These two national parks actually border one another, so driving from Banff to Yoho National Park is as simple as crossing over the boundary line. The Canadian Rockies actually contain seven contiguous parks, so you could spend weeks just gradually making your way through them if you so desired.

These seven parks collectively make up the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, which UNESCO designated in 1984. All these parks are known for their stunning natural beauty and diversity of wildlife. The seven parks in the heritage site include four national parks—Yoho, Banff, Jasper, and Kootenay—as well as three British Columbia provincial parks—Hamber, Mount Assiniboine, and Mount Robson.

Although all the parks in the Canadian Rockies are worth visiting, Yoho National Park and Banff National Park are the most popular for a reason. They also happen to make for a perfect vacation, spending a day in Yoho and another two or so in larger Banff. When in Yoho, make sure you see Emerald Lake, Paget Peak, and Takkakaw Falls. The most vital stops in Banff National Park include Lake Louise, Moraine Lake in the summer, Bow Falls, and Sulfur Mountain.

If you’re feeling bold, you can also extend your trip with a drive up the Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park. The Icefields Parkway is one of the most iconic drives in Canada and features gorgeous vistas of mountains, rivers, and massive glaciers. Jasper National Park is most well-known for its natural springs, lakes, waterfalls, and mountains, as well as containing parts of the Columbia Icefields glaciers.

To make the most of your next trip to the prairie provinces, check out our Yoho National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour. More prolific travelers might also be interested in Action+, a subscription service that grants access to over 100 tours for a single yearly price.

Essential Travel Guide:

• What animals are found in Yoho National Park?
• What city is closest to Yoho National Park?
• How much does it cost to visit Yoho National Park?