If you’ve been saving photos of turquoise lakes, snowy mountains, and ridiculously scenic roads, Alberta is probably already on your list. The problem is figuring out how to fit Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, the Icefields Parkway, and a few less obvious stops into one trip without spending your evenings planning the next day.
This Alberta Canada Road Trip Itinerary does the planning for you. In 10 days, you’ll drive through the Canadian Rockies, visit Waterton Lakes, Banff, and Jasper National Parks, walk on Athabasca Glacier, see Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, and drive the Icefields Parkway. I also added Calgary and the Canadian Badlands because if you’re flying all the way to Alberta, they’re worth working into the route.
Alberta Canada Road Trip at a Glance
Trip length: 10 days
Distance: About 1,200 miles
Start and finish: Calgary, Alberta
Route: Calgary → Waterton Lakes → Drumheller → Banff → Lake Louise → Moraine Lake → Icefields Parkway → Jasper → Calgary
National parks: Waterton Lakes, Banff, and Jasper
Don’t miss: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon, Peyto Lake, Icefields Parkway, Athabasca Glacier, and Maligne Lake
Best for: Travelers who want to see a lot of Alberta in one vacation and don’t mind early mornings and full days
You’ll need: Rental car and National Park Pass
Plan ahead: Reserve hotels, your rental car, and popular park activities before your trip
READ Complete Canada Travel Guide, What You Need to Know
Alberta Canada Road Trip Planner
When Is the Best Time for an Alberta Road Trip?
Summer brings warmer weather and easier access to the Canadian Rockies, but don’t assume that means warm weather every day. Summer daytime highs typically reach 68–77°F and can climb much higher. Winter daytime highs range from about 23°F to 5°F and can fall well below zero.
Spring is a good time to look for wildlife. If you want to experience the Calgary Stampede, plan your Alberta road trip for the first couple of weeks in July. Winter brings skiing, snowshoeing, and soaking in hot springs, while September through mid-May gives you a chance to see the Northern Lights.
Many roads and popular areas close during winter. Expect rain during summer and snow during winter. One timing detail matters when planning around Alberta’s famous lakes: Lake Louise typically doesn’t thaw until early June, and Moraine Lake may remain frozen until mid-June.
Do You Need a Car for This Alberta Canada Road Trip Itinerary?
YYes. You’ll need your own transportation to follow this 10-day Alberta road trip itinerary. Fly into Calgary, rent a car at the airport, and start your road trip from there. You’ll also need a National Park Pass. Purchase your park pass online here.
How Many Days Do You Need in Alberta?
Ten days gives you enough time to visit Calgary, Waterton Lakes National Park, the Canadian Badlands, Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, the Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park, the Columbia Icefield, and Athabasca Glacier.
It’s a busy itinerary, but that’s intentional. If you have limited vacation time and want to see the highlights of Alberta and the Canadian Rockies in one trip, this route covers a lot without requiring weeks away from work.
If you have more time, consider continuing west to Vancouver.
How Much Does an Alberta Road Trip Cost?
My original trip prices are no longer useful because travel costs have changed so much. As a general starting point, expect to spend around $5,000 plus airfare for this 10-day Canadian Rockies road trip with hotel accommodations. Your actual cost will depend heavily on when you visit, where you stay, your rental car, and the activities you book.
What to Pack for an Alberta Canada Road Trip
Pack layers. I wasn’t prepared for snow during my late-June visit. I’ve also visited in early July and hiked Johnston Canyon in a tank top. In other words, Alberta doesn’t care what month your calendar says. Bring a jacket, gloves, raincoat, and umbrella. If you’re visiting during winter, pack appropriate winter gear and traction cleats.
Alberta Canada Road Trip Highlights
This trip covers a lot of ground. You’ll explore Calgary, visit Waterton Lakes National Park, see dinosaur fossils in Drumheller, and walk among the hoodoos of the Canadian Badlands.
Then you’ll head into the Canadian Rockies. Hike the Johnston Canyon catwalk, photograph Victoria Glacier across Lake Louise, hike to Lake Agnes Tea House, and visit Moraine Lake.
The drive along the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper deserves an entire day. Stops include Peyto Lake, Mistaya Canyon, Weeping Wall, Athabasca Glacier, Tangle Creek Falls, Sunwapta Falls, and Athabasca Falls.
In Jasper National Park, cruise Maligne Lake past Spirit Island and explore Maligne Canyon, Pyramid Lake, and the surrounding mountains.
