The Ultimate 5 Days in Banff and Jasper National Parks

There’s a reason why Banff and Jasper National Parks are two of the most popular outdoor destinations in Canada – they are STUNNING! I had the pleasure of being hosted for 5 days in Banff and Jasper National Parks by Pursuit, one of the premier hotels and experiences in the Canadian Rockies.

So if you’re looking for the ULTIMATE experiences in both Jasper and Banff, here’s my five-day itinerary in the parks. 

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5 Days in Banff and Jasper National Parks Day 1: Travel Day and Arrival at Banff Hotel

I left Phoenix on a 7am flight with a layover in San Francisco and finally landed at Calgary airport at 3pm. So basically, my first day was a travel day. From the Calvary airport, I took the Brewster Express shuttle bus into Banff, which was another two hours. The bus dropped me off directly at the Mount Royal Hotel, where I stayed for the night.

Mount Royal Hotel in Banff 

The Mount Royal Hotel is one of the original Banff hotels and is located right in the heart of the city. I stayed in a Two-Queen room on the 4th floor with a view of the mountains from the backside. The best part of the hotel is the location. You literally have VIP access to those empty Banff streets before they fill up. And if you’re lucky, you might just see an elk or two walking down the streets. 

TIP: Make sure you head up to the roof where there are two hot tubs overlooking the city. Seriously incredible!

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Farm & Fire Restaurant by Pursuit

After quickly checking into my room, I then headed over to Farm & Fire Restaurant for dinner, located inside Elk and Avenue. The restaurant was recently launched in 2020 and is recognized for its award-winning culinary innovation. With the chef’s homage to wood-fired and slow-roasted menu items, the farm-to-table philosophy is evident throughout the menu. There’s a comfy and cozy ambiance with warm vibes flowing throughout the restaurant. And the local music entertainment was really nice. 

After a lovely dinner and drinks, I returned back to my room after a long day of travel for some shut-eye. 

TIP: Try the Forna-Made Pizza! It’s seriously soooo good! 

(Photo: Forno Pizza at Farm & Fire Restaurant)

Banff and Jasper Day 2: Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre and Drive to Jasper National Park

Our second day in our 5 days in Banff and Jasper National Park started with a lovely breakfast at Brazen Restaurant inside the Mount Royal Hotel. I ordered the delicious avocado toast and a cappuccino to start my day. We then checked out of the hotel and made the 3-hour drive to Jasper National Park. 

Bow Lake – a Must-Stop inside Banff National Park

Our first stop on our drive to Jasper was Bow Lake. This was my very first time seeing those gorgeous turquoise waters that Banff is famous for – seriously unbelievable! I highly suggest pulling over and taking the time to see this lake. It’s breathtaking!

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5 Days in Banff and Jasper National Parks: The Iconic Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre

Our next stop was at the famous Columbia Icefields, the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains. So this stop should definitely be on your Banff list! It’s about 2 ½ hours into the drive from Banff, so it’s a great time to stop, stretch your legs, and take a potty break. 

Here are a few reasons to stop at Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre: 

• Spectacular views: the Athabasca Glacier is a 10,000-year-old sheet of ice! Crazy!
• Snack at the Chalet: inside the Discovery Centre, you can grab a snack with their freshly prepared food with grab-and-go service.
• Bathroom break: we all know after 2 1/2 hours of driving, you’ll need one.
• Glass-floored Skywalk: if you’re feeling particularly brave, head out on the aw-dropping walk at the cliff’s edge.
• Ice Explorer: Did you know you can ride an all-terrain vehicle right on the ice field? Talk about an experience of a lifetime!
• Starbucks: ok, you know I had to! Who doesn’t want to drink a PSL at the highest-elevated Starbucks in Canada?!?

TIP: Try some of those Canadian brand snacks that you’ve never tried before

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Pyramid Lake Lodge Founders Room in Jasper National Park

Once we arrived at Jasper, I settled into my new room at Pyramid Lake Lodge. My favorite lodging of the trip, The Founders Rooms are Pyramid Lodge’s newest lodging options with private balconies and lake-facing views. I absolutely LOVED the private and cozy vibes of the cabin. And my balcony overlooked the lake, which was stunning! I’m not typically much of a morning person, but I fully enjoyed my tranquil mornings on the balcony. Next time, I need to come with my family! 

(Photo: Founders Lodge Cabin)

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Graze and Gaze at Aalto Restaurant on Pyramid Lake

After checking into our cabins, we were blessed with Aalto’s infamous Graze and Gaze, an afternoon snack while overlooking the lake with their grazing menu. Although I say snack, there was enough food to be a full-on meal. And the views from the dining room were, again, spectacular. 

