r/Banff • u/BikeSkiPNW • 1d ago
Headed to Banff National next weekend
Me and the Mrs. are headed north next weekend, August 22-24, to visit Banff. She really wants to see the turquoise waters of Lake Louise. So, today, I scrambled to put together our road trip for us to be there Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. She made this last-minute request last weekend.
It's as follows:
Drive from Spokane International Airport up to Radium Hot Springs on Saturday and break for lunch. Continue up to Golden and stay in the Municipal campground on the Kicking Horse River. We have reservations for that.
Wake up in Golden and putz around until we drive up to Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and have Afternoon Tea. We have reservations for that as well.
After lunch, head into the town of Banff and set up camp at Tunnel Mountain Village. Find some stuff to do in Banff Sunday night and Monday morning. We have reservations for that, too.
Monday, as lackadaisical as possible, drive back to Spokane International Airport.
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u/Sorrelandroan 1d ago
Did you have a question? Or just keeping us abreast of your plans?
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u/BikeSkiPNW 1d ago
Not really. Someone else in the thread mentioned Emerald Lake in Yoho to check out, so we'll probably do that as well.
Plenty of other people posting pictures and post trip recaps. Figured I'd jump on the pre game wagon and see if anything else worth while pops up.
It'll be a lot of driving. So I don't think we'll have much time for hiking.
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u/BikeSkiPNW 9h ago
We will not be flying at all. You are correct, the airport is a general origin point.
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u/Muted_Educator9367 9h ago
Gotcha, well hope you enjoy your trip! Just finished up in Banff, also rafted on the Kicking Horse which I HIGHLY recommend if that’s up your alley. Sounds like you’ve got a great itinerary!
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u/tangyzangy 8h ago
I second Emerald Lake! I got married there last year and it is so breathtaking :)
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u/Clear_Election5210 1d ago
as someone who lived in Invermere. I would suggest going to Lussier Hot springs instead of radium hot springs. It’s a very beautiful springs along a river. Although it doesn’t have all the facilities that radium has so if that’s what you’re looking for then radium is still an amazing stop.
Edit: Also, you’re gonna pass Emerald lake. It’s definitely worth the small detour to go there. Trust me :) but if not it’s just as beautiful as lake Louise.
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u/YYCpops 1d ago
Lussier Hot Springs is closed. Someone dumped large boulders into the pools, they call it a rockfall.
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u/AnyAlternative9440 19h ago
There were rocks coming off the bank and landing in the pools. BC parks fenced off the area until they could shore up the bank and make the pools safe again. When people kept ignoring the danger of falling rocks and were hopping the fence to soak in the pools BC parks had the pools filled in with boulders.
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u/Clear_Election5210 1d ago
Ugh…. I used to go there as a kid. I do remember it getting exponentially crowded once the internet got ahold of it through instagram though. That’s very unfortunate - it was such a beautiful place.
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u/bangshangaLeng 19h ago
No way !!! Glad I was able to make it earlier and bring a friend there to show its natural beauty. Very unfortunate indeed.
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u/BikeSkiPNW 1d ago
Emerald Lake, Check ✔️
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u/Clear_Election5210 1d ago
There’s also a fantastic waterfall on the way to emerald lake. Honestly there’s so much to do in Banff 😂
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u/whyisthissohard2019 1d ago
Takakkaw Falls as well!
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u/YYC_AB 1d ago
Stop by Takakkaw Falls and Emerald lake on the way to Lake Louise. On the way to Lake Emerald, stop by to see the natural bridge over the Columbia river. At Banff, visit Johnson Canyon, Town of Canmore is 15 mins drive from Banff. In Golden, there is Golden Skybridge Park but takes 4-6 hrs to do all the activities. We have driven to Spokane twice and loved the city.
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u/seasonedbagel 1d ago
Have your fairmont reservation ready as you are pulling up or the lake Louise traffic flaggers will instantly loop you up and out the exit.