10-Day Alberta Canada Road Trip Itinerary
ROUTE AT A GLANCE: Calgary – Waterton Lakes National Park – Drumfeller and Canadian Badlands – Banff National Park – Jasper National Park
DISTANCE: Approximately 1200 miles
LENGTH: 10 Days
Days 1–2: Calgary
Calgary makes an easy starting point for an Alberta road trip. Pick up your rental car, settle in, and spend a day or two exploring before heading farther into the province. Ride to the top of Calgary Tower for city views, walk through Prince’s Island Park, have dinner on Stephen Avenue, or visit the Calgary Zoo. If your trip falls during the Calgary Stampede, plan time for the rodeo, concerts, and pancake breakfasts. Read my Calgary Stampede guide before you go.
Overnight: Calgary Canada
READ Things to Do in Calgary Canada
Day 3: Waterton Lakes National Park
Waterton Lakes National Park gives you your first real taste of the Canadian Rockies, with mountains, waterfalls, evergreen forests, lakes, and plenty of wildlife. Bighorn sheep, elk, moose, black bears, and grizzly bears all live here. Hiking, horseback riding, biking, canoeing, and paddleboarding fill the warmer months.
How to Spend One Day at Waterton Lakes National Park
6:00 a.m. Grab coffee and a breakfast roll and start driving toward Waterton. Stop at Lundbreck Falls along the way.
9:00 a.m. Drive Red Rock Parkway to Red Rock Canyon. Hike through Red Rock Canyon and continue to Blakiston Falls.
11:00 a.m. Stop at Driftwood Beach to photograph the Prince of Wales Hotel, then continue to Cameron Falls.
12:00 p.m. Browse the shops on Waterton Avenue and have lunch. Photograph the Prince of Wales Hotel from International Peace Park or have afternoon tea at the hotel. If you’d rather keep moving, hike Bear’s Hump for lake views.
4:00 p.m. Take a cruise on Waterton Lake before returning to Calgary.
Overnight: Calgary Canada
READ Waterton Lakes National Park Travel Guide
Day 4: Drumheller and the Canadian Badlands
Alberta isn’t all mountains and turquoise lakes. Drive about 1.5 hours from Calgary and the landscape changes completely. The Canadian Badlands have eroded sandstone cliffs, hoodoos, and some of the world’s best-known dinosaur fossil sites.
Visit Dinosaur Hall at the Royal Tyrrell Museum, photograph Horsethief Canyon, and walk the Hoodoos Trail. You can also climb 106 steps inside Tyra, the World’s Largest Dinosaur, for views across Drumheller and the Badlands.
Overnight: Calgary Canada
3 Nights in Banff National Park
Banff National Park is in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. It is the oldest of Canada’s National Parks and became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. This is grizzly bear country. Get excited if you are driving and traffic suddenly stops; start looking for grizzlies along the side of the road. Banff is a small resort town within Banff National Park. 3 million people visit this charming town yearly and it is a great base with many things to do when visiting the area. You will be spending three days here. Browse the things to do below and add them to the excursions to Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake as time allows.
Things to Do in Banff National Park
- Stop for a meal at a brewpub in downtown Banff, then shop for a few souvenirs
- Take the scenic Lake Minnewanka Cruise
- Go for a covered wagon ride and enjoy a cookout
- Hike up Tunnel Mountain
- Take a walk along the Bow Falls Trail and relax by the river
- Ride the Banff Gondola and check out the views from the ridgetop boardwalk
- Soak in a hot spring with a view at Banff Upper Hot Springs
- Take a ghost tour
- Explore Fairmont Banff Springs, the Castle in the Rockies
- Enjoy high tea at the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel
READ Fairmont Banff Springs Afternoon Tea in the Rockies
READ Banff National Park Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors
Day 5: Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park
Leave Calgary Canada and drive the scenic Bow Valley Parkway toward Banff National Park. Johnston Canyon Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Banff National Park and no Alberta Canada road trip would be complete without a stop here. The trail leads through a pine forest to a series of catwalks attached to a narrow deep rock canyon. As you follow the catwalk Johnston Creek’s crystal clear turquoise water rushes beneath you, it is breathtaking. The best view of the lower falls is from the bridge. Cross the bridge, duck under a tunnel, and find yourself on a small metal platform directly in front of the falls. You will be amazed by the power of the falls, and you will get wet!
