Are you planning a road trip through the Canadian Rockies and don’t know where to start? Our detailed itinerary for Western Canada road trip from Calgary to Vancouver includes all the incredible places you can visit, budget & road trip tips and our comprehensive guides to help you make the most of your time in Canada. As locals, we provide you only with the best insider tips, all in one place.

Taking a road trip through Western Canada will bring you closer to the real wilderness. The Canadian Rockies are the southern extent of the only real wilderness in North America. That means you might meet more wildlife than people.

Canada is a huge country, and the absolute best way to see it is going on a road trip. Out of the many road trips you can do across Canada, the Western Canada road trip is one of the most popular.

Road trip in Jasper National Park

From Calgary to Vancouver, you will enjoy the fresh mountain air, insanely blue lakes, massive glaciers, huge waterfalls, wildlife, and even a desert in just 2 weeks. Prepare yourself to create lifetime memories!

If you’re new to our blog, you will see that it’s all about outdoor adventures and budget-friendly options – road trip guide at its best! Plus, you will read our local tips which you wouldn’t find elsewhere (trust me, I checked).

Since the majority of travelers visit Canada for 2 weeks, I’ve created such itinerary. If you’re spending more time in the Rockies, I include more resources in each section for even more activities.

This itinerary starts in Calgary and finishes in Vancouver. Alternatively, if you’re starting a road trip the other direction, just read from the bottom of the post up.

TIP: Start and finish your road trip in the same city to save on campervan drop off fees. You can follow this itinerary from Calgary to Vancouver, and then come back to Calgary via a southern route: Osoyoos & Fernie.

This road trip guide is regularly updated ever since it was first published in 2018, as we discover more incredible places in Western Canada.

*In the spirit of full disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them, we receive a small commission at no extra costs to you. We appreciate your support!

Summary of 2-week road trip itinerary from Calgary to Vancouver

Following the below road trip itinerary, you will have a chance to visit 10 incredible places:

• Calgary
• Canmore
• Banff
• Lake Louise
• Yoho National Park
• Jasper
• Kamloops
• Whistler/Squamish
• Vancouver

Northern Lights in Yoho National Park (the best we’ve ever seen were surprisingly in May)

From Calgary in the prairies, this itinerary continues through the Canadian Rockies. Canmore is the first stop, a little mountain town with a lot of easy summit hikes. It continues to Banff National Park, the oldest and most popular park in Canada with picturesque blue lakes.

Then onwards to lesser-known but spectacular Yoho National Park with the 2nd highest waterfall in Canada. Then through Icefields Parkway, the scenic mountainous drive among the giant snow-covered peaks that is ending in Jasper (my personal favourite).

Next is British Columbia province, where you visit Kamloops, Whistler and Squamish, the latter ones are both very popular towns for outdoor activities. The itinerary ends in Vancouver, one of the top places in the world to live in. And in case you want to continue further, we include a Vancouver Island road trip through its lush rainforests.

Calgary to Vancouver road trip map

You can see all the mentioned places on the map below for easier orientation. Click the icons for more info and share the map with your road trip buddies.

Western Canada road trip budget for 2 weeks

You can either rent a campervan and stay in campgrounds, which is the most affordable option on how to visit the Rockies, or you can rent a car and stay in hotels along the way. We cover details of both of these options below:

Budget for Western Canada road trip for 2 weeks – affordable option:

Campervan rental: 3,120 CAD
Fuel: 300 CAD (1500-2000 km)
Accommodation: 600 CAD camping –  (campgrounds cost around 40 CAD per night per site)
Food: 1,400 CAD (50 CAD per person per day, including eating in restaurants)
Park Pass: 150 CAD
Total budget for 2 weeks -> 5,570 CAD

Budget for Western Canada road trip for 2 weeks – luxury option:

Car rental: 1,800 CAD (the cheapest small car I found)
Fuel: 300 CAD (1500-2000 km)
Hotels: 4,200 CAD
Food: 2,800 CAD (most hotels don’t even have breakfast included)
Park Pass: 150 CAD
Total budget for 2 weeks -> 9,250 CAD

It depends on your preferences but you will need around 5,000 – 10,000 CAD for a couple for two weeks (not including attractions). Luckily, nature is free and you can easily spend 2 weeks in the Rockies without paying for any attraction (we’re sharing lots of ideas below in the day to day breakdown).

If you are willing to try a road trip in a campervan you can save even more money. If we compare campervan + camping and rental car + hotels, that alone would save you 2000 CAD if you decide to camp. With Smile Campervans you can save 2000 CAD on your hotels – imagine what else you can spend your money on. If you cook for yourself and minimize paid attractions you can get closer to 3000 CAD.

