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Canada – Stunningly beautiful, Picture-Perfect Scenery

The Canadian Rockies has been on my travel to-do list for a long time. So many people raved about the beauty and scenery, that I had to put it on my list. After my first visit to Canada, I am already planning on going back!

A little history on how Canada got to where it is today. On July 1, 1867, the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick united to form the Dominion of Canada. Western expansion led to the creation of new provinces. Canada achieved full constitutional independence from Britain in 1982.

Canada is made up of 10 provinces and 3 territories.

  • Provinces possess their own governments and powers derived from the Constitution Act, 1867.
  • Territories are governed directly by the federal government, though they have their own legislative assemblies

My time in Canda was limited to 2 weeks and at the end of my trip, I was not ready to come home. I wanted MORE! To feel closer to nature, I traveled through Canada in my car with my RTT (Roof Top Tent). My trip started in British Columbia and then ferry/drove from Vancouver to the Canadian Rockies. I stayed in Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, and drove (multiple times) the Icefields Parkway.

If you decide to do any driving in Canada, make sure to download the Guide Along Canadian Tours that covers where you are going to be. There were a couple of times I didn’t have anything planned for the day, so I just followed the route and stops the tour recommended. It is definitely worth it!

British Columbia

I decided to visit Victoria, BC because I have never seen Beutchart Gardens! There is really no wrong time to visit. The Gardens are impeccably maintained, and something is always blooming. For peak blooming season, the best time is in April-May.

Just reaching Victoria, BC is an adventure. I purchased Ferry tickets ahead of time (recommended) so I could choose my departure and arrival time in Victoria. Since I was driving, I also had to include the length and height of my vehicle to ensure I was loaded on the correct floor and location in the Ferry.

  • When traveling from the US -> Victoria Island, book ferry tickets through Black Ball Ferry Lines. I departed the US from Port Angeles and arrived in port Victoria
  • When traveling from Victoria -> Vancouver, book ferry tickets through BC Ferries. I departed from Victoria (Swartz Bay) and arrived in port Vancouver (Tsawwassen).

The least stressful way to see Victoria is to park downtown and then walk. To make this easier, download and configure the Victoria Parking App ahead of time.

Waiting for the ferry in Port Angeles to cross to Victoria BC, Canada
Beutchart Gardens entrance – I arrived as soon as the Gardens opened. A couple of hours later, it was really crowded!
Even though I visited in the middle of summer, there were still amazing colors and lots of flowers in bloom
A beautiful Bearded Iris
Himalayan Blue Poppy. They bloom 1 or 2 weeks out of the year, and I happened to hit it!
This is the Ross Fountain, and it was installed in 1964. It is amazing it is still working after all of these years.
Victoria Harbor – it is a VERY busy waterway – somehow the harbor, airport, whale watching tours, etc. all seem to navigate each other successfully.
Water Taxi in Victoria BC. I used this method to travel around Victoria Harbor. The Boat Captain was very informative, and the Taxi boat is so cute!
You can walk among the floating homes in Fisherman’s Wharf. Each one is brightly painted and there is a small restaurant section if you want a bite to eat.

Recommendations

Lodging
  • Airbnb – Brentwood Bay – this Airbnb was nice, though small. There is only room for 2 people and no more. It is within walking distance (a little over a mile) to Beutchart Gardens as well as some decent restaurants.
Restaurants
  • Brentwood Bay Brewskys Taphouse – I ate here a couple of times. They have a variety of decent food such that Mike and I could each find something we liked.
Activities

Canadian Rockies

The best time to visit the Canadian Rockies is from mid-June to mid-September for hiking, kayaking, and warm weather. September to early October is ideal for fewer crowds, fall foliage , and wildlife viewing. July and August offer the best weather but are busiest

The Canadian Rockies is made up of Jasper to the North, Banff to the South, and Lake Louise just North/West of Banff. The road between Jasper and Lake Louise is the Icefields Parkway and is considered the most beautiful drive in the world.

If you are driving through the Canadian Rockies in the winter, there are very strict tire requirements. Winter tires with the 3-peaked mountain/snowflake symbol are mandatory on most Canadian Rockies highways (especially in B.C. and National Parks) from October 1 to March 31 or April 30, with a minimum tread depth of 3.5 mm. Mud and Snow (M+S) tires are legally acceptable but less effective than specialized winter tires for icy, snowy, and mountainous conditions. If your tires don’t meet the required standards, you’ll be turned away and fined, especially if you end up blocking traffic.

To make your Canadian Rockies trip more enjoyable, I recommend purchasing a Parks Canada Pass ahead of time. I purchased the Discovery because I knew I would be entering and exiting Canadian National Parks multiple times, and it was overall cheaper to go with the Discovery Pass.

Banff

Banff National Park is Canada’s first National Park. It was established in 1885 and encompasses 6,641 Square Kilometers. The Canadian Pacific Railway was instrumental in Banff’s early years in bringing tourists to Banff after the hot springs were discovered.

When camping in Banff, I heard the trains at all hours during the day, even at night. So be prepared with ear plugs to help minimize the train whistle noise.

View from the Banff National Park Administrative Building. This is an iconic angle and worth walking around the grounds
Banff National Park has a golf course! There is an opportunity to spot wildlife here – like this coyote.
Mount Norquay is very close to Banff. It is worth the drive and short hike to capture this view looking back towards Banff and be beautiful mountains.
You never know what you are going to see while driving around. There was a small herd of Big Horn Sheep near the side of the road.
Banff National Park has Hoodoos (they are a type of rock formation). If you drive past the Hoodoos, there is a turnout that will give you this view.
Lake Minnewanka – it is the seconds longest glacial lake in the Canadian Rockies. It has a couple really nice hikes; although, some hiking areas require at least 4 people due to potential bears.

