First Big RV Trip

jchamberlain01 wrote:
OK. Now I have a better idea on where in Canada we're planning to go. Idaho to Banff, on to Lake Louise and then to Jasper. So I'm looking for how the roads will be, are there easy fuels stops and then of coarse good RV parks and should I think about reservations. We plan to go thru this area mid to late July then come down thru McClure and Clearwater then over to Vancouver and into northern Washington. Any and all information would be appreciated.

Thx John

There's a whole section on RVing in Canada. You could try to do a search there first, as Banff and Jasper are very popular destinations. Plus, many of the answers there are from Canadians with a wealth of knowledge they'll gladly and graciously share. We're heading there this summer for another three to four weeks of exploration. The Canadian NP's are huge and the distances can be deceiving on the typical map in an atlas.

OK. Now I have a better idea on where in Canada we're planning to go. Idaho to Banff, on to Lake Louise and then to Jasper. So I'm looking for how the roads will be, are there easy fuels stops and then of coarse good RV parks and should I think about reservations. We plan to go thru this area mid to late July then come down thru McClure and Clearwater then over to Vancouver and into northern Washington. Any and all information would be appreciated.

Thx John

Crowe wrote:
it may not be worth your trouble

It's well worth the trouble because it is no trouble. And that area is absolutely stunning. Check with your local town hall and post office-they often do passports/passport cards. Also check with your DMV if they do enhanced driver's licenses (those that ID you as a US citizen). Not sure but I think those may be used as well.

The OP says he wants to hop across the border, maybe in the toad. That doesn't sound like a tour of Canada. That sounds more like a 3 hour tour over the border. Its up to him if he thinks that's too much trouble.

it may not be worth your trouble

It's well worth the trouble because it is no trouble. And that area is absolutely stunning. Check with your local town hall and post office-they often do passports/passport cards. Also check with your DMV if they do enhanced driver's licenses (those that ID you as a US citizen). Not sure but I think those may be used as well.

John, You didn't mention it at all nor did anyone else, but since 9/11, crossing the US/CAN border isn't a matter of waving your driver's license at the border and sailing thru. You will have to clear customs which, among other things, will require a vaccination certificate for your dog and a passport or passport card, along with a rare but possible search of your vehicle. Check with a passport office or American Express Office near your home to see what's involved well before you go. Since you're talking about a quick hop over the border, it may not be worth your trouble.

John, there is no problem taking a big rig and a toad through the Canadian Rockies and the rest of British Columbia -- the roads tend to follow river valleys, and even the passes are pretty good. If you have never driven the Icefields Parkway, you are in for a treat -- plan on spending at least one night at the Icefields themselves -- the RV campground is essentially a big parking lot -- this is the view from that campground:



There are campgrounds with full or partial hookups in Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff. If you have a few minutes, here is a link to one of our blog posts -- we have several from September and October of 2012:

Banff and Jasper

What part of Idaho will you be visiting other than the upper Panhandle? Will you cross over into Montana in the north? There are a lot of interesting places to see and good places to camp in that area, depending on whether you are hoping to use strictly RV parks or would be willing to use Forest Service campgrounds, state parks, etc.

Yep. Done several shakedown trips. We've been RV'ing for 20 years. So how's the drive to Jasper in a 38 foot towing... Meaning Roads, RV parks, Etc.

We're trying to do the trip from So. Cal up to Canada and back down in 6-8 weeks starting in mid June. Have relatives in Idaho, Washington and Oregon.

Thx John

John, I see that you just joined today -- welcome to the club! Canada is flat-out amazing -- certainly worth a whole trip of its own. How much time do you have for your vacation?

Also, have you done shorter shake-down trips? A long trip is great, but it is a bad time to discover that you have forgotten something essential.

From Sandpoint it is only 200 miles or so to Lake Louise in the middle of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It's a lovely drive, but then a further 200 miles will take you on one of the world's most spectacular drives to Jasper, or a little less to the Columbia Icefield where you can walk on a glacier.
You'll be so close- go for it!