(Photo: Graze and Gaze at Aalto Restaurant)

Explore Pyramid Lake Lodge

We then had the rest of the afternoon to explore the lodge and all its amenities. And if you’re looking for activities at Pyramid Lake, there are many to choose from. Head down to the lake where you can rent bikes, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and even yoga mats. There is also a gym, jacuzzi, and hot tub for relaxation. I was happy to head down to the lake for a short hike, take lots of those forest pics, and look for wildlife. 

(Photo: Pyramid Lake)

Downtown Jasper and Dinner at Terra Restaurant

For our first evening in Jasper, we head to Downtown Jasper, a quick 10-minute drive. Jasper is such a cute little town with specialty shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes. It’s also the best place to grab an adorable Jasper moose or bear souvenir. Trust me – they are everywhere! 

We then had dinner at Terra, a Pursuit restaurant inspired by the rawness of Jasper. What’s really cool about Terra is that the menu is constantly changing according to the season. The food was delicious and the drinks were fun and inspiring. Another hit restaurant to try in Jasper.

(Dinner at Terra Restaurant, Downtown Jasper)

Nightcap, Smores, and Star Gazing 

After our evening in Jasper, we returned to our lodge for a relaxing dip in the outdoor hot tub. And what was even cooler was seeing all the stars in the sky. This area is known for its dark skies, and the Northern Lights can even be spotted on certain nights. And what’s a night without smores at the lodge’s campfires? So fun! 

(Photo: Campfires for smores at Pyramid Lake Lodge)

Banff and Jasper Day 3: Maligne Lake Boat Cruise, Hiking Maligne Canyon & Kayaking Pyramid Lake

I knew Day 3 of our 5 days in Banff and Jasper National Parks was going to be an adventurous one, and I was right. I started early by heading down to the lake to catch the sunrise then breakfast at Aalto, the on-site restaurant at Pyramid Lake Lodges. I opted for the breakfast Parfait (Skyr Yogurt, Berry Preserves, Alpine Muesli) and coffee. Then we jumped in the vans and headed to Maligne Lake.

(Photo: Pyramid Lake at Sunrise)

Maligne Lake Boat Cruise to Spirit Island

If you only have time for one activity in Jasper National Park, this is it! Maligne Lake is one of those true bucket list items that you just don’t want to miss – and the best way to see it is by boat. We boarded the Maligne Lake boat that takes you on a tour of the lake and stops at Spirit Island. This protected piece of land is sacred to the indigenous people of the area, so you can’t walk on the actual island. But you can hike around it and see it from the shores. It’s one of the most stunning views I’ve ever seen! Then the boat cruise takes you back to the mainland. During the cruise, you’re literally surrounded by glacier-peaked mountains all around you! Mind-blowing experience! 

(Photo: Maligne Lake Boat Tour)

Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen and Hike

We then drove back to the Maligne Canyon Wilderness area. As we were driving, people were stopping their cars to look down into the ravine. A couple told us there was a momma bear with her cubs down there, but we just missed it! So always be on the lookout for wildlife in this area!

We ate lunch at Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen on the patio overlooking the gorgeous river running through the forest. We then did a short hike through the canyon which hosts many little waterfalls and views down into the canyon. 

TIP: I’m told that during the winter, you can actually walk down inside the canyon on the ice. What a cool experience that would be!

(Photo: Lunch at Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen)

5 Days in Banff and Jasper National Parks – Kayaking on Pyramid Lake

We then returned to Pyramid Lake for a late afternoon kayak around the lake. This was another awesome activity, and I highly recommend anything staying at the Pyramid Lake Lodge to take advantage of this opportunity. And depending on the hour, you can also see elk, bears, and even an occasional moose grazing along the shoreline. 

(Photo: kayaking on Pyramid Lake)

Dinner at Aalto Restaurant, Pyramid Lake Lodge

After all the activities of the day, a nice sit-down dinner was such a welcome. Aalto has such a cozy ambiance, with its cozy fireplace and lake views. Since we were a larger group, we opted to try out many of the items on the menu and just taste them all – such a great choice! And the desserts were just so delicious (try the warm brioche sweet bun with marzipan custard). Another great meal on this trip!

TIP: Alberta is known for their beef, so make sure to try the Alberta Beef Coulotte, and if you like duck, the duck breast was fantastic!

(Dinner at Aalto, Pyramid Lake Lodge)

5 Days in Banff and Jasper National Parks Day 4: Return to Banff, Peyto Lake, Gondola to Sulphur Mountain and an Evening on the Town. 

Day four meant it was time to leave Jasper National Park and head back to Banff. I so loved my time in Jasper and could have easily added more days here. But our five days were quickly coming to an end so we needed to get in as much as we could in the next two days.

Athabasca Falls

The first stop on our return trip to Banff was Athabasca Falls. These falls are considered some of the most powerful waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies. There are also several paved trails surrounding the falls so we were able to get out and walk around to see the falls. It really is such a cool stop, and I highly recommend adding it to your trip. 

