Suggested itinerary for Motorhoming around Western Canada

We started motorhoming around British Columbia and Alberta in 1979 and have been back on a number of occasions. This itinerary was a series of trips we made but all joined together. It offers a selection of the highlights of the Rockies and the West Coast and takes between 14 and 16 days depending on you.

1st Day: Vehicle collection in Vancouver. After the vehicle has been handed over you need to head for a Supermarket to stock up on groceries and other essentials.  You will have a chance to see the City at the end of the tour so head for Harrison Hot Spring and overnight at the Sasquatch Springs RV Resort. About 75 miles.

 

2nd Day: Onto the Okanagan Valley. Turning right at Hope you travel through the Manning National Park and into the valleys of the Cascade Mountains. You are heading for the Okanagan Valley now known as a summer and winter playground. It's also home to wineries and fruit growers so plenty of opportunities for roadside purchases. The valley has a great selection of campsites either around the main cities of Kelowna, Peachland or Summerland.  About 150 to 170 miles.

 

3rd Day: To Crawford Bay: Moving north up the Okanagan Valley you turn east at Vernon towards Lumby. The trip will be made more interesting as you come across BC Ferry service which replace the bridges. This is a historic area with much evidence of mining, forestry and some opportunities for spotting wildlife. At Crawford Bay overnight at the Kokanees c ampground & RV Park. About 200 miles.

 

4^th Day:  To Fairmont Hot Springs:  The journey continues through Creston then northward again towards Fairmont Hot Springs, a resort hotel with an RV Park right next door. Here you will be able to relax in the naturally heated pools and take advantage of the resorts other facilities. About 140 miles.

 

5^th Day:  To Lake Louise in Alberta: North of Fairmont is Radium Hot Springs, you may stay here for some more R & R or continue on to Lake Louise through the Kootenay National Park. Generally, bookings cannot be made for RV sites in the Parks so it's a -First Come First Served- basis at Tunnel Mountain just north of Banff. About 110 miles.

 

6^th, 7th & 8th Days:  Banff and Jasper National Park: You will find lots to see and do in these two breathtaking Parks, whether it's a brunch at the Banff Springs Hotel or a trip on the Athabasca Glacier Snocoach. You will easily fill the 3 days here. There are a variety of campsites off the Icefields Parkway, some more basic than others but all in wonderful surroundings. In Jasper try Whistler site. About 70 miles Banff/Jasper.

 

8^th  & 9th Days: To Wells Gray Park: Exiting from Jasper NP you travel west and then south to the Wells Gray Park, back in British Columbia.  This Park has waterfalls, extinct volcanoes and mineral springs to see. You are headed for The Lodge at Helmcken Falls located at the entrance to the Park as it can accommodate RVs. From here there are the impressive 449ft falls to see, horse riding adventures, guided trips into the Park and canoeing expeditions. About 200 miles.

 

10^th  and 11^th Day: You are now heading for the coast and Vancouver  Island. You will cross over to Nanaimo from Horseshoe Bay in North Vancouver so to get there you either travel down the Coquihalla Highway (Toll Road) and overnight in Vancouver at the Burnaby Caribou  RV Park or come through Cache Creek and down the Fraser Thompson Valley to Whistler. It will take a couple of days if you don't rush but can be done in less time if you press on. About 200 to 250 miles depending which route you take

 

12^th  & 13^th Day: To Tofino: From Nanaimo you head north towards Parksville and then head west to the other side of the Island and Tofino. En route, shop at Coombs and stop at Cathedral Grove to see the ancient Redwoods. Tofino is a -one road in and one out- town nestled in the Pacific Rim National Park. From here there are a number of whale watching tours plus other wildlife viewing trips. You should try and spend a couple of days here if possible. About 120 miles.

 

 

14^th Day: To Vancouver: Back the way you came to Nanaimo and use BC Ferries to Horseshoe Bay. Head for the Caribou RV Park and for a couple of days use the vehicle as a hotel room. This will enable you to see this fantastic city but still be self-catering. There's excellent public transportation so getting around is no problem. Visit Stanley Park, Gastown or pick up some bargains in the Robson Street shops. About 120 miles back to Vancouver plus the ferry.

After you return your motorhome, you will be transferred back to the airport by the rental company.

This itinerary may be started in Calgary, commence around Day 6 and head for Banff and Lake Louise on Highway One west of Calgary