Hubs, kidlet, and I want to plan a driving trip to the gorgeous mountains of BC next summer but would love some input from experts (aka - you all) on where to stay, where to avoid, etc. The rough plan is to rent a camper van in Seattle (where we live) and do a big ol’ loop so we end up back in Seattle. Maybe enter through Vancouver and exit through Penticton? Honestly though we’re open to ideas. Probably 2 weeks is the max we could pull off and as kidlet will be 10 months old and we’ll have our dog with us, I don’t expect to be breaking speed records. Looking for recommendations on camping spots to stay in (or avoid) as well. Also, is mid-late June an ok time to go or will we freezing at night?
Thoughts on timing, route, stops, hiking trails (kid and dog-on-leash friendly) are all very much welcome.
Congrats on your plan. You should first know that Banff and Lake LOUISE are in Alberta and not BC. They are however a short drive from Southern BC and easily accessible from a number of different directions. I would also suggest the ice fields parkway as one of the most scenic drives in the world and I am sure you could travel from Whistler to Lake Louise that route.
If you end up in BC consider checking out Fernie. Neatest ski town I have ever been to in my life and I’ve been to a ton of them. Warning ya ain’t gonna wanna leave.
Thanks so much on the ice fields parkway tip - and so sorry, I knew it was Lake Louise…just a little sleep deprived since kidlet is 8 weeks old right now.
June? Plenty warm enough to camp especially in a van. Just make sure you bring some warmish clothing for night time (sweater, softshell jacket and pants). I would never allow any dog off leash on any National park trail.
Lots of family friendly hiking in Banff/Lake Louise. With 2 weeks you should be able to manage. Calgary to Vancouver can be driven in 1 day if need be. If you are coming this far I recommend going to Drumheller.
Jasper is north of Banff and is a little less travelled than Banff.
FYI : Watch your speed in BC. Some of the mountain sections have lower speed limits (some sections have also recently been increased as well). Don’t push your luck. Doing so by 40+ (25 mph+) may result in a bad day. BC will impound your vehicle for 7 days.
The Icefields Parkway is a very scenic drive. Bring some warmer clothes if you want to visit the glacier.
I went to dinosaur provincial park this summer and recommend that as well. It is located near Brooks, AB so it may be a bit out of the way for you. There are camping/RV sites in the park.
Bring the mosquito repellent; if it’s a bad year they can be pretty vicious in Alberta by mid-June.
I like the Johnstone Canyon trail (in between Banff and Lake Louise) and if you head up the Icefields Parkway towards Jasper, Athabasca Falls is a nice place to make a stop as well.
As others have said, watch out for the speed limits in BC and in the National Parks in general.
Whistler is one of my favourite places in the winter; in the summer you can take the gondola up and wander around at the top and/or take the Peak2Peak across to Blackcomb.