Myer

I expect to spend 4 days (4 nights) in Banff NP in mid-July.

I'm trying to decide if I should go for the convenience of staying put in one place (Banff) and drive from there or spend 2 days in Banff and 2 in Lake Louise and go for the convenience of not having to drive back and forth.

Any help would be appreciated.
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tovarich

Couldn't you stay 2 days in Jasper and two days in Banff? The road from Jasper to Banff is fantastic.Paul

sludick

Just speaking from our perspective -- with only 4 days, it would be too rushed for us to try to fit in Jasper; we'd spend too much time in the car. We just got back from spending 2 days in Jasper and a week in Banff (timeshare). In retrospect, we would have preferred 4 days in Jasper and less time in Banff. Due to the time of year, a lot in the Lake Louise area had closed up for the season, so that was not a great option. In July, things will be in full swing. We have stayed at Deer Lodge at Lake Louise in the past, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

It really depends on what you would like to spend time doing. Banff is closer to the park entrance toward Calgary, so there will be lots of people. On the other hand, it has so many restaurants, shops, and various planned activities. It does, of course, have spectacular mountain scenery and a lot of easy hikes or walking trails.

Lake Louise is not (IMO) the place to look for shops and restaurants. It's better for less crowds, longer hikes, and is closer to the Icefields Parkway. As before, tons of spectacular scenery. It's easy to get to Peyto Lake, Moraine Lake, Johnson Canyon, and some other fantastic spots if you stay there.

If your 4 days does not include your travel to/from, you might do well to split up your time between Banff and Jasper. That way you can get a good taste of each. If not, then we'd probably just stay in Banff. But as I said, so much depends on what you want to have time to do/see; and if this is your first trip, you might have other priorities than those who are more frequent visitors.

Myer

This is our first trip to Banff. We arrive in Calgary the night of day 0 and will get to banff before noon on day 1.

We don't leave until late in the morning of day 5.

So we actually have about 3 1/2 days.

I'm sure my wife will want to spend some time wandering in Banff and I could hike Tunnel Mountain when she does that.

There are a few scenic drives that look interesting:
Lake Minnewanka
Tunnel Mountain
Norquay Rd
Vermilion Lakes

I think some short hikes midway between Banff and Lake Louise could be good:
Lower and/or Upper Johnston Falls and Silverton Falls.

In Lake Louise & Moraine Lake I could hike to Lake Agnes but that probably wouldn't work. Instead we could hike the Lake Louise Lakeshore and/or Fairview Lookout and something short along the shore of Moraine Lake.

I'd also like to drive to Peyto Lake and walk to the lookout there.

Jasper is really not an option for this trip. Just too much driving for so short a time.

I'm trying to get in the most spectacular/varied scenery bang for the time and effort. I've been on hiking trips over the past few years (Utah, Arizona, Yellowstone & Grand Tetons) but not with my wife. So I'm trying to compromise a bit by toning it down.

The enjoyment is seeing the scenery (and hopefully some wildlife). The hike is just a means to an end. If I could see everything without long hikes I'm fine with that.

The real decision is whether the convenience of staying in one place and driving to Lake Louise & Moraine Lake is better than the hassle of moving and not having to do the 45 minute drive each way.

laverendrye

For the time that you will have, I would definitely stay in one place, ie Banff. That way you can choose when to visit Lake Louise to take advantage of good weather.

I don't know what time you are arriving in Calgary and how long you will have been travelling, but I would consider heading straight to Banff when you arrive. It's an easy drive which shouldn't take much more than 90 minutes and a four lane divided highway all the way. As I believe you are travelling in July, the days will be quite long and it should still be light by 10PM.

Aramis

That's a personal call Myer. Only you know what packing up is worth compared to a couple of 90 minute return drives.

LL puts you closer to the hiking and spectacular sites than Banff, but you lose the town aspect that can amuse your fellow travelers if they don't want to hike with you.

LL is a nice place to just sit by the lake.....

May I recommend Takakkaw Falls if you do spend some time in LL. It is just across the border in BC - about 30 minutes drive. It is Canada's highest waterfall - runoff from a glacier falling over a cliff. There is ample flat hiking in the area and you can as close to the falls as you dare (from the bottom, not the top).

sludick

Myer - I know you have wrestled with this question in a couple of posts. My sense is that you would like to split it up, but are not sure if you can justify it with the time you have and also that you have cotravellers who might prefer Banff. You do only have a short time. Nevertheless, I think either choice will work for you. If you do split it up, just make sure you allow enough time to get back from LL to the airport.