I realize that Canada is not a very budget-friendly destination compared to other countries in Europe or South America but I share all the tips that exist in the Rockies to keep you and your wallet happy.

You will find all the tips in the day to day road trip breakdown below.

Camping in Jasper National Park

The best time of the year for the Western Canada road trip

• July & August

This is the busiest time. If you’re planning to visit during the summer, you must book accommodation in advance. Some hotels are fully booked 6 months in advance and so are campgrounds. Some campgrounds along the Icefields Parkway operate on a first time first serve basis but you must arrive in the morning to get a spot.

• June & September

My recommendation is to travel in June or September. It’s warm outside, it’s less busy and you get to enjoy the most popular attractions without herds of tourists. Especially places like Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are insanely busy during the summer. June also has another great advantage – it’s when the baby animals are born and come out to feed, so it’s easier so spot wildlife on your drive. The most bears we saw on a road trip was always in June.

Moraine Lake – lakes in the Rockies usually thaw late May to mid-June

• May & October

While you might encounter some snow during these months, it’s a rare quiet time in the Rockies. Keep in mind that most campgrounds are closed from mid-October to mid-May but if you’d like to stay in hotels, this is a great time.

Another thing to note is that most lakes in the national parks are still partially frozen in May. Moraine Lake Road leading to very popular Moraine Lake in Banff National Park is open mid-May to mid-October. Also, the Yoho Valley Road to Takakkaw Falls in Yoho is open mid-June to mid-October.

• November to April

Even though British Columbia has milder weather than Alberta, you would most likely encounter problems driving through the Rockies. Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper National Parks is closed a few times in winter due to avalanche. Some days are good and some days are bad, you never know in advance. If you’d like to come in winter, I highly suggest staying in Banff National Park (without driving the risky Icefields Parkway), there are many fun winter activities in Banff.

For a more detailed breakdown of the seasons, including the best time to see wildlife with newborns and see northern lights, read our post best time to visit Canadian Rockies.

Seeing mama bear with cubs is a joy of spring

How to travel from Calgary to Vancouver

Hands down the best way to road trip from Calgary to Vancouver is by renting a campervan.

If you like adventurous trips, book a Smile Campervan from us. It’s a budget-friendly option to see the Canadian Rockies. You will save on accommodation by comfortably sleeping in the campervan and using campgrounds.

Hotels in Banff cost at least 500 CAD/night in summer which is one of the reasons why we started a campervan rental company, so you can still sleep comfortably in a campground without breaking a bank. You will have a small kitchen and a bed that folds into a couch. Since it’s a small car, you won’t have any problems with parking next to the popular attractions, as you would have when finding a spot for RV.

You will need your own vehicle – distances are big and buses are not common.

If you’d like to stay in hotels, you can rent a smaller car using DiscoverCars to compare different car rental companies.

Be prepared to drive between 1500 and 2000 km. Canadian roads through the mountains are wide and almost straight compared to European roads in the Alps or other mountains. You will spend somewhere between 25 to 35 hours sitting in your car in two weeks. But trust us; all of this will be worth it.

Detailed itinerary for your road trip from Calgary to Vancouver

Our day by day breakdown includes all the popular places and also some lesser known gems of the Canadian Rockies.

Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park

Day 1: Calgary

Calgary is the closest airport to the Canadian Rockies and where most visitors start their trip. It’s a young city, only a little more than 140 years old since Europeans settled here.

I’m happy to report we live in the sunniest city in Canada. Calgary has 333 sunny days a year, so chances of good weather are very high. Calgary’s city road system is well designed to get you fast to your destination and you can rarely see congestions (unlike in Vancouver).

Things to do in Calgary

Calgary is on the edge of prairies and the landscape is not exceptional. The missing scenery is balanced with many city parks with lots of greenery even in downtown. You will find here the most park areas in all of the North American cities. To give you some ideas about what you can do in Calgary, read our post about 45 fun things to do in Calgary in summer.

Fun activities in Calgary:

• Calgary Tower – see the bird’s eye view of Calgary with the Rockies in the distance and have a lunch in the revolving restaurant on top
• City vibe – go to Kensington, 17th Avenue South or downtown area by the Bow River or learn about Canada’s history at Heritage Park
• Outdoors – Nose Hill Park for a walk with Calgary’s skyline, Fish Creek Park for a bike ride or a walk, Canada Olympic Park for a zipline, luge ride or mountain biking
• Sightseeing bus tour to see Olympic Plaza, East Village, Stampede Park, Canada Olympic Park, downtown, Chinatown, and more

Prince’s Island Park in downtown Calgary

Where to stay in Calgary

If you are staying in a tent or camper, the campgrounds are at the city borders. It’s similar to other cities where you won’t find many campgrounds close to downtown.

