HOW TO SPEND 72 HOURS IN BANFF NATIONAL PARK, CANADA

Summary

This video script offers a comprehensive travel guide to Banff National Park, Canada's first national park, highlighting the stunning Rockies, alpine lakes, and glaciers. It covers essential visitor tips, transportation, accommodations, and a 72-hour itinerary filled with family-friendly activities, top hikes, and scenic tours. The guide also advises on annual passes, parking, and dining options, ensuring a memorable weekend trip.

Takeaways

• 🏞️ Banff National Park is Canada's first national park, featuring stunning landscapes such as the Rocky Mountains, alpine lakes, glaciers, and more.
• 👍 The video creator asks for a thumbs up and subscription to support their channel, and mentions other top 10 travel guides available for Banff, Yoho, and Jasper National Parks.
• 🚫 There are strict rules in Banff National Park: no drones, maintain distance from wildlife, carry bear spray when hiking, and check for fire bans before starting a fire.
• 📞 Visitor center contact information is provided for those needing more details or assistance during their visit.
• 🎟 An annual Discovery Parks pass is recommended for those planning to stay longer, as it offers entrance to multiple parks and can be more cost-effective than daily admission.
• 🚗 The best way to explore Banff is by having a car, either by driving to the park or renting one after flying into Calgary International Airport.
• 🛏 Accommodation options include hotels in Banff or Canmore, or camping in designated campgrounds within the park.
• 🗺 The video lists several wheelchair and family-friendly locations, as well as top hikes and tours for visitors to consider.
• 📅 A 72-hour itinerary is suggested, starting with an easy day at Johnson Canyon and Moraine Lake, followed by a sunrise hike at Lake Louise and a visit to Pato Lake, ending with a relaxing final day with a tour option.
• 🚍 Shuttle services are available for Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, with tips provided on how to avoid them by arriving early or using alternative transportation.
• 🍽 The video recommends several dining options in Lake Louise Village and Banff for breakfast, dinner, and takeout.

Q & A

What is the significance of Banff National Park in Canada?

Banff National Park is significant as it is Canada's first national park and is known for its stunning landscapes, including the Rocky Mountains, aqua blue and green Alpine Lakes, glaciers, and more. It serves as the flagship of Canada's Park system.

What is the recommended way to support the creator of the travel guide video?

The recommended way to support the creator is by giving the video a thumbs up and subscribing to the channel.

What are the top 10 travel guides available on the channel?

The channel has top 10 travel guides for Banff, Yoho, and Jasper National Parks.

What are the key rules to follow when visiting Banff National Park?

Key rules include no drones allowed, keeping a distance from wildlife, not feeding any wildlife, carrying bear spray when hiking in the backcountry, and checking for current fire bans before having a fire at campgrounds.

What is the cost of an annual Discovery Parks pass for an adult and a family?

The annual Discovery Parks pass costs $72 for an adult and $145 for a family group or couple.

What is the recommended mode of transportation to get to Banff National Park?

For those within a 12-hour drive, driving is recommended as it can be cheaper than flights and renting a car. For others, flying into Calgary International Airport and then renting a car is the way to go.

What are the three main accommodation options in Banff National Park?

The three main accommodation options are hotels in Banff, hotels in Canmore, and campgrounds.

What is the importance of Moraine Lake in Banff National Park?

Moraine Lake is considered the crowned jewel of Banff National Park and is arguably one of the most famous Alpine Lakes in the world, known for its breathtaking views and as a trailhead to many great hikes.

What are some of the best hikes in Banff National Park mentioned in the script?

Some of the best hikes mentioned include Lake Paddle, Big Beehive, Lake Agnes Tea House, Mount St. Piran, Fairview Mountain, Large Valley Sentinel Pass, and Consolation Lakes.

What are the two main day tours suggested for Banff National Park?

The two main day tours suggested are a cruise along Lake Minnewanka and a visit to Cave and Basin National Historic Site.

What are the costs for the Lake Minnewanka Cruise and Cave and Basin National Historic Site?

The Lake Minnewanka Cruise costs 61 Canadian dollars for the classic one-hour tour, while Cave and Basin costs 8 dollars and 50 cents per adult, with seniors above 65 costing 7 dollars and anyone under 17 being free.

