Jasper and Banff to Glacier NP

[Whidbeydavid]

Planning a trip in early-mid July to Jasper and Banff, then on to Glacier. Departing from and returning to Whidbey Island in Washington state. We're planning to go up to Kamloops, then up highway 5 and enter Jasper NP from the NW side, transiting south down Hiway 1 to Lake Louise and Banff, then continue south into the US to West Glacier area for a few days, then bomb back home on hiway 90. Never been up this way before, though I have been to Glacier NP (US) in the fall just fore the Sun road closed for the season. We're traveling in a 24' Class C. Any tips or suggestions for places to stay? Can I expect all these roads to be open in early/mid July? I understand the Sun road in Glacier may still be closed, but what about the roads through Jasper and Banff NPs? Thanks for any suggestions.

[jamesu]

I did that trip many years ago and the weather was great so we saw it all. You are in for a treat: the Canadian Rockies are majestic...just pray for good weather. On a second trip there a few years later it was socked in and rained the whole time...could hardly see the peaks..we might as well have been up the Bogachiel during a monsoon. We beat feet south and didn't get out of the rain until we were below Glacier.

Suggestion: cross over at Sumas rather than at Blaine to get you further east of Vancouver.

[paulj]

Whidbeydavid wrote:
Planning a trip in early-mid July to Jasper and Banff, then on to Glacier. ...

Going to Jasper via Kamloops and hwy 5 is a good route. There are some provincial parks along the way. My favorite is Wells Gray, though that involves a side trip. The main access road is paved to the first campground (and the major waterfalls). There is also a PP closer to 5 near the town of Clearwater.

Close to Jasper is Mt Robson PP. At least stop at the vistor center and try to get a view of the mountain.

Go to the Canadian Nat Parks website to get lots of info on Jasper and Banff. The 'newspaper' they give you at the gate is available online as pdf. It lists all the campgrounds, as well as sights and hikes.

Hwy 16 is a through route from Alberta to BC. 93 Icefields Parkway connects Jasper to Banff. Hwy 1 is the through route from Calgary to BC (including the Canadian Glacier NP). 93 exits Banff into Kootenay NP (and Radium Hot Springs).

93 continues as US93 to the west side of (US) Glacier.

To go down the east side, I'd suggest taking hwy 40 from Canmore through several Alberta parks that rival the national parks for views. Pickup AB22 at Longview and go south to AB3. 3 crosses into BC and runs all the way to Hope. Or you can jog the other direction and head south to Waterton and US Glacier.

Going to the Sun has length restrictions. If you can't drive it, US2 is a fine way around the south side of the park.

[crabbin_cabin]

From jasper - do not use highway1 )no where near Jasper, bt the way!). Go south on 93 (the Icefields parkway) to Lake Louise. Use the cg there (but make reservations - in summer it fills up fast)as a base and explore east and west from there. When ready to leave come back east to the castle mountain junction and turn south, again on 93, through Kootenay NP and follow oi all the way to Whitefish MT. Then east to Glacier.

ALSO you should have posted in RVing in Canada/Alaska forum for better answers/info.
John

[mockturtle]

You probably know this but:

Are there vehicle size restrictions on the Going-to-the-Sun Road?
Yes. To help reduce congestion, vehicle size restrictions are in effect. Vehicles, and vehicle combinations, longer than 21 feet(including bumpers) or wider than 8 feet (including mirrors), are prohibited between Avalanche Campground and the Rising Sun picnic area parking. Vehicle and vehicle combinations over 10 feet in height may have difficulty driving west from Logan Pass to the Loop, due to rock overhangs. Stock trucks and trailers are able to access Packers Roost on the west, and Siyeh Bend on the east.

There are shuttles that provide viewing of the GTS Highway for those who can't drive it. It should be open by July.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

We stayed in a beautiful RV park at Kananaskis, AB called Mount Kidd RV Park. We drove to Banff from there. It's SE of Banff off Hwy 1. I would make reservations as they were booked solid while we were there.

[DesertHawk]

We did your route in '97 from Birch Bay State Park south of Blaine. We enter at Sumas/Huntington.

Did an overnight at a Nat'l Forest Campground on the way to Jasper. Not sure just where, we'd driven a long way that day as I remember.

We enjoyed a soak at a hot springs resort place, Miette Hot Springs, I believe it was. We stayed at a Jasper Nat'l Park Campground. Bought a Park's Pass, which had coupons for other things (one was to the hot springs).

There is a neat visitor center between Jasper and Baniff at a glacier. The tour on an Ice Bus like machine up on the glacier for a fee was neat. There was a short hike to the foot of the glacier near the hwy for free as well. The Bus was neat. Tours of Columbia Icefield Glacier, we have gotten to do it twice. Very neat. Take a jacket, it can be cold. First time was in '86 and we drove up from Baniff to see it and do the tour. Second time was in '97, we stopped going from Jasper to Banff in MH.

Also stayed at a Banff Nat'l Park CG. Several Campgrounds in the Banff area, one near Lake Louise, too.

After Banff, we dropped down to Waterton via Calgary to Fort MacLead. Then down to Glacier by St. Mary. More on Sites & Sights

Wouldn't think you would have any problems with the roads being closed through Jasper and Banff NPs. They were open in '97 when we were there in June. Rained like crazy most of one day & it had snowed out from Jasper by Maligne Lake. We did a drive up to it to get out of the RV for a little (on the rainy day).

In '86, it snowed overnight in Banff. Roads were very open. Also in June.

Check on the getting a Park Pass, helps with day fees & maybe camping fees & when we had one it had many coupons for sites & sights. We used it at Jasper, Banff & Waterton Nat'l Parks.

[spacedoutbob]

If you get a chance, Go Visit Calgary and Edmonton. West Edmonton Mall is worth checking out, Have a Great Trip!

Bob in Calif.