Recommendations

Lodging
Activities

There are no direct links to these attractions. It is getting in your car and driving. Downloading and listening to the GuideAlong “Canadian Rockies” tour is very information and enlightening

  • Downtown Banff
  • Walk around Banff National Park Administrative Building
  • Hoodoos
  • Lake Minnewanka
  • Mount Norquay
  • Drive Banff Springs Golf Course

Jasper

Jasper is more rustic, expansive, closer to nature than its southern Banff and Lake Louise cousins. Jasper is also recognized as a Dark Sky Preserve, so if you are into stargazing, the Jasper area is the place to be.

Depending on what you want to see, here is a recommendation on when to visit, depending on what you want to see:

  • July-August – Warm weather and everything is open.
  • September – Stunning fall colors, active wildlife, and less crowds.
  • Late May/June – Ideal for the fewer crowds and stunning waterfalls due to snow melt.
  • March – Winter activities.

Be aware when visiting Jasper, a devastating wildfire tore through Jasper back in July, 2024. I visited less than a year later and even though seeing everything burned, I was amazed by the resilience by nature and humans. There are a lot of green shoots coming up from the ground, and the Jasper locals have kept business as well as attractions open as much as possible.

The nature and beauty around Jasper are breathtaking. Make sure to give yourself a few days to be able to wander around and explore the area.

The next block over from main street Jasper was wiped out by the fire. The locals have incredible resilience.
Given the extent of the Jasper fire, I was amazed as to how many things were open.
Looking down from Old Fort Point Trail. The fire opened the view of what could be seen due to the lake of trees.
The extent of the fire was depressing; however, I tried to find “art” while I was out hiking.
Horseshoe Lake reflections – the stillness of the lake provided a great mirror effect.
Everywhere I looked on trails, there was green new growth sprouting. Even the fire couldn’t kill dandelions!
Make sure the passenger is always scanning for wildlife – this Black Bear was just munching by the side of the road.
Beautiful colors and topography at Lake Annette.
Pyramid Mountain – the snow run-off is what feeds Pyramid Lake.
Pyramid Lake- I returned to this lake a couple of times while I was in Jasper.
While driving to find a place to have picnic dinner, I found these elk frolicking in the water at Pyramid Lake Beach
Sunset at Pyramid Lake – was hoping the wind would calm down for a mirror photo, but nature did not cooperate.
I found this little lake and view on a tiny side trail from the main trail around Patricia Lake.
Parent and Eagle Chicklets – this was at Medicine Lake. I was at least 100m away and used a zoom lens (and after cropping) to post this shot.
Maligne Lake on a cloudy, overcast day. It was blue skies and sunny in the afternoon, so come prepared for all weather conditions.

Recommendations

Lodging
  • Camping – Miette Campground. I stayed in site #D16
    • Unlike Banff and Lake Louise, Jasper/Miette is not near trains, so the nights are quieter
  • Link to Park Canada Reservation website – Enter “Jasper” in the location
Activities
  • Downtown Jasper – I made sure to have one dinner and reloaded on groceries to help the Jasper economy.
  • Horseshoe Lake
  • Lake Annette
  • Maligne Lake
  • Medicine Lake
  • Old Fort Point Trail
  • Patricia Lake
  • Pyramid Lake

Lake Louise

blah bla blah

To visit Lake Louise and Lake Moraine, you need to take a shuttle. I chose to the shuttle that will visit Lake Moraine first because I thought it would be easier to pick up the shuttle to Lake Louise from there than vice-versa. Based on the crowds at the Lake Louise shuttle lot, I was really happy I went with that approach.

You need to buy the shuttle tickets ahead of time (they sell out fast!) on the Parks Canada Reservations website. I personally found the website hard to navigate, so I went into the visitor center and there was a person there who was able to help me out.

Old avalanche slide at Lake Moraine
Lake Moraine – beautiful despite the weather
Lake Louise – a little busier than Lake Moraine
Mirror Lake and the Big Beahive in the background
Scenic view of the Beehive and Mountains
It was COLD at Lake Agnes – it still had ice on the water.

Recommendations

Lodging
  • Camping – Lake Louise Campground. I stayed in site #I6
    • As mentioned earlier, you will hear train whistles at night regardless of where you camp in Lake Louise
  • Link to Park Canada Reservation website – Enter “Banff-Lake Louise” in the location
Activities
  • Lake Moraine – take the shuttle here first; it is easier to pick up the shuttle to Lake Louise.
  • Lake Louise
  • Mirror Lake
  • Lake Agnes

Icefields Parkway

Icefields Parkway is a 144-mile scenic drive from Lake Louise to Jasper National Park. Give yourself at least a full day to see the Icefields Parkway. Note – a Parks Canada Pass is required to drive the Icefields Parkway.

When I drove from Banff to Jasper, I left early in the morning, and I still was not able to see everything. The good news is I was able to visit the places I missed when I drove from Jasper back to Lake Louise a few days later.

Recommendations

Activities
  • Herbert Lake reflections
  • Bow Lake
  • Bow Valley Parkway
  • Peyto Lake
  • Mistaya Canyon and River
  • View from Sunwapta Pass
  • Athabasca Glacier
  • Columbia Glacier
  • Athabasca Falls
  • Stanley Falls
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