Itinerary for Alberta Rockies Trip Needed
Apr 18th, 2002, 07:38 AM
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Itinerary for Alberta Rockies Trip Needed
We are going to the Canadian Rockies in August and are trying to figure out an itinerary. We will be going for 8 nights and will have a car. Where should we spend the time? How much time in Banff, Jasper, etc? We won't be going as far as Edmonton. And do you have any "off the beaten path" suggestions of things to see/do? Thanks for any help you can provide. Caryn
Apr 18th, 2002, 08:54 AM
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Jasper is a must (5hrs fr.Calgary); so is Lake Louise or Emerald Lake Lodge (actually in B.C. but close to border); Drumheller badlands is unique where you can hunt for dinosaur bones at Dinosaur prov. park (best to camp there), stop at Tryell museum( world class dinosaur displays) on way (3-4 hr. drive from Calgary); heli into Assiniboine lodge; if go to Banff you must stay at the Banff Spgs. hotel and spa. Most of the above has to be booked in advance, Aug. is prime tourist season.
Jun 4th, 2014, 10:00 AM
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Welcome!
If you have 8 nights, the suggestions is generally for 3-4 nights in Jasper and 2-3 nights in Banff. With more time, you could do a night or two in Lake Louise or Canmore or even Field.
You don't indicate where you are starting your trip, but if you are flying into Calgary you would generally spend a few nights in Banff/Lake Louise, then head up to Jasper, then back down again to Banff before your flight home/onwards. Or head up to Jasper first and then spend your time at Banff/Lake Louise. Either way, getting two shots at the Icefields Parkway is highly recommended - it is spectacular and if the weather is iffy one day, you have another chance for better weather.
I echo the need to book now - August is very busy. In particular, the first Monday in August is a holiday, so any bookings for that week should be made ASAP as availability may already be limited.
Drumheller is cool, but it is not the Rockies and given your time frame, you probably want to stick to the mountains on this trip.
For off the beaten path... any particular interests? Heading over to Mt. Robson Provincial Park from Jasper is great - pretty views and some nice day hikes. A lot of off the beaten path stuff tends to be more backcountry - not stuff you'd see on a driving trip, but there are some fun things. Head over to Yoho and check out the town of Field. Go to Wapta Falls. To escape the heavy tourist feel of Banff, get over to Canmore and do some trails there. It will all be busy in August, but fewer people do the stuff around Canmore like Grotto Canyon (with ancient pictographs), and trails in Kananaskis Country.
If you have 8 nights, the suggestions is generally for 3-4 nights in Jasper and 2-3 nights in Banff. With more time, you could do a night or two in Lake Louise or Canmore or even Field.
You don't indicate where you are starting your trip, but if you are flying into Calgary you would generally spend a few nights in Banff/Lake Louise, then head up to Jasper, then back down again to Banff before your flight home/onwards. Or head up to Jasper first and then spend your time at Banff/Lake Louise. Either way, getting two shots at the Icefields Parkway is highly recommended - it is spectacular and if the weather is iffy one day, you have another chance for better weather.
I echo the need to book now - August is very busy. In particular, the first Monday in August is a holiday, so any bookings for that week should be made ASAP as availability may already be limited.
Drumheller is cool, but it is not the Rockies and given your time frame, you probably want to stick to the mountains on this trip.
For off the beaten path... any particular interests? Heading over to Mt. Robson Provincial Park from Jasper is great - pretty views and some nice day hikes. A lot of off the beaten path stuff tends to be more backcountry - not stuff you'd see on a driving trip, but there are some fun things. Head over to Yoho and check out the town of Field. Go to Wapta Falls. To escape the heavy tourist feel of Banff, get over to Canmore and do some trails there. It will all be busy in August, but fewer people do the stuff around Canmore like Grotto Canyon (with ancient pictographs), and trails in Kananaskis Country.
Jun 4th, 2014, 03:54 PM
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if flying in and out of calgary, your arrival and departure times would be helpful...you may want / need to spend a night or two by the the airport. i'd recommend 3 nights in banff and 3 nights in jasper...the others may be dependent upon your flight times.
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