Your Ultimate 2 Weeks Western Canada Road Trip Guide
Exploring Western Canada
August 2021
Duration: 17 days, 16 nights
Destination: Western Canada
Budget: $2500
Kilometers Travelled: 3,000
Do you also dream of conquering Western Canada? Without a doubt, you must go. The landscapes are simply breathtaking. It is certain that Quebec is full of beautiful landscapes, but the turquoise lakes and the Rocky Mountains will impress you for sure.
That said, we share here all the necessary information about our Western Canada road trip to help you plan your next trip. From Calgary to Vancouver via Jasper and Whistler, we share with you the beautiful hikes to see, the nearby campsites, the itinerary, the budget as well as practical advice.
In context
During our own road trip in Western Canada, we embarked on this adventure with a group of friends, totaling eight individuals traveling in three separate cars. Given our preference for outdoor experiences, we predominantly opted to stay in campsites. However, we did spend two nights in hotels over the course of 17 days, primarily for the sake of laundry and enjoying a comfortable mattress.
As this blog focuses on outdoor exploration, you can expect to find comprehensive details on the most incredible hikes to embark upon, must-visit attractions, and conveniently located campsites.
Must-do hikes on your Western Canada road trip
Best hikes in Kananaskis
- Difficulty: difficult
- Distance: 10.1km
- Type of route: Loop
- Elevation: 828 meters
- Duration: 3 hrs 55 mins
- Price: Conservation pass
Tent Ridge Horseshoe in the Kananaskis Country is one of our favorite hikes. In our opinion, what makes this hike so unique is the fact that you cross the crest of the trail’s mountain for a long period of time. We had never experienced such a thing, and we must say that it is breathtaking.
It allows you to have a 360-degree view almost all along the hike, including the mountains around us as well as the Spray Lakes reservoir. The start and end of the trail are relatively easy as they are flatter. However, there is a good climb to reach the top of the mountain, and it is very rocky.
As with most hikes in Western Canada, we were glad to have our hiking poles, which help distribute the weight better. On the other hand, it is obvious that this climb is totally worth it once you have access to the 360° view.
- Difficulty: difficult
- Distance: 11.3km
- Type of route: round trip
- Elevation: 1066 meters
- Duration: 4 hrs 40 mins
- Price: Conservation Pass
The Sarrail ridge hike is breathtaking. It crosses Rawson Lake which is very beautiful and quite easy so far. The first 4 km or so are very easy and go around Rawson Lake. It’s perfect for having lunch and relaxing near the water because after that, it changes a lot!
Indeed, from Rawson Lake to the top, it’s about 400 meters of elevation in 1 km, or a slope of 40%. Hiking poles are therefore essential, especially since the ground is not super solid and it can be a little slippery.
Obviously, the view from the top will make you forget all your suffering. Upon reaching the summit, there is a view of Upper Kananaskis lake and Lower Kananaskis lake. You can also climb a little higher to the left to have a 360° view of the surrounding mountains.
Finally, just as the climb is filled with thrilling adventures, the descent holds its own charm. With a steep decline on unstable terrain, it’s safe to say it offers plenty of amusement. Let’s just say it provides ample opportunity for laughter.
Best hikes in Banff National park
- Difficulty : difficult
- Distance : 10.9 km
- Type of route: Out-and-back
- Elevation: 756 meters
- Duration: 3 h 55 min
- Price: See park access
Sulphur mountain is undoubtedly a must-visit in Banff. Being at the summit offers a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains that encircle the town of Banff. It’s truly impressive!
What’s interesting about this mountain is that you can reach the top without breaking a sweat! Yes, there are gondolas that can take you to the summit. It’s like Mont-Tremblant but rated 10 out of 5 stars.
In fact, the building at the summit and the long boardwalk are truly exceptional. You can dine at the Sky Bistro or the Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen. There are packages available for dinner and gondola tickets.
However, these options can be relatively expensive. As for us, we opted for pizza and enjoyed our dinner at the outdoor tables while watching the sunset, and it was perfect!
