are tons of shops and places to stop along the way.
- Head to Prince Island Park: If the weather is nice, take a short walk and head to the park. This is a fun little island on the Bow River that’s the perfect place to bring a picnic and let the kids burn off some energy.
- Head over to the Calgary Tower (that big building resembling Seattle’s Space Needle). It’s $18/person for adults, $9 per child aged 4-12, and free for kids 3 and under. We haven’t done this yet, but we’ve heard fantastic things about the experience.
💡 PRO-TIP: If you arrive early in the day and have a full day to spare in Calgary, I highly recommend visiting the Calgary Zoo or Heritage Park
Calgary Zoo. The Calgary Zoo is home to over 1,000 animals worldwide, including rare and endangered species. The zoo is divided into thematic zones, such as the Canadian Wilds, Destination Africa, and the Panda Passage, allowing families to embark on a global wildlife adventure without leaving Calgary. With interactive exhibits, playgrounds, and seasonal events like ZooLights in the winter, the Calgary Zoo provides endless animal encounters and learning opportunities.
Heritage Park. Heritage Park is a big living history museum. The park offers a rich tapestry of past and present with lots of exhibits and attractions. There’s something for everyone, from historic buildings and antique steam trains to beautiful gardens and a replica 19th-century village. Interactive activities and educational programs make it engaging for kids, while adults will appreciate the attention to historical detail.
Bowness Park. Finally, you can grab some ice cream or dinner and walk through Bowness Park. There’s a small pool, a playground, and walking trails by the river. Depending on the time of year, that swimming pool can be an excellent way for the kids to cool off.
Have an extra day? Why not head to Drumheller, the dinosaur capital of the world? We’ve spent a few days in that area, and there are LOADS of things for kids to explore. For more information, check out this helpful post.
Day 2: Drive from Calgary to Banff to Jasper
You’ll want to wake up early and drive from Calgary to Jasper along the Icefields Parkway.
I suggest you download the Canadian Rockies audio tour offered by GuideAlong. It’s a fun way to learn about the region while driving.
A little after Canmore will be the entrance of Banff National Park. The Park Canada pass is required for your stay in the Canadian Rockies, including Banff and Jasper National Parks.
The Icefields Parkway is a 232-kilometer drive (officially Alberta Highway 93) between Lake Louise and Jasper. If you don’t stop, it takes about 4:30 to drive from Calgary to Jasper. But you’ll make at least 100 stops, so plan for the entire day.
💡 PRO-TIP: I always recommend families start their Calgary-Banff-Jasper trip with Jasper, not Banff. The drive from Lake Louise to Jasper is unpredictable, especially if you’re visiting others the summertime. Also, remember that it can still snow in the summer up there, so you’ll want to check the weather reports. The road is well maintained year-round, but there are snowstorms and risks of avalanches. It’s not unusual for the road to be closed for a day, so if you start with that, you’ll have more flexibility and days to reschedule if the weather is really bad.
On your way to Jasper, I recommend doing the following stops (you’ll do the rest on your way back from Jasper to Banff)
- Bow Lake: Enjoy the lakeshore. You can walk by the lakeshore.
- Peyto Lake: A short 2.4-km (1.5-mile) trail will bring you to Peyto Lake, where you can have a breathtaking view of the lake. Can you see the wolf’s shape?
- Saskatchewan River Crossing
- Tangle Fall
- Columbia Icefield and the Athabasca Glacier: If you have the energy, do the Wilcox Pass trail up to the first viewpoint. You’ll have a fantastic view of the Glacier. Plus, you can take some pictures with the famous Parks Canada red chairs.
- BONUS: Columbia Icefield Skywalk
At the end, you’ll arrive in Jasper, where you can walk around and explore the downtown area.
🛏️ Where to stay in Jasper
There are many options when it comes to lodging in Jasper National Park. It will depend on the time of year you’re visiting, your budget, and the amenities you want. If you’re traveling with kids, we recommend Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Chateau Jasper, HI Jasper (you can read our review here)
Day 3: Jasper National Park
Jasper is a laid-back town with lots of nature to explore.
There are, of course, tons of outdoor activities to do. This is how I recommend you spend your first full day in Jasper.
Start your day with a hike at Maligne Canyon. It’s a 3.7-km (2.3-miles) loop in one of the deepest canyons in the Canadian Rockies. This trail captivates with its stunning limestone walls, waterfalls, and bridges. The trail offers spectacular views of the geological formations and river below.
