Canadian Road trip.
Discussion
Does this AI roadtrip make any sense to those that know?
Perfect! **August is an ideal time** for this road trip—great weather, all hiking trails/roads open, and endless outdoor activities. Since you’re traveling **August 1–29, 2025**, I’ll tweak the itinerary to account for:
- **Peak summer crowds** (strategic timing for popular spots).
- **Festivals/events** along your route.
- **Weather considerations** (hot in prairies, cool in mountains).
---
- **Moraine Lake access:** The road is *closed to private vehicles* year-round—you’ll need to book the **Parks Canada shuttle** (releases April 2025) or bike in.
- **Lake Louise parking:** Arrive by **6:30am** in August or use the shuttle.
2. **Festivals/Events:**
- **Montreal (Aug 1–3):** Check for **Osheaga Music Festival** (if you like music, it’s fun but busy).
- **Edmonton (mid-August):** **Heritage Festival** (August 2–4, 2025)—great for multicultural food.
- **Calgary Stampede** ends July 20, so you’ll miss crowds (good for your dates!).
3. **Weather Prep:**
- **Quebec/Ontario:** Humid, 25–30°C (pack swimsuits, bug spray).
- **Prairies (SK/MB):** Very hot (30°C+), dry—hydrate and cover up.
- **Rockies:** Cool mornings (5–10°C), warm days (20–25°C)—layer up!
---
- **Alternative routes** to avoid crowds.
- **Book-ahead reminders** for critical stops.
- Skip Osheaga if crowds aren’t your thing—opt for **Mondial de la Bière** (beer fest) or **Piknic Électronik** (family-friendly outdoor music).
- Swim at **Plage Jean-Doré** (parc Jean-Drapeau).
- **Quebec City (Aug 3–4):**
- Day trip to **Parc de la Chute-Montmorency** (waterfall zip line!).
- **Ottawa ? Algonquin (Aug 5–7):**
- Canoe **Canoe Lake** (quiet alternative to busy spots).
- Visit **mid-week** to avoid weekend crowds.
- **Tobermory (Aug 9–10):**
- **Book parking for the Grotto NOW** (releases 5 months ahead—March 2025!).
- **Lake Superior (Aug 11–12):**
- Camp at **Agawa Bay** (epic sunsets, less busy than Pancake Bay).
- Stay at **Frenchman Valley Campground** (bison often roam through!).
- **Drumheller (Aug 17):**
- Visit **Royal Tyrrell Museum** on a weekday (less crowded).
- **Kananaskis (Aug 19–21):**
- Skip busy Banff—hike **Ptarmigan Cirque** (wildflowers peak in August!).
- **Must-book shuttles:** Lake Louise (releases April 2025), Moraine Lake.
- Alternative: **Peyto Lake** (less crowded, equally stunning).
- **Jasper (Aug 25–26):**
- **Maligne Lake Cruise** (book ahead—kids love Spirit Island!).
- **Vancouver (Aug 27–29):**
- Swim at **Kitsilano Pool** (saltwater, epic skyline views).
---
- **Accommodation:** $120–140/night (cabins/motels, fewer campsites).
- **Food:** $60/day (picnics + occasional restaurants).
- **Activities:** $20–40/day (prioritize park passes, 1–2 big splurges like Maligne cruise).
- **Grocery shop in big towns** (Winnipeg, Calgary) to save $.
- **Free swimming holes:**
- **Alberta:** Johnson Lake (Banff), Quarry Lake (Canmore).
- **BC:** Christina Lake (en route to Vancouver).
---
2. **Waterton Lakes NP (AB):** Less crowded than Banff, stunning hikes.
Hopefully the formatting isn't to fudged up. Curtesy of our soon to be overlords the DPRC.
Perfect! **August is an ideal time** for this road trip—great weather, all hiking trails/roads open, and endless outdoor activities. Since you’re traveling **August 1–29, 2025**, I’ll tweak the itinerary to account for:
- **Peak summer crowds** (strategic timing for popular spots).
- **Festivals/events** along your route.
- **Weather considerations** (hot in prairies, cool in mountains).
---
- # **?? August-Specific Adjustments**
- **Moraine Lake access:** The road is *closed to private vehicles* year-round—you’ll need to book the **Parks Canada shuttle** (releases April 2025) or bike in.
