Banff National Park Travel Forum

Hello,
I will be travelling with our family this summer (kids are 3 and 5) and would appreciate any suggestions on length of stay for Banff and Jasper. We're arriving in Calgary on a Thursday afternoon, and then have the next six days to travel and sightsee. I have to be in Edmonton on day seven so that is a hard stop. Any suggestions for itinerary? We're hoping to see as much as we can, not sure when we will get to go back again, so this might be a once in a lifetime trip. However because the kids are young, we would also like this to be somewhat relaxing. How many days in Banff and Jasper? Is Drumheller worth checking out? Should we skip Jasper and check out Kannaskis instead on the way up?

It would be helpful to know where you are from so we can suggest the best things for you, so you're not seeing stuff that you can see at home.

If your kids are crazy about dinosaurs Drumheller is an extremely worthwhile stop. If you arrive in Calgary, you can spend a day to drive out to Drumheller and area, then overnight in Calgary. If this is a once-in-a lifetime trip, I would seriously consider Drumheller. The Royal Tyrell Museum is world-class.

Kananaskis is where the locals go. Both Kananaskis and Jasper have their merits. Jasper is beautiful and so is Kananaskis. Kananaskis would be more convenient to Banff, and is off-the-beaten path, but is not as developed as the National Parks. Meaning there is no quaint little town to shop or have dinner at. There is a tiny village that consists of a couple of hotels that you can eat at.

It doesn't get the amount of tourists that Jasper might or Banff. Highway 40 into Kananaskis is a stunning drive and the Highwood Pass is the highest navigable pass in Canada, but The Icefields Parkway is stunning as well. The Icefields Parkway is full of beautiful glaciers, so if that's your thing, go to Jasper. The Columbia Icefield is on the way to Jasper and you can ride in a special vehicle on top of a glacier.

When are you going to be in the area? The Calgary Stampede starts July 5 and lasts for 10 days, so if this is a once-in-a lifetime trip, you may want to take that in, then spend a couple of days in Banff then Kananaskis, or Jasper. With young kids you don't want to spend too much time on the road as the little ones need nap and snack times plus time to run around.

Thank you for your quick response and insight. We are flying in from T.O. so on your point about Drumheller, the ROM in T.O. does have dinosaur exhibits, but no hoodoos...which I would love to check out. We're travelling the last week of June so will not be there for the Stampede, and will be leaving before Canada Day. Tentative itinerary I'm thinking of:

Day 1 Calgary arrive at lunchtime
Day 2 Drumheller, drive back to Calgary (we are staying w friends so this is the most budget friendly choice)
Day 3 Drive to Kannanaskis, maybe rent a raft or canoe, do a trail, and then drive to Banff for hotel
Day 4 Drive to Peyto Lake, Lake Louise, do the Gondola ride and maybe Moraine Lake if there is time - back to Banff for hotel
Day 5 Drive Icefields Parkway - go on Sno Coach - Stay in Jasper for the night
Day 6 Jasper a.m., drive to Edmonton by dinner time (friends there too)
Day 7 Edmonton, rest until lunch time flight

What do you think about Day 3 - does that make sense to go there first? Thought it might be more peaceful than Banff mid-day. Also is Day 4 too rushed? Wary of getting in lines for the gondala with the kids if it is busy, and this is a Sunday. Also, Day 5 and 6 any suggestions?

Thanks again...this is very helpful for us!

Please see my reply under your posting for Kananaskis Lakes.

thursday arrive in calgary and drive to drumheller (short distance) and spend the night. (super 8 is a decent motel and has a waterslide for the kids). next day explore drumheller (there are some very beutiful canyons you could go for a easy hike through, swinging bring, car ferry (very short but might be fun for the kids). drive back to calgary to spend the night with your friends.
next day head off to banff by lunchtime and spend at least 2 nights there (douglas fir resort is a good place for kids).
then onto jasper for 2 nights.
you really don't have much time to see such a spectacular area. kananaskis is great but short on time. personally, i would even drop drumheller and just spend your time in banff/lake louise/jasper.
in edson, on the drive from jasper to edmonton, good pizza place - mountain pizza.