Outlines

00:00

🏞️ Exploring Banff National Park: A Comprehensive Travel Guide

This paragraph introduces the video as a comprehensive travel guide to Banff National Park, Canada's first national park, highlighting its stunning landscapes including the Rocky Mountains, alpine lakes, glaciers, and more. The guide is tailored for a weekend trip, covering essential information such as no-drone zones, wildlife viewing etiquette, fire bans, and visitor center contact details. It also discusses the annual Discovery Parks pass, transportation options including driving and flying into Calgary International Airport, and accommodation choices ranging from hotels to campgrounds. The paragraph concludes with a teaser for the upcoming itinerary and activities.

05:01

🚗 72-Hour Itinerary for Banff National Park Adventure

The second paragraph outlines a potential 72-hour itinerary for visitors to Banff National Park. It suggests starting with a visit to Johnston Canyon followed by an afternoon at Moraine Lake, known as the park's crown jewel. The summary includes details on hiking options, dining recommendations in Lake Louise Village and Banff, and accommodation tips. The next day's agenda features an early morning at Lake Louise for sunrise, with a range of hiking trails to choose from, and a visit to nearby Pato Lake. The paragraph also mentions the Fairmont Chateau at Lake Louise and ends with a suggestion for a relaxing final day, choosing between a Lake Minnewanka cruise or a visit to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. Additionally, it provides information on shuttle services for Moraine and Lake Louise.

10:02

🌅 Wrapping Up the Banff Experience and Further Exploration

The final paragraph serves as a conclusion to the video script, encouraging viewers to like and subscribe for more travel content. It also invites viewers to explore other travel guides on the channel for more information on Banff and other parks in the Canadian Rockies. The summary emphasizes the vastness of Banff National Park and the idea that even with limited time, the provided itinerary offers a rich and fulfilling experience, with the possibility of discovering more through extended visits or additional resources.

Keywords

💡Banff National Park

Banff National Park is Canada's first national park, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes that include the Rocky Mountains, alpine lakes, glaciers, and more. It is a central theme of the video, showcasing the park as a prime destination for travelers seeking natural beauty and outdoor activities. The script mentions various activities and locations within the park that visitors can explore during their stay.

💡72-hour itinerary

A 72-hour itinerary is a suggested three-day plan for visitors to make the most of their time in Banff National Park. The video's theme revolves around providing a comprehensive guide for a weekend trip, highlighting key attractions, activities, and tips to maximize the visitor's experience within this time frame.

💡Accommodations

Accommodations refer to the various types of lodging options available for visitors in Banff National Park, including hotels in Banff and Canmore, as well as campgrounds. The script discusses the cost, convenience, and location of these options, which is crucial for planning a comfortable and accessible stay.

💡Hiking

Hiking is a major activity in the video's content, with Banff National Park offering numerous trails for visitors to explore. The script lists several recommended hikes, such as Lake Agnes, the big beehive, and Plain of Six Glaciers, emphasizing the park's diverse and accessible outdoor recreational opportunities.

💡Wildlife

The script advises viewers on how to responsibly enjoy the wildlife in Banff National Park, stressing the importance of keeping a safe distance, not approaching, and not feeding any animals encountered. This highlights the park's commitment to wildlife conservation and visitor safety.

💡Fire bans

Fire bans are restrictions on open fires within the park to prevent wildfires. The script mentions that visitors should check for current fire bans before starting a fire at campgrounds, underscoring the importance of fire safety during a visit.

💡Visitor centers

Visitor centers provide essential information and assistance to visitors in Banff National Park. The script provides addresses and phone numbers for these centers, indicating their role in offering guidance and support to enhance the visitor experience.

💡Discovery Parks pass

The Discovery Parks pass is an annual pass mentioned in the script that offers entrance to Banff National Park, as well as Yoho and Jasper National Parks. It is a cost-effective option for visitors planning to explore multiple parks, emphasizing the value of the pass for extended stays.

💡Calgary International Airport

Calgary International Airport is the primary airport for visitors flying into the region. The script describes it as the gateway for accessing Banff National Park by rental car, highlighting its significance in the logistics of reaching the park.

💡Campgrounds

Campgrounds are an alternative accommodation option within Banff National Park, offering a more immersive experience in nature. The script discusses various campgrounds, such as Tunnel Mountain Village and Lake Louise, and mentions the importance of checking for established campgrounds and avoiding wild camping.

