1. Banff National Park
Turquoise lakes and alpine legends
Overview of Banff National Park
Banff National Park is Canada’s first national park and remains one of the most visited destinations in the Rockies. The park spans over 6,000 square kilometres and features glacier-fed lakes, alpine meadows, and limestone peaks. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake attract travellers with their vivid turquoise waters framed by dramatic mountain backdrops. Wildlife (elk, mountain goats, and bears) inhabit the valleys and forests, offering natural encounters during guided excursions. Banff is included in nearly every Rockies itinerary due to its scenic diversity and well-developed visitor infrastructure.
Why is Banff National Park considered one of the best places to visit on the Banff to Jasper Train Route?
Banff National Park is considered one of the best places to visit on the Banff to Jasper train route due to its accessibility, iconic landmarks, and curated experiences. The route includes panoramic views of the Bow Valley and guided excursions and transfers, allowing travellers to explore sites (Johnston Canyon and the Banff Gondola). The park connects directly to the Icefields Parkway, forming a scenic corridor to Jasper with glacier viewpoints and interpretive stops. The town offers the best things to do in Banff National Park, including cultural attractions, dining, and boutique shopping, complementing outdoor activities. Canadian Train Vacations arranges guided tours, hotel stays, and transfers, making Banff a central highlight of multi-day rail journeys.
Things to Do in Banff National Park
- Paddle across Lake Louise or Moraine Lake
- Hike to Johnston Canyon and view waterfalls
- Ride the Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain
- Explore the town of Banff’s museums and shops
- Drive the Bow Valley Parkway for wildlife and scenic stops
2. Jasper National Park
Glacier valleys and starlit summits
Overview of Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park covers over 11,000 square kilometres and ranks as the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. The landscape includes glacier-fed lakes, limestone canyons, alpine meadows, and dense forests that support elk, moose, and mountain goats. The park features five distinct regions, each offering seasonal activities (hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography). Maligne Lake, Athabasca Falls, and the Columbia Icefield form part of the guided excursions arranged by Canadian Train Vacations. Jasper’s designation as a dark sky preserve adds stargazing to the list of year-round experiences.
Why is Jasper National Park considered one of the best places to visit on the Banff to Jasper Train Route?
Jasper National Park is considered one of the best places to visit on the Banff to Jasper train route due to its scale, biodiversity, and scenic diversity. The journey includes panoramic views of the Athabasca River, glacier valleys, and forested slopes visible from scenic viewing cars and motor coach segments. Canadian Train Vacations integrates Jasper into multi-day itineraries with curated stops and hotel stays. The park’s location along the Icefields Parkway allows access to interpretive sites (Sunwapta Falls and the Glacier Skywalk). Jasper’s combination of natural landmarks and visitor infrastructure makes it a central highlight of the Rockies rail travel to enjoy the best things to do in Jasper National Park.
Things to Do in Jasper National Park
- Visit Maligne Lake and take a boat tour to Spirit Island
- Hike through Maligne Canyon and explore limestone formations
- View Athabasca Falls and photograph glacier-fed rapids
- Ride the Jasper SkyTram to Whistler Mountain summit
- Explore the Columbia Icefield and walk the Glacier Skywalk
3. Yoho National Park
Waterfalls, fossils, and mountain echoes
Overview of Yoho National Park
Yoho National Park features dramatic alpine scenery, fossil-rich mountains, and glacier-fed lakes within British Columbia’s portion of the Canadian Rockies. The national park was established in 1886. It ranks as Canada’s second national park and forms part of the UNESCO-listed Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. The landscape includes vertical cliffs, waterfalls, and dense forests shaped by ancient geological forces. Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls stand out as signature landmarks, attracting travellers with vivid colours and powerful cascades. Canadian Train Vacations includes Yoho in multi-day itineraries that combine guided exploration with panoramic rail travel.
Why is Yoho National Park considered one of the best places to visit on the Banff to Jasper Train Route?
