RVing to 5 Awe-Inspiring National Parks in the Canadian Rockies

RVing to 5 Awe-Inspiring National Parks in the Canadian Rockies
Exploring Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, and Mount Revelstoke.

By: Christian Gilbert

As we closed in on number fifty of the U.S. National Parks (part of our “life list”), we decided to point our Winnebago Solis – National Park Foundation Limited Edition, of course! – north to check out what Canada has to offer in regards to the national park experience.

We are HUGE national park fans, to say the least, but we have been so focused on our U.S. parks prize that we kind of forget that there is a huge country sitting north of the continental USA waiting to be explored. Well folks, our neighbors to the north have a treasure trove of outdoor experiences, which very much rival our own national park offerings.

So, welcome to Canada! Canada is the world’s second largest country by land area, so the massive size of this country can be a deterrent for a traveler to take on for the first time. The sheer size and travel times to access this country are a bit daunting, but we believe the perfect starting point to start “unlocking” this country is a cluster of national parks 50 miles west of the metropolis of Calgary, Alberta. (FYI - Calgary, with a population of 1.3 million, is only 200 miles from the U.S. border). 

The Canadian National Parks within this cluster near Calgary are Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, and Mount Revelstoke. (Plus, if you go a little further north you can go to Jasper!). These six parks are situated in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, which means that adventures will be packed full of endless waterfalls, glaciers, snowy peaks, wildlife, and miles upon miles (oops) ... kilometers upon kilometers of hiking trails to explore.

1. Mount Revelstoke National Park, British Columbia

Mount Revelstoke National Park is a pretty basic park, which means the bulk of the highlights can be easily accessed by vehicle and a few very approachable walking trails. This park has one main thoroughfare, Meadows in the Sky Parkway, which delivers travelers to the summit area of the 6,341ft (1,933 meter) Mt. Revelstoke. 

No zip through Revelstoke NP is complete without standing atop “the point of no return.” the world-famous Nels Nelson Hill (aka Big Hill) ski jump area, which was the site of early world record ski lore. You will notice upon arrival at Revelstoke, and any Canadian National Park, that Canadians take great pride in their country’s lands, which are showcased in wonderful signage and well-kept park grounds. 

Quick Note to Traveler: Mt. Rev NP is best enjoyed as a quick morning stop, meaning no need to clear an entire day of a trip itinerary

Beyond the Park:
1. Stroll downtown Revelstoke, a hip ski town at the base of Revelstoke Ski Resort.
2. Go to Dose Coffee in downtown Revelstoke, a must-stop for coffee lovers.

2. Glacier National Park, British Columbia

Sporting the same name as one of America’s greatest parks, Glacier National Park is just east of Revelstoke. But, unlike Revelstoke, travelers will need to hit the hiking trails and work a bit to fully appreciate this national park stop. Sure, the giant glaciers throughout the upper mountain regions can be viewed from inside your Winnebago, but to truly appreciate the size and magnitude of this area one will need to head into the wilder country beyond the pavement. 

Remember that glaciers are made of water, giant frozen rivers slowly carving out the vertical landscape, so all of your hiking miles will be filled with raging rivers, wildflower-filled meadows, and endless waterfalls. Most of Glacier NP is wild, making it a mecca for backcountry/ultra-adventure enthusiasts!

Spots to Hit:
1. Hermit Trail is a calf burner, but the summit area has major Switzerland vibes.
2. Meeting of the Waters Trail is the perfect “post dinner” stroll from the campground.
3. Illecillewaet Valley area (great to see even if you don’t stay the night).

RV Camping in Glacier National Park

Illecillewaet Valley NP Campground (FCFS) is a little 60-site gem right smack in the middle of Glacier NP with easy access to anything and everything this park has to offer. We stayed in peak season (late July) and had over 20 spots to pick from upon a mid-afternoon arrival.

3. Yoho National Park, British Columbia 

The word Yoho means the expression of “Awe” in the Cree language (one of the largest First Nations groups in Canada). And AWE will be your complete state of mind as you explore Yoho National Park. Yoho is home to some of the highest peaks of the Canadian Rockies, which actually gives new meaning to “driving into the park”, as the mountain slopes seem to envelope your vehicle upon arrival. 

Yes, Yoho is a biggie with endless places to explore, but we truly feel the stroll (it is not a hike) that circumnavigates Emerald Lake is THE signature Yoho experience that cannot be missed. Emerald lake is the typical other-worldly emerald green glacial lake, but what sets it apart from the more famous glacial Canadian tourists lakes is that you can walk around the entire lake.

It is just a special place and a great hike for people of all ages and abilities. You will be talking about it, thinking about it, and gawking at your pictures for years to come. 

Quick Note: We just literally “scratched the surface” of Yoho, so please don’t think of this as a complete guide to the area, but please place either a sunrise or sunset stroll around Emerald Lake on your trip agenda … you WILL NOT be disappointed! 

Other Spots to Hit: 
1. Town of Field – a quirky little town within the park border.
2. Truffle Pig for the pork nachos (little restaurant in Field).
3. Natural Bridge - a pretty epic waterfall!
4. Wapta Falls which includes a mid-effort hike.

