Summer is coming and that makes now the perfect time to plan a two week Canadian Rockies road trip, huge mountains, blue lakes and cute towns are what you can expect from a two week Canadian Rockies Road trip. We’ve tried to split the driving days up, so they are fairly short, allowing you to make the most of every single day. We’ve suggested accommodation and campground options along the way to take the stress out of planning too. So take a read and start preparing for your ultimate summer Canadian Rockies road trip.
The suggested itinerary is changeable with the possibility to drive further or spend more or less time at some places, depending on the time you have available. But we think two weeks is just enough time to see the absolute best of the Canadian Rockies. Based on you flying in and out of Calgary, this two week Canadian Rockies road trip itinerary can also be amended for those flying into Vancouver, you’d pick up the round trip in Kamloops and have the option to go either way around the loop.
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Table of Contents
When Is The Best Time For A Road Trip In The Canadian Rockies
The optimal time for a Canadian Rockies road trip would be between June and September. The most popular, and therefore busiest times to visit are July and August when the days are long and typically warm. That being said, July and August are also when hotels tend to be the most expensive and the risk of Forest Fire smoke affecting your trip also are higher.
June can be a great time to visit and a little quieter, however some of the activities and hikes may not be accessible in June, depending on the snow levels from the winter. September is also quieter and the foliage starts to turn a gorgeous yellow in mid to late September, however in some years it can also snow in September and the evenings tend to be a little cooler if you are thinking of camping. However, September is my personal favorite time to explore the Canadian Rockies.
Who Is This Itinerary Designed For
This two week Canadian Rockies road trip itinerary is aimed at people who love to get outside and explore the areas they are visiting. There will be suggested hikes, adventure activities and camping spots suggested, as well as hotels and more laid back activities.
Our Two Week Canadian Rockies Road Trip
Days 1 – 3: Calgary to Banff
Distance from Calgary to Banff: 127km
Things To Do Around Banff
You won’t be short on things to do in Banff during your two week Canadian Rockies road trip, take a drive around the Lake Minnewanka loop and enjoy some beautiful views of blue lakes. Grab public transport and head to the Banff Gondola or the Mount Norquay chairlift to enjoy beautiful sightseeing. At the base of the Gondola you’ll find the Banff Hot Springs, to sit and soak and relax after a busy day of exploring.
If you are looking for a short hike, check out the Tunnel Mountain trail which starts right from town and once at the top offers beautiful views looking down on the town. Grab a Roam bus and head to Johnston Canyon for a day hike to the Ink Pots, prepare for it to be busy though.
For experienced hikers check out the Cascade Mountain scramble, this will take a full and long day but provides incredible views over Lake Minnewanka and the surrounding Bow Valley area.
Check out the shops and restaurants in downtown Banff, we love the Three Bears Brewery for a quick bite and drink. If you are looking for gifts, check out the Big Bear Store on Banff Avenue, for cute sweaters and local gifts.
Places To Stay
Top Rated Hotel: Moose Hotel and Suites
Modest Priced Hotel: Banff Park Lodge
Campground: Two Jack Lakeside
Day 4: Banff To Icefields
Distance from Banff to Icefields Parkway: 185km.
Things To Do
The Icefields Parkway can be driven easily in one day but since you are doing a two week Canadian Rockies road trip, it is worth splitting up the trip to make the most of this scenic drive! There are plenty of beautiful spots to see right from the highway. Pull in to check out Bow Lake and if you are looking for a short hike, walk the lake shore and follow the trail to the Bow Glacier Falls.
If you are looking for a more intense day of scrambling, check out Cirque Peak and Helen Lake, you can hike just to the lake or if you want to make a day of it, scramble the peak for incredible views of Bow Lake.
Shortly after Bow Lake is the Peyto Lake trail, a short walk to the lookout to the famed Canadian lake. This spot gets incredibly busy and is best visited early or late in the day in order to guarantee a parking spot.
You’ll drive right beside Waterfowl Lake, if you have an extra day, camping at the campground here is a beautiful way to spend a night. From Waterfowl Lake you can hike to Chephron or Cirque Lake and enjoy lunch at one of these gorgeous spots.