Then, drive on the Maligne Canyon drive toward Maligne Lake. You’ll want to stop at the mysterious Medicine Lake before arriving at Maligne Lake.
Did You Know?
Medicine Lake water levels change throughout the year. The family will enjoy learning about the underground cave system that causes this natural phenomenon. In the summer, it looks like a typical alpine lake, but in the fall and the winter, the water slowly disappears, leaving not much more than mudflat.
If time allows, you can go on a 90-minute Maligne Lake cruise. It will bring you further on the lake to Spirit Island, where you’ll have time to walk around and enjoy the views. We did it once and we really enjoyed the experience. The boat ride is the only way to see Spirit Island with kids (otherwise you have to kayak to the island, which is too much for little ones)
You’ll want to spend the rest of your afternoon at Edith Lake and Annette Lake. It’s the perfect place to play in the sand, paddleboard, or enjoy the water. There are also a lot of charcoal BBQs for an outdoor dinner.
Then, you’ll end your day with an evening at the Jasper Planetarium.
Jasper National Park is one of the largest and most accessible dark sky preserves. The Jasper Planetarium is the perfect stop to learn about astronomy and see what the sky looks like in different places in the park. You’ll learn about the cosmos in the immersive dome theater and outside exhibit. The tickets include the dome theater and the telescope tour.
Day 4: Jasper National Park
On your second day in Jasper, you’ll start with a ride on the SkyTram. It’s a gondola, similar to the Banff Gondola (but a little cheaper!).
The first ride is at 9:00 a.m. in the summertime or 10:00 a.m. in the shoulder season. Note that it’s closed in the wintertime. Take your time at the top of the mountain. It offers panoramic views over Jasper’s mountainous landscapes. You’ll see the Athabasca River, Edith Lake, and Annette Lake. You’ll even see some of British Columbia’s mountain peaks on a clear day.
Take some time to walk on one of the trails at the summit. I recommend the Whistlers Summit Trail.
In the afternoon, you’ll want to hike the Old Fort Point trail. It’s a This 3.8-kilometer loop trail with abundant wildlife and some of the most stunning views in the park.
End your day with a stroll in downtown Jasper. You can also eat at one of the restaurants in downtown.
While there are fancier options, we went to Smitty’s, a family-friendly chain. With young kids, we have no reason to pretend like we’re fancy. The Jasper Pizza Place is another great option for families. Plus, it has a cool rooftop terrace.
Day 5: Drive from Jasper to Banff
It’s time to drive back to Banff National Park. You’ll be driving again on the Icefields Parkway. I recommend you make the few stops you didn’t have time to do on the way from Banff to Jasper, including:
- Athabasca Falls
- Sunwapta Falls
- Goats and Glacier
- And so much more
If you wake up early enough, you can even do the beautiful Valley of Five Lakes hiking trail.
After driving the Icefields Parkway back to Banff National Park, make your way to Lake Louise. Please don’t just go see the lake, take a few pictures and head back. Take some time to enjoy the area.
Depending on your energy level, I recommend you do one of the following hikes:
- Lake Louise Lakefront Trail: 4.5 km (2.8 miles) out-and-back
- Lake Agnes Trail: 7.4 km (4.6 miles) out-and-back
When you’re ready, drive to downtown Banff and enjoy the evening with some shopping and dinner. The kids will also love playing at Central Park’s playground. You can walk along the Bow River as well.
Banff Town is catered to shopping and restaurants, which can be a lot of fun with kids. Banff Avenue is the main street and it’s where you’ll find most stores, restaurants and a lot of hotels. You’ll want to stop at the famous candy store for a few treats for the kids.
🛏️ Where to Stay in Banff National Park?
There are many options when it comes to lodging in Banff. It will depend on the time of year you’re visiting, your budget, and the amenities you want. If you’re traveling with kids, we recommend: Banff Rocky Mountain Resort, Moose Hotel & Suites, Fairmont Banff Spring (if you have the budget for it).
If you’d like to stay closer to Lake Louise, Baker Creek Mountain Resort. You can read our hotel review here.
Day 6: Banff National Park
Now you have a full day in Banff, why not get back into nature (what Banff is famous for)? There is so much to do in Banff that it can be really hard to choose.