As mentioned earlier, there are free accessible viewpoints from various bridges that allow you to admire the mountains. You can also see the town of Banff nestled between the mountains. It’s truly an experience not to be missed.
- Difficulty: moderate
- Distance: 9 km
- Type of route: Out-and-back
- Elevation: 535 meters
- Duration: 3 hrs
- Price: see park access
The viewpoint overlooks Lake Louise, the Banff Valley, and the Rockies. The hike is moderate and goes quite smoothly. The only downside is that it’s accessible to horses, which means there’s a significant presence of horse droppings.
Additionally, there are, of course, many people in the park as Lake Louise is a major tourist attraction. Finding parking at Lake Louise can be challenging. Therefore, there is a shuttle service available if needed.
- Difficulty: difficult
- Distance: 12.9 km
- Type of route: Out-and-back
- Elevation: 883 meters
- Duration: 3h 55 min
- Price: see park access
As we mentioned earlier, we wanted to do that hike, but we ended up doing the Little Beehive trail by mistake. However, Devil’s Thumb seems amazing. It offers a viewpoint of Lake Louise as well as Lake Agnes.
It’s interesting to see the contrasts between the two lakes, as they have completely different colors. If we return to Lake Louise, we will definitely take the opportunity to do this hike.
- Difficulty: difficult
- Distance: 20.1 km
- Type of route: Out-and-back
- Elevation: 1806 meters
- Duration: 8h 7 min
- Price: see park access
However, our friends did it before we arrived, and they didn’t regret it. It’s a quite imposing mountain, and the view of Banff must be impressive.
Best hikes in British Columbia
- Difficulty: moderate
- Distance: 10.9 km
- Type of route: Out-and-back
- Elevation: 880 meters
- Duration: 4h 12 min
- Price: see here
Joffre Lakes is a stunning hike with three viewpoints overlooking three different lakes. Of course, due to the breathtaking viewpoints and the moderate difficulty of the hike, there are many tourists. We recommend going early in the day to fully enjoy it. The last viewpoint, which offers a view of the glacier, is perfect for sitting down and having lunch as there are plenty of rocks.
- Difficulty: difficult
- Distance: 28.3 km
- Type of route: loop
- Elevation: 1541 meters
- Duration: 9h 18 min
- Price: see here
It’s definitely a challenging hike that can be a great personal feat, but it’s so worth it! We highly recommend splitting it into two days by staying at the Garibaldi Lake campground. This way, you only have to hike about 8 km with all your gear to reach the campground. You can arrive in the afternoon, set up your tent, and take a break before heading to Panorama Ridge for the sunset. To secure a spot at the campground, we strongly advise booking well in advance.
- Difficulty: difficult
- Distance: 7.2 km
- Type of route: Out-and-back
- Elevation: 683 meters
- Price: paid parking
Tunnel Bluffs is a beautiful hike to do near Lions Bay. At the summit, it’s possible to have a 360-degree view of the islands and the bay all the way to Vancouver Island. Let me tell you, watching a sunset at Tunnel Bluffs is incredibly satisfying. You won’t want to leave!
- Difficulty: difficult
- Distance: 41.5 km
- Type of route: Out-and-back
- Elevation: 1509 meters
- Price: see here
Must-see spots on your Western Canada road trip
We recommend going there early in the morning to avoid the crowds as much as possible.
You can rent boats at Lake Louise, but we suggest bringing your own as the rental prices in the park are extremely expensive. There are also long queues due to the high number of visitors. Finding parking can be challenging, so you can use the shuttle service instead.
There are frequent stops every few minutes because the views are incredibly stunning. Among these stops, you’ll see Athabasca Glacier and Falls, Sunwapta Falls, and the famous Peyto Lake.
Unfortunately, Peyto Lake was closed during our visit, but don’t miss your chance if it’s open. Even though it’s just a drive, it’s a fantastic day activity.
What can we say about that island? Amazing! It had lounge chairs, a hammock, diving platforms, and a barbecue… It was a dream!
