RVing the Canadian Rockies

Our trip started in the nearest city to Banff of Calgary where we went to pick up our RV. We were excited but a little nervous about the prospect of driving such a large vehicle in a strange country (and on the other side of the road) but once we got on the road we were absolutely fine! We rented our RV from t once we got on the road we were absolutely fine! We rented our RV from CanaDream and had opted for the Deluxe Van Camper which was fantastic for the two of us and would highly recommend. Off we headed via a supermarket on towards Banff.

Approaching the Rocky Mountains from Calgary is an unforgettable experience. As you leave the city and head west on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), the landscape begins to transform going from the flat prairies to the rolling foothills, and soon, the jaw dropping peaks of the Rockies start to appear on the horizon.

The drive from Calgary to Banff took us around 1.5 hours and darkness was starting to fall as we checked into our first campsite Two Jack Lakeside.  We saw elk and deer enroute so we were getting excited about the wildlife to come! This campsite has a beautiful setting in the trees besides Two Jack Lake. We had a little potter to the shore before we got ourselves ready for bed and got a good night sleep for the rest of the trip ahead. 

We awoke the next morning to find bear poo (!!!) just outside our door. It both excited and terrified me in one breadth - sad not to have seen the bear but also really pleased that we were safe inside our RV. We had only managed to secure one nights stay at Two Jack Lakeside so headed out for our first adventure for the day on to Johnston Canyon to do the Ink Pots Trail.

This trail is a beautiful one that starts by walking up the canyon before arriving at the beautiful clear blue mineral springs. We thought the scenery was absolutely spectacular - but this was only the beginning! Johnston Canyon itself is wonderful and stunning - you’ll walk along catwalks and bridges, passing by the Lower and Upper Falls. I'd definitely recommend a visit here even if you don't make it to the Ink Pots. On our way back the heavens opened and we got absolutely drenched - this was the first time we realised how convenient it was to have the RV! Rather than having to get into a car dripping wet to head to our accommodation - we were already there! A quick change and we were on our way to check in to Lake Louise Campground for the next three nights.

If you are interested here is some more information on the Ink Pots Trail below. If not the blog continues below.

The next morning we were up and off early to head to Lake Louise and our chosen hike of the day - the Plain of the Six Glaciers. We got Lake Louise as early as we could to get parked and to try and avoid the crowds (a lot of which arrive by bus for a quick photo of the lake before heading off to their next destination). We spent a little time at the front taking photos and then headed along to shore to start our hike with the trailhead located near the iconic Fairmount Chateau Lake Louise. The hike starts with a gentle walk along the shoreline of Lake Louise and as you leave the lake behind, the trail begins to ascend. The higher you climb, the more spectacular the views become and the closer to the glaciers you get! At the end of the trail we found ourself in a natural amphitheater surrounded by six glaciers which was truly spectacular. We chose here to sit and eat our packed lunch which was a wonderful experience! We'd made good time on the hike so decided that we would take an additional route back down and head via the Lake Agnes Tea House which also saw us via the Big Beehive and Mirror Lake.

The Lake Agnes Tea House is special little place and is definitely worth the visit. It was built in 1901 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, it started serving tea in 1905. It has rustic charm with wooden tables and chairs and we got to sit outside (complete in our hats and gloves). It's worth knowing that the Tea House only accepts cash. From here we headed on the trail back down to Lake Louise and back to the RV. Our plan for the evening was to try and get to Moraine Lake (as it is difficult to park and they shut the entrance road when it is too busy - please note that even this has changed since we went so please check how to get to the lake if you want to go).

After we recharged our batteries a little back at the campground we headed to Moraine Lake as it near sunset and we got lucky and managed to get parked! When we arrived we were greeted by the breathtaking backdrop that surrounds the lake. In all honestly I felt a pang of disappointment looking at the lake as it didn't appear as blue as I was expecting - but sure enough once we walked up to the view point I was stunned - the lake is really as blue as you see in the pictures. We were so pleased to have made it!

Up and off early the next day we were headed to Emerald Lake - we got to the car park and then cooked our breakfast - bacon and eggs with this stunning scenery is just magical. We decided to the the Emerald Lake Loop which is a trail that circles the lake and is an easy hike - after the mammoth hike the day before. It was amazing to see the colour of the lake and how green this is compared to the other glacial lakes we'd seen so far! After our walk we decided to rental a rowing boat and get out on the lake. Paddling on the calm, clear waters was such a lovely experience. We were so glad we had done it here rather than at Lake Louise as it is much quieter (and cheaper!). Some other highlights of our day were takakkaw falls and the kicking horse river.

SNOW! We awoke to winter and not just a little bit of snow - but full on snow plough needed snow! I know that the weather is changeable in the Rockies but it was early September so this took me by surprise! Luckily we had packed a lot of clothes so we could layer up to keep warm but I was worried about weather we would make it to Jasper as today was the day we were driving the Icefields Parkway which can close in certain weathers!

Luckily the road was still open and on we went. If I had been nervous about driving the RV before - this made me a little bit of a nervous wreck. On we headed and made all the stops we had planned but unfortunately some of the views weren't there given the weather - however - the snow did make some of the views even more amazing and I have to say I couldn't really be disappointed. Our highlights were Athabasca Glacier, Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Falls. We even saw a bald eagle eating the carcass of what we think was an elk in the middle of a river which was incredible to see! Another benefit to the RV was having our cooked lunch overlooking the Athabasca Glacier! We finally got to Wapiti campground and got a fire lit and had a lovely dinner of sausages before heading to bed. Of all the campgrounds we stayed in Wapiti was our favourite as it felt more in the wilderness and still had facilities.