Vancouver To Banff |5 Day Road Trip
Over the years, I have done dozens and dozens of road trips around North America, and one of my favourite drives is from Vancouver to Banff. In 2018 this was the first solo road trip that I went on. After a year of working in the trades, I took my first vacation, and of course, I used this time to embark on my first multi-week solo trip. Little did I know, but that trip changed my life; this was the first time I had been truly alone. This trip forced me out of my comfort zone and to meet new people. ( I used to be quiet and hated meeting new people, the funny thing is that now five years later, I’m the complete opposite, hahaha.)
I captured photos that began to grow my accounts and helped me score jobs with my dream clients. Since 2018 I have taken 294 road trips to Banff, ranging from a quick weekend trip to multi-week adventures. At this point, you could say I know a spot or two there. In this blog, I will cover every spot you must visit while on this road trip, where to eat, where to stay and the hidden gems you must see while on this adventure.
Listed below is a complete trip itinerary for you to use :)
Day one
To get to Banff, you can either drive all the way there in one day or take two or three days to get there. Depending on the amount of time you have, I would recommend taking two to three days to get there; then, you won't miss anything. Day 1: Today will be the longest day on the trip. We will be driving 565km ( 6hr ) from Vancouver to Revelstoke. This will be the most tedious part of the trip, so I recommend getting this part done as soon as possible. No spots are worth stopping on this part of the trip.
Where to stay
Once you arrive in Revelstoke, you will have a few accommodations choices.
Free places to stay.
If you are car camping and are on a budget, I would recommend downloading the app called iOverlander. On a few trips, I have used this app and have found a few amazing car camping spots in and around the town of Revelstoke.
Hotels
If you want to spend the evening relaxing in a hot tub and cooking a homemade meal, I highly recommend staying at Basecamp Resorts. This is always my go-to spot. You can rent a luxury Suite which includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, etc., for around $150.00 a night.
Dinner
For dinner, you need to venture out into the town of Revelstoke. The town has that classic Canadian mountain small-town feel. From cozy cafes to casual fine dining, you'll find what you're looking for. My go-to spot is always The Taco Club; this place is a 10/10. Here, you'll find the best-tasting tacos on this side of the Rockies.
Day Two
Today we will drive from Revelstoke to Emerland Lake (2 hours 30 min drive). Today is when you will get your first glimpse of the rocky mountains, so ensure you have your cameras ready! I recommend starting at the crack of dawn so you have as much time as possible to see everything and get as many photos as possible. From Revelstoke, hop on the highway and drive to Emerald lake lodge. As soon as you arrive, you will be treated to one of the most beautiful hotels in the Canadian Rockies. If it's in your budget, I highly recommend spending a night here. Once you arrive at the lake, you will have a variety of options. If you would like a more relaxed morning, head over to the lodge and enjoy one of the best meals of your life. If you're in the mood for an adventure, there are plenty of hikes in this area. Check out All Trails for a full list.
If you choose to continue your journey to Banff ( 1hr 5min )drive, then I would recommend leaving Emerald Lake around noon. Here you will begin to see some of the most beautiful mountains in North America. Note: you will be entering a National park, so keep your speed limit below 90km, as the fines here are extremely expensive, and if you have a drone, don't fly it in any of the parks as it's highly illegal and if you get caught the penalties can be quite severe.
On your drive to Banff, I highly recommend stopping off at a few of the rest stops that are on the side of the road. There isn't one that has a bad view.
As you enter Banff national park, you will see signs for Lake Louise; take Exit 258 and make your way up to the lake. Once you arrive, you will be treated to and glacier-fed alpine blue lake that is within walking distance of the car. Here you can walk around the lake to get various views of the Fairmount Hotel (it's basically a castle ) as well as the surrounding peaks. If you are feeling brave, take a polar plunge into the lake, or you can rent a canoe for an afternoon paddle.
After visiting this lake, I would recommend heading over to Moraine Lake, but unfortunately, they closed off access to it last year. At the time of this writing, I am unsure of how to reach the lake without walking for a few hours. After you have had your fill of Lake Louise, hop in your car and make your way to the town of Banff (40 min away).
Where to stay?
Unfotully it is illegal to car cap outside of a campground in Banff National Park, so you have to stay in a designated camp spot unless you want to risk a hefty fine and getting banned from National Parks. If you think they don't check, trust me, they do. I know multiple people who have received warnings.
Cheap option ( $20-$75 a night)
If you're looking to rough it, you can choose to stay at Tunnel View Campground. It's about a 5 min drive from the town center, but it feels like you are in the middle of the mountains. If you have the option, try to snag a campsite on the perimeter of the campground. That way, you can wake up to the mountains being lit up by the first light of the day.
Hotels
Banff has a variety of hotels to choose from. Listed below are a few of my favourite locations
Mount Royal Hotel ( $224-$359 per night)
Located in the heart of iconic Banff Avenue, the Mount Royal Hotel is surrounded by some of the top restaurants and shops in the town, and if you want to experience the nightlife, this is the perfect hotel to stay in. The hotel offers a unique experience with there hot tub, which is located on the roof of the 100-year-old building and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges that tower over the town.
