Our Epic 2025 Rocky Mountain Road Trip!!!! (ft Mr Moose) 🏔️🫎🇨🇦
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Every time I go back to the Rockies, I ponder if I’m hyping it up too much in my head — because in my head it is a magical alpine Narnia wonderland… and every time I confirm that no I am not. It really is that.
But this trip had a special addition — MY HUBBY!!!!
My other trips have been me, solo road tripping with just Taylor Swift to keep me company and a tripod to capture content. (Check out all my adventure gear & travel essentials on my Amazon Shop!) I’ve always dreamed of showing the Rockies to my man one day, and this year was that “day”!! Matt obviously loved every second of it and if you are one of the 4 million+ people who saw my recent reel you know he's been properly initiated to Canada now 🫎😅
I need everyone to experience this magical place so here is my immaculate Rocky Mountain itinerary!!!
Banff (2 nights)
We left the Okanagan early pearly to get to Emerald Lake around noon, did the loop around the lake (~1 hour; flat but VERY muddy around the far side!!) which was an iconic welcome to the turquoise lakes and towering peaks of the Rockies. Also saw someone with 3 “wolf dogs” (also known as WOLVES) as pets which was very wild and questionable.
Emerald Lake
Arriving in Banff, it’s just so cute isn’t it. Quaint little mountain town, framed by these giant peaks that just shine differently as the lit hits different all day. We got Subway, ate along Bow River, strolled to Bow Falls, it’s just so lovely there. Finished our first evening with a drive to Two Jack Lake, which is my fave in Banff — not necessarily because of the lake (although it is beautiful and peaceful) but because of the wildlife viewing on the way there. Saw a papa elk with massive antlers which was iconic.
Banff town
Strolling along Bow River
The Hoodoos!
The next morning, we came back to Two Jack Lake, which hit differently at sunrise — EXTRA peaceful, obsessed with our photos from there — you really could see a ripple in this lake from a mile away.
Two Jack Lake at sunrise
We went to Canmore (~20 mins away) to hike to Grassi Lakes, which were stunning, and visited my friend Martha over a drink at The Iron Goat. Canmore is so stunning and a great place to stay to dodge Banff’s crowds/prices. Plus The Last Of Us was filmed in its cute little town!!!
Grassi Lakes
The next morning, we went for a quick view at Norquay Viewpoint and Timmys breakfast by the Bow River. Then it was onwards towards Lake Louise, with a stop at Johnson Canyon on the way. We hiked to the Upper Falls and it was so so beautiful, very busy family-friendly hike, but honestly worth it!! The canyon, falls, and colour of the river are epic.
Lake Louise (1 night)
We stayed overnight at HI Lake Louise but were in the room for a total of like 3 hours throughout our whole stay. This is because we hiked Big Beehive in the evening and did sunrise at Lake Moraine the next morning!!
Big Beehive took us around 3 hours; coming over the bend to Lake Agnes was one of Matt’s highlights of the trip, and then we scaled the shaley cliffside to reach the summit for just iconic views of this stunning lake. Make sure to do the Lake Agnes route cause we did the other way on the way down and it was mostly forested, and not as exciting. But this hike is a must in my opinion!! I mean look at my camera roll! 👇🏼
We didn’t get to soak in the beauty and peace of Lake Louise as much as I’d liked this year because there were crowds before the hike and then when we finished it was a bit rainy. Next time we’ll spend some more time and just do the chill Lake Louise trail!!
The next morning, at a crisp 3:25am, our alarms went off and we set off for the most magical experience in the Rockies.
Moraine Lake at sunrise has always always been my fave, and since personal vehicles are no longer allowed, you have to sort out a shuttle option — but I was so grateful to collab with Moraine Lake Bus Company for this trip who made it so seamless and comfortable to get a sunrise shift at this gem of a lake. We made it there and found our spot on the Rock Pile in time to watch the morning light begin to tint the lake bluer and bluer, the mountains and their snow glowing golden in the background. We strolled for about an hour along the lake and honestly this place just has never heard of a bad view. Magic magic magic.
