Must-Do Banff Itinerary in June

Banff National Park offers free admission starting late June❗ June is also black bear activity season, with perfect weather and stunning snow-capped mountains!

Day 1
Calgary Airport (2h) Car Rental
I found cheaper options using Alipay car rental. Stop by T&T Supermarket for ready-to-eat meals first.

Day 2 Stay in Canmore
Drive to Banff (🎫$11 per person per day, required upon entry)
1pm Lake Minnewanka (Figure 3, book boat tickets in advance) → Two Jack Lake (Figure 5) & smaller lakes along the way → Banff Viewpoint (Figure 6, frequent bighorn sheep sightings Figure 4)
Evening: Banff Town (Figure 2)
Recommended dining👉🏻 The Grizzly House (exotic meats) Figure 12
Desserts👉🏻 BeaverTails & Cows!
Cafe👉🏻 Whitebark Coffee Figure 13

Day 3
3am wake-up for sunrise at Moraine Lake & extended Lake Louise tour (ends 3:30pm, with hotel shuttle). This official tour is called "Moraine Lake Sunrise & Lake Louise Experience".
Moraine Lake (2h) for sunrise & golden mountain views Figure 1
Lake Louise (6h, bluest after noon)
Rest at hotel café, then choose the 1.1km hiking tour – breathtaking mountain views Figure 7
Lunch reservation at Fairmont's Lakeview Lounge (request window seating) Figure 8
Post-lunch canoe rental (1h recommended, $170/boat) Figures 9-10
8:10pm Banff Gondola at Sulphur Mountain (book sunset tickets in advance for light show) Figure 11
Overnight in Banff town

Days 4-5 Icefields Parkway → Jasper (see separate post)

Day 6 Jasper → Calgary via Banff
1pm Bow River horseback riding (1h) Figure 14
📍Banff Trail Riders (10min drive from town)
Return to Calgary, with optional stop at Brokeback Mountain filming location!