Elk + Avenue Hotel ($259-$349 per night)
Elk + Avenue Hotel brings an upscale twist to the classic mountain escape. Whether you're looking for a relaxing night away from it all or an action-packed getaway filled with adventure, our modern spaces effortlessly blend style and comfort to make you feel right at home as you explore the best of Banff.
BASECAMP SUITES BANFF ($299- $769)
BASECAMP SUITES is a hotel in Banff that offers a unique experience. If you are travelling with a group, I would recommend staying here as you are basically getting an entire apartment. The price is above the average hotel in Banff, but you do get a full kitchen, so if you choose to take advantage of this option, you will save a bit of money from eating out.
Evening activity
Once you have checked into your hotel, you can either head out to watch the sunset or head into the town for dinner. For dinner tonight, I highly recommend going to the restaurant called Farm & Fire. This is one of my favourite locations to dine in Banff, no matter which meal you go to. If you do go here for breakfast, ask if they have the cinnamon buns ( you won't regret it )
After dinner, if there is still daylight, head over to Two Jack Lake ( 15 min drive) to watch the sunset. On the way there, you may be treated with a sighting of wolves, elk or a moose eating in the field.
Day 3
If you are a photographer, wake up at dawn and head to Vermillion Lakes to shoot sunrise. Vermilion Lakes is the ultimate photo spot in the town of Banff. It's a must-see and an experience you will never forget. The second you arrive, you'll see why.
After sunrise, head back into the town of Banff for breakfast, and you can choose to grab something quick from Timmies or head back to Farm & Fire for a meal.
Once you have filled up, head back to your hotel and pack your bag, today, we're going on a little hike to Johnston Canyon. It's 100% free, there's not much of an elevation gain, and the trail is often well-groomed, so it's accessible to pretty much every able-bodied person. You will traverse along the iron catwalks bolted into the canyon walls and down paths that lead over, under and right through limestone cliffs. At the end of the 1.2km walk, you'll venture through a small cave to come face to face with a roaring waterfall mere meters away.
To get back to the car, it will take you about 30 min. The next part of the day, drive down the Bow Valley Parkway to the town of Banff. On this road, you will get stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Once you get back to Banff, take some time walking around the historic town.
For the late afternoon/evening, we are heading up on the gondola ($60) to Sulpher Mountain. This is one of the most unique experiences in Banff, especially if you want to reach and watch the sunset from the summit of a mountain. At the summit, you will be treated to breathtaking scenes of six mountain ranges, the Bow Valley and the little town of Banff. You must visit the Sky Bistro ( $19-$60), which offers a world-class dining experience above the clouds. Meals range from, or the Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen ($30-$50) offers an exceptional menu in a casual atmosphere.
Day 4
Today is going to be an early morning. Make sure you pack some snacks and your hiking boots because you’re about to spend the next 8 hours driving down one of the most beautiful roads in the world and visiting the world-famous Peyto Lake.
To start off your day, drive from Banff to Lake Louise (40min drive). At Lake Louise, fill up your car with gas because this will be the last gas station. Note the next gas station is in Jasper which is 233km away, and there is no cell service on the highway. In your google maps, put in the stop as Bow Lake, the second stop , Peyto Lake, the third and final stop Columbia Icefield
Stop One Bow Lake
You have most likely seen a video of this lake on Tiktok or Instagram. Here you can pull off into the parking lot and take a short walk down to the lake to take in the stunning views of the surrounding vistas. If you are up for it there are various hikes that start at this lake and head up to the surrounding mountains.
Stop two: Peyto Lake
This is that wolf-shaped lake that always goes viral on social media. Peyto Lake is one of the most famous lakes in Banff National Park. The lake is a vibrant blue which is fed by the Peyto Glacier high above the lake and part of the Wapta Icefield. The viewpoint is one of the most picturesque lookouts in all of Banff National Park and a super popular spot for photographers, so don't be surprised when you see large crowds here. The turn-off for the hike will be just up the hill from bow lake on your left-hand side.
The walk to Peyto Lake: It's a 2.4-km loop. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 46 min to complete.
Final stop
Ice Explorer Tour
From Peyto Lake, head back onto the highway and continue driving 80km (45 min) to the Columbia Icefields. Here you will get stunning views of the glaciers that encase the rocky mountains. If you are up for an adventure, you can book the Ice Explorer Tour ($85), which takes you up onto the Athabasca Glacier.
Food
If the restaurant is open, you can grab a buffy-style dinner at the Altitude and Chalet restaurants which is located in the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre.
Heading back to Banff
After dinner, hop back into your car and enjoy a sunset drive back to the town of Banff.
Day Five
Today is your final full day in Banff. To start off your morning, you must head over to Good Earth Coffee to grab a bite and a cup of joe.
For today's adventure, we're going on a boat ride around Lake Minnewanka. This is one of Banff’s most popular destinations. Here you will get treated to stunning views of the towering mountain peaks and glaciers that feed the lake.
To book your curies here
Dinner
One of my favourite restaurants in Banff is called Brazen, which is located in the historic Mount Royal Hotel. Meals range from $8-$59 MENU. If you do end up going here, I highly recommend trying the GINGER BEEF. Just thinking about it right now is making my mouth water
Star gazing
Before leaving Banff, you must sacrifice one night and head out to Vermillion Lakes and spend a few hours star gazing. If you are lucky, you may even get treated to the unique experience of seeing the Northern Lights.