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Topic: Jasper, Banff, Columbia Icefields rv parks? (Read 804 times) previous topic - next topic
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Jasper, Banff, Columbia Icefields rv parks?

Yahoo Message Number: 80228
Hello all you seasoned travelers.

We are going to Jasper, Columbia Icefields, Banff, etc. in late August. Can anyone tell me where we can stay that is close to the Columbia Icefields? We have three rigs going and one has a quadreplegic passenger so the days get kinda short after getting him ready. So, we would like to stay as close as possible to the Icefields. I believe there are several campgrounds in the area but they probably can't handle a 45' coach. Hope some of you have been there and can make a recommendation. Thank you.

Larry and Linda
05 Inspire

Re: Jasper, Banff, Columbia Icefields rv parks?

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80232
Larry and Linda,

There are several places you should be able to stay near the locations you mention. In Banff there is Tunnel Mountain RV, which is part of the park system. You can make reservations for there as well as the other two possibilities. Tunnel Mountain will have full hookups available, and you can try to make reservations at Jasper for full hookups. In Jasper, I highly recommend your trying to get reservations, as hookups for the larger rigs are hard to come by. There is a KOA outside the park near Jasper, in Hinton. Nice Park but about 20 miles outside of the park. There are also partial hookup facilities at Lake Louise, again for your coach reservations would be wise.
My wife and I travel in a 40' coach towing an Envoy and are able to usually get a site large enough to accommodate our rig. Tunnel Mountain will likely be the easiest to obtain a site. Jasper is limited on large sites and they always go fast. So if you know your travel dates, highly suggest reservations for Jasper, and it doesn't hurt to have them in Banff either.
Do enjoy the park. We try stopping there on our way north to Alaska in late May/early June, and again on our way south in mid September. Enjoy the scenery and park it is a beautiful place to visit.

Bill Brown

now in a 40'Monterey, Laguna IV
previously a 36' Intrigue.

Re: Jasper, Banff, Columbia Icefields rv parks?

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80249
Last year we were on our way back from Alaska in late August and stopped at the Jasper welcome center to make reservations. They were pretty helpful but that was a real busy time of the year and nothing was available. They did say that some of the camping areas in the park were available on a first come basis. Decided to drive to Banff and on to Cantwell which is just outside the park and camped there. Good choice as the next day headed back into Banff and up to the Icefields with the toad and looked at each campsite on the way. None of the campgrounds the welcome center recommended could of held our '40 without backing out the way we got in. Suggest call ahead and make reservations and let them know you have a '45 Coach. Also there is one Fuel station between Jasper and Cantwell. Believe it was in Banff and fuel then equaled $6.25/gal. Since everything is in litres was watching the numbers scream by until realized how much and had them stop pumping. In Cantwell fuel was $4.08/gal and finished filling up there. Hope this helps. It is pretty up there.

Pete & Robin Sarno
Stuart, Fla
'02 Magna #6110
'11 Jeep Wrangler

Re: Jasper, Banff, Columbia Icefields rv parks?

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80250
Dear Larry and Linda,

As a retired tour operator and bus driver, as far as I know there are no RV Parks on the Ice Fields Parkway. You will need to camp in Jasper or Banff.
There is Bus Service from Banff or Jasper to the Ice fields. Contact Brewsters Bus Company for details. There is a large 'bus' parking lot at the Ice Fields but I don't know about RV Parking. Brewters can advise you. You can get Brewsters telephone number on the Internet. They run an excellent service to and return.

Hope this helps. Safe travels.

Michael Title
05 Inspire #51381

Re: Jasper, Banff, Columbia Icefields rv parks?

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80262
HI,

Last summer on our way south from Jasper we stayed in the parking lot at the visitors center at the Columbia glacier. There is a fee but I do not remember how much. There was plenty of room and the view was spectacular.
This is the center where they offer rides up onto the glacier.
I also think the National Park campground in Lake Louis could handle a 45 foot MH. We showed up there early in the day with no reservations.
There is also a campground in Jasper area that had a big overflow area with plenty of room but I don't remember the name of it. I will try to find it in my notes.
Norm

2004 Intrigue #11773

Re: Jasper, Banff, Columbia Icefields rv parks?

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80280
Pete so as not to create confusion, the town outside the Banff National Park is Canmore, Alberta and not Cantwell. It is only about 2 or 3 miles east of the Park entrance. In almost all cases, services will be cheaper outside the park. Almost all the campgrounds in the park are very old facilities, and therefore not usually capable of handling bigger coaches--more for tents, and small trailers, as they were constructed long before motor homes were around. Also , to be helpful , there are 3.78 L in 1 US gallon. The diesel fuel in Canada is also higher in quality, than the usual No 2 grade in the US and you should get slightly higher fuel mileage. Hope this helps

Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025

Re: Jasper, Banff, Columbia Icefields rv parks?

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80297
Ron thanks for clearing that up. Had a senior moment as was still in Cantwell, AK. I also noticed a slight difference in fuel mileage with the better fuel. Suggest anyone traveling north to Alaska apply for a Petro-Canada SuperPass Card before you go. It gives you access to the Canadian Truck Stops and over 500 U.S. truck stops. Enables using the high speed pumps and the fuel price is a little cheaper. We didn't have it last year but will get it for the next trip to Alaska.

Pete

'02 Magna #6110