Bright blue lakes, tall mountain peaks, abundant wildlife, and delicious eats. This Vancouver to Banff, Canada road trip really has it all! Explore some of the highlights in BC and Canada on one epic journey through this wonderful country.
I’ve been to Canada a number of times now, but this road trip is one of my all time favorites. We decided to do this road trip this past summer and unfortunately, we did break down on the way. But, luckily, we only missed out on one destination and had the fortune of exploring so many gorgeous spots.
I may just have to move to Canada… 😏
Canada is a huge country with so much to offer. But, I’ve crafted the perfect road trip if you only have a week or two to explore the Western areas of British Columbia and Alberta. 🚗 You’ll be amazed at every single thing on your trip. This post includes the best time to go, tips on where to stay, and what to do in each place!
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Table of Contents
Planning a Canadian Road Trip
Time Needed for a Canada Road Trip
This itinerary takes you through the highlights of British Columbia and Alberta. In order to do this trip well, I recommend having at least a week. That way you can see each place and get at least a day to explore. That being said, you could spend a couple months really getting to see these destinations in depth! 🤗
If you want to shorten this trip, then I recommend skipping Vancouver & Whistler or driving longer and skipping both Kamloops and Canmore.
Best Time to Go on a Canadian Road Trip
Western Canada is a spectacular area to visit year round. I will see that this itinerary is probably best from late spring to early fall. But, you can read more about visiting each season below!
Summer
Summer is definitely one of the best times to do a Canada road trip. Wildflowers are blooming in the mountains 🌸🌺, lakes are free of snow, and wildlife is out and about. There’s truly nothing better than summer in the Canadian Rockies and I would love to go every single year!
That being said, summer is also the most popular time to visit. So, many areas are crowded and you will have to content with busier hikes and traffic jams 🚧. Get to places early in the morning to beat the rush.
Sadly, wildfires are becoming a regular occurrence in the summer. So, always check conditions before you go.
Fall
There’s truly nothing more magical than seeing larches in the mountains. Banff and Vancouver are very popular destinations in the Fall with beautiful reds and yellows 💛 covering the mountain sides. There’s even a hike in Banff called Larch Valley, so you know it’s a spectacular autumn trail!
Plus, many of the summer visitors have dissipated, so you will get to avoid the crowds and possibly see more wildlife!
If you plan on visiting in Fall, just know that snow can begin as early as late September. ❄️ So, you’ll want to pack plenty of layers for your trip through these fantastic area of the country.
Winter
Winter sports enthusiasts need to go to Canada for at least one winter in their lifetime. There are a number of incredible ski mountains ⛷ on this road trip including Whistler and Kicking Horse. You will see why people flock from all over to visit these incredible mountains!
It’s a much different scene in the winter with plenty of snowfall. Expect to do winter activities like snow shoeing, skiing, or just sipping hot chocolate with a view ☕️. Canada is a stunning winter destination.
Spring
If you want to skip the crowds, then spring is a great time to visit Canada. During early Spring, many of the trails will still be covered in snow as they begin to thaw. But, by the end of the spring there will be a number of great hikes and things to see!
Also, wildlife begins to get more active in the spring with bears and moose coming out of the woods. So, keep your eye out for tons of great sightings. 👀
I’ve been to Banff and Canmore in late May twice and I fell in love with the area. There was plenty of things to do and the weather was perfect (however, late snow can happen)!
Where to Start this Road Trip
I love this Canada road trip, because it’s very flexible. If you are flying in from out of town, you can choose to fly into either Vancouver or Calgary. Then, you’d reverse the itinerary if you start in Calgary.
It’s also a great road trip to make into a loop if you add on more beautiful Canadian parks and destinations detailed in the next section.
There are plenty of international and domestic flights that get into both Vancouver or Calgary ✈️. You can either fly round trip or fly into one and leave from the other. I would personally fly into Vancouver and out of Calgary.
Places You Could Add With More Time
If you decide to make this a round trip road trip to either Vancouver or Calgary, then you can turn the route into a loop. I would add Jasper National Park, Mount Robson Park, and Wells Gray Provincial Park on your way back.
There are so many great Canadian destinations out West that it’s hard to narrow it down!
For visitors who would prefer to spend time in the Rockies, then there are a bunch of other places you could add to your trip. I definitely recommend going up to Jasper and then consider adding time in Kootenay National Park or going on a backpacking trip to Mount Assiniboine.
