Alaska Trip
We are leaving up-state NY at the beginning of June, traveling to Great Falls, MT, where we hook up with Adventure Caravans on July 2 for a 63 day Alaska Tour, ending the tour on September 2 in Prince...
Forum Discussion
First don't forget that the USA $$$ is right now about 30% better than the Canadian $$$ so when traveling in Canada your money will go farther.
Now people will say that prices are more expensive in Canada, yup they are, but even with the ( approx) 30% difference, your saving money. I know.....we travel across the line in to Wash State and even with the exchange rate the USA dollar on " most" items with exchange are cheaper.
First google the places I am listing, it's easier on my typing finger... and spell check doesn't have to work over time. (Grin)
Now... I would never have done a caravan, but that's just me. ..... however......as I am guessing you came up through Banff / Jasper I won't comment on that. But if you didn't come north that way, you got ripped off and need to see it..and if you didn't send me a message I will give you some ideas.
So......
Prince George ( PG)
On your way home... take your time and relax.... you will be in PG so drive down Hwy 97 to Quenell and take the short drive into Barkerville. There are campgrounds at Barkerville and just before you take the turn off to head into Barkerville. At that time of year your won't need reservations unless it is Labour day weekend.
Once you leave Barkerville ( have to drive the 50 minutes back to Quenell) continue down Hwy 97 to Cashe Creek. There take Hwy 1 south to Hope down the Frazer Canyon, past Hells Gate tram.... what a ride....
At Hope take Hwy 3 east to Osoyoos . You will drive on Hwy 3 over the Hope / Princeton.
Now it's a beautiful drive and the mountains are great but drive all the way to Osoyoos and spend the night (S) there.
Now here you join up with Hwy 97 again, and your now in wine country. The Okanagan valley is known world wide for its wine. You van stay in Osoyoos and get on a " Hop on Hop Off" van and visit a bunch of winners... ( you have to pay for the van ride)
Neighbours kids play Hockey in Osoyoos a couple times a winter and they always stay at
Nk’Mip Resort it is on the shores of the lake, they have wine tours( and they make wine. http://spiritridge.ca/
Then head up to Summerland and take a ride on the Kettle Valley Railway. ( also wine country) https://www.kettlevalleyrail.org/
continue up Hwy 97 to Vernon, ( still in wine country) take Hwy 6 from Vernon over the Needles Ferry ( all inland Ferries in BC are free) to Nakusp on the shores of the Columbia River ( Arrow Lakes) try the Hot Springs in Nakusp . Continue on Hwy 6 south last Summit Lake two campgrounds ( 1 private 1 Parks BC) great fishing to lake trout.
Down to New Denver where you van vamp on Slocan Lake looking up at New Denver Glacier. Also there is a shuttle bus that you can pay to ride to the head of the trail to Idaho Peak. One heck of a view, easy 45 minute hike " YouTube ... Idaho Peak BC" also visit the ghost town of Sandon at the foot of Idaho Peak.
Then when your driving from New Denver take Hwy 31-A over to Kaslo past a few mountain lakes and many water falls on this route.
Once in Kaslo visit and tour the dry docked paddle wheeler Moyie.
http://klhs.bc.ca/
Then head down Hwy 31 past Mirror Lake and Ainsworth Hot Springs to the Balfour Ferry Landing ( all inland ferries in BC are free) across Kootenay Lake on the longest free ferry ride in the world on Hwy 3-A. After you get off the ferry continue down to Creston where you can buy many different fruits and veggies at Road side fruit stands, however you most likely won't be able to take them across the boarder back into the USA.
Once at Creston follow Hwy 3 east to Cranbrook and near right brought the city to Hwy 93/95 and follow it to Fort Steele, and Canadian heritage park. Once you have visited here you can travel 30 minutes back west to Kimberly and take a ride on the underground mine tour on an electric underground train.
Or.....
At the Esso gas station just a few hundred yards past the entrance to Fort Steele take the right on the Wardner / Ft Steele Rd all the way back to Hwy 3. It's a beautiful drive past farms and ranches and a very good Rd, I pull my 35ft 5th Wheel on that Rd, plus every road I have listed in this post. Then take Hwy 3 east to just before Elko where you take Hwy 93 south across the US/ Canadian Boarder to Whitefish Mont.
