Crossing the Canadian Rockies: 13 Sensational Stops On A Calgary To Vancouver Road Trip

To truly enjoy the drive between these two major cities in Western Canada, give yourself a few days to explore and take in the views from Calgary to Vancouver.

This is one of the most scenic drives in Western Canada, as the landscape is ever-changing from bright blue lakes, mountain ranges, forests, wildlife, and glaciers. There is so much natural beauty to see!

Along the way, you will pass through Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, Kamloops, Hope, and Chilliwack, which are all great locations to stop and visit. There are so many fun activities to do along the way, including hiking, exploring small towns, swimming, shopping, hot springs, kayaking, and much more!

Keep reading to find out more about the best stops on our Calgary and Vancouver road trip itinerary; we have covered what to see and where to stop! Our guide will provide helpful tips for this road trip, whether you are driving in a car or an RV.

Distance from Calgary to Vancouver – How Long Do I Need to Drive?

How Far Is Calgary From Vancouver?

The distance from Calgary to Vancouver is 1,057 kilometers (660 miles), taking the fastest route.

The drive from Calgary to Vancouver without stops takes 12 hours and 15 minutes. Most of the way, you will take Trans-Canada Highway 1 to Kamploops, then Highway 99. You will want to take 2-3 days to really enjoy the stops along the way, although we’d recommend longer to explore the incredible national and provincial parks more thoroughly.

An alternate route would be to head from Calgary towards Vancouver on Highway 22 (aka The Cowboy Trail) until you reach Lundbreck. From there, take Highway 3 through Fernie and Cranbrook, continuing on Highway 3 until you reach Hope, British Columbia.

From Hope, you will take Trans Canada Highway 1 towards Vancouver. This route takes 14 hours and is 1,226 kilometers (760 miles). It passes through Abbotsford, Surrey, Cranbrook, and Fernie, which are also fabulous stops in the Rocckies.  

For the purpose of this guide, we will focus on stops to make on the shorter northern route. 

Best Time Of Year To Drive From Vancouver To Calgary

In the summer, the highways are well-maintained. However, the drive can be slow as you hit congestion and maintenance work on the main roads that can only take place during the warmer months of summer.

If you have a choice in timing, early September, once the schools have returned, can be a much quieter time of year to enjoy this journey.

Although the mountains can look beautiful in winter, the weather between Calgary and Vancouver can be unpredictable and treacherous. If you are attempting this drive in the winter, snow tires are recommended (and often a legal requirement). 

It is best to check Alberta and British Columbia road conditions for up-to-date changes.

What Sort of Vehicle Do I Need To Cross the Rockies?

All of the places we have recommended on this Calgary to Vancouver itinerary are accessible in a normal 2WD sedan vehicle or SUV. If you are heading further off-the-beaten path, you’ll want to consider a 4WD.

We’d recommend booking your rental car early if you are flying in to commence your journey from Calgary in the summer as options for family-sized vehicles especially do book out. We have used and recommend Discover Cars to explore your rental options in Canada.

It’s possible to make this journey as a one-way hire in either direction; hire cars can be taken across provinces without issue (you’ll be crossing from Alberta to British Columbia).

From our experience, we’d expect you to pay approximately a $100 CAD fee for the one-way drop-off (if your car hire quote is coming back in the $000s, choose another company!).

13 Best Stops On A Calgary To Vancouver Road Trip

Depending on the length of the journey, you can include every major town/point of interest or pick out some highlights or overnight stopping points only.

So many places between Calgary and Vancouver are worth visiting and enjoying. We’ve included 13 different locations so you and your family can pick and choose stops based on your interests.

Most people choose to road trip in the Summer, so we will focus on summer activities. However, most locations offer a sensational range of winter activities as well, making it one of the most magical places to visit in Canada in winter.

Kananaskis

Explore “Alberta’s Mountain Playground” in Kananaskis Country, located between Banff National Park and Calgary. Kananaskis Country is home to some of the most beautiful areas in Alberta and outdoor activities, and the bonus is that it is not as busy with tourists as the other national parks we’ll mention in this guide. 