We love to stop at The Crossing Resort for Ice Cream on a hot day, it is also possible to book a stay here. Nearby you’ll find the hike to Glacier Lake, this popular spot if=s around a 9km hike one way so it’ll take a good part of the day to complete,
Places To Stay:
Top Rated Hotel: Glacier View Lodge
Modest Priced Hotel: The Crossing Resort
Campground: Icefields tenting site
Day 5 – 6: Icefields Parkway to Jasper
Distance from the Icefields to Jasper: 104km. Nordegg to Jasper: 245km
Things To Do
For many people a huge highlight of driving the Icefields Parkway is stopping at the Columbia Icefield and taking the Ice Explorer Tour out onto the glacier. If you are looking for a birds eye view of a glacier and prefer hiking, the Parker Ridge is highly popular, just south of the Columbia Icefields. Alternatively there is the Wilcox Pass hike just opposite the Columbia Icefields. Both offer gorgeous glacier views!
As you get closer to Jasper, there are a number of gorgeous waterfalls to stop and check out, there is Sunwapta Falls first, followed by Athabasca Falls. Both require a short and easy walk from the park area. Make a stop off at Horseshoe Lake for a cool dip and some sunbathing after a day of exploring.
In Jasper there are lots of day hiking options to fill your two week Canadian Rockies road trip. For a leisurely time, check out the Valley of the Five Lakes on the outskirts of town. For scenic views head to the popular Sulphur Skyline trail on the northside of town. Check out the Miette Hot Springs afterwards for a soak.
Head out To Maligne Canyon and follow the trail around the rim of the canyon to marvel at its shere depth, then drive the road to Maligne Lake, watch for wildlife here. I’ve often seen moose or bears along the road. Please treat them with respect and don’t stop if you see them though.
Once at Maligne Lake there are a number of easy trails which follow the lakeshore for a short way. You can also rent canoes and go for a paddle here. If you’d rather take a boat tour to Spirit Island and check out this incredible spot while learning about the history of the area.
Places To Stay:
Top Rated Hotel: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Modest Priced Hotel: Lobstick Lodge
Campground: My favorite is Wapiti campground
Day 7: Jasper To Valemount
Distance from Jasper to Valemount: 123km
Things To Do:
Today’s drive on the two week Canadian Road trip itinerary takes you past the majestic Mount Robson, stop in at the visitor centre and enjoy the views of this huge mountain! A short drive away is the Kinney Lake and Berg Lake trail. Currently the full trail is closed due to flooding a few years ago but even the hike to Kinney Lake is a worthwhile one with picnic benches at the lake to enjoy a much deserved lunch. If you are looking for an easy and short hike, check out the Overlander Falls trail, an easy hike to a waterfall.
Places To Stay:
Top Rated Hotel: Comfort Inn and Suites
Modest Priced Hotel: Super 8 Valemount
Campground: Canoe River Campground
Day 8: Valemount to Kamloops
Distance from Valemount to Kamloops: 320km
Things To Do
The drive from Valemount to Kamloops during a two week Canadian Rockies road trip is a great day! Stop at the Wells Gray Provincial Park for numerous hiking and sightseeing options. The park is home to 41 waterfalls, the most popular one being Helmcken Falls, which is an easy hike to a platform looking over the canyon and waterfall.
If you have extra time, a short detour will take you to the Sun Peaks resort which operates as a hiking and mountain biking destination in the summer complete with its own accommodation options and is a great spot to spend a few days!
Places To Stay:
Top Rated Hotel: Delta Hotels By Marriott Kamloops
Modest Priced Hotel: Travelodge Kamloops
Campground: Paul Lake Provincial Campground
Day 9 – 10: Kamloops to Revelstoke
Distance from Kamloops to Revelstoke: 212km
Things To Do
It is worth spending a full day in Revelstoke as part of a two week Canadian Rockies road trip, since there is so much to do! Check out the Revelstoke Mountain Resort in summer for their mountain pipe coaster, mountain biking and disk golf. You could easily spend a full day at the resort if you wanted.
Otherwise head south to Arrow Lakes and cross on the free ferry to the Halycon Hot Springs, a scenic drive with a hot soak at the end looking out over Arrow Lakes. Stop on the way and enjoy the short hike to Begbie Falls.
