Forum Discussion

Goo's avatar
Goo
Explorer
Jan 18, 2015

Headed to Alberta - need help!

Hi all. Just getting into planning a July vacation in Alberta and feeling a little overwhelmed. We will only have a week and a half so I want to make the best of it without being rushed. What I'm really interested in are the "must see..." and the "must stay at..." comments. Here's what I have so far...
- We'll be driving from Ontario into Olds, Alberta (my daughter, the equestrian, will be competing there). Thinking of parking the trailer at Red Lodge Provincial Park and making that our home base for the competition.
- Now, here's where my head starts to hurt... option 1 - From Red Lodge, head to Banff / Lake Louise for 2 days before heading to Jasper, or Option 2 - From Red Lodge, take day trip(s) into Banff / Lake Louise, then head to Jasper
- in Jasper - where to stay?? Here in Ontario we prefer Provincial Park camping where we use just electricity. Water and sewer not needed. Trailer is 28' ball to bumper. I see some places have a 24' max restriction :( . I'm also thinking that we could spend a week in Jasper as we love trails and scenery. I'm thinking 3 days max if we spend 2 in Banff.
- The kids (12 and 14) want to see West Edmonton Mall, so I'm thinking 2 days at Devon Lions Park. Personally, I'd be OK with skipping WEM and spend more time in Jasper, but I might have a tough time convincing the family of this.
- Last stop will be Dinosaur Provincial Park. Probably 2 days here. The other option for this would be somewhere in Drumheller for similar experience.
So, that's where I'm at. I was also thinking we could do a trip to WEM from Red Lodge, then head to Jasper, Banff, Dinosour PP.

That's it! - other than the 4 day journey home.

Thanks in advance for any advice / opinions!

Pete
  • trigley's avatar
    trigley
    Explorer
    Jan 19, 2015
    Red Lodge is OK. Dud to time constraints I would bypass Banff town for Lake Louise. Yes the CG has train noise but IMO LL area is the jewel. Visit Moraine Lake, Takkakaw Falls and Emerald Lake in Yoho.
    Take a day trip into Banff if you wish.
    Jasper area is beautiful, I much prefer the town as it is smaller & quieter than Banff. whistler CG is a good choice.
    I recommend Drumbeller over Dinosaur PP because of the Museum.
  • romore's avatar
    romore
    Explorer II
    Jan 19, 2015
    I agree, I think your schedule is a little unrealistic. You are looking at a minimum of three days each way. From Red Deer I suggest Drumheller. Plan on two days at the Tyrrell museum and the badlands, too much to absorb in a day.
    Edit: I just read your second post, you have ten days in the west. That makes a big difference. I suggest 11 to 93 then north to Jasper, the Icefields Parkway is spectacular. Hinton to Edmonton is uninspiring but if it has to be WEM so be it. From there take 21 south to 575 then east It is dead flat, you can see Saskatchewan from there. The road unexpectedly drops into the Red Deer river valley and the badlands. It's another world. Take the ferry the road goes past the museum.
  • Goo's avatar
    Goo
    Explorer
    Jan 19, 2015
    Johnny G1 wrote:
    First off that is 36 hrs of hard running just to get to Olds from sw Ontario, and that was running double in a truck that only stopped for fuel and grub. Hard trip for 10 days????


    YUP! We're going for our daughter's competition, so we figured if we're going, we should take advantage as best possible. We were thinking we could fly and rent a class C for some, and hotel the rest, but the cost would be 2X that of driving out with the trailer - so we're driving. In total, the trip will be 24 days. Let's just say it'll be an adventure. :) Besides... we have the trailer - may as well use it.
  • Johnny_G1's avatar
    Johnny_G1
    Explorer
    Jan 19, 2015
    First off that is 36 hrs of hard running just to get to Olds from sw Ontario, and that was running double in a truck that only stopped for fuel and grub. Hard trip for 10 days????
  • campinghut's avatar
    campinghut
    Explorer
    Jan 19, 2015
    To me WEM would not be a must but if it is a must you might be able to get away with 2 nights and one day in Drumheller.
  • Mr_Biggles's avatar
    Mr_Biggles
    Explorer
    Jan 18, 2015
    In Jasper stay at the Whistler's Campground. It's part of the Jasper National Park. Reservations are recommended. Jasper is one of my favourite camping areas.
  • burnmark's avatar
    burnmark
    Explorer
    Jan 18, 2015
    Red Lodge is actually not bad, river's nice if it's warm.

    Jasper is a favourite, very small town. Banff is quite a bit bigger, more city like. The Icefields Parkway should put your head on a swivel

    Distances in Alberta however, are pretty big. Some of your day trips are up to 8 hrs round trip before you get to your destination. Have a look in Google maps for planning.

    m
  • hedge's avatar
    hedge
    Explorer
    Jan 18, 2015
    I would suggest you go straight west through Nordegg. You could camp there and then go on to Banff and Jasper. Can't stand Banff personally (too busy) but if you've never been you may like it.

    I've camped a few times at Red Lodge, I think that's a good choice.
  • profdant139's avatar
    profdant139
    Explorer II
    Jan 18, 2015
    Do you like to hike? Wilcox Pass, overlooking the Icefield, was an amazing hike. Plain of the Six Glaciers in Lake Louise was terrific. So was the Iceline in Yoho.

    We spent a month in the area back in September of 2012. We have done a lot of traveling -- that may be the best trip we have ever taken, so far.

    If you are not hikers, then just driving the Icefield Parkway in both directions is a must-do.

About Bucket List Trips

13,487 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 18, 2025