💡Day tours

Day tours are organized activities that visitors can participate in to explore Banff National Park. The script suggests options like a cruise on Lake Minnewanka and a visit to Cave and Basin National Historic Site, providing examples of how visitors can engage with the park's attractions in a structured manner.

Highlights

Banff National Park is Canada's first national park, featuring stunning landscapes such as Rocky Mountains, aqua blue Alpine Lakes, glaciers, and more.

This video serves as a comprehensive travel guide for a weekend trip to Banff, covering everything from accommodations to the best hikes and tours.

A request for viewers to support the channel by liking and subscribing is made, with a note on other top 10 travel guides available.

Drones are prohibited in Banff National Park, with a potential fine of $25,000 for violations.

Wildlife viewing guidelines are provided, emphasizing the importance of keeping a safe distance and not feeding the animals.

Carry bear spray when hiking in the backcountry due to potential encounters with bears.

Fire bans are common in the park; visitors should check for current bans before starting a fire.

Contact information for Banff National Park visitor centers is provided for additional information needs.

An annual Discovery Parks pass is recommended for visitors planning to stay longer than 72 hours, offering value and access to multiple parks.

Driving to Banff is suggested for those within a 12-hour drive, as it can be more cost-effective than flying.

Calgary International Airport is the entry point for non-local visitors, with a 90-minute drive to downtown Banff.

Accommodation options in Banff range from hotels, which are the most expensive, to campgrounds offering various levels of amenities.

Canmore offers a mid-tier pricing option for hotels and is conveniently located 20 minutes from Banff.

Camping is a popular and affordable option, with several campgrounds near downtown Banff and in more remote mountain locations.

Wild camping is not allowed in Banff National Park, and recommended campgrounds are suggested for a safe and legal experience.

A list of wheelchair and family-friendly locations, hikes, and tours is provided to cater to a wide range of visitors.

A potential 72-hour itinerary is outlined, starting with an easy day at Johnson Canyon and Moraine Lake, followed by more adventurous hikes on day two.

Day three of the itinerary suggests a relaxing tour, such as a Lake Minnewanka Cruise or a visit to Cave and Basin National Historic Site.

Shuttle tips are provided for Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, with advice on early arrival to avoid the need for shuttles.

The video concludes with a reminder to like and subscribe for more travel guides and information on Banff and other Canadian Rockies parks.

Transcripts

[Music]

