Early in August, just before my daughter was to leave the comforts of home to start her college life, we planned a long family road trip. Our road trip would start in Spokane, Washington and head north east to Calgary, Canada and then head west through the stunning Canadian rockies, finally reaching Vancouver on the west coast and then heading down south to Seattle. We would then take a flight back home to Chicago.
This epic road trip through Canada took us through some of the most pristine and scenic routes cutting through the Canadian Rockies. If you’ve seen images of Canada so beautiful that they stop you in your tracks, they’re likely from Canada’s Rocky Mountains in Alberta.
The Canadian Rockies span four national parks and are home to some of the most spectacular mountains, lakes, hikes, and drives you have ever seen. Perfect for an epic hiking, and photography road trip. From snow covered mountains to Glaciers to stunning glacial lakes to the beaches in west coast of Canada, this road trip has it all.
Our trip began in Spokane, Washington in US and traversed almost 1800 miles through the charming towns of Canmore, Banff, Jasper, Kamloops, Whistler, Vancouver and ending in Seattle, WA.
What is the best time to visit the Canadian Rockies?
The best times to visit Banff are June to August and December to March. Nature lovers will want to get to the park when the weather is warm and welcoming (and while the hotel rates in town are at a reasonable level). The skiers, however, will want to vacation in the height of winter. Depending on what you want to do, Banff can be seen as an almost year-round destination
Temperatures fluctuate dramatically throughout the year; average winter temperatures range from the single digits to the low 30s. During the summer, average temperatures range from 40 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. No matter when you choose to visit, plan to wear sunglasses, a hat and plenty of sunscreen to protect against UV exposure: The sun at these alpine altitudes is strong.
How to get to the Banff/Jasper region?
Our Canadian rockies road trip started with Banff National park. The best way to get here is to fly into Calgary and then rent a car. We chose to rent a car from Spokane, Washington and then drive to Banff. Detailed itinerary is as below.
Day 1: Canmore to Banff
Turquoise glacial lakes, Rocky Mountain peaks , picture-perfect mountain town , abundant wildlife and scenic drives come together in Banff National Park – Canada’s first national park and the flagship .
Over three million visitors a year make the pilgrimage to the park for a variety of activities including hiking, biking, skiing and camping in some of the world’s most breathtaking mountain scenery. Banff is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site. Below are the top spots we visited in Banff.
Cascade Pond is a day use area that has fire pits, picnic tables and toilets. You can walk around the pond and have a little picnic with your friends and family.
JWalking in a counter-clockwise direction, the trail winds through a lush montane forest before emerging at the far end of Johnson Lake. From this point, views extend across the water to the distinctive profile of Cascade Mountain.
Located 15 minutes north of the Town of Banff and close to Lake Minnewanka, this rustic, no-service campground is beautifully situated on the shores of Two Jack Lake. It is perfect for tents or small RVs and offers lakefront sites, mountain views, wildlife viewing .
Next we headed on to Lake Minnewanka – a large glacial lake five kilometres from the town of Banff. The lake is 21 kilometres (13 miles) long and 142 metres deep(opportunity to take a cruise):
5 minutes west of the Banff townsite is the Vermilion Lakes drive. This year-round 4.3 kilometre scenic road, offers wildlife viewing opportunities and breathtaking scenery. Sit back, relax and soak up the sun as you gaze at the impressive Mount Rundle – one of Banff’s most recognizable mountains.
We had bought tickets well in advance for the Banff Gondola in order to save waiting time. The Banff Gondola offers an easy year round way for visitors to see breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, the Bow Valley and the town of Banff.
After a long day in Banff relax in the hot springs and take in the beautiful scenery around. The hot spring was discovered to be one of nine sulphurous hot springs on the mountain’s northeast flank. From the nineteenth century people flocked to Banff to enjoy the reputedly healing properties of the mineral-rich springs.
End the day with dinner in charming Banff town.
Day 2: Banff to Lake Louise (via Bow Valley Parkway a.k.a Hwy 1A)
Lake Louise is a hamlet in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, known for its turquoise, glacier-fed lake ringed by high peaks and overlooked by a stately chateau. Hiking trails wind up to the Lake Agnes Tea House for bird’s-eye views. On the way to Lake louise from Banff stop by at the Johnston Canyon.
The trail to the waterfalls of Johnston Canyon has to be the busiest in the Canadian Rockies. Nearly every day throughout the summer, hundreds of hikers follow its canyon- to the gorge’s Lower and Upper Falls.
Morant’s Curve is located on the western end of the Bow Valley Parkway near Lake Louise. It’s a beautiful spot that the railway passes through.
Next we drove to one of the most scenic and recognizable images of the Banff region – Moraine Lake is only half the size of its nearby neighbor Lake Louise, but perhaps even more scenic. It’s a glacier-fed lake situated in the beautiful Valley Of The Ten Peaks in Banff National Park.
