Doing a Vancouver to Banff avenue journey have been excessive on my bucket listing for years ever due to the fact that I first noticed the ones beautiful pix of Lake Louise. (Be certain to test out my digital digicam tools tips in matter you need to make certain you seize the terrific lake colors!)
Of course, again then I had no concept that the beautiful Gatorade-sapphire lake changed into referred to as Louise, or that there have been numerous different lovely lakes there as properly. To be honest, I wasn’t even simply certain the way to get there or how hard it’d be to get to the ones Insta-worth viewpoints on a Vancouver to Banff drive.
Before my journey, I legitimately notion that seeing Banff could be on the equal trouble degree as Patagonia. It’s now no longer. The pleasant webweb sites are lots nearer collectively that I notion, and it changed into smooth to look the pinnacle highlights in only a couple days with my Jucy campervan!
This is my 2nd time doing a roadtrip with a Jucy campervan and I even have to mention that I simply love them. They’re decked out with the whole thing you want, from under-seat bags storage, to a mini kitchen, to a cozy “penthouse” rooftop tent. It changed into simply ideal for riding from Vancouver to Banff.
Day 1: Start Your Vancouver to Banff Road Trip!
As I mentioned, you need to choose up your Jucy campervan close to Vancouver to begin your Vancouver to Banff drive. In fact, you need to go the United States border to choose it up in Washington due to the fact it is a US company.
Not to fear though, the border crossing is short and smooth, simply ensure you DO NOT cross grocery buying earlier than you get the campervan. Otherwise you will want to claim the culmination and veggies, and a few gadgets are not allowed to go the border like citrus or tomatoes.
Once you have picked up your campervan from the adorable Jucy human beings, head again throughout the border and hit up a grocery store! You’ll surely want to consume a pair instances in the course of the Vancouver to Banff avenue journey, so inventory up!
Day 2: Emerald Lake, Peyto Lake, and the Iceridge Parkway
Another element I failed to understand earlier than my Vancouver to Banff journey is that there are 4 National Parks withinside the equal area, it is now no longer simply Banff! Yoho National Park is simply to the west of it, Kootenay National Park is under it, and Jasper National Park is simply North.
Wake up as early as you may and head to Emerald Lake first, that is in Yoho National Park. You’ll want a National Parks Pass that is most effective day in keeping with vehicle (and right for 2-7 human beings withinside the vehicle!), which you may get from a bit sales space as you input the parks.
The Banff internet site is a bit difficult to determine out how lots it’s miles for park passes, however basically you may pay in keeping with day and it is right for ANY National Park in Canada. Or, in matter you’re staying longer than per week you may as properly get the once a year pass.
Peyto Lake
You ought to 100% prevent at Peyto Lake due to the fact it is arguably simply as splendid as Louise and Moraine! Parking changed into to be had and it changed into most effective a quick 10 minute hike via pine-scented greenery to get to the lookout point!
You also can prevent at Bow Lake for a fast image because it has a turnoff at the facet of the avenue!
If you are seeking out a campground, preserve riding north alongside the glacier-covered highway. There are 3 alongside it, and that they get emptier the farther north you cross.
We ended up locating loads of to be had spots at Silverhorn Creek for most effective sixteen for the night time and five for firewood. It did not have showers or flush toilets, however did have loads of webweb sites on a lovely river.
Day 3: Sunrise at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
Everyone who has been to Banff will let you know to go to Lake Louise or Moraine earlier than dawn. This is typically due to the fact the parking state of affairs is constrained and normally packs out via way of means of dawn!
But, in my opinion, perhaps the cause why it packs out via way of means of dawn is due to the fact all of us says to get there then. Because after I went, I located parking at Lake Louise at 1pm and parking at Moraine at 3pm. It changed into additionally bloodless and wet though, in order that surely made much less human beings cross there that day.
If it is pleasant weather, surely head over at round 4:30am. Perks of getting a Jucy campervan are that you may declare your parking spot, then nap till dawn in matter you desired to!
Wherever you make a decision to park (properly, I ought to say “get fortunate sufficient to park”), you will possibly need to go away the campervan there for the day. There’s a commute that is going to the distinctive parking regions and the 2 lakes, so that you can take that to get round.