Unusual Canadian Rockies Road Trip: Winnipeg to Banff & Jasper (8 Days)
Most people fly to Calgary when they visit the Canadian Rockies… but we didn’t.
We flew into Winnipeg. 😅
Why? The flight to Calgary was so expensive when we booked! So, we started our Canadian Rockies road trip from Winnipeg and drove west all the way to Banff and Jasper. Even the immigration officer in Winnipeg was surprised when we said we were heading to Banff!
Honestly, the driving time was longer (and harder) than we expected, so I wouldn’t really recommend this Winnipeg to Banff road trip unless you love long drives. But—there’s a silver lining! We discovered a lot of hidden gems along the way. If you’re planning a unique road adventure or just curious about the in-between places, I hope our story helps!
Here’s how our 8-day Banff and Jasper itinerary went:
Quick Overview of the Route
- Winnipeg → Brandon → Regina → Medicine Hat → Banff → Jasper → Edmonton → Saskatoon → Winnipeg
- 8 days, 7 nights
- Many hours in the car… but also so many unexpected discoveries!
Day 1: Arrival in Winnipeg – A Mint, a Bridge, and a Bear
(Approx. 215 km / 134 miles)
We arrived at Winnipeg Airport and started sightseeing right away.
Royal Canadian Mint, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Royal Canadian Mint was a fun stop! Even though we missed the tour (it was already late), we still enjoyed the unique exhibits and cool souvenirs. They had a wide variety of Canadian coins on display.
Provencher Bridge & Union Station, Winnipeg, Manitoba
We walked along the Provencher Bridge, enjoying the river view and checking out Union Station nearby. A relaxing way to stretch our legs after the flight.
The Pooh Gallery in Assiniboine Park
If you’re a Winnie-the-Pooh fan, don’t miss this. The gallery is tiny—less than 10 minutes is enough—but it tells the story of Harry Colebourne, the real-life inspiration behind Winnie the Pooh. It’s inside The Pavilion on the 2nd floor. Assiniboine Park itself is huge and has a zoo too, so finding the gallery wasn’t easy. There’s also a statue of Pooh and Harry in the park!
Overnight: Brandon
Day 2: Gardens, Government House, Moose & a Giant Tepee (Approx. 615 km / 382 miles)
We drove from Brandon to Regina—a loooong drive!
Queen Elizabeth II Gardens & Saskatchewan Legislative Building
We first visited the Queen Elizabeth II Gardens, located next to the Saskatchewan Legislative Building.
The gardens are beautifully maintained and perfect for a stroll. There’s a statue of Queen Elizabeth II in front of the building, and the entire area feels peaceful and elegant. Even if you don’t go inside the legislature, it’s a lovely place to walk around and take photos.
Government House
After exploring the gardens, we headed to the Government House, the former residence of Saskatchewan’s Lieutenant Governors. The historic building is surrounded by charming gardens, and you can go inside to see exhibits and restored rooms from the 1800s. It’s a quiet and educational stop—great if you’re interested in Canadian history or just want a relaxing break.
Moose Jaw
We didn’t plan to stop here, but the town name-Moose Jaw, was just so cute. We found a giant statue called Mac the Moose at the visitor center. The town looked interesting—worth a visit if you have more time.
Saamis Tepee (Medicine Hat)
This massive Saamis tepee appeared out of nowhere on the highway, and we couldn’t resist stopping for pictures. Lots of families were enjoying the area.
Day 3: Finally, Banff National Park! (Approx. 440 km / 273 miles)
The drive into Banff National Park was absolutely beautiful—one of the most scenic drives in Canada.
Bow Falls Viewpoint
A powerful waterfall near Banff town. Great for photos.
Takkakaw Falls
This was one of my favorite hikes. It takes about 20–30 minutes to the bottom of the falls. You’ll probably get a bit wet from the spray—but it’s worth it! Many people were climbing up higher, but I was happy just to stay at the bottom. 😅
Emerald Lake
Yes, it’s stunning… but it was so crowded. The bridge area was chaotic. I recommend going early in the morning if you want to enjoy the lake.
Natural Bridge
The rushing water under the rock bridge was so powerful! The water was crystal clear.
Feader Lake
This lake isn’t a major attraction, but it was incredibly clean and calm. A quiet gem.
Overnight: Golden
Day 4: Skipping Moraine & Louise (No Parking, No Thanks) (Approx. 320 km / 199 miles)
We had planned to visit Lake Moraine and Lake Louise, but couldn’t get parking. The officer said we’d need the Lake Louise shuttle from the ski area—at $125 per person!
If we had booked it in advance, it would’ve been just $8… but we didn’t know. We had visited Lake Louise in winter before without a booking, so we thought summer would be the same. It wasn’t. Lesson learned—check the website before you go!