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Peyto Lake Hike

Our second stop of the day was at Peyto Lake. If you were to ask me what my favorite stop was on the entire trip, it would be this one. It really did capture my heart. Shaped like a wolf head (and if you know me, you know how much I love wolves), Peyto Lake is truly one of the most stunning lakes in Jasper. The hike up to the lake is pretty short (about 15 minutes), but it’s no joke! It’s steep with high altitudes, so if you’re breaking heavier than you usually do, blame it on the altitude. But the view from the top is completely worth it! And my favorite pictures from the trip too! 

(Photo: Peyto Lake) 

Alternate Stop Option: Lake Louise

Although we didn’t stop at Lake Louise on this trip, it’s pretty much the most famous lake in the region. So if you want to add a stop as this stunning Lake Louise, it’s in the same area on the way between Banff and Jasper. 

TIP: Unlike Peyto or Maligne Lake, parking at Lake Louise can be an issue. On most days, the parking lots fill up early in the day. If you want to spend the day at Lake Louise, I highly suggest arriving as early as possible in the morning to get your spot – especially in high season. 

5 Days in Banff and Jasper National Parks: Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain

Once we reached Banff, we grabbed a quick sandwich at a sandwich shop in town and went straight to the Banff Gondola to have enough time before the sun went down. The ride up the mountain inside the gondola is so fun and from the top, you can see the entire Bow Valley and the town of Banff. There’s also a hike to the top, which takes around 2-3 hours to complete. Another cool feature is the Interactive educational kids area. There is tons of fun and educational stuff for kid’s there too! And don’t forget to walk the Banff Skywalk, which takes you to Sanson’s Peak Meteorological Observatory.  It’s about a 15-20 minute walk (one way), with views from the highest peak. 

TIP: Sunrise is an amazing time for the Gondola ride! Perfect location to see it in all its glory. 

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Shaft at Park Distillery

We had an impromptu moment of fun at Banff when our trip guide took us to a local distillery, Park Distillery, to try out a famous local drink – the Shaft. And I have to admit, it was pretty good! It consisted of cold brew, coffee liqueur, milk and vodka. Try it out when you’re in Banff and you’ll be a part of the Banff tradition! 

Elk & Avenue Hotel in Banff

It was finally time to check into the last hotel of our stay in Alberta, Elk & Ave. This hotel is such a great option for families because of its huge loft rooms! I was lucky to stay in one and check them out for myself. It includes two floors, the bottom with a living area that includes a dining table and couch that folds out to an additional sleeping space. And the upper loft includes two queen beds and an overlook of the lower level – it’s the perfect combo for larger families. And, again, it’s located right on the main street of Banff. 

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Brazen Restaurant inside Mount Royal Hotel in Banff

After we had some time to check out our last diggs of the trip, we headed back over to the Mount Royal Hotel to have our last dinner of the trip. Mount Royal also hosts Brazen restaurant, which is well-known for its local flavors with sophisticated dining. And when I say we went out with a bang, we really did! With an incredible selection of appetizers, specialized drinks, and dinner plates, eating at Brazen is truly an experience, not just a meal.

Ordering TIPS: My favorites were the Ramen Eggs, Swordfish, and Charred Broccolini. And their desserts are on a whole other level. We tried the Strawberry Fields, Creme Brûlée, and the chef’s version of Pavlova. All incredibly delicious!

5 Days in Banff and Jasper National Parks Day 4: Drive back to Calgary Airport and Flights Home

Since my flights back home weren’t until later in the afternoon, I was able to spend the morning walking around Banff and checking out a few local stores – and getting some last-minute souvenirs. The drive back to the airport was another 2 hours and then my flight leaving Calgary was at 3:50pm. I had another layover in San Francisco, and I finally landed back home at Phoenix Airport at 9:30pm.

This was honestly one of the BEST trips of my life, and there wasn’t anything that I wouldn’t recommend! All three hotels were incredible – out of the three, my favorite was the Pyramid Lake Lodge in Jasper National Park. And all of the activities were spectacular, too! It’s hard to choose one favorite, but a few of my tops were the Maligne Lake Boat Cruise, kayaking on Pyramid Lake, hiking up to see Peyto Lake, and the Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain.

(Photo: Aalto Outside Bar Seating)

5 Days in Banff and Jasper National Parks: How to Arrive

If you’re flying into either National Park, the two closest airports are Calgary International Airport (YCC) and Edmonton International Airport (YEG).

I flew into Calgary and took a 2-hour bus shuttle into Banff. There are a few different bus companies to choose from, and I used the Brewster Express. You can reserve a timeslot online, and they are located inside the airport at Exit 5 near on arrivals level. Super easy to find and the bus driver was full of great info about the area. 

From Banff, it’s another 3 ½ hours to arrive at Jasper National Park, depending on the amount of stops in between. Again, there are bus shuttles that will provide transportation from Banff to Jasper, as well as to Lake Louise. The transportation system inside Banff and Jasper is really spectacular and inexpensive. 

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