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Old 02-04-2010, 08:03 AM   #1
sfretts
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Canadian Rockies

Hi,

Wife and I are planning a 17 day vacation from WA state trough the Canadian Rockies, back into Montana and home. It has been awhile since I have been in that area and we were on a M/C. I am looking at stops in Revelstoke, Radium Hot springs and considering camping either at Banff or the town east of there (cant remember name,)

Question is:
1. How are roads/slopes going through Banff area?
2. Nice campgrounds in the general area?
3. Cant miss sites and activities?

Thanks for your input

Steve

BTW trip is first 17 days of July. Considered going and staying in Calgary but remember last time with Stampede, we had trouble on the bike.
 
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Old 02-04-2010, 10:59 AM   #2
jimcol
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Steve, We did a trip up there in Sept. 08. Actually went from Glacier up through Waterton Park to Banff to Jasper and back through Porthill Idaho. Not sure how much further west you will be traveling in the Canadian Rockies. The part we were in was not too bad but did have some long steep grades north of Banff. Roads were good and the grades were not that much of a challenge but you definitely had to "drive them". The provincial park in Banff, Tunnel Mountain, was an OK park. Nothing special but adequate with full hook ups. It did have a great view of the town. Lots to see and do from the hot springs, to the wilderness loop, to the falls right in town. If you have time take a day trip up to Lake Louise. Beautiful place. On your way back if you have time stay at Waterton Lakes NP (another provincial park) in the town of Waterton. We saw more wildlife inside the campground then anywhere else on the trip. When you plan your trip and see how many days you will spend in the provincial parks it may be cheaper to buy and annual pass. If you have time I really recommend going clear to Jasper. It will give you an opportunity to see the Columbia ice fields as well as Alabasta Falls. If I was to do that trip again I would leave the Montana in Banff and just make it an over night trip. Maybe two nights if you wanted to include Lake Louise in the same trip.
I’m getting kind of wordy in this response but hope the information helps. As you can tell from my response we really enjoyed that trip. Jim
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Old 02-05-2010, 01:10 AM   #3
adelmoll
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I agree with everything Jim has said but want to add not to miss the other National Parks all around Banff.. Kootenay and Yoho are beautiful as well. If you have trouble in July getting into the campground at Banff, there are some very nice ones along the way to the park. Kanaska (sp) has some nice ones and along the main road to Banff about 7 miles from the Park entrance is a park called Three Sisters that was very nice. At least it was there when we last went through a few years ago.
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Old 02-05-2010, 07:09 AM   #4
bruiser
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From Revelstoke you will be travelling East on the Trans Canada highway. Not a bad drive but you are heading into the higher mountain passes in the Rockies. There will be some steeper grades but nothing too serious. To get to Radium Hot Springs you have to turn South at Golden. From Golden to Radium the road is a 2 lane which winds down into the Columbia Valley - lots of turns but, again, not a bad drive. There is plenty to see and do in Radium. The hot springs pool comes to mind. Just down the road about 30 miles is Fairmont which also has a nice hot springs pool. If you are a golfer, there are a large number of great golf courses in the area. Between Radium and Fairmont is the town of Invermere. It is the largest town in the area and is on the lake. Plenty of campgrounds in the area.

From Radium to Banff you once again have to head up into a mountain pass. It is quite a climb at the start of this highway but there is a passing lane right up to the high point. I have made this trip many times with our Montana and have had no problems. As you approach the Trans Canada again there is a steep grade going down. You want to make sure to use your tow-haul mode coming down this hill or you will not have any brakes left.

From there it is about half an hour to Banff. I, also, would suggest Tunnel Mountain Campground in Banff. Book ahead as it is always busy this time of the year. Or you could go another half hour east to Canmore where the Three Sisters Campground is. Another area -not too far away - is Kananaskis Country. Just head east on the Trans Canada to Highway 40 (at the new Native Casino) There are plenty of campgrounds along this road but most have limited, if any, services and are not designed for big rigs like our Montanas. The only campground I would recommend is the Mount Kidd RV Park. It is one of the nicest I have been in. Loops A and B are the best and lots of room for the big rigs with lots of pull-through sites. Also has 2 spectacular golf courses just a few minutes away. Again, I would recommend booking early as this campground is always busy.

Sounds like you have been here before during the Calgary Stampede and did not care much for it so I won't steer you in that direction.

Heading south to Montana, a previous poster recommended Waterton National Park. I agree. You may want to do a search on "The Great Canadian Barn Dance" which is in the area. Camping, live entertainment and a lot more.

Hope this information helps. Have fun in our "back yard".
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Old 02-05-2010, 08:17 AM   #5
sfretts
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Wow,

Thanks for the info, this is just what I was looking for! As for Stampede, We had a great time, but traffic was heavy getting around and tough even for the bike, I can only imagine the Mountaineer.

Thanks for the replies

Steve
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Old 02-05-2010, 04:32 PM   #6
8e3k0
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The town east of Banff is Canmore. Likely easier to get a camping spot there than Banff itself unless you book ahead, July is the busy season.
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