- **Lake Louise parking:** Arrive by **6:30am** in August or use the shuttle.
2. **Festivals/Events:**
- **Montreal (Aug 1–3):** Check for **Osheaga Music Festival** (if you like music, it’s fun but busy).
- **Edmonton (mid-August):** **Heritage Festival** (August 2–4, 2025)—great for multicultural food.
- **Calgary Stampede** ends July 20, so you’ll miss crowds (good for your dates!).
3. **Weather Prep:**
- **Quebec/Ontario:** Humid, 25–30°C (pack swimsuits, bug spray).
- **Prairies (SK/MB):** Very hot (30°C+), dry—hydrate and cover up.
- **Rockies:** Cool mornings (5–10°C), warm days (20–25°C)—layer up!
---
- # **?? Revised 4-Week Itinerary (August 2025 Optimized)**
- Key Changes:**
- **Alternative routes** to avoid crowds.
- **Book-ahead reminders** for critical stops.
- ## **Week 1: Quebec & Ontario (Aug 1–7)**
- Skip Osheaga if crowds aren’t your thing—opt for **Mondial de la Bière** (beer fest) or **Piknic Électronik** (family-friendly outdoor music).
- Swim at **Plage Jean-Doré** (parc Jean-Drapeau).
- **Quebec City (Aug 3–4):**
- Day trip to **Parc de la Chute-Montmorency** (waterfall zip line!).
- **Ottawa ? Algonquin (Aug 5–7):**
- Canoe **Canoe Lake** (quiet alternative to busy spots).
- ## **Week 2: Ontario ? Manitoba (Aug 8–14)**
- Visit **mid-week** to avoid weekend crowds.
- **Tobermory (Aug 9–10):**
- **Book parking for the Grotto NOW** (releases 5 months ahead—March 2025!).
- **Lake Superior (Aug 11–12):**
- Camp at **Agawa Bay** (epic sunsets, less busy than Pancake Bay).
- ## **Week 3: Prairies ? Alberta (Aug 15–21)**
- Stay at **Frenchman Valley Campground** (bison often roam through!).
- **Drumheller (Aug 17):**
- Visit **Royal Tyrrell Museum** on a weekday (less crowded).
- **Kananaskis (Aug 19–21):**
- Skip busy Banff—hike **Ptarmigan Cirque** (wildflowers peak in August!).
- ## **Week 4: Rockies ? Vancouver (Aug 22–29)**
- **Must-book shuttles:** Lake Louise (releases April 2025), Moraine Lake.
- Alternative: **Peyto Lake** (less crowded, equally stunning).
- **Jasper (Aug 25–26):**
- **Maligne Lake Cruise** (book ahead—kids love Spirit Island!).
- **Vancouver (Aug 27–29):**
- Swim at **Kitsilano Pool** (saltwater, epic skyline views).
---
- # **?? Budget Reallocation (Without Transport Costs)**
- **Accommodation:** $120–140/night (cabins/motels, fewer campsites).
- **Food:** $60/day (picnics + occasional restaurants).
- **Activities:** $20–40/day (prioritize park passes, 1–2 big splurges like Maligne cruise).
- Pro Tips for August:**
- **Grocery shop in big towns** (Winnipeg, Calgary) to save $.
- **Free swimming holes:**
- **Alberta:** Johnson Lake (Banff), Quarry Lake (Canmore).
- **BC:** Christina Lake (en route to Vancouver).
---
- # **?? Alternative Detours (If You Have Extra Time)**
2. **Waterton Lakes NP (AB):** Less crowded than Banff, stunning hikes.
Hopefully the formatting isn't to fudged up. Curtesy of our soon to be overlords the DPRC.
We did the Rockies (Vancouver to Calgary via Whistler, Banff and Jasper) in 2022, so a few comments on that end of the trip.
- Moraine Lake wasn't closed to private cars and was picturesque
- We didn't bother with a shuttle to Lake Louise, just drove up. Found it pretty but massively overrated/victim to Instagram
- A lot of Jasper burnt down last year (sadly)
- It doesn't mention the Columbia Ice fields between Jasper and Banff - well worth visiting, get driven on to a glacier in Arctic trucks and walk on glacier.
