Western Canada Road Trip: Itinerary, What to Do & Where

Planning your Western Canada road trip soon but can’t decide what to do and where to go? No matter what your mood is, this article will help you get started on your next adventure on the road!

Lake Louise and Banff

No Canadian Rockies road trip will never be complete without dropping by Banff National Park with its panoramic natural hot springs and mountain peaks, the crystal clear blue waters of Lake Louise, and hiking paths that span over 1,000 miles.

On the fringes of the first national park of Canada, Banff town is vibrant with its shops, restaurants, museums, and trails that offer lots of space.

Calgary

The fourth biggest Canadian city, Calgary airport is closest to the Canadian Rockies, which means you can choose to start or cap off your Western Canada road trip here. Famous for the Calgary Stampede held every year, Calgary is home to Glenbow Museum, Heritage Park Historical Village, and National Music Center. 

The restaurants of the city always rank as some of the best dining spots in the country. The Canadian Badlands is just a short distance away from Calgary where you will be welcomed by a unique geological profile with its deep rocky canyons and rare hoodoo rock formations. 

Jasper

One of the best drives in Canada is none other than icefields Parkway located between Jasper and Lake Louise. You can stop at Columbia Icefield to hike among the gorgeous glacier-capped peaks or walk on a glacier. Jasper National Park is also amazing without the crowds. Being the biggest park in the Canadian Rockies, it offers enough space for exploring the mountains, canyons, and lakes. 

Kamloops to the B.C. Rockies

While cruising east from Vancouver and crossing the Coast Mountains, you will leave behind the verdant coastal rainforest and pass through the hills of British Columbia reminiscent of a desert. 

Kamloops’ sunny city is also a convenient stopover point right between the Rockies and Vancouver with an up-and-coming wine industry and some small museums. 

Continuing east on Trans-Canada Highway will lead you to three national parks, Glacier, Yoho, and Mount Revelstoke that all have their unique offerings and characteristics. 

The Kootenays

The region of Kootenays spreads across southeastern British Columbia nestled between the Okanagan Valley and the Rocky Mountains. Kootenay National Park’s diverse landscape awaits you here, as well as the Hot Springs Highway, natural mineral pools, and the funky mountain towns of Nelson and Fernie. You can also learn the history of the First Nations who lived in the area for over 10,000 years. 

The Okanagan

Over 200 wineries dot the rocky hills and lakeshores of central British Columbia’s sunny Okanagan Valley known for its nickname Napa of the North. It is an agricultural region stretching from Osoyoos in desert-like lands close to the United States border north to the biggest city in the area, Kelowna. 

Vancouver

Vancouver is where the city meets the rainforest with its downtown peninsula covered by the huge Stanley Park and forests of steel and glass skyscrapers. The North Shore Mountains are overlooking the city skyline with the sea hugging the city with the sandy beaches that are only a few steps away from the urban hotels. 

Victoria, Vancouver Island, Whistler, and Sea-to-Sky Highway are other amazing additions to your itinerary for your Western Canada road trip. So, are you ready to hit the roads soon?