• Budget-friendly: Calaway Park Campground is located along the Trans-Canada Highway towards Banff.
• Mid-range: If you prefer something cozier and closer to downtown, try Ramada Plaza by Wydham with breakfast included.
• If you’d like to stay close to the airport the night before you pick up your car or campervan, I recommend Applause Hotel by CLIQUE – but I need to add here, that we offer late night pick up for our Smile Campervans, so you can stay in a campground on your way to Banff and save on hotel. 

TIP
If you’re renting a campervan, stock up on food before leaving Calgary. Real Canadian Superstore is a huge store with a much wider selection and better prices than grocery stores in Banff or Jasper.

Day 2: Calgary to Canmore

Driving time: 1.5 hour / 115 km

In the morning, take Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) to Canmore. From Calgary downtown, it’s about 20 minutes to the city limits. Once you get out, you can already see peaks of the Rocky Mountains on a clear day. Drive to Canmore takes about an hour.

Grassi Lakes Hike in Canmore

Things to do in Canmore

Canmore is a small charming town, previously a prime coal mining place, with lots of outdoor options. You can explore the western-like town center, or try hiking on every side of town. For a bird’s eye view of Canmore and surrounding mountains, I recommend hiking to the summit of Ha Ling Peak, my favourite hike.

Fun activities in Canmore:

• Grassi Lakes – a short 4 km hike to gorgeous emerald coloured lakes
• Swim in Quarry Lake and enjoy a picnic on the shore
• Mountain biking (or cross-country ski in winter) in Canmore Nordic Centre or along Bow River
• Bike from Canmore to Banff on Legacy Trail – easy and paved 27 km trail, you can return the same way, bike through Goat Creek Trail or take a bus back from Banff
• Stand up paddle boarding or kayaking on Rundle Forebay, Bow River or Quarry Lake
• Heli trip to see Canadian Rockies from above (see pictures in our photo essay here)
• Bow River scenic float to see wildlife and learn history of Canmore & Rockies
• History tour Cowboys & Coal Miners

For more ideas, read our post: 60 fun outdoor things to do in Canmore.

Quarry Lake in Canmore is great for swimming, picnic, or stand up paddleboarding

Canmore accommodation

Canmore has options for every budget and hotels are usually cheaper than in Banff. Canmore is only a 20 minute drive from Banff. These are my recommended options for staying in Canmore on your Western Canada road trip:

• Budget-friendly: camp at Wapiti Campground in Canmore, right next to the Visitor Centre
• Mid-range: Rundle Mountain Lodge has a beautiful scenic location with an outdoor seating area and a playground
• Luxury: if you prefer hotels, I recommend Stoneridge Resort from my personal experience. Their giant hot tub and a cozy living room with a fireplace is hard to beat.

Booking.com

Day 3-4: Banff

Driving time: 25 minutes / 24 km

From Canmore, get back on the Trans-Canada Highway. As you exit the town you will have to stop at park entry booth to purchase Park Pass (Discovery Pass) if you don’t have it yet (150 CAD for a group/family). You have an option to purchase daily or yearly pass, but since you’ll be visiting national parks for more than a day, a yearly pass is the way to go. Our itinerary includes 8 days spent in National Parks.

TIP
Purchase your Park Pass at Canmore Visitor Information Centre if you’re traveling in summer to avoid lines at the booth for Banff National Park. With your Park Pass, you can use the fast lane for pass holders and avoid hours of waiting.

Sulphur Mountain in Banff – you can hike up or take gondola

Things to do in Banff

The oldest and most popular national park in Canada offers endless outdoor options. We compiled a huge list of 100 things that you can do in Banff National Park so there’s plenty to choose from. You may like an easy relaxed day on a boat at Lake Minnewanka or hike up the Tunnel Mountain for panoramic views of Banff and surrounding mountains.

Banff is the only town in Banff National Park and gets very busy during summer. Try to visit the town during weekdays in the summer season to avoid the biggest crowds. Once you go out of town, it’s less crazy. Our road trip itinerary gives you two days to spend in Banff.

Vermilion Lakes are most beautiful in the morning (and a walking distance from Banff)

Fun activities in Banff:

• Hike up the Sulphur Mountain (for free) or take the Banff gondola (70 CAD/person) for the most iconic view of Banff
• Go for a dip in Banff Upper Hot Springs (17.50 CAD/person)
• Visit Cave and Basin, the place where National Park was created (free with Discovery Pass)
• Rent a kayak on Bow River and go to Vermillion Lakes
• Take a boat cruise on Lake Minnewanka, the 2nd longest lake in the mountain parks of the Canadian Rockies
• Horseback ride along Spray River and Bow Falls
• Bike & hike to Aylmer Lookout for stunning bird’s eye view of Lake Minnewanka
• Hike up Tunnel Mountain
• Try one of the 20 hikes around Banff
• Rent a bike and explore viewpoints around Banff on biking trails
• If you’re visiting in winter, go ice skating on one of the lakes or cross country skiing

TIP
Read our Banff budget guide for more tips.