Canada Packing Guide
The packing list for your Canada road trip will depend on the time of year you go. However, regardless the time of year, it’s best to pack plenty of layers and sun protection. Up in the mountains, weather changes quickly and it drops as the sun goes down.
Don’t forget bear spray if you plan on hiking in the backcountry!
If you plan on going on a winter trip, you will want to bring a lot of warm jackets. Canada gets a considerable amount of snowfall in the winter.
Canada Packing List
- Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Small Pack
- Hiking Poles
- First Aid Kit
- Bear Spray
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Sunglasses
- Hat to block sun
- Shelter
- Quality Layers!
- Rain Pants
- Rain jacket
- Light winter jacket
- Satellite phone
- National Park Pass
Find my day hiking gear list here.
Vancouver to Banff Canada Road Trip Itinerary
Canada Road Trip Itinerary Breakdown
2-3 Days: Vancouver
1-2 Days: Squamish & Whistler Areas
1 Day: Kamloops
1-2 Days: Revelstoke
1-2 Days: Golden
2-3 Days: Banff
1-3 Days: Canmore
Vancouver
Visit one of the largest cities in Canada and fall in love with Vancouver. This city is both a wonderful metropolitan area with an incredible culture and an adventurer’s haven with mountains all around. There’s truly no shortage of things to do in this city!
If I had to move to a Canadian city, it would be this one. You could spend months in Vancouver and still find things to do. It’s one of those places that you need to visit at least once in your life.
Things to Do in Vancouver:
- Bike through Stanley Park
- Visit Capillano Suspension Bridge Park
- Take a day trip to Victoria Island
- Walk around Granville Island
- Stroll through Queen Elizabeth Park
Where to Stay in Vancouver:
Choosing where to stay in Vancouver may be the hardest part! It’s an incredibly large city with diverse neighborhoods that boast different offerings. If you are a first time visitor you may want to go right to the downtown area, or stay by the waterfront if you are on a cruise.
Best Hotels Vancouver:
Squamish & Whistler
Drive the scenic Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to these lovely towns! They are both home to tall mountain peaks with a plethora of breathtaking sights to see on the way.
If you are a skier, then you need to visit Whistler’s Backcomb, while climbers will be obsessed with Squamish. Honestly, I can’t choose between the two towns, because they both have wonderful things to see!
We spent a weekend exploring these two places last fall and we went on a hike to Garibaldi Lake, we visited the gorgeous Shannon Falls, and we filled our stomachs with a ton of delicious eats in town! Luckily, we returned to also see the vibrant Joffre Lakes as well.
Things to Do in Squamish & Whistler:
- Ski in Whistler’s Backcomb
- Hike to Garibaldi Lake
- Drive the Sea to Sky Highway
- Take the Peak 2 Peak Gondola
- Climb or Hike Stawamus Chief
- Spend a day in Joffre Lakes Provincial Park
Where to Stay in Squamish & Whistler:
Luckily, Squamish and Whistler are fairly close to each other, so you can stay in either one and travel to the other. Whistler tends to have more lodges, but they may be a bit more upscale and expensive. There are also a few free camping areas that we like to stay when we go!
Hotels in Squamish & Whistler:
- Sandman Hotel & Suites Squamish
- Fairmont Chateau Whistler
- Four Seasons Resort Whistler
- Sundial Hotel
Kamloops
Kamloops is a great place to add to your itinerary for a quick stop. This beautiful city is about 4 hours from Vancouver and 4 hours from Golden. It’s home to fantastic mountain biking trails, beautiful rivers, and nearby to a number of gorgeous lakes.
We stayed here for a couple nights, due to an unforeseen breakdown. 🛠 The people in Kamloops were so kind and I hope to return and explore more.
Things to Do in Kamloops:
- Walk in Riverside Park
- Visit the BC Wildlife Park
- Go to the Kamloops Art Gallery
- Paddle in Kamloops Lake
Where to Stay in Kamloops:
Kamloops is a good stopover city on your long road trip. Dylan and I actually broke down in Canada and were forced to get a hotel. We were pleasantly surprised with the great options and how affordable they were, but they were mostly chains. So, if you need a place to rest it’s a good spot!
Best Hotels Kamloops:
Revelstoke
Revelstoke is an adorable mountain town in between Kamloops and Golden and home to the magical Mount Revelstoke National Park. It is widely known as a fantastic destination for all mountain sports including mountain biking, hiking, and skiing. There’s an all new bike park, that’s perfect to set your wheels on.