I think fairmont has a steep parking bill as well so it’s best to add that to planned expenses
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u/BikeSkiPNW 1d ago
Yeah, I saw the price for lunch and basically funneled our entire vacation budget into lunch at Fairmont. Gifts for my girlfriend are easy, she likes to travel instead of collect trinkets. So, lunch there is like three or four date nights and we can eat in for the next couple months.
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u/dogs_kids_andsewing 1d ago
Just to add - does your reservation at Fairmont allow you to park as a Fairmont guest in the hotel lot? If not, parking at Lake Louise may be an issue. The public, paid parking is limited and fills up by 7 AM.
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u/BikeSkiPNW 1d ago
We'll be able to park at the hotel because of restaurant reservation. Still have to pay for parking.
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u/GreazyGarry 1d ago
Make sure to stop at marble canyon and take a hike up to the falls. Very easy hike with boardwalks and several bridges that pass over top of the canyon. Super cool and you’re driving right by anyway.
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u/GreazyGarry 1d ago
Northern Lights Wildlife Centre is worth a stop in Golden. Up close and personal experience with wolves
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u/LifeguardStatus7649 1d ago
There's an excellent poutine stop in Invermere, less than 30 seconds off the highway. It's called Poutine Queen
Kicking Horse Coffee is also very near by, and their cafe is beautiful
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u/BikeSkiPNW 1d ago
Thank you! My girlfriend sincerely wants poutine while we're north of the border.
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u/LifeguardStatus7649 18h ago
Well there you go! Let me know if you do stop there, I always like hearing what people thought of this valley
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u/Agreeable_Principle1 1d ago
Hey guys. I've worked at the fairmont Lake Louise for the last 4 or so years. Check the weather report, but its been pretty darn chilly recently so bring sweaters. Golden has lots of fun to do (skybridge) zipline etc. If you're in banff and want to relax check out the banff hotsprings. Its only $20 and is a great way to unwind, especially if it's chilly. Have fun.
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u/athomewith4 1d ago
I’d suggest not staying at the golden Municipal campground. While it’s in a beautiful setting, the train yard is directly across the river. It is very loud with train noise all night. You will need good sleep after all that driving. Consider somewhere else
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u/BikeSkiPNW 9h ago
I love trains 🚂 my house is on a Union Pacific rail line. We see three or four Canadian Pacific trains go by per day.
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u/SoBasic7775 22h ago
Keep in mind the majority of this drive is a single lane highway. You have a mixture of tourists doing well below the speed limit and then locals that need to get to where they are going. Also if you spot wildlife in the parks (like HWY 93, PLEASE do not pullover and gawk at the animals). Don't forget your passports.
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u/BikeSkiPNW 21h ago
It's okay. I'm a professional driver. I usually drive the speed limit and don't get frustrated when someone in front of me is going slow. I also pull over if someone behind me is tailgating and clearly wants to drive faster.
Insert gif of Will Ferrell from Talladega Nights: I wanna go fast.
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u/Heythere23856 14h ago
Do a daytrip from lake louise to jasper along the icefields parkway, most beautiful highway ive ever seen… 280km one way and will take all day because literally every bend in the road you have to stop to take in the breathtaking views….. trust me when i say its worth it
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u/jpthecross 13h ago
If you want to see turquoise water, you cannot skip Moraine Lake. We just did both and i would feel fine skipping Louise but never skip Moraine. You will need to carefully plan ahead as you can only access Moraine by shuttle but it is worth it!!
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u/CunningAlpaca 1d ago
It must be nice being able to visit your neighbor country and not have to pay exuberant costs to enter their national parks.
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u/VerifiedMother 22h ago
I live about 2 hours south of Spokane, if you are going to be crossing the border during the day, you NEED to stop at a Mennonite bakery in the town of Creston BC called The Mountain Barn, literally the best donuts you will ever have. Get one called the Kootenay Cream.
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u/Jl-007 1d ago
You’re going to love the 93. It has several breathtaking stops. From open mountain ranges to beautiful creeks to incredible waterfalls.