Secret tip: drive around golf course in Banff before sunset and you’ll see plenty of wildlife

Banff Accommodation

Staying in Banff will be one of your biggest expenses in the budget if you’re staying in hotels. During the high season, they usually cost around 500 CAD/night and you need to book many months in advance.

Recommended options for staying in Banff on your Western Canada road trip:

• Budget-friendly: with a campervan, stay at Tunnel Mountain Village 1 Campground that has hot showers and costs around 30 CAD/night. Another option is Two Jack Lakeside campground which further from the town, but it’s very scenic and therefore books up fast.
• Mid-range: Samesun Hostel close to downtown Banff costs 140 CAD/adult/night in summer
• Luxury: the cheapest hotel I found is Douglas Fir Resort for 490 CAD/night in summer

If you’re planning to stay in town, you need to book your accommodation months in advance. It sells out fast, even the best sites at campgrounds. You can find more tips about campgrounds in our Complete guide to camping in Banff National Park.

Restaurants in Banff

Surprisingly, chain restaurants aren’t overpriced compared to the rest of Canada. Our tip – go local! You can find great food in the Balkan Restaurant or The Maple Leaf. Our favourite restaurant in Banff, which is also in Vancouver and other cities, is Old Spaghetti Factory.

Day 5: Bow Valley Parkway (Alberta 1A)

Driving time: 2-4 hours / 60 km

If you need to, stock up on food supplies in Banff because the next bigger grocery store is 5 days away in Jasper. Leave Banff early in the morning and you’ll have a bigger chance of seeing wildlife. Heading west from Banff, after about 10 minutes of driving, take the exit to 1A/Bow Valley Parkway.

Johnston Canyon Hike

Stay on this road all the way to Lake Louise. Driving itself takes only 1.5 hours but you will definitely want to stop for some great pictures. You should arrive in Lake Louise in the evening.

Things to do on Bow Valley Parkway

Bow Valley Parkway is a wildlife corridor and many species of animals can be seen along the road. Most common are elk, sheep, mountain goat, bear, and wolves. Have your camera ready and drive slow, the speed limit of 60km/hour is there for a good reason.

Popular places you can visit on Bow Valley Parkway:

• Johnston Canyon to Ink Pots – a very popular hike to several waterfalls you can do all year round. You can go on an ice walk in winter. (it’s 5 km round trip to Upper Falls or 12 km round trip to Ink Pots)
• Castle Mountain – a lesser known hike to Rockbound Lake hiding behind the Castle Mountain (17 km round trip to the lake or 22 km round trip for a bird’s eye view of the lake)
• Morant’s curve – a famous spot for photographing train with the Rocky Mountains in the background

Ink Pots at the end of Johnston Canyon Hike

Accommodation along Bow Valley Parkway

If your day extends, you have a few options to stay overnight along the road:

• Budget-friendly: Right next to the Johnston Canyon is a Johnston Canyon Campground, or about halfway on the road at the Castle Junction, you can stay at Castle Mountain Campground.
• Mid-range: There’s no mid-range option as accommodation is very limited on Bow Valley Parkway
• Luxury: I loved staying at Castle Mountain Chalets, they’re very cozy and spacious

Day 6: Lake Louise area

Driving time: 1-2 hours / maximum of 30 km

If you arrived in Lake Louise on the evening of day 5, you probably had a chance to see Lake Louise. If not, wake up early to beat the crowds from tour buses and go for a morning stroll. There are several hikes around the lake: Big Beehive, Lake Agnes Tea House, or Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse which are all beautiful and usually very crowded. For a more serene experience, I recommend St. Piran Hike, my favourite in the area, which is not well known and offers gorgeous views of Lake Louise, the hotel and even ski resort on the other side of the valley.

Rent a canoe for 145 CAD/0.5 hour or bring your own (you can rent in Banff and go on any lake).

And of course after Lake Louise, don’t forget to visit Moraine Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Canadian Rockies. Visiting Moraine Lake is limited due to its massive popularity. You can no longer visit Moraine Lake with your car. One option is to bike to Moraine Lake – our family’s favourite way to visit. You can bike to Moraine Lake before the road opens to vehicles and enjoy it without crowds. The other option is booking a Moraine Lake shuttle. Read our Moraine Lake guide for tips.

Things to do in Lake Louise area

Lake Louise has many hiking trails around. Since most of them are summiting one of the mountains around the lake, you get a chance to see Lake Louise from above. I highly recommend you take advantage of it.

TIP
Arrive in the early morning hours to the Lake Louise parking lot since it’s often full in summer and costs 36.75 Cad/vehicle/day.

