How to Spend 3 Days in Banff National Park
Established in 1885 as Canada’s first national park, Banff National Park is a place full of natural beauty. The Canadian Rockies’ soaring peaks, the many turquoise lakes, and the scenic hiking trails make this park an unforgettable destination. Our guide covers how to spend 3 days in Banff National Park and includes all the details you need to start planning your trip.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission from clicks and/or purchases made through affiliate links on our website.
More than 4.5 million people visit Banff National Park each year! (Don’t worry, we’ll tell you how to beat the crowds later on in this post.). It is the most visited of Canada’s national parks, and once you arrive, you’ll see why. With sights like turquoise Moraine Lake and scenic hiking trails like the Little Beehive, Banff National Park is a place everyone should visit at least once.
How to Get to Banff National Park
The easiest way to get to Banff National Park is by flying into Calgary International Airport. The park is about a 2 hour drive from the airport. We combined our trip to Banff with a trip to Washington state, so we flew into Spokane International Airport and drove about 6 and a half hours to get to the park. The only reason we did this was to avoid the headache of renting a car in one country and returning it in another. While the drive was scenic, we would highly recommend flying into Calgary.
Best Time to Visit
If you’re wanting to fully experience Banff National Park, late June through September is the best time to visit.
Is a rental car really necessary?
If you fly into Calgary International Airport, there are several shuttle services that will take you to Banff.
Discover Banff Tours
Adult (18+): $78
Child (6-17): $39
Infant (0-5): $0
Senior (65+): $70
Reservations should be made in advance. Prices are CAD.
Banff Airporter
Adults (18-64): $79.99 one-way, $159.98 round trip
Seniors (65+): $71.99 one-way, $143.98 round trip
Children (6-17): $39.99 one-way, $79.98 roundtrip
Children under 5 are free.
Reservations should be made in advance. Prices are in CAD.
Once you arrive in Banff, Roam Public Transit has buses that operate daily to take guests to main points of interest inside and outside the park. Roam Public Transit fares vary based on where you’re going. More information on fares can be found here.
The Parks Canada shuttles operate within the park to take guests to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Reservations must be made in advance. Moraine Lake Road is now closed to personal vehicles, so the park shuttle is one of the only ways to get to Moraine Lake. We were able to book a sunrise shuttle to enjoy Moraine Lake without the crowds. More information can be found in the blog post below.
Read More: How to Beat the Crowds at Moraine Lake
While there are several options for getting around the park and Banff town, we would recommend renting a car to maximize your time in the park. Waiting for a bus or shuttle every time you want to venture out can take up a lot of your day.
Where to Stay
Known as Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies”, this luxury hotel is a popular choice when visiting Banff.
Located on Sulphur Mountain, this resort has beautiful views of the Bow River. They also offer spa services and have on-site dining options.
The Canalta Lodge is a trendy place to stay with contemporary rooms and many amenities. Some of their rooms are pet friendly, there are hot tubs for guests to enjoy, and a coffee shop on site.
This mountain resort has condos available with full kitchens, a fireplace, and access to the property’s hot tub and pool. The Hidden Ridge also offers bike rentals and gives guests a complimentary Banff Local ROAM bus pass.
This cozy lodge has an inviting atmosphere and guests can enjoy the on site spa.
How to Spend 3 Days in Banff National Park
Day 1
On your first day in Banff National Park, spend some time exploring one of the parks bluest lakes, Peyto Lake. The hike to Peyto Lake is more like a short walk from the parking area. There is a viewing platform that overlooks the lake, however this platform is often crowded. If you leave the platform, you can walk further down to find a quieter spot to take in the amazing view.
Combine your trip to Peyto Lake with a trip to Bow Lake too. These two lakes are only about 5 minutes apart. You are able to walk around the lakeshore to get some amazing pictures and really appreciate the scenic view.
Day 2
Get ready to wake up early for your second day in the park. Start your day by heading to Lake Louise via the park shuttle (prior reservations are required) or drive and park at the Lake Louise parking lot. This parking lot is normally full by 6 am, so if you want to secure a spot, you’ll want to arrive early. Parking is $21 per vehicle per day. Pay stations are at the front of the parking lot.
Once you’ve secured a parking spot and paid for parking, head to the shores of Lake Louise. Spend some time taking in the morning views of the lake before starting your hike. Walk past the Fairmont, and you’ll see the trailhead on the right. Look for signs that mark the Lake Agnes Trail; this is how you will access the Little Beehive Trail. It is a 5.7 moderately challenging out and back trail. The elevation had us extra winded…pack plenty of snacks and water and take your time. The views of Lake Louise from above are SO worth it!
If you have any energy left, head into Banff town. There are so many quaint shops and restaurants to enjoy as well as a Banff sign if you like a cute photo op.
Day 3
Your final day in Banff National Park is going to start early again, but we promise its worth the early wake up. You can’t visit Banff National Park without experiencing sunrise at Moraine Lake. However, this is extremely difficult to do now that Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles. You could hike or bike to the lake, or you could book a private shuttle. The shuttle option is the one we chose on our trip. There are a few third party companies that have access to Moraine Lake before the park shuttles start running for the day. We booked a sunrise shuttle with Moraine Lake Bus Company. We met our shuttle at Samson Mall inside the park, checked in with our driver, and left for the lake by 4 am. We made it to the lake by 4:35 am, well before sunrise. We had plenty of time to make it to our viewing spot at the top of the Rockpile Trail, and there were only two other people up there! The shuttle returns at 7:15 am or 7:40 am, depending on the choice you make during the booking process. We chose 7:40 am, but they had room for us at 7:15 am, so we left early. We loved our experience and felt that we had plenty of time to take photos, watch the sunrise, and explore the lakeshore a bit.
To end your time in Banff National Park, we recommend driving part of the Icefields Parkway. For a full list of the best scenic stops on this route, click here.
Read More: Travel Planning Made Easy
Banff National Park is one of the most visited national parks. Its beauty is unparalleled and pictures don’t do it justice. You just have to see it for yourself. Enjoy your trip and drop a comment below if you have any questions or need any more recommendations.
