Banff Car Tours: Top 5 Can’t-Miss Drives in the Park

Dreaming of a trip to the Canadian Rockies? Well, Banff National Park is very much calling your name. Believe me you will be thankful! And one awesome way to soak up every last bit of that mountain majesty is by hitting the road. Forget those crowded tour buses. With these awesome Banff car tours, you get total freedom. You set your pace, make your own stops, and seriously, it’s an adventure that’s totally yours. You ready to get started? We’re talking turquoise lakes, views that’ll make you gasp, and wildlife encounters that’ll have you reaching for your camera, or so I’ve heard!

1. Bow Valley Parkway: A Scenic Slow Roll

First up is the Bow Valley Parkway, also sometimes called Highway 1A, and it’s not just a road – very it’s an experience. Running parallel to the Trans-Canada Highway between Banff and Lake Louise, this beauty of a road begs you to slow things down and truly soak in the scenery. Expect it to be roughly around an hour and half of pure bliss. You’ll almost get viewpoints, picnic spots, and, yes, maybe a chance to spot some of Banff’s amazing wildlife. Keep an eye out for elk, deer, or even bears! The speed limit’s lower here, which, truthfully, is perfect because that lets you take your time. This alone makes your car tour of Banff unique. Stop at places like Johnston Canyon for a walk to some beautiful waterfalls, or maybe the adorable Baker Creek Mountain Resort for a hot chocolate. Seriously, it’s an essential Banff experience.

Don’t Miss: Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon is that stop on the Bow Valley Parkway that very calls out to everybody. A fairly short hike takes you along catwalks attached to the canyon walls, taking you past the Lower and Upper Falls. Keep going further for the really cool Ink Pots, cold mineral springs that bubble up with crazy colors. This place, well, it does get kinda busy, especially mid-day, so try to go earlier or later. Oh, and remember to wear appropriate shoes – the path is sometimes slippery, mostly near the waterfalls. So take that into consideration for the Banff National Park drive.

Wildlife Spotting Tips

Wildlife spotting, well, that’s always exciting. But do be cautious. Always keep a safe distance from animals – nobody wants to be a nuisance. Stay in your car, truthfully that keeps everyone safer. Bring some binoculars for a super good view. Early morning or late evening? Yes, those are truly the best times to see animals because that is when they’re usually most active. And always, always carry bear spray when you’re hiking, also make sure you know how to properly use it.

2. Icefields Parkway: The Ultimate Mountain Drive

You know, when folks talk about a drive in the Canadian Rockies, the Icefields Parkway pretty much comes up first. Connecting Lake Louise to Jasper, this incredibly epic route is nearly 150 miles of glaciers, dramatic valleys, turquoise lakes, and those views? Basically unreal. You know, the drive can take around 3 to 4 hours straight, yet you’re very going to want to plan a full day, or two, or even more, honestly. I’d allow extra time for stops. They can see the Athabasca Glacier, hike to stunning waterfalls, or maybe simply stop at a roadside viewpoint to soak everything in. Pack a lunch. Plenty of snacks are very welcome too! And honestly, a camera with lots of storage because you’ll take a ton of photos. This is one of the greatest road trips. Do consider that it can get crazy popular.

Must-See: Athabasca Glacier

So, the Athabasca Glacier? It’s an absolute must-see on the Icefields Parkway. Very take the Ice Explorer tour to actually ride on the glacier – seriously a unique experience. Alternatively, wander along the trail to the toe of the glacier and maybe check out how much it’s receded. It’s fascinating, and frankly, a bit sobering. Very wear layers, because the temperature is somewhat colder up there than you imagine. The Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre is pretty cool. Stop there and then it would be the time to get some exhibits about glaciers. There is even glacier travel if you feel so inclined.

Planning Tips for the Icefields Parkway

This is not your ordinary drive, very plan ahead. Cell service, yeah, it’s pretty limited, so download offline maps before you go. Check road conditions before your car tour. Weather up in the mountains will change in the blink of an eye. Fuel up your car before you get on the Parkway. Gas stations are, just a little, far and few. And book accommodations, especially if you wanna stay overnight in Jasper or Lake Louise. Seriously, they fill up fast!

3. Lake Minnewanka Loop: Short and Sweet Scenery

So, wanna taste some mountain scenery without a big time commitment? That would be Lake Minnewanka Loop is that great option. Near the Banff townsite, this scenic drive will give you great views. Views that truly come quick. Lake Minnewanka, also Two Jack Lake, and Cascade Ponds. This car tour is really around 15 minutes, maybe 30 if you add in all the stops. Consider it a bite sized way to appreciate a relaxing morning or late afternoon. Pack some picnic stuff, then just chill by the lake, truthfully that might be needed by anyone! Keep a lookout for the Northern Lights at night in these well-known spots.

