Renting an RV in Banff?

Hi,

The towns of Banff and Jasper are tourist traps. Waterton is by far more scenic. I did not find wind to be a problem--but I don't drive 70 mph either.

Wow, thanks everybody!!!

96Brigadier, I would greatly appreciate your advice on the best landscape spots. We are re-thinking Waterton, and will probably just stick to Banff and Jasper. I will definitely get the books you suggested. I have a few reserved from the library as well. If you would prefer to send me a direct message so we don't go off topic, feel free. chezmjm@gmail.com

There's really no boondocking in the park but if you come to the east a bit theirs lots. For example if you did a side trip to Nordegg there's lots of boondocking there.

Did the Waterton, Banff, Lake Louise, Ice fields, Jasper trip last year.

Lots of Europeans fly to Calgary, rent RV and travel the area. You see lots of small to medium size rental motorhomes in the campgrounds and on the road.

Not many places to boondock in the area (that we saw, but some more experience persons may know of some out of the way spots).

Can use the Ice Fields Center lower parking lot for free (I think), we stayed at a campground nearby. Some of the parks have overflow parking for $10.00/night if they are full. Some don't. We did not do reservations and did not have a problem finding space but we always stopped early afternoon. At Banff we just made it before they filled.

Great bus service in the Banff area....pick you up in the campground. We just parked and used the buses there.

Lots of interesting places to hike.

Beautiful country...you will have a great time.

Mar-d-mar wrote:
96Brigadier,
We were wishing for an RV in Alaska because we were driving to Seward, Homer, Denali, Whittier etc, and each night having to drive all the way back to Anchorage to sleep. The first day we saw the RVs, we realized we could just go from place to place and not need to go 'back' anywhere. In Banff, we were thinking the same thing. I am a professional photographer, so I get up before dawn and stay out after sunset to get the best animal shots. Having our bed on location would just make it easier. Having never been there, I just don't know about the limitations. Alaska had so many pull-outs, and the rv's just stopped and slept anywhere. We are planning to go north to Jasper and south to Waterton. We have 9 days total. Thanks for your input!

You won't be able to just pull over and stay in your RV like you can in Alaska, it just isn't that remote. There are various campgrounds that you can pull into however you will need a site by early afternoon during the summer months or you risk showing up while they are full. The campgrounds that take reservations are right by Banff, Jasper, and Waterton. If you're will to take some time out in the middle of the day to grab a site and leave some lawn chairs on it while you go back out then you'd probably be ok.

If you are a wildlife photographer then you have a high likelihood of running into animals in the Jasper area (vs Banff which also isn't bad but I find Jasper better for wildlife). You're guaranteed to see Elk, we've been to Jasper every year for the last 6 years and have seen black bears on every trip with our personal record being 7 bears in 3 days including one right in our campsite. Just one Grizzly though. Closer to Banff highway 93S towards Radium Hot Springs is also known for animals... mountain sheep, mountain goats, bears, and there is a spot that is known for wolves (near where the mountain sheep hang out, go figure). Highway 1A in the Banff area is also known for animals.

If you want to do some landscape photography then I can help you with great locations for sunrise and sunset in Banff, Lake Louise, along the Icefields Parkway, and in the Jasper area. Landscape photography is something I take fairly seriously.

Waterton is the only park I've only been to once before, it's also beautiful but can be extremely windy. Driving an RV in that kind of wind can be white knuckle, it's pretty common for the wind in the Waterton area to be sustained 30 mph from the west with gusts to 50 mph. Something to keep in mind, it's one reason I haven't gone down there more often even though it's only a little over 3 hours away, driving an RV in a big cross wind isn't a lot of fun.

I highly recommend the Photography e-books from Darwin and Samantha of Oopoomoo. I own all of their guides with the exception of the one on wildlife (I'm a landscape guy). Click this link then choose "Guides" from their menu.

http://www.oopoomoo.com/ebooks/

Each book is $10 and well worth it in my opinion.

Mar-d-mar wrote:
Thanks Trevor! Already ordered and on it's way.

Harvard, Thanks for the advice. I've had no troubles to date. I always pay photographer fees if I have to, and avoid those places where the fees are unreasonable. It's the first visit to Canada with 6 months to research the regulations. I appreciate the heads up!

You shouldn't have any problems with photography in the National parks. Although I'm not a pro as I don't sell my images, I have the pro "look" with the gear I use. I've never had a problem and would never expect to have a problem with photography in the parks.

Thanks Trevor! Already ordered and on it's way.

Harvard, Thanks for the advice. I've had no troubles to date. I always pay photographer fees if I have to, and avoid those places where the fees are unreasonable. It's the first visit to Canada with 6 months to research the regulations. I appreciate the heads up!

Since you have 9 days and want to spend time in the National Parks you will find it cheaper to buy an annual parks pass, it is good for a year and when you have visited the great places in the Rockies you will surely want to visit again.

Trevor

Mar-d-mar, you have an interesting occupation, a professional photographer. Have you ever had any issues while travelling. I assume you are allowed to take pictures (in Canada) as long as you are not going to earn income from those taken while in Canada. I would not volunteer your occupation to border persons, not withstanding, unless asked, kind of thing. :)

96Brigadier,
We were wishing for an RV in Alaska because we were driving to Seward, Homer, Denali, Whittier etc, and each night having to drive all the way back to Anchorage to sleep. The first day we saw the RVs, we realized we could just go from place to place and not need to go 'back' anywhere. In Banff, we were thinking the same thing. I am a professional photographer, so I get up before dawn and stay out after sunset to get the best animal shots. Having our bed on location would just make it easier. Having never been there, I just don't know about the limitations. Alaska had so many pull-outs, and the rv's just stopped and slept anywhere. We are planning to go north to Jasper and south to Waterton. We have 9 days total. Thanks for your input!

Mar-d-mar wrote:
After visiting Alaska last year and wishing we had rented an RV, we didn't want to make the same potential mistake in Banff. So a few questions... Does anyone have experience renting there? Can you just pull over and sleep like Alaska, or must you find an official campsite? Do the national parks have showers available? Any preference on company? I wish we could drive our own up from Missouri, but we just don't have enough days, so we are going to fly then rent one their if it will work. Thanks for any tips you care to provide!
Mar

Few questions...

1. What made you want an RV when you visited Alaska?
2. How far do you plan on traveling away from Banff?
3. How many days will you be in the area?

You don't require an RV to visit Banff, Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, the Icefields Parkway, Jasper, etc. Car rental and hotel yes, RV not required unless you want to stay at the campgrounds instead of in a hotel.