Why Banff for families: Unlike most bucket-list destinations, Banff delivers the "wow" without requiring advanced hiking skills. Many of the most stunning views are a short walk from parking lots.
7-Day Family Itinerary
Arrive + Banff Town Exploration
- • Fly into Calgary, 90-min drive to Banff
- • Check into hotel, let kids decompress
- • Walk Banff Avenue, grab dinner at Park Distillery
- • Evening: Cascade Gardens for mountain views
✨ Buy Parks Canada Discovery Pass ($145/family, valid 1 year)
Lake Louise + Plain of Six Glaciers
- • Arrive at Lake Louise by 7am (parking fills by 9am)
- • Walk along the lakeshore (flat, stroller-friendly)
- • Hike to Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse (5.3 mi RT)
- • Hot chocolate and fresh baked goods at teahouse!
✨ The tea house has no electricity—everything is packed in by horse
Moraine Lake + Consolation Lakes
- • Moraine Lake access: shuttle or 5am arrival
- • Rockpile Trail viewpoint (15 min, jaw-dropping)
- • Consolation Lakes hike (3 mi RT, moderate)
- • Afternoon: lakeside picnic and rock throwing
✨ This is the famous "twenty dollar bill view"
Icefields Parkway + Columbia Icefield
- • Drive the "most beautiful road in the world"
- • Stops: Bow Lake, Peyto Lake viewpoint
- • Columbia Icefield Skywalk (glass floor over canyon)
- • Glacier Adventure bus onto Athabasca Glacier
✨ Kids can touch 10,000-year-old ice
Jasper National Park Day Trip
- • Drive to Jasper (2.5 hrs from Lake Louise)
- • Maligne Canyon walk (easy, dramatic canyon)
- • Wildlife safari on Maligne Lake Road
- • Spirit Island boat cruise (2 hours)
✨ Best chance to see bears, moose, elk
Johnston Canyon + Banff Gondola
- • Johnston Canyon: walkways bolted to cliff walls
- • Lower Falls (1.1 km), Upper Falls (2.7 km)
- • Afternoon: Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain
- • Evening: Banff Hot Springs (bring swimsuits)
✨ The canyon catwalks feel like a real adventure
Emerald Lake + Depart
- • Drive to Yoho NP for Emerald Lake (1 hr)
- • Canoe rental on the impossibly green water
- • Short walk around the lake
- • Drive back to Calgary for flight
✨ Perfect peaceful ending before the journey home
Best Family Hikes in Banff
| Hike | Distance | Difficulty | Kid Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Louise Lakeshore | 2 km | Easy | Stroller OK, turquoise water |
| Johnston Canyon Lower | 2.4 km | Easy | Catwalk adventure, waterfalls |
| Bow Falls Trail | 1 km | Easy | Quick waterfall, great for toddlers |
| Tunnel Mountain | 4.5 km | Moderate | Ages 5+, 360° views |
| Plain of Six Glaciers | 10.6 km | Moderate | Ages 6+, teahouse reward |
| Consolation Lakes | 5.8 km | Moderate | Ages 5+, quieter than Moraine |
Where to Stay with Kids
Fairmont Banff Springs
Best Splurge"The Castle in the Rockies." Pool, bowling alley, multiple restaurants. Kids feel like royalty.
$450-800/night
Moose Hotel & Suites
Best Mid-RangeDowntown location, rooftop hot tub with mountain views. Suites with kitchenettes.
$300-450/night
HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre
BudgetPrivate family rooms available. Prime location for early Lake Louise access. Shared kitchen.
$150-200/night (family room)
Budget for Family of 4 (7 Days)
| Flights (US → Calgary RT × 4) | $2,400 |
| Rental car (7 days) | $500 |
| Hotels (6 nights mid-range) | $2,100 |
| Parks Canada Pass | $145 |
| Activities (gondola, glacier, boats) | $600 |
| Food & gas | $1,000 |
| Total | ~$6,750 |
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