If you decide to go to Lillooet Lake, be cautious as there are many steep slopes that can damage your brakes. However, it’s definitely worth it, 150% worth it!
Camping’s/hotels to stay on your Western Canada road trip
Banff Camping Tunnel Village 1 (3 nights)
This campground is fantastic and offers beautiful sites with mountain views. What’s great about this campground is that it’s only about 5 minutes from the town of Banff. There are also outdoor showers and sinks, which are perfect for dishwashing. The only downside is the lack of hot water in the showers, but other than that, there are no major negatives for this campground.
Kananaskis Lower Lake Campground (1 night)
Sublime, incredible, majestic… We absolutely loved our experience in Kananaskis. However, in reality, we spent very little time at the actual campground. We watched the sunrise and sunset at the Upper Kananaskis Lake day use area, which shows how captivating it was.
This place is simply extraordinary, situated right in front of Upper Kananaskis Lake. It’s fully equipped with picnic tables and fire pits, so you have everything you need to fully enjoy the view of the lake and mountains. The campground is also about a 5-minute drive from this viewpoint, which is super convenient. The only drawback is that there are no showers at this campground.
Lake Louise Campground (3 nights)
Lake Louise campground is pleasant due to its proximity to Lake Louise and the village. The lake is only a 2-minute drive from the campground, as are the Village Market and Petro-Canada.
There are also outdoor showers and sinks for dishwashing. The only downside to this campground is that the sites are not very private. You can easily see your neighbors through the thin barrier of trees.
Mount Robson Inn (1 night) – Hotel in Jasper
After a week of camping, we wanted to stay in a hotel to do our laundry (and to have a luxurious night in a real bed, haha). So we booked a room at the Mount Robson Inn in Jasper, which was perfect for concluding the Icefields Parkway. With its laundry facilities, two hot tubs, and inclusive breakfast, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience there.
iOverlader (1 night)
Since we were traveling from Jasper to Lillooet Lake with a stop at Helmcken Falls, it seemed like a good idea to split the drive in two. We used iOverlander to find a place to stay near Little Fort.
In the end, we don’t recommend settling at that location as it appeared to be a private entrance. Instead, we slept on the roadside in a public area. If you’re not comfortable with that concept, there’s the Rivermount Motel & Campground, which seems like a good option.
Strawberry Point (2 nights) – Lillooet Lake
Incredible! As basic as this campground is, the view of Lillooet Lake makes it an unforgettable stay. As mentioned earlier, from the campground’s beach, you can access a floating island on the lake. Clear blue sky, turquoise lake, floating island with a hammock and barbecue… it’s a dream!
Unfortunately, this campground doesn’t have showers, but it’s only $15/night. You have to “register” yourself by leaving the cash in the designated box. Also, if you decide to venture there, be aware that there are many steep slopes to reach Lillooet Lake, and there are several signs warning you to check your brakes… and the signs are right!
The descent is steep, so be careful. BUT THE EXPERIENCE AT LILLOOET LAKE IS INCREDIBLE! If not, there are other campgrounds at Lillooet Lake: Lizzie Bay, Driftwood Bay, and Twin One Creek.
Whistler (1 night)
In Whistler, we also decided to stay in a hotel. Since we were heading to Garibaldi the next day, we wanted to ensure a good night’s sleep. Whistler is a beautiful town, and its pedestrian village resembles Mont-Tremblant. There aren’t many campgrounds in Whistler, so it’s easier to book a night in a hotel. Personally, we didn’t spend much time in Whistler, but I think I had a bigger crush on Banff.
Garibaldi Lake Campground (1 night)
Wow! One of our top life experiences. The campground is located on the shore of Garibaldi Lake, offering a splendid viewpoint. You have to hike approximately 8 km to reach the campground.
Naturally, there are only pit toilets available. There are also secure areas to store your food, as bears are prevalent in the park. The campsites are arranged to provide privacy. Honestly, to fully enjoy Garibaldi Provincial Park, we recommend staying at this campground. It allows you to rest more at the lake and fully appreciate everything this wonderful park has to offer.
