glacier National Park

If you have a few minutes, check out our blog posts -- there are seven of them from October of 2012 - this is the first in the series --

Glacier and Canada blog posts

Hopefully, this will give you some ideas!

If you are going to Calgary in July, look up the Calgary Stampede on the internet, it's their largest Rodeo, so you may run into minimum stays at Hotels and campgrounds.

A great place to stay on the northeast side of Calgary, and is pretty easy to get to is Bow Rivers Edge Campground in Cochrane, AB. It's a nice little campground on the Bow River. It's pretty easy to get back onto Hwy 1 to go upto Banff. It can be hard to find, but once you get there it's a great little campground and very well kept.

Just don't forget the fuel prices are posted in cents per liter (IE: 133.9 cents per liter) and fuel dispensed per liter. Our trip last summer through Calgary area averaged in the 115-120 price per liter for Gas (about $4.60-$4.80 per gallon).

Best place for swapping US vs Canadian currency is actually at the banks, avoid the places near the border, they charge a fee, most banks didn't.

Don't forget to get Canadian service on your cell phone, or you'll pay very high international prices.

Spent a month in Glacier this past summer. 2 weeks at Mountain Meadows RV Park on West side and 2 weeks at Johnsons of St. Mary's on East side. Mountain Meadows is a wonderful park; Johnson is up on the hill overlooking the lake. It is definitely a rustic Park but served us well for the 2 weeks we explored the East side of Glacier. Suggest you make reservations well in advance. Arrived July 1st (Going to Sun Road opened last week of June this year). Used the free shuttle several times to hiking trails and the GTTS, but also drove and parked the toad. The shuttle allowed us to check out stuff that we wanted to come back to later to explore in more depth. If you get a chance (no reservations taken), try to get into the Two Medicine Campground. It is a bit out of the way, but well worth it. But keep in mind, if you need utilities, you can't get them inside the Park. A lot of folks thought we were crazy to spend a month there, but we filled our days and could have stayed longer; most people don't. While camped at Johnsons we took two day trips (less than an hours drive to the border) into Canada. Have fun and definitely try to plan your trip to make certain Going to the Sun is open. It is a highlight.

This Fuel log should give you some idea of Canadian fuel prices even though I was in different areas of BC.

Use a Visa card with no transaction fees and you'll need very little if any Canadian cash.

Glacier in 2011 - going to sun rd didn't open until mid July. Best way to visit is to take the free shuttle to top or all the way over to other side and back at your leisure. Traffic was crazy when we were there third week of July, but shuttle made it nice.

If you will be in the Canadian National Parks - any or all- for a total of 6 or more days buy annual passes for yourself and companions. Much cheaper than buying day passes each day. Includes the Icefields Parkway.
PM me for details on traveling in the Canadian Rocky Mtn. Parks.

Moved from Fifth Wheel Forum

No matter what the exchange rate, a trip to the Canadian Rockies is worth it - some of the most beautiful scenery to be found anywhere!
You can exchange US for Canadian money at any bank north of the border (usually cheaper) or use your credit card (your bank will probably add an exchange fee)
While in the Glacier area, you really should spend some time at Waterton NP. There is a little bit about it - and lots of other stuff from our trip last summer HERE

The "Going to the Sun" is awsome drive but is narrow with sharp switchbacks. There are restrictions on length