Lake Minnewanka: More Than Just a View

Lake Minnewanka, “Water of the Spirits” in the local Stoney language. The place does more than have stunning looks. You could do a boat tour of the lake, maybe rent a kayak or canoe, do some fishing. There’s also a little town at the bottom of the lake. Or rather, there was a little town. In 1941, a dam raised the water levels, which sadly submerged the resort village of Minnewanka Landing. Now scuba dive down to see it. How awesome that might be? Very learn more about the lake’s pretty interesting history at the visitor center.

Picnic at Cascade Ponds

You want something that’s both super tranquil, really easily accessible? The Cascade Ponds are just amazing. They’re literally a great spot to sit and chill. Bring a picnic, and just relax, the sounds of the water, and also, those mountain views. You can find walking trails, and cute bridges, basically it feels like it’s something from a fairy tale. They also do special events at the Cascade Ponds, just like weddings, but do check ahead if there is something that you might be aware of, honestly to have the proper planning skills for an adventure tour!

4. Tunnel Mountain Drive: Views from Above

You know, Tunnel Mountain Drive is super close to Banff, really, really delivers on panoramic views without a big time commitment. The loop will probably take you like, less than an hour. It is really something though. Drive to Surprise Corner, then just feast your eyes on the Banff Springs Hotel perched high above the Bow River. Yeah, you’ve probably seen it on Instagram a million times. On the east side of Tunnel Mountain, be sure to see the Hoodoos, seriously strangely-shaped rock formations that have been shaped by wind and rain over many centuries. They make you think. Do know though, there is little to no ‘tunnel’ as the tunnel was scrapped a very, very long time ago!

Surprise Corner: A Photographer’s Dream

Alright, if you wanna grab that super iconic Banff shot, head on over to Surprise Corner. As the name suggests, the views, are seriously, somewhat mind-blowing. Seriously, the Banff Springs Hotel appears dramatically in front of you, overlooking the valley, and honestly it’s perfect. No surprise, many people enjoy themselves on an awesome and very easy drive in a car tour.

The Hoodoos: Nature’s Sculptures

What in the world are the Hoodoos? Basically they’re nature’s sculptures, very thin spires of rock formed by centuries of weathering. It is the perfect educational point in any car tour of Banff. The ones close to Banff do have a viewing platform so, somewhat everybody could have a great view. Get up close, then examine the layers of rock and all the different shapes, pretty incredible. Take this chance to have one great learning experience!

5. Smith Dorrien Trail: A Backcountry Adventure

Okay, wanting to ditch those crowds, maybe go somewhere that isn’t too busy? The Smith Dorrien Trail just may be it. It does connect Canmore with the Kananaskis Lakes. And yet it feels really off the beaten path. Much of the road here’s gravel, which I guess can scare some folks away. Even if the surface presents an intimidating feature, your car tour is only to be further augmented. Make sure you’ve got a vehicle that’s OK with it – something with a little clearance, you know? The payoff? Think stunning mountain vistas, meadows, plus hiking trails. It can take a bit over an hour, very expect more if you intend to stop and walk, or check out the many viewpoints that just grab your attention. So that means a bit of time to see things. The Highwood Pass along the way has the honor of being the highest paved pass in Canada. It goes up to 7,239 feet (2,206 m). Awesome!

Important Considerations for the Smith Dorrien Trail

Here’s the deal: this road is a gravel road. Double check you’re comfortable driving on unpaved surfaces before starting out, alright? Four-wheel drive will really give some extra comfort, very especially when the weather goes bad, also it does that at any time up in the mountains. Watch out for potholes, that makes for really uneven surfaces! This route does shut down at times when snow and ice make conditions dangerous, normally from December 1 to June 15. Verify ahead, yeah?

Hiking Around Kananaskis Lakes

When you want some good hiking, Kananaskis is really, very it! From pretty easy lakeside trails to a hike uphill for some killer views. The options are endless, honestly. Check out trails like the easy one around Upper Kananaskis Lake. Then go for the more strenous one to Rawson Lake. Plus Sarrail Ridge. But when hiking out, do note: bears might be around, then it is really bear-spray time. You’re bound to create a memory of adventure tours, for a lifetime! Make all the appropriate adjustments when applicable.