Don't underestimate the distances, they are huge. We did Vancouver- Whistler - Sun Peaks - Jasper - Banff - Calgary in 2 weeks and that was a lot of driving. Your trip starts 2500 miles further east so I'd have a serious think about daily mileage and whether you actually get to stop and see anything.
For the Rockies, LOTS of bug spray and wear long sleeves & trousers. Scottish midges on steroids is how I would describe it, I've never been bitten like that in my life, and I grew up in South Africa.
- Moraine Lake wasn't closed to private cars and was picturesque
- We didn't bother with a shuttle to Lake Louise, just drove up. Found it pretty but massively overrated/victim to Instagram
- A lot of Jasper burnt down last year (sadly)
- It doesn't mention the Columbia Ice fields between Jasper and Banff - well worth visiting, get driven on to a glacier in Arctic trucks and walk on glacier.
Don't underestimate the distances, they are huge. We did Vancouver- Whistler - Sun Peaks - Jasper - Banff - Calgary in 2 weeks and that was a lot of driving. Your trip starts 2500 miles further east so I'd have a serious think about daily mileage and whether you actually get to stop and see anything.
For the Rockies, LOTS of bug spray and wear long sleeves & trousers. Scottish midges on steroids is how I would describe it, I've never been bitten like that in my life, and I grew up in South Africa.
I did think the midges/mozzies might be an issue.
Will have to stock up.
Distance wise that itinerary is something like 6500km. A lot but thinking I can knock off a couple of big chunks in dedicated driving days, the likes of the prairies where 1000km might be possible.
Lots to think about. Could take internal flights and multiple hire cars if it's looking like too much.
Will have to stock up.
Distance wise that itinerary is something like 6500km. A lot but thinking I can knock off a couple of big chunks in dedicated driving days, the likes of the prairies where 1000km might be possible.
Lots to think about. Could take internal flights and multiple hire cars if it's looking like too much.
MarcelM6 said:
We did the Rockies (Vancouver to Calgary via Whistler, Banff and Jasper) in 2022, so a few comments on that end of the trip.
- Moraine Lake wasn't closed to private cars and was picturesque
- We didn't bother with a shuttle to Lake Louise, just drove up. Found it pretty but massively overrated/victim to Instagram
- A lot of Jasper burnt down last year (sadly)
- It doesn't mention the Columbia Ice fields between Jasper and Banff - well worth visiting, get driven on to a glacier in Arctic trucks and walk on glacier.
Don't underestimate the distances, they are huge. We did Vancouver- Whistler - Sun Peaks - Jasper - Banff - Calgary in 2 weeks and that was a lot of driving. Your trip starts 2500 miles further east so I'd have a serious think about daily mileage and whether you actually get to stop and see anything.
For the Rockies, LOTS of bug spray and wear long sleeves & trousers. Scottish midges on steroids is how I would describe it, I've never been bitten like that in my life, and I grew up in South Africa.
Did you like Sun Peaks?- Moraine Lake wasn't closed to private cars and was picturesque
- We didn't bother with a shuttle to Lake Louise, just drove up. Found it pretty but massively overrated/victim to Instagram
- A lot of Jasper burnt down last year (sadly)
- It doesn't mention the Columbia Ice fields between Jasper and Banff - well worth visiting, get driven on to a glacier in Arctic trucks and walk on glacier.
Don't underestimate the distances, they are huge. We did Vancouver- Whistler - Sun Peaks - Jasper - Banff - Calgary in 2 weeks and that was a lot of driving. Your trip starts 2500 miles further east so I'd have a serious think about daily mileage and whether you actually get to stop and see anything.
For the Rockies, LOTS of bug spray and wear long sleeves & trousers. Scottish midges on steroids is how I would describe it, I've never been bitten like that in my life, and I grew up in South Africa.
Way too much to cover, even with four weeks. And the driving is mostly hours and hours of nothingness.
Skip the prairies which have little of interest, and pick either west (BC and Alberta including Rockies) or east. And pick your arrival/departure airport accordingly, likely YVR or YYZ.
Go west if you want nature, scenery and wide-open spaces, east for culture and variety.
If heading east Quebec is fascinating, a mashup of North American and European influences. And the French-speaking Acadian region in New Brunswick doesn't get talked about but it's really distinctive and brimming with history, being one of the oldest regions on the continent.