what's going on everybody today we're

diving into the heart of the Canadian

Rockies Banff National Park this was

actually Canada's first national park

where you can expect jaw-dropping Rocky

Mountains aqua blue and green Alpine

Lakes glaciers and so much more Banff is

the flagship of Canada's Park system

this will be a comprehensive travel

guide for those visiting for a weekend

trip and this guide will have everything

you need to know to spend 72 hours here

before we dive in though I'd like to ask

for you to give this video a thumbs up

and subscribe to the channel it's a

quick and easy way to support me as a

Creator and I'd also like to note that I

have top 10 travel guides on my channel

for Banff Yoho and Jasper National Park

in this video for Banff I'll be going

over how to get here accommodations the

best hikes and accessible places to

visit the best tours and so much more

but for now let's Dive Right In This is

how to spend 72 hours in Banff National

Park Canada

I'd like to start the video off with

some quick notes that every visitor

should know first off there are no

drones allowed in Banff National Park

and if you break this rule you could

face a 25 000 fine if you see wildlife

whether on a hike or while driving

please enjoy viewing the wildlife but

keep your distance stay in your car and

do not approach or feed any wildlife and

if you're hiking in the backcountry you

should always carry bear spray there are

often fire bans throughout the park and

at campgrounds so before you have one

please make sure to check if there are

any current fire bans and lastly here

are the addresses and phone numbers to

the visitor centers for Banff National

Park in case you need more information

for your visit or while you're on your

trip every time we come to the Canadian

Rockies we buy an annual Discovery Parks

pass which is 72 dollars for an adult

and 145 dollars for a family group or

couple daily admission is 21 for a

family or group so the past that you're

gonna need is going to depend on how

long you're here if you do have more

than 72 hours it's probably worth

getting the annual pass and it's worth

noting that this also includes entrance

to Yoho National Park and Jazz Jasper

National Park first thing let's talk

about getting to Banff I have Road Trip

the Canadian Rockies on four different

trips it's one of our favorite summer

destinations so for us we always get

here by driving and if you're within a

12 hour drive I would personally

recommend driving this may sound like a

lot but it will be cheaper than getting

flights and a rental car I personally

think that having a car even if it's a

rental is very necessary to properly

explore Banff and if you don't live

anywhere near Banff you're going to need

to fly into Calgary International

Airport and then get a rental car I

almost always use Google flights to find

the cheapest and most flexible flights

but it's worth cross-checking this with

Expedia because on Expedia you can book

a flight and a rental car together and

sometimes the bundle discount is worth

booking on here now once you land in

Calgary you're going to get your rental

car and then it's only 90 minutes to

downtown Banff the drive will be nothing

special in the beginning but before you

know it you will be surrounded by the

Canadian Rockies also almost every hotel

and Campground includes parking and for

the very few that don't include it in

the rate it's just a surcharge so you'll

be able to park everywhere once you're

in Banff there are three main options

for accommodations a hotel and Banff a

hotel in Canmore or a campground Banff

is not a cheap place to visit so hotels

here are going to be the most expensive

but the most convenient when it comes to

location the next option let's call it a

mid-tier for price is a hotel in Canmore

and if you are planning on doing any

hikes in Beau Valley spray Valley

canonasties or Peter luhey Canmore may

actually be the better option

nonetheless Kenmore and ban for only a

20 minute drive from each other so both

are great as far as location goes next

up is camping whether it's tent camping

car camping or a place with an RV hookup

wild camping is not allowed in Banff

National Park so you shouldn't even try

it you'll get woken up and find but some

great campgrounds that are pretty big

and right near downtown Banff are Tunnel

Mountain Village one Tunnel Mountain RV

park two and two Jackman Campground by

Lake Minnewanka which is the second

longest lake in the mountain parks of

the Canadian Rockies if you want to be

more in the heart of the mountains and

not in a Town Lake Louise Campground is

a location that can't be beat and on our

most recent trip we camped at Three

Sisters Campground just a few miles from

Canmore and we loved it it's first come

first serve which was great for us since

we never really planned things too far

ahead of time although the amenities are

limited here but for us it was great as

a last minute option for campgrounds we

use ioverlander mobile app and use the

filter to search for established

campgrounds and we also will just search

campgrounds on Google Maps and more

options will pop up

for this next part of the video I'm

going to list a handful of places to

visit wheelchair and family friendly

locations hikes and tours to do then

after this I will go into a potential

72-hour itinerary so the best wheelchair

accessible and family-friendly places to

visit include Moraine Lake Lake Louise

the Fairmont Chateau Bow Lake and the

Crowfoot Glacier my favorite hikes

include pado Lake the big bee hive in

Lake Agnes Tea House Mount St param

Fairview Mountain large Valley Sentinel

pass consolation Lakes Johnston Canyon

and this is really just scratching the

surface there's so many incredible hikes

in Banff National Park and lastly some

awesome day tours in Banff that you can

do include a cruise along lake

winnowanka and a visit to cave and Basin

National Historic Site alright so let's

talk a potential 72-hour itinerary if

you drive to Banff or you fly to Calgary

and rent a car and on day one let's say

you arrive at 10 A.M to ban Hotel