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Icefields Parkway (1 night)
This 3-hour stretch of road between Lake Louise and Jasper is incredible at any time of day, but golden hour is the best, which is why I like to spend the night along the Icefields Parkway — getting a good dawn-and-dusk chance to spot wildlife, as well as soak in the peace. The hush amongst these mountains is insane.
We drove by and stopped at iconic scenes like Bow Lake, Peyto Lake (which is so stupidly blue) and the Bow Summit Viewpoint (an awesome lil hike I highly recommend!!), as well as Tangle Falls and Athabasca Glacier, before going to sleep at HI Beauty Creek.
Jasper (2 nights)
Driving into Jasper the next morning, I have to be honest, the destruction from last year’s wildfires was so so devastating — way worse and more widespread than I’d expected. It’s just scorched earth as far as the eye can see, coming from the most beautiful lush forests that I’d been unknowingly spoiled with on previous years. My heart truly goes out to this community and natural world, hoping for swift and complete regrowth asap. I couldn’t believe how many attractions were still closed because of the fire — Maligne Canyon, Valley of Five Lakes, even my fave Edith Cavell (this is as of June 2025 so check what’s open for your trip!). It’s just all so sad but the heart of Jasper beats through it and the magic of this place is still as present as ever.
The first day was a lil rainy so we just cruised around at some top spots — Pyramid Lake, Edith and Annette Lakes, Beauvert Lake and went for a lovely afternoon drink at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (the bar is such a vibe). Dreaming of staying here one day (here’s the link to book your dream stay!)
In Jasper we stayed at Tonquin Inn, which honestly was a perfectly fine accommodation, nicely located, comfy, decently priced. Browse other amazing Jasper accommodations here!
The next day we decided to head into Beautiful BC! I’d never been to Mount Robson before — the highest mountain in the Rockies — so we wanted to go check it out, and heard about Kinney Lake being a beautiful hike.
It was!! The trail was relatively easy and flat, mostly along a river and then around a turquoise-blue lake. The Mount Robson glacier-capped peak just towers above you and guides you throughout the hike and it is truly incredible. Don’t forget to stop at the Visitor’s Centre, there were incredible wildflowers in bloom here for us in June!!
The next morning was… well… one of the most iconic mornings of my entire life. The most rare, unexpected wildlife sighting, a true Canadian safari. I’ll just leave this reel here, which has gone viral on social media and traditional media outlets (I’m writing this 3 days later and it’s been featured in Global, National Post, and CTV). I’ll let the post speak for itself, but seriously, WHAT. IS. LIFE. Maligne Lake Road at sunrise delivers every damn time.
After this VERY eventful morning, we chilled/worked/processed our moose encounter at Starbucks for the day, before heading back into the Icefields Parkway. All my digital nomad travel essentials are on my Amazon Shop!
Icefields Parkway (1 night)
For our final night, we stayed at Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge along the Icefields Parkway.
The main purpose of this final night was a) to get another shot at seeing the wildlife at dawn and dusk (sadly no bears to report but not mad about using all of the wildlife luck on that moose sighting) but also to hike Mount Edith Cavell, before I knew it was closed — and when I found out I was devastated. But everything happens for a reason, because this led me to discover my new favourite hike: Wilcox Viewpoint via Wilcox Pass.
This hike is ICONIC. Such variety, unreal views, walking across open landscapes with snow patches, creeks, forests, wildflowers, and coming to see the Athabasca Glacier at the top was honestly an out-of-body experience. We also saw a WHITE BILLY GOAT (pretty sure we were the only ones who saw it, it felt like a Patronus) and the most iconic scene of bighorn sheep against the glacier backdrop. How insane. We hiked to the viewpoint but then got caught in a SNOWSTORM on the way back!!!! It’s true this weather can change on a dime so pack accordingly — we have been soooo grateful for our windbreakers!!!
We crashed at the lodge and headed out at 5am the next morning — one final highlight I have to mention was Bow Lake in the morning light, completely still, glowing blue, that reflection was absolutely insane.
Another magical Rockies trip from this proud & grateful Canadian, already cannot wait to go back.
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