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RE: 14 day Canadian Rockies Itinerary
On day one you will need to check out the Rv etc. so don't plan on going very far. I suggest getting a two nite reservation at Bow River's Edge Cg at Cochrane. Nice folks and convenient to get into the city. This gives you time to get acquainted with the MH equipment and operation. I suggest that on day 2 you visit the Calgary area (incidentally - my home town) When you are finished with the city ( lots of things to do here - e.g. Calgary Zoo is first class, Fort Calgary for an history lesson, Heritage Park for more history) head west on the TCH. About halfway to Banff, we have stayed in Bow River Provincial Park. From there take a day to drive south to see/enjoy Kananaskis Country.
Once on the TCH head west into Banff NP. I prefer to use the cg at Lake Louise for our base from which to explore but a lot of people use Tunnel Mountain cg - basically in the town of Banff. You could stay there and explore and then move to Lake Louise for more exploring. Highlights from Banff town - Lake Minnewanka/Two Jack lake loop; Cave and basin historic site; Banff park museum on Main Street; the Luxton Museum. Between Banff and L. Louise be sure to take highway 1A - Bow River parkway for the best scenery and best chance for wildlife - sheep, elk, and bears).
Lake Louise tours - the lakeitself with some easy hikes - Tea House etc; Moraine lake; Take a day to go west to Yoho NP and to Takkakkaw Falls, Emerald lake, the Spiral Tunnels) part way down the hill to Field. Another great full day's trip is to come back east to the Castle Mountain junction and take #93 into Kootenay NP. Take the walk up Marble Canyon, stop at Numa Falls, the Kootenay River/valley overlook and the hot springs at Radium. From the town of Radium go north on 95 to the TCH at Golden and east back to L. Louise. If you choose this side trip you can do the Yoho - falls and Emerald Lake on your way back to the cg. At L. Louise - the views from the top of the ski area chairlift are worth while.
Now you are ready to head up the Icefields Parkway (#93) to Jasper.
All along the Icefields Parkway the scenery/sights to stop and admire are too many to try to list only a few highlights; Crowfoot glacier - when I was a boy the third leg was still there! My dad had a picture of that. Now - even the second leg is about to disappear! At Bow Lake take a few minutes to check out the Num-Ti-Jah Lodge and learn some park history via the story of Jimmy Simpson. A little further up - at Bow Summit (the highest point on the parkway) take the short drive/walk to see Peyto Lake (one of my personal favorites). Of course the Icefields visitor center demands a stop- even consider a ride onto the glacier; Sunwapta falls; Athabasca falls are highlights.
At Jasper - tour to Maligne lake- boat trip to Spirit Island; Mt. Edith Cavell; a short drive to Diamond Lake; visit the Jasper Muse, go west into BC to the viewpoint for Mt.Robson (the highest peak in Canada outside of the Yukon).
I've lost track of the number of days but from Jasper back to Calgary there are basically two options - east to Edmonton ( one of Canada's top tourist draws is the West Edmonton Mall!) with an o/night at Spruce Grove (cg there is closest to the Mall), then south to Calgary.
The more scenic is to turn south at Hinton and take highway 40 all the way down to the Trans-Canada near cochrane and then into Calgary.
If you still have time on your rental the dinosaur Museum/Badlands near Drumheller can be a worthwhile day.
Just enjoy my "home" territory (in spite of my signature) Pm me if you have questions.
John
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cruiserjs
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05/04/09 11:50am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Going to Alaska: Must see?
In no particular order:
Calgary Stampede (July 3 - 12)
Kicking Horse and Roger Pass ( BC & Alberta on the Trans Canada Hwy)
Stewart BC / Hyder Alaska on Hwy 37A, Bear watching and getting Hyderized ( I'm a carded member :E)
BC Hwy 37 ( Cassiar Hwy )
Barkerville BC
Frank Slide Alberta
Kananaskis Country Alberta
Dawson City Yukon
Chicken Alaska
Carcross Yukon
Watson Lake Yukon
Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump Alberta
Tyrrell Museum Dinosaurs, Drumheller Alberta
Soup
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SideHillSoup
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05/03/09 11:05am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Calgery Banff Jasper
If you don't mind being a bit out of Calgary, but central to both Calgary and Banff, I would suggest trying to get reservations at Mt. Kidd RV park in Kananaskis. It is a wonderful place to stay. We were there last year while we were in the Banff area. Although it is a drive into Banff it was well worth it as there were no places in Banff that interested us. It is pretty hard to get reservations. You have to call. But it is definitely worth it.
Kelly
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Titan Dude
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04/27/09 10:51pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: campgrounds in or near banff or lake louise
Outside Banff is Kananaskis County - kinda ssw of Banff - very nice parks - no hookups - we stayed there last summer - saw lots of wildlife. In Lake Louise pretty much the only show in town is the PP right in the center... Not much to look at as far as a park goes - has hookups - but the location is very convenient. For a 1-night stopover it worked great. Hold out for a good day as you drive north on the Icefields Parkway - this is a "can't miss" stretch of scenery!!! We opted for the eastern route - towards Hinton (full-service community), then north on 40 (?) to Grand Cache and on to Dawson Creek. Have fun!
