RV trip Calgary to Vancouver
 

We're first-timers in an RV, flying to Calgary from the UK on Sept 3. Our RV will take us to Vancouver in 9 days from Sept 5. We've only got a site booked in Banff for 3 nights, leaving the rest to chance. Is that too risky? We want to travel up to Jasper, taking the 1A to Lake Louise and then up the Icefields Parkway. Jasper another 3 nights, leaving 3 more to reach Vancouver. Either via Kamloops on the No. 5 or back to Lake Louise and pick up the No. 1 and then the 97 to Kelowna.
- any preferred route? We don't want to add to much to the mileage.
- do we need to make more site reservations?
- so many sites to see, but any particular recommendations welcome!

Many thanks for tips.

I suspect that you'll need a booking for Jasper. Hopefully, somebody can weigh in some details, but start looking for availability.

Yes - you definitely need to book in advance.

You will be there during a holiday weekend, then early September which is still very much peak season in the Rockies. The number of Canadian visitors may drop off during the week, but the parks will still be full of foreign visitors seven days a week.

There are a handful of campgrounds which can be booked, the rest (in the national parks) are first-come first serve. Bookings opened in January and openings are very limited now. Sites with full hookups and pull through access have long been booked up - the only chance of getting those would be from a last minute cancellation.

The three campgrounds right near Jasper townsite(i.e. within 20 minutes) are all bookable. If you want to stay there, I would book ASAP, especially if you have a larger unit or want specific facilities/amenities. I think Whistlers is the best option -- closest to town.

The other campgrounds are first-come, first serve and farther from the townsite. They tend to only accommodate units under 27ft. It's certainly possible to find space there, especially mid-week. However it's a trade-off as you'd likely need to arrive earlier in the day, which means less time to see/do things. Check out is by 11am, so you often want to arrive then (or earlier) to get the best spots, and before 3-4pm to ensure a spot. Or be willing to drive on to the next campground if one is full or the available spots are too small for your RV.

As far as route, I would go back to Lake Louise and west. The Icefields Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the world and you will want two chances to take it all in and see the sites. Especially if your unit is larger and parking could be an issue in some places.

I'd look to either booking one night at the campground in Lake Louise (if there is a spot). All the campgrounds in Yoho NP are FCFS which isn't ideal if you want to take your time coming from Jasper. So perhaps look for something around Golden or even Revelstoke. A longish drive to Revy would be worth it if you spend a couple nights there and then to Vancouver.