Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper, Alberta

Quantum · 03-01-2021, 04:36 PM

Since it appears we'll be locked in our country again this year, we're planning a trip from Ontario to Alberta this summer.

We are hoping to make reservations in Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper.

I'm looking for recommendations on campgrounds as well as things to see. The internet makes everything sound amazing, but what are your favourites?

Also, anyone who has travelled Ontario to Alberta, where did you stop along the way?

Grumpy · 03-01-2021, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quantum

Since it appears we'll be locked in our country again this year, we're planning a trip from Ontario to Alberta this summer.

We are hoping to make reservations in Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper.

I'm looking for recommendations on campgrounds as well as things to see. The internet makes everything sound amazing, but what are your favourites?

Also, anyone who has travelled Ontario to Alberta, where did you stop along the way?

I made that trip only I started in the US, crossing over in N.Dakota, but unfortunately it was in 2004 and I don't remember where all we stopped. You need to plan your trip so you can take in the Calgary Stampede while you're there. I do remember where we stayed for that and it was South in Okotoks at Riverbend. We did a day trip from there to see Lake Louise and Banff since we spent 2 days at the Stampede

Quantum · 03-01-2021, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

I made that trip only I started in the US, crossing over in N.Dakota, but unfortunately it was in 2004 and I don't remember where all we stopped. You need to plan your trip so you can take in the Calgary Stampede while you're there. I do remember where we stayed for that and it was South in Okotoks at Riverbend. We did a day trip from there to see Lake Louise and Banff since we spent 2 days at the Stampede

We're going to miss the Stampede by 1 week unfortunately!! But, God willing I will be there again in the future!

Kim Gass · 03-01-2021, 11:48 PM

We went through ON from
Maine to Alaska
Have camped in Banff and Jasper
Tunnel Mt ok in Banff
Snye Overfliw in Jasper was what we had to take: all others fill way ahead
But it was a wonderful open area with mountain views
We liked Serpent River in ON and the municipal campground in Dauphin MB was gorgeous
Banff and Jasper have some tight campsites so be aware of the details. We were going to try and get aomething at Maligne lake but the road was horrid and the sites hard to access mostly on hills

RPR · 03-02-2021, 09:37 PM

Book now, couple articles saying campgrounds in Alberta expecting huge influx of campers that normally cross the border headed South.

Gmurphy · 03-02-2021, 10:08 PM

National park reservations are delayed from January to April this year. This link should help https://reservation.pc.gc.ca/Home.aspx

Each park has a different reservation start date. Popular dates and the preferred sites will disappear very quickly so be ready to book the second it opens

Whistlers campsite is Jasper (almost 800 sites) closed in 2019 for a one year complete renovation, didn’t open in 2020 and still pending for 2021 but should be announced soon. Unfortunately the pine beetle is everywhere therefore most of the trees were cut down because they were dead or dying and it want safe to leave them so the park will look very different from the past

Gmurphy · 03-02-2021, 10:20 PM

There are no private campgrounds in the national parks. Note, if staying in Lake Louise and have a soft sided trailer make sure you pick the right campground.

The national park campground booking was delayed from January to April this year. Try this link for booking dates and reservations
https://reservation.pc.gc.ca/Home.aspx

Popular dates and preferred sites (e.g. full hookups) book immediately so be ready when the reservations open for the campground you want

Whistlers in Jasper is the only full hookup campground. It closed in 2019 for a one year renovation including upgrading some sites to 50A. Still under construction in 2020 and waiting for the official announcement that it will be open in 2021 (update is supposed to be this month). At almost 800 sites it is by far the largest campground.

RogerR · 03-03-2021, 11:49 AM

We were there some time ago and stopped on the way at Glacier park and took a trip onto the glaciers. We also made a day trip (alllllll dayyy) to see the trains go through all the mountain tunnels. Took a tour of the big original hotel and lots of wonderful hikes nearby. Don't forget that you will be in the mountains and rain-wear and jackets should be in your car or backpack all the time.

Kim Gass · 03-03-2021, 02:29 PM

We stayed at Snaring overdlow not Snye
Private full hookup campgrounds are virtually no. existing till outside the park
Example KOA in Jasper Hinton is almost an hour east of Jasper

Quantum · 03-03-2021, 03:48 PM

Thanks for all the tips thus far!

We are keeping an eye on the dates and plan to book on the first day when reservations open up.

Fingers crossed.

Ohiofinlander · 03-03-2021, 07:27 PM

I was there in '85 starting in Mn to Winnipeg, Regina, and finally onto Calgary. Stayed in motels back then unfortunately, so didn't get to experience the camping. You are in for a fantastic trip. Should be on every bucket list.

pc35 · 04-03-2021, 01:51 PM

we did a travel in 2014 from quebec , crossing Ontario ,Manitoba,saskatchewan,and Albert, in Alberta we first sop brooks dinosaure park campground, for few days, and made guided tour in trail where dinosaure bones are found, and also visit the drumeller dinosaure museum. very nice and unique . also in Banff and jasper we stay longer to have plenty time to visite every things , cave and bassin, for the history, lake louise, the glacier on Columbia ice field, and some more places in jasper, like the hot spring, and canyon maligne. we have a travel blog, with photos and short desc. at www.enroutes.com/pc35.

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