There are three popular hikes at Johnston Canyon Trail. The lower falls trail is a simple 1.4-mile out-and-back hike. Continue on to the upper falls for a moderate hike with an incline. The falls can be viewed from the base or above. The third hike takes you to the inkpots; seven jewel-colored, cold mineral springs, and a meadow. Be sure to wear hiking shoes and layers, the area is shaded and can be cool. There are no services in the area, bring water and snacks. Arrive early, the area is popular and the parking lot is small. Be prepared to get wet! Do not veer off the path, if you slip and fall into the creek you will be swept away.
Overnight in Banff
Day 6: Lake Louise in Banff National Park
Lake Louise is an icon of the Canadian Rockies. The beautiful Fairmont Chateau sits at the foot of majestic snow-covered mountains and Victoria Glacier is in the distance feeding the turquoise lake. Be sure to photograph Victoria Glacier across Lake Louise. Hike to the Fairview lookout and take a photo looking back at the hotel. Explore the upscale Fairmont Chateau and canoe on the lake. Take the 4.5-mile hike to Lake Agnes Tea House for tea above a waterfall or hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House for tea with a view. The Lake Louise Station Restaurant is a great place for lunch while watching the trains go by.
Overnight in Banff
Day 7: Moraine Lake in Banff National Park
Moraine Lake sits in the Valley of Ten Peaks and is surrounded by pine trees and snowcapped mountains. The lake is fed by glacier water and is bluest after the glacier begins to melt in June and July. This is a great spot to relax and spend an afternoon canoeing on the lake. Be sure to take the Rockpile Trail for gorgeous views. There are many well-marked hiking trails in this area. Observe the signs and bring bear spray!
Overnight in Banff
Day 8: Drive the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper
Pack a lunch and plan to spend the entire day stopping at the viewpoints. Do not miss Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Mistaya Canyon, the Weeping Wall, Athabasca Glacier, Tangle Creek Falls, Sunwapta Falls, and Athabasca Falls. Attempt to arrive in Jasper National Park around 5 pm and visit Miette Hot Springs for a soak after a long day in the car.
Overnight in Jasper
Day 9: Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park is known for the Columbia Icefield and its abundance of wildlife. You will also find snowcapped mountain peaks, waterfalls, turquoise glacier-fed lakes, hot springs, and red Adirondack chairs. Elk, moose, cougars, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and grizzly bears live in Jasper. Popular summer activities include hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, rafting, canoeing, paddleboarding, and white water rafting. Skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, ice skating, dog sledding, sleigh rides, and the Maligne Canyon ice walk are popular in the winter months.
How to Spend One Day at Jasper National Park
8 am Grab coffee and a breakfast roll to enjoy while you hike past waterfalls in Maligne Canyon.
11 am Stop for a picnic lunch at Medicine Lake.
12:30 Cruise Maligne Lake past Spirit Island.
2 pm Take a walk around Pyramid Lake.
Overnight in Jasper
READ Jasper National Park Travel Guide
Day 10: Athabasca Glacier and Return to Calgary
Prebook the Ice Explorer Glacier Tour for the earliest time available. Get up early to check out of the hotel, have breakfast in town, and return to the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre. Spend approximately 3 hours on the Athabasca Glacier and walking across the Glacier Skywalk. Continue on to Calgary Canada and enjoy dinner on Stephen Avenue.
Overnight in Calgary Canada
Day Ten: Return Flight from Calgary Canada
Have More Time? Spend the day at the West Edmonton Mall, the biggest mall in North America, look for bison at Elk Island, visit Yoho National Park, take the rappelling adventure tour of Canmore Cave, or stop to support the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary rescue center in Canmore.
Have More Time in Alberta?
If you can add another day or two, you have plenty of options. Visit West Edmonton Mall, look for bison at Elk Island National Park, explore Yoho National Park, take an adventure tour through Canmore Cave, or visit the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary near Canmore.
Is 10 Days Enough for an Alberta Canada Road Trip?
Ten days is enough to see a surprising amount of Alberta if you don’t mind moving around.
This isn’t the itinerary for sleeping late every morning and spending four days beside one lake. It’s for travelers who have limited vacation time and want to see Calgary, the Canadian Badlands, Banff, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, the Icefields Parkway, Jasper, and Athabasca Glacier in one trip.
You’ll drive a lot, change hotels, and have some early mornings. You’ll also see an incredible amount of Alberta without having to spend your own evenings figuring out what to do tomorrow.
Book your rental car, hotels, park activities, and the experiences that require reservations ahead of time. Then use this itinerary to handle the rest.
Check the Alberta Canada Office of Tourism website for current events and festivals.
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