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From Bozeman to Banff - 7 Day Nature Itinerary

  • Day 1: Yellowstone National Park
    1 hour 30 minutes (85 miles) from Bozeman

    Explore the natural wonders of the first national park in the US. See Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Yellowstone Canyon. Watch for wildlife such as bison, elk, and bears.

  • Day 2: Glacier National Park
    5 hours 30 minutes (350 miles) from Yellowstone

    Discover the breathtaking scenery of Glacier National Park. Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road, hike to Hidden Lake, and view glaciers and waterfalls. Keep an eye out for mountain goats and bighorn sheep.

  • Day 3: Waterton Lakes National Park
    1 hour (75 miles) from Glacier

    Take a scenic hike in the Canadian Rockies at Waterton Lakes National Park. Visit Red Rock Canyon, Cameron Lake, and the bison paddock. Marvel at the stunning views of the prairie and mountains.

  • Day 4: Banff National Park
    3 hours 15 minutes (160 miles) from Waterton Lakes

    It's time to explore the crown jewel of the Canadian Rockies. Visit Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Johnston Canyon. Take a dip in the Banff Hot Springs and stroll down the streets of Banff townsite.

  • Day 5: Yoho National Park
    1 hour 15 minutes (53 miles) from Banff

    Admire the stunning beauty of Yoho National Park. See the famous Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, and Emerald Lake. Hike to Wapta Falls or the Burgess Shale Fossil Beds.

  • Day 6: Kananaskis Country
    1 hour (50 miles) from Yoho

    Escape the crowds and enjoy the pristine wilderness of Kananaskis Country. Go hiking, mountain biking, or rock climbing in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. Relax by Barrier Lake and look for bighorn sheep and moose.

  • Day 7: Canmore
    45 minutes (30 miles) from Kananaskis

    End your trip in the charming town of Canmore. Go for a leisurely walk along the Bow River, visit the Canmore Museum, and enjoy a meal in one of its many restaurants. Did you know that Canmore was used as a filming location for the movie Brokeback Mountain?

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Yellowstone National Park (1 day, $35 per vehicle)
  • Glacier National Park (1-2 days, $35 per vehicle)
  • Waterton Lakes National Park (1 day, free)
  • Banff National Park (2-3 days, $10 per person per day)
  • Yoho National Park (1 day, $10 per person per day)
  • Kananaskis Country (1 day, free)
  • Canmore (1 day, free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $110 per person

Transportation

You will need a car to travel between the national parks and parks in Canada. Car rentals are available in Bozeman and Calgary. Gas prices are about $3.50 per gallon. Brush up on your highway driving rules in Canada, such as using the metric system and watching for wildlife. Budget about 10 hours of driving time between Bozeman and Canmore.

Total Estimated Travel Cost: $300 per person

Useful tips

If you have extra time, consider exploring some nearby national forests such as Gallatin National Forest and Flathead National Forest. If you have less time, consider skipping Waterton Lakes or Kananaskis Country. You can also break up the itinerary into two shorter trips: Bozeman to Yellowstone and Glacier National Park, and Calgary to the Canadian Rockies.

Airports

The closest airport to Bozeman is Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), which is located 9 miles northwest of the city center. The airport code is BZN. The closest airport to Banff is Calgary International Airport (YYC), which is located 80 miles northeast of Banff. The airport code is YYC.

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