Headed to Alberta - need help!

[Goo]

Hi all. Just getting into planning a July vacation in Alberta and feeling a little overwhelmed. We will only have a week and a half so I want to make the best of it without being rushed. What I'm really interested in are the "must see..." and the "must stay at..." comments. Here's what I have so far...
- We'll be driving from Ontario into Olds, Alberta (my daughter, the equestrian, will be competing there). Thinking of parking the trailer at Red Lodge Provincial Park and making that our home base for the competition.
- Now, here's where my head starts to hurt... option 1 - From Red Lodge, head to Banff / Lake Louise for 2 days before heading to Jasper, or Option 2 - From Red Lodge, take day trip(s) into Banff / Lake Louise, then head to Jasper
- in Jasper - where to stay?? Here in Ontario we prefer Provincial Park camping where we use just electricity. Water and sewer not needed. Trailer is 28' ball to bumper. I see some places have a 24' max restriction 😞 . I'm also thinking that we could spend a week in Jasper as we love trails and scenery. I'm thinking 3 days max if we spend 2 in Banff.
- The kids (12 and 14) want to see West Edmonton Mall, so I'm thinking 2 days at Devon Lions Park. Personally, I'd be OK with skipping WEM and spend more time in Jasper, but I might have a tough time convincing the family of this.
- Last stop will be Dinosaur Provincial Park. Probably 2 days here. The other option for this would be somewhere in Drumheller for similar experience.
So, that's where I'm at. I was also thinking we could do a trip to WEM from Red Lodge, then head to Jasper, Banff, Dinosour PP.

That's it! - other than the 4 day journey home.

Thanks in advance for any advice / opinions!

Pete

[campinghut]

To me WEM would not be a must but if it is a must you might be able to get away with 2 nights and one day in Drumheller.

[Mr_Biggles]

In Jasper stay at the Whistler's Campground. It's part of the Jasper National Park. Reservations are recommended. Jasper is one of my favourite camping areas.

[burnmark]

Red Lodge is actually not bad, river's nice if it's warm.

Jasper is a favourite, very small town. Banff is quite a bit bigger, more city like. The Icefields Parkway should put your head on a swivel

Distances in Alberta however, are pretty big. Some of your day trips are up to 8 hrs round trip before you get to your destination. Have a look in Google maps for planning.

m

[hedge]

I would suggest you go straight west through Nordegg. You could camp there and then go on to Banff and Jasper. Can't stand Banff personally (too busy) but if you've never been you may like it.

I've camped a few times at Red Lodge, I think that's a good choice.

[profdant139]

Do you like to hike? Wilcox Pass, overlooking the Icefield, was an amazing hike. Plain of the Six Glaciers in Lake Louise was terrific. So was the Iceline in Yoho.

We spent a month in the area back in September of 2012. We have done a lot of traveling -- that may be the best trip we have ever taken, so far.

If you are not hikers, then just driving the Icefield Parkway in both directions is a must-do.