Trans Canada Highway from Calgary to Pentition

fanrgs wrote:

The falls he is describing are Takakkaw Falls, about a 300 meter free fall, with boulders at the base that you can climb. It is spectacular and I would highly recommend the side trip off the Trans-Canada Highway to see it. However, there are some hairpin turns that won't take any big MH or long trailer, so the suggestion to get an RV spot in Field is a good one (we watched a tour bus back down one of the hairpins despite signs saying that long vehicles were prohibited).

Actually the tourbus was doing it correctly. There are signs indicating how to navigate the switchbacks for long vehicles such as MHs and tourbuses. They go forward to the 1st turn, backwards to the 2nd turn and then forward again. It's actually quite easy to do. Trailers are strictly prohibited as there is no way for them to negotiate the turns. There is a place to disconnect and park your trailer just before the road up to the falls.
The campground being referred to is called Kickinghorse with 88 sites. There are no services at the sites but there are hot showers available. There is also Monarch campground, immediately before Kickinghorse. Again no services, and suitable only for smaller units. Both campgrounds fill up VERY early during peak season so get there early.

Takakkaw Falls are well worth the side trip, and there is excellent hiking as well.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I've been researching the Jasper area. I think we will take a side trip up that way on the Icefields Highway. Probably spend a night or two up there and check out Lake Magnline and the ice fields. I would appreciate any suggestions you all have for that destination as well. I'm already getting super excited and it's a year away.

Dianne

luckyd wrote:
You should stop in Field.
There is a campground on the opposite side of the highway.
The train tunnels are great .....but.....there is a waterfall
that is higher than Niagara and you can walk right up to the base
of it.

The falls he is describing are Takakkaw Falls, about a 300 meter free fall, with boulders at the base that you can climb. It is spectacular and I would highly recommend the side trip off the Trans-Canada Highway to see it. However, there are some hairpin turns that won't take any big MH or long trailer, so the suggestion to get an RV spot in Field is a good one (we watched a tour bus back down one of the hairpins despite signs saying that long vehicles were prohibited).

And our favorite lunch on our entire trip to Alaska in 2013 was in West Kelowna at the Quail's Gate Winery. We had lunch on the terrace overlooking the vineyards, with a rose bush blooming at the end of each row. Down the hillside covered with vines was beautiful Lake Okanagan, the biggest of the glacial lakes filling the Okanagan Valley. Getting back to the Okanagan is now near the top of our bucket list!

The campgrounds in Banff Tunnel Mountain 2, Jasper Whistlers, and Lake Louise have 15/30A electricity, but no water or sewer hookups except at a very few sites. And there are no private RV parks in those national parks to use as an alternative to the national park campgrounds. So, if you want to stay in the parks and have full hookups, you will need to make reservations very early.

You should stop in Field.
There is a campground on the opposite side of the highway.
The train tunnels are great .....but.....there is a waterfall
that is higher than Niagara and you can walk right up to the base
of it.
From there go on to Golden.
A must see bridge you need to cross to get to Golden.
Take the cable car up the mountain and have lunch.
Very spectacular on a clear day.
Nice campgrounds there also.
From there to Three Valley Gap.
Stop and take in the sights.
On to Revelstoke.
From there you can go two ways.
1) Take the ferry to Nakusp, drive down the Lower Lake
and then Needles Ferry. Both ferries are free.
On into Vernon and connect with Hwy 97 to Penticton.
2) Head to Sicamous, follow the highway Enderby and on to Vernon.

Hope all this helps.
Fantastic country.
Oh yes, I have driven it all with a 40footer towing a CRV

Excellent highway. No problem with your combo. Lots of campgrounds but don't have any up to date info that would be useful for you.

Happy trails.

HalfWhit wrote:
Planning a trip through Banff next year and would like some info on this route. We have a 30 foot 5th with a diesel ford one ton. How is this route? Would also like some tips on campgrounds and sites to see along the way. Prefer hookups.
Thanks in advance.

Dianne

As far as the route goes, the worst part is traffic congestion driving through the Kelowna and Westbank area, otherwise, no worries.