If you are looking for a full day hike, check out the Eva and Jade Lakes hike in Mount Revelstoke National park. This popular hike takes in a number of lakes, head to as many as you like before turning around.
Places To Stay:
Top Rated Hotel: Best Western Plus Revelstoke
Modest Priced Hotel: Sandman Revelstoke
Campground: Snowforest Campground
Day 11: Revelstoke to Golden
Distance from Revelstoke to Golden: 148km
Things To Do
Potentially the most scenic drive day of the two week Canadian Rockies road trip, the drive between Revelstoke and Golden is filled with short and long hikes depending on what you are looking for. One of our favorite hikes is the steep trail up to Hermit Meadows. This short hike packs a lot of elevation so it’ll take a good portion of the day. Once at the top enjoy incredible views of the surrounding mountains.
There are many shorter trails and day use areas to stop and enjoy which are clearly signposted, make a stop at Rogers Pass and check out the visitor centre.
Once in Golden if you have a chance head up to enjoy a meal at the top of the Kicking Horse Mountain Gondola or if you have an extra day, take on their Via Ferrata guided tour.
Places To Stay:
Top Rated Hotel: Moberly Lodge
Modest Priced Hotel: Ramada Golden
Campground: Golden Municipal Campground
Day 12 – 13: Golden to Lake Louise
Distance Golden to Lake Louise: 82km
Things To Do
Driving between Golden and Lake Louise on this day of the two week Canadian Rockies road trip takes you through Yoho National Park, one of my favorite National Parks in Canada. There is lots to do and see so I’d recommend getting up early!
Stop and check out Wapta Falls, it’s a short steep hike down to the falls. Otherwise head up the Yoho Valley Road and take in Takakkaw Falls. For those looking for a bigger hike, the same parking lot for Takakkaw Falls is also the start of the famed Iceline trail. This steep trail takes you way up into the alpine and then traverses across offering views of many glaciers!
Make sure to take a stop at Emerald Lake, this gorgeous blue green lake is a must do, there is also an easy hike around the lake for those looking for a nice gentle day.
Yoho National Park is also home to the famous Lake O’Hara, you need to be lucky enough to secure a day shuttle to get here or accept the 11km one way hike up the road to visit this spectacular place.
In Lake Louise you can rent canoes on the famed lake, or head up to the Big Beehive and Devils Thumb for incredible views looking down on the lake.
Book a shuttle ahead of time with Parks Canada to visit Moraine Lake, enjoy the easy stroll beside the lake or head up to Sentinel Pass for a more taxing day or grab a helmet and scramble the Tower Of Babel.
Places To Stay:
Top Rated Hotel: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Modest Priced Hotel: Mountaineer Lodge Lake Louise
Campground: Lake Louise Hard and soft sided campground
Day 14: Lake Louise to Calgary
Distance Lake Louise to Calgary: 183km
Things To Do
It’s the end of your two week Canadian Rockies road trip, depending on how much time you have, you can enjoy a sunrise hike in Lake Louise or stop in at Canmore on your way past for a great lunch before heading to Calgary to catch your flight.
How To Best Travel Around The Canadian Rockies
If you are flying into either Calgary or Vancouver for a Canadian Rockies road trip, you’ll probably need to hire a vehicle. There are plenty of options right at either airport, you’ll be spending plenty of time in your vehicle so make sure it has enough space to comfortably fit all your passengers and gear! A rental car is perfect for those who are looking to spend their nights staying in hotels.
For those looking to embrace ‘life on the road’ a campervan might be more suitable and there are a few options, check out Canadream for larger units with all the bells and whistles. There are also Karma Campervans which are smaller van style conversions, these are ideal for people looking to camp at smaller campgrounds along the way.
Travelling In Parks Canada
Whenever you intend to stop in a National Park in Canada you’ll need a Parks Canada Discovery Pass, if you intend on spending more than a few days in a National Park, it is more cost effective to buy an annual pass rather than a daily pass. Many of the days on this itinerary involve spending time in a National Park.
Other Canadian Road Trip Ideas
- Two Weeks In The Yukon
- Six Day Vancouver Island Road Trip
- Three Day Road Trip In The West Kootenay – A great add on to the two week Canadian Rockies road trip
