import AffiliateCard from '@/components/AffiliateCard'; import CalloutBox from '@/components/CalloutBox'; import FAQAccordion from '@/components/FAQAccordion'; import SpecsBar from '@/components/SpecsBar'; import InteractiveMap from '@/components/InteractiveMap'; I've visited the Canadian Rockies twice—once in 2023 and again in fall 2025—and honestly, it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever hiked. Jagged limestone peaks, impossibly turquoise glacial lakes (the water really is that vibrant blue), and vast wilderness create some of North America's most stunning alpine scenery. While Banff National Park gets most of the attention with iconic spots like Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, the surrounding parks offer equally incredible scenery with fewer crowds and more quiet time in nature. This 7-day itinerary shares my personal experiences photographing the Canadian Rockies, including the hikes that made it onto my bucket list, the challenges I faced (altitude, grizzly territory, expensive hotels), and honest advice for both photographers and outdoor enthusiasts. ## Overview: One Week in the Rockies This route loops through the Icefields Parkway connecting Banff and Jasper, two of Canada's most spectacular national parks. Each day is structured around optimal light at iconic locations, with challenging hikes offering elevated perspectives above the famous lakes. **Base**: Canmore (cheaper and less crowded than Banff town, 20 minutes from Lake Louise). I stayed in Canmore for most of my trip—it's a great base for exploring both Banff and the stunning Kananaskis region. Just be warned: staying in Banff or Canmore is expensive, and the hotel quality doesn't always match the price. Campgrounds book months in advance for popular sites. Banff sits at 1,383 meters (4,537 feet) above sea level. If you're coming from sea level, consider resting your first day. You might feel it in your lungs—nothing dangerous, but you'll breathe harder than usual on hikes. I learned this the hard way after two back-to-back hikes left me feeling exhausted. ## My 7-Day Photography Itinerary ### Day 1: Calgary to Canmore - Lake Minnewanka & Sarrail Ridge **Accommodation**: Canmore **Photography focus**: Mountain lakes, sunset ridge hike ### Afternoon: Lake Minnewanka & Two Jack Lake After landing in Calgary (try to arrive in the morning if possible), drive 90 minutes to the Banff area. On my first day, I went straight to scouting mode. Lake Minnewanka, Banff's largest lake, offers dramatic mountain backdrops and is less crowded than Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. I explored the shoreline looking for compositions I'd want to return to for sunrise. Two Jack Lake, just south of Minnewanka, is a peaceful spot with mountain reflections and fewer tourists. I found several promising spots along the eastern shore that would work beautifully for sunrise the next morning. ### Sunset: Sarrail Ridge Trail After scouting the lakes, I set off to hike Sarrail Ridge—a trail that had been on my bucket list for years. This is one of the most spectacular hikes in Kananaskis, offering incredible views over Kananaskis Lake and the Spray Valley. The trail is easy and gentle until you reach Rawson Lake, which is beautiful in its own right (you can turn around here if you want). But the real reward comes when you go around the lake and tackle the very steep climb to the top of Sarrail Ridge. And I mean *really* steep—kind people have attached ropes in certain sections to help with the climb. There's nothing technical about it, and anyone who enjoys hiking can do it, but I highly recommend trekking poles, especially for the descent. I saw a lot of people sliding down on their butts. Here's the honest truth: I didn't stay for sunset, even though that was my initial plan. The steepness of the trail, combined with the fact that I was solidly in grizzly territory with only one other person at the summit, made me reassess. I wanted to have enough daylight while descending that steep section. It was the right call for solo safety. Sarrail Ridge passes through prime grizzly territory, and hikers have been charged here in the past. The trail is often closed due to bear activity. Always check the [Alberta Parks advisory website](https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/kananaskis-country/advisories-public-safety/) before hiking any Kananaskis trails. Carry bear spray, hike in groups of 2-3 people, and make noise. This isn't optional. After the hike, I drove to my hotel in Canmore for the night. ### Day 2: Two Jack Lake Sunrise & Tent Ridge **Accommodation**: Canmore **Photography focus**: Mountain reflections, alpine meadows ### Sunrise: Two Jack Lake or Lake Minnewanka On Day 2, I woke up early to return to the spots I'd scouted the day before. I shot at both Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake, which are close enough that you can hit both locations during a single golden hour if you strategize your time. The calm morning waters provided perfect mirror