oleg_

This august we are driving to Banff and may be Jasper from Spokane, WA. We are planning approximately a week-long trip with camping, driving around and day-hikes. I was wondering if it make sense to designate a day or two to visit GNP? It is sort-of on the way, may adds just 4 hours or so to the drive. But I am not sure how different what we will see in GNP from Banff? Is it worth to get a bit of everything or spend more time for in-depth exploration of Canadian parks.

Thanks!

bob_brown

Given the amount of time you have, I recommend you spend it all in Canada.

I don't deny that the Sun Road in Glacier is spectacular, but detouring through Glacier from Spokane will consume time as you said.

From Spokane to East Glacier is about 350 miles. From East Glacier to Banff is another 275 for a total of 625 miles. Spokane to Banff by the most direct route is 365 miles.

MapQuest estimates 5 hours from East Glacier to Banff. It actually depends on which way you go. If you go by Calgary, the time depends on when you hit Calgary traffic. If you do it all in one day, it will be a long one.

If you decided to go via Glacier, finding a camping place on the east side of the park is difficult if you arrive after 2 PM. In years past the best camping area on the east was at Many Glacier, but when I have camped there, I pulled into a spot at 10 am and by noon there were cars circling the area in search of a vacancy.

If you drive from Spokane through Bonner's Ferry through Cranbrook to Banff you will pass through Kootenay National Park. Because Kootenay is a less popular area, I think you would do well to camp there your first night.
From there you could go to Lake Louise for the second night of camping. You would arrive early and have the whole day almost for Lake Louise, the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail, Moraine Lake, perhaps the Sentinel Pass trail, and/or the Consolation Lakes trail.

The campground at Lake Louise if fairly large and if you get there early in the day, like 11 AM, I am fairly confident you could find a place.

The campgrounds in Kootenay that are close to Vermillion Pass and Castle Junction (where you join the Trans Canada highway), are Marble Canyon (closest) and McLeod Meadows.

At Lake Louise, the campground there the last I read has 210 tent spots and 187 hard-sided spots which can be reserved.

Other than that, I have a distinct preference for the Takkakaw Falls walk-in site if you have a tent.
If you have a trailer, a good spot is at Mount Cephren (Waterfowl Lakes) along the Icefields Parkway. I remember the area as being spacious and fairly level in a grove of beautiful trees.

There are food preparation shelters as I recall.

In Jasper, you also have a choice of some nice spots, but the places along the Icefields Parkway are more primitive in their facilities. Wilcox Creek is ok and it is close to the Icefields Center.

Waterfowl Lakes is nicer, but not quite as close to the Athabasca Glacier. If you are driving from Waterfowl to Jasper, you would be in position to make several stops along the Icefields Parkway.

Let me suggest you stock up on food before Lake Louise UNLESS you go to Banff first. The grocery store at Lake Louise in years past has not offered much. We buy in Canmore, Banff, or Golden depending on our approach route.

Jasper and Banff have more to offer in food stores because both have a larger permanent population.

I hope you have a good trip.

Otis_B_Driftwood

I've driven to Banff several times from Washington, Idaho and Montana. My favorite route is taking 3A north from Creston up Lake Kootenay and then going up through Naksup to Revelstoke.

Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Park are both worth spending time in. You will have to do some hiking to fully appreciate these parks but it's well worth it.

I'd save GNP in Montana for a separate trip. You need more than 2 days there to appreciate it and early September would be better than August when it's filled with tourists.

bob_brown

I think the route through Revelstoke would be scenic, but your route is longer than the direct route. The road north to Revelstoke is fairly slow, and in one place you cross the Columbia on a ferry.

I think it depends on what you are trying to maximize. The time available and the choices you must make are almost in conflict.

I think you cannot lose regardless. It all depends on what you want to see.

The first time we went, we had 14 days which made a difference. We spent 4 nights in Glacier and then drove to Lake Louise, over to Glacier in Canada, up to Jasper, back to Banff and back to Great Falls for the trip home.

I have always thought of that excursion as a scouting trip. We have returned since them to enjoy parts of those mountain parks in more detail.

Suggestion. Post this on the Canadian side as well. There are quite a few posters like Judy and Borealis who are full of ideas about the Canadian Rockies. They live out there; I don't.

Austin

I'd say if you aren't sure you will ever get that way again, definitely go to GNP. If you will have time to devote a whole trip to GNP, then skip it for now.

Orcas

I agree with those who say skip Glacier for this trip. Glacier is spectacular. Banff is also quite spectacular in the same sort of way, and way bigger. A week is hardly long enough for Banff. You'd be wasting time in your car if you try to take both in.

utahtea

With that short of time, you will want to spend it in Banff and Jasper!

Utahtea

oleg_

Thanks for you suggestions; we'll probably skip GNP but may be see it's Canadian "twin". Other trip-planning suggestions are definitely welcome.

happytrailstoyou

Glacier NP and Waterton Lakes NP, in southern Alberta, are both very much worth a visit; however, considering time constraints, you will have a more enjoyable trip if you concentrate on Canada (where driving is slow going).

If your routing takes you near Fort Steele, BC, the heritage park there is very much worth a visit.