Top 5 Experiences from my Trip to Western Canada’s National Parks
You know that phenomena that happens once you are tuned in to a new thing and you start seeing and hearing about it everywhere?
OK, let’s say you heard about Starbucks for the first time. Suddenly you notice a woman on the street carrying the mermaid cup. Then your coworker brings Starbucks coffee to the office. The next day you hear a story on the news about the coffee chain. Someone else sits next to you on the bus wearing a Starbucks apron. You know what I am talking about, right?
Well, that is what happened to me with Banff National Park. Years ago I saw a picture of a lake that was so blue it almost didn’t look real (since I saw it on Instagram I assumed there were some creative filters at play). A few weeks later one of my friends posted an album of their trip to Banff. Suddenly I saw things about Banff everywhere.
My husband found a great flight deal for a spring trip to Banff. Being very naive about the climate of Western Canada in March, we got very excited. After some research, we quickly learned that, unless we wanted to snowshoe, this is not the ideal time to visit. Most roads leading to top hikes would be shut down. Instead, we planned a trip for June. While it would still be cold, the roads would be open.
I could easily have spent a month exploring Western Canada. Before planning our trip I knew I wanted to visit Banff. But I did not realize there are actually four National Parks in that region. We spent a week visiting three of these parks: Banff, Jasper, and Yoho.
If you are thinking about your own trip to Banff, read on. Here are my top 5 best things to do in the Canadian Rockies.
Valley of the Five Lakes
Jasper National Park
This moderate 2.3-mile hike provides the perfect taste of Jasper National Park. The trail begins through an open flowery meadow and proceeds into an evergreen forest. Along the easy trail, you will pass 5 lakes, each more beautiful than the last.
The trail was very empty during our hike, which allowed us to peacefully connect to the beauty Canada had to offer. My highlight from this hike were the red Adirondack chairs placed near one of the lakes. These chairs were scattered around Jasper and offered a serene spot to sit and reflect. This is one of my must-visit hikes in Jasper, and I think it is worth it to venture out of Banff for this trail.
Lake Agnes Tea House Hike
Banff National Park
Hiking to the historic Lake Agnes Tea House is a must-do experience in Banff. Hikers have been visiting this refuge since 1901, and the tradition continues to this day. Starting at the Lake Louise Shoreline Trail, hike 2.25 miles to the Tea House.
Here you will be welcomed with hot drinks, snacks, and a patio complete with a breathtaking view of Lake Agnes. The staff spends most of the season at the Tea House and supplies are frequently flown in by helicopter. The cafe only takes cash, so pack your loonies and toonies before beginning your trek.
Emerald Lake
Yoho National Park
Yoho was a last-minute addition to our Canadian Rockies trip, but I would highly recommend any traveler add this park to their Western Canada itinerary. About 45 minutes west of Lake Louise lies a lake that truly lives up to its colorful name. Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park is a stunning blue-green color that has to be seen to be believed. We packed a picnic lunch and enjoy our sandwiches at one of the tables adjacent to the lake.
After our lunch, we explored the shoreline trail that surrounds the lake. In June there was still snow covering parts of this trail, so you might want to check trail conditions, especially if you are visiting in the offseason. The Emerald Lake Lodge offers canoe rentals and the nearby Cilantro restaurant serves an assortment of dishes in the summer months. With so much to do and see at this lake, I think this is a must-do stop in Western Canada.
Icefields Parkway
Banff and Jasper National Parks
The 143-mile stretch that connects Banff and Jasper National Parks is essential to any Canadian Rockies trip. With numerous overlooks and sites along the way, you should budget at least half a day to fully experience this drive. During our trip, we drove on this parkway a few times and each time we noticed something new.
The views of the Rockies and lakes along this incredibly scenic parkway are breathtaking. Although I had looked at countless pictures before our trip, nothing compared to seeing the views from the Icefields in person. If you are going to be in the Canadian Rockies, make sure you give yourself ample time to enjoy this drive. You will not regret it!
Peyto Lake
Banff National Park
Stunning blue waters and snow-capped rocky mountains await you at the top of the Peyto Lake hike. While you can find sites with similar descriptions in other areas of the park, none of them compare to Peyto Lake. This was absolutely my favorite view that I saw in all of the Canadian Rockies.
An easy 3.8-mile roundtrip hike is well worth the effort for this unbeatable view. Many tourists finish their hike early at the overlook encased by a wooden fence, but if you continue along the trail you will be rewarded with a less crowded and even more spectacular viewing area. If I was recommending a 1-day itinerary for Banff, I would plan the entire day around visiting this lake. This was hands-down the highlight of our Canadian Rockies trip.
Banff Half Marathon
Banff National Park
I know I said this would be a list of my top 5 experiences in Western Canada, but I wanted to add one bonus experience. On our last day in Banff, we ran the Banff Half Marathon (there is also a full marathon and 10k option). So yes, it might have been a bit crazy to run 13.1 miles after a week of hiking, camping, and jeep-sleeping, but this ended up being one of my favorite races I have ever competed in.
This was my first international race and at first, it was a bit challenging to adjust to the kilometer markings along the course. However, this only made the race more interesting. The course was very flat and followed a path through the town of Banff, past Bow River and the Vermillion Lakes. This scenic course was a great way to see a different part of Banff. After the race, we spent some time exploring the town of Banff (which includes a multitude of restaurants, bars, and shopping) before heading to Calgary for our final night in Canada.
Alright, those are (in my opinion) the 5 best things to do in the Canadian Rockies.
Do you have a trip planned to the Canadian Rockies? If you have been, what is included in your top 5 list? Let me know in the comments below!
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