Bradklingman

Thinking about taking my family including my wife and two teenage daughters. Wow this sounds like a great place to visit (GNP and Banff). We have a pop-up camper should we bring it? Wouldnt mind spending a little extra money on other lodging to not have to pull the camper but not at a ridiculous amount. Coming from Minnesota. Do we need to reserve things in advance and if so what are those things? Thank you in advance for any help!

tomfuller

Most KOA's have small cabins if you didn't want to pull the popup. There is a KOA east of Jasper near Hinton.
http://koa.com/campgrounds/hinton/
There are 3 KOA's in the Glacier NP area.
The Canadian Rockies look a lot like the US Rockies. How much time do you have to spend on this trip? What month?

Michael

My choice would be to take the camper. You probably will be able to find campsite in park campgrounds, especially if you are willing to use the ones with fewer amenities.

tom_mn

You will have to reserve a Banff campground, and
probably Jasper if you go that far. Banff is by far the busiest of the 3 parks.

Glacier: Most people now fly on vacation and the airports are on the west side of GNP. So if you drive you'll stay on the much prettier but now quieter east side.

US national parks are cheaper, charge is per week and cold water no shower campsites are cheap.

Canadian campgrounds are twice the money but they include hot water showers and heated restrooms and unlimited firewood. These parks also charge admission per day.

tom_mn

More: highlight of this part of the Rockies is the Icefields Pky. If the girls are interested in dinosaurs there's a great museum on the way home at Drumheller.

http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com

It's a 3 day drive back from Banff.

John

Important to know what time of year you are planning.

Bradklingman

Dates: last two weeks of June or last 3 weeks of July. 7 Day vacation.

Is it best to base camp in one spot and then drive around or is the park so huge we would be better to move the camper every few days?

tom_mn

With seven days you have only time for Glacier and one campsite.

sluggo

Glacier's fabulous Going to the Sun Road might not be completely open in June due to snow, meaning you could not drive completely across the park. Have a great trip, whatever you decide.

John

Best to arrive last week of July. As mentioned above, GTTS road may not be open in June. We've had a really heavy snow year so I'm GUESSING the road will open MUCH later than normal.
Coming from Minn. I assume you will be arriving close to the east entrance. East side of the park is the gem of the park imho. Best hikes are located in Many Glacier area. I would spend 3 days camped in the Many Glacier area then move to the west side for 2 days. Be aware you will NOT be able to travel the Going to the Sun Road if your rig is over 21 feet long or 8 feet wide. A FREE shuttle bus service is available the length of the road. However, should you decide to move from east side to west side, I would take Highway 2 around the park, get a camping spot, drop the trailer and use your car to travel the GTTSR at your convenience.
Reservations for camping, as of last season, are only available at Fish Creek campground and St. Mary campground. Other areas are first come first serve. Check at visitors center, they will be able to tell you if space is available at certain campgrounds.
For complete information go to;WWW.NPS.GOV/GLACIER

John

Just noticed you only have 7 days. I would do either Glacier or Banff, not both. Seven days is not enough time to do both.
Should you decide on Banff, , be aware you will need passports to go across the border.

tom_mn

Have you sketched out the driving? Unless you are in E Grand Forks or sim it's 2 long days driving each way. That barely gives you time for one campsite and minimal park exploration. Or do you mean 9 days?

Banff is not reachable in 7 days from MN.

John

Minneapolis to East Glacier Montana is approx. 1200 miles or about 17 hours drive.
Banff is approx. 1340 miles or about 20 hour drive from Minneapolis.