Banff Family Itinerary: 7 Days of Kid-Friendly Summer Adventures
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All photos in this post were taken by me during our trip. I love capturing real experiences to give you an authentic look at what to expect.
Planning a Banff trip with kids this summer and not sure where to start? This 7-day Banff family itinerary takes the stress out of planning and lays out a day-by-day schedule filled with kid-friendly hikes, iconic sights, great places to eat, and unique family adventures.
We’ve visited Banff twice now, once without our kids, and once with our 9- and 13-year-olds, and this itinerary includes all the things that worked best for us as a family. Whether you’re excited about hiking, wildlife, canoeing on glacial lakes, or just soaking in jaw-dropping views, this guide will help you plan a trip your whole crew will love.
This itinerary includes not just what to do each day, but how to make it all work smoothly with kids in tow. You’ll also find practical tips for transportation, where to stay, and how to time your activities so you can avoid crowds (and meltdowns). Everything here is based on our own experience as a family that loves outdoor adventures, but also enjoys having a plan.
7-day Banff Family Itinerary
Our kids are older now and used to adventures and longer travel days. We typically plan both a morning and afternoon activity, but if you’re traveling with younger kids, feel free to scale this back to one adventure per day.
We’ve included suggestions for arrival and departure days, but the heart of this itinerary covers 6 full days of family-friendly Banff adventures.
Arrival Day
- Travel and settle in at your Canmore condo & grocery shop
- Optional sunset walk to Three Sisters Viewpoint
Day 1: Sunshine Village Adventure
- Gondola + chairlift ride at Sunshine Village
- Standish Viewpoint
- Hike Larix Lake & Grizzly Lake Loop
- Sunset walk along the Bow River
Day 2: Banff Town & Scenic Drive
- Morning hike: Tunnel Mountain
- Explore downtown Banff
- Bow Valley Parkway: Castle Junction, Baker Creek, Morant’s Curve
- Sunset at Canmore Engine Bridge
Day 3: Moraine Lake & Lake Louise
- Early shuttle to Moraine Lake
- Canoe on Moraine Lake + optional Rockpile Hike
- Picnic lunch
- Shuttle to Lake Louise
- Hike to Lake Agnes Tea House & Little Beehive (best for older kids/teens)
Day 4: Icefields Parkway & Glacier Hike
- Drive Icefields Parkway to Columbia Icefields
- Guided glacier hike with Ice Walks (for ages 10+)
- Gas & lunch at Saskatchewan River Crossing
- Scenic stops: Mistaya Canyon, Peyto Lake, Hammock at Bow Lake
- Sunset at Bow River
Day 5: Fly Fishing & Exploring Canmore
- Fly fishing at Upper Kananaskis Lake
- Afternoon in Canmore: Scoopin’ Moose, Café Books, Hijynx Toys
- Sunset at Canmore Engine Bridge
Day 6: Waterfalls & Final Views
- Early morning: Johnston Canyon hike
- Banff Gondola + lunch at Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen
- Hike Policeman Creek Boardwalk in Canmore
- One last sunset walk along the Bow River
Day 7: Departure Day
- Sunrise hike to Three Sisters Viewpoint
- Head to Calgary Airport ✈️
Things to Do in Banff with Kids
Looking for more flexible ideas? These were our top open-ended activities in Banff for kids. The more space and freedom our kids have, the happier they are. We have free-range kids who love being wild and outside!
Go for a Scenic Drive
There are so many beautiful drives in Banff and the surrounding areas, and these roads are great for spotting wildlife safely. We drove the Bow Valley Parkway and the Icefields Parkway. There are many stops along both of these roads that have easy access to creeks, rivers, short hikes to viewpoints, and longer trails to explore. Driving the Icefields Parkway was one of our favorite things to do in Banff with kids. Check out this post for our favorite stops on the Icefields Parkway.
Take a Hike
We stuck to easy to moderate trails and loved it. We’re hoping to return when the kids are older for some summit and ridge hikes. The Kananaskis area also has fantastic trails. Even around Canmore, you’ll find some of our favorite easy hikes for families. AllTrails is a great resource for finding trails near your location and that match your family’s ability.
Visit a Park
There are few things our kids love more than a park they can run around in. We always try to have at least one afternoon on our family vacations where we head to a local park and just relax and play in the sunshine. Eagle Terrace Park in Canmore was a lot of fun for our kids and it has incredible mountain views!
Where to Stay in Banff with Kids
We based ourselves in Canmore for the week, just 20 minutes from Banff. It’s more affordable, less crowded, and still incredibly scenic. We opted to stay in apartment-style condos on both of our trips to Banff, and we loved it! Having a living space, kitchen, laundry machines, and multiple bedrooms made it so much easier to relax and cut down on the chaos that can come with traveling in large groups or with kids.
We stayed in this condo and loved it! It has a hot tub, plenty of space, queen bunks, a full kitchen, and amazing views. We also loved that is had easy access to downtown Canmore’s shops and cafes. We booked it through Expedia and used our OneKey cash to get a great deal.
These are also great accommodation options for a Banff family vacation this summer. Each offers space, kitchens, or kid-friendly amenities that make family travel easier.
Tunnel Mountain Resort (Banff) – Family suites with kitchens, a pool, and beautiful forest views.
→ Check availability on Expedia
Basecamp Resorts Canmore – Apartment-style units with full kitchens, great for longer stays.
→ Book now with Expedia
What to Pack for Banff with Kids
- Layers for all weather (it changes quickly!)
- Hiking shoes, water bottles, lightweight backpacks
- Bathing suits, water shoes
- Sun hats, bug spray, and sunscreen
- Snacks, binoculars, and nature guides
👉 Check out our full Banff Summer Packing List in our Amazon Storefront
Tips for Success
- Book shuttles to Moraine/Louise ahead of time. The most affordable option is through Parks Canada. These tickets usually open in mid-April and sell out quickly!
- Start hikes early to beat the crowds. Popular trailhead parking lots fill by 9 a.m. Go early or plan for later in the day.
- Plan a rest day mid-week. We love scheduling a slower day mid-trip to recharge. Parks or riverbanks are our go-to rest spots.
Pin this itinerary for your next trip, or sign up for our newsletter for more family travel tips and our free 30-page Banff Travel Guide!
If you’re still on the fence about a family trip to Banff, check out our post on why we think Banff is totally worth it with kids!
Happy Travels!
Michelle
