Calling all adventure seekers in Calgary! Here’s something we’re sure you’ll enjoy – exciting road trips that invite a world of discovery and the beauty of the Canadian Rockies.
Prepare to have your breath taken away in this ultimate itinerary – and we mean it both figuratively and literally because we’ve packed it with activities like heart-pounding rafting adventures and enchanting cave tours.
But wait – there’s more! We also included a national park considered part of the UNESCO World Heritage because of its exciting vistas of mountains and lakes.
Interested? Read on, then, and get ready for a roadmap of everything exciting for your next Rocky Mountain road trips!
Table of Contents
What are the best Rocky Mountain road trips from Calgary?
The best Rocky Mountain road trips from Calgary are ones to Banff, Canmore, and Jasper National Park.
Below, we created an interesting itinerary for each place to help you enjoy the best possible road trip!
1. The Banff Itinerary
Banff is a world-renowned resort town known for its breathtaking views of the mountains and lakes. Additionally, it’s known for being an adrenaline hub because of the invigorating outdoor adventure it offers.
Needless to say, Banff is a town of many hats. In fact, it attracts millions of visitors per year and is considered one of the most popular places in Canada.
To know how to make the most out of your lovely trip to Banff (here are the Google Maps directions, by the way), see the hottest spots to go to below.
Relax at the Banff Upper Hot Springs
Website: https://hotsprings.ca/banff/
Address: 1 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1K2, Canada
Contact number: +1 800-767-1611
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 10 PM
Banff Upper Hot Springs is one of the most famous attractions in the town – yes, even during winter season!
While you’re taking a dip at the hot outdoor pool, you’ll also have the chance to breathe in the majestic views of the mountains. Their other amenities include changing rooms (including gender-neutral ones) where washrooms, showers, lockers, and private change stalls can easily be accessed.
They also have a cafe where you can grab a cup of coffee, a hearty meal, or a sweet treat.
Go on a Lake Minnewanka boat cruise
Website: https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/attractions/lake-minnewanka-cruise/
Address: Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr, Improvement District No. 9, AB T1L 1A1, Canada
Contact number: +1 866-474-4766
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 6 PM
You won’t be able to say you’ve been to Banff unless you had the Lake Minnewanka boat cruise experience!
If you’re visiting the town with your family, the Junior Explorer Cruise is the one we recommend the most. The 60-minute tour features kid-friendly interactive activities like a treasure hunt.
The best thing about this is that kids get to ride the cruise for free as long as they’re accompanied by an adult!
Meanwhile, if you’re a group of people who’d like to hit two birds with one stone, the Beer Voyage might be the perfect fit.
You’ll get to enjoy the magical lake views along with some local craft beers on board. It’s sure to be a memorable experience for the gang.
Explore the wilderness at Johnston Canyon
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9F3oz8CXC4g636bK7
If you want to fully immerse yourself in the Banff wilderness, we highly recommend going on a hike at Johnston Canyon.
It’s quite an easy paved path to explore, with promises of breathtaking waterfalls along the way. By the way, it’s a popular hiking spot, so if you want to avoid crowds, we suggest arriving early. And by early, we mean at the first hint of sunrise!
Take photos at the Moraine Lake
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nLPB87nsSwoDvqMC7
Moraine Lake has been the subject of a lot of gorgeous scenic photos taken at Banff. It’s a popular spot for people with cameras on hand because of the clear waters that reflect the mountains.
2. The Canmore Itinerary
Going to Canmore from Calgary only takes around 1 hour and 9 minutes – you can follow the route here on Google Maps. It’s no wonder a lot of Calgarians go here for a quick yet exciting adventure.
This is a perfect destination for those who want to satiate their outdoor wanderlust. Below are a few exciting adventures you can try while you’re in Canmore.
Go on a cave tour
Website: https://www.canmorecavetours.com
Address: 129 Bow Meadows Crescent #101, Canmore, AB T1W 2W8, Canada
Contact number: +1 403-678-8819
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Canmore is the cave tour exploration capital of Alberta. If you’re looking for a way to dive into the great outdoors, why not try signing up for this thrilling adventure?