Fun activities in the Lake Louise area:

• Dip in the Lake Louise or Moraine Lake (I dare you, it’s cold but a great refreshment on a hot summer day, trust me, I know!)
• Go biking on Great Divide Trail
• Hike Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass or to Consolation Lakes in Moraine Lake area (mandatory group of 4 or more in summer)
• Hike the Beehive circuit or less crowded Mount Saint Piran in Lake Louise area
• See grizzly bears in the wild from Lake Louise Gondola (56 CAD when booked online or 63 CAD on the spot)

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake will be the highlights on your Calgary to Vancouver road trip.

Moraine Lake, the most famous lake in the Rockies

Where to stay in Lake Louise

Despite Lake Louise being a small village, there are many accommodation options, including camping, hostel, and hotels. These are options for staying in Lake Louise:

• Budget-friendly: Lake Louise Campground offers lots of sites and hot showers. The hard-sided campground, which you would need if you’re renting our Smile Campervan, costs 36 CAD per night per campsite. In case this popular campground is fully booked, you can stay at Lake Louise overflow (12 CAD per night per vehicle), more details are here.
• Mid-range: Lake Louise Alpine Hostel offers affordable lodging including private rooms for families and a play room for kids.
• Luxury: We enjoyed our stay at Mountaineer Lodge which is one of the very few that have breakfast included in the stay. You can read our full review here.

You can stay two nights in the Lake Louise area and take a detour to Yoho National Park the next day or you can stay in Yoho. If you stay in Lake Louise, you won’t have to drive back from Yoho and it will save you half an hour on your longest day in a car on day 8.

Hiking Mount Saint Piran above Lake Louise

Day 7: Yoho National Park

Driving time: 2-3 hours / 120-170 km

Leave early in the morning and take a small detour to Yoho National Park. You will take Highway 1 towards Golden. In case you don’t mind driving longer, you can visit Wapta Falls at the border of Yoho National Park.

Things to do in Yoho National Park

You can go hiking, kayaking on Emerald Lake, see the waterfalls or just driving around and exploring rock formations.

Natural Bridge on the way to Emerald Lake

The biggest task for you will be to decide if you want to visit the Lake O’Hara area or not. Lake O’Hara is a pristine alpine area with very limited access and it’s in high demand. You need to book government operated campground three months in advance. Otherwise, another option is to visit the area for a day trip. In this case, you also need to book a shuttle bus which sells out the minute registration opens in April. For more info, read our guide to Lake O’Hara.

Fun activities in Yoho National Park:

• Hike in Lake O’Hara area (whole day)
• See the Spiral Tunnel
• Observe Natural Bridge
• Ride a canoe or walk around Emerald Lake
• See Burgess Shale rock formation
• Visit Takkakaw Falls (the 2nd tallest waterfall in Canada) or Wapta Falls
• Go hiking to see the waterfalls or lakes

Kicking Horse River in Field

Accommodation in Yoho National Park

The center of Yoho National Park is a tiny town Field but visitors usually stay out of town in campgrounds or luxury lodges. These are options for staying in Yoho National Park:

• Budget-friendly: Kicking Horse Campground (30.50 CAD/night) is located along Yoho Valley Road which leads to Takakkaw Falls and therefore is the most popular. Monarch Campground (19.75 CAD/night) is next to it but doesn’t offer showers.
• Mid-range: the town of Field has several guesthouses, my pick would be Truffle Pigs Bistro & Lodge since I love their quirky restaurant and amazing food
• Luxury: picturesque Emerald Lake Lodge (420 CAD/night) right on the shore or Lodge at Lake O’Hara (700 CAD/night)

If you’d like to save some time for the next day drive, my suggestion is to head back to Lake Louise.

Day 8: Icefields Parkway

Driving time: 3-8 hours / 230-260 km

Whether you start from Field or from Lake Louise, prepare for a long and intense driving experience, nut the ever-changing scenery will make up for it. Don’t forget to fill up in Lake Louise as there is only one gas station on Icefields Parkway at Saskatchewan Crossing with a 50% mark-up. From Lake Louise, follow signs for Jasper. After only a minute on the highway, you will exit it to Highway 93, better known as Icefields Parkway.

Athabasca Glacier

Most beautiful places on the Icefields Parkway

Visiting all the places along the road can take more than a week. Most travelers usually drive Icefields Parkway in 1-2 days. This itinerary includes spending a day on Icefields Parkway and arriving in Jasper in the evening. You can fit these places into your day’s schedule: (organized by importance)

Read our detailed guide about Icefields Parkway for more viewpoints, hikes, and pictures so you get a better idea of what you can expect.

