Canadian Rockies Tours: Complete Guide to Train Tours, Road Trips & National Parks

The Canadian Rockies are the Canada you've been dreaming about. Your mind undoubtedly goes to extraordinarily large snow-capped mountains, vast turquoise lakes, and dense pine forests that stretch along valleys for as far as the eye can see. That, in short, is the Rocky Mountains in Canada.

Having spent over 25 years designing Canada vacations, we know the best Canadian Rockies tours and vacation packages are more than ticking Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise off your list.

You might, instead, be more interested in journeying through to the far backcountry on a luxury rail tour, soaring over peaks and valleys by helicopter, or hopping between MICHELIN-Key-winning hotels in all the most beautiful locations.

Summary

In this post, we will cover:

• Why take a custom-designed Canadian Rockies tour
• How to tour the Rockies and our favorite featured package for each
• Where to visit in Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, and Yoho National Park, and what to do when you get there

Before you plan your adventure, consider how you want to experience your Canada vacation. Or, better yet, let our Travel Designers design it for you.

Credit: Destination Canada

Why Visit the Canadian Rockies?

The Canadian Rockies are the pinnacle of Canada's natural beauty, iconic wildlife, and full of adventure.

The Rockies include four national parks: Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Kootenay National Park, and Yoho National Park (though Waterton Lakes National Park touches the Rockies, it is not entirely within them), and are therefore protected by layers of legislation and actively managed by Parks Canada.

Whether you're looking for a summer Canadian Rockies vacation full of adventure and wildlife, a winter rail tour through a snowy wonderland, or a fall trip for quiet golden forests, the Rockies embody the best of Canada's raw exceptionalism, and are always eager to please.

Credit: Rocky Mountaineer

Why Canada By Design?

At Canada By Design, we specialize in the very best tours through the Canadian Rockies, going beyond the ordinary with every trip. We have curated the best experiences in the mountains, and designed a collection of Rocky Mountaineer rail journeys, VIA Rail packages, and fully-customizable Canadian Rockies road trip itineraries around them.

And our luxury Canadian Rockies tours offer even more — GoldLeaf service onboard Rocky Mountaineer, private tours and guides, and grand Fairmont railway hotels at (almost!) every stop.

You will work one-on-one with one of our Travel Designers to create the journey you're looking for. Driven by expert insight, we can help you see more and do it with ease, connecting every step of your adventure together seamlessly, with no effort from you.

Can't say enough good things about our Travel Designer, Kris. He put together a phenomenal tour of the Canadian Rockies for our 50th wedding anniversary. He worked with me on every detail to plan the perfect trip for us. You can be 100% confident of a great trip with Canada By Design!! — Karen L.

The real advantage, though? Every tour is personally designed for you.

Start with your favorite base Rockies package and then work with your Travel Designer to shape it to you. Add extra time in the places you love, extend your rail journey, and include private tailor-made excursions.

Something specific you want to see? Just let us know and we'll make it happen.

How to Get to the Canadian Rockies

There are several ways to get to the Canadian Rockies.

There are no international airports within the Rockies themselves, so we recommend flying into either Calgary, Alberta, or Vancouver, British Columbia, to begin your journey.

Credit: Destination Canada

From Calgary: Drive to the Rockies

From Calgary, we recommend driving — the road trip from Calgary to Banff takes less than 1.5 hours and is both easy and lined with beautiful scenery as you move from prairies to foothills to the Rocky Mountains. And if you don’t want to drive yourself, you can book a transfer and see it that way.

Related Post: The Perfect Canadian Rockies Itinerary for Canada Road Trips

Credit: Rocky Mountaineer

From Vancouver: Rail Journey to the Rockies

From Vancouver, the best way to get to the Rockies is by rail. You'll see the landscape change from British Columbia's coastal rainforest to its interior's arid grasslands to the Rockies' towering peaks. And, as you do, enjoy indulgent onboard amenities like domed viewing cars, expert hosts and guides, and delicious fresh meals.

Options include:

• Rocky Mountaineer: a two-full-day luxury train trip with an overnight stop in Kamloops
• VIA Rail's Canadian train: a classic sleeper train, arriving to Jasper the following morning

Related Post: 7 Best Canadian Rockies Train Trips for 2025

Regardless of which you choose, Canada By Design weaves your arrival into the journey itself.