The Rockpile Trail Offers The Best View Of The Moraine Lake: The Rockpile is a short trail of less than half a kilometer with minimal elevation gain. The trail switchbacks along the back of the moraine bringing you to the top of the rocks where there are fantastic views overlooking the lake.
The hike around the Moraine Lake Shoreline is the easiest way to appreciate the beauty of this famous alpine lake. Hike up the Rock Pile for an alternative view of these turquoise waters and the nearby Tower of Babel.
Day 3: Banff to Jasper (via Icefileds Parkway a.k.a. Hwy 93)
Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies comprises a vast wilderness area of Alberta province defined by glaciers, lakes and peaks like 11,033-ft.-high Mt. Edith Cavell.
The Icefields Parkway, a road from the town of Jasper, passes subalpine forest and the immense Columbia Icefield. As you drive up north west from Banff we stopped by at the below stunning locations.
First on was Peyto Lake – a glacier-fed lake located in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. The lake itself is easily accessed from the Icefields Parkway.
Bow Summit is the highest point on the parkway, at 2088 m above sea level. You are near treeline here, surrounded by alpine meadow. A short walk from the parking area leads to a viewpoint overlooking the blue-green Peyto Lake and, in July and August, an astonishing array of alpine flowers.
The Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre was once-in-a-lifetime excursion which left us feeling exhilarated and inspired, with an amazing ride on a massive Ice Explorer to trek onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier.
Then, we took a jaw-dropping walk along the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk at the cliff’s edge.
Day 4: Jasper
Explore the charming town of Jasper and explore the below scenic locations in Jasper national park.
The Pyramid Lake Loop offers one of the most beautiful views of the Athabasca Valley. Every footstep is worth the view from Pyramid Bench, the destination of many hikers in Jasper National Park.
The Maligne River plunges 23 m into a steep-walled gorge of limestone bedrock. A self-guiding trail takes you over six different footbridges, providing spectacular views of the canyon en route. teahouse is located adjacent to the parking area.
Medicine Lake was next and is a most peculiar lake. The Maligne River flows in but there is no surface outlet. Instead, the water flows underground for many kilometres, emerging in such places as Maligne Canyon and Lac Beauvert.
Maligne Lake is the Largest Jasper lake (22 km long) and the deepest (97 m). Renowned for its scenery and its fishing, the area also offers exceptional hiking opportunities. A concession provides cruises on the lake, rowboat rentals, fish guiding and restaurant service.
Day 5: Jasper to Kamloops
The Canadian city of Kamloops is in British Columbia, where two Thompson rivers meet. This beautiful city features bike and wildlife parks, hiking trails, amid other interesting spots. Also, we have heard that the British Columbia’s wildlife in Kamloops includes the best cougars and bears. Likewise, the Lake of Kamloops showcases fascinating clay spires, while Secwepemc Heritage Park flaunts a 2,000-year-old village that you can’t miss.
Take the day easy and enjoy the long drive of close to 6 hours to Kamloops. Check in , enjoy a early dinner and relax at the pool
Day 6: Kamloops to Vancouver
Drive to Whistler from kamloops took almost 5 hours through the scenic mountains.
Famous ski village Whistler sits at the feet of two immense mountains: Whistler and Blackcomb. Together, the peaks form the biggest winter sports area in North America. Whistler had international appeal even before it co-hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics .
Take the Peak 2 Peak Gondola for an elevated ride between the two mountains. Though the distance covered is a record-breaking 4.4 kilometers, the ride takes only 11 minutes. On a clear day, the view is superb and looks out to snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes, and dense coniferous forests.
Surrounding the village, the rugged region is a mix of untamed rivers, teal-blue lakes, unending forests, and volcanic peaks. Only one main road, Highway 99 (also known as the Sea-to-Sky Highway), connects the area’s attractions and communities. This scenic drive rates as one of Canada’s most spectacular road trips.
Whistler to Vancouver you will find yourself driving on the Sea to Sky Highway or known as BC Highway 99. The Vancouver drive is only 120km and takes around one hour and a half, but the surrounding landscape is so beautiful you will want to do some stops along the way.
Day 7 and 8– Vancouver
Vancouver, a bustling west coast seaport in British Columbia, is among Canada’s densest, most ethnically diverse cities. A popular filming location, it’s surrounded by mountains, and also has thriving art, theatre and music scenes.
Thanks to its temperate climate and abundance of rain, the city has its fair share of lush outdoor spaces, the largest among them being Stanley Park . If you’re not up for strolling its nearly 1,000 acres, visit some of the city’s other outdoor attractions like Queen Elizabeth park or VanDusen Botanical garden.
For a real thrill, take a walk across the Capitano suspension bridge which hovers 230 feet above Capilano River. When you’re ready to refuel, you’ll have your pick of delicious market eats at Granville island and Lonsdale Quay or stroll into China town.
For more travel stories visit planning a trip to Grand cayman Islands.
Excellent travelogue! Yet another inspiration for a holiday – thank you!
Thank you Sharath