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Mar-d-mar's avatar
Mar-d-mar
Explorer
Mar 02, 2014

Renting an RV in Banff?

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

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  • Flyboy320's avatar
    Flyboy320
    Explorer
    Mar 03, 2014
    You have to fly into Calgary to access Banff. The rental companies mentioned by Canadafan are all located very near the airport. Do a google search of them and find the answers to you questions....cost,etc......
  • canadafan's avatar
    canadafan
    Explorer
    Mar 03, 2014
    No rentals in Banff. Calgary is the closest. It is only 126 km to Banff so less than 2 hours.

    There are at least 7 rental companies there the three largest are Canadream, Cruise Canada (Cruise America), and Fraserway. You did not say how long you might want to rent for, beware the rental company may have a minimum rental of 7 days.

    No free camping in the National Parks and don't forget you will need to buy a NP pass as well look here: http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/tarifs-fees/tarif-fee_E.asp?park=1

    Trevor
  • Harvey51's avatar
    Harvey51
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2014
    Most campsites in Banff and Jasper parks do not have full RV services (one in Banff, one in Lake Louise and one in Jasper do). Even electricity is not available in most campgrounds. I suggest being prepared to camp without any services to enjoy the parks. The campsites were built before RVs got so long, too.

    Those parks are so nice you will be outside most of the time and not miss the services very much.
  • romore's avatar
    romore
    Explorer II
    Mar 02, 2014
    No rentals in Banff either, Calgary is the closest.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Mar 02, 2014
    Hi,

    No boondocking in National Parks in Canada.

    There are showers if there is water. Some campgrounds are primitive.

    I think Calgary would be a better bet on finding a rental RV place.

    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

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