Calgary-Banff-Jasper trip

[Badknees104]

Planning a July '26 trip to Calgary stampede for a couple days , rent a car then head N to Banff and Jasper with the wife. looking for advice for 'don't miss' attractions in Calgary and also along the route to Jasper. Easy to Moderate hikes, waterfalls, lakes where we could rent a boat and do a little fishing, etc. and are there any lingering effects from the fires from a couple years ago? any areas we need to steer clear of? thanks in advance

 

[Rainer]

So there's not much fishing or boat rentals once you get past Canmore and into the national parks. Keep in mind that July is peak tourism and in the national parks if you want to see places like Lake Louise or Moraine Lake you have to reserve a parking spot, you might also need to book a shuttle to. Unless you're staying at the Fairmont. If you want some nice lookouts Take Hwy 1A instead of Hwy 1 once you leave Banff. It runs parallel to it but has way less traffic and theirs some nice photo opportunities.

If you have a couple hours to hike, Fairview mountain is pretty easy and so is little Beehive/Lake Agnes

 

[Wildabeest]

Riding Banff Gondola to the top of Sulfur Mountain provides some great views and some easy hiking once you’re up there. Restaurant and a nice interpretive center up there as well. You need to make reservations. Best to park at the main train station and take the bus to the Gondola.

 

[TexanSam]

Better brush up on your Australian if you want to understand the folks in Banff

 

[Badknees104]

thanks guys. exactly the info I am looking for.

 

[ovis2]

If this is your 1st time you absolutely have to do Lake Louise and Moraine Lake - even if you take the shuttle, really no big deal. The mountains and the waters are beyond amazing. Then hike around the lakes or take kayak or canoe out on the water. I am not much of an artist, but Lake Louise actually motivated me to attempt a painting . There are several waterfalls in the area, a nice hike is to Johnson Canyon Falls. Also, most people rightly recommend the various Fairmont Hot Springs, but the wife and I like Radium Hot Springs (on the road between Alberta and BC, between the parks) - just a cool vibe, carved into the cliffsides, although like all of them can get crowded.

 

[belshawelk]

Banff/Jasper park is one the most beautiful places on earth. Been there lots

 

[FamilyMan]

Wife and I drove most of the Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper. Absolutely worth it - amazing! Wish we could have made it all the way to Jasper but ran out of time. Don't know what impact the fire had.

 

[Bambistew]

if you can make it work, be there first light through last light to capture the best pictures. The views just off the highway in every direction are absolutely incredible. We'll be going back. We drove through from south to north of Banff, Yoho, and Jasper.

There was really not a lot of people when we went through (Labor day) compared to similar parks in the US. Lots of pull offs along the road to hike, and explore.

 

[bonedogg]

I live in Calgary.

For the Stampede rodeo, see if you can get seats in the infield or even better in the Lazy S saloon or Ranahans if you have some serious $$ or the upper levels in the shade and out of the rain if it does. Being in the sun all day can be tough, especially if having a few drinks. As mentioned above, Banff and Jasper are beautiful, Morraine lake is where you want to try fishing if possible( outside Jasper). You cant go wrong with hiring a guide on Lake Minnewanka either, just adjacent to Banff as well for Lake Trout and big Lake whitefish. Always a few wild critters on the side of the road or in either town site in the park. Calgary sure is expensive for rooms at that time but so is everywhere when its the best time to be there. I'm sure you will love the exchange rate for your US dollars and that balances things out a lot.

Whatever you do, don't make your way back to Calgary on a Sunday afternoon from Banff as the highways have been so busy the past few years during the summer its a crawl for about 50 kms as you get close. The last 50 KMS can take an hour or more if coming back from the mountains and getting caught in the choke point of traffic.

For those ten days every summer, almost everyone puts on their western wear and plays the part.

Greatest Outdoor show on Earth is what they call it!

 

[bonedogg]

Oh yeah, have fun and message me if you have any particular questions.

 

[Badknees104]

thanks again for the suggestions.. working on itinerary and will try to work in the lakes, waterfalls and hot springs - did the Thermopolis hot spring last Oct after deer hunt and loved it. will be driving up the Icefields Pky to Jasper. we are early risers and try to get going before the crowds..the infield at the Rodeo sounds good, will give Morraine Lake a look-might even try a guide. Bonedogg: might take you up on the pm-thanks all

 

[kwyeewyk]

We did a family trip up there when I was a kid, September and the elk were rutting. There was a big herd off the roadside with a huge 7x7 tearing the ground up with his antlers, then he whipped it out and pissed all over himself. My dad, always the comedian, said "Well, now we know why elk bugles are so high pitched!"

I haven't been back outside of winter for skiing, but it definitely stuck in my memories as one of the coolest places I've seen.

 

[Point Creep]

Scenery was decent. More bang for your miles on hiking than most anywhere I’ve seen. We went late June last year. Avoid the towns. Banff is like a mix of downtown Bozeman mixed with Vegas strip and the crowds of Disneyland.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Banff is like a mix of downtown Bozeman mixed with Vegas strip and the crowds of Disneyland.

Apt description! My wife and I enjoyed honeymoon in the mid-eighties at Banff and Lake Louise. Banff was a quaint, quiet walkable village with nice little shops and eateries.
We returned a few years ago and discovered what is described above. It took an hour to gas up vehicle. The bustling crowds, noise and sea of hurried humanity drove us out of Banff quickly. We are glad to have enjoyed it in it's pleasant yesteryear.
However, the surrounding area is magnificently glorious as an outdoor destination. 'So much to see; so many trails to explore; so many water, mountain, and Canadian Rockies' views to enjoy!

 

[npaden]

I would look into hiking on the ice fields instead of taking the fancy buses. Pretty neat from the bus but they don’t let you leave the little area where they park.


Morraine lake is probably better than lake Louise in my opinion but you would be crazy not to do both.





We did the little walk out on the glass walkway thingy and it was okay but not amazing.


I would look into booking a helicopter ride over the glaciers. The price wasn’t outrageous but we didn’t book early enough and so didn’t get to do it.