Porteau Cove Campground (3 nights) – Squamish-Lillooet
This campground is fantastic as it’s located on the shores of Howe Bay. If you plan well in advance, you might get sites right on the beach. However, if you can’t get those, the beach is only a few minutes’ walk away. The campground has showers and is only a 40-minute drive from Vancouver. Although the campsites are not the most private, they are well-maintained. In the end, we recommend Porteau Cove Campground.
Practical Tips for a Western Canada road trip
Make Reservations in Advance!
We highly recommend reserving as far in advance as possible to ensure you get all the campsites you want. With the pandemic, the Canadian West has become much more popular among Canadians, so everyone is rushing to make reservations. The trick is to set alarms for the dates when a particular campground/park opens its reservations. However, even if you book several months in advance, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll get exactly what you want. For example, securing a spot for Berg Lake (Mount Robson National Park) requires being vigilant as they fill up quickly.
Our suggestion is to plan your road trip itinerary as soon as you can, with well-prepared dates in a document. Then set alarms for reservation openings so that you’re ready when they become available.
Gas Management
Given the long distances and remote areas among the mountains, be mindful of your gas management. Whenever you come across gas stations, take advantage and fill up to avoid stress during the journey if you don’t come across any stations later on. Also, if your vehicle has cruise control, it will make a significant difference during those long drives.
Paddle Board, Kayak – Watercraft
If you have watercraft such as a paddleboard or kayak, we recommend bringing them with you in the car. If you follow our itinerary, you’ll notice that we stop at several lakes where you can paddleboard or kayak. If you’re interested in doing so at Lake Louise, it’s best to have your own equipment to avoid high rental prices.
Bear Spray
Essential for the Canadian West! It’s crucial to obtain bear spray before your departure. We recommend having one canister per person or one for every two people. Regardless, it’s essential always to have one with you, especially during hikes or when going alone to the campground restroom. We also recommend thoroughly reading the instructions beforehand to know how to use it in case of an attack. You can purchase bear repellent at most outdoor supply stores, costing around $40.
Additionally, we suggest traveling in a group and making noise. If you’re alone, you can buy bear bells to attach to your backpack. The metallic sound deters bears as it’s unfamiliar to them. These can also be purchased at most outdoor or hunting and fishing stores.
Useful Apps
Of course, AllTrails is the go-to app for hikers, and you’ll find it very useful for your trip. Even if you don’t subscribe to the Pro version, you can still record your hikes without a network connection. It’s a must-have to avoid getting lost if the trails aren’t well marked.
If you’re looking for places to stay along the route but are unsure where to go, iOverlander is the app for that. This app shows you where other travelers have already stayed, along with information and photos of the location.
Furthermore, a general tip is to have extra data on your mobile phone. Most of the time, we didn’t have access to Wi-Fi, so having LTE without restrictions was great. Note that in several places along the route, you won’t have any network coverage at all.
National Park Passes
To have access to all the national parks you want to visit, we recommend purchasing park passes in advance. It’s also advantageous to get the Discovery Pass, especially for quicker access to Banff National Park. We had many entries and exits from Banff, so having the dedicated lane for pass holders was convenient and saved time. Since the pass is valid for 12 months, but most people only visit for a few weeks, we strongly advise buying a used pass on Facebook to save money.
Ensure you have all the necessary park passes for the national parks you plan to visit. For example, the Discovery Pass is not valid for the Kananaskis region. However, you can purchase the pass for that area here. The same goes for Joffre Lakes, where you need to make reservations on the British Columbia Parks website.
So, that covers our road trip in the Canadian West. Writing this article made me want to go back there tomorrow morning. It truly was one of our most beautiful trips ever. Even though we’re Canadians, the landscapes of the Canadian West are incredibly different from those in Quebec. It’s undoubtedly a trip you should take at least once in your life, so what are you waiting for? Fly to the Rockies and turquoise lakes and share your stunning photos with us!
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