reflections of Mount Rundle and the surrounding peaks. **Best conditions**: Calm, clear mornings **Camera settings**: f/8-f/11, ISO 100-400, tripod essential After the sunrise shoot, I went back to Banff town for breakfast, then returned to my hotel in Canmore to rest up before the afternoon hike. ### Afternoon/Sunset: Tent Ridge Tent Ridge is one of the most popular hikes in the Kananaskis region, and for good reason. I chose to do it for sunset and hiked it solo (again, carrying bear spray). Staying in Canmore puts you closer to Kananaskis, making it an easy afternoon adventure. Most people hike Tent Ridge clockwise, and I'd recommend it—you ascend the steeper scramble section (easier going up than down), and once you gain the ridge, the views are in front of you for the entire horseshoe route instead of behind you. Once you reach the end of the horseshoe, you have a beautiful view looking into the Kananaskis Lakes area. If you visit in fall, you'll see what I can only describe as a pot of gold—all the larch trees turning brilliant yellow against the mountains. It's spectacular. There are lots of people on this trail, so you can feel comfortable doing it solo. But again, this is grizzly territory—carry bear spray and be prepared. ### Day 3: Vermilion Lakes Sunrise & EEOR Sunset **Accommodation**: Canmore/Banff area **Photography focus**: Classic Banff scenes, mountain reflections ### Sunrise: Vermilion Lakes The next day, I woke up super early and headed to Vermilion Lakes—another popular Banff spot that requires no hiking, just a drive. It's an easy roadside stop that gives a beautiful view of Mount Rundle. **Best viewpoint**: First lake, western shore **Timing**: Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise **Camera settings**: Long exposures (1-4 seconds) for smooth water I found a spot along the road to set up my camera and captured a beautiful sunrise over the lakes. The calm water provided perfect reflections. ### Afternoon: Rest Day (Or EEOR Sunset if You're Feeling Great) Here's the honest truth: after two back-to-back hikes, I wasn't feeling particularly great. I think I was coming down with the flu. So I decided to take it easy and rest for the whole day. My original plan was to hike the East End of Rundle (also called EEOR) for sunset—it's another very popular hike in the area close to Canmore. But I ended up skipping it because I simply wasn't feeling up to it. If you're feeling great and want an alternative challenge, EEOR is an option: Since my next day's activities required an early start, I stayed in Banff that night instead of Canmore. ### Day 4: Moraine Lake Sunrise & Lake Agnes **Accommodation**: Banff/Canmore area **Photography focus**: Iconic turquoise lakes, alpine teahouse hikes ### Sunrise: Moraine Lake Day 4 meant waking up super early—and I mean 2:30am early. I had booked a shuttle with the [Moraine Lake Sunrise Shuttle](https://morainelakesunriseshuttle.com/) company, which meant a 3am pickup from Banff. They were quite good, but yes, that early wakeup is brutal. Moraine Lake is arguably the most photographed lake in Canada—and for good reason. Once we arrived, it was spectacular. This is honestly one of the most beautiful lakes I've ever seen, and it's why it's one of the most photographed lakes probably in the world. The Valley of the Ten Peaks surrounding this glacial lake creates one of the world's most spectacular mountain amphitheaters. The turquoise water, created by glacial rock flour, is intensely vibrant—and yes, the color is really that blue in person. I have the sunrise photo I took from here hanging in my own apartment. It's that special. **Classic viewpoint**: The Rockpile lookout at the parking lot's edge **Camera settings**: f/8-f/11, ISO 100-400, polarizing filter to enhance the turquoise Parks Canada shuttles book out weeks in advance. If you can't get one, consider a private shuttle like [Moraine Lake Sunrise Shuttle](https://morainelakesunriseshuttle.com/). Yes, it means a 3am pickup, and you only get 2 hours at the lake, but watching sunrise here is absolutely worth it. Book well in advance during peak season. ### Morning: Lake Louise & Beehive Trail As part of my shuttle tour, I added on the option to visit Lake Louise—the second equally famous lake in Banff. Lake Louise is just gorgeous. While I'd rate Moraine Lake as prettier, I can see why people prefer Lake Louise. It's spectacular in its own way. I took the opportunity to hike up to Lake Agnes and the Beehive Trail. Lake Agnes is along the way during the Beehive hike, and it's a beautiful alpine lake in its own right. Once you get to the Little Beehive as well as the Big Beehive, you have a beautiful view over Lake Louise from above. I highly recommend this if you have a couple of hours to explore the area. After the hike, I came down and ate a quick lunch at the Fairmont Hotel—it's a beautiful historic hotel you should definitely check out if you have time. ### Sunset: Emerald Lake (Yoho National Park) After the shuttle dropped me back in Banff, I set off to Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park for sunset. The drive is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Banff (or 45 minutes from Lake Louise). This isn't really a hike—you just park your car and walk along the lakeshore, waiting for sunset. It's such a pretty backdrop with the lodge and the incredible green-turquoise color of the lake. As sunset hit, the mountains right behind the lodge started glowing a beautiful orange color, making for a very memorable sunset. **Best light**: Late afternoon to sunset **Composition tip**: Include the historic Emerald Lake Lodge as a focal point ### Day 5: Consolation Lakes & Icefields Parkway North **Accommodation**: Near Jasper **Photography focus**: Alpine tarns, glacier-fed lakes, waterfalls ### Morning: Consolation Lakes Trail Starting from Moraine Lake, the Consolation Lakes trail climbs through a larch forest to two pristine alpine tarns surrounded by the Consolation Peaks and Quadra Mountain. The trail is relatively flat but offers stunning mountain scenery and fewer crowds than Moraine Lake itself. ### Afternoon: Icefields Parkway Drive to Jasper The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) is one of the world's most scenic drives. Budget an entire afternoon for the 230 km journey, with photo stops at: - **Bow Lake**: Glacier-fed turquoise lake with Crowfoot Glacier backdrop - **Peyto Lake Lookout**: Brilliant turquoise lake shaped like a fox head (best from above) - **Waterfowl Lakes**: Upper and Lower Waterfowl Lakes offer peaceful mountain reflections - **Mistaya Canyon**: Short walk to a dramatic narrow gorge - **Saskatchewan River Crossing**: Historic stopover point ### Sunset: Sunwapta Falls Sunwapta Falls, fed by the Athabasca Glacier, is a powerful two-tiered waterfall. The upper falls viewpoint offers dramatic compositions, especially in late afternoon light. **Camera settings**: Slow shutter (1/4 to 2 seconds) to blur water movement ### Day 6: Pyramid Lake, Maligne Lake & Parker Ridge **Accommodation**: Canmore **Photography focus**: Mountain reflections, pristine wilderness, alpine vistas ### Sunrise: Pyramid Lake Pyramid Lake offers perfect reflections of Pyramid Mountain, especially on calm mornings. A small island connected by a footbridge provides an excellent foreground element. **Timing**: Arrive 30 minutes before sunrise **Composition**: Shoot from the island looking back toward the mountain ### Morning: Lake Annette & Lake Edith These adjacent lakes near Jasper town offer easy access to mountain reflections and are excellent backup locations if Pyramid Lake is windy. ### Midday: Medicine Lake & Maligne Lake Drive the Maligne Lake Road (48 km from Jasper) to one of the Rockies' most spectacular lakes. Medicine Lake, which mysteriously drains each fall due to underground karst drainage, is worth a stop for its unique geology. Maligne Lake, the road's terminus, is the largest glacier-fed lake in the Canadian Rockies. The famous Spirit Island requires a boat tour, but the shoreline near the parking area offers stunning compositions. **Boat tour**: Worth considering for access to Spirit Island (2 hours) ### Afternoon: Athabasca Falls Athabasca Falls is one of the Rockies' most powerful waterfalls. Multiple viewpoints allow varied compositions of the churning water and carved limestone gorge. ### Late Afternoon: Parker Ridge Trail The Parker Ridge Trail is a short but steep hike to a viewpoint overlooking the Saskatchewan Glacier. The trail climbs 250 meters over 2.4 km through alpine tundra. The ridge provides panoramic views of the Saskatchewan Glacier and surrounding peaks. Late afternoon light enhances the textures of the ice and rock. **Drive back to Canmore**: 3.5 hours via Icefields Parkway ### Day 7: Grassi Lakes Trail & Departure **Accommodation**: Calgary (for morning flight) or Canmore **Photography focus**: Turquoise alpine lakes, waterfalls ### Morning: Grassi Lakes Trail The Grassi Lakes Trail, just outside Canmore, is a short hike to two stunning turquoise lakes surrounded by limestone cliffs. The trail splits into easy and difficult routes - both reach the same destination. The twin lakes are intensely turquoise, rivaling even Moraine Lake in color. Waterfalls, pictographs on cliff walls, and mountain views make this a rewarding final hike. **Afternoon**: Drive to Calgary for departure (90 minutes) ## Essential Photography Tips for the Rockies ### Best Time to Visit **Summer (July-August)**: Warmest weather, longest days, all trails accessible. Most crowded. **Shoulder season (June, September)**: Fewer crowds, still good weather. September offers autumn colors (especially larches). **Winter (December-February)**: Frozen lakes, ice formations, northern lights possible. Cold (-20°C to -30°C) and shorter days. ### Light & Weather Mountain weather changes rapidly. Clouds, rain, or snow can roll in within hours. Check forecasts daily, but be prepared for sudden changes. **Golden hour**: Soft, warm light paints the peaks. Essential for mountain reflections. **Blue hour**: The turquoise lakes take on deeper