Day 1
Gather Supplies and West Glacier
Drive one hour to Lake McDonald Lodge
Hike 6.5 miles on the Avalanche Trail and leave time for snacking and enjoying the water.
In the late afternoon make time for a paddle on the lake, McDonald Lodge rents canoes, kayaks and paddleboards right on the shore.
Overnight Accommodations: Lake McDonald Lodge
Day 2
Going to the Sun Road
Stops along the way at lookouts and McDonald Falls (There are red bus tours that you can sign up for but we like to be a bit more active and spend more time exploring)
Hike to Hidden Lake at Logan Pass, 3 miles round trip relatively easy, mostly paved trail.
Hike to Baring Falls 1 mile round trip. Good place to get up close to a water fall and jump around on rocks.
Stop at the end in St. Mary for some ice cream and fill up with gas if you need.
I’d recommend the GuideAlong app and listen to the narration along Going to the Sun road, very informative and entertaining way to know what you are looking at along the road.
Overnight Accommodations: Lake McDonald Lodge
Day 3
Many Glacier
Hike 11 miles to Grinnell Glacier and back. You can shave a couple miles off the trip by making reservations with Glacier Park Boat Company to get across the first two lakes. This hike is pretty grueling so leave plenty of time and carry more water than you think you need. The trail is exposed the entire time so you will go through a lot of water.
Overnight Accommodations: Many Glacier Lodge
Day 4
Many Glacier
Breakfast on the front porch of Many Glacier Lodge to take in the view.
Head to Fishercap lake to walk around and look for moose.
Rent a rowboat and paddle Swiftcurrent Lake
Horseback ride with Swan Mountain Outfitters
Overnight Accommodations: Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton
Day 5
Waterton National Park
Ideally your legs will be great and you’ll want to tackle 11 miles on Crypt Lake hike. Ours were not, so we pivoted.
Red Rock Canyon Hike
Explore the town of Waterton
Wildlife drive in the evening
Overnight Accommodations: Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton
Day 6
Banff drive and Gondola
Enjoy the lobby view one last time
Driving day 4 hours to Banff
Take the local bus to Banff Gondola and have dinner at Sky Bistro
Overnight Accommodations: Moose Hotel
Day 7
Banff National Park
Bow River to Hoodoos Trail 6.4 miles moderate
Lunch in downtown Banff
Johnston Canyon hike 3 miles to lower and upper falls
Drive the Bow Valley Parkway
Fondue dinner at Grizzly House
Overnight Accommodations: Moose Hotel
Day 8
Banff National Park
Head to Park & Ride for shuttles to Moraine Lake & Lake Louise
Short flat hike around one side of Moraine Lake
And nearly 6 miles up to Lake Agnes Tea House for lunch
Dinner and shopping in downtown Banff
Overnight Accommodations: Moose Hotel
Day 9
Yoho National Park
Canoe on Emerald Lake and walk around the area
Hike to Takakkaw Falls
Dinner and shopping in downtown Banff
Overnight Accommodations: Moose Hotel
Day 10
Icefield Parkway/Jasper
Athabasca Glacier tour with Columbia Icefield Adventures
Skywalk
Evening drive to Maligne Lake
Overnight Accommodations: Mt Robson Inn
Day 11
Drive back to Kalispell
Overnight Accommodations: Glacier International Lodge
Wanderlust Travel Diary 