Chuck & Denise

Hopefully someone could answer some questions about the area for us. We will be driving in from the east and are planning to spend only one day taking in the Rodeo and the city. Leaving the next morning to do laundry, food shop and change the oil in the car on the way to camp somewhere in the Banff park and north area(6 to 8 days). Sound possible or not advisable ?. Could use information on the city and advice on the parks.

dnorrie

Living just south of Calgary, I must admit that I have never been to Stampede but I do know that you must, must, book early. The city fills up quickly and prices are high. If I were you, I would camp or stay in Drumheller (the badlands) and visit the Tyrell Museum. You could still visit Calgary and Stampede but avoid the HUGE crowds and the cost. There are many drive through places to change your oil for a reasonable rate. Just look around. Also grocery shopping - lots of Safeways. I would recommend that you research the highways maps and maybe travel along Hwy. 22 west to the Crowsnest Pass area. Hwy 22 goes through the Gap area (an area that is unknown to most tourists) - it is a beautiful drive. If you do decide to go that route, give me an email and I can help as I live is So. Alberta and have an acreage in the pass. Going that route to the crowsnest pass and then by Blairmore and Coleman, the road to the Kananaskis camping areas is great and easy but the campgrounds do fill up. Let me know if I can help. Have fun.

dnorrie

Just to help you out a bit more. You can look up the Royal Tyrell Museum and Drumheller camping using just those words for search. I did not look at prices but it will give you an idea. <BR> <BR>Cheers - Denise

Island Girl

I'm not sure if you're aware or not that the campgrounds in the national park do not accept reservations, however if you get there around noon, you'll probably have luck getting a spot. I would venture to say that any campground in the national park is good, but others may disagree. We've spent a lot of time camping in the provincial parks in Kananaskis, in particular in Peter Lougheed Prov. Park. The Boulton Creek campground there will accept reservations. As to Calgary, the first poster was right about booking...I would book RIGHT NOW if you want to actually stay in a hotel in Calgary. In my opinion, one day of Stampede will be enough for you. For laundry, I would recommend the Washhouse on 17th Avenue, it's clean with good machines and someone actually working there all the time, so you can get change and such. Have fun!

dnorrie

As to reservations in the campgrounds - since the gov't turned over ownership to private individuals, a number of them do accept reservations but you must know who to call. Unfortunately, I can't help you in that area. Sorry