Yoho National Park is considered one of the best places to visit on the Banff to Jasper train route due to its proximity to iconic sites and its geological significance. The train passes through the park’s eastern edge, offering views of the Kicking Horse River and the Spiral Tunnels, a historic engineering feat. Guided excursions arranged by Canadian Train Vacations include stops at Emerald Lake and fossil beds that reveal ancient marine life. The park’s compact size allows for concentrated sightseeing without long transfers, making it ideal for day trips. The location is perfect for the best things to do in Yoho National Park, creating a natural corridor for travellers exploring the Rockies by rail.
Things to Do in Yoho National Park
- Walk around Emerald Lake and rent a canoe
- Visit Takakkaw Falls and photograph the cascade
- Explore the Spiral Tunnels viewpoint
- Hike to the Burgess Shale fossil beds
- View the Natural Bridge over the Kicking Horse River
4. Glacier National Park
Avalanche paths and cedar forests
Overview of Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park in British Columbia forms part of the broader mountain travel experience of Western Canada. The park features steep mountain ranges, active glaciers, and dense cedar-hemlock forests shaped by centuries of snowfall and erosion. Rogers Pass is a historic mountain corridor that cuts through the park and offers panoramic views of avalanche paths and alpine peaks. The park’s terrain supports a variety of wildlife, including mountain goats and black bears, and provides access to hiking trails and interpretive sites. Glacier National Park contributes to the region’s ecological and geological diversity as part of the Columbia Mountains.
Why is Glacier National Park considered one of the best places to visit on the Banff to Jasper Train Route?
Glacier National Park is considered one of the best places to visit on the Banff to Jasper train route due to its dramatic scenery and historical significance. The train journey includes views of Rogers Pass and the surrounding Selkirk Mountains, offering a contrast to the limestone peaks of Banff and Jasper. Canadian Train Vacations includes park itineraries that highlight natural landmarks and engineering feats (the original railway tunnels). The park’s location between Yoho and Mount Revelstoke creates a continuous corridor of alpine wilderness. The combination of rugged terrain, glacier remnants, and interpretive trails makes it a key stop on the trans-Rockies route, offering the best things to do in Glacier National Park.
Things to Do in Glacier National Park
- Hike the Hemlock Grove Boardwalk through old-growth forest
- Visit the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre for exhibits on avalanche control
- Explore the Illecillewaet Valley and view glacier remnants
- Photograph mountain peaks from the Asulkan Valley Trail
- Watch for wildlife along the Trans-Canada Highway corridor
5. Mount Revelstoke National Park
Meadows in bloom above the clouds
Overview of Mount Revelstoke National Park
Mount Revelstoke National Park features subalpine meadows, old-growth forests, and panoramic viewpoints along the western edge of the Canadian Rockies. The park includes a summit-access road that climbs nearly 2,000 metres, offering views of wildflower-covered slopes and glacier-fed valleys. Its compact size allows for concentrated exploration, with short trails leading to lakes, lookouts, and interpretive sites. The Meadows in the Sky Parkway forms the park’s central attraction, connecting visitors to alpine landscapes without long hikes. Canadian Train Vacations includes Mount Revelstoke in multi-day itineraries that highlight natural diversity and scenic transitions between Glacier and Yoho National Parks.
Why is Mount Revelstoke National Park considered one of the best places to visit on the Banff to Jasper Train Route?
Mount Revelstoke National Park is considered one of the best places to visit on the Banff to Jasper train route due to its accessibility, ecological variety, and visual contrast. The park’s summit road allows travellers to reach alpine terrain by vehicle, making it ideal for short visits and panoramic photography. Canadian Train Vacations arranges guided stops and transfers that showcase the park’s wildflower meadows and historic fire lookouts. Its location between Glacier National Park and the Columbia River Valley creates a natural transition zone for rail travellers. The park’s blend of forested slopes, alpine ridges, and interpretive trails adds depth to Rockies itineraries. Each visit highlights the best things to do in Mount Revelstoke National Park, which includes curated experiences that balance sightseeing with ecological education.
Things to Do in Mount Revelstoke National Park
- Drive the Meadows in the Sky Parkway to the summit viewpoints
- Walk the Summit Trail through wildflower meadows
- Visit the historic fire lookout tower
- Explore the Giant Cedars Boardwalk through old-growth forest
- Photograph alpine lakes and glacier-fed valleys