In Kananaskis, you will find four wildland provincial parks and five provincial parks just waiting to be explored. If you are looking to explore the rugged terrain, we highly recommend the Grassi Lakes trail, which is located in the wildlife corridor and where you will see the aquamarine lakes similar to the popular Lake Moraine.

Grassi Lakes has two trails: an easier path that showcases a dense forest and rock faces with hidden pictographs, while the more difficult route will take you to a steep section to view a waterfall and the town of Canmore in the distance. The easier route is about 5 km and is definitely family-friendly for most fitness levels.

The next choice is to visit Peter Lougheed Park, which is known for having two beautiful, clean lakes: Upper and Lower Kananaskis. These lakes were natural lakes but have been expanded for hydroelectric projects. This is the perfect location to stop for a picnic lunch and take in the scenery. The lakes also offer the opportunity for kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding.

If you are interested in seeing wildlife, then you should consider the day-use trails, where you may spot wildlife such as bears, coyotes, elk, and mountain goats. If you like adventure, then you may want to check out the High Rockies Trail from the Black Prince.

Pro Tip: You will need to purchase a day pass to explore the parks. However, they can be purchased online for only $15. If you prefer buying in person, they are available at multiple visitor centers in Kananaskis Country.

Canmore

Stop in for a quick visit or check in for the evening and take a stroll down 8th Street, a pedestrian-only area with boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants. It is a gorgeous area for a stroll, as you can see the Rocky Mountains in the distance. Every Thursday in the summer, the Farmer’s Market is located on 8th Street.

Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk is the perfect area to stop with kids as it is an accessible walkway from the downtown area. At the entrance of the trail, you will find the Big Head Sculpture, which is a unique sculpture to see.  The 4km walk will take you through the forest and along the water for an easy scenic walk.

Pro Tip: Accommodation is much more affordable in Canmore than Banff; we recommend making this your first overnight stop before heading into the national park.

Banff

Visiting Banff is about taking in beautiful landscapes and exploring nature. Banff National Park is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream as there are so many beautiful landscapes to look at, but don’t worry, the kids will entertain themselves with nature along the trails. 

Lake Louise

Enjoy the picturesque views of Lake Louise as you canoe and take great family photos with a mountain backdrop. Canoeing is a fun activity you can do as a family and make memories in this beautiful setting. You can rent the canoe from the Lake Louise boathouse. 

Bow Valley Parkway

The Bow Valley Parkway takes about an hour to drive and connects Lake Louise and Banff. As you drive through this section, lookout for the following; you may choose to stop at some of the lookout points.

Yoho National Park

High in the mountains of Yoho, you will find Burgess Shale fossils which are some of the oldest pieces of evidence of life on earth. Join a guided hike where you can choose to visit one of three different locations: Mount Stephen, Walcott Quarry, and Stanley Glacier (all have varying hiking distances).

The fossils are located high in the mountains pressed into the rock bed showing evidence of marine ecosystems from over 5 million years ago. This is a must-do Canadian Rockies Experience.

Parks Canada has placed over 200 red Adirondack chairs across Canada in unique treasured natural locations, and 2 sets of these chairs can be found while strolling through Yoho National Park. The chairs in Yoho National Park are located at Takakkaw Falls, and Yoho Lake, so sit and enjoy the quiet and peacefulness of the view.

Golden

Golden, British Columbia, is a great center point from some of Canada’s most beautiful scenery found in the following national parks: Yoho, Glacier, Kootenay, Jasper, Banff, and Mount Revelstoke. This is a great place to stop overnight, and then plan to visit one of these spectacular parks to enjoy hiking, waterfalls, lake views, and rich historical landmarks.

Golden, BC is a wilderness lover’s paradise as there is lots of hiking, water sports, fishing, white water rafting, and so much more to explore. Families will want to visit the Golden Golf Club Mini Golf Course, and the Golden Sky Bridge, located feet above the canyon with amazing views. 

Glacier National Park

This is a beautiful National Park to simply enjoy the 360-degree view of alpine scenery and is open year-round.