blue tones. Beautiful contrast against warm sky. **Overcast days**: Excellent for waterfalls and forest scenes. Clouds add drama to mountain compositions. ## My Essential Gear for the Rockies Seven days in the Canadian Rockies meant carrying everything I needed for alpine photography while hiking steep trails. Here's the exact gear I brought: ### Camera & Lenses **Circular Polarizer**: Absolutely critical for the turquoise lakes. This cut reflections, enhanced the glacial blue-green color, and deepened skies. Never left my lens during daylight shooting. ### Camera Settings - **Reflections**: f/8-f/11, ISO 100-400, long exposure (1-4 seconds) for glass-smooth water - **Waterfalls**: f/16-f/22, ISO 100, 1/4 to 2-second exposures to blur water - **Alpenglow**: ISO 400-1600, f/8, adjust shutter for proper exposure ### Wildlife Photography The Rockies are home to elk, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bears, and moose. Keep a safe distance (100m for bears, 30m for other wildlife). A telephoto lens (200-400mm) allows safe wildlife photography. **Never approach or feed wildlife** - it's illegal and dangerous. ## Practical Considerations ### Parks Pass A Parks Canada pass is required for Banff and Jasper. Purchase online or at park gates. - **Day pass**: $10.50 per person - **Annual Discovery Pass**: $72.25 per person (pays for itself in 7 days) ### Crowds & Parking Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are extremely crowded in summer. Parking lots fill by 5:30-6:00am and close when full. Options: - **Arrive before 5:30am** (essential for sunrise photography) - **Use Parks Canada shuttle** (runs mid-May to mid-October) - **Visit during shoulder season** (June, September) ### Hiking Safety - **Bear safety**: Carry bear spray, make noise, hike in groups - **Weather**: Bring layers, rain gear, and sun protection - **Navigation**: Download offline maps (cell service is limited) - **Tell someone**: Share your hiking plans and return time Always carry bear spray on every hike—this is prime grizzly and black bear habitat. If you encounter a bear: - **Stay calm**. Don't run. - **Speak in a firm, calm voice** to identify yourself as human. - **Back away slowly**, never turning your back on the bear. - **If attacked defensively** (you surprised the bear): Play dead. Lie on your stomach with your hands protecting your neck. - **If attacked predatorily** (stalking behavior): Fight back aggressively. For complete official guidance, see [Parks Canada's Bear Safety](https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/mtn/ours-bears/securite-safety). ### Accommodation **Canmore** offers better value than Banff town and is only 20 minutes from Lake Louise, making it an ideal base for most of your trip. Book well in advance for summer (July-August). **Banff** is more expensive and touristy, but convenient if you need early access to shuttles or specific sunrise locations. **Jasper** requires its own accommodation for the northern Icefields Parkway section. Hotels book up 6+ months in advance for summer, so plan early. ## Leave No Trace in the Rockies The Canadian Rockies' pristine beauty depends on all of us following Leave No Trace principles. This isn't just about being a good visitor—it's about preserving these landscapes for future generations. **Pack out all trash**: Including micro-trash like fruit peels, which don't decompose quickly at high elevations. If you carried it in, carry it out. **Stay on designated trails**: Alpine vegetation is fragile and takes decades to recover from trampling. Those shortcuts cutting switchbacks cause erosion and damage ecosystems. **Keep wildlife wild**: Never feed animals (it's illegal and dangerous). Maintain safe distances—100m for bears, 30m for other wildlife. If an animal changes its behavior because of your presence, you're too close. **Respect closures and bear advisories**: Trails close for good reasons—usually bear activity or ecological restoration. Check [Alberta Parks](https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/kananaskis-country/advisories-public-safety/) and Parks Canada websites before every hike. **Use bear-proof containers**: At campgrounds, always use the provided bear-proof food lockers. A fed bear is a dead bear—once they associate humans with food, they often have to be relocated or euthanized. **Leave what you find**: Take only photographs. Picking wildflowers, moving rocks, or collecting "souvenirs" disrupts ecosystems and diminishes the experience for others. For more information, visit [Leave No Trace Canada](https://leavenotrace.ca/). ## Frequently Asked Questions --- The Canadian Rockies deliver everything a landscape photographer dreams of: dramatic peaks, impossible turquoise lakes, and pristine wilderness. Each sunrise reveals new light painting the mountains, each hike offers perspectives that feel untouched. A week barely scratches the surface, but it captures the essence of why the Rockies are one of North America's premier photography destinations.

Bring Banff & Jasper National Parks Home