Glacier National Park and Banff National Park are like a series of breathtaking postcards, each view more spectacular than the last. You’ll find yourself in truly pinch-me moments in these gorgeous parks! If you’re wondering how to plan a Glacier to Banff road trip, this is the guide for you!
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The road trip from Glacier National Park to Banff National Park is bucket-list worthy, with spectacular views of gorgeous mountains, surreal lake scenes and scenic roads, there’s so much to see and do on a vacation like this. This road trip takes you through the rugged wilderness of Montana, USA, through the heart of the Canadian Rockies.
Gah! I’m so excited for you! Let’s dive in!
Where to start your Glacier to Banff road trip
If you live near Northern Montana and can make the road trip from home, with your own personal vehicle, that’s awesome!
If not, I recommend planning your trip to fly into Glacier Park International Airport, just outside of Kalispell. It’s only about 30-45 minutes from the west entrance of Glacier National Park, making it super convenient!
Pick up a rental car and head out on your trip. Then, after your epic adventure is complete, you can fly back out of Calgary International Airport.
Some rental car companies allow one-way rentals between the US and Canada. Check out the official policy from Avis and Alamo and see if rental cars are available for your dates.
Alternatively, you can add a day on the end of your trip to drive back from Banff.
Here’s a map of the road trip route, assuming you’ll start in Kalispell and end in Calgary.
Recommended number of days for this Glacier and Banff itinerary
To really embrace the stunning natural beauty and ensure a relaxed pace, you’ll want a minimum of 7 days, but aim for a 10 to 14-day vacation.
Here’s a sample of what a 10-day itinerary for a Glacier to Banff national parks road trip might look like for you…
- Day 1: fly into Kalispell in the morning and visit West Glacier, Avalanche Lake
- Day 2: Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier
- Day 3: Many Glacier or Two Medicine areas, Glacier
- Day 4: drive to and explore Waterton-Lakes National Park
- Day 5: drive to Banff
- Day 6: Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
- Day 7: Icefields Parkway
- Day 8: Lake Minnewanka, Johnson or Two Jack Lakes
- Day 9: Banff town
- Day 10: flex day or drive back to Kalispell
Obviously this is a very simplified version, and honestly it only gives you time to see the park highlights. But it definitely gets you a starting point!
Best time of year to do this road trip
The optimal time for this road trip is from late June to early September. During these months, the weather is typically mild and the most park roads and facilities are open. This timing also allows you to see the parks’ late-blooming wildflowers and active wildlife.
With the level of snowfall the Rocky Mountains get, the roads may not be accessible until late June (especially the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier and the road into Moraine Lake). Alternatively, the snow typically starts in late September or early October, so the season to take this road trip with full accessibility is just a few short months!
Timed entry permits for Glacier and Banff National Parks
⚠️Note: almost all of Glacier and parts of Banff National Park require timed entry permits. In some spots, you can get to the parking lot super early (before 5:00, 6:00 or 7:00am) to get in early, but in some cases the parks require timed permits all day long.
Plan early! Here are the official park links for your permits:
Glacier National Park timed entry permits
Moraine Lake and Lake Louise shuttle reservations
Highlights of Glacier National Park, Montana
The first part of your trip will be spent in Glacier National Park. I’ve explored all the corners of this park over the years, and can safely say you’ll love all of it. You’ll want at least 3 days, but 5-7 days in this park would be better!
Day 1: West Glacier and Avalanche Lake
One of the most stunning lakes at Glacier National Park is Avalanche Lake. It requires a hike to get there (plus your timed entry permit for the West Glacier entrance), but it’s soooo worth the trouble!
You’ll also drive past Lake McDonald. You’ll want to stop here to see nature’s skittles – the insanely colorful rocks that make up the shoreline here.
Day 2: Going-to-the-Sun Road (perfect day on this Glacier and Banff itinerary!)
It’s impossible to list all the amazing things to do along this road. Completed in 1933, this 50-mile road was carved through the mountains and provides spectacular views!