Fun drive.
Have a great trip.
Soup.
Now people will say that prices are more expensive in Canada, yup they are, but even with the ( approx) 30% difference, your saving money. I know.....we travel across the line in to Wash State and even with the exchange rate the USA dollar on " most" items with exchange are cheaper.
First google the places I am listing, it's easier on my typing finger... and spell check doesn't have to work over time. (Grin)
Now... I would never have done a caravan, but that's just me. ..... however......as I am guessing you came up through Banff / Jasper I won't comment on that. But if you didn't come north that way, you got ripped off and need to see it..and if you didn't send me a message I will give you some ideas.
So......
Prince George ( PG)
On your way home... take your time and relax.... you will be in PG so drive down Hwy 97 to Quenell and take the short drive into Barkerville. There are campgrounds at Barkerville and just before you take the turn off to head into Barkerville. At that time of year your won't need reservations unless it is Labour day weekend.
Once you leave Barkerville ( have to drive the 50 minutes back to Quenell) continue down Hwy 97 to Cashe Creek. There take Hwy 1 south to Hope down the Frazer Canyon, past Hells Gate tram.... what a ride....
At Hope take Hwy 3 east to Osoyoos . You will drive on Hwy 3 over the Hope / Princeton.
Now it's a beautiful drive and the mountains are great but drive all the way to Osoyoos and spend the night (S) there.
Now here you join up with Hwy 97 again, and your now in wine country. The Okanagan valley is known world wide for its wine. You van stay in Osoyoos and get on a " Hop on Hop Off" van and visit a bunch of winners... ( you have to pay for the van ride)
Neighbours kids play Hockey in Osoyoos a couple times a winter and they always stay at
Nk’Mip Resort it is on the shores of the lake, they have wine tours( and they make wine. http://spiritridge.ca/
Then head up to Summerland and take a ride on the Kettle Valley Railway. ( also wine country) https://www.kettlevalleyrail.org/
continue up Hwy 97 to Vernon, ( still in wine country) take Hwy 6 from Vernon over the Needles Ferry ( all inland Ferries in BC are free) to Nakusp on the shores of the Columbia River ( Arrow Lakes) try the Hot Springs in Nakusp . Continue on Hwy 6 south last Summit Lake two campgrounds ( 1 private 1 Parks BC) great fishing to lake trout.
Down to New Denver where you van vamp on Slocan Lake looking up at New Denver Glacier. Also there is a shuttle bus that you can pay to ride to the head of the trail to Idaho Peak. One heck of a view, easy 45 minute hike " YouTube ... Idaho Peak BC" also visit the ghost town of Sandon at the foot of Idaho Peak.
Then when your driving from New Denver take Hwy 31-A over to Kaslo past a few mountain lakes and many water falls on this route.
Once in Kaslo visit and tour the dry docked paddle wheeler Moyie.
http://klhs.bc.ca/
Then head down Hwy 31 past Mirror Lake and Ainsworth Hot Springs to the Balfour Ferry Landing ( all inland ferries in BC are free) across Kootenay Lake on the longest free ferry ride in the world on Hwy 3-A. After you get off the ferry continue down to Creston where you can buy many different fruits and veggies at Road side fruit stands, however you most likely won't be able to take them across the boarder back into the USA.
Once at Creston follow Hwy 3 east to Cranbrook and near right brought the city to Hwy 93/95 and follow it to Fort Steele, and Canadian heritage park. Once you have visited here you can travel 30 minutes back west to Kimberly and take a ride on the underground mine tour on an electric underground train.
Or.....
At the Esso gas station just a few hundred yards past the entrance to Fort Steele take the right on the Wardner / Ft Steele Rd all the way back to Hwy 3. It's a beautiful drive past farms and ranches and a very good Rd, I pull my 35ft 5th Wheel on that Rd, plus every road I have listed in this post. Then take Hwy 3 east to just before Elko where you take Hwy 93 south across the US/ Canadian Boarder to Whitefish Mont.
Fun drive.
Have a great trip.
Soup.
