We're going to have about 10 days to explore GNP in August with our young kids. We're wondering if we should try to fit in Banff and Lake Louise too, or is the scenery about the same? Is it better to focus on GNP and not try to fit it all in? Any thoughts?

The Canadian Rockies are magnificent! I think it is possible to plan a nice trip incorporating Glacier, Waterton, Lake Louise, Banff, & Jasper in a 10 day trip. The scenery is different. Banff & Jasper are connected by the Icefields Parkway. The Canadian NPs have a good website too. In US, it is nps.gov.

No, the scenery is not the same! Don't miss Banff and Jasper. This is incredibly beautiful country and the lakes are a gloriously glacial blue.

My husband and I did a similar trip last July. We started in Glacier, stopped in Waterton and continued on to Banff. You could definitely do both. I am sooooo glad we added Banff to our vacation. Lake Louise was so beautiful. We hiked to the Lake Agnes teahouse. Your kids would enjoy that, too.

Thank you for your input! Can I ask for more advice? We were planning to stay a couple of days at the St. Mary's KOA, then move North. If I then went North, do you have any favorite suggestions on where to stop and any reasonable cabins or hotels (not tent camping, unfortunately) you would recommend? Thanks so much!

Definitely do Banff and Jasper too! Gorgeous!

If you are camping, prepare for cold weather "just in case".

It snowed on us one year as we drove north through Glacier on July 4th.

We were also snowed in at Chateau Lake Louise one year at the end of May.

Are you familiar with KOA Kamping Kabins? A great alternative to tent camping.

A place in Lake Louise that we have stayed several times, including with our kids, is Baker Creek Chalets. They are mostly small cabins but they also have a lodge. They do book quite a ways in advance, but I would call and see if there is any availability. Excellent location for seeing Banff and Lake Louise.

With young kids, you don't want to spend too much time in the car, but I would consider trying to fit Jasper in as well; the Icefields parkway is a great drive. Of the string Jasper/Lake Louise/Banff/Waterton/Glacier, Jasper was our favorite. Weather and local conditions may impact your choices; the last time we were at Glacier, forest fires in the area had created so much smoke that visibility was very poor - we picked up and moved on.

Glacier, Waterton, and Banff are my favorite national parks. Just be aware that as of June 1, 2009, everyone that comes to Canda needs a passport.

Starrs,
We are actually staying at a cabin at the KOA St. Mary's. We have stayed in other cabins at KOAs and loved them. Our kids think they're nicer than our house -- and it's just 1 room with beds in it! Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

Aren't they great! When the kids were little, that's how we "camped" if we were on the move. We just tossed bedding on the beds and we were set! Much better than having to set up camp every night. We often had the boy's birthday party at one nearby. Great fun for a sleepover - and little work. We'd rent two side by side.

The grandparents heard so many good things about those trips they wanted to try them on our Canadian trip. We actually alternated Kamping Kabin nights with nights at the great lodges of the Canadian railroad. Surreal to go from The Empress in Victoria to a KK then to Chateau Lake Louise, etc.
Lots of fun though and great for the budget

Don't forget the unique trip out onto the Athabasca Icefield, between Lake Louise and Jasper. You generally don't need to buy tickets in advance or take one of the Brewster tours from a hotel. Brewster also operates the transfer buses and on-ice vehicles that take you out onto the 300-foot thick glacier.

Yes, you can begin at Glacier(we stayed at the Many Glacier Lodge) and continue on to the Banff and Lake Louise area. We stayed with our children at the youth hostel in Lake Louise and also camped in Yoho NP by Takakaw Falls. You can continue on to Jasper. I highly recommend seeing Angel Glacier. The scenery gets better and better as you head into Canada with the spectacular glaciers and their lakes. Sounds like a wonderful trip!

We also want to see Glacier National Park and Banff and Jasper. Prob fly in and out of Calgary. However, we are hearing that you cant take rental cars over the country border. Any suggestions? We thought about trying to find a tour from Calgary to Glacier National Park but have googled and found nothing! We heard about Brewster but they stay in Canada.

Diane, you've added onto a post that is 7 or 8 years old. If you want an answer to your question, start a new thread.

This post is 7 years old!!!!

Wow this sounds like a great place to visit (GNP and Banff). Thinking about taking my family including my wife and two teenage daughters. 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!