You can access the road through the east or west entrance, although it’s only open in higher elevation when the snow has melted for the season. The Going-to-the-Sun Road passes through the highest point in the park, at Logan Pass and has some of the best views!
Hike the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail, see the famous Wild Goose Island, check out a roadside waterfall and stop at one of the countless overlooks along the way. Some of the top things to do in Glacier National Park are along this scenic road.
Day 3: Many Glacier or Two Medicine areas of Glacier National Park, Montana
If you have more than 10 days for this trip, I highly recommend visiting both areas of this park. These are separate regions of the park, and will require a separate timed entry reservation as well.
My favorite is the Many Glacier region, as I believe the hikes are more scenic – although they can be really challenging! Grinnell Glacier Trail is spectacular, or you can take a boat tour or rent canoes on Swiftcurrent Lake.
At Two Medicine, you can check out the (almost) roadside Running Eagle Falls, AKA Trick Falls, or take a boat tour or relax along the shore at Two Medicine Lake.
Accommodations recommendations near Glacier National Park
There’s probably the most options in West Glacier compared to the other national parks on the list. Just consider that West Glacier is a full 1-2 hours drive to the entrances of other regions of the park.
One of the things that’s most appealing about this area of North America is its untamed, natural beauty. That means you won’t find any mega hotel chains here. For that reason, I highly recommend booking early (6+ months in advance, if possible), and finding something that suits your needs.
There are a lot of cabins/resorts and glamping options on VRBO in and near West Glacier. If you’re camping, you can find NPS campgrounds throughout the park, or Glacier Meadow RV Park which is centrally located between the West Glacier and East Glacier Entrances.
And with a lot of planning and a bit of luck, you can even stay in the park at the Many Glacier Hotel!
Explore Waterton-Lakes National Park
Fun fact: Glacier National Park is actually an international park, sharing the border with Canada, the park’s name across the line is Waterton-Lakes National Park.
It’s just a small pitstop on this Glacier to Banff road trip, and definitely worth the small detour.
Day 4: Drive to and see Waterton-Lakes National Park
Depending on where you’re staying near Glacier, the drive to the entrance of Waterton Lakes could be as little as an hour or as much as 3 hours. Consider this when you’re planning your fun day!
You’ll go over the border from the US to Canada, so make sure you have your passport handy.
One of the fun things about Canadian national parks, is that often times it’s a small town and nature area within the park. Kind of reminds me of these charming small towns in Colorado.
Anyway, there’s plenty of places to eat and even some shops in Waterton Lakes, so you’ll have options there.
Hike Bear’s Hump, Blackiston Falls or visit Cameron Falls. Alternatively, visit the stunning Prince of Wales Hotel, for its incredible architecture and design.
Driving from Waterton Lakes to Banff on this epic road trip
After your time in Waterton Lakes, it’s about 4 hours drive to Banff National Park. If you have the days and you don’t want to cram too much in, you could stay in or near Waterton Lakes or Calgary to break up the drive to Banff.
Especially if you’re staying in West Glacier and plan to explore the national park and make it to Banff, it can be a long day. I’ve done it, and it’s possible, but it’s a lot of driving. Staying the night in or near Waterton Lakes allows you to see more of the park at a leisurely pace, too.
Day 5: Road trip Waterton Lakes to Banff
From Waterton Lakes to Banff, it’s a relatively uneventful drive, at least until you get to Calgary. You’ll basically take the AB-2 N and Trans-Canada Hwy/AB-1 W until you reach Banff.
You can spend the morning hanging out in Waterton Lakes, or head straight to Banff and enjoy the evening in town. You’ll pass through Calgary and Canmore, both fun towns with a variety of things to do as well.
Highlights in Banff National Park, Alberta
The second part of your trip will be spent in Banff National Park. Each time I’ve visited, it’s been gorgeous and worthwhile. You’ll want at least 3 days, but 5-7 days in and surrounding this park would be better!