Best Ways to Explore the Canadian Rockies | Canadian Rockies Tours

The best Canadian Rockies tours can be broken down into rail tours, road trips, and combo tours. Depending on your style of travel, one might suit you best.

Credit: VIA Rail

Rail Tours

Rail tours are one of the best ways to explore the Canadian Rockies. We recommend them to all travelers as a unique way of seeing the mountains, but they are ideal for visitors who want a relaxed experience of the Rocky Mountains.

Why Our Guests Love Them:

• A comfortable journey onboard classic trains
• Hassle-free views and seamless sightseeing
• Delicious meals included in your journey

Rockies train trips are as much about the experience onboard as the scenery outside. On every rail tour through the Rockies, you'll experience domed-glass viewing cars, onboard meals, and attentive service along the truly stunning journey.

Credit: Rocky Mountaineer

Rocky Mountaineer Tours | Luxury Rail Travel

If you're looking for the pinnacle of luxury rail tours in Canada, Rocky Mountaineer is it.

Operating between Vancouver, British Columbia, and either Jasper, Banff, or Lake Louise (depending on your route), the daytime-only train offers fine dining onboard and stops for an overnight in a hotel for maximum comfort.

Two of our Travel Designers recently took the trip and, out of all the little luxuries offered, praised the exceptional onboard service. Your hosts — two per car in SilverLeaf Service and three per car in GoldLeaf Service — not only bring you endless drinks and snacks, but also provide immersive commentary with the history and stories that make the Rockies what they are today.

To our Travel Designers, this is what really sets the trip apart from its rivals: every small detail is meticulously curated for an impressive introduction to the Canadian Rockies.

Related post: Rocky Mountaineer Train Trips: Top Routes & Packages

Rocky Mountaineer has three routes and two different service levels to choose between, all of which we cover in our dedicated post above.

This really is the best way to get to the Rockies for guests looking to see the finer side of the Rocky Mountains.

Feature Rocky Mountaineer Tour: Jewels of the Canadian Rockies by Rail

Indulge in a two-day luxury train journey from Vancouver to Jasper, followed by four days adventuring through the Canadian Rockies.

Credit: VIA Rail

VIA Rail Tours | Classic Rail Travel

VIA Rail's Canadian train runs between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Jasper, Alberta, before carrying on towards its final destination: Toronto. This journey offers a nostalgic step back to the golden age of train travel. Here, the focus is on connection, conversation, and the joy of slow travel.

Some of our Canada By Design team recently rode VIA Rail’s Canadian train from Vancouver to Jasper. They adored their onboard experience and were especially swept away by gathering with fellow travelers in the Skyline dome to watch their first sunrise over the Rocky Mountains together. They noted that quiet moments like these, shared with newly-befriended passengers, were a firm favorite long after the trip ended.

This is why we build in times of rest in our journeys: to ensure these are exactly the kinds of experiences we design for our clients.

The Canadian train runs year-round, making it perfect for both summer travels or a cozy winter trip. Imagine gliding past frozen waterfalls and icy forests while enjoying warm drinks in your cabin, eating hearty meals in the dining car, and enjoying uninterrupted views of the snowy Rockies. This is the perfect way to see the Rockies in winter for travelers looking for an intimate winter adventure.

Feature VIA Rail Tour: Winter Snow Train to the Canadian Rockies

Enjoy a classic overnight sleeper train to the mountains and wake up in a winter wonderland — with all the snowy activities you could dream of once you arrive.

Credit: Rocky Mountaineer

Road Trip Tours

A road trip is the best way to explore the Canadian Rockies if you want to explore at your own speed, stopping exactly when and where you please. That means, if you're interested in solo hiking, spontaneous viewpoints, or are the kind of person who is drawn off the road by interesting stops along the way, this is the way for you.

Why Our Guests Love Them

• Ultimate flexibility to explore at your own pace
• Access to hidden viewpoints and private stops
• Expert-designed itineraries and excursions to guide you

And, with specially-designed routes, experiences arranged for you along the way, and expert advice on getting the most from them, you are free to go where the journey takes you.

Some of our guests' favorites include the journey from Calgary to Banff, where you'll catch your first sight of the Canadian Rockies, and the dramatically beautiful Icefields Parkway, a winding pass between staggering peaks where we'll arrange a glacier walk for you.