Banff National Park is filled with day hikes, from easy to hard hiking trails. Most hikes are also open all year round, even in the wintertime. There are hiking trails for all levels.
Start your day early at Moraine Lake. You’ll need to book your shuttle to Moraine Lake early in the year to get a spot. When you’re at the lake, I recommend walking up on the Rockpile Trail to have an amazing view of the lake.
Then, take the scenic Bow Valley Parkway and stop at Johnston Canyon. It’s one of the most popular hikes in Banff National Park. If you can, I highly recommend hiking to the Upper Falls. It’s beautiful.
In the late afternoon, head to Cave and Bassin National Historic Site. It’s where it all started. If you can, go on a guided tour. You’ll learn so much.
You’ll want to end your late evening with a sunset picnic dinner at Vermillion Lakes. If you have paddleboards, it’s a great place to go for a paddleboarding adventure.
Pro Tip:
Bring a can of bear spray with you… just in case. Bears aren’t known for being aggressive in the area, but it wouldn’t be unheard of if you saw one. We recently met with a friend who stumbled on a bear near Lake Louise within his first 5 minutes of exploring the region.
Day 7: Last Day in Banff and Drive Back from Banff to Calgary
Now you’re on the last day of our Calgary, Banff, & Jasper itinerary. To get back to Calgary, you’re looking at around 1.5 hours, depending on the road conditions. So depending on when your flight back is you may have some time to discover a few more places.
Start your last day walking around the Cascade of Time garden. It’s located at the end of Main Street after crossing the bridge over the Bow River.
We can then, go see the Bow Falls. It’s a quick walk where you’ll have a beautiful view of the Bow Falls. If you walk up the stairs along the river, you’ll also have a breathtaking view of the Fairmont Banff Spring Hotel.
Then, slowly make your way back to Calgary with a stop in Canmore for lunch. I highly recommend a lunch at Rocky Mountain Bagel Co. You can then walk around downtown Canmore and walk on the Policeman’s boardwalk.
When you’re ready, drive back to Calgary to catch your return flight.
Don’t Forget for your Calgary, Banff, Jasper Itinerary
Make sure to pack lots of layers, even in the summer. The weather in the mountains changes a lot throughout the day. Plus, you’ll want to be dressed well when walking outside near the Columbia Icefield. It can get very cold throughout the year. Remember, you’re walking on a huge piece of ice.
F.A.Q Calgary to Jasper Itinerary
How far is Banff from Calgary?
Banff is only 143 km from the Calgary Airport or 128 km from downtown Calgary. You can plan on a 1h30 drive if you take the Trans-Canada highway.
How to travel to Banff from Calgary?
The best way to travel to Banff from Calgary is by renting a car at the Calgary Airport (or downtown). There are many shuttle services from Calgary airport, but without your own car, it will be limiting your Calgary to Jasper road trip.
How many days in Banff?
There is so much to do and see in Banff that you cold easily spend an entire week, but if you only have 7 days for a Calgary Banff Jasper itinerary, I recommend staying in Banff for 2 to 3 days.
How many days in Calgary and Banff?
If you only have 7 days to explore the Canadian Rockies, I would recommend staying in Calgary only 1 day, then 2 to 3 days in Banff and the rest in Jasper.
How many days to spend in Calgary?
There is many things to do in Calgary that you can make it a great weekend getaway. But if you only have 7 days in the Rockies, I highly recommend spending only a day in Calgary.
Final Thoughts: Calgary to Jasper Itinerary
And that’s all for now! This has been our 7-day Calgary, Banff, & Jasper itinerary.
The 7-day Calgary, Banff, and Jasper itinerary offers a perfect blend of city exploration and natural wonders. Starting in Calgary, you can ease into their adventure with family-friendly activities like visiting the Calgary Zoo or Heritage Park. The journey then leads to Jasper via the scenic Icefields Parkway, where you’ll stop at Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, and the Columbia Icefield.
Jasper itself is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with highlights including Maligne Canyon and the Jasper Planetarium. The itinerary then takes you back to Banff, with a drive along the Icefields Parkway offering opportunities to visit Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls.
In Banff, you can enjoy hikes around Moraine Lake, explore Johnston Canyon, and visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. The trip concludes with a return to Calgary, allowing for a final exploration of the city’s attractions.
We hope you enjoyed this post.
