Jasper and Banff to Glacier NP
Planning a trip in early-mid July to Jasper and Banff, then on to Glacier. Departing from and returning to Whidbey Island in Washington state. We're planning to go up to Kamloops, then up highway 5 ...
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We did your route in '97 from Birch Bay State Park south of Blaine. We enter at Sumas/Huntington.
Did an overnight at a Nat'l Forest Campground on the way to Jasper. Not sure just where, we'd driven a long way that day as I remember.
We enjoyed a soak at a hot springs resort place, Miette Hot Springs, I believe it was. We stayed at a Jasper Nat'l Park Campground. Bought a Park's Pass, which had coupons for other things (one was to the hot springs).
There is a neat visitor center between Jasper and Baniff at a glacier. The tour on an Ice Bus like machine up on the glacier for a fee was neat. There was a short hike to the foot of the glacier near the hwy for free as well. The Bus was neat. Tours of Columbia Icefield Glacier, we have gotten to do it twice. Very neat. Take a jacket, it can be cold. First time was in '86 and we drove up from Baniff to see it and do the tour. Second time was in '97, we stopped going from Jasper to Banff in MH.
Also stayed at a Banff Nat'l Park CG. Several Campgrounds in the Banff area, one near Lake Louise, too.
After Banff, we dropped down to Waterton via Calgary to Fort MacLead. Then down to Glacier by St. Mary. More on Sites & Sights
Wouldn't think you would have any problems with the roads being closed through Jasper and Banff NPs. They were open in '97 when we were there in June. Rained like crazy most of one day & it had snowed out from Jasper by Maligne Lake. We did a drive up to it to get out of the RV for a little (on the rainy day).
In '86, it snowed overnight in Banff. Roads were very open. Also in June.
Check on the getting a Park Pass, helps with day fees & maybe camping fees & when we had one it had many coupons for sites & sights. We used it at Jasper, Banff & Waterton Nat'l Parks.
Did an overnight at a Nat'l Forest Campground on the way to Jasper. Not sure just where, we'd driven a long way that day as I remember.
We enjoyed a soak at a hot springs resort place, Miette Hot Springs, I believe it was. We stayed at a Jasper Nat'l Park Campground. Bought a Park's Pass, which had coupons for other things (one was to the hot springs).
There is a neat visitor center between Jasper and Baniff at a glacier. The tour on an Ice Bus like machine up on the glacier for a fee was neat. There was a short hike to the foot of the glacier near the hwy for free as well. The Bus was neat. Tours of Columbia Icefield Glacier, we have gotten to do it twice. Very neat. Take a jacket, it can be cold. First time was in '86 and we drove up from Baniff to see it and do the tour. Second time was in '97, we stopped going from Jasper to Banff in MH.
Also stayed at a Banff Nat'l Park CG. Several Campgrounds in the Banff area, one near Lake Louise, too.
After Banff, we dropped down to Waterton via Calgary to Fort MacLead. Then down to Glacier by St. Mary. More on Sites & Sights
Wouldn't think you would have any problems with the roads being closed through Jasper and Banff NPs. They were open in '97 when we were there in June. Rained like crazy most of one day & it had snowed out from Jasper by Maligne Lake. We did a drive up to it to get out of the RV for a little (on the rainy day).
In '86, it snowed overnight in Banff. Roads were very open. Also in June.
Check on the getting a Park Pass, helps with day fees & maybe camping fees & when we had one it had many coupons for sites & sights. We used it at Jasper, Banff & Waterton Nat'l Parks.
