The Canadian Rockies offer landscapes so blue they look photoshopped. While the Swiss Alps are civilized and precise, Canada is wild, raw, and full of bears. However, the new regulations banning private cars at Moraine Lake have confused travelers worldwide. You need a strategic online trip planner to book the mandatory shuttles and navigate the Icefields Parkway safely. This updated Canada route planner 2026 ensures you see the turquoise waters without getting stranded.
🇨🇦 Canada Trip Summary
- 🐻 Safety: You are in Bear Country. Carry "Bear Spray" and know how to use it.
- 🚌 Critical Change: Private cars are BANNED at Moraine Lake. You must book a shuttle.
- 🚗 Transport: Renting a car is essential for the Icefields Parkway.
- 📅 Best Time: June to September (Lakes are frozen in winter).
Before You Go: The Moraine Lake Ban
We cannot emphasize this enough: You cannot drive your car to Moraine Lake anymore. The road is closed to private vehicles year-round. You must book a Parks Canada Shuttle or a commercial bus tour weeks in advance. If you show up in your car, you will be turned away.
Days 1-3: Banff National Park
Fly into Calgary (YYC) and drive 1.5 hours to Banff Town.
Day 1: Banff Town & Sulphur Mountain
Explore the cute town of Banff. Take the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain for a 360-degree view of six mountain ranges. Soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs afterwards.
Day 2: Lake Louise
Drive to Lake Louise. The water is a milky turquoise color due to rock flour from glaciers. Hike up to the Lake Agnes Tea House (a historic cabin that serves tea on top of a mountain). It takes about 2 hours round trip.
Day 3: Moraine Lake (The Icon)
Take your pre-booked shuttle to Moraine Lake (Valley of the Ten Peaks). Climb the "Rockpile" for the famous Twenty Dollar View (it used to be on the $20 bill). Rent a canoe if you can afford the steep price ($140+).
Day 4: The Icefields Parkway
This is rated as one of the most beautiful drives on the planet.
Peyto Lake & Glaciers
Drive north towards Jasper. Stop at Peyto Lake (shaped like a fox/wolf). Stop at the Columbia Icefield. Here, you can book the "Ice Explorer" tour—a massive truck that drives you directly onto the Athabasca Glacier so you can walk on ancient ice.
Days 5-7: Jasper National Park
Jasper is wilder, quieter, and has more wildlife than Banff.
Day 5: Maligne Canyon
Walk through Maligne Canyon, the deepest canyon in the Rockies. The waterfalls here are powerful.
Day 6: Maligne Lake & Spirit Island
Take a boat cruise to Spirit Island. It is one of the most photographed spots in Canada. You cannot reach it by car/foot easily; the boat is the best way.
Day 7: Wildlife Safari & Return
Drive back towards Calgary. Keep your eyes peeled. This route is famous for Black Bears, Grizzlies, Elk, and Moose crossing the road. Rule: Never get out of your car to take photos of bears. It is dangerous and illegal.
Canadian Food Guide: Comfort Food
- Poutine: French fries topped with cheese curds and brown gravy. It sounds messy, but it is delicious.
- BeaverTails: Fried dough pastry stretched to look like a beaver's tail, topped with cinnamon and sugar.
- Alberta Beef: Order a steak. It is world-class.
🇨🇦 Secure Your Shuttle
Hotels in Banff sell out 6 months in advance for the summer. More importantly, the Moraine Lake Shuttles are limited. If you miss the shuttle, you miss the lake. Also, the Ice Explorer Glacier Tour is extremely popular. Book your spot in the wild below.