In August you have the east-coast beaches which are some of the best in the world, and summer beach culture as made famous in countless movies (much more on the east coast than the west coast). And you'd have time to go further, to the maritimes and even Newfoundland each of which offer something different again.
Skip the prairies which have little of interest, and pick either west (BC and Alberta including Rockies) or east. And pick your arrival/departure airport accordingly, likely YVR or YYZ.
Go west if you want nature, scenery and wide-open spaces, east for culture and variety.
If heading east Quebec is fascinating, a mashup of North American and European influences. And the French-speaking Acadian region in New Brunswick doesn't get talked about but it's really distinctive and brimming with history, being one of the oldest regions on the continent.
In August you have the east-coast beaches which are some of the best in the world, and summer beach culture as made famous in countless movies (much more on the east coast than the west coast). And you'd have time to go further, to the maritimes and even Newfoundland each of which offer something different again.
friends live in Vancouver and their take on it (when I mentioned driving across from Toronto) was "...don't, just don't..." the middle of Canada/the prairies are bigger than you can imagine and monotonous after the first few hours, which I can well believe. As previously mentioned the Columbia icefields are a cracking visit for both the glacier buses and the skywalk, Banff is lovely too. We did Vancouver to Banff on the Rocky Mountaineer which was jaw-dropping - and had the advantage of being able to concentrate on the scenery rather than driving (though in fairness if you're driving you can pretty much stop wherever there's something interesting to see. So swings and roundabouts)
MarcelM6 said:
Rich_ said:
Did you like Sun Peaks?
Yes, went there after Whistler, which was amazing but busy and expensive. Sun Peaks not quite as glamorous, but we like that. Only spent 2 days there, went and hiked at the top of the mountain. I'd describe it as quaint and worth 1 to 2 days.I have road tripped up to the Canadian Rockies from the US a couple of times. We drove up the coast and around Vancouver BC to get to Prince George and then came down the spine of the rockies (Valemount, Jasper, Banff, Canmore), then turned around to come back via the arguably more scenic west side of the mountains. Chateau Lake Louise, Revelstoke, Kelowna and then down into Washington State to take in the Coulee Dam and back home. If you are going to dip into the US, then there is a reason to come a bit further east on the way south so that you can come across the `Going to the Sun road' in Glacier National Park in Montana. Note that this is the last road in the US to get cleared of snow and it can be as late as mid July. There is a website so you can get real time information.
The way south on the east of the Rockies in Alberta and thence eastern Montana is miles of bland prairies. If you've been really, really bad in this life you will probably spend your next in Browning, Montana.
We had to postpone our second trip a couple of years (2023/2022), because by late august and sept. large chunks of BC was on fire or under a smoke screen, even Vancouver Island. Late June/July seems more optimum to me.
We drive at or around the speed limit (+10mph) but are careful to observe limits in towns... Plan on 400 miles per day driving and that will leave you time to stop to get pictures and gas and food, but not a lot of hiking or swimming etc. Add in more stuff like that and you need to cut mileage appropriately. For a `driving' holiday 400-450 seems about right for me YMMV.
Banff and Jasper book up early - We stayed in Canmore (to be near Banff) and Valemount to be near Jasper.
We didn't get on any glacier wagons, the drive itself is plenty spectacular - again as a calibration point we drove from Valemount to Jasper, had a nice breakfast, down the Icefields parkway and to Canmore for dinner & hotel. We stopped for photos and nibbles and not a lot else. It was a full day.
The Icefields parkway is not to be missed. Underline twice/bold type, exclamation mark etc.
Lake Louise is fabulous but get there early to minimise crowds which are oppressive - but they are there for good reason.
I can't speak the east coast of Canada however, I have it on good authority that the middle of the country is to be flown over
The way south on the east of the Rockies in Alberta and thence eastern Montana is miles of bland prairies. If you've been really, really bad in this life you will probably spend your next in Browning, Montana.
We had to postpone our second trip a couple of years (2023/2022), because by late august and sept. large chunks of BC was on fire or under a smoke screen, even Vancouver Island. Late June/July seems more optimum to me.
