I'm a complete beginner, the wife and I are planning our first RV trip with our seven month old baby daughter.We begin in Seattle on Sep. 5th, and plan to get to Vancouver Island on Sep. 8th. We'd like to spend a couple of days on the island, then a couple of days in Vancouver. From there on to Jasper, Yoho and Banff (time-permitting, Wells-Grey as well).We would like to finish in Calgary by the end of September and head south across the border before it gets too cold.Is our time-table reasonable? Any advice would be appreciated - especially about the vancouver-Jasper part of the route - about where to stop, what to see, hidden gems, etc.We'll be driving a 24' foot motorhome (class C I believe...)

Going to Vancouver Island I'd consider either the Port Angeles or Anacortez ferries. Some claim the cost is lower that the BC ferry, but more importantly you will take the BC boat to Vancouver.However if I'm aiming to the see the northern parts of the Island, I prefer to to take the Tssawassen (sp?) to Duke Pt ferry, which bypasses most of the city traffic in both Vancouver and Victoria.For even more ferry rides consider the Sunshine Coast loop - ferry to Powell River, and then SE to Vancouver.As for your inland route, I'd go NE to Jasper, and then south through the parks. Wells Gray is a natural stop along the way from Kamloops to Jasper. Allow 1-2 nights there.The fastest way (freeway) to Kamloops is hwy 5 from Hope. Hwy 1 along the Frasier Canyon is more scenic (and flatter). Hwy 99 through Whistler to Lillooet is even more scenic, but has some serious grades on the Duffy Lake portion. Still, European tourists in rental class C's take it all the time.At Lake Louise you can take a side trip (maybe overnight) into Yoho, and then continue south to Banff.From Banff you can return to BC via Kootenay NP, Radium Hot Springs, and then into the USA on US93, 95, 395, etc. Or even stay on BC3 back to Hope.Or you can continue in Alberta through Kananaskis County, a set of Alberta parks that are just as scenic. Hwy 3 is an easy way back over the continental divide.

We just returned from a similar trip. Did not go to Vancouver. Crossed at Sumas. Went to Othello Tunnels in Hope. Up hwy 1 thru Hells Gate, Wells Gray (a do not miss), Jasper, 93 Icefields Parkway to Banff. A stop at Lake Louise is a must as day trip from Banff, also a day trip to Radium Springs. We left and went through Yoho NP, Glacier Np, Revelstoke NP.... Then out through the Okanagan (sp) Valley at the Yosoos Crossing. In the States we took Hwy 20 through Winthrop and Cascades NP. We are in Sedro Woolley now. We were in Canada from the 7th to the 25th and we did and saw a lot but were not rushed. We did some short hikes and the Glacier tour Banff Gondola, couple boat tours. No rafting ....these old bones wouldn't approve. Seen lots of wildlife. No reservations, most parks have overflow but we managed to get hook ups. Did reserve in Jasper just because I didn't know what to expect for campgrounds.Enjoy your trip.

We are on Vancouver Island right now and wished we had spent our whole vacation here. Our trip was the reverse of yours seeing Radium Hot Springs, Banff, Lake Louise, Revelstoke and Vancouver first. There is a lot of space between sites and a lot of sight seeing.On Vancouver Island we are staying at Living Forest Oceanside in Nanaimo, BC. It is the best campground we have stayed at in all of our years of camping. If you are interested it is best to make reservations although at the time of the year you are going it may not be necessary especially if it is not on a weekend. We are coming back and spending a couple of months on the island.Note if you have an RV the BC ferries charge $6.10 per foot for each foot over 20 foot (motor home + toad or tow vehicle + camper); however, on Wed and Saturday after 4:00 it is reduced to $2.00 per foot. Make reservations for the reservable sites or show up early.Hope you have as much fun as we are having.

Personally if I was short on time with so much to see I would skip the Vancouver Island portion of the journey trading that in for a tour up through the Okanagan (Hwy97) then onwards (Trans Canada Hwy 1} to Yoho, Banff...

