Canadian Rockies / Banff / Jasper / Yoho

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Lake Louise Village marks the start of the Icefields Parkway (93N). This is the main drag connecting Lake Louise and Jasper and it is where you will be spending your next two days.

The drive to Yoho, your next stop, takes 3.5-4 hours, and since you’ve already made your stops on the Icefields Parkway, you can drive it straight. However, I’d plan to leave Jasper no later than 2 PM to make sure you have plenty of daylight to drive all the way to Yoho. The park has multiple viewpoints where you can stop for photographs and refreshments. The best part is, you can walk as much as you like and withdraw from the trail when you’re done for the day. Hike down to Six Glaciers Tea House: This tea house is not as remotely crowded as Lake Agnes, but boy was the view stunning! You know that mountain that you see off in the distance on Lake Louise with all the glaciers? Well, this trail brings you even closer to those mountains. It is pretty impressive.Take pictures of Morant’s Curve:Sadly there was road construction so we couldn’t see Morant’s Curve. This view is located near Lake Louise and is a beautiful spot where the railroad passes. Take the boat out to Spirit Island: This was probably my favorite part of Jasper National Park. Spirit Island is indeed magical. Take pictures of Castle Mountain:Castle Mountain was gorgeous! I loved how it did remind me of a castle. I suggest stopping at the Castle Mountain gas stationand have a picnic here if you do not want to eat at The Johnston Canyon Resort. The gas station has picnic tables, food, and alcohol. This dramatic lake is home to a towering mountain peak, a beautiful blue lake, evergreen forests, and a large wooden lodge.

Historical Context and American Policy". Archived from the original on May 13, 2012 . Retrieved April 15, 2012. Lake Minnewanka– Lake Minnewanka is one of my favorite places in Banff, if not for the sheer fact that there is SO much to do there. You can rent a kayak or take a boat cruise, wander the lakeside trails or sit down for a picnic. In the night time, you can even stargaze here! I’d recommend heading over there and seeing where the day takes you…but beware: you might end up spending your ENTIRE day here! After that, you can head over to Ha Ling Peak for the grueling thigh-burning hike. Or, you can enjoy the rest of your day relaxing at the famous Grizzling House Fondue. After you’ve stopped at Peyto Lake, you have a TON of options for things to do along the way. Here are just a few of the many hikes, activities, and viewpoints you can stop at along the Icefields Parkway:

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Take a short hike to Mistaya Canyon: The trail is about 1.1 km round trip and features a waterfall. Finding the trailhead is relatively easy. While going up, you might find the trail quite tedious. But, the fantastic views of the forest and the occasional mountain views make the trip worth it. Pro tip: Head up on the Gondola later in the day when the sun is low in the sky for extra special views!) Mardon, Ernest G.; Mardon, Austin A. (2010). Community Place Names of Alberta (3rded.). Edmonton, AB: Golden Meteorite Press. p.283. ISBN 978-1-897472-17-0 . Retrieved September 2, 2015. Kayak around the lake– If you’re looking for an active alternative to the boat cruise, you can rent a kayak and explore around the lake yourself!

There are shuttle buses ( or this Hop-On and Hop-Off bus) that take you to must-visit tourist spots, but you will only get limited time to spend at every location. If you have more than just 2 days to spend in Banff, here’s our complete guide to the park with a list of 23 amazing adventure activities to try: Rent a canoe to explore Moraine Lake: The colorful kayaks make for the perfect pictures so why not ride on one of them? Pillows: Pillows can take a lot of room, so I recommend buying an inflatable one. The one I have linked, is super comfy. >Buy The Comfy Inflatable PillowAfter lunch, you’ll drive ~1 hour down the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) to Canmore. At first, you might think you’re in the wrong place, with flat farmlands for miles. The good news is that with the car horizons open, and you can fit most of the places in your itinerary if you have at least two weeks. BANFF NATIONAL PARK Pierce, K.L. (1979). History and dynamics of glaciation in the northern Yellowstone National Park area. Washington, DC: U.S. Geological Survey. pp.1 90. Professional Paper 729-F. By the evening, you’ll probably be REALLY hungry and ready for a hearty, delicious meal in a relaxed place. I’ve got the perfect place to you: Park Distillery. Their mission is “campfire-inspired meals” and they really do play the part well, from char-grilled meats and steaks to the amazing smell of campfire inside and around the restaurant. If there is one thing you should not leave without, it is certainly bear spray, which is essential, especially during the berry season. During this time, bears are active, have cubs, and bear spray is essential for hikers to stay safe.