epic trip - Canadian rockies

[FishHaggis]

Hi there,

We are planning an epic voyage from Yellowknife, NWT to Abottsford, BC and back and want to pick your brains about any interesting spot we should try for.

A week in Abottsford backyard camping next to our friends pool, but other than that we have the month of July to play and drive. The kids and DW and I love swimming so we are thinking hot springs, lakes and water parks. The plan is Yellowknife to Sixtieth Parallel Territorial Park to Peace River Walmart to Banff to Lake Louise to Revelstoke to Kaslo to Kimberly to Radium Hot Springs to Salmon Arm Walmart to Abottsford. Stay there a week and then its back to Salmon Arm, Jarvis Lake Provincial Park (water park nearby), peace River, Sixtieth Parallel Territorial Park, Hay River or Lady Evelynne Falls Territorial Park, and then back to sunny Yellowknife. Any weird and wonderful spots you can think of that we should look out for, stop by or camp at?

[dfm]

At Revelstoke there is community Rv park at Williamson's lake about 3-4 kilometres from downtown. Relatively quiet and away from the CN mainline that goes thru Revelstoke.
I f You go to the Okanagan, Kelowna , google Campgrounds and look for some of the small Orchard campgrounds. Many of the Orchards have 10-20 Rv spots in the orchards. That is what we do when we go down there from Kamloops.

[profdant139]

How old are the kids, and do you like to hike? Let us know what activities you prefer, and we can chime in with some ideas.

[MudChucker]

Should plan a couple days in the OK, the grape tours can be a lot of fun.

Canyon hot springs resort in radium is a great place, if you haven't booked your sites yet you might want to get started. Some of those areas book up fast.

[MudChucker]

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This our trip, the second is a small detour over to crazy creek resort. We will be hitting a couple wild hot springs and taking in 3 valley gap and the helicopter tour from 3 valley as well.. I grew up out there, so much to see and do...

[Wrong_Lane]

X2 on the Okanagan. It is a must see and really doesn't add significantly to your distance. Kelowna is a wonderful city and plan to spend a day or two on the waterfront area. They have many festivals throughout the summer and if you fit one in it would be worth it.

An hour south is Penticton. It is a fun city in summer with its own vibe. There are a couple of campgrounds right on the lake near the airport. When there plan to visit the Naramata Bench if you like wine. Every driveway is a vineyard and the tasting is free for the most part and many have great kitchens. Have a sober driver or grab a seat on an organized tour ($$)

Naramata Bench is a special place, views, fresh air, gardens, vineyards. You won't want to leave. If you have the time add the entire aera to your agenda.

[paulj]

Expect this thread to be moved to the Canada/Alaska board.

[FishHaggis]

My DW and I like wine so we are already sold on seeing the Okanagan.

[FishHaggis]

Not set on a route, just based on Google so far. We do not know the area at all. We typically are off grid entirely and use a genny. It will be weird actually having shore power but we are looking forward to it. The idea of having power, water in and out seems so luxurious....... looking forward to heading south and seeing the sights....... I will be studying your itinerary!

[Uncle_Rj]

Are you set on that route because of reservations etc?

If not, I would consider going Peace River - Jasper - Banff - Radium/Fairmont - Kimberly - Nelson - Vernon - Kelowna - Penticton - Abbotsford on the way there. You get to drive through the Rockies and see the Okanagan that way.

It looks like you are ok with little to no services so I can make some recommendations that way unless you want complete hook ups. Your trailer is long so that will eliminate some of the campgrounds around Banff. Let me know what you prefer and if you are set on your route.

Sounds like a fantastic trip.