You may want to post this in "Rving in Canada and Alaska".

planning 3-4 weeks from vancouver | Good Sam Community

John___Angela
Explorer
Aug 04, 2014
Yep. Totally reasonable time frame but you need to add about three additional days to the Vancouver island portion. Don't miss the city of Victoria. A beautiful colonial city and my second favourite city after Quebec city Quebec. Try to take in the Okanagan valley tambien. Although the quickest route there is via the coquihala highway I think either of the other routes is more scenic. (Highway one or highway 3)
matanros
Explorer
Aug 04, 2014
Wow you guys are great! Thanks for all the advice. I'll do my best to process it and let you know how it goes :)
wilber1
Explorer
Jul 29, 2014
It's not worth taking an RV to the island for just two days. Spend the extra time in Vancouver and save the island for a trip of its own.

Lots to do in the Vancouver area and you could do a day trip to Whistler. If you like gondola rides, check out the Peak 2 Peak.
garyhaupt
Explorer
Jul 29, 2014
I'm with the exclude Vancouver Island or else spend the entire time there, group. I have spent 3 weeks on the Island...and yes, it was enough time, but I could have spent more. The sheer cost of going over with your stuff is considerable, too, so for only a coupe days...ouchy ouchy.

If you are going to opt out of the Island then, just point yourselves east across Highway 20 in Washington. If you haven't been to Winthrop and Twisp...ya gotta go. Man, in September that is SO pretty. That will bring you to the Okanagan Valley in Wa., then turn north and enjoy all of the area from the US plumb up to Salmon Arm,BC, then turn right and to Revelstoke and then right again down into the Kootenays, to the southern border, turn left to Calgary, turn left into Banff and Jasper...and head home from Jasper down the Yellowhead. Now THIS is a route for the fall, baby!

Gary Haupt
Powder_pig
Explorer
Jul 29, 2014
You might want to stop in Mount Robson provincial park after Wells Gray and before Jasper. One night would do it unless you are hikers. Check out the information center and enjoy the views of the Canadian Rockie's highest peak as long as it is clear. (It rains a lot there).
answerswillvary
Explorer
Jul 28, 2014
Moved from "Roads and Routes" to "Rving in Canada and Alaska".
Jim_Shoe
Explorer
Jul 28, 2014
You might want to Google "Crossing the Canadian Border by car". It isn't as easy as it used to be. The days of slowing down and waving to the border guard are over. There are restrictions on what you can take across the border, both coming and going. You'll certainly need proof that the baby belongs to you. I'd suggest passports and that takes awhile. And it sounds like you may be renting a 'C' or at least driving a new one. Make sure your papers are in order.
hhornig
Explorer
Jul 28, 2014
You may want to post this in "Rving in Canada and Alaska".
my440
Explorer III
Jul 28, 2014
Personally if I was short on time with so much to see I would skip the Vancouver Island portion of the journey trading that in for a tour up through the Okanagan (Hwy97) then onwards (Trans Canada Hwy 1} to Yoho, Banff...
hhornig
Explorer
Jul 28, 2014
We are on Vancouver Island right now and wished we had spent our whole vacation here. Our trip was the reverse of yours seeing Radium Hot Springs, Banff, Lake Louise, Revelstoke and Vancouver first. There is a lot of space between sites and a lot of sight seeing.

On Vancouver Island we are staying at Living Forest Oceanside in Nanaimo, BC. It is the best campground we have stayed at in all of our years of camping. If you are interested it is best to make reservations although at the time of the year you are going it may not be necessary especially if it is not on a weekend. We are coming back and spending a couple of months on the island.

Note if you have an RV the BC ferries charge $6.10 per foot for each foot over 20 foot (motor home + toad or tow vehicle + camper); however, on Wed and Saturday after 4:00 it is reduced to $2.00 per foot. Make reservations for the reservable sites or show up early.

Hope you have as much fun as we are having.