Of course, you’ll be guided by an expert cave explorer. No, not Indiana Jones unfortunately, but they’re still someone who can help you explore the cave safely and teach you about the local geological and historical wonders.
Discover the thrill of White Wolf Rafting
Website: https://www.whitewolfrafting.com
Address: 829 10 St #109, Canmore, AB T1W 0C3, Canada
Contact number: +1 888-655-7238
One of the activities we personally enjoyed during our recent visit to Canmore is the river raft tours by White Wolf Rafting.
It helped us develop a deeper love for the outdoors even though a lot of us wouldn’t necessarily call ourselves thrill-seekers.
Anyway, you’ll start the journey in calm waters so you have time to appreciate the wonderful natural sights around you. After a while, you’ll get to experience the thrilling rapids!
Do note that this activity is seasonal, so if you want to try this out, it’s best to be in Canmore around June to September.
Explore Downtown Canmore
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5cKPc2wnxbUqyojw6
Vibrant Downtown Canmore is also a destination waiting to be explored. There are plenty of things to see here so we suggest allotting half a day to a full day.
If you’re looking for a place to try extremely tasty dishes, The Grizzly Paw Pub is worth a visit. Aside from its stunning viewpoint of the mountains, it’s also known for its own brews and bar grub.
We highly recommend their famous boss burger, which is made of Alberta beef patty, smoked bacon, American cheese, tomato, and their own boss sauce.
Meanwhile, you can also discover the local art scene by going to galleries like Canmore Art Guild.
To make exploration even more fun, you might also be interested in touring the streets by cycling around. While you can definitely bring your own, renting one might be more convenient.
See GearUp Mountain Sports Rental & Service or Pedego Electric Bikes Canmore for the latter.
3. The Jasper National Park Itinerary
Jasper National Park is one of Alberta’s greatest gems. It’s a wonderland of splendid mountains, stunning lakes, and majestic wildlife.
It’s a bit further away than, say, Canmore, but the 3.5-hour trip (Google Maps here) is worth it. You can see how to explore Jasper National Park like a pro below.
Conquer the heights at the Jasper SkyTram
Website: https://www.jasperskytram.com
Address: Whistlers Rd, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0, Canada
Contact number: +1 780-852-3093
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
There’s no better way to witness the beauty of Jasper National Park other than riding the Jasper SkyTram – if you can conquer the heights, that is. Here, you’ll get to indulge in unhindered views of the surrounding area for 7 and ½ minutes.
Aside from the thrilling tram ride, they also offer other exciting activities such as the star sessions which is like an ordinary tram ride but at night!
They also offer two dining options for hungry travelers, so you can freely check it out the moment you start hearing your stomach rumbling!
Sign up for a Maligne Lake Cruise
Website: https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/attractions/maligne-lake-cruise/
Address: Maligne Lake Rd, Improvement District No. 12, AB T0E 1E0, Canada
Contact number: +1 866-606-6700
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5:30 PM
The Maligne Lake Cruise offers an exciting opportunity to enjoy the lake and the surrounding view. With a knowledgeable guide to tell you exciting tales and history, you get to sit back, relax, and appreciate the grandeur of Canadian Rockies from the comforts of a boat.
By saving yourself a spot in the cruise, you’re promised an experience that will leave you in awe.
Witness the beauty of Sunwapta Falls
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sqZNwFSmX4QVo4TP7
The captivating beauty of the Sunwapta Falls is another attraction you shouldn’t miss if you find yourself in Jasper National Park.
It’s a matching pair of enchanting waterfalls that can be enjoyed from the viewpoint parking lot. Yes, you don’t need to go on a hike at all!
This is for the upper falls, though. If you want to access the lower falls you’ll need to walk for about 1.3 km or .8 mi. Compared to other hikes in Alberta, it’s actually not that bad.