Day 6: Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
Similar to Glacier Naiotnal Park, visiting Moraine Lake and Lake Louise isn’t exactly easy. You’ll need to get advance reservations for the shuttle, or book a tour to get access to these stunning lakes.
At Moraine Lake, be sure to take the short walk up the Rockpile Trail, which provides incredible views of lake from a slightly elevated spot. It will be busy, but be sure to stay on the trails because the ecosystem is fragile as this spot suffers from over tourism.
There’s another lakeside trail, along with a cafe and gift shop. Next, hop on the shuttle and head over to Lake Louise.
This stunning scene is a busy spot, but oh so beautiful. If you’re up for a challenge, strap on your hiking shoes for the Big Beehive hike, Little Beehive hike or the Beehive Circuit. In total, combining the trail and doing the circuit is over 14 km (8.6 mi) and 1032 m (3385 ft) in elevation gain, but the reward is spectacular views of the lake!
Day 7: Icefields Parkway (one of my favorite days on this Glacier to Banff road trip)
Icefield Parkway is an unbelievable scenic road that connects the towns of Banff and Jasper, all inside these gorgeous national parks. It’s one of the top scenic roads in the world, and it’s easy to see why.
I’ll be honest here, you can spend a lot of time exploring the sights, waterfalls, and hikes along Icefields Parkway. For all the details you might need, check out this Banff to Jasper drive guide.
But, there are a lot of things to see if you only cover the Banff portion of the Icefields Parkway, too.
Must-see’s are Bow Lake, Peyto Lake and Athabasca Glacier & Icefield Center. These are all along the Icefields Parkway, complete with incredible views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains along the drive.
Day 8: Lake Minnewanka, Johnson or Two Jack Lakes
Surprise! Another lake day! But seriously though, there’s so much to see and do in Banff, and lots of these activities are on or along the water.
Having spent time at all of these lakes, my favorite, and definitely the most commercialized with amenities is Lake Minnewanka. I recommend a boat tour, which you’ll definitely want to book in advance. You can even enjoy ice cream or sweet treats afterwards.
Johnson and Two Jack Lakes are great for picnicking, paddle boarding or otherwise enjoying being surrounded by the incredible Rocky Mountains in Banff National Park. Pinch me moments included.
Day 9: Banff town
With all the adventures of this Glacier and Banff itinerary, day 9 is a bit more relaxed and can go at your own pace! Go shopping for souvenirs in the downtown, sit at a restaurant and people watch, or take a Banff e-bike tour.
This is a day to have fun in town, relax, and maybe even take a nap!😉
Oh, and be sure to check out the Banff sign! There’s even parking specifically for it!
Day 10: Flex day or drive back to Kalispell
If you’re able to fly out of Calgary, you could spend the morning in Banff, return your rental car and hop on a flight out of Calgary. Alternatively, you may want to head back to Kalispell for a flight out.
Banff to the airport in Calgary is only about 1.5 hours, with lightly flowing traffic.
From Banff to Kalispell, it’s about 5-6.5 hours, depending on which route you take.
Of course, if you have the privilege of time (and I certainly hope you do because these destinations are fabulous), you can use this day to see something in Banff you didn’t have the chance to do yet.
And of course, you can add a day or two to Glacier, Waterton-Lakes, Banff or the Icefields Parkway to extend your trip to 14+ days as well!
Accommodations recommendations near Banff
Hotels, vacation rentals and even campgrounds fill up months in advance in Banff, especially if you’re traveling during the busy summer season.
There are more places to stay in and around Banff. Here are my recommendations:
- Fairmont Banff Springs. Upscale and dream-like – stay in an almost castle amongst the Canadian Rockies.
- Rimrock Hotel & Spa. Relax in between the sightseeing and hiking during your epic Glacier to Banff National Park road trip.
- Tunnel Mountain Village Campground. Views of Banff town, this is the campground to be at if you’re bringing your RV to the Canadian Rockies.
What to pack for this road trip and these national parks
Let’s go over some essential items to pack for your road trip adventure.
