Icefields Pkwy (93) Banff to Jasper
We're planning a trip to Banff and Jasper for early September this year. I'm planning a two week stay in Banff followed by a one week stay in Jasper. To get from Banff to Jasper, my Garmin system re...
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Having been up there in Sept '15, I can give a bit of info for that time of year.
As to campgrounds, many of the smaller, less developed Nat Park campgrounds close just after Labor Day. The larger ones stay open longer. Check if you have picked one or two special ones to see if they are open. Also, the free park pass this year WILL affect you!
Also, that time of year is the colorful tree display that many locals and many more foreigners show up for. We ran into full campgrounds and packed roads and viewing sites. And almost all were rental class C mh with non-english speaking users!! Not being a bigot, just what really went on!
There are lots of Provincial campgrounds around the Nat Parks, but again, a lot of them also close after Labor Day.
Weather was all over the place!!! Snow in Johnstone Canyon CG (one that is partially open), to 80 degree temps in Jasper until the skies opened up for the return trip to the states!!! Be prepared clothing wise.
As to the driving, highway-wise you won't have any problems with your combo. But check on campground sites as to possible length problems. Roads are good, Parkway (93) is narrower than Hwy 1 from Banff to Lake Louise (mostly 4 lane). Parkway is good, some rough sections, but nothing major. Watch out for suddenly pulling into a viewpoint and not being able to park your combo!!! AND, going north, almost every viewpoint is on your left, across the oncoming traffic.
Here are a couple of links to camping info for Nat Parks and Provincial Parks:
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/camping
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/jasper/activ/passez-stay/camping
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/
As to campgrounds, many of the smaller, less developed Nat Park campgrounds close just after Labor Day. The larger ones stay open longer. Check if you have picked one or two special ones to see if they are open. Also, the free park pass this year WILL affect you!
Also, that time of year is the colorful tree display that many locals and many more foreigners show up for. We ran into full campgrounds and packed roads and viewing sites. And almost all were rental class C mh with non-english speaking users!! Not being a bigot, just what really went on!
There are lots of Provincial campgrounds around the Nat Parks, but again, a lot of them also close after Labor Day.
Weather was all over the place!!! Snow in Johnstone Canyon CG (one that is partially open), to 80 degree temps in Jasper until the skies opened up for the return trip to the states!!! Be prepared clothing wise.
As to the driving, highway-wise you won't have any problems with your combo. But check on campground sites as to possible length problems. Roads are good, Parkway (93) is narrower than Hwy 1 from Banff to Lake Louise (mostly 4 lane). Parkway is good, some rough sections, but nothing major. Watch out for suddenly pulling into a viewpoint and not being able to park your combo!!! AND, going north, almost every viewpoint is on your left, across the oncoming traffic.
Here are a couple of links to camping info for Nat Parks and Provincial Parks:
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/camping
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/jasper/activ/passez-stay/camping
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/
