Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Help with Banff Itinerary

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Help with Banff Itinerary

I plan on flying to Calgary on May 29 and spending about 10 days exploring the parks. I'm interested in all things hiking and seeing the beauty. I'd like to visit Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, LL, Jasper...etc. I don't know how many days to allot to each park so that I can figure out where to stay for each location. I saw there were lots of stops to make on the road between Banff and Jasper also. I was thinking a home base in Banff and then stay in Jasper. I just don't know how long for each area. We like to hike ( love waterfalls) but probably no more 5-6 miles a day. Any suggestions would be great or recommendations on accommodations. Thank you

By now, you have likely read other threads and hopefully booked some accommodations. You're going to be covering a lot of territory to visit all the National Parks you've listed in 10 days, that's after you drive from/back to Calgary. Will mention a couple of waterfalls for you - Takakkaw Falls in Yoho and Athabasca Falls in Jasper. Maybe Bow Falls in Banff townsite, but I find them rather underwhelming. You will need to have a plan to get into LL in Banff National Park, for shuttle or a *very* early morning arrival. Recommend the Plain of Six Glaciers hike - if it's even open that early in the season, you will always want to check on trail conditions, esp for higher elevations that time of year -- if it's accessible, go past the Tea House to get the full experience.
I can give you some other suggestions if you are still looking for ideas. The areas you are hoping to visit are breathtaking. Enjoy!