We drive at or around the speed limit (+10mph) but are careful to observe limits in towns... Plan on 400 miles per day driving and that will leave you time to stop to get pictures and gas and food, but not a lot of hiking or swimming etc. Add in more stuff like that and you need to cut mileage appropriately. For a `driving' holiday 400-450 seems about right for me YMMV.
Banff and Jasper book up early - We stayed in Canmore (to be near Banff) and Valemount to be near Jasper.
We didn't get on any glacier wagons, the drive itself is plenty spectacular - again as a calibration point we drove from Valemount to Jasper, had a nice breakfast, down the Icefields parkway and to Canmore for dinner & hotel. We stopped for photos and nibbles and not a lot else. It was a full day.
The Icefields parkway is not to be missed. Underline twice/bold type, exclamation mark etc.
Lake Louise is fabulous but get there early to minimise crowds which are oppressive - but they are there for good reason.
I can't speak the east coast of Canada however, I have it on good authority that the middle of the country is to be flown over
fttm said:
TBH you’re better off flying Toronto/ London/ Thunder Bay to Calgary then slightly back tracking to Drumheller . The thought of driving (4-5) days rather than fly is a waste of your holiday , it’s a long way !
This might be the route we'll go. I don't mind long boring drives but I might get out voted. The main reason for flying into Montreal was it was £280pp Return which in August seemed like an absolute bargain to me.
Isn't the tax on that flight nearly £100?
That could lead to some significant mission creep...
Assuming you're coming from the north, you could easily do `Going to the sun' road in Montana Glacier National Park https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Going-to-the-Sun_Roa...
Then to Berkeley Pit in Butte
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkeley_Pit
then drop down to Yellowstone
On the way there is a nice breakfast place call Jam! in Bozeman
NW of Yellowstone is Earthquake lake is curious (not dramatic to look at, just curious in how it was formed)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quake_Lake
---Yellowstone...----
South of Yellowstone is Grand Teton National Park
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Teton_National...
and then you drop out in Jackson hole. The 22 heading NW out of Jackson is a nice road
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beartooth_Highway
And also a small town called Thermopolis and the `Big Spring'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermopolis,_Wyoming
To the west is Idaho National Lab
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idaho_National_Labor...
I wouldn't bet on getting in, however, there are some interesting little spots around it
The site of the first experimental breeder reactor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experimental_Breeder...
Atomic city
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_City,_Idaho
The Sail of the the submarine USS Hawkbill #666 is stuk in the ground next to the road (hwy 26) in
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Hawkbill_(SSN-66...
And you're not far from a picturesque lava flow
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craters_of_the_Moon_...
Assuming you're coming from the north, you could easily do `Going to the sun' road in Montana Glacier National Park https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Going-to-the-Sun_Roa...
Then to Berkeley Pit in Butte
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkeley_Pit
then drop down to Yellowstone
On the way there is a nice breakfast place call Jam! in Bozeman
NW of Yellowstone is Earthquake lake is curious (not dramatic to look at, just curious in how it was formed)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quake_Lake
---Yellowstone...----
South of Yellowstone is Grand Teton National Park
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Teton_National...
and then you drop out in Jackson hole. The 22 heading NW out of Jackson is a nice road
- Note that you have to pay to get into the national parks. If you are going to see Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton it's cheaper to buy an annual pass than three separate one day passes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beartooth_Highway
And also a small town called Thermopolis and the `Big Spring'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermopolis,_Wyoming
To the west is Idaho National Lab
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idaho_National_Labor...
I wouldn't bet on getting in, however, there are some interesting little spots around it
The site of the first experimental breeder reactor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experimental_Breeder...
Atomic city
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_City,_Idaho
The Sail of the the submarine USS Hawkbill #666 is stuk in the ground next to the road (hwy 26) in
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Hawkbill_(SSN-66...
And you're not far from a picturesque lava flow
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craters_of_the_Moon_...
Few years back we flew into Vancouver then took the ferry to Vancouver island for 4 days. Went south to north to go bear watching and then back down south for the ferry back to Vancouver for a few days. Then it was Whistler, Jasper, Kamloops, Banff and then out to Calgary. We did approx 1500miles over 17 days and have to say the last dead flat bit towards Calgary was dull AF, it was the only bit of the drive where I felt like having a kip. If you google map the trip you'll see how small a trip it was compared to rest of Canada.
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