• Peyto Lake and Bow Summit
• Parker Ridge Hike or Wilcox Pass Hike (5 or 8 km hike with a stunning view of the glacier)
• Mistaya Canyon
• Horseshoe Lake (cliff jumping in crystal clear water)
• Columbia Icefield Centre
• Athabasca Falls
• Sunwapta Falls
• Bow Lake and hike to the Bow Falls
• Panther Falls

Our latest find is Glacier Lake in Banff National Park, an amazing day trip ending at a serene picturesque lake with a backcountry campground. If you’re looking for a hike without crowds, this is the one.

Peyto Lake

Day 9-10: Jasper National Park

Driving time: 3-8 hours / 230-260 km

After a good sleep and digesting all natural elements from the previous day, you are ready for some stretching in the form of a hike or bike trip in Jasper. You can find some inspiration in our detailed guide of 17 best hikes in Jasper for all levels. If you are coming to the Canadian Rockies for outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, stay longer in Jasper instead of Banff. Many visitors find Jasper more charming than Banff mostly due to lack of crowds, and my experience is the same. After countless visit over the last decade to both Banff and Jasper, Jasper remains my all time favourite.

Pyramind Lake in Jasper

Outdoor things to do in Jasper National Park

Jasper is a better place for outdoor activities than Banff because it’s less visited and there are many more options. You can ride a mountain bike on plenty of single or double track trails around town. You can also bike to Snake Indian Falls (50km) if you like quiet days in the mountains with a surprise at the end. Jasper National Park has many multi-day treks for all levels.

Fun things to do in Jasper include:

• Hike to Mount Edith Cavell and Valley of the Five Lakes
• Visit Maligne Canyon, take a Maligne Lake Cruise with a Spirit Island, you can read about our experience here or hike to Bald Hills to see the lake from above
• Go for a multi-day trek on Skyline trail
• Hike to the summit of Sulphur Skyline
• Dip in Miette Hot Springs after a long hike
• Hike up or take Jasper Skytram to Whistlers Peak, you can buy tickets here
• Go swimming or stand up paddle boarding to Lake Edith or Lake Annette (you can bike from town)
• Go white water rafting on Athabasca River

More ideas are in our extensive list of 65 adventurous things to do in Jasper National Park.

If you truly love wilderness and nature, Jasper is the place to be.

Spirit Island in Jasper National Park

Accommodation in Jasper

Hotels in Jasper are smaller than in Banff but there are a lot of family run B&B style houses. Also, compared to Banff prices, Jasper accommodation is more affordable, but they sell out just as quickly during the summer. These are accommodation options in Jasper:

• Budget-friendly: Wapiti Campground is very close to Jasper and offers hot showers. They have lots of sites for tents, campervans, and RVs.
• Mid-range: We enjoyed our stay at Pyramid Lake Resort on the shore of Pyramind Lake. You can read our full review here.
• Luxury: Forest Park Hotel, is close to downtown but far enough not to hear the noise from the bars. I loved their huge swimming pool with hot tub, and the restaurant. You can read our full review here.

Read more: Complete guide to camping in Jasper National Park

NOTE
Jasper townsite and Jasper national park was affected by the 2024 wildfires. Some places operate at a reduced capacity.

Edith Cavell Hike

Day 11: Jasper to Kamloops

Driving time: 5 hours / 450 km

When you exit Jasper, take Highway 16 west towards Kamloops. As you hit the top of the climb, you arrive at the Continental Divide and enter the province of British Columbia.

After 40 minutes of driving, you can see Mount Robson (3,954m), the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Once you reach the intersection with Highway 5, you won’t longer be in the Canadian Rockies. (But don’t worry, you’ll still see plenty of mountains.)

You may even notice the change in types of rock formations and thickness of the forest. The biggest change is in the desert like Kamloops Valley. The desert-like landscape of Kamloops has the warmest summer in Canada.

Kamloops Lake surrounded by desert, a very drastic change in the scenery

Things to do on the way to Kamloops

The drive to Kamloops won’t be as scenic compared to previous days, but Kamloops offers lots of different activities. Because Kamloops is not in any national park, there are more options to use motorized vehicles in the forest, such as motorbikes/quads or snowmobiles in winter. If you drive straight from Jasper to Kamloops, you will have about half a day for exploring, and I recommend visiting Sun Peaks. It was our most memorable activity from Kamloops, the gondola with a view and absolutely gorgeous wildflowers everywhere.

