Drive from Spokane to Yoho/Banff/Jasper
 

Hello all! My husband and I are planning a trip of a lifetime up to the Canadian Rockies and could not be more excited. I've scoured these forums and gotten so much amazing information about visiting these parks. We hope to spend 10 days around early to mid-August. Our plan right now is to fly into Spokane from Nashville and drive from there up into the parks. Our reason for doing this is to save a little $$ by flying southwest (this is the farthest north they fly). I haven't found much on people doing it his way and wondered if anyone had some experience to share on the matter. Also a side note- we will be tent camping in the parks for the entirety of the trip to save some money as well :) Thanks so much!!

Posted a reply to this query on another forum.

sounds fine if you are saving money. but do check what the flights are into calgary. driving up from spokane, i'd consider 2 nights at kokanee creek provincial park, if you can get a reservation or if you are arriving early on a weekday. it's a gorgious campground and beach and nice area. then onto banff / lake louise for 3 nights, jasper for 3 nights and then maybe spend a night or two (depending what time your flight leaves) in the kelowna / summerland / penticton area. bear creek provincial park is nice but i'd try to stay around the summerland / penticton area. reservations are recommended.

We have used the Spokane airport for this type of trip several times, will be doing it again this fall. There are several interesting and scenic routes. As ltt comments, you could go up through the Okanagan. Or, you could go up towards Nelson and then you could ride one of the Inland Ferries (free). Both of those options are definitely a 2-day trip.

A faster way is over I-90 east then up 95. You could do that in one day, but I wouldn't do it the same day you fly in.

Spokane is a convenient airport, with car rental right there. The Ramada is across the street (you can just walk over to the car rental area), and we usually stay there but other places are nearby as well. Priceline is a good option for this night.

Have a look at the Inland Ferries page: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/marine/ferry_schedules.htm

Thanks for the help everyone! Itt- we have compared flights to Calgary vs. Spokane and are looking at around $1250 plus luggage fees for Calgary or $700 and no luggage fees for Spokane. I think it's a big enough savings for us to drive a little extra. I hadn't looked at any of those alternate routes for travel up from Spokane. Will definitely check them out! Thanks so much!

Sludick- I'm so glad to hear someone else has done the Spokane route with success!

driving and camping in the interior of bc is gorgious. you won't regret your decision. just take as many days as you can and try to get an early flight in and a late flight out.

We use a Southwest to Spokane as well. I know the flights are limited, don't be afraid to take the one one that gets in after 11pm - you can Priceline an inexpensive airport hotel, pick up your car in the morning and be on your way.

Will be happy to help with some routes and things to see/do as you develop your itinerary. Others here will be able to advise on camping, and you will also fid Hellobc.com a great resource: www.hellobc.com

(Sorry about typos, dang tablet keyboard..)

You mentioned waiting at a motel close to the Spokane airport to rent the car in the morning.
Instead of doing that, get to the Amtrak station before midnight and ride the Amtrak Empire Builder in coach and arrive in Whitefish MT in the morning.
Rent your car in Whitefish. Make sure you are allowed to take your rental car into Canada with the insurance rider.
Starting in Whitefish go over the Going to the Sun Road through Glacier and then north from St. Mary into Canada.
You could fly east from the Kalispell airport on the way home.
Your US rented car must be returned to the US (NO cross border drop offs).
If you arrive in Spokane in the afternoon, see the big park that once was the site of a World's Fair (only one I ever went to).

The Empire Builder (trains 8, 28) leaves Spokane at 1:25AM PT every night and gets to Whitefish about 5 hours later (7:30AM Mountain time).
https://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/181/823...ule-011116.pdf
You can be in Whitefish having breakfast at the time you would be picking up your rental car at the Spokane airport.
During the summer you can get a rental at the station.
Other times of the year, you have to get to the Kalispell airport for a car.

Please stay at least 1 night in a HI Hostel.
The one that I have stayed at several times is the one outside Jasper. http://www.hihostels.ca/westerncanad...-Jasper.hostel
They do have private rooms as well as the dorms (coed).
You can cook, do laundry and take a shower there.