Our Canadian road trips are your gateway to the nostalgia of the classic vacation: windows down, mountains ahead, and time to enjoy the here and now. To complete the tradition, we recommend picking up a Tim Hortons Iced Capp and an assorted box of Timbits along the way.

Feature Road Trip: Heart of the Canadian Rockies Road Trip

Explore the Rocky Mountains for one week in your own car, exploring three of the four national parks — Banff, Jasper, and Yoho — that make up the mountains, and the iconic stops that make up the rest.

Credit: Rocky Mountaineer

Combination Tours (Road and Rail)

Some travelers want both the independence of driving and the indulgence of a rail journey. With a combined tour, you start with a luxury train ride, then continue by car to get deeper into the mountains, where you'll explore the Rockies at your leisure.

After taking this route herself, one of our team members recently shared:

"There's something thrilling about seeing the mountains from the dome of the train, the anticipation from the train carriage, and then, once you arrive, the complete and total freedom to explore them yourself."

We especially recommend this if this is your first trip. We find that the unique balance between rail and road is the best all-encompassing Canadian Rockies tour to welcome guests to everything the mountains offer.

Feature Combo Tour: Canadian Rockies Scenic Delights by Road & Rail

Start on Rocky Mountaineer or VIA Rail, and then continue by car along the Icefields Parkway, through the Canadian Rockies, and, eventually, back to Vancouver.

Credit: Sundog Tours

Guided Tours & Transfers

Many of our rail itineraries are designed to be completed with an expertly interconnected set of tours and transfers. These small group (or fully-private) experiences ensure you move effortlessly through the Rockies while continuing to discover more every step of the way.

And, as always, your Travel Designer will tailor each connection to your preferences and design your trip around that, so you experience exactly what you're looking for in the Rocky Mountains.

Feature Private Tours: Signature Canadian Rockies by Train | Private Touring

Arrive in the Rockies onboard Rocky Mountaineer, and then enjoy private tours and transfers to connect the rest of your stay.

Where to Go in the Canadian Rockies

Credit: Travel / Alberta Brewster

Banff National Park

Banff National Park is the most popular place to visit in the Canadian Rockies for a reason.

Best Spots in Banff National Park:

• Banff Townsite
• Johnston Canyon
• Lake Louise/Moraine Lake/Peyto Lake/Lake Minnewanka
• Icefields Parkway

Downtown Banff is one of the few places in the Rockies with an abundance of amenities and stores. Enjoy both boutiques and iconic Canadian brands like Roots and Arc'teryx lining the avenue. And, between them, find eclectic museums like Banff Park Museum, cozy cafes like Evelyn's Coffee Bar, and exceptional dining all along Banff Ave.

From Banff, the Icefields Parkway journeys deeper into the mountains toward Jasper, where you can drive entirely surrounded by glaciated peaks for hours on end.

As Canada's first national park, it's unsurprising it really embodies the quintessential Rockies Experience.

Credit: Life's Captured Sparks on Unsplash

Lake Louise

Lake Louise is the Canadian Rockies' crystal gem — literally, naturally colored turquoise with glacial rock flour — for a reason.

Best Spots at Lake Louise:

• Lobby Lounge at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
• Secret viewpoint along the Lakeshore Trail

We recommend staying on the lake at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Beyond extending your time here, you'll be invited to experience an intimate side of the lake. You will wake to quiet mornings, dinners overlooking sunset on the water, and evening lakeside strolls — after 5pm — after the day visitors have left.

If you're here for the day, though, we recommend taking a short walk along the shoreline.

Following the fully-paved Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail for just 400 yards (approximately a five-minute walk), you'll find a secret viewing area with a fraction of the crowds at the lake's tip, and similarly panoramic views across the turquoise water to Victoria Glacier.

While you can continue on (the path becomes maintained gravel and follows the shore for another mile before heading into the mountains), we recommend returning to the hotel to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge overlooking the water.

Credit: Travel Alberta / Andrew Penner

Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park is nearly twice the size of Banff but sees far fewer visitors. As a result, it's maintained a local, authentic feel.