Fun things to do in Kamloops:

• Stretch your legs during the drive and visit Spahats Creek Falls or Moul Falls on the way to Kamloops
• Hike to the foot of Mount Robson (4 hours)
• Hike at Sun Peaks (a small village inspired by European Alps)
• Go paddle boarding at Heffley Lake
• Visit Native village in Secwepemc Museum and Heritage Park in Kamloops
• Hike to Balancing Rock

Sun Peaks in Kamloops

Where to stay in Kamloops

Kamloops is the biggest city in central British Columbia and it has many accommodation options:

• Budget-friendly: We stayed at Silver Sage Trailer Park on our road trip from Calgary to Vancouver and enjoyed our stay. The facilities were very clean, and we were pleasantly surprised by the nice city view in the morning.
• Mid-range: Plaza Hotel by Wyndham with family rooms and breakfast included in downtown Kamloops
• Luxury: Sandman Signature Hotel with a private jacuzzi, and huge indoor swimming pool in downtown Kamloops

TIPS FOR KAMLOOPS
You can restock your food supplies for the last part of your trip. If you find the time, go for a short hike to either Peterson Creek Park or Kenna Cartwright Park. Bring water with you, especially during sunny days as it gets very hot.

Day 12: Kamloops to Whistler/Squamish

Driving time: 4 hours / 300 km

Balancing Rock by the Kamloops Lake

If you don’t want to spend extra time exploring Kamloops, take the exit towards Vancouver and follow Highway 1. The first half of your day might be quite warm as you will drive through desert-like scenery on your 100 km towards Cache Creek. From Cache Creek, follow signs to Lillooet, and then continue to Whistler.

Things to do in (& near) Whistler

You will be passing Kamloops Lake with a great view of Thompson Valley. Once you reach Pacific Ranges you have a chance to take photos of mountain peaks along the road. Here are some ideas on how you can spend your day:

• Take Peak to Peak Gondola in Whistler (107 CAD/adult) and hike in the area – this is by far the most popular activity in Whistler
• Budget-friendly activities are beautiful and easy hikes: Rainbow Falls (1.4 km roundtrip), Nairn Falls (3 km roundtrip), Ancient Cedars Trail (5 km roundtrip), Train Wreck Hike (5 km roundtrip)
• Thrilling 5 ziplines over the Fitzsimmons Valley
• Glacier Helicopter Tour with mountain landing
• Guided e-bike tour visiting bear’s den, glacial-fed alpine lakes, and 500-year-old ancient cedars
• Go rafting, kayaking, or mountain biking
• Build an Inukshuk (human figure build of small stone blocks)

Where to stay in Whistler

Whistler has a world class skiing resort and you will find all types of accommodation. Accommodation options in Whistler:

• Budget-friendly: Stay at Parkbridge Camping if you have a campervan
• Mid-range: Cascade Lodge offers outdoor swimming pool with a hot tub and a very scenic location
• Luxury: Fairmont Chateau Whistler looks like a castle from a fairytale

If you don’t want to stay in Whistler overnight, you can drive another 40 minutes to Squamish. This will save you time the next day if you’d rather stay longer in Vancouver.

Day 13-14: Vancouver

Driving time: 1-2 hours / up to 120 km

If you stayed in Squamish and like mountain biking, don’t rush from there and go for a ride on 200 km of single-tracks they have around town. If biking is not for you, drive to Vancouver. It’s only about an hour and a half from Whistler and 40 minutes from Squamish.

Totems in Stanley Park

Once you arrive, you will see why Vancouver is one of the top 5 places in the world to live in. Breathtaking scenery, mountains, parks right at the city limits, ocean, and beaches.

Things to do in Vancouver

Vancouver has a mixture of city and outdoor life; well balanced for travelers and citizens. North and West Vancouver is the best place to stay if you want to visit Vancouver’s nature reserves. For inspiration what to do, read our post on how to spend 4 days in Vancouver outdoors.

The biggest highlights of Vancouver (that we enjoyed) and fun activities:

• Visit one of the 20 beaches, our favourite is Jericho Beach Park and Third Beach
• Walk around Stanley Park to see totems (pictured above), beaches, viewpoints, flower gardens
• Visit Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park, especially if you travel with kids (it’s been a huge hit with our son)
• Visit Lynn Canyon (with a free suspension bridge) or Capilano Suspension Bridge Park with several treetop bridges
• Go whale watching to see orcas, humpback, whales, and seals (with guaranteed sightings)
• See the highlights of Vancouver from an open rooftop bus
• Hike up Grouse Mountain or take the Grouse Mountain Skyride Gondola
• Bike in historic downtown, the famous seawall, and Granville Island
• Climb the hills in North Vancouver for panoramic views of the city, our favourite lookout point is Cypress Lookout

Biking the famous seawall and running around Stanley Park is very popular

Where to stay in Vancouver

Good locations to stay in Vancouver are downtown or North and West Vancouver. It’s especially important in Vancouver to be centrally located for all the fun activities described above, as driving through the city can turn into a very long nightmare very quickly. These are my recommendations on where to stay in Vancouver:

• Budget-friendly: a great centrally-located campground is Capilano RV Park
• Mid-range: North Vancouver Hotel with swimming pool is just outside Capilano Valley and close to Lions Gate Bridge
• Luxury: Pan Pacific Vancouver has an outdoor swimming pool overlooking the harbour, Stanley Park, and mountains of North Vancouver

Bonus: Road trip on Vancouver Island

If you have more time and want to continue on Vancouver Island, we have a great article for you: 32 outdoor things you can do on Vancouver Island.

