Spending a week in Banff National Park provides ample time to explore the stunning landscapes, engage in outdoor activities, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies. It is possible to make all of this happen on a budget, for me, a broke college student budget.
A few things I did to make this who trip happen:
- I was able to get 5 other people to go along with me
- Flew into Seattle rather than into Banff. it was cheaper to fly there and then drive, especially splitting between 6 people.
- We had a friend who let us use his 1 bed apartment for the first night while he wasn’t there.
- Split groceries between all of us
- We camped, A LOT. Many times when we probably shouldn’t have because it was so cold.
Day 1: Arrival and Lake Louise
- Started with a long drive from Seattle to getting into Banff.
- We started our adventure with a visit to Lake Louise, known for its turquoise waters and surrounding peaks. Take a leisurely hike around the lake or rent a canoe to explore the waters. Since it was really cold out at the time, we decided to take some pictures but get warm inside the beautiful hotel overlook the lake. (No we didnt stay the night because thats too darn expensive for us.
- We found a local campsite where we could set up our tents/sleep in our car
Day 2: Moraine Lake and Peyto Lake
- Head to Moraine Lake, another iconic spot with breathtaking views. Take a hike up the Rockpile for an excellent vantage point.
- Petty Lake is probably the most beautiful sight we saw while we were traveling through Banff
Day 3: Banff Town and Banff Gondola
- Spend the day exploring the charming town of Banff. Visit the Banff Park Museum, stroll along Banff Avenue, and indulge in local cuisine.
- In the afternoon, take the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.
Day 4: Icefields Parkway and Athabasca Glacier
- Embark on a scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the world.
- Experience the Athabasca Glacier up close on an Ice Explorer tour or venture onto the Glacier Skywalk for a thrilling view.
Day 5: Vermilion Lakes and Banff Hot Springs
- Enjoy a peaceful morning at the Vermilion Lakes, a beautiful spot for photography and wildlife viewing.
- Afterward, relax and unwind at the Banff Upper Hot Springs, known for its soothing mineral-rich waters.
- This was only $10 to sit in the natural hot springs! to get any bit of warmth, this was the best $10 we spent the whole trip.
For a spur of the moment trip on a tight budget, this may have been one of my favorite trips ever. This really pushed us to be creative in what we wanted to see, what was important to us, and nothing was going to stop us from making it happen.
Please subscribe to my page for more budget adventures and check out more my my posts!