Beyond the Park: 
1. City of Golden: A hidden gem mountain town that has yet to be hit by big money … think Steamboat, Colorado 30 years ago!
2. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort for mountain biking, gondola, and a bear sanctuary.
3. Whitetooth Brewing Company
4. Tacos at Reposados
5. Coffee at Ethos
6. Mid-Week Farmers Market

RV Camping in Yoho National Park

We stayed at the Municipal Campground in the town of Golden, BC, where we enjoyed morning and evening walks into town and mingling with the locals a bit. The campground has showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, and a variety of camping options … a full service kinda place.

4. Kootenay National Park, British Columbia

First off, pronounce this park “Kootenee” and now you will fit in with the locals and sound like you know what you’re doing. Kootenay is another park that we consider more of a “drive through” place to take in views and move on. BUT it is home to Radium Hot Springs, so you must park the Winnebago and take some time to lounge in the warm waters of Radium. 

This is not like Hot Springs NP in Arkansas, meaning this is a much more family friendly and affordable place to take a soak, so please don’t drive by and skip it. We did purchase a day pass to Radium and stayed the night in the Redstreak National Park campground, which has a two-kilometer hiking path connecting the springs to the campground. It was a much-needed chill day with multiple soaks in the hot spring!

Beyond the Park:
1. Skip the town of Radium Springs (nothing to see here) 
2. Take the 9-kilometer drive south to Invermere and visit Kicking Horse Coffee Headquarters & Café instead.

RV Camping in Kootenay National Park

Redstreak Campground is a very large reservable NP campground with convenient access to Radium Hot Springs. It is nice and clean, but (as of summer 2024) this camp needs a bit of TLC from the parks service.

5. Banff National Park, Alberta

The granddaddy of all, the world-famous, THE place to be and often a “Bucket List” destination for travelers throughout the world, welcome to Banff National Park. Also, welcome to crowded trailheads, masses of people, tour buses, timed reservation systems to limit access, shuttle buses, and general organized chaos! 

Yes, Banff National Park is a different beast, but don’t be scared away because of the crowds, just be prepared. Banff is beautiful, worth the hassle, and the crowded areas can be easily left behind by simply hitting any hiking trail leading away from the popular destinations. The Banff and Lake Louise region is spectacular and an absolute joy to explore. It is organized and a destination that will leave you “in awe” and wanting to return again soon, even with the busy chaos. 

My advice? Don’t be “too cool” and skip it because everyone else does it … celebrate and place yourself within the confusion and just practice patience!

Spots to Hit: 
1. Lake Louise (the actual lake) 
2. Shuttle to Moraine Lake
3. Lake Agnes Tea House
4. Sentinel Pass Hike

Note: I suggest planning to canoe on Lake Louise (rentals are $150 per hour), as well as Lake Moraine (rentals are $160 per hour). Pricey, but worth it in my opinion.

RV Camping in Banff National Park

We stayed multiple nights in two different campgrounds in order to experience both Banff National Park and the town. 

Lake Louise Campground is a HUGE complex with many options from tent to 50+ foot RVs. The main decision one must make is “Soft-Side” vs. “Hard-Side” and be ready to book online six months in advance because camping here is very, very competitive!!!

However, we believe Lake Louise Campground is a must stay location for a complete trip because it gives you direct access to the Lake Louise area of Banff. As you begin your personal planning for Banff National Park, you will quickly learn that MOST of the actual national park activities center in this region of the park. 

When booking, soft-side means no hook-ups and is for small rigs and tents. The area is surrounded by a network of electrical fences to deter bears and other large creatures. Hard-side means literally hard-walled campers, large trailers and RVs. There is no electrical perimeter fence and all food items must be stored within the hard walls of your camper (again to deter large creatures). We stayed in the no hook-up soft-sided area with our Winnebago Solis.

Banff Tunnel Mountain Campground is another seemingly endless facility with all options of camping. It is also a place that needs to be booked months in advance. This campground is used to access the town of Banff and all the town-centered activities. This is NOT the best place to base your camping experience for hiking and exploring the natural parts of Banff National Park.

Note: Both campgrounds are VERY nice with showers, top-notch facilities, shuttle bus service, etc. You won’t be disappointed in either, unless you skip Lake Louise … did we mention we suggest you stay at Lake Louise? :)

For more tips on visiting and camping in your RV in Banff, read this guide.

Next Time: Jasper National Park, Alberta

Unfortunately, Jasper National Park was not an option for this year's trip, due to extensive wildfires. During our time in Alberta, both the national park and town of Jasper were evacuated, and many places were sadly burned to the ground. Wildfires throughout the Canadian and American west have become the norm these days and we hope the communities affected by this latest outbreak are able to recover and rebuild. Be sure to keep fire season in mind when planning your trip to explore this beautiful area.

We plan to return back for more Canadian Rocky national park adventures and will include Jasper next time. This article by a Winnebago owner based in Canada shares some amazing hidden gems in this region!

Thanks for reading and happy trails, 
-Christian, Ray, Valerie, LilV, and our faithful Winnebago Solis “Mearl.”