Instead, we explored other Icefields Parkway stops:
Bow Lake
We tried to park at the main lot, but it was already full. If you’re not planning to hike and just want to enjoy the view (like us), I recommend parking at the Bow Lake Viewpoint’s parking lot instead. From there, you can still see the beautiful turquoise lake without the stress of finding a spot in the main lot.
Waterfowl Lake
Needless to say, this lake was so clear and beautiful. You don’t have to walk long. We can see it from the viewpoint.
Mistaya Canyon Trail
This trail was easy and short. The river was powerful and clear. Amazing.
Peyto Lake
Breathtaking blue water! We can see from the viewpoint. This is a must-see in any Banff National Park itinerary.
Icefields Parkway & Toe of the Athabasca Glacier Hike
We took the Toe of the Athabasca Glacier route, which is the easiest way to get close to the glacier. Even so, it’s an uphill walk most of the way, so be ready for a steady climb.
Along the trail, we noticed signs showing where the glacier reached in different years—it was eye-opening (and a bit sad) to see how much it has shrunk over time.
As we got closer, the temperature dropped noticeably compared to the temperature in the parking lot. You’ll want to bring a jacket, even in summer. The area near the glacier is full of rocks, so wearing good hiking shoes is essential. The hike only took about an hour, but the views of the glacier were amazing—it’s something I’ll never forget!
Sunwapta Falls
This waterfall was so powerful—it left an impression on me! The trail is well-maintained and easy to walk, so it’s accessible for most visitors. There are several viewpoints where you can see the falls from different angles, each one just as beautiful as the last. Such a great stop along the way!
Athabasca Falls
Like Sanwapta Falls, we can walk very easily to this fall. Powerful fall!
Canada is full of amazing waterfalls—Sunwapta Falls in Jasper National Park was incredible! On the other side of the country, I also visited Niagara Falls on a budget, and it was just as unforgettable in its own way.
Jasper Town
Small and cute town.
Quieter stop than Banff and a highlight in any Jasper National Park itinerary.
Day 5: Maligne Lake & Miette Hot Springs (Approx. 490 km / 304 miles)
We headed toward Maligne Lake, then stopped at Elk Island National Park hoping to spot some elk… but no luck this time.
Maligne Lake Mary Schäffer Loop Trai
We walked part of the Mary Schäffer Loop Trail—about halfway—before heading back to the parking lot. It’s an easy trail, so you can enjoy a relaxing walk while taking in the amazing lake views. I especially loved the spot with the red chairs facing the water… such a perfect place to sit and take it all in.
Miette Hot Springs
About a 30-minute drive from the main road (along a narrow and winding route), you’ll find Miette Hot Springs. This hot spring is more like a large swimming pool than a Japanese-style onsen—everyone wears swimsuits and relaxes in the warm water. We didn’t have time to try it because we were in the middle of a very long driving day, but it looked like a great spot to unwind.
On our way back to the main road, we met sheep..Be careful driving.
Elk Island National Park
We visited Elk Island National Park second time… but there was no luck this time.
Overnight: Edmonton
This wasn’t my first cross-border adventure—if you’re looking for another scenic route in the Pacific Northwest, check out my Seattle–Vancouver–Victoria Road Trip itinerary.
Day 6: Chill Day in Saskatoon (Approx. 520 km / 323 miles)
Saskatoon is a cute small-town stop on our off-the-beaten-path Canada route.
London Bus Ice Cream Shop
Yes—it’s shaped like a real London bus! So fun.
Riverside Walk
Perfect after a long-distance Canada road trip day!
Overnight: Saskatoon
Day 7: Back to Winnipeg (Approx. 780 km / 485 miles)
A full day of driving to return to where we started.
Overnight: Winnipeg
Day 8: Fly Home from Winnipeg
Final Thoughts: Would I Recommend This Route?
To be honest, if it’s your first time visiting Banff and Jasper, I’d still recommend flying into Calgary. Starting from Winnipeg made this trip extra long and tiring. But—we got to experience so many unexpected places, from cute towns to surprise roadside attractions like giant moose and tepees!
This route isn’t for everyone, but it’s perfect if:
- You love road trips
- You’re flying into a cheaper city
- You want to explore more of Canada’s prairies
- You like unique, off-the-beaten-path adventures
Tips for Future Travelers
- Book Lake Louise/Moraine shuttles in advance if visiting in summer
- Watch out for surprise transportation fees
- Bring a jacket for the glacier hikes—even in July
- Don’t expect to see wildlife, but enjoy the scenery
- Have a few backup stops in case of crowds or closures
- Always stop for cute roadside attractions!
If you love exploring Canada, you might also enjoy my guide to 12 Magical Places to Visit in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, filled with coastal scenery and small-town charm.
