Alberta Route Question for my Canadian Friends

Thanks, EK Roamer, that's exactly the information I needed. Looks like I can't go wrong using either road. Good news!

padredw wrote:
Was just considering 533 and 540. Seems like 533 is a good choice, even though 540 looks a bit more direct on the map. Unless I hear from someone with experience on 540, I'll count on 533 for sure.

I have used both 533 and 540 pulling our trailer. 540 has less elevation gain but both are good paved roads.

Thanks for all the helpful information and the suggestions. Maybe I jumped the gun a bit, but I made reservations at Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court weeks ago to be sure I had a place to park our RV. We hope to do a good bit of daily driving without the RV, but will make that our base for this visit.

We already have our passports and our entry passes to Canadian National Parks, so you can see how long in advance we made these plans. It is a drive of many days and many miles for us and we don't like to be gone from home for much more than a month.

We are looking forward to the trip and the visit to Alberta--if we can just hold together until July.

I second pianotuna on Banff. Personally my wife and I preferred going to Waterton National Park over Banff any day. Cameron Lake in Waterton rivals Lake Louise and there are far less people. There is a campground in the townsite and a few outside the gates. It can get very, very windy and you don't see too many awnings in the out position. Last summer was our last time going out west, pulling the 5er. Our two kids will have to come to us now. Have a great trip no matter where you go.

Hi padredw,

Be aware that Banff is a tourist trap. I prefer Lake Louise.

The National Park pass is free this year to honor Canada's 150 birthday.

Since this may be a "last hurrah" I would suggest considering adding Jasper to your travels. It's not a lot farther--and it is far less "trappy" than Banff.

The Columbia Ice Fields highway is good, and scenic.

Thank you both for these very helpful responses. I had determined that 520 had gravel on the west end, so had eliminated that. Was just considering 533 and 540. Seems like 533 is a good choice, even though 540 looks a bit more direct on the map. Unless I hear from someone with experience on 540, I'll count on 533 for sure.

I have a full day to get from Claresholm to Banff and I am just looking for a scenic route, but also want to avoid any problem areas. I plan to come around by Calgary on my return trip.

As you can see I'm making plans long in advance. I enjoy doing that. We have been making trips in fifth-wheel trailers for 20 years, but this may be one of our last long trips as I will be 85 in October. Our only other RV trip into Canada was to Ontario, near Niagara Falls where we met RV friends who live in Ontario.

Banff will be our destination on this trip. I've always wanted to visit there, but we have no desire to go on to Alaska.

Thanks for your help.

We often drive from southern B. C. to Calgary and use 533 both ways. It is a good highway. Coming from the south on 2 toward Calgary, the turn west is on the south end of Nanton. Where it joins 22 there is a good provincial campsite on Chain Lakes , probably busy in summer, especially on weekends. Haven't used 540 so can't comment on that one. 520 west from Claresholm I haven't used either, but do remember that when passing the junction on 22 that it is gravel at that end. Highway 40 is also a good highway, very scenic. It has a pass but I don't remember the grades being long or steep. Note that Highway 40 is closed until June 15.

What would you like to know?
They are paved and in good condition, but I haven't used the 520 in years as I make better time crossing from 22 over to 2 on 533.
we usually use 533 to Nanton as short cut from 22, when we head to north eastern Calgary.
When we go to North western Calgary we go a different way...( grin)

Padredw (myself) wrote:
Looks like either Highway 540 or 533 would be choices to go over to 22 and then to 40.

Is any of this a good idea? If so, which would be better 540 or 533?

My fault for intruding on an existing question. But since I'm here, I'd like to know about these connecting roads between 2 and 22?

Thanks

To avoid the city of Calgary , use the east ring road , Hwy 201 Stoney Trail. For those considering Hwy 40 , Longview to Hwy 1 , it's a good 2 lane road , nice scenery, and it takes you through the Highwood Pass , which is Canada's highest paved pass , at 7400 ft elevation.