Best Spots in Jasper National Park:

• Jasper townsite
• Athabasca Glacier
• Maligne Lake & Spirit Island

Jasper itself is full of local mom-and-pop cafes (Bear's Paw Bakery) and restaurants (De'd Dog Bar & Grill), as well as a small selection of souvenir shops to wander. The town is small, taking just 15 minutes to walk from one end of downtown to the other, but that's its charm.

Beyond the town, the best places are the lakes. In particular, if you pass Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake, you'll find Maligne Lake. And, if you continue on by cruise — more on that in a moment — you'll find the enigmatic Spirit Island. Jasper is great to visit year-round. In summer, it is home to world-class wildlife watching and exceptional outdoor activities. And, in winter, it becomes a winter wonderland with dog-sledding, snowshoeing, and ice walks.

Related Post: Top 27 Things to Do in Jasper in Winter

Credit: Parks Canada / Amy Krause

Yoho National Park

Yoho National Park is the Canadian Rockies' hidden gem, and the perfect choice for visitors who want the Rockies without the crowds. For this reason, we include Yoho National Park tours in many of our Rockies itineraries, taking you further than most ever see.

Yoho National Park receives approximately 700,000 annual visitors, while Banff National Park sees over 4 million, and Jasper National Park, 2 million. This means, if you want a quiet experience in the Canadian Rockies, Yoho is the place to go.

Best Spots in Yoho National Park:

• Emerald Lake
• Natural Bridge

While in Yoho, visit Emerald Lake. While you can grab a bite to eat at Cilantro on the Lake, our favorite option is to get a grab-and-go lunch from The Window at Cilantro on the Lake, follow the path around the lake's shoreline for approximately 300ft, and sit at one of the picnic benches in the picnic area. The bonus is that, along those 300ft, you will have lost most other visitors.

Along the same road, you'll pass Natural Bridge, an incredible rock formation created by the Kicking Horse River. It's a great stop, and a personal favorite of our Travel Designers who recently visited the Canadian Rockies.

Things to Do in the Canadian Rockies

There are so many things to do in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Click there for our detailed post, but here are a few of our favorites.

Credit: Travel Alberta

Go Wildlife Watching

The Rockies are home to grizzly and black bears, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and a variety of smaller creatures. While you can set out alone to try to find them, a locally-guided tour knows just where to go (including secret spots they won't give away) and gives you the best chance of spotting wildlife safely.

Credit: G.R Mottez on Unsplash

Take a Lake Cruise (or Two)

Lakes in the Canadian Rockies are a vibrant blue color — a result of glacial minerals suspended in their waters. There are few better ways to experience them than on a leisurely cruise across its surface.

• Maligne Lake — Cruise Maligne Lake to Spirit Island and travel far beyond most other visitors. In summer, visit around 4pm for the best lighting for photography.
• Lake Minnewanka — Voyage one of the longest lakes in the Rockies' national parks.
• Moraine Lake — While beautiful, you cannot cruise Moraine Lake. Instead, walk its shore and get iconic views of the surrounding Ten Peaks.

Credit: Pursuit

Ride a Gondola

The Rocky Mountains have many gondolas to choose from, but these are our two favorites:

Banff Gondola

Banff Gondola is best for immediate views. From the summit, or the end of the boardwalk to Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station, look over the backcountry to Sundance Peak, or down into Bow Valley. However, we recommend saving Banff Gondola for the evening. Take the ride up to dine at Sky Bistro overlooking the sunset on the mountains. An intimate or even romantic way to experience the mountain summit.

Left: Jasper Skytram, Right: Banff Gondola | Credit: Travel Alberta, David and Quin Cheung (left) / Pursuit (right)

Jasper Skytram

Jasper Skytram is best for hiking. Each gondola includes a guide inside, who explains the sights you see as you ascend the mountain. Once you reach the top, there are sweeping views from the small skytram station, and a stunning ridgetop hike, entirely above the treeline, to Whistlers Peak summit.

Credit: Destination Canada

Drive the Icefields Parkway

The Icefields Parkway is known as one of the most beautiful highways on Earth. It passes directly through the continental divide between Banff and Jasper and, as a result, is lined by some of the most impressive peaks in the Rockies on either side. Luckily, on any of our Canadian Rockies tours, you will pass along the Icefields Parkway by default, as it is the most direct route between Banff and Jasper.