If you are looking for a quick stretch break, then we suggest the Rockgarden Trail, which takes about 20 minutes to complete and will give you a quick view of the natural beauty of this park as you view the Selkirk Mountains.

Make sure you stop at the Memory Garden and Summit Monument to learn more about the rich history of the park and its involvement in Canada’s first trans-continental railway and highway.

Glacier National Park also offers a full day of exploring. If you have time, you will want to check out Roger’s Pass Discovery Centre, Hemlock Grove Boardwalk, Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk, Meadows in the Sky Parkway, and Glacier House to learn about the area’s true history and natural changes due to climate change.

Salmon Arm

Harold’s Provincial Park is home to a variety of hiking trails, including Margaret’s Falls, which is a stunning waterfall accessible by a few of the trails. The lower trails are accessible, so they are great for young kids and will take you along Shuswap Lake, through old-growth forest areas until you reach the magical waterfall.

Kamloops

Whenever we visit Kamloops, we make sure that we visit Riverside Park in the heart of the city as it is a great spot for families. Riverside park has two amazing playgrounds, a walking trail with a lookout to the Thompson River, and a splash pad.

In the summertime, there is a small concession stand that you can buy lunch from and eat at a nearby picnic table. Make sure you save room as Scoopz Ice Cream shop is located just across the street and has many ice cream treats to choose from.

Another family-friendly stop is at BC Wildlife Park, which is home to over 65 species of animals and 200 animals, including grizzly bears, cougars, wolves, and birds of prey. These animals are all animals that have been saved from the wild as they could no longer survive in the wild on their own.

The park runs a fun train around the park on weekends that the kids will enjoy. This wildlife park is the perfect excursion as it is not very big, so the whole park can be visited in 2-3 hours making it a great spot to stop and stretch your legs.

We’d suggest making this another overnight stop as there are several activities in the area and a decent range of accommodation options for different budgets. Sandman Signature Kamloops puts you in a good location on the waterfront and offers family rooms.

Bridal Veil Falls

This is one of the quicker stops you can make along the route, however, you don’t want to miss viewing this beautiful cascading waterfall that is over 60 meters tall. The water flows over the smooth rock face and creates a veil effect, thus giving the park the name Bridal Veil Falls. 

You will want to complete both walking trails to create a loop from the parking lot to the waterfall. Follow the path and then cross over the wooden bridge to get the best viewpoint of the falls.

The trail is uphill but not too steep. It takes you through the forest along the riverbank until you reach the falls. You can take the Woodland trail back to the parking lot or take the junction to the left to stop at a great picnic spot for lunch.

Crazy Creek Hot Pools

Experience the benefits of geothermal hot pools that are nestled in the woods among the mountain views. Relax in one of four pools at Crazy Creek Hot Pools, all ranging at varying temperatures from 40°C to 12°C (104°F to 54°F).

This family-friendly activity is available for children three years old and up, and a family pass costs $50 for two adults and two children.

Crazy Creek Resort also offers accommodations, including RV sites, tent camping, and cabins. The resort has so much for kids to do, including playgrounds, a bike track, waterfalls, and a suspension bridge accessible by walking trails, and is near many fun attractions like the Enchanted Forest, which is an old-growth forest with over 350 fairy sculptures along the mystic trail.

Cultus Lake

While Cultus Lake is a little bit of a detour, it is only 11 km south of Chilliwack which you will pass through on your way to Vancouver. Cultus Lake is the ultimate outdoor family playground and is the gem of the Fraser Valley. This recreation hub offers Cultus Lake, which is perfect for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and swimming. 

Destination Cultus is a kid’s dream destination as it is home to a water park as well as an amusement park so that the whole family will be entertained. When you’re worn out from the park, you can check out the variety of amazing local restaurants, such as Lakeside Beach Club, which makes amazing wraps.

If you are looking for a resting spot, Sunnyside Campground has over 65 acres of campgrounds and lots of activities for the kids, such as playgrounds, boat rentals, and basketball and volleyball courts.