check-in hasn't started yet so we're

going to dive right into the adventures

day one will start easy and we'll

include a visit to Johnson Canyon as

it's on the way to our main destination

after this Johnson Canyon is a beautiful

hike that is 3.3 miles round trip with

862 feet of elevation gain to the Upper

Falls but if you want to shorten the

hike you can go to just the lower Falls

and it's going to be 1.4 miles round

trip with 344 feet of elevation game

this is a very beautiful hike but it

will be busy after a morning hike in

Johnson Canyon we're going to head to

Moraine Lake to spend the afternoon here

I'll talk shuttles and parking later in

the video but once you get to Moraine

Lake you will be at the crowned Jewel of

Banff National Park this is arguably the

most famous Alpine Lake in the entire

world it's probably even been your

computer screen saver at one point the

Lakeside views are amazing and if you

want to get on the water you can rent a

canoe it's very expensive but it's one

of those once in a lifetime bucket list

things to do like doing a canal ride in

Venice this is also the trailhead to

many great hikes from consolation Lakes

to large Valley Sentinel pass Tower of

Babel and Minnesota lakes to name a few

take your pick because none of these are

going to disappoint then after this long

afternoon you're going to be tired and

it's 10 to get settled into your

accommodation but on the way I want to

mention a few food spots that you can

stop at for a good bite to eat in Lake

Louise Village we really like Trailhead

Cafe and lagan's Bakery these are more

so breakfast stops but definitely places

you want to get food at at some point

and then in Band of some great places

for dinner include the Bison restaurant

The Old Spaghetti Factory farm and fire

the maple leaf and El Toro the

restaurants here can get pricey though

so if you're looking for a more

affordable alternative there's some

great takeout options in town on day two

we're going to start bright and early

and head to Lake Louise and I mean early

we're going for Sunrise this is for two

reasons one it's beautiful and two

you'll actually be able to drive there

yourself before the parking lot fills up

parking here typically is full before 7

A.M it's 21 per vehicle although if you

do Miss Parking and you have to take the

shuttle parking is free at the park and

ride you're going to spend a beautiful

morning at Lake Louise and then from

here you can begin any of the following

hikes Lake Agnes the big beehive plain

of six glaciers Mount St Paran Fairview

mountain or Devil's Thumb like the the

Moraine Lake hikes you won't be

disappointed by any of these afterwards

you can explore the Fairmont Chateau at

Lake Louise which is one of the most

incredible hotels in the Canadian

Rockies you'll only be able to access a

few parts of the hotel unless you're

staying there as a guest but it's worth

the Stop and there's some gift shops

some places to grab some art and a few

places to get food inside after the busy

morning we're gonna head to Pato Lake

which is another stunning Alpine Lake

that's a 1.5 mile round trip hike with

324 feet of elevation gain and this is

going to get you to all of the

viewpoints of pedo Lake and look closely

while you're here because the right side

of the lake resembles a wolf's head

which is really really cool then after

this you're going to start heading back

towards Banff but there's one more quick

roadside stop and that's going to be Bow

Lake which is right on the side of the

road off of the ice Fields Parkway it's

a beautiful and quick stop and from here

you can also see the Crowfoot Glacier

above this is going to end day two in

Banff National Park

now on day three we're gonna wake up and

have a relaxing last day and this is the

perfect time to do a tour so we're gonna

pick between Lake Minnewanka Cruise or

cave and Basin National Historic Site

the cruise cost 61 Canadian dollars for

their classic one hour tour they have a

few other options but this is most

likely the one you'll do and it's the

most popular one for cave and Basin it's

gonna cost eight dollars and fifty cents

per adult seniors above 65 cost seven

dollars and anyone under 17 is free and

with this you can also get a thermal

Waters pass if you'd like to add that on

after this it's going to be towards the

end of the 72 hours and this will bring

the itinerary to a close as you make

your way to the airport or on to your

next destination and now to talk about

shuttles I want to give you guys a few

quick tips the main two shuttles in

question are Lake Louise and Moraine

Lake but as I mentioned for Lake Louise

it's worth being an early bird to avoid

this shuttle as you can drive right to

the lake before 7am so I won't touch

much on this one however as of 2023

Moraine Lake Road is now closed to

personal vehicles so you have to take a

Parks Canada shuttle over the years you

used to be able to core parking spot

before 8 am then 7 am then 5 a.m and now

it's just close to personal vehicles

which is a bummer but this is what the

Park Service had to do due to the demand

and number of visitors to the lake you

can reserve a seat on the Park's Canada

shuttle ahead of time 40 of the tickets

are released for reservation in the

spring and the remaining 60 of seats are

released 48 hours in advance of

departure another option is to take the

Rome Transit shuttle which is an

alternate option to visit Moraine Lake

that is not ran by the park service and

this is something you can do in town

like most places you can explore band

for weeks or months or years and you

will still not see it all but with jobs

travel time budgets sometimes we only

have a weekend to visit new places so I

hope this travel guide and 72-hour

itinerary has been helpful thanks so

much for watching and again if you

haven't already please give this video a

thumbs up and subscribe to the channel

and if you want to see more of Banff and

other parks in the Canadian Rockies

please check out some of my other Canada

travel guides on the channel hope to see

you guys later thanks so much for

watching