Vancouver Island

Best travel tips for your Western Canada road trip

National park fees

When you enter Banff National Park (or any national park in Canada), you are required to pay an entrance fee. You have a choice of either a daily pass or a yearly pass.

National park fees (Discovery pass) are:

• 11 CAD per person for a daily pass, 22 CAD for a group/family
• 75.25 CAD per person for a yearly pass, 151.25 CAD for a group/family

The yearly Discovery Pass is valid for all National Parks in Canada. You can purchase it at the gate when you enter the national park, in the Visitor’s Centre or online here.

Road closures

Current road conditions for Alberta province can be checked here.

Icefields Parkway going from Lake Louise to Jasper is closed a few times each year, usually due to an avalanche. Sometimes it can take days before the road opens, make sure you check the conditions before the drive.

Current road conditions for British Columbia can be seen here.

Moraine Lake Road – Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, one of the prettiest lakes in the Canadian Rockies is only accessible through Moraine Lake Road which is open mid-May/early June to mid-October every year. Outside of this time, the road passes an avalanche zone and can’t be accessed. You can only cross country ski until the viewpoint of Ten Peaks in winter.

Yoho Valley Road leading to Takakkaw Falls is passing through avalanche area and it’s open mid-June to mid-October.

Trail reports

Always check a trail report from Parks Canada before going on a hike. There are occasional closures due to wildlife presence or hazardous conditions. Links for trail reports in each national park:

• Trail report for Banff National Park
• Trail report for Yoho National Park
• Trail report for Jasper National Park

early season conditions on a Bald Hills Hike in Jasper

Bear country

If you’re hiking in the mountains of Alberta and British Columbia, you’re hiking in a bear country. You should always carry a bear spray (can be purchased at Visitor’s Centre or outdoor stores), know when and how to use it and make noise while hiking (to let bears and other wildlife know that you’re there as to not scare them)! Carefully read these instructions about how to behave around bears.

Wildlife

There is a big chance that you will encounter wildlife on your trip. Give them space and learn how to react when you encounter a bear or elk while hiking.

Pick up brochures in the Visitor Centre to learn how to behave around wildlife (and of course do not take selfies!). If the animal feels threatened, it might charge you. In these cases, Parks Canada has to put the animal down and it’s the person’s fault. In better case, Parks Canada can give you a huge fine, they are regularly on patrol.

Read our post wildlife in Canada to see what kind of animals you can see here, you will be surprised.

Common rules are:

• Never feed any wildlife
• Never get out of the car to get closer to a bear, elk, etc.
• Give them space and don’t surround them (we’ve seen this too often and you can see how stressed the animal gets)
• Pull over when taking pictures of wildlife and let faster cars safely pass you

Moose in Jasper – only take pictures from your car and from a safe distance

GST

Alberta province, where Banff and Jasper National Parks are located, have 5% GST. The reason I’m telling you is that it’s not automatically added to the price shown. For example, for ½ hour rental of the canoe in Lake Louise, the price is shown 145 CAD + GST, which means you pay 152.25 CAD. The same goes for all the tours, souvenirs or groceries.

The difference might seem minor but it goes up when you travel from Yoho to Vancouver in British Columbia, their GST is 12%.

Visitor Centre

Visitor Centres are spread along the road in Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, Field in Yoho, Jasper, Kamloops, Whistler, Squamish, and Vancouver.

They sell hiking maps, backcountry permits, souvenirs, bear sprays and provide invaluable information about national and provincial parks. You can ask the rangers about trail reports before hiking for possible closures or to help you book a campground.

Most of them are open year round, usually in national parks, it’s 8 am to 8 pm from May 18 to October 8, and 9 am to 5 pm outside those dates.

Public restrooms

There is always a public restroom in the Visitor Centre or close by, and also along the highway on pull over parking lots. I’m always amazed at how clean they are and supplied with toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

Free Wi-Fi

You can access Wi-Fi in public libraries, most Visitor Centres, Tim Hortons (the most popular Canadian coffee place), McDonald’s, most restaurants, and private campgrounds.

We sincerely hope that our Western Canada road trip itinerary from Calgary to Vancouver will help you plan an unforgettable road trip.

What stop on your road trip from Calgary to Vancouver would you like to visit the most? Share with us in the comments and let us know if you have any questions.

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