Credit: Destination Canada

Stay at a Fairmont Hotel

Fairmont hotels are synonymous with the Canadian Rockies. These historic properties — dating back to 1888 and originally built by the Canadian Pacific Railway — heavily contributed to the region's early days in tourism. We recommend Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff for the classic castle in the mountains, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge for an upscale cabin stay, and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for private late-night views of the often-busy Lake Louise.

Credit: Maligne Range Restaurant / Travel Alberta / Nancy Ferreira

Try Mountain Cuisine

The Canadian Rockies is the place for hearty bison burgers, thick Alberta beef steaks, and some exceptional farm-to-table spots. In Jasper, take a food tour to explore the best hidden spots downtown, and find your favorite to return to alone.

Credit: Canada By Design

Book a Canadian Rockies Adventure Today

Get in touch with a Travel Designer to begin designing your dream trip. Whether it's a Canadian Rockies tour, a trans-Canada train tour, or a stay at a remote wildlife lodge, we'll build you the vacation you're looking for.

If you're still deciding (or just need a little more time), subscribe to our newsletter to stay in touch and receive more inspiration, packages, and deals while you're there.

This was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken! Their attention to detail was exceptional. I fell in love with the railroad system, the hotels, and the beauty of Canada! Thanks for the memories. I will highly recommend Canada by Design to family and friends. -Suz.

FAQ

Where are the Canadian Rockies?

The Canadian Rockies are along the border between Alberta and British Columbia in Western Canada. They are best accessed either from Vancouver, on the west side, or Calgary to the east.

What is the best way to tour the Canadian Rockies?

The best way to tour the Canadian Rockies is a combination of rail travel and road trip. You'll get to see both sides of the Rockies: the roads through mountain ranges, and the tracks far beyond them.

On a combination tour, you'll arrive in the mountains onboard a train (either Rocky Mountaineer or VIA Rail's Canadian train). Then, switch to your own (rented) vehicle to explore exactly what you want, when you want to, as you travel through the heart of the Rockies.

Feature Tour: Canadian Rockies Scenic Delights by Road & Rail

How many days do I need to see the Rocky Mountains?

We recommend a minimum of 6-7 days to explore the Rocky Mountains in Canada. However, we typically plan our tours to be between 8 and 10 days, allowing for plenty of time across your trip to both relax and explore.

When should I visit the Canadian Rockies?

The time you should visit the Rockies depends on what you are most interested in. However, we generally don't recommend trips in November, and don't offer tours then. In November, fall in the Rockies has ended, and winter activities haven't begun, so we find it is best to visit just before or after the month.

Depending on when you visit, this is what you can expect:

• Summer (June–August): Warm days, accessible hiking trails, peak wildlife activity
• Fall (September–October): Fewer crowds, golden larch trees, chance of snow
• Winter (December–March): Snowfall, winter rail trips, world-class skiing
• Spring (April–May): Fewest crowds, snow-capped peaks, thawing lakes, emerging wildlife

What city is closest to the Canadian Rockies?

The closest city to the Canadian Rockies is Calgary, Alberta. It takes just one and a half hours to drive from Calgary to Banff, and is where we recommend most travelers begin. However, you can also easily access the Rockies from Vancouver, British Columbia, and Edmonton, Alberta. We recommend starting in Vancouver if you are taking the train, as both Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail trains leave the city.

Is Toronto near the Rockies?

Toronto is not near the Rockies. To drive from Toronto to the Canadian Rockies would include over 2,000 miles on the road across 36 hours, without traffic.

If you want to see both the Rockies and Toronto in one trip, VIA Rail's train across Canada is the best option, where the four-day transfer across the country includes a classic sleeper train, onboard dining, and domed viewing cars to enjoy the scenery from.

Can you drive through the Canadian Rockies?

Yes, you can drive through the Canadian Rockies. In fact, we highly recommend it (in all seasons except winter). The drive between Banff and Jasper along the Icefields Parkway is one of the most beautiful drives on Earth. You will spend over two and a half hours driving through the midst of jaw-dropping mountain landscapes and passing by endless glaciers, one of which (Athabasca Glacier), you can walk on.

Is Glacier National Park in the Canadian Rockies?

The Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park spans the USA-Canada border and is made up of Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park. While Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park does touch the Canadian Rockies, Glacier National Park is only in the American Rockies, not the Canadian ones.