Banff National Park tour: Lake Louise & Emerald Lake visit

Stand in front of Takakkaw Falls: Canada's tallest waterfall, 373 metres of raw water crashing down a mountainside.

A full-day guided tour of Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks in Alberta, Canada, with a certified local guide, park entry included, and stops at Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls (or Peyto Lake in winter), Marble Canyon and the Natural Bridge. Pickup starts from Banff town, Calgary Downtown or Canmore. The tour runs 9 to 12 hours depending on your starting point. Bottled water and crampons (when needed) are provided. Bring or buy lunch at Lake Louise Village.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Emerald Lake45m · entry included
2. Takakkaw Falls45m · entry included
3. Peyto Lake40m

Explore Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay Parks

• View Castle Mountain en route
• Visit Lake Louise Village rest stop
• Explore Lake Louise scenery
• Walk Marble Canyon trail
• Pass through Kootenay National Park
• Visit Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park
• See the Natural Bridge
• Visit Takakkaw Falls or Peyto Lake

The experience

The drive from Banff, Calgary or Canmore puts you into three national parks in a single day. Something that takes real planning if you're renting a car and navigating the route yourself. A guide handles the driving, knows where to stop and how long to spend at each place, and fills the hours with the stories and wildlife sightings that turn a scenic drive into something you actually remember. You'll see Lake Louise first, the turquoise centrepiece of Banff, then cross into Yoho National Park for Emerald Lake's year-round turquoise waters and the short walk to the Natural Bridge where the Kicking Horse River has carved through ancient rock.

The signature stop is Takakkaw Falls, accessible only from mid-June through mid-October, where a short walk through the valley brings you face to face with one of Canada's tallest waterfalls dropping 373 metres. When the falls close for the season, the tour swaps in Peyto Lake along the Icefields Parkway, famous for its wolf-shaped shoreline and views of surrounding glaciers. Either way, you'll also walk the easy Marble Canyon trail in Kootenay National Park, a 40-minute loop past waterfalls and dramatic rock formations. The route passes Castle Mountain, a striking peak that dominates the landscape for an extended stretch of the drive.

Entry to all three parks is included, as is bottled water and any crampons you might need. The guide is a certified local who speaks English and knows the Rockies in detail. You'll have a rest stop at Lake Louise Village where you can buy food, snacks or souvenirs, or pick up your National Park Stamp at the Visitor Information Centre. Details arrive by email 24 hours before the tour date.

What’s included

• Entry to Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks.
• round-trip transport from Banff, Calgary or Canmore.
• certified local guide in English.
• bottled water.
• crampons when required for trail conditions.

Options for this experience

3 options

Starting from CanmoreGuide in English · Available from 27 May 2027Meeting point: Travel Alberta Canmore Visitor Information Centre, 2801 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, AB T1W 3A2. Meeting time: 9:00 AM. Pickup is included.

Departs from downtown Banff.Guide in English · Available from 27 May 2027Meeting point: Hotel Canoe & Suites, 600 Banff Ave #2000, Banff, AB T1L 1H8. Meeting time: 9:30 AM. More information is sent by email. Pickup is included.

Departs from downtown Calgary.Guide in English · Available from 27 May 2027Meeting point: 700 Centre St, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6. Meeting time: 7:30 AM. Departure: 7:45 AM. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 27 May 2027

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (6 to 80 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Rocky Mountain Trips

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving in Banff or Calgary without a rental car, or if you'd rather not drive the mountain roads yourself. The guide navigates the route, knows where the light hits the lakes at different times, and spots wildlife you'd miss from the driver's seat. The fixed schedule means you see all three parks and both the major lakes in a single day without building the itinerary yourself.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

162 verified traveler reviews

5 ★162

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's the difference between Takakkaw Falls and Peyto Lake on this tour?

Takakkaw Falls is the main stop from mid-June through mid-October: a 373-metre waterfall you reach after a short scenic walk. When it closes for the season, the tour includes Peyto Lake instead, a turquoise glacial lake along the Icefields Parkway with a wolf-shaped shoreline and a short walk to the lookout.

Do I need to be fit to do the walks on this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The walks are short: Marble Canyon takes under 40 minutes, and the walks to Takakkaw Falls and Peyto Lake are brief scenic strolls. The rest of the day is spent in the vehicle with rest stops built in.

Where does the tour pick me up?

You choose your starting point at checkout: Banff town, Calgary Downtown, or Canmore. The guide picks you up from your hotel or the designated town location and handles all the driving for the full day.

What should I bring for a 9 to 12 hour tour?

Bring a packed lunch or plan to buy food at Lake Louise Village during the rest stop. Bottled water is provided. Wear layers and sturdy walking shoes: the weather in the mountains changes quickly, and you'll be walking on trails and rocky terrain. The tour operates year-round, so pack accordingly for the season.

Are the national park entries included in the tour price?

Yes, entry to Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks is included. Your guide handles the logistics so you don't need to buy separate park passes.

What happens if Takakkaw Falls is closed when I book?

Takakkaw Falls closes mid-October through mid-June due to snow and road conditions. During those months, the tour includes Peyto Lake instead, which offers equally stunning views and a similar short walk to a scenic viewpoint.