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loggenrock
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04/04/09 09:01pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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Kananaskis campgrounds
Can anyone recommend any other campgrounds in Kananaskis apart from the Mount Kidd RV park. I'm looking for some good privacy between sites, power and showers if possible.
Thanks :)
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pamperedcamper
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03/22/09 05:58pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Calgary HELP!!
Welcome to the great provice of Alberta and the great city of Calgary. There is a new campground just out side of the city of Cochrane, which is a short 15 min drive from Calgary, by the name of Springhill RV park. It is just off Highway 22 north of Cochrane but close enough to Calgary that you can enjoy all the great Stampede events including the never ending pancake breakfasts. Also, if you are planning on going to the Stampede grounds, by all means take in the rodio and the evening chuckwagon races. While you are in the area, and if you get tired of all the stampede stuff, take a day trip up to the Banff/Canmore area, or to Kananaskis Country. As far as entering into Canada, we crossed the border at Chief Mountain which is just outside of Waterton National Park and we were pretty much the only ones there. Waterton National Park is also a great place to spend a few days.
Don't forget Heritage Park here in Calgary. It's one of the best western towns around.
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Albertaguy
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03/11/09 04:52pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Calgary HELP!!
Welcome to the great provice of Alberta and the great city of Calgary. There is a new campground just out side of the city of Cochrane, which is a short 15 min drive from Calgary, by the name of Springhill RV park. It is just off Highway 22 north of Cochrane but close enough to Calgary that you can enjoy all the great Stampede events including the never ending pancake breakfasts. Also, if you are planning on going to the Stampede grounds, by all means take in the rodio and the evening chuckwagon races. While you are in the area, and if you get tired of all the stampede stuff, take a day trip up to the Banff/Canmore area, or to Kananaskis Country. As far as entering into Canada, we crossed the border at Chief Mountain which is just outside of Waterton National Park and we were pretty much the only ones there. Waterton National Park is also a great place to spend a few days.
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keirich
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03/10/09 11:46am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Calgary campgrounds
There's a KOA right in town; suppose if that's your thing...
There's quite a few provincial campgrounds within an hour of town - kananaskis country has numerous; mclean creek (in the bragg creek area) has a few good ones. Heading down 22 south from calgary there's a good number from okotoks south.
No idea why, but up at big hill springs rd @ highway 22 - there's an RV park that's forever packed full... I thought it was an RV dealership the first dozen times I drove by...
If you're into boondocking - and the RV isn't too big, There's a bunch of great spots out in Mclean Creek & Waiparous / Ghost (waiparous) OHV areas. Not recomended around long weekends though...
Alberta gov't campgrounds:
http://gateway.cd.gov.ab.ca//2008searchparks.aspx
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AndyLyyc
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01/26/09 07:38pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: traveling to Jasper and Banff in JULY, Need INFO?
We also went to Banff/Jasper last July. We really loved it and had a great time. Hopefully for you the exchange rate will be better this summer than it was last year (and gas prices). Rather than staying in Banff, we stayed in the Kananaskis Valley, which is especially beautiful. It was a bit of a drive to get into Banff, but it was a quieter place. We stayed at Mt. Kidd. It is well worth the drive to Banff, however it is very difficult to get a reservation. You have to call when they open up their reservation window. I would highly recommend the spot though. We also stayed at Whistlers in Jasper. We thought it was great. It is huge however, the way it is set up, it doesn't seem big. The town is wonderful. There is a really neat small hike up a mountain right out of town and you can see 360 degrees of the area of Jasper and the Athabasca River. It starts right across a bridge where the rafters leave from. Your kids would love it and the view can't be beat.
Have a great time. This is a trip of a lifetime.
Kelly
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Titan Dude
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01/05/09 07:41am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: A good CG in Alberta?
within 4 hours of calgary is some of the finest camping in north america. banff/jasper are two of the greatest natural wonders as you well know. mt kidd is my favorite, followed closeely by all the group areas of kananaskis. rocky mountain house is also very nice. east of you at the sask border is quite nice and to the south waterton should be seen as well. you are wise to plan now as the best sites book up the first few days the reservation system opens.
Daryll
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FLY 4 FUN
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01/03/09 10:53pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: traveling to Jasper and Banff in JULY, Need INFO?
Whistlers campsite in Jasper is great. Take the tram to the top of the mountain, great views. Take a drive out to Mt. Edith Cavelle and hike up to Angel glacier. We did this about 15 years ago when ours kids were about the age of yours and they loved it. We didn't spend much time in Banff, too many tourists and busses. Take a drive down through Kananaskis Country, we stayed in Peter Lougheed Provincial park (interlakes campsite) they had miles of bike paths between campsites and the views are breath taking. You are already planning the Columbia Ice field Parkway drive, this is a MUST see.
Enjoy
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krev
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01/01/09 07:46pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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