- Passport for everyone traveling. You’ll need it to go from Glacier to Banff.
- Dress in layers. The weather can be unpredictable, even in summer! (Don’t ask me about wearing shorts to Moraine Lake in July and freezing!) Pack versatile, moisture-wicking, and insulating layers. Include lightweight, waterproof jacket plus heavier coat and outerwear depending on the season.
- Sturdy hiking shoes. There are some absolutely incredible hikes in Glacier and Banff National Parks, plus some fun ones in Waterton Lakes. Don’t forget the hiking socks, too!
- Hiking backpack and trekking poles. If you plan to step foot on a trail, be prepared! My husband and I love our Osprey hiking backpacks and my children love their smaller kids hiking backpacks. And trekking poles come in handy during pretty much any hike in the Rocky Mountains!
- Good camera with telephoto lens for when you see wildlife (even a cell phone zoom is adequate). For fabulous road trip footage, a GoPro is a must! Many of the photos and videos in this guide were taken with my GoPro (it pretty much travels with me everywhere).
- Binoculars. You shouldn’t be too close to wildlife, so binoculars are perfect. My family used our binoculars while on these easy hikes in Glacier National Park just before making our way north to Banff and we saw a grizzly bear – so cool!
- Collapsible cooler for food and water. Perfect for road trips snacks, keeping drinks cold or picnicking. Bring extra water if you’re planning on being active or doing some hiking!
- Hat and gloves (even in the summer months!) Hard to believe it stays this cold, but it absolutely can be really cold in Banff and Glacier. The wind coming off the glacier lakes is freezing too.
- Sun protection. A hat and eco-friendly sunscreen – you’re at high elevation in these parks.
- Bear spray. There’s a lot of wildlife in these parks and bears are very common. Be prepared with bear spray at all times.
Tips for the Glacier National Park and Banff itinerary
Here’s a few more pointers to make the most of your trip…
- You’ll need to purchase park passes for all 3 parks. US parks operate differently than Canadian Parks passes, but buying them in advance can save you some time. Don’t forget a park map at the entrance to each park!
- Wildlife is abundant in these parks! Be cautious of wildlife, especially near the road. Keep a safe distance and don’t feed them. And keep in mind other cars could be abruptly stopping when they see wildlife so be careful at all times.
- Gas is extremely limited. Fuel up often and when you have the chance.
- Similarly, food is extremely limited in most areas. During the summer season you may have a few restaurants open (with long wait times to go along with). This is a great opportunity to pack a picnic lunch and eat at an overlook or lake!
- Follow the Leave No Trace principles. That means pack out what you pack in. Dispose of trash properly – even biodegradable food scraps! Stay on trails, don’t disturb rocks, sticks or nature in any way so you’re respectful of animals and microorganisms that live in the parks.
- Pets are not allowed on trails in Glacier National Park, but they are allowed on most trails in Waterton Lakes and Banff. Just be sure not to leave your pets in hot vehicles when they’re not hiking with you!
- If you don’t already have your accommodations, book them now!The further in advance, the better, especially during the busy summer season. Hotels, hostels and campgrounds fill up quickly!
- Expect crowds and practice patience. This is one of the best scenic drives between the US and Canada, so it will likely be busy, especially in the parks! Use patience for pedestrians and full parking lots. Kindness always wins!
- Restrooms are scarce. Use one when you see it.
Glacier to Banff road trip – that’s a wrap!
Wow, what an incredible road trip! From Glacier to Banff National Park, this guide walked you through everything you’ll need to know before you depart on your bucket-list vacation!
Get ready for the sweeping Rocky Mountain views as you make your way through these scenic national parks. Make as many stops as time allows – and have fun!!
Related content you’ll love:
Banff Summer Guide: 21 Amazing Things to Do
Banff to Jasper Drive: 12 Must-see Stops
25 Incredible Things to Do in Glacier National Park
13 Stunning and Easy Hikes Glacier National Park
10 Gorgeous Lakes at Glacier National Park
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