where to enter into canada

Danford50 wrote:
what month would be the best time to start this trip to avoid any cold weather and snow.

My crystal ball says June, July and August are the best months for the trip with the possibility of cold, snow, rain, clouds, wind and sun during those months. :B

what month would be the best time to start this trip to avoid any cold weather and snow.

jpbuch9309 wrote:
I drove through North Dakota and it was about 7PM we were the only ones there and I think the border patrol had nothing better to do they held us up for three hours

Something seems wrong with this incident. Being held up for three hours with Border patrol Agents (BP) (green uniforms) seems excessive. The only authority BP has under INA212 is to check for US citizenship and once confirmed, is to release the subject. If you are an LPR (lawful permanent resident, green card holder) or a visiting alien from another country, BP is authorized to conduct document checks, and once found to be in order, release the subject.

If a K9 was involved and that K9 alerted to the vehicle, then and only then would BP be allowed to inspect your vehicle for hidden humans and or illegal narcotics.

Now if you mean border patrol, being the US Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBP) (blue uniforms) at the actual border crossing, well a three hour inspection seems long, but perfectly in order if it was random or there was "mere" suspicion by the CBP Officer that something else needed inspection.

If you were referring to Canadian border patrol (CBSA), that is a different story. Foreign country, different rules with regards to entering their country. You are at their will and pleasure.

Either case, you were released to continue your journey. That would be a plus for you. It is not a GOD given right to enter another country without first having been inspected by that countries' authority.

Many folks arrive at the border check point, both at the US side and the Canadian side, and state, "I or We are going here or there". That statement is given under the assumption that you will be allowed to enter or reenter that particular country.

When I arrive at a border crossing and the inspecting authority asks me, "What is your purpose for coming to this country?", I answer as follows: "Sir or Mam, with your permission, I would like to go to (your intended destination)".

That answer respectfully notifies the inspecting authority that you understand that they have the final decision whether or not you would be allowed to enter their country.

By being respectful of authority, your initial chances of entering the foreign country would, in my opinion, be one step closer to becoming a reality.

Safe travels.

Lakeside

I drove through North Dakota and it was about 7PM we were the only ones there and I think the border patrol had nothing better to do they held us up for three hours

We went up through Montana/Calagary to Dawson Creek for the entire Alaskan Highway. If you haven't been to Banff and Jasper then take that route. We returned by the Cassiar so saw all of the major routes except TOW.

But the absolute best route is the Marine Ferry one way. It is $$$$$.

".....and the route between Banff and Jasper are some of the most beautiful mountains in Canada."

Although today (based on the date, not necessarily the day) marks 10 years since my last trip to Canada :(, I suspect the scenery hasn't changed since the 20+ trips I took between various West/Northwest U.S. locations and Alaska beginning in '72.

The area between/around Banff and Jasper is some of the most spectacular scenery in the North, IMNSHO. Rivals even Alaska :)

Keep in mind that fuel will be cheaper in the lower U.S. than driving all across Canada. Also, the Plains states in the lower 48 looks the same north of them in Canada.

Unless there's something you really want to see going east to west in Canada, I'd suggest you drive across the lower U.S. from east to at least Montana, Idaho or Washington then head north.

Have fun planning. It's an awesome trip and not difficult at all. It's just a lot of miles. Don't think of it as one trip. Think of it as many short trips tacked onto each other. :) Don't plan on driving long days and don't make a ton of reservations. Just go and stop where it looks like a good place for some siteseeing. There are tons of lovely boondocking spots along the way overlooking a river or lake. You don't need a RV park all the time. Mix it up with public parks, too. Canada and the Yukon's Provincial parks are great!

Plan to cross into Canada by the 3rd week of May and return the first of September. Stay as long as you can unless you plan to make this trip often.

So much depends on what you want to see, how much time you have, whether you want to see the mountains or not.

Many would say that Waterton Lakes area, the Kananaskis, and the route between Banff and Jasper are some of the most beautiful mountains in Canada.

Chief Mountain Border Station in Montana will take you there.

For you cross the border in MT heading thru Calgary NW thru Grande Prairie connecting up with 97.