Unfortunately, our van broke down on our trip, so we had to skip through this town. But, I did all the research on visiting, so I’ll share my knowledge with you all.
Things to Do in Revelstoke:
- Paddleboard on Revelstoke Lake
- Ski at Revelstoke Mountain
- Hike to Eva and Miller Lake
- Explore Mount Revelstoke National Park
- Go Mountain Biking
- Stroll through Downtown Revelstoke
Where to Stay in Revelstoke:
Revelstoke is another wonderful place to stay with a large skiing mountain. That means that they have plenty of ski lodges and resorts to choose from. So, even though it’s a fairly small town there are a number of great places to stay!
Best Hotels in Revelstoke:
Golden
Golden is an incredible mountain town with tons of adventures at its doorstep. There are three national parks that are within an hour drive as well as tons of other adrenaline pumping adventures. It may even be the best destination for outdoorsy lovers.
We had the pleasure of spending a few days in Golden last year and I fell in love with this town! We went rafting on the Kicking Horse River, hiked in Glacier National Park, paddled on Emerald Lake, and ate delicious food in town.
Things to Do in Golden:
- Ski at Kicking Horse Mountain
- Explore Yoho National Park & Emerald Lake
- Hike in Glacier National Park & Visit Rogers Pass
- Adventure at Golden Skybridge
- Go Rafting on the Kicking Horse River
Where to Stay in Golden:
Golden is another small mountain town, but Kicking Horse Mountain Resort sits above it. So, you will find a few great ski lodges and then a number of small chain hotels as well. If you are camping, there’s the Golden Municipal campground right in town that we stayed at when we visited and was on the river.
Best Hotels in Golden:
Banff
Honestly, you can’t have a Canada road trip itinerary and not include this magical destination. Banff is truly the crown jewel of the Canadian Rockies and one of the most famous destinations in Canada.
Banff is home to bright vibrant blue lakes 💙, tall mountain peaks, and a range of wildlife. Explore the adorable town of Banff, Banff National Park, and Lake Louise and you will fall in love! It’s hard to just visit once because there’s seriously so much to see.
Go on a hike above Lake Louise, paddle on Moraine Lake or even take a Gondola up Sulphur Mountain. Banff is perfect for the whole family, with remarkable things to do for people of all skill levels.
Things to Do in Banff:
- Visit Lake Louise
- Hike to Little Beehive
- Explore Johnston Canyon
- Watch sunset at Vermillion Lakes
- Take the Banff Gondola
- Drive the stunning Icefields Parkway
Where to Stay in Banff:
Banff has a number of hotels to choose from throughout the area. You can stay at the luxurious Fairmont in Lake Louise or save a little bit of money by staying at a smaller hotel closer to downtown Banff or stay in Canmore just 20 minutes away. I recommend making reservations early, because Banff is a very popular destination with hotels going quickly!
Best Hotels in Banff:
- Fairmont Banff Springs (Banff, $$$$)
- Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (Lake Louise, $$$$)
- Rimrock Hotel (Banff, $$$$)
- The Dorothy Motel (Banff, $$)
- Banff Boutique Inn (Banff $$)
Canmore
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of visiting Canmore a number of times… and it may be my favorite place to go in Canada. It’s less crowded than Banff, the hikes are some of the most remarkable I’ve ever done, and there’s so much to do there!
Canmore is a mountain town that’s just 20 minutes from Banff and the gateway to Kananaskis. Kananaskis is an area that is home to tall mountain peaks in the front range of the Rockies. ⛰
Don’t forget to get a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to explore this area!
It’s a fantastic place to visit to paddle in gorgeous lakes, trek up hard mountain trails, and get into the backcountry. So, if that sounds appealing to you, you must add Canmore to your itinerary.
Things to Do in Canmore:
- Hike in the Kananaskis Area
- Visit the Nordic Spa
- Go shopping on Main Street
- Go Mountain Biking
Where to Stay in Canmore:
Canmore is an adorable area with a ton of very cute boutique hotels and airbnbs. It’s also a growing area, so you’ll see lots of hotel construction 👷♂️ in town and I’m sure there will be new places to stay every year! I think Canmore is a great base for your entire time in Banff, because it’s just 20 minutes away.
Best Hotels in Canmore:
Final Tips for Your Canada Road Trip
There’s no doubt about it, you will fall in love with Canada on this incredible road trip. My biggest tip is to make sure that your car is ready for the long trip and to add some flexibility into your itinerary. You will never know where you will want to spend more time in! Happy travels!
Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this guide
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