Baniff, Jasper, & Glacier

Question

Calgary - Glacier - Baniff/Jasper - Calgary - How many days?

Answer

For a road trip that includes Calgary, Glacier National Park, Banff, and Jasper, the length of time you’ll need depends on how much time you want to spend exploring each location and how leisurely you want your trip to be. Here's a suggested itinerary and general timeline to help guide your planning:

Day 1: Calgary to Glacier National Park

If you're driving, the distance between Calgary and Glacier National Park is about 4-5 hours, depending on which part of the park you’re aiming for. Plan to spend the afternoon or evening arriving and settling into your accommodations. You could explore some of the park’s nearby trails or simply enjoy the scenic drive.

Day 2-3: Explore Glacier National Park

Glacier is a massive park with lots to offer. For hiking, consider spots like Logan Pass (highly scenic with lots of wildlife) or Hidden Lake. If you're into more rugged adventures, the Going-to-the-Sun Road provides stunning views. Spending 2 full days in Glacier would give you time to explore key attractions and hike some shorter or longer trails.

Day 4: Glacier National Park to Banff

Driving from Glacier to Banff takes about 4-5 hours. Along the way, you'll want to stop for the iconic views along the Icefields Parkway, which is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Upon arriving in Banff, you can explore the town, visit Lake Louise, or take a gondola ride for panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

Day 5-6: Explore Banff and Jasper

Banff and Jasper are both stunning, and each offers unique features. You could spend a day each exploring the towns and major spots like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Peyto Lake. After Banff, head north to Jasper, which will take about 3 hours by car. In Jasper, visit Jasper National Park's highlights such as Maligne Lake, the Columbia Icefield, and Athabasca Falls.

Day 7: Jasper to Calgary

On the final day, you’ll drive back to Calgary from Jasper, which takes about 4 hours. If you have extra time, stop along the way at scenic spots like the Icefields Parkway or Sunwapta Falls.

Overall Suggested Time: 7 days

Day 1: Travel from Calgary to Glacier National Park
Day 2-3: Explore Glacier National Park
Day 4: Travel from Glacier to Banff
Day 5-6: Explore Banff and Jasper
Day 7: Travel from Jasper to Calgary

This itinerary will give you a leisurely pace to really enjoy the parks and the breathtaking scenery. If you're in a rush, you could reduce the number of days in each place, but this 7-day plan will allow for a more relaxed experience without feeling too rushed.

Of course, if you want more time for hiking or if you're an avid outdoor enthusiast, you might want to add an extra day or two to any of these locations.

Hope this helps you plan your incredible road trip through some of the most beautiful parks in North America!